We build and then we break

We build and then we break

Chapter Seven

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It was a long shot for their relationship to rekindle. Yuugi knew that no matter what term they held for one another that his chances with Yami were slim. There were things in his past that would make or break their budding relations.

He fell back into his desk chair, smiling slightly. He felt as if things were going to change for the better. For the first few weeks in their lives as friends again, Yuugi realized how much things had changed for the better. His need for alcohol had drastically decreased to one or two beers a night if at all. His emotions and depression were beginning to change for the better. The need to hide away in his room away from reality no longer took over his life. His anxiety around everything was disappearing as his sanity returned. Everything was brewing for a better future. Even his appearance began to alter in moderation. His hair began to grow out, forming into small spikes that would once again hold the proud formation of his former hairstyle. Just as it grew, the color of his tricolor hair began to seep past the unassuming black guise he had dyed it ages ago. Even with these changes, Yuugi didn’t mind at all. He embraced the changes full circle.

He and Yami hadn’t gone over many issues. He didn’t even fully grasp the ways to handle their growing relations as of yet. So far, they had been on a few casual outings, or dates as Jou had called them. Nothing but innocent kisses and the holding of hands occurred on these dates other than innocent talk and small smiles. It showed the slow progression of their lives as darkness and light to soon to become lovers. They didn’t even have a classification for their status of relations either.

Yuugi gazed out of his window, noticing the pelting rain. It made him angry that his plans had been canceled due to the growing torrential storm. A day with Yami foiled due to the weather. He frowned, turning his attention towards his computer. He hadn’t worked on his novel in a while. Hell, he was screwed to meet his deadline if he didn’t finish the first seven chapters soon.

Moments later, his cell phone began to ring, echoing through the room. Quickly, he picked up the phone, surprised at the person calling him. He answered it, speaking softly.

“Hey Ake’ what’s up?”

A grunt was his response as the once thief king spoke.

“Why haven’t you taken your pet pharaoh out today? He’s pissing me off… Take him off my hands for the love of Ra.”

Yuugi laughed a little. It seemed that Yami and Akefia didn’t get along all that well.

“Hmm, what’s he doing? I mean, he can’t be that bad, can he?”

“Look, I’m not bitching at you to finish those chapters. As your editor, I should have kicked your ass for being so behind. In return, I want you to get this pathetic lovesick pharaoh out of the apartment.”

Yuugi rolled his eyes, holding the phone to his ear.

“I will if you tell me what he’s doing.”

Akefia growled into the phone. Something obviously just pissed him off. He groaned and spoke to Yuugi in an almost unsteady voice.

“Look, he’s got me cock blocked again and he’s sitting here staring out the window sighing like a lovesick girl. He keeps saying your name under his breath and then asking me if I’ve heard anything from you.”

“What’s so bad about that? It’s not like he’s causing you that much trouble, Ake’. I just don’t understand why he cannot just call me.”

Another growl erupted through the phone. “Look, little peacock; get your stupid pharaoh out of this apartment before I challenge him to a shadow game.”

“Alright, I’ll be there in ten. Tell him I’m coming for him.”

There wasn’t a response as the dial tone took over. Yuugi turned his phone off, closing his eyes in agitation. Yami owed him for this. He just saved his life from getting his ass whooped by the thief.

Yuugi grabbed a hoodie, walking out of his room. He had to get this done quickly otherwise he would be the only half of the once pharaoh left.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Yuugi got off a bus, walking in the midst of the rain. He hated not having a car. It was something that bothered him greatly. Yet, he knew that this was all his fault. Making mistakes in California was part of whom he was. He wasn’t to be trusted with cars as seen in his earlier days. Even when learning to drive in his teenaged years, Yuugi didn’t do well. However, he somehow had gotten a license and ended up totaling two cars while living in California. So now, not even his grandfather would allow him to drive no matter how old he was. Due to this, he stuck with buses or walking. Luckily, the rain’s wrath demoted to a light mist, allowing Yuugi to finish walking the rest of the way. He found Akefia and Yami’s apartment with ease, treading past the secured gates and running up three flights of stairs, Yuugi found himself standing in front of their apartment, facing an annoyed Akefia sitting in a chair by the door.

“Akefia?”

The former thief raised a brow at Yuugi, eyes narrowed.

“That’s Ake’ to you.”

Yuugi rolled his eyes. “Alright, I’m here to pick him up, Ake’. Does he even know I’m here?”

Akefia shrugged his shoulders, picking up a can that sat by his feet. He took a swig of a Miller Genuine, setting it back down moments later.

“Dunno if he does or doesn’t. He’s been getting on my last nerve. You’re lucky your pharaoh is still in one piece.”

“He’s half a pharaoh and he’s mine so get over it.”

The thief sighed, studying Yuugi. “Does he know?”

“No, he doesn’t. I’d like to keep it that way for now. I have a feeling he would overreact and run off like I did five years ago.”

“Hmm, I see. Well then, little one, go and get your pet pharaoh and leave me to my beer.”

Yuugi shook his head at the thief, opening the door and walking into the living room. He gazed around the apartment, curious towards its contents. The living space wasn’t very intriguing or special. There in the living room sat Yami lying on a small black leather couch, playing some type of video game.

He didn’t seem to be looking off into space nor did he appear out of it. It seemed that Akefia merely wanted the pharaoh out of the apartment.

Annoyed, Yuugi cleared his throat, gaining the other’s attention.

Ruby eyes locked onto Yuugi’s violet. Neither man wore glasses this day. Yami’s eyes widened, shining in excitement. He dropped the controller to his game and motioned for Yuugi to come over.

“Aibou? What are you doing here?”

Yuugi sat down on an opposite couch, shrugging a bit.

“I was lonely and mad that the rain dampened out plans to check out the new water park.”

Yami raised a brow at his light’s response, shaking his head.

“That doesn’t add up. After the plans fell through you told me that you were going to work on your novel. What happened with that?”

“I missed you, that’s simply all it is. Care to hang out with me?”

Yami stood up to his full height, stretching the kinks out of his back. He held out a hand towards Yuugi, smiling softly.

Yuugi took the offered hand, pulling himself up. He blushed seeing the once pharaoh kiss his hand.

“I would love nothing more than to spend my time with you, Aibou.”

Yuugi followed Yami out the door, finding Akefia still in his spot, drinking beer.

“Thanks for getting him off my hands, little one. I owe ya one.” The thief winked, causing Yami to raise a brow as they walked down the stairs.

“What the hell was that about, Yuugi?”

The once duelist didn’t speak at first, contemplating his thoughts.

“Yuugi?”

“Hmm? Oh well you know how Akefia can be.”

“Yes, I do. But how do you know?”

Yuugi shrugged his shoulders.

“He’s my editor and my friend. That’s about it.”

Yami dropped the subject for the time being, allowing Yuugi some space. He knew the man would tell him eventually.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“I cannot believe you talked me into coming here, Mutt.”

“What’s wrong with it, Moneybags?”

Jou glared at his lover, arms crossed in anger. He had decided to take the CEO out for a few drinks at his favorite bar/restaurant: Tori’s. It was a hole in the wall place but brought in a large crowd for their special drinks. Swirled margaritas and Blue Hawaiians were staple drinks at this bar.

Seto and Jou both sat at the bar top, Jou drinking a beer and Seto a glass of white wine. They looked like polar opposites just as they were. Yet, in the end, these two loved one another more than anyone knew. Jou kept his ‘moneybags’ sane and relaxed after a long day at the office. It was easy to make the other calm down as long as wine was offered along with a bit of sex. However, this night wasn’t about keeping Seto Kaiba happy. No, this was a night to show him that life outside fancy places was possible. After all, he would also force his lover to see his former rival for the first time in five years.

Seto took a long sip of his wine, setting the glass down on the countertop. He gazed at his lover with a raised brow, crossing his arms.

“There is a stuffed woodchuck nailed to the wall and the music they play in here is hardly normal. Why did you bring me here?”

Jou rolled his eyes, swiping the stray pieces of blond hair from his face. He took a swig of his beer, finishing it in mere seconds. He set the bottle down, turning his attention to his lover.

“You know this is where Yami works and he asked me to meet him here earlier. He’s bringing a friend here.”

At the mention of Yami, Seto’s eyes narrowed. He never fully liked the once pharaoh. He didn’t believe that the man was actually a part of Yuugi to begin with. Hell, he found Yuugi to be his rival, not his whacked out other half. He didn’t want to waste his time seeing him. There was a new program he wanted to test out on his laptop. Nevertheless, with Jou there was always some type of setback.

“The crazed pharaoh? Why the hell would I want to see him of all people?”

Jou didn’t say anything to his lover at first. He spoke first to the bartender, Ryou, motioning him over.

“Want another, Jou?”

“Yeah, please. I’d appreciate it, Ry.”

The white-haired man grinned, pulling another bottle of beer from a fridge underneath the counter. He opened it and handed it to Jou, shrugging lightly.

“No problem, Jou.”

The bartender walked off, helping another couple of people at the end of the bar, leaving Jou to finish his conversation.

“Why you would wanna see Yami? Well, I have a feelin’ that you wanna see his friend.”

“Whatever, Mutt.”

Moments later, Yami walked into the bar, followed by Yuugi soon after. Upon their entrance, Seto’s eyes widened at the sight of Yuugi’s petite form.

Jou noticing his friends, smiled, motioning them over. “Heya Yams… Hey Yuge’!”

Yuugi smiled, hugging his friend briefly. He found himself shocked at the CEO sitting on the other side of his blond companion.

“Seto… It’s been a while.”

Kaiba blinked a couple of times, surprised at Yuugi’s appearance. He hadn’t seen him in years.

“Yuugi? What are you doing here? I thought you were still in Avalon?”

The man shook his head, taking a seat next to his former rival. “No, I’m finished with school out there. I’m back here finishing my debut novel.”

“Well, this is a surprise. I wasn’t expecting to see you.”

Yuugi smiled and laughed a little.

“Trust me, I hadn’t planned on returning. It was my grandfather that convinced me too.”

“Ah. So are you staying at the game shop these days?”

“Yep.”

All the while, Jou and Yami both stared at the chatting duo, eyes wide.

“Jou, did I miss something?”

“Not that I know of, Yams.”

Yami didn’t know what to say. He was feeling jealous over Yuugi’s sudden smile and constant chatting with the CEO. It made him angry how easily he could converse with Kaiba compared to him. He had to earn Yuugi’s trust.

Ryou eventually came over, getting Yami a beer and Yuugi a Blue Hawaiian. It appeared that Yuugi was going to talk with Seto the entire time, leaving Yami to talk with Jou.

The former pharaoh sighed, gazing at his Aibou from his spot by Jou. It was then that Yuugi turned his attention to Yami, smiling at him softly. He motioned for Yami to come over towards him.

Relieved, Yami obliged, getting up from his spot, finding a seat next to his other half. Seto gave him a dirty look, causing Yuugi to roll his eyes.

“Are you alright, Aibou?”

Yuugi took Yami’s hand into his own, smiling. “I’m alright. I’m sorry, Yami. Seto and I haven’t talked in a while.”

“It’s okay.”

Seto ordered another glass of wine, turning his attention to Yuugi and Yami. He raised a brow at the duo.

“You two are together again? I’m surprised.”

Yuugi blushed and sighed. “We’re taking it slow.”

Yami ran a hand through Yuugi’s hair, glaring at the CEO.

“Why are you surprised that we are together again?”

Seto smirked, taking a sip of his new glass of white wine.

“Because, I figured after Yuugi broke off his engagement with Akefia two years ago, I figured that he would take a break from dating.”

Yuugi’s eyes widened as he dropped his glass onto the table, frightened like a doe caught in the headlights.

Yami didn’t say anything as he dropped his beer bottle onto the floor, shattering on contact. He gauged Yuugi’s expression, anger rising in his eyes.

“What the hell? Yuugi tell me this isn’t true?”

His light didn’t say anything. He merely buried his face into his hands, embarrassed and angered at the same time. He lifted his head, a frown marring his face.

“It was two years ago. Akefia and I had dated for a while. We were engaged but I ended it after I realized I couldn’t be without you, Yami.”

This didn’t phase the once pharaoh. He glared at his light and walked out of the bar glaring at him a final time before leaving.

“I don’t want to see you right now. Goodbye.”

Yuugi got up, paying his and Yami’s tab. He didn’t cry and he didn’t speak with his friends. He simply left, walking out of the bar.

He couldn’t cry any longer. He was tired of being depressed. It was time to realize that things were meant to be broken. He just needed to build it back up.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

To be continued…