Soak up the Sun

Chapter 22

The three days of the painting competition's deadline had diminished. The once tense nature held by that of young Yugi Mutou ceased to exist. By now things had become quite busy, and full of time spent upon that of freedom.

Yes freedom. Yugi had dropped all ties to his fake facade of societies truth in his life. All worries of his friends, superiors, and grandfather's knowledge of his relationship no longer held that strong strength within his heart.

The soon to be seventeen-year-old held a manner of complete bliss, almost wishful happiness as small dots of red, black and yellow paint covered his face and hands.

A giggle erupted from the young teen as a smiled graced his lips. All of this was from the reaction of dusky tanned hands that trailed down upon the dots of paint across the pale alabaster skin of Yugi.

Amethyst eyes danced in amusement as crimson sparkled with pure lust.

"Desert Rose, I thought that you and I were going to finish this painting?" Yugi pouted, desperately attempting to melt that all knowing smirk off of his lover's face.

A light mantra of baritone chuckles erupted from Yami's throat as he dropped a paint brush into a cup of murky water.

"Well I think that I already have my Aibou. As you mentioned, this work of art was entitled Soak up the Sun. Well here I stand, lightly brushing colors only known to the gods upon the canvas that has soaked away the darkness of my heart."

Yugi's smile widened as he ruffled his fingers through Yami's spiky strands of hair.

"You're such a hopeless romantic aren't you my love?"

Yugi's desert rose smirked as he pulled the small hand away from his hair, now caressing it with soft sensual touches.

A purr erupted from Yugi's throat as he pulled himself closer to the warm inviting body.

Hands of Yami Atemu abandoned that of Yugi's silky strands of hair as the met that of the small digits held within his own calloused hands.

"All the more to please you Aibou. How else would I have asked you to join my harem?"

The sixteen-year-old rolled his eyes as he laughed. "You really are taking this pharaoh endearment way too far. I bet I could make a better pharaoh than you."

"Ah, that's where you are wrong. In order to claim my title you must be able to flaunt it and walk to the walk. Pharonic grace and slow tantalizing strides of the body that draw your attention to the almighty god of Ra."

By now Yugi and his pharaoh had abandoned the self painting as they collapsed onto the bed. Sweat beat down upon both hormone-driven teens as both were pulled from their session of "pharaoh's harem."

A small shadow covered that of the doorway as gleaming sapphire eyes gazed upon their kneeling forms.

"Another session of Pharaoh's Harem? Seriously you two need to get laid." Mokuba stated while rolling his eyes.

The all too familiar crimson blush flushed across Yugi's cherubic face as he buried his face into that of Yami's chest.

The eighteen-year-old smirked as he swatted at Yugi, only to notice his young cousin's gaze.

"What brings you in here Mokuba? I thought you were sleeping?"

The ten-year-old Kaiba shook his head as he held that of a cordless phone.

"Uhm, actually you're UPS package had been shipped to the wrong person and the company wishes to speak to you a.s.a.p."

Yami blinked as he noticed the slight twitch in the boy's eyes.

Realization struck the man as he removed himself from confines of Yugi's arms, now standing as his young cousin handed him the phone.

"Thank you Mokie. Why don't you keep Yugi-chan company? This will only take a second."

Sapphires met those of crimson read rubies as the diversion had been set.

The dubbed pharaoh winked at Mokuba as he exited the bedroom, closing the door in the process.

Curious amethyst eyes had followed that of the retreating form. Yugi blinked as he attempted to follow his lover, only find himself being held back. His gaze drifted onto that of the intrusion of Mokuba.

A small frown marred his face as the young Kaiba whispered almost in a low monotone.

"Yugi don't worry about Atemu. He'll be back. He's never let either of us down before."

Yugi nodded in understanding as he laid back onto the bed, allowing his eyes to gaze upon the ceiling.

Mokuba shifted on the bed, causing the worn mattress to squeak as he spoke.

"So Yugi, since I have some black mail on you, I think I'll use it to my advantage."

Said teen blinked as he lazily turned on his side, meeting the eyes of determined sapphire.

The eyes held a complete sincerity along with an undying spark of challenge. Only two other people held this spark, both related; namely Yami and Seto Kaiba.

"Well okay since you seem to possess that spark of challenge and dead set determination along with stamina as do Atemu and Seto. So I accept you to challenge me."

The young boy groaned as he smirked, running his fingers across the soft silken bed.

"Well Mr. King of Games, it seems that three days ago you had committed an act, one that I was blamed for."

Yugi's brows furrowed as realization struck his mind. He had decided to fight fire with fire.

"Oh you mean when you destroyed my painting? Or do you speak of the paint that had been spread around the room?"

Mokuba blinked as the smart ass remark sifted through his over complex mind, shifting into that of the intended challenge set into place.

"Ah, so you admit to having splashed that wall with the red paint?"

Amethyst eyes glittered as Yugi laughed. "Oh yes, I accept all actions of committing that crime. But it ended up gaining me a bright smile and compliment from Yami. Sorry kiddo, I have already been cleared of that one."

Mokuba's demeanor shattered, now allowing him to pout.

Yugi silently observed the boy's youthful pouting. He couldn't help but feel bad for the kid as he sighed inwardly.

"Hey Mokuba, that was a good dig you had on me. So how about you and I duel for some vengeance?"

The raven-haired boy cocked his head to the side as he smiled. "Prepare to lose your title The King of Games to a Kaiba! Let's duel!"

Both shuffled their decks, staring each other down as Yugi smirked.

"We'll see Kaiba! This isn't over until the end!"

Light flickered from the TV flickered in the living room, beating down onto the sprawled form of Yami.

Said teen laid on his stomach, allowing an arm to drape itself around the side of the couch's armrest.

A fairly noticeable jet-black cordless phone was being held towards his ear as he sighed.

"Thank you for returning my call. I know that we haven't personally talked to each other but I figured there was importance in this. Yugi has been very depressed since it all happened. I have done everything in my power to comfort him. I think it's time for this civil war to end. Though before I ask him of this, I would like to gain your acceptance of my proposition at hand."

The conversation continued to commence as back in the master bedroom, things had yet to calm down.

"Okay Mokuba, I sacrifice my Magician's Valkyria in order to summon my Dark Magician."

Mokuba glared at Yugi as he cursed under his breath. "Dang it! This couldn't possibly become any worse I hope."

Yugi laughed deviously, shaking his head.

"I'm afraid it does Mokuba. For now I activate the spell card Sage's Stone. Now that Dark Magician Girl is on the field I can automatically summon her master without tributes."

The smaller boy groaned reluctantly as he pouted. "Basically the greatest two tribute magician that your deck possesses?"

Yugi grinned widely a he nodded enthusiastically. "I now special summon the all powerful Dark Magician!"

A moment passed as Yugi continued his battle phase.

"Now my mages take down his life points!"

"Forty five hundred points of direct damage?"

"Sorry Mokuba, but you were the one that used your brother's tactics while dueling."

Said boy rolled his eyes as he shuffled his cards.

"All right, let's play another round!"

Yugi shook his head as he yawned. "Sorry kiddo. I need to nap before the graduation ceremony tonight."

"That's tonight?"

Yugi nodded as he stretched. "Yup, that's why Yami and I were up at the crack of dawn. We went to the rehearsal was at ten a.m."

Mokuba nodded in understanding as he watched Yugi yawn yet again for the tenth time that afternoon.

"Come on Yugi. Drop the act. You're so tired that you can't see straight."

Yugi was about to protest when his large amethyst orbs closed as did his breathing steady out. He had fallen asleep somewhat fast.

The sapphire-eyed boy smiled as Yugi shifted in his dreamless slumber, muttering the incoherent words of "my pharaoh." His small cherubic face held a small hint of innocence as a smile graced his lips.

Mokuba's attention was soon distracted by that of the bedroom door. The door's brass handle jiggled uneasily as it turned to one side, fully opening as Yami silently entered the room.

The said man sighed as he gazed upon the small sleeping form of his aibou. He felt the need of his hormone-craved mind and body's need of an urgent, but quick make-out session with Yugi.

'Sigh, sadly that will have to wait until later.' he thought, now fully eying his young cousin.

"So did it go well Yami?"

The man nodded as he gestured for the smaller boy to follow him out into the living room.

Sapphire eyes of purity sparkled with mirth as Mokuba tugged at his cousin's leather pants.

"So what happened?"

Yami smirked as he ruffled the boy's long strands of hair.

"Well Mr. Curiosity, the deal has been made. He accepted the terms of the proposition. You and I are now going to go and pick out the thing that will signify the truce of this matter."

Atemu's cousin blinked, cocking his head to the side. "Atemu, what the heck did you just say? I swear you and my big brother are way too much a like."

The eighteen-year-old smirked, laughing somewhat as he grabbed his car keys. "Yes, well he did raise me for five years Mokuba. It was bound to rub off onto me. But now we are going to get the final piece in this for Yugi. You will play a major roll in after graduation ceremony tonight."

Mokuba nodded as he was dragged off with his cousin, heading off to only Ra knows where.

Sleep filled eyes opened, revealing those of hazy amethyst jewels. Yugi yawned silently as he sat up, stretching the kinks out of his back. The need to sleep longer hovered through his mind. Well all until he gazed at the digital clock by his bed side.

The red-orange numbers of six thirty flashed across the screen. His eyes widened to that of dinner plates as he bolted out of the bed, running towards the closet as he pulled out two very elegantly pressed navy smock-like gowns.

He mentally cursed under his breath as he was pulled from his fit by that of the ringing phone.

Yugi rolled his eyes as he stomped into the living room, digging across the couch for it as finally after ten minutes it came into view.

"Stupid phone." he muttered, now pressed the talk button.

"Hello?"

"Yuge'? Is dat you?"

Yugi blinked as the Brooklyn accent made itself known within his mind, along with the nickname of "Yuge'." Only one person called him that.

"Joey? Where the hell have you been? Yami and I were beginning to get worried. We haven't heard from you two for three days."

The line fell silent as the blond muttered something incoherent within the background. Something that caused Yugi to shiver as he awaited the response.

"Joey are you going to answer me or am I going to have to kick your ass tonight at the ceremony?"

Said teen cleared his throat as he laughed nervously. "Well uhm about dat Yuge'. Seto and I aren't going to attend the graduation tonight."

Yugi's entire reality came crashing down as he blinked back tears that ceased to fall from his cherubic face.

"What in the seven hells do you mean that Seto and you aren't attending the ceremony? I mean come on what the heck else are you going to do that you will never do again in your life time?"

The line fell silent as the whimpers of Joey echoed through the line as rather stone-cold voice spoke through the phone.

"Listen Mutou, just because that you are my cousin's toy doesn't mean that I won't kick your ass. You had no right to yell at Joey like that. We have our reasons for our disappearance."

Yugi growled in his throat as he narrowed his large eyes. "Shut up Seto. You know that I could easily kick your ass in another duel, along with the factor that you better watch your ass. You forget that Yami and I hold the balance of your brother's life in our hands."

"Hmph, you're good Mutou. I didn't think that you would actually stoop down to the level of using my brother as bait in this argument."

"Drop the shit Seto. Now tell me what the heck is so important that you have to miss your graduation?"

Before a response was head, the background of Seto's line had began to shift and cause noises of erotic pleasure.

Yugi rolled his eyes. Things never changed between those two. Seto had a libido that was never sated. It almost made the sixteen-year old wonder if he had inherited it from his lover.

"Drop it you two. I need to know how much longer Mokuba will be here."

"Patience is a virtue Mutou. But if you insist, we will be back in two days. We are reinforcing our vows of marriage."

Amethyst eyes widened to that of dinner plates as Yugi almost dropped the phone. "You two got married without us being there? That is so cruel?"

Joey laughed in the background as he yanked the phone from his master's hands.

"Sorry Yuge'. It was a sudden spurt of the moment thing. We went to Kyoto for dinner and then five minutes later I find myself on a plane heading out to Honolulu Hawaii for our marriage."

A small smile graced Yugi's lips as he dropped his facade of anger. "Congratulations Joey, Seto. I hope to see you both soon to give you guys the biggest hugs and gifts in the world."

Joey laughed loudly as he sighed. "Geez, Yuge' you seem pretty excited. Did you and your love consummate your relationship?"

"Excuse me?"

"Don't play dumb Yuge'. Did you two, you know, knock boots last night? And if so who was the seme?"

A blush formed over Yugi's cherubic face as he screamed into that of the phone.

"Joey! Get you mind out of the gutter! I swear you and Yami are so perverted. But to answer your question, no we haven't and besides I wouldn't tell you who was the uke or the seme."

"Okay Yuge' well congratulations on the graduation tonight and hope that you and Yams have fun. Well we have a date with a para sail . Talk to you later bud."

The line suddenly went dead as Yugi shut off the phone, carelessly throwing it on the couch as he ran back into the bedroom, pulling himself into his black slacks, only to hear a chuckle from behind him.

Alarmed, the small teen yelped, pulled the pants up as he turned around, meeting the eyes of amused crimson.

Yami leaned on the door frame, arms folded into that of his chest as he gazed with lust filled eyes.

Yugi's heart beat suddenly fell as he noticed the presence of his lover.

"Why are you staring at my ass as if you found some type of delicious piece of meat?"

Yami rolled his eyes as he gracefully walked towards Yugi. "Well I was just enjoying the small show that you had endowed me with my aibou. But in all honesty, I prefer to see you in the leather ones."

Yugi groaned as he pulled himself up onto the bed, feet hanging lazily over its end. He gazed up at his boyfriend, taking notice of the teen's posture.

Yami continued to lean against the wall, his eyes closed in grace, arms folded once more around his muscled frame.

A small remark formed in Yugi's head as he giggled.

"Aww aren't you just so pharonic?"

Closed narrowed eyes opened, revealing that of arched crimson orbs.

"Only if that is your acceptance of entering my harem?"

The "pharaoh" smirked, pulling himself from the barriers of the wall, slowly stalking closer towards the small form of Yugi. His hips shifted side to side, matching that of his sexy movements. His entire body screamed, "Eye Candy."

Soon the ever so graceful teen bent down on his knees, meeting gazes with the smaller in front of him. The ever skillful hands of met that of Yugi's half opened belt buckle. His small smirk widened as he quickly but sexily fastened the belt in one swift notion.

Yugi squeaked as he blushed brightly, gazing into the depths of beauty that stood within his gaze.

"As much as I enjoy your playful banter and teasing, I think you should get your sexy little desert rose of an ass in those slacks and gown."

"Yes oh great pharaoh. Will you require my services of adorning you in my gorgeous regalia?"

Yugi sighed, now standing up as he smacked Yami on the butt, running into the living room as he awaited his other to finish dressing. Well not until he heard that of ranting from the other.

"Yugi, I hate these slacks! They are too baggy!"

"Just put them on Yami. I will make it up to you later."

"You better. I want you at my mercy my concubine."

Yugi laughed as he ran his hands across the cap that sat within his lap. Even after all this things were never going to change between him and Yami.

Or at least he hoped.

Flocks of students housed within the vast navy colored gowns cluttered themselves together. Chattering voices of many girls and anxious hormone driven boys echoed through the room as a teacher groaned in annoyance.

"Keep your hat straight. Make sure that your tassel is hanging from the left, not the right. For gods sake stock making out in the middle of the staging area!"

Oh yes, this woman was having the time of her life.

Yugi fidgeted within the confines of his assigned chair. The need for personal space and freedom roamed through his mind as did the thoughts of hot kinky moments from his boyfriend that sat next to him.

The ceremony had barely began to commence as the students had just taken their seats on the stage, gazing out into the crowds that watched from the nosebleed sections of the seating.

Yugi's fidgeting legs shuffled across the hard wood floor, sliding down as they kicked that of the chair behind himself. He was always impatient, waiting for things that never seemed to come.

A reassuring hand of dusky bronze rested itself upon his shoulder, easing his tense manner as Yami smiled at him, tassel swaying back and fourth in the process.

"Calm down Aibou, just think of what is to come after this ceremony."

Yugi nodded as he breathed in deeply, only to vaguely think of what his lover had just mentioned to him.

By now the class president and the other officers in the council had made their speeches, each earning that of an encore. All except for the girl who made the wise crack of the student attacked with samurai swords earlier in the year. (1)

Though all attention had fallen onto that of the principal as he stood at the podium, smiling vividly at the crowd.

"Thank you all for coming here tonight. We are all here in terns or congratulating this class of six hundred and one students. Now I would like to ask all of the students on stage to turn their tassels to the right as I proclaim them as the Class of 2005!"

A round of cheers had fallen through the students and the audience as Yugi fiddled with his tassel.

"Now for the first time in over ten years I have a special award to give out. I have never seen such a talented teenager of this caliber. This young person has shown his abilities within the rates and passions for his talents since day one of his freshman year. Now four years later and years worth of art and expertise, I would like to present this student with that of an art scholarship. Please rise and accept your award, Hikari Yugi Mutou."

Widened amethyst eyes widened as Yugi stood up shakily, gazing out into the clapping crowd. His feet unsteadily led him across the panel of that separated that of the diplomas and the principal. Eyes of many fell onto his rigid form, soon falling onto that of the out stretched hand of the man ahead of him.

His eyes immediately locked onto those of Mr. Takahashi. Yugi stretched out his hand, shaking the elder man's as that of a plaque was placed within his free hand.

Tears streamed down his face as he walked back towards his designated seat. Only the thoughts of Yami made him able to concentrate upon the rest of the ceremony.

An hour had passed as half of the students names had been called, allowing the teens to walk the stage, receiving their diplomas cases. But Yugi and Yami's names had not yet made the call as they just now lined up.

Yugi's eyes dropped as sleep began to take toll upon him. The need for his other and the comfy queen sized bed called his name.

"Atemu Yami Moto."

Said man perked up as he walked across the stage, smiling indigently as his gaze caught that of swooning females and fan girls.

"Hikari Yugi Mutou."

The small teen grinned as he practically ran across the stage, shaking the principals hand yet again.

The class of 2005 had been announced , allowing that of the students to relieve themselves from the imprisonment of the caps and gowns.

Fluttering tassels and caps sailed across the building, screams and squeals of delight hovered through the air.

Yugi sighed as he leaned against Yami, yawning lightly as he felt the elder run his fingers through his spiky mane of tri-colored hair.

Though something irked Yugi to no end. His other was constantly gazing out into the passing crowd. Almost as though he was expecting someone.

"Yami who are you looking for? I mean Mokuba is at his friend's house and no one else is here."

The eighteen year old smirked as he spoke. "You'll see soon enough Hikari. You'll see."

A few moments had passed as Yugi had been greeted by the form of someone unexpected.

A small burly man with plum eyes stood within the young boy's view, smiling slightly as he waved nervously at the small teen.

"G, Grandpa? What the hell ar you doing here? I thought you hated me?"

The said man shook his head as he pulled Yugi's hands into his own.

"Yugi, I'm sorry for the way I acted during the past few months. I was going through a rough time. You were in the transition of becoming an adult much too quickly for my liking. Along with dating Yami. But after having the sense knocked into me and some thinking I have dropped my beliefs of your boyfriend and relationship. You remind me so much of myself at your age, young and in love. I would like you in my life again Yugi. Please allow me another chance."

Yugi blinked as the plum colored eyes bore into his own amethyst, sparkling with the neediness of pleading and begging.

The boy's selfless heart soon nicked in as he sighed, wrapping his arms around the elder man that stood before him.

"I'm glad that Anzu had gotten through your old fashioned mind Grandpa. I think that this is your last chance though. But why the sudden chance of heart over Yami?"

Yami and Sugoroku smirked, eying each other with mischievous glares as Yami laughed.

"Oh my Aibou, you really are in bind are you not?"

"What's going on?"

Yami sighed as he bent down on his knee, meeting the gaze of Yugi's eyes as he pulled something out from his back pocket.

"Aibou, I have known you for only a little while but you have shown me the truth of my past. You have given me a chance to help and express my depression and love again. I have talked with your grandfather, setting things straight between the both of us as I set my proposition at hand."

"Your proposition? What's that Yami?"

"This Aibou." Yami pulled out a small black velvet box, opening it as it revealed that of a small thin engagement ring. Small crimson rubies outlined the epicenter as it sparkled within the light.

Yugi's eyes widened as he comprehended the meaning of this jewelry.

"Yugi, I have gained your grandfather's blessing upon this question as I have been meaning to ask you think since the day I met you. For some reason you complete my shattered soul as I pray to spend the rest of my life with you my one and only true love."

"Y, Yami?"

"Yugi would you take my hand in marriage and spend the rest of your life with me?"

Tears flooded down Yugi's face as he literally tackle glomped Yami onto the stiffened carpet.

"Of course my Desert Rose. I want to spend the rest of my days with you. Now will you do me a favor?"

Yami smiled as he sat up, placing the ring on the smaller teen's left hand. Smiling as it sparkled within the light.

"What's that aibou?"

Yugi blushed as he whispered within his finacee's ear, blushing crimson in the process.

Yami smirked as he lifted Yugi into his arms, carrying him towards their car as both bid farewell to Sugoroku.

"So Aibou, are you sure about this?"

"Yes Desert Rose, it's time for both of us to learn to love again. Besides I wish to know more of the person who soaked up my attractions." Yugi stated, now resting his head upon the other's shoulder as they headed towards the car.

"All right my partner, the love of my life. The one and only person to cure the diseases of our pasts."

Both smiled, each thinking of what was to come in their future of life without darkened pasts and paintings entitled Soak up the Sun.

Or better yet, their evening in the bed.

The end...

The samurai swords incident happened at my old high school. Some crazy kid went insane and attacked a random student with them.

The lemon/epilogue is on under the same penname.