All I Ever Wanted: Talks

Talks

"Oh this is bad! Bad!" Yugi hugged his shoulders tightly, shaking in terror.

The last few hours had past in a blur of car rides, interviews and marching from one room to another. The ride in the police car had felt like a bus ride to a prison, and then everyone had been ushered into the holding area flooded by cops in uniform or suits. He, Tea and the boys were placed on a hard wooden bench while Ryou and the girls sat in plastic chairs under the witness list. It felt like hours until the police called them in for interviews, all of which were conducted separately.

The two drunks had been thrown in the tiny cell in the back, cursing at them in mismatches tongues. Yugi hadn't stopped shaking since they got in the car, even with Yami squeezing his hand the entire time, and Tea assuring him that they'd be fine once the police got all the facts. It did little to ease Yugi's mind.

His heart dropped into his stomach when one of the police from the club called his name. Earlier, Yami had held him tightly in his arms, whispering soothing words of security and comfort; he almost couldn't pry himself away from him. Yami had to help him to his feet, his eyes glued to the older man's reassuring smile the entire time he stumbled after the policewomen.

Alone in the single room with only a table and a two-way mirror, he paced back and forth, nervously, for what seemed like hours. In reality is had only been a few seconds. He felt like he was waiting for his execution. He nearly jumped out of his skin when a policewoman with light chestnut-hair came to interview him. Thankfully, the interview was quick; the woman sat him down and addressed each question, calmly, and he answered each one honestly despite his stuttering. Replaying on how the men hit on Tea while she was drunk, even after she and Duke told them to leave. How the drunk grabbed her and how she punched him in self-defense. How he jumped in front of her when the man attacked her and why. How Yami came to his aid. The men were both drunk. When it finally finished and the woman smiled, Yugi felt so sick with relief he couldn't stand without bracing himself against the wall or the table.

The policewoman had to escort him back to the waiting room. Yami hugged him and guided him back to his seat. Now, he was currently sitting on the bench, legs bunched against his chest and tugging at his hair. Moments dragged on for hours, but when he checked the clock—which was one every five seconds—no time had passed. Voices and telephones screeched around him. Cops came in and out with prisoners screaming profanities. He bunched himself into a ball, trying to blur out the noise, but the silence felt like he was trapped in the middle of the twilight zone.

"Yugi will you calm down," Yami assured him. He crossed when ankle over his knee elegantly and leaned back with his hands behind his head. "I told you there's nothing to worry about. Those assholes were drunk. Once the cops finish interviewing everyone and those two are arrested we can go. We won't even get mug shots. We're fine."

"But Yami," Yugi panicked, "what if my boss finds out about this? What if I get fired? This will go on my record! I'll never get a job anywhere? All my hard work—" Yugi wrenched at his hair, harshly. His eyes widened with horror, a myriad of outcomes flashed through his mind like a bad Saw film, showing him each and every negative outcome his imagination could muster.

Yami unfolded himself, seized Yugi by the shoulders and shook him gently. "Yugi!" he said harsher than he intended, but the man needed to listen. "Calm down!" He spoke with such force that Yugi did calm down. "Nothing, I repeat nothing is going to happen to your career because of this."

He smiled soothingly and brushed Yugi's locks to the side. "You did nothing wrong and no one has to know about this but you and us, unless you tell them. If anything, you're very heroic for taking a blow like that for your friend. Besides," he chuckled. "I can tell you with pure and absolute certainty no judge is going to favor two drunk perverts over a woman and her friends who acted in self-defense."

"But-" Yugi tried to interrupt but Yami cut him off.

"No buts," Yami smiled. "You have nothing to worry about, so just relax." He winked.

Yugi exhaled a breath he didn't know he's been holding, and unfolded himself. He leaned back in his chair still hugging his shoulders nervously. "Maybe."

Yami rolled his eyes. "I take it this is your first time at a police station?" Yami folded his arms behind his head with a small grin.

Yugi nodded. "Sorry, for freaking out…this is just so scary. I mean, back home the only person who was ever in jail was the town drunk. Anyone else…once they got out, people looked at them like they were the scum of the earth. Even if it was just an accident or for an interview, everyone acted like they were suddenly cursed or something."

Yami snorted with disgust. "What a bunch of stuck-up pricks."

Yugi starred at him with a cute, curious look. Yami's grin curled, finding Yugi's expression absolutely adorable. "Trust me; it's really pathetic what some people will do just to impress others. Like just because they married rich or they're part of a large company they think they get to act like they own the world. They pretend to be aristocrats when all they do is spend their time trying to bring people down and drag them through the dirt, just to make themselves look better." Dark satisfaction ignited Yami's grin with an unearthly glow. "And then—when there perfect little world fall apart, and they lose all their money due to bad investments, tax reductions, or they get divorced and their alone and miserable, they expect people to feel sorry for them. Like I said, it's pathetic," Yami spat.

Yugi's eyes widened. The man spoke with the wisdom of someone well adapt in such affairs. Which then raised the question. "Yami, what exactly is your occupation?"

Yami blinked at him for a moment than smirked. "I think what you mean, cutie, is how do I know so much about the upper class when I don't look or act like I associate or enjoy such company?"

Yugi's face went red. He looked at the floor and twiddled his thumbs, mortified. Had he really been that obvious? Or was Yami just that good at reading people? Yugi shook his head.

A small squeeze on his knee and his head snapped up. Yami chuckled at his reaction and moved his glasses back into place. "It's alright, Yugi. I'm not angry."

"Sorry," Yugi blushed again. "You just—surprised me is all."

"Obviously," Yami snickered and leaned into a laid back position. "And to answer your question, you're right I'm not one of those fancy types. In fact, I've hated it for as long as I can remember. But a friend of my uncle's adores me and invites me to them since I'm the only 'real' person she knows," Yami laughed. "She's actually the one who taught how to spot someone real and someone fake."

"Good lesson," Yugi nodded.

Yami sighed, sadly and looked away as if embarrassed.

"What is it?" Yugi asked.

"Let's just say I didn't exactly take those lessons to heart," he snorted and clenched his fist a bit. "And sometimes, I'm a really rotten judge of character."

"Well, that's true," Yugi chuckled then burst out laughing when Yami jumped up so fast from shock and mortification he fell over.

"What's that suppose to mean?" Yami demanded half-panicked, half-mortified.

Yugi just kept laughing. "Well," he dragged out the word. "You were wrong about me weren't you?"

Yami blinked then smiled. "Well, that's true."

"And you went on a date that didn't even last five minutes," Yugi continued teasing.

"How long are you going to hold that against me?" Yami groaned and sat back down.

Yugi ignored him and continued teasing. He relaxed himself and folded his arms behind his head, mimicking Yami's earlier position. "And with so many girlfriends you've obviously too cavalier in your social life."

"Hey, I resent that!" Yami protested so fiercely Yugi jumped a bit. Yami snorted and flashed what Yugi could've sworn was a pout. "Contradictory to popular belief, I don't get around as much as people think, not that I care, but still the only time I even got close to anything like that was an old friend of mine. Everyone in college kept going on about the 'three pluses of college', you know sex, booze, parties and we wanted to see what the big deal was," he explained in the aggravated and mortified tone of a parent explaining his "been-there-done-that" regrets to his children. He shuddered when he spoke the next part. "But, my god, it was just so awkward." The words dragged out and he buried his hands in his face then slouched back. "Finally, we just gave up and decided doing it with a friend you consider family is the worst idea in the world."

Yugi's eyes bulged at the story. Not because of the embarrassing topic, or the mortification it caused Yami, or the obvious blackmail evidence, but of what it implied.

"Wait, you mean-oh no way, you can't-I mean, you're not-" he stuttered and pointed a shaky finger. He tried to speak but words died in his throat and the only thing he managed was a mix-match of scattered sentence.

Yami starred at him, bewildered by the young man's actions. When realization finally settled in, Yami's eyes lit up with a perverted gleam and his smile curled at the corners. He leaned over until he was looking Yugi straight in his mortified eyes. Yugi's face went straight to purple from embarrassment. He never wanted to disappear more in that moment than he ever had in his life!

"The answer is yes to both questions." Yami answered the unasked questions. "Yes, I'm 24 and still a virgin, and yes, I am one even though I don't act like one. Any other questions?" He gave Yami a playful wink.

Yugi could've died. He looked away and covered his mouth horrified by his own actions. That was certainly an understatement; there was no way Yami could've been a virgin with the way he acted: what with his flirtatious gestures and bold kisses, the way he spoke with such confidence, and in such a way even Yugi's strict behavior for himself couldn't keep him from blushing, the way he danced and moved with such grace and dominance. Hell, the man practically radiated sex appeal.

"Yugi?" Yugi blushed deeper at the sing-song way the man said his name. "You still there?"

"Yes," Yugi said too quickly. He shook his head to free himself of his stupor. He beat the blush back into his cheeks but the red still dusted them. "I'm fine; you just surprised me is all."

"I can tell," Yami laughed. "Well, now you know something new about me. Perhaps you'd like to know more?" Yami unfolded himself and leaned forward so he was looking Yugi in the eyes. "Maybe over dinner? Or perhaps a trip to the gallery?"

Yugi's eyes widened. "Are—Are you asking me out, Yami?"

Yami nodded.

"Like—on a date?" The question left his mouth before Yugi could stop it, still trying to digest what he was just told.

"Not like a date. A date." Yami smirked, unable to resist chuckling at the adorable look of shock and bewilderment on Yugi's face. "Don't tell me you've never been on a date before?"

"I have!" Yugi protested instantly, his face flushed. "It's just—well, I'm trying to focus on my career at the moment and—"

"Yugi," Yami cut him off. Yugi was silenced, realizing that was the first time Yami used his real name as a term of endearment. He looked up and blushed at the playful smirk on the gorgeous man's face. "Come on, all work and no play makes Yugi Mouto a very dull boy." He flashed a perverted wink.

"You pervert," Yugi giggled and playfully shoved him away. He had to admit Yami was attractive and his personality left a lot to discover. It could be fun.

"So is that a yes or a no?" Yami asked.

"Will you stop if I give you an answer?" Yugi teased going along with the game. Love and commitment may have been out of the question, but no one ever said he couldn't enjoy a few flings. And dating was much more fun than some lame-ass "friends-with-benefits" crap which basically meant 'I like sleeping with you, but I don't like spending time with you'.

"May-be." Yami teased like a child with a secret he couldn't wait to reveal but wanted to see how far he could push.

Yugi burst out laughing. "Sure Yami, I'd love to go out with you." Yugi burst out laughing when Yami fell out of his seat. "What?" Yugi flashed the stunned man a smirk of his own. "You didn't honestly expect me to say 'no' did you?"
                                                                    *

"Oh my god! My whole life flashed before my eyes!" Rebecca panicked, dramatically.

"Will you relax, Rebecca." Tea rolled her eyes and grabbed her jacket off the hook and threw it on. Yami grabbed Yugi's and handed it to him.

"How can you be so calm? We could've just ruined all our lives back there?" Rebecca hyperventilated.

"Quit being a drama queen," Yami groaned in annoyance. He held Yugi's coat open for him, but the independent young man snatched it away and shrugged it on. Yami grinned at him, and continued, "The judge threw out the case and everyone's record is clean. The only ones in trouble are those idiots. So there's no reason to panic anymore."

"Besides, you saw his face when we explained what happened, right? He said they were lucky we didn't press charges for sexual harassment," Yugi added, digging his keys out of his pocket and checking to make sure everything important was still there.

"Besides," Duke mumbled. He shrugged off jacket and apron of his uniform, and stuffed the uniform into a small duffle bag one of the police gave him. "If anyone should be panicking, it's me. If this went down the wrong way, I'm the one who'd get fired."

Once they had everything, the group of seven exited the station so fast they nearly stumbled over the steps. Once they hit the street they power-walked, eager to leave the unpleasant incident behind.

Once a safe distance, Yami pulled Yugi to the side and winked at him. "See? I told you we'd be fine, no is judge is ever going to arrest a woman for defending herself against a bunch of perverts, or the guys who helped her out, either."

Yugi blushed and turned to Rebecca who hugged her shoulders until her fingers went numb and she exhaled and inhaled harshly, like she was having an asthma attack. He looked at the ground wondering, embarrassingly, if that was how he had reacted less than an hour earlier.

"I'm just glad to be out of there. That place gave me the creeps." Serenity shivered and hugged her arms. The thin, summer outfit she wore did little to protect her from the chilly night air.

"Me too." Ryou nodded in agreement. He looked at his feet to keep them from losing their balance. "I hope I never get arrested as long as I live. Did you see those cells?" he shuddered in memory of the barred room, the stone walls heavy with plaster, the sticky floor and the stench of filth. His hand covered his mouth, the recollection making him want to retch.

"Ryou, the only thing you could get arrested for is being too polite," Yami teased in the tone of an older sibling. Ryou glared at him. Again Yugi felt put off and—though he refused to admit it—jealous of the odd familiarity between them.

"Whatever can we just go home, already?" Rebecca complained looking at her watch. "It's like… 1 in morning."

"That early?" Yami blinked and whirled around so he was walking backwards. "What are you talking about the night's still young." He and Duke exchanged bewildered looks.

"Unless you ladies have somewhere you need to be in the morning?" Duke asked.

Everyone shook their heads.

"Great," Duke clapped his hands. "What's everyone in the mood for?"

"Actually, I could go for some coffee," Tea suggested.

"Me too," Serenity added, before turning to Yugi with a sympathetic smile. "And maybe we can make up for you celebration disaster?"

Yugi shook his head. "Hey we had fun, that's what mattered right?"

"What celebration?" Yami asked, curiously.

The girls looked at Yami curiously then at Yugi, who shied away. "You didn't tell him?"

"Tell me what?" Yami demanded more curious than annoyed at being left out.

"Yugi got a job at White Dragon Publishing today," Ryou chimed in gleefully. "He's there new book critic and contract writer."

"Really?" Yami's eyes widened then he smirked and tugged on Yugi's arm. Yugi squeaked and gasped when Yami pulled him into his arms and enveloped him in a hug. "You didn't tell me that, Cutie?" Yami teased. "Congratulations, Malik's a picky employer. You must've made quite an impression."

Yugi gasped and started at him with shocked bewilderment. "Wait how did-"

Yami cut him off with a wink, "Like I said, friends in a lot of places."

Ryou covered his mouth to stifle his giggles. Serenity and Tea both laughed. Duke snickered. Rebecca just rolled her eyes. Yugi blushed and glared at Yami, embarrassed. "You didn't ask and it's not of your business." He squirmed until Yami finally let him go.

"I take offense to that," Yami whined. He grabbed Yugi's hand and tugged him down the street. He motioned his hand over his shoulder for everyone to follow him. "Come on, I know this great place that's still open."

"Hey wait, Yami!" Yugi scolded trying to pry the man's fingers off his wrist. When that didn't work he sank his heels into the ground, but all he accomplished was a loud screech as his shoes dragged across the payment and the stench of burning leather. Yami just smiled and dragged him down the street, admiring the cute blush Yugi sported. Yugi growled at him. God, this was humiliating! Had Yami no shame? Was it possible to have a permanent blush? Yugi couldn't decide at the moment.

"Wait for us?" The gang rushed after them. Tea winked at him playfully. Yugi's blush darkened and he sighed in mortified defeat.

"Where are we going this time, Yams?" Duke asked, walking casually while everyone else struggled to keep the place, "and please tell me it's not where I think it is, cause if I have to put up with Tristan one more time…"

"Shut up, Devlin," Yami snapped and gracefully turned the corner. Yugi almost stumbled at the swiftness of the turn, and tripped over his feet. Yami whirled around and, to Yugi's embarrassment, caught him. He growled, not even bothering to hide the plush he sported and got to his feet. He brushed imaginary dust off his shirt with as much pride as he could muster. Yami's smirk widened to a grin. After a small war, Yugi finally gave up and let Yami guide him to where ever it was he was taking them.

They finally stopped on a quaint looking street with old-fashioned Japanese buildings. Yami guided them to what looked like a combination of a traditional Japanese tea-house and a New York City books store. It was two stories with two enormous windows on either side of the door and on the second floor that stretched from floor to ceiling with a traditional castle-like Japanese roof. The design almost had a Gothic-Lolita feel based on the glowing red spear lights and the black lace curtains decorating the window. Above in curvy black letters, the name NEVERMORE was painted in black, gold and red.

"We're here," He told Yugi. Yugi blinked and shook his head returning to reality.

"Nice looking place," Tea complimented, everyone but Duke nodded in agreement.

"Damn it Yami!" Duke stomped his foot, angrily.

"No one's making you come, Duke, so swallow your pride or go home," Yami half-scolded and shoved the door open. The caw of a raven screaming "Nevermore" echoed through the room.

"Welcome, we're closing in half an hour but please," A tall man with light brown skin and dark brown hair shaped like a shark's fin in a black overcoat covered in skull-shaped zippers greeted from behind the counter. He paused in mid-sentence when he recognized who it was.

Yami flashed a confident smile while everyone else poured into the café. "Table for seven, please."

"Yami fricken Atemu, what are you doing here on your night off?" The man threw down the rag, he was cleaning the counter with, and hopped over the counter with an elegant leap. He looked at Yami's hand then at Yugi, who looked away not wanting to see the look on the man's face, then at the crew behind him. His eyes narrowed when they fell on Duke, who flashed a cocky grin.

"You bought that thing with you?" He snorted.

"Shut it, Tristan," Duke snapped and crossed his arms. "Table for seven, I'll take it black. I need something bitter." He walked past a fake fireplace with a mountain of molted white candles like an enormous eroded sandcastle on the mantle, and plopped down in a worn, ornate gilt armchair. He crossed an arm behind his head and picked at a gold swirl with the other until a small piece of white, molded plastic chipped off.

"You throwing a party or something Yami?" Tristan asked.

"Sort of," Yami replied, finally letting go of Yugi's hand, and pulled out a fancy wooden chair with the arms sanded off. "More like, we've all had a long night and we need something to calm the nerves."

"I got just the thing. Please make your selves at home." Tristan addressed his guests before disappearing into the back.

The group took their seats around an old dining room table. The café played well into the Gothic theme: a series of rooms led into one another through stoned archways, like continuing passages, even the spiraling metal staircase leading to the second floor. Gothic cast-iron chandeliers hung from the ceilings with dimly lit flame shaped lights. They reflected off the shiny red and gold walls and in the age prints of guilt mirrors, giving the room a dark, shadowy glow. The furniture was a mismatch of Victorian style tables, and chairs: fancy, antiquarian desks acted like tables, some as night stands with black, jeweled lamps, and ornate armchairs, like Duke's throne, with leopard and tiger patterns spotted the room. There was even a small booth surrounded by glass like a three-way window in the corner. The entire thing crafted a dark, shadowy atmosphere but one that seduced the darker desires of the human heart.

Gorgeous paintings hung on the walls, but the two that struck Yugi were the ones on the adjacent wall: the first being a Gothic image of a flying raven against a red sky with a gothic castle, black moon and a barren forest in the background, all solid black; the second bore a duel image of a roaring lion on a cliff juxtaposed with a magnificent bird, a cross between an golden eagle and a phoenix, with expanded wings perched on the crescent moon in the sky. Yugi's eyes widened, enthralled by the images. For a moment he could swear he heard the lion's powerful roar, and the courageous screech of the Phoenix followed by the caw of the raven. Feel the claw-like branches of the tree brush his skin and the torrential wind of the bird's wing beats against his face. He barely noticed Tristan bringing out the coffee, or heard the chatter and mock cheers or his friends as they clicked Styrofoam cups together.

He pushed himself free from the chair and scanned each painting, meticulously. His eye scrutinized every inch, desperate for a name. He bumped past Ryou, whose eyes and hands were glued to the glass separating him from the myriad of chocolates, Victorian deserts and pastries, gazing at them with childish wonder and the awe of an artist.

"What are you looking at, Yugi?" Yami placed a hand from his shoulder. Yugi nearly jumped out of his skin.

"Stop doing that!" Yugi scolded and smacked his hand away. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

"No of course not," Yami laughed and threw his hands up in mock defense then turned his attention to the two paintings Yugi has been looking at. "I take it you like the paintings?"

"Yeah, they're beautiful." Yugi smiled turning his attention back to the paintings and continued his quest.

"Thank you." Yami smiled. Yugi's eyes widened, shock tightened his voice. Yami's next statement confirmed his theory. "They're two of my favorite pieces. Even though their only copies of the originals."

"You did these!" Yugi almost screamed, causing everyone in the room to freeze in mid drink and turn to them.

Yami's smile widened and he leaned back against the table, grinning. Pride glimmered in his eyes. "Yes, I did."

Refusing to accept the information without proof, Yugi's attention returned to the painting.

"Bottom left corner." Yami told him. Yugi twitched but obeyed. His eyes nearly bulged out of his skull. Sure enough, in elegant black script was the author's name: Yami Atemu.

"You're an artist!" Yugi exclaimed loudly drawing everyone attention but Duke's who causally downed his coffee.

"You didn't tell them, Yam?" Duke asked, wincing at the bitter taste. "Ugh, it's far too early for anything this strong."

Yami ignored him and smiled at Yugi. "You didn't ask, but, yes, I'm an artist. Not a famous one…yet. Though I'm trying to be," Yami hoped up on the table and sat there.

"That's amazing!" Tea chimed then went back to her conversation with Duke. Serenity just sighed and sipped from a mug of herbal tea.

"What are these from?" Yugi asked pointing to the two paintings. "You said they weren't originals?"

Yami turned to look at them then back to Yugi and winked. "Nope, those are smaller replications I did to spice the place up. Tristan bought them off me. I keep the originals and the ones I sell are copies, only. Those two," he pointed to the two pictures. "Are part of a series I did that got me my scholarship."

"They're amazing. Are they're others?" Yugi asked, mesmerized.

"Oh, of course, they're back at my place though." Yami laughed.

"If you're an artist what are you doing working at a café?" Rebecca asked with a slight mockery in her voice. The girl was a business woman, so she didn't much care for art, but it was a large part of the cultural and business world.

Yami flashed her a glare and perched crossed his ankle over his knee, elegantly. Yugi couldn't help but notice it made him look like he was sitting on a throne.

"To answer your question, Becky, about a year ago I was down on my luck and wound up here out of chance, and started drawing on the menu and when Tristan saw it he liked it, so –"

Tristan cut him off, balancing a tray of coffee cups. "I liked it; I'd offered to pay him to make them for me and offered him a job. Now get off the table! This is a restaurant!" he shoved Yami in the back sending him flying forward and crashing to the ground with a yelp.

"Owe," he groaned and grabbed the table. Yugi giggled and helped him up.

"So you make stuff, he buys them?" Yugi asked.

"Sort of." Yami flashed a weak smile and grabbed a caramel crème latte off the platter. "Remember when I said I have friends in low places and a lot of places? Well, Tristan's one of them. I work here part time, help advertise the store and he helps me put my name out there and gets me a few art gigs."

"And that's only cause I like him," Tristan announced, scribbling a few things on a notepad, ripped it out and placed it on the table, then turned to Yami. "That'll be 4.53 for the latte."

Yami grimaced. "Oh come on Tristan, it's my day off?"

"And I got a business to run," Tristan reminded with a smile. "So you can either pay me now, or I take it off your next paycheck, your choice." He grinned.

Yami growled and dug a five out of his pocket. "Keep the change" he mumbled.

Yugi chuckled. "So you like working here?" he asked.

Yami shrugged his shoulders. "It has its rewards." He sipped his latte then turned to Yugi with a smile. "You know, we're always looking for more waiters, and volunteers for our poetry and open mike nights. Great way to get yourself noticed? There's always someone famous coming in."

Yugi gasped at the offer then waved his hand. "Thank you, but I already got a job at White Dragon remember? Once I start making my name I'm going to try and get my novels published," he explained until Yami chimed in.

"And that's amazing, but you only write, what, one critique a week, plus whatever they ask you too or whatever they like of yours for thirty-thousand yen a piece? So you only make about 100,000 yen a month at most? Minus rent, which is roughly 35000 a month, plus you gotta eat so," he looked over Yugi's thin frame and sized him up quickly. "Your one person and depending on how much you eat, you spend, what? 5,000 yen a week on food? That's another 20,000 yen. Minus the cost of other expenses, you know cell phone, laundry, anything not covered by your rent? You're barely left with anything for yourself. Trust me, I learned this the hard way, even if you do extremely well as a writer, you need a second job," Yami explained, calculating each coast with his fingers and hand gestures. All while Yugi sat there wide eyed and pondering. He double-checked the man's math in his head and found he's already blown most of his paycheck on rent already and his savings could only last so long.

Damn. He didn't think about this before. He'd been so excited about finally getting his dream job and getting started, he'd completely forgotten he still has a folder of failed applications for second jobs. He growled and mentally kicked himself. Damn it, too much happened today; he was losing track.

"So you interested?" Yami asked with hopeful eyes. "It's a good job: not too back-breaking, part time, you work afternoons and nights, you make minimum wage plus you get to keep all your tips."

"Oh, I'd love to work here," Ryou said almost dreamily, eyeing the deserts. "You should do it Yugi, think of how much fun it'll be: cooking and making things all day."

"I take it you like making deserts?" Tristan raised an eyebrow.

"Graduated from culinary school in Los Angeles," Ryou explained, cheerfully. "My dream it to open a pastry shot. Sadly, my aunt said she wouldn't give me a loan until I got some 'real-world experience' first. She says I'm too sheltered."

"So what can you make?" Tristan asked leaning his elbow against the counter and listened intently.

"So?" Yami asked with eyes so bright and so tenderly, it almost sounded like a plea.

"I'll think about it," Yugi replied, biting his lip.

Yami nodded and put a card in his hand. "I work Mondays through Thursdays so I'd be happy to show you the ropes if you change your mind." He winked.

"Okay," Yugi nodded, "Thanks for the help." He looked up and found Yami's intense gaze on him. Only this time it didn't make him blush, it made him smile.

"My pleasure, Cutie," Yami grinned and gently took Yugi's chin in his palm. Their eyes met and once again everything around them seemed to fade away. Slowly, they leaned forward, not caring what happened after this moment or who was watching, they moved to continue what they started on the dance floor.

"I'd love to!" Ryou's exuberant shout bounced off the walls. Forced back to reality by the loud shriek, both men snapped up. Yami growled ferociously. Yugi didn't have time to look away when his side was slammed into and he was suddenly chocked by an exuberant white-haired youth.

"I got an interview!" Ryou almost burst with excitement.

"You what?" Yugi blinked with confusion.

Ryou perched up in an instant, so giddy he couldn't sit still. "Well, I was explaining my credentials to Mr. Taylor and he told me if I'd like a job, he'd schedule an interview! All I have to do is make a desert with the ingredients he gives me! Isn't that wonderful! I'll finally have a job!"

"Well, you have to get it first," Yugi teased, keeping his gaze as far away from Yami as possible. He couldn't face him not after…

"Hey, you guys coming or what?" Duke and Tea called them. The trio looked up. Duke and the girls were already dressed in their coats and ready to leave.

"Some of us would like to get some sleep tonight," Rebecca complained.

"Whatever, they close at two anyway." Yami rolled his eyes, untangled himself from the chair and waved to Tristan. "See you tomorrow."

"Don't stay out too late." Tristan called over his shoulder.

Yugi shoved Ryou off of him and followed them quickly. Ryou trailed giddily behind him. His smile split his face from ear to ear. His hands formed fists of excitement and he practically bounced as he walked. Yugi shook his head, smiling at an exact replica of himself not a few hours ago.

"Well, that was a fun night," Duke broke the silence. No one answered and continued down the dark, bustling streets of Domino city's night life. Fortunately, the chaos had quieted down once they approached the streets of Primera, with Yami's directions.

"Guess this is where we part ways," Yami sighed, turning down another street.

"It was a pleasure to meet you both," Serenity bowed respectfully with a sweet smile.

"Yeah, aside from getting lost and arrested," Rebecca groaned and started walking.

"I hope you'll still consider working at the club, Tea," Duke smiled, nervously rubbing the back of his head.

"I just hope I don't get thrown out after the stunt I pulled tonight," the female brunette sighed.

"Hell no, Raph's a cool guy! If I know him he's probably just pissed off he couldn't get those jerks to leave before they caused trouble. Gives the club a bad rep and all, but yeah, like I said we need dancers," He assured her and slipped a card in her hand. "But just in case you change your mind," he flashed a confident wink. "Night."

"Night," Tea waved and rolled her eyes playfully while reading the card. "Clever, writing your number on the card," She teased.

Duke froze in mid-step.

Yami burst out laughing. "Smooth, Duke."

"Shut it!" Duke growled, harshly.

Yami rolled his eyes and turned back to Yugi. "Crazy night."

"Yeah," Yugi bit back his nervousness, his mind flashed back to the café, the dance floor—what they almost did—twice in one night. Sure, Yami was attractive but honesty? Yugi scolded himself.

"Still, I'm glad I got to see you again." He winked then continued dramatically. "Rest assured, my Cutie, I'll make sure you don't regret giving me a second chance to earn your love."

Before Yugi could comment, Yami leaned forward and chastely kissed the rim of his lips and bolted down the street. When he was a safe distance away, he whirled around and called, giddily, "I'll pick you up Friday at eight for our date, Cutie! Wear something smashing!"

Yugi had been transfixed until the words echoed in his ears and he found himself surrounded by Ryou and two curious girls with giddy, schoolgirl grins all saying "What date?" and demanding details.

"What date?" Duke demanded. Yami bolted down the street. "Hey! Get back here Yami! I want answers!" The brunette hollered chasing after his friends.

The events of the last few seconds hitting him like a tidal wave. Yugi growled lowly until it evolved into a scream. "YAMI, YOU PERVERT!" he hollered; his face red with blush and anger. He stomped down the street towards the hotel. His fingers gently brushed the spot where Yami kissed him: it was still tender, still wet, still cool to the touch against his heated skin. A small grin curled across his lips.

"Then again," he admitted to himself. "It wouldn't be this much fun if he wasn't so damn bold…or so damn infuriating…or so damn sexy." Pearls of giddy laughter escaped him all the way home.