Lady of Faith
It's cold, he thinks absently, rubbing his arms through thick gloves and a winter coat. It doesn't warm him up. He doesn't mind though; just traces the path of soft white flakes with holly-tinted eyes.
A quiet jingling marks the passage of a horse-drawn carriage, its odd mix of modern and dated trimmings catching his attention almost as much as the horse. Riding is a pastime he misses dearly, and he wonders how different it would be to guide his own steed over snow rather than the shifting sands of Khemet.
As he enters the old Kame Game Shop Atem laughs, promising himself that he'll try it someday.
"Still haven't lost that fascination with the snow yet, have you?" an aged voice calls in mild exasperation. "Get in here before you get sick again."
Twinkling lights and gentle, merry music greet him when he steps inside. Various decorations in reds, greens, and golds are cheerfully strung around the attached living area, drawing the eye toward the grand pine tree standing pride-of-place. Strings of tinsel, lights, and homemade ornaments are scattered amongst the boughs, products of Yugi's grandchildren.
"It's wonderful," he replies, holly eyes meeting smiling amethyst.
Yugi runs an age-wrinkled hand through silvered hair, crow's feet lining his eyes as he grins in tolerant amusement. "Merry Christmas, Atem."
"Merry Christmas, Aibou." He's not Christian, but the holiday itself is a lot of fun. Of course, any excuse to celebrate with friends and family is a good thing in his book. Right now though, it is just the two of them.
Yugi's eyes glint mischievously. "So are you ready for your presents?"
"Presents?" he repeats, bemused. It's been a long time since either of them felt the need to give each other gifts. That doesn't mean they never do however.
"Yeah! They're in the kitchen. Come and see!"
Atem wonders if he should worry about the anticipatory excitement in his Light's voice.
He freezes mid-step in the open doorway leading to the kitchen, nearly falling face-first onto white tile.
"Is that…?"
A loud screech and brilliant scarlet plumage are the first thing he encounters, the second being green, leathery scales and thick plating.
"Merry Christmas!" Yugi says again, sounding downright gleeful.
Atem stares. A parrot and a tortoise. What on earth…?
"You've gone senile," he states flatly.
Rather than take offense, his Light just laughs. "No, no, Atem!" His smile drops, and he adds more seriously, "They're here to keep you company." When I'm gone, remains unspoken.
Uncomfortable silence reigns for a moment before Yugi smirks. "They'll live to be almost as old as you!"
Atem chokes slightly as mirth bubbles up, escaping as loud and genuine laughter. "Oh, Yugi…" He shakes his head, but doesn't tell his Light how much this means to him. He already knows. "What are their names?" he asks instead, not quite liking the devious grin that spreads on his Aibou's face at the question.
"Pharaoh," he says, pointing to the parrot, "and Yami," and again at the tortoise.
Atem shakes his head, resisting the urge to smack his forehead in exasperation.
"Thank you," he says dryly, but smiles anyway and wraps his arms around his Light. While he may not be Christian, he muses, he does believe in angels.
