Amor Vincit Omnia

Notes: Welcome all, to the second chapter. It's a little longer than the previous, but since we're getting into the story and all, I think it's appropriate. The title is based on that of a painting by Will Hickok Low called "Love Disarmed". Pretty lovely thing and incredibly hard to find images of online. My second favorite is "Cupid Disarmed by Venus" by William Bouguereau.

Thanks to all who read and reviewed so far. Much love!

-II-

Amor Vincit Omnia

Chapter 2: Vengeance Disarmed

Nothing…nothing…nope.

A hefty leather bound book shut with a muffled thump, releasing a tiny cloud of dust. Tossing it over the desk to join its brethren, he sighed in defeat. He really shouldn’t have expected anything more when all he had to go by was a brief glance at a turned back and a shoe with exactly six heavy buckles. People changed their hair and accessories all the time and if there was anything that those detective shows on TV taught him, it was that finding people required more than a dozen old yearbooks and a little free time. Most perplexing was the amount of effort he put into his search for the man in black leather when he could honestly have anyone he wanted—young, old, rich, poor, powerful.... Hell, was it worth the amount of time wasted to search for someone he knew nothing about? For all he knew, the stranger could be another one of Mai’s cohorts who hated him; could be a dropout considering the offending attire; could be someone not associated with the University at all. But then again, could he really go and ignore the one person who inspired something as divine as love in him? And love was divine (he of all people should know) if it was capable of creating the kind of obsession that had people throw themselves before perfect strangers, begging to be loved.

‘Oy, this is complicated…” Yugi flopped back on his twin bed and shielded his face. The red from the roses scattered all over the room hurt his eyes. Most of them were dried and ready for the compost heap, but it didn’t help when they were being replaced everyday by overworked florist delivery-persons who by now knew him personally. A petal from one dying blossom he had tucked into the windowsill landed on his nose. It was faded, but still sensuous and velvety just like the stranger-turned-fascination’s voice. Yugi settled back on the comforter, imagining the voice saying other things. Nicer things and maybe some naughtier things… Envisioning that was easy, but what he really wanted was to see the man’s face. What –did- the proverbial bad boy’s face look like? Was it devious when he broke all the rules? Was it detached when he didn’t care what anyone in charge thought?

Yugi snapped out of his reverie when his cell phone rang. Turning to his side and flipping the device open, he mumbled a dejected ‘hello’ to the person on the other end.

/Yugi, it’s Anzu. Are you okay?/

“Huh…? Yeah, I am.” Yugi replied bemusedly and rolled off the bed to check his appearance before the mirror. “What’s up?” He asked, adjusting the neckline on his new and rather daring outfit.

“Well, we’re already at the door…and we were worried you got jumped or something.” Anzu’s voice floated uncertainly to his ears and Yugi’s eyes widened in realization. Rushing to grab a warm coat and scarf draped over the computer chair, he spared a glance at the clock. Nine pm, fuck! He was supposed to have met his friends at the Lovers’ Ball fifteen minutes ago!

“No, I’m fine.” Yugi responded breathlessly, jamming his feet into his shoes. “I’m on my way.”

The boy locked the door behind him, then rushed down the plushy carpeted hall of his dormitory out into the cold night. Unfortunately, in his haste, he missed another figure in the shadows, whose eyes followed his lithe body through the dimly lit darkness.

-II-

“Holy hell. Look what the cat skinned, chewed up, spit out and dragged in.”

“Bakura! Be polite, he’s a senior!” Ryou gave his brother a well-deserved smack on his head before bowing and greeting the other man more respectfully. “Hello, Atem-sempai, we didn’t know you were back in school.”

“He’s not back in school, he’s…” Bakura started critically and then abruptly frowned. “The hell, Ryou, I’m a fucking senior too!”

“And that term has suddenly become very loose.” Atem interrupted with a nasty smirk before Ryou could say something diplomatic and soothing. The two had caught him in the powder room where he was basking in a rare moment of solitude. Once word got out that he was back on campus, he had spent the past week catching up with family and old friends. The friends part had been alright; one night in a bar drinking and telling stories caught them up on months of bonding. The family part, on the other hand, had been shaky. True to her word, Mai had kept his presence as quiet as possible, but neither of them expected their cousin not to find out. It wasn’t the fact that Seth actually had the nerve to come and see him which bothered him; he was always happy to see his elder cousin. It was when said cousin invited him to stay with him that everything went downhill.

Kaiba’s mansion…Seth had wanted him to come and stay in Kaiba’s fucking mansion. Oh yes, Seto-koi had agreed and it would be no trouble at all. But Atem could have cared less—he didn’t want anything to do with the bastard after all that happened. And if Seth couldn’t make a decision between his family and his lover, then he didn’t want anything to do with that man either. Atem ran a hand through his spiky hair and gave a frustrated sigh, which turned into a growl and went a long way to frighten Ryou.

“…Umm, Atem-sempai, are you alright?”

“If he’s up to witless sarcasm, he’s fine.” Bakura snorted and he sneered at the man before him. “So, you back in sister President’s kingdom to score some? I know tournaments can get a bit frustrating since no one wants to sleep with a delightful blend of hag and serial killer…even if he is the King of Games.”

Atem scoffed dismissively at Bakura’s cackling and lead the way to the exit. “Actually, no one’s seen one of those blends since you left the circuit.”

By the time they stepped into the ballroom itself, Atem was blocking a slap from Bakura, Bakura hissed an obscenity while Ryou spotted a friend and thankfully disappeared before he got singed in Atem and his brother’s version of friendly fire.

Watching Ryou flee, Atem made his way to the drinks table and grabbed an ornate mask from a basket containing several of them for those who wanted to surprise their beloveds or give out anonymous gifts. Bakura followed him with a sour look on his face and immediately poured himself some punch.

“So, Duel Monsters tournaments bored you already?” The white-haired man asked, taking a long swig of the ruby juice.

“No,” Atem replied, peering over the crowd through his mask. It was almost nine pm, and the time to do his part was getting closer. He hadn’t spoken to Mai all day since she was busy, but he could see her sitting on the dais, looking just like a goddess with an iron fist in a velvet glove. She was alone on it, meaning either Yugi’s fan-club hadn’t gotten far with their petition or Yugi had the sense to skip town. Still, he flashed his sister a brief smile and patted the pocket with the vial of diluted drug in it.

“Waiting for Eros-to-be, eh?” Bakura sniffed at Atem’s questioning glance. “Yeah, Ryou told me all the details…I just didn’t know Mai recruited you to do the dirty work.”

“She has her reasons.” Atem replied, lifting his mask to scan the crowd again for a hint of wild spiky hair and a face that looked like Botticelli’s wet dream.

There was a small pause as Bakura sipped his refilled drink. “Say…what has the kid done to you, anyway?”

Atem dropped the mask and fixed Bakura with a half amused, half disbelieving look. “You are sympathizing with him? Great. Now I –know- he deserves to be knocked down a few pegs.”

“I don’t sympathize with anyone, least of all a goody-two-shoes midget.” Bakura ground out. “But I’m saying, Mai could have asked you to do something a lot worse. Were you prepared to risk your reputation and maybe your conscience to rough up a kid you don’t even know?”

“Mai is my family.” Atem stated and his ruby eyes narrowed adamantly. “I trust her not to betray me like that.”

“Yeah?” Bakura’s lips began to curve into a smirk, which he hid by taking a sip from his cup. “Did you trust Seth, too?”

“Shut up and get lost!”

Bakura was quick, but not quick enough to dodge the fist that barely missed his nose and connected with his ear instead. The white-haired student laughed in cold amusement at his companion’s furious glare. “You’re a piece of work, Atem; you and your entire family. But let me tell you something Mai didn’t; the kid is not just gorgeous, he’s like a light. If you don’t want to end up like those other moths and wilt in front of him, you should open your eyes and see what you’re dealing with.”

Atem pursed his lips and stared back malevolently. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Really?” Bakura looked slightly surprised.

“No!” Atem shot back tersely. “Now, I believe I told you to get lost.”

Bakura rolled his eyes and scoffed, but backed up all the same. Temperamental as he may be, he had long since learned not to spontaneously challenge Atem. “Fine.” He turned away nonchalantly. “Free advice is wasted on you anyway.”

Atem shot his retreating back another glare before raising the mask to his face and searching the crowd again.

-II-

Back in the foyer of the building, a group of students milled restlessly by the large statue of Cupid near the entrance. They all looked worried, but the brunet girl with them was by far the most agitated. Pacing for a few moments, she stopped and turned to the blond leaning against a carved pillar, fidgeting with the cuff of his formal tux.

“Jonouchi, are you sure he’s coming?” She asked her date.

Jonouchi nodded, but looked out the door anyway. “I’m sure he is, Anzu. It takes a while to get here from our dorm…and you know him, he’s gotta keep on the down low.”

“I know, but…” Anzu chewed at her lip, casting a glance at Duke and Honda when they came up with drinks. “…it’s been a long while. I hope he’s ok, he’s been so distracted lately because of the whole petition business and Mai constantly chewing him out.”

“Mai can’t do anything to him.” Jonouchi waved the concern away and accepted a glass of punch from Honda. “He wanted to come to the Ball, remember. He’s a tough kid.”

“Still, Jou, can’t you go get him?” Anzu pleaded and her friend nodded, pushing himself off the pillar.

“I’ll give him another call and see where he is, then—“

“Wait, no need.” Duke stopped Jou’s hand before it pushed the buttons on his phone and pointed out the door. “He’s here…in a hurry, too.”

The group looked out to see their final member sprinting toward the doors with a speed that would have made a mare mustang swoon in delight. Jonouchi ran forward to meet him halfway only to have the small body cannon ball into his arms. “Whoa, Yug, what’s wrong?”

“Se..he…Siegfried…!” Yugi tried to keep his panting to a minimum so as to keep the attention to a minimum. Fortunately, he didn’t have to explain further since his friends already knew the drill. If the flamboyant self-proclaimed leader of Yugi’s overly extensive fan-club was after him, it was time to take action.

“Restroom!” Jonouchi barked and the others nodded. Anzu led the way while Duke and Honda made up the tail end, looking back for any sign of the pink haired freak that was Siegfried von Schroeder. As one of the wealthiest and most egoistical students in the University, Siegfried had taken it upon himself to start the petition to make Yugi figurehead for the Ball. Rumor and Mai’s increasingly bad mood had it that he had gotten more than the required amount of signatures, but the petition was invalid unless Yugi signed to endorse it. His friends had done a good job over the weeks to keep him out of Siegfried’s way, but the man was bound to ambush him sooner or later.

“He caught me as I was leaving…h-he wanted me to be the king of Love…? Or something…” Yugi was babbling incoherently and Jonouchi just nodded grimly as he stalked up a side staircase. Von Schroeder’s ability to instantly traumatize anyone was well-known around the University. “Can you believe it? He...he’s insane!”

“Glad you noticed.” Duke threw a last look downstairs before climbing the stairs behind the rest of his friends. “Now maybe you won’t humor him so much when he sends you roses and diamond studded teddy bears.”

Yugi continued to jabber hysterically until Jonouchi threw open the door to a huge powder room and set him down. Anzu immediately went to the sink to wet some paper towels with cold water. Yugi calmed down and sighed as the cool towels touched his forehead. “Thanks, Anzu.” He flashed his friend a grateful smile and unbuttoned the coat that was beginning to roast him.

“Don’t mention it. Just make sure you don’t scare—“ Anzu trailed off and stared at him open-mouthed awe. Her hands crossed over her chest as if she was suddenly ashamed of her own elegant pink gown complete with sparkling jewelry and a shimmering fur mantle. Honestly lovely as she was, he captivated her more. “Wow…Yugi, you look nice!”

“Huh?” The shorter boy looked down at himself and blushed lightly at the compliment. “Ah, thanks.”

Behind Anzu, the rest of his friends gazed at him in equal wonder. “Damn straight, Yug’, what inspired this look?” Wiping sweat off his brow, Jou looked genuinely impressed at the innocent little puffball’s transformation.

“Ahh…” Yugi faltered, unsure as to how to explain his sleeveless white shirt with a stenciled heart and white leather pants looped with several studded belts. What explanation could possibly let him get away with the belt choker around his neck and the heavy leather boots with exactly six buckles, which had been ordered off the internet at the spur of the moment? “Music television…”

“…you sure?” Honda asked curiously all while restraining Duke before the man had an aneurism. What was the world coming to when even he, the paragon of fashion, couldn’t come up with something besides a well-tailored tux?

“Yeah, of course!” Yugi hastily adjusted his scarf over his shoulders. “What else would it be? Do I see anyone else wearing this? Would I come up with it myself?”

“Woah, calm down,” Jou held his hands up in a gesture of truce. “It was a little surprising you dressed up, that’s all. Only a week ago, you didn’t even want to come to the Lovers’ Ball in case Mai hired someone to rip your ba—“

“Jou!” Anzu smacked the blond’s arm. “Don’t be vulgar!”

“Jeez, I was only kiddin’,” Jou rubbed the offending spot and turned back to the shortest among them. “Ok, Yug’, get cleaned up. We’ll go down and speak to security about von Schroeder and you just go down that way after a while.” He pointed down the well lit corridor past more dressing rooms and mirrors with sinks. “Open the door at the other end and you’ll come out to the ballroom where we’ll meet ya.”

Yugi nodded. “Down the hall after ten minutes, got it…don’t worry, guys, I’ll be fine. What can happen in ten minutes?” He grinned jovially at Anzu’s worried glance.

“Ok, then…” The group slowly and cautiously filed out of the powder room, leaving him alone under the soft mood lighting. Yugi released a huge sigh of relief; he was lucky to have his friends. He had honestly been scared when Siegfried cornered him a few blocks from his dorm to insist he endorse the absurd petition to make him Eros. The pink-haired man had actually been ready with a ceremonial robe, a genuine fucking laurel wreath and a genuine bow and quiver of arrows…the only thing missing had been genuine wings ripped off a genuine swan. Yugi shuddered lightly when he remembered the eerily adoring look in the man’s eyes.

“Oh, if you only knew how cold this place has become, Yugi.” Siegfried had told him with an exaggerated look of world-weariness. “We hold a Lovers’ Ball, but the act of love is considered a scandal…be Eros, Yugi. Be our king of love and beauty…”
He had gone on to thrust the petition scroll into Yugi’s arms and fumble for a pen. That was when the smaller teen made a break for it. Running faster than he had in his entire life, and cutting across every hedge and lawn, he burst into the function hall and thankfully threw himself into Jonouchi’s arms.

Patting himself with more paper towels, he glanced at his watch to see that only three minutes had passed. Sighing again, Yugi checked his appearance on the mirror and ran his fingers through his hair purely for something to do. He didn’t really need it since every part of him was already perfect, even though he had all but run an Olympic race. Once the sweat was gone, he looked like a doll again with perfect porcelain skin and bejeweled amethyst eyes. He tried to glare at himself, but only succeeded in looking cutely miffed.

“Someone needs to give you a black eye,” He told his demigod-like reflection.

“…but then, it would look like a rain-cloud on your bright face.”

Yugi squeaked and whirled around, heart pounding wildly. He hadn’t even heard the door open, much less seen the elegantly dressed man behind him. The man was tall and fairly good looking for his age with long silver hair and piercing, yet charismatic, brown eyes. Yugi forced himself to keep from trembling as the man stalked toward him, but relaxed slightly as he only turned on the faucet to wash his hands.

“Yugi Motou, I presume.” The man asked, drying his hands.

“Umm, well…” Yugi faltered, wondering if he could really get away with a denial. He inched toward the corridor that would lead him to the ballroom and his friends. “Actually, I think you have the wrong person.”

“But, I—“ The man looked up and his eyes only caught empty space. Grabbing a paper towel to dry his hands, he shook his head and whispered amusedly to himself. “…kid is fast.”

Once again, Yugi found himself sprinting toward his friends. As the powder room décor flashed by him in an off-white blur, he mentally berated himself for not being aware of his surroundings. What could happen in ten minutes, indeed! Finally coming to a dead end, he paused for a moment to regain his breath before pulling at a door marked exit. To his relief, the ballroom and his friends dazzled before him like a personal gift from the gods. He stepped out cheerfully on to the ballroom floor, ready to lose himself among a thousand beautifully dressed students, but first he had to grab a mask and the closest basket was at the drinks table.

Yugi made a beeline for the table all while checking behind him to see if the silver-haired man was following. He was almost there—“Ooof!”
For the second time that evening, he landed on his bottom. But this time wasn’t so bad; he found himself staring at a black leather-clad leg wearing a heavy leather boot with exactly six buckles.

-II-

Atem winced as the smaller body crashed into him and immediately extended his right hand to keep the drink in it from spilling. The other hand held the mask securely to his face to keep it from slipping at the impact. After sorting himself, he spared a glance at the vision of white at his feet, ready to chew the clumsy oaf out for nearly ruining his plans; it wasn’t as if he carried extra vials of GHB to replace the spiked drink if it had fallen.

He looked down just as the other boy looked up, and just barely suppressed a gasp of utter amazement. The boy was beautiful…no, he was gorgeous…no, he was a true vision of perfection…no, hell, he was running out of adjectives to describe what could only be a lost angel in front of him. Said angel stood hurriedly and dusted himself off while mumbling half incoherent apologies. Meanwhile, Atem tried to ignore the euphoric tingling in his body and to bring himself to say something…anything…to make the other stay, but no words would come out of his mouth. And why should they when mere language was too inadequate to address him with? Wouldn’t he rather express his desires more eloquently…with say, a touch or with an embrace or maybe even a deep and soul-touching kiss?

His heart sped up slightly when the clear and heartbreakingly innocent amethyst gaze turned on him. “Are you ok?” The exquisite eyes widened in question while fingers that looked like they were formed from the costliest wax ghosted worriedly over lush, pink pearl lips. Atem nodded dumbly and belatedly, brain short-circuiting from such a sensory overload.

The kid blinked shyly and bowed his head, looking up through half-lidded eyes that were no less fascinating than they were when fully open. “Umm, I’m Yugi.” The voice was low and husky like that of Venus’s peace doves.

At the words, something triggered in Atem’s mind, but for the life of him he could not remember what. Of course he was Yugi, the fairest of them all; the demigod of love; the light which drew a million moths, but didn’t consume them…well, not really anyway. Standing before such an apparition, all he could think of was to tell him his own name.

“I’m At..ah…” He was speaking too fast for his breath caught in his throat and he trailed off into something between a whimper and a wheeze. Choking on his own words, he coughed uncontrollably, feeling his chest spasm.

“Oh, dear…!” Yugi was quick to act. “Take a sip, you’ll feel better.”

Atem was only half aware of the gorgeous youth pushing a cup to his lips and the refreshing flow of sweet juice against his tongue. The first swallow cleared his throat and the second time Yugi tipped the cup against his lips, he could taste the slight tang of salt…”Shit!”

Atem could feel Yugi stiffen when he wrenched the cup away from his lips and spat the remnants of the spiked punch left in his mouth. He started to chastise himself for such irresponsibility, but the world blurred at the corner of his eyes so he could only focus on the shorter youth looking dejected.

“I’m sorry.” Yugi mumbled and Atem’s heart wrenched painfully; was –he- responsible for that sorrow? For adding a smear of darkness to that radiant light?

“No,” Atem tossed the cup away and used both arms to boldly pull the surprisingly un-resistant boy to him. “Please stay…and dance with me…?”

“Really?” It surprised him that Yugi was surprised, but that didn’t stop him from gathering the little one into his arms and joining the growing number of whirling bodies on the dance floor.

“Really.”

“Ah, alright.”

Atem felt himself smile out of sheer euphoria as Yugi’s body moved in perfect sync along with his. The warmth and the fluttering happiness was amazing, enough that he felt uncomfortable during the brief moment Yugi separated from him to twirl under his arms. But they were back together again and it was all that mattered. He unabashedly brushed his hands down the little one’s back and over his leather-clad bottom, sifting his fingers through all the intertwined chains. “Love the outfit.”

“You could say I was inspired.” Came the amused reply and Atem vaguely realized that he was wearing a black version of the same thing. “By the way, I didn’t catch your name.”

Atem stiffened for a moment and his eyes flickered toward the dais where Mai reigned. Somewhere in his foggy mind, duty called along with desire, but the latter was more insistent. Fuck this, he’d make his excuses to Mai later; all he wanted now was to enjoy the lovely treasure in his arms.

“Call me Yami,” He whispered smoothly, causing the other boy to shiver.

“Darkness?”

“Why not? If you are light, what else would you call everything around you?”

“Ah…flattering.”

Atem grinned and in a rare bout of spontaneity, he spun them off the dance floor. He heard Yugi gasp sharply when his back hit a shadowy corner and release a small shriek when he leaned down to nibble at the delicate expanse of his neck. He was never one for romance nor had he ever gone to such lengths to physically please someone, but there was something about this one that completely disarmed him with a single glance. ”Not flattery, little one; just the plain truth.”

He flicked his tongue across the fragile curve of an ear and Yugi laughed in quiet delight, like a chime of silver bells. “That tickles!”

The darker one’s lips curved into a mischievous smile. “Oh?” This time, Yugi brought a hand to his mouth and bit down to muffle more joyful giggles as his partner skittered his fingers across his ribs and stomach. Then, the arms tightened and their bodies pressed closer. Yugi moaned softly, feeling firm slender fingers tease his nipples through his shirt. Any protest he might have had about going too fast died on his lips when the older man’s lips slid across his jaw.

“Mmm…Yami…”

Atem pressed them closer, nearly lifting the smaller boy off the floor to inhale in his subtle perfume and hear his delectable voice, so sultry in its pleasure. He thrust forward slightly to grind their hips together when he felt a hardening need between Yugi’s thighs. All at once, he clutched at the little one’s shoulders to keep the lust from seizing him and taking the boy then and there. He touched his forehead to Yugi’s and kissed his blushing cheek. “We should take this someplace private.”

-II-

He never thought he’d come back here voluntarily, but then again, this wasn’t really voluntary. Obeying the dual pull of lust and Yami’s arms, Yugi slipped back into the now empty powder room. The place was still very dimly lit and they barely found a niche before Yami pinned him to a cool tile wall and claimed his lips in a more passionate kiss.

With one flick of the darker one’s wrist, the button on his white leather pants came undone and Yugi squeaked, feeling warm fingers slide down to wrap his manhood. Automatically, he arched into the clever hand which moved so firmly and surely along his length, sending staccato bursts of ecstasy up his spine. He gave a thin whine in encouragement, tipping his head back to arch into the other hand rubbing his nipple.

Slowly, he batted his violet eyes open and saw that indeed, Yami was enjoying this as much as he was. All the same, Yugi wished the mask would come off, but each time he went to touch the thing, Yami jerked away and intensified his ministrations as a distraction. After a while, Yugi ceased his efforts before he got too annoyed. Besides, what did it matter anyway? He knew in his heart that this was the stranger he’d been looking for…the velvet baritone voice had already given away the secret. All that had been left was to seize the opportunity and gods, how it was paying off!

Yugi’s breath came in short and sharp intervals as Yami increased his pace, pushing him closer and closer to oblivion until he nearly doubled over with pleasure. When he finally came, his scream of rapture was muffled by Yami’s lips when the older man claimed them again in a crushing kiss, tongue delving into his mouth and exploring sensuously.
When necessity insisted, they parted for air and Yugi clutched a support beam while taking deep breaths to calm himself.

Yami pulled a few towels from a nearby dispenser to clean them up and used the opportunity to feel him up again. “Oh, Yugi…so beautiful.” The taller of the two murmured against his skin. “Your lovers are indeed blessed.”

Yugi flushed darkly and buried his head in Yami’s shoulder. It was such an intimate gesture, but he really wanted to show this man how much he meant…even if he had to admit the truth. “Actually, this the first time I…”

He couldn’t see Yami’s eyes clearly through the mask, but he could sense the slight shock. “First?”

Yugi nodded, uncertain as to how to explain the fact that nobody had actually been brave enough to want a relationship with the loveliest creature in the world. They all loved him, but nobody ever wanted to claim him for themselves like this man had so boldly done. In fact, he hadn’t even had any friends until he came to the University and met Anzu, who also loved him, but had the sense to raise it to a platonic level before introducing him to her other friends. But in this case, he needn’t have worried because Yami simply scooped him up in an embrace.

“I apologize if I’ve done anything untoward, my little love, but—“ He abruptly stopped and turned his head.

Both of them heard the door open and voices filter inside. Half-obscured in their niche, Yami disentangled himself quickly and efficiently despite his previous tenderness and Yugi just as quickly adjusted himself. Yami was obviously agitated and kept looking toward the other exit down the corridor. Beside him, Yugi faltered, heart beating wildly; were they going to separate again without knowing when or where to meet next? Would fate be so cruel as to give him a taste of what all his adoring followers felt only to snatch it away? Tears welled up in his eyes, ready to spill over.

Yami swiped a thumb across his companion’s cheekbone to brush away the single crystal teardrop that had escaped. He was nearly shaking with his dual desires to stay and flee, but he forced himself to speak confidently. “Don’t cry, little one, it does not suit you. We must part for now, but wait for me. I will come to you at night. Will you wait for a little while longer?”

“Mmm.” Yugi bowed his head miserably and nodded, though he didn’t know if he believed the man. Yami pressed a last kiss in his hair before stalking away all too unhesitatingly.

Alone again but for a few other strangers, Yugi washed his hands and splashed water on his face to clear away the tears. Mind reeling, he blindly stumbled in the direction Yami had taken. He no longer had the desire to catch up with his friends, to face Mai or be out in public. He wanted to go back to his room, turn off all the lights, shed all his bright clothes…and wait for darkness.

-tbc-

Thanks for reading! Don't forget to leave a comment. XD

Notes: If you've gotten up to this point, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. To write a good story, for me at least, one really needs to be into the pairing. Everyone writes their OTP best because it's easy think about the characters involved and to add subtle gestures and nuances that make the story really catchy and addicting. As much as I love YYxY, I doubt I'm giving their interactions little thought beyond what it is...meaning, I can't get into their heads like I do when I write SetoSeth. So, this chapter is probably not my best for that reason and because I'm also bad at transition chapters. Tell me if it is too cheesy, yes?

Speaking of SetoSeth, you'll once again see that Seth makes himself apparent in Atem's thoughts. There is a point to that, I promise. Without giving away too much of the plot, I will say that I have decided to make Kaiba my Hades in this tale (he has perfect qualifications) and every Hades needs a Persephone, who lives in two worlds--one with her heavenly family and one with the king of hell(both of whom hate each other). While Persephone is content with dividing her time between her family and her lover, Seth is not. As I (hope) have hinted, Kaiba and Atem have a little troublesome history together and poor Seth is just stuck between a rock and a hard place. It will all be resolved in the end, though. This is just to clear up any WTF moments you may have had regarding Atem.