Blessed Moments (book 4)

Chapter 5: going alone

   "I don't know about this Yami." Yugi says anxiously as he holds onto Atemu tightly. Thin arms are wrapped tightly around the small form as if their very existence depended on it.
   "Sweetheart relax." I murmur comfortingly as I wrap my arms around Atemu, only to have Yugi pull him closer. "You can't exactly take him with you." I frown. "Banquets aren't exactly a picnic for babies."
   "This is just the first time I've ever been away from the babies..." He murmurs with a note of embarrassment. "I don't think I can do it Yami."
   "Solomon will be here he raised you, so I think he can handle two babies," I whisper soothingly as I forcefully pull Atemu out of Yugi's grasp. "And besides both of them will be asleep before either of us even take a step out the door."
   "I don't know..." He shifts from one foot to the other anxiously, his teeth gnawing on his bottom lip incessantly. "Do you think I could cancel? Kaiba would probably understand." His words make my stomach drop out from beneath me and my fingers to instinctively tighten around Atemu. "Would that be alright?"
   No that would not be alright! He's abandoning me to stay home with sleeping children. Breathe. Remember to breathe. A bitter sensation washes through my chest like a tidal wave as I slowly return Atemu into his arms. Atemu doesn't even stir in his slumber during the exchange.
   "Yeah that's fine." I answer smoothly, my voice low and soft, desperately biting back the anger and disappointment that is threatening to slip out.
   "Are you sure?" Yugi asks questioningly, his eyes staring directly into mine. "You are okay with this?"
   "Well," I murmur as I take a deep sigh. My fingers correcting the crumpled fabric at the neck of my suit as I drop my gaze. "It would seem that you have already come to a decision on the matter so there is no purpose in arguing about it." I refuse to meet his eyes as I trod past him.
   "Yami?" The click of my heels on the wooden stairs sound through the house and are echoed by the soft slap of bare feet not far behind. I feel a small, slender hand reach out and grab my shoulder but I smoothly slip away. "Yami!" I continue to ignore him as I trod down the final steps and towards the door. "Yami! Look at me!" He shouts at me. "Please!"
   I pause before the door, my hand resting on the cool metal of the doorknob. My fingers are wrapped so tightly around the doorknob that my fingers are beginning to ache and the metal begins to burn beneath my palm. Breathe. Breathe Yami breathe. Don't allow your anger to take over. I slowly turn to face him, my hand still firmly secured on the doorknob.
   "Yes?" I ask smoothly, softly.
   "Are you angry with me?"
   "What would make you think that?" I ask coolly, silently struggling to keep my emotions in check. Yugi stares at me with wide, shocked and hurt eyes. Silver tears are begin to prick in his eyes but he blinks them away. He swallows nervously before opening his mouth to speak.
   "Please don't be angry with me." He whispers. "I don't think I can stand... staying here knowing that you left here angry with me." His thin arms cross across his chest while his hands clutch onto his arms as if desperately attempting to hold himself together. His knuckles are turning white from the tightness of his grip.
   "Yugi," I sigh. "If I'm going to Kaiba's banquet I need to leave now." The words leave my mouth in a harsher manner than I intended, but I can't take them back now,
   "Yami I-" he chokes out.
   "Have a wonderful evening." I respond curtly, planting a gentle kiss on his forehead. "I will see you later tonight."
   "Yami!" He reaches out for me but I've already gone. The door shuts behind me with a click and the cool night air does nothing to relieve my growing sense of anger. Flames of outrage licking at my heels as I walk out into the night.
   "Good evening Yami." Solomon calls out cheerfully to me. He waves at me with a broad and gentle smile. A smile that I can't seem to bring myself to return. "Where's Yugi? I thought he was going to the banquet tonight as well."
   "It would appear that we will no longer be needing your services." I answer coolly as I continue to walk by, not even slowing down for a second. A strong hand grips onto my arm halting my brisk progression in an instant.
   "Yami, what is going on?" He asks concernedly. Deep purple eyes look upon me with open concern and worry. "What happened this evening?"
   "Nothing noteworthy." I answer with little to no emotion in my voice. "I have nothing to tell you."
   "Yami, you know that you can trust me." He says gently. "I see you as my son, just as I see Yugi, now please talk to me."
   "We are talking." I say smoothly, my voice slipping past my lips and into my ears like venom. It almost sounds like the voice of a stranger, but I can't bring myself to want to change it. "I have to go now Solomon."
   "Yami, come talk to me later." He says seriously as my arm slips out of his grasp. "I'm serious Yami. That wasn't a suggestion."
   "I will definitely keep that in mind." I turn on my heel and continue on my way down the street. "Have a wonderful evening Solomon. Thank you for the chat."
   "The same goes for you Yami." He says quietly as he begins to walk towards the house.  I glance back at him and watch in silence as he walks into the house. A quiet sigh escapes me as I turn away and continue walking in the direction of the banquet. Though the only thought going through my head during my walk is Yugi and his heartbroken expression and the pain it brings me.