#yugioctober 2021

[dominonary]

I posted 1,244 times in 2022

That's 1,244 more posts than 2021!

202 posts created (16%)

1,042 posts reblogged (84%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@b0ssb1tchhath0r

@riddlerlesbian

@fat-butch-dyke

@kaibacorpstocksplit

@shinayashipper

I tagged 540 of my posts in 2022

#nonarty - 119 posts

#yugioh - 89 posts

#ygo - 88 posts

#seto kaiba - 44 posts

#yugi muto - 36 posts

#shrimpshipping futureverse - 35 posts

#rivalshipping - 27 posts

#yugi mutou - 24 posts

#yugioctober - 24 posts

#insector haga - 23 posts

Longest Tag: 140 characters

#benefits include: 1) all my bad ygo memes 2) way more ygo doodles than i post here 3) the illegal drawings 4) generally free art from me tbh

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

birthday boy overworking on his birthday

551 notes - Posted October 25, 2022

#4

had to

569 notes - Posted December 1, 2022

#3

think my doodles peaked here tbh

939 notes - Posted September 21, 2022

#2

he is. pudding

1,076 notes - Posted October 5, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

shoutout to everyone who got assigned Child by ticket takers and retail employees well into adulthood, this one's for us

1,455 notes - Posted September 27, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[magicandwizards]

Yugioctober Days 6-10 : Magic, Eye(s), Game, Possessed, Chains.

A handful of the Yugioctober prompts!

[ygo-is-gayer-than-i-remember]

Yugioctober Day 9: Possessed

(Prompt list)  (Read it here on Ao3!)

Summary: Yugi’s teacher attempts to exorcise Yami.

I want to shout out @millenniumfandom for the inspiration for this piece.  They made a post about scenarios they wish we had seen that I loved and borrowed one from the list.  I hope I did your vision justice!

Another day, another threat to beat Yugi up in the school parking lot for no reason.  The bell signaling the end of the day had rung five minutes ago, yet Yugi was sitting in the empty classroom, dreading having to walk out and face his inevitable assault.  The teacher hadn’t noticed him lingering in his seat when she rose from her desk and locked the doors behind her, but he didn’t care.  Anzu had left for her shift at Burger World.  Honda had promised Miho he’d take her for a ride on his new motorcycle so they were probably long gone by now.  Jou was in detention on the second floor and would be there for a while, but Yugi couldn’t exactly pop into detention and ask to hang out.  He didn’t have anyone there who could protect him.

Is something wrong, my light?

Yugi turned to see two concerned golden eyes peering at him from the familiar silhouette on the wall and smiled.  Maybe he did have someone to protect him after all.

He was still getting used to Yami’s presence, but he found the longer the spirit was around, the more attached he grew, and the more they learned about how the strange bond between them worked.  One of the first things they figured out was how to speak to one another through their minds.  That way, Yami didn’t have to use so much energy trying to balance his control with Yugi’s and Yugi didn’t have to worry about freaking out his Grandpa by talking to “himself” in his room for hours.

I’m just nervous, he replied.  Some more people threatened me today.

Yami’s eyes narrowed at the possibility of Yugi being hurt.  Would you prefer if I took over?

Yugi shook his head and hopped out of his chair, slinging his book bag over one shoulder.  No, that’s okay.  I’m hoping if I go the back way they won’t notice me.

That is smart, Yami agreed, but do not hesitate to reach out if you need me.

Yugi was about to thank the spirit for his kindness, but his thoughts were interrupted by a shrill gasp from the other side of the room.  Panicking, Yami immediately took control from Yugi to protect him from whatever danger might present itself, and Yugi, now an invisible spirit, just froze and waited for the shit to hit the fan.

Yami’s blazing red eyes snapped open and fixed themselves on the horrified face of Yugi’s elderly history teacher.  His posture stiffened, and he exchanged a glance with Yugi.  They both silently agreed not to switch back for fear of her noticing more than she already had.

In his best Yugi impression, Yami began, “Um...hello, Mrs. Miyazaki.  I am, uh...I’m sorry for surprising you.”

Mrs. Miyazaki scrambled back behind her desk, never taking her eyes off of Yami, and started rummaging through one of her drawers.

Yami squirmed in place knowing the only unlocked door--and, therefore, the only exit--was the one Mrs. Miyazaki had just entered from.  He slowly made his way across the room until he was standing a foot in front of her desk, shuffling from foot to foot.  He was about to bid her an awkward farewell when something hit him square in the forehead.  It sent a sharp pain through his skull.

“Ow!  What was--?!  Ouch!”  Another thing hit him on the top of his head when he looked down to see what the first thing was.  Both appeared to be tags half the size of his hand with something stuffed inside a pocket of embroidered silk.

“Begone, foul demon!  Release the child’s soul!” Mrs. Miyazaki shrieked, chucking another one of the trinkets at Yami’s face.

Yami batted it away.  It left a stinging feeling on the back of his hand.  “I’m not a--gah!”  He glared at the old woman after another hit him between the eyes and made his head throb.  “Would you knock it off?!”

He was met with a face full of purified salt.

“Fuck!!”  He slapped his hands over his burning eyes, tears dripping down his cheeks as his borrowed body tried desperately to get out the invading element.

Seeing Yami in distress, Yugi finally snapped out of his stupor to rush to the spirit’s aid.  “Yami, switch back!” he begged, knowing only Yami could hear him if he spoke aloud.  “She’ll calm down if she sees it’s me!”

Yami hesitated for a moment, no doubt worried about what might happen to Yugi if he were to leave, but allowed Yugi to take full control.  This also allowed Yugi to feel the full brunt of the seasoning his teacher had thrown into his eyes.

Mrs. Miyazaki must have picked up on the switch because she rushed around her desk and helped Yugi wash the salt out with a fresh water bottle.  “Yugi, are you alright?  Did that monster hurt you?”

“N-no, I’m okay,” he mumbled.

“Oh good.”  Mrs. Miyazaki let out a sigh of relief, screwed the cap back on the bottle, and offered Yugi some tissues.  While he wiped at his eyes, she picked the little tags off the ground and slipped them into the front pocket of his backpack.  “Okay, I want you to take these omamori home with you.  They’re made to ward off dark and evil spirits, they’ll help protect you.  And when you get home, put some salt in the corners of all the rooms and toss some fukumame out of your front door like you would for Setsubun.”

Yugi just nodded along to his teacher’s instructions, said goodbye, and exited to the hallway when he could see properly again. During his silent walk, he was trying to decide whether what had just happened was more humorous or concerning.  Based on the laughter bubbling up and out of him, he had settled on humorous.

You are cruel to laugh at my pain.

Yugi kept giggling, unable to stop himself.  Come on, you’ve got to admit it was a little funny.

I will admit nothing, Yami replied, but Yugi could feel the tinge of amusement coming from his side of their mind link.  You watched as I was attacked and now I must ache from the stress it put on my spirit.

Aw, I’m sorry, Yami.  Yugi rolled his eyes and gave the shadow a semi-sympathetic smile.  Did it give you a headache or something?

In a manner of speaking, yes.

You can rest for a while if you want, drama queen.  And I’ll let you choose what games we play when I’m done with my homework too.

Yami seemed to relax at the prospect of rest, but he didn’t let himself give in just yet.  Are you positive?  Will you be alright?

I’m fine, don’t worry.  Those guys are probably gone by now anyway.

Thank you, my light.  And for the record, I am not a “drama queen”.

You totally are, but okay.

Yugi felt more than heard Yami chuckle, and he drifted back into the Puzzle, leaving a feeling of peaceful exhaustion behind.  Times like these reminded Yugi that as much as the spirit would take care of him in his time of need, he needed to take care of the spirit as well.  He had been human once, as far as either of them knew, and like any human, Yami needed care and rest.  Sometimes the spirit forgot that.  Sometimes they both did.  But other times, Yugi was given a window into Yami’s humanity that Yami himself often forgot.  Yugi had to remind Yami that no matter who or what he was now, a part of him was still human.  And every time, Yugi was more than happy to provide the care Yami needed to remember.

[jenivi7]

Name Like a Prayer

He says your name over and over again like a prayer, as though trying to remember it, as though making sure you don't forget.

For Yugioctober Day 15: Treasure! 

YOU ALL READY FOR SOME SPICY PUZZLESHIP??

He says your name over and over again like a prayer, as though trying to remember it, as though making sure you don't forget. As if you could ever forget what this beautiful creature returned to you. Mouth hot against yours, skin burning up under your hands. Atem, Atem, Atem, Atem.

You could use his name but you wore it too often and it fails to capture what he is to you, how much he means.

Partner.

Your precious other self who pulled you out of the dark and gave you everything. Someday you'll figure out how to pay him back for every bit but right now you'll pleasure him exactly how he wants because you appreciate when he chants your name like a prayer but you love when he screams it in ecstasy.

Prompt List | AO3 Link

[cyber54prime]

Yugioctober 2021 Day 9

Possession

Ok its not really posses but I wanted to sketch Yami Marik

[needklainenow]

I posted 2.034 times in 2021

54 posts created (3%)

1980 posts reblogged (97%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 36.7 posts.

I added 180 tags in 2021

#my art - 53 posts

#yugioh - 40 posts

#yugioctober - 34 posts

#yugi mutou - 14 posts

#dcmk - 10 posts

#atem - 8 posts

#yami yugi - 6 posts

#lokius - 5 posts

#ryou bakura - 5 posts

#pharao atem - 5 posts

Longest Tag: 124 characters

#but also link‘s hair isn’t longer - when he waers the ancient armor in botw it’s the same length as in the sequel‘s trailers

My Top Posts in 2021

#5

30 - I want to be with you forever

285 notes • Posted 2021-11-02 20:20:38 GMT

#4

28 - Is burning people alive THAT bad if it’s to save your friend

Decided to color this pic from Yugioctober :3

286 notes • Posted 2021-11-13 17:50:33 GMT

#3

Princess Serenity 🌙

381 notes • Posted 2021-08-12 19:08:25 GMT

#2

Give that man his jet ski!

6076 notes • Posted 2021-07-23 19:08:21 GMT

#1

“You guys pruned a frog?”

“Are you even surprised at this point?”

8805 notes • Posted 2021-07-15 17:51:04 GMT

Get your Tumblr 2021 Year in Review →

[magicandwizards]

yugioctober day 2 - rivals

[magicandwizards]

aaa im late because of college stuff, I need to try and catch up this week, but here's day 1: puzzle !

[ygo-is-gayer-than-i-remember]

Yugioctober Day 8: Yugi/Game

(Prompt list)  (Read it here on Ao3!)

Summary: How Yugi got his name.

This might be one of my favorite pieces from this whole thing because the headcanons I used for this are very near and dear to my heart.  I hope you all enjoy!

“Aibou?”

Yugi was hunched over a thin packet of homework, eyes scanning back and forth over the same paragraph detailing the word problem he was meant to be solving while he chewed on the end of his pencil.  The harsh light from his desk lamp glaring off the paper was starting to hurt his eyes, and he could feel exhaustion settling into his bones.  Hearing Yami’s voice, he was grateful for a distraction.  He would take any excuse to take a break at this point.  The assignment wasn’t due until Friday anyway.

Yugi sat back and rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands.  “Hm?”

“May I ask you a question?”

“Mm-hm.”

“I’ve noticed that many of your older belongings have large markings on them right above or below where your name is written, as if something was crossed out.  Why is that?”

Well, whatever tiredness had been present was gone now.  He turned to see Yami watching him expectantly, albeit a bit nervously as well, but genuinely curious.  Yugi squirmed in his seat.

“Um…”

“You don’t have to explain if you don’t want to,” Yami assured him.

Yugi rubbed the back of his neck.  “It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s more that I’m...not really sure how to explain it to you.”

He really did want to tell Yami.  The reason for all those markings had been an important moment in his life, and Yami was one of the most important people in that life.  His other self, his other half.  They had been through so much together and their bond grew stronger and stronger with every experience, eventually blossoming into something different, something new and exciting and terrifying.  Only months ago they had confessed their feelings for one another and begun a strange yet wonderful romance, but all this time, he had kept this part of himself hidden.  Not out of shame.  He would never be ashamed of who he was, how far he had come, the steps he had taken to get there.  He had actually been wanting to tell Yami for a while, he was just never sure how.

“Perhaps this would be a better discussion to have in our soul rooms?”

Yugi nodded, moving to lay down on his bed with the Puzzle cradled to his chest.  He shut his eyes and let the world fall away.

-----------------------------

When he opened his eyes again, he was staring at the ceiling of his soul room, identical to his bedroom ceiling save for the lighting in the room.  He sat up to find Yami already waiting for him at the door just beyond the threshold.  Yugi smiled at how courteous the spirit was with his boundaries.

“You can come in,” he said.  “I told you, you’re always welcome in here.”

Yami returned the smile and entered, carefully stepping over the myriad of toys settled in the carpet.  He sat next to Yugi just close enough that their shoulders brushed.

“Okay, where to start…”  Yugi tapped his fingers on his chin.  How could he explain this to the 3,000-year-old spirit of a pharaoh who, just a week ago, had thought Canada wasn’t a real place?  (He still needed to get Jou back for that one.)  “So uh, when I was younger, I changed my name.  It used to be...something else.”

Yami tilted his head slightly.  “Is there a reason you changed it?”

“Yeah, eh…”  He leaned forward on his hands while his eyes scanned the room, trying to find an answer that didn’t sound wrong to him and didn’t confuse Yami.  Surprisingly, he found it on his bookshelf.  He perked up.  “Here, let me just show you.”

Yami watched him snatch a thick volume off the shelf and plop back down next to him.  He raised an eyebrow.  “A book of baby names?”

Yugi nodded and handed it to him.  “Check page 579.”

Yami flipped to the page in question, and as soon as he reached it, the room shifted around them.  They were still sitting on the bed, but now it was resting against the wall in the living room, taking the place of the cabinets the TV always sat on.  There were a few differences from the room as Yami was familiar with it.  Yugi’s Duel Monsters trophies were gone, replaced by images from some of Grandpa’s travels.  The couch didn’t have the hole in the right armrest, and Grandpa’s recliner still had the original wood handle to pull it back instead of the old car jack Honda had used as a replacement.  Book forgotten, Yami zeroed in on the lone figure occupying the space across from him.

It was Yugi, but a much younger version of Yugi.  He was laying on the couch with his arms crossed and his cheek pressed against one of the throw pillows, accentuating his already obvious pout.  His hair was at least twice as long as normal, all pulled back into a wild, multicolored ponytail.  He was soon joined by Grandpa carrying two steaming bowls of miso soup.  He looked younger too, with fewer wrinkles and a little less grey hair.  Grandpa set the bowls on the coffee table and took a seat on the other end of the couch.

“So, are you going to tell me what’s wrong?” Grandpa asked the sulking child.

Little Yugi mumbled something none of them were able to understand.

“What was that?”

“I don’t wanna talk about it,” Yugi repeated.

Grandpa just smirked.  “If you don’t tell me, you don’t get to have any mochi after dinner.”

Yugi bolted upright, horrified.  “No fair!”

“My house, my rules,” he replied with a laugh.  “Now have some soup, maybe that’ll loosen your tongue.”

Yugi stuck out his tongue at Grandpa but grabbed the bowl off the table anyway.  The two of them sipped at their soup in silence, no spoons present, until Yugi was finished.

“Let’s try this again,” Grandpa said, setting his empty bowl on top of Yugi’s.  “What has you so upset, sweetie?”

Yugi crossed his arms again and stared down at his legs swinging off the edge of the couch.  “I don’t wanna wear the stupid uniform at school next year.  I hate it!  They’re gonna make me wear a skirt!  Everyone’s gonna think I’m a girl!”

“Xxxx, you are a girl.”  The first word Grandpa had spoken was garbled and unnatural, like a glitch in a video game.

“I’m not a girl!”  Yugi shouted.  “I don’t wanna be a girl!  I don’t feel like a girl!  I’m a boy!  I told you I’m a boy!  I keep telling everyone I’m a boy and no one believes me!”

Understanding and a little guilt dawned on Grandpa’s face, and he scooted closer to wrap an arm around Yugi’s shoulders.  “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were so serious about this.  How long have you felt like this?”

“I dunno, a couple years?”  Yugi sniffled and wiped at his eyes, his voice soft again.  “There were these guys on the playground and they tried to make fun of me by saying I looked like a boy and Anzu got all mad about it but it actually made me really happy and I...I-I went home with Anzu and...and she had bought a prince costume t-to go with my princess costume for Halloween ‘cause she...she thought it’d be funny and...she let me try it on and she, sh-she called me handsome and it felt so good, Grandpa!”

Yugi was a blubbering mess now, fat tears rolling down his cheeks.  Grandpa turned to pull him into a hug and let him cry into his shirt.  For a while, the only sounds in the room were Yugi’s sobs and Grandpa’s comforting reassurances that everything was alright.

“Daddy said he didn’t wanna hear about it, and Mama said it’ll go away,” Yugi continued from his shelter in Grandpa’s arms.  “But it didn’t go away.  It won’t go away and I don’t want it to go away!”  He looked up at his Grandpa with watery eyes.  “Is there something wrong with me?”

“There is nothing wrong with you.  If you really feel like a boy, then who am I to tell you otherwise?”  His voice held more conviction than Yami had ever heard from him, and he placed a gentle kiss on Yugi’s forehead.  “And I know you’re going to be the best damn boy this world has ever seen.”

Yugi let out a shaky laugh and wiped his eyes again.  “You said a bad word!”

Grandpa laughed along.  “I sure did.  So, have you picked out a boy name for yourself?”

Yugi nodded enthusiastically.  “Yugi!”

“Why Yugi?”

“‘Cause it means game and I like games!” Yugi explained, beaming.  “Games make me happy!  They make lots of people happy, and I wanna make people happy!”

“Wait here.”  He smiled and stood up, leaving a perplexed Yugi on the couch, and came back with a pen and a book, the same book that sat in Yami’s lap.  Grandpa flipped it to a page near the back and wrote something in it.  Yugi watched over his shoulder, his smile growing impossibly wider the longer he wrote.

“There.”  Grandpa clicked the pen shut.  “Now whenever you feel sad or people are being mean to you, you can look at this and remember exactly what makes you who you are.”

Yugi tackled his Grandpa in a tight hug, knocking some of the air out of him.  “Thank you thank you thank you!  I love you so much, you’re the best Grandpa ever!”

Grandpa returned the hug and gazed down at his grandson like he was the most precious treasure in the world.  “I love you too, Yugi.”

The scene melted away, and Yami and present-day Yugi were back in the latter’s soul room.

Yugi pointed to the page from the still-open book.  “Read it.”

Yami followed his finger to the handwritten line squeezed between two printed names.  In the same format as the other entries, it read, “Yugi: to love and be loved; to bring happiness.”  He closed the book and set it aside.

“He’s right, aibou,” he said with a soft smile.  “You are loving and easy to love, and you bring great happiness to everyone around you.”

Yugi laughed wetly, his eyes shining with joyful tears, and fell into Yami’s open arms.  “You’re such a sap.”

“Yes, but I’m your sap,” he teased, and he pressed a kiss to Yugi’s cheek.  “And he’s right about something else as well.”

“What?”

“You are the best damn boy the world has ever seen.”

[ygo-is-gayer-than-i-remember]

Yugioctober Day 16: Dice

(Prompt list)  (Read it here on Ao3!)

Summary: Kaiba replaces Yugi's dice collection and throws in a little something extra for Yugi's mysterious shadow friend.

A slight continuation of my piece for day 12, so shout out to @shinayashipper again since she helped inspire this kind-of-au!  It’s a bit more flareshippy but definitely more rival-centric!

Yugi jumped as high as he could, trying to retrieve his bag of Monster World dice from the two taller teens holding it above his head.  He knew he shouldn’t have brought them to school.  Grandpa had warned him not to, but he had wanted so badly to impress someone with his collection and find someone who enjoyed Monster World as much as he did that he didn’t listen.  He had hoped the bullies wouldn’t find out about them before any possible friends.

Yugi jumped again, his voice breaking.  “Give it back!  Please give it back!  I spent years collecting those!”

“Or what, twerp?” the one with his dice sneered.

The other one laughed at Yugi as he flailed his arms over his head.  “Aww, I think he’s gonna cry!”

“I am not!” he yelled, though his glassy eyes said differently.  “I just want my dice back!”

The pair exchanged a plotting look and cruel grins before setting their sights back on their victim.

“Alright,” the first one began, “we’ll cut you a deal.  We’ll give you back your nerd dice if you give us that fancy gold necklace.”

Yugi’s face blanched, and his hands wrapped protectively around his Millennium Puzzle, alerting Yami to his distress.  The spirit was instantly present, hidden in Yugi’s shadow.  Worry poured through their mental link.

Aibou?  Do you need help?  Are you alright?

I’m fine, mou hitori no boku, Yugi replied silently.  I just--

“No response?”  The taller teen snatched the bag from the other and shook it in Yugi’s face as if challenging him to try and take it.  “Well let’s just give these a whirl then!”

Yugi lunged for the bag but ended up with his face in the concrete as the boys ran off, cackling.  Yami tried to rush to Yugi’s side only to be yanked forward by Yugi’s shadow when the shadow’s owner began pursuit of the thieves.  They didn’t have to go far to find the boys standing in the schoolyard, fists full of dice and aiming for the large storm drain in the center of the square.

“Last chance!” the shorter of the two warned.  “You feeling lucky, shrimp?”

When Yugi didn’t immediately hand over his Puzzle, they chucked the dice down the slight slope towards the metal grate.  The colorful plastic pieces bounced across the concrete and slipped through the slots of the drain with a miserable chorus of rattling.

“HEY!”

Everyone froze to the spot, including Yami, who had just been about to dive down the drain to retrieve as many dice as he could.  All eyes landed on the form of a very angry Seto Kaiba stomping over.  The bullies looked like they were about to be sick.  Yugi, on the other hand, shrunk in on himself and tried to hide the slight color on his cheeks.

Kaiba leered over the boy holding the now empty bag of dice, his lip curled like a ferocious animal.  “What the fuck do you think you’re doing, you sniveling little worm?”

“N-nothing!  We weren’t doing anything!”

“Yeah, honest!”

“Really?  Because it looked to me like you just stole something from him.”  Kaiba pointed at Yugi.  “And now that the thing you stole is down in the sewers, I’m going to give you three options.  Either I report you to the school for your theft, you jump down that hole and sift through your fellow pieces of shit to find them, or you pay him back every cent you now owe him.”

The boys nodded vigorously, all previous confidence now a fleeting memory.  Kaiba may not be the most physically intimidating person (though he was physically intimidating in his own right), but he had real power both in and out of school.  No one wanted to be on his hit list.  The bullies tripped over apologies to Yugi before scurrying off with the promise of paying him back.  Mentally, Yugi made a note to refuse their payment.  He didn’t want to take anything from anyone else that was given out of fear or intimidation, even if it was justified.

Kaiba straightened up and turned his attention to Yugi, all previous malice gone.  “Are you alright?”

Yugi nodded and watched himself fiddle with the hem of his jacket.

Yami watched the two from the cover of Yugi’s shadow.  This was new.  He didn’t remember Kaiba ever sticking up for them before or caring about whether they were alright or not.  They were rivals.  That was the extent of their relationship, at least, as far as he knew.  Did something happen when he wasn’t around?

“Why didn’t the other Yugi come out?”  Yami startled a bit at the sudden acknowledgment of his existence, drawing Kaiba’s attention to his hiding spot.  “Is that him?”

“Oh, yeah.”  Yugi glanced down at Yami’s form in his shadow.  “Did you want to talk to him?”

“No thanks, I’d like to keep my sanity for a while longer,” he replied, already turning to leave.  “Just try not to keep getting cornered.  I don’t want to have to keep saving your sorry ass from the idiots around here, and your weird ghost friend has sent enough people to the hospital already.”

“Okay, um, thanks!”

Kaiba gave a noncommittal grunt and waved as he walked away.

He is strange.

Yugi moved to return to where he’d left his backpack and half-eaten lunch, glancing down at Yami trailing along on the ground beside him.  Yeah, he is, but not in a bad way.  He just kind of does what he wants, I guess.

I did not know he was aware of my presence.

I think he figured it out on his own at some point.  Maybe he wants to get to know you better too?

Has he shown interest in knowing us?

Lately, yeah, actually.  He’s been coming to talk to me more often after school.

Why was I not aware of this?

I didn’t think it was important enough to wake you for.

Everything in your life is important to me, my light.  Do not hesitate to get my attention for anything you wish to share.

A small smile pulled at the edges of Yugi’s lips.  Alright, I’ll keep you updated next time.

It is a shame about your dice.

Yeah...but I can always get new dice.

Perhaps we can buy a new set on our way home.

Maybe.

-------------------------

The weekend came and went, and Yugi did buy himself a new set of dice, along with a new bag since he never got back his old one.  They were fine, all things considered, but they didn’t have the same charm as some of his other dice.  Those dice had stories behind them, sentimental value that couldn’t be replaced by just going out and buying new ones.  He didn’t bring them to school this time.  Even if they weren’t as important to him, he worried the bullies might be back with renewed anger at their humiliation.

Rain pattered on the windows of the empty classroom, interrupted only by the sounds of Yugi eating his bento box and watching dueling videos on his phone.  His history teacher this year was very nice and would always let Yugi eat in his classroom if it was raining or he didn’t feel safe out with the other students.  Today was a mix of both.

Suddenly, the door to the classroom was flung open and Kaiba strutted in, his leather messenger bag gripped in one hand and seeming unusually full.  A startled squeak escaped Yugi as he fumbled to turn off his phone.  Meanwhile, Kaiba hefted the bag onto the desk next to Yugi, pulled a velvet sack, and set it in front of the short teen.  Yugi stared at the bag, having heard the unmistakable clacking of dice shifting around inside.

Before he could say anything, Kaiba cut him off with a demand of, “Open it.”

Yugi did so.  His eyes widened at the countless number of precious dice inside the bag, and he carefully dumped out the contents to begin sorting them by type.  There had to be at least twenty different sets of dice here!

“Kaiba, what…?”

“I got them to replace your old ones,” he explained as if talking about the weather.  He cleared his throat and pulled out his phone, apparently checking a list to read off of.  With each name, he pointed to the corresponding dice.  “There’s amethyst, rose quartz, aquamarine, lapis lazuli, turquoise, malachite, tiger’s eye, hematite, aventurine, alexandrite, citrine, topaz, diamond, onyx--”

“Wait, hang on, did you say diamond?”

Kaiba glanced up at Yugi.  “Yeah.”

“Diamond?!”  Yugi gawked down at the glittering dice that probably cost more than his house and all of his belongings combined.  “I-I can’t accept this!  These alone must be worth over five million yen!”

“Relax, they’re synthetic and ethically sourced.”

“Still, I...this is a lot, Kaiba, I don’t--”

“Look, I didn’t waste my time getting you these stupid dice so you could stick your nose up at them,” Kaiba snapped, but there was no venom in his voice.  In fact, his cheeks were dusted a light pink as he spoke.

Yugi blushed in response, now being able to recognize Kaiba’s unusual way of showing affection.  Setting the diamond dice aside, he scooped his rest back into the bag and tied the ribbon shut.  He held the diamond dice out to Kaiba, shaking his head when Kaiba made to push them back towards him.

“No, I...I want you to keep these,” Yugi said.  “That way, you have some special dice too.  Maybe we could even play sometime…?”

Kaiba blinked at him, slowly taking the dice from his hands.  “Mm, maybe.  I don’t know much about your ridiculous nerd games.”

“I could teach you, if you want.”

“...I’ll think about it.”  Kaiba slipped the dice into a pocket on the front of his messenger bag, then reached into the main pouch to pull out a small box.  “By the way, this is for uh...the other one.”

Yugi took the box and was about to offer to bring Yami out to open it, but Kaiba was already sweeping out of the room.  The door clicked shut behind him.

Mou hitori no boku?

Yami stirred in his shadow, having dozed off--or whatever the spiritual equivalent to dozing off was--while Kaiba was thrusting his gifts upon Yugi.  Mmm?  Yes?  What is it, aibou?

Look at all these dice Kaiba gave me!

Yami manifested next to him as a figure of dark mist as Yugi reopened the bag for him to peer inside.  His glowing gold eyes raked over the various gemstones.  Kaiba gifted you this?

Yeah, he said it was to replace the dice I lost yesterday.  Yugi blushed deeper at the sweet if over-the-top gesture.  He even got me some made of diamonds, but I gave them back.

Yami’s eyes widened.  That is quite extravagant.

He got you something too!  Yugi presented Yami with the unopened box.

He did?  Yami took the box gently, staring down at it in disbelief.  A shadowy hand lifted the lid to reveal another set of dice, this one solid gold with the numbers painted on in black.  Yugi felt a wave of emotion crash over him from Yami’s side of the link.  These...these are for me…?

Yeah!

They are beautiful…I do not remember ever truly owning anything of my own before...

Yugi flinched slightly.  He hadn’t thought about that.  Well, these are yours, and only yours!  I won’t use them unless you give me permission.

I could not ask that of you.  Anything that is mine is yours, Yami argued.  I am more than happy to share everything I have with you, my precious light.

You deserve to have your own things, Yami.  Yugi carefully closed Yami’s hand around the gold dice.  Kaiba thinks so too.  Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gotten these.

I...thank you…  Yami cradled the dice close to his chest.  Kaiba is being very kind to us.  Why is that?  It seems unlike him.

I don’t know, but...I like it.  I want to get to know him better.

Yami saw the softness of Yugi’s smile, felt the affection and warmth pouring through their link, and couldn’t help but reciprocate.

I believe I would as well.

[ygo-is-gayer-than-i-remember]

Yugioctober Day 30: I Want to Be With You Forever

(Prompt list)  (Read it here on Ao3!)

Summary: Yugi finds out about Atem's return and he has some thoughts to share with his other half.

This is a sort of character analysis piece about how Yugi would feel if Atem were to return post-DSOD (probably a year or more after the events of DSOD to be specific)

Yugi gawked at Atem sitting by the window in the Ishtars’ parlor.  When he had gotten the call, he was almost certain it wouldn’t be what he imagined, just some sort of weird magic thing again.  Yet, there he was.  It was true.  He was back...again.

A million emotions crammed in Yugi’s mind, strangled his heart, beat against the walls of his veins in a vicious war against him and one another.  He barely heard their hosts excuse themselves to give them some privacy, not that it mattered.  From the moment he saw the pharaoh, it felt like they were the only two people in the world.  Atem smiled--gods how he’d missed that smile--and approached him with open arms.

Yugi stepped back.

Atem froze.  “Aibou...?”

“Don’t.”

Aibou...partner...what a fucking joke.

Fury burned under his skin, turning him bright red and making him feel like he might spontaneously combust.  For years, Yugi had thought if Atem came back, everything would be perfect.  Everyone would celebrate and he could finally be truly happy again.  No more therapists, no more days spent in bed, no more dreams where he’d wake up crying and grasping at his pillows, longing for his other half to hold him and tell him everything was going to be alright.  Now Atem was here and all bets were off.  He couldn’t pretend like things were alright anymore.

“Yugi, what’s wrong?”

His emotional dam crumbled.

“What’s wrong?!”  Yugi barked out an incredulous laugh.  “You left, that’s what’s wrong!  You left and you came back and not even for very long, just a few fucking minutes!  And then Kaiba travels to the afterlife to see you and I hear from him that you don’t want me going there because it’s dangerous!  Then you have the audacity to show up and...and just waltz right back into my life like nothing happened?!”

Atem stared at him like a deer in headlights, unsure of what to say.

Yugi, however, knew exactly what he wanted to say, and nothing was going to stop him from saying it.

“When I saw you standing there after the duel with Diva, I knew you couldn’t stay long.  I knew you were only there because I was in danger, so I smiled and acted like I wasn’t hurting so fucking bad knowing you would have to leave again.  You were there because I needed you but god damn it I always needed you!”

Tears cooled his feverish skin and his throat was sore from yelling, but he plowed ahead with his cracking voice.  “I grieved for you for so long, grieved for what we could have had if you stayed, and then you fucking...you show up just as I was starting to move on and give me false hope only to get destroyed by the message you gave Kaiba and now you’re here again and…”  Atem flinched at the wild, miserable glare in Yugi’s flooded eyes.  “And how the fuck am I supposed to know if you’re staying this time?!  What if the gods decide to take you back or whatever machine brought you here malfunctions or, or...o-or you get sick of living with me and go back anyway?!  What the fuck am I supposed to do then?!”

The last of his anger poured out leaving only his fears and pain behind.  His knees gave way beneath him, plopping him down on one of the sofas in a blubbering heap, his face in his hands.

“I-I can’t...I can’t grieve anymore, Atem...I just can’t!  I can’t ta-ake it!  I love you...I...I love you more than anyone else in the world, but please, please, don’t do this to me...!”

The only sign he got that Atem had heard him was the dip in the cushion and the hands pulling him into a warm embrace.  He collapsed into the hug, sobbing against Atem’s shoulder and clinging to him in the very real fear that he would disappear again if he ever were to let go.  It took some time before he was able to calm himself down enough that Atem felt he could respond.

“Yugi, do you remember what I told you that night in your room when I was thinking about my missing memories?”

“Y-you…”  He choked on a whimper.  “You said you...wanted t-to...be with me fore-ever…”

Atem sat back to look Yugi in the eyes and cradle his face between his hands.  The pads of his thumbs were pleasantly smooth as they wiped the tears from Yugi’s cheeks.

“I still want that.  I never stopped wanting that.  That’s why I returned, I did everything within my power to come back to you.  If I could have done so sooner I would have, but…”  His head sunk, the weight of his guilt boring down on him.  “It has been difficult for me too, being apart from you.  But you’re right, I never thought how my coming and going might affect you.  I’m sorry, it wasn’t my intention to hurt you.”

Yugi leaned forward enough to rest his forehead against Atem’s.  “Just...promise you won’t leave again...please, stay…”

“I promise, by my honor as a Pharaoh, I will never leave you again.”  Hearing him sniffle, Yugi glanced up to see pools in his ruby-red eyes, eyes that watched him with pure adoration.  “I love you, Yugi, the light of my soul...my aibou.”

A wet laugh escaped Yugi, and he yanked Atem into an overdue kiss.  It was messy and desperate and a little salty from the tears that slipped between their lips.  In other words, it was everything Yugi had dreamed of for so long.  He couldn’t fully shake the fear of Atem having to leave, but this time felt different.  There was nothing they needed to do, no one they needed to save or protect the world from.  He’d gotten to say all the things he never thought he’d have the chance to say and still, Atem was here, kissing him, holding him close enough that Yugi could feel his beating heart.  He was here.  He was warm and alive and here and with him.

Somehow, sitting next to Atem with eyeliner smeared everywhere felt as close to the beginning of “forever” as they could get.

[ygo-is-gayer-than-i-remember]

Yugioctober Day 19: Yami/Shadow

(Prompt list)  (Read it here on Ao3!)

Summary: Yugi introduces his two favorite people to one another.

@shinayashipper THE SEASON 0 RIVAL-CENTRIC FLARE AU CONTINUES!!!

“Okay, so now you add that up and put it in one of these boxes.”  Yugi pointed at one of the slots on Kaiba’s mostly-empty character sheet from across the little concrete table.

After explaining that he couldn’t find anyone to play with him and his Grandpa while Anzu was out of town during the upcoming winter holidays, Kaiba had finally agreed to let Yugi teach him how to play Monster World so he could fill in temporarily.  Yugi was ecstatic that someone new was joining his campaign, especially since it happened to be Kaiba.  He secretly hoped Kaiba would stick around once Anzu came back, but one step at a time.

Kaiba marked the number down and picked up his handful of six-sided dice.  Yugi had brought some of the dice Kaiba had gotten him for them to use to make his character, something Kaiba was silently flattered by.  There were a few Yugi had liked the most that he kept separate from the others, but he had decided to keep those ones at home for fear of them getting lost or stolen.

“It’ll be fun getting to play together,” Yugi said, tapping his fingers on the table while Kaiba wrote down the sum of another roll.  “I’ve always wanted to try playing with different people, but no one ever seems interested.”

“That’s because most people are too stupid to understand this garbage.”

Over the course of their strange friendship, Yugi discovered himself to have become fluent in what Kaiba’s little brother, Mokuba, referred to as “Seto-Speak”.  This meant he could figure out when Kaiba was trying to give someone (usually him) a compliment.  For example, Kaiba’s last statement could easily be deemed a cynical remark about human intelligence and his superiority to the masses, but in Seto-Speak, it translated to, “I think you’re a smart person with complex interests.”  It wasn’t the most efficient or preferable way of communicating, but it was something Yugi was willing to learn in order to get closer to his new friend.

Do not allow him to call your interests “stupid”, aibou.

Yami was still learning Seto-Speak.

“Is the ghost talking to you?”

Yugi glanced up to see Kaiba eyeing him curiously.  He blushed.  “Um, yeah.  Sorry.”

Kaiba shrugged it off and rolled the dice again.  “Why doesn’t he just play with you?  You said he can hold things sometimes.”

“Grandpa and Anzu don’t know about Yami yet.”

“Yami?”

“Oh!  Sorry, his name is Yami.  He didn’t really have a name, so I chose one for him.”

Kaiba hummed thoughtfully, continuing his work in relative silence.  Yugi was fine with that, just explaining the different parts of the character sheet before they had to go to class again.  As they were about to go their separate ways, Yugi paused in front of Kaiba, his eyes glued to the tips of his shoes.

“Hey, uh...w-would you, um...like to come over to my place after school?  I can introduce you to my Grandpa, and you can finally meet Yami properly, if you want...”

Yami’s presence stirred restlessly within the Puzzle.

Kaiba stared back at him, eyes wide at the idea of being invited into Yugi’s home and getting to meet the spirit outside of a duel.  Slowly, he nodded, then turned to head to class before he could change his mind.

Yugi began in the opposite direction and heard Yami ask, Are you certain this is a good idea?  No one has seen me in my true form except you.

Kaiba’s seen you, Yugi argued.  After he scared off the guys that stole my old dice, he saw you in my shadow.

He only noticed my flinch, and I was still hiding.  That is different from truly seeing me.

I promise, I wouldn’t suggest it if I didn’t trust him.  He’s been really nice, and he got you your own set of dice, remember?  He knows more about you than pretty much anyone else we know!  They arrived at Yugi's next class right on time, the bell ringing mere seconds after Yugi took his seat.  Trust me, mou hitori no boku, everything will be fine.  And if anything goes wrong, I’ll be right here, just like you always are for me.

Affection and pride pulsed like a heartbeat across their link, and Yugi could feel Yami smiling from within the Puzzle.  Thank you, my light.  I shall try to make a good impression.

-----------------------

Yugi hopped out of the back of Kaiba’s black town car, beaming up at the sign hanging above the door of the game shop.  Kaiba followed him and exchanged a few words with the chauffeur--Isono--before the car drove off.  Yugi had been excited to get to ride home from school in such a fancy car.  He was always used to walking and dodging bullies or running to the bus stop through the rain and snow.  He’d offered to walk with Kaiba, but Kaiba was adamant that taking the car was the better option.

“Grandpa!  I’m home!  And I brought a friend!”  Yugi grabbed Kaiba’s hand and pulled him into the shop, oblivious to the bright blush on the other’s face.

Yugi’s Grandpa grinned at them from behind the counter.  “Welcome home, my boy!  And you must be this Kaiba person Yugi’s told me so much about.”

“Yes--” Kaiba’s voice broke off with a squeak, and he removed his hand from Yugi’s to rid himself of the distraction.  He cleared his throat and gave the old man a courteous bow.  “Yes, I am.  It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Muto.”

“Ah, none of that now!  You can call me Grandpa, everyone does!”  Grandpa laughed at the strange face Kaiba made at his requested title.  He came around the counter, put a hand on each of their shoulders--or, well, a hand on Yugi’s shoulder and a hand on Kaiba’s back, being too short to reach his shoulder--and ushered them to the stairs that led to the main house.  “You two run along and have fun, I’ll be up in a couple hours when the store closes.”

Already bounding up the stairs, Yugi called back, “Thanks, Grandpa!  Let me know if you need help with anything!”

Yugi hurried Kaiba up to his room along with some snacks and drinks from the kitchen.  Kaiba shuffled awkwardly from foot to foot in the doorway.  He wasn’t exactly sure what to do.  He’d never been invited over to someone’s house like this before, and it was clear to Yugi he felt out of place.  Yugi being Yugi, he decided to do everything in his power to make Kaiba feel at ease: he showed him his card collection since they both met through Duel Monsters, he offered him snacks, they played video games, and he took some time to go over Kaiba’s character sheet from earlier that day.  It took a little time, but eventually, Kaiba was able to relax and enjoy himself.

“Hey, Kaiba?”

Kaiba looked up from the cards in his hand and met Yugi’s gaze from the other side of the empty game mats they were using for the newly-begun duel.

“Would you...want to meet Yami now?” Yugi asked.  “He’s usually the one who takes over during duels, so…”

“You mean you haven’t been the one dueling me this whole time?”

Yugi rubbed the back of his neck.  “Well, yes and no.  He does most of the talking, but I do most of the strategizing.  We built our deck together though.  It’s all a team effort.”

“Hmph.”  Kaiba set his cards face down in front of him and crossed his arms, classic Seto-Speak for, “I’m interested in what you have to say/show me.”

Focusing in on the Puzzle, Yugi called out to Yami through their bond.

Yes?  What is it, my light?

Kaiba’s ready to meet you!  Yugi felt Yami’s anxiety in the back of his mind, a feeling that was extremely rare from Yami’s side.  It’s okay, mou hitori no boku, he’s going to love you!

If you are sure...should I take control or appear in my own form?

Do your own, that way he gets to see you and me together.

But I am unable to speak aloud in that form.

That’s okay, I can tell him what you’re saying!

Very well…

Wisps of shadow seeped through the cracks of the Puzzle and began to collect and form something vaguely Yugi-shaped.  Yami’s golden eyes opened (with the exception of the one on his forehead) and locked onto Kaiba, who was gawking in disbelief.  Yami curled in on himself, now feeling quite vulnerable under Kaiba’s gaze.  He didn’t want this to be a repeat of the incident with Yugi’s teacher.  He raised a shadowy hand and waved at Kaiba.  Kaiba waved back.

“So, uh…”  Kaiba glanced over at Yugi, who gave him a thumbs-up.  “Yami, is it?”

Yami nodded.

“Can he not talk?”

“Not like this,” Yugi explained.  “But it’s okay!  He can talk to me and I can tell you what he’s saying.”

Yami nodded again.  We may continue with the duel while we speak, if you wish.

Yugi relayed Yami’s offer, and Kaiba picked his cards back up.  “Well, I guess we should start with the basics.  How exactly did you get to be like...this?”  Kaiba gestured at Yami’s misty form.

Yami hunched his shoulders, and Yugi winced on his behalf.  “Uh, sorry, I forgot to mention, Yami doesn’t really remember much about his past.  It’s a bit of a sore subject.”

Kaiba just hummed and set a monster in defense mode.  “Can I ask why he used his ghost powers to send a bunch of people to the ER?”

Those were souls filled with malice, greed, and hatred, who gained pleasure from seeing others suffer by their hands.  I do not allow such mindless cruelty to go unpunished.

Kaiba barked out a laugh once Yugi repeated the message.  “I’ve done plenty of cruel things in my life.  Why haven’t you tried to steal my soul or whatever it is you do?”

Because your soul is not wicked, only confused.  It would be wrong to punish you in your search for meaning, and I do not yet understand my magic well enough to handle such specialized circumstances.

A few turns passed as Kaiba processed the open reading of his soul.  For a moment, Yami worried that he had been too invasive, that perhaps he should have given a simpler answer.

“Thank you.”  Yami was startled by the sound of Kaiba’s muttered response.  “That’s...thank you.”

Yami gave a slow nod, and they focused on the game.

Yugi picked up the conversation from there, acting as a bridge between the two as they warmed up to each other.  They even began teasing each other like they would during a normal duel, only this time, Kaiba came up with different jabs for both of his opponents.  Yami would give Yugi advice on how to respond, along with snarky remarks of his own, but some of the effect was lost because of how much Yugi was laughing.  The duel finished in a draw, and a moment later, Kaiba’s phone chimed.  He frowned down at the screen.

“Isono’s here to pick me up.”

“We’ll walk you down!”

After collecting their things, they headed down the stairs and outside to the curb where the car was waiting, Grandpa bidding Kaiba a good night on the way.  Yami had tucked himself safely into Yugi’s shadow so he wouldn’t be seen.

Yugi smiled up at his friend.  “I had a lot of fun today, we should hang out again sometime!”

Kaiba returned the smile, though his was softer, almost shy.  It was a strange expression for one so often leaning towards the extremes of stoic or intense.  “It was alright.  I’m a busy man, so I make no promises.”  Yugi’s internal Seto-Speak dictionary translated that to, “I also had fun, and I would like to do it again when I have time.”  Kaiba turned to the door Isono was holding open for him, hesitating.  He looked like he was fighting a war in his own head.

“Kaiba?  Are you--?”

Yugi was suddenly cut off by Kaiba leaning down, planting a quick kiss on his cheek, and practically sprinting into the back of the car.  He stood there, mouth agape, as the car pulled away and disappeared around the corner.  The heat in his face rivaled that at the surface of the Sun, and he didn’t think he could move his legs even if he tried.

Aibou?

Yami’s voice snapped Yugi back into the moment.  A huge grin split his face nearly in half.  He was smiling so hard it almost hurt, but he couldn’t possibly have cared less.  He cheered and danced around like an excited child, flapping his hands at the same rate as his racing heartbeat.  Yami ended up along for the ride as Yugi ran a lap around the game shop, his arms stretched out to his sides as if he was flying.

Yami could feel a slight tingle where Kaiba’s shadow had kissed Yugi’s.  It felt almost as if he had been kissing both of them.  Maybe he was.  Maybe Yami could ask him about it.  He had the freedom to do so now.  It felt nice being able to connect with someone else in a new way.

Reveling in Yugi’s joy, a hand on his cheek, Yami wondered if maybe he was lucky enough to have found two beautiful lights to brighten his world.

[ygo-is-gayer-than-i-remember]

Yugioctober Day 24: Siblings

(Prompt list)  (Read it here on Ao3!)

Summary: Mokuba's always wanted to have a big family. Now he has one, and it's everything he had hoped for.

Ever since Seto started dating his two biggest rivals, the members of the “nerd herd” somehow became Mokuba’s extended family.

Mokuba had even figured out what roles they each played.  Anzu was the bubbly aunt who always brought gifts and weird American candy whenever she came to visit.  Ryou was the quiet cousin who loves dark horror stuff but in a cool way that made him a great source of information on niche subjects.  Otogi was the cousin who could hook him up with anything, even if it probably wasn’t legal.  Not that Mokuba needed many things from others, being a Kaiba and all, but it was still nice to get stuff from his shop and see sneak peeks of his new games.  Mai was the wine aunt, a terrible influence but a joy to be around, and she didn’t take shit from anyone.  Shizuka was the cousin he could stay up all night with gossiping about anything and everything that came to mind.  Jounouchi was the uncle that would let him get away with anything as long as he could join in, and Honda was the uncle that stopped them before they had a chance to do anything too astronomically stupid.

Then, of course, there was Yugi and Atem.

“Mokuba!”

Atem was leaning up against the wall next to the gates of Domino Junior High and waving a hand high over his head, trying to make himself visible despite his short stature.  Adjusting the backpack slung over his shoulder, Mokuba ran the rest of the way and almost tackled him in a hug.

“Woah!”  Atem laughed and returned the hug.  “It’s good to see you too.”

Mokuba glanced up and down the curb over Atem’s shoulder.  “Where’s the car?”

“No car today.  I’m taking you to get ice cream at that new place down the road, remember?”

“Yeah, but I don’t wanna have to carry my backpack all the way there.”

Atem rolled his eyes with a fond smile.  “Give it here.”  Mokuba handed over his backpack without protest, letting Atem pull both straps over his shoulders.  With the bag secured, he offered his hand to Mokuba.  “Ice cream?”

“Ice cream!”  Mokuba took Atem’s hand, and they set off down the sidewalk together.

“How was your day today?  Did you learn anything interesting?” Atem asked at the corner of the first block.

Mokuba hummed loudly while he thought about his answer.  “Not really.  Most of it I knew already.  I did learn about this awesome woman though!  Her name was Cheng I Sao and she was a real-life pirate queen!”

“Oh yeah?  Tell me about her.”

And he did.  Mokuba told Atem everything he learned about her in class for the entire journey to the ice cream shop and during their wait in line, followed by everything he learned about her from the research he did during lunch and his other classes when he was bored.  Atem listened closely, only asking him to pause the story while they ordered and paid for their treats.  A few minutes later, they were out the door again, Mokuba with two scoops of matcha in a waffle cone and Atem with a cup of chocolate caramel swirl.

They sat under the awning at a little metal table while Atem told Mokuba some of the stories he used to hear as a child growing up in ancient Egypt.  Pirates were apparently a concept back then too, though they weren’t called pirates at the time.  In between bites of ice cream, Mokuba imagined Atem aboard a ship on the Nile, fighting off pirates with swords and shadow magic.

-----------------------------

“We’re home!”

Mokuba hopped up from the kitchen table and ran to welcome Yugi and Seto, thankful to take a break from his homework.  He gave them a tight squeeze and was rewarded by getting a high-five from Yugi and having his hair ruffled by Seto.  Atem had followed Mokuba from the kitchen and greeted them both with a quick kiss, pausing in front of Yugi.

“Aibou, you’re just in time.  Perhaps you can assist us with Mokuba’s literature homework?”

Yugi groaned and kicked his shoes into the cubby next to the front door.  “You know I hated taking those classes, you were there for most of them!”

“And you know that for most of them, I wasn’t paying attention,” Atem argued.  “Besides, it’s more about the way the question is worded.  I remember you had this teacher twice before, you complained about having him in junior high and again in high school.  Mr. Hayashi, was it?”

When Mokuba nodded, Yugi put up his hands in mock surrender.  “Say no more, I know exactly what you mean.  The way he writes questions is super confusing, it took me a while to figure out too.”  He leaned over to give Seto a peck on the cheek.  “You go take a shower and get comfortable, I’ll be up in a bit.”

Once they were all back in the kitchen (save for Seto, of course), Yugi grabbed a pen and pulled up a chair next to Mokuba.  They went through the questions one by one, with Yugi writing a “translation” of each on a separate sheet of paper while Atem marked the pages in the book Mokuba would need to reference.  By the time they were through with the last question, Isono had already parked the car and started dinner.

Atem helped with dinner preparations once he was sure Mokuba could handle the rest on his own, and Yugi went upstairs to shower and change clothes.  Mokuba occasionally had to move some papers around so Atem had room to set the table, but he didn’t mind.  He finished pretty quickly now that he understood what he was being asked.

Seto and Yugi arrived just in time for dinner, both in their pajamas like Atem and Mokuba had been when they got home.  Atem and Isono served everyone their plates before sitting down with their own.  Besides the actual food, dinner consisted mostly of chatting about their days and enjoying each other’s company.  Mokuba got to tell an abridged version of the pirate queen story, which Seto added to since he had learned about her in his own studies years ago.  Mokuba never heard much about Seto’s time in school other than how much he hated it, so it was nice to hear about something he seemed genuinely interested in.

Isono went home after the dishes were done and left the three of them to settle in for the night.  Although, it was hard to call it “settling in” when the four of them would end up yelling at the top of their lungs while they played video games in the living room.  Cheers, laughs, and taunts mixed with the music and sound effects of the game until one of them was pronounced the winner and the next game would start.  Mokuba loved this time of the day.  It only ended when Seto would practically force him to his room so he got enough sleep for school in the morning.  He always found his strict bedtime a bit hypocritical given how much of a workaholic Seto was, but now he didn’t have to fight back to make sure his older brother also slept.  Mokuba could sleep free of guilt knowing Yugi and Atem would get him into bed.

Yugi and Atem had clear roles in Mokuba’s expanding family.  They were his brothers.  Well, brothers-in-law, he supposed, but that hardly mattered.  For so long, it had been him and Seto against the world, and after the incident with Noa, he thought they lost the only other family they had.  But he hadn’t.  He had more family now than ever, including two new big brothers who loved him and Seto with all of their hearts.

As he snuggled under the blankets and turned out the lights, he smiled, safe in the knowledge that something far stronger than genetics held his new family together.

[ygo-is-gayer-than-i-remember]

Yugioctober Day 22: Duel/Duality

(Prompt list)  (Read it here on Ao3!)

Summary: Yugi's actions force Seto to reevaluate his perspective on Yugi and the concept of bravery.

Warnings: past child abuse, mentions of blood

Gozaburo’s rage at Seto’s victory was palpable.  It was the same rage that had terrified Seto into obedience as a child, promising hours of tortuous lessons, no food or breaks, and punishing strikes at any mistake. Even now, the memories plagued him, but he wouldn’t allow himself to show fear.  He held his head high with the knowledge that he had again bested the cruel man who he once called his father.  The virtual duplication of Gozaburo Kaiba morphed into a demon of pure anger and hatred, not unlike how he appeared in Seto’s nightmares.  He felt his heart sink as the beast lunged for him, knowing he had nowhere to go.

Then he was moving.  Or, rather, his platform was moving.  Gozaburo swiped at Seto before crashing to the ground, snarling and roaring vicious insult after vicious insult.  All the while, Seto continued up towards the doorway, towards the exit, towards freedom, towards…

“Yugi?”

Because it was Yugi, not the spirit of the Nameless Pharaoh that was so often present during perilous situations.  His eyes were locked on Seto with a fierce determination that was both like and unlike the other inhabitant of his body, similar yet entirely his.

“Jump, Kaiba!”

Seto jumped seconds before Gozaburo’s claws shattered the platform into shards of scrap metal.  Yugi was right there to catch him when he touched down, both stumbling further into the hallway as the building shook around them.  One more roar from Gozaburo and the two were sprinting towards the light at the end of the tunnel.

Gozaburo’s monstrous form grew until he broke through the ceiling of the arena, sending rubble cascading around the fleeing pair.  They were forced to stop at the edge of the roof, a dead end leading to a long drop down to the coded concrete.  Over the worldwide intercom, Noa’s voice told them to keep going.

Seto hesitated.  How could he trust Noa after everything he put them through?  He tried to take Mokuba away from him, tried to lock him, Yugi, and all of Yugi’s friends in this world forever by using the Big Five as his pawns.  Everything Noa did and said reeked of possible deception.

Yugi grabbed his hand and yanked him off the roof before he could make up his mind.

-------------------------

Seto stood over his unconscious brother, his mind still lost somewhere in a computer program that would be wiped off the face of the Earth in mere minutes.  Blaring alarms and automated warnings drowned the sound of his own voice pleading his little brother to open his eyes, to be alright.  The building rumbled around them, threatening to collapse, but he didn’t care.  He wasn’t going anywhere without Mokuba.

And, apparently, neither was Yugi.

Yugi was right next to him, a hand on Seto’s arm and concern written plain on his face.  He didn’t seem at all phased by the possibility of dying here if Mokuba didn’t wake up.  That, or he was waiting until he was certain there was no possible way for them to save Mokuba before forcibly dragging Seto to safety.  To both of their great relief, he wouldn’t need to make that choice.  Mokuba’s clear indigo eyes opened and he jumped out of the pod, safe and sound.

The three of them raced through crumbling hallways and scrambled over debris, trying to get out to the tarmac as quickly as possible.  When they got there, the Battle City blimp was already lifting off from the ground.  A bright light was streaking towards them, signaling the impending fiery destruction of the facility.  It was going to be close.

Behind Seto, Mokuba cried breathlessly, “I’m not gonna make it!”

Unacceptable.

Seto gripped the back of Mokuba’s shirt and chucked him into Otogi’s waiting arms from his place aboard the blimp, sending them both falling through the open doorway.  With Mokuba secured, he whipped around to wrap one arm around Yugi’s waist and grab Jounouchi’s hand with the other.  They swung up onto the stairs, and the passengers stumbled inside just in time for the missile to collide with its target.

The explosion violently shook the aircraft and everyone in it.  Out the window, Kaiba watched, horrified, as the demonic form of his adoptive father manifested in the smoke and fire.  It screamed his name; it sounded like poison.  He rushed to the cockpit to configure the craft into the jet he had designed as a failsafe.  His fist smashed the glass over the final button at the same moment the blimp was engulfed in flames.

The jet lurched forward out of Gozaburo’s grasp, sending anything that wasn’t nailed down flying backward.  Shouts and curses echoed with the sounds of the engines until they had faded into the distance.

His crew managed to get everything up and running as soon as they were out of range of anything that could further damage the craft, which was good because he had cut his hand badly on the smashed glass.  Applying pressure to the gashes with his uninjured hand, he raced to the nearest bathroom to take care of it.  He zoned out, watching the blood drain down the sink when a knock interrupted his thoughts.

“Kaiba?” Yugi called through the door.  “Can I come in?”

Seto glanced from the closed door to his face in the mirror.  Did he want Yugi to come in?  A large part of him said no, but the way Yugi had looked at him…

“It’s unlocked.”

Yugi slid into the bathroom and shut the door behind him, gasping at the state of Seto’s hand.  In an instant, the small duelist was digging through the first aid kit on the counter and dressing Seto’s wound to the sound of running water and their beating hearts.

“Are you alright?” Yugi asked once the bandages were in place.

Seto nodded.  “They’re not that deep.  They shouldn’t even need stitches.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

He had been afraid of that.  “I’m fine.”

“Kaiba--”

“I said I’m fine.”

“But you don’t have to be fine.  It’s okay to not be fine.”

Seto’s eyes snapped up to Yugi.  He was so used to seeing Yugi as weak, as a fragile soul who would cry at the smallest slight or hurtful word.  But Yugi’s actions in the past hour shook him to his core.  The strength and courage it took for Yugi to put his life on the line, and for him no less, when the person who was supposed to have been his family, to have loved him unconditionally, was trying to take everything away from him, it was astonishing.  He had cared enough to do that for him.

The realization hit Seto like a freight train.

Yugi was willing to be brave for him.  Yugi loved him enough to be brave for him.

Seto had become accustomed to fear, not love.  He had gotten so used to the adrenaline high of near-death situations and threats of injury that they barely affected him anymore.  He had survived fires, beatings, hunger, thirst, explosions, collapses, assassination attempts, technological malfunctions, and crazed soul-stealing duelists, just to name a few.  All of these he fought and conquered.  Yet nothing terrified him more than the vulnerability of love.

As the first tears slipped down Seto’s cheeks, he began to fully appreciate how much braver Yugi made him, too.

[ygo-is-gayer-than-i-remember]

Yugioctober Day 18: Aibou~

(Prompt list)  (Read it here on Ao3!)

Summary: Yami's bored and wants attention from his aibou.

I apologize in advance for the gratuitous use of the word “aibou” throughout this fic asldkfsdjf

Yami was bored.  Painfully bored.

After all the recent happenings in Duelist Kingdom, saving the captured souls from Pegasus, and his first real fight with Yugi followed by their confessions of feelings for one another, Yami had gotten used to the constant adrenaline rush that made up most of their day.  It was nice to finally be allowed some rest, but he was having a hard time adjusting to the sudden lack of life-threatening situations.  Yugi’s school routine was mundane.  The information from his classes was vaguely interesting at best and deadening at worst.  Today’s literature lesson was very much the latter.

Yami exited the Millennium Puzzle to hover in the aisle next to Yugi in his spirit form, unable to stand another minute of the teacher’s monotonous droning echoing off the walls of his soul room.  The students looked to be in a similar state of disinterest save for a select few scribbling notes.  Yugi was staring holes into his own notebook, the page mostly empty except for a few important details the teacher had said would be on the upcoming exam.  His leg was bouncing restlessly, and Yami was surprised Yugi hadn’t broken his pen yet with how hard he was gripping it.  He could feel Yugi’s discomfort through their link at being confined to his seat without anything to do.  Feeling the need to rectify this situation, Yami floated over Yugi’s shoulder.

“Hello, aibou.”

Yugi gasped and jumped in his seat, earning him a few strange looks from the students sitting around him.  His teacher paused her lecture to ask if he was alright, and he forced a smile to reassure her he was alright before turning his attention (figuratively) back to Yami.

Don’t sneak up on me like that, mou hitori no boku! Yugi scolded through their mind link.  Unlike Yami, other people would hear him if he were to speak aloud.

“My apologies,” Yami replied, not sounding sorry in the slightest.  “I thought you had seen me.”

Well, I didn’t.  What’s going on?

“I have nothing to do.  Are you certain you can’t come spend time with me in our soul rooms?”

Yugi jotted something else in his notebook.  Yes, I’m sure.  If I do, it’ll look like I’m sleeping and I could get in big trouble!

“Well, we can’t have that.”  Now grinning, Yami draped himself over Yugi’s full desk, thankfully not disturbing anything with his weightless, massless form.  “I’ll just wait until you’re done then.”

Yugi’s eyes widened.  Yami!

“Just pretend I’m not here.  You can still see your notes, can’t you?”  Yami gave Yugi a pleading look that reeked of melodrama.  “Please, aibou?”

Yami watched in fascination as Yugi’s cheeks darkened at the now-familiar nickname.  Fine, just stop looking at me like that.

“You’re blushing.”

No I’m not.

“Yes you are.”

No I’m not.

“Was it something I said, aibou?”  Seeing Yugi’s blush grow, Yami’s suspicion was confirmed.  He lowered his already deep and leaned in closer.  “Do you like it when I call you aibou?~”

Yugi took a deep breath and began writing furiously, his face resembling a tomato more and more.

“Because that’s what you are,” Yami cooed.  “My aibou.  My wonderful, precious aibou who I would do anything for.  My aibou in more ways than one.  In my mind, in my soul, in my heart, in my bed--”

Yugi shoved back from his desk and, his voice so loud he was practically yelling, announced, “I’m going to the bathroom!”  Before his teacher could ask for an explanation, he was scurrying out of the room and down the hall.  He reached the bathroom in record time.

Feeling Yugi’s presence enter the Puzzle, Yami strutted across the narrow hallway to the open door of Yugi’s soul room.  He didn’t even have a chance to greet him before he was grabbed by the shirt and yanked into a rough kiss that took his breath away.  He allowed himself to be pulled further into the room and pinned against the wall, his arms wrapping around Yugi’s waist while Yugi devoured him.  They broke apart after what seemed like both an eternity and a split second, gasping for air that they didn’t technically need.

“You.  Suck.”

Yami returned Yugi’s glare with a cheeky smirk.  “You would know.”

“I hate you.”

“You love me.”

“I hate that I love you.”

“No you don’t.”

“I might.”

“But you don’t.”

“No, I don’t.”

Their lips met again, this kiss shorter and softer than before, then moved to sit on the bed next to each other.

“I didn’t know you were so affected by my nickname for you, aibou,” Yami said with a slight chuckle.

Yugi laughed with him a little.  “It’s not so much the nickname itself, more just...the way you were saying it.”

“And you find it attractive?”

“Partially.  But I also think it’s...romantic.”  Yugi stared down at his hands in his lap.  “I don’t know, it makes me feel really special, like I’m something unique, something super important to you.”

Yami’s face softened, and he scooted closer to pull Yugi into a hug.  “Yugi, you are something super important to me.  And I meant what I said.  You are my aibou in every way.”

“I know.  I’m glad.”  Yugi kissed the tip of Yami’s nose.  “Just try not to remind me of some of the details in the middle of class next time.”

“I make no promises.”

Yugi rolled his eyes and leaned against Yami’s chest with a sigh, letting the tension melt out of his body.  “I love you.”

Smiling down at the person who brought light back into his life, Yami’s reply couldn’t have been any more sincere.

“I love you too, aibou.”

[ygo-is-gayer-than-i-remember]

Yugioctober Day 21: Soul

(Prompt list)  (Read it here on Ao3!)

Summary: After everyone's souls are returned and the world is safe from the Orichalcos, Yami asks to have a talk with Kaiba.

Kaiba’s helicopter touched down in the clearing near Professor Hawkins’ trailer minutes before the sun disappeared under the horizon.  Now that the world was safe from immediate danger, everyone just wanted some time to relax.  The peace and quiet of the forest were exactly what they all needed.

Well, all except Kaiba.

Kaiba turned his chair forward and threw the others an unenthusiastic wave.  “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

“Setooooo, I really don’t wanna fly all the way back home right now!”  Mokuba flopped back into his seat with an exaggerated whine.  “It’s late and I’m tired...”

“I’m not spending the night with this bunch of losers.”

“Please, big brother?  I wanna go to bed.”

“Actually, um...”  Kaiba turned just enough to get a good view of Yugi cradling the Millennium Puzzle in both hands, something he did when thinking about the spirit that resided within it.  “Would you mind staying, at least for a little bit?  The Pharaoh wants to talk to you.  Privately.”

Kaiba raised a brow.  Privately?  The Pharaoh had never asked to speak to Kaiba privately before.  Though how private could it possibly be with him and Yugi sharing a body?  Regardless, his interest was piqued, and Mokuba had made his opinion abundantly clear.  He pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Fine.  Isono, help Mokuba set up.”

The door remained open while Isono and Mokuba transformed the inside of the helicopter into a makeshift trailer.  It had been designed like that on purpose, of course, in case they ended up in a situation where the copter was their only form of shelter.  The chairs folded back and combined into plush cots, and the storage in the back held pillows and blankets to go on top, along with some emergency survival gear.  Following Yugi down the stairs, Kaiba could hear the sliding mechanisms behind him.  He could also hear Jounouchi complaining loudly about having to spend another night in close proximity to him.  The noise gradually tapered off as he followed Yugi further from the campsite.

Their path ended along the lakeshore.  Laughter echoed across the water, the lights from the two trailers visible in the distance.  It reminded Kaiba of one of those scenic photographs he sometimes saw in hotel rooms.  He turned back to his companion as the glow of the Millennium Puzzle faded, the Pharaoh’s features illuminated only by the soft moonlight.  He had taken a seat on a large, flat rock and was staring out over the lake.

“What do y--?”

“I’m sorry.”

Anything Kaiba had been about to say died on his tongue.  He had never heard him speak so timidly before.  He blinked owlishly at Yami, who had yet to meet his eyes.

“All of this was my fault,” he continued, his voice a low murmur.  “I always criticize you for being blind to your own pride and hatred, but that was exactly what I allowed to happen to me.  The amount of grief I felt losing Yugi was unlike anything I had ever known.  He is my partner, my light, my world, and I lost him because I refused to listen and let darkness consume me.  And then you arrive and I lose you while you’re trying to help me fix my mistake.  I know we don’t always see eye to eye, but I value your being in our lives and...and I was terrified of never getting to see you again.”

Kaiba sucked in a sharp breath.  The Pharaoh, terrified?  That felt like an oxymoron.  He took a few slow steps forward and sat down next to his rival, staring at the course sand between his knees.  For a while, only the sound of waves lapping at the shore accompanied his thoughts.

“I noticed on that video call that it was you, not Yugi.”  Kaiba laced his fingers together.  “I saw how upset you were, and when I figured out why, I guess...I was pretty upset too.  I thought I was upset because you lost a duel to someone other than me.”

“But it wasn’t?”

Kaiba let out a mirthless chuckle.  “Not entirely.  Seeing you upset made me upset.  I was...worried...about you.  About both of you.”  He saw the Pharaoh turn towards him out of the corner of his eye.  “I knew you needed to succeed in that duel no matter what it took.  If I didn’t fight with everything I had and you got taken or we never got Yugi back or the world was destroyed or whatever, I don’t think I could ever forgive myself.”

“Kaiba…”

Their eyes met, crimson and cobalt, both swirling with emotions previously unknown when observing the depths of each other’s souls, souls that were exactly where they were supposed to be, for now.  Kaiba’s heart stopped at the feeling of Yami’s hand sliding over his.

“Kaiba, you must know Yugi and I care for each other a great deal, but we care for you too.  You’re very important to us...to me.”

Heat rushed to Kaiba’s cheeks.  “...What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that I--that...that we…”  In lieu of finishing his sentence, he reached a hand up to cup Kaiba’s cheek and guide him down into a kiss.

It started off chaste, testing boundaries and asking permission, but quickly grew more passionate.  They clashed like they would in competition, pushing back and forth and trying to gain an edge over the other.  Teeth clacked and lips burned as smaller hands reached up to wrap around the back of Kaiba’s neck.  His own hands found the Pharaoh’s waist.

Then the feeling changed.  Kaiba’s dominance was welcomed and returned with something slower and sweeter.  The fire had dimmed to a comforting warmth akin to the first sip of hot cocoa on a cold winter’s night.  They both craved acceptance and affection from the other, but, unlike Kaiba, this new presence was much more willing to give than to take.  They broke apart, and Kaiba smiled down at Yugi as he pulled him closer.

“Don’t ever scare us like that again, understand?  We...I missed you.”

Yugi giggled against Kaiba’s chest.  “I missed you too.  And thank you for coming.”

“Mm.  Has the Pharaoh begged for your forgiveness yet?”

“Not yet.  I’m thinking he will when I go to sleep tonight.”

“Good.  Can you tell him something for me then?”

“Sure, what is it?”

Kaiba gazed up at the stars, countless clusters of them streaking across the sky away from the pollution surrounding the cities.  Somehow, they seemed even brighter when reflected in the depths of Yugi’s gentle, violet eyes.

“Tell him I love you too.”