Chapter Eighteen:

Seto sighed as he turned off his computer, picked up his coat and briefcase, and prepared to leave the office. It was good to be back, to have a clean bill of health and be able to work, but he was, for one of the few times in his life, looking forward to going home. They'd arrived back here in Japan only this morning, and he'd had to immediately go into the office and put out the fires that had cropped up in his extended absence. It had taken three days of resting before the doctor had signed off for him to make the journey home.

In truth, he would have done it long before then, if not for Yugi. His lover hadn't wanted to take the chance and he'd decided not to upset him and also to be practical. But now they were home and he'd had to get back into the swing of things. Yami and Wheeler had returned to their own house and Yugi was back at the mansion, waiting for him.

The ride home was uneventful and Seto immediately headed upstairs to their suite, briefly smelling the dinner that had been had in the dining room. He detoured just long enough to peek in on Mokuba like he did most nights before heading down to his and Yugi's room. He opened the door, setting down his briefcase and hanging up his trench coat before turning to the bed.

He stopped in the midst of starting to take off his tie, seeing Yugi was wide awake and watching him. His petite lover was propped up on one of the pillows against the headboard, the sheets drawn up to his waist, a small bowl held in one hand. It held chocolate sauce, which Yugi was dipping his finger in and licking off. His eyes glittered as he saw Seto.

"Hi. I'm just having some dessert." Yugi stuck his finger in the sauce and slowly sucked it off, eyes on Seto. "Want some?"

Seto finished undoing his tie, letting it fall to the floor as he came towards him, crawling slowly up onto the bed and over him. He took the bowl from him and set it on the sidetable, before bending down to kiss him. There was chocolate in Yugi's mouth and Seto did a slow investigation. When he broke away, they were both breathing hard. Yugi started undoing the buttons to his work shirt, sliding it off his shoulders slowly.

"How was work?" he asked.

"Like usual," Seto responded, feeling Yugi's hands running along his arms as he pushed the shirt off. "Only time I'd rather be home."

Yugi's eyes gleamed and he smiled brilliantly. He leaned up and initiated another kiss, the shirt pushed all the way off and tossed casually onto the floor before his fingers sank into Seto's hair, sliding through the strands. Seto wound his arms around Yugi and slowly rolled them both. Yugi rose up above him, smiling down at him with darkening eyes.

Seto ran his hands up Yugi's legs before slipping them under his pajama shirt, sitting up to begin pushing the shirt up. Yugi raised his arms above his head, bending his back forward enough to allow Seto to pull the shirt off. He tossed it to the floor before beginning to run his hands along Yugi's body. Yugi sighed in pleasure, letting his head fall back, his hands resting on Seto's chest, enjoying the feelings of his fingers caressing his skin. His own kneaded Seto's chest lightly like a cat, mindlessly, while Yugi's attention was elsewhere. After a moment, Yugi looked back down at him and smiled.

"I'm so glad to be home," Yugi said.

"You, Yami, and Wheeler could have--"

"Could have, didn't. We didn't want to leave you alone. But now that we're back, and you're healthy, I think I'm going to jump your bones until they break."

Seto blinked in surprise before grinning. Yugi grinned back before sliding backwards, down Seto's body, until he was in the right position. Seto lifted his hips as Yugi undid his pants and started pulling them down. His fingers caressed his legs, then the pants were off and tossed to the floor.

Yugi's tongue against his growing erection had him moaning. He reached down to slide his fingers through Yugi's spiky mane of hair, feeling him open his mouth and take the tip of him inside. His tongue caressed it, eyes catching Seto's and glittering with lust. Yugi lightly mouthed him before the edge of his teeth suddenly touched him, Yugi pulling his lips back in a wicked grin, showing those teeth against Seto's erection.

Seto tugged warningly on his hair and Yugi lifted his head, chuckling. He moved downwards, kissing his thigh before nipping. His tongue ghosted over his balls, Seto grumbling in frustration. Yugi giggled as tugged on his hair again.

"Something you want? Okay, I can give it to you. I can give you whatever you want."

Yugi punctuated this statement by taking him to the hilt down his throat. Seto groaned and arched his back, lightly thrusting against his mouth. Yugi purred, bobbing his head over Seto, sucking and swirling his tongue in that amazing way he did. Seto held onto his hair, closing his eyes and just feeling, his breathing growing harsh as Yugi sucked him towards the end. He came with a low groan, feeling Yugi swallow before he lifted his head, Seto's fingers sliding from his hair.

Seto caught his breath, opening his eyes to find Yugi looking down at him, waiting for him to recover. Seto sat up again, gently pushing him away until he could stand up. He paused just long enough to put on a pair of pajama bottoms and then reached out, grabbing Yugi up and throwing him over his shoulder. Yugi laughed in surprise, and Seto grinned to himself as he felt Yugi's erection against his chest. Yugi had told him how much he loved Seto showing how strong he was.

Yugi's fingers ran along his back and the arm crossed over his legs to keep him from slipping off. He was purring, pressing kisses to whatever he could reach as Seto crossed the room, to the door. He opened it with his free hand, carrying Yugi out and down the hall.

"Where are we going?" Yugi whispered, twisting around to speak into Seto's ear, nibbling on it as he did.

Seto didn't answer, just hauling Yugi down the stairs to the ground floor, trying to ignore the caresses and kisses Yugi was putting everywhere. He moved his hand up to grope Yugi's ass, smirking as that made Yugi rub himself against him. He crossed the ground floor to the door that lead out to the back gardens. He entered the code into the security system so he wouldn't set off the alarms and exited.

"Mm, outside?"

Seto carried Yugi out into the night, finding it was a hot one. Good, he'd been counting on the weather holding. He crossed into the gardens, moving towards a clearing that was surrounded by bushes and flowers tended to by the gardeners. Seto dumped Yugi on the grass off the path before crossing over to one of the systems. He bent and entered in a code, smirking as the sprinkling system turned on and made Yugi squeal. He turned around, grinning as the water sprayed around, soaking Yugi in seconds. Seto walked over to him, entering the cross-section spraying of water.

Yugi grinned at him, laying down slowly against the wet grass, stretching out and undulating his body invitingly. The water clung to him, sparkling in the moonlight, making his skin glisten. His eyes looked almost black, but sparked with desire. Seto paused for a second to look at him like that before walking over his legs and settling himself down on his hips. He bent down, cupping Yugi's face and kissing him, feeling Yugi run his fingers through his soaking hair.

He drew back and began kissing down Yugi's neck, licking up trickles of water, feeling the tendons work beneath his lips. He continued down Yugi's chest, sucking one of his nipples, rolling and pinching the other one. Yugi groaned, arching his back when Seto continued down to his stomach, mouthing and licking the skin. Seto took the waistband of his pajama pants and took them down.

His first lick to Yugi's erection earned him a low moan. The second brought a little whimper.

"Seto, don't tease me. The water's cold."

Seto chuckled, before opening his mouth and drawing Yugi inside slowly. His lover moaned, held pinned down by Seto's hands, squirming against the wet grass. Seto took him down to the hilt, pausing for a second, before beginning to suck, raising and lowering his head. He kept the pace languid, ignoring Yugi's attempts to speed him up.

"Seto! Ohh...gods, that's good."

Seto increased the suction, bobbing his head faster. He brought one of his hands into play, gently fingering Yugi's entrance before carefully pushing one of his fingers into him. Yugi moaned, shifting a little to give him better access, spreading his legs further. He raised them, hooking them over Seto's shoulders and completely splaying himself out, murmuring in need.

"Seto, please."

Seto pushed the second finger in, stretching Yugi, pumping them in and out in time with his sucks. Yugi was moaning continuously now, panting and gasping in the night. Seto pushed the third finger in and that seemed to be enough. Yugi screamed, hips jerking a little. Seto swallowed and lifted his head, taking Yugi's legs off his shoulders and laying him back down on the ground. Yugi was panting for breath, eyes closed and head tilted to the side. Seto watched him for a second before taking off his own pajama pants.

He sat back on his butt, drawing Yugi up and into his lap, facing him. Yugi smiled, wrapping his arms around his neck and resting his head on his shoulder, still not quite recovered. Seto ran his hands along his back, Yugi's legs arranged around his waist.

He felt Yugi kissing his neck, feeling the sharpness of his teeth as he nipped him. He reached down and pushed his fingers into him again, grinning as Yugi began to move, fucking his fingers. Yugi's hand stole down, wrapping around his erection. It was Seto's turn to groan, before he sought out Yugi's mouth for a hungry kiss.

"Oh..." Yugi jerked against his fingers before reaching down to grab his wrist and move his hand away. He kissed him again, desperate. "Ohh, Seto, please. Take me."

Seto pushed against Yugi, laying him down again, shifting their position until he was leaning over him, Yugi's legs still wound around his waist. He entered him, growling in pleasure at the tightness, hearing Yugi moan in answer, his legs tensing around his waist. Seto pushed in to the hilt, then paused for a second before Yugi's urgent movements made him begin to thrust.

"Gods, yes," Yugi mewled. He jerked up against him, fingers digging into his shoulders. "Faster!"

Seto obeyed, beginning to pound Yugi into the grass. Yugi's delighted cries sounded in his ear, hands running over his back. Seto shifted again, moving back to sitting on his butt, Yugi pulled up with him. Yugi moaned as Seto pulled him down, leaning back on one arm to brace himself. Yugi began to ride him, fingernails digging into Seto's shoulders. He kissed him hungrily, mouth sliding down to his neck. Seto growled in pleasure, moving his own mouth to Yugi's shoulder, which he bit.

Seto smirked, slowly stopping his movements. He grabbed Yugi around the waist, stopping him from continuing to ride him. He lifted Yugi up, then turned him around, placing him on all fours. Yugi laughed, wiggling back against him, rubbing his rear against his crotch. Seto growled again, entering him again. Yugi moaned, hands splayed out against the grass, taking Seto's hard thrusts as they came.

"Harder!" Yugi begged. He shoved against him. He reached down with one hand and began to stroke himself.

Seto nipped at the back of Yugi's neck, licking the bruised skin as he continued to pound into Yugi, hands holding him tightly and bracing him. Yugi's cries rose in volume again, his channel beginning to tighten around him. Seto groaned, feeling his climax imminent.

Yugi came without warning, screaming. Seto grunted, thrusting a couple more times before coming himself, filling Yugi with his seed. He caught him as he started to fall forward, turning Yugi around and laying him down on the grass. He moved over to the sprinkler system, turning it off.

Arms wound around his waist and he felt Yugi's mouth against his back. He smiled, turning around slowly, wrapping his arms around Yugi and looking down at him. Yugi looked exhausted, eyes heavy-lidded, but a sleepy smile graced his face.

"That was great," he said.

Seto smirked, bending down to lightly kiss him. They were soaked and getting cold, so Seto snatched up their clothes, holding them in one hand, not bothering to get dressed. He wound an arm around Yugi's shoulders and walked back with him to the mansion. Yugi's arm was around his waist, leaning heavily against him as they entered the mansion again and headed up to their room.

They took a quick shower, more to warm up than to get clean, before dressing in fresh pajamas. They crawled into bed, Yugi curling up against Seto's side and resting his head on his shoulder. Seto wrapped his arms around him, glancing once around his darkened bedroom, glad to be home.

******

Yugi woke the next morning, finding himself safe and sound at home, wrapped up in Seto's arms. He lay there for a moment, listening to Seto breathe, hearing his heartbeat. They'd come so close to dying, and seeing Seto lying there on the attic floor, bleeding and unconscious...

He leaned up, looking down into Seto's face. He was sleeping peacefully. Yugi smiled and bent down, gently kissing his lips. Seto shifted and opened his eyes.

"Morning."

"Morning, Yugi." Seto shifted and raised his hands over his head, stretching out. "Something wrong?"

"No, I--"

The room suddenly turned freezing. They both stopped moving, looking at each other in shock. The air was continuously growing colder and colder. Their breath was beginning to plume in clouds of steam.

"Oh, gods," Yugi whispered.

Seto jerked up, pushing Yugi back when he tried to do the same. "No, stay here."

"Seto--"

His lover was standing up, but didn't move away from the bed. Yugi was holding onto his hand, heart pounding in fear. There were ghosts in the room, but he couldn't see anything. They were both searching for even the slightest hint, but except for the freezing air that was drawing goosebumps along both of them, there was no sign.

Suddenly the air turned warm again. The ghosts were gone.

"What the hell?" Seto demanded.

Yugi slid out of bed, letting go of his hand. Something tingled along his awareness, something out of place. Whatever it was, there was the lingering of energy there. Yugi traced it to the source, his eyes falling onto the dresser across the room.

"Seto. Look."

Yugi crossed the room, reaching out for the small item laying atop the wood, where it hadn't been before. Ignoring Seto's caution, he picked it up. It was a small, heart-shaped locket, old by the looks of it. It was icy to the touch, but starting to warm up in Yugi's hands.

He turned it over to carefully prize it open. Inside was a pair of photos, old and sepia-toned. On one side was a picture of Onfroi and Annika, dressed in 1800s American outfits, she sitting and he standing behind her with his hand on her shoulder. They were both smiling. On the other side were all five children, Angelien and Annabelle standing behind the twins and Giselle in the front, wearing her pretty pink dress, her hair in pigtails. They were all smiling, but Giselle had the brightest one.

"Where'd that come from?" Seto asked.

"Giselle. She wants us to know everything's okay."

Seto made a faint noise of disinterest. Yugi smiled, closing the locket and running his finger over the face of it as his lover headed into the bathroom to wash up. Yugi looked down at the locket fondly before he gently set it back down on the dresser, intending to keep it with him. He headed into the bathroom, hugging Seto from behind before ducking under his arm and washing his face. They were sliding back into their normal routine now. That was exactly what Yugi wanted.

Seto's fingers curling under his chin made him look up in surprise. Seto's eyes searched his before he bent down and lightly kissed his lips. Yugi smiled broadly, reaching up to grip his hand and lightly squeeze his fingers. He didn't say anything, knowing Seto preferred saying things without words. Seto kissed his forehead and moved away, heading out to get dressed and head downstairs for breakfast while Yugi finished in the bathroom.

The phone beeped while he was getting dressed, meaning the call had been patched in for him. He picked up the handle.

"Hello?"

"Aibou. Kaiba called and said you guys got a visit from the ghosts. Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Did you get visited?"

"No. What happened?"

"Giselle left a locket here. I didn't see it when she appeared to me, but it must have been in her room somewhere. There were pictures in there, when the family was happy. I think she was saying thank you and goodbye."

"I see. Yes, I think you made an impression on her. She appeared to you first."

Yugi smiled, finished getting dressed. "I'm just glad they're happy. How are you and Joey?"

"Fine."

Something in that simple word conveyed a lot more. Yugi laughed, feeling his cheeks heat up. "Oh. I'll bet Joey's still sleeping."

Yami chuckled smugly. "Like a baby."

"Good. What we need is to get back to our lives."

"Yes. I'll see you later, Aibou."

"'Bye, Yami."

Yugi hung up and felt a soft carress through his hair. He turned around, not surprised. The little ghost girl stood looking up at him, still wearing her pink dress. Yugi picked up the locket and dangled it in front of her. He squatted down to her height, smiling.

"I'm glad you're okay, sweetie. Thank you again for helping us."

The little ghost suddenly moved forward, throwing her arms around Yugi. She felt a great deal more solid than she had ever before. Yugi hugged her back, ignoring the fact that her body, while more solid, was still icy. Giselle gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek before stepping back. She raised her hand and waved it. Yugi straightened up, waving back as she started to fade out. He waited until she was gone, all trace of cold leaving the room.

He looked down at the locket still in his hand. It was a gift and he would keep it. He put it around his neck and slipped it down his shirt. He would keep it on him for a day or two before putting it away. He headed down for breakfast.

It was fully over.