Back in Atem's dorm room, Yugi walked over to the couch and took a seat feeling exhausted from another day of college. His lover walked through the door and closed it behind him.
'I wonder if he...'
"I didn't forget," Atem came to sit next to him on the leather couch, "Yugi, I don't get it. Why do you..."
"Can we just forget it, please?"
"No, we can't. Yugi,” Atem rested his hand on his shoulder, “Do you still believe that you’re responsible for my departure?”
Yugi stayed silent blocking his end of communication in his mind as well. He didn’t feel like dealing with this. ‘He forgot about me in the beginning anyway.’ He could feel the pharaoh’s persistence in his mind wanting him to open up his end of the link.
“Please Yugi,” he lifted Yugi’s chin, “Don’t feel like your responsible.” He felt a tear trickle down to his finger and inspected Yugi’s face to see that he had a fresh tear trail on his right cheek.
“You don’t understand,” Yugi got up from his seat and walked out of the dorm. Atem immediately got up and shut the door behind him.
“Yugi, what’s wrong? Did I do something to upset you?”
“Can I just be alone for a while? Now that you have your own body, I want to have some privacy, please?” The pain in Yugi’s heart was noticeable.
“Alright,” Atem came closer to him from behind and held him in his arms, “Whatever I did I apologize.” He planted a soft kiss on Yugi’s neck before letting go and entering the dorm room again.
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“He hasn’t come back yet?” Jounoichi sat opposite of Atem on the love seat as he sat on the couch.
“No, his side of communication hasn’t opened up yet. I hope he’s okay.” The last sentence wasn’t part of his response but his lips moving on his own showing how protective he was of his Yugi.
Jounoichi sat back a little, an indication that he was thinking, “Maybe he’s a little right. You both need a little space of your own. I mean, after all, you guys shared the same body for four year and seperated for only, what, two year, at the most. You both need your own privacy. What makes it a little worse is that you two have the mind link. Do you trust Yugi enough to stop probing his mind?”
Atem looked up at him wondering what he was insinuating, “What’re you trying to say?”
“I’m not being mean or anything but you have to understand where I’m coming from over here,” Jou took a second to see if he hit a sense in the former pharaoh. He’s always been closer to Yugi than the pharaoh and has always felt like he had to protect Yugi from every force that’s out there. ‘Even if it’s Yugi’s love interest, I’ll protect him from bein’ hurt.’
“I...” Atem exhaled to calm his nerves, “...suppose...you might...”
“I am right. This is just his time to just gather himself and make his being whole again. Without you in his soul, he’s half empty. Let him build his character on his own.”
Atem was quite surprised, “Wow Jou, that’s the most sentimental thing I’ve ever heard you say. Listening to Tea’s rantings all the time?”
“Tea? We don’t talk anymore. After you left, she’s been attacking Yugi thinking he’s the reason why you left. She’s only been our friends because you’re friends with us. It was like some evil demented plot for her to be your one and only.” Atem laughed at his description.
“Nice. Anyway, I’m looking forward to dueling again. Can’t wait.” He didn’t realize how it was not worrying about Yugi twenty four seven. ‘This must mean what Jou meant. I need to build my character as well. If I can’t take care of myself, how will I be able to take care of Yugi?’
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The cool ocean breeze traveled through the air and slightly disturbed the gold bangs that fell on the sides of his face. Yugi felt at peace feeling relieved that he could actually think for himself without someone knowing what he was feeling. ‘I’ve been out long enough. It’s been three hours and I want to get back to him. I didn’t mean to freak out like that.’ He lifted his body of the railing and turned to walk back to the campus.
Yugi stopped in his tracks seeing Tea walking out of jewelry store across from him. ‘Oh great. More trouble.’ He tried to stay inconspicuous by feeling like the smallest being he could think of as he walked through the crowded streets.
“Hey Yugi!” He flinched knowing he has been discovered. ‘Please don’t let her kill.’ He turned to face her.
“H-hi Tea.” The unenthusiastic response was evident.
“Why aren’t you happy to see me? I thought you’d be happy,” She brought the bag behind her back giving it a suspicious feeling to it.
“Anyway, Tea, I’m going back to my dorm. Uh...bye.” He walked away not waiting to find out what’s in it.
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'The door's locked?' Yugi backed away from the door and looked up at in and unblocked the mind link. He heard Atem's voice.
'I hope he's not back yet. I'm really hoping that Jou won't mention a word to him.'
'About what Atem? I'm back and the door's locked. Where are you?'
'I'll be there soon, Yugi. I apologize.' He locked his side of communication.
"I can't believe he locked me out."
undertakenheart Community Member 
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