The Bet

yes, malik is still gonna be in the fic, just...i'm working on it, and we'll be meeting up wit ryou and bakura again soon, and, yes, THERE WILL BE A LEMON.

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chapter 12: the much anticipated date

Yami held Yugi tightly against his chest while the little one sobbed, his hot tears pinging softly as they fell onto Yami's leather coat and slipped down it. Yami rubbed his back, his leather gloved fingers pressing down on the thick material of the small boy's winter coat.

Yugi whimpered and curled up more against Yami, his face hidden against his chest. The older boy bent his head, his mouth right next to Yugi's ear. "Oh, Yugi, I'm so sorry. I never should have done that with you in the car. Damn it, I'm such a fu-" He immediately stopped, not wanting the little one to hear him swearing. Yeah, that would a real nice impression.

Yami cursed himself mentally. He was such a fucking idiot! He probably just blew it big time by scaring Yugi. The boy was probably so terrified that he didn't want to ride in the car with Yami. Then again, Yami couldn't blame him. He supposed him and Kaiba had been just a tad bit reckless.

Yugi clung to Yami, tears leaving salty tracks down his cheeks and his eyes became red and puffy. He shuddered a bit, trying to calm down. He'd never gone so fast in his life, and he'd been scared senseless.

"Yugi, I'm so sorry, I should've used my head, I-" Yami's warm breath tickled his ear, and Yuhivehivered, his spine tingling, and for one dizzying moment, he suddenly wanted Yami to take his ear into his mouth.

Yugi suddenly gasped and looked up at Yami. Yami's worried crimson eyes widened at his swift action. "I-I..." He fumbled for words to explain himself. He suddenly felt like a major fool. Yami probably thought he was a first class loser now. Here he was, clinging to him and crying like a baby, all because Yami had driven fast. "I'm sor-ry, Yami, I-"

Yami's eyes went even wider with shock, and his tone was slightly bewildered. "Yugi, what are you sorry for? You've done nothing wrong, I'm the idiot that put both our lives in danger."

Yugi shook his head and looked down at the leather seats. Yami really seemed to have an obsession with leather. "I-I-" He gulped and closed his eyes. "I've never...never r-really been in a c-car before, much less one that can r-race. I'm used to the school and public buses, that I ride with Grandpa, b-but I've only been in a taxi t-twice......" Yugi trailed off, positive that Yami had just labeled him the biggest reject of the century."

"You mean, you've never been in a regular car before?"

Yugi shook his head, still avoiding eye contact. "N-no. This is only my second time."

Yami smiled. The little one really was innocent; taking advantage of him and winning the bet was going to be a piece of cake. He hugged Yugi reassuringly. "Yugi, it's alright. I'm happy to have the privilege of showing you how to ride in style. Though, I think I had better slow it down a bit, else your Grandpa might skin me alive. Also, I wouldn't want you to pee your pants."

Yugi gasped, tears filling his eyes again, sure that Yami was making fun of him and was going to leave him off right here on the side of the road in the dark of night. His head snapped up, and he froze, realizing just how close his and Yami's faces were.

Yami's heart wrenched at the look of fear returned to Yugi's face. He smiled and winked at Yugi, trying to reassure the boy. The little one relaxed a bit when he realized Yami was just joking. He was too accustomed to cruel barbs and jokes that it took him a minute to figure out Yami wasn't serious; he was just trying to make him laugh.

Yami's laugh died in his throat when he realized just how close his lips were to Yugi's soft ones. His eyes darkened to a wine red, filled with lust as he gazed down at that sweet face. Yugi's large, violet eyes blinked innocently and he licked his soft, pink lips nervously. He tried to scoot back, but the steering wheel and Yami's arms prevented him from moving.

It was taking all of Yami's will power not to lean down and kiss that tempting mouth. God, Yugi must have been placed here on this earth just to torment him. Yami's eyes closed and his head angled downward, starting to go to Yugi's when he suddenly stopped. What was he doing? But....oh, God, he'd give anything to feel those soft lips against his!

Yugi's eyes were wide and he was frozen on the spot. Was Yami going to kiss him? It certainly looked like it.....his heart started pounding wildly in his chest as Yami's lips neared his, but the older boy pulled back just before they made contact.

Yami was speechless, unsure of what to say. Yugi looked up at him, not batting an eye lash. The two stared at each other, both shocked at Yami's actions. Yugi looked like a terrified rabbit in a trap, and Yami was ready to shoot himself. It was bad enough he'd scared him with his driving, but now the little one probably thought Yami was going to tear his clothes off of him and molest him.

Though....that wasn't such a bad idea.......Grimacing and trying to fight back naughty thoughts of a naked, sweaty, panting Yugi, Yami shook his head, then looked down at Yugi, who still stared wide eyed up at him. "Yugi, are you alright? I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking, I-"

Yugi shook his head. "I-I'm f-f-fin-ne. It-it's j-just t-that n-no one's e- ever w-wanted t-to k-k-kiss m-me b-before....." Yugi looked back down at his lap and Yami's chest, blushing furiously.

Yami raised one hand and tenderly cupped Yugi's cheek, raising his head and staring into his soft violet eyes. "I can't see why not." His voice was soft and sincere.

Yugi's face turned redder and he closed his . Hi. His small shoulders hunched inward with his embarrassment, and he smiled softly. Yami smiled as well, for some reason thrilling at the adorable expression on his date's face.

They sat in silence for a moment, before Yami's mind started to wander back into the gutter. He shook his head, forcing those thoughts away, but it was impossible not to think dirty thoughts, especially with Yugi sitting right there in his lap, so close and accessible.

But Yami couldn't. Yugi wasn't like his usual dates; he wasn't cheap and easy. Yugi was the modest, wholesome type. Maybe that was why Yami was so attracted to the sweet, shy boy. That, or maybe it was his supple body and creamy white skin- Gritting his teeth, Yami put his hands on Yugi's shoulders and gently pushed the boy back into his seat.

Sighing with relief and shoving those thoughts under the rug, Yami calmed himself a bit before he looked at Yugi, who was gazing up at him with concern on his face. "Y-yami?"

He smiled down at the little one. "We'd better get going, Yugi, if I'm to have you home on time. Are you alright now?"

Yugi clasped his hands in his lap and nodded.

"So....Yugi, how about we go see that movie now?" Yugi nodded again. Yami leaned over and hugged his petite body briefly. "Yugi, its alright. I just want you to be okay. If you want me to take you home now, I will. I'm very sorry, Yugi."

Yugi stiffened, not used to such contact, but he enjoyed it nonetheless. It felt so right, so natural, to be in Yami's arms, and he immediately snuggled into the crook of his neck. "No, Yami, I'm fine. I-I wanna go see a movie with you, but, please....c-can you....w-would you drive a little slower?"

Yami chuckled as he pulled back. "Sure, Yugi, sure." He returned to his seat and put his seat belt on then glanced back at Yugi, to make sure he really was alright. The little one was fumbling with his seat belt, his thick mittens unable to get a good grasp on it.

"Here, let me help." Yami said as he reached out and swiftly buckled Yugi in.

Yugi clasped his hands in his lap and blushed. "Thank you, Yami."

Yami smiled again. Yugi always seemed to know how to lighten his spirits. "You're welcome, Yugi," He said as he turned the keys, pressed the brake, and the engine whirred to life.

Yugi gasped and jumped a bit, trembling slightly as the car pulled out. Just as Yami had thought, Yugi was wary and scared of him. And he had every right to be. Yami flicked on his left turn signal then reached over and took Yugi's mittened hand in his, giving it a comforting squeeze as he pulled back out onto the road, going fifteen above the speed limit, one eye on the road, and the other on the small boy clutching his hand.

Yugi stared out his window, still nervously clinging to Yami's hand. He jumped every time the older boy pressed on the gas pedal, but so far Yami had kept true to his word and wasn't going too much above the speed limit. That brought him some relief, but he was still afraid Yami'd get carried away again. Yami seemed to like going fast.

Other than the racing incident, the evening had been going very well. At least, for Yugi it had. He wasn't too sure for Yami, but he prayed that the other boy was having a good time as well. Yami had taken him to dinner at T.G.I Friday's, one of the best restaurants in town. Yugi has spent the entire time gazing down at his hands and food, too shy to look up at Yami. He wasn't sure how one should act on a date, and he'd spoken very softly. Yami'd had to strain to hear him, and had to tell the waitress what he wanted.

Yugi chewed his lip nervously, hoping he wasn't screwing up too bad. Why couldn't dating come with a guide book, so he'd know what to expect, and what was expected of him? He cast a quick, nervous glance at Yami, who'd been quiet after he pulled out. Why wasn't Yami talking to him anymore? Had he done something wrong? Biting back a whimper, the little one turned back to the window and pondered where he could have screwed up.

But, still, before the speeding incident, during dinner, Yami had been very polite and considerate. He'd pulled out Yugi's chair and helped him sit, opened the car door for him, held the restaurant's doors open, and had also helped Yugi remove his coat. A perfect gentleman. Though from the distance he'd always seemed a bit rough around the edges, Yami really was a kind person underneath. He was allowing Yugi to glimpse that kindness and consideration tonight, and Yugi was falling for him all the more.

Yami cast a worried glance at Yugi. Was he really fucking up that badly? Sure, that racing stunt had probably set him back big time, but throughout dinner, Yugi had stumbled over his words, and he'd had to strain to hear the little one's soft voice. Yami hoped that it was just nerves. He'd never been out with anyone like Yugi before, and he was not sure how to act. He'd tried doing all of that courtesy bull shit his mother had drilled into him, but he wasn't sure how it was working out. With Yugi, it was so hard to tell.

He sighed. He really wasn't used to going on dates like this. Normally, he knew what to do all too well. But his usual tricks would probably scare Yugi up a wall. He knew what lines to lay and when to lay them. He was always poised and in control, his date like putty in his palms. He had also never cared what his dates thought before. They'd all been pretty much the same; nameless fucks whom he played 'race to the bed' with. He took them out, the whole goal of the evening to get up their skirts. And, ninety nine times out of a hundred, he'd succeeded. But tonight was the toughest challenge he'd ever faced; proving to Yugi that the little one could trust him.

They rode like that, in silence, each lost in their own thoughts and worrying about what the other one was thinking.

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Both of Yugi's mitten covered hands clung to one of Yami's leather gloved ones as they stood in the middle of the massive line, waiting to get their tickets. They crept forward inch by inch, step by step as the line moved slowly.

Yugi glanced about him, his small body pressed tightly to Yami's. He'd never been to a movie on a Friday night before; he'd had no idea it was so crowded. The huge, thirty screen theater, which also had a restaurant on its upper floor and a huge arcade on its lower floor, was jam packed with people. Every nook and cranny was filled with people of different ages; Yugi recognized a lot of kids from school.

Most of them had come over to say hello to Yami and chat with him for a few minutes. They'd given him an odd look when they'd spied Yugi, who'd pressed himself against Yami and hid behind the taller boy. A good portion of them had been some of Yugi's less persistent tormentors. Seeing the look they'd given the little one, Yami had squeezed Yugi's hand and glared at his friends, who then suddenly smiled and greeted Yugi as well. Yugi knew they were only doing that because of Yami, though. But he wasn't going to complain.

Yami stepped up to the cashier, glad to finally be out of that horrid line. He fished his wallet out of his pants pocket, showed the girl behind the counter, who was giving him a dreamy eyed look, his fake I.D., which proclaimed him to be twenty one, and paid for the tickets to the R rated movie. The girl at the counter was too busy drooling over Yami to really pay attention to Yugi, who looked like he was ten, but that was just as well. Yami's I.D. ensured that he could get the little fifteen year old in, even though he himself was only eighteen. The rule at the theatre was anyone under the age of eighteen had to be accompanied by someone over the age of twenty one.

The movie selection hadn't been that great, and Yami had already seen most of them. He had managed to talk Yugi into going to see an action movie jam packed with wicked stunts, explosions, pounding music, and awesome cars. He had wanted Yugi to pick the movie, but the little one had blushed and stuttered, refusing, and, seeing so many people still coming in the door, Yami had quickly chosen and ushered them into the long line.

After getting them a large tub of popcorn, Pepsi, nachos and cheese, and a few chocolate bars, Yami led Yugi, who was holding the popcorn, his drink, and the candy, away from the refreshment stand and into the part where all of the screen rooms were at. He flashed his I.D. to the pimple faced boy taking the tickets, then him and Yugi went into room number fifteen to wait for the movie to start. They got good seats, too. Right in the middle of the back row, so even little Yugi could see clearly over the back of everyone's heads.

Yugi frowned a bit as he munched some popcorn and stared at the huge screen. He didn't really want to see this movie. He would rather have seen Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets or Lord Of The Rings; The Two Towers, but he didn't think Yami was into that kind of stuff, so he had merely gone along with whatever Yami had chosen. He didn't want to look like more of a loser than he already was.

Yami and Yugi nibbled at their food and sipped their drinks throughout the movie, neither one really hungry after just eating dinner not too long ago. Towards the end of the movie, Yugi yawned, growing tired. He wasn't used to being out so late; his bed time was nine o'clock on school nights, and ten on weekends. That, and he wasn't really all that interested in the movie. Some parts, such as where two girls were topless, and the violence and cussing, were ......shocking....but the little one quickly lost interest in it.

Hearing Yugi's soft yawn, Yami glanced over at him, then wrapped his arm around his thin shoulders. "It's alright, Yugi. You can go to sleep if you want to." Yugi's lashes were driftinwn own over his violet eyes and he smiled sleepily up at Yami. He gazed at the screen for five minutes before his head found its way to Yami's shoulder, and his breathing evened out.

Yami smiled down at him, suddenly strongly tempted to kiss the top of his head. But he was afraid of disturbing Yugi. He held Yugi loosely, letting him cuddle against his side and watched the rest of the movie without really seeing anything; most of his concentration was on the petite angel snuggled against his shoulder.

The movie ended all too soon, and Yugi was still fast asleep. Yami didn't have the heart to wake him, so he put on his coat, zipped it up, and gathered the small body up into his arms, leaving behind all of their barely touched snacks on the seats.

Yugi slept throughout the drive home, and Yami was a bit disappointed that he didn't get to kiss Yugi good night nor share a private moment right before the door with the little one. He carried Yugi to his house and handed the sleeping boy to his grandfather before he headed back to his car.

It was only eleven forty five. Much too early to go in for the night. The car seemed so empty without the little one in it. Yami missed him already. He shook his head. Damn it, he really needed a drink. Or getting laid. Sighing as he sped down the road, Yami headed towards Mai's house.

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whoosh, what a chappie! lotsa yami and yugi, though!

yam: the whole chapter was us, baka

*giggles * i know!