Thanks to JollyBigSis for editing the chapter and adding more description to it. You are amazing :)

Yes the last chapter ...

I don't own YGO

Chapter 17

The sunlight of the morning after cheerily infiltrated its way through the window and into the room. It urged the sleeping figure of Yami to wake despite the resistance from every part of his body not to do so. The spent youth lying on his stomach yawned and rubbed his sleepy eyes before taking a peek at the time.

He was late!

Telling himself to get up and prepare for the new academic day, a knock on the bedroom door interrupted his thoughts and the figure of his flat-mate appeared through the door.

"Awake, Sunshine?" The cheerful blond asked, striding to over to Yami and settling himself on the bed beside his friend. "How was yesterday?"

"Joey?" groaned Yami agitatedly; he wanted more time to rest…to recover.

"Yes, I'm earlier than you today!" Joey patted Yami's arm gently. "Come on, tell me… The date went well, right?"

"Yeah," answered Yami, getting up with much difficulty and crawling out of bed with immense effort. He took a few shaky steps forward.

"Ooooh," said Joey, eyes wide at the comical sight before him. Unable to contain his amusement any longer, he burst into a fit of laughter.

"Joey! It's not funny!" the sore male growled, exasperated his friend saw him in such a lame state.

"Of course it's not funny, it's a pain in the ass!" Joey corrected, laughing even harder. "After all, he definitely wasn't after your ass!"

Deciding it was better not to embarrass himself further by trying to walk—at least until he was alone, Yami shuffled back to bed. Sitting down next to Joey, he shrieked loudly as a sharp pain shot up the lower part of his body. Immediately he glared at the person next to him, warning the other not to make an unnecessary comment that could worsen the situation.

"You should rest more," Joey suggested shaking his head sympathetically. "Lie down like before."

"I can't! I'll miss my lecture!"

"Are you seriously thinking about going today?" Joey asked, blinking in disbelief. "The whole school will know about it—not to mention, they'll realize your position too!"

"But I don't like to miss the last few days of school," Yami protested, his voice muffled slightly by the pillows as he laid on his front, a less painful position.

"You only have the one lecture, right? I'll get the notes from your mates in that class, okay?"

"Okay," conceded Yami, knowing there were no better options available to him. Joey was right; he would be the talk of the university if he appeared on campus in his present shape.

"Alright!" Joey cheered with an evil grin stretched across his face; it made Yami raise a quizzical brow at the scary expression. Fortunately, the former didn't leave him clueless for too long. "I suppose the date went better than anticipated?" he said, a sly look accompanying the words.

"Oh, don't you start with that again, Joey," huffed Yami, burying his face in the folded arms, which rested on top of the pillows.

"Okay, okay! I'll go now! Take care of yourself, okay?" chuckled Joey as he withdrew from the room in defeat. Sensing Yami's reluctance in revealing the details of his date with Kaiba, he did not want to force the issue. He was sure he would learn of it in due course.

Beaming brightly, Joey left for university.

Meanwhile, in his bed to rest his aching body, Yami drifted back to sleep again. When he awoke, he felt much better, the pain had eased off and it didn't hurt every time he tried to move. Remembering he had set his cell phone to "Silent Mode" so he wouldn't be disturbed, he reached for his phone to check if he had received any messages from Kaiba.

Looking at the display screen, Yami gasped loudly, his eyes wide as saucers. He had 21 missed calls from his grandfather and his brother! Plagued with guilt at the anxiety his family must have been feeling by now, he ignored all else and called Yugi. He needed to reassure his family that all was well with him.

The phone rang once before it was answered.

"Yugi!" exclaimed Yami when the younger sibling picked up.

"Yami!" replied Yugi with equal enthusiasm. "What happened to you? Joey said you couldn't walk! Is it true?"

Immediately the color drained from Yami's face. How could Joey be so dense and say something like that to worry Yugi? No wonder he was frantically calling him. And how was he going to explain the situation?

"Erm…Yugi, it's not what you think."

"What do you mean it's not what I think? We tried to reach you but you didn't answer. Then we called Joey because we thought you had forgotten your cell as usual. Joey was at the university and told us that you weren't there. Initially he tried to hide the reason of your absence but we eventually discovered it was because you couldn't use your legs!"

Yami sighed wearily. He could hear the concern in Yugi's voice despite the rushed explanation. Yet at the same time he knew his brother could be very forceful if need be. He must have insisted that Joey tell him the truth and the poor guy had to inform him—or a part of it. Obviously, he left the task of filling out the details as to why Yami couldn't use his legs to the person himself!

"Yugi, you are over-acting! I am fine."

"What do you mean 'fine'? You can't even stand! We are even more worried now! How could Joey leave you in such condition! the younger Mutou's tone was reproachful at the blond. "Are you in hospital now?"

"Yugi! Stop being so paranoid!" demanded Yami. He knew the other meant well but the hysterics he was displaying was stifling—and frightening! One of these days, it will be his undoing.

"I'm not!" Yugi shot back. "Now grandpa and I are coming to you, but first we need to call you, an ambulance. Oh, and I have to pack some clothes for myself so I can stay with you at the hospital! Just hang in there!"

"Wooh… Wooooh…hold on, Yugi!" Yami was astonished with how the situation had accelerated out of control. He had to put a stop to it even if it meant telling Yugi the truth. "Just calm down for a moment, okay? I will tell you the truth…"

"Tell me what?" asked the younger curiously.

Yami took a few deep breaths. "Listen," he said cautiously; admitting such matters to his brother was harder than he anticipated. "You might find this disturbing…or confusing or unbelievable…or…or… Last night I—I slept with Seto Kaiba!"

There! He finally confessed! Multiple gasps could be heard in the background straight after his declaration. "Yugi?" asked Yami fearfully.

"Umm… Yami," Yugi began uneasily, "Well, you see…umm…we were on the loudspeaker. Since we were all very worried about you we all wanted to hear you were okay."

Who's there? thought Yami with growing dread.

"Umm…" continued Yugi as if he heard his sibling's unspoken question. "Grandpa is here with his friend, Dr. Hopkins and his granddaughter, Rebecca and some of Rebecca's friends as well. Serenity with her mother and their friend, Mai came over when they heard Joey left you alone…and…"

Oh God!

Yami instantly hung up the phone without saying goodbye. The more Yugi recalled the names of those present, the more he felt mortified. He made a mental note to self not to visit his family for the next five years!

Inside the game shop, Yugi sporting a red face, slowly put the phone back in its cradle. "At least, we know he is fine now," he quipped nervously.

Everyone was rendered temporarily speechless at what they just heard. Mai, who unlike the rest was more amused, than shocked, finally broke the silence. "Did he just say 'Seto Kaiba'?"

One month later…

With a creak, the door of Yami's room was flung open, impacting with the wall behind it with a loud bang. Kaiba, whilst holding Yami in a tight embrace, backed him up against the wall, pressing his heated body onto the other. Yami groaned when Kaiba nipped his earlobes, "Seto!" he panted breathlessly. It was hard for him to breathe let alone speak to warn the passionate brunet about the presence of his flat mate, "Joey's still here…in the apartment."

"Then try to be quiet," murmured Kaiba, brushing his lips against Yami's before moving down; planting a quick trail of kisses along the latter's beautifully carved jaw line. It sent an electrifying shiver down the slender body, encouraging Kaiba's hands to shamelessly wander over Yami's clothed back.

"You're not helping asshole!" Yami's eyes closed tightly, biting his lips, trying to deny the spark of pleasure that flashed involuntarily inside him when playful hands sneaked their way under his loose-buttoned shirt. His body writhed helplessly.

Pitying the petit male when he saw how hard he was struggling to contain his whimpers, Kaiba dismissed the temptation to rake his nails along the silky skin. Instead he yanked the shirt over the tricolor head and tossed it aside. "Then we shouldn't be standing next to the door," he whispered seductively. "Let's go to bed."

"Oh!" said Yami hesitantly, not liking the idea of being heard by others. He wanted to ensure that Joey was not around first.

"Is that a 'No'?" smirked Kaiba, misreading Yami's protest on purpose. Then with a shrug, he slammed his hands on the wall on each the side of Yami's head, grinning wickedly, "Fine! We'll continue here then!"

Yami tensed, expecting another round of kisses to be showered on his face—but it did not happen. Looking up, Yami saw the cobalt eyes staring at him intensely, his own reflection mirrored in. Heavy silence ensued and it irked the smaller man. "Seto?" he prompted softly.

Kaiba stared deeply into those unbelievably glorious eyes, their shade of crimson, which sparkled with enthusiasm and pride when their owner spoke; Kaiba could not ask for more. He never imagined that someone like Yami existed. He was like an angel, a beautiful creature from the ancient legends or famous myths, which he never use to believe in. Yet the evidence was, undeniably, in front of his eyes and he still wanted to proof, wanted to know if Yami was real and his—body and soul… His insecurity made him anxious. "Kiss me," demanded Kaiba softly, his request ending the tensed silence.

Yami reached out his hand and cupped Kaiba's face, lightly pressing his lips against others. Kaiba immediately deepened the kiss, passionately probing further, desperately wanting to consume all of Yami from the one kiss. Responding with equal fierceness, Yami closed his eyes, allowing the feeling of desire to burn through him. Enjoying the moment to the fullest, he slid his arms around his lover's neck, a delightfully tortured moan escaped from his lips; his mind too overwhelmed to care or to prevent it.

"Yami, I thought I heard some…" Joey trailed off into shocked silence. The preoccupied couple immediately broke off at the interruption. "Oh, never mind!" he said leaving them hurriedly.

"Thanks for the rude interruption! Talk about major turn-offs!" Kaiba grumbled. Yami poked him, hoping Joey did not hear the remark. It had been more than a month since their quarrel and Joey had not been on the chat site since; guilt plagued Yami, as he felt responsible for it. The fact that he had a boyfriend whilst his friend was still searching for love only pained him more and Kaiba wasn't helping either. Yami hated being intimate in front of Joey. Even though he acted all cool about it, he knew his friend well enough to know he was deeply affected.

"Why don't you change and I'll wait for you in the car?" suggested Kaiba. He knew it would be impossible to finish what they started if they remained.

Yami nodded. Kaiba went to his car and Yami to Joey.

"Sorry man, I didn't know that Kaiba was here."

"It's okay Joe," soothed Yami, smiling warmly. "It's my fault. I should have told you."

"Don't be silly!" Joey chuckled fondly. "C'mon, what are still doing here? Go after him. I bet he is aching for you now."

Yami's expression softened, his eyes tearing up. All he could do was hug his selfless and sincere friend tightly before he was gently pushed away.

"Just go! And have a good time, okay?"

At the end of that day, Kaiba drove Yami back to his flat in his bright red Lexus.

"Today was great! Thanks Seto," said Yami, appreciating his boyfriend's effort to have the day off and take him out. They went many places and did many things. It was a refreshing break from constant studying he had to endure. It was the finals and Kaiba did all he could to lighten up the mood for Yami during this period. Exams were a nightmare for the latter.

Suddenly a limo from the mansion appeared, stopping beside them.

"Who's that?" Yami asked, peering at the other car.

"Roland," replied Kaiba.

"What's he doing here?"

"He came to pick me up."

"What?" Yami blinked rapidly a couple of times. "You need two cars to take you home?"

Kaiba laughed at the silliness of the idea even if he was not serious, Yami could be so cute. "No, I am giving this one to you," he said affectionately, pulling out the key and handing it to Yami.

"What?" the word fell from the mouth that was agape from disbelief. Then realizing Kaiba was serious he pulled himself together. "No, Seto," he objected, pushing back the hand that held the key. "I can't."

"You are going to need it. This way you don't have to set out early to get to the university, with this you can take you time. Besides, it convenient to visit your family with this; you don't have to waste half your day on trains and buses."

"You're right but…"

"You have a driver's license, right?"

"Yeah," Yami answered timidly. He got the license to help his grandfather to transport goods for the game shop-it happened before he attended university. Yami had not been behind a wheel since then. But that was not the problem. "Seto, this is too much! I don't know how I'm going to pay for it!"

"Why does everything, in your mind, have to come at a price?" Kaiba asked lovingly, reaching out and fondly stroking Yami's cheek; tilting the face up until their eyes met. "You are mine," he whispered as he closed in the space between them. "Let that be enough."

Yami, feeling the hot breathe against his neck, shivered. "Thanks," he managed to say, accepting the key.

Kaiba placed a quick kiss under Yami's chin before returning to his seat with a wide smirk on his handsome face. "You can thank me more appropriately after you've finished your exams." With that said, he got out of the car and headed towards the other one where Roland stood waiting with the door open.

Yami went inside after the limo left. The apartment was quiet so Yami assumed Joey was either asleep or out.

"Joey, I'm home!"

Joey didn't answer but Yami was sure he heard his voice from his room. Did he wake Joey when he called out to him? Yami decided to check.

"Stop teasing me!" Joey begged.

"I'm not teasing you," Yami said before opening the door of Joey's room. "I only said that I'm—OH! HOLY CRAP!" shrieked Yami at the horrible sight in front of him. Joey was on the bed—completely naked on his knees and forearms; his ass up in the air with another naked erected guy behind him groping his butt cheeks.

"Oh shit!" cried Joey, wincing at the sight of the unexpected visitor and burying his face into the bed sheets.

Yami shut the door immediately. If life sprung any more surprises like that, he would die from a heart attack soon. He was lucky he didn't have one a few seconds ago!

Several minutes later, Joey looking extremely abashed walked out of his room—alone. Yami was relieved to see him wearing a T-shirt and his regular jeans. The whole situation was somewhat awkward for the both of them, making the atmosphere rather uncomfortable.

"Who is he?" Yami was the first to speak.

"His name is Varon. He's an exchange student from Australia and a friend of Rafael's." (1)

"Is that how you knew him?"

"No!" Joey cast his eyes down, knowing he had to explain the whole matter to Yami. "On that day we fought, I went to stay at Tristan's. I forgot the books I needed at the library and had to go back for them. Well, there were many books and it kinda piled up when I was carrying them, blocking my view. Varon was walking in the direction opposite me, carrying a hot cup of coffee and looking away so we crashed into one another. The books fell on the floor and the hot coffee all over my shirt! Varon was very apologetic, he insisted on taking me to his neighbor who is a nurse to examine me for burns. Since then we've spent most of the time together. So that is how it happened!" (2)

"I heard this conversation before…but when and where?" Yami stroked his chin, in mock puzzlement. It was obvious the smaller male was teasing the taller one. "Oh! I remember…when you told me about relationships that happens only on T.V!"

"I didn't want to tell you about it because I know you'll make fun of me, reminding me of this!" Joey was sure of it especially after mercilessly teasing Yami for falling in love with Kaiba from chatting online—despite not believing in this type of relationship.

"And that's a good reason for not telling me? You've kept me in the dark for more than a month? Oh, wait…when were planning to tell me if it weren't for today's little mishap?"

"Soon."

"I don't buy it!" laughed Yami, folding his arms together and enjoying the conversation unlike Joey who was still squirming. "You made me very worried about you, not to mention I would feel guilty when I am with Seto! Wait…" realization dawned on Yami. "Is that why you told me to go and have a good time and that Seto was aching for me?"

"Well… There's more than one side to every story, right?" Joey tried to pick his words carefully, pissing off Yami at that moment would not be a good idea.

"You are unbelievable, Joe!"

"Look, you didn't say you were coming back today!"

"And I didn't say I was going to sleep out tonight either! Speaking of which, how can I sleep after that? How can I remove that horrifying image? I should definitely wash my eyes out with bleach," complained Yami, shaking his rigorously in an attempt to clear his haunted mind.

"Hey!" objected Joey. "It's not like I didn't see you and your boyfriend in a compromising position too!"

Yami gasped in astonishment from the ridiculous statement. "How could you compare that to what Seto and I were doing? First, Seto was fully clothed and second, I was only topless!"

At that moment, Varon emerged from Joey's room fully clothed.

"Hi," he greeted Yami before taking a seat beside Joey.

"Hey," replied Yami.

"I actually was hoping to meet you under better conditions. Joey told me a lot about you and I heard from Rafael as well so I wanted to meet you but Joey suggested delaying it for a while. I am sorry if what happened upset you in any way," the brown-haired man spoke calmly, sincerity and respect underlying his words.

"Well, it is nice to meet you too…and don't worry about it," reassured Yami.

"I'm glad to hear that, Yami."

"I'm glad too, Varon," Yami arched an elegant brow. "Your name is Varon, right?"

"Yeah."

"Did anyone call you Ron by any chance?" asked Yami.

Joey looked as if he were going to have a seizure! Was Yami having his revenge on him? The Aussie looked puzzled.

"Whaaaa!" the blond interrupted. "Actually, Yami was about to leave—we mustn't detain him further!"

"Where?" Yami mouthed to Joey when the other wasn't looking.

"To your boyfriend's house!" whispered Joey fiercely.

"My boyfriend has an overblown load of work to do. I shouldn't distract him from his business." Yami shot back.

"Then go to Tristan's! He needs someone to study with."

"Alright, alright!" chuckled Yami holding up his hands in defeat before going off the gather the books he required for the next exam to take with him. Reaching the door, Yami stopped. "Joey, do you have a fetish for people from another country? Considering Ron—I mean Varon is from Australia," Yami watched in amusement as the blond's face changed into different shades of red. He wasn't far off from the truth. The previous Ron was from Italy; Atemu was from Egypt while Varon was from Australia.

Varon continued to look confused.

Joey swiftly opened the apartment's door and motioned for Yami to depart, "Yami! Tristan is waiting!"

"Don't you mean 'aching for me'?" Yami laughed. He couldn't help teasing his friend even if it meant the latter had one hell of an explanation to give to Varon after!

Briskly exiting the building, Yami smiled when he spied the red car parked in front of the complex, "Ah Seto, you said that I was going to need a car but I didn't expect to need so soon."

With a light shrug, he unlocked the door and got inside. Placing his books on the passenger seat, he promptly adjusted the seat and mirrors when that was done he paused briefly before he broke into a wide grin.

Turning on the car's GPS, he entered the instructions for it to direct him to a specific place, an address the car would have been familiar with already. Turning on the engine, selecting his gear and releasing the brakes, Yami carefully pulled out and drove towards the direction of the mansion…

~THE END~

(1) I don't know if you recognized the Japaneses mane for the character "Valon" which is "Varon" who was with Rafael and Alester in the 4th season from the Anime.

(2) I don't know if you still remember after this long time in the first chapter when Joey mocked Yami that he couldn't find love like in T.V dramas ... Ironically he found his other half that way ... Yes! I was planning that from the beginning but I wasn't sure about who to pair him with!

Now thanks for evryone kept reading this story and been patience with me ... it took more and a year and a half ... I hope you didn't get bred already with it ... I love you all guys :)

Again ... I would like to repeat my gratitude to Blue September and Jollybigsis for their awesome work ... and thanks to them my writing improved in some areas ... thanks really :) and speaking of which, Jollybigsis started writing wonderful prideshipping stories instead of being just a reader and I recommended all her stories ... especially 'Misgiving' ;) You can also torment her asking for sooner updates like what I do :D (I know that I'm not the one to speak when it comes to updates :P) ... So she was editing for me and writing her stories ... now the journey is over ... I'm really happy to know you two :)