The Ten Things

The Ten Things

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! Or Robot Unicorn Attack.

Chapter 8

Yuugi sighed heavily, gazing at himself in the mirror of his bathroom. He took in his appearance, shaking his head in distaste. His hair drooped down against his shoulders, water dripping down his back. His skin was paler than usual, causing his large eyes to stand out against the dark shadows beneath them. Sleep deprivation and stress were the causes of his current fatigued appearance. After all, you can only take so much before your body begins to break down.

Dealing with Jou was the least of his problems. The man had called him saying that Yami punched him in the face. He cared little about this, choosing to hang up on the annoying slut of a blond. After all, the man made him realize that he was ready to give his heart another thought instead of his well being. The fear of being in a relationship was there, yet Yuugi was beginning to realize that he needed to make up his mind before all thought surrounding the subject. Stubbornness was a genetic trait amongst the Mutou family. There was no denying this. Yuugi chose to ignore his heart for years, allowing his mind to make the decisions instead of his heart. This often left him without any desire to give commitment another try. He was going to give Yami another chance to explain his actions regarding that damn game and that damn list. He figured there was not anything he could do to change his thoughts on the subject unless he game the man a chance to explain himself thoroughly.

Yuugi completed his morning ritual, dressing in his work clothes soon after. He had a long day at Millennia. The thought of spending a long day at the bar was not pleasant. Business had been slow and droning. Sitting around and cleaning up the bar became Yuugi's only escape from the boredom he faced while working for barely two dollars and thirteen cents an hour. Tips were the way he made his money. His cuteness and cheerful demeanor often brought out the best in his work and his tips. This was why he enjoyed his job. Making people happy and keeping his former addiction at bay. Working as a bartender helped Yuugi keep the need to drink away. While many felt that Yuugi's methods of fighting his needs to drink were pathetic, the man felt compelled in his methods. It worked for him, and that is all that mattered. Drinking was no longer controlling his life. He was determined to fight every problem he faced, even his never ending relations with Yami aka Atemu.

Yuugi gazed at his room for a minute, taking in Atemu's sprawled out sleeping form. The man could not help his growing grin. Dealing with the Egyptian was often crazy and full of drama. Yet, at this time, the man appeared to be at peace with himself sleeping soundly. Why could he not always be so peaceful?

The smaller male's eyes spied the clock, color draining from his face. He was running late.

"Shit…." He muttered, grabbing his messenger bag off the back of his desk chair. He had never been late. This was new.

"Better leave now."

Quickly he headed out the door, muttering a farewell to his grandfather and Arthur.

Yuugi cursed under his breath, holding his iPhone horizontally. He pressed the buttons on the screen, groaning as his character known as 'a flamboyant unicorn' darted across the screen, jumping over small cliffs and bursting through giant silver stars fell off a cliff and died.

"Damn it, Robot Unicorn! Why the hell must you be so damn addicting?"

Usually at times such as this, Yuugi would have been waiting on customers and or cleaning. However, his plans to do just that were gone. He had cleaned the entire bar from top to bottom and had restocked everything he could possibly need to. That and he had not had a customer in over two hours. It was definitely going to be a slow afternoon. At this rate, Yuugi decided to play his game continuously while allowing his mind to wander upon his impending doom surrounding his thoughts of Yami.

He was torn between what he wanted to do and what he needed to do. He had not faced a problem such as this in a while. He feared the repercussions of his decision. He had these same thoughts as he had faced issues with leaving his former fiancée at the altar. This situation concerning Yami felt dangerously similar to what he dealt with during his time with Anzu. She had been a very nice woman. He had known her during his college years. They had dated off and on for a while. However, he was not the one who wanted to get married. She approached him concerning the issue. Fearful of his heart's true intentions he had given her the answer that he still regretted to this day. He hated breaking her heart. Yet, in the end he knew they would not have lasted long if they had married. From what he heard now, she was already off and studying in New York. He would only have weighed her down and kept her away from her true aspirations as a dancer.

Yami was always in his thoughts. He could not escape a moment without thinking of his former boyfriend. It seemed that his heart yearned for Yami daily. The need to give in and be selfish for once was there. However, Yuugi wanted the full details on why Yami had fucked up their relationship in high school. He needed to know the truth before he could decide if the risk was worthwhile.

Yuugi cursed at his game, closing it out as he once again died. His distraction ended as the game became annoying. Sighing, he placed his phone on the bar counter, eyes widening as he heard the bar door open. Curiously, he perked up, tilting his head to the side as he waited for his customer to walk in and take a seat. He was getting itchy for something to pass the time.

At that moment, the door opened fully, a tall and lean man walked into the small bar. A brunet with a stylish haircut made himself known with his piercing cobalt eyes. The man held an aura of power, one that rivaled Yami's. Dressed in a tailored navy suit and an adorning tie the man strode to the bar top, eyes falling onto those of Yuugi's.

The smaller man's breath hitched in his throat at the sight of this person. He had not expected to see him again. His heart thudded heavily in his small chest, his stomach fluttering with butterflies. The one and only Seto Kaiba had returned to his life.

Nervously, Yuugi sucked in a deep breath, exhaling slowly. He could do this. His anxiety was not that bad. He was a bartender by career for a reason! After a few minutes he gathered the remains of his courage and approached the now seated man. His eyes took in Yuugi's petite stature, a smirk shown on the brunet's angular face.

"Hello, Mutou. It's been quite a while."

Yuugi rolled his eyes once, and then narrowed them. He shook his head, placing a coaster in front of him.

"I thought we were past the last name basis, Kaiba. After all, you were the one who begged me to call you by your first name." He said casually.

Cobalt eyes sparkled as the game was beginning to take form. Kaiba loved to annoy Yuugi. He lived for the thrill. After all, this was his rival in the field of his favorite game, Duel Monsters.

"Clearly you haven't changed as much as my cousin has mentioned, Yuugi. You still portray the same spunk that I enjoy about your personality."

Yuugi would have blushed as he knew the comment held more meaning then intended. But the past was in the past for a reason, despite his hard feelings towards his issues concerning Yami, the smaller male felt little interest in reliving his brief escapades with Seto Kaiba.

"So, what can I get for you, Seto?"

Seto crossed his arms, elbows resting against the counter top. He eyed Yuugi with a stoic stare; one that led him to believe there was a growing agenda for them.

"I'll have a greyhound, Mutou. Make sure it is nice and stiff."

"Just like your personality, Seto. Truly you show more of yourself in your choice of beverages." Yuugi stated, going about to make the stiff alcoholic drink.

"Charming as it is Mutou, I have a few reasons for visiting you."

"I figured. It is not often that a billionaire such as yourself makes appearances in such dives as Millennia." Yuugi poured the concoction of grapefruit juice and vodka into a tall glass, setting it in front of the business man.

"Yuugi, I have come to offer my apologies for the trouble that Jou has caused you. It is my fault he has been dead set on finding someone to rebound with."

"Is it now?"

"Yes, it is." He took a drink of his greyhound, setting it back down. "I had finally ended our relationship once and for all after an incident with a busty blonde woman that he has been chasing for years."

Yuugi didn't say anything at first, keeping his hands busy with cleaning his drink shaker. He needed something to keep his anxiety and fear at bay.

"I see. Well, I do not feel that you should apologize for his actions. You did not know he would do this to me. I was just the scapegoat in this ordeal. Someone had to fall into this position."

"What is it that you have against my cousin, Yuugi? He tells me that you have avoided him like the plague."

"What are you-"

Seto took another long drink of his beverage, setting it to the side as he spoke in a deadly serious tone.

"Why have you been so cold towards Atemu? He tells me that you have been back in town for a couple of weeks and have been a complete asshat to him."

Yuugi groaned, setting his shaker into the dish pit. "Look, I have issues with him okay? I'm currently forced to share a room with him at my grandfather's shop. How would you feel if you were forced to share a room with Jou after the problems he has caused you?"

"I have been through this. Even with the problems he causes and the stress that he puts me through, I cannot help but gravitate towards him, Yuugi. I believe that is how you and Atemu have always been. You both have made your mistakes."

"Is there more to this than you're leading to?"

"I'm here to discuss a few things with you."

Yuugi blinked, curiosity peaking at the mentioning.

"What do you possibly have to discuss with me?"

"Yuugi, I know how you are. We dated for a short amount of time and I was able to pick up on your quirks and such with ease. I know that you have not forgiven Atemu for the list incident in high school."

"He set this up, didn't he?"

"No, he did not. I came here on my own free will. I feel that you need to details concerning that incident."

"What can you tell me that I do not already know, Seto?"

"I was there, Yuugi. I can tell you everything that happened." He smirked and then finished off his drink before setting the empty glass down. "I have a very photographic memory."

"You were there? I did not even know you were present when he did that immature stunt. Tell me what you know."

"Alright, it all began with a boring afternoon in study hall."

-Flashback-

Seto frowned, gazing at the clock. It was one of those days. He knew that his "interest" was bored and was going to cause commotion with their group of friends. It was obvious enough after the teacher walked out for the remainder of the period. As one of the quieter members of the group, Seto kept to himself, working on his Algebra assignment. He was not in the mood to deal with Jou and his cousin.

Jou groaned, pulling out a piece of paper. He gazed at his friends, taking in their bored expressions. The blond would make the hour more interesting. Smirking, he gained their attention by slamming his backpack onto the group table they all shared, laughing as the group jumped.

"What the hell was that for, Jou?" Atemu asked, glaring at the bored blond.

"I thought we could do something interesting, ya love sick puppy."

Atemu rolled his eyes, closing his history book. "Look who's talking, mutt."

Jou growled and threw a pencil at the spiky-haired teen's head. "Shut ya trap, Atemu."

"Whatever. So what is this "interesting" thing that you keep mentioning, Jou?"

"I was thinking of starting up a little game involving lists."

"Lists? What the hell are you going on about, Mutt?" Seto cut in, patience wearing thin.

The blond smirked, pulling out a pen and writing in his scrawl handwriting.

"Alright, we're going to play a little game called "The Ten Things." I will give you each a piece of paper and you will have to write ten things you hate about someone of my choice."

The remaining members of the group blinked, shaking their heads at their "friend" and his immature notions.

"Whatever, this is stupid. I'm sitting out." Atemu said, crossing his arms on the table. "I have better things to do than deal with your immaturity, Jou."

"Whatever ya pussy-whipped bitch. Do you always just sit out and do what your little boy-toy wants ya to do?"

Seto finished his assignment, closing his Algebra book shut. He narrowed his eyes, glaring at the aforementioned blond in distaste.

"Jou, that's enough. Leave Atemu out of this. I do not feel up to defending you from him. He can kick your ass in a matter of seconds."

"That's it. I've had it with you all. I will ruin everything you have with that midget of yours. I will make his life a living hell if you do not take part in this game!"

Atemu gave in reluctantly because of his fear for Yuugi's well being. The teen was his weakness. If you wanted to gain something from him, threaten his relationship with Yuugi.

"You win, you pathetic mutt." Atemu said icily. He took one of the proffered pieces of paper, writing down the numbers one through ten. He looked expectantly at Jou.

"Well?"

"Well what, spiky?"

"Who do you want me to write this fucking list about?"

A smirk formed across the blond's face.

"Yuugi Mutou."

If looks could kill Jou would have died in that moment. Atemu was livid in anger. He pushed the paper away, refusing to do what Jou desired. He did not want to do this. Yuugi was everything to him. Everyone knew this. Seto knew better than anyone else.

"I refuse."

"Do it or I will make sure that Yuugi will suffer."

Begrudgingly, he nodded, taking the paper and began to make the list.

-End of Flashback-

Seto motioned for another drink as he finished his account of the situation that ended everything he had with Yami. Mechanically, Yuugi went about making another greyhound for the businessman. He shook the concoction and placed it in front of him.

"All of this happened because of Jou?"

A nod was his response.

Yuugi's heart thudded painfully hard in his chest. His adrenaline was pumping through his veins, mind reeling with confusion and anger. Everything was a lie. Yami defended him against Jou. He was attempting to protect him from humiliation. Everything was over because of Jou.

Guilt rushed over Yuugi tenfold. He had ended his relationship with Yami all over these accusations. He never allowed his former lover a chance to explain what happened. His pride got in the way and forced him to give into his emotions. He suffered through so much turmoil all because of a teen's jealously towards their strong relationship.

The answers were finally given. Yet, Yuugi felt a million other doors with questions open within this mind. Why hadn't Yami fought harder to keep their relationship together? Why didn't he get past his stubbornness and make their friendship last?

Seto stared at the conflicting emotions crossing Yuugi's face. He set down a fifty dollar bill, quietly telling the man that he could keep the change. He took his leave and left Yuugi to deal with the onslaught of emotions parading through his small body and mind.

He had done his part. He just hoped that Atemu could lay on the charm and gain what he desired more than anything.

The longing for Yuugi's love.