The Ten Things

The Ten Things

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Chapter 10

He knew it was too good to be true. Nothing is ever easy in life. Nothing is ever fair. He knew this and fell into the traps he had long ago faced and defeated. Yet, in the end, he was back at square one. It felt as if déjà vu was setting in. Yuugi had not felt this since his mother's death. It was simply another piece of the puzzle to his past. It did not help with situations such as these.

He sat in the waiting room in the hospital, cold cup of coffee in hand. He and Atemu had been sitting here for an hour, waiting for any sign of Sugoroku. The aging man had run off with the news pertaining to Arthur's condition. The man had died instantly from a brain aneurism. The news was shocking as Arthur was healthy as a horse. Yuugi and Atemu both felt shaken at this surprising news. Sugoroku fled from his "family" once he heard of his best friend's death. Yuugi fell silent once his grandfather departed them. He knew the man needed some time to think and grieve over Arthur.

The thought of grieving never registered in Yuugi's mind. After losing his mother, he had set aside his sadness for her passing in order to help his grandfather. Yet, being in another state did not help the situation. Yuugi often spoke with him during the days after his mother's death and offered to return home for a while. Sugoroku declined Yuugi's persistence. He did not want Yuugi to fall behind in school or to return home and deal with Atemu living there. Despite his grandfather's stubbornness, Yuugi tried to keep in touch trying his best to comfort him. Due to this, Yuugi had never grieved over his mother's death. It was also, why he had fallen into a rough stint with his addictions. Drinking became his outlet and smoking became his method of dealing with the never-ending anxiety. These stimulants "helped" him through the pain he often dealt with daily. In the end, it was his downfall. Sobriety was hard and Yuugi found himself failing to maintain this status at times. With Atemu a constant in his life, these habits dissipated with ease. He helped numb the pain Yuugi often felt from his past.

Atemu sat next to Yuugi, pulling the man into a one-armed hug. He pressed a kiss to Yuugi's temple, hoping to gain some sort of response. After a moment, Yuugi sighed, setting his cold cup of coffee on the table adjacent to them. Yuugi turned and rested his head on Atemu's shoulder, closing his eyes.

Atemu raked his fingers through the smaller male's downy-soft tresses. Yuugi often found comfort from these actions, enjoying the relaxing feel of Atemu's fingers combing through his hair. A soft sigh escaped past his lips. He remained silent, simply enjoying the comfort offered.

Atemu continued his actions, relieved that his actions were helping Yuugi. He had been worried once the news broke of Arthur's passing. He had been around for the death of Yuugi's mother. The old man had not taken the news well. He believed that Sugoroku never got over the death of his only child. Losing her was hard with Yuugi gone. The elder Mutou took to traveling for a few months, leaving Atemu in charge of the game shop. Atemu had a feeling that he would follow the same pattern with his best friend's death.

However, now, Atemu found himself busy comforting his lover. Yuugi never spoke of his mother's death. This bothered him in numerous ways. Yuugi never expressed his problems or emotions. He was an introvert, something that often caused them to butt heads in their relationship. This time was not any different. Yuugi was refraining from communicating his problems and Atemu merely sat there, attempting to offer any form of comfort.

'What I would give to know what runs through that mind of his.' He thought, gazing down at the silent man.

"Yuugi, are you alright?"

Yuugi lifted his head, amethyst eyes opening slowly. He gazed at Atemu with a blank expression, shrugging his shoulders lightly.

"As well as one can be in situations such as these."

"It's getting late. Do you think we should go and find Sugoroku?"

Yuugi contemplated his response. He sighed and pulled away from Atemu, stretching the kinks out of his back.

"I guess we should. I just hope he's not doing anything crazy like you and I did in the past."

"I doubt he would do that, Yuugi. He usually handles these issues by traveling. I do not think he will go to drastic measures."

Yuugi merely nodded, staring at the floor. Thinking of his sobriety helped him through this situation. Yet, he felt ashamed for his actions.

Ruby eyes gazed at him, taking in the man's tenseness. "Yuugi, do not feel ashamed for what you have gone through. You are now sober and have been for a long time. We both have fallen down that pathway of no return but have recovered. Look where we are today."

"I guess you are right. Realizing I had a problem with alcohol and smoking were two of the hardest things I have ever done. The first being the realization of never seeing you again." He smiled and then continued. "But that was proven wrong now."

Yuugi stood up and held out his hand to Atemu. "Shall we go and find him?"

"Yes, partner. I believe we should." He took the other's outstretched hand and squeezed it lightly as they walked out of the waiting room.

Sugoroku was somewhere around. They just had to find him.

Death was a part of life. He knew this. Yet, the shock never seemed to end with each death he suffered of a close friend or family member. First his wife had died, second his daughter had died. Now, his best friend in the entire world passed on… Arthur left the world of the living.

He managed to deal with the losses fairly well. He never felt the need to express his mourning in front of others. Traveling often helped calm his broken heart. Losing Arthur was more than he could bear. Arthur had been a large part of his life since his days in Egypt. Part of their friendship escalated to the lines of romanticism. Yet, the relationship never made it far. Arthur passed away only a few days after they decided to be together.

Sugoroku was at a loss for the numbness that spread throughout his body. Void filled his heart. There was nothing left except his grandson, his pride and joy. Yuugi and Atemu meant the world to him. The duo made life worth living. With Arthur gone, Sugoroku knew what he needed to do. He needed a break. He had been there for Atemu when he had gone through his painkiller addiction and the recovery for him. He had been there when Yuugi returned and needed guidance. He needed time to himself to recuperate from the void and growing depression he felt.

Groaning, the man walked out of the cafeteria, heading back upstairs to the waiting room. He needed to tell Yuugi and Atemu of his plans.

As he walked towards the elevators, he heard the duo calling him.

"GRANDPA!"

Turning his eyes onto the duo, his brows raised at the sight of their adjoined hands. This was new.

"Yuugi, Atemu. I was on my way up to see you both."

Yuugi let go of Atemu's hand and pulled his grandfather into a hug. He frowned at Sugoroku and tilted his head to the side.

"What did you want to tell us?"

"What do you mean, Yuugi?"

"I can see it in your eyes. You have something to tell us."

The elder man shook his head, cursing mentally. Yuugi was good at reading others fairly well. He knew that he had an agenda to set with them.

"I have decided to take a leave of absence. I need time to sort out thoughts and I need to make sure Arthur's body gets to his granddaughter and his other family in California."

Yuugi took in the information and held back the worry he felt for his grandfather. "How long are you planning on staying away?"

Atemu remained silent during this time. He remembered when Sugoroku went off after the death of his daughter. He had a feeling that he would do this again.

"For as long as I need. I am not sure when I will return. All I ask is for you two to run the game shop and not kill one another."

Yuugi looked at Atemu and sighed. "That shouldn't be a problem, Grandpa. We have reconciled our differences and are giving our relationship another try."

Sugoroku's eyes widened at this statement. He smiled brightly and gave both men a pat on the shoulder. "It's about time! I was wondering when you two would get over your problems and shack up again!"

"GRANDPA! We are not doing THAT yet. We're taking it slow."

"Sure, Yuugi. Whatever floats your boat." He yawned and then motioned for the men to follow him to the car.

Yuugi felt torn between his emotions. He felt elated over his relationship with Atemu and felt upset for his grandfather. Conflicting emotions were nothing new. He knew that his grandfather would get through this rough patch just as he was. Life has many vicissitudes. Problems are always around and sometimes are never resolved. Yuugi knew he had some of these issues and he hoped that one day he could look back and realize how much he and Atemu have overcome.

'I hope this vacation helps Grandpa sort out his problems.'