"Mmm, mou hitori no boku." Yuugi parted his lips and closed them around a rather plump and juicy strawberry. He bit it in two, careful not to spill. "What is it with you and strawberries?"
"They are nice and sweet, just like you, aibou." Atemu took a strawberry himself and stuck it into his mouth, closing his eyes in pure delight as he savored the piece of fruit.
"There are only two situations when you have that look on your face," Yuugi said, feeling a little naughty.
"Really?"
"Yes. The first one is like now, when you're eating a strawberry. The second one is..." he darted with his fingers over Atemu's pajama-clad thigh, tugging at the fabric, "when you lie on your back and I'm on top of you, stroking and rubbing you all the way..."
Atemu choked on his strawberry and started coughing, his face turning the same shade of red as his beloved fruit. "Aibou!"
"I speak nothing but the truth," Yuugi said, putting on his most innocent expression as he hooked his fingers in the waistband of the pajamas.
"A very naughty truth…" Atemu shook his head, sending his golden bangs flying with the movement. He didn't pull away from Yuugi's touch, not protesting when more of his skin was exposed. Their habit of sharing a pair of pajamas - Atemu wearing the bottom, Yuugi the top - was a convenient one, especially on lovely, lazy mornings like these. Yuugi's top buttons had already come undone. "Maybe we should examine, just to be sure, that it is the exact truth, hmm?"
"Mou hitori no boku, what are you doing…ooooh!"
Content, Yuugi rolled over in the bed and wasn't surprised to find the empty space next to him. Atemu was always up and running about, if not because of the kids, but of work, the household or anything else that caught or needed his attention. Yuugi smiled softly as he stared at the ring on his finger, and he patted the pillow, inhaling Atemu's lingering scent. Counting from the first day they met after Yuugi had solved the Sennen Puzzle, it had been fifteen years since Atemu's spirit had been released, still nameless at that time.
When it came to their relationship, Yuugi counted from the moment Atemu had been granted his own body after the Ceremonial Duel. To be more exact, he counted from the moment when the former Pharaoh slipped this ring around his finger: a plaid golden one, with a ruby and an amethyst entangled, with a little twist, on top with both their names engraved. Atemu claimed to have fallen in love with Yuugi the first moment he saw him, but Yuugi hadn't been aware of the spirit's presence at first. It had taken him significantly longer to return the feelings, especially since he lived with the constant fear that Atemu would have to leave sooner or later. Only after the Ceremonial Duel and his plea to the Gods, Atemu had been granted to live like a mortal and Yuugi was able to fully open up to his emotions.
He hopped out of bed and quickly made his way over to the shower. What a luxury to have a - small, yet cozy - bathroom adjacent to the bedroom! Yuugi didn't know how he ever could have lived without it. The master bathroom downstairs was constantly occupied by the girls and the bathroom on the first floor was just a hassle to go to when your bedroom was located in the attic. Living with three kids, your boyfriend and your mother in one and the same house made it crowded, as simple as that. All in all, a little space in the bedroom was a small sacrifice for your own shower, Yuugi mused as he turned the water on.
After taking the shower and getting dressed, Yuugi went downstairs to the kitchen. He loved these lazy Saturdays, though with three kids, no day was a quiet or a lazy one. It was already a tradition though, that the kids would spend the first part of the Saturday morning with Yuugi's mother, leaving some quality time for Yuugi and Atemu. Mutou Yusuke would entertain and look after the kids so that her son and his boyfriend could have a little bit of private time, instead of having the children jumping up and down on their bed. Yuugi could hear exited noises coming from the kitchen, a high-pitched feminine voice and a lower, masculine one. Yuugi pushed the door open and saw Atemu, holding a tray in front of Akina, allowing the youngest of their children to put gobs of batter on it, all in different size and shape. What kind of cookies was that going to be? He didn't spot any chocolate chips in the batter, as Atemu was keen on not giving the kids too much sugar. He saw a box on the counter and had to suppress a chuckle; the former Pharaoh was probably the only one in the world to get his daughter enthusiastic about making oatmeal and wheat cookies.
As he was watching Atemu encouraging Akina to put on a little more batter, a sudden wave of jealousy hit him, as if someone punched him in the chest. When had his own father even interacted with him like this? The man had been on 'business trips' for the large part of his life, not even bothering to stay in touch despite this era of modern communication. Every now and then a message arrived about his current location in whatever part of Japan, leaving his wife, Yuugi's mother, often in tears as she heaved a defeated sigh. She probably had given up hope to ever have a normal marriage like any of her friends, like any other married couple. Yuugi wondered if his father even knew about Atemu. He assumed he did, as his mother certainly would've mentioned their son's life partner to her husband when sending a message back. Yuugi refused to talk to a man who didn't even give a phone call to his son on his birthday.
It hurt. It was a raw pain, flaring up in him and he didn't know why, why at this exact moment these emotions surfaced so intense and forceful. Suddenly Yuugi noticed he had been staring and Atemu was staring right back. A confused look was visible on his face, while Akina talked to herself in her own fantasy language, putting another glob of batter on the baking sheet, scraping the spoon to get out the very last drop.
Akina Nourbese had been the third and last child to be adopted into the Mutou family. Just a baby, she flourished quickly with the unconditional love and attention from her new family and she had developed quickly into a healthy toddler who was open and joyful around everyone, especially around Atemu. She clung to him more than to anyone else, often babbling in that strange fantasy language that she made up on the spot. Akina was very much a dreamer, fancying herself a princess with her love for all things pink, glittery and fairy-tale. As the youngest child, she was quick to realize her position, winding everyone around her little pinky finger. The adoption agency hadn't had any more information on her background as 'abandoned'. Too young to realize what had happened in the first months of her life, Akina had accepted both men as her parents without a qualm, calling Yuugi's mother 'obaa-san', grandmother, from the get-go. She was almost three now, using the same Yami Papa and Hikari Papa speech pattern like her siblings.
"Aibou..?" Atemu startled Yuugi out of his thoughts. "Something the matter?"
"I'm fine," Yuugi snapped, taken aback the very same second the clipped words left his mouth. It was unusual for him to speak in such a harsh tone - he could see it in Atemu's eyes, as well as hearing it in Akina's sudden gasp. Tzuziko frowned at him; he hadn't even noticed her entering the kitchen. Embarrassed, Yuugi quickly turned around and left.
"Hikari Papa is a bit distressed," Atemu said, moving Akina and the tray towards Tzuziko. "Why don't you help your sister with the cookies, little lady?"
Tzuziko nodded sternly at Atemu, shouldering the responsibility of watching her little sister with the seriousness she approached all of her tasks with. She held the tray in front of Akina, who confusedly looked after Yuugi's retreating back, then to Atemu, the sunny smile on her face disappearing. Atemu ruffled her hair quickly and patted Tzuziko on the shoulder. Leaving the girls in the kitchen, he went after Yuugi.
Yuugi walked into the living room, panting as if he just had run a marathon. How could he ruin a perfect Saturday, the most fun day of the week? Saturdays were for interaction with the kids, doing fun stuff, being a family and sharing a good time. Now he had ruined it all! He thought he'd put his aggravation about his father behind him, that he was over it… but apparently not as well as he thought he had. Yuugi heard familiar footsteps behind him. He couldn't wait for Atemu to catch up with him so he could talk to him. Yuugi turned around and closed the distance between them, quickly wrapping his arms around Atemu. "I'm so sorry, mou hitori no boku."
Atemu started stroking his hair, gently, soothing. "Tell me what is wrong, aibou. I do not like to see you sad like this."
"I'm fine," Yuugi said, shivering from the lie. Atemu had seen right through his anger, and still he was lying to him.
"Aibou, I do not want you to say things that are not true."
"Mou hitori no boku…" He knew it was totally in vain. He couldn't lie to his other self, it was hurtful and degrading. "It's just not fair."
His hair being stroked was such a soothing, calming sensation… he heaved a blissful sigh. Atemu pressed a light kiss to his temple. He wasn't prying and simply trusted Yuugi to continue.
"It's not fair," he repeated. "The way we treat our children is nothing like how my father treats me."
"Your father has his reasons," Atemu said.
"What reasons could that be?" Yuugi couldn't help but to sound bitter. "A reason like 'I don't value my son enough to come home after work every day and see him grow up, instead I'll leave on a business trip and never return?'"
"I admit that I do not know his reasons, but I am sure he has them," Atemu insisted. "I would like to know them as well, yes. I sincerely would like to talk to your father and ask him why he did what he did. I cannot and will not judge him without knowing his side of the story, aibou."
"I can't be a good father," Yuugi whispered. "I don't know how to be one."
"That is not true, aibou. You are teaching the children your kindness and your gentleness, you are teaching them your hope and your strength," Atemu said. This time, he put a kiss on top of Yuugi's head. "You are there when they need you, to comfort them and to support them."
"You're far better at this than me."
"It is not about being 'better'," Atemu said softly. "We both lack good examples. I have very little memories of my father, and you have bad memories of yours. I make mistakes as well."
"Mou hitori no boku…"
"Aibou.."
Yuugi kissed him. He adored kissing Atemu, he adored being so close to him. He needed the physical contact, the emotional contact, and a kiss was just one of the many ways to express the love in their relationship.
"You're such a good father, mou hitori no boku. You're really there for the children."
"Really? Tzuziko hates me for not allowing her to skip a class, as she feels far superior to the other children. I had to apologize numerous times for Kazuo's behavior at school this week and Akina's most important goal in life is to get a Hello Kitty phone, and I fear the day realization will settle in that she is not a princess. No, the children are not always happy with me, and I am not exactly better at it."
"I just don't understand why my father left me," Yuugi said, downtrodden.
"I do not think your father has left you, aibou. In his mind, he is doing the right thing: working hard, sending money home. He loves his job more than anything and yes, he should be here for you, but…"
"He can have a second family for all that we know," Yuugi protested.
"Your father made a choice, and until I speak to him, I do not know which other choices he had, or not, before he made his decision, aibou."
"I don't think you'll ever meet him, and that makes me sad."
"Have you ever told your father?"
"No, I haven't spoken to him in ages. I'm so mad at him."
"Sometimes all it takes is for one person to reach out, no matter if the other is wrong or not."
"Maybe," Yuugi said. He wasn't sure. Would it really be better if he talked to his father? He looked up at Atemu, smiling.
"Do you know fatherhood makes you incredibly sexy?" Yuugi said.
"I do now," Atemu said and smiled at Yuugi's expression. "And, aibou, shall we return to the kitchen before we find our beloved kids all dunked in batter and a fire breaking out?"
Yuugi adored his job as software developer, working for Industrial Illusions. He was often in charge of entire gaming software projects, from their initial concept to the final product, ready to be shipped to consumers. As Pegasus was working towards his retirement from the gaming industry, Kaiba Seto took up the dominating position in the market, carefully spinning its web until the opportunity arose to take over completely. Yuugi didn't mind working for Kaiba, as he had already done quite a few projects for KaibaCorp.. Pegasus was never the one to shun cooperation, and Yuugi had even ended up with the luxury of having two offices: one at KaibaCorp. and one at Industrial Illusions. He knew it would be a matter of time before KaibaCorp. would take over Industrial Illusions and Kaiba himself would be his official boss. Pegasus was barely seen at his office anymore, spending more and more time on traveling and his artistic adventures, but Yuugi couldn't help but grin whenever he heard "Yuugi-boy" rolling through the hallways.
Today was his last day before his annual holiday. Yuugi had wrapped up the projects he'd been working on and he had briefed his colleagues about his progress and input. As this was another Kaiba-Pegasus collaboration, they needed to know where and how to continue the project to make it in time before the deadline. Yuugi had counted the days until his holiday started. He wished he could take the kids to visit a foreign country. He would love to show them Egypt, or Europe, or the United States, but it simply wasn't possible due to financial reasons. Yuugi knew how much Atemu longed to visit his homeland, but with three kids, a house and an antiquity store it wasn't easy to put aside some savings. Their time at home together, as a family, was the most valuable at all. It was the first time his holiday didn't coincide with a school holiday, however. Yuugi had been able to take time off when the children had their break from school, but there were many other people at Kaiba Corp. and Industrial Illusions who also had children and wanted to spend some quality time with them. The last thing Yuugi wanted, was to get a bad reputation among his coworkers for hogging all the 'best' holiday time. Before he left the office, Yuugi made sure to wish Kaiba a happy holiday - only to receive a snort in return - and made a stop at a department store on his way home, to buy some fun stuff for Atemu, his mother and the kids.
When he finally came home, he was greeted by Tzuziko and Kazuo in the midst of a heated discussion, with Kazuo screaming at the top of his lungs and throwing anything he could find at his elder sister. Yuugi broke the fight up by giving them his presents - a storybook for Tzuziko and a plastic toy for Kazuo to maul; he was very destructive with his possessions. The kids were ecstatic about their presents and the fight was immediately forgotten. Smiling at the temporary peace, Yuugi went into the kitchen, finding Atemu busy with the preparations for dinner and Akina helping him out by stirring in her pots and pans in her mini-kitchen, an earlier birthday gift from Yuugi's mother.
"Hikari Papa!" She all but ran to him and Yuugi picked her up. Akina was more approachable than the two others. Tzuziko didn't like to be hugged or touched, even though she would occasionally allow it, albeit with trepidation. Kazuo never wanted to be hugged, only Yusuke could touch him without the boy getting either upset or throwing a huge fit.
"Akina-chan," Yuugi greeted her, "are you helping Yami Papa in the kitchen?"
"Noodly soup," she said and wrapped her little arms around his neck.
"Yum, that's going to be a wonderful dinner," Yuugi said. "I have something for you, Akina-chan!"
"For me, Hikari Papa?" Yuugi had to set her down to grab his bag. He pulled out a package that barely disguised the shape of a doll. Akinda screamed in excitement and tore the paper apart, revealing the doll. She stormed out of the kitchen to get clothes and a hairbrush for her new friend, leaving Yuugi and Atemu alone.
"I also have something for my stay-at-home Pharaoh," Yuugi said, winking at his lover. Atemu showed him a knowing smile.
"What might that be?"
"Chocolate," Yuugi pulled it out of his bag, and chuckled at Atemu's disappointed face as he wrinkled his nose.
"Aibou! Chocolate?"
"I'm sorry," Yuugi said as he put the chocolate bar on the counter top. "I would love to give you some jewelry, but with the prices and all…"
"I know, I know, I have an expensive hobby." Just as Atemu said it, his golden earrings caught a glimpse of the light in the kitchen. "But chocolate! You know I do not care for sweets very much, aibou."
"Says the man who drenches his dessert in so much honey that it makes me nauseous." Yuugi winked once more at him. "Besides, this is a very different kind of chocolate. The kind-you-spread- on-your-lover-and-lick-it-off-chocolate."
"Really?" Atemu looked with renewed interest at the chocolate bar.
"Fortunately, none of the kids are present, or I would've tried it out right here and right now!"
"Aibou!" Atemu nodded towards the hallway, but the children weren't close enough to overhear. Nonetheless, he lowered his voice as he said: "How about trying it out tonight?"
"You're reading my thoughts, mou hitori no boku," Yuugi said and poked him in the chest. "Are you sure there's not a Sennen Puzzle around there somewhere?"
"You know my Item was not like that…"
"Just joking..! I'll put the chocolate away, before the kids think it's for them and they want to eat it!"
A few days later, Yuugi woke up to screaming. He yawned as he checked the alarm clock: it was quite early, exactly the time the kids had to go to school. He usually would have left for work at this hour, commuting to his office, avoiding the rush hour at the Mutou residence. Yuugi listened to the incoherent screaming. It wasn't Kazuo, who had no indoor voice (despite Atemu trying to teach him to keep it down), and it wasn't Akina, who had a very high-pitched wail - it had to be Tzuziko. He got up and slipped into his bath robe. Yuugi had been terribly lazy, enjoying his time off; he had worked so hard on all the projects Kaiba had been piling on him that he deserved some rest and relaxation. But now that he couldn't sleep due to the screaming, he'd better go check it out and see what was going on. Still yawning, he went downstairs and entered the battlefield as soon as he walked into the living room. It was indeed Tzuziko who was screaming and shaking her fists to boot, while Kazuo stood in the corner, hands on his back, muttering under his breath. A teary-eyed Akina clung to Atemu's leg, who was standing opposite of Tzuziko, his finger raised.
"What's going on here?" Yuugi asked, rubbing his eyes. Atemu turned towards him.
"Aibou," he said. "I am sorry that we woke you up. I am having a discussion with Tzuziko-chan about her class trip. She refuses to go."
"It's stupid! You can't make me go, Yami Papa!" Her face showed an unhealthy color of red. "I don't want to go!"
"You are going, little lady," Atemu said, voice rising as he spoke. It reminded Yuugi so much of how the former Pharaoh used to announce his attacks while dueling; he would start a sentence at a perfect normal pitch and would end it with a much louder, commanding tone. The kind of tone that made you cower in your boots. "All your classmates are going, and it is a perfect opportunity for you to get to know them better."
"They're stupid! I don't want to go on a trip with them, giggling like little schoolgirls!"
"You're a little schoolgirl too, Tzuziko-chan," Yuugi said. His warm voice took the sting out of his words, as he knew how Tzuziko hated being called 'little', except for Atemu's affectionate 'little lady'. "What kind of class trip is this?"
"Hokkaido," Tzuziko said, and the tears of frustration almost blurred her glasses. "It's a school excursion. We're going to stay at lodgings and have quizzes and karaoke contests." She looked like she was going to throw up just at the thought.
"This is important, Tzuziko-chan. We have discussed this before and you are going. It is bad enough that you shun most of your classmates with your behavior! Now, grab your bento and get yourself ready."
Yuugi remembered what his daughter was talking about. It was a three-day school excursion to the Hokkaido region, with lots of activities for the children to get to know each other better and stimulating and developing friendships. He could see the frustration and fear in Tzuziko's eyes and was reminded of his first school excursion; he had felt pretty lonely and afraid. This was all before he knew Anzu, or Jounouchi, Honda or the rest of the gang. On the other hand, Atemu was right; Tzuziko made no effort at all to be friendly to her peers and preferred studying over hanging out, as she still wanted to skip a class.
"If it's such an ordeal, maybe it's for the better if she stays at home?"
The relieved and hopeful look he received from the girl was almost devastating, but it was rendered moot by Atemu's stern gaze.
"We have spoken about this, aibou, and you agreed with me that Tzuziko-chan should go. She has obligations towards her classmates. It is a great opportunity for her to get to know other students, and I will not hold her at home because she does not feel like going."
Tzuziko started crying again.
"But it's a full three days," Yuugi said. "That might be too long for her, mou hitori no boku."
"I filled out the consent forms," Atemu said, "and Tzuziko-chan is going to give them to her class teacher today. Go get your bento, I will not have you late for school today. The same goes for you, Kazuo-kun. I have heard every bad word you were mumbling, young man. That will be a full rehearsal of the Ancient Egyptian alphabet tonight for every f-word you said."
Kazuo left the corner, stomping out of the room, and bumping into Yuugi's mother on his way out.
"Good morning," she started, but her smile dissolved when she saw the look on Atemu's face. "Akina-chan, let's get the bentos ready. You can put in the onigiri," she said and the girl detached herself from Atemu's leg and joined her grandmother, retreating into the kitchen.
"What was that all about? With Kazuo-kun?"
"The usual hissy fit about everything." Atemu sounded tired all of the sudden. "He does not want to go to school, he does not want to wear his uniform, he does not want to eat toast, and he managed to break another plate and cup this morning. Sometimes he reminds me of a small Malik no yami no jinkaku, just as destructive and reveling in chaos."
"Don't let the original Malik hear it," Yuugi couldn't help but mutter. Malik lived with Bakura Ryou in Egypt, making a name for himself as a historian. His background as a Tomb Keeper contributed to his reputation, and Bakura helped him with his research. They kept in touch, albeit irregularly, with a holiday or a birthday card or the occasional e-mail.
"Do you have anything else to say to me, aibou?" Atemu asked and Yuugi walked straight into the trap.
"I think you were a little harsh on Tzuziko-chan, mou hitori no boku. We both know she can't handle a three-day trip away from home. She doesn't like the children in her class."
"The reason why she does not like them is because she thinks she is above them, and she treats them accordingly," Atemu said, as if explaining to a small child.
"She tries to get along with them," Yuugi said. "Tzuziko-chan is so intelligent, she can skip a class."
"I know she wants to skip a class. We talked about this before and we decided that it was not in her best interest. She would only become even more socially awkward, aibou. She does not do her best to connect with her peers, she has not received a single invitation for a birthday party or a sleepover. I encourage her academic proficiency as much as you do, but she has to have social skills as well. She will not be able to hold herself up in this society with knowledge only."
"But three days..!"
"It would have been different if she had been friendly with her classmates from the start. I do not expect her to become perfectly social adept overnight, but she could at least make an effort."
"Is it always like this?" Yuugi asked.
"What do you mean?"
"This… drama early in the morning. I know I'm usually at the office by this time, but still… I think you might be too strict on the children, mou hitori no boku."
"I disagree, aibou. We have to have discipline in the house, to make sure the children learn rules and regulations, and that they are on time to go to school and be dressed and fed before they leave."
"That's not what I meant. This fight about Tzuziko-chan's excursion…"
"It was not a fight, but a discussion. She is going and that is final, aibou. You agreed with me."
"I know I did, mou hitori no boku. But she was so upset… maybe we can reach a compromise?"
"I do not see why we should go back on our agreement. This will be the same for Kazuo and Akina when they go on a school excursion. They cannot always have it the way they want it to be. Life has its disappointments and we will not cater to our children's every whim. Besides, aibou, I would appreciate it when you would not go back on your word in front of the children."
"That's not fair, mou hitori no boku. We're both their parents."
"Exactly. That is why I ask you not to disagree with me in front of the children. It is confusing to them and they will use it as a way to get out from their duties and obligations."
"They're children, not criminals. They don't need constant lecturing."
"Lecturing? You mean I lecture them?" Atemu gaped like a fish. "Let me tell you something, aibou. Tzuziko needs to get out of the house to attend the social obligations she so despises, just to show her that there is a world outside of her beloved books and to prevent her from becoming an outcast. It is truly necessary for Kazuo to give him strong guidance, as it is in his nature to rebel and go against everything, and if there is no one around to pay attention to him, he will go on a forceful rampage." He took a deep breath before continuing, his voice going up a little. "Akina needs to be told again and again that the real world is not made out of pink and fluffy clouds, and no, get ting married at sixteen to some kind of knight in shining armor and living in a castle is not real! I want our children to be responsible, aware of their potential and capabilities and using them to their fullest extent to become stand-up citizens and good people, and if that requires lecturing, so be it!"
"I'm not disagreeing that they need some discipline," Yuugi said, not realizing he was raising his voice as well. "But they. are. children! There's no room for any fun, no room for a little breather!"
"They have school and extracurricular activities, to prepare them for their future. It cannot be all fun and games. We have been through quite a lot ourselves, and it would be unwise to keep our children shielded from the world."
"I understand, really! But they don't need to be drilled!"
"Would you like them to leave the house unprepared? To forsake their obligations? They will not be able to get an office job if they do not learn how to develop and train their skills from a young age. While you sit in your office all day and think up whatever game you want to be the next craze this year, I have to struggle to get them to school, to get them to be responsible, to get them properly dressed, bathed, nourished!"
"We talk often enough about the kids, mou hitori no boku. Why did you not ever voice those complaints to me?"
"They are not complaints, aibou. They are the duties of a parent, and I will perform them to the best of my abilities. I am pointing out that it is counterproductive for you to swoop in and negate an earlier decision, which negates my efforts and energy to raise them."
"Are you accusing me of not knowing what's best for our children? Are you telling me that I'm just as bad as my father?"
"Certainly not," Atemu immediately denied. "We raise our children together. I see the children more, because I am at home and you are at your office. That was a conscious decision we made, and the children know that they only have to dial 1 on the phone for their Hikari papa."
"I can't believe my ears! You're actually accusing me of not being around enough and that I'm a lazy bum who doesn't care for his kids' welfare? Well, excuse me for not believing that learning Ancient Egyptian is a priority in today's society, and that having some fun and play in a sandbox or with a Helly Kitty castle is more important than the perfect table manners!"
"Listen to reason, aibou. That was not what I meant…"
"Reason? Reason? No, you listen to reason, mou hitori no boku!" Yuugi yelled as he interrupted the other. "If you think that I'm a lazy bum, I'm going to be a lazy bum! I'm not going to interfere with your perfect plans and upbringing any more, don't worry!" And he stomped away, leaving a baffled Atemu in the living room.
Yuugi had never experienced such an awkward dinner before. Total silence reigned the kitchen, and the atmosphere was tense. Atemu's face was schooled in a perfectly neutral expression as he passed plates and bowls around the table, but Yuugi could feel the anger and hurt lying underneath. Sitting up painstakingly straight, every movement tight and controlled, Atemu was ever the Pharaoh, ruling his nation as he sat at the head of the table. Kazuo and Tzuziko giggled every now and then out of sheer nervosity, not knowing how to behave in this entirely strange situation. Everyone poked at their food, making as little noise as possible. Yuugi couldn't stand the way his stomach churning. Finally, Atemu stood up, taking his bowl with him and put it in the sink before leaving the kitchen. The silence hung as a cold grave between them, as neither one of them had searched the other out after their fight in the early morning. Yuugi looked down at his bowl and didn't know what was in it - he had mashed the food beyond recognition. Akina stopped eating as soon as Atemu left the kitchen and the poor girl looked so miserable that Yuugi excused her from the table. She ran away, dragging her new doll behind her. Immediately, Tzuziko and Kazuo looked at Yuugi, their faces asking the silent question, and he excused them as well.
He took the bowls and even though he hated to throw out food, the leftovers were far from appetizing, seeing how everyone had been mashing their dinner. Yuugi knew that the children were supposed to help out with household chores, but Atemu was the one who had the exact roster memorized. He noticed Kazuo dawdling at the kitchen door and he turned around.
"Kazuo-kun, don't you have any homework to do?"
"Just a few reading exercises. Yami Papa goes over my homework every night," the child said, peeking at Yuugi from under his bushy eyebrows. He was oddly subdued. Yuugi thought the boy would be thrilled at not being rehearsed this evening, but he kept dawdling.
"That's fine. I'm sure you know your lessons well," Yuugi said. "You can go to the living room and watch some TV, Kazuo-kun. I'll be with you in a moment."
Kazuo left and Yuugi cleaned up around the kitchen. He hoped his mother was enjoying her evening with friends, it was bad enough already that she had witnessed the fight in the morning. Fortunately she hadn't been around for this disastrous dinner… Yuugi put the last of the clean bowls back into the cabinet and decided to call it quits. He wanted to spent some time with the children and made his way over to the living room, where he heard them talking in hushed voices.
"I've never seen Yami Papa so mad," Tzuziko said. "I wish he yelled at us to clean up our room or something. I've never seen him silent like this. It's scary."
"Very scary, yes," Kazuo admitted in his first moment of actually bonding with his sister. Yuugi took a step back, not wanting to interrupt. He noticed that his body was trembling, shaking. It reminded him of their first and then only fight, years ago. Yuugi had struggled with his own identity and had doubted he could make it on his own. Who was Yuugi, and who was Atemu now that he had a body of his own? After the Ceremonial Battle, Yuugi was ecstatic to have Atemu, yet he couldn't live with him, not until he had found out who Mutou Yuugi was without a Pharaoh sharing his body, mind and soul. It had taken him only one day to realize he couldn't live without Atemu, but it had taken him much more time to find himself.
And now, they had fought again, this time about the children. Maybe it had to happen. Maybe it was bound to happen. If there was an argument, they always worked it out - they had never fought like this, with heated accusations flying around. The intensity of the words had made Yuugi nauseous, the aggression and anger that they both had displayed had shocked and scared him. It didn't feel right to leave this unresolved, and it made him feel bad and empty. Why was Atemu so strong and he so weak? Why did he still have the feeling that he was watching the other's back, walking in front of him, always ahead of him? True, Atemu dealt with the majority of the kids' upbringing, and he had been right that they had made the conscious decision of Yuugi pursuing a career, while the former Pharaoh stayed at home. It was the most practical solution; Atemu didn't exist in this world, he didn't have a social security number, and what kind of job would be appropriate for a former Pharaoh who did mathematics in Ancient Egyptian?
Harsh words had been said, and Yuugi didn't know how much truth had been spoken during their fight. Had it only been frustration, or was it something more underlying, something deeper? In any case, Yuugi decided to take the first step. Atemu was as stubborn as Kaiba, and Yuugi didn't want their fight to last for the rest of his holiday, or even longer. But taking the first step didn't mean he was guilty, or that Atemu was innocent - no, he was just going to make the first move to talk about it. If he had to wait for a certain Pharaoh, he could wait until pigs could fly. Yuugi had a good idea where Atemu could be: the computer room.
Tip-toeing, he made his way over to the computer room. It was next to Akina's room, and Yuugi trusted Atemu to have put their youngest daughter to bed. She hadn't been in the living room with Kazuo and Tzuziko, and Atemu was probably the only person who could calm her down, after being so terribly upset at the dinner table. However, the computer room's closed door was a slap to his face. No one closed the door in this household, not even the kids when doing their homework (except for bathroom visits, obviously). Knocking would make too much noise, so Yuugi opened the door, albeit slowly. The small computer room housed a desk, a chair, a file cabinet and a few shelves on the north and east wall. With the latest reconstruction of the building, the stockroom had been split to create Akina's room and this small space for business/administration purposes. There was no need for such a huge stock room anymore, now that the Game Shop had transitioned into an antiquity store.
"Mou hitori no boku," Yuugi said, tone of voice hushed. Atemu sat at the desk, staring at the computer screen which gave his face an eerie, bluish glow.
No answer. Yuugi closed the distance between him and Atemu. A quick look at the computer monitor told him that Atemu was busy with the monthly finances. He put his hands on the other's shoulders, quite relieved when Atemu didn't pull away. Yuugi hated fights, and he didn't want to go to bed with this unresolved. He simply couldn't bear the idea of them being upset with each other in the same bed. He wouldn't be able to sleep without Atemu's arms around him.
"Akina-chan asleep?"
A short nod was his answer.
"Mou hitori no boku, we've been very harsh to each other today. I'd like to talk about it."
No reaction whatsoever. It annoyed Yuugi - apparently their fight about the children brought out the childish side of Atemu himself. He heaved a sigh and decided to try one more time.
"You're typing the same thing over and over again, mou hitori no boku," Yuugi pointed out. When there still came no answer, he got fed up with Atemu's attitude. "You're the most stubborn person I've ever known," he said, and turned around to leave. "And I know Kaiba Seto."
Without another word, Yuugi left the room. There wasn't going to be any reconciliation tonight, that was for sure. It made him upset and angry; how could Atemu do this to him? How could someone who had ruled an entire nation, be so stubborn and narrow-minded that he used the silent treatment to shut out his partner, the man he loved?
He brought Kazuo to bed, who didn't kick up a fuss for once, and after that, it was time for Tzuziko to get tucked in. The girl stared at her father, her face marred with heavy frowns.
"I'll go, Hikari Papa," she said. "The school excursion. I'll go."
Yuugi sat on her bed and gently brushed a wayward strand out of her face. Without her dark-rimmed glasses, she looked so much younger, much more her age. Tzuziko's eyes had always had that deep, almost pained expression, ever since she'd been a baby. What she had gone through before she became part of the Mutou family, was a mystery, and Yuugi wasn't sure if he wanted to find out.
"I don't care about the girls at school," she continued, taking Yuugi's silence as a sign to continue. "But I want Yami Papa to be proud of me. If he wants me to go, then I'll go."
"Yami Papa is very proud of you," Yuugi said, and there was no lie to his words. "He enjoys reading and studying with you so much."
"I don't want him to be mad at me," she said and a small tear slid over her cheek. Yuugi reached for the tissue box on her nightstand, and used one to gently wipe it off her skin.
"He's not mad at you, little lady," he said, using Atemu's fond expression for her on purpose. "Sometimes people fight, and sometimes people get hurt. Sometimes people say things that they don't mean."
"So why do they say it?"
"Human emotions," Yuugi said. He smiled. "Don't worry about it, Tzuziko-chan. And don't worry about the school excursion, all right? It's time for you to sleep."
"Yami Papa always reads Ancient Egyptian to me," the girl pouted. Yuugi leaned into her and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"I'm so sorry sweetheart," he said, "but my Ancient Egyptian is a little rusty. I'll make it up to you, somehow. Now go to sleep, before I send the tickle monster after you."
"Hikari Papa, I'm ten years old," Tzuziko said in her usual, stern manner. "I don't believe in tickle monsters anymore."
"You're right." Yuugi couldn't help but chuckle. "I stand corrected, by my own daughter. Good night, Tzuziko-chan."
"Good night, Hikari Papa."
He woke up the next morning to an eerie silence. It took Yuugi some time to hear the sounds of his mother scurrying around the kitchen, together with the children; she kept her voice down and even Kazuo was quiet. Yuugi rolled out of bed and quickly got himself dressed. He shivered as he looked at the empty bed; it had been a horrible night, just as he had expected. Atemu hadn't come up to the bedroom and for the first time in a long, very long time, Yuugi had spent the night all alone. He ignored the dark circles under his eyes as he shot himself a look in the mirror in the small bathroom and ran a brush through his unruly hair. He thundered down the stairs, almost tripping over the last step.
"Good morning, kaa-san," he said a little sheepishly as he entered the kitchen.
"Good morning, Yuugi," his mother answered, ushering Kazuo to finish his milk. "I figured you could use some help."
"Thank you, kaa-san." Yuugi hugged his daughter and son, before assisting with the bento preparation. Slight confusion arose about who needed to bring which books to what classes, making it painfully obvious that Atemu was the only one to have memorized the schedules of the children.
"I'll take them to school," Mutou Yusuke said. She put her hand on top of Akina's head, too young for school yet. Pressing her doll against her chest, Akina looked a bit dazed from Yuugi to her grandmother. "I'll take Akina-chan with me," the woman ruffled Akina's hair slightly, "for some girls' shopping."
"Shopping!" Akina repeated enthusiastically.
"All right kids, time to go!" Yuugi put the bentos into the backpacks and handed them to Tzuziko and Kazuo. "When you come home this afternoon, we'll do something fun!"
The children nodded, still a little downtrodden. Yuugi waved them goodbye, thanking his mother mentally once more. She had perfectly interpreted the tension and now, while caring for the children, she had removed them from a tensed situation, leaving Yuugi and Atemu alone in the house to solve their problem. It was time to take action, he didn't want this fight to go on like this any longer. Yuugi went to the computer room and opened the door again. It was dark, the only light source was the computer screen, shining on Atemu who had fallen asleep on top of the keyboard, the right side of his face resting on the keys. It looked painful, yet it was somehow endearing; Yuugi never got to see Atemu anything but pristine perfect, and now his hair was all ruffled and frizzy. Closing the distance between them, Yuugi gently raked his hand through his lover's hair.
"Mou hitori no boku, don't tell me you've been sleeping all night in the chair," he said, even though the answer was obvious.
"Aibou…" A drowsily, sleepily mutter. Yuugi wrapped his arms around him, slightly awkward as he was standing while Atemu was sitting lower. He managed to cuddle him nonetheless.
"Wake up, mou hitori no boku. We need to talk. Let's get some breakfast in the kitchen first."
Suddenly, Atemu shot up. "The children! What time is it? They need to go to school!"
"Kaa-san is taking them," Yuugi said. "Don't worry, they'll get to school in time, clothed and fed, with their backpacks and bentos."
"Oh." He looked a little taken aback as he tried to process that he had slept through the usual morning hustle and bustle. Yuugi tapped Atemu's nose.
"We need to talk and we are going to talk, mou hitori no boku. I'm very mad at you. You didn't even come to bed last night."
To Yuugi's surprise, Atemu bowed his head. He had expected an offended denial, or an angry rebuttal, but nothing like this sign of… defeat?
"I know, aibou. I am sorry. I have said painful things, unbecoming things, which you did not deserve."
"Are you apologizing?" Yuugi asked, incredulously. "You're taking all the wind out of my sails, mou hitori no boku."
"What do you mean?"
Yuugi sat down on the armrest of the chair, balancing his body as not to fall off. Fortunately, the chair was fairly sturdy. "I want the best for our children, just like you. And you're right, I don't see half of what's going on, I don't know what's necessary to keep the household running, what effort it takes you to get everything done, while keeping up with the store, a boyfriend and everything else."
"I did not mean to wallow in self-pity, aibou."
"I know you didn't, and you don't, mou hitori no boku. But you take everything so seriously. You give yourself more than a 100%, and you dedicate yourself to our family to your fullest extent. Nobody denies that. But you're also human now, Pharaoh mine. It's okay to relax."
"I have obligations…"
"I have obligations too. The children know they have obligations. Kaa-san has obligations. there's more to life than just being an upstanding citizen and obeying the law to the letter. It's okay to have some fun. It's okay to take a step back every now and then. Just breathe."
"No fun and no breather," Atemu said, referring to Yuugi's words during their fight.
"I don't claim to be the best father in the world. I don't claim to know everything that's right or wrong for the children. I want the same as you, mou hitori no boku. And most of all, that they're happy and healthy."
"So no more lecturing?" Atemu asked, dryly. Yuugi put his hand on his right cheek, wincing slightly at the keyboard pattern in his skin.
"With less lecturing. I know they need guidance, and in some cases, strong guidance. I'm the light side, you're the dark side, remember? We decided that you were the father, and I was the dad. We made a very conscious decision, mou hitori no boku. And I'm sorry that I didn't stand by you earlier."
"I should not have said that you were at your office all day, implying that you were not around for the children."
"That hurt, mou hitori no boku. That really hurt." Yuugi thought at first that Atemu was leaning into his touch, but the former Pharaoh still kept his head down. "Why are you doing that? Look at me. You never fail to meet my eyes."
Atemu looked up. "I behaved shamefully," he said. "If my father was still alive, he would be embarrassed. I failed him, and I failed you." Now he did lean into Yuugi's touch, heaving a sigh. "I acted like a child, choosing to ignore you. It was not one of my better decisions."
"You could say that again." Yuugi shifted a little closer, leaning on the armchair but close to sliding into Atemu's lap. "But don't talk about failing. I haven't been a saint either. I blew up without listening to reason, as you pointed out."
"I should have known that it was bothering you, aibou. You talked to me before about your father, and how you were afraid to turn out like him…"
"And about how you miss your father," Yuugi said. "You were so young when he died, and you loved and respected him so much. We never had a long-lasting, good example ourselves when it came to our fathers, mou hitori no boku. It's logical that we both struggle and make mistakes." He saw Atemu opening his mouth to answer, but he interrupted him before he could start talking. "I know you don't like to make mistakes, but you're not a failure when you do. It's not fair to yourself, or to me. We knew it was going to be difficult, but we've been through so much before, together. I don't ever want to fight again. And when it does happen, we'll talk about it, and not lock ourselves into any room in the house and ignore the other, all right?"
"All right, aibou." Yuugi leaned into him some more, unable to stop cuddling him.
"You can be so stubborn. So stubborn, you're giving Kaiba-kun a run for his money!"
"I cannot help it," Atemu said. "Once born a Pharaoh, always a Pharaoh."
"This is some kind of Ancient Egyptian joke, right?" Yuugi all but slid into Atemu's lap, and he was glad that Atemu returned the hug; when he wrapped his arms around Yuugi, he heaved a satisfied sigh. "These are the modern times, in Japan, now."
"I know. I am not a Pharaoh anymore. I am sorry, aibou. Sometimes I rule this house like my Kingdom, and that is not how it is supposed to be."
Yuugi pressed a kiss to his temple. He knew how difficult it was for Atemu to apologize, and now he had done so, twice in a row. "I'm sorry too. We both went overboard."
"I thought we had a good balance, but we both forgot that we need to readjust it once in a while."
"Yes, you're right. It can't be all fun and games, that's for sure. But it can't be all homework and drilling either."
"Apparently we both had to learn a lesson."
Yuugi put his hand on Atemu's chest, gently stroking. "That's life. We overcome any roughness or trouble in our relationship, we learn our lessons and we go on."
"True, aibou."
Engaging in a passionate kiss, Yuugi's hand slipped lower, towards the waistband of Atemu's pants. He felt so relieved now that they had talked this over, and he could feel Atemu's relief as well. It was so silly, in hindsight, and a lot of unnecessary tension and stress… His fingers tugged at Atemu's shirt and pulled it up so he could touch bare skin. Immediately, he dipped lower with his hand and easily slid between skin and waistband. Yuugi broke up the kiss.
"Have you lost weight, mou hitori no boku?"
"What? Why do you ask, aibou?"
"I can put my hand between your skin and your pants just like this," Yuugi said and moved his hand up and down. "I usually have to remove the belt before I can do so…"
"Stop that," Atemu said. "No, wait, go on."
"Mou hitori no boku…"
"Hm-mm?"
Yuugi frowned. Now that he was so close to Atemu, he noticed a distinctive strand of gray hair just above his right ear. He decided not to mention it, and instead whispered into Atemu's ear: "You're going to bed, mou hitori no boku. You can't run on that little sleep after such an uncomfortable night."
"I am fine, aibou. I do not require any sleep. Your hand, though, is just at the right place…"
"You can't talk your way out of this, no matter how much I love you." Yuugi pressed feather-light kisses to his cheek, nose and lips, while his hands went around Atemu again, this time not to touch or caress, but to prod and poke.
"You definitely lost some weight, I can feel it."
"I did? Well, I did not eat well last night."
Yuugi made a non-committal noise and planted a last, firm kiss to his temple. "You're going to bed, mou hitori no boku. Would you please, for once, listen to me and not be as stubborn as a certain CEO? Who's going to rule my life for years to come, as I have to bring in the money."
"I insist, I do not require…" and the rest got lost in a huge yawn. Atemu blinked. "Fine. I will take note of your wisdom."
"As you should," Yuugi said. "Now move it, Pharaoh. Don't make me kick your scrawny ass upstairs."
Domino City Park was the perfect place for a picnic. Even on a busy Saturday, the many visitors had plenty of choice to pick a spot and not step on anybody's toes. Huge lawns, massive groups of trees to provide shade, large fountains and a fun playground for children were just part of the appeal; the Park was ideal for a long walk, a place to relax, a place to have fun. Yuugi, his mother Yusuke and Anzu were busy arranging all the food and drink on the handy fold-out tables, whereas Jounouchi and Honda put up chairs for everyone. Large cloths and afghans were lying all around and the children were running everywhere, playing tag or throwing balls or water-filled balloons at each other. With such wonderful weather, this late in the summer, it didn't matter if anyone got wet.
"So much food," Yuugi said, gawking at the amount of different dishes: chicken wings, yakitori, salads, sushi and sashimi, several rice bowls, tempura and korokke. Anzu took the foil off of another plate of gyoza.
"I don't think we'll run out anytime soon," she quipped. Her husband was right behind her, offering a huge bowl of potato salad. Friends and family had generously responded to Yuugi's idea of a 'potluck picnic', when he had invited them. Anzu took the bowl out of her husband's hands and kept an eye on her daughter at the same time. Little Ishimi, barely 24 months old, poked at the large bowl and was about to smash her hand into the salad, when Yuugi picked her up just to give her cuddle. She cried out in pure happiness and instead of smashing the potato salad, she tugged at his conspicuous hair.
"Is Kazuo-kun often so rambunctious?" Anzu asked suddenly. Yuugi followed the direction she was looking at, noticing Atemu standing close to Kazuo who had hit one of the other invited children with a stick.
"He's a handful," Yuugi admitted, feeling bad for his son's behavior. "Sometimes I think we should have him tested for ADD. There's no limit to his energy, and he's so quick to hit anything and anyone."
"That sounds like a good idea to me," Anzu said. "I've seen him react violently to other kids before."
"Mou hitori no boku compared him earlier to a little Malik no yami no jinkaku."
Anzu shivered, knowing very well who Yuugi was talking about. "Let's not bring him up, shall we?"
"Who?" Warimi asked. "Are you talking about your friend in Egypt, dear?"
"Exactly, dear." Anzu kissed her husband on the cheek. "I'll fill you in on the details later. How about something to eat first?"
The word 'eat' apparently carried very far, because all of the sudden Jounouchi appeared at the table, holding up a plate and grabbing some of the yakitori.
"Oooh, everything looks so delicious!"
"Leave something for the others, Jounouchi," Anzu said and tapped with a clean ladle on the back of his hand. "And why did you come alone? Mai-san was busy?"
Jounouchi almost choked on his first bite of the yakitori and turned an interesting shade of red. His on-and-off relationship with Kujaku Mai had been a long running joke in the circle of friends, and apparently, it was 'off' again. Anzu didn't mean to embarrass him, and both she and Jounouchi were saved from more embarrassment by Shizuka, his younger sister who arrived at the table with her fiancé, Atanawa Shinji.
"Shizuka-chan! So good to see you! How are you?" Relieved, Anzu came around the table to start talking to Shizuka, her protruding belly an obvious sign of her pregnancy. Jounouchi glared at Shinji, who focused his attention pointedly on the food on the table.
"Everyone is growing up," Yuugi said, a little nostalgia in his voice.
"Everyone is getting older," Jounouchi answered sourly, his yakitori temporarily forgotten. Shinji shuffled a little away from him.
"You're going to be a great uncle, Jounouchi-kun. And don't give me that 'she's too young' speech again. Shizuka-chan is capable of making her own decisions."
"Yeah," Jounouchi said. "I… I just didn't expect her to get pregnant so soon, you know? I figured she was going to get married first… at age forty, or something."
"Shizuka-chan is very fond of children," Yuugi reminded him. "She made a good choice with Shinji-san. He loves her very much."
"Yeah, he better be. If he just as looks at another woman, I'll beat him up."
"What is it with you all and threatening bodily harm on significant others?" Hitsumono Warimi, Anzu's husband, shook his head as he put food on his plate. He'd been on the receiving end of such a threat himself, when Atemu had told him he would penalty game his ass if he didn't treat Anzu right.
"It's some kind of protection," Yuugi said, smiling. "We look out for each other, Warimi-san. True, some like to use their fists…" he looked at Jounouchi who innocently munched on his yakitori again, "…or use anything else necessary to protect the ones we love."
Warimi shook his head, albeit smiling. He had been part of the gang ever since he married Anzu, and he was well aware of the support and (fierce) protection they showed each other.
"Hey Yuugi, there's your Pharaoh boyfriend," Jounouchi said with his mouth full.
"Jounouchi-kun, Warimi," Atemu acknowledged their presence with a slight nod of his head towards the latter.
"Atemu-san," Warimi returned the greeting. Atemu had Akina on his arm, the three years old girl preferring her Yami Papa over everyone else. She smiled brightly at the younger Ishimi.
"Yami Papa, I want to play with Ishimi-chan!"
"Very well, little princess." Atemu put her down and she immediately attached herself to his leg while Warimi helped Ishimi to climb down the chair. She hid behind her father, shyly.
"Dolly," Akina offered Ishimi her favorite doll. Curiously, Ishimi stepped away from her father, but stood still, unsure whether to approach Akina or not.
"Go on, Ishimi-chan," Warimi encouraged his daughter. Akina, while not letting go of her father's leg, waved the doll at her.
With adorable small steps, a little clumsy still, Ishimi made her way over to Akina, and both girls trotted to one of the many afghans to sit down, chattering all the while. Yuugi wasn't worried about the girls; the afghan next to them was occupied by Tzuziko and her two friends, who immediately looked up and took note of the young children. Tzuziko shifted so she could keep an eye on Akina and Ishimi. Her two friends, surrounded by books and scientific magazines, followed suit. Yuugi was glad to see his eldest daughter being so comfortable around her friends. During the dreaded school excursion, she had managed to connect to Hamasaki Machiko and Sato Risuka, two girls who also were of more than above average intelligence and who shared the same interests in science and psychology, instead of celebrities or make-up. The girls were unfazed by Tzuziko having two fathers, and not even Atemu's and Yuugi's uncanny likeness seemed to bother them. During their first sleepover, Yuugi had overheard them though, calling him 'cute' and referring to Atemu as '-sama', which pleased the former Pharaoh very much when Yuugi told him.
"How's Kazuo-kun?" he asked.
Atemu shook his head, sending the golden bangs flying. "Oh, it was nothing, aibou. He and Daisuke had a minor disagreement, that was all."
Yuugi pursed his lips a little. Since a few months, Kazuo had befriended Fujimoto Daisuke, much to Atemu's dismay. Daisuke was just as rowdy as Kazuo and brought out the worse in him, or so the former Pharaoh thought. Yuugi was a little apprehensive himself; he couldn't deny that Daisuke encouraged Kazuo in his endeavors in a bad way, but he wanted to give the boy the benefit of the doubt.
"It certainly was a good idea of you to hold this picnic, Yuugi-kun," Warimi changed the topic of the conversation. "It's nice to see everyone again."
"Exactly!" Yuugi beamed at him. "We're all so busy and we don't see each other as often as we used to. I figured that a picnic would be the best way to bring everyone together again."
"It's not like our days back at Domino City High," Otogi grinned.
"Otogi-kun! I didn't hear you!"
"I'm a master of stealth," Otogi said. "I would like some yakitori, before Jounouchi-kun eats it all. No no, don't open your mouth!"
Mock-offended, Jounouchi turned towards Honda, who slapped him on the shoulder. Jounouchi's appetite was legendary and another long-running joke in the circle of friends, just like Honda and Otogi being bachelors. They had been fighting over Shizuka's attention for years, until Honda was surprisingly chosen over Otogi. Even though the relationship between Shizuka and Honda didn't work out in the end, they still remained friends and Honda and Otogi picked up their friendship as well when the latter returned from America, after conducting business there. Now both young men were notorious bachelors and enjoyed their lifestyle very much, basking and reveling in female attention without any strings attached.
"Go back to America," Jounouchi muttered.
"Maybe, who knows?" Otogi put a dollop of potato salad on his plate. "As soon as business picks up there, I'll be at the other side of the ocean in no time."
"What does it take for your business to succeed?" Yuugi asked, curiously.
"Well, the competition is intense, unlike here." Otogi took a few yakitori. "Here, it's just KaibaCorp. all the way, and Industrial Illusions. In America, the market is much more fragmented, but the competition is killing."
Honda nodded. "Maybe I can take my racing team to the US, and we can make a nice sponsor deal, Otogi."
"You dweebs know nothing about business," a familiar voice, accompanied by a loud snort, came from behind them. Yuugi couldn't help but show a big smile. He knew Kaiba was going to show up one way or the other, even though he had rejected the invitation at first.
"Kaiba-kun! I'm so glad you could make it!"
He got a 'hmpf' in return. Mokuba popped up behind his brother, waving at everyone.
"Hey guys," he said. "We brought chocolate cornets and tofu cheesecake! We figured we'd better bring the desserts!"
"Great idea, Mokuba-kun," Yuugi said. "And how about introducing us to the lady behind you?"
Mokuba laughed out loud, so full of life compared to his stoic, tall, older brother. "Yuugi, this is Yukimura Kiyomi, my girlfriend!"
"Welcome, welcome Kiyomi-chan," Yuugi said as the girl was obviously shy and intimidated, hiding behind Mokuba. "Feel free to grab something to eat and wander around!"
He felt an arm slide around his waist, and Yuugi allowed himself to be pulled closer by Atemu, reveling in his protective touch.
"You are forgetting yourself again, aibou," he said as he held up his plate. "You are so busy with everyone else that you neglect your own needs."
"I have everything I need right here," Yuugi said, as he looked around with a fond expression, filled with gratitude and love for his friends, children and family. Kaiba was talking to Otogi and Honda, and even though the discussion was heated, it wasn't a fight and no hard words were spoken. Jounouchi was involved in some kind of tug-of-war game with Kazuo and Daisuke, tiring the kids out. Anzu and Shizuka shared tips and information on everything that had to do with babies, and their respective husband and fiancé were talking amiably, drinking a beer. All of the children were playing, reading or enjoying themselves on the afghans. To see everyone interacting and having a good time in general, filled Yuugi with happiness. And of course, to stand next to the man he loved so dearly, was adding even more cherries to the cake. The fight was behind them, no more struggles, no more nights alone. Pressing a quick kiss to Atemu's cheek, Yuugi disentangled himself from him and grabbed a can of Chuhai in his favorite flavor, peach, and held it up high.
"Everyone!" He called out, surprised that his own voice could carry far if he wanted to. "Thank you all for coming. I'm so glad that you could make it! It's wonderful to see everyone together, so I'll keep this short: eat up, drink up, there's enough for everyone, and thank you for being the best family and friends in the world!"
"To family and friends!" Jounouchi raised his own glass and the rest mimicked his gesture, raising glasses and repeating his words. Yuugi felt like he could just float on this pure bliss and happiness. He scooted closer to Atemu again, who in the meantime managed to balance a plate, two tuckered out children, his glass and two pairs of chopsticks without any difficulties.
"Wonderful speech, aibou," he said, deadpan. Yuugi took the plate and one pair of chopsticks from him, his stomach was acting up. He ate a few pieces of korokke before answering him.
"Sorry, I skipped the 'how to give speeches like a Pharaoh 101' class." Yuugi used the opportunity to grab a takoyaki and feed it to Atemu. "Just eat, mou hitori no boku."
He picked up another takoyaki as soon as Atemu finished the first one, feeling happy and satisfied. With his handsome and wonderful partner, his amazing children, his mother and all of his dear friends, he was the happiest man in the world.