I was right: it wouldn't sink in that this story was done until I finally posted this final chapter! And it is the longest one yet! but so wroth it! I'm very proud i think I managed to reach a semi-realistic conclusion given the content and everything, and a realistic way in which the couple all worked out, which was my real goal.

Man, this is the third of stories I started and have been working on for the better part of 4 years and this one took about 3 years and 7 months to finish! YAY! NOW the only one I have left to finish is OUR LADY which i WILL finish (i already started tying it!)

It''s been on hell of a ride and I have to say I never expected to fall in love with story as much as i did and it really helped with a lot of emotions I was dealing with, and I'm happy I was finally able to finish it.

Thank you all so much for the support through it all!

Special thanks to Sakura for being an awesome beta ans always being a loyal Friends and reader and to Echohart for gramar-nazing all the old chapters since lord knows I have no time to do it.

as always read, review, comment, critique, ask questions and go nuts! And i own nothing!

Final Song, and best one that summarizes this whole story to be honest:

RED by TAYLOR SWIFT

Finally

"Get your hand off me! You fucking apes! Sons of chāng fùs! Sǐ pì yǎns! Bái chī wàngbāgāozi! Cào nǐ zǔzōng shíbā dài!" Vivian screamed at the top of her lungs slipping into her native tongue in her anger and kicked profusely as three police officers dragging her to the cop car. She flailed violently when they tried to shove her in and it took two more to restrain her arms and legs before they finally got her stuffed into the back, still screaming profanities and chanting curses.

Though she'd been handcuffed immediately, Raphael was critical that she not be "officially" arrested until after she'd regained consciousness, adamant the not even the slightness breach in protocol would mar her arrest. Once she'd been secured, Raphael let her rant for a bit, hoping she's tire herself out by the time they finished gathering statements and seeing to everyone's treatments. Raphael had ordered a second paramedic vehicle when it was confirmed that more people needed looking over than first thought. Thankfully, aside from being malnourished and in desperate need of a shower, the girls were alright and none showed signs of sexual trauma or physical damage aside from the occasional bruise. Mai insisted all of them be taken to the hospital for additional testing, cleaning and a good meal and immediately pulled out her credit cards, volunteering to pay bills and housing. Raphael agreed as soon as the female police finished collecting statements and confirming all of the bruises were from Vivian's fingerprints.

"You'll inform me as soon as they leave?" Mai demanded the female cop while covering Miho with a blanket. "I want to accompany them to the hospital."

"I'll inform you as soon as the paramedics arrive, Miss Valentine," she promised with a nod and knelt to Miho with a smile. "You feel more up to giving a statement Miss Miho?"

Miho smiled and squeezed Mai's hand and nodded. "Yes."

Mai squeezed Miho's hand affectionately, and turned to the other truck where the boys had been moved. "You feel alright with Miss Mina?" she asked.

Miho nodded, and stuck her chin towards the vehicle. "Please tell them I said thank you."

"Will do!" Mai promised and bounced over to the first paramedic truck where her boys were sitting either on the paramedic table or on the bumper being looked over by medics.

"Are you sure you're alright Mai?" Yugi asked when he saw her coming over. He winced loudly when a nurse cleaned the blood from his cheek, with antiseptic. Fortunately, the scratch wasn't deep enough to leave a scar, but the sharpness still stung. "I mean…given the circumstances?" he said gently. No one wanted to bring up the fact she'd been held at gunpoint.

"I'll be alright," Mai promised taking a sip from the coffee she'd been offered. "I won't lie I'm still shaken, but seeing your assailant being dragged into a cop car ad being able to help the others certainly helps," she smirked at the car holding Vivian who was still screaming in the back seat and demanding an attorney. Mai bit back a chuckle when it rocked and shook with her fit. "I'm more concerned about you boys,"

She shot up when Seto groaned when a doctor pressed a spot on his back.

"I'm alright?" Seto wheezed, Seto's shirt and trench coat were bunched at his side, and he took deep inhales and exhales while the doctor listened to his breathing and checked for broken ribs.

"Please tell me his back isn't broken?" Mai begged the doctor, who gave her a soft smile.

"Just a few bruises, madam," he assured her and turned to Kaiba, "You were lucky, if you'd hit the ground any harder you might have some sprained vertebrae or broken ribs."

"Dually noted," Seto gasped and glared at Yami. "And you," He hissed venomously.

Yami turned from the doctor who was checking his eyes for a concussion. "What did I do?"He asked, incredulous by the animosity.

Seto glared at him incredulously and screamed "You almost got mother killed that's what!?" He was about to rant until Mai smacked the back of his head to the doctor's horror.

"Enough Seto, he did not! I volunteered!" Mai scolded decisively and added with confidence, "And I'd do it again if it got that devil woman arrested! Though I could certainly do without being held hostage at gunpoint." She mumbled with a shudder and rubbed her shoulders.

"Still!" Seto grumbled, lowly and darkly.

"Enough Seto!" Yami snapped. "You know I'd never let anything happen to Mai,"

"I still can't believe you all came after me," Ryou laughed.

"Of course we did!" Yugi shot up before the nurse could bandage his cheek and hugged Ryou so tightly, the albino-haired man felt his ribs crack. "Do you have any idea how worried we were? God, I knew you'd never leave town without telling me!"

"It's my fault," Tristan confessed, turning away from the hot paramedic's chest. "Soon as you didn't come in I knew something was wrong, I should've called it in second I got suspicious of that landlady, I am never not gonna trust my gut again!"

"Thank you, all of you," Ryou said gently prying Yugi off him so the nurse could address his cheek. "I still can't believe how you did it, I mean were you all mad?"

"Not as mad as you trying to save a warehouse full of hostages with your boyfriend who also tried to kidnapped you," Seto snapped, his glared fixed on Bakura when he said it. Bakura met his glare just as sharply.

"I saved him!" Bakura protested with an insulted growl. .

"It's true, Seto," Ryou confessed with a blush. "I know it's a little…strange," Ryou rubbed the back of his head nervously. Seto raised a skeptical eyebrow. "But it's not like that, I mean even before all this, I kind of…"

"It was really obvious," Yugi giggled, plopping down next to Yami, who wrapped a comforting arm around his little one. Ryou spun around and started at Yugi with betrayed embarrassment, his face turning redder.

Yugi rolled his eyes and leaned into Yami's shoulder, shamelessly. "Come on Ry, I think our entire floor except you knew Bakura had a crush on you."

"Oh dear," Ryou covered his red face and tried to hide in Bakura's shirt, but the man just smirked. The grin curled at the corners when Seto's glared hardened and he growled.

"Well, I'm happy for you darling," Mai said, squeezing Seto's shoulder a little too hard.

"You're just bias because he saved you too," Seto grumbled.

"Damn right I am!" Mai professed proudly.

Yugi watched the scene with a curious smile, but there with a curl to his smirk that Yami noticed, like a cat who figured out the mouse was attached to a string. "Yami?" He said softly, untangling Yami's arm from his shoulder and scooting a few inches away. "Can I ask you something?"

The action earned him Yami's full attention and he blinked back in bewilderment. He didn't like Yugi's suddenly pulling away from him, nerves pooled in his gut, but Yugi was smiling, so it couldn't be bad news, right? The tone was confident but too soft to convey excitement and his eyes were unreadable. "Ask me anything." He said with clear reassurance.

Yugi smiled then decided to let the secret out. "Mai is your step-mother, isn't she." It was a statement, not a question.

If the stunned mystification bulging Yami's eyes and blank drop of his mouth were any induction, he was blown away by the question, and not only him, but Seto, Mai and even Ryou turned to him with wide-eyes masks of surprise and impression.

Then suddenly Yami grinned and chuckled. "Technically, she's my step-aunt, but she did help raise me, so yes to both questions. Now may I ask how you figured that out?"

Yugi laughed. "Well, I was suspicious when I saw how close you all were, and I remembered you telling me about how your parents passed away and you lived with your uncles…but I didn't put two and two together until Seto yelled at you, he called Mai mother, not my mother, like you were family. Then it just clicked." There was a slyness to Yugi's tone that bordered anger at a lie.

"In my defense," Yami was quick to remedy. "Everything I told you about me and my family was the truth….I just" he paused to rub the back of his neck nervously. "Left some stuff out. My full name is Yamis Atemu Kaiba, and Seto's my cousin."

Seto scoffed, but gave Yugi an impressed raise of his brow "Gorgeous, talented and smart. What the hell does he see in you, Yam—ow!" He howled in pain when Mai smacked his head again.

"That's enough out of you," Mai scolded, then turned to Yugi with a grin. "But I'm glad the cat's out of the bag, I didn't know how much longer I could keep from saying anything," she giggled.

Yami rolled his eyes.

Yugi just laughed, and turned to his best friend. "So what does that make you in all this, Ry, and don't tell me you only know Yami from college, I knew that was a lie, I just want didn't to pry."

Ryou gave a slight chuckle and replied. "Yami and Seto are my cousins. We don't look anything a like but our fathers are all related."

"You see, darling," Mai swopped in and sat between Yugi and Yami, elegantly crossing one leg over the other as she spoke. "Like I told you at the party that night, when my Katus died it hit us all a lot harder than anything else, mostly because it was so sudden." She said with a sad sigh and shook her head. "I wouldn't leave the mansion for weeks, this one," she lightly squeezed Seto's knee. "Threw himself into his work, but these two, "She threw an arm around Yami's neck and pulled him into a single-armed embrace, the other gestured to Ryou. "Were an absolute mess. I'll spare you the details but, long story short the finally straw was when Yami here," she squeezed him tightly, earning a gasp and a shove, "Was about to marry some gold-digging tramp for all the wrong reasons, and Ryou here was about to throw away all of his dreams and live off his inheritance, and well, since Katsu's will made me benefactors of all their trust funds until they either married or turned thirty, whichever came first, and being a loving mother and aunt, I wasn't going to let either of them throw their lives away," she finally released Yami who took a heavy inhale, but Yugi was too fascinated by her story and simply laughed when Yami glared at her. "So I kicked them out of the house with only 2,000 dollars to their name, froze all their assets and told them neither of them was allowed back until they found themselves again and found someone who loved them for who they were, since that was Katus and Seth's dying wishes." A wide smile curled at her lips and she pulled both Yami and Yugi into a tight hug. "And I'm so happy you both found such wonderful partners!" She paused suddenly then loosened her grip, allowing both boys to breathe. "Well…almost," she admitted.

"Seriously, man," Tristan hopped down from the table, his left arm bandaged to the elbow. "What the hell is taking you two so long?"

"We can deal with our own relationship," Yami growled, but the cherry blush and Mai's laughter marred the affect. Yugi just covered his red face with his hand.

"Miss Valentine," Raphael strolled over and gestured a thumb over his shoulder. "The second van is here, Mina said you wanted to go with the girls?"

"Yes, I do!" Mai hopped off the truck and leapt to her feet. "Thank you."

"I'll go with you," Yami volunteered, but stopped when Yugi gently grabbed his shirt.

"Wait, Yami?" Yugi called out but when Yami turned to him he bit his lip and looked away. "I-" he started meekly, and tried to clear his throat. "I need to talk to you," Yugi inhaled deeply and breathed out through his nose. God, why was he so nervous when only a few hours earlier he'd been so sure and confident?

Yami knelt down until he could see Yugi's face and gave him a smile and a wink. "We'll talk later, when you're ready, okay?"

"But Yami," Yugi tried to protest, but Yami just repeated "When you're ready," It was a little sterner than before, but the message was still clear. "When this died down, we'll talk." It was an unspoken promise and Yugi just nodded and watched him follow Mai.

He was right. Yugi couldn't deny it. As much as he wanted to say his piece, too much has happened in the last few hours. No matter what they said now, even if it hasn't changed since before, there was no way either of them would believe it was anything other than survivor's blithe.

"I better go too," Ryou said suddenly, peeling Bakura's arm's off him.

"Why?" Bakura said surprised.

Ryou responded with a guilty smile. "I have to talk to Malik," he said rubbing his shoulder nervously. "After all this, at the very least he deserves an explanation in person."

He felt horrible for saying it, and even worse saying it to Bakura, about a man who he planned on seeing even when deep down he already knew who his heart belonged too.

"Just let him down easy," Bakura said, to Ryou's shock.

"What?" Bakura blinked, almost insulted by the surprise. "I'm the one who insisted you go out with him in the first place, so it didn't work out, at least you know right? Would've been worse if you strung him along. Don't let survivor's guilt get the better of you, trust me."

"What about you?" Ryou asked concerned, not wanting to leave his technically fugitive boyfriend alone surrounded by police.

Bakura shrugged. "Raphael said he'll keep me and Marik in holding, least until they have our testimony and signed statements, after that he said we can be on bail till the probationary hearings depending on how long it takes them to process Vivian's case. Given how wanted she is, I doubt it'll take too long." He saw Ryou's guilty expression and the nervous fingers fiddling with his shirt and smirked. "Relax, I've faced far worse in Egypt, I'll call you soon as I'm out, plus my cousin and I need to have a little…talk."

Ryou sighed. "Alright, but please don't be too hard on him, he was in the same boat as you."

"I won't I won't" Bakura promised emptily, "But I do plan on milking the fact that I was right for all its worth."

Ryou giggled, "You're hopeless."

"Damn right," Bakura boasted, proudly, "now hurry off before that car leaves without you.

Ryou hurried off with a smile, and Yugi watched him go, then turned to Bakura with a glare.

"You better take care of him!"

Bakura respected the fierceness in the demand. "Normally I'd have a snappy comeback, but given its Ryou, and I love the boy, you have my word."

Yugi puffed his chin forward like a mule and his chest out proudly. "Good."

"GET OUT OF MY WAY!" The shout echoed over the sirens, making Yugi jump. He leaned over the side of the truck and peaked over. The screamed was a middle age man, struggling and squirming in the arms of two cops who were fighting to keep him behind the police tape. At the same time they were also holding back three girls as well, all of them screaming.

"Where is my son!?"

"Where are Yugi and Ryou?"

"I demanded you let us through right now!"

"I demanded to know where my son is! Let me through!"

Yugi shot up recognizing the stern demand in the voice, the mop of black hair and the over-protective shriek.

"Dad?" Yugi gasped, jumping up and racing towards the police tape.

"Yugi!" The sight of his son, alive and safe filled Samir with a sudden birth of strength and he bulldozed out of the police's hands and enveloped his son in a fierce hug, carrying all the strength of fierce protector but the gentleness of heartbreaking love. "Oh thank God."

Yugi returned the hug, in hopes of calming him, his touch and voice were distraught and sick with relief. Over his shoulder Yugi made out the faces of Tea, Serenity and Rebecca, all donning masks of confusion and uncertainty.

"Guys!?" he greeted his friends surprised. "What are you all doing here?"

Samir pulled away and looked at Yugi with a sternness he hadn't seen since time he broke his mother's favorite lamp playing indoor hide-and-seek and tried to blame it on the cat. "I was about to ask you the same thing?" He clenched Yugi's shoulders tightly and squeezed. "Where the hell were you? You weren't answering any of my calls? I stopped by your hotel and there were police everywhere, none of your friends saw you, and then they said your landlady was some kind of pimp? Do you have any idea how worried I was? God! Are you alright?"

"Yeah, dad I'm fine," He assured him just as Raphael came over. He gestured with a hand to let the girls through. All three of them embraced Yugi and looked ready to ask a mountain of questions each but none of them knew where to begin.

"Perhaps," Raphael cleared his throat, calm and collected. "We should continue this conversation elsewhere."

"So you're sure, this Yami had no idea who Vivian was when he gave you the card?" Samir asked for the third time.

"Yes, dad." Yugi growled with an annoyed twitch. "No one knew until today."

After Raphael had explained the situation and Yugi was forced to relinquish his side of the story, about how they figured it out and their set up to "rescue" Ryou, how it backfired and how Marik and Bakura ended up being the heroes of the hour, who unjustly, in Yugi's opinion, had to spend the night in hold-up until Raph could process their statements and immunities, but from what he heard, Mai was already on the phone volunteering to post their bail. Tristan accompanied Raphael once he was certain Yugi was in good hands and he and Seto acted as corroborators for his story, before Seto, once he was well-enough requested to be taken to the hospital to reunite with his family. Needless to say, once he'd finished, Samir and to a degree the girls, were left stunned in a mixture of horror, disbelief, sheer terror, and a rush of overwhelming uncertainties. Samir had all but demanded Yugi stay with him at his hotel until the whole mess had been cleared up, and the girls had hounded Raphael terrified about their home situation now that their building was on lockdown. At Yugi's request, Samir rented a room for the three of them, but they only agreed once Raphael assured them the investigation wouldn't be evacuated or under surveillance longer than twenty-four hours, but made no promised once the investigation was concluded.

"So, then where is this guy?" Samir asked, trying not to sound too eager. "I figured given everything you two didn't get a chance to talk?"

"No," Yugi shook his head. "He went with Mai and Ryou to the hospital. He said once things quiet down we can talk."

"You don't sound very certain," Samir noted, gently.

Yugi bit his lip. "It's just…I went down there to tell him everything and then this happens? It's like every time we get close enough to try something happens to muck it up!" Yugi groans increased in volume when he realized just how many times things had been too coincidental, the timing almost too perfect, and the problems occurring at just the right time. It was almost too much. An aggravated sound akin to a growl and a scream escaped him and he buried his face in his balled fists. "I mean, is Fate trying to tell me something? Because I don't know how much more I can handle before…"

"Calm down kido," Samir gave Yugi's thigh a reassuring squeeze, a habit that always worked when he was a teen. "So you really believe that."

Yugi pulled his hands away, and shook his head with a small frown. "I don't even know." He admitted.

"May I make an observation?" Samir asked. Yugi nodded. "You two have known each other for what six months? In that time you've met once, started going out after the second time, but it took you like three months to admit that anything was there, and this was after you slept together, you call it off for another month, you reconcile and then the second the thought of it becoming more you bolt, and then you finally decide to act on it, you take a step back again? Normally I'd just say cold feet, but Yugi, I need you to seriously ask yourself," Again his voice was stern but it rang with authoritative truth. "Do you really want to try? Or deep down are you looking for an excuse because you don't think it'll work out?"

The revelation was harsh and brutal but honest and Yugi needed it. For a moment he stared at his dad, and then looked away thinking. He closed his eyes and took a breath, thinking objectively: none of the trauma from the past events, nor the nostalgia of Mai's advice, or the fresh-thinking revelation of his father to cloud his judgment. Not the personal expectations of his job, the pressure of his dreams or the cynicisms of his youth to hold him back. He just cleared his mind and didn't even think, just felt the answer to his dad's question: "What did he want?"

"But you know," Samir whispered, "An easier way to think about it, is what will you regret more?"

The new information didn't cloud his objectiveness with uncertainty, but it did make it much more clear. What did he want? And when he broke those down into categories, what would he regret more if he lost it?

He opened his eyes and smiled. He knew the answer, and this time, he knew nothing was going to hold him back.

Ryou paced outside Malik's room, his hand hovering over the door handle for a few seconds then pulled away. He'd repeated the process at least four times since he'd arrived, and he had no idea how long that had been. He didn't know why he was so nervous. They didn't even go on their date, and it wasn't like he'd stood him up on purpose. It wasn't because he liked him either, he knew that now. The attention was flattering, yes, but that was all it was the excitement of being liked by someone else, especially when your own crush was ignorant of your feelings. Of course, now Ryou knew in actuality Bakura shared his feelings, he'd just admire him from a far. Perhaps that was why this was so hard even before he agreed to go out with him, he was afraid of leading him on when he already liked Bakura. Perhaps if they'd gone on their one date, that would've been clear, perhaps they could've maintained a friendship, but how do you maintain a relationship after the man volunteers to save your life? Yes, Bakura had spirited him away from Vivian's grasp, but Yugi told him it was his announcement in the café that turned them on that something had been wrong. What would've happened if he hadn't done that? But again the same argument could've been if he'd gone into another place the whole situation could've been avoided, so there was no point in putting him on a heroic pedestal. It had been him, Yami, Yugi and Seto after all, and Mai, but then again Yugi was his friend, Mai his stepmother, Seto and Yami his cousins, Malik was simply a man who he met once and who asked him out. It was a lot to do for someone you just met.

He took a breath and shook his head. Bakura was right, what he was feeling was survivor's guilt. And no relationship should be based on a depth. The last thing he wanted to do was break a heart, but it was better to end it early than draw him on and pretend something is there.

Ryou took a final breath and opened the door. Expecting to find the man unconscious on a hospital bed with wires all over his body and a bandage on his head, Ryou was surprised to see Malik, sitting on the cot, fully dressed, and even on his cell phone while the doctor struggled to shine a small light in his eyes. He froze when he saw Ryou enter.

"I'll call you back," he said and hung up the phone. The doctor took advantage of his stillness and checked both his eyes.

"You don't have a concussion," the doctor smiled, "And no signs of head injury or blood pressure problems. She didn't hit anything fatal."

"I could've told you that," Malik snorted.

The doctor didn't response. "Once you have some food and water in your system you're free to go," He turned to Ryou with a smile, and existed, leaving them alone.

The small, blinding, colorlessness of the room made Ryou shiver, but he remained firm.

"Hey Malik," he said with a smile but could do nothing to make his awkwardness go away. The pleasure and brightness lighting up Malik's face only made it worse.

"I'm glad you're alright," Malik smiled, but frowned when he saw Ryou's expression. "What's wrong?"

"Well, I just wanted to say that before today, I had fully intended to go on our date and see what could've happened, but you should know that even before you asked me out, I debated going because I was also fond of someone else but I did like you and—"

"Ryou," Malik stopped him suddenly. The sadness on his face looked expected and accepting, but nonetheless hurt. "I won't lie, it hurt when I thought you stood me up, but …I think it was more like my pride had been wounded then any actual emotional pain. I mean, I've never been stood up before, I won't lie. But when I thought you'd been kidnapped…"

"Yes, about that, I…" Ryou tried to explain remembering Malik had been unconscious when he arrived with Bakura.

"No need, to explain," Malik said, releasing a buff of air akin to a laugh and a huff. "They explained it all to me when I regained conscious. I asked the police where you were and what had happened, they told me about that Bakura guy and you rescuing Vivian's captive, him knocking her out, that Marik character showed them to where she was, and, I was glad you were safe, but that was all. This Bakura guy though…"

"He's the one who saved me," Ryou said defensively. "I won't try to explain the situation, but he took a huge risk to help me, and I know why he did everything he did and—"

"And you like him," Malik stated neutral and flat.

"Yes I do," Ryou admitted in an even tone. There was no sense in denying it. "Don't misunderstand, when I agreed to go out with you, I did like you, but I liked him too and that confused me, but…I wanted to see if something could happen, if we could have something real."

"I get it," Malik gave a small smile. "We had puppy love, but we were looking for something real."

"Yes," Ryou nodded, stunned and almost relieved at how understanding Malik was, but the tiniest bit of guilt knawel at his heart. "I'm so…"

"Don't," Malik said with enough force that Ryou stopped talking immediately. He shook his head and continued with a soft smile. "Don't apologize for how you feel. We didn't really get a chance to try, but we both know, right?"

Ryou nodded. "Still, thank you for all you did."

Malik said nothing, his brain searched for an answer but nothing he thought would suffice. He had only been in the café to nurse his broken pride, and agreed to help find Ryou because he felt it was right, and part of him, he was ashamed to admit was pride as well: that Ryou hadn't stood him up, that he wanted to see him, but he wasn't like Yugi, or Yami and Seto once their true relationship to the boy had been revealed. Even Tristan as his boss was still his friend. They all had a connection to Ryou, he didn't. Perhaps he wanted the boy indebted to him, to fall in love with him. It was hard to resist a hero? Perhaps he wanted revenge against Vivian, she was easy to hate, had ruined his date and was about to sell Ryou into a horrific fate. Everything he came up with just sounded vain and fake and he knew they were. He couldn't come up with a logical reason other than he's simply been there and wanted to help. When he'd been told about Ryou and Bakura, he didn't know how to respond. The man worked for Vivian for crying out loud, even the cops explanation of their statements didn't do much to curve his jealousy, but once his mind had been cleared, the drama of the last few days settled down and then events boiled down into what they really were, all he realized was that he wanted to help Ryou. He didn't want something to happen to someone he knew, even if it was only briefly, even if nothing came of it, at least he was happy and safe, of course, him and Bakura raised a bunch of red flags but Ryou trusted him, and the man had clearly taken a huge risk to save him. It left him wondering if their positions had been reversed, would he do the same for Ryou? Would he have taken the risk? He honestly didn't know.

"You're right," Malik said finally. "It was just puppy love, and I didn't want you getting hurt. You don't owe me anything. That's just what people do for their comrades."

Ryou staid nothing, but his face lit with gratitude and he wiped away a gracious tear. "Thank you," Ryou held out a greeting hand. "Friends?"

Malik nodded and shook his head. "Now, I'm gonna find one of those nurses and get out of here," Malik announced hopping off the table and stretching his back.

"I can imagine." Ryou nodded and followed him as he left. They parted in opposite directions. Malik watched him go, feeling no remorse or pain as Ryou bounced away. They got their closure, and that was more than most.

Yami twiddled his thumbs in rhythm with his pounding heart. The music in the waiting room was bland and reminded him of elevator music and no one was bored enough to watch the health channel. He debated asking the nurse if Mai was finished yet, but given he hadn't gotten any of the name from the girls, he knew the point would be useless. Besides he had too much to think about and right now Mai needed to focus on those girls. The fate they'd nearly suffered was traumatic and heart-wrenching and he couldn't even imagine how grateful it was to them emotionally and psychologically that someone like Mai was willing to help them.

Besides he had his own issues to work with right now. Yugi said he wanted to talk, but he had no idea what about: did he want to call it quits? Was he willing to give them a chance? He told Yugi to take some time before he said anything, let the heat and the drama from that die down: it had been the right decision but not for the reason Yugi thought. True, they both needed to calm down and get over the hype of being alive and the dread of the should've, would've, could've, the sheer relief that things had worked out as well as they did was enough to make Yami feel sick to his bones. Regardless, it still happened and they'd survived and that made everything more complicated. He saw how Yugi ran to him when he fell and the struck look on his face like it'd be the last time he ever saw him, and the terrible soul devouring fear he felt when Vivian mentioned taking him and Mai away, like if she'd succeeded he'd lose all will to live. He never knew such emotions could be so strong and part of him almost wished he never did, but the other part was grateful that he had. It offered him the desperate clarity he'd been denied the last few days.

"Now, what's got you looking like the weight of the world is on your shoulders?"

Yami shot up from his musing, not realizing he's drifted off while thinking.

"And don't even try saying nothing or that whole something I gotta deal with on my own crap, either." Mai said with a maternal sternness that betrayed her true age and gracefully slid into the seat next to him. "Talk to me, hun. You're thinking about Yugi aren't you?"

Yami closed his eyes and chuckled. "I can't hide anything from you can I?"

"Nope," Mai said juvenilely but her matronly smile remained. "So what's going on? You two get a chance to talk at all?"

"We were going to, before all this happened, and now it's just made everything more life-affirming and more complicated."

"How so?" Mai pressured gently.

Yami expelled a heavy sigh unsure if it was meant to be reassuring or de-stressing. "Before all this happened, I promised myself I'd be content with whatever Yugi decided he wanted to do, but now…I can't do that. When I thought I was gonna loose him, I felt like I was dying, and when I even think of not having him in my life, I feel sick, and, I love him, it's not even like a want or a need and it's not like I'd rather have him in my life even if it's not with me, its…it has to be all…or nothing.. . I can't have anything else."

"And you're afraid Yugi might not want the same?" Mai stated rather than asked.

Yami remained neutral. "Not even that," he admitted. "I mean, except for that time I…" he paused, embarrassed, "proposed, we'd never talked about where it was going, and it's like we've had this relationship, and it's been great but, for a while I've been afraid, that what if what we fell in love with was the dance…you know the sexual tension, the passion, the heat and the comfort and all of it, but when it comes to an actual, real relationship, what'll happen if the music stops?"

He felt Mai squeeze his hand. "Tell him that, Yami." She ordered softly. Yami opened his mouth to protest but she held up a stern finger, silencing him at once. "I adore Yugi, and I love you to death, and I've talked to both of you, and I think both you are terrified of the what if, rather than worried that the other isn't committed. You're afraid of pushing Yugi, but that might be just what he needs, and Yugi's afraid of hurting you if he doesn't feel the same way, but you're more than willing to take the risk. Both of you just need to suck it up, admit how you feel, all of it, and just go for it. Don't worry about the how, what, when, how, just go for it, when you're ready, you'll know. It happened to me twice hun, and each time it scared the living hell out of me, I mean could you imagine my reaction when Katsu who was sweet and rich enough to have anyone he wanted said he wanted to marry me? Or when Valon who I never in a million years thought would be the type to settle down, proposed to me? If you're not freaking out, Hun, then something is wrong, but, from someone whose done this twice, it's the best risk I've ever taken." She squeezed his hand tighter and cupped his cheek with her other. She tilted his chin until he was looking directly into her violet eyes shining with the love, comfort and promise only a mother could provide. "If it's all or nothing for you, then tell, Yugi that. I guarantee he won't hate you, and you might be surprised by his reaction."

Yami couldn't stop himself from hugging her. Even if it hasn't been long, she's always been the second mother he'd always needed. "Thanks mom," He kissed her cheek, detangled himself from her arms and took out his phone as he stood. "I'll be right back," he promised, and flipped the phone open before exiting down the hall.

Only when he was gone did Mai let her joyful tears fall. He hadn't called her that since Katsuya died.

Yami paced impatiently, for someone to answer. It had only been a few second but he was certain the dial up was mocking him.

"Hello?" His heart nearly stopped when Yugi answered and suddenly he felt too nervous to speak coherently. "Hey, uh..Yugi," he paused to clear his throat. "Um, I know we agreed to wait for a bit but, I was thinking, um…where are you, right now?"

"I'm staying at a hotel with my dad," Yugi paced on the other end, his fingers twiddling with his shirt nervously. "Actually, I was just gonna call you." His tone was more even.

"Really," Yami said barely able to contain his excitement. "Good, cause I wanted to talk to you, I mean, we need to talk." He managed to say the last part seriously.

"Yeah, we do," Yugi agreed in an unreadable tone but there was a promising hope in it when he suggested "Can we meet at your place?"

"Sure." Yami agreed, and looked around for a clock. "Shall we say in an hour?"

"That's fine."

"Great." Yami agreed. The silence that followed was peaceful, neither of them willing to hang up first, but eventually they did, waiting with forced patience for the next hour to pass by.

XXXX

The route to Yami's had almost become second nature to Yugi, even from the hotel, it was easy to find the older building that housed that magnificent studio apartment and the magnificent universe Yami called home, the one he was gifted enough to be a part of. One he'd hope he could continue to be a part of after tonight.

He shivered when he pushed open the door, the all familiar pit of fear and uncertainty pooling in his gut was the same he'd felt when he'd gotten on that train six months ago, the same he'd felt when he walked into White Dragon Publishing and the same he'd felt while waiting for Yami on their first date. The crippling fear of taking that first step into an uncertain future, even if it promised only great success and happiness it was married to the devastation of it all crashing down. It made him want to run back to his grandfather's house, his safe hotel room, and right now his dad's hotel room were everything was safe and certain and he didn't have to face the change, but when he found himself standing outside Yami's door, he triumphed were Orpheus had failed and opened Yami's door.

Realizing what he'd done he was grateful Yami was just sitting on the couch with a sketchbook in his lap and a charcoal pencil in hand rather than lying naked on his bed.

"You came," Yami said placing the sketchpad and pencil on the coffee table and hopped up to greet him.

"I said I would didn't I?" Yugi smiled closing the door by leaning his back into it. He stood straight, stiffening his spine with a frown before he spoke. "Before we say anything though, I wanted to say I'm sorry," he wanted to bow his head when he said it, but Yami deserved his full attention and even though the apologetic smile on Yami's face made his own shame and guilt worse he refused to look away. "I can't imagine how much I hurt you the last few months, and I'm not just talking about last week, I mean all of it." He didn't need to elaborate.

"You don't have to apologize." Yami started but Yugi cut him off.

"Yes, I do," He said softly but the demand was strong enough that Yami didn't argue. "I wanted to blame you for everything that went wrong, when I was the one who kept screwing it up, and I know I hurt you and I hate myself for that, so please don't say I don't need to say sorry."

"You did hurt me, Yugi…a lot." It was Yami's turn to be harsh but he kept his tone neutral and his chin stuck forward like a mule. "But we got past it, like I knew we would. Because that's life, that's how it works in a relationship. I get it, Yugi you're scared of a relationship. You're afraid you'll eventually hurt me, well, you will hurt me, a lot again, and I'll hurt you. It's not a possibility or a maybe, it's a fact. We're going to hurt each other, and we're going to fight and argue over stupid crap and serious manners and sometimes maybe it'll be bad enough where we don't want to see each other again or we wish we never had, but we'll get past it, we'll get over it, we'll make up and we'll let it make us stronger. Because that's life, that's how it works when two people love and spend their lives together, and that's what I want. I don't want a perfect relationship Yugi, and I know you don't either because you know it's not real!"

"Yami..." Yugi tried to interrupt but Yami's harsh stare silenced him. Yugi didn't protest. He deserved the speech and he knew Yami needed to say them.

"Let me finish," Yami demanded, gravely. "I don't care how long we last Yugi, a year, five years, twenty years or the rest of our lives, I don't care, I just want you for as long as you'll have me. I love you and I've wanted you since the day you crashed into me at the train station. I don't know what it was about you that attracted me to you, maybe it was cause you reminded me of how I used to be, maybe it's because I admired how determined you were, how you are, maybe I just thought you were beautiful, well now it's all of that. But if you don't feel the same way about me, Yugi, if you're not willing to try then you need to tell me!"

The words surprised Yugi, and he opened his mouth to speak, but Yami cut him off with a wave of his hand, "No Yugi!" He said deafeningly. "I can't keep doing this and pretending I'm okay with it. I can't keep waiting for you to decide how you feel about me and chasing after you hoping you'll change your mind. One minute you act like you love me and you're into me the next you shy away like a scared little boy, like I'm some monster about to devour you."

"That's not it," Yugi shook his head but didn't elaborate. He knew Yami was right and he knew he needed to say this, and Yugi needed to hear it. Suddenly Yami reached across the gap between them and squeezed Yugi's hand with just the right amount of pressure.

"I love you, Yugi, and I want you in my life and I want that to be my whole life, but I know you're not ready for that and neither am I and that's fine, but as long as you'll have me I'm yours. But I can't keep waiting for you to make a decision, either, because if it comes to it I'm not gonna hold my breath and wish upon a star and hope that'll you'll choose me over something else I can't promise that."

"So then it's all or nothing." Yugi concluded.

Yami nodded with no apology in his stare.

Yugi just smiled. "Good," he said firmly. "Because I am never giving you up."

"Wait, what!?" Yami blinked and searched Yugi's face for the correct answer, but no doubt marred his words nor did hesitation cloud his expression,

"You're right, Yami. I was scared," Yugi admitted shamelessly, then fixated on his eyes with eyes hard with promise. "But not for the reasons you think. I've been doing a lot of thinking and when that got me no where I just started feeling and I realized something. All my life, I've let other people's experiences define me: when my parents divorced I promise myself I'd never end up in that situation, and when my Grandpa shot down my dreams, I came here not just because I wanted to but I think deep down I really did it because I wanted to prove not just to him but to myself that I could, and then rub everyone's noses in it. I defined my entire future and personality based on that, and one of the reason I had such a hard time with us is because I couldn't for the life of me understand what it was you saw in me. You kept saying I was special when I'm not, I'm just Yugi, but for the first time, that's okay. You make it okay. You make me wanna open up and have fun and enjoy my life now instead of worrying about the future and stressing out if what I do is good enough. You make me wanna fall in love and not try, but do it, for real!" He resisted the urge to laugh when Yami stared at him with his mouth agape stunned by the reaction to his blunt demand. He didn't blame Yami for being forceful but he'd be damned if he let their conversation end in another "when we're ready scenario".

Instead he leaned forward and cupped Yam's cheek in one hand and kissed the other. "I love you too, Yami," He chocked down a blissful sob as he said it. "I really do. I'm not gonna run away anymore." He paused to wipe his eyes. When had he gotten so emotional? Maybe it was just another side Yami got out of him. "You make me so happy and I hope someday I can do the same for you."

Yami wasted no time and pulled Yugi into a strong embrace and held him tight for a moment, before whispering. "You already have," and molded his firm lips over Yugi's softly shaped ones. The kiss wasn't strong. It wasn't tender, and it wasn't rough. It was a simple kiss once their lips touched the shape changed to match the other, softly enveloping but never dominating. Filled with hope and promise and so intense in its love and simplicity it left you breathless.

Yugi didn't protest when Yami picked him up and spun him around like a bride and started laughing. Yami didn't stop spinning until he lost his balance and landed backwards on his bed, Yugi still in his arms, The smaller squirmed free and laid on top him, remembering here they were and how many nights they'd spent there and how many more they'd still spend, unabashed. But when he could the cat-like glint in Yami's eyes complimenting the devilish smile he'd sported the day they'd met, and followed Yami's eyes to the pillows, the blankets, he felt himself color in a way he hadn't since he lost his virginity.

Yami's chuckle made it worse. "I missed that cute blush." He teased and rolled them over. Yugi tried to glare at him but it came out as an impish pout.

"Can we?" Yami asked.

Yugi couldn't resist giggling. "Always the gentlemen." In response he leaned into Yami's lips while his hands slipped under the man's shirt and slowly began pushing it up. Yami needed no further instruction and his own hands began to wonder. Soon everything became forgotten but the bed sheet and the futon. Still holding the other's hand, they made love like lost lovers reunited in their embrace.

Yami leaned against his wall headboard and continued his sketch from earlier: a charcoal drawing of Yugi slumbering next to him, only his half-opened eyes spoke of romantic promises and sexual pleasures, while the real Yugi slumbered snuggled tightly in the sheets and cuddled against Yami's naked hip.

"Drawing me in my sleep now?" came the coy reply, still rough and hoarse from the vocalness of their lovemaking.

Yami chuckled and bunched his knees to act as a desk. He set the pad down and stroked Yugi's hair with his now free hand. "We both know you weren't asleep." He teased, twirling a black and blond bang between his delicate fingers. At the soft drumming, Yugi hummed in delight and snuggled deeper into Yami's warm skin, the futon much more comfortable than his lumpy hotel bed at Primeva.

He shot up in relaxation "Oh shit!" the reaction was so fast, Yami leapt up and nearly fell out of bed, his sketchbook and pencil flying in random directions as he grabbed whatever he could to steady himself.

"That's not what you say after making love with your boyfriend!" Yami grumbled half insults, half-whining.

"Not that, Yami!" Yugi shook his head and slid into the bed, smothering his face with his hands. "Primeva! It's under police custody right now? And Vivian owned the building? Fuck!"

"Relax, Yugi," Yami promised getting back into bed and rubbing Yugi's shoulders. "I'm sure Mai will take care of it, on the drive over she kept asking Raphael for the paperwork cause she wanted to buy it. She wanted to turn it into a real hotel for new comers, only one that'll actually help them get jobs and stuff. I'm sure she'll let you stay."

"How can I stay there when my landlady tried to kidnap my best friend?" Yugi moaned and laid his arms flat at his side. "I'll ever be able to live there now, but where am I gonna find another apartment on such short notice?"

"Hmm," Yami purred and rolled onto his side, cradling a haughty smile in his palm. "It's too bad you don't know someone with a rent controlled studio apartment that's perfect for two people and has a very comfy futon?"

Yugi shot up and turned to Yami with bewilderment, then smirked. "Are you asking me to move in with you?"

"Depends," Yami playfully dragged out the word and teasingly slid into a sitting position, like a cobra rearing to the movement of a piper. "What do you say?"

Yugi knew he already knew the answer but the temptation of scolding that smirk was too delicious. "Hmm…" he mockingly stored his chin and said with a coy wave of his hand. "I don't know. I'll have to think about it." He smirked when Yami frazzled like a kitten denied its favorite toy, and then shivered when the kitten released the lion. "Oh I'll give you something to think about," Yami pounced and Yugi shrieked in delight and started a fit of giggles when he attacked Yugi's sensitive stomach with nips and kisses. They ignored the buzzing of Yugi's cell phone securely held in the pocket of his jeans which had been flung over the chair during last night's play. But the phone was persistent and vibrated its way out, then clunked to the floor, the speaker pressing the moment the answering machine requested the caller's message.

Samir's howling shriek effectively ended their fun.

X

Domino airport was as crowded as ever with summer vacationers and in-coming tourists but to Bakura it might have been as silent as a graveyard.

Ryou squeezed his hand and slid over the plastic divider between their seats to brush against his side. "It's alright, Bakura. You don't need to be nervous."

"The hell I don't!" The rough man grumbled and pulled at his ash-white hair. "How exactly am I going to explain to my cousins, let alone my nine-year-old sister that we paid for our new home with money we got from working for the world's worst pimp?"

"They already know," Marik said with a shrug. The two stared at him, and blanched at the clear lack of concern and insensitive bluntness.

Marik caught their horrified stares and whipped up the paper he'd been reading with a smirk. The front page headline of the World News read in thick triple-bold letters: VIVIAN WONG RETURNS TO JAIL! With a smaller caption reading World's Notorious Sex-Traffic Boss Brought Down by Her Own Victims: Facing Charges for Black Mail, Job Fraud, International Smuggling and Work Violation Laws as Well as Countless others.

"See," Marik smirked. "We're Famous!"

Bakura looked unconvinced. "

"Relax Bakura," Marik rolled up the paper, and released an embarrassed sigh, "I explained everything to Ishizu and Shadi, they know what happened, they know we didn't have a choice, and they know it was Vivian, they forgave us, if anything they almost felt guilty we had to put up with so much just for them, but I told her not to even think of it, if anyone should feel guilty it's me."

"Why you?" Bakura asked.

Marik rolled his eyes and growled. "Don't you even," he snapped. "You knew that woman was no good, you told me over and over but I never listened, I trusted her and she-"

"No one could possibly blame you for that, Marik," Ryou assured him, placing a comforting hand on his knee. "You had no choice but to believe, you didn't want to believe the possibility that she was lying."

"That's the worst part," Marik scoffed, "We both knew she was lying, we knew she was dangerous and terrible, I just grinned and bore it, you could clearly see how evil she was, Bakura. I just ignored it." He leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs and folded his arms over his chest. "Worse part is, you didn't even rub it in."

"Well," Bakura snickered. "Somehow 'I told you so', just didn't quiet cut it." Bakura joked. "Besides, it doesn't matter now, it's over. We were just lucky Raphael said the DA was going to look the other way on this one."

"How'd that happen anyway" Ryou asked curiously. Not that he wasn't ecstatic when the charges against his boyfriend and Marik had been dropped, not even probation, it still puzzled him how they managed to accomplish such a feat.

"Let's just say that step-mother of yours is pretty convincing," Bakura chuckled remembering how the woman had stormed down to the local station and had spent hours conversing with Raphael with all the expertise of a lawyer trying an open-and-shut case. "It seemed since Vivian was the one who knocked out, transferred, and fed the girls and the only thing we did was assist, if that, we were at best accessories but the girls only ever saw Vivian, and that woman was adamant about doing everything herself. Plus none of them wanted to testify against the men who rescued them and got their capturer arrested. It seems that was Vivian's downfall, we were only hired scapegoats."

"Plus once the girls and the two of us agreed to testify Vivian was smart and decided to plead out." Marik added. "Raphael said she agreed to the names of all her clients, associates in the business, and every hot-spot she knows from here to Eastern Europe, and in exchanged she's exiled from the country." Marik chuckled the triumphant smirk on his face clarified that something was amiss. "She probably thought they'd kick her out of the country and that'd be it! Dumb bitch has no idea Japan extradites to China!"

Ryou and Bakura couldn't resist laughing. Good riddance the woman was finally paying for her crimes. "Did you hear anything about the girls?" Bakura asked.

Ryou perked up. "Miho's family is going to take her in," he explained. "Tea told me they filed a missing persons report for her when she didn't come to her mother's funeral. Guess Vivian underestimated that. The others Mai said they're going to a special hospital to recover from what happened. She's sponsoring them, too I think."

"She's also buying the Primeva building," Marik added. "Malik told me, he said Kaiba wasn't too keen on it but Mai was adamant, she seems pretty big on helping newbies and people like us shine. She said if things didn't work out with Malik, I always got a job there. Amazing woman, that step mother of yours Ryou." Marik commented.

"That's why we love her," Ryou smiled.

"Yeah, Egypt needed bold woman like her." Bakura commented, "But let's face it there's no way you're leaving Malik," Bakura snickered, "and I'm not talking about cause you get to write all those fun articles."

The harsh glare and additional growl Marik sent him demanded silence.

A month ago, after everything with Vivian's trial and their pleas had been worked out, which had taken a good few days. Ryou and the rest of the Kaibas plus Yugi and Malik had accompanied him to see to their freedom, and present them with a surprise. As thanks for rescuing their beloved Ryou and Mai, and helping take down Vivian, and (in Seto's words at least) once Ryou explained their situation, Seto and Mai and Raphael had pulled some strings and got not only the two of them citizenship, but passports and Green Cards for their families to join them. At first the two had been so shocked they couldn't speak. Once the surprise settled and the reality set in, guilt suddenly washed over them both. The undeserving gift and the desire to politely decline crashed against the selfish desire to use them immediately and bring their loved ones over.

The family must've sensed their torn frustration because both insisted it was nothing, since Kaibacorp has many connections in the monarch and the price was nothing. Mai simply insisted as long as Bakura and Ryou were together they were family, and regardless of what happened next the two of them had done the right thing when anyone else would've turned a blind eye and that made them heroes in her eyes. Seto simply stated it was the least he could do, and Yugi vouched that now they could find real work in the big city. It had been a miracle in the never-ending years of bad luck and suffering their families had followed and, not even Bakura could hold back the happy tears that clouded his eyes.

They overnighted the passports and tickets immediately and Shadi, Isis and Amane packed up and drove out of their safe location and to a small town airport away from the war zones of the major cities. They boarded the first available plane straight to Japan. Sadly, Domino didn't have an international flight so they were forced to change planes in Kyoto a good three hours north. The plane would be landing any minute, and both of them were jumpy and excited,

They'd both taken Mai's advice on getting jobs. When Bakura expressed a desire to work for Mai at Primeva to work off his debt she'd begrudgingly accepted, but given Mai paid above minimum wage and she ducted only a small portion from his paycheck each week he'd been shocked to see how much he had left over. Mai had casually smirked that it would probably be only a few months before he'd paid her back in full and even had a stack of restaurant applications for waiters, chefs and host positions she'd been saving in case Ryou got another job.

Marik on the other hand wanted to work as far away from the building as possible and when he mentioned he was hoping to get back into his own writing, Yugi had jumped in and suggested taking to Malik. Two weeks after the incident while Yami's art series was on display at the Domino Art Gallery, Yugi had been told that White Dragon Publisher loved his rough draft and even Kaiba had been impressed by his originality and creativity, and were offering him paid leave to finish it. Yugi have been ecstatic and couldn't wait to go over the contract. His only suggestion was that he choose his illustrator, the Publisher seemed hesitant and compromised that if he didn't like the one he picked out then they'd compromise. Fortunately, he'd seen Yami's work as well and had suggested him and called him that same afternoon. It lead to one of the best nights the two had ever had.

Unfortunately, this meant Yugi's job as a Contract Writer would be on hold and he understood completely when Malik suggested finding a replacement, especially if they'd be publishing more of Yugi's books. Malik had been hesitant when Yugi suggested Marik, but in a twist of fate when Marik began listing his credentials and some of the articles he'd written anonymously, he and Marik had been shocked to learn Malik was a huge fan of his work. He'd managed to land a job writing for their political magazine. But rumors had stated up that the two of them had started a fling, which they both denied, insisting their admiration was professional only.

When Marik refused to play along, Bakura lost his distraction and his inner nerves snake in once more. The thought of Amane's disappointed face filled him with such dread he felt sick from it. Growing up he'd been her hero, her protector, her knight against the dark, evil world and he carried that title and honor with pride and never let it falter. What would she think of him now?

He felt a soft pressure squeeze his hand and looked into Ryou's reassuring smile. "Don't worry, she's your sister. She loves you." He said without asking. He didn't need to. "She'll forgive you. I did." He emphasized the truth by laying his head on the man's shoulder. Bakura may have been rough with the rest of the world, but only Ryou knew the man deep down, reserved only for the special few who earned the privilege to look.

"Thanks," Bakura mumbled, like the word was foreign on his tongue but he'd meant it, regardless. He expelled a large sigh, and stroked Ryou's arm. "I don't know what I did right in a past life to have you, but whatever it was I'm eternally grateful."

Ryou blushed and smiled.

"Hey!" Marik shot up crumbling the paper in his hands.

Ryou and Bakura followed his gaze to the airport terminal that had just finished empting. Standing not ten feet from him was a tall man dressed entirely in white with a turban protecting his bald head from the light, with a modern duffle bag draped over his shoulder. His dark blue eyes were shaded and unreadable but the smallest of smiles tugged at the corner of his thin lips. Next to him was an exotically stunning woman. Her midnight hair flayed about her like silky feathers curling in the slightest breeze. Tall and graceful her face was flawless and full of angled and hard with a woman who'd seen the worst of the world but in her striking blue eyes and soft smile was a woman wise enough to know there was more hope in the world than hatred. Both of them had rich skin golden by years in the sun and their wedding rings glittered in their conjoined hands.

But it was the little girl holding the woman's hand tightly and hiding shyly behind her skirt, who caught Ryou's attention. She was beautiful. Stunning for a child: tiny, fragile body with small hips, a slim chest and girlish shoulders, her skin was flawlessly smooth and so pale Ryou wondered how her silvery hair didn't melt into its pale color, but there was the slightest bit of flush in her cheeks and color to her arms where the skin touched it. She wore a sparkling, but simply green dress a shade darker than her gorgeous eyes. Against her pale skin and the softness of her bangs they looked darker: large and round like perfect green emeralds. And what hair she had, it was a stunning shade of silver, paler than Bakura's ashy gray white locks. Bleached by the sun and just as smooth, it fell down her back to her girlish hips in smooth silver lines, but what caught Ryou off guard was how her bans spiked up in the shape of bat-wings, identical too…

"Amy?" Bakura chocked on her name. Tears pricked his eyes and he held back a sob.

"Bakura!" She released Isis' hand and bolted forward. Bakura dropped to his knees and opened his arms to catch her. She bound with a final leap and hugged the taller man's chest with all four of her limps locked around his neck and back. He hugged her so tightly he spun into her jump and she laughed and kissed his cheek.

"I knew you'd find me!" she said in a longing bell-like voice. Bakura said nothing and just hugged her, rubbing a hand through her silky hair, while Marik embraced his sister and shook his brother-in-laws's hand.

Ryou just watched and waited, unable to disturb the sweet reunion. Finally Bakura set Amane down and held her hand in his then took Ryou's in the other. Amane regarded him shyly but scrutinizing with a hard stare that mirrored her older brother's to a T. She looked to Bakura and her gaze softened at his reassuring words. "Amy, I'd like you to meet someone very special to me."

He gently tugged on Ryou's hand and introduced the suddenly nervous man to his little sister. "This is Ryou."

X

Two years… Yugi realized with a foreboding stare. Two years since he'd first arrive in Domino on that very train at this very station. Two years since he met the man, who would become the love of his life, though if you told him that then he'd have punched them in the mouth, and a year since he and Yami had gotten together.

Yugi parked himself on the steps and arched his back with his arms. He crocked his neck to greet the sun on his pale skin. The warmth of summer was just as strong then as it had been that day: that day that had started with such misery, then with such promise, quickly turned into a nightmare and by a stroke of what might've been fate he'd crashed into the one who directed him to Primeva hotel and would eventually become his boyfriend.

Yugi snorted and threw his head back in a hearty laugh. Fate was certainly a mysterious mistress with her catalysts. He calmed his laughter and released a sad sigh. He turned his head to the train station, watching as people exited the steps and trains roared in the background. This had been the sight of the biggest catalyst of his life and now it was about to be the sight of another. He just hoped Yami would understand.

The night they officially got together as they called it, was the best decision they'd ever made. It didn't take Yugi long to realize how possessive and cuddly Yami could be, especially after sex, and he enjoyed taking full advantage of that, especially after they'd moved in together. Over the coming months, that cramped, cozy little studio had been witness to the never ending spell of colors that was their relationship. It had witnessed the fun nights they'd had cooking dinner and watching movies while cuddling on the couch, before migrating to the futon; and the romantic nights they'd spent naked and wrapped in the bed sheets talking and staring into the others eyes until dawn, making love or just cuddling, and even the nights when they both came home exhausted and just laid together. Sometimes Yami would come home sore form overtime closing shifts at the café and Yugi would massage his back until he fell asleep. Other times Yami would find Yugi passed out on his laptop at his desk, or asleep on the couch poured over stacks of papers scattered on the coffee table next to him. Yami would lift him up and carry him to the bed. Other times they'd come home from a date or a night out and just sleep, but they'd always cuddled.

But it had also witnessed the aftermath of the honeymoon phase and their hot and steamy hands on phase as it turned away from the blind passion and devotion and settled into the actual reality of the relationship. It had been kept up with the rest of the neighbors when they'd argued about how small and cramped the apartment was and their debates about moving and how they couldn't afford it, and how that spiraled into an argument about whether or not to accept their inheritances. After all, Yugi was still heir to his grandpa's fortune disowned or not, and Yami still had a trust fund for when he got married or turned thirty that Mai was more than willing to give them access to if they wanted to. The arguments about money were terrible, mostly because they always warped into something else that had to fight about: they complained how the apartment was too small, Yugi complained that Yami had too many things and the apartment was too crowded, Yami complained that they'd had plenty of room until Yugi rearranged everything to make room for his desk, which lead to a whole new batch of stupid arguments, But more than once it sighed in relief when they ended with them on the floor laughing, or calming down and compromising, or having serious conversations about their fiancés and if they wanted to move, or if they were ready to. But other times they're arguments speculated out of control, spiraling into those arguments that last for hours and they soon forgot what it was they were arguing about in the first place, while others ended with one or more of them storming out of the apartment and spending nights at friend's places instead.

Their relationship wasn't perfect, and they'd been right about them hurting the other: the first year was always the hardest they said, but they'd made it, and they came out closer than ever on the other side. Work had always led to their worst arguments. Sometimes their work at the café became too much, Yugi had ended up quitting to work on his book full-time and when Yami came home some days he's be too tired to even kiss him goodnight. It had taken the better part of six months before Yugi's book was perfected and ready to be published. It had been his proudest work and he ended up planning an entire series for it. Kaibacorp had set up a lavish party to announce it and of course all his friends bought the book, but it had been a few months before sales spiked and he soon made bestsellers. With Yami gaining a royalty for his gorgeous artwork which, along with his series had earned him quite a few offers and requests. He'd been reluctant to sell his series but accepted several commissions and was still able to sell some of his other paintings and sculptures. Things had been going great for them until Yugi got a book deal the same time Yami was requested to join an art tour. It wasn't fancy, mostly cities within Japan but it was something both for them wanted, but at the same time it would require them both to spend months on end away from the other. It had led to one of their worst arguments in their entire relationship: it had been on and on and off argument for days, and some nights lead with Yugi leaving the apartment crying and crashing with Tea or Ryou and Yami sleeping on the couch sobbing, the thought of sleeping in the bed he shared with Yugi without him made him sick.

It was only thanks to Mai and Samir that'd they made the decision to go. They'd both wanted to, they both knew it would make the other happy, they knew asking them to stay would be selfish, and it would be more selfish to ask the other to give up their own dream to come with them. But they knew giving up for the other would've been just as selfish. It was something they'd regret, and they needed time apart too, and it wouldn't have been impossible to stay in touch, to make plans to see each other when they were in the same city. It had been a rough few months but they'd both enjoyed it, and came out stronger because of it. Yugi loved greeting his fans and discussing his book. Hearing how he inspired his fans had been the best part, it made him hope that maybe he could inspire them to do what he did and follow their dreams. And Yami loved showing off his paintings. The one he did of Yugi was his favorite and he was adamant against selling it, or making another one like it, but he'd shared his insights with other artists and had gotten many offers to do paintings and sculptures. His butterfly one had become quite a favorite when he'd explained his origins. But every night ended with one or both of them calling and skyping or sending messages about their days and hearing about the others. Some nights they'd talk until dawn to the furry of their managers. The best nights where the ones when they were in the same town. Their managers didn't mind them sharing apartments as long as they made all of their appointments. That had been three months ago, the tours had lasted about eight weeks. It was fun and exciting and both Yami and Yugi had been telling the other about their trip for weeks. It had been the right decision to go. But they'd both missed the other terribly, and being apart was hard and when they got back they agreed to rearranged their schedules so they could still spend as much time together as possible.

Two years of laughs and love and hugs and kisses and fights and tears and separation and tours and writing and painting and jobs and money and struggling and fun and heartache and misery and magic and they were still going strong.

Least they had until now.

"It's ironic, really," Ryou had chuckled when Yugi had explained the situation to him during one of his rare lunch breaks when Bakura was still waiting tables. They'd moved in together with Amane almost six months ago when Ryou had gotten a job as head chef at a prestigious new restaurant and Bakura had landed a job as a waiter. Mai's reference had been a huge help. "I mean if anything, we all thought you'd be the one making the choice between career and love."

Ryou's comments hadn't helped Yugi in the slightest. "What did Yami say?"

"He wants to go," Yugi had admitted slipping his drink. "I mean it's an amazing offer: the chance to tour his collection, the only problem is it's in another country and America is like ten times the size of Japan."

"Please California alone is bigger than Japan," Ryou estimated. "I see the problem."

"His manger said the tour will take at least a year."

"And Yami wants to go?"

"He said he wants to talk about it. I know he wants to go, but he doesn't want to make the final decision without me." his chuckle was dark. "Can you believe that? Even now, he wants to do what I want? I feel so selfish."

"You're not selfish. Selfish would be him deciding without even talking to you, of course you don't want him to go, it's understandable and he wants to, so if you really think about it, there's no problem."

"What!"

"Well…something Mai, said. Well technically Mai and your dad, sorry I still can't get over the fact that they knew each other for so long. And how they found out…" Ryou suddenly burst out laughing.

Yugi wasn't impressed and flushed at the memory. "Only you'd find it funny, you weren't the one who had to explain to my screaming dad that I spent the night at Yami's only for Mai to call also on Yami's speaker and them have them recognize each other on the phone, and hear them gush for three hours about how awesome it was that their kids got together! That effectively killed the mood!"

"Well, your past sexual frustrations aside, like I said, if you really think about what you want, not just Yami but what you want then there's no problem."

"I don't get it."

"You never do. You're looking at this too literally, Yugi. Don't think of it as one or the other, think of it as….how do I explain this…how can you both get what you want without having to sacrifice something."

He still didn't get it, but he thought about: not about the job, or losing Yami or how much Yami wanted to go, and how much he deserved to go, he thought about what he wanted, and when he thought about it with absolutely clarity he knew exactly what he had to do.

"Yugi," Yugi shot up and looked over his shoulder. Yami stood there, the tail of his favorite jacket blowing in the breeze a black-long tailed cross between a windbreaker and a trench that Yugi got him for their one year anniversary.

"Hey," He said neutrally, betraying the smile on his face.

"Hey," Yugi said softly with a small smile. "I was hoping you'd come."

"Of course, I did," Yami gasped half insulted. "We needed to talk. I was just surprised you wanted to do it here." He hugged his shoulders and bit his lip, apprehensively. The memories of what this place was and what it held suddenly wrapped around him like a security blanket, he'd feared would be ripped away by new memories of dread at any moment.

"It just seemed like the best place," Yugi admitted and patted the seat next to him.

Yami didn't hesitate and carefully sat on the seat next to him.

"Did you decide what you wanna do?" Yugi asked, earnest and curious.

Yami bit his lip hesitant to answer. "I thought we were gonna talk about that."

Yugi shook his head. "No, it's your decision, letting me do it would just put me on the spot, basically I say stay I'll feel guilty for being selfish, I say go, you'll feel bad for putting me on the spot and you'll feel guilty for being selfish. But it doesn't matter you're going."

"Yugi, I never said," Yami shot up to interrupt him his tone desperate but Yugi stopped him. His smile hadn't faltered.

"Don't Yami, of course you're going." He said in a stuffy voice but he quickly regained control of himself. "You deserve it, and you're so talented, and I know you want go, and you should."

"Yeah, I do," Yami nodded. He stood up and turned to Yugi with a stone face and loving eyes. "I love you, Yugi. But this is my shot. If I don't take it I'll always regret it, but I don't want this to be the end of us either."

"Nor do I," Yugi stood up next and met his eyes. "When you told me, I thought if you said yes, it'd be the same as us breaking up, then I thought if it was me…well, we all know how I used to be, but then I thought what do I really want from 'us'." He gestured his forefinger between them as he said it. "And I decided that I want more, and we both deserve it, but that doesn't mean I want to keep you here or I'm afraid if you leave I'm gonna loose you either."

"We've done it before," Yami added, though his tone was breaking into a solemn gloom. "It'll be difficult but I'm willing to try! I can't imagine my life without you, Yugi, if that means things will be difficult we can make it work."

"I can't either. And we might not have too," Yugi agreed and nodded, then slipped something out of his pocket. Yami had just noticed it but before he couldn't question it further, to his surprise Yugi stood with the box in hand then gently descended to one knee opening it in the process.

The action so unexpected and in the moment, Yami's mind was still filtering the images, his brain still processing it that he barely registered Yugi's next words. "Yami Atemu Kaiba, will you marry me?"

Yami's legs gave out beneath him, his knees buckled in the shock and he dropped to his knees, his face the image of stunned mystification. Yugi blinked into his unyielding eyes, unsure if this was a good sign or not,

"You're," He pointed a shaking finger at his befuddled boyfriend. "Proposing to me?" He retracted his finger and jabbed it against his own chest. Yugi wasn't sure whether to feel insulted by the words or laugh at the irony… He chose to laugh when Yami added with a stunned blink "Isn't this supposed to be the other way around?"

"Least I have a ring," Yugi teased. "And took the time to do it, not just pop the question right after sex."

"Oh let it go!" Yami's shocked face morphed into one of annoyed displeasure. "You admitted it was romantic."

"It was," Yugi chuckled, "But the timing still sucked, now stop changing the subject."

His focus now drawn back on the ring, Yami stared at it, or rather them, like a bomb he had just disabled. "You're proposing!"

"Okay," Yugi chuckled nervously. "You're surprised."

"Yeah," Yami nodded with an uncharacteristic squeak. "I half expected you to break up with me, I mean I knew you wouldn't, but you just sounded so serious."

"I am serious, Yami," Yugi said firmly. "I've never been more seriously in my entire life. I love you, and I want to spent the rest of my life with you, wherever that goes or what challenges lie ahead, cause whenever I'm with you…I'm not afraid of anything."

Yami expelled a breathe and with all his shock and nervousness with it. Suddenly, he wrapped his arms around Yugi's waist, lifted them both up and started spinning Yugi around, who struggled to keep his grip on the box holding both Egyptian gold rings, beautifully engraves with lotus blossoms curled around the name inscribed in elegant script on each band. Yugi snapped it closed and wrapped his arms around Yami's neck laughing and screeching when Yami's speed increased. Yami hadn't stopped smiling and soon started laughing. He finally let Yugi down when the lighter started begging. He set Yugi down on the ground again and the two of them gazed lovingly in the other's eyes. Yami leaned forward and Yugi pressed up to kiss him, but to his surprise, the elder pulled away.

"Wait, what about you series?"Yami asked, concerned. "The second book in your series is due next month right?"

"Just the draft," Yugi corrected. "And don't worry about that. I already talked to them, I can write anywhere, as long as I can still meet with them once a month or so, they don't think me going to America with you will cause a problem. Though Malik did make a few threats if I miss another deadline. Apparently being sexed into a coma isn't an excuse."

"He needs to get laid," Yami mumbled with a snort, then smiled devilishly.

Yugi matched his leer and leaned up, stroking his cheek with his thumb. "So Mr. Atemu," he teased, using his penname rather than his birth name. "You still haven't answered my question?"

Yami grinned and with a forward swoop, capture Yugi's lips in a sweet kiss. He grabbed Yugi's shoulders and pressed deeper into Yugi's lips, molding into a familiar shape. Yugi did nothing to deter him and instead pressed back. In its own mixture of hard and soft, they kissed until they fell over from it.

"So," Yugi huffed teasingly. "Is that a yes?"

"What do you think?" Yami rolled his eyes with a Cheshire cat grin and leaned to capture his lips again. Yugi smirked, almost daring him too, and opened his mouth teasingly.

"IT FINALLY HAPPENED!" An ecstatic shriek they both recognized startled them to the core and halted their play. Yugi and Yami jumped like started cats and bound about in every direction for the source of the shriek.

"PRAISE THE LORD!" A second voice agreed and they both spun around and growled when a barely hidden Mai and Samir halted their celebration just now realizing they'd been caught hiding behind the pillars.

"MOM!"

"DAD!"

X

It had taken a good twenty minutes to calm Mai and Samir down. The two were high on their excitement and they were already talking about wedding plans and arguing over checkbooks, both determined to pay for it. The boys would've left them to their fun if they hadn't felt the need to squeeze them into a near state of unconsciousness in their happiness either. Samir had gushed for who knows how long to Yami about taking care of Yugi and making him agreed to promise. Thankfully the boy had been half unconscious from their fierce hug and got away with nodding dumbly half the time. Mai has just hugged Yugi like a teddy bear and going on and on about how they'd be family and worming tiny promises about wedding plans out of certainly didn't mind any of them until both Mai and Samir mentioned grandchildren, which caused them both to have a minor heart attack, and effectively take their leave. They'd made a deal right then and there: no kids until they were both at least thirty. Samir and Mai were still young enough that they'd have plenty of time to spoil and fatten them up.

At least one parent appreciates my choice in men. Yugi grumbled to himself. Samir had insisted on meeting Yami before going back to the states, and had come fully prepped with the Father's Grill Guide for new boyfriends, much to Yugi's dismay but he'd relented: if only to get the man to agree to go off speaker phone so he and Yami could go back to their precious alone time. Sadly, to his shock the man insisted on coming over that day effectively ending that session. Yugi had left to get breakfast only to come back an hour later and nearly drop the coffee and donuts when he found not only Yami but his father sitting on the couch and laughing and trading stories about Yugi. Yami's favorite seemed to be Samir's explanation about the second his mother put him down he ran and bumped his head into everything, and instead of crying he'd get right back up and bump his head again: drove his mother crazy. Mai of course had evened the score by telling Yugi every embarrassing story she knew about Yami's childhood from Joey as well as dropping hints they'd been talking about trying before Katsuya's accident. Yugi fully understood why she wanted to be a grandmother: unlike his own mother she never got the chance the first time, and simply wanted the love and experience such a bond she would never have with her own children, no matter how much she loved him. Plus he knew full well with a personality like Mai's she was much more suited to the life of a grandmother: after all parents have to punish and scold, it was grandparents who got to spoil.

But it had been a success: Samir adored Yami and made so many cracks Yugi practically shoved him on the plane to get him to stop. His mother on the other hand had been a different story. His talk with his father a week earlier had been an enlightening one and he'd called her for the first time in months hoping to maybe bury the hatchet. It has started off pleasant enough. She's been ecstatic; of course, to hear that he'd met someone, especially someone from the Kaiba Family but humble enough to earn their own living and she mentioned that an artist complimented him perfectly. It had given him hope for something, until he made the mistake of correcting her that Yami was a guy. She hadn't said a word for a full minute. Then had asked multiple times, no doubt checking to make sure she'd heard right. Yugi had persisted despite her pleas, but he made it clear Yami was here to stay. It hadn't been as bad as their previous arguments and they'd managed to end it on neutral terms, but it was clear she was still hoping for the possibility of Yugi settling down with a nice girl.

His grandpa has said nothing on the relationship, but to Yugi's shock he'd swallowed his pride and congratulated him on his publishing deal. It sparked their first real conversation since he was in high school. There were still bumps but they'd managed to get their life support relationship into a state of coming out of its coma.

Sadly, marriage had been a different story.

"That's your mom?" Yami asked fiddling with the new gold engagement band around his finger, tracing the lotus blossoms with his nails

"Ye-up," Yugi said holding the phone in an arched arm away from his ear. Even without speaker the volume of her angry sobs bounced off the walls of the elevator. Ignoring her and waiting out the rant had failed when she'd gotten on the subject of grandchildren and started listing in severe detail the drawbacks of adoption and the possibility of surrogates. Yugi had taken to blurring out the sound having mastered the art during the divorce while Yami repeatedly rubbed his new engagement ring. The weight of the metal felt odd on his finger, it felt light and free, and the coldness prickled his skin like a spark igniting a lost happiness and enduring hope.

"We're going to be okay, right?" Yami asked tracking the lotus blossom with his nail, a habit he'd developed since he put it on.

Yugi held the phone behind his back and flashed a confident smile. "Of course, we are. We're going to be happy." Yugi promised. "Aren't you supposed to be the confident one?" Yugi teased half-serious, and leaned into Yami's shoulder.

Yami chuckled and wrapped his arm around Yugi's shoulder and hugged him to his side. "I am…I guess I'm just nervous. I'm so happy, but every time I get this happy something bad happens. I'm almost afraid it's gonna come crashing down."

"I know what you mean," Yugi rubbed his nose against Yami's shirt, smiling when Yami hugged hum tighter, his mother's rants becoming a distant memory. "We'll get threw it though." He promised.

"Absolutely," Yami promised more certain than he ever felt. "No matter what it takes," He leaned down and stared lovingly into Yugi's eyes.

"Yeah," Yugi nodded meeting the gaze with the same lovingness. "'Cause I have no intention of giving you up."

He leaned up parting his lips slightly.

"Me neither," Yami agreed and tilted Yugi's chin for easier access to the kiss.

"YUGI! ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME!" The screech effectively killed the mood.

With a furious growl, Yugi pulled the phone back and held it an inch from his ear, her latest comment sent Yugi into a fit of anger. "That is now how this fucking works mom!" He screamed into the phone, his brows knitter together and his eyes slit in rage, his cheeks turned an angry red not the deep pink he sported when he blushed. "No mom, I don't care what'll happen in ten years. Hey be grateful we're even considering kids. Well I guess you're not getting any grandchildren are you? Yes mom, I do mean it! Oh don't you dare throw my career back in my face, especially since you always insulted it! Actually Yami loves my books, he even illustrates them? Oh you didn't? I thought grandpa would've told you. He's actually happy for us, what does that tell you mom? Yes! Him and Dad, in fact he's ecstatic, the only one with a problem about it is you. Well maybe that's why you aren't together anymore! Oh the hell I won't! You can't tell me not to anymore mom, I'm an adult not a kid, you can't make it all better by pretending nothing's wrong. Oh my God, are we really going to have this conversation again? How dumb did you think I was mom I knew before you did! Actually we can. I still have dual citizenship and its legal in California and twelve other states, so by law it counts! Well its happening mom so you can either be happy for me or shut up and deal, cause its happening either way!"

He hung up the phone. It rang again but he sent it immediately to voicemail and put the phone on silent, expelling with a heavy huff.

"How's she taking it?" Yami asked jokingly, knowing full well the woman despised him.

"Pretty, well," Yugi shrugged. "Better than I thought she would."

"So we're getting married in California?" Yami teased, smirking when Yugi's angry red cheeks were replaced with the pale pink flush he adored.

"Well, I was kinda hoping we would do that after the tour, but my dual citizenship means we can look for places while touring."

"That works," Yami chuckled, just as the elevator opened. "Maybe we might even find a nice, quiet place to settle down." He wove their fingers together as he said it.

"Not until we're thirty," Yugi reminded stepped out of the elevator tugging Yami with him. "I still want to do some more traveling. Don't know how long my royalty is gonna last so I wanna make the most of it while I can."
"You do know I have a trust fund right?" Yami reminded.

"Yeah," Yugi smiled. "But I also know you well enough that you won't use it if you don't need it."

Yami smiled and dug his heels into the carpet, tugged on Yugi's arm and with a simple tug, Yugi crashed into his chest. "You know me so well," He kissed Yugi's forehead.

Yugi flicked his nose. "Not in the office." He untangled himself from Yami but not before kissing his cheek. "But yes, I do."

They paced to Malik's office, Yugi double-checking the dates, making sure the gallery and meeting dates were correct before opening the door to Malik's office, Yami's hand still intertwined in his fingers.

And froze in the doorway.

Malik was pinned against his shambled desk eyes closed, arms locked around none other than Marik's neck, their eyes closed and lips locked and hands all over the other, grabbed skin, pushing up clothes but never actually removing anything. Sensing they hadn't noticed the other come in, Yami tugged on Yugi's hand taking a large step back. Yugi grabbed the door handle and repeated the action. He twisted the knob all the way so the door closed silently, and released it only when the door was closed.

There was a small click, and they exhaled. Ishizu gave them a confused stare.

"Ishizu, can you tell Malik, we'll be back to discuss meetings tomorrow?" Yugi asked in a voice that was all breathe.

"I don't see why not," Ishizu nodded, still puzzled but grabbed the phone to make the call.

The two thanked her and started back towards the elevator.

"Wow," Yugi gasped. "I did not see that one coming."

"Can't say I'm surprised though." Yami chuckled nervously. "So…what do we do now?"

"Hmm…" Yugi tapped his chin teasingly. "We could spend the rest of the day celebrating our engagement?"

Yami smiled, and looked at him. Yugi's eyes sparkled with love and hope and promise and all the possibilities their future together. Smiling for the first time in a long time, Yami laced their fingers together and agreed "That sounds perfect."

And so it was...I'm so proud of that ending! I didn't want a stereotypical happy one, but i felt a super bittersweet one wouldn't be realistic either so I'm proud of this one. Especially the Malik and Ryou scene since that was totally brushed over in the play, and Bakura's reunion with Amane was one of my favorite scenes to imagine ^^

I'm very glad i was able to wrap this all up in a realistic way and I'm so happy^^

Thanks so much all my wonderful fans and friends for you support. I'll admit I was disappointed this fic didn't seem to get as many reviews as my other ones did but, school is hard, RL is tough and I know everyone is busy, and I'm sure you all prefer my fantasy to my realistic fiction and honestly, I do too, but thank you all!

Now, As i said in my profile, i will be taking a break from Fanficiton for a WHILE POSTING! I AM NOT LEAVING! I will still read, review and comment and chat of course, but I will not be posting anything except Our Lady for a while:

the reason being I will be typing out that story on my school work days which i can definitely do, and all i need to do is type it out, but in the mean time I will be working on my original work and long-hand writing out my Next fics, I have no idea if I will be able to do all of them though i hope to some day, but my next goal is to write Wonderland (finally) and Crimson Pharaoh, two fics both Fantasy but so opposite in the character's personality, style and plot that they will compliment the other perfectly and I don't have to worry about crossing ideas! XD

I will rite out these stories first, my goal is to write out as many chapter as possible, so when I start typing them, I'll be at least ten chapters a head and I can post them much faster and update once a week or so: that way I can post faster and you readers don't have to wait for chapters ^^

My goal is to at least start posting one of them by Spring Break, and Both by summer at the latest but we'll see ^^

I will be posting summaries for them both on my profile page! wish me luck everyone ans Thanks so much for reviewing and reading! I love you all so much!