Summary: Yami stays, rather than going to the afterlife. He and Yugi part ways for college. Yugi feels as if he has lost a part of himself as Yami stops contact with Yugi. After five long years, Yami is a successful archaeologist. One of his exhibits is traveling to Japan and he's invited Grandpa and Yugi to be a part of it. How will Yugi feel seeing his friend after so many years of silence? When Yami returns, can they rebuild their friendship when Yugi wants to be more than just friends?

Does this count as puzzleshipping if there isn't a puzzle anymore? This and more unanswered questions dead ahead, captain!

I promise this gets happier as it goes along.

Please enjoy "Distance"

Chapter One: Gone

XXXXXXX

Yugi was kneeling on the floor. Tears streaming down his face. He believed that Yami was gone forever as he played his last card and their duel which had been destined by fate finally ended. But now, looking up, he was staring into familiar eyes, so similar to his own but with a hue of crimson.

"You're… you're still here?" Yugi blinked away tears as his Yami, his partner... Atem, stood in front of him.

"Yes. I still have business here." Yami smiled at his friend and clasped the shorter boy's shoulder.

Yugi's heart did a little flip of joy. He hadn't been ready to say goodbye. There was an ache that was subsiding with every breath Yugi took. As the moments passed and Yugi stared into his other self's eyes, his mind grew lighter.

Yami would stay.

They wouldn't have to be separated. The others had surrounded them now. Jou asking one hundred questions a second. Anzu crying with joy. Yugi wondered if this meant Yami would still be confined to the puzzle but it appeared Yami had learned a few things in the couple minutes he had gone through the blinding light after their duel. Yami was no longer confined. He had his own body. Yugi could spot the differences immediately but he was sure the others wouldn't pick up on them as quickly. Their eyes for one, or the slight difference in their hairstyle, even their jaw bone structure and cheek bones. It was a whole new experience seeing Yami in his own true body, not just a projection. Yami's skin remained pale, similar to Yugi's but even there, just a slightly darker shade than his own. Yami confirmed that the millennium items were gone, buried deep in the earth. Yugi was relieved to realize that his life would go on with his best friend still by his side… or so he had thought.

Seto had managed to acquire a forged birth certificate, and produced fake school transcripts for the Pharaoh and, together, Yugi and Yami graduated from Domino high school, with Yami passing as a cousin of Yugi's from northern Japan. Yugi had decided to stay in the area and work with Kaiba Corp as a game designer and Kaiba agreeing he could work while going to college. Yugi's dream was still to create his own games under his own company, but Kaiba Corp was a good start. Especially with all the changes that Seto had been making for the better. Yami however apparently had very different plans than what Domino could offer. It was a quiet afternoon just a few days after their high school graduation when Yami sat down Grandpa and Yugi at the dinner table to discuss his own college plans. Yugi could tell that Yami was nervous to say anything at all.

"I've decided to go to the University of Cairo."

Yugi's heart dropped into his stomach and he couldn't help his reaction as he cried out.

"You mean… Cairo, Egypt?!"

It made complete sense that Yami wouldn't stay in Japan, but Yugi felt the familiar sting of being left behind as he watched his look-alike from across the table.

"Obviously they would have an excellent Egyptology and anthropology program." Nodded Grandpa, "I think it's a wonderful idea, my boy! You'll make an excellent archeologist."

Yugi clenched his fists on his lap at the news until his palms stung from his nails digging into them. Why so far away? Wasn't there some program in Japan he could go to? Yami didn't seem to be picking up on Yugi's frustrations.

It was different, not sharing their mind link. Still, Yugi would have thought after all that time sharing one mind that even after their connection was broken Yami would have known how this made Yugi feel. And it wasn't to say that Yami wasn't attentive most of the time… but occasionally it felt as though Yami was ignoring Yugi's reactions. Yugi remained silent as Yami explained about the college and program he had picked and how he felt called to return to Egypt to study.

"I understand my past more than ever, but I'd like to use my knowledge to help grow the Egyptology field, with some restraint obviously." Yami smiled.

It was the beginning of Yugi's countdown.

His countdown to being alone.

XXXXX

A few mornings after Yami's announcement about college, Yugi had been helping Grandpa in the shop. He had spent all morning helping stock the shop for the day. Keeping busy was all he could do to keep his mind off of Yami's decision to leave them. When Yugi was done he headed back into the house and saw Yami heading into the kitchen. He followed Yami.

"Good morning!" Yugi said, trying his best to be cheery and ignoring the gloom in his mind from Yami's imminent departure.

Yami's crimson eyes slid over from where they had been taking in the pantry items to look quickly at Yugi, "Hey."

The eyes went back to the pantry. Yugi frowned, reaching out and attempting to ask Yami what was wrong. With a frown at the lack of connection, Yugi had to remind himself that Yami couldn't hear or feel his thoughts any longer. Lately it had seemed like Yami didn't seem to want to talk to Yugi, he barely even made eye contact with the slightly shorter boy. It made starting conversations that much harder. Yugi tried not to let it bother him.

"Um, the gang was thinking about going to the park today, play Frisbee, or something, since it's supposed to be such a nice day. You're welcome to come along, obviously, if you'd want to go with us?" Yugi felt intimidated just having to verbally ask.

Yami looked over at Yugi, taking in the expression on his face. Yugi felt even more uncomfortable with the full force of Yami's gaze on him. Had Yami's gaze always been so… intense? Yugi gulped and looked down at his toes before he began to ramble.

"I mean, you don't have to. I know you're probably enjoying having your own body and being able to do whatever you want so if you don't want to spend time with us that's totally fine we just-"

Yugi's verbal stream was cut off by the sound of the pantry closing. Yugi looked up.

"I'd like that." Yami said softly.

There was a small smile on Yami's lips. Yugi felt his cheeks heat up just a bit at the sight and smiled back. The sight of Yami smiling made Yugi's brain go a little foggy. He chalked it up to still adjusting to having his other self in his own body.

"Oh... good. Cool. We were meeting up around 10 this morning?"

Yami nodded.

'Smooth.' Yugi thought to himself.

Yugi had rushed a bit to shower but was ready and bounding down the stairs by the time ten arrived. Yami was in the living room waiting for him. Yugi's hair was still slightly damp from his shower. As he made his way towards Yami, stopping briefly when Yami didn't make a move to head out the door just yet. Yugi noticed that Yami was eyeing his damp locks, a small frown playing at his lips.

"W-what's wrong?" Yugi asked.

Yami continued to frown at the shorter boys hair. Yugi felt his breathing stop and his heart sped up as Yami's hand reached up over his shoulder to gently feel one of the damp strands.

"Your hair is still wet." He said simply.

There were alarm bells going off in Yugi's head and a shiver threatening to run down Yugi's spine where Yami's fingers were softly twirling a piece of hair. Yugi was sure his face was the same color as a tomato. It was only the second time Yugi had been able to physically feel his other self. It was a foreign but welcomed sensation and Yugi was less and less sure about how Yami was feeling now that they didn't have their mingled thoughts. Simultaneously, he was less and less sure about his own feelings towards the Pharaoh. There was something there. He guessed it had always been there, but he had never given it a second thought… but now?

"...Well, yeah, I toweled it dry as best as I could." Yugi said defiantly, trying to not overreact about their proximity.

"Hm." Yami's hand dropped back to his side.

The taller of the two headed towards the door, Yugi's feet stuttered a bit trying to catch up to his Yami. His thoughts swirling.

Confusion being the main emotion in his head.

As they exited the door, the morning air hit Yugi's neck and he shivered slightly. Yami looked over, seeing the goosebumps raised on Yugi's skin.

"You should have brought a jacket, aibou."

Yugi grinned, his face still tinged with a blush. It was the first time Yami had called him aibou since having separate bodies. He relished in the moments he had with Yami. It was becoming more and more rare for him to feel like nothing had changed. Like they were still together somehow.

"I'll be fine mou hitori no boku."

The day at the park hadn't been memorable. The only part that stuck out in Yugi's mind when he thought back to that day was that day was that it was the last time Yami had called Yugi aibou.

XXXXX

A few weeks after that, it was the middle of the night. Grandpa had put the spare futon in Yugi's room for Yami as there was no other acceptable space in the house. A week before Yami was supposed to leave for Egypt, Yugi woke suddenly in the night. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he checked his alarm clock to see it was around 2 in the morning. Yugi was about to turn over to go back to sleep when he noticed that Yami was not on his futon the floor. As Yugi looked around, wondering where his other self had gone, he noticed the skylight door in his room was cracked ever so slightly. He climbed out of bed and went over to the skylight. He didn't have to open it to see the Pharaoh. Yami was sitting just a few feet from the opening, examining the stars, a distant look on his face. Yugi knew this look he thought. It was the same look he gave when he was weighing two options in a very serious duel. Yugi wondered what Yami could possibly be considering in the middle of the night like this. Just before Yugi was able to leave, Yami suddenly turned to look at Yugi. The look on Yami's face was filled with sorrow. Yugi's breath hitched as he stared at his other self sitting on the roof. Having been caught, Yugi slowly opened the skylight door.

"I-Is everything alright?"

Yugi felt a little silly even asking the question as he pulled himself half way through the opening. It was plainly obvious that things were definitely not alright.

Yami frowned slightly and looked back to the stars, "I… don't know. Honestly."

Yugi didn't know what to say, wanting to just be silent and let Yami say whatever was on his mind without Yugi pressuring him into it. But after a few minutes without either boy saying a word, Yugi found himself chewing on his bottom lip. Did he ask if he could help? Did he just walk away? He had an urge to sit next to Yami, to reach out... to hold his hand. But, how would Yami respond?

"Could I… I mean… is there anything-" Yugi's hand was reaching to Yami.

"No Yugi, thank you."

Yami's response came without him even looking over to Yugi. The cold rejection stung and caught Yugi off guard. Yugi's hand pulled back.

"Oh, uh… well, g-goodnight then."

He felt his arms shaking as he lowered himself back into the room. Defeated and saddened, he crawled back into his bed. Tears pricked his eyes. His mind buzzing despite how incredibly quiet it was inside and outside of his head now. His mind flashed back to not that long ago when Yami had still been a part of the puzzle.

When Yami's hands had tried to hold Yugi's but couldn't… it really wasn't that long ago but it had been burned into Yugi's memories.

'But I, I want to be with you forever. Even if I never get my memories back.'

'Me too. Forever. I'll give you all of my memories.'

Yugi pressed his face into his pillow. Had it all just been a lie? Or, maybe now, with his own memories back, Yami just didn't need him anymore. Or… maybe Yami just didn't want anymore memories with Yugi in them.

XXXXX

The countdown continued in Yugi's mind. He knew it wouldn't have been like being separated by death, but the thought of being separated in any way from his other self was still enough to cause Yugi grief. The more Yugi thought about it, ever since losing the link through the puzzle, something was definitely different about Yami. The way the Pharaoh had been acting, distant and almost coldly, it made Yugi wonder if he had done something that could have upset Yami.

Yugi had begun to wonder if maybe Yami had resented all the time he'd been trapped within Yugi's body. Slowly, heart ache set in. Yugi noticed the little things. Yugi and the others were soaking up the last days of summer, but the few times when Yami would accept the invitation to go out with them at all, he'd end up leaving early. Yugi had fought with thoughts in his head all summer. Were they not good enough for him? With Yami's memories back, did he think that Yugi and his friends were boring... or too young... or just not who he wanted to spend time with? Did Yami have regrets for staying? Yugi began to think that Yami was counting down the days until he could get away from Domino rather than dreading it like Yugi had been.

The day Yami left, Yugi could hardly say a proper goodbye.

Jou, Honda, and Anzu had all come to see off the Pharaoh along with Yugi and his grandpa. Jou and Honda locked Yami in an embrace with exaggerated tears and threatening him to stay in touch and visit often. Anzu obviously was upset but happy for the Pharaoh. She herself would be leaving for New York just a few days later. Yami had laughed and smiled easily with them, saying his goodbyes. When it came time for Yugi to say his goodbyes to Yami, Yugi found that the words he had wanted to say had stuck in his throat. Yugi opted to say nothing at all. Staring at the airport floor instead.

"Take care of yourself." Yami said softly.

Yugi nodded, but couldn't bring himself to look the Pharaoh in his eyes. When Yami turned away, Yugi looked up. He wanted to call out. He wanted to stop him. But instead, he stood there quietly and watched his other half's back. He stared until the black leather jacket was lost in the crowded airport and Yugi wondered what he had done to deserve this abandonment.

The months after Yami's departure were bad to say the least. Jou had made sure to visit Yugi regularly. Grandpa would force Yugi to help out in the shop if he thought Yugi was staying locked in his room for too long.

To try and get his mind off the gaping hole in his heart, Yugi had asked Kaiba if he could start working earlier than they had previously agreed on and was given the customary 'do what you want, what do I care' response. Yugi threw himself into work and school. He didn't want to waste an opportunity to work for one of the biggest names in gaming technology although his dream was still to become his own independent game designer. Kaiba had assigned Yugi to lead on several projects including designing games for Kaiba Land. Industrial Illusions had merged with Kaiba Corp after Pegasus' death which had been beneficial for both companies. The tasks helped keep Yugi's mind off of his loneliness.

Once his classes began he was able to keep busy enough to almost feel normal.

He joined a dueling club after much convincing from Jou. Jou had also gone to Domino University so he was able to have a friend around. Jou stayed around often except on the occasional weekend that he would go to visit his sister, Serenity. Honda, Jou, and Yugi would get together regularly for game nights. Mokuba even joined them sometimes trailed by an unimpressed Seto who would come under the pretense of having to watch out for his impressionable younger brother. Yugi could tell that Seto, underneath the cold exterior, enjoyed having an occasional break. During the first year that they were apart, Yugi would try to call and text but the responses from Yami were limited. He never answered the phone. The excuses came next.

'Bad service.'

'Sorry. Too busy right now.'

'Classes are hectic.'

Yami clearly just didn't want to share his time with Yugi any longer. Yami would still call and speak to Grandpa, the two would talk for about ten minutes every other week either about Egypt or the dig site Yami was at or the things they had learned. Yugi would quickly leave the house when Yami called. The memories in the house were bad enough without the reminders that Yami was only a phone call away. Yugi eventually grew sick of it. He moved out of his Grandpa's house mainly to avoid over hearing the phone calls that Grandpa was having. It lessened the pain only slightly because at least at his own place, Yugi didn't have a biweekly reminder that the voice he was longing to hear was just feet away.

Yugi wasn't exactly proud of some of the ways he reacted to Yami's absence. Jou had blessedly stopped Yugi from sending a particularly vicious text to the Pharaoh after a night of drinking between the boys. Yugi couldn't exactly remember what he had typed out, but Jou assured him the next day that he would have regretted sending it.

Time went by.

Yugi believed he had gotten over it. The abandonment. The loneliness. The broken promise that had been made on the puzzle all those years ago. After a few hours of tears, Yugi had made up his mind.

'He said forever but… If he doesn't want anything to do with me then… I'll just leave him alone.' Yugi thought bitterly.