#yandere jonouchi

[deejadabbles]

Hello one question ...Can you imagine the gang as platonic yanders to one person?God, how many hugs!

oH MAN! This is a juicy one!

Yandere content below the cut, be advised

Honestly, the ygo gang would be kinda the ideal yandere family unit?

Anzu would be the mom friend, forcing you to eat right and take care of yourself (w a lot more force and canon Anzu, like, yan Anzu would probably put crushed up vitamins in your food and subtly manipulate you into eating better). Also never say anything deprecating about yourself around her, she'll bring you to heel and have you saying nicer things about yourself.

Jonouchi is sooooo overprotective, if anyone so much as looks at you funny he will grab them by the collar and tell them to fight him. Also, look out if you're smaller than him because he will throw you over his shoulder when he thinks there's a need for it.

Yugi is just as much a sweetheart as a platonic yandere as he is a "romantic" one. The only bad thing is he really wants you all to them, like he hates public outings more than once every few weeks because he doesn't like you paying attention to anyone but them. He basically locks you guys in the game shop during group hangouts.

On that same note, Yami/Atem is the one who spurs on everyone else's yandere tendencies to be even worse. He also ensures that you spend time with no one else but them, you guys hang out more and more until it's literally everyday. He's like the ringleader, man.

Honestly, Honda seems like your best bet within the group. He's super chill and even kinda tames the other from getting worse. It's just an act though, if you go to him for comfort he turns around and tells the others. He still plays as an advocate in your favor but he's still on everyone else's side when it comes to coveting and protecting you.

[iamlostsomewhereinthegarden]

Pharaoh Atem Headcannons

This was originally supposed to be an attempt at yandere so if such things seem that way or if yandere is said you know why. I’m just too lazy to revise it.

* You were one of his many attendees raised to be his servant

* You’ve been there from since he can remember

* You were born two years after him though

* He liked you best due to you being the closest in age to him and he felt like he had to take care of you since you’re younger than him and the youngest of all the attendants

* Starts out as a platonic yandere

* Like you being the only one to hang out with him

* You wouldn’t do any heavy work

* Actually you technically never worked

* All you did was keep him company and entertained

* Literally attached out the hip with how much he keeps you by him

* Guy is obsessed so bad

* You guys sleep in the same bed and everything

* Baths together and the attendees have to bathe you too under his order

* Not even a concubine or lover but you get treated as one

* No one was allowed to bad talk you in his presence

* And if they tried to harm you may Ra bless their souls

* As he grows older he realizes that he loves you

* And despite being a romantic yandere now there’s no major difference in how you are treated

* When his father dies you’re no longer one of his attendees

* Since it’s frowned upon for slaves and high ranking people to be together can’t you become a concubine

* But you’re a concubine only in title, you’re treated like a queen and basically are one

* And no, not as a gendered thing like you have to be female

* He has your as his queen as a king needs one as he’s told

* He was considering getting a stand in queen to protect you

* But I’m the canon story he doesn’t have a lover so we’ll just say he either didn’t go with the idea or died before it happened

* You’re great friends with everyone in the palace

* So like Mahad, Mana, even Ancient dick Seto

* You’re given a special Millenium item so that you will stay with Atem forever and also has healing properties

* Low and behold your reincarnation is besties with yugi since birth and has the millennium item also

* And because Atem is not in the afterlife but instead in the puzzle you’re stuck in your millennium item also

* Ancient Egyptian Bakura is your cousin

* Calls you Pharoh’s whore to your face

* But he’s a tsundere platonic yandere and will do almost anything to make you happy

* Only partners up with the pharaoh to protect you and make you happy

* Honestly just harasses the pharaoh instead of trying to kill him due to not wanting to make you sad cause you love the pharaoh

* Ryou is also your reincarnation’s cousin

* Despite not remembering working with the pharaoh to make you happy Y!Bakura lowkey does the same but denies it

* Remembers ancient you though so is heavily protective of new you along with Ryou despite Yugi being a nice bean

* You’re just a precious bean tbh so everyone loves you

* You died trying to defend the Pharaoh

* Also another reason for Bakura to have a grudge against the pharaoh

* You get along well with your reincarnation

* You help them calm down, think rationally, be strong and be a good supporter

* You and Tea get along well, and so does your reincarnation

* She ships your reincarnation and yugi so much before the puzzle even came around

* Everyone did from since elementary

* Jonouchi actually had a crush on you while he bullied Yugi

* Since Atem and you are linked you remember just as much as he does with the exception of people and how close your guys are

* Like you remember who Y!Bakura is/should be to you

* Heavily oblivious also

* When Atem went to the afterlife you went with him too

* You just live a happy and peaceful life being the mediator with Tea and having fun with the gang

* Oh, I forgot

* Seto Kaiba thinks you’re adorable and treats your reincarnation as a sister along with Mokuba

* No one thinks it’s fair but at the same time does think it’s fair

* Seto helps your reincarnation a lot

* Like you too

* Listens to you lol

* In DSOD he came to the afterlife dimension and shit to hang with you first then duel Atem

* Speaking of the afterlife

* I’m happy that I get to write another happy ever after cause that’s what happened to the two of y’all

* You and Atem are in the afterlife “living” it out and being happy

[yandereyugioh]

“   don’t  worry .   i’ll  protect  you .   ” for platonic yandere Dark Magician For Yuugi please?

Fair warning, this is pretty long. It’s somewhere around 1,467, because I added a few more words on here. I had an absolute blast with this one. 

Want to request something? :)

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Yuugi didn’t know where he was. It was dark and cold and the puzzle had been taken from him. It happened so fast, too fast for him to let the crawling feeling rise and let Yami take over. He didn’t know what these people wanted. After they took the puzzle, they tied him up, blindfolded him, and dragged him to be left in what he assumed to be a basement. A very poorly kept basement. 

If he focussed hard enough he could hear water dripping somewhere within the room. He really didn’t want to be soaked in water so he hoped it wasn’t a major leak. 

These thoughts were all that kept his panic at bay. If he didn’t focus on anything he was going to go insane. Maybe not actually, but he couldn’t stand to be alone with what he really wanted to think about. Like what these people were going to do to him. Or the puzzle. Or what was going to happen to Yami. Or if they were going to hurt him or even kill him and shit his grandpa would be so distraught over his death. Yuugi couldn’t do that to his grandpa, he was the only family he really had left.

 Was it selfish if he was more worried about himself than the puzzle? It sure felt like it. Deep down he knew Yami could take care of himself and he knew that no one but him knew what the puzzle really contained. If someone just wore the puzzle, Yami could come out and defend himself and get back to Yuugi. But he was defenseless otherwise. 

Ramble, ramble, ramble. Keep rambling, Yuugi would distantly think. Focus on something. Not the fear. Anything but the fear. Was this what dissociating felt like? Perhaps but Yuugi would have to search up the definition of it if- when, he frantically told himself, when not if- he got out of here. Because this could be something wildly different. 

His heart hammered in his chest and his breaths were starting to come faster. Oh god, he was going to die down here. He was going to die and leave grandpa all alone and the puzzle was probably going to be sold off and what was going to happen to Yami? And no one knew where he was and-

Yuugi couldn’t stop the onslaught of his terrified thoughts. Absolutely no one knew where he was. Jonouchi had left at the start of the school break to visit his sister, Honda was babysitting his nephew today, and Anzu had her dance class today. Tears pricked his eyes and he berated himself. If only he decided that he could wait to go out and buy the new card pack that had come out. If only he decided to put a hold on his search for another magician to keep his own Dark Magician company in his deck for another day. Why couldn’t he have just waited? 

Meanwhile, another was sharing Yuugi’s panic. 

Yami was trapped inside his puzzle. Since none of the goons had yet thought to wear it, he couldn’t do anything. His magic could only do so much. The curses he could place on them would not help Yuugi in the slightest so he had to think carefully.

One wrong move and everything was over for both Yuugi and himself. Needless to say, he was extremely stressed out. He passed back and forth in the entrance to his maze. Yuugi’s soul room was no longer connected to him and it frightened him. It made him feel less real. He felt as if he was going to sink into the shadows and never return. 

“What can I do?” Yami muttered, his tone full of anger and frustration. He pulled his hair and wracked his mind. His power heavily relied on games but that was the problem. With him stuck in here, he had no way to challenge these wretched bastards to a game. In fact, the only thing Yuugi had on him was his money and his Dark Magician. 

Yami stopped his passing and smiled as if his thought was amusing. The amusement didn’t reach his eyes. While his magic couldn’t affect the men holding himself and Yuugi hostage in a beneficial way, he could use it on something else. 

Gasping sobs echoed throughout the room. They weren’t very loud, but hearing them put Yuugi into his own hell loop. He didn’t want his captors to hear him but hearing his cries echo throughout the room set him off. It made him panic, which in turn, made it harder to try and prevent his sobs. He was so focused on his fear and trying to muffle his cries that he didn’t realize he wasn’t alone. The blindfold prevented him from seeing anyone so it didn’t matter. 

What mattered was that when someone human-like touched him, he screamed. He never heard the basement door open or anyone come down the steps. 

“Don’t scream, it’s okay.” The man soothed. He pulled the blindfold off him and the first thing Yuugi noted was how bright the room was now. The second thing was that the light was coming from a staff…? The last thing was that Dark Magician was in front of him and was untying him. “I’m here to help you.  I just need you to stay silent, can you do that?” Dark Magician smiled at him. 

Yuugi nodded and took a shaky deep breath. “I can do that,” he whispered.

Dark Magician beamed at him and patted his head. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.” He carefully picked Yuugi up and shifted him into one arm. “Hold on tight.” 

Yuugi nodded and gripped his armor. He slumped against his chest and tears, once again, fell down his face. This nightmare was finally coming to an end. Soon, he’d be back home with Yami. 

It didn’t take long for Dark Magician to get out of the dank basement. Once he was out and standing in front of the door, he gripped his staff. From what his other master told him, getting rid of the threats should be easy. But Yuugi’s safety took priority so he had to be absolutely certain that he’d be safe. He made sure Yuugi couldn’t see what he was about to do. 

“What the hell? Who are you!?” 

As Dark Magician raised his staff, Yuugi tensed. Dark Magician’s kind smile twisted into a sneer. Without a word, he made the man disappear. He wasn’t needed, Dark Magician knew he’d find the puzzle eventually. Its power could be easily felt. 

Soon, he had found the last few of the group. Most had tried to attack him but others tried to flee. None escaped or harmed Yuugi. 

“Please, don’t hurt me!” the last one begged. “You-You want the golden necklace, ri-right? Here!” -he tossed it at Dark Magician and it caught onto the staff- “take it! I won’t ever come after you again!” 

Dark Magician tilted his head. “And what makes you so certain that I’ll spare you? After all, you did harm my masters.” 

The man started crying and his pleas for his life fell on deaf ears. He wasn’t pitied, not in the slightest. Dark Magician recalled what Yuugi looked like, tied up and sobbing in a disgusting, dark basement and he snarled, “You deserve not an ounce of kindness, let alone the kindness of facing me. But you are in luck,” he chuckled dryly. “The one who summoned me does not have the energy to punish you. Give the rest of the damned my sincerest farewell.” 

He raised his staff and that was it. 

The next day, the police had not a single lead on what had happened to the gang. 

After that, Yuugi had gained a new friend. Said new friend was currently encouraging Yuugi to wait until at least Jonouchi had returned from his trip to get him a companion card. 

“It’s okay, Yuugi,” he said softly. “I can wait longer for another magical companion. I have you.” 

“If you’re sure.” Yuugi shuffled his cards and carefully placed them onto the floor.

“I am very sure. Jonouchi scares off weak gangs like that without even trying. They’re all scared of him.” 

“I’ve noticed. But I didn’t want to ask him.” 

Dark Magician nodded. He gripped his staff and watched Yuugi carefully as he planned his own made-up game. Yuugi is fragile, his mind told him. Keep an eye on him. Protect him. 

And until Yuugi’s grandfather came upstairs from the game shop, he watched over him. Regrettably, he had to transform back into a card so as to not frighten the grandfather. But he wasn’t worried. It wouldn’t be long before Yuugi needed him again. Whether it be for company or protection, he would certainly be needed again. It was guaranteed.

[sailor-cresselia]

How clever IS Sougo, anyway?

(keeping in mind that I initally wrote this on Oct 26, and Ep 9 hadn’t come out yet. I still haven’t seen it anyway, because I don’t speak Japanese so I’m waiting on subs.)

Okay, so Sougo's definitely Not Good At Socializing, not with normal people. We can TELL that - he doesn't seem to have friends at school. This isn't just from the Fourze arc - there's pretty much nobody interacting with him at all during the first part of Ex-Aid’s arc, to the point where the nerd he winds up with in the gym closet is surprised to see him. One of our first introductions to Sougo is him getting judo flipped to knock some sense into him about the whole "I'mma be a king" thing - and he compliments the guys technique and offers him a job when he makes it.

So he's not good at direct interactions with people, at least average, baseline humans.

But what about indirect interactions?

But he covered for the gamer in Ex-Aid part 1 - Sougo blocked the teachers view of inside the closet, so only he got caught trying to have a private lunch. The gamer classmate wasn't caught. (I mean, there's the Another Ex-Aid problem, but that's a whole different issue. And since Sougo was there, he was able to get help right away.)

He's definitely book-dumb, at least so far as we've heard with academics. Tuskuyomi says as much - his only good subject is history. He was able to tell they were in the Edo period pretty much right away. I dunno if this is a Japanese thing that 'yup, time travel means we're definitely going to be in the Edo period because that's just how it happens', but it might be that he recognized it right off.

And in Edo, when the guys were getting into a fight, what was his go-to method? Asking them politely to stop fighting. (What was Tsukuyomi's aim in shoving him forward, anyway? That's been bugging me - how could she have used that to see if the kid who hadn’t realized he was holding a ridewatch was the evil overlord she assumes he is?) But asking them  to stop doesn't work - technically. But they work together to toss him in the river, and walk away laughing, as friends. Like Sougo basically said, "They're not fighting anymore, are they?"

He broke so many rules of time travel at the end of the Wizard arc - ‘don't meet yourself’ being key among them - but he took the simple approach to finding out if the guy was Another Wizard - he asked. And since, if i remember correctly, the year was hidden under Another Wizard’s cape, he asked the woman when it was that things changed.

In Fourze'n'Faiz, wasn't he the one to point out the fact that the Another RIders have their years on them? He noticed Fourze's year before Geiz did, I think. Sougo's good at making sure Geiz goes along with the plans, too, however loose the definition of 'plan' may be. "Well, if you want to make sure I don't turn evil, you should probably come with me to this magic show, ya know, just in case."

It's not like he anticipated Another Wizard, but Geiz wound up being the one to remember that Wizard existed to begin with, as opposed to Tsukuyomi, who is the one carrying the data-pad. Convincing Geiz to come along to the hospital is how they got into Another Ex-Aids Game World - Geiz knows German, and there's no way Sougo could have anticipated either that or that Emu wrote a note in German in the first place. (Emu stop with the codes man I get it you're clever but oh god at least this one was in pencil)

We might not be looking at Emu or Eiji levels of 'better to be underestimated' and 'beware the kind ones' here, at least, not completely or not yet.

We might be dealing with a variant of Jinno's "You wind up feeling really guilty about deceiving him so you try to live up to what he thinks you could be."

(( An addition from original draft, since I’ve seen the W V-Cinemas now: That might be more apt a comparison than I first thought, actually. Jinno did really well in the fight in that warehouse in the Accel special - the only real hit he took from the mooks was at the end, when one basically sucker-punched him. He was beating them down with the power of slapstick. “Crouching moron, hidden badass” indeed - what brought him down was a GUN, he didn’t really stand a chance there, but unarmed combat? For a guy we never really saw in a fight in the series, he put up a good fight.

And again with the guy from Ep 1, Sougo was thrown onto his back, on cement - and didn’t seem more than a little winded. The Drivers seem to instill a basic sense of fighting competency to anyone who wears them - Jonouchi from Gaim, anyone? Emu and Nico? Takeru? But Sougo hadn’t put one on yet - didn’t even have the blank RideWatch, IIRC. Noodle-arms McGee probably shouldn’t have taken that as well as he did. ))

He doesn’t seem to have goals in half of his actions, but Sougo IS still coming up with plans when he needs to. Some of them seem to involve a fair amount of "LucasArts Point-and-click Adventure Game" logic, but they ARE plans.

He got Geiz and Woz to listen to him at the same time - and they had been literally fighting the episode before, and clearly dislike each other.

“You’re from the future, so you have one of those phones, right?” (Wait. How did Sougo know what number to call. Did. Did Woz have Geiz programmed in? They were friends, or at least allies, once upon a future. Was Geiz in Woz’s speed dial?)

(My concern that Woz is going to go the Alain/Parad variant of Yandere still stands - maybe without the literal possession stunts that they both pulled, but he definitely seems to be heading down that route.)

In ep 5, Sougo tosses himself down the stairs, so that Tsukuyomi and Geiz can get into the nurses office - and he doesn't tell them that it means they'll have access to the computer, so they don't have to hack one, but they figure it out as soon as the nurse leaves.

Ep 4: "I know your son is unwell, but this guy works at the same hospital as this one genius surgeon and can probably help you out with that." This is combined with what is technically foreknowledge, with what Hiiro had said in 2018, but Sougo is currently in 2016 - and Emu has known Hiiro for like three days, four max. Geiz arrived literally DURING episode 2. Clever, clever Emu, who just met both Hiiro AND this strange, skinny boy, and doesn't know the circumstances of the distraught father who had become Another Ex-Aid, catches on quickly.

The question really is, how much of Sougo's plans working is all chance, how much is him reading people, and how much is things all going according to keikaku?  (And who is the one with the keikaku in the first place?)

Because this is pretty clearly a genuinely good kid we’re dealing with, and he doesn't seem to have a mean bone in his body. (oh, look, another Emu and Eiji parallel...) But his recent encounters with Woz indicate that he's getting pretty genre savvy - if he wasn’t already - he's just USED to Woz appearing out of nowhere at this point, and is only surprised by it when the guy shows up directly behind him. He’s not surprised because Woz appeared, but because of the location. (Woz, how did you get upstairs? When did you get upstairs? WHY did you get upstairs? Please stop teleporting sir, my yandere concerns only grow when you keep doing that.)

“If you’re on my side, then let me do this my way.” Sougo says this to the man that keeps appearing out of nowhere, presented his driver on a velvet pillow (wtf), and heralds his every action as Zi-O. He says this to a man who he has seen stop a punch from Another Fourze because he was going to interrupt Sougo’s transformation - and Sougo is sassing him and using the drive that Woz has to support his overlord against him.

How many steps ahead is Sougo thinking? No one in show seems to know. We certainly can’t tell.

It’s bad enough I don’t trust your great-uncle, kid. Don’t make me not trust you, too.

[yandereyugioh]

Hmmm. First list one word prompt Realization for platonic Yandere Dark Magician with Yuugi please? (Ngl I feel like there’s not a lot of fics centered around Dark Magician and Yuugi)

Same, I haven’t found much for the two of them. For the sake of this fic, don’t ask me where Yami is lmao. Logic says he should have popped out long before Dark Magician did askskjjs

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Yuugi really liked Dark Magician. He was his favorite card and he made sure to include him in his deck every time he remade it. Sometimes, he carried the card alone in his pocket. It was comforting to him. Having the card soothed him and made him feel better, even on the days that didn’t go so well. None of his friends knew though. He didn’t want them to think he was weirder than they already thought or scold him for not keeping his card in a better place with the rest of his deck.

But today they found out. 

It wasn’t by choice. A kid in one of the other classes stole Yuugi’s jacket and emptied his pockets. Once the card came tumbling out, the kid mocked him and almost tore the card up. Anytime Jonouchi or Honda or Anzu made a move towards the bully, he lightly twisted the card. It was a very good way to stop them from lunging at him. While they didn’t know that Dark Magician specially made Yuugi feel better, they knew that Yuugi loved his cards and would be extremely upset if his favorite one was torn up. 

“You’re all pathetic,” The kid sneered. “You’re really that hung up over this stupid card, huh Yuugi?” He lightly twisted it again, making Yuugi’s heart race.

“Please, just give it back!” Yuugi begged. “It’s special to me.” 

The kid laughed. He was distracted and Yuugi was closer to him than the others. So he took the chance and lunged at him, clawing at his hands to get his card back. 

“Ow! You little shit that hurts!” 

The kid backhanded Yuugi and shoved him away, causing him to hit one of the desks hard. “You know what, I think I-” 

Light engulfed the room and it was then that the kid realized that he had made a mistake today. Against all logic, Dark Magician was no longer a card. He was a thing of flesh and blood and was towering over the kid with fury burning in his eyes. 

“Wh-What? How is this possible?!” The kid scrambled back, eyes wide and his body was trembling. 

“You are a mark on this world,” Dark Magician growled. “You hurt my master and I cannot let you get away.” 

Yuugi, Jonouchi, Anzu, and Honda watched, in shock, as Dark Magician raised his staff and chanted. A moment later, the kid was gone. 

He turned to pick Yuugi up and helped him put his jacket on. He smiled at him and disappeared, once again a card in Yuugi’s pocket. 

“What just happened?” Anzu said, breaking the silence. 

“I have no idea,” Yuugi whispered. The card was in his hand and Dark Magician’s art was smiling at him.

[deejadabbles]

Crime and Consequence (Atem x Reader) Chapter 1

One: The Affects

One //// Two //// Three //// Four //// [Five coming soon]

Summary: Years have passed since Atem's crimes came to light. Years have passed, but in some cases the wounds of that time were still fresh. Despite that, however, you've done your best to rebuild your life for you...and for your son. So, when Atem's crimes come back to hurt you and your boy, how will you survive and protect what little you have left?

Years have passed since Atem last saw you. Years have passed, and he had never been able to meet his son. Despite that, Atem carried on with his life, as limited and meaningless as it was, locked away for his crimes. So, when a threat is made against the only ones he still holds dear, how will he defend the love of his life and his boy?

(Modern, season 0 inspired AU. Contains some disturbing themes, depictions of violence, cursing/vulgar language, and sexual content.)

A.N. So just a warning to those familiar with my other reader insert work, this is a lot darker than anything I've written before. Honestly, I'm not sure where this darker series came from, but it was a story in me that needed to be told. This is also a much darker version of Atem that I don't tend to write, but don't worry, he isn't Yandere or anything like that towards the reader. If you're worried about content you're uncomfortable with being present in this fic but are still interested in reading it, feel free to drop me a message asking if said content will be in the story and I will be happy to tell you/give you a warning!

The clock on the wall was too loud as it ticked for every second that passed. Your hands were tight on your lap as you waited for those across from you to look up and finally say what they wanted to- damn it, couldn’t they have read on their little papers before you came in? Why were they stalling?

Finally, the one in the middle, the headmistress of the school, looked up and curled her lips into a smile. It wasn’t a pleasant smile, it was the practiced, stale kind that was meant to smooth over something offensive or controversial.

“Is there something wrong with his application?” you cut in, before the woman could start pussyfooting around.

The headmistress faltered for a moment, “...Not exactly. But... We did find something of concern in the background check.”

That made your skin prickle with an anxious air. But of course, you should have expected this. It had been a long while since his actions crept up from the past to haunt you; you should have known that peace wouldn’t last long. You had just hoped the school board would find it in their hearts to not blame your son for the sins of his father.

“You must understand how concerned we are, about Yugi’s….questionable parentage.” That was said by the stern-looking woman on the headmistress’ right.

You had to take a deep breath to keep your tone even and free of any bitter retort, lashing out would do no good here. You still made your tone very firm and clear, however. “Yugi has never shown any violent tendencies, if that’s what you’re concerned about. He isn’t his father.” The two women exchanged a look but before they could say anything you continued. “His tuition was set up by his great grandfather five years ago, surely those ties have to count for something. Surely you’re not going to punish a child for something his father did, a father he’s never even met.”

You needed to stop, you were sounding too hostile, too accusatory- but damn it you were sick of your sweet little Yugi for paying for things that happened before he was even born!

The last of this stuck-up yuppy trio sighed and leaned forward in his chair to address you. “Let me put this bluntly, ma'am, your ex-fiance is a notorious serial killer. We will not tolerate such a bloody past tarnishing our school’s reputation.”

“And how well will your school handle the bad press of being sued for discrimination?” you snapped, knuckles turning white against the black of your dress pants.

The blunt man actually had the gall to smirk at you. “Save your breath in making empty threats. You’re a nurse who’s up to her neck in debt, who had to rely on her murderous ex’s relatives to even afford tuition to this school in the first place. You would only hurt yourself and your son if you tried to take legal action.”

“Enough,” the headmistress said, giving her colleague a side-eye, before returning their gaze to you. “Please understand the hard position we’re in, we simply-”

“I understand perfectly,” you hissed and rose from your seat with as much dignity as you could muster. “I expect the money we’ve already given for his tuition to be paid back in full.”

And with that you stormed out, taking a bit of petulant gratification in slamming the stained glass door shut in your wake. After taking a step away so they couldn’t see you through the colored glass, you made yourself take a deep breath to calm your shaken nerves. You wanted to scream, to throw something, to punch a wall, to-

“Mommy?”

The low hesitant voice calling out to you made your lids snap open, and when you met eyes with the center of your world, the boiling emotions started to calm. He was sitting on the waiting bench along the wall, his legs, which were short even for a five-year-old, were hovering above the polished marble floor. His eyes were full of worry, their lavender depts specked in crimson asking a silent question.

“Hey, sweetie,” you said, forcing any anger away from your tone, never wanting him to think it was directed at him, even for a second. “Mommy’s just a little upset, that’s all.” You held your hand out and he instantly jumped down, sneakers squeaking along the polished floor as he ran to you. When he bypassed your hand and instead wrapped his arms around your waist in a tight hug, your heart melted.

“Can we go home now, mommy? I don’t like it when people make you upset,” he said, still holding you tight.

His concern nearly made you break right there. How could a boy as sweet as this be dealt such an awful hand in life? When you didn’t reply instantly, Yugi looked up at you but didn’t dare let you go. He looked so much like his father, with his angular face, sharp eyes, and hair that stuck up anyway it pleased in a multitude of colors. But thankfully, he had the kind and gentle nature of his uncle, his namesake. You had been right to name him after your sweet, caring Yugi, even if it did add another unnecessary thread leading back to his father.

“How about we grab some ice cream before we go home, hm?” you said eventually, and your son’s face lit up with excitement. The look was so familiar somehow, uniquely his in a way, but so similar to his father’s in another.

“Don’t tease me like that, kitten,” the love of your life said, his eye’s flashing with that special brand of excitement he always had when challenged. He set his cards down on the table, never letting his eyes leave yours, that cocky smirk playing on his lips. He had a pair of aces, which beat your kings by a fraction. “You know how I get when you tease me.”

You let out a huff of laughter, playfully tossing your cards at him across the coffee table. “Yeah yeah, I know. Thought for sure I had you beat that time, roll up your sleeves I wanna make sure you don’t have spare aces up there!”

He raised a brow at you, that smirk still firm on his face. “Calling me a cheater now, are you? I’m offended.” He got to his feet then and walked the few steps it took to get behind you. “But, I’ll forgive you if you let me claim my prize now,” he mumbled before kissing your cheek.

You giggled as his fingers ever so lightly tickled your sides and he only held you tighter as you squirmed in his grip. “Atem stop you’re tickling me!”

In response he only hummed and smooched your cheek again, fingers ghosting over your ribs to prolong your giggles. “Never,” he whispered, chuckling a bit himself now, “not until I get my kiss, kitten.”

When you finally obliged and turned to give him his prize, he hummed in delight, a hand moving from your side to cup your cheek. It was light and chaste, simple but holding all his adoration for you in the contact.

“I love you.”

You snapped out of the memory when you felt a tiny hand grab yours and start pulling you down the hallway. Yugi still looked delighted, saying that ice cream always put a smile on your face as well as his; and despite the fresh ache in your chest, you managed a small giggle at his innocence.

Days like this were far from easy, but your little boy made every second worth fighting for.

“You’ve gotta be kidding,” Jonouchi scoffed, crossing his arms and letting a curse fall from under his breath as he looked back at you.

He already looked tired after his ten-hour shift, still dressed in his uniform, badge and all. You hadn’t wanted to burden him with your news, but when he saw the frustration radiating off of you the moment he stepped in the door, you couldn’t hide it.

You shook your head, “ ‘Fraid not. They made it very clear we weren’t welcomed at that school.” You let out a tired sigh as you took the dinner dishes to the sink to let them soak. “Sugoroku gave that money because he was worried how public school would be for Yugi. We thought that maybe a private school would be better, that it would- I don’t know, shield him somehow?” You waved your hands helplessly for a moment, before dumping the plates in the sink with a clatter. Running a hand over your face with a sigh, you finally turned back to your old friend, hating how lost you must look. “I’m just scared that his classmates will find out and they’ll shun him for it. I don’t want that for him, hell I’ll find a way to homeschool him before I let that happen.”

“Hey,” Jonouchi’s tone was gentle as he stepped forward and put a hand on your shoulder, “if you ask me, it wouldn’t have mattered if he went to a public school or that fancy ass private school, kids can be assholes no matter what class they’re in. He’s a good kid, like our Yugi was, and if he’s anything like his uncle, then he’ll find some great friends who won’t care about stupid rumors or anything.” He tilted his head to make sure you were looking fully in his eyes. “He’s gonna be okay. It may not be easy for him, but he’s got a great mom who’ll help him get through any shit life throws at him.”

You gave him a thankful half-smile, “He has some other great adults in his life too, you know.”

Jonouchi smirked and leaned back, “Yeah, I know.”

You chuckled as he walked back over to the now empty bags on the kitchen counter, his whole reason for originally being there this late. “Thanks again for dropping those by,” you said, “he keeps begging me to find more old Nintendo games for him to play.”

“No problem, haven’t owned an original console in forever, plus you know we like spoiling him,” he cast a glance at the shut door leading to Yugi’s room, and you saw a thought playing behind your friend’s eyes. You could tell he wanted to breach a certain topic, but didn’t seem to know how- or maybe if he even should. “...You know you’re gonna have to tell him, right?” Jonouchi said eventually. “If you’re really that worried about kids at his school making a big deal out of it, you’re gonna have to tell him soon.”

You let out a defeated breath and answered in a low tone so your words wouldn’t carry. “I know. I just...I wanted to wait a little longer. I’ve spent five years agonizing over the day that he starts asking more questions about his father and how and what I should tell him. How do I tell him his father was a monster who murdered over thirty people?”

Monster, was that the right word? Some would say yes, that anyone who took a life outside of war or self-defence was a monster. Still, others would say no, that the people he killed were monsters themselves and deserved to be punished, to be wiped from the world like the scum they were. And what did you think? Five years since the truth about the man you loved was revealed, and you still couldn't answer that question.

“How much have you told him already? Surely he’s asked about Atem,” Jonouchi asked, voice as quiet as yours.

“A few years ago he asked where his daddy was, and I just told him that his dad wasn’t with us anymore. Nice and vague.” You very deliberately omitted the other time Yugi asked something about his father, considering the question had been ‘did you and daddy love each other’. That was still a raw memory. “I think he’ll start asking questions when he hangs around other kids more. They’ll ask questions and he’ll come home and ask me, you know?”

Jonouchi let out a sigh and nodded in understanding. He looked like he wanted to say something else, but when a bit of silence passed you decided to spare him.

“You should get going, Jou, you had a long shift at the precinct. I know Mai’s waiting for you and I don’t want to keep you too long.”

The blonde flashed you a smile and straightened a bit. “Well, first I gotta keep my title as favorite Uncle and tuck the little guy into bed!”

You chuckled as he started towards Yugi’s door, “Good luck, you giving him the first two Zelda games is sure to keep him up half the night.”

“In that case, I’ll just take a hug, remind him who gave him the games and leave the half nighter to you!”

“Gee, thanks,” you scoffed.

As you moved to finish the dishes, your attention was drawn by a gentle call of your name. When you looked up you saw Jonouchi standing with his hand on the bedroom door’s knob, looking back at you with an almost serious expression.

“You know if you two need anything, you got us, right?”

The smile you gave him was soft and genuine. Many had shunned you after everything came to light, but your true friends, the few who truly mattered, stuck by you through it all.

“I know.”

Flashing a smile of his own he, finally turned and entered Yugi’s room, and your smile widened when you heard your son instantly start babbling and thanking Jou for the ‘awesome old games’ he had given him.

With those two occupied, you went back to your chore, first removing the few choice pieces of jewelry you wore lest they get wet. Perhaps it had been the day’s hardships, having all those only wounds reopened, but your eyes lingered on one piece of jewelry you wore most often. It was a simple silver band on your left ring finger, a simple fake, worn to ward off the flirtatious doctors at work who wanted to swoop in and pretend to fix all your problems. Some knew it was only fake and tried anyway, but you refused to wear the real engagement ring that once decorated your finger.

The door clicked shut and you looked up from your textbook, immediately smiling when your eyes landed on a very excited looking Atem. He set his backpack aside and waved a velvet box with a bright smile on his face.

“I finally got it back!”

You almost squealed in delight as you jumped up from the dining room table and ran to him. He caught you in his arms and held you tight, only lingering in the embrace for a moment before pulling back just enough to show you the ring box.

“Can’t believe it took them three weeks to resize it,” you said with a disbelieving breath, one that turned into an adoring sigh when he opened the lid.

It wasn’t an expensive thing, a silver band holding a stone of your favorite color surrounded by teeny tiny diamonds on either side. When he had proposed he told you that he didn’t want a diamond to be the centerpiece, that diamonds were too cold and commonplace for you. That he wanted a stone as warm and bright as you were, with the more standard gems to surround it- ‘bowing to its beauty’ as he had so poetically put it.

You reached to take the ring from the box, but he pulled it back, “No, let me, just like when you said yes,” he whispered and took the ring in his own hand. He held the ring at your waiting fingertip, and said, voice still low and intimate- desperate, almost, “I never want this to come off again. I want everyone to know the most amazing woman in Domino chose me.”

Then he slipped the ring on your finger and it felt like the act brightened your whole future together, like everything was going to be okay.

Atem took your hand in his and pressed his lips to your fingers, to the ring. "Mine, forever," he whispered, then put his hand over yours so his own ring was on full display, "just as I'm forever yours."

You copied his act of affection, kissing his hand and humming contently. "I can't wait to be your wife."

"Say it again," his tone was even deeper, now, husky as he leaned forward to ghost his lips over yours.

"I can't wait to be your wife-"

The last word was barely out before he pressed his lips to yours. Your knees felt weak as he moaned into the kiss, as if your lips intoxicated him. Then he moved to gently but firmly press you against the wall, pinning you with his body as his lips moved to trail down your neck.

You let out a breathy laugh that turned into a quiet moan, "I should be studying for my finals…" It sounded weak and unconvinced even to your own ears.

"You can study after I’m done making love to you," his voice was almost a growl as he slipped his hands under your shirt, but he paused just short of gliding his fingers over your breasts, "Do you want me to stop?"

Oh, he knew how to play you; lips pressed against your ears, already sinfully sexy voice as low and alluring as he could manage, hands teasing and ready to work their magic.

"No, please don't stop," you whispered and he chucked.

"As you wish, my love."

A bitter taste was climbing up your throat and you had to swallow it down before it turned into tears. Too late. You sniffled and ran the heel of your hand across your eyes to wipe away the few tears that were gathering on your lashes. Another deep breath, another forceful attempt to shove the painful memories back where they belonged; in a dark lockbox at the back of your mind. Instead, you focused on the sound of your boy giggling with Jonouchi in the other room. Despite everything, you had tried to provide a good life for him, and as happy as he was, it seemed to be working so far.

Best not to dwell on the past.