The Ten Things

The Ten Things

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

Chapter Two

Yuugi sat in the shop, watching Atemu putter around, moving boxes in the storage room and fixing the door. A smirk graced his lips as he licked a finger, turning the page of his magazine. He held the magazine eye level, glasses perched upon his nose. He silently counted to three in his head, his smirk growing larger by the minute.

A startled gasp echoed through the confines of the small game shop, Yuugi's laughter muffled by the magazine. Atemu stomped into the game shop, eyes narrowed, and a glare marring his features. He stood in his usual attire of black pants and a sleeveless top. However, his hair stood limp, dripping in water. He continued to glare at Yuugi, arms crossed, water dripping down the sides of his cheeks.

"What was that for?"

Yuugi kept the magazine eye level, hiding his face from the other's view.

"What do you mean, oh clumsy one?"

"You know very well what I'm speaking of Yuugi Mutou."

At the mentioning of his full name, the man groaned, eyes narrowing behind his magazine. However, before he was able to reply, the magazine was ripped from his hands, his eyes meeting those of bright crimson.

He smirked slightly, pushing his glasses onto the bridge of his nose. Atemu's hand grasped his chin up, their eyes locking automatically. Yuugi could only stare… The man's cockiness left at the sign of anger shining in Atemu's fierce rubies.

"Why the hell did you place that bucket of water on the storage room's door?"

Yuugi shrugged his shoulders, jerking his face from the other's grasp. He rolled his eyes, meeting his gaze with one of amusement.

"How do you know it was me?"

Atemu couldn't help it. He snorted, crossing his arms. "Because I doubt Grandpa would do that. In the six years I've lived here, he has not been a practical joker. Plus, you used to do this shit to me all the time when we were growing up."

"He has that hand in the display window. Remember how he used to scare the hell out of us with that thing?"

"Yes, I remember that quite well. I think that is why he keeps it around. It's a reminder of our childhood."

"Hmm…"

Atemu smirked, reminiscing on old memories. He then turned his attention to Yuugi, raising a brow.

"Despite the six years since we have seen one another you haven't changed much, partner." He paused, gauging Yuugi's reaction. He smirked triumphantly as the younger man shifted uncomfortably, a pout marring his features.

"You're still the little trickster I knew in our childhood and you're still easily excited over books and of course, Duel Monsters."

"No."

"What?"

Yuugi took off his glasses, using his shirt to clean the lenses. "I'm not the same person, Atemu." He paused and shifted his weight onto his left foot. "I don't enjoy Duel Monsters anymore. I only play for charities and the desire of my fans. It's all for them. I find little reason to care for it anymore."

Atemu stared at Yuugi, brows raised in questioning. He sighed softly, sweeping soggy bangs from his face.

"How can you not care about a game that you have loved dearly for years?"

Yuugi shrugged, putting his glasses back on. "Duel Monsters was easily forgotten once I stopped caring about all games in general. The desire to defeat and teach others about that shitty heart of the cards business finally became more of an annoyance if you catch my drift."

The Egyptian shook his head, resting his arms on the display case. "Frankly, I don't. It seems as if you are going against your grandfather's teachings that you fought so hard to protect and cherish. How does that make you feel, Yuugi?"

"Look, Atemu. I know that you can't accept that I'm no longer "your partner." After we broke up, things changed. I threw myself into school and out of dueling. Hell, I don't play games as often as I used to. I'm a writer for god's sake!"

"To think… Your grandfather named you "game" because of your instant attraction to playing with anyone and anything. How would he react if he heard this conversation right now?"

Yuugi glared, picked up his things off the counter and headed into the house with a huff. This childish bickering with Atemu was a nuisance. Dealing with the man so far had been alright up until this day. Why had the man become such a total asshat?

Atemu rolled his eyes at Yuugi's "dramatic" exit. He knew that was coming. Yuugi never stuck around for confrontation. It was one of the things that still made Yuugi his "partner." Shaking his head, Atemu gazed down at his soaked clothing, groaning with a long sigh.

"Guess I better change out of these before I continue onward with work."

Yuugi sat in the living room, chewing on the end of a pencil eraser, tapping his fingers against his laptop's keyboard. He tilted his head to the side, gazing at the computer screen with a frown.

All the while, Sugoroku watched his grandson's silent actions. A smile graced his lips at the rare sight. Yuugi had done this in the past, confused or angered with whatever he was working on. In high school Atemu constantly teased him for this. He could only hope that Yuugi would continue to show small traces of his past self. He knew one of them would occur momentarily.

As if on clockwork, Yuugi brushed his blond bangs away from his face, exposing his left ear. Light reflected against Yuugi's ear, causing the old man to shield his eyes for the time being. Moments later, the light left, showing off a rather large barbell going through Yuugi's ear at a diagonal angle. Sugoroku shuddered at the sight. That looked painful!

Yuugi sighed, glaring at the computer once more. He set his chewed pencil to the side, finding his grandfather's eyes on him. Raising a brow, Yuugi spoke, turning his attention to his guardian.

"What's wrong?"

Sugoroku blinked, shaking his head. "Sorry, I was just uh… thinking." He paused, noticing the disapproving look that Yuugi sported. Huffing, the aged Mutou continued, "I couldn't help but notice that rather painful looking piercing in your ear."

Yuugi touched the bar in his ear, face blank. "Oh are you talking about my industrial piercing?" He waved it off, shrugging his shoulders lightly.

"Yes, I guess if that's what you call it." He paused, continuing further. "When did you get that? I thought you weren't a fan of piercings?"

Yuugi's lips pursed together, a look of indignation crossing his features as he fell in deep thought.

"Yeah… This was something I did right after I moved out… I was feeling rebellious and wanted to do something unexpected of me."

"Yuugi…You've never been this way. Why did you feel the urge to do this?"

"As I said, rebellion is the key factor in the existence of this piercing. Besides…" He grinned, toying with the barbell. "It's quite the chick magnet."

"You're not gay anymore?"

Yuugi shook his head, pushing his laptop to the side.

"I'm bisexual. I discovered that not long after I moved out."

"Ah."

Silence filled the room. Yuugi felt uncomfortable dealing with these types of questions, especially if his grandfather was not familiar with his new outlook on life and things in general. With a sigh Yuugi gathered his things again, leaving the room with a wave to his grandfather.

Sugoroku nodded at Yuugi's departure, a frown marring his wrinkled features. He knew Yuugi felt uncomfortable. The answer was obvious as he saw the frown on the younger man's face. Crossing his arms across his chest, the old man turned away from the living room, mind set on fixing this problem.

Yuugi lay on his bed eyes closed. His mind wandered away from the present, old memories setting in.

Flashback

Hands roamed across pale skin, a pair of lips scaling across soft porcelain. Yuugi shuddered, moaning at the touch. He closed his eyes in bliss, inviting the other to continue with his ministrations…

The memory changed…

Now Yuugi stood, a note in hand, eyes wide in sorrow. His eyes scanned across the paper, anger crossing his features in a matter of moments. It was stupid really… High school honestly was the worst and most immature time in their lives. If the number of problems that the couple faced was any proof, then Yuugi knew he and Atemu would be millionaires. Hell, dealing with high school drama was another problem. Rumors spread, and lies were told. Neither man trusted the other.

The note changed everything all because of a simple sentence that littered this plain piece of notebook paper.

"The ten things I hate about Yuugi Mutou…"

It wasn't the list itself that brought anger and tears… It was the title of the list that brought about anger and sadness. Yet, there was more to it than that. Yuugi didn't speak of it often as it was a touchy subject.

Yuugi shook his head, turning onto his side, fiddling with his industrial piercing. He spun the bar in his ear with two fingers, toying with it carelessly. It was times like this that he wished he had an outlet for his pain. Drinking had once taken away the pain, as had the piercing.

Drinking was not a choice any longer. Especially after the promise he made to his grandfather. Alcohol could not take over his life and his choices. Alcohol was there no longer craved or needed. This alone nixed out half of Yuugi's plans.

Dealing with the repressive thoughts of their break-up was not easy or welcome. Taking control of his problems and erasing all thoughts and connections to Atemu was hard. His best friend since childhood to his lover of four years had been hard as hell. What had been the best option? In the end, being single won the poll.

Yet, Yuugi knew there was little he could do to forget Atemu forever. At this thought, Yuugi stopped toying with his piercing, letting his hands fall at his sides. His shirt lifted slightly, exposing his tattoo from earlier years of rebellion as a teenager. Letters adorned in a fancy font were exposed, decorated in script with elegant wisps and charcoal shading, a couple of words hidden beneath the man's t-shirt.

Yuugi groaned, adjusting his shirt. He closed his eyes, resting his head against his pillow with a sigh. Maybe a nap would help for the time being. However, all thoughts of a peaceful nap died the moment a soft tapping on his door echoed through the small room.

Agitated, Yuugi mumbled, burying his face into his pillow once more, ignoring the person outside his door.

The person knocked once more, huffing softly before entering the room without a second thought.

Sugoroku entered the room, tsking at the sight of the room. Clothes were strewn about, empty bottles of soda littered the desk and books were stacked into piles all around the bed and the shelves. Yuugi certainly gained sloppiness.

Yuugi lifted his head, seeing his grandfather in his bedroom. He groaned and gazed at his elder, head tilted to the side.

"What's up, grandpa?"

Sugoroku frowned at Yuugi, shrugging his shoulders lightly.

"Well I have some good news and bad news."

Not liking where this was going, Yuugi pulled himself up, gazing at his grandfather in confusion and curiosity.

"Oh god, what's the good news?"

"Arthur is coming to visit. He says he has found a few things of interest to show off."

Yuugi nodded, swallowing. "What's the bad news?"

"He's staying here for a while and he will be staying in Atemu's room."

Yuugi's eyes widened, his mouth open. He knew where this was going.

"Oh god… Please tell me this isn't going where I think it is."

"You and Atemu will be sharing this room for a while. I'm sorry, Yuugi. Arthur is my best friend. I can't simply ask him to stay in a hotel. It's not right."

"WHAT?"

To be continued…