Disclaimer: Plain and simple. I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh

A/N: Howdy all. Thanks for stopping by and taking a look at this story! It's been in my head for awhile, and I think it can be fun. This is my attempt at a one shot, and for those who know me that does not necessarily mean short. In fact, I think I can guarantee that. If I keep it down to 20 pages... let's just say even I will be surprised.

Sprite-y goodness – Yaoi in a bottle. Courtesy of Banjodog

Oh yeah, have to warn people that this is yaoi between Yuugi and Yami.

Let's see. Stuff you should know. This takes place after Battle City, though there is no reference to it, so Yami has saved the world. Yuugi speaking to Yami: /Howdy/ Yami speaking to Yuugi: //Howdy//. And remember, many businesses keep their lights on at night in an attempt to deter robbers. I think that's it. Enjoy!

Blue Ice

By Ocean

Chapter One: Frost

Loud.

If Yuugi could choose only one word to describe this place, it would be 'loud.'

He sighed softly as he followed his friends down the crowded walkway, attempting to dodge the seemingly endless stream of traffic that flowed relentlessly against him. People were everywhere: pushing, prodding, running, walking, shouting, hugging, kissing, bartering. Every aspect of human personality was represented within the throngs of patrons that walked amongst the great confines of the mall.

It wasn't that Yuugi didn't like people, though he did shoot a nasty glare at the latest person to slam into him without an apology. Many considered him to be the epitome of human kindness – the striving achievement of all that was good. No one seemed to understand how difficult it was to carry that title. The weight that pulled on his being was almost unbearable. He surely would have crumbled long ago had it not been for the loving support of his friends and family.

And his yami.

Yuugi was finally able to breathe once he and his yami had been united. The unyielding strength and support the older spirit imparted on Yuugi had saved the young man from his destructive downward spiral. Yuugi had never considered physically harming himself, but he had become an expert in psychological damage. The pressure he placed upon himself to fulfill the image forced upon him had trapped Yuugi within the boundaries of his own mind.

If Yami hadn't been willing to reach into the depths of Yuugi's sanity and forcefully pull him from his self-construed prison... Yuugi shuddered to think what would have happened to him. The act was akin to being reborn; birthed from the dark and suffocating vortex he had unwittingly plunged himself into and being thrust into the light where everyone thought he belonged.

Yami's attitude toward the situation had been a breath of fresh air, a spring breeze that blew past Yuugi to banish the encroaching winter. A blunt "Damn the others and do what is good for yourself" was a shocking concept to Yuugi. Up until that point he had always been told to 'do unto others' and 'think about your actions' and 'what will others think?' or 'how will the others feel?' He had never been encouraged to think of himself.

"Hey Yug, wanna grab a soda?"

"Sure Jou," Yuugi replied quietly, though it was doubtful his answer was heard over the cacophony. Instead he smiled and nodded his head, receiving an enthusiastic grin from his friend. Yuugi's smile instantly faded as Jou turned his back to collect the opinions of the others in the group. A unanimous decision was reached and the small gathering of friends turned to forge their way to the food court.

Yuugi numbly followed his leader as Jou deftly maneuvered his way through the crowd of shoppers. The blonde slid and glided between benches and children and tables and chairs, skidding to a stop in front of the nearest food stand. Mai and Honda rolled their eyes, only slightly amused that their nineteen-year-old friend could become so excited over a coke.

Yuugi remained separate from the group, staying behind to commandeer one of the many tables of the food court. Bypassing several tables for various reasons – there was a very suspicious substance on the surface of one that he gave a wide berth to – Yuugi finally settled for a table hidden within the jungle of people that had suspended their shopping for a refueling session. Gathering enough chairs to seat his group Yuugi patiently waited for his friends to join him.

This scene was becoming more and more common. Yuugi's friends had grown accustomed to his shy and timid nature, nurturing his character into a mold that fit their ideal of what he should be. The act was not intentionally cruel, nor was it even realized. It was a simple grasp at the innocence and purity that everyone longs for but can rarely find within themselves. Yuugi possessed this lightness, and his friends had been desperate to keep the light in their lives. In doing so, they had prevented Yuugi from growing; justifying their actions by saying Yuugi was too innocent or naive to handle the stresses of the real world.

They had nearly destroyed the very object they had sought to protect.

Yami had put a stop to that almost immediately. His intimidating presence limited the amount of time Yuugi's friends spent with him, insuring that the only opinion Yuugi heard was that of the Pharaoh. Not even Sugoroku's voice held much weight against the Pharaoh's, and a strong voice the Pharaoh had. Calm, deep, commanding, demanding, absolute, confident... always so confident. Especially when it came to Yuugi.

Yuugi gazed softly at the small ring that wrapped itself around his pale finger, twisting it slowly as he fell deeper into his thoughts. A simple piece of metal, held in the blazing heat of an open flame until it was ready to yield to the gentle pressure of a magician's touch. The silver finish glistened brilliantly even in the obscure lighting of the mall.

A small smile touched Yuugi's lips as he remembered the day Yami had presented him with the ring. The gesture had been brief, the action simple and without words. Yuugi had been feeling particularly withdrawn that day and Yami had instantly noticed the change in his soul partner's aura.

"Hikari?" he had whispered, one of the few words that Yami ever spoke aloud. He much preferred the intimacy of communicating directly with Yuugi's mind. There was no possibility of confusion or misinterpretation when one spoke directly to the mind. No chance of lying. Just truth. The foundation of Yami's existence.

Yuugi had only grunted in response, bypassing his Yami and throwing himself unceremoniously on the couch. He wasn't in the mood to explain, didn't have the energy to assure Yami he was okay when he was unable to convince himself. He was feeling unwanted, unappreciated, and incredibly sour towards the world. Even the normally soothing presence of his benevolent Pharaoh could not calm his soul.

Yami glided over to his aibou with the grace of a feline and knelt in front of his soul partner. His brows furrowed as Yuugi refused to meet his gaze, the agitation peeling from him in tangible layers. Yami focused his attention on Yuugi in an attempt to discern the source of his troubles. A stray, unprotected thought filtered into his mind. Yami blinked, bowing his head in understanding.

Yes, it was a feeling he himself had been forced to deal with on numerous occasions.

Opening his eyes, Yami raised his hand and placed it above Yuugi's lap, his palm facing upwards. He hadn't expected the action to capture his aibou's attention and Yuugi did not disappoint. Clearing his mind, Yami focused his being on the center of his palm.

For several moments the room was still, Yuugi glaring daggers at the floor and Yami intently staring at his hand. Slowly, twin tendrils of blue and purple smoke rose from the skin of Yami's palm. Enticingly they began to twine around each other in an intricate dance of life and pulse. This movement drew Yuugi's gaze, for a moment helping him to forget the troubles that plagued his mind.

Curiosity began to well itself within him as Yuugi watched the smoke dance along Yami's palm in erratic yet flawless movements. They seemed to have no order, no meaning, and yet they clearly held a purpose or Yami would not have summoned them. Yami's brow furrowed as he concentrated on his magic, his lips pulling into a small frown as he began to fell the strain of wielding the black magic.

With a sharp command the smoke suddenly centered on Yami's palm, the speed of its rhythm steadily increasing as though it were caught in a viscous cyclone. The resulting circle began to diminish in size, the center hollowing out to create the shadow of a ring. A final, small flash of emerald burned the remaining shadows away, revealing a perfectly crafted silver ring in their wake.

Taking a deep breath to free his mind from the intense concentration it had endured, Yami picked up the small ring in his long and nimble fingers. The surface was unmarred, the lustrous ability of the silver being allowed to shine with all its brilliance. It had been difficult for Yami to craft; the precision of the magic involved tiring him greatly. He lifted his crimson eyes to Yuugi, the fatigue softening his usually piercing gaze.

Yuugi's lips parted slightly at the endearing expression he recieved from his yami. It was a look that no one save himself ever saw, and every time the emotion behind it stole his breath away. He looked at Yami, slight confusion adorning his gentle features.

Yami reached out and gently took hold of Yuugi's left hand, brushing his thumb along its back before separating Yuugi's middle finger from the others. He slowly slid the ring down the length of the finger, the cold metallic surface causing shivers to run along Yuugi's skin. Once the ring was in place, Yami cupped Yuugi's hand in his, bringing the back of his fingers to his lips.

// Biaw.//

And with that single thought he had stood and left the room, leaving a grinning Yuugi in his absence.

Yuugi grinned now as the memory resurfaced in his mind. Yami had realized Yuugi's feeling of worthlessness, the sense that nobody wanted him around. With the ring Yami had announced to the world that indeed Yuugi was needed, wanted. And he belonged to another.

His friends had seen the action as a threat, a proclamation of ownership that bordered on the obsessive. Yuugi had to agree, but there was a major difference between his reaction to the gesture and that of his friends.

Yuugi didn't mind the thought of being owned by Yami. In fact, he embraced it.

The change in Yuugi had followed shortly after, his confidence solidifying as he realized his faith in himself restored. A stronger, more determined Yuugi had been able to cast aside the oppressive shell he had been placed in and emerge into the light. His friends didn't like the change at all, their precious commodity having been stolen directly from them.

Yuugi was shaken from his memories as his friends sat at the table, their noisy chatter shattering the silent reverie he had placed himself in. He smiled as Jou and Honda fought over whom got to sit in the chair closest to the ice cream cart, Jou surrendering after Honda placed him in a friendly but meaningful headlock.

Mai rolled her eyes and scooted her chair closer to Yuugi and away from the children. "How you doing, Hun?" she asked quietly as she sipped her diet soda.

"I'm okay. Just thinking." Yuugi had grown fond of Mai throughout the years. Her harsh exterior had slowly melted away after Yuugi and his friends' persistent acts of kindness to reveal a kind and exceptionally intelligent woman. Though those whom she did not consider a threat only saw this Mai. She was still the toughest one in town.

"Ah, youz dinks too much," Jou remarked as he flopped into his seat next to Yuugi. "Youz gonna hurt your brain if ya keep tha' up."

"So I should just live my life by the seat of my pants and hope everything works out?" Yuugi countered.

"Always works fur me!" Knowing looks were exchanged around the table. "What!?"

After sharing a moment of laughter at Jou's expense the conversation lulled into quiet and amiable talk. Who had seen the latest movie, the rumor going around about that guy who did that thing sometime awhile ago, the newest Duel Monsters tournament, how thankful everyone was that Seto was on a business trip in London. Conversation among this group rarely stemmed into the insightful. One-on-one secretes were shared and actions analyzed, but when together talk never branched beyond the superficial hype.

Mai contributed sparingly to the conversation, her violet eyes keeping watch over the unusually demure Yuugi. He spoke only when directly prompted to do so, offering a small smile of apology and addressing the issue at hand. Mai noticed the constant movement of his hands, his fingers rubbing and twisting the smooth surface of the ring on his finger.

Personally she didn't see the problem with the jewelry. What was the big deal? So Yami had given Yuugi a present when he was feeling down in the dumps. What possible relevance that held over the rest of them she couldn't tell. She had to admit, though, the Pharaoh had a fine taste in jewelry. Mai reached out her hand slowly, meaning only to turn Yuugi's hand so she could better see the ring.

Yuugi jumped at the contact, pulling his hand protectively against his chest as he glared at Mai. The action summoned the attention of Honda and Jou, suspending their argument over which flavor of ice cream best went with pistachio.

"Sorry," Mai hesitantly apologized. Her forehead crinkled as she watched Yuugi's defensive posture. He had yet to relax from his recoiled position as his suspicious eyes bore into her own.

"Geeze, Yug," Jou sighed. "Ligh'en' up, will ya? No one's gonna take yer precious ring." The reprimand in the tone was evident to everyone at the table.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Yuugi demanded, slowly settling back into his chair.

Jou straightened himself, preparing for the inevitable confrontation. "Alrigh' Yuugi. Youz wanna hear it straigh' out?" Yuugi curtly nodded. "Fine den. I'm getten tired of yours worship of tha' conceited bastard. He's dark, he's violen', doesn' give a shit 'bout anyone bu' himself. An' frankly I dun dink youz should hang 'round him no more. The world's been saved. We no longer need'im."

Yuugi's eyes hardened, their color deepening as the emotion within him boiled. He lowered his eyes to the table, nodding once before pushing his chair back so he could stand. "You're blind," he said, his eyes still focused in front of him. "All you see is the surface. It's all you want to see because to look any further might mean finding that you are wrong."

"You're wrong, Yug. You're lookin' for sumthin' tha' ain' there." Jou flinched at the icy glare Yuugi shot his way. He had never seen his friend so angry. Yuugi's body was stiff, rigid. His friend had never appeared as imposing as he did at that moment.

"You know nothing," Yuugi seethed, trying to keep his anger in check. "You know nothing about him. He cares about me. More than anyone I have ever met. He's the reason I am as strong as I am today. If it weren't for him, I would still be that pathetic coward I was when we first met. You're wrong, Jou. He is needed. I need him."

"So where is he?"

Yuugi set his jaw at Jou's question. This was a topic he had not wanted to discuss. He wanted to wrap it up in a box and throw it in a safe and forget the combination. He was confused and frustrated and scared.

Yami had begun to disappear late at night, not returning until the early hours of the morning. He always ensured that the connection between him and Yuugi was strong so he could maintain his constant vigil over his aibou. However, he also ensured that Yuugi couldn't discern where he was going, or why he had suddenly decided to venture out into a world that until this point held little interest for him.

Yuugi had never inquired about Yami's late night endeavors. His thoughts had brushed across Yami's mind on occasion, searching for a stray thought that would alert him to the workings of his aibou's mind. But his endeavors had never been forthcoming, Yami having three millennia's of practice in guarding his thoughts from the encroaching shadows that threatened to steal his sanity.

Yuugi searched through their link now, a sudden urgency to see the Pharaoh grabbing at his heart. He felt lightheaded and a little dizzy. He shouldn't be letting Jou's words affect him so. Yuugi had long been aware of his friend's disapproval of Yami, and he had made the decision long ago. If he was ever forced to chose...

Yuugi's friends were important to him. Yami was him. How does one chose against themselves? Further more, why would one want to?

Yuugi turned and walked away from the table, leaving his friends to analyze his actions to their hearts content. He didn't care anymore. Jou of all people should have been happy for him, should have known how important it was that he had found his inner strength and self-respect. Instead he sneered and ridiculed, unwilling to accept that his best friend had finally grown into the man he was destined to become.

He had grown into an independent and confident individual. One who no longer relied on his best friend for protection and guidance. One who had found a confidant in an ancient puzzle and the soul of a Pharaoh.

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It certainly was cold down here; the air being chilled as it danced tenderly over the large patch of ice. A sharp metallic blade cut through the solid surface, melting into the ice and leaving a track in its wake. The skate attached to the blade continued forward, the small child stumbling along beside her mother.

The ice rink was a new addition to the mall; the old bowling alley having been urgently replaced after a fire gutted the area. It had come as quite a surprise to the city when its inhabitants rallied around the idea. But since its completion revenue had doubled and the citizens of Domino City finally had their own slice of winter indoors.

Glass doors swung open on newly oiled hinges as Yuugi entered the large enclosure that housed the skating rink. He made his way over to the edge of the ice, idly leaning against the wall that established the rink's border. He watched his breath as it crystallized in front of him, the cold air that wafted from the ice having no where else to go and so coalesced around the warm bodies within the compound.

There was hardly an inch of free space on the ice as a blur of color skated by the motionless Yuugi. The scarves and hats and mittens that adorned little bodies sliding along the ice represented every shade of the color spectrum. If seen from above Yuugi was certain that the rink would look like a tie-dye gone horribly wrong.

At one end of the rink a class was being taught, a group of young children five or six years old watching with admiration the graceful movements of their instructor. The rest of the rink was free to any who sought refuge on its surface. A lone skater sped by Yuugi, followed by a group of friends, another lone skater, then a couple.

Yuugi sighed as he watched the couple pass, hand in hand as the woman laid her head on her boyfriend's shoulder. Contentment shone from both their eyes as they skated, oblivious to the mass of people that ebbed around them. He envied them, being able to be with the one they loved. No fear of rejection or ridicule, uncaring of what others thought of their relationship. They were free to just be happy with each other.

He lowered his head, turning his eyes from the throng of cheerful people that unknowingly mocked him as they continued with their lives. He wasn't sure when it had happened, or when they had realized it, but Yuugi and Yami had fallen hopelessly in love with each other. They both knew it, they both accepted it, but neither had admitted the fact to the other. The soft touches, gentle caresses, tender gazes... it was obvious to anyone who saw them together their feelings for one another.

And for a long time that had been enough for Yuugi. To know that he was loved, that someone cared for him in that special way that made his skin tingle and his heart skip a beat whenever they were in the same room together. But as time went on Yuugi began to slip. He found himself needing Yami's touches, needing to feel the gentle brush of the spirit's mind in his own. He needed to be close to what had become the embodiment of all his hopes and dreams and heart and breath.

Yuugi was finding it hard to breathe again.

A gentle warmth nudged itself along the side of Yuugi's face. Someone had come and stood in front of him, leaning down so that they were standing cheek to cheek. Yuugi would have been startled if not for the gentle caress that flowed through his mind.

//Waiting for anybody in particular?//

Yuugi chuckled, nuzzling his head against the older spirit's who returned the affectionate gesture. He breathed in the clean, musky scent of his yami, allowing his senses to submerge themselves in the comforting fragrance. /Not anymore./

With a final nudge Yami pulled away from Yuugi and stood at his full height. Yuugi turned his eyes to look at him, happiness radiating through their link. Raising an eyebrow in surprise, Yuugi allowed his eyes to trail down Yami's form as they came to rest on his feet. The spirit wore a tight fitting black tee with orange and yellow flames erupting from its hem. Yuugi didn't recognize the shirt, though he did appreciate the way the material clung to Yami's body. He was most surprised, however, to see ice-skates on the Pharaoh's feet.

Looking back at Yami, Yuugi let the question filter through their link. Yami allowed the question to linger, not prepared to answer his aibou's query. Yuugi sighed as he regarded Yami's cool exterior, knowing that no amount of prodding could make Yami answer a question he did not wish to answer.

"Hey buddy! Stop staring at your boyfriend and move it!"

Yuugi's head snapped over to the skater standing beside Yami, his agitation quite evident as the Pharaoh blocked his path. Yami didn't acknowledge him, keeping his ever-watchful gaze on Yuugi. Now that he was distracted Yami could detect the unease within his soul partner even though the emotion was buried deep within his mind. A slight frown creased his face.

"What are you staring at runt?" the skater directed at Yuugi, raising his fist in what he deemed to be a threatening manner. "Fuck off." A low, menacing growl brought his attention back to Yami, who was glaring at him from the corner of his eye. Though he hadn't moved, Yami had suddenly become a far more imposing force then he had been a moment before.

Thinking it best not to intimidate him any further, the skater hurriedly maneuvered around Yami and quickly made his way to the other end of the rink.

/In a good mood today, Yami?/ Yuugi asked as he smirked. Yami lightly snorted at his aibou's amusement. It was not that uncommon of an occurrence for him not to kill those who threatened his hikari. True, he had killed others for less, but this skater simply wasn't worth the simple effort it would have required. They probably would have closed the rink if he had killed the bastard anyway.

//What is it that troubles you my hikari?//

Yuugi's smirk faded as he lowered his head. He was hoping Yami wouldn't notice his trepidation, though he knew nothing escaped the spirit's perceptive observation when it came to his welfare. He would have much rather discussed why Yami was at the ice skating rink. Yami and skating just didn't mesh in his mind.

Yuugi tapped his foot lightly against the wall that encircled the rink. "I don't know. I just... didn't feel like being around the others anymore." He didn't want to tell Yami that he had had yet another confrontation with Jou. The Pharaoh was already extremely annoyed with the man, and an annoyed Yami was a dangerous one. "Besides, I wanted to see you."

Yami's expression softened at Yuugi's tender words. He leaned forward and pushed his cheek against Yuugi's again. Nuzzling was Yami's favorite form of affection, the smoothness of Yuugi's skin and the silk that was his hair always supplying a loving comfort. Such closeness also allowed for him to feel the heat that always seemed to radiate from Yuugi. These encounters provided the rare opportunities were Yami would allow himself to shut out the world and focus only on his emotions and the wonderful treasure that was his hikari.

Yuugi closed his eyes and sighed contently as he leaned further into Yami. The tightness that had gripped his chest after his argument with Jou quickly dissipated as he burrowed his face into Yami's neck. This is what he had needed, what he had been looking for. Just him and Yami and quite and heat and gentleness and strength and breath and... and... The thoughts trailed away as Yuugi willingly allowed himself to become submerged in the presence of his other.

The soft sound of someone clearing their throat interrupted the quiet moment between the soul partners. Yuugi suppressed a groan as he felt Yami tense, the spirit equally irritated at being interrupted. Reluctantly Yuugi pulled his head from Yami and looked tiredly at the one who drew him from his comfort.

"Uh, hey Yug. Can... can I talks ta youz a moment?" Jou asked, his nervousness apparent as he shakily ran a hand through his hair. He wasn't sure what he was more afraid of; asking Yuugi for his forgiveness or the murderous glare he was receiving from an overprotective-slightly-homicidal pharaoh. Yuugi nodded his head but did not pull away from Yami. "Ah... alone?"

Yuugi sent a soothing word to his Yami, trying to calm the spirit who did not like the idea of his hikari and Jou alone together. Placing his hand on Yami's chest, Yuugi made sure he caught the Pharaoh's gaze before turning away and following Jou to the gaming room. Yami watched the pair depart before rejoining the current of skaters.

Jou came to rest against a lone pinball machine that marked the beginning of the gaming area. He stuffed his hands deep into his pockets in an attempt to hide the slight tremor that would signal his nervousness. He had followed Yuugi shortly after he had left the table, guilt eating at him for the harshness of his words. He didn't regret what he had said, but he could have handled the situation with a little more tact.

"I'm sorry 'bout earlier," Jou began. "I wasn' tryin' ta pick a fight wit youz or nuttin." He paused as he stole a glance at Yuugi, trying to judge his friend's reaction.

Yuugi kept his eyes adverted from Jou, his arms wrapped loosely around his waist. "No, you weren't," he agreed quietly. "You also weren't looking to avoid one either."

Jou flinched. "Heh, ya." This wasn't going as well as he had hoped. He hadn't expected Yuugi to be overly friendly towards him, but he thought that at the least Yuugi would try to meet him halfway.

"What is it you want, Jou?" Yuugi asked, finally meeting his friend's gaze.

Jou bristled at the question, his nervousness melting into agitation. "Look Yuugi, I'm tryin' 'ere, okay? We both said things we didn' mean-"

"No we didn't."

A pause as both friends regarded each other. "Fine den. We didn'. But tha' don' mean we gotta keep on arguin' like dis. You know I dun like him. I know you love him. Why don' we jus' leave it a' that?"

Yuugi closed his eyes as he sighed, considering Jou's proposition. It was an idealistic request born of a desire to avoid confrontation by ignoring the conflict. He turned his head back towards the rink, searching for an answer within the expanse of skaters. Now that he knew Yami was there, it was easy for him to spot the lavishly styled pharaoh. Yami's grace on land only seemed to heighten when transferred to the smooth surface of the ice, his long legs propelling his sleek body easily over the frozen water.

Yuugi turned back to Jou, conviction shining in his eyes. "No Jou, we can't leave it at that. It will always be here between us, and sooner or later we are going to fight again. It's inevitable. I only see two possible solutions here."

Another pause passed between them as they shared a knowing look. "Either I'm gonna have ta accep' dis or..." Jou let the thought fade, unable to bring himself to voice the other, undesirable, option.

"Yeah," Yuugi sighed. He wasn't exactly thrilled with the alternative either. But he had made his decision. "Let me know," he said quietly as he turned and walked slowly back to the rink. To Yami. To himself.

Jou watched him leave, sadness in his eyes as he pushed through the glass doors that enclosed the rink so he could return to his friends. He needed to think, and hard. What was more important to him? His moral view of Yami's actions and influence on Yuugi, or his friendship with his best friend? Yuugi had handed him an ultimatum on an intricately carved silver platter. The question was when he returned the platter, was it going to be full... or empty?

Yuugi resumed his position beside the rink, leaning over its edge so he could better observe his yami. The spirit's willowy movements awed him as he skated across the ice, the gentle flow of his arms weaving magics with their motions. His body gave every notion of its once corporeal lightness as he traveled over the white surface, looking as though the angelic light no darkness could ever hope to encounter supported his weight.

Yami shifted his eyes to his aibou, watching him from across the rink as he continued his routine. The emotion coming through their link was that of strained contentment, an odd mixture of anxiety and calm and hope and loss and affection and contemplation and quandary. He was a paradox of contradiction. Yami softly brushed Yuugi's mind, relaying his concern. The corners of Yuugi's lips twitched in a smile as he shook his head softly, his bangs falling in front of his tired crystalline eyes from the movement.

Yami immediately turned and skated over to his hikari, the flow of skaters parting before him as they would for any shark that sought to pass through. A slight heat made itself know on Yuugi's face as he watched his Yami glide towards him, his movements fluid and gaze piercing. The look was almost surreal, and Yuugi would have considered the view sensual if not for his weary mind and aching heart.

Yami skidded to a stop in front of Yuugi, embedding his skates into the ice, causing small shivers of frost to spray around his feet. He regarded Yuugi silently for a long moment, causing the teenager to eventually squirm under the heated gaze. Yuugi did not mind when his other watched him so carefully, but at the moment he did not feel up to the deep perusal of his soul.

Blinking his angular eyes, Yami approached Yuugi and leaned forward, snaking his arms around Yuugi's waist. Before Yuugi had a chance to revel in the comforting feel of his Yami's embrace he felt himself being lifted over the side of the rink and settled roughly on Yami's shoulder. He squeaked in both surprise and at the tight grip around his middle, a loud "Hey!" announcing his protest.

//Behave,// Yami commanded gently into Yuugi's mind, a mischievous smirk appearing on his lips.

"Yami!" Yuugi protested again amidst a fit of giggles as he felt the wiggle of Yami's fingers against his side. Yuugi continued to squirm as Yami began his trek to the opposite end of the rink were the skate rental and return booth stood. The duo recieved much attention as Yuugi made it as difficult as possible for Yami to skate with him on his shoulder, twisting and turning as he gripped onto the back of Yami's shirt. The smirk remained on Yami's lips, a glint in his eyes as he maneuvered as though unencumbered by his wriggling burden.

Yuugi finally relented and allowed himself to drape over Yami, his arms and legs falling limp. The more he struggled the more Yami tickled him, and he simply didn't have the energy to laugh anymore. His dejected mood had completely vanished as his Yami demonstrated that yes, indeed, he had a playful side, but only one the Yuugi was ever allowed to see.

/Are you taking me anywhere in particular, or are you just going to carry me around like a sack of potatoes all day?/ Yuugi asked through their link, considering his face was flush against Yami's back.

Yami quickly dug his skate into the ice and spun in place, the sudden motion jarring Yuugi and pulling forth a small "eep!" of surprise. Halting the spin as suddenly as he had begun it, Yami casually continued towards the end of the rink.

//Home.//

Yuugi crinkled his nose in exasperation. /Couldn't you have just told me that without all the theatrics?/ he grumbled. Immediately he braced his arms against Yami's back and lifted himself up to meet the red eye that peered over Yami's shoulder.

"Uh... never mind," Yuugi mumbled. Yami's smirked deepened as he continued on his way.

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Translation:

Biaw - 'Mine' in Ancient Egyptian