Queer As Tachi – Chapter 10
Yugi stole sock-footed up the back stairs and paused for a hunting look around, finding the house dark, before gesturing for Yami to follow him. Together the two of them snuck through the empty living room and down the hall to Yugi’s room, able to hear Grandpa Muto’s muffled snores through the door at the other end of the hall. Yugi closed the door behind them with a quiet click and finally let out the relieved giggle he had been suppressing. “Good, we made it,” he whispered. “Grandpa will never know.”
He went to the desk and slung his backpack over the chair, intending to unpack the clothing and put his books back in later, but before he could get any further, Yami grabbed him from behind and pulled him back, wrapping him in strong arms and snuggling him warmly. Hearing Yugi’s pleased coo in response, the pharaoh lowered his head and kissed his young love’s neck tenderly. “Are you sure you’re all right, after today?” he murmured kindly. “I don’t wish to dwell on unpleasantness...”
“Yeah, I’m okay,” Yugi sighed. “It still makes me mad, but…I can get over it. I’ll be strong.” He curled his arms around the ones wrapped around his shoulders. “With you, I can handle anything.”
Chuckling, Yami held him tighter and nibbled at his earlobe, breathing hotly along his neck until he felt Yugi wilt in his arms in surrender. They stood for a moment in silence beneath the skylight, sinking into each other, and then Yami stepped back just enough to work Yugi’s vest off his shoulders and let it fall away. Yugi lifted his head slightly, about to ask what he intended, but the pharaoh simply curled his arms back around his lover’s waist and buried his face in his neck. “Don’t,” he implored. “Just let me do this.”
“Anything,” Yugi relented, resting his cheek against Yami’s. Another long moment passed while they savored the embrace, and then the pharaoh’s hands moved, sneaking up under Yugi’s untucked shirt to brush against his skin. Yugi leaned back against him, tilting his head up with a soft groan. The hands slid upward, playing across his taut stomach and seeking the contours of his chest, pulling the shirt up along with them. Yami bent his head and resumed kissing Yugi’s neck from behind, glad to see he wasn’t wearing a collar for once, simply roaming across the pulse in his neck with his lips while his hands blindly traced the lines of muscles and ribs. After a bit, Yugi sagged against him, breathing hard with his head thrown back against his lover’s shoulder. “You know,” he breathed softly, “I used to fantasize about you…doing just this…”
“I know,” came the warm murmur in his ear. “I was always there, watching, wishing it could be my hands that touched your body rather than your own.” He kissed tenderly behind Yugi’s earlobe. “Now, it can be.”
Yugi had been clutching at his hands, encouraging their exploration, but now his hands fell away, bracing himself against Yami lest his knees go weak and drop him to the floor. “Please,” he whimpered.
Another chuckle tickled his neck, as Yami caught him up and kissed all across the back of his neck and behind his ear, fastening his lips on his earlobe and lavishing it all while caressing his chest with light strokes of his nimble fingers. Yugi reached behind him and clutched at his partner, able to grab hold of Yami’s hip with one hand. Still holding Yugi’s shirt and the Puzzle up out of the way with one hand, Yami snaked the other downward and hastily unbuckled the belt so he could slip a hand inside Yugi’s jeans. The movement made the young one squeal desperately, arching his body back. Yami’s hand groped across his abdomen, feeling the warmth of his skin, before descending as far down as he could reach and clasping him firmly. Yugi’s mouth fell open with a gasp, and he pressed back against Yami to keep from collapsing. Yami stood strong, one hand on Yugi’s chest, the other just beginning to stroke him teasingly, his lips resuming their treatment of his neck and ear. Yugi’s panting gasps became edged with little whimpers, and he turned his head to try to kiss back. For a moment their cheeks pressed together, sharing their mutually quickened breathing. At that point, Yami began to step backwards, one foot at a time, drawing Yugi along with him, still stroking him at a gentle pace. As he reached the bed, the pharaoh’s hands both came around Yugi’s hips and pushed his jeans down, along with his briefs, until he could step out of them. One last step and Yami sank to a seat on the bed, pulling his young love down with him. Yugi leaned back against him, reaching around behind himself to try to hold onto him even as the insistent hands groped across his stomach again. One stroked his abdomen, just above his navel, while the other pushed his black shirt and the Puzzle chain up so Yami could seek out a nipple and trace his fingers around it. Yugi keened softly and closed his eyes, thrilled by the feeling of the pharaoh’s fingers encircling and tweaking his nipple like he always dreamed of. Wet lips still savaged his neck and any part of his back or shoulder that could be reached at his shirt collar, though now and again Yami lifted his head and simply breathed across Yugi’s skin, his ear, the dangling ends of his hair. One finger pressed down on Yugi’s nipple and stroked hard, not letting up even as Yugi arched and began to cry softly between every breath, the sensation arousing him faster than anything else yet. The hand on his stomach slid down again, groping along the inside of his thigh and pulling his legs farther apart. Whimpering, Yugi did as the hand demanded, spreading himself wide until his knees bumped Yami’s. “Shh,” the pharaoh encouraged, trailing his lips across his lover’s skin. “I’ve got you. It’s all right.”
Yugi turned his head enough to be able to catch the smallest glimpse of Yami’s face, his lips and the tip of his nose hovering over his shoulder. “Touch me,” he whispered desperately. “Like I remember.”
Yami kissed his cheek, and then just rested face against face, panting along his partner’s neck as he continued to brush his fingers over the hard nub of his nipple. His other hand smoothed along the inside of Yugi’s thigh and returned to center, closing around his erection and stroking delicately. He knew exactly what Yugi wanted and softened his touch to oblige, tracing up and down his length with just fingertips. Yugi bit his lip and pushed back against him, trying to stifle the low moan in his throat. The pharaoh’s other hand splayed across his chest, holding him securely as he began to stroke Yugi just the way he wanted, remembering Yugi’s earliest fantasies of him when all he could do was watch from within a bonded mind and wish that he could be more than just a comforting vision accompanying the youth. Yugi tilted his head back until he felt Yami’s shoulder beneath it, and rested it there while he gasped for breath, wrapped up in solid arms, expert hands, and a kiss that wouldn’t leave his sensitive neck and throat alone. Yami’s hand on his chest had pulled his shirt almost completely up, though the Puzzle’s weight caused it to fall back down against his bare stomach, where it bumped modestly against him with every movement of the pharaoh’s hand. At last, Yami withdrew it and reached instead to cup Yugi’s cheek, turning his head toward him. His lower hand wrapped completely around Yugi’s erection and his thumb stroked the head as he kissed Yugi’s lips, hard, finding his mouth ready and waiting for his tongue and the deepest kiss of the night. He roamed through Yugi’s mouth in time with his stroking hand, fingers pressed to Yugi’s face to keep him in place. Yugi moaned eagerly into the kiss, tilting his hips up in search of more of the relentless touch. When they broke away for breath, lips wet and mouths gasping, Yugi suddenly pushed himself up, shifting so he could pull his feet up on the bed and curl his knees underneath him. Yami hurried to match him so they were kneeling together, the pharaoh still completely clothed, though Yugi could feel the hardness against his back that spoke of his lover’s own arousal. Yami returned to Yugi’s erection, now stroking in rhythm, and his other hand slid down to join it, forcing his legs wide again. Yugi threw himself back against Yami, not afraid to let his gasping cries be heard in the dark of night. His own hands came over the top of Yami’s, not needing to direct him, but simply holding on for the ride. Yami himself groaned under his breath as he felt his young love’s slender, willowy body arch against him, rubbing back against him, bare ass to tight jeans, his chest heaving. There was enough difference in their heights to allow Yami a longer reach, so his left hand groped as far down as he could, reaching beneath Yugi and finding the cleft of his ass. It required Yami to wrap himself completely around Yugi, practically smothering him, but Yugi was in the most desperate throes of pleasure and only found it more arousing. Yami’s lips on his neck and shoulder now were hard and wet, ferocious, as he stroked harder with one hand and let the other search for his opening. Yami leaned forward, on his knees, pulling Yugi fiercely back into himself as he plied both hands, with Yugi’s on top of his helping force them deeper and faster. Yami palmed Yugi’s erection in order to revel in the first traces of climax, enough moisture to run between his fingers and use as lubrication as he dove deep and penetrated his lover with just two fingers. Yugi went stiff, his eyes widening, and he managed to clench his jaw to keep from screaming at the delicious feeling. Yami bent low over him, arms tight around him so he could reach, and stroked him as fast as he could, both the fingers inside and the hand around his hardness at the same time. Yugi’s hands covered his, helping him, demanding he go faster, as Yugi’s lips parted and he began to give short cries that seemed far too loud in the quiet room. Yami leaned back, stretching Yugi’s body along with him, and plunged his fingers deep. It was just what Yugi needed to come, and with a hard jerk he did, flinging himself back against Yami with eyes squeezed tightly shut as he erupted with orgasm. Yami’s hand closed over his erection, unable to keep him from spilling everywhere. He held onto Yugi for every second of it, feeling him trembling in his arms, feeling his body tighten around his fingers, feeling him gradually wilt and slump back against him, spent. Yami withdrew his fingers but kept his arms wrapped around his lover, soothing him with his warmth and closeness. He bent his head over Yugi’s shoulder and rested it there, cuddling him tenderly, while they pressed sweaty temples against each other. Yugi was a mess, his hair disheveled, his shirt still tugged up, his lips and chin wet, his stomach splattered. And yet, as he began to catch his breath, he was smiling hazily, and a delighted purr rose in his throat as he turned his head enough to look at Yami. He didn’t know what to say, though the pharaoh understood and just snuggled him in response, closing his sticky hand into a fist in order to keep from spreading the mess. “You are so beautiful,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to Yugi’s jaw. “So tender, and innocent…”
Yugi kissed him back, lacking the strength to do more than just brush his lips over the nearest patch of skin, be it cheek or chin or lips. “Thank you,” he whispered after a bit.
Yami nuzzled him with a chuckle. “I have always wanted to do that,” he admitted. “Not in the Puzzle…here, for real.”
“But you didn’t come…” Yugi nestled against him, able to still feel the hardness behind him. “I should do something about that.”
“Do you think there’s time?” the pharaoh wondered, unable to see the clock for Yugi’s wild hair.
“There’s always time.” Yugi forced himself to sit up, glancing at the clock to be sure. Yes, there would be just enough time – he wasn’t going to leave Yami unspent when the day ran out. He turned and gave his lover a shy look over his shoulder, his eyes wide and pleading. “Let me?”
Yami sat back on the bed, stretching his legs back out, unable to deny to himself that that submissive look was positively irresistible. Smiling indulgently, he examined the hand that had caught Yugi’s orgasm, and then teasingly raised it to his lips, licking along one elegant finger. “And what is it you want to do?” he prodded in a seductive murmur.
Yugi turned himself around so he was kneeling on the bed, over Yami, and prowled up to him, kissing him hard. The inquisitive lick had left a trace, and Yugi couldn’t resist darting his tongue out to get his own taste before drawing away. Kneeling between the pharaoh’s legs, Yugi reached for his waistband to free him. “Don’t worry,” he murmured playfully, “I’ll take care of you.”
Yami blinked in wonder, his eyes widening, and he pushed himself up in order to assist Yugi in the removal of his pants. The slight movement allowed him to scoot back as far as the wall, so he leaned against it and waited to see what Yugi had in mind. Giving another little purr, Yugi settled himself on hands and knees, lowering his head and kissing Yami’s exposed stomach in prelude. He glanced up again, his eyes so wide and adorable, but gleaming with unabashed sexuality, and arched his back teasingly as he bent down to close his lips on the head of the pharaoh’s waiting erection. Yami groaned long as that tender tongue stroked him, bracing himself against the wall in expectation. Just watching Yugi, his eyes half-closed as he suckled at him, his ass tilted high in the air, was arousing enough. Yugi hummed in his throat as he worked, the vibration of it tickling along Yami’s length, and fairly smiled to himself at the familiar taste and feel. He settled even further forward, resting on his elbows so he could lift a hand and stroke his fingertips at the base of Yami’s erection while he licked and kissed and teased. Yami was already quite hard and hot, and by the trembling in his stomach, he wouldn’t need much to bring him to release. He combed a hand through Yugi’s hair, sitting there looking down at him happily working lips and tongue not just to get him off, but to ensure he enjoyed every minute of the climb to the peak. Leaning his head back against the wall, Yami closed his eyes to savor every sensation, taking deep breaths to steady himself so he wouldn’t come too quickly or abruptly. They had done this before, mostly inside the Puzzle, but he refused to take it for granted. Yugi was learning quickly just what to do to make him feel like screaming, and before too long the pharaoh was breathing hard, tensed, braced against the wall, trying not to clench his hand too harshly in his lover’s hair. His whole body trembled in anticipation as Yugi continued to lap at him, stroking all around him with light fingertips to help push him over the edge. Taking a breath, Yugi dove in and took as much of him into his mouth as he could, sliding his tongue along the underside. Yami twitched and sucked in his breath, knowing himself to be close but not wanting to stop. But Yugi also knew he was close, and wanted nothing more than to complete his task, to make the pharaoh cry out in pleasure and be happy, so he descended even more roughly onto him. He put one arm around Yami’s hips to hold him in place, inching subtly closer and waggling his ass in the air in the process. Yami gazed heatedly down at him, feeling the hand clutching him, and was no longer able to keep from moaning with each breath the closer he grew to climax. Yugi closed his eyes cutely and licked him hard, all the way up his length, and with a shudder Yami grabbed for his shoulder as the first waves hit him, until he was forced to bite back his cry between clenched teeth. His body shook and spilled into Yugi’s mouth, which didn’t stop suckling at him for a moment, prolonging the blinding quake of orgasm just a bit longer. When it had all passed, Yugi pushed himself up again, wiping his lips on the back of his hand and lifting a soft, sexy look to his partner. Yami reached out to him, and Yugi willingly crawled into his arms, leaning up against him and resting his head on the pharaoh’s chest, both of them giving a huge simultaneous sigh.
Yugi took a moment to get the Puzzle out of his way before lying against Yami’s chest, purring contentedly as the pharaoh’s arms came around his shoulders and hugged him gratefully. “Is that better?” he murmured.
“Wonderful,” Yami breathed. “You are amazing, my love.”
“And I didn’t even have to take off my shirt.” Yugi nuzzled his lover. “I like that. The way you taste. It’s so…hot…”
“How you manage to still look innocent after doing that is beyond me,” Yami said in amusement.
Yugi lifted his eyes and smiled. “Do I?”
“Of course you do.” Yami bent his head and kissed him, able to taste a lingering essence on his lips. “Young and sweet. One of the many things I love about you.”
Yugi snuggled and cooed happily. “It’s almost midnight,” he said softly, regretfully. “Lie down with me? Until you have to go…”
Yami nodded and helped him sit up, and they both flung aside their shirts before stretching out together in the bed. Yugi still needed to get his pajamas, but he had no trouble lying there naked for now, at least until Yami had returned to the Puzzle. He could wash up and dress all at once, then. At least for the next few minutes he would stay right there, tangled up in the pharaoh’s arms sharing soft kisses to close out his day. They talked little, a few sweet nothings, mostly kissing and caressing until midnight arrived and stole Yami away. Yugi sighed, wishing he didn’t have to go through this loss every month, but figured it was a small price to pay for having Yami at all as he got up and snuck down the hall to the bathroom. Not far away, he could still hear his grandfather snoring. The entire full moon day had passed, and as far as Yugi knew, he had kept his secret safe. But he knew deep down, while he cleaned up in the bathroom and slipped on his pajamas, that this couldn’t go on. Yami, Joey, everyone was right – he had to tell Grandpa. And soon.
The month seemed to crawl by in Yugi’s estimation, for there was nothing for him to do except go to school, and he was finding that university held no more interest for him than high school had. Despite his honorable desire to study archaeology, first he had to put himself through the low-level classes that all freshmen had to endure, and he often ranted to Yami that the tedium was driving him crazy. He was good about actually going to classes, but he did as little work as he could to scrape by because so much of it seemed pointless. Joey was only doing marginally better, having made it his goal to actually get somewhere with school but finding it difficult to break his old habits. Hanging out now and then with Tristan didn’t help, for he was perfectly content with his manual labor employment and had good things to say about the money coming in. At the very least, Yugi had the full moons to look forward to, and anticipated that only Yami could keep him from giving up on school before really giving it a chance. After all, Yugi did honestly want to learn something that might help the pharaoh remember who he was in Egypt. For his partner’s sake, Yugi stuck it out, but he didn’t much enjoy it. He simply went through each day as it came, week by week, always looking ahead to the next full moon and trying to decide how he was going to spend it. He and Yami had tentatively agreed, in theory, that his next visit should bring about a conversation with Grandpa Muto about Yugi’s love life, but so far they hadn’t considered exactly how or when that should happen. Like anything else he feared, Yugi put off thinking about it until it was nearly too late.
Autumn rushed on like the wind that blew the leaves off the trees, coloring them and then stripping them bare by the time the next full moon came around. October put a chill in the air and brought out Yugi’s warmer jackets, though he still walked to Joey’s as much as he could, from where the two friends caught the bus to the university. They day before the ritual could be performed, they remained on campus late into the afternoon, and by the time Yugi parted at Joey’s and walked the rest of the way home, the sun was setting and a brisk wind ruffled through his hair, setting the long, trailing ends of his bangs flying. He swept them back with a hand and kept on his path, looking forward to the warmth of home and a good dinner, and cramming his homework in so he could spend some time talking to his spiritual partner. They had to plan what to say to Grandpa, they had only a day to do it. Yami was listening to the thoughts as they formed in Yugi’s mind, and spoke gently within him as he walked. “You should also let him know, tonight, that I will be coming. We avoided him completely last month, but all things considered…”
“I know,” Yugi replied, murmuring quietly. The wind stole away his voice, but Yami didn’t need to hear it, he already sensed the words. “At least it falls on a Saturday, I don’t have class to worry about, but Grandpa should know to expect you.”
“It would be very difficult to continue our relationship openly otherwise,” Yami mused. “I don’t like sneaking around any more than you do.”
Nodding, Yugi pulled his collar up against the wind and blundered his way homeward, thinking more about dinner than what to tell his grandpa. The lights over the Kame game shop sign glowed brightly as he made it home, going around to the side entrance straight upstairs to their house instead of through the shop. Everything was well-lit and warmth caressed his wind-flushed cheeks as he dropped off his backpack in his room and went straight to the kitchen to start dinner. He had the gentle company of the pharaoh’s spirit while he kept house, putting a little smile back on his face by the time Grandpa Muto closed up shop and came upstairs to join him for dinner. They knelt at table together, discussing what had happened over their respective days, until Yugi found a convenient opening to bring up the special day. “You know, Grandpa,” he said as casually as he could, “tomorrow night is the full moon…”
“Is it?” Grandpa blinked curiously at him. “I hadn’t noticed.” He grinned comically. “My, the months are just flying by. Fall has only just started but it feels like winter is right behind.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Yugi chuckled. “You remember…the ritual?”
“Oh yes! The pharaoh.” Grandpa’s look became thoughtful. “Come to think of it, I must not have been paying attention last month at the full moon either. I don’t remember him being here.”
“Well,” Yugi stammered, deciding to completely gloss it over, “since I don’t have class, we’re going to do the ritual so Yami can spend some time on the outside. I hope you don’t mind?”
Grandpa Muto smiled again. “That’s fine. I told you, he’s welcome here any time he’s able to come out of the Puzzle. Are you having any troubles with the ritual?”
“No, no. It’s really easy,” Yugi assured. “I don’t mind sticking my finger, it’s such a little thing to have to do. Thanks, Grandpa,” he added with a beaming smile. “I’ve been so busy with school, I haven’t had a lot of time to pay attention to Yami. I’d like him to be able to have a good day.” He picked up his bowl to fish out the last soba noodles hiding at the bottom. “Is there anything you need me to do? I haven’t made any plans to see any of my friends, my day is open so far. Yami and I can take care of anything you need, first.”
“Well, I’ll have to think about it,” his grandfather pondered. “Perhaps you can run some errands for me, but I won’t take up all of the pharaoh’s day. You should take him somewhere fun.”
“It’s supposed to rain,” Yugi complained. “I don’t know, maybe we’ll find something to do here. Oh! Can I have Joey and Tristan over?”
“As long as you three…er, four, don’t make a mess,” Grandpa chuckled.
“I haven’t asked if they’re busy, yet. But if they can come over, we’ll be good. I promise.” Yugi smiled cheerfully and went back to his dinner, figuring if he finished and got his homework done, there would be time to sneak into the Puzzle. It was a selfish desire, he knew, especially so close to the ritual, but he wanted to see Yami. The trouble was, no matter what his intentions, he had a suspicion that once they were face to face, both of them would forget about serious matters like discussing how to reveal their secret. It always happened.
One more day, and it was time again. Unfortunately, Joey had to work on Saturday and Tristan had a family obligation, so Yugi and Yami had no one to hang out with but each other. Cloudy skies obscured the full moon when Yugi knelt in his room to perform the ritual, but it wasn’t the moon’s light, simply its phase which triggered the shadow magic, so everything worked properly. As long as his grandfather was asleep and not likely to disturb them, the pair figured it safe enough to stay up for a while and make love, at least for as long as Yugi could stay awake. Classes and homework had drained much of his energy, and the ritual on top of that, so they only got in one quick round before he wrapped himself around Yami’s slender body and fell asleep in the middle of their conversation. He had trailed off in the middle of a sentence, even, and Yami laid quietly waiting for him to gather his thoughts and finish, but after a moment or two of nothing, he had to turn his head and look down at Yugi to find out what had silenced him. A faint smile crossed his face as he found his lover fast asleep in his arms, lips barely parted for breath, the slightest flutter of eyelashes telling of the dreams he was beginning to descend into. Yami thought it the most beautiful sight of the evening, so far, and pressed a soft kiss to Yugi’s forehead before settling down to sleep beside him. He was not very tired, yet, so he laid awake for a long time just watching Yugi sleep, pondering many things while lulled into a peaceful satisfaction by life, sex, and now the joy of simply holding his slumbering sweetheart in corporeal arms. The pharaoh had to wonder, before finally drifting off himself, how in the world the boisterous, fidgety youth with such boundless energy could sleep so soundly, hardly even twitching a muscle all night.
A tentative rap at his door woke Yugi in the late morning, as his grandpa just walked past and knocked to alert him that it was time to get up, even for lazy university students with the day off. Had he tried to come in, Grandpa Muto would have found the door locked, but he was only passing through on his way to make coffee and go open the game shop. After a moment or two lying there, Yugi understood why he hadn’t naturally woken up any earlier. The room was semi dark yet, thanks to the rain clouds completely blocking the sun, and the soft patter of raindrops against the skylight was as soothing as a lullaby. Not to mention, he was rather warm and comfortable in the cocoon of blankets and pharaoh that had him wrapped up nicely. He hadn’t moved at all during the night, finding himself waking in the same position as he last remembered, mostly on his side with his arms around Yami, their cheeks pressed together as they slept. Yugi lay for a while longer just savoring the moment, blinking himself slowly awake and listening to the rain fall. Eventually, the shift of his head woke Yami, and both smiled at each other without comment when they each realized the other was awake. The pharaoh gave a rumbling sigh and tilted his head to kiss his lover good morning. Yugi chuckled faintly. “Hi.”
Yami smiled fondly. “This waking up next to you will never cease to delight me.”
Yugi smiled back and murmured under his breath, hugging himself more tightly against his lover’s chest and nuzzling him. “I just wish I didn’t have to get up. I could lay here with you all day…all nice and warm…”
“Considering you fell asleep before you could get dressed.” Yami shifted his head and squinted up at the skylight, discovering the current weather conditions for himself. “Ah. It’s raining.”
“I know. I could hear it,” Yugi breathed. “It’s such a nice sound. Makes me just want to go back to sleep.”
Yami kissed him again, on the bridge of his nose. “Something tells me, we’re not going to be allowed such a luxury.”
“No,” Yugi moaned. “I heard Grandpa knock. We should probably get up.”
They laid there a few minutes more, and then Yugi finally acted on his own suggestion, reluctantly pulling himself out of a warm, snuggly embrace and rolling over to work his way out of the blankets. He had never gotten into his pajamas, so he didn’t bother with them at all and simply searched out some underwear and the bathrobe that had been tossed on the floor. Yami lay in bed a while longer, content to watch him, while his mind grew alert and reminded him that today was supposed to be a big day. As expected, they never talked about how to spring the news of their relationship on Grandpa Muto, but as he lay there watching Yugi, enjoying the sight of a supple young body and innocent, smiling face, the pharaoh told himself that it was probably useless trying to plan such a thing. They had gotten as far as deciding to do it at dinner, when food and relaxation put Grandpa into a good mood, but then it would simply take the right opening, the right moment suddenly appearing in the conversation at table. Yami did not want to disturb Yugi’s contentment by reminding him of all this, so he kept his mouth shut and simply wormed his way out of the warm bedding, allowing his younger half to go take a shower while he looked for something to wear that might fit him.
Shortly after, Yugi bounced eagerly down the stairs into the game shop with Yami following at a more casual pace. “Morning, Grandpa!” he called out upon seeing Mr. Muto standing behind the counter.
Grandpa looked up and smiled at him. “There you are. Taking it easy this morning?”
Yugi grinned sheepishly. “It’s just so easy to want to stay in bed when it’s raining out. We’ll have to take an umbrella – now what did you want me to do?”
Grandpa Muto fished around and gave him a bank card and a list. “If you boys don’t mind. I need you to go to the market, just get what’s on the list. And then stop at the bookstore for my magazines?” he added with a hopeful grin.
Yugi rolled his eyes, but smiled. “All right, Grandpa. We’ll go take care of this now, I don’t mind.”
“It’s a little chilly out there,” Grandpa warned, “take your jackets. And yes, an umbrella.”
Yugi waved to acknowledge the advice as he went back upstairs, towing Yami by the sleeve as he lingered a moment to say hello to Yugi’s grandfather. The only spare jacket they found that would fit Yami happened to be Yugi’s old blue school jacket, but as Yami had worn it plenty of times, he didn’t mind. Yugi threw on his coat and dug an umbrella out of the closet that would cover both of them, and they were off into the rainy morning. The skies were dark enough that some streetlights remained on, and the rain came down at a steady pace, keeping it cold and damp. Yami was tickled to see that his breath fogged in the chill air, making Yugi giggle as he linked arms with his partner so they could both stay dry under the colorful umbrella. They figured to hit the bookstore first, as Yugi looked at the shopping list and realized there were a few things on it that should get home to be refrigerated right away. That way, they could take their time and browse before picking up the requested magazines and making their next stop. Yugi wanted to see what was new in manga, and considered checking gaming magazines for Duel Monsters updates. They splashed through a crosswalk and hurried into the warm, brightly-lit confines of the corner bookstore nearest Kame, where Yugi took down the umbrella and instead clasped his lover’s hand to guide him along. Yami was content to be tugged anywhere by the hand, realizing with just a glance around that he was perfectly able to read all the signs and book displays. Apparently, being bonded with Yugi’s mind allowed such information to have sunk into his brain automatically. Yugi had to let go of him in order to pick up books, tucking the dripping umbrella under his arm, but the pharaoh didn’t wander far. He was curious about what he saw, and now and then picked up something to read it more closely, but he stayed within arm’s reach of his companion so they could share observations with each other. Yugi thumbed threw a few different volumes of manga, not finding any of them interesting, and then hit the magazine rack. Before picking out the ones his grandpa wanted, he grabbed a gaming magazine that had something about Duel Monsters screaming from the cover. “Oh, it’s just the new card lines coming out,” he reported with some disappointment. “I already knew about those.”
Yami came over and curiously peered over his shoulder. “New cards? Does it show any of them?”
“I don’t think so…” Yugi paged back and forth over the mini-spread about Duel Monsters. “No, they don’t even have a list of what cards are going to be available. That’s old news, I know the new lines are being released because Grandpa got the information on the shipments weeks ago.” He grinned sneakily. “We should be getting them in next week. I’ll get first look at them.”
“That will be very interesting,” Yami remarked. “We should see if there’s any we can use.”
“I really like our deck the way it is,” Yugi mused, putting the magazine back. “But I do have that second deck, now, the Pyro deck. Hey!” he said with sudden brightness. “Maybe we should make you a deck of your own! Then you and I can duel anytime we want.”
The pharaoh smiled coolly. “We haven’t dueled against each other since our first day like this.”
“What do you think?” Yugi turned to face him, grinning up at him. “You want to take my second deck and make it yours? Put in any cards you want, so we can play each other?”
“Sure.” Yami cocked his head curiously. “It could be fun. I’m willing to give it a try.”
“I have a lot of spares you can look through, and then we can see what else is coming out.” Yugi returned to the magazine rack, perusing it in search of what he had been sent for. “Not to mention, I have that alternate Dark Magician card I won from Arcana in the Battle City tournament. You can have that, I never put it in a deck because my first Dark Magician means so much to me.”
“Perhaps I will take it,” Yami said thoughtfully, his attention elsewhere. “Arcana disrespected his Magician, but I would honor him and treat him better.”
Yugi reached to take a volume of crossword puzzles from the rack, so long as he was still in the gaming section, and then stepped aside to the popular entertainment magazines. With a heavy sigh, he stared at the variety of garish magazine covers, splashed with lots of exclamation points and the sorts of colors not found in nature as they tried to grab the reader and make them look inside for information and photos of celebrities. “I feel so dumb looking at these,” he complained under his breath. “I’m just going to pick one and hope he likes it.”
Yami gazed at him, perplexed, as he reached out and nabbed one with cutely-grinning female pop stars on the cover. “Your grandpa wants a magazine like that?”
“Don’t ask,” Yugi grumbled, hiding it underneath the crossword puzzles as he went to the counter and slid them to the clerk.
The two of them crowded back under the shelter of the umbrella as they continued on from there, the magazines hidden safely in a plastic shopping bag that bounced against Yugi’s side as he kept his arm drawn in close to hold the umbrella. His other arm was snaked tightly around Yami’s, their hands clasped and resting against the pharaoh’s shoulder as they walked, quietly pleased with themselves. All the trees lining the sidewalks on their path were brilliant with fall color, though muted by the rain which left the falling leaves stuck fast to the pavement as if with glue. The longer walk to the market left their pant legs rather wet from puddles, but Yami seemed not to mind in the least – until he realized the boots he wore were not waterproof either. He willingly took the umbrella from Yugi and carried it for them as the young one concentrated on picking up everything on the shopping list, throwing in a box of coconut cookies for himself. Walking through the market, observing people, reading signs, watching Yugi do this mundane task, held a strange fascination for Yami. Having always been, according to his short memory, a spirit housed within the Puzzle, he had been everywhere with Yugi, but never in a position to interact with his surroundings. Yugi chattered with him as they walked, idly commenting on the list and whether he should add anything to it besides cookies. At one point, after depositing something in the shopping basket, Yugi turned to his partner and blinked up at him. “I never even asked if you liked or disliked anything,” he realized. “You have a say in this too, you know.”
Yami smiled kindly. “So far, I can’t say as I’ve disliked anything I’ve eaten. Though, I’m not so sure I want to indulge in very many spicy things,” he added suspiciously.
Yugi laughed at him as he continued down the aisle. “That’s okay. I like spicy food, but it’s not for everyone. Remember, if you don’t like something, just tell me. You’re out of the Puzzle, so I can’t read your mind.” He glanced back at the pharaoh following him with a cute smile. “I want you to be happy, and enjoy everything about being alive.”
Yami slid a hand onto his shoulder, caressing him gently. “Discovering something I don’t like is still part of being alive.”
“Hm. I guess you’re right.”
They wrapped up the shopping errand and loaded their arms with the bags, leaving it to Yami to hold the umbrella for both of them as they headed back out into the rain. It hadn’t let up at all since leaving home, drumming steadily on the umbrella and splashing on the sidewalk around them. Their conversation faltered as they walked home, keeping their attention on where they stepped and staying under the umbrella as much as they could. The pharaoh only carried one bag, and holding the umbrella for his lover made him step a little to the side where the rain could dribble off the edge of the umbrella and into his hair. A couple of blocks from home, he suddenly got an idea as they paused on a corner waiting for the light. Once they had crossed, he gestured to Yugi with the umbrella handle. “Can you hold this?”
“I think so…” Yugi shifted the bags until one was dangling from his arm, in order to be able to take the umbrella. “What are you doing?”
Yami chuckled and stepped swiftly out from under the shelter, tilting his head up and back to feel the rain on his face. Yugi started and squeaked, “Hey! Get back here! You’re gonna get soaked!”
“Maybe I want to,” the pharaoh laughed, stretching out his arms. The plastic bag in his fist was closed tight enough to protect its contents, but he was another story. He started away at a brisk pace, freely letting the rain fall on his head and shoulders, leaving big, dark spots on his blue jacket. Yugi scrambled to keep up with him, finding after a minute of this that he wasn’t going to catch his lover and put him back under the umbrella. He sighed in exasperation and just followed along, inwardly amused that Yami wanted to walk in the rain though his overlying instincts wanted to scold him for getting wet and maybe catching cold. Yami dashed the last half a block to the door with a laugh, glad to find Yugi coming up behind him also laughing as he fumbled with the umbrella. They darted inside where it was safe and warm, and Yami shook his head violently. He was rather wet but not soaked through, and Yugi squealed as he was showered with raindrops from his lover’s hair. Yami smiled breathlessly at him. “Come, let’s put these away,” he implored.
“And get you a towel and some dry clothes,” Yugi sighed. “What were you thinking?”
“That was fun.” Yami smiled in delight. “I wanted to feel the rain on my face.”
“Yeah, but now you’re wet,” Yugi groused as he started up the back stairs, “and I’m pretty sure in a minute or two you’ll be cold, too.”
“I already am,” the pharaoh admitted. “But it’s an interesting feeling.”
“Yeah. Interesting.” Yugi shook his head and brought the bags into the kitchen, taking a few minutes to put everything away properly before turning to attend to his drenched lover. Yami had wiped the water from his face with his coat sleeve, but as he helped Yugi, he gave a little shiver at the feel of the chill rain seeping through his jacket and the bottoms of his pants legs. Even his socks were damp from failing to avoid puddles. Yugi just muttered, “Come on,” and pulled him along to the bedroom, leaving the bag from the bookstore on the table in the living room as they crossed through.
Yugi fetched a towel as Yami stripped out of the jacket and his pants and socks, but when he reached to take the towel, Yugi smirked and gestured for him to come closer. Yami obeyed, and bent his head to allow Yugi to dry him off. The young one ruffled his hair until it fell back into place, and then wrapped the towel around his shoulders, enfolding him in warmth. “You just sit down,” he ordered with a smile. “I’ll bring you something else to wear.”
Yami smiled back and sat down on the edge of the bed, running the towel briefly along his arms and legs to make sure he was merely cold and not wet. Yugi also needed to change his socks, but first he brought his lover fresh jeans and socks. “Thank you,” the pharaoh purred. “Perhaps you’re right. I’ll wait for a warm rain next time.”
“It’s cold out there,” Yugi said warningly. “It’s fall. Pretty soon it’ll be winter, and maybe we’ll get snow instead of rain.”
Yami glanced up in interest as Yugi tugged on dry socks and picked up the rest of the clothing to toss in the laundry. He vaguely remembered seeing snow through Yugi’s eyes before. “Does it snow much, here?”
“Not really,” Yugi said. “We’re kind of far south. But we do still get a little, through the winter. Most of the time it just rains, or is cloudy but nothing happens. Kind of dreary.”
Yami smiled wistfully at him. “I’d like to see snow.”
Yugi smiled back, and then winked. “But you’re going to bundle up, first.”
They both laughed, and then Yami got up, toweling off his hair one more time to be sure and then leaving the room to go and put it where it belonged. Yugi allowed him to take care of it himself, drifting into the living room instead. The pharaoh found him there, making sure the magazines had not gotten wet, and softly padded up to him. “You should tell your grandfather we’re back,” he murmured, wrapping his arms around Yugi and snuggling him.
“I’m sure he heard us come in,” Yugi demurred, turning to embrace his partner. Yami stepped back and sat down on the couch, and Yugi came along, seating himself astride the pharaoh’s lap. “And if not,” he added more quietly, “let’s give him a few minutes.”
“As you wish,” Yami purred, catching Yugi and settling him comfortably on top of him, where they could sit and gaze at each other and kiss. And they certainly did, slinking arms around each other and leaning in for a long series of soft, heated kisses. All notions of the cold outside disappeared as they melted into each other, brushing their lips together and gradually sinking deeper, as Yugi parted his lips in invitation and Yami’s tongue slid delicately inside to stroke him. The move raised a tiny moan in Yugi’s throat, and he clutched desperately at Yami’s shirt as the kiss persisted without any sign of stopping.
When Yami finally broke for breath, he lifted a hand and brushed it tenderly across Yugi’s cheek, turning his head to be able to look into his eyes and savor the wanton, eager look on his youthful face. Yugi shyly glanced down, from the pharaoh’s lips and mouth to his neck, and further down to the glimpse of his chest peeking from the collar of his shirt, and smiled a little to himself. Yami continued to brush his cheek with light fingertips, cupping his face and tilting it just-so to kiss him tenderly, tracing his lips expertly across Yugi’s, nibbling, sweetly teasing him and encouraging him to return the favor. Yugi certainly did, starting with a number of small, inquisitive kisses to his lips before pressing more firmly, sliding his arms over the pharaoh’s shoulders to settle in for what could be a long make-out session. A testing tongue across his lips prompted Yugi to open his mouth again, accepting the intrusion and wrestling back, probing his lover’s mouth in wondrous exploration. Yami moaned deeply at the taste, his hand more steadily cupping Yugi’s cheek to keep them in close contact. Neither of them heard the step on the stair, but a hoarse shout tore them away from each other: “Yugi!”
With a gasp, Yugi looked up sharply, over Yami’s shoulder and the back of the couch to the doorway that led down into the game shop. There stood his grandfather, arms outspread to catch himself on the frame of the door, staring with wide, shocked eyes at the sight of the two young men in each other’s arms kissing with abandon. Yugi’s heart within his chest froze like ice. “Grandpa!” he whispered in fear.
Solomon Muto let go of the door and leaned against it, clutching a hand to his chest. Both Yugi and Yami stared back at him, their eyes full of worry, though they couldn’t find the strength to pry themselves apart and so just sat there, Yugi straddling Yami’s lap, their lips still wet and hot. Grandpa noticed everything, the way they sat, they way they held each other, and could only blink in silent shock. After a minute or two in which no one twitched a muscle, he moved slightly to come into the room. “I…I need to sit down,” he muttered, his hand still splayed over his racing heart.
Yugi finally snapped out of his paralysis, sliding off Yami’s lap and getting to his feet but hesitating there. Grandpa staggered over to the nearest chair and plunked down, staring absently at the floor as he took a deep breath to calm himself. Clasping his hands together fearfully before him, Yugi took one small step towards his grandfather in concern. “Grandpa?” he wondered in a very small voice.
Grandpa Muto blinked steadily, rousing himself from the temporary blankness brought on by the nasty surprise. The slightest frown creased his forehead as he focused on Yugi’s timid figure standing before him. “Yugi,” he said, very quietly, “you had better explain this.”
Yugi wrapped his arms uncomfortably around himself. “Um…well…you see, Grandpa…”
“Yugi,” Yami said gently, pushing himself to the edge of his seat as if to get up. “Maybe I can help…”
“No,” Yugi breathed, raising a hand to halt him. “This is my responsibility. I’ll…I’ll take care of it.” Yami nodded and sat back, watching intently with furrowed brow. Yugi took a deep breath to try and pluck up his courage, staring at the floor instead of his grandfather’s serious face. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before,” he began, his voice trembling. “I didn’t know how to, I didn’t tell anybody for a long time. Yami…Yami and I have a relationship, we have for a while, way before we ever found out about the ritual.” He spoke rapidly, trying to get everything out before his fear could choke off his words. “He loves me, and I love him, and…and we don’t care if it’s weird because he’s a spirit, we just love each other with all our hearts and we want to be together.” The more he spoke, and the more he raised his eyes to study his grandfather’s completely stony expression, the more tears began to rise in Yugi’s eyes, but he swallowed them as best he could as he desperately tried to explain. “It has nothing to do with the ritual, we loved each other way before that, but I…I didn’t know how to admit it. I didn’t want you to be upset with me. I just love him so much and I don’t want it to end. Please don’t be angry with me!” he concluded with a panicked cry.
Yami gazed at him with a pained look, wishing there were something he could add but wisely staying silent. Yugi sniffled back his tears, though he still visibly trembled as he waited for a reaction. Grandpa Muto still looked only at Yugi, though the blank, solemn expression began to soften after a moment. He regarded his grandson’s meek posture and the tears glimmering in his violet eyes, and with a sigh, let the faintest hint of a smile dawn on his face. “Why didn’t you want to tell me that you were in love and happy?” he asked gently.
Yugi caught his breath with a little gasp, lifting his head to see that his grandpa wasn’t angry. It was a ray of hope, but it only made the tears rush even faster to his eyes. “I was afraid,” he admitted in a whisper. “I didn’t know what you would say. Not because he’s a spirit…but…because we’re both boys. I didn’t want you to hate me.”
A painful frown darkened Mr. Muto’s face again. “Yugi, I’m disappointed that you didn’t trust me,” he said patiently. “I wouldn’t hate you for such a silly reason. You should know by now that I wouldn’t be mad at you to find something like that out.”
“But…” Yugi sniffled. “We’ve never talked about it. I didn’t know. Your generation…has a different view of…”
Grandpa closed his eyes and nodded. “Yes, many people my age do have issues with homosexuality,” he said plainly, not stumbling over the word at all like his grandson. “I understand why you would be afraid to tell me. This sort of news is rather momentous.”
“I’m sorry,” Yugi whimpered, tightening his arms around himself. Then, he felt Yami’s hand, warm and gentle, alight on his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Grandpa, I didn’t want it to be like this. I wanted to tell you, I just didn’t know how…”
“I can see that,” Grandpa said understandingly. “Actually, I’m quite glad I’ve never had to lecture you about tolerance and bigotry. I’ve tried to raise you to be kind and accepting of all people, no matter how different they might seem. Even though we never had a reason to sit down and have a talk, you’ve turned out so generous and good-spirited, it warms my heart.” He gave another deep sigh and sat back in the chair, relaxing somewhat. “I’m not like others of my generation, Yugi. I don’t have a problem with same-sex relationships – particularly not those of my beloved grandson.”
It took all Yugi had not to break down sobbing in relief right there, but his knees went weak and he sank to the floor, reaching to touch the hand resting comfortingly on his shoulder. Yami knelt down beside him, refraining from any further physical affection until this conversation stabilized. Yugi lifted his gaze timidly. “You don’t?”
Grandpa Muto made a thoughtful face. “Have I ever told you about your great-uncle Jimi?”
Yugi shook his head. “He was gay?”
“No, he wasn’t,” Grandpa replied, “but he had a friend who was. Oh, this was far back in my younger days. Jimi was my older brother, you know. He was friends with a very nice gentleman he met in the service, during the war. Back then, it was even more taboo to be gay, you know. Particularly if you were in the military.”
Yugi nodded absently. “Did Great-Uncle know?”
“I think so,” Solomon mused. “I certainly did, his friend was such a nice person and trusted me enough to tell me. It was the first time I had met anyone like that, it really opened my eyes. It taught me when I was very young, that love has no boundaries.” He smiled wistfully as he remembered his youth and family decades ago. “He told the best stories, too, about what he and my brother did in the war. It’s such a tragedy, he was killed in Korea in the fifties and I never got to hear any more of his stories.”
“Oh…” Yugi’s expression saddened. “I’m sorry, Grandpa.”
“It’s all right. You see? Not everyone as old as me is so uptight.” He gestured for Yugi to come closer, and then clasped his hands peacefully in his lap as his grandson got to his feet and stumbled over to the chair. Grandpa fixed him with a firm, pleasant look that could barely be called a smile. “If it’s what makes you happy, then I have no problem. Are you happy, Yugi?”
Through his tears, a brilliant smile broke out unexpectedly on Yugi’s lips. “I’m so happy, Grandpa,” he murmured. “I love Yami with all my heart and soul. I can’t imagine being without him. It’s not a crush, I swear…this is real.”
Grandpa Muto finally shot a direct look at Yami, who had risen to his feet but remained standing helplessly a few feet away. “And you,” he said sternly. “Do you love my Yugi just as much?”
“With every fiber of my being,” Yami said without hesitation. “It wasn’t my intention to hide this from you, either. Yugi has struggled for so long with how to break the news to you.” He managed a wry smile. “We were going to do it later, over dinner.”
“I didn’t mean for it to happen this way,” Yugi added quickly. “I’m sorry, Grandpa.”
“Yes, it was quite the shock,” Grandpa admitted. “Honestly, Yugi, I never expected such a twist out of you. I thought you liked girls.”
“I still do,” Yugi said uncertainly, “in theory. But I’ve never met one that I’ve loved as much as I love Yami. I didn’t stop to think that he was a guy, not until after we’d gotten together…” He looked away, a hint of a blush rising in his round cheeks. “Though I guess the thought didn’t exactly turn me off, either…”
“And this was…before the ritual, you say?”
“Way before,” Yugi nodded.
“How long?”
“Um…Battle City?”
Grandpa Muto’s eyes flew wide. “That was ages ago! You mean to tell me you’ve been in love all this time and you didn’t tell me?”
Yugi held out his hands entreatingly. “I didn’t tell anyone! Really, Grandpa, what would you have said if I came to you while I was still in high school and told you that I fell in love with Yami, even though he was just a spirit inside the Puzzle?”
“Hm. Good point.” Solomon stroked his bristly moustache thoughtfully. “It is a bit strange, but…considering what this world can be like, maybe it’s for the best. I can think of much worse you could be involved in, going looking for love.” He closed his eyes, growing solemn again. “I always knew there would come a time when you needed to go your way, and step out into the world, where I wouldn’t be able to protect you any longer. Such is life; I knew it when I watched my son grow up and get married, and I knew I would have to do it all over again when you got to be this age. I can’t keep you from going out and experiencing life any longer. These are your choices to make, Yugi, your happiness to find. I think I will feel much better about you being with Yami than with any other strange men – or women – you could meet who might break your heart.”
A true smile finally found its way onto Yugi’s face. “You’re really not upset?”
Grandpa grinned back. “I’m really not upset. I think my heart’s finally calmed down from the initial shock,” he added with a wry look.
“Sorry about that,” Yugi stammered, blushing. “I didn’t know you were coming up.”
“I thought I heard the door. I closed down for the lunch hour, I thought I would come eat with you, but it looks like we’ve taken up most of that time.”
“I’m sorry,” Yami added, stepping cautiously over to join them. “That would be our fault.”
“No, no, don’t even think of it.” Grandpa pushed himself out of the chair and just patted Yugi on the shoulder, though he glanced at the pharaoh as he came to them. “I dare say it’s about time you told me. You two don’t have to hide from me any longer. If you want to have a little kiss, don’t think you’re offending me.” He gave Yugi a warning look. “Discretion, however, is a good thing.”
“Don’t worry Grandpa,” Yugi hurriedly said, “we won’t make out in front of you. That’s for in private. Um…” He clasped his hands behind his back and looked nervously away. “…you do understand that this means I…I’m not a virgin anymore.”
Grandpa’s expression did not change, though the exact sentiment was unreadable. “I figured it would be so, by the time you got to be this age,” he said heavily.
“Yami was my first,” Yugi blurted out. “The first time he came out of the Puzzle. He’s my only.”
Grandpa Muto looked from him to the pharaoh, who held his gaze maturely and just nodded in confirmation. “Ah,” Grandpa said. “Well, that’s not so bad. I suppose that explains the ritual to give you a body being so important.”
“We do take advantage of it,” Yami demurely admitted. “However, our relationship is not merely physical. The physical is rather secondary. Our love runs as deep as our souls, and we would love each other just as much if we could no longer conduct the ritual and had to go back to our spiritual connection.”
Solomon pondered his explanation and nodded after a moment. “Then, I approve…so long as you look after my boy. Be good to him, and don’t let anything happen to him.”
“I will,” the pharaoh vowed, letting his arm wrap protectively around Yugi’s waist. “Yugi is my soulmate. Considering all the pain I cause him simply by being part of his life, I feel it is my responsibility to care for him…to cherish him for as long as I exist.” The two shared a glance and a smile, warm and loving.
Grandpa took a deep breath and let it out slowly, so that he could feel able to smile again. The light of joy and love in Yugi’s eyes was unmistakable, he didn’t know how he could have overlooked it for so long. The way the pair gazed at each other, he knew they meant what they said. “That sounds like a promise I can live with.”
Yugi sighed with obvious relief. “I’m so stupid,” he lamented. “I can’t believe how scared I was that you wouldn’t understand. I should have known better.”
“Oh, Yugi…” The elder Muto shook his head. “Given the state of the world today, I’m not surprised.” He patted his grandson on the shoulder again. “You can stop worrying about me now. I like Yami. He’s a good companion for you. And, I guess I can trust him with the other part, if I must.” He fixed the youth with a rather grandfatherly eye. “You’re being safe, right? Or do we have to have that talk, too?”
“Um…” Yugi glanced away again. “Well, considering Yami’s body is brand new every time we perform the ritual, and I haven’t ever been with anyone else…”
It took a moment for the thought to cross Solomon’s mind, and when it did, he quickly waved a hand as if to banish any mental images. “Yes, I see your point,” he said hastily. “Well, as long as you know about it, and have talked about it. Just be careful, is all.”
Yugi grinned, and squirmed happily as he felt Yami’s arm around him tighten to bring him into a closer embrace. “We are,” he promised. “Always. We’ll be good though, Grandpa.” He blushed all over again. “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. We’ll behave ourselves.”
“Very well, then.” Out of instinct Grandpa checked his watch, and then clapped a hand to his head in exasperation. “So much for my lunch hour. I’ll just have to grab something quick, for now.” He eyed them both briefly. “Do you have any plans for the rest of the day?”
Yugi shook his head no. “Joey has to work and Tristan can’t come over. It’s just us.”
“Well. You two can do as you like, as long as you do me one favor.” He eyed Yugi sternly. “Dinner, the three of us. As a family.”
Yugi nodded enthusiastically. Yami stood aside looking contrite and amazed, and a little embarrassed. “Sure,” Yugi agreed. “I’ll cook, I’ll make a huge dinner and we can all be together.”
Grandpa turned to pass through the kitchen before going back down to the shop, but as he did, he remembered one other thing. “Did you get my magazines?”
Yugi presented him with the bag that had been on the table. Grandpa Muto rifled through the contents, his eyes lighting up. “Oo, you got one with Yoko Ishida on the cover,” he cooed. “Good choice, my boy.” He disappeared into the kitchen, and Yugi and Yami were still just standing there giving each other goofy smiles when he passed back through, taking the popular magazine along with his lunch back downstairs to the game shop.
**author’s note: I would like to thank the doujinka who draws Cross Soul Y/Y doujinshi, from which I took the sex scene at the beginning of the chapter – and GreenFire for getting CS4 for me for my birthday. Bestest birthday present EVAR!