Preview!
Title: If the World Doesn't Want Me (redux)
Chapter 1: Prison (preview)
Author: Josie
Genres: General, Romance, Psychological, Supernatural(-ish)
Pairings: Yami no Yuugi/Yuugi; others are forthcoming later on
Rating: This preview? Probably PG-13/T; the whole story? Probably R/M.
Summary: Mutou Yuugi had always wished for a chance at a different life. Someone should have told him, be careful what you wish for ... it could just come true. (In which Yuugi's world changes completely, for better or for worse, through the completion of one very special puzzle.)
~ * ~
His heart was pounding in his ears.
Eight years; it had taken him eight years to get this far, and now he simply could not bring himself to stop. His heart raced, blood pumping through his veins at extraordinary speeds - it seemed that it was, at the very least - and his eyes seemed almost to glow with an abnormal light as his fingers automatically reached into a golden box to pull out an equally golden piece to a puzzle that was slowly forming in his hands.
Eight years of trial and error, of attempting to place pieces together only to fail as they had repeatedly refused to simply click. Eight years, and nothing to show for it except for puzzle pieces in a box; it was depressing to him to leave what little he had always managed to assemble as it was when he had finally given up for the night, and so he had always pulled the pieces apart, watching them with a sick sort of fascination as they dropped down to the surface of his desk, each with its own dull thud, clack, or clank.
This night was different. He couldn't have placed just what it was that made it different, it just simply was. So, he sat at his desk, working past the setting of the sun and only pausing to reach over to switch on the lamp. His breaths, shallow and quick, were the predominant sound in the room, coupling with the soft shick of the gold puzzle pieces being slid against each other and the far-too-occasional click of a new piece finally fitting together with those before it.
Sitting back in his chair, the boy let out a frustrated sigh before dropping the piece of the puzzle that he was currently holding to run his fingers through blonde bangs. Eight years.
Well, it didn't look as though it could have been eight years. He looked, truthfully, like he could have been no older than ten, maybe twelve if given the benefit of the doubt. But why - how, even - would he have been working on a single puzzle from such a young age?
Looks can be deceiving. He'd certainly learned that a long time ago.
Thump. His heart pumped again.
One elbow rested on his desk, and he allowed his forehead to fall to his hand and his arm to keep him propped up. It had been too long of a day, far too long. They got worse, of course; every single day was worse than the one before it, and he wasn't sure if he could stand it any longer. He wanted it to all be over. Not to say that he was suicidal; he certainly was not. He simply did not want to have to deal with people any longer. Those interactions always ended up poorly.
A bitter smile touched his lips as he sat up, hand trailing down his face before he turned it slightly and rubbed at his left cheek with the back of said hand. Looking at it, he shook his head slightly. At least the blood stopped. When did it, anyway?
Shaking his head, he reached into the box again.
How long had he been up in his room bedroom? Ten minutes? An hour? A day?
He couldn't be sure. He didn't even care. All that mattered, right then and there, was the puzzle that he wanted so desperately to piece together.
Please work ... he thought, turning the piece in his hand in a new direction, not even flinching at the soft sound of gold scraping on gold, not even worrying about the possibility of scratching the pieces up. Please let me finish you. He turned it again.
Click. The answer that he had been wanting; the pieces fit together perfectly. His grin turned sick, almost cruelly twisted in its fascination. It could be done. It would be done.
Have to do this.
Thump. Another pound of his heart.
His desire to see this through, to finish what he had begun years ago, urged him onward, fueling his actions. It coursed through his veins, becoming as urgent and vital to his existence as his blood itself. Nothing else mattered.
Hands fumbled along the pieces in the box, and his eyes narrowed as the golden pieces twinkled at him tauntingly, seemingly winking in encouragement. "Finish me," it says. It needs to be done. It grows tired of being unfinished, so very tired. It wants me to finally finish what I started eight years ago. A quickened, gasping breath as he drew another, single piece out of the box, fitting it into the amassing puzzle easily with that perfect, satisfying click. His grin widened in a frightening, feral sort of way. Don't worry. I'll finish you. You are the most precious thing to me.
Thump. His heart beat in anticipation, harder and louder than a musician on his bass drum.
Automatically, he reached into the box again, drawing out another piece still. His eyes narrowed once again as he scowled, sliding this new piece along the puzzle, twisting it about in hopes of finding a way for it to fit in, but to no avail. Still he tried, growling softly. "Go in. You want to see me, too, so go in. Let me finish you," he whispered, voice bordering on a thinly veiled anger. But the piece refused to cooperate, and his eyes narrowed. His room seemed dark to him now, and he almost couldn't even see the glinting gold anymore.
Did the lights go out? He glanced up, blinking. First, his eyes flicked up to the skylight window, and he noticed for the first time - even if his body had instinctively reacted to it - that the sun had long since set from the time that he had entered his bedroom. He had probably, he realized, even missed dinner, although he couldn't fathom just how that might have happened. Usually, his mother would just walk right on into his room and remind him. Had he missed that, as well? Somewhere in the back of his mind, a voice told him that perhaps he was becoming forgetful, that he had mumbled some sort of unintelligible response to her in the way of not being hungry. He ignored it.
His eyes then looked to the lamp on his desk, and he frowned as he noticed that it was, indeed, on. No, it's not out. So why can I barely see now? So dark. Shaking his head, he refocused his attention on the puzzle.
Click. He hadn't even known that he had still been working on making that piece he had picked up fit, but there it was, set in so perfectly with its fellow pieces that it looked like it had simply been there all along. Yes. Join your friends, little one. Bring my dream to me. That's all I ask from you. A thumb caressed the surface of the amassed, still unfinished puzzle and his eyes seemed to glow once again. Do this for me, and I'll never let anything happen to you.
Click. Another piece fit in.
This time, he was certain that he couldn't have possibly reached into the box and picked one up, but there it was, just like the one before it, right in place without any difficulty at all. Well, that doesn't matter. But the voice in his head told him that it did. It told him that there was nothing that mattered more than the fact that he was acting on such instinct that he did not even know his own actions. Again, he ignored it.
He reached into the box again, pulling out another perfect, glistening piece of gold. His eyes focused on the lump of still-incomplete puzzle resting in his other hand; it greeting him with the taunt of wanting to be finished but offering no aid. A frown marred his brow and he looked at the piece in his other hand. He knew this point. He had always gotten stuck right here. He had never gone any further than this, not for lack of trying, but for the simple fact that, no matter what way he turned each and every piece he still had left, no matter how many different pieces he tried (he knew, he had tried every single one), there was absolutely no single one that would ever, ever fit into the already completed mass. Still, he took the piece that he held to the rest of the puzzle, trying his luck, but all in vain.
No! You can't do this to me now! You have to work! You can't let me down. I need to finish you!
Twist, turn, try, fail. His left eye twitched and he growled softly. "Work." His voice was coarse and venomous as he continued his attempts to no avail. "Fit, damnit. Don't you dare do this to me!" A frown.
Thump. His chest constricted. The pounding of his heart was growing exceedingly painful, but, still, he fumbled with the piece in hand when, click. It slid into place.
His eyes lit up again in that frightening way, seemingly glowing as his grin turned further twisted. If anyone were to see him at that moment there would be questions of if he was well, questions of his sanity.
He didn't care. All that mattered was his puzzle. His beautiful, beloved puzzle.
I'll finish you.
Click. Another piece that he didn't even know he had picked up had settled in, nestled snuggly against its predecessors. His grin widened, became more maddened.
Mine, he thought, infinitely possessive. You're so beautiful. Mine. His hand reached into the box again, picking out another piece still. His mind raced, faster and faster; nothing would stop him now, he felt. He wouldn't allow anything to stop him now. This was the most important thing in his world - no, this was his world, and not a single thing would stop him from bringing it to perfection. The puzzle called to him, begging him to finish it, demanding that he finish it, and he wanted nothing more than to appease its beauty. He needed this. For eight years, he had toiled and struggled with its pieces, and now, now he could see it. Eight years of waiting, and he would finally see his puzzle, his world, his love in its full glory. He would not stop now. Nothing was more important than freeing whatever was held within that golden puzzle. He felt it now, more than ever before. A growing presence with each piece that fit its way into place.
He wasn't sure if he would ever get this far again if he were to stop now.
No. No, he couldn't stop. He had to continue on, needed to continue on with every last particle in his body.
Somewhere in the back of his mind, that small voice screamed out that he had to do his homework, but went unheeded as he pushed the thought aside with a fanatical fervor. Homework was unimportant.
It tried again to reason with him, telling him that he needed sleep, but no, sleep was not important, either.
And so that voice tried to tell him that he was being unreasonable, that something was wrong with his thought process.
This one, he pushed aside with a growl of annoyance.
Thump. The sound was abnormally loud to him. His chest cried out in pain, but he still tried to fit his latest piece in with those before it.
Fit, fit, fit. Please fit. Please.
Click. His wish was answered.
The glint of gold in the dim light was enthralling. His fingers danced over the surface, feather-light in their longing, in their need, in their desperation. He wanted it so badly, wanted it more than anything. The beauty of it was so simple in its perfection, he had to admit. The solid gold, the smoothness of its surface that was only broken by miniscule, barely decipherable lines and the most lovely of indentations and inscriptions. Oh yes, it was gorgeous, this world of his. Something all of his own.
Perhaps others would have found his fascination with the object odd, but it was his life, and so not odd in any way. This puzzle breathed life into him, gave him a purpose to his existence. It loved him, and all that it asked was that he work on it, that he make it whole. And how he wanted to do so; how he wanted to please his beloved.
Click.
Again, a fanatical grin. My one love. My absolute beauty. I will protect you from everything. Someone thinking more clearly than he was right then would have noticed just how strange, how wrong those thoughts were. But, to him, at that exact moment, it was the most natural thought in the world. Still, he felt its call, begging for him to complete it. Another thump from his heart sounded in his ears. Was it angry with him now? Was he going too slowly? His body began to demand that he finish the puzzle now so as not to upset it further. Do not fret, my love. I will not let you down. His thumb caressed the gold as though it were a lover's cheek. I'll fix you up perfectly. He raised it to his lips and placed a gentle kiss on the surface. I will not let you down. I will save you.
His love grew for the puzzle that his life so depended on with every passing moment. It was his, his alone, and no one could take it from him. He did not care who they were, this was his, and they would not touch it. Not now, not ever.
His breath quickened again, or so he felt it did, and his heart pounded faster, pumping blood through his body at extraordinary speeds. It felt so good, so very delicious. Everything whirled around him, but that was perfectly fine, as well. His thoughts were incomprehensible. The small voice was silenced.
A scent - slightly exotic - reached his nose. He paused, closing his eyes and simply breathing it in, confused as to where it was coming from, but drawing so much comfort from it. It was ... arousing, he decided. A strong scent of fruits - figs, predominantly, but also grapes - and spice; he frowned, knowing that they'd had no such fruits in the house for a long while. Not that he didn't enjoy the scent, of course. No, it was quite the contrary: he loved it and wanted more. It confused him, but intoxicated him at the same time. He wanted more ... he wanted to smell it forever. It drew him in further, seducing him. Is that you, my love?
Something seemed to answer him, a deep, mesmerizing voice confirming that, yes, it was in fact the scent of his love that created such a sweet aroma. It seemed to reach out, to caress his arm, pressing close behind him. He moaned very softly. It felt so good, so very, very good; arms wrapped around him, and he kept his eyes closed, leaning into their embrace, warm and yet frozen all at the same time. The scent intensified as he pressed into whoever held him, and he felt a kiss on the back of his neck. "My love ..." he breathed out, sighing in relief. Another kiss to his neck, this one deeper and with the hint of a tongue against his skin. He shivered in delight. "Please help me. I need you ... I need to find you," he whimpered. His infatuation grew with each passing moment.
A nod against his shoulder; he sighed in relief again. Hands moved down his arms, sending deep shivers down his spine. I will help you, my precious one. My Yuugi, a deep voice whispered into the back of his mind, and he smiled, refusing to open his eyes as he pressed further back. That was all that he needed to know.
The hands continued down his arms, fingers dancing over his skin and awakening nerves he had never known about; it felt like electricity jolted through his body with every little touch as those hands rested onto his own. It feels so good ... the boy, Yuugi, thought. So very wonderful. Please stay with me. Please never leave me. My love, I need you. He was almost disappointed when he realized that the hands of this mystery lover were on his own. "Guide me, please," he begged in a soft, needy whimper. His eyes remained firmly closed.
Gently, those hands guided his own; he felt himself pick up another piece, placing it against the puzzle, and faintly, oh-so-faintly, heard it click into place. Lips pressed against his ear, giving it a gentle bite before that chilling-but-burning sensation washed over the skin. He felt the tongue of his love against him again, and knew only that he wanted more.
Another piece was picked up and put into place. His heart raced faster, and that deep voice whispered into his mind, Find me ... free me ...
The words drifted through his mind, forcing him onward as though under a spell. His eyes remained closed, and he pressed back again, happy to feel those inviting arms tighten against him, rejoicing in feeling the smooth hands caress the backs of his. Yes. Yes, I will find you, my love. I will free you and then we can be together forever. I won't let you down. I promise, I will never let you down. His thoughts were rewarded by a kiss on his neck and strong hands forcing him further back against that solid, freezing, but hot body. The intoxicating scent of the one holding him drowned his senses. "Take me over ..." Yuugi whispered. "Please, please ... take me over. I need you," he whisper, whimpering as the one behind him gave his neck a gentle bite before licking the skin. "Take me over ... let me drown in all that you are. Make me yours, please ..." He'd never needed anything quite so badly before in his entire life.
Soon. Soon, my precious one, I will be able to give you everything that you dream of. All that you want and more. But first ... first you must finish your task, my little one.
He was being driven slowly mad, he knew, being so close to finishing and yet so very far from having everything that he needed. He wasn't there yet; it was just beyond his reach and he burned with that desperate desire to jump forward and grab it. Love you ... His love was there, the one who wanted him, the one who he could be with forever. The one who would love him unconditionally.
Click. Another piece slid into place thanks to those guiding hands. One hand left his and he soon felt a finger pressed to his lips. It remained there, and Yuugi felt his desire flare, such intense need coursing through his very veins. His eyes opened as he realized that the other was no longer guiding him, simply waiting for him to act on his own. He whimpered again, looking down to the puzzle in his hands, and he noticed something. It was something that should have sent alarms blaring in his mind, and yet simply seemed perfectly natural to him. It didn't bother him in the least.
The hands that were guiding his own were not of flesh, but shadows of the darkest black. All-consuming and allowing no light to shine through, nor allowing any to be reflected from them. It should have frightened him, but, instead, it drew him closer; it was comforting to be held by these shadows. To be wanted by them, needed by them. Everything was right.
Then he noticed something more. The actual structure of the puzzle was complete. All that it had left was a single hole at what he imagined was its front.
One piece left in the box. One piece away from completion. His dream was moments away from realization. His love would be his forever, and his world whole.
His hand trembled as he reached into the golden box to pick up that final, perfect piece: the piece that bore the Eye of Horus on it. He held it reverently, as though afraid that it would disappear if he made the slightest wrong move or breathed the slightest wrong breath. And perhaps it would have; that puzzle was so ethereal in and of itself. "Please, love ... please ..." he whispered.
I'm with you. Don't fret, my beautiful one. I won't leave you. I'll give you everything that you could ever want. The second hand moved to his face, turning his head; Yuugi closed his eyes again as lips descended onto his own in a firm, unassuming kiss. That scent - that glorious, exotic scent - filled his senses once more, stronger than before. He whimpered as their lips separated. You'll be mine forever, as I am yours. That made Yuugi smile, and he opened his eyes again, briefly nuzzling against the neck of his beloved.
Thump. The pumping of his heart was unbearable now, but with the final piece, it would all be better. Nothing would hurt any longer. He'd be safe, he'd be loved. But still, his chest was so constricted that each quickened, shallow, gasping breath felt like nails raking down his throat, sending hot fire through his lungs, each more painful than the last. He needed to finish now. If he waited any longer, it would be far too late. His entire body yearned for - demanded - the completion of his puzzle, for his chance to be with the other half of his soul. Yours as you are mine ... forever yours. The other part of me ... another person who is like me, the one meant for me and me alone. The one who loves me, and who I love. Yes ... forever. I am yours forever, my love. My one, my only. His grin bordered on insane, his eyes glowing with such intensity now, glowing with the intensity of one who had lost his mind to thoughts not of this world.
Still, his hands moved, guiding that final piece to just above its place.
Free me, little one. Bring me to life.
"Wake up for me ... please ..."
Lips closed over his again before he slid the piece down into place, and he whimpered, pressing into it. His own lips parted as he felt that moist, hotly frozen tongue slide over them, and he heard a deep chuckle of satisfaction before their kiss was deepened. His love's tongue pressed against his, urging it into a slow, sensual dance as they slid along each other. One arm wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer still, and Yuugi could simply not get enough. He whimpered softly once again before his lips closed very lightly against those of his love, sucking very softly in an attempt to taste as much as he could, to keep the moment lasting as long as possible, but his attempts were not to be rewarded as the other pulled his head back. He knew why.
He hadn't completed his task yet; that last piece was still in his hand, waiting to be placed.
"Please save me ... please come to me. Live for me, my one ... my love. My other self." He leaned back again into the shadow behind himself. "Come to me." His eyes clenched tightly shut. Please ... please ...
Click. The final piece slid into place. Lips pressed against his again, briefly this time, chastely; Yuugi smiled at the touch. I have been with you all along, little one. But now, you must find me.
Before Yuugi could ask what the other meant, the shadow behind him disappeared. Without any support, his body collapsed to the ground. His chest became more painful than before, and he tried to will the pain away, to no avail. Please ... it hurts so much ... make it stop, my love ... please come back ...
One. Two. Three breaths left him. And then he knew no more.
Chapter 1: Prison (preview)
Author: Josie
Genres: General, Romance, Psychological, Supernatural(-ish)
Pairings: Yami no Yuugi/Yuugi; others are forthcoming later on
Rating: This preview? Probably PG-13/T; the whole story? Probably R/M.
Summary: Mutou Yuugi had always wished for a chance at a different life. Someone should have told him, be careful what you wish for ... it could just come true. (In which Yuugi's world changes completely, for better or for worse, through the completion of one very special puzzle.)
~ * ~
His heart was pounding in his ears.
Eight years; it had taken him eight years to get this far, and now he simply could not bring himself to stop. His heart raced, blood pumping through his veins at extraordinary speeds - it seemed that it was, at the very least - and his eyes seemed almost to glow with an abnormal light as his fingers automatically reached into a golden box to pull out an equally golden piece to a puzzle that was slowly forming in his hands.
Eight years of trial and error, of attempting to place pieces together only to fail as they had repeatedly refused to simply click. Eight years, and nothing to show for it except for puzzle pieces in a box; it was depressing to him to leave what little he had always managed to assemble as it was when he had finally given up for the night, and so he had always pulled the pieces apart, watching them with a sick sort of fascination as they dropped down to the surface of his desk, each with its own dull thud, clack, or clank.
This night was different. He couldn't have placed just what it was that made it different, it just simply was. So, he sat at his desk, working past the setting of the sun and only pausing to reach over to switch on the lamp. His breaths, shallow and quick, were the predominant sound in the room, coupling with the soft shick of the gold puzzle pieces being slid against each other and the far-too-occasional click of a new piece finally fitting together with those before it.
Sitting back in his chair, the boy let out a frustrated sigh before dropping the piece of the puzzle that he was currently holding to run his fingers through blonde bangs. Eight years.
Well, it didn't look as though it could have been eight years. He looked, truthfully, like he could have been no older than ten, maybe twelve if given the benefit of the doubt. But why - how, even - would he have been working on a single puzzle from such a young age?
Looks can be deceiving. He'd certainly learned that a long time ago.
Thump. His heart pumped again.
One elbow rested on his desk, and he allowed his forehead to fall to his hand and his arm to keep him propped up. It had been too long of a day, far too long. They got worse, of course; every single day was worse than the one before it, and he wasn't sure if he could stand it any longer. He wanted it to all be over. Not to say that he was suicidal; he certainly was not. He simply did not want to have to deal with people any longer. Those interactions always ended up poorly.
A bitter smile touched his lips as he sat up, hand trailing down his face before he turned it slightly and rubbed at his left cheek with the back of said hand. Looking at it, he shook his head slightly. At least the blood stopped. When did it, anyway?
Shaking his head, he reached into the box again.
How long had he been up in his room bedroom? Ten minutes? An hour? A day?
He couldn't be sure. He didn't even care. All that mattered, right then and there, was the puzzle that he wanted so desperately to piece together.
Please work ... he thought, turning the piece in his hand in a new direction, not even flinching at the soft sound of gold scraping on gold, not even worrying about the possibility of scratching the pieces up. Please let me finish you. He turned it again.
Click. The answer that he had been wanting; the pieces fit together perfectly. His grin turned sick, almost cruelly twisted in its fascination. It could be done. It would be done.
Have to do this.
Thump. Another pound of his heart.
His desire to see this through, to finish what he had begun years ago, urged him onward, fueling his actions. It coursed through his veins, becoming as urgent and vital to his existence as his blood itself. Nothing else mattered.
Hands fumbled along the pieces in the box, and his eyes narrowed as the golden pieces twinkled at him tauntingly, seemingly winking in encouragement. "Finish me," it says. It needs to be done. It grows tired of being unfinished, so very tired. It wants me to finally finish what I started eight years ago. A quickened, gasping breath as he drew another, single piece out of the box, fitting it into the amassing puzzle easily with that perfect, satisfying click. His grin widened in a frightening, feral sort of way. Don't worry. I'll finish you. You are the most precious thing to me.
Thump. His heart beat in anticipation, harder and louder than a musician on his bass drum.
Automatically, he reached into the box again, drawing out another piece still. His eyes narrowed once again as he scowled, sliding this new piece along the puzzle, twisting it about in hopes of finding a way for it to fit in, but to no avail. Still he tried, growling softly. "Go in. You want to see me, too, so go in. Let me finish you," he whispered, voice bordering on a thinly veiled anger. But the piece refused to cooperate, and his eyes narrowed. His room seemed dark to him now, and he almost couldn't even see the glinting gold anymore.
Did the lights go out? He glanced up, blinking. First, his eyes flicked up to the skylight window, and he noticed for the first time - even if his body had instinctively reacted to it - that the sun had long since set from the time that he had entered his bedroom. He had probably, he realized, even missed dinner, although he couldn't fathom just how that might have happened. Usually, his mother would just walk right on into his room and remind him. Had he missed that, as well? Somewhere in the back of his mind, a voice told him that perhaps he was becoming forgetful, that he had mumbled some sort of unintelligible response to her in the way of not being hungry. He ignored it.
His eyes then looked to the lamp on his desk, and he frowned as he noticed that it was, indeed, on. No, it's not out. So why can I barely see now? So dark. Shaking his head, he refocused his attention on the puzzle.
Click. He hadn't even known that he had still been working on making that piece he had picked up fit, but there it was, set in so perfectly with its fellow pieces that it looked like it had simply been there all along. Yes. Join your friends, little one. Bring my dream to me. That's all I ask from you. A thumb caressed the surface of the amassed, still unfinished puzzle and his eyes seemed to glow once again. Do this for me, and I'll never let anything happen to you.
Click. Another piece fit in.
This time, he was certain that he couldn't have possibly reached into the box and picked one up, but there it was, just like the one before it, right in place without any difficulty at all. Well, that doesn't matter. But the voice in his head told him that it did. It told him that there was nothing that mattered more than the fact that he was acting on such instinct that he did not even know his own actions. Again, he ignored it.
He reached into the box again, pulling out another perfect, glistening piece of gold. His eyes focused on the lump of still-incomplete puzzle resting in his other hand; it greeting him with the taunt of wanting to be finished but offering no aid. A frown marred his brow and he looked at the piece in his other hand. He knew this point. He had always gotten stuck right here. He had never gone any further than this, not for lack of trying, but for the simple fact that, no matter what way he turned each and every piece he still had left, no matter how many different pieces he tried (he knew, he had tried every single one), there was absolutely no single one that would ever, ever fit into the already completed mass. Still, he took the piece that he held to the rest of the puzzle, trying his luck, but all in vain.
No! You can't do this to me now! You have to work! You can't let me down. I need to finish you!
Twist, turn, try, fail. His left eye twitched and he growled softly. "Work." His voice was coarse and venomous as he continued his attempts to no avail. "Fit, damnit. Don't you dare do this to me!" A frown.
Thump. His chest constricted. The pounding of his heart was growing exceedingly painful, but, still, he fumbled with the piece in hand when, click. It slid into place.
His eyes lit up again in that frightening way, seemingly glowing as his grin turned further twisted. If anyone were to see him at that moment there would be questions of if he was well, questions of his sanity.
He didn't care. All that mattered was his puzzle. His beautiful, beloved puzzle.
I'll finish you.
Click. Another piece that he didn't even know he had picked up had settled in, nestled snuggly against its predecessors. His grin widened, became more maddened.
Mine, he thought, infinitely possessive. You're so beautiful. Mine. His hand reached into the box again, picking out another piece still. His mind raced, faster and faster; nothing would stop him now, he felt. He wouldn't allow anything to stop him now. This was the most important thing in his world - no, this was his world, and not a single thing would stop him from bringing it to perfection. The puzzle called to him, begging him to finish it, demanding that he finish it, and he wanted nothing more than to appease its beauty. He needed this. For eight years, he had toiled and struggled with its pieces, and now, now he could see it. Eight years of waiting, and he would finally see his puzzle, his world, his love in its full glory. He would not stop now. Nothing was more important than freeing whatever was held within that golden puzzle. He felt it now, more than ever before. A growing presence with each piece that fit its way into place.
He wasn't sure if he would ever get this far again if he were to stop now.
No. No, he couldn't stop. He had to continue on, needed to continue on with every last particle in his body.
Somewhere in the back of his mind, that small voice screamed out that he had to do his homework, but went unheeded as he pushed the thought aside with a fanatical fervor. Homework was unimportant.
It tried again to reason with him, telling him that he needed sleep, but no, sleep was not important, either.
And so that voice tried to tell him that he was being unreasonable, that something was wrong with his thought process.
This one, he pushed aside with a growl of annoyance.
Thump. The sound was abnormally loud to him. His chest cried out in pain, but he still tried to fit his latest piece in with those before it.
Fit, fit, fit. Please fit. Please.
Click. His wish was answered.
The glint of gold in the dim light was enthralling. His fingers danced over the surface, feather-light in their longing, in their need, in their desperation. He wanted it so badly, wanted it more than anything. The beauty of it was so simple in its perfection, he had to admit. The solid gold, the smoothness of its surface that was only broken by miniscule, barely decipherable lines and the most lovely of indentations and inscriptions. Oh yes, it was gorgeous, this world of his. Something all of his own.
Perhaps others would have found his fascination with the object odd, but it was his life, and so not odd in any way. This puzzle breathed life into him, gave him a purpose to his existence. It loved him, and all that it asked was that he work on it, that he make it whole. And how he wanted to do so; how he wanted to please his beloved.
Click.
Again, a fanatical grin. My one love. My absolute beauty. I will protect you from everything. Someone thinking more clearly than he was right then would have noticed just how strange, how wrong those thoughts were. But, to him, at that exact moment, it was the most natural thought in the world. Still, he felt its call, begging for him to complete it. Another thump from his heart sounded in his ears. Was it angry with him now? Was he going too slowly? His body began to demand that he finish the puzzle now so as not to upset it further. Do not fret, my love. I will not let you down. His thumb caressed the gold as though it were a lover's cheek. I'll fix you up perfectly. He raised it to his lips and placed a gentle kiss on the surface. I will not let you down. I will save you.
His love grew for the puzzle that his life so depended on with every passing moment. It was his, his alone, and no one could take it from him. He did not care who they were, this was his, and they would not touch it. Not now, not ever.
His breath quickened again, or so he felt it did, and his heart pounded faster, pumping blood through his body at extraordinary speeds. It felt so good, so very delicious. Everything whirled around him, but that was perfectly fine, as well. His thoughts were incomprehensible. The small voice was silenced.
A scent - slightly exotic - reached his nose. He paused, closing his eyes and simply breathing it in, confused as to where it was coming from, but drawing so much comfort from it. It was ... arousing, he decided. A strong scent of fruits - figs, predominantly, but also grapes - and spice; he frowned, knowing that they'd had no such fruits in the house for a long while. Not that he didn't enjoy the scent, of course. No, it was quite the contrary: he loved it and wanted more. It confused him, but intoxicated him at the same time. He wanted more ... he wanted to smell it forever. It drew him in further, seducing him. Is that you, my love?
Something seemed to answer him, a deep, mesmerizing voice confirming that, yes, it was in fact the scent of his love that created such a sweet aroma. It seemed to reach out, to caress his arm, pressing close behind him. He moaned very softly. It felt so good, so very, very good; arms wrapped around him, and he kept his eyes closed, leaning into their embrace, warm and yet frozen all at the same time. The scent intensified as he pressed into whoever held him, and he felt a kiss on the back of his neck. "My love ..." he breathed out, sighing in relief. Another kiss to his neck, this one deeper and with the hint of a tongue against his skin. He shivered in delight. "Please help me. I need you ... I need to find you," he whimpered. His infatuation grew with each passing moment.
A nod against his shoulder; he sighed in relief again. Hands moved down his arms, sending deep shivers down his spine. I will help you, my precious one. My Yuugi, a deep voice whispered into the back of his mind, and he smiled, refusing to open his eyes as he pressed further back. That was all that he needed to know.
The hands continued down his arms, fingers dancing over his skin and awakening nerves he had never known about; it felt like electricity jolted through his body with every little touch as those hands rested onto his own. It feels so good ... the boy, Yuugi, thought. So very wonderful. Please stay with me. Please never leave me. My love, I need you. He was almost disappointed when he realized that the hands of this mystery lover were on his own. "Guide me, please," he begged in a soft, needy whimper. His eyes remained firmly closed.
Gently, those hands guided his own; he felt himself pick up another piece, placing it against the puzzle, and faintly, oh-so-faintly, heard it click into place. Lips pressed against his ear, giving it a gentle bite before that chilling-but-burning sensation washed over the skin. He felt the tongue of his love against him again, and knew only that he wanted more.
Another piece was picked up and put into place. His heart raced faster, and that deep voice whispered into his mind, Find me ... free me ...
The words drifted through his mind, forcing him onward as though under a spell. His eyes remained closed, and he pressed back again, happy to feel those inviting arms tighten against him, rejoicing in feeling the smooth hands caress the backs of his. Yes. Yes, I will find you, my love. I will free you and then we can be together forever. I won't let you down. I promise, I will never let you down. His thoughts were rewarded by a kiss on his neck and strong hands forcing him further back against that solid, freezing, but hot body. The intoxicating scent of the one holding him drowned his senses. "Take me over ..." Yuugi whispered. "Please, please ... take me over. I need you," he whisper, whimpering as the one behind him gave his neck a gentle bite before licking the skin. "Take me over ... let me drown in all that you are. Make me yours, please ..." He'd never needed anything quite so badly before in his entire life.
Soon. Soon, my precious one, I will be able to give you everything that you dream of. All that you want and more. But first ... first you must finish your task, my little one.
He was being driven slowly mad, he knew, being so close to finishing and yet so very far from having everything that he needed. He wasn't there yet; it was just beyond his reach and he burned with that desperate desire to jump forward and grab it. Love you ... His love was there, the one who wanted him, the one who he could be with forever. The one who would love him unconditionally.
Click. Another piece slid into place thanks to those guiding hands. One hand left his and he soon felt a finger pressed to his lips. It remained there, and Yuugi felt his desire flare, such intense need coursing through his very veins. His eyes opened as he realized that the other was no longer guiding him, simply waiting for him to act on his own. He whimpered again, looking down to the puzzle in his hands, and he noticed something. It was something that should have sent alarms blaring in his mind, and yet simply seemed perfectly natural to him. It didn't bother him in the least.
The hands that were guiding his own were not of flesh, but shadows of the darkest black. All-consuming and allowing no light to shine through, nor allowing any to be reflected from them. It should have frightened him, but, instead, it drew him closer; it was comforting to be held by these shadows. To be wanted by them, needed by them. Everything was right.
Then he noticed something more. The actual structure of the puzzle was complete. All that it had left was a single hole at what he imagined was its front.
One piece left in the box. One piece away from completion. His dream was moments away from realization. His love would be his forever, and his world whole.
His hand trembled as he reached into the golden box to pick up that final, perfect piece: the piece that bore the Eye of Horus on it. He held it reverently, as though afraid that it would disappear if he made the slightest wrong move or breathed the slightest wrong breath. And perhaps it would have; that puzzle was so ethereal in and of itself. "Please, love ... please ..." he whispered.
I'm with you. Don't fret, my beautiful one. I won't leave you. I'll give you everything that you could ever want. The second hand moved to his face, turning his head; Yuugi closed his eyes again as lips descended onto his own in a firm, unassuming kiss. That scent - that glorious, exotic scent - filled his senses once more, stronger than before. He whimpered as their lips separated. You'll be mine forever, as I am yours. That made Yuugi smile, and he opened his eyes again, briefly nuzzling against the neck of his beloved.
Thump. The pumping of his heart was unbearable now, but with the final piece, it would all be better. Nothing would hurt any longer. He'd be safe, he'd be loved. But still, his chest was so constricted that each quickened, shallow, gasping breath felt like nails raking down his throat, sending hot fire through his lungs, each more painful than the last. He needed to finish now. If he waited any longer, it would be far too late. His entire body yearned for - demanded - the completion of his puzzle, for his chance to be with the other half of his soul. Yours as you are mine ... forever yours. The other part of me ... another person who is like me, the one meant for me and me alone. The one who loves me, and who I love. Yes ... forever. I am yours forever, my love. My one, my only. His grin bordered on insane, his eyes glowing with such intensity now, glowing with the intensity of one who had lost his mind to thoughts not of this world.
Still, his hands moved, guiding that final piece to just above its place.
Free me, little one. Bring me to life.
"Wake up for me ... please ..."
Lips closed over his again before he slid the piece down into place, and he whimpered, pressing into it. His own lips parted as he felt that moist, hotly frozen tongue slide over them, and he heard a deep chuckle of satisfaction before their kiss was deepened. His love's tongue pressed against his, urging it into a slow, sensual dance as they slid along each other. One arm wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer still, and Yuugi could simply not get enough. He whimpered softly once again before his lips closed very lightly against those of his love, sucking very softly in an attempt to taste as much as he could, to keep the moment lasting as long as possible, but his attempts were not to be rewarded as the other pulled his head back. He knew why.
He hadn't completed his task yet; that last piece was still in his hand, waiting to be placed.
"Please save me ... please come to me. Live for me, my one ... my love. My other self." He leaned back again into the shadow behind himself. "Come to me." His eyes clenched tightly shut. Please ... please ...
Click. The final piece slid into place. Lips pressed against his again, briefly this time, chastely; Yuugi smiled at the touch. I have been with you all along, little one. But now, you must find me.
Before Yuugi could ask what the other meant, the shadow behind him disappeared. Without any support, his body collapsed to the ground. His chest became more painful than before, and he tried to will the pain away, to no avail. Please ... it hurts so much ... make it stop, my love ... please come back ...
One. Two. Three breaths left him. And then he knew no more.