Chapter Three: Darkness
Battle not with monsters
lest ye become a monster
and if you gaze into the abyss
the abyss gazes into you.
-Friedrich Nietzsche
Bakura pulled away from Atemu, licking his lips, smiling at the rather dazed look on the other man's face. He lay back, waiting for Atemu to come back to reality, snickering softly. Atemu's eyes slowly opened and with a small, barely there pout, he looked down at Bakura, tilting his head in a silent question.
"My lips are sore," Bakura said by way of explanation, before pushing himself up on his elbows. "Let me see your eyes."
Atemu blinked before opening his eyes wide, the crimson and ametheist orbs peering curiously down at Bakura.
"Not what I meant," Bakura said and raised his hand, forcing his innate magic into Atemu, over powering the glamour that hid the man's right eye. As the glamour fell, spots of green started to colour the eye, a fine circle around his iris, and lighter green specks through out the rest of the reddish purple colouring. "It's getting worse."
Atemu nodded, closing his eyes, calling up his magic to replace the glamour, before blinking his eyes open, back to normal. "I can feel it now. A beast swimming under my skin."
"Hate to say it, but you might need to talk to the midget, Atemu."
Atemu shook his head, drawing his knees up to his chest. "I'm not concerning Yugi with this, his adventures are over, and he likes it that way. It's time for him to live his life, not deal with my problems. I can control it."
"It's eating you alive!"
"It'll be fine, Bakura." Atemu said, a low growl in his voice, the silent order to drop it clear in the air. "Speaking of lighter halves, have you seen Ryou?"
Bakura stared at the grass, picking at the blades. "For what reason? So he can stab me with one of the knives I left behind?" He looked up at Atemu through his bangs. "We weren't like you and the midget, I ruined him."
"A. You were possessed, B. You were possessed, C...oh look, you were possessed. He'll understand!"
"Yeah, because he knows what it's like to have an evil, homicidal, hate filled maniac living in his body, controlling his every move and doing things without his permission." Bakura said bitterly before falling back. "Forget it, Atemu. He's better off now. He's free, and that's the way it should be. Besides, I saw him. He's happy. And I'm glad he's happy."
"Bakura, you can't just leave things this way. You need to talk to him and I know he needs to hear it."
"Hear...what?"
"Your apology, your explanations...you feelings."
"My feelings don't matter, and I don't deserve forgiveness. I'm not talking to him, Atemu. I won't hurt him like that and I'll be damned if I crawl for anyone."
"Such pride," Atemu said, rolling his eyes.
"Damn straight. My pride is the only thing I have left, and I'll cling to it with every last breath in my body."
Atemu shook his head, laying back against Bakura again. "I have an errand to run tomorrow, I would be honored if you would come with me," he said, dropping the subject but his mind already turning the problem over in his mind, making plans.
"And what could our great pharaoh need to do for himself?"
"Shopping, actually. Seto claims he's getting tired of seeing me in rags."
Bakura snorted, eying Atemu's leather pants and t-shirt. "Rags...I wish to have had such rags in Egypt...or maybe not since I would have been miserably hot."
Atemu laughed before poking Bakura's bare leg. "Says the man wearing a skirt."
"It's a kilt!"
"It's out of fashion."
Bakura shrugged elegantly. "Don't care. I like it, it still fits me." He reached down, rubbing his hand up Atemu's thigh. "Though I never did look quite as good as my pharaoh, I used to love watching you ride, if just to see those pretty little thighs bared."
Atemu raised an eyebrow, a wicked smirk curling over his lips. "Too bad you never said so sooner, you might have gotten more of a show."
Bakura snorted. "Thank you but I'd rather not be stabbed by your little lap dog for looking up your kilt. Seth was annoyingly possessive."
Atemu laughed, leaning in for a deep kiss before laying back, simply enjoying the afternoon with Bakura.
--
"Did I just see what I thought I saw?"
"You probably did, and if it's what I thought I saw, I can't believe I saw that."
"My little light..."
"You taught him well."
"My little light!"
"Bakura, breath, he pick pocketed a man, he didn't kill him."
"But..."
"Oh come on!" Atemu grabbed his still stunned best friend, steering Bakura towards the bar Ryou had disappeared into. Bakura stumbled along, ignoring those around him the second his eyes locked on a head of fluffy white hair.
"My little light.."
"Not so little or light anymore, now sit." Atemu ordered before flagging down a waitress, getting the pair a bottle of beer.
Bakura blinked, watching Ryou as the young man started counting what he received from the man's wallet, intermixed with sips of scotch that the waitress placed in front of him. The purloined wallet disappeared into a bag, only to be replaced by another, and then yet another. Bakura blinked, shaking his head before turning his attention to his beer and Atemu.
"Where did I go wrong?" he asked mournfully and Atemu laughed.
"Probably when you stole the souls of his friends." Atemu said, reaching out and filching a fag from the pack laying next to a woman who wasn't paying attention. "Talk to him."
"I can't," Bakura said, staring at the mirror above the bar. "Please stop pushing,"
"As you wish."
The pair drank in silence, Atemu silently ordering them more beer each time they finished. For a moment, the dirty, raggedy bar disappeared around them and instead a warm heat filled the air, the scent of lotus and mud surrounding them.
The moment was shattered with a shout and the pair turned, watching a fight that was beginning in a corner. Bakura could see Ryou's rich white hair and stood, to defend his light when Atemu's hand rested on his shoulder. Bakura turned, intending to snap at the man holding him back when he caught movement in the mirror behind Atemu.
Ryou was standing, swaying drunkenly, one of his hands resting inside the pocket of his trench coat, the other lifting the well drunk glass of scotch to his lips. The man who had been yelling at Ryou sneered, intending on beating the little thief who thought he would be an easy mark. He raised his fist, aiming at Ryou, only to have his hand stopped by Ryou's fist.
Ryou continued moving in a spin, the hand in his pocket sliding out, a knife burring itself into the man's stomach. Ryou leaned in, making sure the knife went hilt deep before raising his foot and pushing the man off of his knife, staring blankly down at the man, blood dripping over his fingers.
There was silence in the bar for a moment, before people started screaming and running. The man's friends went at Ryou, who had turned his back to pour more scotch into the glass. Ryou didn't react, simply sipping his drink. Bakura made a motion again to go for Ryou and Atemu shook his head.
It wasn't until Ryou had stabbed another man and swayed even more as he himself was hit that Atemu let Bakura go, following his friend. Ryou blinked down at the two men he had stabbed before raising his eyes towards the third man, startling the man with the pure blankness of his expression. The man, deciding he would rather live and take revenge for his friends later, backed away before fleeing, running for his car and his cellphone to call the cops.
Ryou swayed again and almost collapsed, caught by Bakura just before he hit his knees. Ryou's head rolled back, looking up at Bakura before the young man burst into tears, clinging to Bakura. "Why?" he whispered brokenly. "Why do you always come.."
Bakura looked up at Atemu who shrugged, reaching down to grab Ryou's things, nodding for the door. Bakura nodded and stood, clutching Ryou tightly, following Atemu for the door.
"I pray and I pray but you never come, you never stay, only come in my dreams." Ryou mumbled, clutching to Bakura's jacket, almost clinging as if he were afraid Bakura was an illusion that would disappear.
"Never come..." Ryou mumbled before passing out, the liquor finally knocking him out.
Atemu called for one of the limo's, helping Bakura get the drunken Ryou into the back before climbing in himself, handing the driver Ryou's ID card so he would know where to go. "Told you, you should have talked with him." Atemu said.
"Shut up," Bakura growled, stroking Ryou's hair.
Atemu just smiled, leaning back and watching the city pass, foot tapping lightly as they drove towards the apartment complex Ryou called home.
--
"Are you sure about this, Bakura?" Atemu asked softly, setting a glass of water next to the large western bed.
"You wanted me to talk to him, make up your mind, Pharaoh!"
"Quiet, you'll wake him up. I just wanted to be sure." Atemu leaned over Ryou, placing a soft kiss on Bakura's lips. 'Call me tomorrow."
Bakura nodded before pulling off his jacket, snuggling down in the bed, wrapping his arms loosely around Ryou's body. "Tomorrow night," he corrected, running tanned fingers through Ryou's white hair. "I have a feeling we'll have a lot to talk about."
Atemu smiled and turned off the bed-side lap, closing the bedroom door after him. He took a mini tour of Ryou's apartment, warding the windows and the balcony before letting himself out of the door, drawing a complex invisible symbol on the door, feeling all the wards snap into place before he heading downstairs and to the waiting limo.
--
"You're finally home,"
Atemu started slightly, closing the front door of the mansion before turning towards the stairs, looking up at Seto who was sitting on the lower fifth stair. A cigarette glowed faintly before Seto crushed it in the crystal ashtray next to him. The man stood, swaying slightly before regaining his footing, stepping the rest of the way down the stairs.
"I'm sorry, I had to drive a friend home."
"Ryou and Bakura," Seto said with a nod. "The driver told me."
Atemu tilted his head curiously, wondering at the blankness of Seto's tone before yelping as an arm encircled his waist, drawing him up against his lover. "Seto?"
Seto stared down at Atemu, his thoughts un-readable, but obviously flowing quickly across the brunette's brain. Seto leaned down, placing a kiss under Atemu's ear, resting his lips against the heat of Atemu's throat before gently nipping at the flesh.
He pulled away and headed upstairs, leaving Atemu to stare after him, nostrils filled with the scent of his lover's cologne, shampoo and alcohol. Atemu shrugged to himself before removing his jacket and hanging it in the hall closet, following Seto up the stairs.
He found his lover sitting on their bed, his briefcase next to him, head in his hands. Frowning, Atemu changed out of his tight leather pants and tank top, slipping into a long night shirt before climbing into the bed, kneeling behind Seto as he gently rubbed the brunette's back. "Seto?" he asked, voice soft, even, trying to keep Seto calm in case he was upset.
Seto shifted, reaching back and stopping the back rub, drawing Atemu's arms around him, holding them as he silently stared into space. After a long moment he kissed the back of one of those hands before reaching for his briefcase, opening it and removing a square black velvet box. He closed the briefcase and set it aside, before shifting, turning to look back at Atemu, silently handing the man the box.
Atemu blinked and lifted the velvet case, rubbing his finger over the sensual fabric before opening it. His mouth fell open, slightly, staring at the elegant necklace, fingers lightly tracing the Eye of Ra that rested in the center, shaped from obsidian and gold, small golden hieroglyphics tracing just above and under the eye. The rest of the necklace was simple, three strands of gold and obsidian beads, intermixed with scarab beetles and ankhs, the claps and elegantly designed royal lotus.
Atemu looked up at Seto, his lover now staring off to the side, as if he didn't want to see Atemu's reaction. Atemu swallowed, setting the beautiful piece aside before reaching up and turning Seto's face to his, smiling softly. "Thank you," he whispered and leaned in, kissing Seto softly, trying to prove how much he loved the gift with such a simple touch.
Seto smiled gently, pulling away. "Well, you don't look right without gold somewhere on you." He brushed his fingers through Atemu's hair before reaching around the smaller man and picking up the necklace. Atemu raised his hair as Seto slid the strands of beads around Atemu's throat, gently hooking the latch, placing a gentle kiss over the flower. Atemu shuddered and let go of his hair, turning to capture Seto's lips, a giggle escaping him as Seto pushed him back on the bed.
--
"Good morning, Mokuba," Atemu said softly, sitting on the teen's bed. It had been three days after the panic attack, and the doctors had finally cleared Mokuba for leaving his room, though not for returning to work. Atemu set the tray of pastries and fish he had carried up to the boy's room on the night table, before brushing black bangs from Mokuba's face.
The teen looked up from the picture he had been studying, smiling at Atemu. "Morning," he answered, propping himself up with pillows before accepting the plate of food, slowly picking at it.
"How are you feeling?" Atemu asked, still running his fingers through the midnight strands, studying Mokuba intently, concerned about the boy's health.
"Tired," he said softly, smiling up at Atemu. "But I'm okay, really. I've just got to shake this off." Mokuba unconsciously leaned closer to Atemu, enjoying the petting he was receiving as he ate.
"I don't think it's something you can shake off, but if you say so." Atemu smiled at Mokuba, leaning down and brushing a kiss over the teen's cheek. "So, whose the photo of?"
Mokuba blushed lightly, barely noticeable, as he lifted the photo and offered it to Atemu. The older man took it, raising an eyebrow as she studied the green haired teen in the photo. "Noa." Atemu said, glancing at Mokuba. "You miss him,"
"I didn't even really know him, but..."
"You have a connection," Atemu said, smiling softly, brushing his fingers down Mokuba's cheek before tucking the photo into the bed next to Mokuba. "It's okay, you don't need to explain it to me."
Mokuba smiled and shifted, leaning against Atemu as he ate.
--
Atemu stood in front of the dressing mirror, watching as the glamour over his body faded from sight, magic melting back into his body. As it did, various blemishes stood out, a bruise that refused to heal, received from Bakura as payback for...pretty much everything. A scar across his stomach from fighting the Shadow Realm, and the green sparkles in his eyes that had doubled in size.
Sighing, he turned away from the sight, grabbing his dressing gown, covering the major injuries with it as he let his magic rest and re-charge. Taking a seat on the bed, he rested his head in his hands for a long moment, centering himself in his body, feeling the ebb and flow of life before tracing that ebb and flow to his chest, seeking out the stirrings of magic where it was currently curled around him, resting and growing.
He tugged gently on a tendril, strengthening it slowly, braiding the strand with others that started to come closer to his inner fingers, curious. Once done he grabbed another and repeated the motion, creating stronger magical threads inside him, ones able to endure more usage and longer between resting periods.
The poisonous feeling of tainted magic flowed through him as he touched a strand and he winced, trying to avoid that section of his magic as he twisted strands, no longer able to tell which was the sickly green poison and which was his own, the colours blending together. He wished he could separate out the poison, but knew of no cure for the taint beyond death.
Shying away from that thought, he finished the last braiding of his magic, allowing the tangled mess to seep back into it's resting state, the sore and abused tendrils curling around his chest, feeding from his own life as it healed itself.
He fell back on the bed, sighing, staring at the ceiling above him as he felt his energy drain into his magic. "I feel sick," he muttered to the air.
"I thought meditation was supposed to make you feel better."
Atemu rolled his head and smiled weakly at Mokuba, gesturing for him to enter if he wished. "It would, if I wasn't fooling around inside my body."
"You were...what?" Mokuba asked, bouncing on the bed and offering Atemu one of the pocky sticks he had been snacking on.
"I was braiding my magic, making it stronger."
"Ooo...still don't get it."
Atemu laughed and moved up the bed to rest on the pillows. "Let's see if I can remember how Seth explained it...every living creature is born with magic, most only contain the magic that creates life, but some, like myself and some others we know, have more magic inside, and that magic can be used for incredible things, but it has to be strengthened and exercised so that it can."
"Oh, like you would exercise your body?"
"Quite like that." Atemu said. He rolled over so he could look at Mokuba without hurting his neck. He stretched out his body for a moment, before allowing it to relax limply, more of his energy draining away with each second. Soon he would be asleep and locked away from the world, but until then, he wanted to enjoy these moments with the boy he was almost as fond of as he was Yugi.
"So who else do we know with magic?" Mokuba asked, grabbing his brother's pillow and holding it in his lap, peering over the top of it at Atemu.
Atemu smiled. "Yugi of course, Bakura and Ryou, Jounouchi to a small extent, and of course you and your brother."
Mokuba had opened his mouth to speak when he was forced to blink, digesting Atemu's words. "Me? But I've never...but...what?"
Atemu laughed. "You need to be drained for it to do much more then it's innate nature of existing. But how else do you think you survived everything? No normal, mere human could simply endure, there's something inside you, fueling you to keep going, to keep moving. Part of it is simply you, don't get me wrong, but part of it is also the magic inside you, keeping you strong."
"Wasn't very strong before," Mokuba muttered, memories of Antonia flashing across his mind before he shoved them deep in the locked box he kept in his soul.
Atemu rolled to his knees, gently touching Mokuba's cheek. "You are strong, Mokuba. Anyone else would have long crumbled in your shoes but you haven't. Every step you take is more proof of the strength hidden inside you. Just because you fall victim to life, get broken and hurt doesn't mean you aren't strong. It's how you stand up after and keep going that is the proof." He brushed his thumb over Mokuba's cheek, placing the gentlest of kisses on Mokuba's forehead before sinking back into the bed, his body slowly shutting down.
"Do you think...do you think you can teach me?' Mokuba asked softly, not sure what such a thing would accomplish, but maybe, it just might push him a little bit further down the road of his life. Strengthen him just a little bit more.
"Of course. Any time..." Atemu trailed off for a moment, exhaustion swamping him, his body crying out for him to just shut up and give in to the rest he needed. "You want," he finished weakly, body already claimed by sleep. His eyes slowly closed and his breathing grew deep and even, unable to surface from the naturally drugged sleep if he wanted.
Mokuba watched as Atemu all but passed out before him, shaking his head and covering the older man with a blanket. He placed a soft kiss on Atemu's cheek, smiling at the man before slipping out of bed, yawning himself as his body decided it didn't want to keep moving around while still being ill. He closed the door to Atemu and Seto's room gently, before heading to his own, making a mental note to talk to his brother about Atemu's weird behavior. No one should pass out like that without being sick.
TBC
