Crimson Days

Monday night was a night of studies at the Muto residence. Yugi and Yami had a test on Tuesday. Math wasn’t a problem for both of them, the real enemy was Mr. Smith’s test. He had the special talent to transform a simple subject into a nightmare during tests.

  Yui liked to study with his other self, the way he still called him. It made him remember of how things were when they shared a mind. Yugi was happy that now they had a body for each, but sometimes he missed their internal conversations and the strength the pharaoh gave him.

  “You’re quiet tonight Yugi. Is everything ok?” Yami asked

  “My other self, I was just thinking… Nevermind, nothing. It’s something silly”

  “No Yugi, tell me what it is, I promise I’ll respect and listen, whatever it is”

  Yugi took a deep breath, he wanted to say this for so long… So many times he couldn’t sleep because of it

  “Yami”

  The use of his name warned Yami of the seriousness of what was about to come.

  “I should give all my duel titles to you. I mean, we both know you were always the one on the duels. It’s not fair to give me the title of The King of Duels, especially now we’re parted. If other people believed me if I told them we were two, I would have told everybody since the beginning. I’m sorry for all this, I never meant to steal your name… or glory”

  All this was much of a shock to Yami. He could’ve never seen this coming. Where was all this guilt coming from? What made yugi think such things?

  “Yugi… I… don’t even know where to start” Yami said pushing his chair closer to Yugi’s chair near the table they were sharing. “Well, first, we’re not parted. I’m here, you’re here. I care too much for you to ever allow something to push us apart. I always thought us as twin brothers. I care about you exactly like Kaiba cares about Mokuba. You’re my family, Yugi”

  By now Yugi had some tears threatening to fall down his cheeks. Yami had never been so explicit  about how he felt about him, his words were warming his heart.

  “Secondly” Yami continued “You never stole anything from me and we’ve always dueled together. We built our deck and strategies together as well. But more importantly, you defeated me in Egypt. It’s because you won that now I can have my own body. You’re the real King of Duels, not me”

  Yugi left some tears roll down. He always felt useless close to his other self. Always believed he was the one that didn’t deserve a body for himself.

  “But it was always you dueled, always you who got in my place when things got difficult or frightening. I could never do all the things you did, be that powerful and face everything like you do. You always win the duels and I lost several times” Yugi said all at once

  “Yugi, we’re a team” I might have taken your place sometimes but only because I’m more used dealing with adversities, it was part of my life as pharaoh. I started to get prepared to be the pharaoh since I was born, it was my mission in the world, it’s completely unfair for you to compare yourself to me in this aspect. Yugi, please don’t make me remember that I lost you to Rafael when he used the Orichalcos card with us! I lost in the only duel that mattered, I lost you because of my pride! I never forgave myself for that! I don’t care how many times you would have lost a due, you always win when it actually matters!”

  Yugi tried to say something but he couldn’t manage to say much. He had never thought how all this was seen by his other self. For the first time, he felt the guilt go away.

  “Thank you for saying all this, my other self”

  Yami gave Yugi a tight hug and answered “ I meant every word Yugi. Just please forgive me for my arrogance and for losing you that time. I can’t stand myself sometimes”

  “I forgive you, my other self. Don’t torture yourself with this anymore. You saved me later. I’m here, just like you said. Everything is ok now” said Yugi, braking their embrace to look the other right in the eyes.

  “And…” Yugi added “I think of you like a brother too, you’re also part of my family” he said with a sincere smile.

  They heard a knock on the door followed by a friendly voice.

  “Yami, Yugi it’s late! Studying won’t make a difference anymore! Good night boys!” Said their grandpa.

  “Good night, Ojii-chan!” They said in a chorus.

  “Let’s sleep, my other self. Ojii-chan is right, studying more now will only make us tired”

  And so they went to bed; Yugi thinking about how much lighter he feels after their conversation and Yami, looking at the box where the Millennium Puzzle laid, feeling grateful it was Yugi the one that solved it.

Author’s note 2: I’ve always wanted them to have this conversation, it just feels right that at some point they would talk it over ^^ Hope you liked it. Next chapter I’ll continue with the story itself. What you guys think of this situation between the two? Do you think it would be this way or not? Leave a comment!