AAAAAAAND THE WINNER IS....
YUGI MUTOU/ YAMI YUGI!!
In an (un)surprising turn of events, Yugi Mutou/Yami Yugi won the last poll to write headcanons about them.
Did he cheat? We will never know for sure! (At the end of the day, Yugi never loses (???).)
So without further ado, let's go!
Yugi Mutou/Yami Yugi | Route (Part one):
Trigger Warnings: None, Sfw, wholesome, slight soulmate connection if you squint, slight miscommunication, Yami Yugi/Atem being insecure/self conscious about his reputation.
Sorry guys...instead of just being headcanons it ended up being a whole route (and this is just the first part.)
Keep in mind that, when I say "Route" I mean it like in a visual novel where you go and romance a character, this would be one of Yugi's routes if I ever came up with another one.
Also, when a route is closed, you can unlock a route with another character (that will be decided between posts!!)
So that's it for now!!
---
This may come off as something obvious for some, but I’ll clear it up anyway. Because Yami and Yugi are the same being, residing in the same body, if you date one of them, you're actually dating both.
Now, I know how the show ended, but for the sake of maintaining everything consistent, all characters are depicted as 18+.
I would love to depict Yugi as a full blown adult that is 23-25 years old even if Yu-Gi-Oh designs do not change too much, I want an AU where we can see some development.
Also proship/comship/whatever DNI please.
Now, onto the little route!!:
Yami has seen this pattern for a very long time…how his partner, Yugi, acts around you.
Words aren't even necessary between both men, no matter how much they would like to keep things private from one another, or bury their reasons to act the way they do, they always know.
And while Yami may have helped his counterpart to cultivate his own self esteem in Yugi’s youth, it is the latter who, ironically, will do all the heavy lifting when it comes to the relationship that he wants to build with you.
Yugi’s nature is kind and gentle, but purposefully determined when it comes to the things he knows will make him happier and/or grow as a person.
In his 20’s, I can see Yugi still helping his grandfather in the game shop, lifting boxes, and carrying heavier stuff. Because of this, he has developed a little bit of muscle, he has also grown taller (not much, but when shifting between personalities, now it's barely noticeable.).
After Tea/Anzu moved to the USA, it was evident that their feelings could not grow in these circumstances, so they both remained friends. She's really happy that her friend moved on and found you.!
Whenever you come to the shop, Yugi can actually feel you are near, even if he's not looking at you directly. His intuition is sharp enough to sense you, an ability that all millenium item hosts naturally have acquired with time.
— I’ll be right back, Y/n! — said the spiky haired man in front of you.
You always wondered how he did it.
It was funny how both of you met each other…
You weren't a duelist, at least not an advanced one. But you managed to land a job in a card shop, and you really wanted to do the best you could when it came to giving advice on what cards or strategies would be better for aspiring duelists who came to your shop.
There were rumors about the “so called” king of games living near, so you didn't expect much when you entered the Kame Game shop. How could someone so important live there? Shouldn't the guy be rich by now?
And…all of these assumptions were thrown out the window when you saw him over the counter, overhearing two conversations at once.
— Yes Grandpa, I’ll help you in a sec! Please don't try and carry all of that alone! — Yugi replied, shuffling between a preoccupied tone and an apologetic one — Joey, we’ve already talked about this…I can't lend you any more money for now - —
That's when he noticed you, and almost as if he knew it, he felt happy. A familiar sensation, like home.
Yugi interrupted himself, as Joey, his best friend, turned around to see you.
—...Can I help you? —
You were mesmerized, almost in a trance, barely grasping what the duel champion just said right now. Was he treating you like a normal person? Like an equal?. He wasn't like Seto Kaiba or other duelists, competitive and arrogant…you realized his gentle nature wasn't a facade, certainly.
—W-well…you might be able to help…—
You tried to convey what kind of help you needed, and you were willing to pay for a class in duel monsters, if that was possible.
Instead, you were greeted with warmth, the kind you would expect from a long time friend or a family member…they allowed you to stay after work to cover the basics of the games, and even Joey was glad to help you!
There was this immense feeling of gratitude, you got way more than you thought you would from this experience. Two months passed by quickly, however Yugi and his grandfather refused any kind of payment for the service they gave you.
—Why are they so stubborn…? The deserve some compensation, they have invested so much time on me…— You distracted yourself, thinking about the possibilities…
You had the habit of daydreaming between tasks and even during practice duels, until a soft voice grounded you.
—...y/n…Earth to Y/N…! —
You quickly snapped out of any other thoughts and inner doubts.
—...Ah! S-sorry!! I got distracted! —
Both Yugi and Joey chuckled at your reaction. Your opponent, Joey, was apparently eager to gain another victory.
— C’mon Y/N! This fella has another duel to win! — The blonde man sure exuded confidence through his words…
You came up with an idea.
—Joey, if you love the game so much and need a stable job...why don't you work at the shop? — You stopped yourself mid-sentence, trying to convey what you wanted to explain. —...You would do great in both coaching and teaching rookies for practice duels! I could talk to my boss about it! —
— Wha– …? Me? Really? Ah…— Joey pointed at himself, totally confused.
— That would actually be such a great idea! Joey is a trustworthy person, I can assure you that, Y/N. — Yugi looked more contempt than his own friend at the job proposal — If I couldn't attend the game shop for some reason, Joey would be the first person I would think of to cover me! —
— Oh…Yug! — Joey was almost teary, knowing how much his friend trusted him.
— Hmm, I don't know, I wouldn't trust Joey with our money, Yugi — Yugi’s grandfather interrupted the moment, eliciting a sigh of discomfort from the blonde.
Both Yugi and you laughed, and he stopped for a moment to contemplate you… the planes of your face, your smile…
You looked perfect.
He didn't have, or need, any other words to describe you, your smile and the sheer feeling of happiness your presence gave him.
— I’ll recommend him personally if you want to! — Yugi replied.
— That would be great!...But you didn't tell me how can I repay you for your services…—
— Oh! About that…well, I may have an idea…—
Yugi looked at the other men and winked, a universal signal that sent a jolt to both the older and younger one.
— I–, ah…I’ll be back in a while! — Solomon muto retorted, trying to hide his intention to leave you two alone.
— I- well, I…I’ll go to the toilet! — Joey then started dodging any furniture that could come up in his way, failing miserably in the process, and falling two or three times.
Suddenly, everyone was gone. It was only Yugi and you…or was it?.
There was someone else watching the scene unfold, without you being aware of it.
— Well, I was thinking about something…— Yugi looked behind him, as if he was looking for some kind of approval, but to no avail.
There wasn't even a trace of the shadow of his other self. He caressed the golden puzzle that rested on his chest, as if it was the source of his confidence.
With the last remnant of courage he had left, he finalized his sentence.
— You know, there's a cafeteria near here, I think we should go there, so we can talk in more detail about it... —
After some moments, both of you felt the bold, heavy whispers of silence… Thanks to you, though, it wasn't for long.
— Oh, that's great! — You almost beamed in happiness. Yugi almost jumped at your sudden reaction.
— You…you accept…? —
For the first time in some years, Yugi Mutou actually looked…puzzled. Quite fittingly, really.
— Sure, why not? It would be nice —
— G-great! Hah…— Yugi scratched his face nervously, with his index finger.
—...I can't help but feel a little bit guilty…I think I may have messed up... — His thoughts started tripping against the measly words he tried to utter, in an attempt to salvage the situation — Y-you know, It's okay if you don't want to, I– —
— Oh, it's getting late, I should get going! —
— W-wait, Y/n, I– —
Yugi tried to get up from the floor, while you put your shoes on. Joey, appeared behind a wall, startling Y/n in the process.
— Wah!! —
— Don't worry Yug! I’ll return Y/n to their home safely! —
— I…uh, thanks Joey — Yugi tried to hide his guilt behind a sheepish smile and closed eyes.
When you turned around and weren't looking, Joey lifted his arm and did a thumbs up to Yugi while smiling and repeatedly nodding, as if asking “how did it go?”. Yugi answered with another thumbs up, shyly.
Apparently, it looked like a success!
Joey retracted his elbow triumphantly. He was even happier than his friend at this point.
— Yeah! Well! Let's go Y/N!! —
You both left the shop and waved at Yugi.
—Hmm…you weren't entirely honest with them, did you? — Solomon asked, with one of his eyes closed, as if he was inspecting his own grandson.
— I…uh, Grandpa, I don't wanna talk about this…—
— Heh heh, don't worry about it!, let's rest and call it a day — He reassured his grandson, patting his back as the young man went to his own room.
Yugi let out a long sigh after closing the door.
— Why didn't you actually tell them?...—
Yami’s spirit was sitting on the bed when he asked. It felt like a jab at Yugi's heart...
— Well I should be the one asking that! You didn't even peak to help or encourage me! — Yugi wasn't even mad, he was just…anoyed, and hurt.
—I…you're right. — Yami closed his eyes, admitting defeat. — I’m sorry...—
— You know…I know when you're hiding something. — Yugi sat by Yami’s side on the bed. — I take it you don't like Y/N, then…?. —
Yugi started changing into his bed clothes while waiting for an answer.
— N-no…it's not like that. Yugi, I…! — Yami tried his best, but couldn't come up with the words that could better describe how he actually felt, and the heaviness in his chest…—I… I don't know for sure…—
— Well, you will have to make up your mind Pharaoh…— Yugi muttered while climbing to his bed, then turning off the lights — We have a date tomorrow. —
— I see… —
Yami sat by the headboard of the bed, deep in thought, while observing his other half.
He was a 5000* year old spirit, yet he had heard enough insults about himself, been called names for actions he couldn't even recall, and having to live, yet again to own up for his mistakes in a body that wasn't even his.
“I’ve heard about you, you were an evil Pharaoh, a tyrant”
“You always take credit for being the king of games, leaving nothing for Yugi!”
“You don't deserve to be the current champion, that title belongs to me, and me only!”
“What about Tea, I bet you plan to have her to yourself too, huh?”
“You are evil, accept it.”
Each one stung more than the last, even if Yami didn't want to accept it, even if he wanted to stay strong at the time, the pain on his chest had him almost bent over…
It wasn't easy, for either of them. It wasn't easy to be both dead and alive at the same time.
It wasn't easy to be someone else’s shadow, yet shine so much no one could help but see him.
It wasn't easy to be accused of cheating repeatedly while being judged for taking all the credit at the same time.
But what Yami would never, ever do willingly, is hurt Yugi again.
— I lost him once, I can't afford to make the same mistakes again…—
Yami looked at his younger counterpart. Being a part of his life and sharing the joys of it, the ups and downs…
It was an immense privilege.
And he took it for granted way too many times to make the same mistake again.
— I would never deprive you from the happiness that belongs to you, partner…—
The ancient spirit looked to his younger, lively self sleeping peacefully.
The night was still young…
---
In the other part of the town, Joey was walking you home, the look of nostalgia and happiness washing over him, remembering how defenseless and weak Yugi was in the past. Now both of them reached maturity, even if Joey himself knew he had many things to overcome.
—...-and don't get me started on that one, you should have seen his face when Tristan and I took his millenium puzzle! —
You chuckled a little as the scene played in your mind.
— Oh, you two were so mean!! —
— Hahaha, you could say so!, but…— The blonde man looked to the horizon, then at the floor, searching for the words between every step. —You know…If anything ever happened to me, I would also trust everything I had to Yugi. The only family I have, my sister Serenity, and what little I might have at my home…
—Joey…— The sudden change in pace, and the vulnerability he just showed you…took you out of guard immediately. Almost walking past your original destination — Oh, it's here.
Joey stopped immediately, walking backwards a little, and brushing the back of his head with his hand, almost apologetically.
— Thank you, Joey…—
— No problem, Y/n! And…hey…please take care of Yugi's heart for me, will ya? —
— I…uh..sure…— You were confused by his last statement…what did he mean by that? —
You went into your house, and put your bed clothes on to relax. While you were undressing, however, many thoughts started racing on your mind.
—Simple enough, we go out together, I buy him a meal, and everything is covered…right? —
However…
Thinking about it more deeply…
“There’s a cafeteria near here…”
“It’s okay if you don't want to”
“I would trust Yugi with everything I had”
“Please take care of Yugi's heart for me, ‘will ya?”
For a moment, you felt a scream coiling at the bottom of your throat when it downed on you.
You signed up for a date.
Without you noticing, you gave your friend, Yugi, high hopes for something you didn't feel…or did you?
Were you starting to develop feelings for your friend? Was this all just a massive misunderstanding?
— I’m such an idiot…— You threw yourself at your bed, frustrated. — What do I do? What should I tell him?...What should I wear?? —
It was funny and annoying how your mood was swinging to match your current train of thought. You realized it was better to rest from this busy day, and give yourself a little bit of grace.
The harder decisions would be taken up tomorrow.
…..
Guys!!!
It ended being so long I had to decide to split it up in two chapters! Holy moly! I cannot believe I’ve written roughly 2500 words for this post alone! It's insane and I want to keep on writing lol xD.
Well...I hope you like this one, and see you in another post!!