Submission

Chapter 4

It was dark in here. The light was broken but they had no bulbs in the house so it would have to stay that way. Not that Yami minded; he was more comfortable in the dim. His eyes were good enough to allow him to see what he was doing and he had done this so many times in the past his hands knew the work better than his mind did.

He didn’t like being out in the front of the shop anymore. In the past he used to quite enjoy socializing with people, helping them with their gaming strategy, showing them how to build a good deck and generally aiding them with all the skills that came with the title of Game King.

This meant that he did all the stock work, something that Yugi had no objections to because he hated it. With Grandpa still out in America on an unexpectedly extended business trip it was just the two of them to do all the work but they were managing.

Sliding another box into its’ place at the top of the storeroom shelf, Yami breathed a sigh that he had now gotten through the lightest boxes. The heavier ones were at the foot of the stepladder waiting to be stacked. Stepping down the few metal rungs he leant his weight into the first one and shoved it against the wall, turning around and dragging the second one towards him before placing it carefully on top of the first. He had just started moving the third when Yugi shouted out to him.

“Yami? Can you come out and watch the cash-register for me?”

Smiling a little at the voice, Yami sent back a mental reply before straightening, a hand coming to the small of his back to rub at the ache that was beginning to form there already. Everything had fallen back to normal fairly quickly after he returned home, something that he was immensely grateful for as he simply did not need tension between his Aibou and his friends to be added to his list of worries.

Strangely, Yugi’s absolute forgiveness for his actions alleviated some of the guilt that had filled his being entirely, a side-effect being that the nightmares were less frequent, only coming four or five times a week instead of every night.

After taking a moment for his eyes to adjust to sig significantly brighter light outside of the storeroom Yami made his way to the counter of the shop, lifting himself up onto one of the stools and glancing around himself with mild interest.

He couldn’t see Yugi but he could hear his voice from between some rows of cards, his voice animated as he described the points of each card and gave a brief description of how they could be used in a particular gaming strategy. The customer sounded to be male, his deeper voice making small noises of interest as Yugi spoke. They were both obviously crouched down by the merchandise on the lowest shelf for Yugi’s head suddenly appeared around the corner of the wrack.

“Yami? Can you go see if we have any more of the Gold Starter Packs in the back? We’re all out here.”

Nodding, Yami hopped back off the stool and returned to the storeroom, his hand instantly snatching up a box on a shelf at his elbow beside the door. He knew where everything was in here, which was helpful because changing from bright light to darkness meant he couldn’t see a damned thing.

Deciding to stock up the shelf whilst he had the packs he took the entire box back out, freezing mid-step when he looked up from opening the box to see Yugi. He was behind the counter describing some of the cards that they kept in a glass cabinet beneath it, pointing to some of the rarer ones and glancing up occasionally to ensure that the customer was following.

It was the man stood opposite him that made Yami’s stomach turn into a lead ball and the colour drain from his face. Black jeans, black tank-top and short dark hair. Heck, even the eyes were the same even though their intense focus was on the cards through the glass and not on him.

They flickered up from the inside of the cabinet for just a second, meeting his frightened eyes knowingly before his gaze returned to the cards, a hint of a smile now gracing his lips. Instinct made Yami take a silent step backwards as if from a large predator, no longer feeling the box in his hands.

He dropped it before turning on his heel and fleeing, causing the pair to look up the spot where he had previously stood. Frowning, Yugi went to the dropped box and picked up the scattered packs before returning to the counter, his eyes losing focus slightly as Kresha went through them, reaching out to Yami.

He was completely blocked off from his Dark; mental defenses unlike any he had ever felt locked firmly into place so that not even a whisper could break in or escape. Deciding to leave Yami to himself until he had calmed down from whatever had happened to startle him so badly, Yugi snapped his focus back to the man infront of him.

“Just these then,” he said, holding out the desired packs to Yugi.

Nodding with a somewhat forced smile, he took the packs from him and ran them through the till, dropping them into a bag and handing them back. Thanking him for shopping here he watched the thick-set man leave before heading towards the store room and glancing inside.

Yami wasn’t there and with their bond blocked on his end he couldn’t locate him mentally. Concerned when he felt that the barricades preventing him from reaching him were still firmly in place he jogged back into the shop and flicked the ‘closed’ sign on the door leaving him free to hunt down Yami and help him as he could. Trying again with a little more force he was dismayed to feel the blocks fortify, becoming impossibly stronger as his mind shied away from his.

After systematically searching the rooms on the ground floor and coming up with nothing Yugi moved upstairs, pushing his door open and stepping over the thresh-hold. Glancing around it took a moment to locate his other self but when he had he surged forward and dropped to his knees beside him. Curled up against the end of his desk, apparently trying to make himself as small as possible, Yami sat staring blankly at the opposite wall. His face pale, his fists were clenched so that his knuckles were white and held beneath his jaw with his elbows pressed into his chest.

His lips were moving but the words were barely audible, Yugi having to lean in close to hear them, his own thudding heart making it difficult to hear them despite his proximity.

“No one’s coming.” It was a mantra, repeated over and over emotionlessly, almost mindlessly. In Yami’s numb mind it was both a blessing and a curse. No one was coming to hurt him or see him in this state, but no one was going to help him either. Lost in the words and torrents of emotions he hadn’t even registered Yugi’s presence.

Shouting at him didn’t get a response nor did shaking him slightly. Desperate and utterly terrified now Yugi sat back with his own head in his hands trying to force himself to think. He’d never been in a situation like this before and had no idea what to do. All he could figure out was that something serious had to have happened to make Yami this closed off, physically and mentally.

The phone started ringing above Yami’s head making Yugi jump although the other didn’t change in the slightest at the sound. Picking it up just to shut off the noise he was surprised to hear Ryou’s voice coming through.

“Yugi? I just wanted to confirm our plans for later. I have the videos so you’re going to have to bring the soda. Yugi? Are you therIs eIs everything alright?”

Not knowing what else to do and praying that Ryou might have an idea he rested his weight on his heels and described what was going on, his voice barely articulate to his own ears through his tears. Yami had fallen silent now, his breathing coming in ragged pants as he continued to stare blankly.

There was silence on the other end of the line until the reply was spoken with a growl as an undertone. Evidently Bakura had just taken over the body, either that or he’d manifested himself and taken the phone off of Ryou. “Is he hurt physically?”

Surprised at the question Yugi snapped his vision into focus so that he was actually *seeing* and glanced over Yami’s body. He couldn’t see anything other than the scars on the knuckles of his left hand. “N-no. I can’t see anything.”

He heard Bakura mumble to himself on the other end, the words sounding like ‘he’s keeping it hidden’ before he hung up. After blinking at the receiver for a few seconds a thought slammed into Yugi’s mind like lightning. Grateful that he’d put the number on speed-dial because he could not remember it right then, he waited anxiously for someone to pick up.

“Joey here.”

Almost sobbing with relief Yugi unconsciously pressed the phone tighter to his ear, his eyes returning to Yami who was still curled up against the wood and the wall. “Joey, something’s really wrong with Yami. He’s cut off our link and he won’t speak. I don’t know what to do,” he said hurriedly, his eyes clenching at the words. How hadn’t he known his yami was troubled this badly? What had happened now to send him over the edge?

There was the sound of a quiet cursing on the end of line before Joey spoke again. “What’s he doing?”

“He-he’s just curled up. He won’t move.”

“Alright Yuug. Run a bath of warm water and get him into it. Just talk to him until he eases up alright? I’ll be over in a few minutes.”

“He’s dressed,” Yugi stated flatly.

“It don’t matter. Don’t even try ta get his clothes off. Just get him in the water.”

“How’d-?”

“Trial and error. Just get him in.”

And once again the phone hung up on him. Wide eyed, Yugi wasted no time in sprinting into the bathroom, slamming on the faucets and leaving them to run as he headed back into their room. Contemplating Yami with fresh tears, he honestly couldn’t see how he was going to get him to stand let alone walk.

Finally he simply knelt by his side and put a hand around his waist, biting his lip as he felt the violent tremors running through the hidden muscles. “Come on Yami. Just stand up with me,” he murmured as he lifted him slightly, offering some encouragement to move.

To his surprise Yami complied and stood with him, his fists dropping from his jaw-line and crossing across his ribs, his elbows still tucked against him firmly creating a physical shield about himself. Not moving his arm from about his waist, Yugi led him along the corridor and into the bathroom, whispering words of praise and encouragement as they moved.

Turning the taps off Yugi dipped his hand into the water and found it to be an acceptable temperature, taking Yami’s arm and leading him towards the tub. Getting him in was a little more difficult but after a few minutes Yugi was sat on the ledge of the bath, Yami’s head at his shoulder as the warm water lapped around his waist, sneaking between his arms and creeping up his jacket as the material was soaked.

Dismayed when he didn’t respond to the water Yugi grabbed a washcloth and soaked it, bringing it up and slowly dragging it down Yami’s cheek, methodically cleansing his entire face. Remembering Joey’s words his hand paused at his throat, the other having reached out to undo the buckle circling his neck. Deciding that Yami was likely too out of it right then to have any idea of what was going on at all, he undid the buckle and removed the belt, dropping it behind him.

Starting over the artery he began dabbing at the smooth flesh, dipping the cloth back into the water and repeating his actions on his face before moving back down his throat, the entire time murmuring to him, not entirely aware of what he was saying and not really caring.

Suddenly Yami’s entire body jerked, his eyes blinking and becoming wide with confusion. Glancing around himself quickly, he spotted Yugi beside him watching with large violet eyes. His face screwing up he simply wrapped his arms around the smaller one who returned the gesture instantly, sobbing into his shirt openly.

Partially relieved and partially scared at this new development Yugi just held Yami to him, running his hands up and down his back and rocking him slightly as Yami had done for him when he was upset. He had never seen Yami like this before and it terrified him. What had happened to get him this upset?

It was a good five or six minutes until his sobs subsided, his arms loosening marginally around the slighter body and his eyes raising to meet his Hikari’s. Yugi was crying now too, albeit quietly, a hand raising to shift one of the golden bangs that had slipped onto his face.

“What’s wrong?” he mouthed, not trusting his voice enough to actually speak.

Yami’s face tightened and he shook his head, knowing by the feeling in his throat and behind his eyes that he would only break down again if he even tried to explain. Suddenly feeling the chill in his body he glanced down and found himself to be partially immersed in water, the liquid cool now.

Seeing him shivering slightly Yugi reached out and grabbed a towel, unfolding it in his lap and extending a hand to Yami to help him up. Not needing it Yami took it anyway, rising shakily to his feet and gratefully taking the offered towel. Wrapping it around his shoulders he followed Yugi back into the bedroom, sitting on the bed on top of the towel Yugi had taken with him.

Allowing the other to remove his boots without protest he opened his mouth to speak when the doorbell sounded, accompanied by loud thumps showing that whoever was trying to get in was impatient to the extreme.

Cringing despite himself at the sounds, fearing that it was Kresha returning for him, Yami instinctively looked about the room for a place to hide himself. Seeing this Yugi grabbed his shoulders and forced him to look at him.

“It’s only Joey. No-one’s going to hurt you, I promise,” he assured seriously over the sounds of the banging and the doorbell. Stepping away, he started for the door but paused with a backwards look. “Are you going to be alright up here by yourself while I let him in?”

“I’ll be fine,” Yami answered quietly, his hands knotting in the towel as he sat.

Nodding with a small smile Yugi broke into a run and moved to answer the door. Relieved that it wasn’t Bakura he stood to the side to let Joey in, the blond stepping inside and shrugged out of his soaked jacket, shaking his damp hair and sending drips of water everywhere. Apparently it was raining outside.

“How is he? Is he back with ya yet?” he asked, his voice thick with concern.

“Yeah, he spoke to me just now. He’s in my room,” Yugi replied with a motion of his hand. Nodding absently Joey started up the steps with the smaller boy at his heels, both relieved to see Yami look up from the bit of towel he had been toying with as they entered.

Ignoring Yugi entirely now Joey moved straight infront of Yami, kneeling at his feet and watching his face. “Are you alright? Come through that one okay?”

Yami closed his eyes and nodded slightly, opening them again with a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Yugi helped.”

Joey smiled and took his fisted hands in his own, squeezing them tightly before standing again. Yugi watched this entire exchange from the doorway utterly bewildered. When had his yami and Joey gotten this close? Is this what had happened during that week that Yami had stayed there?

Standing opposite Yugi now Joey smiled at him broadly. “Nice job. I think it’d be best if we left him ta sleep for a bit. Tensing up like that for so long is not ‘xactly nice for his muscles.”

Nodding a little but with no solid idea of how Joey knew these things, he looked past him to Yami who was watching his fingers losing themselves in the fluffy fabric of the towel around his shoulders. “Do you want us to help you get undressed?”

Crimson eyes met his slowly, effort obviously going into keeping eye contact between them. “No, I’m quite capable. But thank you.”

Satisfied with the answer Joey gently nudged Yugi backward out of the doorway before he could start to insist; his overwhelming desire to help his yami overshadowing sense. Opening his mouth to protest he fell silent at the strangely serious expression on Joey’s face, allowing himself to be led downstairs and into the kitchen. Directing him to sit down the blond set about making them both a hot drink, setting the cups down on the table before sitting beside the tri-haired boy.

“Joey? How’d you know what to tell me to do?” Yugi asked softly, one hand around the cup and the other toying with the handle, his fingers idly drifting over the porcelain surface.

Shrugging one shoulder, Joey lifted his own cup to his lips and sipped some of the liquid before answering. “He had a couple o’ absences while he was over at my house. I tried a few things and that seemed to work best.”

“’Absences?’”

“That’s what he called them. They freaked me out too Yuug, don’ worry about it,” he said clasping a hand over his shoulder before returning it to the cup.

There were a few seconds of silence before Yugi frowned and looked up at him again. “Why are you telling me this now?”

“Because I think he’s going to have to tell you everything soon, when he’s up to it. Either that or I will, but I don’t want it ta come ta that. He’ll be better off if he tells you himself.”

“Tells me what? Joey, can’t you just tell me something so I can stop worrying about him?” Yugi pleaded, his eyes watering as he remembered Yami’s earlier state.

The older teen only shook his head decisively. “I’m sorry Yugi, I really am, but I am not telling you nothing now. Besides, I think he needs us to worry about him for now.”

There was a bang on the kitchen door, loud and resounding in the silence making them both start. Smiling sheepishly Yugi stood to answer it, glancing around the wood before opening the door wide to let their visitor in from out of the rain.

Joey leapt to his feet when he saw who it was, the hood of the travelers cloak dropping so that the face inside was no longer entirely hidden. Yugi had obviously known who it was for he didn’t seemed surprised in the slightest. “Bakura? What the hell are you doing here?”

The platinum-haired boy tipped his head to the side with a smirk, stepping forward and taking Yugi’s unattended cup up from the table and downing the scalding liquid in one go. “Freezing my ass off for a start. Where’s the Pharaoh?”

“Ah no ya don’t. He doesn’t need you fucking around with his head today. So if you’ll just turn around an-”

“I’m not going to fuck around with his head you little freak,” he snapped viciously, the cold fire that never left his eyes flaring as he bore down on Joey. “I’m here to help.”

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