inonebasket | (no subject)

Yami sighed as Yugi did, so the sound was in stereo. Yugi's mother was a wonderful woman, really, but she made him nervous in ways he didn't ever recall being. It was strange. Whether it was residual feelings from Yugi or just that natural respect a mother demands, Yami didn't know. But she had presence.

A lot of it.

Yami wriggled his wrist in Yugi's grip to hold his hand instead, and let himself be led into the room to find some clothes that would fit him. Unless Yugi got his height from his father -which Yami doubted, considering Sugoroku's appearance- he was going to be swimming in just about anything they found until they could get clothes more appropriate for him. He was bigger than Yugi, yes, but still pretty short for a boy his age.

...what age was he, anyway? The same as Yugi? He wasn't even sure how to measure it. Sometimes he felt like a teenager, and sometimes he felt older than time. It was a fluctuating thing.

Are we going to tell her about our link? Yami asked as Yugi bustled about locating his father's clothes.

Maybe later. Mom might know something about it already. I mean, I have sometimes talked or laughed with you in front of people... Yugi replied as he opened the closet door, then let go of Yami's hand to push some of his mother's clothes aside. There they were... Five shirts in all. When was the last time Yugi had seen the man? More than a year ago, at least. He kept silent as he looked at each one, trying to picture how Yami would look in each of them. His father was rather tall, especially compared to them, so Yami would look ridiculous no matter which one he picked.

Finally, he chose a plain black button up shirt and held it out for Yami to take. "This one will have to do... I, uh, don't think we have any pants."

And even if they did, he'd look even more ridiculous with pants that were much too large for him.

As Yugi sifted through the clothes, Yami folded his arms and leaned against the dresser. Despite all the time he'd spent with his counterpart, he knew next to nothing about Yugi's father...and he suspected that Yugi wasn't much further in the know than he was. Which was depressing, and made Yami resent him a little bit on Yugi's behalf.

A black shirt was tossed his way, and then Yugi broke the news to him none to gently. As Yami shrugged out of the pajama top and slipped on the shirt and left it open -not buttoning it, because he won't be doing that silliness unless he has to- he gave Yugi a rather flat look. "So I'm going to have to go out like this. I suppose there's no way around it."

"Sorry... Just for now. Don't worry, you look nice like that!" But not really. The shirt was close to falling off of Yami's shoulders, and combined with the pajama bottoms... Once he realized that Yami wasn't planning on buttoning up the shirt, Yugi raised an eyebrow and gestured to it as he suggested, "Can't you button that up? It might keep falling off of you if you don't."

No he did not want to.

...but fine. He couldn't help it; he felt much more comfortable with his torso bare and that probably had something to do with his previous life. And who was he to shun his roots? That's right, he wouldn't. Unless Yugi told him to. So reluctantly he obeyed, obviously not pleased about this but recognizing that there was little else he could do and he would look stupid enough in pajama bottoms and a giant tent of a shirt without leaving it wide open as well.

He also knew that he didn't look "nice," but thanks for trying.

"There! Now you look better and ready to go!" No, that was not a chuckle you heard at the last word. Yugi reached out to straighten Yami's collar a bit, and then took his hand again. "Come on, let's go before mom sends grandpa to get us." He gave a quick, encouraged smile, and then started to head out again. But... before he reached the door, he couldn't help but glance back at his father's clothes still hanging in the closet, still visible, yet covered in shadow and well away from his mother's clothing.

With a small sigh, he once again headed out the door, only to nearly walked right into his grandpa. "Here," Sugoroku held out several bills, enough to buy several sets of clothes... Or maybe a few leather things. "A little money from your mother. Now, don't do what I would do and spend it all on games! You know that would not help at all."

Whatever bittersweet feeling Yugi may have been experiencing before, it lifted with that. He laughed and pocketed the money as he responded, "Don't worry! I think I'm more responsible than that, right?"

"More than I." Because -and he was relatively sure that Yugi was aware of this as well- Yami was perfectly content to throw on a bedsheet and call it a toga if that meant he could buy some more cards. In that light, Yugi was more of an adult than he'd ever be.

He had felt that quiet disappointment as they left the room though, and while he wouldn't bring it up he would remember it for later. Yugi maybe needed some cheering up.

Yugi had to chuckle at Yami's input; yes, he knew, and he was glad that he'd be by Yami's side to pull him away from tempting cards. They had plenty to choose from in the card shop, after all. "Thanks, grandpa," Yugi bowed slightly at the waist, and then gave Yami's hand a tug before he led the way down the hallway. "Tell mom I said thanks, too!"

Soon enough (though Yugi had to take a quick detour once he remembered that he was still in his own pajamas), they were outside. Thank goodness; the weather was relatively normal, a wonderful day to be out here... Especially if you were experiencing it for the first time in your own body.

With that thought, Yugi looked up at Yami as he took the lead and inquired curiously, "What's it like? Walking around like this..." With me?

For his part, Yami had been staring at the sky and the world around them as if he'd never seen it before until Yugi spoke to him- and then heard the last bit in his mind. He wasn't sure if that was supposed to make it over to his side, so he politely ignored it for the moment.

"It feels...vibrant. I don't know how else to describe it." It also felt hot, and Yami was already quelling the urge to rip off the shirt dramatically and drape it over his shoulders like some kind of pretentious cape. "Wen I was in control of your body, I could see and hear fine, but now that I'm using my own, it's as if my senses have been honed into something sharper." The breeze lifted their bangs and he closed is eyes against it. "I'd forgotten what it felt like to be like this."

Yugi paid close attention to every word, though he couldn't help shutting his eyes against the breeze as well. There was something about sharing the whole world with someone who'd never seen it like this before, especially if that someone was as close as Yami was to him. It felt as if he was experiencing every sensation and every color with new eyes, with a new appreciation.

The money in his pocket became all too noticeable as Yugi thought of something he could do with it along with buying Yami some clothes. The plan formulated in his mind, and then he opened his eyes and looked up at his other self. "I'm really glad." He brought his attention forward again, if only so that he wouldn't do something stupid like trip on a crack in the sidewalk. "I think you deserve something like this, mou hitori no boku."

Their eyes met at that, but Yami looked away before long. He wasn't sure if he could agree. Before Yugi had begun to change him, he'd done some terrible things with Yugi's own body. Granted, they were punishments to individuals that...pretty much deserved it, but breaking someone's mind just wasn't right. Not now. It wasn't then either, but he knew it wasn't now. So long in the Shadow Realm had twisted whatever morals he'd had while living into something dark and backwards and hypocritical to the core.

What if he was an evil person when he was alive? What if that was why he'd been sealed; because he'd been an evil king? The tablet proclaimed he was brave and that he'd sealed himself away, but why would he do such a thing? It didn't make any sense.

"Aibou," he said after noticing yet another stare from a passerby, "we're going to get asked it we're related many times today, aren't we?"

"We do look a lot alike." He smiled helplessly, hoping to distract from his eyes, which looked worried. He had sensed the insecurity through their link, even if it was fainter than when Yami was a spiritual being. Did he not believe what he'd said? He wouldn't bring it up for now, but he made a mental note of it. He wouldn't let him get away with that line of thought.

"I didn't know he had a brother!" One passerby had stated as they turned to stare after the two of them. Yugi only chuckled lightly; it would be way too complicated to try to turn around and say otherwise. Instead, he turned his head towards Yami, though he kept his eyes on the sidewalk ahead of him. "First," he began and counted off on his fingers, "We're going to get you some clothes. Second, we're going to get us some breakfast. Third... We'll figure it out once we see how much money we have left over."

"We're only supposed to be using that money for clothes," Yami said, but it was spoken more with an air of repeating an order than any actual conviction or intention to do what they were told. That probably wasn't a good start to getting along with Yugi's family.

...but Yugi was the one doing it, so Yami was fine with disobeying provided Yugi did it first.

"Oh, come on," Yugi responded as he reached down to grab Yami's hand, "This is your first day alive! You need to do more than just get some clothes and listen to how you're supposed to live in a house!"

He walked a little faster, which was impressive for one with short legs like him. They hadn't even started their list of things to do, and Yugi was already getting excited.

His enthusiasm was bleeding over and Yami muffled a laugh as he had to jog a bit before he quickened his pace to keep up with Yugi. "Technically this isn't my first day alive, but I concede. Though we shouldn't keep out too long; you need to help with the shop, and we shouldn't keep your mother waiting too long. I don't want to make a bad impression."

Like he hadn't already, by possessing her only child and such. Though she didn't seem too upset about that, but then again she could've been holding back until they were alone. A rock sunk into his gut; would he have to tell her about the things they'd done? Shadow games, soul breaking, all the dangerous things that had happened to Yugi? God, he hoped not.

Yugi had to resist the urge to roll his eyes. Really, he was sure his mother would expect this from the both of them, now that the circumstances were explained to her. Still, a good impression was important; especially important in this case, considering what may happen otherwise. And his grandpa did need help, what with the release of new card packs today.

"Oh, all right." He looked ahead - ah, there was the clothing shop already. "We won't stay out for too long."

And then, they were inside. Rows upon rows of clothes! Clothes for all sizes, men, women and children (don't you even dare suggest he try on some children's clothes, Yami)! Yugi took a moment to let Yami absorb this, and then he let go of his hand. Fly, Yami. Fly. Seek out the clothes that were meant to be with you.

Provided they aren't too expensive.

What the fuck is he supposed to do here.

Yami just kind of. Stares at things for a while. Yeah the most he's ever shopped for is cards. And milkshakes. At a cafe. He'd been with Yugi when he'd gone to get clothes once, but he wasn't really paying attention since it was dull as hell and not about card games.

So instead Yami will stand there looking helpless until he kind of...wanders over to a rack aimlessly and pretends to look through it. It's a rack of plus-size pants that would never fit him in a million years.

Oh, Yami... Yugi snickered quietly to himself, then tried to think of a way to bring him elsewhere without ruining his pride. It didn't take him too long, and soon he was grabbing Yami's arm and dragging him away while proclaiming, "I think I see something over here that'd look perfect on you!"

He didn't. But he could, at least, lead him to the shirts and pants that was meant for his size. What to show, what to show- ah, here we are! On the far wall were pants that were supposed to be up to date with the current style, which meant dark and with plenty of chains hanging from the belt loops. And Yugi knew just how much Yami liked his bling.

"How about this?" Yugi took one of them; tight-fitting, but not leather, and held it up. He didn't know Yami's size, and he doubted his other knew either, and it's not like the sizes meant much in the end anyway, so he had to rely purely on guess work.

Yami could practically feel his mind blanking as he stared. He always just wore whatever Yugi was wearing, which was more often than not his school uniform.

"...that's fine." Probably. That probably worked all right. Feeling very much like a fish out of water, he turned to the rack and flipped through a few more things. Could he just grab whatever, make sure they fit and then get out of there?

Though he would prefer shirts without sleeves. God he hated sleeves.

Again, oh, Yami. Yugi wasn't exactly a clothing fanatic himself, but Yami had to walk around in something other than his father's clothes and his pajama pants. He grabbed a few other clothes, occasionally sneaking up behind Yami to hold them up and see if they fit by sight alone, though he'd hoped that his other would be interested in something and pick it out for him. That was a bit too much to hope for right now, though, so Yugi simply did all the work for him.

Once that was done with, he tapped Yami on the shoulder, then led him over to the fitting rooms. "Here," He said as he handed the clothes over (only a few, he didn't want Yami bored to tears or anything), "You can try these out in the fitting rooms. I'll be right here."

There it was; the distinct feeling of being mothered. Yami knew he should probably put more effort into this shopping thing -he really did like to wear his clothes a particular way so it wasn't as if he didn't have preferences- but it was just...very strange. Surreal. Plus, if this turned out to be temporary they'd have wasted all of that money on clothes for a guy that isn't going to be around for long.

Yami did as he was told though; took the clothes from Yugi and headed into the dressing room. Located an empty stall. Set the clothes on the little bench and attempted to lock the stall door. Failed miserably at it.

Aibou, I need you.

Thankfully, Yugi had the patience of a saint. He even thought that Yami's trouble with the littlest things was adorable, in its own odd way. With a sigh, a shake of his head, and a smile, he headed into the dressing room and located where he was easily enough. Yugi slowly pushed open the door and peeked around, then slid himself inside the room once he was sure that he wasn't barging in on Yami mid-dressed.

What is it? It'd be best to keep their conversation hidden within the safety of their minds. No doubt they'd receive strange looks if they overheard him teaching his other self how to work something or the other.

Yami pointed to the unusual mechanism that locked the stall. Rather than just some cut-and-dry bar you slide over nice and easy, it was a rather complicated looking lock that required you to...do...something. Yami didn't know what. He fiddled with it a bit before calling Yugi, but realized this wasn't so much a puzzle as it was a stupid piece of work.

Yugi would know how to deal with it.

So Yami just took the liberty of changing right there, because what the heck they've shared a body for months and months now. Like there's anything new to see.

Oh my goodness Yami are you- yes, he was. Sure, they've shared a body for months and months, but it's pretty different now that Yami has a body of his own.

Luckily, he was facing the stall door and was working on the lock. He could see how it would confuse people who aren't used to it, especially someone new to this modern age, but since he had visited this clothing store several times (mostly with his mother or Anzu), it was simple for him.

Now that it was locked... Well, now what? Should he stay facing away? Turn around since this should be nothing new? Escape through the gap under the door and wait out there until Yami needed help unlocking the door?

Option A seemed to be the wisest and most decent choice, and so, Yugi locked his hands behind his back and stared up at the ceiling, waiting for the sound of rustling clothing to be relatively silent.

Sleeves.

This shirt had sleeves.

Yami was not pleased, but he rolled them up and felt a bit better. The pants were fine, the shirt was fine (ish) and everything was fine. Great. One down, a couple more to go.

...what the hell was Yugi doing over there? "Aibou?" Yami asked aloud, clearly not at all concerned about whether or not he'd be overheard.