I personally don't like this chapter all that much. But here you go! Please review for me.
-Kura-Yami nakusshite Hikari na
Yugi woke on Atemu's bed. Not knowing when he fell asleep. He sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes and then he looked around. It was still dark, but sunlight was creeping up on the world. He saw Atemu laying next to him and he instantly went tense. Scrambling backwards until he suddenly met the floor with a thud. Atemu didn't stir. Yugi's back soon hit the wall across from the bed he had been on and he remained there, wondering when he had fallen asleep on that bed.
Leaning his head against the wall, Yugi let out a calming breath and closed his eyes. He struggled with the fact that he couldn't remember, and wondered why he couldn't at the same time. Drawing out memory strings from the back of his head, he started piecing them together.
"It's alright, Young One." Atemu's words and actions appeared to be calming Yugi. He attempted to lay down, but at the boy's instant tension, he thought against it and sat up instead. Yugi hated being touched, he hated it so much, yet there was something about the way he was holding him. It frightened him at being held so close and tight, yet, he either had no strength, or was unwilling to move away from him.
That was it! He had held him with so much care and warmth! Yugi looked over at Atemu's sleeping form. Why would he do that? He barely knew him. Yugi didn't even know his name. He had stopped me from killing myself...Yugi let his mind wander once more.
His tears still falling, Yugi absently rubbed his face against Atemu's silk shirt. "It's alright," Atemu whispered. Yugi let out a small sob, wishing he hadn't saved him. Wanting to have died. Why did he save him? Was he really worth it? Maybe if he had known, he would have let him do it willingly...
Yugi glanced at the closed window. Did he really consider attempting it again? He had nothing else to live for. Doomed to being a sex slave for who knows how long. With a sigh he stood and opened the window that led to the balcony. He leaned his arms against the railing, looking at the sunrise. He didn't know when he had become so pessimistic. Maybe when he lost his Grandfather, feeling he lost his hope for his whole life. Or maybe it was when he had been raped for the first time, a week afterward, losing his innocence. He didn't know, lowering his gaze slightly to follow the sun's faint lights.
He heard movement some minutes later, and looked into Atemu's ruby eyes. Feeling a blush fill his cheeks for what reason, he didn't know, he looked away. "Not going to attempt killing yourself again, are you Young One?" Atemu asked, standing next to him, resting his hands against the railing. Yugi didn't respond. Atemu looked at him, unable to come to terms with this angel's decision on what he considered an escape. What had drove him to attempt something so misunderstand-able? This only made Atemu realize for the umpteenth time, how little he knew of his new slave. "Why would you do something so reckless, Young One?" He asked, looking at the sunrise.
Yugi didn't know how to explain, and he didn't want to attempt to. There were so many things in his past he couldn't relieve himself of. Some he held onto willingly, some he couldn't let go of, no matter how hard he tried.
Why won't this boy, this beautiful, angelic boy, talk to me? There is something he can't let go of. Something he won't speak to me about. Atemu could only wonder, and wondering wasn't making it any easier for him. He had to get Yugi to talk. But first, he had to make him more at ease with his presence. But how could he do that?
"I won't worry you about it.." Yugi whispered. Atemu looked at Yugi in surprise, shocked that he had responded. Won't worry him? It's best for now he not know...but sooner or later, he will have to know. I'll just wait until it's truly necessary. Yugi decided.
Atemu heaved a sigh and looked at the brightening sky, knowing he would have to wait. But, if his angel attempted anything drastic, he would make him talk, by any means necessary.
****
Yugi spent the remainder of the day in the room. Atemu had locked the window, only to be assured Yugi wouldn't attempt anything drastic, giving him the chance to understand him more. Yugi rubbed his arms as he leaned his head against the glass that was the window. He sighed, closing his eyes. He was very slowly beginning to feel at ease around Atemu. But with him being gone all day, he was more comfortable with the silence and lack of presence.
Resting his hands against the glass, Yugi looked up at the bright sky. Grandpa...Tears filled his eyes, how he missed him. He missed him so much. He had been his only friend and family. He lost both that fateful evening.
"I'd let you out," Atemu's gentle voice startled Yugi, who gasped and turned to face him. "But you're a risk to yourself, Young One." Atemu took instant notice to the tears in his eyes. He's always so sad..If I am to get him to talk to me, I must first talk to him. He was soon within arms reach, and Yugi was too frightened to move. This fear was really getting to Atemu. "Need I remind you, you need not fear me?" Atemu asked.
Behind the fear and intimidation, Yugi felt a hovering presence of warmth and protection when this king was around him. His actions last night only made him more aware of it. Caught off guard, Yugi averted his gaze, stepping to the side, wanting to avoid any unnecessary contact. Atemu looked outside.
His fear must be related to the past. So, perhaps if I speak something of my own past. Closing his eyes, Atemu thought back, keeping his ears locked on Yugi standing only a foot away. "When I was little, I lost my mother." Yugi looked at the king in shock, not sure whether it was on what he was saying, or the fact that he was saying it. "I was only three years and she died of a terrible illness. Bedridden and lifeless she was that way for many months. She never opened her eyes or moved." Atemu looked into Yugi's sad, disbelieving amethyst eyes that glistened with newer, unshed tears.
This, stranger. This, gorgeous, ruby-eyed stranger told me something of his past. Should I do the same? Yugi knew it was only fair. But what? He had so many things he had never told anyone, not like there was anyone to tell anyway. Lowering his eyes, he turned so his back was to the wall and slid to the floor. Yugi had never known his birth parents, that wasn't something he had bothered thinking about. But his adoptive parents...Yugi shuddered at the thought. Maybe he could tell him that? That he never knew his birth parents? But, the king's memory seemed painful. He had to give him something that Yugi thought about often. Grandpa...Mustering up weak courage, Yugi blinked back his tears.
Atemu watched him, sensing the inner battle the boy was having.
"When I was twelve.." Yugi began weakly. Atemu kneeled down next to Yugi in order to be able to hear. "I lost my grandfather. He was my only friend, and my only family. I lost him when our home was raided..." Atemu's eyes widened. Raided? Now it made some sense, his fear of being near him was in a way related to how he had gotten here, and how he had lost his grandfather.
Twelve...That was three years ago. Atemu realized. "And your home? Did you have one afterward?" Yugi shook his head. "You were homeless for three years?" Atemu asked with shock. Yugi nodded once. Atemu remained silent, taking the information in and digesting it.
"I don't want to talk about anything else.." Yugi whispered. Atemu nodded. Whatever was making Yugi sad, Atemu knew there was more inside him he was keeping to himself. But the thing he had said about his grandfather he knew was a large portion of it.
"I have one more question." Atemu said softly. Yugi lifted his eyes, making Atemu's breath catch at how gorgeous the amethyst orbs looked even with tears in them. "Why did you attempt to kill yourself?" Yugi's head dropped instantly, he hugged his knees close to his chest. He got no answer, and this didn't surprise him. Sitting next to him, Atemu drew Yugi in for a hug, feeling the boy tense instantly. He has issues with physical contact. I wonder why that is. I'll ask another time...Not letting up on his hug, Atemu rested his cheek against Yugi's head, closing his eyes.
I have to relax. He hasn't harmed me in any way, yet...For now, I just have to get used to him touching me. Letting out an almost defeated sigh, Yugi forced his body to relax. There's something about him. Something so gentle and caring. It's hard to believe he had been the reason why my town had been destroyed. Which reminds me, I still have to ask him what threat we could have had against him. "What is your name?" Yugi asked in a whisper.
Atemu sighed mentally. He loved this boy's voice. "I am Lord Atemu." Yugi liked his name. "I am seventeen years old, Young One." Yugi blushed. He was to be a sex slave to someone who was two years older than him? Well, it was better than someone who was decades older than him. Lifting his cheek from Yugi's head, he placed a faint peck on his cheek. Yugi blushed and struggled against Atemu all of a sudden. "Be calm, Hikari." Yugi went still at the new pet name and looked at him with a blush. "Do you like that new name?"
"New? What's wrong with my original one?" Yugi asked. Atemu smiled, the action sending shivers throughout Yugi's body.
"Nothing. I like your original name. I just think Hikari suits you just as well, do you not?" Yugi lowered his eyes, his hands on Atemu's chest. Seeing this, he pulled them back quickly and backed out of Atemu's arms.
"If you want to call me that, you can. Who am I to argue with the king?" Yugi bowed and spoke in a submissive manner that both startled and upset Atemu. He wanted his Hikari to be comfortable around him, not a robot.
"Hikari," Atemu moved over to him, lifting his chin. Yugi flinched, his body trembling with tears and fear. "Why do you fear my touch?" Yugi shook his head, closing his eyes.
"I-It's not you...I-I...don't want to talk about it...please..." He whispered, opening his eyes halfway to meet Atemu's confused and slightly irritated ruby eyes. He removed his hand from Yugi.
"Are you certain, Hikari? Sometimes it does help to talk." He pressed gently, wanting to help his Light with whatever was tormenting him. Yugi shook his head, either unwilling, or incapable of voicing his concerns, Atemu didn't know. He drew Yugi close, hugging him against his body. Yugi went stiff, trying to keep as much space he could. "Hikari," his voice gentle and soothing against Yugi's ear. Yugi let out a breath, closing his eyes. "You can talk to me, my little Hikari."
"I barely know you...how am I supposed to talk to someone I barely know?" Yugi questioned softly, feeling himself shiver as he was drawn closer into Atemu's arms.
"OK, then. What would you like to know?" Atemu asked against Yugi's neck. Yugi gasped and pushed himself away.
"Why did you have my home raided?" Yugi asked. Atemu sat up straighter.
"Traitors. Your people were harboring dangerous criminals who were a threat to my country. They had been there for many years, and were more than likely to have reproduced with your people. The only way to stop them, was to-"
"Kill my people along with yours?" Yugi asked. Atemu was silent. "It doesn't matter anymore. They're all dead now."
"That's a good mindset, Hikari." Yugi looked at him in surprise. "Telling yourself it's in the past. You should do that with your personal experiences as well."
"I-I can't do that..." Yugi whispered, lowering his head in defeat.
"Is it that bad, Hikari?" Atemu asked. Yugi nodded once. Atemu stood and pulled Yugi up with him. "I'm sure it can't be that bad."
"You don't understand." Yugi stated, exasperated. Atemu was silent, taking in the desperate look in his Light's amethyst eyes. Sighing, Yugi looked out the window. "My first intimate encounter was when I was twelve, and it was forced. As well as all the other ones afterward for the next three years." He looked at Atemu, seeing pure shock in his ruby eyes.
The silence wasn't awkward, merely more intense as they kept eye contact. "Hikari.." His voice was drowned in disbelief. Someone tainted this beautiful angel...for three years of his life. This explains why he hates being touched. "You know I would never do that. I would never force you into anything. You believe that, right?" Yugi searched his eyes. He hadn't given him any reason to doubt what he was saying, and it was clear in his eyes he was being serious.
"But, my job-"
"I am willing to wait, Hikari. I am." Atemu said gently. Yugi nodded and smiled slightly.
"Alright. I believe you, my Lord." He bowed low, before meeting his eyes. Atemu smiled as well.
"Good. As you should. Now, you need rest. And no more attempting anything drastic. Alright?" Yugi nodded. "Will you be content with sharing the same bed as I?" Yugi looked over at it. He sighed. This was going to take some definite getting used to.
