~*~ Progression ~*~

So I have a Valentine's Day treat for you all! I decided I couldn't let this collection go unfinished, so I'll be finishing up the fics for the song contest, even though the contest is over and these fics aren't eligible for votes.

Round 5 - Song: Wild Heart by Daughtry

"One week?! A whole week – with him, of all people?" Yugi yelled in his empty office as soon as he finished reading the email from his boss. He slammed his hands down on his laptop computer in frustration. This was just in time to completely ruin his weekend.

The office door opened at the sound of the noise. His best friend and coworker, Joey Wheeler, poked his head through his office door inquisitively. "What's goin' on, Yug?"

"What's going on?!" Yugi repeated, clearly fired up. "I'll tell you what's going on! Mr. Hayes is sending me to that week-long gaming conference in Miami, starting Monday – with him!"

Joey crossed his arms and smirked. "'Him' who?"

Yugi glared at his friend. He stood up from his desk and started pacing the length of the small room, like a wild animal stuck in a cage. "You know who."

"Voldemort?" Joey was playing dumb. And it was pissing Yugi off.

"No, you moron! Yami Sennen!" Yugi stuck out his tongue as if he tasted something foul. Even just saying the name made him feel like he had swallowed acid.

"So?" Joey cocked his shoulder and tilted his head mischievously. He knew very well his friend's dilemma, but something about Yugi getting himself hilariously worked up really made his Friday afternoon.

"So," Yugi continued heatedly, "Yami Sennen, Mr. I-Know-Everything-So-Worship-Me, is an insufferable know-it-all boy toy."

"Ouch." Joey sniggered. "Why do you hate him so much anyway?"

"Other than the fact that he's clearly a man whore who tries to woo anything that's dumb enough to show any interest in him?"

"Double ouch. But yes, other than that."

Yugi raised a frustrated hand to rub his eyes. "He's just…such a jerk, always strutting around like a peacock trying to attract a mate. Besides, I can't work with him – he's completely and utterly nuts. I'm going to see Mr. Hayes about this right now – "

"He already left for the weekend Yug," Joey interrupted. "Just go to the conference, be professional like you always are and just ignore Yami. You know, he's not such a bad guy once you get to know him. I actually think you two would get along great and – "

"Joey, if you care about me at all, you won't finish that sentence!" Yugi said through his clenched teeth.

"Well just forget about him," Joey continued. "And enjoy all that the beautiful city of Miami has to offer! I hear they have wonderful beaches, remember to bring your swim trunks."

Yugi watched as his beloved best friend closed his eyes and made swimming motions around his office.

"I doubt I'll have time for swimming, Joe. The conference is one of the biggest professional networking events of the year and is nationally renowned – "

"Awww," Joey swatted the air in his friend's direction. "Come on, Yug. You never have any fun. You've got to live a little. Besides, it's Miami!"

Yugi adjusted his collar. "Be that as it may, Joe, I will be going to represent Kunami Industries on a professional level – not to drink and party and flirt with anyone who bats their eyelashes at me."

"Bummer." Joey winked and stretched his hands behind his head. A glance at the clock on the wall revealed that it was 4:45. In fifteen minutes, his weekend would officially begin. "Well Yug, I gotta split. Gettin' ready for my big date with Mai tonight."

"Oh that's right, I remember. Isn't this the third date?" Yugi sighed, rubbing his face again. The more time ticked by, the more exhausted he felt.

Joey drew himself up proudly and tilted his nose in the air. "That's right, date number three! I think she likes me."

Yugi let out a small laugh. "Even though you're a dufus?"

"Especially because I'm a dufus," Joey said slyly. "It's part of my charm."

Yugi was about to respond when he noticed a figure standing in the doorway, leaning against the doorframe.

"Charm? Yugi doesn't know what that is, Joey. You'll have to elaborate for him." Yami Sennen's sultry voice rang out through the room as he crossed his arms and fixed a crimson eye on the two friends.

Yugi's mouth hung open; he was simply lost for words in his stupefied state. Rage boiled inside of him, but he couldn't think of anything to say or do except to meet Yami's eyes in a death glare.

"Whelp!" Joey clasped his friend on the back and turned towards the door. It was a shame he was going to miss all the fireworks. "I'm gonna head out, Yug. Big night tonight! And remember what I told ya – have fun in Miami!"

"Yes Yugi," Yami laughed haughtily. "Dear Joseph has a good point. You should have fun in Miami."

"What are you doing here?" Yugi managed to choke out, venom dripping from his words.

Yami started to move around the office, picking up the various neatly-arranged picture frames and knick-knacks on Yugi's desk to inspect them. "I'm just making sure you saw the notification from Mr. Hayes about the conference but, judging by your face, I'm assuming you already know."

Yami looked back at Yugi with his signature smirk, the You-Know-You-Want-Me smirk that charmed the pants off of just about everyone else in the office. Yugi hated that smirk.

"I am well aware that you will also be attending the conference," Yugi spat as he watched Yami fondle his beloved trinkets. "I think it would be best if we both stayed out of each other's way, don't you agree?"

But Yami wasn't listening (another habit of his which annoyed Yugi) and was still busy groping and pawing around Yugi's desk.

"What's this ugly thing?" Yami asked, holding up a golden picture frame. The picture inside showed a child-aged Yugi smiling next to an older man.

"Don't touch that!" Yugi grabbed the picture frame from Yami's grasp and held it to his chest, suddenly looking very sad. He clung to the frame for a moment as if it were a lifeline.

"What is it?" Yami asked again, trying to maneuver a peek at the object, even more curious.

Yugi glared up at him, with a look that could shatter glass. "None of your damn business! Now, please leave. We'll be spending a lot of time together next week and I'm already sick of you."

Yami left with a wordless goodbye, leaving Yugi alone in his office.

Yugi sighed heavily, closing his door and collapsing at his desk. How was he supposed to spend a whole week with this infuriating man?

The weekend came and went in the blink of an eye for Yugi, much to his dismay. He spent the majority of his time alone in his apartment, silently dreading whatever the next week would bring him. Yami Sennen was full of reckless shenanigans. Yugi could very clearly remember the time he photocopied his rear-end on the office copy machine. While most of his coworkers, including his boss, had a nice laugh over the whole foolish incident, Yugi thought it was extremely unprofessional and downright obnoxious. And Mr. Hayes had insisted that he attend the conference with Yugi?

This conference was where the greatest minds in the gaming industry (surely, Yami didn't fit into that category…did he?) gathered every year to talk about new ideas and the latest innovations of the field. The conference held many computer workshops and technology trainings for gaming professionals, as well as different speeches and presentations by fellow gamers on various topics. And this year, the keynote speaker was one of the most well-known gaming legends – Seto Kaiba, Yugi's idol.

Yugi had religiously followed Seto Kaiba's gaming career, but had never met the man in person. Frankly, he wasn't even sure that he would be able to shake the man's hand without making a complete fool out of himself. But at least the possibility of meeting Seto Kaiba was something to look forward to, in spite of Yami Sennen's annoying presence.

Late Sunday night, Yugi began to pack his large suitcase for the conference, making sure to fold his suits and business attire very neatly, to keep them from wrinkling. He looked down at his clothes – all strict and formal. Should he pack anything casual? His mind wandered to what Joey had said. Maybe they would get a break from their work-related tasks and have some free time (which Yugi would spend alone, thank you very much!) to relax.

Yugi bit his lip and put his hands on his hips, staring down at the leftover space in his suitcase. Finally, he decided to throw in a couple pairs of jeans, a few t-shirts, his flip flops, and even his swim trunks.

Just in case.

Yugi stepped out of the taxi that took him to the airport. Fresh morning breeze danced through his hair. After he paid the driver, he started to lug his full-to-the-brim suitcase towards the airline check-in counter.

"I'll take that," said a voice Yugi was dreading to hear. Yami reached for the suitcase but Yugi pulled away defiantly.

"No you won't. I can carry my own bag."

"Whatever you say, doll face." Yami rolled his eyes and smirked.

Yugi's body tensed with tremendous effort to remain professional. "Mr. Sennen, we are going to a business conference as coworkers. This is not a honeymoon. So please, if you have any decency, you'll treat me with some respect."

"Well it looks like someone didn't get his beauty sleep last night," Yami huffed jokingly. He gestured towards the check-in counter where they would check their luggage. "After you, Yugi."

"Thank you, Mr. Sennen."

After their bags had been checked at the counter, the two men had to go through airport security. Yugi took off his shoes, as per airport custom, and put them neatly in a bin on the conveyer belt. He was always nervous around the security guards. What if they were suspicious of him for some reason, or worse – stopped him to be searched? Yugi had always heard horror stories of airline passengers being detained at security, for one reason or another. So he thought it was best to maintain a solemn and serious manner while going through security.

Yami, however, had other plans. He wouldn't stop joking around with the security guards!

"Hey," Yami nudged a portly man with a security badge pinned to his uniform. "That guy has a bomb." He pointed to Yugi, whose face went stark white with terror. "…in his pants!"

The security guard glanced at Yugi and erupted with laughter. "Haha! Good one, sir! If that little guy's a terrorist, then I'm an astronaut!"

The other security guards giggled, but Yugi was not amused at being the butt of a very unfunny joke. "Excuse me," he piped up. "I don't think that is very funny. Furthermore, you should take these accusations seriously as thousands of lives are in your hands every day!"

The guards stifled their laughter at once, perhaps contemplating how unprofessional they were being…until Yami spoke up again.

"Uh-oh, Yugi, if you say so. They might have to strip search you. Y'know, looking for that bomb and all. Hey, can I watch?"

The wild hoots and hollers that followed Yami's joke sounded, in Yugi's mind, like a pack of wild animals. His face turned tomato red with embarrassment. His eyes were downcast. He could feel his chest tightening. No one was listening to him and now they were even making fun of him. He should have known that Yami wasn't going to respect him on this business trip. Yugi quickly grabbed his shoes and silently made his way towards Gate 21 that was listed on his ticket.

A few moments later, he heard footsteps coming up behind him. "Yugi, what's wrong?" Yami moved in front of him and placed both hands on Yugi's shoulders.

"What's wrong?" Yugi snapped, looking up at Yami with fury. "You made a complete fool out of me in front of the entire airport!"

"Yugi, if the airport security can take a joke better than you can, that's a sign you need serious help."

"So then I guess jokes are only funny if you're the one making them, right?" Yugi suddenly felt very tired. He rubbed his eyes and sighed. How was he going to make it through this entire trip with the most insensitive jerk on the planet?

"I'm sorry," said the insensitive jerk, taking Yugi by surprise. "I didn't know I was hurting your feelings. I was just trying to get you to loosen up a bit. We're going to be around each other for the next week so I just figured…"

"What? You just figured what?" Yugi raised a curious eyebrow.

"That we might have a shot of getting along and actually being friends."

Yugi remained silent and Yami stared at him, waiting for an answer. "Well?" He asked, sounding slightly insecure.

An announcement on the loudspeaker interrupted the conversation. "Flight 383 to Miami is now boarding at Gate 21. Repeat: Flight 383 to Miami is now boarding at Gate 21."

Yugi smiled slightly. "Well, we're going to miss our flight. Maybe we should talk on the plane." He grabbed the other's hand and pulled him towards the gate, ignoring the warmth that seeped from Yami's fingers.

Gasping, the two fumbled for their tickets and passports as they took their places in line to board the plane. The stewardess was checking every passenger's credentials and wishing everyone a happy flight.

The pair handed their documents to the woman, who scanned them under a laser. After a beep, she waved them aboard with a smile.

After settling into their first-class seats, Yugi began to relax. He glanced dreamily out of the window and let the sun shine gently on his face. It would have been very relaxing if Yami would sit still beside him and stop fidgeting.

"Quit it," Yugi mumbled, when Yami kicked him for the fifth time.

"I'm sorry," Yami said – but his face was pale and he was sweating.

"Woah, are you alright?" Yugi asked. "You look terrible."

"Don't tell anyone this but I-I'm sort of a nervous flyer," Yami said, slight panic evident in his voice.

Yugi absorbed the sight before him – a trembling, panicking Yami with beads of sweat clinging to his forehead, breathing as if he were in the presence of death incarnate – and he had to laugh.

Yami glared at him. "It's not funny!"

"Yes it is!" Yugi howled with laughter. "For someone who acts so smoothly on the ground, you can't even stand to be sitting in an airplane. It's hilarious!"

After Yugi's laughter melted into a soft giggle, he noticed Yami was silently staring at him, with a mysterious smirk on his face.

"You have a beautiful smile, and an enchanting laugh – and I'm determined to draw them both out of you come Hell or high water."

Yugi felt a mild blush creeping up to his cheeks. He smiled slightly but was still unsure of how to take the compliment. "Thank you, Yami."

"Anytime," said the other, who was still hyperventilating. He managed to signal a nearby flight attendant. "Excuse me, miss? May I have a drink before takeoff? I'll have anything with alcohol, please. Thank you."

Yugi gaped at the man. "Are you serious? You're drinking?"

"What?" Yami shrugged his shoulders. "I need something to steady my nerves or else I'll be climbing the walls of this aircraft."

"It's not a long flight to Miami," Yugi scolded. "And we'll have our hands full with a packed work schedule as soon as we land."

The flight attendant returned with a small bottle and a glass with ice. Yami poured the dark liquid into the glass, raised it slightly, and winked a crimson eye. "Cheers, Yugi."

Yugi rolled his eyes and looked back towards the window. His coworker was treating this like a vacation, not as a professional experience. As someone who had struggled to get to where he is in his career, and to make his family proud by doing so, this really annoyed him. How could someone treat this experience with such carelessness and be so ungrateful for being chosen to represent his company at such an esteemed event?

Yugi sighed and closed his eyes. His grandfather would be proud of him. Even though designing video games seemed like a childish and unrealistic career to the rest of his family, Grandpa Solomon never saw it that way. He had always pushed Yugi to vigorously chase his dreams and to take his work seriously. This was the small bit of guidance that Yugi would cling to after the old man died.

But his grandfather probably never foresaw that his grandson would one day be stuck with his unprofessional coworker nemesis for a week at the most pivotal conference of his gaming career. The way Yugi saw it, his boss was testing him. He had to be. He would be next in line for a promotion soon. Surely, his boss just wanted to make sure that he would be able to handle working cohesively with anyone. After all, if he could get along with Yami, he could handle just about anyone.

Yugi let the sun's rays warm his face as the plane departed for its destination. He smiled. He was good at passing tests.

End of Part 1

This was shaping up to be pretty long, so I had to cut this into two parts to make it more manageable for me. Part 2 will be up next weekend!

Reviews are encouraged :)