Give What You Can

It wasn't the leather, or buckles, or even his hair that made him feel like he was standing out. Even despite all of that, and by Ra even the shining real gold, inverted pyramid never let Yugi stand out in anything but first introductions! Though in honestly he was completely unaware that the real reason for that, was because of Yami's wards against undo attention from most all non-magic users or those that weren't gifted with some sort of sight.

No, what made Yugi feel uncomfortable was standing behind him. Though no one would see that being, who glowered at everyone to got within ten feet of Yugi, he was still out. Having a ten foot spell caster with shadows licking at the hems of robes wanting to stay out and guard...

It wasn't Dark One himself that caused the awkward feelings, but that the Monster felt the need to be out. Something could be lurking under the peaceful shine of the sun, something that could be considered enough of a threat that the Dark Magician had formed in the mortal world on his own and more or less hovered over Yugi for the last few hours.

Leaning back in his chair, the teen tilted his head to look upside down at the Dark Magician. Once more he couldn't help the sense of awe at seeing the not quiet man as he was rather then in the game style dress. He was still every bit intimidating to everyone but Yugi, and Yami, with black robes that effectively hide most of the battle armor and iron hard muscles under them. Shadows flickered and licked at the red hems of his robes, while Dark One's engraved staff of power subtly pulsed now and then with dark magic in time with his heartbeat (most monsters had a heart beat Yugi was discovering, far more literally than the heart of the cards).

Dark One shifted, hair so dark it was purple with blue streaks in the sun light, fell over his shoulder as the caster turning his head to track a news helicopter with a baffled expression. Though being more accustomed to the modern world then other Shadow Realm inhabitants, thanks to the link to his Pharaoh and little master, there were always new things cropping up that needed a good long stare.

Yugi didn't muffle his giggle fast enough a minute later as the boy spotted the short skirt too.

A dark lavender brow quirked up as turquoise shaded eyes turned down to blink at the young shadow mage. Dark One let a small amused smile tug at the corner of his lips, just for a moment. It had Yugi beaming back up at him as the boy saw it. Shifting again, the caster lifted his staff and used the curved end to very deliberately point at Yugi's homework spread over his table.

"Return to your studies little master." The Dark Magician's low voice rumbled, though the teen could hear the softer edge that spoke of affection for him.

Yugi dived back into his work, knowing better not to. He knew oh so well that Dark One took studying very seriously. Not just his own in magic and learning new histories, but also the studies of others in his charge. To the point that Dark One had used his staff to soundly smack Yami on the back of the head within the puzzle when the spirit had openly expressed a desire to be lazy and 'sleep learn' from his host instead of reading the magical copies of books.

Dark One was probably the only person that could, without fear of deadly repercussions, do a smack like that to Yami, and then scold his Pharaoh the rest of the night before quilting Yami into doing his own equivalent of homework.

So with motivation of a real, live, and solid Dark Magician behind him, Yugi didn't have a problem finishing his essay paper. Once that was done, the teen leaned back to think while his fingers trailed over the live shadows that came from the caster. He looked back up, "Dark One?" Yugi asked, trusting that no one was close enough to hear him.

Instantly all of the Monster's attention was drawn to the boy, waiting.

Yugi shifted as he became uncomfortable again, "Is something bad going to happen? Or someone nearby that's bad...?"

Once more a lavender brow quirked up, and then in rapid understanding Dark One's gaze softened. He knelt down behind Yugi, brushing his knuckles against the back of his shoulder, "No... not exactly..." Dark One looked up and around before returning his gaze to mortal eyes, "The energies and magic of this time, and here in this place... I do not know them." He rumbled, not liking it.

"Oh..." Yugi blinked and then sighed in relief, "So you're having a nervous case of 'just in case'?"

"My master?" lavender brows dipped in a frown.

"Um, not that you have nervous cases. I know I do, about school, learning shadows so they don't bite me, Ta- um, girls, and big dogs. A lot of dogs are as big as me sometimes so it's a legitimate worry and… and… um…" Yugi paused, staring wide eyed up at the ancient shadow caster that was arching an eyebrow again and now staring at him. Yugi swallowed audibly, mentally floundered around and then tried again with a firm reminder to himself not to ramble of, "Its safe?" the question came out in a rather unmanly and more girly squeak much to his modification.

The Dark Magician stared down at the teen, and in that moment he saw a nervous child. Not his Pharaoh and master, but a mortal of light.

"It is safe, as much as a world can be young master," the Dark One's deep voice spoke in a notable softer tone for the teen as he knelt.

One finger touched the boy's forehead as he blinked. Yugi's eyes widening and then unfocusing as he first felt the starting threads of warm, golden tinted magic, then the rest of Yugi's tensed frame seemed to go boneless. The Dark Magician shifted, his knees not pressing against the hidden chest plate, his staff of power resting on his shoulder, one hand supporting the comparatively small if not tiny looking mortal, the other carefully making a small glyph on his forehead. Over the spot where the Horus Eye would show when he or Yami switched or were openly using their magic.

It was a sensitive spot physically to his energies and magics. The perfect spot for the golden glow of the healing spell to really reach all of the young caster, and deeper magical gift.

Dark One spoke in a very soft tone, the words more than old but ancient. Filled with an echo of power, the magic in the spell had layers. Something in it was whispering in a gently tone of a mother from lands of sand, promising a warm hearth with good food and a safe bed to curl up in the cold nights, away from the jackals and hyenas of the wild. Something that promised love even in the hottest days, and care to heal with tender care or magic if he was hurt temping the crocodiles Nile.

Yugi's eyes half lidded, the corners stinging a little with half formed tears before he relaxed into what felt like a bonelessly limp state. The worry and forming fear before melting away as he leaned trustingly into the spell, and the monster's hold.