Ok, I just wanted to say that I’m not dead. It’s just I have IB physics this term in school which means I’m doing grade 11 physics in grade ten and it’s taking up all of my spare time. Rest assured though, only three more weeks then I’m on summer break and I can write to my heat’s content.

However, in the meantime, I’ll leave you with this. I wrote it for a challenge at Pharaoh’s Palace, (I set the link to the group as the website on my author profile if you haven’t yet visited the group.) which is a Yami/Seto, Seto/Yami web group. I didn’t want to post it until the results of the contest came in so I’ve held on to it for the last three weeks. However, the voting now done I present to you: Kissed by the Sun, which won second place in the contest.

Yami swung his legs from where he sat on a stool beside one of the many small oak tables in one of the plentiful cafés in the city. He liked it here, the smell of baking and of the fresh coffee, though it was a strawberry milkshake which he sipped on currently. It was too late in the afternoon and far too warm for coffee.

As it was, the small room was quickly filling with people trying to escape the heat, which radiated in waves from the pavement. The quiet, soothing atmosphere around him was readily disappearing and the teen decided that it would probably best if he left the building in search of somewhere he could collect his thoughts in peace.

Hopping off the stool, milkshake in hand, he crossed the chequered laminate floor and headed for the door. His tongue swirled absentmindedly around the tip of the plastic straw as he stepped outside. Leaning against the wall of the shop a safe distance from the door, he decided which way he’d go next. He wasn’t in any hurry, nor did he have any particular destination in mind. Right now he was going wherever he fancied and seeing what there was to see.

The former pharaoh wished he could say this outing was because he’d wanted to walk aimlessly around Domino, as he liked to do when it was warm, but this time it wasn’t the case. He let out a quiet sigh, sucking on the straw again as he decided to head right; down the sidewalk and toward the river.

Yugi had kicked him out; not just him but everyone else as well. Now looking back, he did admit his former host was justified in doing what he’d done. Things had got out of hand and everyone needed some time to calm down. He’d return home before dinner. Until that time he’d just keep on walking. Yami hadn’t run into any of the others yet, but then again Domino was a fairly big city now and it would be easy to pass everyone else by. That and the fact he suspected everyone else had simply gone home. He didn’t exactly have that option.

So Yami sauntered slowly down the sidewalk, watching the people that passed by. All in all though the city was pretty desolate for three in the afternoon on a Saturday. And though he did admit that it was rather warm, as he wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, he still remembered the heat of Egypt, and, compared to that, this afternoon didn’t even come close.

That thought gave the teen an idea and he quickened his pace slightly as he headed towards the river. It was a slow, calm river that wasn’t very deep, which many liked to wade in during summer. As well the rocky banks had been long worn down, creating a great beach of soft sand. To Yami it seemed like the perfect place to head right now.

And so he did, the chains around the heels of his leather boots and at his hip making a pleasant jingling sound as he walked.

Finished his drink, he threw the empty paper cup in a garbage can about halfway to the beach, taking a package of gum out of his pocket and sticking a piece in his mouth to replace the straw he’d been nibbling on for the past half an hour.

It wasn’t long before he was at the unofficial entrance to the beach, sliding down the grassy embankment until his feet rested steadily on the sandy shore. Yes. This was how he liked it, the heat radiating of the soft yellow sand in thick, lazy waves while the river flowed on, a clear blue just ahead of him; above the sky was blue and cloudless.

Yami sat down on the sand. There were a few couples and children splashing about but other than then he pretty much had the beach to himself. Making a decision on a whim, and knowing that he had lots of time to kill he unbuckled his boots, digging his toes into the sand and letting out a soft sigh at the wonderful feeling. After that the teen pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it on top of his boots. Then, closing his eyes, he lay back on the sand, intent on getting some into his skin.

Getting a tan seemed to be one of the best things he could do with his time right now. It would not only give him some time to think but it was also relaxing. He just didn’t feel very Egyptian, reincarnated or not, with lily- white skin. He really didn’t care that he wasn’t wearing sunscreen. After all, they had never had that back in Egypt and he was pretty sure that he hadn’t died of a sunburn.

Aside from the popping of his gum as he blew bubbles things were quiet. In the dark world behind Yami’s closed eyelids he reflected.

“C’mon Yugi, just one more re-match.” Jounouichi pleaded from the other side of the table, his legs folded under him.

“Sure.” Yugi smiled, beginning to shuffle his deck, taking a sip from his can of cola before they begun the next duel.

It was a lazy Saturday, everyone congregating in the family room of the Game Shop. Yugi had duelled Jou at least five times and won each of them. The girls were sprawled across the couch and the floor talking about movies and magazines with Otogi and Honda strategically positioned on either side of Shizuka in a war of glares while Ryou and Bakura were busy playing one of Yugi’s many video games.

Yami had been watching everything passively from the beanbag chair in the center of the room. He hadn’t really felt like participating actively in any of the afore-mentioned activities so he just let his gaze wander around the room, tuning in when something interested him.

He had actually been surprised everyone was getting along so well. Usually when all of them were in a room it wasn’t long until either Jou, Honda, Otogi or all three of them were in a verbal sparring match, usually relating to Jou’s younger sister. As well Bakura and he weren’t exactly on the friendliest of terms.

The explanation he’d come up with was that everyone was just too hot and tired to be mad at anyone with any sort of vigour. After all, it was almost the end of the school year and everyone was busy studying for exams. Well, with the exception of Mai, but she was busy on her own anyway. Thus, the group had taken this weekend as a time to unwind before they hit anymore books.

He’d watched casually as Bakura had grabbed a sheet of paper out of the pile Yugi had been using to keep track of their respective life points during the duel, but didn’t think anymore of it. That was until a he saw a small white blur fly across the room out of the corner of his eye. Inevitably that was followed by a loud ‘eew’ on Anzu’s part.

That was the start of the chain reaction.

Ryou tried to get the straw from the spit ball firing Bakura, but the two ended up crashing into the table which sent Jou and Yugi’s colas flying at Anzu, Mai and Shizuka. They, in turn, threw the pillows they had been lying on at Jou and Yugi, scattering their cards all over the floor. Honda and Otogi started laughing so Jou threw a couch cushion at them. Meanwhile Yugi tried to pick up his cards, with Yami coming to his aid, but Bakura only saw that as an opportunity to launch more chewed-up paper at the unguarded pharaoh and soon everything was in chaos. It really was a wonder no one called the cops.

Anyway, Yugi endured all this, hoping it would sort itself out as he picked up each of his cards. However, when his Dark Magician was nearly sprayed with cola, that was the last straw.

“Everyone stop!” he’d yelled at the top of his lungs, and indeed everyone did come to a stop. The furniture however was in disarray, pillows and cushions everywhere. As well most of the room was soaked in cola and it was, on the whole, a huge mess. “Out!” he shouted, looking at the mess everyone had created and holding onto his cards.

At first no one had moved, surprised at the outburst from the normally quiet and reasonable teen had raised his voice even more “Out! All of you, now! And don’t come back until you can act reasonably.” Shocked, everyone had more or less vacated the Game Shop and left Yugi to clean up as they all went their separate ways.

Yami rolled over as he thought, the sun now beginning to warm his back. His hair provided a little shade for the rest of his head as he folded his arms underneath his chin. It didn’t really surprise him that Yugi had lashed out like he had. After all the teen didn’t want to disappoint his grandfather, and a trashed living room wouldn’t exactly win him any favours. He also had a feeling Bakura was going to be on the receiving end of a nice, long lecture. Whether he listened or not would be a different story.

Yami wasn’t sure what had happened after that, though he knew at some point he’d fallen asleep because his watch was now reading six in the evening. With a Yawn he rolled over only to feel a sharp pain as his back touched the cool sand he’d been laying on. Startled, he rolled onto his side, his entire back on fire, pins seemingly embedded along his spine.

He was going to have one bad sunburn.

Stretching out his arms painfully, he managed to pull his shirt and boots back on, not caring about the sand at that point. He had to get home and get something on his back before it got even worse. He licked chapped lips and spit out his gum, which he thankfully hadn’t swallowed and choked on in his sleep, into a wrapper before standing.

However when he did this the petit teen was assailed with a crippling wave of nausea that sent him tumbling back onto the ground. His head throbbed painfully and his stomach turned on itself as if he’d swallowed glass. Yami found himself gasping for air, on the edge of a blackout with the world spinning painfully around him.

The teen choked back a cry of pain as his brain tried desperately to figure out what was going on. He’d seen this before, where? It was on the tip of his tongue. It felt like his brain was throbbing, pressing against his skull as if any moment it would crack it open.

That was when Yami remembered. He’d seen this in the desert. What he was experiencing was heat stroke and if he didn’t get cooled off and hydrated quickly he could die

It burned to even look at the beach around him and he knew that he probably wouldn’t last until morning without treatment. His eyes tried their best to scan the shoreline, but there wasn’t a soul in sight. Fighting down another wave of nausea he tried in vain to get to his feet, only ending up with his face in the sand and a fresh wave of pain from every facet of his being.

Yami knew it would do no good to panic now, but he was close. No one knew where he was and he had to get out of the sun now! He’d watched people die like this and it wasn’t something he wanted to experience. All he could do now was hope someone would come by, and recognise his plight. As it was, his throat was already painfully tight and it felt like his tongue was swelling up in an attempt to choke him to death.

Determined not to give up he dug his hands into the ground and began to pull himself towards the shade of the trees that lined the ridge. With every motion he was assailed with pain and nausea anew until he could move no further. Tears ran down his cheeks, burning as they feel. Finally, Yami collapsed where he lay, body half in and half out of the shade, but still utterly exposed and helpless. His black clothes were covered with sand and smudged with dirt. If it weren’t for his elegant, refined face one would’ve though him just another drug addict passed out after their latest high.

Across the city Yugi was on his hands and knees, scrubbing cola out of the carpet, oblivious to the time. As well the others were similarly unaware of the former pharaoh’s plight, going about their business as they would’ve noramlly. No one even wondered where Yami was or what he was doing.

Indeed, Yami was the farthest thing from Seto Kaiba’s thoughts as he walked. By now it was dark and the streetlights cast their artificial glow over the sidewalks and roads. However, the faintest traces of sunset still lingered on the horizon as the stars twinkled faintly in the heaven above, mere pinpricks in the curtain thrown over the world. This was his favourite time to walk, right when everyone was either finally at home or had yet to leave. It was at this time the night was at it’s most mysterious and most peaceful, thus it was also the time the tall billionaire chose to walk.

He’d been at work since early this morning, barely taking a break for lunch. True he’d accomplished a lot even by his own high standards, but just knowing that he wasn’t able to go to sleep. He needed something more. Of course he didn’t know what it was, but often his late-night walks helped.

Mokuba was off sleeping at one of his friend’s houses for the weekend and thus there had been no real reason for him to stay home anyway. Granted he hadn’t agreed to let Mokuba go at first, but his brother knew just how to persuade him and in the end he had agreed, knowing it was good for Mokuba to hang around children his own age.

He was in no hurry as he walked along the darkened paths, blue trench coat flaring out behind him. It was at these times that he let his mind go blank, releasing every bit of built up stress and frustration that had built up over the course of the day.

The wind blew cool air all around him as he stopped in the middle of a long bridge that crossed the river. Without the light of day the river was a dark, almost black , but the sound of the flowing water was soothing, as was the cold metal rail upon which he leaned. In the distance one could hear birds singing and bugs starting to come alive all around with their distinctive clicks and chirps.

He was about to turn back towards his residence when he noticed something out-of-place on the shoreline. With the poor light and distance away that it was he couldn’t really make it out. However, something inside urged him on to go and have a look.

It wasn’t very far from the end of the bridge to the break in the trees where one could make their way down to the beach. Careful not to slip on the grass he made his way down the incline, getting closer and closer to the strange black object. It was probably garbage or a wild animal and the CEO didn’t know why he was wasting his time with this, but still he approached. It wasn’t until he was a few feet away that he realised what it was and his heart almost stopped.

“Yami...” he breathed, quickly closing the gap between them and kneeling down beside his rival. At first he’d feared the worst, that the other was dead, dumped along the shoreline by some crazed psychopath. Yet, as he knelt down he could hear the other’s faint breathing. However, as he lay one hand on the other he knew something was wrong. Yami’s skin was far too warm, almost as if he were burning from the inside out.

He lifted his hand from the other’s arm to his forehead, feeling that it too was dangerously hot. As well he could see the skin was beginning to peel off the back of Yami’s neck. At that moment he no longer cared about the animosity between them, all he wanted was some sort of response from the other.

“Speak to me Yami!” he called desperately, now regretting the fact that he’d left his cell phone behind. There was no response from the other except for a pained moan when he lightly shook the other’s shoulder. Bending down further he could see the other’s face flushed red. He knew for sure now that something was seriously wrong and he hefted the other into his arms. Kaiba didn’t know what was wrong, but it was only a few minutes to his house and then the doctor on staff could tell him. The only thing that vaguely reassured the other was the fact that blood was no where to be seen on his rival. None the less he travelled as quickly as he could, Yami in his arms, knowing that seconds could make the difference between life and death.

“How is he?” Kaiba asked, trying to disguise to worry in his voice. He hated to admit it but Yami meant something to him, as a rival and as someone he respected. Sure, he had been defeated, and he still longed to avenge that loss, but killing Yami wasn’t the way to accomplish that. If the other were going to fall it would be by his hands in a fair duel.

“He has a severe case of heat stroke. You’re lucky you found him when you did because he wouldn’t have made it much longer.” The doctor replied, adjusting his thick-rimmed glasses upon the bridge of his nose. Kaiba’s face visibly paled, but the doctor continued as if he hadn’t noticed. “He has a high fever but from what I can tell no brain damage has resulted yet, as well his back is heavily burned. If he wakes up make sure he tries not to move because that will only make it worse.” The doctor shook his head before turning to Kaiba once again. “I’ve done all I can for him now. I’ll be back in the morning to check on him.”

“That’s fine.” Was Kaiba’s dismissive reply as he headed for the medical room where Yami currently lay, still unconscious. He didn’t even watch the doctor leave as he entered.

There, in the center of the room lay the small body of the other teen, his chest rising and falling slowly; body covered under crisp white sheets. He lay on his stomach so that there was no pressure on the burn. Yami’s wrists had been tightly strapped to the bed to prevent him from moving. “What happened to you?” Kaiba murmured under his breath, coming closer to the other.

As the billionaire sat down the harsh artificial light glinted of the metal pole which held the bag of fluid above Yami’s body. Even he had seen that other had been dehydrated and undoubtedly the chemicals in that bag were to help alleviate that condition. Yami’s face was turned to the side and slightly less flushed but as Kaiba lay his hand on the other’s forehead he could tell Yami still had a fever.

“How could you let things get this far out of control?” he questioned the other aloud. Hadn’t Yami been with those morons who could’ve got him into the shade or to a hospital when he’d collapsed? It made no sense.

He got up from his chair, making the short trip from bed to sink in a few strides. He grabbed one of the washcloths from the shelf above and soaked it in cold water under the tap. Ringing out the excess water he returned to Yami’s side placing the cloth on the unconscious teen’s forehead. And though he could’ve been mistaken but he thought he heard the other sigh at this.

Another thing that bothered him was why no one had phoned to find out where Yami was. By all accounts Yami and Yugi at the very least were close, wouldn’t one notice the other missing? Curious, Kaiba pulled out the cell phone he’d used to page the doctor earlier, dialling the Game Shop.

“Hello?” Yugi asked from the other end of the line.

“Yugi.” Kaiba began, but was cut off.

“I was just about to call you. Is Yami over there? I kind of got mad at him earlier today and he hasn’t come back yet.” Yugi sounded stressed and worried but also rushed and maybe even a little guilty. Kaiba decided that the whole truth wasn’t needed as he replied.

“He’s over here.” He affirmed but was again cut off before he could finish his thought aloud.

“Great! You don’t mind letting him stay there for a couple of days? The place is a mess and it really needs to be cleaned. It would probably be the best if Yami stayed with you.”

“Fine.” Kaiba replied, hearing Yugi hang up without another word. It certainly hadn’t been what he’d expected but there really was no need to worry anyone else unnecessarily. At least now he understood partly why Yami would’ve been alone. He put the cell phone back in his pocket and stood from the chair.

Even though he certainly felt like it right now sleep was the last thing that he wanted to do. There was just something that made him want to watch over Yami. Of course, he wasn’t going to do that while covered in dirt and sand. Thus he headed for the bathroom and a prompt cold shower.

As the water poured over his body he thought of Yami, and of the peeling skin on the back of his neck. No doubt that was from the sunburn, but he had no idea just how badly or how extensively the other had been burned. He knew there was very little he could personally do for his rival but that didn’t make him care any less.

Yami, at least to some extent, could understand him and treated him more like a person than an enemy or an annoyance. As much as he hated to admit it, he needed that acceptance desperately. True, there was Mokuba but that was different. He couldn’t quite define it in words, it was just something he needed, something that reassured him that he was worthy of living this life.

Laying a hand on the glass knob he slowly shut off the water and reached for the towel hung above the door with which he dried himself off before slipping into clean clothes and heading back to Yami. There had been no visible change since he left yet he did notice that the cloth on Yami’s forehead was now dry and he promptly ran it under the faucet and replaced it once more.

Before he sat down again Kaiba swung the chair around so that his chest leaned against the back of the frame. After that he folded his arms along the top of the backrest and let his chin come to rest atop them. At least, he reflected, Yami was resting rather peacefully.

Kaiba was almost glad Yugi had been so oblivious to the other’s condition because that bought Yami more time to heal. The CEO knew that the second Yugi or any of his friends found out that this had happened he wouldn’t be able to get them out of the mansion to save his life, or, in this case, his sanity. It was probably also the best for Yami. If the shorter teen awoke to see his fan club watching over him Kaiba knew the other would push himself too far. He’d try to appear better than he actually was just so the others wouldn’t be worried. And that was bound to do him far more harm than good.

With one hand he gently brushed Yami’s bangs from his face and tucked them behind one ear. Kaiba had never really noticed how very delicate the other looked until now. The majority of times he’d seen Yami were when one or both of them were duelling. During those times it was like Yami stood feet taller than his actual height. He had to admit Yami was truly impressive. There was just something so captivating about the other duellist...

As for now? Well he didn’t have much else to do, not wanting the other to wake up in a strange room and start to panic, opening up healing wounds. So he continued to gaze at Yami, his eyes wandering down the other’s petit frame. It was easy to see the bandages that were wrapped around much of his chest underneath the semitransparent white sheets. Looking now he realised Yami really did have quite a delicate frame, something that was rather contradictory to his overwhelming personality. Kaiba had to admit it would be a shame if this episode left those limbs scarred.

Kaiba awoke the next morning, a kink in his neck from falling asleep in the chair. He tried to remember how long he’d stayed awake the previous night as he rubbed his neck but he couldn’t. By all accounts Yami still hadn’t woken up so the CEO simply dampened the cloth once more and left to obtain breakfast. By his watch it was eight in the morning yet he didn’t have to worry about work today. Mokuba had made sure he took at least one day off in the week and both had agreed on Sunday. Thus he was left with an empty house, no little brother and an unconscious teenager. That and piles of residual paperwork which he didn’t feel like doing at the moment.

Stepping into the kitchen he went straight for the fridge, not feeling like cooking. Actually, he didn’t feel like doing much of anything really. His mind just seemed to keep straying back to Yami. Up until last night he’d taken it for granted that the other would always be around but now it was obvious just how vulnerable Yami actually was. Grabbing a sandwich that hadn’t been eaten the previous day he returned to the small medical room. It wasn’t the healthiest breakfast but it was food none the less.

He had barely wiped the crumbs off his fingers when Yami began stirring, the wet face cloth slipping off his forehead. Kaiba pulled that away just as Yami’s eyes opened, followed by a pained moan.

“Where?” Yami questioned in a hoarse voice. Immediately he tried to move but was held back by the leather straps that bound him to the bed. As well he let out a sharp cry undoubtedly out of pain.

“Try not to move, you’ve done a number on your back.” Kaiba replied, lowering himself to the floor next to the bed so Yami could see him. “You were lying unconscious on the beach, I brought you back here to get medical attention. What happened to you?” he asked, looking into Yami’s eyes.

“I fell asleep outside,” Yami started weakly, his whole back simply screaming at him as if it were hot coals lying atop of him and not bandages and sheets. “When I woke up I could barely move. There was no one around and no one knew where I was.” At that he choked back another gasp, trying to focus on anything but his pain, ending up staring into Kaiba’s eyes. “Thank you for bringing me back here.”

“Don’t thank me.” Kaiba replied, knowing it was the very least he owed Yami. Then, in a softer tone of voice he asked, “How bad is it?”

“Ra,” Yami sighed, not even trying to hide it anymore. “I feel like someone’s taken a hot knife and is slowly cutting through my back.” He managed to roll a little more onto his side; waves of pain spiking along his frame causing him concentrate all the more on the billionaire’s eyes. He’d never noticed before how very blue they were, such a deep rich like lapis lazuli, an Egyptian stone of which he was extremely fond.

“Is there anything I can get you.” Kaiba offered, being uncharacteristically kind to the injured teen. Yami closed his eyes, turning instead to the other’s voice. Now that it wasn’t hurling threats or insults he noticed how deep and smooth it really was, like cool water being poured over him. Yami sighed.

“Talk to me,” he whispered, “I like the sound of your voice.” At this Kaiba chuckled, surprised by Yami’s request.

“What would you have me talk about?”

“Anything.” Yami sighed again. “Just give me something to focus on.” He almost pleaded, his head still throbbing.

Seeing that other was indeed serious he took his seat once more. Certainly he wasn’t very good at carrying on a conversation, but he had seen the pain in Yami’s eyes and if it helped the other he’d give it a try at least.

He watched Yami as he talked, the minutes slowly ticking by. Indeed it seemed the other relaxed as he did so. At one point he even thought he saw Yami smile briefly.

However that didn’t last, as there came a knock on the door followed by footsteps. Yami opened his eyes, his mind a lot less clouded but his back still in pain. He could see an elderly man in a white coat talking to Kaiba near door but he couldn’t make out what was being said.

Instead he thought of what Kaiba had said, of the passion in his voice as he’d talked about his company and his brother. Even though Yami hadn’t understood many of the technological terms it had been nice just listening to it. He inwardly smiled to himself. He had to get Kaiba to talk more often. It was like the billionaire was a different person when he dropped the arrogance and just acted civilly instead of having something to prove.

Yami left that train of thought to be continued at a later date as the two approached him, the elder one standing in front of Kaiba who leaned against the adjacent wall.

“Mr. Motou is it?” the doctor asked. Yami replied with a quiet yes and let him continue. “It’s good to see you awake. What I’m going to be doing now is checking your burn. I placed on medicated patches on it that would speed up the healing process last night and now they need to be removed and replaced with a lotion before I wrap you back up, alright?”

“That’s fine.” Yami said, feeling the light weight of the sheets being lifted off. He closed his eyes as the bandages were slowly unwound from around his body. So far it hadn’t really hurt at all. Plus the cool air touching the exposed portions of his skin was a welcomed sensation.

That was until he felt fingers grab onto the edge of what did indeed feel like a patch and pull. The pain was excruciating and he screamed aloud, tears forming in the corner of his eyes as his nails dug desperately into the mattress. When a second was pulled off he screamed even louder, tears now running down his cheeks. His back throbbed; feeling like it was being torn apart. So intense was the pain that he didn’t even hear Kaiba call his name.

“Is that really necessary?” the billionaire demanded, vacating the wall and coming to stand next to the doctor as he lay the third of ten patches laden with skin and fluid on a small tray next to the bed, Yami’s scream echoing off the walls.

“They have to come off so that he doesn’t over dose on the medication.” The doctor replied, reaching for the edge of the fourth. Kaiba looked down to the part of Yami’s back that was now exposed, seeing that it was red and raw and knowing the other was already in so much pain.

“Hold it for a moment.” Kaiba instructed, unbuckling the leather strap that held down one of Yami’s wrists and gently taking hold of the other’s hand. Since Yami’s arms hadn’t been badly burned it still bent naturally as he kneeled down by the other duellist’s side. “Look at me Yami.” He demanded, the other’s eyes slowly fluttering open, tears still running down his cheeks. “Listen, these have to come off and it’s not going to get any easier. Now’s your turn to talk to me. Don’t think about it.” Yami gulped, nodding weakly, his fingers entwining with Kaiba’s.

As the doctor began peeling away the fourth patch Yami’s nails began to dig into the taller teen’s palm, yet Kaiba showed no discomfort, keeping his eyes level with Yami’s. “Talk to me.” he whispered as the other attempted to close his eyes. “Say whatever you want. It’s just the two of us in the room.”

Of course he expected random talk or even insults from the pained duellist, not at all what he got. Yami looked at him with eyes the of fine red wine, tears still falling down his cheeks. Indeed it looked like he was trying to say something, and was trying desperately not to scream again. For a moment the billionaire was taken, lost in those eyes that cried out to him, veiled behind thick black lashes. His golden bangs were splayed across his face; some stuck to the streaks his tears on his cheeks.

Yami pursed his lips; his fingers digging into Kaiba’s hand even more. “You have the most beautiful eyes.” he whispered, sighing slightly at the reprieve between when one pad came off and the other started to be pulled at. All it seemed he could think about was the tall brunette and it blocked out the pain.

Kaiba was stunned. “What?” he asked in disbelief, figuring he’d heard the other wrong. Yet Yami continued as if he hadn’t heard him.

“They’re such an intense blue like nothing else.” Yami winced slightly, but continued once more. “When you looked at me it was like I couldn’t break away. They’re just so blue it’s like they’re a so pure it’s beyond the reach of time itself.”

Kaiba didn’t know what to make of Yami’s words. He was certainly glad the other was talking so that only he could hear.

No one had ever said anything like that to him before. Especially someone like Yami who, at the moment, seemed so very sincere. As well he couldn’t stop the slight blush that tinged his cheeks at Yami’s comment, nor could he help but realise Yami was having a similar effect on him. It was as if he too couldn’t look away; as if somehow Yami’s eyes had trapped him in a realm beyond the physical.

However, before either of them could carry on the doctor interrupted. “I’m finished now. All that needs to be done now is this lotion needs to be applied and the bandages replaced. Then Mr. Motou can get some rest.” At this Kaiba was finally able to tear himself from Yami, their hands parting almost reluctantly.

“I can do this.” Kaiba said, placing a hand over the open jar of lotion. He felt like he needed to get that doctor out as soon as possible before Yami said anything further.

“That’s fine, your hands probably aren’t as rough as these old ones anyway.” The doctor laughed taking his leave, closing the door to the room behind him. Thankfully the old man appeared to be oblivious as to the words that had just been exchanged between the two duellists.

Breathing a sigh of relief Kaiba walked around to the other side of the bed, unfastening Yami’s other wrist. He then looked to Yami’s back. The pads had forcibly removed most of the burned skin yet one could already see his back was healing.

“This may sting.” He commented, dipping his fingers into the lotion and finding it to be more like a cream, thick and cold with a slight natural scent. Tentatively he reached over and gently pressed his fingers to the back of Yami’s neck, beginning to rub the thick concoction into the teen’s skin.

Yami just didn’t make any sense. ‘...the most beautiful eyes...’ Out of all thing he could’ve said Yami had said that, what did he mean? He had to wonder if Yami really meant that or if it was just his fever talking. Still, it intrigued him.

“Mmm, that feels good.” Yami whispered, the cold cream instantly sending shivers down his spine as it met with heated skin. He let his eyes slide closed as Kaiba’s fingers danced across his back, bringing cool mercy with them.

In the silence that fell as Kaiba attended to Yami’s back the former pharaoh thought about what he’d said. He didn’t know why he’d one it; it had just slipped out. Yet, he couldn’t deny that it wasn’t true, nor could he deny the fact that while he’d been saying those things he hadn’t felt any pain. It was as if Kaiba had indeed been the only thing in the universe.

What was going on with him? It was like he... Yami wanted to deny it, to push the thought out of his head and attribute it forever to a fever. However his mind wouldn’t let him. He’d never felt like this before; never been so enthralled by someone. And it was then he truly realised it.

He’d fallen in love.

With Seto Kaiba.

And he liked it.

Silently he dug his head into the pillow, blushing slightly at his own realisation. Until now he’d never really thought about how he’d looked at the other, sometimes staring at him in the middle of a duel. Yami hadn’t realised until now how very much he enjoyed their duels the rush he got when they competed against each other. Yet, when he’d looked into the Kaiba’s blue eyes, really truly looked, it was like everything had finally fallen into place.

The irony was it had taken him almost getting fried by the sun to figure it out.

Now all he had to do was tell the brunette. Easier thought than done. For all he knew Kaiba was only being this kind because he was injured. What was to say that anything had changed between them? What was to say Kaiba even felt anything for him beside hate?

Yami looked to be more comfortable Kaiba noticed as he rubbed in the last of the lotion. “How are you feeling?” he asked wiping the cream off his hands and pulling a fresh roll of bandages from a drawer next to the bed.

“Better.” The former pharaoh replied from behind him. And when Kaiba turned around he was surprised to see the other sitting up in bed, wincing slightly as his body moved underneath the sheets which were only pulled to his waist.

“Yami...” Kaiba uttered, finding himself unconsciously staring at the other teen’s bared chest which, unlike his unfortunate back, was deliciously tanned delicately pink nipples standing out against darkened flesh. “Doesn’t that hurt?” he finally managed to ask, inwardly scolding himself for staring like that while trying to figure out what it was that was going on with himself.

“Yes. But not very much thanks to you.” Yami winked at the CEO. Blatant flirting yes, but Yami certainly wasn’t above it. And after that little comment earlier it wasn’t like he hadn’t done it before. What he desperately wanted to know with every passing second was if Kaiba felt like he did now. He wanted a reaction from the brunette and this was the only way he could think of getting one. If the billionaire threw him out at least he could say that he’d tried.

Kaiba disregarded Yami’s action, thinking he was reading too much into the other’s actions. In his mind at least flirting was not something Yami would do. The fact that he was even thinking about Yami flirting with him didn’t bode very well for his sanity either. The brunette shook his head and proceeded to begin wrapping the cloth bandages around Yami’s chest.

It was once again quiet in the room as he did this, leaning forward over the side of the bed so he could reach all the way around Yami. As he did this the former pharaoh gently rested his forehead against Kaiba’s shoulder, again startling the billionaire but not causing any visible reaction.

Yet Kaiba’s thoughts began to wander. Ask him what Yami meant to him mere hours ago and he would’ve replied a rival. Now, he wasn’t so sure. He’d never really got to know Yami outside of duelling and now that he was so close to the other there was this weird feeling. He didn’t know what it was, but it certainly wasn’t unpleasant.

Of course he’d always respected the other’s skill, but this went even beyond admiration. Now, with his arms around the other he was oh so very tempted to draw Yami into his arms and not let go, to run his fingers through Yami’s exotic, multicoloured hair. And those eyes, those deep wine red eyes were something else. Before he’d liked them because those were the only eyes that looked on him without trying to pass some sort of judgement on him. Now, that he had actually looked at them, they were radiant and deep, captivating and intoxicating like the mystery with which Yami was wrapped.

Kaiba silently finished wrapping Yami up, ignoring his instincts. His brain still unwilling to accept the fact that the person he’d strived so hard to beat could actually ‘mean’ something to him emotionally, though he had yet to figure out what that something was. And so he withdrew, Yami’s head lifting off his shoulder.

“Thank you.” the Game King murmured as Kaiba made for the door. He needed some time to think and Yami most likely needed to get some rest. His head was almost spinning just thinking about the other.

He’d made it around to the other side of the bed by the door when he stopped, taking one final look backwards over his shoulder.

“Is there anything else I can do for you?” he asked, at least trying to be reasonably polite. And to his surprise Yami accepted his offer with a smile.

“As a matter of fact, you can,” Yami began, catching Kaiba’s attention and causing the billionaire to turn fully and face him.

“What’s that?” he questioned as Yami shifted so he was near the edge of the bed, the white sheets curling around his legs and hips.

“It’s just one small thing,” Yami continued raising on his knees so that he was at eye level with the brunette. The shorter teen stared directly into confused blue eyes before he quickly closed the gap between them, pressing his lips against Kaiba’s. This was his last attempt, and he was sure he’d get some reaction from the beautiful teen.

Kaiba’s eyes flew open in utter shock before his body took over, letting them fall slowly shut. Yami’s lips were so soft against his own, sending a shiver down his spine. This was the feeling, the stirring in his being he’d been trying to identify; amplified tenfold. It was a rush, a high, pure euphoria.

It wasn’t long at all before he kissed back fervently, his hands burying themselves in Yami’s hair just as he’d wanted to moments before. It was just too good, to have Yami give him this. Yami too wound his arms around Kaiba’s neck delighted at the other’s response.

Eagerly he parted his lips and let Kaiba’s tongue dance sensually with his own, their passionate, unchoreographed dance sending the other higher and higher. Arms tightened their grip, the heat from the two bodies mingling into one dizzying aura.

Eventually though, the two broke for breath, each gazing into the other’s eyes. Both were smirking; both held the other as if they would be torn apart at any moment.

“Thanks.” Yami voiced first, running his tongue along his bottom lip.

“My pleasure.” Was the sly reply form Kaiba as he tucked a blonde bang behind Yami’s ear, caressing the other’s face as he did so.

“I’m sure it was.” Yami retorted. “So?” he asked, Kaiba’s breath gently tickling his face. His back dully reminding him that he had his limits.

“So what?”

“Want to do that again?” he asked, a lock of the brunette’s hair being aimlessly twirled around his index finger.

Kaiba only smirked as he closed the gap between them once more, both knowing that it was going to be hard to explain to Yugi what had happened in the last twenty-four hours, but not caring at all as each devoured the other’s mouth with pent-up passion.

This was as alive as either of them had ever felt, adrenaline, like sugar, coursing sweetly through their veins. This was the thing that they never even knew was missing yet, now finally able to experience it, it was hard to imagine life without the newly discovered warmth, the passion and maybe even more. Only time would tell...

All the while, across the city, Yugi was beginning to feel guilty about leaving Yami with Kaiba. “I’m never going to hear the end of this.” He muttered, still trying to recover the living room to it’s previous state. “With the way those two get along I’ll be lucky if they both come out alive.”