Title: Daybreak

Disclaimer: I am writing this story for fun and not profit. The characters belong to Kazuki Takahashi.

Warnings: Angst. Drama. Slight homosexual bashing. Mixed timelines of sorts. Eventual sexual relations between males.

Pairings: Primary: Blindshipping. Potential Mobiumshipping.

Rating: MA

Inspiration: Lone Clone by Princess Alexandria. A beautifully, talented writer.

Summary: Yugi's had less than several months since awakening from a spell induced sleep to adjust to this new world. Nothing's the same as it was centuries ago, when the streets bubbled with cobblestones and street vendors. There is, however, one strand of hope. The lone creature of the dark like himself and Yugi wanted more than anything to be with him and form the clan he so desperately desired.

Author's Rant: This plot has been plaguing me for weeks. Finally managed to get it down on paper, fully developed. It's one of my own takes towards vampirism. Not in so traditional terms. I guestimate this story to be between 10-15 various chapter lengths. Updated weekly until complete. Enjoy!

Belonging

I crouched down near the trashcan, cloaked in its shadow and anxiously waited for when he'd show. Mother warned me so many times to stay indoors when the moon and stars filled the sky with so much light. If by now I had no fear of the artificial lights dotted in every corner of this concrete jungle, I had no fear of the moon and stars revealing me.

Over the short months since I'd awaken from my spell induced sleep, I have become fixated with coming back to this same location every week. I carefully ducked further down to the ground as a herd of humans came walking passed. With them gone, I returned to looking at the spinning door that allowed people in and out. I didn't know what happened inside that massive fortress, except how it seemed to change the humans.

During the early morning, they went in smiling and by dusk, they emerged angry or exhausted. Potent magic no doubt, a sort of draining spell. I could see the white lights coming through the glass windows from all floors. I would have to trend more carefully this time if I wanted to see him. Once before I'd nearly lost my life having fell asleep here, only to be discovered by a crowd of humans.

None knew how to take to my form. I was different from them, a wild unnatural creature heard of in their written legends, myths and fairytales. My wings shield me from the throws and hits, but I'm not invincible. I bleed as easily as any flesh and bone being. A fact they took seconds to discover and sort to try and bled more from me by attacking with their bare hands and shooting with metal pellets.

When I managed to escape with a tear in my wing and scratches, I vowed never to be so careless again. If I wanted to see him more, I had to be careful. He was all I had to keep me sane in this new world of tall iron, bright lights and loud sounds.

The moon rose high in the sky when the lights dimmed on each floor one by one. The last one remained on. It was my cue to leave my hiding place. Keeping my wings folded tight, I turned to the brick wall behind me and dug my claws into the stone, scaling up with ease. No one saw me, but the sound of cracking rock could draw the deafest ears with ease.

I had to reach the top of this building quickly. The moving white light in the center meant he was traveling to the top of that fortress and if I were to get a glimpse of him, I needed to hurry. It's a race I narrowly won each time. I swung over the edge of the roof and hung low. Many buildings were level with this one, I had to keep out of sight.

From here, I saw the upper floor window panels spread apart and then he was standing in the center. Gone were the modern clothing he wore in disguise to look like them. Now, he resembled me, but more beastly. I watched him jump from the height, soar with hypnotic allure and catch the wind currents higher. I held my breath as he folded his wings close to his body, and fell at an alarming speed, but he straightened, whipping his wings out.

I've never seen another like us who could handle their wings as gracefully as him, like he were born in the winds. I've never seen another like us at all since I've awaken. Not even before then besides my father. This large male made my father appear artless in form and style, clumsy even.

My talons gripped the rail of the brick as I sucked in at the daring twists and spins he took. It took no effort for him. He made it so easy. I stepped away, envy consuming me. "I can't stay here," I said to the skies. My wings ached to stretch. So many nights I've gone observing him from afar. Tonight I simply had to see him up close, if only for a brief moment or to risk him attacking me.

I remember enough from my father's teachings that males didn't often take well to other males, no matter age or lineage. But in this case, we were probably the only living beings of our kind around. He had to accept me. I needed the connection, the kinship. The time for primal discrimination was over. He'd survived much longer in this time than me. Perhaps he's grown to adjusting to the new ways. He would accept me too, right?

I hopped on the ledge and jumped off, catching the first air currents up before I lost my nerve. I'm not stupid enough to approach him first. Common sense shot off like roman candles in my mind, shudders crawling to the tips of my wing claws. He would have to approach me first, and sitting in the shadows wouldn't let that happen. I rose higher, leaving the crowded space of the buildings.

There's nothing to hide me here. I'm in the open. My bright red hair and blonde banes loudly announced me to all and my pale skin guaranteed I'd be found. I couldn't sense him anyway, smell, nothing. I took a moment to try that rapid descent he did and pressed my wings hard to my body, falling freely.

It wasn't as easy as he made it seemed, a fact I scarily discovered as I tried to right myself to unfold my wings, but the fall kept them bellowing outward. "Damn it!" I hissed trying hard to turn over. By good fortune, I was able to yank my wing out and feel the air smash it outward. It hurt so much, the pressure of air forcing my wings open.

"That was foolish." A chilled, deep voice said and I felt those shudders return with a vengeance as my heart threatened to leave my chest. My skin warmed and cooled, dizziness flashing before my eyes. I caught my bearings a moment after clearing my vision. The male, he was right there. So close, so near, that the glowing yellow in his eyes looked to burn straight through me.

He's more beautiful to look at up close, more than I realized. All this time I've seen him from a distance, hidden beneath false mortal skin. It did him no justice. He had such clean, smooth flesh, colored a rich cooper. His massive wingspan held a darker shade of that color and a different texture. Moonlight reflected off the surface the way a lantern glimmered from off a satin gown. My own wings were furred like velvet. The wind combing through his savage colored mane made me remember those times I stared at my mother's candle flames.

It thrilled me to see him flying next to me, or more above me. I had to angle my head and tilt up to see the bright yellow glow in his eyes. He's so damn beautiful. A vision.

"Hello," I smiled shyly. "My name's Yugi." That's the best I could do? After stalking this male for weeks and practicing what I'd say, this is all I could come up with? How pathetic.

Then he nodded at me and shifted in midflight to hover above me, arms folded over his nude chest. Without warning he changed positions, swinging in a graceful half circle to fly beneath me. How on earth does he do it? I'd be mad with fear, flying with my back to ground. His hard focusing gaze made me nervous, as if he were studying every detail about me, searching for something.

"You're quite young," he silently confirmed, "and alive. How is this possible? You're a half-breed. The stench of human cloaks you like a shadow."

I flinched at the growled 'human' part of his sentence. I didn't know how to respond to that really. Angering him was the last thing I wanted to do. "My mother is human, my father . . ." I paused before revealing more. Not that I'd need to. The rest is self-explanatory. "My father wasn't."

He bit his lip, as the glow left his eyes. They were a dark lavender tone. Flower vendors would sell flowers that color to the young maidens and cheery lasses back then. They weren't as lovely as his eyes are. Was there anything on him that wasn't amazing?

I glanced up in time to miss catching the corner of a building and he glided passed it without breaking his flight stride. "I've watch—" I stopped saying that too. I doubt he'd be too pleased to hear I've been stalking him since I found him. "I've been awake for several months now."

"The spell cast on you, what was the incantation?" he questioned, closing his eyes and simply flowing without a care or worry. I envied the masterful way he commanded such control.

"Sleep well into the dead of night and awaken not until it's safe to take flight," I recited in Latin and translated to English.

"Hmph," he chuckled. "Yet you awaken in our darkest time?" He nodded again and straightened his wings, curving under to gain altitude next to me. He smirked wickedly. "Very young indeed, lad." Sarcasm rolled in and out of his tone like clear water. I amused him. Strangely, that didn't bother me too much. He maneuvered a short distance to spread his arms out and spun in place. His smirk fell away. "What purpose does that sleep serve? You're a beast out of time, mixed in the conspiracies and toils of a world you've had no time to learn of."

I sighed, shaking my head. "Mother says it's to protect me." I wish there were more I could tell him, but that's all I could really get from my mother before she died.

"Now I see where you received the foolishness." The male rose higher. I did as well, matching him as best I could. He seemed to notice and smirked again. He didn't sound entirely displeased with my mother's spell or my presence. I hoped to take that as a sign of acceptance.

As we traveled through the clouds, I found he'd been leading me far from that fortress building. There was one coming up, not as tall, but well within landing distance. He beckoned for me to follow. I landed alongside him, the sheer height of him catching me off guard. Distance was a poor judge of the true form it seemed.

"You've done well to stay hidden this long. Not even I could sense you." He circled me slowly, sniffing in areas by my head and my wing claws. "How long have you known of me?"

I did my best not to jump or stir whenever he drew close or quietly snarled at my human scent. I knew he wouldn't attack. He was analyzing me, checking to see how much of a threat I could potentially grow into. I kept my eyes down and relaxed my wings around my shoulders.

"For some time. I never made myself known because," I sighed softly, "I didn't know how you'd take to me. I've never been around a Full Blood before. My station didn't allow me to be seen by you in the past. . . I'd hoped with so few of us alive, maybe," I lifted my gaze up to see his eyes ablaze and lips pinched over a fang. I shut my mouth and looked down at my talons.

I waited with baited breath as he finished walking around me and began to pace back and forth, swaying the weight of his wings in his wake. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his inspection of me continue, but he wasn't on edge. More like antsy and excited. His pointed talons appeared in my line of view.

"Speak up, lad," he voiced patiently. "And look to me when you do. Our old ways are dead and gone. You're your own person now."

I cautiously lifted my head and saw he meant it, having not struck me down when I looked him directly in the eyes. He didn't seem angry or bothered by me anymore. Full Bloods back then would have hit me for being so bold. He walked in front of me, cupping one clawed hand on his hip, tail lightly sliding along the stone roof.

"Why did you wait so long to approach me?" he asked, expecting a different answer then the last.

I thought a moment before speaking. I found myself listening to the tremoring base in his voice. What power it held, so thick and deep. I snuck a few more glances his way, trying to get used to simply looking at him with permission. Being treated like an equal felt so good.

"I don't often come into the city. There aren't many safe places to roost during the day or at night." I said honestly and blushed from having so much freewill to speak. Not that I'd want to stay in this city ever again. That attack before traumatized me. I doubt I'll ever truly sleep again. "It's dangerous here."

"It's always dangerous everywhere. Yet here you are. Why now?"

I knew he would notice that difference. I rolled my talons over the others, and licked my lips. "I see you flying often, during the days humans call Thursdays and Saturdays." My cheeks warmed and I felt ashamed finally admitting I've been spying on him, but lowering my gaze didn't help. I was level with his stomach muscles. Staring so intently at their magnificence wouldn't contribute to my cause at all. "My father disappeared before I was old enough to learn how to glide properly. You make it seem so effortless. So, I wanted to see if I could improve by watching how you do it." It was better to leave out the bit about me simply wanting to be near another just like me.

My survival wasn't an easy one. It hurt to speak for so long, my stomach cramped easily. The hunts were scarce in the city as was clean water. I lived off scrawny cats, rats and the occasional dog and drunk from puddles, but most of my diet consisted of digging through dumpsters and garbage cans. Seeing him glide and openly express his skill without fear kept me rejuvenated. Hunger pains were nothing in comparison to a body begging for companionship. He cured that pain for me. I wasn't alone anymore.

"Interesting," the male muttered, with a hint of surprise and irritation in his voice and I looked up into his face. He was glaring over the rooftop, and toward the sky like it was at fault. "If you were able to track me so easily, so will another. My flight patterns shouldn't be that predictable." When he went silent, I shifted from talon to talon, feeling out of space as he held the conversation more with himself then me. I didn't want him to change his habit because of me. I liked it the way it was.

The quietness surrounding us began to bother me a great deal, which was very weird since it was all I've had since awakening. It's just, to see him, hear him, be so close and able to speak with him, it drove the loneliness into hiding. He couldn't deny me this.

"I love the way you glide. You command the skies better than a falcon." He turned to look at me and I suddenly realized what I'd said. Damn it, my time alone is to blame. I would talk to myself and not fear the words that came from my mouth, but here he was right here.

He didn't seem displeased by my compliment and seemed amused. I felt the tension leave my wings and relaxed. "You want lessons? I say you could use them, making idiotic stunts like that." I blinked before realizing that he was actually offering me a chance to learn from him. I nodded jerkily. "You'll need to learn control mostly. Once you glide on your own, the rest will come easy. You need to practice death drops, sharp turns and dodging between tight spaces in the city." My heart sunk depressingly as my chances of being near him were dashed.

"I suppose," I murmured while staring at the ground. Disappointment enveloped me. How would I go about taking lessons from him when most of my days and nights were spent on surviving, searching for food and shelter? My kind needed protein and lots of it to sustain our bodies.

The only reason I managed to come to the city on those Thursdays and Saturdays is become I forgone eating to watch him glide. The neighborhood I lived in, a dank place named Harlem, was the safest place I could find. The humans there were too busy trying to kill each other to notice a lone beast hidden on their rooftops. It would take me hours to fly back there. I did find a decent dumpster not emptied by the homeless a few hours before sundown, but it's no doubt been picked of the best things.

"I'm famished and haven't eaten since dusk. I'm on my way to eat dinner. Care to join me?" The male spoke and I could only stare in disbelief because there's no way I'd just heard that.

"You have hunting grounds or know of better dumpsters nearby? I haven't find any good ones lately and have to fan out further. The cats and rats are good meals when I can catch them. Once or twice I was able to find a dog." Anticipation got the better of me and then his facial features changed, eyes burning a deep gold. I stepped back, wondering what I'd done wrong. Perhaps its better I stay quiet. Everything I say seems to disturb him or make him. What was I thinking? A Full Blood rummaging through a dumpster or eating common household pets? Of course he wouldn't degrade himself like that.

The light from the from his eyes didn't dim. "Trash? You've lived off trash and street vermin?" I nodded meekly, embarrassed. "No lad. We'll dine better than that. No trash. I'm taking you to my home. There's fresh food free of spoilage and isolation."

"I may come?"

"You may."

I bowed my head. "Thank you. . ." I spoke softly, thankful for this blessing. "Your name, please."

The male smirked at me. "I wondered how long we'd carry this conversation before you asked. I've gone by many names my long life, Abraham, Isaac, Benjamin, Canmore, Dominique, Demarcus, but my kind, when we were plenty, know me as Atem. You will too, lad."

Atem, a glorious, fitting name for him. He was perfect in every sense of the word.

"Now, follow me and do as I do." Atem leapt on the ledge and stood. "We'll take advantage of this flight; maybe get a gander at those clumsy gliding skills of yours." Atem said and jumped, disappearing moments before appearing high above.

A wide grin spread across my face. My dreams were reality. I'm about to receive gliding lessons from the most agile vampire of all time. That alone had me galloping to the side of the building and rushing off after him before he got too far ahead.

At first Atem started with tight barrel rolls, spiral dives and sudden airlifts that should've crippled his wings, as well as taking close turns around buildings as he traveled over the city. Not long into gliding, my shoulders and wings are throbbing, but I didn't show it. I staggered when we changed directions and I lost the airflow three times, but I refused to give up.

Breathing isn't easy either. The higher we'd go the less air there is to suck in. It was with a strong sense of envy that I turned to watch him do an impressive cartwheel and a bit saddened. My wing and shoulder muscles ached so much that if I dared to attempt his tricks, I'd likely fall to my death. I concentrated more on breathing and simply focused on following after him and taking in our surroundings. There weren't as many city lights now, most far behind us.

"Something wrong, lad?" I blinked shocked. Atem was gliding upside down under me and I smiled at him. He liked to show off.

"How much longer until we reach your haven?" I asked over the rushing winds and tried to keep my eyes open, praying it wasn't much further ahead.

"What's this? Tired already?" I nodded. It's not like I can hide how tired I am. I wasn't in the same shape he was. "Yugi, how often do you glide?"

"Not as much as I should," I answered and glanced up and around to make sure we didn't crash into anything. I didn't recognize the landmarks and streets here. Nothing was familiar. We were quite far from my neighborhood. I had no way of getting home. "Would it trouble you to put me up for the evening? I won't take up much space. I'm lost, I wasn't watching where we went." It's my fault for gazing at him like a fondling hatchling. Very stupid of me, I know.

Oh, I wondered if he let me stay once, he would always allow it. I wouldn't be a bother. I could always stay quiet. I've never had a problem doing that. Atem's home had to be safe if he'd survived this long. And he had food to share.

"There's room. I'll see about finding you a place to rest." Atem didn't condemn me for losing my way or comment on how easily tired I was to make it back on my own. He barrel rolled from under me and glided by my side. He stared at me strangely. I began to fidget spreading my wings wider. Maybe he's studying my form, am I doing it correctly?

"You're very skittish," he commented. "Youth is wasted on you. Our kind has no fear, no sense of the word or emotion."

"It's the first time I've been near another like me."

"How old are you?"

"Not even a century."

Atem looked at me again, and I wanted for him to say more. He didn't for a while, simply letting the air currents flow under his wings. Whoever knew him in the past were lucky. I imagine being around him invited many adventures and fun times.

"Have you seen others like us?"

"Like you, no, myself, yes. But not for many centuries. Wiped clean from the earth, I'm sure. Half breeds were killed off before the rest of us."

I felt a wave of pain and sorrow at that. I knew we were few in number, but for there only to be two left? How was it possible to clear away our existence when I remember us swallowing the skies with our presence. Not a night went by when the moon didn't reveal clans hunting above the villages. I know I wasn't entire vampire, but to assume I may meet the same fate.

"I'm a vampire too. You see that don't you?" I asked, fearful of his answer. He wouldn't abandon me after offering me shelter because of my human scent blood, would he?

Atem smiled a little at me. "You're as much a brother as my perished kin," he spoke and carried himself higher and moved ahead of me. He angled his wings to the side and I did the same. There were only trees and distant fields covering the landscape. "Nearly there, lad. Hang tough."

I sighed, grateful for the update, but then the push I suddenly felt on my back and tug on my tail had me struggling to stay airborne. I gasped, and flared out my wings to keep lift and once I straightened, Atem was hovering in front of me. "Come get me, boy!" He yelled and tore off with great speed and a cheerful laugh.

I stared dumbfounded before I smirked and tried to go after him. I growled lowly in pain as I attempted his flight pattern, the twists, sharp turns and banking motions, nearly slamming into a tree, but I was having too much fun to pay mind to my aches and pains. I tried to rise up over him, but he countered and I found myself left behind, looking at the ridges and grooves in his feet.

Once he came down in the backyard of an enormous house, I followed and looked around with wide eyes. The grassy lawn is giant, flat and even and the back porch light was on. "Step up, lad. Don't doddle." Atem waved for me to hurry inside.

"This is your home?" I asked and stared around at the neatly trimmed shrubbery and cobblestone paths. I took as much of the property in as my eyes allowed in a single sweep. It was beautiful and the house, a grand gala. "It's lovely," I whispered and searched the yard for a good place to lay it down for the night. It was safer than I expected, not a single human within range. I could blend in just fine behind the bushes and he'd never see me.

"Your innocence is refreshing," Atem told me as he redrew a key from inside his pants pocket and opened the back door. "Make yourself comfortable. I'll see about fixing dinner." He stepped to the side and swept his hand forward. Mentions of food made me swallow eagerly. Food, real food, I've gone nights hungry and the prospect of finally having a good meal was a treat.

"You're kind," I said and entered, Atem closing and locking the door behind us. We entered the kitchen portion of the house, a rather large space with bright white designs and even brightly shining utensils, pots and pans. He motioned toward a steel stool with a pillow cushion while he went in the middle of the kitchen and to the large black refrigerator. There's food spread everywhere on the counter, fruits, vegetables and a machine I saw a human woman use to make juice. The smells were enticing and I wanted so badly to reach out and just inhale the scent of real, fresh fruit not damaged by pests or blemished by the elements.

Atem pulled out item after item, sitting them on the counter and I sat by, feeling as if I should do something to help, but knew best to stay out of his way. "How are you able to transform and look like them? The humans I mean. Is that how you're able to own this home?"

"We're all able to transform, lad, even Half Breeds." Atem voiced into the fridge, but his words traveled over to my pointed ears easily enough. "I've lived a very long time. I own more than one house and I'll need to, to travel for my business and hunts. This address belongs to Zane Alexander McCormack, me."

I paused a moment to think it over, and it dawned on me, that it would make sense to blend in as much as possible with the humans. Taking on a persona would indeed help that.

"I see," I said, because I felt it was appropriate to answer. But just think of me buying and owning a home? I could never, looking the way I do. Atem clearly knew how to accommodate living with the humans better than me. His skills went beyond gliding so well.

"So Yugi, do you have any preferences for dinner tonight? Pick between chicken, steak, beef, there's shellfish too or we could," Atem stared at me and I guess my eyes spoke for me. Everything he said sounded delicious. "Alright, a little of everything then." I smile big. Thank God my instincts didn't fail me. I like this vampire. He only got better the more I learned of him.

I sat quietly as he cooked for us. He'd folded his wings in around his body, using his wing claws to clip them under his chin. I wish I knew how to better take care of myself, but I've never cooked a day in my life. Father provided the blood for me and Mother cooked the cow meat.

An apple appeared in front of me. I looked up, but Atem was already back at the stove device, cooking.

"Thank you so much." I felt ashamed, snatching it off the counter so fast and sinking my fangs inside. Juices flooded my mouth, and I imagined this is how it felt to bite into flesh. The apple was nothing but a naked core in seconds and I vaguely debated on eating that too.

"You say your mother placed you in a magical slumber," Atem said he as he eyed me from the stove. "How long ago was that?"

I grimaced, because I was so out of sorts with my timeframe. The year is 2014 now. "The calendar said the 19th day of July 1614."

"Four hundred years exactly. Today is July 19th of 2014." Atem continued cooking, moving from pot to pan, and looking inside the contraption at the hunk of beef he placed inside. "You weren't ever seen by humans?"

"Some, but none that believe I'm real. There was once when I fell asleep in an alley. Humans found me and attacked. I knew then this time was different from the one I was born. Here, they dominate." Atem tensed hard at my story, and the flash of gold in his eyes weren't missed. I said nothing more and allowed him to do most of the talking; only answering when asked a question. He fed me two more apples.

It was difficult to listen to him while the air smelt so potent and thick with smells of meat; I felt I could lick the air and be full instantly. I settled with inhaling deeply and ignoring my stomach's growls. He finished soon and sat a full plate in front of me, covered to the rim with chopped meats and cooked vegetables. He ate using the human utensils with ease, even if his talons seemed too large for them. I mimicked as best I could, wanting to show I was a quick study, but I dropped the pointy one on the floor twice and decided the round one wasn't as hard to use.

Not even Mother cooked meals this full of flavor and I found myself close-eyed and moaning from the taste.

"Easy, lad," Atem said amused. "The meat won't leave your plate."

I swallowed, muttered a quick sorry and tried to eat slower. He refilled my plate as many times as I emptied it and I didn't disappoint, licking it clean when none remained. Being full was so foreign, I hadn't felt like this in ages. My jaw opened wide as I yawned, my fangs extended out and I felt my wings protest from the long journey here. I nervously glanced around the home, noting it's full height and glory.

Atem was putting our dishes inside a machine to clean them when I stepped off the stool and waited. My talons rolled one over the other as I thought to question something he said earlier. I opened my mouth to speak, but found my words interrupted by another yawn.

"You need sleep," he said to me.

"I'm still allowed to stay the night?"

"Of course."

I nodded, and continued waiting. As I did, I circled around and found a thin picture book sitting on a wooden table. I glanced over at Atem, still squatting low in front of the machine. I hesitated to pick it up. He wouldn't mind if I read it right? Mother taught me how. I picked it up and stared at the front cover. There's a man in front of it, red eyed and handsome; not too bad off as a human, but there's something odd about him.

I couldn't quite place it.

The lights flicked off and I jumped, quick to return the book where I found it. Atem came around, picked it up and gave it to me. I took it back, tracing my talon over the man's face, finding him difficult to look away from. It's mine now.

I held it close to my chest. He gave me a gift. "Thank you."

"Come," he waved for me to follow. "You'll sleep in one of the guest rooms."

"A bed?" I squeaked.

Atem blinked at me and frowned. "Or would you rather stay in the backyard?"

"No, no, a bed is perfect." An entire bed to myself. He's far too kind for words. I trailed after him, watching my step as we climbed the stairs. I made sure to keep from pressing all of my weight down too heavily into the stairwell, lest I left a gapping hole.

There's better lighting up here. He'd touch the wall and they'd brighten the hall. So many doors and windows were around us. The house looked bigger inside, then it did on the outside. He stopped at the last one to our left and stepped inside. It wasn't at all as big as the rest of the house. I was glad, I didn't need so much space. The bed was gigantic covered, in fine satin, silks and cushiony fat pillows. I closed my eyes at this fantasy. It's too much.

"Thank you," I muttered again.

Atem nodded, folding his arms under his wings. "Give it a try."

I did, moving to sit on the edge after lifting my tail. I sunk deep into the cushion and the clean, cool sheets felt wonderful against my heated skin. It didn't feel right to dirty them with my soiled clothing and so I started to take them off. Atem didn't stop looking as I worked the tattered brown tunic off my wings and stepped free of it. I felt his eyes still staring as I pulled back the covers and sunk inside.

I was so scared this was all a dream, this lavish blessing. I turned to face him. He'd moved further into the room, and went passed my bed to the tall window, flinging the curtains open to reveal the moon in full view. Daybreak would be upon us before I knew it.

"You'll be safe here, Yugi." Atem spoke and faced me, the gold glow in his eyes again. "I promise."

I nodded. I believed him. "Thank you," I couldn't help saying it again and knew I would say it more in the future. Beneath the covers, I curled into myself and wrapped my arms and wings around me. I listened to the soft click and rip of his talons tearing into the carpet until he closed the door behind him. I'd never felt so safe in life. I cozied into my bed and allowed sleep to consume me.

Please, please God. When I wake up tomorrow, don't let this be a dream.

For once in so long, I felt like I belonged.