Notes: Well, it's certainly been a while. I don't really have much of an excuse — I was side tracked by school and work, and never quite got back on track. However I did promise myself that I would finish this — and finish it I have. This is the last chapter.

As with any story, upon re-reading there are things that I'd change about it. But on the whole I remain happy with this fic. It has some decent moments. Yugi's voice never seems quite right to me, he's a touch more sarcastic here than I ever think he was in the anime. And this does occasionally get fluffy enough to rot brain cells, which certainly surprised me as I didn't think I was a terribly fluffy person.

Anyway, if anyone is still reading, reviews are appreciated. Constructive criticism and final thoughts would be most welcome, if you've got the time/energy.

Last but not least, thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read and review this story. I appreciate all the support you've given me during the creation of A More Complicated Puzzle. I wish you all well with all your own writing endeavours.

Love,

The Second Coming.

—-

"I've heard it said

That people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led

To those who help us most to grow

If we let them

And we help them in return

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true

But I know I'm who I am today

Because I knew you"

— Glinda the Good Witch, Wicked

—-

I don't know if I believe in fate. It's an odd thought, equally comforting and terrifying. I don't know if knowing that my entire path was laid out before me would really bring me that much comfort. After all, if everything is pre-determined then I have no hope of changing it. But maybe fate knows better.

If someone had asked me if I'd like to play house to an invisible, ancient spirit, I would probably have said no and run as fast as I could in the other direction. But there is no denying that Mou Hitori No Boku has changed my life irrevocably. I am, for once, happy with myself. And everything that I have become, everything that I am, is owed to him. It seems likely that I was the one meant to find the puzzle, and to solve it. After all, Mou Hitori No Boku looks almost exactly like me (only about a million times more impressive, and, dare I say it, sexy). I can't help but wonder though, if his current form is only a reflection of his current home. After all, he'd lost his memory, so why not his sense of self-image? I suppose I shouldn't complain, really. After all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and all that. Still, being hopelessly in love with someone who could easily pass as your twin presents its own unique set of problems.

Love conquers all. I'd never really considered myself a romantic, but apparently I'm prone to sap. Mou Hitori No Boku doesn't seem to mind though. He doesn't mind much that I do, really. I didn't think it was possible for two people to love each other, and to understand each other as completely as we do. Every touch, every gentle caress is an explosion of communication. It's almost a language — our touch. The slightest contact awakens the link between us, causing emotions to flow freely back and forth, ebbing and flowing like waves on the shore. Mou Hitori No Boku is an ocean.

There are no secrets between us. How could there be, when thoughts are tossed around freely, and emotions shared? It is a relationship unlike any other. To everyone else, we are incomprehensible. I don't mind really. I'm not sure I'd wan to share this. It seems so completely personal. They don't understand it, but they have come to accept it. Grandfather was first. All he's ever wanted was for me to be happy. Mou Hitori No Boku took to him immediately. Still, I don't think there's anyone who doesn't take to Grandpa immediately. He's eminently likeable.

They'd come to him at lunch one day.

"Hi," Téa had said cautiously. "Can we talk?"

I'd never really wanted to fight with them at all. "Of course."

"I spoke with your Grandpa yesterday," Téa said. Joey shuffled his feet nervously in the background. I bit back a fond grin — Joey's mannerisms were always so easy to read. It was rare that he would ever appear bashful though, which boded well for the outcome of this conversation.

She took a deep breath, preparing herself for what she was about to say. "We were wrong."

I had to bite my tongue to keep from jumping for joy right there.

"We were only trying to look out for you," she said quickly. "But in doing so we were actually making things worse." She looked me straight in the eye and said quietly. "I'm sorry."

"Are ya happy?" Joey asked gruffly from behind Téa.

"Yeah," I said. "I am."

Joey nodded. "I'm sorry too, Yug."

I gave up trying to control myself and did a strange little hop of joy.

We'd all gone to the arcade later that day. And the day after, and the day after that. They were still weary of Mou Hitori No Boku, but they accepted him. Which, really, was all I'd ever wanted in the first place.

I got more than I'd ever dreamed of though. It still startles me, when I wake up in the middle of the night in his arms, that he'd want me. After all, he's capable of so much more.

Stop thinking. I love the feeling of his voice in my mind. It's like velvet. His low baritone sends tingles running down my spine in anticipation.

I can't help it.

"Hmm," he said mildly, reaching up to pull me down into his embrace. Warmth flooded my body, spreading out from where his fingers touched my arms. I grinned and snuggled up to his body, tucking my head under his chin.

"I love you," I said quietly. I fell asleep before he had time to answer.

—-

Finis.