The Ten Things

The Ten Things

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Chapter Nine

Yuugi sighed heavily, staring at the empty bar. After Seto had left, nothing had changed in terms of business. He had a few tables, most tipping him fairly well. Yet, even with his cheerful demeanor, Yuugi knew his mind was elsewhere. Everything he had learned that day was beginning to take its toll on his tired mind. Earning a measly eighty dollars, Yuugi finished cleaning up the bar. His thoughts began to wander upon the impending doom he would face once returning home.

Guilt ate at him for everything he had said and done to Atemu. After six years, he realized the mistake he made with his actions. Atemu had done nothing but attempt to protect him and his reputation. This proved that the man never betrayed him.

Yuugi picked up his apron and walked out of the restaurant. He needed time to think of the best method of approaching his ex. After all, he had caused Atemu enough heartache. He had learned a few things from the way the Egyptian acted and how he had changed during their six-year separation.

Atemu hated tension and complete silence. The man always had his mp3 player while working or doing something productive. He hated being bored. He became edgy and fidgety easily. He often ventured out or to read. This made Yuugi smile. Atemu had never been much of a reader during their time together. Reading was his form of entertainment outside of working and writing his own novels. Reading was his means of escape from reality. Apparently, Atemu also found relief in this form.

There were many things that Yuugi found he was learning about Atemu, some new and some old. Dealing with Atemu on a daily basis was allowing him to fall into their old routine. Tension was there, but it was always there. Yet, the petite man found himself at a loss with some of Atemu's quirks. In the years he had known the Egyptian, the man never had a hatred for pain medication. Even with the severe migraines, he often suffered from. Atemu often referred to Excedrin as a creation of the gods. It was only because of Sugoroku that he had a vague understanding behind the man's refusal of any form of a pain reliever. However, he wished for Atemu to tell him the entire story on his own.

Yuugi cleared his mind, fear and anxiety growing deeper within the pit of stomach. Guilt and fear gnawed at him, leaving him alone and fearful of the upcoming talk that was approaching. There was no way around it. A confrontation was about to occur and he had to suck it up and take initiative in this situation. After all, it was his fault for the most part.

"Yes, thank you for stopping by. I hope you enjoy your purchases."

Atemu sighed heavily, watching as his final customer of the day left. It had been a dull day. There was nothing to do, and Sugoroku was taking a nap. Afternoons typically held little business for the small game shop. However, with Yuugi returning to his hometown many people often stopped by wanting to see the former game king. Atemu would frown and tell them that he was not in, spending his time at work. When prompted for Yuugi's work, he declined to give up the information. After all, he wanted to keep Yuugi in his good graces.

Yuugi meant everything to him. He always had and always would. During his downtime, he always thought about Yuugi. Other than getting over his addiction, Yuugi was the hardest thing to get over. At least, he attempted to get over Yuugi. His heart proved the likelihood of a snowball's chance in hell of that ever happening. Every desire for Yuugi remained. His mind often wandered into an alternate reality. In this reality, Yuugi was his husband, and they lived happily ever after. Their problems did not exist and the break-up never occurred. Their issues with Jou and their former addictions never existed. It was a perfect utopia made just for the two of them. However, this only lasted a few minutes at a time, his mind often wandering into the depths of reality once again. Everything would return to "normal." He hated reliving these thoughts after such a beautiful sequence of an impossible future with his beloved, Yuugi.

It was times such as this, which he wished he had just broke down and told Yuugi everything. He could have dealt with the lost reputation and probably could have dealt with Jou before he even touched a hair on Yuugi's precious head. His teenaged mind did not comprehend the depths of the situation at hand or the outcomes that were possible. Now as an adult, Atemu knew he could have taken down the mutt and kept his reputation intact along with Yuugi's safety in tow. They were to be together with one another. He knew this deep down.

Seto had called him only moments earlier letting him know that he had visited Yuugi. He never mentioned anything for his reasoning. This made him extremely angry and even jealous. He had always been possessive of Yuugi when it came to his cousin. Yuugi had dated Seto not long after they had ended their long-term relationship. This was something he still could not get over. Fortunately, Seto only wished to give Yuugi an apology for Jou's misdeeds and allowed him to know that they had ended their relations with one another. At least, that is what the brunet told him.

Atemu knew there was more to it, but he allowed Seto to keep that information from him, as he would not reveal everything to him. Shaking his head, Atemu locked up the shop, noting the dark clouds beginning to cover the once blue sky. Curiously, he gazed at the clouds, taking his time closing down the shop for the afternoon. However, he halted in his actions as a mop of tricolor hair came into view. Surprised, he raised a brow as his former lover approached the entrance.

Crossing his arms, Atemu held the door open for Yuugi, eying the man skeptically. Something seemed off with Yuugi's stance. He appeared deep in thought.

Yuugi walked into the game shop, avoiding eye contact with Atemu. He kept his eyes on the floor, his small body shaking in fear. Nothing he had learned in that afternoon prepared him for this confrontation. He knew an apology was guaranteed in this along with the truth he had been denying himself since his return to Domino.

Atemu waited expectantly for Yuugi to offer any form of a greeting. Yet, after a few minutes of complete silence, he was beginning to think he would never receive one.

"Yuugi?"

Amethyst eyes met crimson. The exotic colors melded together as each man simply gazed into one another's eyes in silence. Tension was thick and slowly growing as the duo simply refrained from communicating.

The gaze broke moments later with Yuugi returning his gaze onto the floor. The smaller man tossed his bag and apron onto the floor, balling his fists at his sides. He fought to keep his emotions in check but felt them failing him as tears began to cascade down his cheeks.

Atemu watched fearfully. Yuugi had never downright cried in front of him since their teenaged years. There was something up here.

"Yuugi, what's wrong?"

"Everything," he muttered in attempts of controlling his sadness. His attempts were in vain, as he felt tears continuing to trickle down his cheeks.

The elder of the two knelt down on his knee, gazing down at Yuugi with a frown. He ran a hand through Yuugi's soft hair, and the other wiping the tears from his pale face.

"Hikari, what's wrong? You never cry like this."

"You do not understand. Everything is my fault."

"What are you talking about, Yuugi? What is your fault?"

Yuugi pulled away from Atemu's touches, and scrubbed at his face. "Everything that happened between us in the past is my fault. I now know the truth."

Atemu tilted his head to the side, confused. "What are you talking about?"

Yuugi's frustration and stress were beginning to grow out of control. He balled his fists together and shouted, "EVERYTHING THAT LED TO OUR BREAK-UP! I NOW KNOW WHAT YOU WERE TRYING TO TELL ME ALL THOSE TIMES IN THE PAST!"

Crimson eyes widened as Atemu fell silent, mind processing this new bout of information. After a couple of minutes, he nodded, frowning slightly.

"Seto told you."

A nod was his answer.

"Seto told you what really happened?"

"Yes, he did."

"And?"

Yuugi blinked, tears ceasing to fall from his large eyes. "And what?"

"What do you think about this new bout of knowledge?"

Yuugi took a deep breath and sighed heavily, turning his attention away from the elder male. "I find it truthful. Seto has never lied to me and I have no reason to believe he would lie now. I believe that you did it to protect me as he has told me, Yami. And for all the shit I've put us through, I owe you something that has been six years in the waiting."

Dumbfounded, Atemu stood up, gazing down at the smaller male in curiosity. Yuugi was actually being civil with him. The gesture alone brought surprise and shock into his mind.

"Yami, there is nothing I can do to make up for the past six years of hell I have put you through. It is my fault we are the way we are now. All I can say is that I'm sorry." Yuugi fell to his knees crying. His bangs fell into his face, hiding his sadness. He felt emotionally exhausted from this.

Atemu bent down and gathered Yuugi into his arms, embracing him tightly. He felt elated at Yuugi's apology but he could not just let Yuugi say all that and not say something himself. After all, they both messed up.

"Yuugi, there is nothing I can do to make it up to you. It takes two to tango and it takes two for the problem of ours. I should have stopped the situation before it happened. I am the one who owes you more than anything than I can ever give you, Yuugi."

Yuugi did not say anything at first. He took a moment to process what Atemu said. During this time, Yuugi recalled everything he had also said. He began to reflect on what he needed to say. At this point, he did not know where they stood. With the truth finally revealed and the confrontation-taking place, he felt out of place and confused. Yuugi lifted his head from Atemu's shoulder and gazed up into those fiery depths of crimson.

"Where does this leave us, Yami?"

"What do you mean?"

Yuugi sighed and pulled away from the embrace.

"Where do we stand now that this out in the open?"

The other nodded in understanding. He frowned, crossing his arms. "Where do we stand Yuugi? The question is not mine to answer. It is yours. You already know where I stand on this matter."

"You're leaving this to me? Why do you keep on doing this, Yami? This is like our break-up all over again."

"Don't start that again, Yuugi! This is bullshit! I am leaving the ball in your court. I am tired of taking the risks and getting my ass handed to me. I am tired of being the bad person here. All I want to do is make you happy! What more do you want?"

Yuugi glared at his ex-boyfriend with a hurt expression. "You want to make me happy? Well then why the hell do you not realize what I want then? Isn't it obvious?"

"NOTHING IS OBVIOUS WITH YOU, YUUGI. YOU ARE SO DAMN STUBBORN AND HARD TO READ THAT I NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU WANT ANYMORE!"

Yuugi wiped the tears trailing down his cheeks. He walked forward and stood directly in front of Atemu.

"You want to know what I want, Yami? I'll tell you what I want right now."

Yuugi stood on his tiptoes and placed his lips forcefully upon Yami's descending into a passionate and unexpected battle. He dominated the kiss, licking Yami's bottom lip, hoping for entrance into that warm, moist cavern he loved to explore. However, the other male seemed out of it. He had not responded to the kiss, obviously surprised by Yuugi's sudden and clearly dominant actions.

The kiss began to heat up as Yami finally gave in and allowed Yuugi to dominate his mouth. Their tongues dueled, wrapping around one another in the heat of the moment. Arms snaked around one another's waists. Soft pants and moans echoed through the game shop. The need for air was apparent as Yuugi pulled away, lips bruised from the fiery kiss. Yami's were in the same fashion. Each male looked at one another, silence permeating the moment. Yuugi looked away shyly. He felt out of character for that kiss. He was usually the submissive in their relationship. Such an act of dominance in Yuugi was new.

Yami was the first to speak, a smile gracing his lips. He was confused but happy about the passionate kiss he had just experienced.

"That was an excellent kiss. You're just as wonderful as you have always been, Hikari." He muttered, hoping to ease the tension.

"Well, practice makes perfect." Yuugi said, running a hand through his hair. His face was red.

"Yuugi… Where do we stand now? That kiss…. I'm confused."

The smaller of the two turned to the side, gazing at a video game poster. "It's whatever you want to believe, Yami. I cannot bring myself to say those three little words that that you whisper to me all the time. I am not the same person I used to be. All I know is what my heart tells me. And it tells me is that you're the one."

"You want me?"

"I want another chance with you. That is all I am asking for right now. I want to do this right and take things slowly."

Yami nodded, smiling. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Yuugi's thin waist.

"Your word is my bond, Yuugi. I am here for you no matter what. I am willing to give you another chance as long as you give me the chance to prove my love to you."

"Give me the time to realize what that is."

Yami chuckled and kissed Yuugi on the forehead. "I would do anything for you, Yuugi." He felt elated for the first time in years. Both men were so immersed in their rekindled relationship that neither heard the commotion from upstairs.

Something crashed from upstairs, a surprised gasp echoing into the game shop.

Both men jumped, startled from the noise. Yuugi's heart began to race as he worried for his grandfather.

"Grandpa? Is everything alright up there?" Yuugi yelled, worriedly.

A couple of minutes passed as Sugoroku's voice echoed down into the game shop.

"NO! CALL AN AMBULANCE! ARTHUR IS OUT COLD!"

Both men stared at one another with pale faces, adrenaline rushing. Yuugi picked up the phone and dialed 911.

Something was definitely off.