Dousing the Flame

Surprises Surprises

A/N: Thank you for your support! And you! And you! And you too! I hope you are enjoying the story. Speaking of which, onto the chapter!

/Thoughts/

Yugi stepped out of the cab and thanked the driver, handing him some cash on his way out. The weather was beginning to cool down and the leaves on the trees were painted vibrant hues of orange, yellow, red, and brown. He slung his duffle bag over his shoulder and looked around admiring the leaves. He loved the fall. It was his second favorite season; the first being winter. There was nothing quite like curling up on the couch next to a roaring fire when there was snow on the ground and someone to cuddle with.

Yugi could feel how sore his muscles were already. /Ugh. I'm not going to be able to more tomorrow/ He chuckled to himself. The self-defense instructor really put the group through the ringer this time. He attended the classes four times per week for the past two months in secret; keeping Yami in the dark. He wanted to progress a little bit further before telling Yami about it. He was grateful that the self-defense class times fit into his class and work schedule as well as they did or he would not be able to go. The only trouble was making time for homework, which he did so by staying up late and working on it every chance he got at the library. 

He unlocked the apartment door with the key that Yami had made for him a while back and stepped into the room. The warmth of the room embraced him and welcomed him home.

"Good evening!" his favorite baritone voice greeted him.

The tri-colored teen turned to face Yami standing in the kitchen, "Good evening!" Yugi placed his bag down and sat at one of the bar stools, swinging his short legs back and forth, "So what are you burning tonight?"

Yami raised an eyebrow at him, "I beg your pardon little one. Burning?"

The petite youth erupted into giggles, "Well you did burn the lasagna the other day."

"That was one meal! Give me at least a little credit, Yugi," Yami chuckled. Yugi hopped down off of the bar stool wrapped the crimson eyed professor in an appreciative hug. 

"I'm just teasing you. I know you are a phenomenal cook," The youth smiled up at his doppleganger.

"Thank you, Yugi. I appreciate that," Yami paused from his cooking to return Yugi's hug.

Withdrawing from the hug, Yugi returned to his previous perch on the bar stool. He loved watching Yami cook. He was always in his own world while in the kitchen. It was obvious he liked cooking. Each move was so precise and calculated for the best outcome.

Yugi shifted in the chair; his muscles cried out their contempt for how hard they were worked during the defense class. The youth let out a very low moan as he rubbed his sore left shoulder. He eyes slid closed and he tilted his head to the right to provide ample access to massage the entire shoulder.

Yami watched Yugi rubbing his own shoulders curiously, /Is his backpack really that heavy?/ Yami thought before returning to the rotisserie chicken and seasoned vegetables. He didn't want to brun the dinner and prove Yugi's joke right. 

Once dinner was plated for himself and for Yugi, his eyes wandered back to Yugi. The petite doppelganger was busy massaging his right shoulder this time, /Hmm..I will need to ask why his shoulders are so sore after dinner./ He cleared his throat, "Yugi." Yugi's amethyst eyes opened to meet Yami's crimson gaze.

"Welcome back to Earth little one," Yami smiled.

Yugi blushed, "I'm sorry."

"No need to be, I was giving you a hard time. Like you were doing to me earlier," Yami held his hand out to Yugi, offering to help him off of the stool. "Dinner is ready."