Chapter Text
Almost
Yami Yugi
There was a distant beeping coming to your ears.
He could tell by your looks now when you would be going. “Time to wake up?” he questioned with a smile.
You blinked and laughed. “Darn those morning classes! I knew they’d be a bad idea!”
Yami helped you up from the step you had both sat on during the night. Luckily your body couldn’t ‘fall asleep’ in the Puzzle, so you got up easily without any stiffness. Still, you appreciated the walks you two took while you started to wake up; it gave you both some time to process it.
You turned corners, went upstairs, went down, even sideways before the tingling really began to set in your bones. All the while, you two had talked the entire time, trying to get in as much conversation before being whisked away for another day.
When the tingling became too much, you stopped and sighed. “Okay, this looks like my stop handsome.”
He nodded in understanding. “Have a good day,” he said sincerely, smiling.
You smiled back. “One more hug before I go!” You threw out your arms. Your smile only grew when he copied you. It was so fun to see him be a bit more outgoing.
But you were awkward, and he was a bit out-of-touch with physical contact. Your heads both went the same direction in the hug, and it jostled your heart in surprise and fear at feeling his not-there breath on your cheek. His eyes were also wide, not knowing what to really do for once. His pulse jumped up, and yours did too. “Sorry,” you both stuttered. And it was with sudden clarity that you realized just how close your lips really were.
I should move, was your first thought. He’s probably uncomfortable. But…he still hadn’t moved. And you were trying to deny how he looked down more than once at your lips. I mean, maybe…you pulled away slightly, but only to turn your head. Just…a bit more…and he was leaning in too, and what was happening, what –
But a force tugged you away. Like a hand grasping the back of your shirt, it jerked you out of his arms and through a suddenly open door. His eyes, wide with surprise, followed you into the dark.
The moment the door clicked close, your eyes opened to daylight.
Your ceiling was white, with a few of those sticky glow-in-the-dark stars stubbornly staying on from childhood. The sun’s rays slanted over one lazily. It took a moment of staring at another to gain your bearings.
When you did, you groaned, and almost willed yourself to sleep again. But did you want to? Did you want to have to face what almost happened? You reached over and slapped your alarm clock off.
Almost, you thought sullenly.
Joey Wheeler
Here you were again.
Hiding behind a dumpster.
Your nose scrunched at the smell. Then more when Joey sat on your hand. “Ow! Dude!”
“Well move it! I can’t stay crouched here foreva’!” He eased down to sit when you did, a sigh that sounded like a grumble coming out. “Tristan shoulda been back by now.”
Worry for your friend knotted your chest. “You think they caught him?”
Joey’s chuckle eased you a bit. “Naw, Tristan might not be book smart, but the streets? He’s got a PhD in those.” He leaned back more. “He probs just had ta take a detour to make sure tha rats stay off his trail and ours.”
You sighed, almost putting your head against the bricks before deciding that doing that would be unsanitary. You deigned for his shoulder instead. “I thought those idiots would’ve forgotten about me by now…”
You felt his chuckle more than heard it. “Those guys wouldn’t forget where they dropped a few spare pennies. Knocking over their bikes is out of tha question, sorry ta say.”
“A shame.”
A few more minutes went by in silence. Not as tense anymore, you both listened to the quieter night sounds of people driving home from work, and a few dogs barking in the distance. You shifted to keep your leg from falling asleep under you. “Do you think we can go to yours or Yugi’s place now? It’s not far, right?”
He hummed after a second. “I’d say we’re pretty safe to go, but…those guys will be patrolling like nobody’s business.” He laughed. “All for some snot-nosed brat.”
“Hey,” you popped his cheek, a laugh in your tone. “Takes one to know one.”
He waved your hand away and rubbed the spot you had flicked. “Anyways, I know I could get there, no prob. But you, missy,” he poked your side and smiled when you squirmed, “ain’t as skilled as moi when it comes to tha ‘hit-and-run’ business.”
You groaned. “I really wish you wouldn’t compare this to running over a person and booking it.”
He only laughed again. It was getting dark now, and the only lights coming to you both were of a streetlamp just outside of the alley you were squatting in and a few late-night shops on the other side of the street. A person or two would occasionally walk by, and the sound of a motorcycle would have you both tensing, but you never saw one go by. You could hear flies buzzing around overhead.
“So,” he started. “You come here often?”
You rolled your eyes and punched his shoulder. But your hand slipped, and you had to catch yourself on the ground with it to keep from toppling over. He grasped your shoulder to try and help, and you looked at him to either laugh or thank him.
Neither happened.
Instead, you saw his face, half silhouetted by the light of the streetlamp. His hair was a mess from running. His mouth was open, as if he was about to say some smart-mouthed remark too, but it slowly closed. And his eyes, well, they’re always warm, but now they…hm…they had a warmer glow, a…a longing?
But you couldn’t even wonder about that – because he had started leaning toward you. Slowly, as if scared that you would say no. Why would I say no? Your heart whispered. And you found yourself leaning forward too, as if against your will. But…no, it wouldn’t ever be against your will. Because if you were honest, you wanted this. You wanted…
The brush of breath on your lips. The sound of a swallow, out of nerves, out of excitement. Closer, please, closer…
“Hey guys! You back here?!”
Your head thumped against the metal bin, and it donged out. A cat went yowling away. You winced and rubbed your head as both you and Joey scrambled to get out from behind the trash. Your face burned from embarrassment as you watched Tristen walk toward you.
He was huffing a bit, and you could see sweat on his brow. “Man,” he breathed, “I was wonderin’ if you guys would still be here or if you went home! Those guys gave me a run for my money – went halfway around Domino before I could double back. Hey –“ he peered at Joey’s face, a brow quirked. “Why’s your face so red?”
“Nothin’!” The blonde squeaked. He cleared his throat quickly. “J-Just getting embarrassed for you. You were so slow man!”
And they started bickering instantly, all of you walking out of the alley and into the night, talking about going to Yugi’s for a game night all the while. You were grateful that the attention was taken off of what almost happened, and you joined in their bickering easily. But still, in a quieter part of your mind, a sigh rang out among other thoughts.
Almost, you thought sullenly.
Seto Kaiba
“But if you just –“
“No.”
“How about you –“
“Not happening.”
“Well if you did –“
Kaiba sighed, closing his eyes. You accidentally ran into him from his abrupt stop, and sheepishly rubbed away the bit of lipstick that got on his coat’s back. “Warn me next time, Green Giant,” you said peevishly. He turned to look at you, and glowered.
“I don’t know how to make this more clear,” he said quietly. “There is no way – none – that I am going to put a ‘Tunnel of Love’ in Kaibaland.” He turned away again and began walking. “So stop asking.”
You blew out a breath that brushed up your bangs. “Come ooooonnnn!” you raced to catch up with him. Curse those nice long legs, you thought. You started walking backwards to look at him as you pleaded. “It’s such a good idea! Do you know how many teens would love to have a romantic ride at the amusement park to pull their crush into?”
He scoffed. “And then jump out of their cars and do who-knows-what in the dark. I will not have Kaibaland branded as a hotspot for teen pregnancy.”
“It’s one ride!” you groaned. You nearly tripped over your own feet – walking backwards was a bit harder than you remembered – and he caught your arm to steady you. He tucked his arm back to his side, and you went on. “And I know you. There’s no way you wouldn’t have a security guard at every turn and bend, plus security cameras. Those teens wouldn’t have a chance on earth to do the dirty!”
His eyes rolled skyward, and he picked up his pace. “Enough. I will not spend money on frivolous things such as a make-out point for horny kids.”
“Oh, but a Blue Eyes White Dragon jet is totally within those spending bounds.”
His glare would have frozen others, but you puckered out your lips. “Hey, you’re a nerd. I can respect it…except for right now!”
He wondered why he was sighing more these days with you around. “Why do you even care? I’m sure you could find one of your ‘Love Tunnels’ in the circus you come from with all the other clowns.”
You gasped and paused in your walk. “Rude! I’ll have you know Bozo the Clown and I are way past the Tunnel of Love stage of our relationship!” You both turned a corner, seeing Kaiba Corp’s building at the end of the street. You renewed your efforts. “I’ll not drink coffee for a week! A whole week without me bugging you!”
“I’ll believe that when pigs fly.”
You shrugged. “Fair enough.” You thought for a moment. “How about I kidnap Mokuba for a day or two so you can get work done? Miami anyone?”
No response. Which meant a hard no. You groaned again, trying to think of something to get your idea through his thick skull. Out of desperation and a silly mood, you blurted out, “I’ll give you a kiss!”
Your breath stopped a moment when he actually stopped walking.
Slowly, he turned toward you. His eyes looked hooded. But they weren’t icy. You weren’t sure what they were – you’d never seen him look at you like that. You gulped when he came closer. Is he…actually taking that seriously? He towered above you. You really wondered whether it was his mom or dad that he got that height from – or both. Probably both, your mind scrambled, as he bent closer to you, closer to your face, his eyes looking at your stained lips. Experience told you to keep your lips from tensing, don’t close your eyes until contact, gently, carefully…
“That,” his breath fanned over your lips, “would terribly upset Bozo, don’t you think?”
And he turned and walked toward the building, leaving your eyes bulging from your head and confused, pursed lips. You eventually trailed behind.
Almost, you thought sullenly.
Duke Devlin
Admittedly, you zoned out a bit.
You could faintly hear Duke jabbering away in the background, but your mind began to wander – mostly from tiredness. It had been a long week at work. What should I have for dinner and I need to get more cat food were on the forefront of your thoughts as you two walked through the darkening park path, the day starting to end.
With sleepiness too came other thoughts. Thoughts that your normal mind tried to push away in the daylight. Your eyes wandered to Duke beside you. He had a hand raised, in the middle of telling a funny story involving Joey and Tristan at school. His eyes crinkled, and his dimples appeared as he laughed at a particular part. You caught snippets, but you smiled to yourself, mostly.
He’s really cute.
“-and I’m just like ‘dude, that sounds like a you problem.’” He turned to you and smiled. “Y’know?”
The blush crept up the back of your neck, and you shook your head to clear it. Focus. You let out a breathy laugh and nodded.
But Duke stopped, and squinted his eyes. “Uh, hey, don’t…don’t take this the wrong way.” He leaned forward.
Your eyes widened, but you didn’t back up. Holy Hannah, what was happening? His face was…really close all of a sudden. That blush came back full force. He still came closer.
What do I do? I haven’t – I don’t know – What do you do when you haven’t had your first kiss yet? Did you want this to happen? Your eyes fluttered a bit, and you tried pursing your lips – like the girls do in books and movies. What…could be the harm in it…?
But a pinch came to your cheek. Your eyes snapped open. Duke was still incredibly close, but his eyes were focused on where his fingers were pinching your cheek. What -?
He pulled away after a second, fingers pinched together. “Ah-ha! Got it!” He showed you his finger. An eyelash laid on it. Winking, he grinned. “Sorry, that’s been there a while and it was bugging me. Make a wish!”
Forget blushing – you were a full-blown tomato now. You tried to play it off: your lips still pursed, you gently blew on the eyelash and watched it disappear. I wish I wasn’t so dumb, you thought tersely. You shoved your hands into your coat pockets and glanced away.
Duke brushed his hands together and laughed. “Aw, c’mon, it happens to the best of us!” Throwing an arm around your shoulder, you two continued your walk.
Almost, you thought sullenly.
Yami Bakura
“So you understand the plan then.”
You sighed quietly. Tapped your toe. “Lure Tea away from the group, bring her to the meeting place, knock her out. You take care of the rest.”
He chuckled. “And?”
Your nose scrunched in anger. “And leave the ransom note behind for Yugi to come duel you or Marik.” You fools haven’t decided which yet.
“Good, good,” he purred. He circled you again – made you feel like a mouse trapped by a lunatic lion. “I am glad you are getting the hang of this, darling. We may be able to make a suitable thief of you yet.”
You wish. Your stomach felt sick, and your mind raced. You were still trying to figure out how to do this without tipping off Bakura that you were in league with the gang – even if they themselves didn’t know. Perhaps tell Tea what would happen, apologize, and then knock her out? She’s a smart girl, surely she’d see –
His laugh came again. In front of your face, he held the note he had written – you had refused to write it yourself. You snatched it away and tucked it into your pocket. “There now, there’s no reason for all that anger.” His smile was poisonous.
“If you’re done,” you ground out, “I’ll be on my way.”
He grabbed your arm when you went to go. “Just. One moment, dear.” His fingers were like fire to your flesh, and you hissed, mostly angry at yourself from feeling comfort of all things from this beast. He pulled you closer, and you tried to lean away. “Just a reminder for you: Marik’s men will be about too. And from what you’ve told me, both of us are ready to betray the other.” His hand squeezed your arm, and you winced. “Do not let him catch you. For your own sake.”
“Worried about me, thief?” you scoffed, “Touching.” and tugged your arm to make him let go. But he didn’t and pulled you closer still. His breath came hot to your neck, and you looked at him in surprise.
His eyes were like fire, his grimace even more. His lips twitched, like he was fighting something, like he was trying to say something. Your noses nearly brushed, and you hesitantly looked down at his mouth again. What would it be like, you wondered, and then, repulsed by your own thoughts, shook your head.
His mouth twitched up, almost satisfied, and he let you go while stepping away. “Just do as I say, girl. I will wait at the meeting place.”
You didn’t even stay to watch him walk away. You ran, bare feet slapping the pavement, the note in your pocket growing heavier and heavier with the more distance you covered. Trying to forget the plan. Trying to forget him.
Almost, you thought sullenly.