Adult-FanFiction.org : Yu-Gi-OH

A Christmas to Remember	By : tavia454 Category: Yu-Gi-Oh > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 2395 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own YGO - or anything else (nor do I make any money off this) but the plot - and even that's questionable at times

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
It looks like I might finish this fic before Christmas after all.
Maybe...anyways a big thank you to Sabina-san for betaing this one
and here we go with the second chap. Come on guys, I need some cliché
here! Let me know if you have a suggestion on how to get our boys
together. Enjoy!

~ o ~
O ~ o ~

Anzu shot a conspiratorial grin in Jounouchi's direction the moment
they walked through the door to morning homeroom, spotting both Yugi
and Atemu sitting quietly at their desks before the bell rang. Jou
winked at her, returning the grin as he slid into a seat behind Yugi,
ruffling the smaller teen's hair as he did so, and receiving a book
to the forehead from his flustered friend for his teasing. The two
finally calmed, shooting each other a playful grin as Anzu looked on
from her seat behind and to the right of Atemu.

While it was true that they didn't have much of a plan, what they did
have was better than nothing. There was only two weeks left until
Christmas. Two weeks in which to accomplish their mission. And come
hell or high water they were going to get it done.

“Oh Atemu, I have something for you.” Miho intoned as she
entered the classroom just moments before the ringing of the final
bell. She shot a regretful grin towards the substitute teacher and
casually dropped a note on Atemu's desk, giving a lingering touch to
his shoulder as she wandered past to take her own seat next to Anzu,
immediately fishing in her backpack for her books.

Atemu froze solid at the unexpected contact, and Yugi quickly turned
to face the front of the room. Due to Yugi's place in the seating
arrangement none of them saw the tightening of the smaller
duplicate's features as he watched the exchange. He slumped down in
his seat, missing Atemu's astonished expression and the glares that
both Jou and Anzu aimed at Miho's bent head. Chewing on his bottom
lip he lowered his head to hide his eyes.

Yugi heaved a disappointed sigh, wiping an unexpected spot of
moisture from his eyes, after witnessing the scene. He had known it
was only a matter of time before one of Atemu's fan club acted on
their desires. In truth he was surprised that not only did it take
one of them this long to act, but that it was the new girl who had
done it. He remembered Miho from the lower grades. She had always had
a kind smile for him whenever their paths had crossed, and he
couldn't blame her for her crush.

His darker half just had a way with people, and they tended to
gravitate towards his commanding presence like hungry moths to an
enticing flame. He didn't begrudge his other that, though, if
anything he had always been in awe of Atemu's ability to influence
others with only a look or a word. It was something he had never been
able to do. He hated crowds, and he couldn't speak in public to save
his life – as evidenced during Kaiba's last tournament when
the insistent crowd had wanted a couple of words from him.

But damn it, he wanted Atemu to belong to him.

Atemu, oblivious to his lighter half's thoughts, cautiously poked at
the note on his desk, not quite knowing what to do with it. Well, he
knew he was supposed to open it, but if he did that then he would
have to acknowledge the blonde girl's infatuation with him. And that
was something that he desperately wanted to avoid. He had always
gone out of his way to let others know that he was unavailable even
if he was single. Doing it that way cut off the need for unnecessary
and embarrassing scenes.

But this new girl, friend of Anzu's or not, didn't seem to take the
hints that he had been dropping. Not a one of them. Hell, he had even
gone so far as to allow himself to be seen gazing at Yugi the week
before, despite the fact that Anzu or one of the others could have
caught him. Of course he had taken the precaution of making sure that
Anzu's attention was elsewhere (like buried in the doujinshi that he
knew she always carried around with her) before he leaned up against
the wall and let his mind wander, undressing his little one with his
eyes as he allowed the fantasy of their love to take hold of him.

It was a risk, for he knew that one of their friends would definitely
mention his infatuation to Yugi had they witnessed it. But thankfully
no one had noticed. Unfortunately for him, though, the persistent
blonde girl didn't seem to get the hint that his eyes were for one
person and one person only.

Finally, with a sigh and a prayer, Atemu opened the note. It was as
he expected. The words meet me after school were written in an
elegant cursive across the paper. He glared impotently at his desk,
ignoring the substitute's lame attempts to start the morning lecture.
He just had this sinking feeling that this was not going to end well.
Quickly he jotted a lame excuse not to attend the meeting and punted
it back towards the girl in question. Then he turned back in his seat
to study his Aibou's withdrawn form.

What was wrong with Yugi this morning?

~ o ~
O ~ o ~

“So what do we do now?” Anzu questioned her new partner
in crime as they beat a hasty retreat from their homeroom. The group
all had different classes in the next hour and there would be no time
for planning for this unexpected dilemma. Miho's persistence was
going to end up screwing something up. She just knew it.

Jou paused mid-step to look her in the eye. “We...aw fuck it
all, I didn't expect this! I remember Miho's crush on Honda in middle
school, she was relentless. Atemu don't stand a chance.”

“Yeah, but Honda returned her feelings.” Anzu replied as
they resumed their quick pace. “So it was mutual. Atemu's
crushin' on Yugi, so she's the one who doesn't stand a chance. Damn,
I thought that I had given her enough warning on Friday when she
tried to get him alone between classes.”

“We'll figure it out, don't worry about it.” Jou patted
her on the back sympathetically. “This's my stop, I'll see ya
later.”

Anzu gave a half-hearted wave as he disappeared into the classroom,
clutching her books to her chest as she contemplated confronting
Atemu on his infatuation. She had him in this next class, and she
could talk to him without anyone eavesdropping when they partnered up
for lab. But she had this feeling that if she attempted to pry into
his private affairs that she would only be told off for her troubles.
For all that Atemu was willing to listen to others' problems the
former Pharaoh was very protective over his own privacy.

But, as it turned out, he was the one to start the discussion. For,
once the practical lab had started, he leaned over and whispered. “Do
you have any idea what is bothering Aibou?”

Startled Anzu gazed back at him. “Uh...I don't know. What makes
you think something's – ?” Oh no! She had blanked out.
Anzu cringed at her oversight in the face of those glorious rubies,
forgetting what she had wanted to say. Atemu really was a beautiful
person, the type that it was hard to think around when his attention
was directed solely at her. Yugi had much the same presence, only it
was tempered with a gentle smile – and for some reason that
made all the difference in the world.

“Just an intuition.” Atemu shrugged, rolling his
shoulders in a dispirited manner. “Aibou has been
rather...distracted lately. And quiet. I had thought he was sick
yesterday, but I am now convinced that there is something else going
on. He does not talk to me any more, not like he used to...”

“Oh Atemu.” Anzu patted his arm. “I'm sure he
doesn't mean to exclude you...but you're right, he has been rather
quiet lately...and shy. A lot like he used to be around me...before
you came around.” There, that was a small hint. Maybe he would
take it.

Atemu digested her answer for a moment. And then he sighed, a
whimsical smile crossing his features briefly. “Has he said
anything to you? Anything at all? I do not wish to pry, but his
recent behavior concerns me.”

Anzu could have rolled her eyes. Obtuse male. She loved Atemu but
sometimes he could be so clueless it wasn't even funny. She almost
wondered if it was deliberate, this naiveté when it came to
matters of the heart, for in all other areas he was as sharp as a
tack.

There were so many days when she wondered how the former spirit
managed to keep up the appearance of being just another ordinary
teenager making his way through school. His intelligence was through
the roof, as evidenced in his high test scores, and he spoke in a
much more formal tone than most of her peers, which always set him
slightly apart from whatever group he was in. But apparently, beneath
that perceptive, inquisitive intellect he was nothing more than a
stubborn, naive teen, hoping that someone cared enough to help him
with his troubles.

She leaned back in to whisper. “Atemu...I have a question for
you. And please don't take it the wrong way. I don't mean to pry, and
I don't want you to get mad at me.”

He nodded warily, his gaze narrowing. “What is it you wish to
ask?”

“I think I know what's wrong with Yugi...I think, mind you, but
I want to know this first before I let you in on this.” She
responded hesitantly. “What do you think of Yugi? As in, maybe
more than a friend.”

Atemu reared back, a look of complete dread overtaking normally
placid his features, reinforcing her beliefs that he was indeed
crushing on their smaller friend. He looked like a cornered wildcat
as he shook himself out of his shock and puffed up, straightening his
posture as he attempted to subdue her with a veiled look. “What
are you talking about?”

Gotcha! She only cradled her chin in her hands, the picture of
innocence in the face of his outrage. “It was just a question
Atemu, before I gave away anything about what's happing with Yugi I
wanted to know what you thought of him. But now I want to know what
you're hiding, cause you're definitely hiding something. Spill it.”

“I...uh...” Caught out, Atemu vaguely resembled a deer in
the headlights and Anzu waited patiently for him to realize that
there was no way she was letting him out of this one. She examined
the cuticles of her nails calmly as she waited for him to come out
with it.

But, fortunately for Atemu, the teacher decided to use their table as
an example for the rest of the class to follow, and in doing so
hovered over them for the rest of the period as they quietly
completed their work. By the time Anzu left class Atemu was nowhere
to be seen and she was fuming. She had him. She had him, and over
such a stupid little question too. He must have been so concerned
over Yugi's welfare that he had unknowingly let her lead him into
that trap.

Anzu glared death at the students that jostled her around in the
crowded hall as she searched out her friends for the next class. She
had Yugi in this one, maybe she could get him to admit to his
crush. Or at least to listen if she mentioned Atemu's crush on him.
Something had to work right? Right?

As she peered around the packed hallway she happened to spot her
smaller friend having troubles reaching something at the top of his
locker, fumbling as he slipped off the edge of the locker and nearly
fell. Her heart melted at the sight. No matter how much he had grown
up in the past year or so he would always be her game-boy, her Yugi.
And she hoped that never changed.

And then her smile morphed into a cunning, wicked grin as she watched
Atemu approach Yugi from out of the corner of her eye. She noticed
that the former spirit had made a bee-line straight for Yugi's
locker, nearly pinning the boy against it as he used his extra inch
or so of height to snatch at whatever it was at the top of the
locker. It was the perfect chance that she hadn't asked for, but she
was not going to waste it wondering who was looking down on them and
deciding in her favor. She made tracks for the other side of the
hall, her intentions glowing in her eyes.

“Oh hey, Other Me...didn't see you there.” Yugi jumped as
Atemu came up behind him suddenly, poking him in the side to catch
his attention.

Atemu tilted his head to the side, eyeing Yugi intently as the other
ducked his head. “What are you trying to do, Aibou? Is there
something up there you need?”

“Yeah.” Yugi pointed at the top of the locker with a
self-depreciating smirk. “I think Jou threw our Lit book up at
the top and I can't reach it.”

“Allow me.” Atemu reached past Yugi, pinning him against
the side of the locker with his body as he fumbled for the tiny
pamphlet that served as their English Lit book for the end of the
semester.

He stretched a little further on his toes, almost leaning against
Yugi, their noses only centimeters apart and his other hand came out
to brace against the wall beside the locker as he tried to keep his
balance while he groped for the book. So close, he could feel the
smaller teen's breath against his neck. Beautiful little Aibou,
he thought. If only –

But then something tumbled into him from behind and sent the two of
them crashing the rest of the way into each other. The group of them
– unknown person included – fell to a pile on the
floor, with Atemu lying in between Yugi's legs, so close that he
could feel the pounding of the boy's heart against his ribcage. He
looked up, only to drown in the glorious color of amethyst, as his
and Yugi's eyes collided. The smaller teen's lips were parted
seductively and for a moment Atemu leaned in, unable to help himself.
Just one taste –

“Oh Anzu! Are you okay? Atemu?” A high pitched voice from
across the room startled Atemu back into reality.

With a sheepish blush he glanced back down at Yugi, just barely
catching sight of the disappointed look that flitted across his face.
Wait...disappointed? He took another peek only to find that Yugi had
closed his eyes. Perhaps it was only his wishful thinking. Damn. What
was he thinking?!

“Are you alright, Aibou?” Atemu asked as he managed to
untangle himself from the pliant body beneath him, pulling them both
off the floor as he scrutinized the smaller teen's disheveled
appearance.

Yugi shook himself out of his daze. “Uh...yeah, I'm good. You?”
Was he...did his darkness almost...? He shook his head again to clear
the image of Atemu looking as though he was going to kiss him. Nah,
there was no way. But, oh, how he wished that he had been right.

A pained groan came from behind the duo and they both glanced over to
find Anzu picking herself up off the ground. “Oh! I'm so sorry
guys!” She exclaimed, fingering the broken heel of her new
shoe. Damn, she hadn't meant for that to happen. “That guy just
ran into me!”

“Anzu! Are you okay?” Yugi exclaimed, rushing to her
side.

Atemu's eyes narrowed on their friend, but he found no hint of guilt
within her sorrowful gaze, so his glare wandered to the evidence she
presented. Satisfied there was no malice involved he held a hand out
to her. “Are you alright, Anzu?”

She stood with their help and pulled off her remaining shoe.
“Yeah...I'm fine. Stupid people and their need to run through
the halls.” She grouched, but she found no more time to say
anything as Miho had somehow managed to cross the hall at break-neck
speed in dangerously high stilettos. The blonde skidded to a stop
directly in front of the trio of now worse-for-wear teens and
proceeded to look Atemu over for injuries.

“Are you okay?” The concerned blonde questioned again,
eyeing the three of them, or two of them really – Yugi's
presence all but forgotten in her excitement, as he shied away from
her wild-eyed look.

“We are fine, Miho, thank you for asking.” Atemu gave a
snort, turning away to focus on his lighter side.

Yugi had moved away from the group once Miho started giving his
darkness the eyes. But his darker half had no intentions of letting
him go without checking him over very thoroughly for any sort of
injury. He managed to hold still briefly as the larger teen ran a
gentle hand over his shoulders and down his sides, watching him
intently for any indication of pain.

During the process Yugi's eyes darted to Miho. It was painfully
obvious to him that Anzu's friend was becoming impatient with Atemu's
inattentiveness and without saying a word he backed away once the
other began to relieve his pants of the dirt that they had
accumulated, only for Atemu to shoot him a sidelong glance.

“I'm fine...really.” He murmured, catching his darkness's
hands in his. “Uh...I got to go, see you later.” And with
that he tore off down the hall.

Atemu watched his smaller copy's slender figure disappear around the
corner before his worried gaze cast to the floor and he began to
gather the books that had been strewn around the locker in the melee.
Why was it everything that he did turned out wrong?

“Atemu? You alright?” Miho asked again, apparently not
understanding the handsome teen's distraction. “I was wondering
if you – ”

Anzu's shoulders slumped as she tuned out the blonde's irritating
voice. That so did not work out as she had planned. Maybe she was
wrong in thinking that the higher powers were on her side. If only
that stupid idiot hadn't run into her just as she had reached them.
She had only meant to nudge them into a cozier position, not to knock
them both to the floor.

She surmised that she wouldn't get another chance like that. Atemu
had already let her know with his earlier look that he suspected her
involvement with their mishap. But she had been so close to
accomplishing her goal that maybe it was worth risking Atemu's anger
to try it again. Yugi's imminent danger always seemed to bring out
his darker half's protective instincts. She just didn't want to be on
the wrong side of those instincts if something went wrong.

By the time Anzu finally shook herself out of her funk both Atemu and
Miho had both disappeared, most likely to their next class, and she
was left to sort out her disarrayed clothing and follow with a limp.
As she slowly made her way to class she wondered if Atemu had ever
actually given an answer to Miho's question, whatever it was that the
blonde had asked. She hadn't heard him comment at all.

~ o ~
O ~ o ~

By the end of the week both Anzu and Jounouchi were at their wit's
end as to how to get their two friends together. Nothing that they
came up with had worked out. Jou had attempted to lock the two of
them in an upstairs bathroom – only to have his prank cut
short by a passing janitor. Anzu had caused numerous mishaps while in
their company, only to gain Atemu's ire at her sudden clumsiness,
and, for some reason, Yugi seemed to grow quieter and quieter with
each attempt they made. It was a discouraging endeavor, that was for
sure.

And Miho was only making things worse. Anzu could have sworn that the
blonde knew what they were attempting to do and was out to foil their
plans with a flair that only she was capable of.

Out of the corner of her eye Anzu watched Yugi as he worked
diligently on his history assignment. The petite teen looked so
fragile right now, as though he would break if someone so much as
breathed on him, and she wondered at the gravity of his thoughts.
After a few moments of quietly watching him gnaw at his bottom lip
she got up from her desk and crossed the room. Thankfully this was
their study period and quiet talking was allowed in the library.
There would be no trouble in her asking after him.

“What are you thinking about?” She questioned quietly as
she sat down on one of the vacant seats next to Yugi. She reached out
to smooth a wayward piece of hair out of his face, only to have him
flinch awkwardly at her actions. He had never done that before.
Flustered, she drew her hand back. “Yugi...are you okay?”

Yugi sat back in his seat, eyeing Anzu intently. He wanted so badly
to share his secret with somebody. Anybody who would listen.
Apparently keeping this secret to himself was causing such a
distraction that he wasn't even able to walk a straight line anymore
without someone having to hold his hand. He hated being coddled and
made to feel like a child who couldn't do anything without a guiding
hand. But more often than not, of late, he was that
uncoordinated child.

He couldn't do anything right lately. Not just at school, which was
where most of the incidents occurred, but at home as well. Last night
he had broken yet another dish, and this time managed to cut his hand
on one of the shards, which sent Atemu into a fit of
over-protectiveness, and his grandfather into a bout of concern over
his health. He would be lucky if, between the two of them, they
didn't wrap him up in bubble-wrap and cart him off to a padded room
before the weekend was over.

He wanted his other half to see him as a mature – if not cool
and collected – individual. Someone whom the gorgeous teen
was capable of falling for. But so far all he had done lately is
reinforce the former spirit's notion that he was unable to care for
himself. God, this past week sucked! Somehow he had managed to get
them both locked in a bathroom, tripped over air so many times he
lost count – a couple of times even causing Atemu to fall
with him – and broken no less than four objects that were of
questionable fragility. What was he doing wrong?!

Anzu watched as Yugi opened his mouth a couple of times to say
something, but in the end the smaller teen closed up tighter than a
clam, finally heaving a sigh as he pinned her with a solemn gaze. He
looked heartbroken. What was he so anxious about? Did she really
screw up that badly? “Yugi...?”

“I...” He glanced around uncertainly, before whispering.
“Anzu...you can't say anything to anyone, please. Promise me
that, would you?”

“Sure Yugi, I promise.” She assured him as she leaned in
to hear what he had to say. “What's wrong?”

Yugi folded his arms across the desk, laying his head on them to
whisper. “I can't keep this any longer...its affecting my...oh
man, I'm such a klutz right now...I just can't concentrate when he's
around! I can't walk, or talk apparently...I'm such an idiot! Why
can't I do anything right when he's around me?!”

Settling in closer to listen Anzu leaned her head on her arm over the
side of the chair. “Who Yugi? Is it Atemu?”

For a moment Yugi stared at her, slack-jawed, and then he buried his
head in his arms and Anzu just barely made out his affirmative
answer. Hesitating for a moment she finally reached out to lay a
gentle hand on his arm, drawing him out of his protective shell. “Oh
Yugi, I'm so sorry. I haven't been much of a help have I?”

That caught his attention, his head came up, amethyst eyes pinning
her in her seat with a questioning look. “Huh? What are you
talking about, Anzu?”

Anzu plucked at the fuzz on the side of the chair, feeling extremely
guilty. Her smaller friend had no idea that she and Jou had been
trying to help get him together with his crush. It nearly broke her
heart to think that he had been berating himself over mistakes that
she and Jou had made. And, as she stared back into vulnerable
amethyst eyes, she came to the realization that that was exactly what
he had been doing.

“Oh Yugi...I'm sorry...I've been trying to find ways to put you
guys in a position where you would have no choice but to acknowledge
your feelings for each other. And yet somehow, every time I think I
have it right something comes along and ruins it.” She
murmured, shamefaced. “Jou's been trying to help too...we're
just...I guess we suck at it. Sorry.”

“It was you guys...?” Yugi gave an anguished look before
turning his eyes away. “But I thought it was...” He
trailed off into silence, staring out the window, his thoughts miles
away.

“Yugi?” She prodded after a couple of minutes of silence.

“Oh god Anzu...” Yugi blushed bright red, dropping his
face into his hands. “All this time I thought it was me...I
mean...oh man, last night was so bad...”

Anzu set a comforting hand on his shoulder. “What happened?”
When he clammed up again, preferring to bury his glowing face in his
hands she coaxed him gently. “Come on Yugi, sometimes it helps
to talk about it. You can't keep it bottled up forever.”

Finally, after a moment's consideration Yugi turned to face the wall,
hiding his head with the palm of his hand, and he began to whisper
softly so as not to attract the attention of any of the other
students in the library. “I've been such a klutz lately, Anzu.
You know this...apparently...and its been getting worse. But last
night...last night...after nearly tripping down the stairs...I wanted
something to eat...I-I had it in my hand but I sneezed...and I
dropped one of Grandpa's plates...second one this week...and when I
went to pick it up...”

He held up his bandaged hand for her inspection, which she had seen
earlier, but not commented on since she knew how he got about her
tendency to mother him. “I sliced myself open pretty good.
Grandpa wanted me to get stitches...yeah, I don't think so...”

“Oh Yugi!” Anzu commiserated with her friend's
misfortune. Part of this was her fault, and she knew it. Yugi had
never had the greatest opinion of himself and her haphazard plans
only seemed to reinforce it. Sort of a self-fulfilling prophecy. She
hung her head in shame. “I'm so sorry, Yugi. I never meant for
that to happen. I should have thought...about how this would affect
you...”

He glanced up at her in shock. “No!” And then he lowered
his voice. “No. It's not your fault...my own stupidity...again.
You don't even want to know what I did to get out of that one...but
that's not the worst part!” His face flushed as he admitted the
last part.

She leaned in, listening intently. “Go on...what happened?”

Yugi lowered his gaze, fidgeting with his bandaged hand, embarrassed
to the core. “Well...Atemu already thinks I'm coming down with
something...I sneezed again while they were trying to clean up the
mess I made...a-and Grandpa...oh man...he chased me around the house
with that nasty cough syrup...that stuff that smells like decomposing
corpse – and tastes even worse! That...that stuff is
disgusting!” He made a face, showing exactly what he thought of
his grandfather's favorite cure-all.

Anzu couldn't help it, she burst out laughing when he confided his
disaster of the night before. Just the sight of him wrinkling his
nose up like a rabbit almost had her in tears. “Oh
Yugi...s-sorry...i-it's just...oh! Are you okay?!”

Yugi shot her a mock glare, sinking lower into his seat in
mortification, arms folded over his chest. “Yeah, yeah, laugh
it up...hahaha.”

“S-sorry, sorry...” She wiped the tears away from her
face. “Oh man...sounds like you had one of those nights!”

Yugi nodded, nibbling on his bottom lip, his gaze unfocused as he
stared out the window. “Yeah...and what's worse is the
Other...Atemu...I just can't believe he was the one who held me down
so that Grandpa could make me take it! And...he kept trying to take
my temperature, so I spent a good part of the night chewing on a
thermometer, ugh...and when it kept reading normal he'd get all
irritated and want to try again...” His voice lowered. “Neither
one of them trusts me to walk out the door without an escort...it's
humiliating...I'm so glad that stuff makes you pass out or I'd
have...I don't know...he pissed me off last night!”

“Hey...Yugi, look at me.” She commanded gently, tipping
his face up to meet with hers, realizing how frustrated her smaller
friend was by his agitated tone. “I'm sorry that we added to
your troubles...I really, really am. That wasn't what I was aiming
for. And there's nothing wrong with you – other than the fact
that you're in the middle of a growth spurt. Which I'm surprised that
no one's noticed yet, cause I can tell just from the way you keep
tugging on your clothes.”

“Huh?” He blinked at her, definitely not expecting that
answer.

Shaking her head Anzu gave him a wide smile. “You mean you
haven't noticed either?”

He shrugged offhandedly, his mood still foul. “Uh...just that
my clothes are a little tight. I thought it had something to do with
Grandpa changing detergent...”

Anzu let loose with a giggle. “No silly, even Jou remarked on
it the other day, how much you've grown.” Her eyes widened as a
plan came to her. This would be so much easier to accomplish now that
Yugi understood her intentions. To hell with Atemu, he'd just have to
wait and watch. She giggled inwardly as she imagined the stoic former
Pharaoh's reaction to their plans. “Hey Yugi, I want you to
come shopping with me. You, me and Jou. Tonight. I'll explain then.”

“Are you going to knock me down the escalator, toss me over the
balcony...run me over with a shopping cart?” He gave her a
suspicious look. “Not that I need any help with that
lately...but are you?”

Grinning back at her oldest friend Anzu gave a playful roll of her
eyes. “No silly, we're going to help you catch a Pharaoh...or
former Pharaoh anyways. If you still want him after last night...”

Yugi's face lit up in a fiery blush and he almost gagged on his
surprise. “W-what do you mean?”

“Oh Yugi, can't you see that he's in love with you?” She
questioned. At his dubious look she sighed. “Its so
obvious...Even I can tell he loves you. I don't think he'd do half of
the stuff he's doing if he didn't. He's just worried and being his
over-protective self. I don't think he knows any other way to act. Do
you understand what I'm saying?”

“Ah...yeah...about that...” Yugi grimaced, not sure if he
dared hope that his friend was right. The heart-break would be too
much if she was wrong. “I don't know...he's...All I can say is
the Other Me and I aren't exactly talking right now...not after last
night. And what about Miho? Isn't she sweet on him too?”

“Oh please.” Anzu gave a light glare. “He's not
even remotely interested in her. Don't you worry about Miho, Yugi.
Atemu belongs to you. He always has.”

With that miscommunication behind them the two friends spent the
latter part of the hour planning their trip to the mall. The idea was
to draw Atemu's interest by enhancing Yugi's wardrobe, and hopefully
along with it his self-confidence. At some point and time during the
conversation Yugi accused her of being girly, and she retaliated by
accusing him of being an emo pretty-boy. To which they both burst out
into laughter that had nearly gotten them expelled from the library
for being obnoxious. Shortly after that the smaller teen began to
lose some of his tenseness, the two teens settling back into the
typical style of banter that had, at one time, come so naturally to
them.

After the last class Anzu walked Yugi to his locker, hanging out,
leaned against the wall to watch as he shoved his books quickly into
his backpack, not wanting to risk running into Atemu while he was
still upset with him. But no sooner than he had finished stuffing the
last of his weekend work into his pack, and the one person he least
wanted to see came right up behind them. Anzu backed away when her
smaller friend began to tense up, sensing that this was not something
she wanted to be in the middle of.

“Aibou...?” Atemu cleared his throat uncomfortably,
knowing that there was more than the slightest chance that his little
one was still irritated at him for his arrogant stunt the night
before.

Yugi jumped at the sound of his name, turning to lean up against his
locker, well out of the other's reach, his over-filled pack clutched
protectively over his chest. “Yeah, Atemu? What do you need?”

The smaller of the two watched as his darker half visibly flinched at
the sound of his name. The former Pharaoh looked the very picture of
guilt with his eyes downcast, his books clasped tightly in front of
his chest as though they would shield him from his lighter half's
anger. Yugi felt bad for being so upset with the darker teen. But he
was angry. Very angry.

“I...ah, I am sorry, Aibou.” Atemu's shoulders slumped,
his defeated posture tugging at Yugi's heartstrings. “I was
worried about...but, ah, I had no right to act as I did last night.”

“I...I...” Yugi dropped his gaze, unable to think of any
way to get out of the position that his other half had put him in
with that sincere apology. He had been working the entire day to
finally get up enough nerve to take his darkness to task for his
control issues. Finally, seeing no other recourse, he heaved a sigh,
shrugging halfheartedly. “It's okay...whatever, Other Me...”

Atemu's startled gaze shot to his and he took a step forward, cupping
Yugi's face gently in his hand. He searched his smaller duplicate's
wide-eyed expression momentarily before brushing the hair out of his
eyes. “It is only an apology, Aibou...my admission of the wrong
that I have done you. You do not have to accept it yet if you are
still upset with me.”

Yugi blinked questioningly at his other half. And after a couple of
minutes he finally spoke. “I see..do you...uh...mind if I stay
angry with you for a little longer, Other Me? That was a truly rotten
trick you pulled last night...I'm not a child...I don't appreciate
being treated like one.”

Atemu nodded, cringing, as he recalled his high-handed conduct of the
night before. He was truly lucky that his partner was even speaking
to him right now – even if it was just to tell him of his
anger. “I understand, Aibou. I shall leave you be for the
moment. I just wanted to apologize...”

Before the former Pharaoh could step away Yugi drew him into a tight
embrace, laying his head on his shoulder apologetically. He couldn't
stay angry with his other half, no matter what he did. But it
wouldn't hurt for Atemu to think that he could. “If you could
tell Grandpa that I'm going to be a little late tonight I'd
appreciate it.”

Wrapping his arms around the slender body of his other half, Atemu
gave off a serene grin the likes that only Yugi was ever able to coax
from him. “I would gladly do this for you, Aibou. Is it
anything that you need me for?”

Yugi pulled away, shaking his head. “N-no...I'm good. Just
going to hang out with Anzu and Jou for a while tonight.”

“Just try not to make it too late without calling to let him
know where you are.” Atemu warned, tapping him on the nose, and
reveling in the blush that it brought to his other's beautiful
features. “Your grandfather will be after both of our hides.”

“I won't...” Yugi grinned, playfully poking the former
Pharaoh in the ribs. “And thank you...for understanding...”

At that moment, fearing that they would have an unwanted tag-along,
Anzu snatched Yugi's arm and started to drag him away, her own face
burning with newly imagined fantasies of the two of them together.
“Don't worry Atemu, we won't keep him too long. We'll see you
later.” Than she turned to Yugi. “Come on, Game-boy, lets
go find Jou before he hitches a ride with Seto.”

~ o ~
O ~ o ~

Several hours, and many outfits later, Yugi walked out of the
dressing room in a pair of hip hugging black jeans that clung to his
every curve, flaring out at the bottom, a tight, blood red
under-armor shirt hugging his chest. “Well, what do you think?”
He asked as he appraised his form in the three-way mirror.

Jou put his finger to his lips, eyeing his smaller friend closely.
“Turn around Yug...I want to see what this outfit does for
you.”

“O-kay...” Yugi raised an eyebrow, but he began to spin
as requested, hoping that he could escape back to the dressing room
before too long. This outfit, as sexy as it made him feel, was so
much more his darkness's style than his. He preferred slightly looser
clothing than what he was currently wearing. The low-waisted jeans
felt like they were creeping up in places that he'd rather they not,
and the shirt refused to meet with the waistband of the pants,
leaving a wide gap of pale skin – which he was wholly
unaccustomed to showing.

“Stop right there.” Jou commanded, just as Anzu came in
from the floor, holding yet another outfit for Yugi to try on. He
turned to Anzu with a grin. “Whaddya think?”

Anzu gave Yugi a critical once over, noting the way that the jeans
seemed to hug his slender backside like a second skin. She could feel
her face heat up as Jou waited patiently for her answer. Her little
Yugi was turning into a total heartthrob, with the sexiest figure she
had ever seen on a guy. “I think they're perfect.” And
unable to help herself she blurted out. “You've really got the
cutest butt, Yugi...” Then she turned to Jou with a mortified
look. “Oh god...I did not just say that?!”

“Anzu!!” Yugi spun around, eyes wide, his hands covering
his backside as his face burned at his oldest friend's unexpected
comment.

“Oh yeah, you so did, Anzu.” Jou gave a mirthful snicker,
as Anzu tossed another pair of jeans – these ones in a
brilliant shade of white – at Yugi's chest before burying her
flushed face in her hands. Jou continued laughing at her plight.
“Yeah, I think so too. Yug, you wear these around Atemu and the
only thing he's going to be thinking of is how much he wants to be
buried inside that tight little ass...”

Yugi had buried his over-heated face in the pair of jeans that Anzu
had just supplied him with as he wailed. “Jou!!! Oh god...you
just had to...I wasn't even thinking...please...don't go there!”

Oh my god?! Did they both just...Were his friends checking out his
ass?! Yugi could feel the urge to let loose with a hysterical laugh
just bubbling over. He pressed his face tighter against the jeans,
afraid that if they saw his face right now they would only tease him
for his innocence. He was almost in tears he was laughing so hard.
Why did he get the feeling that they both figured him for the
submissive partner? Life wasn't fair, he decided abruptly.

But his blonde friend only gave a hearty laugh. “Yugi, get your
face out of those pants! You never know if someone's already tried
'em on and farted in 'em”

Astonished Yugi dropped the jeans that he had been holding, just as
Anzu let loose with an outraged screech. “Jounouchi!!”

And then the three of them fell out, Anzu clutching her stomach as
Yugi and Jou collapsed against the wall, their laughter bouncing
around the empty room and echoing back at them. It felt so good just
to let loose like that, kind of like things had been before all the
complications. After a few moments they stood there, catching their
breath, just grinning wildly at each other as they allowed their
racing hearts to calm.

Finally Anzu cleared her throat. “Come on, let's get out of
here and get some food. And you are so wearing that outfit Yugi.”
She grabbed a hold of their hands, after snatching up Yugi's school
clothes and a couple of other outfits that they had already agreed
on, and dragged them away from the discarded piles of clothing.
“We'll just pay for it on the way out.”

After making their purchases, and a stop off at the restrooms to take
the tags off of Yugi's newest outfit, the group found themselves at
the food court. Anzu and Jou were eyeing each other with glee as they
noticed the looks their smaller friend was gathering from the people
they passed. They each picked out their snacks and ventured to a
random table well away from the crowds of people milling around the
court. Jou ripped into a bag of chips with his teeth and immediately
popped one in his mouth, crunching loudly.

Anzu carefully laid out her plastic-ware, taking her time as she
glanced at Yugi from beneath a fringe of dark hair. She had not
missed the ecstatic look that had crossed his face when they had told
him how good he looked. Maybe that was where she and Jou had gone
wrong before. They had been unknowingly tearing down his confidence,
when he actually needed to be built up. Yugi had never been the most
self-assured person, always a little – or a lot – on
the shy, quiet side.

She snuck another glance as Yugi took a mouthful of burger. Perhaps
she should tell him of her feelings, not to make him feel guilty for
being unable to return them, but because he needed that little extra
boost. Hesitating, she took a bite of her Caesar salad, thinking this
new plan over. Her smaller friend still had a soft blush adorning his
features, it had never truly left after their announcement from
earlier. She toyed with the idea a little longer, debating on whether
or not it would cause him a guilt trip.

Finally she cleared her throat and looked up, catching both boys'
attention. “Hey Yugi...I've got something to say...but I don't
want you to take this the wrong way...”

Yugi set down his half-eaten burger, curious amethyst eyes locked
with hers. “Sure, what's up, Anzu?”

Even Jou had left his meal, with the exception of stealing a chip
every now and then. Anzu stared at them both for a moment, gathering
her nerve. “Well...you know how we've been friends
for...like...ever?” At their nods, she continued. “Well...I...I
just want to get this out in the open...I think you need to
know...I've had the biggest crush on you, Yugi...you and Atemu...I
always have.”

Yugi opened his mouth to comment, the blush glowing from the tips of
his ears and disappearing into the choker around his neck. But she
grabbed his hand, squeezing lightly as she held a fingertip to his
lips. “No...don't, Yugi...I know who you're in love with...and
I agree...Atemu's downright gorgeous...I just thought that you needed
to know that you are too...”

The smaller teen sat back in his chair, a mystified look overriding
the blush on his face. “Are you...? Really? Why didn't you ever
tell me?”

“Why don't you tell Atemu?” Anzu gave him a pointed look.

Yugi nodded quickly. “Good point. But – ”

“Stop, Yugi...and don't you dare guilt trip over this.”
She smiled gently. “I think the two of you are going to make
the greatest couple. You're both so sexy...and sweet...and you've
been such good friends to me...I want to help. Yugi...no matter what
you believe Atemu does love you. If only you could see the looks he
throws your way when he thinks you're not looking...you guys are
going to be so good together.”

Yugi's eyes narrowed and he gave her a glance that was worthy of his
darker half. “Uh...Anzu...does this...uh...need to help
us...have anything to do with that doujinshi that you always carry
around in your notebook?”

Jou, who had been silently watching the exchange until that point,
burst out into raucous laughter, drawing looks from some of the other
patrons. “Oh hell, that's rich, Yug! Betcha didn't know that he
knew that, huh Anzu?!”

“Oh quiet you!” Anzu's face felt like it had burst into
flames, she couldn't even look at her friends right now. “Let
me guess...Atemu knows about it too?”

Yugi sat back in his chair again. “I think he's known longer
than I have...Anzu, I know what you're doing...and I appreciate it, I
do, but you don't need to lie to me to make me feel better about
myself.”

She nearly jumped from her chair at that conclusion. “Oh no you
don't Yugi Mutou...you are not getting out of this one.” She
came to kneel before his seat, touching his hand softly. “You
are such a beautiful person...but you don't think very highly of
yourself...I always thought that if I were to tell you...that you
would go out with me just to please me – and I didn't want
that. God Yugi, if you only had even the slightest clue of how sexy
you are...and you really do have the cutest butt I've ever seen...”

“Anzu...” Yugi flushed again, completely embarrassed. He
could see from the look in her eyes that she was being completely
truthful with him. And at one time he might have gone for it, might
have asked her out. But his eyes were only for his darkness. He loved
Atemu more than life itself. Did he really have a chance?

“Anzu...I...” He began again, only to have her put a
fingertip to his lips.

“Yugi, I love you guys with all my heart...as long as you are
happy, I'll be happy, okay?” She gave another heartfelt smile.
“And I won't try and steal your first kiss or anything like
that.”

Both Yugi and Jou laughed out loud at that, before Yugi turned to her
with a grateful grin. “It wouldn't be my first kiss,
Anzu...that was Sakura in fifth grade...” And feeling a little
bold with this new information swimming around his head, Yugi leaned
in and brushed his lips across hers, feeling her twitch in his
embrace. It felt so good to know that someone somewhere thought that
he was worth loving. “Thank you, Anzu...”

She flushed violently, giving a quick peck to his lips in parting.
“You're welcome...you will always be my Game-boy...no matter
what, right?”

“Yeah...always...” He returned with a bright smile.

“Awww...” Jou cooed, breaking up the tender moment to
watch them both turn bright red. “So...what's this about
doujinshi, Anzu? You've been holding out, why?”

“Oh man, don't even go there, Jounouchi.” Anzu wagged a
finger in his face, returning to her uneaten salad as she kept an eye
on Yugi's glowing face. Her intuition had been correct. Yugi needed
to know of her crush. She could see a new confidence fairly glowing
in his eyes, making them even brighter than before. This would not be
an overnight change by any means, but at least her confession might
give him just the smallest boost, and that would, in turn, lead to
more positive thinking in terms of his own attractiveness.

“O-kay...now I have a question for the both of you...”
Yugi ducked his head. “Uh...am I correct in thinking that you
guys see me as the girl in this relationship...?”

~ o ~
O ~ o ~

Bit of a fic for you – small review for me? (chibi eyes)
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A Christmas to Remember