[fic] Let It Shatter the Walls - Yugioh, YYxY, romance, PG-13
Title: Let It Shatter the Walls
Author: Chey (duelist_gurl163)
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance/pointless fluff
Parings: YamixYugi
Archive: You're lookin' at it
Warnings: None really
Spoilers: None of consquence
Summary: Some people are too stubborn for their own good. Yami and Yugi would be two of those people.
Note: This pointless fluff. Seriously. xD I mentioned this fic in the notes of For Better or Worse, when I was talking about a fic where Anzu is trying to get them together. Well, the sl changed a little along the way, but Anzu is still a Puzzleshipper. Oh, and Yugioh's not mine. Yeah.
It was an interesting trait, the remarkable ability guys had to not notice what should be completely obvious. From the subtle hints to the glaringly obvious signs, they could overlook them all. And this oddity was both amusing and exasperating to Anzu as she sat across the couch from Yugi and demanded to know why he didn’t just tell Yami how he felt.
Yugi tried to brush it off, blushing insanely. “Wh-what gave you the idea that I liked him that way??”
Anzu raised an eyebrow. Yugi sighed. “That obvious, is it?”
“Yes, it is. Now come on, just go and tell him. You’ve been avoiding this for years and I know it.”
“You’re joking, right?” Yugi was horrified. “If he knew…”
“If he knew, he’d be thrilled!”
“No, no, you don’t understand, Yami can never be allowed to know…”
She snorted. “Oh come on, it’s obvious he’s crazy about you. And I’m getting bored with watching you two go around in circles. What are you waiting for?”
“No, I’m his friend, and if he knew I ever considered him anything more, he would hate me forever and I wouldn’t even be able to see him at all.” Yugi shook his head.
“Yugi, you’re a smart guy and everything but right now you’re being a stubborn idiot. You're both impossible!”
Yugi frowned. "Both?"
"You're being stupid, and Yami wouldn't even open the door to talk to me-"
"YOU TOLD HIM?!" Yugi hid his face. "There, there's your proof! Of course he wouldn't open the door, he was just completely disgusted by the very idea of me liking him this way..."
"Yugi, will you quit angsting and listen to me?"
Yugi was too disheartened to take offense. "Look I appreciate you trying to help, but there's no chance-"
“Do I need to list off every single time he ever helped you, saved you, held you-“
“That’s just because he likes to know he’s being useful! He likes protecting people, and I was in trouble so he protected me, nothing more and nothing less. Besides, I was his host body a lot of those times, of course he had to-”
“He tried to kill Haga when he thought Haga killed you.” She replied dryly. “And that was at the point when he thought he would never get you back, so you can’t tell me he was just ‘protecting his host body’ then. Not to mention the countless people he DID kill when you first solved the Puzzle just because he sensed you were sad…”
“That…that doesn’t prove anything though…”
“UGH.” Anzu shook her head and reached out to take Yugi’s hands firmly and said, “Yugi, listen to me.” She saw his mouth start to open to make a retort and quickly cut him off. “No, stop making excuses and listen! You love him. You admitted to it. And regardless of what you think his reaction will be, you have got to tell him! Doesn’t he have a right to know? You really love him, Yugi…so what now, are you going to just carry these feelings around for the rest of your life wondering ‘gee, I wonder what would have happened if I’d just taken a risk and told him?’”
Yugi sighed. Why couldn’t he have fallen in love with a girl? At one time he’d had a crush on Anzu…but that had completely vanished after he met Yami. And holding her hands now, he felt nothing, yet when he imagined Yami sitting there holding his hands…Yugi’s heart sped up suddenly.
But it was such a huge risk! He couldn’t imagine a life without Yami in it. He didn’t want to. If he made one wrong move, if he made Yami uncomfortable or upset…of course Anzu could talk about the risk so casually, but she also had nothing to lose.
“What about you? Didn’t you have a crush on him? Why are you encouraging me to get together with him instead of trying yourself?”
“Because a crush is one thing, love is another. I’ve seen the way you look at him. And I know that what I feel is nothing, nothing compared to how you feel for him. I can’t get in the way of that.”
Yugi reddened, and looked away. He’d been trying so hard to keep those day-dreamy, hopeful glances secretive too.
Maybe Anzu was right…if he just told Yami, at least he could stop wondering about how Yami felt. He glanced outside, where it was pouring down rain, and then took his hands away from Anzu and nodded with a final sigh. So…this was it. “Okay, I’ll…I’ll tell him tomorrow.”
“You swear?” She gave him a look. “No sneaking out of it?”
“I swear.”
At that very moment, Yami was striding through the pouring rain towards his house, shaking his head as water dripped in his face off his hood and folding his arms so that his raincoat covered as much of him as possible. “Stupid, stupid, stupid…”
He had started walking to Yugi’s house earlier to ask if Yugi wanted to do anything that rainy evening, like watch a movie or maybe play some cards. But when he arrived at Yugi’s, what did he see?
He saw Yugi on the couch, blushing, holding hands with Anzu.
Of course Yami knew this day would come…but that didn’t make it hurt any less.
“God I’m such an idiot…I knew he would pick her over me…I mean he doesn’t even know how I feel so technically I was never even in the running but even if I was he’d still pick her, she’s pretty and nice…and a girl, which makes a helluvalot more sense anyway…stupid, stupid, STUPID…!”
Angrily Yami kicked a rock and it clattered through a puddle to rest beside a building. Something else moved just then, and Yami looked over in time to see a small animal, probably something furry but currently soaking wet and obviously startled by the rock, attempt to flatten itself against the steps. Yami turned and was able to tell now that it was a cat. Or a kitten actually…it was tiny and couldn’t have been much older than just leaving its mother. The rain made it hard to tell what color it was, but it froze there in its corner as Yami approached and then flattened its ears, opened its eyes real wide, and hissed.
“Hey there…what’s the matter, did you get rejected too?” Yami asked softly, squatting down. The kitten tried to make a run for it, but Yami had cupped his hands around it and had picked it up before it could escape. Snarling, it bit at Yami’s fingers with little pin-needle teeth, but Yami just smiled. “I guess I’d do the same thing if a giant just picked me up,” he said to the kitten, and pulled his shirt out from his body to make a sort of net that he set the kitten in, and held the squirming bundle close to his chest so that it was under his rain coat. With that, he jogged back towards his house.
At home he took the kitten to the bathroom and dried it off the best he could, but it didn’t seem to appreciate his help and by the time it was partially dry, his hands were covered in scratches and little bite marks. He washed the wounds and winced as the kitten took shelter behind the toilet and kept trying to hiss at him, or else watched him silently with huge eyes. Now Yami could see that it was a boy with black fur with some light gray on his chest and belly. No collar or tags, probably a stray given his fear of humans. Yami sat down in the corner of the bathroom and looked thoughtfully at the animal he’d brought home.
The heartache of seeing Yugi with someone else was still there, but somehow the sharpness had been dulled by the fact that he’d found this kitten to take care of. Yami was the kind of person that needed someone or something to protect. He felt restless and unsettled if he didn't, and had always found happiness in watching over Yugi. But now that Yugi clearly had a girlfriend and no longer needed him…well, maybe this little guy was the one Yami should focus on now. He couldn’t let go of Yugi…but it was time to admit it. Yugi was doing fine without him, he didn’t need him anymore.
He’s just fine without me.
So Yami got to his feet slowly and said aloud to the kitten, “I’m going to get you something to eat…you’ll probably be happier if you stay in here cause it’s a small room.” With that he shut the door and left.
Yami didn’t manage to sleep till much later. He went out to buy kitten supplies, and came back to find his new pet curled up, asleep, in the corner. He had already become fond of him and decided to adopt him, so he had stocked up on every possible thing he could need. He left food and water and a litter box there for him and tried to follow his example and go to bed, but with his mind free now, he just kept thinking about Yugi.
It wasn’t fair…why had he fallen for Yugi, of all people?
Because Yugi is perfect in my eyes…because Yugi is the one that I want to be there for. I didn’t choose him, I didn't decide to feel this way…I just love him.
It really was as simple as that.
But not anymore, Yugi doesn’t need protection anymore…he doesn’t need ME.
Also a simple fact, though one that stung harshly.
Maybe Yugi would still want me for something other than just protection. Maybe something more.
He didn’t know why he bothered entertaining that hope, and rolled onto his side, hugging part of his pillow against himself.
No…I know I’m just being foolish. Because that would mean he’d have to love me in a way…a way that he doesn’t. And…that will never happen.
He knew it was true. Anzu had recently come knocking at his door, trying to get him to discuss his feelings for Yugi with her, but Yami had ignored her, knowing there was no point in discussing it or hoping. And now she was the one with Yugi...so much for that. He tossed and finally fell asleep hours later with tearstains on his face.
The next morning, mostly to distract himself from a terrible emptiness that had settled inside himself overnight, he decided to try to make friends with the kitten. At first it avoided him and hissed, but had warmed considerably towards him after discovering that rather than being a huge monster, Yami was the provider of food and water and even a little bowl of milk. He cautiously allowed Yami to pet him a couple times before hiding again, watching with large eyes. Getting an idea, Yami tied a crumpled piece of paper to a string and squatted down, dragging it along the floor in front of him. Within seconds, the kitten lost his shyness and was bounding around the bathroom after the new toy. Yami couldn’t help it, even in his heartache he had to laugh at his antics.
“Well if you’re staying here, we need a name for you,” he said thoughtfully, dangling the string and watching the kitten swat playfully at it. “Let’s think. A name for a kitten…”
He tried to think of a name that fit, a name for a little creature that would grow up one day to be strong and independent, that was shy and yet happy to be outgoing and playful when he felt comfortable…
The first name that came to mind was ‘Yugi.’
No, I can’t name him that…I just thought of that because of what happened last night.
Yami tried harder to think, but now that Yugi’s name was stuck in his head, it wouldn’t come out. He sighed. “Okay, I guess your name is Yugi, now.”
The kitten stopped playing and looked up at him at the sound of his new name. Yami smiled despite himself.
“You like it, that’s good enough for me. Want to see the rest of your new home?” He reached out and gently picked the kitten up, but it didn’t fight him this time, just looked at him. Yami stroked his fur, and felt a rumbling. Yugi was purring.
By mid-afternoon, Yugi the kitten had become king of the apartment. He quickly chose the couch as his throne, and curled up on the back of it to take an afternoon nap. Yami was washing dishes when he heard a knock on his door and went to open it.
To find the real Yugi standing outside.
“Oh…” Yami uttered, before composing himself. “Yugi! Hi! Um…want to come in?”
“Yeah, thanks,” Yugi replied with a shy-looking smile, walking inside. He started to sit down on the couch when a hissing noise made him stop and look around.
“Don’t worry, that’s just my new kitten,” Yami said, pointing out the ball of black fur that was eyeing Yugi venomously for daring to come near his couch.
“When did you get a kitten?” Yugi asked, holding out his hand towards it. The kitten, quicker to accept people after his good start with Yami, quickly decided this boy wasn’t dangerous and was soon rubbing his head against Yugi’s hand and purring again.
“I found him in a rainstorm,” Yami replied, before wanting to kick himself because the last rainstorm had been the night before, and Yami REALLY didn’t want Yugi to know why he’d been out, and what he’d seen.
Yugi didn’t seem to notice, he was busy giggling as his namesake tickled his fingers with his whiskers. “He’s cute! What’s his name?”
“Yu…um…it’s Yu. That’s Chinese for ‘jade.’” Yami quickly ad-libbed. “Cause of his green eyes.”
“I like it, it fits him.” Yugi stopped petting the kitten now known as Yu, and turned towards Yami. “Anyway…Yami…there’s something I need to talk to you about.”
“There is?” Yami asked, suddenly worried. “Are you okay? Is anything wrong?”
“Well…last night I was talking to Anzu, and-“
Yami didn’t want to hear the rest. He didn’t want to hear Yugi tell him about how he had finally confessed his feelings to Anzu. About how they were together now. Yami couldn’t bring himself to hear Yugi speak the words on top of everything else. He shook his head. “You don’t need to tell me, Yugi.”
“What?”
“You don’t need to tell me.”
“But…this is important…” Yugi looked confused.
“Yeah, but…I…already know.” Yami replied softly.
Yugi was floored. “You know?”
“Yeah.”
“But…how?!”
“I…that’s not important. What’s important is that I know. And it’s okay, Yugi.”
“It’s okay?”
“Yeah.” Yami stretched a smile over his face. “It’s perfectly fine with me. You know…I think it’s really great.”
Yugi was looking across between relieved, thrilled, and nervous. “You…really mean that?”
“Of course. You two get along great, I’m really happy for you.”
Now Yugi’s expression of mixed emotions was settling back into confusion. “Wait…Yami, what are you talking about?”
“About you and Anzu.” Yami was confused too. “You know, about you two being together.”
“You think…?” Yugi trailed off. Something furry brushed past his foot and he saw Yu go bouncing off towards his food dish. Something clicked. “Yami…when did you say you found Yu?”
“Um…in a rainstorm.”
“But the last rainstorm we had was just last night. I saw you just a week ago and you didn’t have him then, and it hasn’t rained since except for…last night.”
“Er…yeah, because I found him last night.” Yami mumbled and studied his feet.
“What were you doing out in the rain?”
“I was…going to…visit someone.”
“But I’m the only one of our friends that lives within walking distance…”
Yami shifted. “That’s…because I was going to visit you. But then I found Yug…Yu, I found Yu, and I decided to turn around and come home.”
Yugi watched him for a moment, and then asked, “You saw me and Anzu, didn’t you?”
“Um…well I saw her car in your driveway, but then like I said I found the kitten and I figured he needed me more than you guys…”
“You saw us…and now you think we’re going out?” Yugi didn’t appear to be listening to Yami’s hastily fabricated story.
“You were holding hands!” Yami finally exploded. “You were sitting on the couch close together holding hands! You can’t tell me that doesn’t mean anything!”
“So you did see us.”
“Yes, I saw you, happy? I just didn’t want to disturb you so I turned around and was heading home and that’s when I found Yu and that’s the true story.”
“Yami, you’ve got it all wrong.” Yugi almost wanted to laugh. “We’re not going out at all-“
“But I saw you.” Yami was just frustrated now. “I saw you two together.”
“Yeah, because she came over to help me…um, with a dilemma I was having. She was giving me advice and I wasn’t listening so to get my attention she took my hands for a few minutes. It didn’t mean anything else.”
“So…you’re not going out with her?”
“No, I’m not.”
“Then…what was it that you came here to tell me?”
“I came here…I came here because…because there’s something…something I’ve kept from you for a long time, because I’m afraid of things changing, but she said that you would want to know…and I can see why you would, and I don’t want to hide things from you, so…” Now he was just rambling. Suddenly, without warning, tears came into his eyes. Oh, this is just brilliant! Yugi struggled to blink them away. But it was too late, Yami had already seen them.
“Yugi, are you okay?” He suddenly hurried to the front of him and stared at him worriedly, his hands on Yugi’s shoulders. “You’re crying…what is it? What’s happened?”
“N-Nothing…I just…” Oh god, Yami’s face was too close.
“Yugi?”
No, he was much too close, Yugi could look into his eyes and see every single hue of blood and amethyst that coloured them.
“Yugi…”
“Yami…I…” At that moment Yugi was on the verge of giving up. Anzu had a point when she said Yami needed to know, but speaking his feelings wasn’t even going to begin to describe what he felt. How could he ever make Yami understand? A man whose world revolved around taking care of those who needed help and, without trying, earning admiration for simply doing what he thought was right…Yami had faced so many people who loved him for his actions. Was it even possible to explain that Yugi loved him not for his actions but for the heart that drove them? And even if he could explain…would Yami even want to hear it?
“Yugi, could you just please-“
“Iloveyou.”
“What…what did you say?”
“I…I love you.”
“You…?”
They stared at each other, almost reflections. Yugi could hardly believe he’d really just said that.
Yami could hardly believe he’d heard it.
“Yugi…you love…me? As in…?”
Yugi had no words in response, he just nodded. Yami’s fingers seemed to tighten a little on his shoulders. He kept looking into Yami’s eyes, feeling he should explain now, explain why it happened and how, except Yugi couldn’t explain those things. Just that it had happened, and it was real now.
There was something nameless in Yami’s eyes. His eyes, so close, so open and clear like Yugi could look into them and see further into Yami’s soul than he ever had, and what he saw there...it was something that captivated him.
Yami’s eyes were just way too…
Close…
“Umph?!” Yami made a confused noise as Yugi suddenly pressed his lips to his other self’s, cutting off any words between them. It was his first kiss, born of innocent love, nurtured and fueled by all the nameless feelings he’d harbored for Yami for so long.
Then he realized that Yami wasn’t trying to pull away. He looked and saw Yami’s eyes half open and Yugi realized that Yami was actually kissing him back.
They broke apart, gasping for air.
“…Wow.” Yami finally said.
“Yeah.”
“So that’s what you meant…”
“…Yeah.”
They stared for another couple minutes. Then,
“Yugi…I…I think I owe you an explanation too…”
“No…no, I think that kiss just explained everything.”
They stood there, silent, awkward, both hesitating to say anything more and wondering if there was anything more to say.
“Well, I guess I’m going to have to change Yu’s name,” Yami finally began, conversationally.
Yugi couldn’t help laughing at the obscure ice-breaker. “Why? What’s wrong with his name?”
“Well…I mean he can keep his name I guess. Yu wasn’t his original name, I fibbed when you asked.”
“…Why?”
“Because…er…because his original name is…was…Yugi.” Yami blushed.
“You named him after me?” Yugi was puzzled. “Why?”
“…It seemed to fit. And I guess I missed you.”
Yugi laughed at his almost innocent response. “Well…I’m flattered. I think.”
“Yu is a fine name too, though.” Yami defended.
“It is,” Yugi agreed.
“And anyway, I’d rather have the real Yugi.”
Yugi beamed. “Well, you have me. Now what?”
Yami grinned and hugged him. “Let me think on that.”
X - X - X
Notes: Again the title was taken from a song...this time, "A New Day" by Celine Dion. Because the song also has the line "Let the rain come down..." etc etc, eventually leading up to let the rain shatter the walls...so ta-da, there was my title. Hey, I was running out of creativity at this point.
I'm still convinced that Anzu is a Puzzleshipper. v.v And Yami and Yugi need to learn communcation skills. xD
The ending bugs me a little...but I couldn't think of anything better. I wanted to incorporate Anzu's observation of their stubbornness somehow, but there was no good place to include it. So I figured this was a simple and cute way to end it. I really hate trying to write conclusions. ^^; Thus, no conclusion this time, you're just left to decide what happens next. Mwaha!