I'm Sick, I Tell Ya!

Author's note, part one: Well, due to stuff going down, this story might be a little slow. Sorry this chapter was later than expected. It turns out I got more hours at work. More money is good, right? NOT. I get stuck dealing with complete assholes for customers and harassment from co-workers, and a bad mood seriously kills my inspiration. And there's this Buddhist study review that I never study for... Also, I just became addicted to Kingdom Hearts II, which unfortunately gave me a new favorite yaoi pairing. Axel x Roxas is currently fighting with Jounouchi x Yuugi for the top spot. And since Axel is a pyromaniac, I doubt this will be a fair fight.

Also, forgive the random Japanese and Italian in the previous chapters. They'll probably be prevalent in the next ones, too. But Mario does speak other languages, as you may remember from chapter one.

Disclaimer: If I owned Yu-Gi-Oh, then there'd be no fat jokes in it. Mario Migliore is mine, even though he's the cure for the "not-so-fresh" feeling in your panties. Yes, I am calling him a douche.*

*Douching is actually very bad for your reproductive health.

Chapter 3: I Won't Take Dame For An Answer

The next day after school, the gang gathered their belongings to prepare for the next school day. Jounouchi hated working after school, especially now that time with his best friend had to be further compromised thanks to that rich, spoiled egomaniac that shoved himself between him and Yuugi.

Meanwhile, Anzu and Honda took the extra time to talk amongst themselves. Their voices were kept barely above whispers, as the ever-strict teachers might be listening on about their students' personal lives—not to mention Jounouchi, who was already afflicted with lovesickness.

"I just...don't know what to do," Anzu murmured, leaning on her desk. "On one hand, I'd really like Jounouchi to be happy, although...what if Yuugi likes that creep? Yeah, I know it's a scary thought."

"Yeah, but like a lot of scary stuff, especially in the horror movies, they're fantasy. I highly doubt that Yuugi is one to fall for complete douchebags."

"Yeah, what am I thinking? 'Respect Yuugi's boundaries...'" Anzu gave a self-chastising chuckle. "Yeah, what if said boundaries are about to be crossed?" While thoughts swirled around both brunettes' heads, they observed the scene with Jounouchi and Yuugi, hoping that Mario wouldn't steal the show.

"Hey Yuugi, see ya later." Jounouchi gave a half-smile and a wave to his pal.

"Jounouchi-kun, are you okay?" Yuugi noted his best friend's lack of enthusiasm. It was the end of the day. Usually, the blonde would skip merrily with Yuugi, disturbing the passerby.

Jounouchi looked down and paused. "...Yeah, I'm all right. Don't worry about me, okay, bud?"

"You don't look so okay..." Violet eyes pleaded for Jounouchi to let him be comforted.

"Well..." Jounouchi began, then sighed. Damn the cutesy look. "I'll be working late again. So, yeah...I'm probably going to be too tired again tomorrow. But, I promise you, we'll do something fun together." A soft smile was given to assure the petite duelist.

"Ne, Yuugi!" Mario, who stood by the door, wagged his outstretched index finger towards him. Yuugi followed, leaving Jounouchi to stay put and eavesdrop. "You got plans tonight?"

"Well..." At the corner of his eye, Yuugi noticed Jounouchi's disheartened grimace. "Not really... Why?"

"I'd like to treat you. You've been so nice to me."

"R-really? Thanks, but--"

A pointer finger was put to Yuugi's lips. "No buts. This'll be fun. I got to see only a little bit of Domino City and I'd like to see more with a friend, if you so please. So..." His hands clasped together, jade eyes locking endearingly with violet. "Please, won't you come?"

This was kind of like a date, wasn't it? And by the way Yuugi found himself grudgingly enchanted by the enthusiastic smile, the answer was a definite yes. Now Yuugi knew how his friends felt when faced with the Cutsey Look of Death. "...All right." Yami no Yuugi was going to have his head for this.

A distraught Jounouchi made his way through the door and carelessly passed through between the two boys.

"Jounouchi-kun!"

"What was that about?" Mario grumbled audibly, steering a jade glare in Jounouchi's direction.

"Bite me!" Nearby classrooms could hear Jounouchi's outburst.

"No thanks, Jounouchi. I'd rather not get poisoned." The brunette stuck his tongue out.

"Mario-kun!" Yuugi went after his best friend. But before he could catch up with him, Jounouchi had already shoved his hands in his pockets and stormed out the corridor. Yuugi trudged back to Mario. "That wasn't very nice."

"Look, Yuugi." The Caucasian boy cupped the little game king's chin. "I'm sorry."

"He's my best friend..." A heavy sigh escaped Yuugi's lips. Wide, innocent irises locked on to Mario's face. "I really hate it when people I care about can't get along."

"Hmm..." The taller boy led Yuugi out of the classroom. "Tell you what. I'll find a way to make it up to you. We can talk about Jounouchi later." Lightly, long arms snaked around Yuugi's petite body. A grin appeared on Mario's face as cute, round cheeks turned pink. "I'll pick you up at six. Wear your favorite outfit." He let go gently and left.

Yuugi, immobilized and speechless, knew his suspicions were confirmed.

~*~

Yami no Yuugi watched his other half pace restlessly across their soul room. "Aibou, I really don't think this is such a good idea..."

"But, other me, I think I should go," Yuugi protested to his spirit form. "I have to get him to see that Jounouchi-kun isn't as bad as he thinks he is. And besides, it's rude for me to stand him up."

Yami no Yuugi sighed. "Yuugi, you may be able to talk to him, but I don't think it's enough for him to change his opinion of Jounouchi-kun." Sincere red eyes softened, focusing on Yuugi. "And besides, it sounds like Mario is more interested in getting closer to you than anyone else. I mean, this is a date, isn't it?"

"Well..." Yuugi blush answered for him.

The spirit form smirked. "I told you not to get too close to him, but your heart won't let you listen. I'm afraid I have to chaperone this outing. I'll take over if things get...intense."

With that, Yuugi embraced his dark self tightly. "Thanks, Other Me."

"Yuugi!"

"Ah! It's Mama! I'd better go. Sorry, Other Me!" Yuugi immediately closed the link. He called back, "Coming!"

"Good luck," Yami no Yuugi murmured to himself, keeping that smirk on his face.

"Come on down, Yuugi! Your friend's here!" Mrs. Mutou sounded a little bit too excited. Perhaps it was because of the sight of Mario in his casual clothes.

As Yuugi quickly descended the steps, his heart pounded swiftly in anticipation of Mario pouncing on him and doting him.

"Yuugi..." the jade-eyed boy's voice was low and smooth, as if catcalling the King of Games. The leer scanned the black tank top, accenting slight muscles and the tight leather pants hugging slim legs. The collar and the chain with that gold trinket he always wore for some reason didn't look so bad, either. And just for this outing, Yuugi wore a couple of rings and an extra necklace.

"H-Hi..." Yuugi, whose voice was now like a hamster's, couldn't believe he was going through with this. Violet eyes shifted downward, trying to no avail to keep his nervousness under wraps.

Sugoroku couldn't help but notice that his grandson wore more jewelry than usual. "Look at you my boy. You look like you're on a date!" The old man laughed teasingly.

"Oh, Grandpa, stop!" Yuugi didn't need to blush any more than he did the past few days. It didn't get much better when Mario snaked his arm around the short boy.

"Well, have a good time, boys. Be sure to come home after dark, Yuugi."

"Don't worry, Signora Mutou." Mario shot a smirk in her direction. "I'll bring your son home safe and sound."

As he was escorted out of his home, Yuugi did a double take, but then saved the story of his nosebleeding mother for another day. Just before he stepped in the purple limo, Yuugi asked, "So, what will we be up to tonight?"

"A night of fun," Mario's voice was laced with a hint of seduction. He closed the door after the two were situated in the car.

The vague answer had Yuugi extremely apprehensive of what 'fun' meant... He dressed up nicely for the occasion and cared not to remove any clothing.

"We'll see. What do you like to do with your friends, Yuugi?" Mario slid closer to his date and wrapped his arm around his shoulder.

"Well, when Jounouchi-kun and I don't have tournaments or when we're not bogged down with school, we just like to hang out."

"Hang out? That's it?"

"Yeah." Yuugi nodded.

"You mean, you don't really buy anything?" A perplexed Mario asked. "Because everything costs money."

"Well, most things do, but having fun doesn't." Yuugi smiled, straight into those jade eyes. "Well, maybe we do buy some stuff like ice cream, but it doesn't really matter much if you enjoy yourself."

"Hmm..." Well, this was becoming a boring conversation. "Yuugi, let's buy a treat. I'd like to see where your favorite cafe is."

"Well, there's this one right by the train station, but it's really expensive... I did get to try a few cookies when Anzu applied there for a job."

"All right." The wealthy boy directed the driver to the vicinity of the train station.

Several moments passed. The pair arrived at a small outdoor cafe, where mostly couples treated themselves after a hard day's work. Mario ordered coffee with skim milk for himself and a parfait for Yuugi.

Sipping his coffee, Mario declared with a bit of disgust, "I don't see why this place is so popular. The coffee's not even that great. I guess it's because it's localized."

"You think?" Yuugi tilted his head. "What's the coffee back at your home like?"

"Well, we travel to many parts of the world, so I really don't have a 'home'..."

Purple eyes dropped down towards the parfait. "I'm sorry..."

"No, it's okay." Mario's infectious grin brightened the atmosphere. "Anyway, most of the stuff on the menu is for breakfast only. After that, it's only okay to drink coffee with milk or black." He traced the rim of the paper cup with a disdainful look. "Oh, and we don't drink out of paper buckets. We use cute little ceramic cups."

"I didn't know that. Why not have a snack, too?" Well, they were spoiling dinner, but Yuugi didn't mind.

"I'm watching my weight," Mario put bluntly.

"But you're already skinny!" Yuugi exclaimed, as if one couldn't already tell from the way the Caucasian boy's intricately emblazoned t-shirt clung to his torso. His jeans looked like they were going to slip from his legs any moment.

"Well, in case you haven't noticed, I'm a musician, and I have an upcoming contract." Ignoring the rumbling of his stomach, he sauntered to the fence and leaned against it, trailing the edge of his sandal along the rail.

Timidly, Yuugi stepped towards Mario, and offered him the strawberry from the parfait, coated with ice cream. Of course, it might give him the wrong idea, but it was not in his nature to just let someone starve.

Beaming from ear to ear, Mario took the offered treat. "Thank you, darling." He threw his arms around Yuugi and whispered, "You sure are forward, aren't you?" Mario snickered at how much the little round face looked so much like that strawberry, especially the color.

While Mario quickly finished the fruit, Yuugi's appetite disappeared. "H-hey...do you have anything else you wanted to do?"

"Hmm..." Mario tapped his finger to his chin in thought. "Where do you shop for clothes, usually?"

"Just regular department stores. I've been getting into more of the gothic stuff because of the influence of my cousin." By now it was perfectly natural for Yuugi to not reveal anything about his other half to strangers.

"Because I saw a store when I first moved here. I think you might like it. And you're not going to eat your parfait, are you?" Mario smirked at the melted treat in Yuugi's hands.

"Not really. Did you want it?"

"No thanks. There's no more fruit on it. You might as well throw it out."

Yuugi detected the hint of disgust in Mario's tone, but sighed and threw out the melted parfait anyway. The two headed to the limo for the next destination.

~*~

"M-Mario..." An embarrassed flush paved Yuugi's features. "I...I don't think this is such a good idea."

"Don't worry, Yuugi," Mario replied confidently. "There's no one but us two...well, the store manager's here, but he doesn't matter."

"He will!" Yuugi protested, trying to stay silent, but his temper caused said employee to hear. "He's looking this way!"

"Look, will you just come out already?" Mario gave an exasperated sigh...which turned into a seductive smirk as Yuugi stepped out of the dressing room, wearing a frilly black gothic Lolita dress.

"This isn't funny!" Yuugi growled quite loudly. "I can't believe I agreed to this!"

Boisterous laughter filled the room. "Oh you poor thing, Yuugi. Have it your way. Let's get out of those clothes." And then into my bed, Mario secretly thought.

"Gladly..." Yuugi mumbled under his breath.

"You can try on the other clothes I got for you. Oh, and don't worry about the price. It's a gift." Mario gave his date a gentle push towards the dressing room.

Three minutes later, Yuugi came out in a white tank top and sleeveless black leather jacket. Instead of the usual black collar, a white collar with diamond studs adorned his neck, as did a plaid tie. Black vinyl pants hugged his legs.

"I love it." Mario scooped the light boy with the merchandise and carried him to the counter. In one swipe, he slapped a platinum card down on the counter. "Put all of it on this, please."

~*~

Jounouchi hung up his uniform in the lockers. It sure felt good to get off of work early. Putting his casual clothes back on, he made a priority to stop by Yuugi's house, just in case Mario deflowered him behind his back.

~*~

After the long car ride, the pair could be seen near an alley close to the game shop.

"Do you like dancing?"

"No, not really." Yuugi lowered his head.

"Oh, that's too bad. Hey, that girl you hang out with, Anzu, she dances, right?"

"Yeah." Yuugi smiled, being reminded of his friend. "It's been her dream for as long as I can remember."

"That must be nice..." Mario looked up at the sky. Time sure did fly. "This is why I like this place. You get to have so much freedom."

The wistful expression was something that Yuugi never expected to see. "Well, I'm not so sure about that..."

Mario cut him off. "You get to have clubs, sports, and festivals, and my old school in Italy didn't have that."

"Really?!" What kind of school wouldn't have clubs or sports? Yuugi tried to keep an open mind, but that fact hit him like a two-ton weight. "Do you have really strenuous exams?"

"Oh hell yeah, we do." Mario nodded with a grin. "We do nothing but study and there are still high failure rates. I almost failed twice, myself."

"I can't believe it. That must've been hard for you."

The light green eyes turned gentle, only for Yuugi. "You're so nice. So many people wanna hang out with me, but only you understand me. I may have my band members, but they're not as sweet as you." Long, slender arms pulled the small form closer.

"W-wait!" Yuugi stammered. But before he could sputter another word, Mario's index finger was put to the lips of the shy boy. And as much as he prayed and hoped that the next event wouldn't happen, it was too late.

Mario's lips collided with Yuugi's.

And in public, too, of all places. "Other Me, quick!" On command, Yuugi changed into his other form. Yami no Yuugi tore his lips from Mario's face. "I'm sorry. I'm not ready for this."

"But, Yuu..." Mario did a double take to his right. "Oh...we have company."

Yami no Yuugi slowly turned his head towards a seething growl. "Jounouchi-kun?"

"Jounouchi-kun?!"

"Do you mind?" Mario asked curtly. "We're having a moment here--"

Yami no Yuugi interrupted him. "I'm sorry, Jounouchi-kun. I was actually pulled into this without my consent."

"Wait, 'consent'?" Mario exclaimed, raising an eyebrow. "You sound like Jounouchi was your boyfriend!" A leer was shot in the blonde's direction.

Jounouchi cast his head down, concealing the humiliated flush from his adversary. His clenched fist trembled. "Just forget it!" was his outburst before running home. The two boys were too far away to see it, but tears ran down Jounouchi's cheeks as he ran from the scene.

Yami no Yuugi sneered at Mario, causing him to back away. "Good night." He stepped aside from him and headed for the game shop.

Mario had never seen Yuugi like that before. It was like the puny student wouldn't take 'yes' for an answer. Well, no matter. Soon, he knew, Yuugi would change his mind...

~*~

The next day, study hall bustled with its usual chatter. However, Mario took the opportunity to announce, "Everyone, listen up! There will be a party at my house this Saturday, so don't be late. Oh, and dress nicely." He wandered around the room and passed out invitations. Among those who didn't receive one were the only two fat students, a very scrawny girl lacking breasts, and Jounouchi.

Author's notes, part two: Nooooooooooooo! How could you just run off like that, Jounouchi?! I thought you were the seme! *sighs* Anyway...boy, this sure turned out to be a downer, huh? Kinda like the rest of my week. My heart goes out to all of you who had some jerk steal the hell out of your first kiss. And even moreso if you didn't punch him. So, when will Yuugi make like the 80's and just say no? And will Jounouchi turn into Bowser and bear Mario's ass? 'Til next time, folks! Ganbatte, Jounouchi-kun! And Yami no Yuugi, too!