The Ten Things

By Yami Yuugi.

Summary: A list shreds a couple apart. Everything changes within a matter of moments. High school is where it ended and their lives changed. Now at 23, Yuugi returns home after graduating from college at the request of his grandfather. During his time away, Yuugi has changed in many ways. However, how will he do when he is forced to see his former lover and deal with him on a daily basis? Can the couple rekindle their relationship and further lose their hate over the "list?" Secrets are revealed, pasts are dealt with, and friendships evolve.

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Warnings: AU Language, Alcohol, Adult situations, Shounen ai. (Puzzleshipping), Depression, Pranks.

Chapter One

Domino… His hometown… The city had not changed in six years. Everything remained the same. From the eateries to arcade, he loved during his high school years. Everything was the same, even the game shop down on Uno road.

Yuugi sat in the back of a cab, eyes scanning through the window. He took in the scenery with a glance, noticing subtle to no changes in his hometown. Yuugi wondered if the city had frozen in time, waiting for his arrival. There was nothing out of the ordinary. Hell, even his own home was the same.

The cab came to a halt in front of the vibrant yellow and green building sporting a sign, 'Turtle Game Shop.' A sense of relief and familiarity flooded through his small body, a rare smile gracing his lips. Home was where the heart is. The saying always held deep meaning with this young man. As much as he loved his old apartment two towns over, Yuugi was relieved to return to his childhood home.

Yuugi exited the cab, taking his luggage with him. He paid and tipped the driver with a small smile, waving the man off as he turned his attention to the vibrant building. Finally, after six years he was returning home for good.

The wind picked up, causing a shiver to run down Yuugi's back. He shuddered slightly, thanking the gods he remembered to wear a jacket. He took his bags, heading towards the front of the game shop. Numerous items lined the front windows, from Duel Monster plush, to the infamous 'severed demon hand.' He had to shake his head at the sight of the hand. His grandfather kept it around merely for laughs. It usually drew in a customer with concern for his sanity. A smile once again formed across his face, faint memories of his teenage years showing through six years of maturity.

Yuugi set his bags down, opening the door, causing a small bell to jingle upon entry. The young man took this moment to take in the familiar sight of his family's game store. Everything was the same, even up to the posters that held his own image as the Duel Monster's tournaments. He rarely played said game any longer, often opting to brush off his title as game king. Rustling jostled Yuugi from his reverie. His brows raised as the backroom door opened, a string of curses echoing through the small shop. The voice was unfamiliar. He was not entirely sure of who this person was. All he knew for sure was that this person was not his grandfather.

Concerned, Yuugi stepped forward, resting his arms on the display case in the front of the register. The person in the backroom had yet to make an appearance. This seemed odd.

"Hello?"

Another string of curses echoed through the room following a strangled cry of pain. By now, Yuugi was beyond curious. Yuugi walked behind the counter, edging into the backroom quietly. He stepped into the stock room, finding the clumsy person himself.

Amethyst eyes widened, finding the sprawled form of his ex-boyfriend. Atemu lay on the ground, open boxes littering the floor. The man groaned, running a hand through his spiky tricolor hair.

All the while, Yuugi could only stare, seeing his ex oblivious to his intrusion. The man had not changed in the least. He still held the air of royal, one that showed his pride and arrogance and of course his love for games. Oh dear Ra, the man loved games just as much as Yuugi. Yet, it was not these things that Yuugi remembered at that exact moment. His eyes were glued onto the man's leather pants and tight black form-fitting tank top. He still looked like his teenage self.

Atemu's tanned arms rippled, muscles contracting with steady movements. The man pulled himself up, dusting off his scantily clad self, giving Yuugi a show.

It took all of the younger man's power to keep himself in check. Atemu was the one who he never forgot. Their break-up was one of his worst. Hell, he still hated himself from letting "that one" get away.

Yuugi smiled to himself, resting his weight against the door jam. He crossed his arms, waiting for his ex to notice him. However, after a few minutes of the other man's obliviousness, Yuugi could no longer hold his patience for Atemu's clumsy self.

"Well, well… If it isn't the ever clumsy Atemu…."

Said man jumped, whirling around at the voice. Crimson eyes widened, locking onto amused amethyst. The Egyptian simply blinked a couple of times, shock crossing his angled features. A smirk formed instantly, replacing the shock in a matter of moments.

"Partner…."

The endearment was not unwelcome. Yuugi loved hearing it. Hell, even after their breakup, Atemu continued to call him this. That is, until their senior year when things turned ugly.

Yuugi nodded at the nickname, returning the smirk with one of his own. He kept his distance, allowing Atemu to make the first move.

"Partner… I did not know you were coming back. What are you doing here?"

Yuugi left his spot against the door jam, shrugging his shoulders lightly. "I'm moving back here. Grandpa asked me to return after I finished getting my masters in English." He smiled, offered a hand to Atemu.

"Do you need something oh clumsy one?"

Crimson eyes narrowed playfully, a pout forming across the Egyptian's face.

"No, Little one. I believe I'm more than capable of escaping the wrath of your grandfather's stock room."

Yuugi glared at the other's retort. Atemu hated Yuugi's constant reminder of his clumsy moments as Yuugi hated the reminder of his short stature. Both went out of their way to make the other remember their faults.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of your return, Yuugi? It's been six years since you've come home."

Yuugi rolled his eyes, ignoring the sarcastic tone his "friend" held.

"First off, this is my home. I believe I have a reason to return here if I please. Besides, to what do I owe you the pleasure of any answers?"

Crimson eyes glittered, challenge sparkling within their inner depths. Atemu brushed his bangs from his face, an arrogant smirk falling into place.

"I work here with your grandfather. I help him with things he cannot do since his grandson left ages ago."

"And now that I'm home for good. I think you should get going. I'm taking over now."

"Not likely, Yuugi. I've been here since you left six years ago. I doubt grandfather would fire me just because you're back. Besides, he considers me a grandson since you left him high and dry." Atemu retorted, tone cold and angry.

Yuugi rolled his eyes again, walking out of the room without a word. He had better things to do. This consisted of getting answers from his grandfather.

Smirking to himself in a devious fashion, Yuugi closed the stockroom door, barricading it with the shop's infamous chair. He walked off, taking his bags into the home portion of the shop/home. All the while, Atemu pounded on the door, cursing at Yuugi and ordering him to open the damn door.

It seemed that old habits and trickery fail to end.

Yuugi walked into the living room, finding his grandfather asleep in his favorite old recliner, television flickering in the dark room.

A light snore echoed through the room, causing a smile to grace Yuugi's small, lightly chiseled face. Even in his twenties, Yuugi held an aura of innocence despite his lack of virginity and childish nature. The man retained a short, petite physique. He stood at five foot two, infamous tricolor hair still in tact. Yuugi visually remained the same other than his slight increase in height and his slightly defined muscle toned arms. His eyes were another story. Once large and innocent, Yuugi's eyes matured to a certain degree. The years were beginning to show on his eyes. Sleepless nights were wearing down on his eyes, as well as the amethyst irises. Now his eyes seemed tired, narrowed and angular. Exhaustion showed with the bags under his eyes along with the glasses Yuugi wore. Hours spent studying and age were beginning to force Yuugi into glasses for more than just reading. A simple pair of square-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, magnifying the dull amethyst.

Against better judgment, Yuugi walked forward, nudging his grandfather's shoulder, gently rousing the old man from his well-deserved rest.

"Hmm… Atemu-…"

Yuugi shook his head, a frown marring his features.

"No grandpa, it's me."

The old man's eyes widened, his sleep hazed mind working as the gears clicked in his mind, taking in the appearance of his beloved grandson. After a few moments, realization set in. He pulled himself out of the chair, massaging his protesting back.

"My boy! How I've missed you!" He leaned forward, enveloping his grandson into a tight embrace.

"Grandpa…"He hugged him tightly. He had missed his father figure greatly. "I missed you so much."

"As did I, my boy." He pulled back and looked his grandson up and down, a smile growing across his wrinkled face.

"You sure have grown up, Yuugi. You're finally taller than your old man." He grinned, ruffling Yuugi's hair fondly.

Said man blushed, darting away from the affectionate gesture. He still was not comfortable with his vertically challenged self.

"So, you must get settled and tell me everything that has happened with you, Yuugi. Humor your old man with some stories of your bustling and busy life."

Yuugi blushed again, smiling at his grandfather's excitement.

"Okay, only for you."

Atemu growled banging on the door with another futile attempt. He had been trapped in the storage room for over an hour, fueling his anger. His day had not started off well to begin with. Sugoroku told him to finish inventory and come in for dinner once finished. He claimed that a guest was coming for dinner. His anger subsided once he realized how happy Sugoroku was to have Yuugi back. The man smiled again, bustling around the shop gazing at the posters of his grandson fondly. It was odd that he kept Yuugi's "dueling days" posters up. It was a known fact that the man no longer dueled.

Against better judgment, Atemu was thinking of breaking the door down. It seemed that freedom was futile unless he broke down the door. Sighing, he backed up, running with his shoulder extended. He rammed into the door, crashing into the door with a thud.

The wooden door broke, falling into the game shop along with the offending chair that barricaded him in the small room.

Growling, Atemu stood up, rubbing his sore shoulder.

"Definitely going to feel that in the morning."

His stomach growled, signaling the need for food. "I guess it's time to confront grandfather and sir asshat."

Shaking his head, Atemu trudged into the living room, ears perking on the sounds of a conversation. Upon closer inspection, he found Sugoroku and Yuugi sitting in the living room, drinking tea and talking amongst themselves.

Jealousy flared in the back of the Egyptian's mind. How dare Yuugi waltz in and act as if he had not disappeared for six years. He couldn't sit down with his grandfather and catch up so easily. He had hurt his grandfather with leaving and yet he sat here talking like old times? That was nothing but bull shit in his opinion.

Atemu cleared his throat, making his presence known. Twin sets of amethyst eyes locked onto his piercing ruby.

Sugoroku smiled, motioning for Atemu to come in.

"Atemu, my boy. Are you alright, you look rather…"

"Angry?" He suggested. He crossed his arms, glaring at Yuugi. "I'm sorry for intruding as so. However, I was locked in the stockroom against my will."

Yuugi snickered, using his hand to cover his all-knowing smile.

Sugoroku already knew Yuugi had something to do with this. He turned his eyes onto Yuugi's.

"Yuugi, why would you do that? Atemu was doing the shop's inventory."

The reprimanding, Yuugi frowned, his eyes downcast.

"I'm sorry, grandpa. He just made fun of me as usual."

"My boy, don't let him get to you." He paused, and took a drink of his tea. "You and Atemu will need to get along. He lives here and helps me run the shop."

The words sunk into Yuugi's mind. His eyes bugging out as he yelled.

"WHAT? Why the hell does he live here? How can you house my ex-boyfriend and let him work with you and LIVE here?"

"Watch your language, Yuugi. No grandson of mine will speak to his old man in such a manner." He watched Yuugi apologize, rolling his eyes. "I do not care if he is your ex or not. Atemu is the best worker I've had in years and he lives here. Get used to it."

Atemu merely smirked, gazing at his boss and his ex with a smirk.

Sugoroku yawned, stretching his arms as he got up, taking his and Yuugi's cups into the kitchen.

"Well I must say, it's been a long day. I'm heading off for a nap." He turned to Atemu. "You can go ahead and close the shop for the day, Atemu. I also expect you to fix the door you broke to get out of the stockroom."

"How did you-"

"Because I heard you break it, earlier. I may be old but my hearing is still up to par."

Atemu simply nodded, watching as Sugoroku walked off, leaving one final thing to say.

"Also, Yuugi… Do help him close up the shop. It's a two person job."

Yuugi growled in annoyance, his anger growing as his grandfather disappeared.

"Well, Little One, shall me close the shop?"

"I guess so, oh clumsy one!"

Both glared at one another, heading off to do their duties in the shop.

Sugoroku turned in for a nap, his thoughts drifting off in sadness.

'I wish these two could grow up and realize how much they miss each other.'