Hey snowflakes! I'm terribly sorry about the wait, I'm extremely grateful to continuing readers, and oh my goodness I need to read this fic all over again! You guys must hate me. I still love you though. I may not be as good as before, I may be rusty, but I hope you guys will help me come back to 100 percent comedic effect.

(P.S. Ootogi is Duke. I just wanted to say this because when I first got started I had to ask who Ootogi was and was so embarrassed! Nonetheless, I've learned my lesson~!)

Hope you enjoy and please check out the bottom commentary for some news!

See ya~

Chapter16: He's not my boyfriend! (Ootogi 3rd POV)

The day arrives to finally evaluate Yugi's new living space and Ootogi was outside his home cleaning out the contents of his vehicle in the calm suburban neighborhood of domino. Although it was barely September, and the weather was still fairly warm, cloudy days, similar to this one, were becoming more common. He wanted to make his vehicle presentable for Serenity. She knew him well enough to know he wasn't the most sanitary person, not having the necessary time to be hygienic and what not; but he wanted her to witness for herself that Yugi's case was no laughing matter to him.

There was at least four months of trash accumulated in his steel steed, being mostly empty take out containers, and it took him a good amount of time to clear it all out. He pulled out all the stops: mobile vacuum, some tropically scented air fresheners, window wiper fluid, trash bags, multiple gloves, and a number of other things to help get the job done. Afterwards, even though he'd cleaned the garbage out and it looked presentable, he'd still ended up stuffing the glove compartment with things that'd be a bother to throw away; some of which being for work related.

It'd just have to do for now, he didn't have time to reevaluate his life choices at the moment. Instead he sighed heavily into the empty street and went to put all the cleaning supplies away. He didn't have to meet her for another half hour, so instead of lazing around a little longer he quickly grabbed a to-go-bar and got in his car before heading out for the nearest coffee shop wearing a nice lime green button up dress shirt and white pants. It was still fairly early in the morning for a Saturday, and he was almost certain Serenity wasn't the morning person she pretended to be.

Sometimes, he'd find her slumped in her seat, trying to catch the few 'Z's she'd lost, then find her later surrounded all the children, a big smile plastered on her face. But, to be fair, nothing he said would change her bad habits; she loved to make the children happy and all he could do to aid her was buy her some liquid energy; whether it be five hours or five minutes.

Arriving in front of her home–a small but quaint peach house that seemed suitable only for two people–he pulled up to the curb and sat there for a moment staring at the structure, watching the stillness of it. It was hard to determine any movement going on inside from the exterior. Not only were all the windows covered with closed white curtains, but, it seemed too quiet for anyone to be living there at all. "Please tell me she's not still asleep…" he thought aloud with a soft groan, his eyes drooping at the thought.

Hooded emeralds shifted to the beverages in his dual cup holder and prayed to every deity that'd she'd be up. There was no rush, and if she was sleeping that was fine, but, waking up a woman who wasn't ready to start the day yet was a scary thing; he'd learned this from his mother, a beautiful flower when dormant and a Venus flytrap when roused. Ootogi shook his head. Maybe he could get Joey to do it; he was pretty willing to go along with most things.

With no reason to hesitate he got out of the car–grabbing the coffee and pushing the door shut with a carefully swung hip–and headed for the door. He opted to ring the doorbell; maybe if Serenity wasn't up Joey would be. He and Joey were on pretty good terms. The only dilemma was that Joey seemed to believe that he and Serenity would make a good couple, which resulted in many attempts to get them together.

Serenity was completely oblivious to it though, as per usual; and lucky for her all attempts failed. He could say he had a small crush on her, but that's all he'd admit to; never in front of her though. With the way her last relationship had ended and how bad she took it he didn't want to just swoop in and assume she wanted to date again after that as–terrible man tore her heart in two. One day, maybe they could try, but for now he just wanted her to do her, mother Joey, and be happy.

So, in laments terms, he was in the ever foreboding "friend zone." There was an arcade, a soft serve machine, a couch with a TV built to withstand Netflix binge watching 24/7, a place to do his business, and next to that a pile of magazines, the use of which to be left to one's own imagination.

He heard a soft click and immediately snapped out of his inner dialogue, blinking himself frantically back to reality as the door opened before him. He was glad to see long russet hair and bright brown eyes as well as the gently pinked lips that opened wide into a yawn as the door swung completely open. Her hair was a bit disheveled and she had a pure white robe on covering the majority of her body while tied tight around her waist.

She looked at him sleepily, rubbing one of her eyes sluggishly before giving a soft smile. "Morning," she greeted him politely, trying to seem more aware than she was. It was then that he noticed the toothbrush gripped in her hand as well as the glob of the paste still stuck to it.

"Morning," he replied grinning slightly. "Sleep well?"

"As well as I can with Joey up until five a.m. playing videogames. I swear he screams at the top of his lungs! I've never heard the word "Die!" so many times in my life!" she whined causing Ootogi to chuckle softly.

Joey was a gamer, even in the foster care center where they had little to no console games he always made up games and they became extremely popular with the rest of the children. It had to be a calling of his, and it would get him places in life; as long as he could keep it down for Serenity's sake.

"Come in, I was just getting ready, I'll be quick though." She turned around and began walking in leaving Ootogi to let himself in, shutting the door, and toeing off his shoes at the front. He quickly shifted the coffee from one hand to the crook of his other against his chest as he locked the door before switching it back and following Serenity's trail.

"So Joey's asleep then?" he asked, casually sweeping the decorated walls with his eyes taking in the space. It was nice and bright with pastels all around as well as photos and paintings; just by looking at it he could tell Serenity had a bit of help designing the place.

She gave an amused snort ahead of him, glancing over her shoulder. "You'd think so, but no. I don't know where he gets the energy from." She shook her head with a giggle. "He's playing with his handheld in the living room." She pointed to an opening to their left through an archway and to their surprise a voice responded.

"I wouldn't be sittin' here if you could pick an outfit already!" She rolled her doe eyes and kept walking. As they came up the room she invited Ootogi to wait there while she finished up and he nodded heading into the space with a grin.

"Hey there Joey." He greeted the blonde, taking the seat next to him and setting the coffee down on the glass coffee table in front of them. The young boy momentarily put down his game to offer his attention to the green eyed man.

His grin was cheeky and Ootogi already knew he was in for it before the boy even spoke. "Well if it isn't Ootogi the lady killer! Are you here to finally snatch up my mom from the slippery slope that is single life?" He leaned into the man with his elbow wiggling his eyebrows.

His dark pony tail shook and he gave the boy a light smile. "Not today," he declined giving Joey's head a comforting pat when the boy's heart visibly sank. He wanted to humor the boy with the comment but it seemed to have the same effect as if he'd said "never". He'd have to cheer him up, even if it was at his own expense. "Today we're on the job, no time for fooling around; maybe next time." His coffee colored eyes look up into his green ones, hope glimmering in them.

"Really?"

"Sure, Sure. No promises though. I mean, this is Serenity we're talking about."

Joey hummed and picked up his game again, holding it in both hands, his focus shifting over as the atmosphere seemed to balance out again. "'Don't see why when you're the only guy she hangs out with. That lady she hangs out with scares me though so I'd say you're like one of the only people she's got that's always around, ya know?"

The statement was left in the air between them as Joey went back to his game, sticking his ear buds in. He couldn't lie, he was shocked to hear the boy say that and the comment brought some heat to his cheeks. He always thought Serenity just had plenty of friends since she was so nice; nice to everyone at that. But, Joey was the closest to her so he knew the truth first hand.

Before he could think more on the matter there was a soft knock at the entrance to the living room. Ootogi's gaze floated to the door and then stopped abruptly at seeing Serenity there fully dressed and smiling. She wore loose, but fitting, white pants and a lime green blouse that had decorative folds going from one shoulder to the opposite waist; it looked like the petals you'd find on a rare and unique rose. Silver bracelets decorated both her wrists and she wore nice brown sandals to tie the outfit off.

Then he noticed something strange. "Wow, you look really nice serenity. Did you plan to twin with me today?" he asked as he stood up and gave Joey a tap to get his attention. The boy looked up and then at his mother, then he looked between the two of them for a moment before snickering as Serenity began to blush slightly. The greens of their shirt were so similar it was scary and Serenity began to fidget.

"Oh, no! I didn't even realize! Should I go change?" she fretted with her brows creasing her forehead and her eyes looking down at the shirt in a panic. Ootogi chuckled and picked up the coffee, coming towards her before holding hers out to her with a smile.

"Relax. You wear it better anyway. Besides, matching could actually work in our favor, it makes us look together," he swayed her, giving her a friendly smile as the tension began fading from her form and her hands reached out to grab hold of the cup offered to her, holding it to her chest.

"Are you sure?" she asked softly, giving him a pathetic and unsure gaze.

"Of course. Now, let's go, I still want to get there at a reasonable time. Besides, Joey will be out like a light by the tie we come back."

"Will not!"

"Yeah, you say that now." Both adults chuckled softly before beginning to head out.

As they drove over to the Sennen Manor there was a bit of bickering about how they hadn't come sooner; mainly started by Ootogi himself. They'd stopped and got Joey some breakfast on the way from some abstract fast food place and he'd been ignoring them in favor of the hot food. "Ootogi, I'm a mother and Joey has gotten in trouble in school twice already! I do not always have the time to do everything you want me to." Serenity glared softly, leaning against the right side of the car as she sipped her coffee.

Green eyes flickered into the rearview mirror to look at Joey, brow raised. "Already? It's only been two weeks."

"It only took him one to get into trouble twice." Serenity chimed in, glaring back at Joey.

The boy pouted with a circular sausage hanging out of his mouth before inhaling it promptly to respond. "It wasn't my fault! This kid tried to take my food at lunch and I tried everything to stop'em before I socked'em," he defended.

Serenity just shook her head. "And what about the teacher, hmm? What did he do to deserve being told off by a thirteen year old?"

"He– He was just evil ok? He basically fed off our suffering! What kind of shmuck gives homework on the weekends? Is he crazy?!"

"That is kind of crappy of him…" Ootogi mused, getting an immediate glare from Serenity.

"Don't encourage him! The point is you don't tell off or talk back to your teachers and your hands need to be kept to yourself young man. Am I clear?"

"Crystal." Joey grumbled before going back to playing his game the rest of the way to the manor and all conversation ended until they pulled up to the elegant home's gate, exiting the car.

Ootogi's eyes scaled the large establishment with appreciation and his lips parted in silent awe. It was huge and didn't look like a home. The shrubbery around it almost made it look like an estate, museum, or garden. In Ootogi's eyes it was a beautiful marvel worthy of some praise but Serenity and Joey just walked through the gate casually while he gaped and followed close behind.

When they finally got to the door Serenity was the one to ring the doorbell before stepping back to stand between her son and Ootogi; she also took the liberty of shutting his mouth with a gentle lift of his chin by her fingertips. They wait for a moment and Ootogi is prepared to ring the bell a second time. Suddenly, stopping him in his tracks, the door swung open with a panting maid gripping the handle as she smiled sweetly at them.

"G-good…morning, how are you Serenity?" she asked, flushed but full of life and genuine mirth. Serenity greeted her and explained their visit all Ootogi could do was stare past the maid into the home. There was a bit of hustle and bustle going on that peeked his interest. Maids and Butlers alike bustle from hall to hall, some carrying papers and/or documents, some carrying clothing, and some carrying nothing at all.

Soon, he realized though that he was making the brunette maid uncomfortable as she blushed heavily shifting her gaze to him before lowering it repeatedly. Serenity's hand connected with his arm, slapping it, apparently having caught on as well. The girl seemed to appreciate it when his gaze lowered to Serenity and she gathered herself again, waving them in. "Come on in, I'll get Heba and Atem for you as soon as possible."

They walked inside but her head lowered slightly when Ootogi passed and he had to raise a brow at this, wondering what her problem was. She then ran off to go fetch the family for them and left them in the entry way. That's when Ootogi aired his concerns. "I'm not the only one who saw that right? What was up with her?"

Joey looked up at him like he'd asked how to dial 9-1-1. "Dude, seriously? You do know what you look like right?"

He was still lost and looked to Serenity for help only to find her blushing a bit as well. "What?" he asked her making her jump slightly.

"Um...well, you're not bad looking Ootogi, and Anzu is single. So…" she trailed off leaving him raise his brow higher, waiting. "She might….like you? Visually speaking?"

"…really?"

"Oh my god Ootogi!" Joey had face palmed. "If my mom wasn't right here, and it wasn't proven that you came from your own mother, I'd think you'd never been around a girl in your life!"

"I'm sorry that I'm not as much as a player as I look like!" he groaned in frustration. The topic had been brought up all his life that he could have any girl he wanted because he looked good and he got teased for not having girls on his arms, but it wasn't his main focus. He wanted to do something with his life and make a difference, and relationships were strenuous when it came to getting anything done.

"It's alright Ootogi, I know how you feel," his partner commented, giving Joey's ear a tug. "This one here keeps trying to get me to date, but he and work come first." She glared down at the boy slightly and he squirmed until she let go of his ear in favor of patting his head. "Now, try to stay out of other people's love lives ok Joey? You don't even have one yet, and I pray you don't until you're in college."

"What!? You can't do that! What if I find someone I really like?"

"Then you'll really like each other all the way to college where you'll have your first date." Joey waved her off, not taking it seriously in the slightest and looked around.

"Everyone's pretty busy today, I wonder what's going on…" he looked around watching as everyone nervously carried things from place to place, some seeming sad, some indifferent, and others tired and hysterical. "…is everyone being fired?" he asked, looking up at Serenity in a state of disbelief.

Serenity's face dropped with concern for the employees around her, her eyebrows pulling into the middle of her forehead. "I'm sure that's not it…Atem and Heba wouldn't fire anyone with the drop of a hat, let alone an entire group of people." She began muttering nervously, trying to give her son a reassuring pet on the head but gripped and snagged it instead, worried for the employees that flitted past them without so much as a glance.

But then, a flash of magenta caught Ootogi's attention and he found himself watching two boys mimicking the behavior of the employees, clothes and bathroom toiletries, the smaller one with tricolored hair and amethyst eyes following close behind the taller boy with the same tricolored, starfish-like, hair but crimson eyes. Ootogi's first thought was that they were nearly identical but almost polar opposites at the same time. Those familiar violet eyes debunked that for him though as he recognized the small boy from the files. He clamed up a bit at seeing the boy in person, suddenly feeling really awkward as he watched him; he knew nearly everything he needed to about the boy, however, he was a stranger to Yugi.

"Hey there's Yug' and Yami!" Joey gasped with a big grin running in front of them to close some distance before cupping his hands near his mouth. "Hey! Guys!" he called loudly, the sound echoing off everything making the adults wince and the boys come to a halt, almost toppling over each other. As they recovered the boy who they all knew to be Yugi turned his head to look at them, eyes lighting up and smile enveloping his face. The items in his hands quickly raced to the floor as he took off, running to them as the other boy stood there perplexed and watching him go before he got an eye full of all the stuff he'd dropped and just tiredly shook his head.

Meanwhile, Yugi was running straight for Joey and the blond panicked slightly with a yelp before holding his arms out and bending his knees in preparation for impact. This didn't help much though as Yugi launched himself at the boy and took him to the group, hugging him tightly as the blond let out a string of childish curses. "Dangit Yug', you could've put me in the freaking hospital with that move. What the heck would you have done if you caused brain damage?!"

Yugi didn't miss a beat. "Mourn the last of your brain cells then get over it because you never really used them anyway."

"Why you–!"

Everyone just laughed as Joey began trying to squirm away, looking like a dying fish as Yugi gripped on for dear life. That's when Ootogi noticed the other boy hover close by, only watching Yugi and smiling softly, holding in his arms the things from earlier and then Yugi's pile as well. When Yugi finally rolled off Joey he went to stand by this boy and the man had to marvel at just how similar they were; even their body language seemed to mimic the other's.

Serenity suddenly gave a soft giggle, pulling his attention to her from the boys as she covered her mouth with her dainty fingers. "Togi-kun, you know it's rude to stare right?" she asked playfully making his cheeks catch color as he quickly went to correct this. He stood about-faced and as straight as possible like a soldier and looked passed them to avoid staring.

"S-sorry!" This only fueled more laughter and she waved him off.

"I was joking, I was staring, too. 'They're really similar,' that's what you were thinking right?" she smiled softly, going back to watching the boys. Ootogi could only give her a faintly shocked response, his eyes watching her and wondering how she'd known that without being right there in his mind with him. Maybe it was that motherly instinct of always knowing what someone's thinking kicking in? In any case, he still didn't like being so easy to read and just went back to watching the two, only to find the taller one talking to Serenity.

"…going well for us right now. We got into a club pretty easy." He keyed into the conversation guessing they'd been talking about school. "Our first period teacher just adores Yugi though. She may rave and rant about herself a lot but whenever she chance and sees Yugi's hand raise she showers him with compliments." He continued giving the smaller boy a side glance and a discreet smirk.

His face flushed like a stop sign and he gave the older boy a jab with his elbow, pouting. "Yami! You didn't have to tell them that!"

Yami shrugged his little jab off. "Yugi! I wasn't aware it was a secret." He mocked, receiving another jab that only made him laugh, and the sound was very warm and eerie at the same time. Without warning it cut off and Yami's crimson red gaze was on him, striking him a bit as his gaze turned from warm to analyzing in the blink of an eye. "Who's this Mrs. Wheeler? Your boyfriend?"

Serenity's face flushed next to him and his and she shook her head frantically waving her arms back and forth. "N-No, we're partners! Partners!" she denied firmly flushed to her ears with embarrassment.

"But, you're matching…" Yugi said softly, a look of confusion as he tilted his head and gaze at their matching ensembles.

Even though they both knew it was true they both looked down at each other's outfits and blanched. Serenity looked ready to cry as she couldn't explain it away. "I knew I should've changed…" her head sunk and she began sulking.

Giving her back a gentle pat to comfort her Ootogi looked back to the boys who were looking at each other and back at Serenity; unsure of what to do. "Well," he started. "You two are matching too; does that automatically mean you're dating?

They seemed to imitate the same behavior, looking down at each other to fact-check before both heads shot up, Yugi's cheeks flushed and Yami's just slightly tinted pink. Both of them were wearing neatly ironed dress shirts with black vests. Yugi's a light blue while Yami's hued to a midnight blue. Yugi also wore Cute black shorts while Yami wore formal black dress pants. "That's not the same! We just have a really aesthetic loving mom who buys all of our clothing himself. You two are adults who look like a couple." Yami pointed at them accusingly.

Serenity cringed slightly under Ootogi's hand and gave a soft groan. "C-can we just get off this topic? We're just partners, we work together, end of discussion?" she asked softly making Joey sigh and roll his eyes.

"Ok guys, that's enough, if you don't stop she'll probably actually cry, and girls look really ugly when they cry–" he received a sharp tug on his ear from said "girl" who's eyebrow was twitching profusely at the audacity of the blond boy's words.

"What was that Joey? I don't think I heard you right." She glared at him intensely making the boy flinch worse than from the pain in his ear. This just made the three boys around them shake their head and sigh as Joey dug his own grave. They all knew he had this habit and both Yami and Ootogi had determined he was socially suicidal. Yugi only sweetly believed he was one of those selfless people who didn't mind being hurt as long as he could make someone feel better; which had to be giving him too much credit.

"So," both boys looked up to Ootogi as he rubbed the back of his neck, looking past them to the area near the stairs. "Why exactly is everyone so up and busy? Is this normal?"

"No," Yami replied, taking a glance back at all the work going on. "We're going on a trip for a couple days so everyone's packing and making the house look presentable. All of our employees are getting the weekend off, so, some of our servants will be staying here while others leave to visit their families."

Yugi smiled proudly next to him. "Yup, and we're taking our butler Icuo with us to have fun too since he doesn't want to go visit his uncle."

Ootogi blinked seeing Yugi so happy. He'd expected Yugi to be a total emotional wreck from what he knew about him; but it seemed he didn't know as much as he thought. "Oh, that's nice. If I may ask, where are you going?"

"We're going to the 147th Annual Dueling tournament at this really fancy resort! There's gonna be a lot of duelists, producers, and duel monster enthusiasts; not to mention food and fun! It's gonna be packed too! The only reason we can even get in his because Dad is in charge of one of the biggest duel monster incorporations out there! I'm so excited!" Yugi is practically bouncing at this point, earning a small laugh from Yami and the rest of the game as things began falling from his pile.

Ootogi was taken aback by this excitement, seeing such a big smile on Yugi's face. For one, it made him happy to see Yugi happy, but it also brought on this foreboding feeling he couldn't shake. Nonetheless, he bucked up and smiled, although it was halfhearted.

Joey was fuming, fists shaking at his side, a glare in place of his usually friendly gaze, and his head sunk so his bangs covered his eyes. "Yugi…" his voice trembled and everyone looked at him, Yugi blinking his fishbowl like eyes at the boy. They the boy exploded in a fit of dramatic tears, falling to the grown while hitting the ground with his fists and legs alternating in sync. "How could you! You know I love dueling just as much as the next guy! Couldn't you hit me up and invite me to go too?!"

Yugi began panicking slightly looking down at him as he regarded him with that wounded puppy look. He looked at Yami for help but the boy seemed to be just as lost on what to do. "W-Well…we did, but Mrs. Wheeler said you were grounded…" The boy let out a wail that made both boys step back as though they'd stepped on a landmine.

"Mom! Why do you take the things I love!?"

"That's the point of punishment sweetie. You won't get into any more trouble after this, I bet. I'll let you watch it on TV though."

Joey, looking defeated, just slumped to the floor; whimpering softly like the dog he was. Serenity looked satisfied and turned her attention back to the boys, smiling soft; though now her image was marred as by the dream killing she'd just completed. "So, I bet you're still wondering why we're here in the first place." Both boys nodded as though both having the same puppet master and strings. "Well, Ootogi and I," she gestured over to the man in question. "Are from the foster-care center, we came to have an adult talk with your new parents Yugi. Nothing bad. We just wanna do some check-ins and keep them up to date on some things going on between now and your adoption."

Yugi's mood had already dimmed at the word "foster-care" and the word adoption only darkened his expression. He looked down at the floor only nodding. Even though Ootogi knew Serenity had said it in the nicest way possible it seemed Yugi had some reservations about the topic. Before the brain behind those emerald eyes could think about comforting the boy, the older boy had already set everything in his arms down to wrap those arms around the disgruntled boy and squeeze. It was a comforting act but it seemed almost possessive at the same time, as if the boy was trying to stake a claim on him.

Amethyst eyes blinked in shock to say the least and he looked up at the boy from under his chin trying to get a good look at him. "Yami…"

"I just want you to know I'm here if you need me…" A these words, Ootogi's eyes softened like butter watching those slow comforting circles go around Yugi's back. Yugi seems completely taken care of…maybe the visit wasn't as necessary as I thought…Ootogi began dismissing his doubts watching Yugi hug the taller boy back with a smile. Sadness still lingered in his facial expression but, intuitively, he felt Yugi'd be properly taken care of.

Suddenly however, as the boys sat there hugging there was a mysterious flash, that came from behind Serenity and himself and the serene moment was blown away by the cooing behind them and the groan of the older boy as he detached quickly from the little one, making him pout. "Aww, that one's a keeper!"

"Mom! Enough with the pictures! I'll grow-up loathing you!" The spikey haired boy yelled to someone over their shoulders, causing both adults to look over their shoulder to see this 'Mom'. When his head turned Ootogi's breath caught and he jumped back, finding a camera lens not four inches from his face.

"Oh my gosh!" he breathed, freaked out, but when the camera lowered he took a double take. He could have sworn Yugi was behind him, but here he was again! Only a little older, taller, and…tan? Was he in doppelgänger city?

"Oops," the younger man quickly stashed his camera behind his back, smiling as though he hadn't just had it shoved up Ootogi's nose. "I'm sorry for scaring you; I realize I didn't make my presence very clear." He fretted slightly before holding out one unoccupied hand with a small but warm smile. "Hi, I'm Mr. Sennen II–technically– and my husband Mr. Sennen is… behind you." He said matter-of-factly, making Ootogi spin around to find the man ruffling the boys' hair and smiling down at them. Yugi was giggling softly and Yami grumpily muttered for him to stop, pushing the hand away and groaning when it continued after that.

Ootogi blinked as he saw another spitting image of not Yugi but of the older boy name Yami, with all of the similar contrasts Yugi had to the other parent. His head turned almost mechanically to Serenity and weirdly enough she was already looking at him, watching him with a smile. "Yes?" she called out to him knowingly; he could see the amusement in her eyes.

"Is it just me or am I seeing double everywhere?"

Serenity's brow raised and she grinned. "Too much for you to handle?

He watched the other man come from behind them to stand next to his family, snapping pictures without fear of opposition. Before he could register it Ootogi was shaking his head staring at them softly. "I don't think so…they're just so warm and real and right…it makes me think that they all belong together…" he whispered back to her, not wanting to interrupt the family before him.

"That's the spirit!" Serenity cheers, clapping her hands together. She then stepped forward, clearing her throat just as Yami was whining about how creepy his 'Mom' was and quieting the situation. "Hey! Hi! Still here you guys." She chuckled softly, causing Yami and Mr. Sennen II to blush as those words sank in and Yugi and Mr. Sennen to smile sheepishly.

"Sorry," Mr. Sennen stepped forward, shaking Ootogi's hand politely and giving Serenity a hug, which assaulted Ootogi's face with a peculiar expression. "Anzu informed us of your intentions and we can talk in the parlor."

Ootogi nodded and Serenity smiled. "Sounds good; we have a lot to discuss." Serenity admitted before looking down as she felt a tug at her pants. Joey looked up at her, pleading with his eyes for something he hadn't even asked for yet.

"Can I hang out with Yam's and Yug'?"

"Of course you can, if it's alright with Heba."

"Why not if it's alright with me?" Atem questioned in amusement, smirking with his head tilted to the side, as though he already anticipated the answer.

"Because it's always ok with you, you're a softy. Heba, however, is a big momma bear and has at least one rule."

"What rule?"

"Don't kill each other!" Heba called out with a smile and they all laughed except for Yami who scoffed, muttering "no promises", and making Yugi elbow him in the side.

"That being said," Heba suddenly came back, drawing all attention back to him. "You boys go play while we grownups are talking, it'll take a bit so don't be afraid to play some video games and sneak healthy snacks from the kitchen." He said giving Yami a look that made him snort with a pout.

"Ok, Mommy." Yugi replied making Heba twitch with a seemingly repressed glee. "Come on Yami, let's go to your room, you have all the games anyway." His little hand attached to Yami's and Ootogi would be lying if he said he didn't see a spark between them when they made eye contact afterward. It left him stunned and with many questions as their heads snapped in sync to look at Joey and lead him to follow them with a wave of their arms as they picked up their things in vacant arms and walked towards the stairs.

"So, shall we go to the parlor?" Atem ushered all of them to the hall on the right leading to the parlor.

Ootogi nodded. "Sounds great." They began walking and he watched everyone around him, feeling as though he were the odd one out. Let's see what you have to throw my way today.

~Cliffy~

Hey guys, I know I've been gone a while and haven't updated, I hope you'll continue with this story with me. I haven't been as motivated, haven't had time, have gotten sick a lot, and have been working. I'd been writing an M rated fic and needed to get my mind off that and back to the more innocent side of Fanfiction. I'm also learning more about literature and writing in general, it's very interesting. I really love writing I'm just not very good at focusing and thinking.

BIG NEWS: I'm looking for a critique partner and beta readers! A critique partners does just as the name implies, they're a fellow writer who critiques your work and tell you what to fix. Just need someone reliable, fair, honest, points out the positives as well as the negatives, reacts to what's written, and provides solutions. (If you want elaboration please seek Jenna Moreci's video on youtube: How to be a Good Critique Partner.) Contact me via review or PM if interested. (I would become your critique partner as well if you'd like)

Thank you for reading if you enjoyed this please leave a review or favorite. I don't know when I'll update again but I will try hard to do so. I'll be updating HUJ next. I see you next time snowflakes! Have an Icy Day~!

~Yanii