Intertwined fates (book 3)

Chapter 2: second chance

   A keen sense of guilt and happiness stabs me in the chest as Yugi remains in bed beside me. Yugi hadn't reacted poorly to the news, but it was obviously a shock to him. It's a shock to me! How could I not tell him what the ceremony meant? A bitter pang of jealousy courses through me as I think about the intimacy that was sure to follow the ceremony.
   Yugi stares blindly at the ceiling, his eyes swimming with memories that I can't see. Could it be that Yugi had agreed to the ceremony because he didn't want me to be alone or was there something more? Faint trickles of memory slither their way into my mind. The gentle caress of Yugi's soft lips on mine, holding Yugi in my arms as the moonlight shines down on us.
   You are lucky.
   Yugi trying to sacrifice himself for me, but me interfering to save him. My light truly is too good for me.
   Be grateful.
   Yugi truly loved him, my former self. Could he possibly love him more than he loves me?
  "Yami?" He whispers to me, making me blink in surprise at the sudden sound. "Are you alright?"
   "Yes," I say after thinking for a moment. "Just trying to wrap my head around everything." Yugi looks up at me concernedly. "It's just a lot to take in at once. When you disappeared we were merely courting and now we're married...or more specifically you and Atem are married." I say with a tone much colder than I had intended.
   "Yami," Yugi says seriously as he sits up to look into my eyes. "As far as I'm concerned it doesn't matter who I am married to...as long as it is a version of you."
   "But you're not understanding." I snap. "I only vaguely remember that moment. As far as my memory is concerned it could could have simply been a dream."
   "But it wasn't." He whispers reassuringly. His fingers interlacing with mine. "I am yours and you are mine, just as it should be."
   "I love you." I say with a fond smile. Yugi gently presses his lips against mine and invites me into a world of overwhelming adoration and sensation. I kiss him back and marvel at the way that he nibbles on my bottom lip begging me for entrance. So much has changed. My shy Yugi has transformed into this passionate bundle of love and beauty. Yugi leans in to me, making me fall back on the bed with him on top of me.
   I gasp in surprise as Yugi's hands slide underneath my shirt and rake up my chest. My hands hastily capture his hands in mine. "What are you doing?" I whisper with a panic. He looks at me with a steady gaze, but concern and hesitation glow in his eyes.
   "Do you not want to?"
   "Have you done this before?" I whisper, pain filling my chest.
   "Once before." He admits with a blush. Something inside of me snaps and Yugi instantly knows. He looks into my shielded eyes as I pry him off of me and hastily rise from the bed. "Yami.." He whispers as I turn away from him. "I'm sorry."
   "Be quiet." I hiss out, my tone cold and sharp. Yugi flinches slightly at the sound, but remains quiet. "When were you going to tell me?" My shoulders tremble with my conflicted emotions. "When were you-"
   "I thought you would...remember." He whispers with an ashamed tone. Yugi is not the one to feel ashamed, only I am to have that burden.
   "Well I don't." I say walking out of the room, slamming the door behind me. I hold the doorknob for a few seconds listening. Listening to the roaring sound of my heartbeat in my ears, and the gentle sound of Yugi's wavering breath as he tries to remain composed. My hand slides off of the cool metal as I stalk down the empty hallway like some kind of criminal. My pride and my heart severely wounded by what I had discovered. Simply another weight to add to my life of burdens.

   Hours have passed as I have remained on my perch of the shop's roof. My skin is cooled by the crisp autumn air. The chill of the air is powerless against the furious blaze roaring beneath my skin. My head rests against my folded arms harshly leaned against my knees. Thin fingers curl into fists as they dig into the sleeves of my black jacket.
   The sensation of Yugi's fingers on my chest echoes through my soul. How can I not remember? The surprise and pain in his eyes stab me in the heart. I wounded his feelings by my actions. I just can't believe that Yugi and I...Atem slept together. Yugi obviously remembers it vividly, yet I have little to no recollection of that blessed moment.
   A cool breeze blasts against my feverish skin chilling me to my core. The nagging feeling of Yugi's concern and guilt continue to harass me as I sit here. Yugi has experienced so much, his character has grown in leaps and bounds, leaving me far behind him. I nestle my head into my arms and knees as I try to hide from my fears.
   "Yami?" The gentle voice of Solomon calls from below.
   "I'm here." I mumble in reply.
   "Are you alright?"
   "I'm fine." I lie through my teeth. There is a brief moment of silence before there is a click of metal on metal. I glance up from my arms and see the top of a ladder leaning against the gutters as Solomon strains to climb up to me. "Don't hurt yourself." I call out concernedly.
   "I'm old, not made of glass." He says with a stern glare as he peers over the top of the ladder. "Besides I should be saying that to you old man." A soft chuckle escapes my lips as I stare at the kind man. "So, are you going to tell me why you are hiding up here?"
   "I just needed some space."
   "Space from the person you have been hovering over for weeks?" It wasn't meant as an accusation, but my nerves are so rattled that everything sounds harsh and malicious.
   "You wouldn't understand." I hiss menacingly. Solomon stares at me with a non pulsed smile. "Neither of you can understand."
   "That's right," Solomon says, repositioning his arms on the top rung of the ladder. "We have no chance of understanding unless you let us in." I look away ashamedly, muttering several apologies. "So then, tell me what the issue is."
   "Yugi has changed so much... I don't even know if he is my Yugi anymore." A bitter sadness clutches at my heart as the words slip past my lips. I struggle to remain composed as Solomon continues to look at me.
   "Yugi loves you." He says gently, making me flinch at the words. "He must love you if he returned to you." I look up at him curiously. "For all we know he could have chosen to stay in Egypt, but here he is."
   I remain silent as my hands go limp, releasing my haggard sleeves covered with deep wrinkles due to my harsh grip. "Yami, tell me what is the real issue here?"
   "Yugi has so many memories that he and my former self have made but I can't recall any of them."
   "Such as?"
   My face glows a bright shade of red as I look away. Solomon remain silent as he waits patiently for me to continue. Just how much can I really tell him? I can't exactly tell him that Yugi tried to initiate sex with me. My hurt pride struggles against my mind as I think about that brief moment.
   "What has Yugi told you?" I ask cautiously.
   "Merely that he loved both versions of you...and that you are struggling with his return."
   "Did he tell you about the ceremony?"
   "Vaguely." He says with a raised eyebrow. "Tell me everything that you know." He says gently. I sigh deeply.
   "My former self and Yugi took part in a ceremony that binds us through eternity to one another." Solomon smiles at me gently. "The ceremony makes it possible for both members of the pair to be able to feel the others emotions... But it is more symbolic than just establishing a bond." Solomon's eyes narrow slightly for a moment before returning to normal.
   "So that's what this is about." He says with a small smile. "You two are married." I blush brightly and look away quickly.
   "How are you so ok with this?"
   "Because I knew this was inevitable. Ever since you began courting Yugi I knew that you two would eventually get married." A small smile tugs at his lips. "I know that it must be difficult for you to not remember those moments." I look down at my feet. "But see this as a chance to make new memories with him."
   "A second chance?"
   "Precisely." He says with a smile. "Now come on down, you'll catch a cold if you sit out here for too long." I watch silent as he climbs down a ways. His words sink into my mind like cleansing rainwater on a parched and unforgiving landscape. A second chance. Make new memories. I can give Yugi even better memories than my former self. I smile slightly at the thought as I climb down after Solomon.