The Bet

here it is!!! the chappie you've all been waiting for!! * giggles*

yam and yug: *are cuddled against oni, asleep *

some notes: this fic, if u can't guess, is set in america. i forgot to tell y'all that!!!

and.....as far as a lemon or anything goes.....this WAS going to be a lemon, eventually, but not anymore; i just recently realized just how young some readers are; like, 12, 14, etc.....and i think that is WAY TOO YOUNG to be reading adult material.......so, no lemons......there will be some limes, though.....and if i do write a lemon for this fic, which i probably will, rest assured it WILL NOT be posted on ff.net, nor will there be a link to it. i refuse to allow anyone who isn't old enough to read material like that.

yes, there will be access to the lemon.,....but....we'll see how it turns out.....

oh.....and....y'all can go thank ap (agent pudge) for getting on me about da updating...... so....go thank her by reading her fic....i can't remember what it's called right now....darn it....but it's set in egypt, it's very good; yaoi, yami x yugi, ...yugi's got powers and can kill people, and yami has his shadow powers, etc.....so...um...go read it...... go to "find" page and look up her name!!! it'll take ya right to her author's bio, where her fic is posted!!

and now.......the fic!!

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Yugi trotted alongside Yami as they walked up the steep, cemented path in between the two baseball fields that led up to the Stadium, and student parking. It was almost as if the administration enjoyed making the students that drove walk so far. Evil fiends.

Yami kept looking straight ahead, occasionally sneaking a sideways glance at Yugi, who was busy watching where his feet went, and looking up at him as well. Yugi panted, his short legs tiring easily as he struggled to keep up with the older boy's long, graceful one.

Yami slowed his pace, and Yugi smiled up at him gratefully, his huge violet eyes shining with happiness and his breath coming out in swift little puffs that mosturized in the frigid air. Yami enjoyed the unrestrained feelings Yugi wore on his sleeve, and longed to taste that sweet looking little mouth. And soon he would, when the time came for him to win the bet. He nodded to himself, thinking of the pleasure Yugi's soft, pure body would give, then glanced down into the violet eyes again, only to find them missing.

Yugi had slipped on a patch of ice, landing harshly on his already sore hind end, and looking up at Yami with a dazed expression. Yami leaned over and held out his hand again. Yugi stared into his crimson eyes, his little face flushed and wind burned, his own eyes big, innocent, and full of trust. So easy to deceive.

Yami's fingers wrapped around Yugi's, which were encased in thick wool, but Yugi still felt their warmth along with an electric jolt along his body. He didn't understand why Yami was being so nice to him, but he wasn't going to question it, either. Yami pulled him up and brushed the seat of his pants off. Yugi smiled up at him, still blushing, and murmurred, "Arigato."

Yami smiled. "Are you okay?" Yugi nodded, and noticed that Yami didn't let go of his hand as they continued walking. Yugi shifted a little, not use to such close contact, and the tingles that Yami's closeness was sending along his little body. He was beginning to feel overwhelmed, yet joyed at the same time.

Seeing the puzzled, dazed look on Yugi's face, Yami smiled and purposely guided Yugi, who looked up at him so trusingly, onto another ice patch. The little one started slipping, crying out in fright and clinging tightly to his hand. Yami reached out and steadied him, pulling Yugi off of the ice patch. "They don't salt this properly; there's too much ice, and it's very dangerous if you don't know the path. I'll help you." He said, and saw pure joy shining in those eyes.

His heart raced a little faster, and Yami shook his head. He kept a firm hold of Yugi's small hand, wishing he could feel the soft, delicate skin instead of wool and leather. The wind picked up, sending some snow flying straight at them. Yugi shuddered and unconsciously cuddled against Yami, burying his face in his side, then peered up at him, and Yami noted how well the dark violet of Yugi's eyes complimented his black leather.

"I-I'm s-sorry, Yami" Yugi peered up shyly, worried that he'd upset Yami. His body had acted instinctively, huddling against the nearest source of warmth, which happened to be Yami.

Yami smiled down indulgently and ran a gloved finger along the bright red cheek. "It's alright, Yugi. Let's go; we're almost there."

Yugi nodded and they made their way to Yami's car. It was a bright, shiny cereleun blue, with a rim on the back and two white racing striped streaked down the center of it. (Every hot boy needs a hot ride....and yes, hentais, i mean the car.....though, Yug's pretty hot, too....) Yami pressed a button on his keychain, and the car doors unlocked.

Yugi climbed in and snuggled into the seat, not surprised at all that the interior was black leather. From the rearview mirror hung a pair of fluffy red dice plushies with black dots, and Yami's senior tassle, which all seniors had gotten at the beginning of the school year. Yami closed his door, and the seatbelts automatically slid down. Yugi squirmed a bit, the seat belt chocking him. Instead of going across his shoulder, like Yami's did, his was across his neck.

Yami noticed and raised an eyebrow. "Yugi?"

Yugi stopped squirming and blushed furiously, looking down at his nervously clasped mittens and wished for the gazillionth time he had gloves instead of childish mittens. He peeked up at Yami and smiled then let out a timid squeak. He quickly closed his eyes, a stray tear sneaking down his soft cheek. He'd meant to say, 'I'm alright.', instead of that stupid noise he'd made.....Yami was sure to think he was a loser now......His petite body started to shake.

Yami blinked in surprise, startled by this sudden change in Yugi. He was so shy and withdrawn; Yami didn't blame him, though. He knew what people like him put people like Yugi through on a daily basis. It was a regime as old as highschool itself. The popular pick on the unpopular. Or use them for their own pleasures.....

Yami shook his head and reached over, gently brushing Yugi's tear away, and causing the little one to stop shaking and look up at him, wide eyes. Yami smiled down. "There's no need to get so worked up. It's alright." Yugi numbly nodded and stared up at Yami.

Unable to take that intense gaze any longer, Yami placed his gloved hand upon the gear shaft and switched it from park to reverse. Gently tapping the gas and peering out the rear view mirror, the sports car pulled out then sped down the road. Yugi 'eeped' a little; he'd never gone so fast so soon in his life. The speed limit was 15 around the school, yet Yami was doing 45. Yugi silently prayed they didn't get caught.

Yami chuckled at Yugi's expression. "It's alright, Yugi; no one's ever caught. The security guards are too busy hawking donuts and coffee to pay attention." They stopped at one of the exits, then, once the traffic was clear, Yami peeled out. The tires screeched, leaving behind tread marks in addition to the numerous ones that littered the road, hidden under frost, snow and ice.

The senior smiled at the sophmore's fearful expression and reached over,one hand on the wheel, and the other on Yugi's cheek. Yugi unclenched his eyes and took Yami's hand in his own, gripping it fearfully. "You haven't really been in a car before, have you?"

Yugi shook his head. "G-gomen.....It's just that.....My grandpa doesn't drive, and I'm too young. I'm used to walking or taking the bus. I've been in a cab a few times, though." Yugi looked down, feeling even more the fool.

Yami laughed, not unkindly. " 'S kool, Yugi. How about me and you go for some hot chocolate before I take you home?"

Yugi's head shot up, his expression surprised and hopeful."That sounds like fun!" He hesitated a moment. "But....but my grandpa will be mad if I'm not home on time."

Yami just smiled and pulled out his cellphone, preparing it for a call then handed it to Yugi. "Punch in the number then hit the button with the green phone symbol on when you're ready to call."

Yugi hesitantly took it and did as told. "H-hello? Grandpa? I'm.....I was wondering.....Is it okay if I go out with a friend afterschool for a bit? I'll be home soon, in about half hour or so.....No, Grandpa, really, yes, a friend.....I'll tell you as soon as I get home.....Can I? Please?....Arigato.....Yes, I'll be careful......Just for some hotchocolate.....Luv you too, Bye...." Yugi turned the cell phone off and handed it back to Yami, looking down in his lap at his clasped hands again, his face shining in emabrassment.

"Are you and you're Grandfather close?"

Yugi nodded without looking up. "Yeah.....he's the only family I have."

Yami said nothing for a while, and Yugi looked up at him, worried that he'd done something to upset Yami. "Yami?"

The older boy shook his head. "I've found that family ties are highly overrated.....Here we are." His ending tone perked up as he pulled into Dunkin Donuts and got inline in the drive thru.

Yugi reached over and gently, hesitantly touched Yami's arm, laying his little mitten on the leather sleeve in a comforting gesture. Yami just smiled in amusement at him and shook his head. Yugi lowered his and removed his hand, then bent over and rumaged through his book bag, which was on the floor.

He pulled out 6 dollars, all in one's. His lunch money from last week, which he'd forgotten to take home on Friday, and from today. Yugi stashed his money in the bottom of his locker, underneath his books. He never ate lunch; if he took his money to lunch with him, some bully or another would take it off of him. He hid it in the bottom of his locker, allowing other students to think he couldn't afford to buy lunch. He had been stashing the same bills all year; every Friday, he always hid his money on him and took it home, then slipped it back into his Grandfather's wallet. It saved his Grandfather from constantly trying to scrape together pocket change from the game shop just so he could eat, and that was one of the few things the bullies didn't beat him up about. They believed he had no money, so they never bothered him for it.

Yugi had resisted the temptation to spend or hoard the money for himself thus far, but today.......this was a special occasion, and Yugi was sure he was dreaming, so.....spending a dollar or two on a small hot chocolate couldn't hurt, could it?

By the time Yugi had fished his money out, Yami had pulled up to the window and was paying the cashier. Yugi frowned and attempted to hand Yami his money, but Yami shoved it back into his mittened palms. "B-but Yami-" He was cut off by Yami's intense glare. Yugi looked down in frustration and guilt, biting his bottom lip to keep it from trembling. It was one thing to do something nice for someone, but quite another to have someone be nice to you. It was a whole new game, and Yugi wasn't comfortable with it; it didn't feel right to him, for anyone to show him any kindness. It had never happened before.

Yugi started in surprise when Yami silently handed him a large hot choclate. He gripped the styrofoam cup with both hands, his thick wool making it hard to hold, with his money laying between his legs.

Yami pulled out of the drivethru then pulled into the parking lot and parked. They sat in silence for several mintues, each busy with their own thoughts. Yami was perplexed by Yugi's hurt expression when he refused his money. Most people were glad when others offered to pay for them, so why was Yugi so upset? Unless he'd never had anyone do that for him......Yami never really paid much attention, hell, he'd never even noticed Yugi before....but he vowed to watch how the other student treated him, and keep an eye on the petite, frail boy.

While the senior occasionally sipped his hot chocolate, Yugi pulled the tab back on the lid and just trraced his finger around the lip. He occasionally looked up at Yami, who didn't look at him. Looking down, he bit his lip before bravely asking, very soflty, "Why?"

Yami almost missed the barely audible whisper. He turned to Yugi, studying him intently. He paused before replying, "Why not?"

Yugi said nothing, staring into his cup as tears welled in his eyes and streaked down his cheeks. He held himself tensly so he wouldn't shake.

Seeing Yugi's distress, Yami casually tossed him a napkin. "Enough with the water works. Is crying all you ever do? No wonder you get beat up so much."

Hearing the supposed disgust and revulsion in Yami's voice, Yugi fought against breaking down. He was truly terrified; he'd never been out with another person, besides his grandfather, and had never even hung out with another kid his age until today. Let alone a kid of Yami's caliber. Yugi shuddered; he knew he was in dangerous territory. Everyting with Yami Mutou was dangerous. But.....then......why had Yami done what he did?

Wiping futiley at his eyes, Yugi whispered. "I-I'm very s-sorry.....It's just that I've -I"ve n-never h-had....anyone....take me out b-before."

"And that's a reason to act like a timid little mouse?" Yugi flinched at Yami's harsh tone.

Yami paused, knowing that he wasn't getting anywhere like this, and he was only going to drive Yugi furhter away, which was the last thing he needed. Yami gentled his tone. "Yugi, stop crying; it's alright. Don't cry, and don't be afraid; just be yourself, alright?"

Wiping his eyes with the now soaked napkin, Yugi nodded nad peered up at Yami, who smiled down at him. Yugi smiled back, and the other boy reached out and brushed his gloved thumb over his tear stained cheek. "That's better. You know, Yugi, you're awfully cute when you smile."

Yugi blushed and looked down shyly as Yami revved his car up and pulled out, going slower so as not to spill any hot chocolate. The way home was spent in silence, although it was of an almost blissful sort. The only time they exchanged words was when Yugi gave Yami directions to the Turtle Game Shop and his house.

Yami pulled up and put it in park, leaving the car with the heater running. Yugi gathered his stuff and looked shyly up at Yami. "Arigato.....This has been.....I-I really enjoyed it....Thank you very much.....I don't know how to ever repay you.....Are you sure you won't accept this?......I-"

Yami placed a gloved finger over Yugi's soft, pink lips, and Yugi stared at him. "Hush. No thanks are necessary. Remember what I said: Keep smiling. And....if you want to repay me.....go out with me again on Friday, alright?" Yami shoved Yugi's prooffered money back into his own hands.

Yugi immediately nodded, eager to please. He only remembered to breathe once Yami's warm finger was removed from his lips, and he fumbled for the door. He flew in the store, hugged his grandfather, and raced upstairs, depositing his bookbag by his desk. He had quickly changed into more comfortable clothes when it suddenly donged on him what he agreed to. This Friday night, he, little, unloved Yugi Moto, was going on a date with hot, sexy Yami Mutou!!! His first date ever!!!

Yugi fell backwards, landing on his bed and happily grabbing a plush pillow nad hugging it to him, gazing star struck at the ceiling.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

wow!! i actually ended on a positive note for once!! *beams * *is proud of herslef *

and i have no clue what's coming next chappie....or when it'll be out......