Amor Vincit Omnia

Notes: Bienvenue to chapter 6 of Amor Vincit Omnia. Apologies as usual for the lateness, but I have had NO inspiration for this chapter. You think I would seeing as it's a turning point, but the muses come at their own convenience. Not to mention the depressing bad luck of me losing my flash drive and my iPod touch, both of which had notes for the chapter. I am sorely tempted to give life an Epic fail tag. u_u

Thank you everyone who reviewed -and- those who are following the story enough to make its statistics jump by a thousand in 2-3 days. I am terribly flattered! XD

usmorgan: Thank you! I'm glad my little tale has fans and I hope you continue to love it.

read_right_time: I know what you mean, new chapters ftw! I think authors get as excited about posting as readers get about reading. Thank you for your comments!

Cody_Thomas: I've been noticing; there is something about your comments that bring out the inner nerd in me...and I like it. XD I will refrain from posting an essay and just say that this is where symbolism is your friend. In the actual myth, Psyche's tasks represent the four stages that the human soul goes through to achieve heavenly status. While it won't get so heavy in this tale, I'll be using the same symbolism and adapting the tasks.

Jeazard: Lol, thank you! Now I believe the only question remaining is which has the more issues: Kaiba or the NatGeo? I'm glad you like my adaption, these things are really fun if only to see how much of one tale I can stuff into another.

-II-

Amor Vincit Omnia

Chapter 6: Revealing Light

Anzu waited until the door to the lecture hall closed before leading Yugi down the stairs to the study hall. Their footsteps echoed eerily in the sudden silence, mixing with light sounds of conversation coming from below and Yugi bit his lip nervously. What did Jou mean he was in danger? Should he believe his former friend, or was this yet another trick to humiliate him? He stole a glance at Anzu, who looked fierce and purposeful as she led him; her grip on his hand was firm, almost as if he would fly away if she were to let go. She was his first real friend at the University and he remembered being resentful that she still remained with Jou even when the blond said those horrible things, but eventually he knew that was Anzu; she was loyal to the bitterest end and that loyalty extended to everyone she called a friend. As such, she would never be petty enough to lead him down to be debased by a bunch of boys. It gave him more comfort than he hoped.

Entering the study hall, Yugi immediately found himself looking for Jou. The blond was standing in an alcove with Honda and Duke, obviously in some sort of a heated conversation. He was gesturing agitatedly. His body trembled slightly with tension and Yugi barely suppressed a gasp when he turned in response to Anzu’s footsteps across the carpet. Jou had a habit of biting his lips when he was stressed, and right now, they were flecked with drops of rust where he drew blood. Not to mention the left half of his face looked as if it had been mauled by an angry cat. But Jou didn’t look as if he cared, despite Anzu’s disapproving expression.

Yugi blinked and stiffened when two long strides bought Jou within inches of him and the taller boy grabbed him by the shoulders, wearing the same anxious look that Anzu had previously.

“Yugi…” Jou breathed in relief before straightening. “Fuck, Yugi, I’m so sorry. I can’t fucking believe I said those things to you.”

The violet eyed boy raised an eyebrow. Maybe he’d finally had enough, maybe Yami was rubbing off on him, but oddly, Jou’s vehemence didn’t have him tripping over himself to forgive. After everything that happened, he really should know better than to trust mere words. Yugi opened his mouth to retort, but Duke saved him the effort.

“For god’s sake, Jonouchi.” The dark-haired boy muttered. “Go on to lick his boots, why don’t you?”

“Shut up, Devlin!” Jou snapped, eyes narrowing dangerously. “Did everything I said go right over your over-moussed head?”

Duke frowned. “And what exactly did you say that raised the threat level to red? Another rich and highly connected prick on Yugi’s discarded list of adorers? Oh no, let me get my sword to go skewer the bastard.” He finished sardonically.

Yugi stared the duo, head tilted in confusion. What exactly was going on?

Duke waved toward Anzu. “You have a girl, dude, maybe it’s time to stop hovering around everyone but her.”

Jou growled, and his fingers clenched into a fist. Sensing danger, Anzu strode over to his side and spoke sharply. “Will you boys get over yourselves? This is not about you!”

“Right, it’s about Yugi. As always.”

“Duke, I will fucking kill you!”

“Jou!” Honda grabbed the back of his friend’s collar before the blond had a chance to launch himself on the green-eyed boy. “Settle down, man! He has a point.”

“Are you kiddin’?” Jou retorted, his once heavy accent returning under tense circumstances. “Weren’t you listenin’ to me, either?”

“Yeah, I was,” Honda shot back. “And it was the same old story; one more rich prick likes Yugi, and Yugi—“

“…is right here.”

The shorter male folded his arms as four pairs of eyes turned to him in mild surprise. Perfect, they had already forgotten about him. He covered his growing feeling of despair with annoyance. “Now, anyone wanna tell Yugi what the hell is going on, or can Yugi go to class and get an education?”

Jou exchanged a glance with Honda, and the thought with passed between them was obvious. Since when did their little charge become so exasperated? Yugi shook his head and threw an accusing look at Anzu, whose eyes widened in frantic desperation.

“Jou thinks you’re not safe in the Millennium Complex.” In one sentence, she threw their cards on the table. “There’s…someone…who seems to be overly interested in you.”

Yugi forced himself to remain still, though his heart skipped a beat and started again wildly. “Oh?” Was all he could say without appearing to anxious.

“Yug’, I know this sounds like nothing new, but you gotta trust me.” Jou pushed Honda away and inched toward the shorter male. “This guy is a total psychopath—“

“Who?” Yugi asked faintly, carefully widening his eyes into what he hoped was a curious expression.

“Mai’s brother.” Jou replied and made a face as if the phrase left a bad taste in his mouth. “Just mentioning your name set him off like a maniac and he said that you –belonged- to him, because we left you.”

Yugi licked his lips and tried to think of a response, but too many doubts were beginning to wrack his mind. As far as he knew, there was only one person bold enough to make such a claim, only one person who had the –right- to make it. But, dare he believe? Before this month, he didn’t even know Mai had a brother, much less one who was interested in him and now, the puzzle was starting to take shape.

It all made too much sense; the move to the Millennium Complex, the grand privileges, his new guardians and even Seth, whom Mai clearly referred to as cousin. The more he reflected, the more it looked as if Yami was not as obscure he seemed; just a few clicks on the university directory and he could forcibly usher his darker half into the light. He would know all that Yami knew about him and single handedly level the playing field. Then, he could sit back and play their game with the cool, confident knowledge that his cards matched up to his opponent’s.

But as for it being an honorable way to play… he wasn’t so sure; especially when he considered how little Yami asked for in exchange for his affections. Was a simple gesture of trust really too much to give, when he got so much physical and emotional pleasure in return? It wasn’t as if he was being manipulated or abused; Yami was nothing less than the devoted lover in the way he put his light’s pleasure before his and never failed to proclaim his love in the most genuine of words.
So, of course, it wasn’t much to ask. If all Yami wanted was to keep his identity secret, then he would not deny his lover.

“As if it matters, Jonouchi.” Duke interrupted his train of thought. “For all his boasting, the guy won’t have the balls to show himself to Yugi, and the runt can just keep all the gifts he gets like some overpaid escort.”

“That’s enough!” Yugi cut in severely, as something finally snapped inside him. He was practiced at letting go any insults directed at him, but when they involved Yami, it suddenly wasn’t so easy. ”Actually,” He began calmly, but the clipped anger in his voice was not unnoticeable. “I –am- kind of seeing someone.”

The room went eerily silent; even Jou stopped shuffling in agitation. “Who?” He asked, a little too forcefully, and Yugi couldn’t tell if the slight vehemence in his tone came out of jealousy or concern.

“I don’t know, he says its better if I don’t see him,” He shrugged while horror flashed across the taller boy’s face. “I love him, though, and he’s nice to me...” Nicer than you, he wanted to say, but he didn’t. He added something a little more chilling. “...every night.”

Anzu looked as if she were about to cry. “Yugi…” She whispered. “This isn’t good; you have to find out who it is.”

”But why?” Yugi raised his eyebrow in question. He couldn’t be abrasive to Anzu, but he could let them know that their opinions didn’t weigh so much anymore. “Everything is going well, and as for who he is, he’ll tell me in time. You know, I trust him.”

Anzu covered the brief devastated look in her eyes. “He’s still hiding, Yugi, just like all the others.” She pointed out logically, since emotion was quickly becoming a failed tactic.

“Yeah,” Jou chimed in, taking her lead. “How can everything be going well when he’s already caused so much trouble?”

“Are you kidding?” Yugi nearly screamed in frustration, mind frantically trying to wade through the chaos of doubt. Nothing good could come from listening to them. “He didn’t do any of this; all of you made a choice to walk away from me!”

“Yug’…”

“No!” Yugi pressed his lips together determinedly. “He’s been the only good thing to happen to me since I moved and you decided that our friendship wasn’t worth it.” It wasn’t the most appropriate thing to say when they were actually trying to reconcile, but he had reached the point where his tongue was working faster than his brain, Yami’s words from last night tripping easily from his mouth. “You walked away, so why should your opinions count anymore? I think I’ll depend on myself to do what’s best for me, alright?”

Tears finally slid down Anzu’s cheeks while Jou and Honda exchanged a half astonished, half horrified glance. Even Duke looked slightly ill after hearing the whole story. But Yugi already turned away, blindly making his way up to the classrooms. There was no point, though, since the rest of his day ended up as a blurry memory of mechanical movements and a whole lot of what ifs. What if Yami was just using him? What if he was Mai’s brother and they both had planned this? What if he made a mistake isolating his friends, leaving himself with no one to turn to?

He barely remembered making it back to the apartment and slamming the door without speaking to anyone. All the vows he made in the morning to be charming and to fit in had no chance against the rising tide of insecurities and so disappeared without a trace. Damn his friends; what did they know about trust anyway?

“He’s still hiding, Yugi, just like all the others.”

Anzu’s voice echoed reasonably and it was all the worse due to the fact that she was usually right. Yugi groaned and pressed a pillow over his head to block out the voice. He didn’t want to hear this; he just wanted to rest and think, things he actually did best in Yami’s arms. So, stretching out on the bed, he waited for Yami, his darkness to come and reassure him with his own brand of reason. He stared, transfixed for hours at the silky blackness of night, eyes searching in every flickering shadow, until dawn broke softly over horizon. By the time the sun came up, it was utter misery more than exhaustion that forced him to retreat into an unpleasant median between dreaming and waking because he couldn’t sleep and didn’t want to be awake…all because Yami hadn’t come.

-II-

Friday noon…

For the first time in his life, Atem cursed the efficient and well-oiled machine that was Domino City Public Transit. Being a weekday, the metro was staffed by the toughest and most meticulous agents on duty, who kept the schedules running and ticket lines moving with record speed. Honestly, how did Seth manage to get a travel pass to uptown Domino in less than two minutes during fucking rush hour?
Cursing softly, the crimson-eyed male hurriedly tried to shove a book back into the travel bag he held only to let loose more curses as more items tumbled out. Fuckfuckfuck! Not caring about dignity, he scrambled along the floor of the railway platform to retrieve everything before their owner came back and—

“Atem, what are you doing?”

Shit. Atem glared up at the source of the amused inquiry to see Seth standing by the travel bag, eyebrow raised in question and lips curved in an infuriating smirk. “The zipper slipped open,” He lied easily and went off on the topic, without giving Seth a chance to ask how. “Of course, I wouldn’t have had to chase everything down if you carried reasonable amounts of stuff.”

“It is reasonable,” Seth pointed out while bending down to give him a hand. “I was at the Uni for two weeks…here, let me—”

“I’ll do it,” Atem pushed the brunet’s hands away. “Just find out which platform you’re on.”

“B-3.” Seth replied after glancing at his pass and the younger one nodded, heaving the bag up to his hip and arranging the contents while following his cousin’s lead.

“Seriously,” Atem shoved some clothes to the side and fumbled for a wallet he knew was there. “even Mai doesn’t take along this much stuff…and are those Blue Eyes White Dragon lollipops?”

Seth grinned, and glanced back. “Mokuba likes them.”

Atem was careful to keep his hand out of view. “Who?”

“Seto’s brother.” Came the easy reply before Seth bounded up a set of stairs.

Atem rolled his eyes for show, but didn’t say anything snide. He had to do what it took to keep Seth’s focus away from him. Normally, he would feel terrible about lying and ashamed of himself for using such deception, but he and normal had parted ways a while ago. More specifically, after the first night he didn’t go to see Yugi. At risk to himself and others, he had brought his light close, so close…only to distance him with stupidity. He didn’t regret what he said or did to Jonouchi, but he did regret forcing Mai’s hand. Without his official’s privileges, he couldn’t go near the Millennium Complex and he dared not approach Yugi during the day, but he knew he couldn’t last a month. He had barely survived two nights of indescribable yearning and on the third, his mind desperately formulated a plan. There was no other way; for Yugi, he would have to take advantage of his cousin.

Coaxing the wallet open, he one-handedly rifled through its contents for what he needed and briefly snuck a look at Seth’s turned back before extracting his prize and slipping it into his pocket under the guise of shifting the bag. Upon arriving at the platform, he haphazardly shoved everything back and set the luggage down. Looking about for a clock, he put on his best awkward tone. “That’s right…so, how are…they?”

Seth gave him a sidelong glance without hiding the surprise on his face. “They’re fine; Seto is working, Mokuba is applying to school in America.”

“Big ambitions.” Atem nodded and searched for something else to say. It would be too suspicious if he left so abruptly. “Funny, he didn’t seem the type to leave home as soon as possible.”

“He wants to be independent.” Seth replied lightly and grinned. “I think he finally trusts me enough to take care of his brother that he’s set to leave after our wedding.”

Atem raised his eyebrow at the earnestness in his companion’s voice, all while reigning in jealousy at the look in Seth’s eyes . “You know, it’s so weird for you to actually be eager about this marriage thing…”

“It happens.” Seth responded sagely. “You’ll see for yourself, baby cousin, when you find someone who makes you happy enough to—ah…“ Seth stopped abruptly at his own faux pas and at the look he earned from his younger relative. A few more awkward moments passed as they both searched for the time ticker, suddenly dying to know when exactly the train would arrive.

“He’s miserable, too, you know.” Seth said quietly after a while. “He hasn’t smiled or said a word beyond what is necessary to me or Ishizu. He barely comes out of his room unless he’s attending class.”

Atem sucked in a sharp breath; it didn’t please him at all to hear of Yugi’s suffering, if anything, it only made him angrier. This was just patently unfair! Why, when he was putting in so much effort not to rock the proverbial boat, was their love story hitting so many roadblocks? Fine, even if he had sins to pay for, why did Yugi have to hurt? Releasing a soft growl of frustration, he turned on Seth. “Why didn’t you make Mai listen when I called you to speak to her on Monday? You sweet talk well enough when it suits you.”

“Because this isn’t my problem.” Seth countered with a frown. Somewhere inside, he understood Atem was lashing out to distract himself from his emotional ache, but even his indulgence had its limits. “I said it before and I’ll say it again: Mai has nothing to do with this and you have everything to do with it. How can you hide behind shadows and expect her to understand? How can you expect anyone to understand?”

“She’s my sister!” Atem slumped back violently against a nearly pillar and scowled, jamming his boot into the scuffed granite. He was getting more and more agitated, considering he already accomplished what he set out to do and every second he spent arguing with Seth was a second more away from Yugi. Classes be damned; as soon as he got back to campus, he was going to find Yugi and not let the little one out of his sight until dusk fell and the darkness truly bought them together.

If Seth noticed his restlessness, he didn’t care to question it. It seemed like the brunet was only interested in making life difficult for him. “Then, talk to her.” Seth advised patronizingly. “I can’t run damage control for you or the kid forever.”

Crimson eyes narrowed at the condescending tone. The way Seth managed to get under his skin was unbelievable; whatever happened to him having the upper hand in this conversation? “Look, I didn’t ask you to involve yourself with Yugi.” The shorter of the two snapped. “I told you from the get-go that I didn’t need your help, so you have no right to act as if you’re doing me a favor.”

Seth sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, forcibly repressing the urge to sneer at Atem and ask if he’d ever actually –met- Yugi; the real Yugi behind the overwhelming beauty and outside the carnal confines of a bed. Did he have any inkling of the painfully unconfident boy equipped with myriads of insecurities? There was no way the kid could have lasted in the last two weeks if he and Ishizu hadn’t become involved, but earning Atem’s credit wasn’t on his priority list. Getting him to recognize a responsibility was, however, on the top. He leveled a stare at his cousin. “What I’m saying, Atem, is that this is your mess and you fix it! Soon.”

Whatever the other said next was drowned out by the loud rhythm of an arriving train. Seth scoffed at Atem’s glare and picked up his bag as the doors hissed open. The younger boy blew a golden fringe from his eyes and stood back. “Take care, Seth.” He said automatically as his elder boarded.

“I’m serious, Temi.”

“I know.” Atem allowed himself a small mirthless smile. “Don’t worry.” He called as the doors closed and Seth was safely on his way to his own home. He was a little irked that his cousin didn’t look entirely convinced, but that was a small matter. Now, all that he cared about was getting to Yugi, allowing his light’s gentle presence and later tonight, his warm embrace to rid him of an entire week’s worth of anxiety. He reached into his pocket and smirked satisfactorily at the keycard he had taken from Seth’s wallet. As former vice president and a current researcher, Seth still had administrative access to the Millennium Complex, including the master codes to Yugi’s apartment. He had pulled it off rather perfectly, if he did say so himself, considering it would be a while before Seth noticed the missing keycard which gave him plenty of time to think of a convincing lie.

Returning the thing to his pocket, Atem walked out of the station happily…or at least, in a better mood than when he arrived.

-II-

Friday evening…

It was still light outside when Yugi arrived at the elaborate archway that marked the entrance to the Millennium Complex. He stopped by the structure and his friends stopped along with him—his old friends, who now insisted on accompanying him as far as they could. Even after what happened on Monday, despite everything he had said, it seemed as if he couldn’t discourage Jou and the others from trying to make amends. He didn’t mind, he even made it easy for them by not feigning cool indifference or demanding ego-bruising apologies. He simply accepted their repenting gestures with a wan smile and went back to brooding over Yami. Pathetic as it sounded, there wasn’t a single night in one week that he hadn’t waited till dawn before going to bed, hoping until the last second that his lover would still come. The ensuing exhaustion left him so mechanical and unsociable that he no longer bothered to call on Seth and Ishizu. Besides, it was irritating how their lives were so perfect, how they could talk about their family and lovers with pride and affection when his own relationships were strained at best.

Still, despite the slight awkwardness, he smiled gratefully and tightened his hold on the package Duke managed to procure for him. “Thank you.” He said sincerely before they parted ways, all too aware of the risk they were putting themselves in by agreeing to help him. After all, who knew what kind of a creature Yami really was?

It was Anzu who, by talking at length and asking questions, really prompted him to examine his feelings regarding Yami. And when he did, he was surprised to find himself becoming angry. The irony wasn’t lost on him; it was Yami who had advised him to stand up to those who tried to take advantage of his kind nature, and it looked as if what went around really came around. If Yami was going to be fickle and play the game how he wanted, then Yugi had no reason to abide by the rules. After all, it wasn’t as if light was subordinate to darkness. If anything, they were equals and as such, Yugi could be just as active in figuring Yami out as he was sure Yami was in researching him. With that thought, he took his friends’ advice and decided to shed some light on his darkness.

Now, in the solitude of his apartment, he stood under the shower, letting warm water calm his head. Duke’s parcel was on his nightstand and he supposed he could get some practice tonight while he waited for Yami. Some stubborn part of his heart wouldn’t let him sleep no matter what his brain told him, so he might as well be productive. Turning off the water, he grabbed a nearby towel to dry off. He didn’t bother to wrap his body as he headed out of the bathroom. There was no point; it wasn’t as if there was anyone in this lonely apartment who demanded modesty and—

The lights went out, plunging the room into blackness; Yugi froze. His eyes widened dramatically and his next breath turned to an embarrassingly wanton moan as he was gathered into familiar arms and lips urgently pressed against his. “Yami,” His voice was a little more than a whisper, but managed to carry all the pent up longing and desire he’d felt in the past few days. Yami responded as passionately, pressing him close and kissing him roughly on every surface he could reach.

“I missed you, missed you so much, my light.” Yami mumbled frantically, and Yugi gasped sharply as the older one lifted him and nearly threw him on the bed before crawling on top. He usually felt vulnerable in such a state of undress, but it didn’t look as if Yami was too much in control either. His movements were erratic, as if he wasn’t sure which part of the long missed contours of his light’s naked body he wanted to reacquaint himself with first. In his own throes of pleasure, Yugi collected his advantage and caught Yami’s wrists, flipping them over so the straddled his lover’s thighs. Mimicking one of Yami’s moves, he asserted his dominance by burying his hands in the other’s hair, pinning his head down and bending forward to kiss him harshly. He nipped, sucked and licked at the compliant lips under his own, collecting each desperate moan as a trophy. After exploring his lover’s warm mouth thoroughly, he moved down the man’s neck, boldly working to leave a mark even as he ground against the hardness between Yami’s legs.

“Where have you been?” Yugi demanded crossly, though the darkness hid his grin at the hoarse moan that nearly turned into a sob. Tonight was his night and Yami, capricious Yami, would be shown no mercy. His quick fingers found the hem of Yami’s shirt and slid beneath it to tease his nipples. He pinched one before repeating his question and adding, “It’s been a week.”

“I…I was…” Yami whimpered, hands clenching the sheets as his body quaked in response to Yugi pushing his shirt up and drawing a nipple into his warm mouth. One of the advantages of making love in the dark, he noticed hazily at least one more time, was that anticipation provided a natural and powerful aphrodisiac. The thought short circuited as soon as Yugi bit down on his sensitive flesh and simultaneously teased his length. His body arched suddenly at the dual pleasures, wanting, longing, craving more and more until he was at the edge of desire, staring dizzily down at the rapture that awaited him if he jumped…

But Yugi had other priorities, it seemed. “Go on.” He said. “Where were you?”

Though he was firmly in the grips of lust, Yami didn’t fail to notice the hurt reproach in his light’s voice. Oh, how he had made his demigod suffer…”I’m sorry, Yugi. I’m so sorry.” He breathed haltingly.

“Are you?” Yugi countered, sliding down to nip and tease his stomach.

“Believe me,” Yami groaned and buried his fingers in his light’s soft damp hair, shuddering at the feeling of a tongue dipping into his navel.

“Hm.” Without warning, Yugi slipped his hand into his pants, fingertips brushing his now painful erection.

“…I love you, little light.” Yami managed to say before his hips arched into the tantalizing touch. Yugi pushed the fabric down to give himself a good grip on the swollen shaft before beginning to stroke. His thumb came up to catch drops of precome, using it as lubricant to make his movements smoother. Yami’s response was a delightful keen which became an articulate moan as soon as the younger boy leaned down to lick him experimentally.

Yugi wasted no time using his tongue to tease the underside of his lover’s cock and his fingers to tease the head. He wasn’t as good as Yami when it came to using his mouth for pleasure, but he still had a few tricks. Tightening his lips, he sucked harshly on the head, tasting precome, while his fingers were busy fondling Yami’s sac and pressing up against his perineum. Yami rocked against him, body trembling in ecstasy.

Yugi quickened his movements, not driving as much dragging his lover towards the edge of desire. Yami felt all the anxieties and frustration of the last few days slip away until there was only the pure bliss of his light’s proximity and carnal pleasure bursting along his spine. It built up slowly, heating his body to a fevered pitch before thrusting him, screaming hoarsely, into the chaos of release.

A few moments passed and Yugi crawled up to check for consciousness and steal a kiss. Yami surrendered to his light, unable even to lift his hands and stroke his hair. Yugi sighed, listening to his rapid heartbeat and tapping a last kiss on his sternum. He bought his lips to his lover’s ear and whispered almost shyly. “Sleep with me tonight, Yami?”

“Mm-mm. As if I could move.” Yami exhaled in resignation and Yugi chuckled lightly, rubbing his arms until his breathing evened out and Yami was asleep.

-II-

Yugi moved his palm along Yami’s arm in one last caress before pausing to gauge a response. When none came, he sat up carefully and examined his lover’s body for a tell tale twitch to indicate wakefulness. “Yami,” He called softly and continued when he still received no reply. “Yami-chan, I’ve decided to quit University and join the Duel Monsters circus.”

His voice was raised a little, bur there wasn’t the tiniest change in the man’s lethargic posture. Satisfied, Yugi inched away from him, slowly swinging his feet over the edge of the bed. He stood before the nightstand and carefully unwrapped the parcel he’d gotten from his friends earlier. The object inside fit in his palm and weighed practically nothing, but his nimble fingers found the necessary buttons anyway, since they were in the same spots as most other small cameras. His heart sped up slightly as the LED light flickered into view, illuminating a small section of the darkness.

Well, it was time; he would not only finally give his mysterious nightly lover a face and an identity, but he would clear away the doubts which nagged him during the day. A tendril of guilt uncoiled in him as he returned to the bed, but he squelched it with reason; it was for his own safety and sanity. Whatever he found would be for his eyes alone and the secret would trapped behind them, forever if Yami wished it, so he wasn’t a betrayer either. Climbing back on to the messy sheets, Yugi swallowed nervously and held the light to where he guessed Yami’s face was.

Gods, he was beautiful.

Yugi barely suppressed a gasp at beholding the face of the man who claimed him by heart and body. It was a gasp of wonder; he wondered why people worshipped him while this creature existed, with features so saturated with royalty that nature herself swept his hair up into a crown. Yugi ran his fingers through his own hair, noting what similarities he could before the scant light faded. Sitting in the darkness, he thought back, searching his memory for clues like scattered puzzle pieces.

Jou’s voice came first. “Mai’s brother has the same whackjob hairstyle as you, so Siggy jumped him…”

Then the baritone voice that had addressed Seth. “…not in the mood, cousin, just leave.”

The apartment, the sudden lack of harassment, his new privileges, Bakura moving his things, Ishizu, Seth…And the puzzle was solved. Yami –was- Mai’s brother, her brightest satellite, which had veered slightly off course after spotting him. All at once, Yugi smiled affectionately at the lengths his lover had gone to in order to bring them close. Heart beating wildly, he leaned forward to kiss the other man, forgetting the fact that he ever intended to get photo evidence of their encounter.

His lips almost touched the other’s when the forgotten device in his hand stirred to life in response to his curling fingers. Shit! Yugi hurriedly tried to obscure it between the opaque sheets, but it gave a curt trill and the flash exploded, revealing nearly all of Yami’s face, his torso and most importantly, his open eyes. Yugi didn’t dare move, didn’t dare breathe even as Yami sat up and blinked blearily at the camera. In the cold and inadequate light, he could see his darkness stiffen in outrage.

“Yugi, what…” Yami scooped up the thing, narrowed his eyes at it and then at once, all hell seemed to break loose. “Were you trying to –film- me? Film us?!”

The violet-eyed boy opened his mouth to deny it, but Yami was already up and he found it hard to believe that this snarling beast had been the one to proclaim undying love to him for the past few weeks.

“I gave you everything! And asked for just one favor in return!” Yami raged on, till his voice broke with disappointment. He gave his light a stricken look and whispered. “You…you could have just told me you didn’t desire me anymore.”

“No! Yami, I would never—“ Yugi all but cried out, reaching for the man, but Yami already backed away to the door.

“I trusted you,” the velvet voice said coldly. “If no one else, I trusted you…and now it doesn’t matter anymore.”

The door slammed, leaving him in total blackness and Yugi shivered in the sudden chill. Some foolish part of him urged, screamed at him to follow, but his body wouldn’t move. It was only fitting if he thought about it; when Swords of Revealing Light came into play, someone had to be frozen in place.

-II-

Notes: Woohoo, it finally happens! I know it's the shitty part of the tale, but I can't help but feel relived that it's out of the way. I know there was a lot of peripheral stuff going on, but it sufficiently shows the relationships between the characters as they stand. I think the next challenging chapter will be Yami and Yugi reconciling.
Currently, I am in the process of thinking up non-cheesy 'tasks' for our little Yugi. Oddly enough, I've gotten the Persephone part figured out...so it's only the simple ones now.

Also, I have a small favor to ask: can anyone rec me some SethxMahad or SetoxD.Magician (or any mix of those) fics? The craving hit me suddenly for some odd reason and it won't stop!

Another note: For your convenience, I have now enabled anon reviews. So you can now review without all the pesky signing in nonsense. XD

Thank you!