Prompt 4: Underworld
This is based on a headcanon I had for awhile now. This takes place when Atem's in the afterlife with his loved ones. While I know it doesn't make much sense for people to sleep in the afterlife, one of my headcanons is that people sometimes sleep there for nostalgia sake in the show.
Laying in his bed, Atem shifted around uncomfortably in his bed due to the silence around him. Ugh. He has the chance to be with his loved ones after thousands of years and he still can't fall asleep due his demons! Atem knew he had troubles with this inside in the puzzle, but usually the mind link helped him out with this. But now, it's just him and his own thoughts. He has to fall asleep, especially since he has been awake for over an hour at least and the last thing he wants for this to make Mana wake up.
Atem hummed, trying to fall asleep again. Much to his dismay, even after several minutes, he was very much awake. He's the King of Games, why can't he do something simple as this!
"Atem, what's wrong?" he heard Mana ask in concern.
Opening his eyes, he sat up on his mattress and saw Mana, who looked at him worriedly.
"Nothing," he denied.
Mana gave him a dry look, raising an eyebrow. She didn't buy it. Not one bit.
Atem let a sigh escape him. He knew that he couldn't hide this from her. In addition to being his Chief Wife when he was alive, she is his best friend. If he could tell anyone about this, it was her. Even if he didn't tell Mana now, she will figure out somehow.
"All right," he said. "I don't like silence. Since I was in that tomb... it just bothers me after a few hours or so. It just brings back bad memories."
Mana pried her eyes away, frowning. She knew exactly what he was talking about. She saw him inside of the tomb with the aid of a spell that she learnt, seeing him alone inside of the tomb. He had no one to talk with while all his memories slowly slipped away, forgetting about everyone he knew and loved. After seeing that, Mana sobbed, hating seeing her friend and lover in so much pain. She wanted do anything to make his pain stop. Because of this, she controlled her ka, The Dark Magician Girl, with her magic to aid him when he needed it. No wonder why he needed to do that. It was his way of coping and keeping himself in check after torcher that was worse then the jaws of Ammit.
She couldn't just sit here! There had to be something she could do. ...wait!
Laying down on her pillow, she started to hum softly. After a several minutes, Atem shut his eyes, slowly falling back to a peaceful sleep before the sides of her lip pulled up.