Title:
Written in the Stars
Chapter:
07/??
Author:
Nina/technicolornina
Fandom:
Yu-Gi-Oh!
Pairing/Characters:
This chapter features puzzleshipping.
Word
Count:
4 440.
Story
Rating:
R/M
for sexual
situations, language,
and violence.
Chapter
Rating:
R/M
for sexual
situations,
sexual
innuendo,
and sexual
language.
Story
Summary:
When Yuugi's class gets to study a new panel from a pharaoh's tomb,
Yuugi walks straight into trouble. Can he stay alive? And can he find
his way home?
Chapter
Summary:
Merishu gets to play a game with Atem. (Awww.) Yuugi gets chicken and
too much wine. Atem gets some.
Disclaimer:
Anything you recognise? Totally not mine.
Spoilers:
For the end of the series.
Warnings:
Yuugi is naked. Again. I hope you people are okay with that, because
it's not going to change any time soon. Also, Yuugi is drunk. For an
extended period of time. And
there is sex.
I hope you're okay with that, too, because quite frankly it's only
going to get worse.
Notes:
I would like to take note that in Yuugi's country of origin, as well
as in my home state, Yuugi
is above the age of statutory consent.
In fact, in story-time he's now above the age of statutory consent in
every country I know the laws for (which is a fair few). The astute
reader who pointed out via email that Atem is younger than Yuugi by
six months should be made aware that in all relevant countries and
states, Atem
is also above the age of statutory consent.
If you have a problem with a seventeen-year-old having sex, this is
not the story for you.
Feedback:
There may be something out there that's better than a review
containing concrit, but if there is, I haven't found it yet. So if
you have two minutes and you wouldn't mind? Please? Arigatou. (And
concrit is cool. Flames are not.)
Special
Thanks/Dedications:
This chapter is for
killyoudead,
who did not groan too loudly when I first told her Yuugi's joke about
chicken and meat.
"Can't catch me!"
Yuugi paused, a large pot balanced carefully against his hip, and watched as Merishu streaked across the wide yard behind the kitchen quarter. He was closely pursued by Atem and Mana, all three of them laughing. Merishu stopped and changed direction abruptly. Atem, a little slower on the uptake, stopped altogether, confused, and Mana ran into him from behind. The pair of them tumbled to the ground. Mana used Atem's shoulders as leverage and pushed herself quickly to her feet, leapfrogging right over his head.
Yuugi shook his head and went on his way as Atem made his feet and took off again. Shemei was right. Atem was nothing if not an overgrown child. Yuugi ignored the part where he would have gladly dropped his pot and joined them. Merishu ran behind him and tried to take shelter.
"Aibou, help me!"
Yuugi couldn't help smiling as Merishu wormed his way between Yuugi's feet and sat down. If he couldn't win, he would at least keep Atem from winning. Atem stopped and crossed his arms.
"Meri, that's cheating."
Merishu grabbed Yuugi's leg. "No it's not! He was just standing there."
"It's cheating." Atem's eyes flicked to Yuugi. "I think Aibou would agree with me."
Yuugi shrugged with his one free shoulder. "Aibou can't agree with either one of you. Aibou doesn't know what the rules are."
"You can't take shelter under, on, or around a moveable object."
"He's not moving!" Merishu rubbed his head against Yuugi's knee. Yuugi was reminded forcefully of a very large housecat.
"Meri, he just shrugged. He's moveable."
"But the important part isn't moving!"
Yuugi saw mischief on Atem's face. "How about we put it to a test?"
"What test?"
Atem lunged. Yuugi managed to get two steps backward before falling. He heard Merishu's childish squeal, and then he was pinned to the sand beneath a warm body, the breath knocked out of him. He wheezed as Atem sat up.
"I told you he's moveable."
Yuugi pulled himself into a sitting position, finally managing to draw a full breath. He took one look at Atem, still sitting on the sand, and thought privately to himself that the images in Atem's tomb lied. He might be perfectly dignified when necessity demanded, but the real Atem was the one sitting in front of him, crown knocked askew, roses high in his cheeks, dust on his tunic, having the absolute time of his life. He was very little like the Atem Yuugi would see in the memory world, and even less like the Atem he would encounter in the Millennium Puzzle, but he was nonetheless the real Atem, the one who wouldn't eat dirt to save his own life but would gladly throw himself in the sand to wrestle with his little brother. Some days Yuugi still longed for the Atem from his own time - the one who, he thought, would never have forced him into the job he now had - but at other times, like right now, he was perfectly content with the one he had.
"You're breaking my help," Yuugi heard Shemei complain, and Atem reached out to flick a curl off Yuugi's forehead. Sometimes Yuugi wondered why nobody had tried shaving his head again - his hair was a good five inches long already.
"I didn't do any permanent damage," Atem protested, getting to his feet and pulling Yuugi after him. Shemei clucked at them.
"Aibou, you have chores to finish. Merishu, go wash. You're absolutely filthy." Shemei turned abruptly and headed for the pantry.
Merishu whined. "I don't wanna!"
Atem turned his eyebrow on Merishu. "Boys turning eight years old should listen to their mothers. Now go on." He nodded toward the kitchen building. Merishu went, grumbling under his breath as he did. Yuugi retrieved his tumbled pot, vaguely thankful there hadn't been anything in it. Behind them, Mana laughed into her hand.
"I don't know what you think is so funny. He's become a real handful."
Mana shrugged. "He wouldn't be if you wouldn't spoil him to death."
"This coming from the girl who brings him treats every time she sees him."
Yuugi blocked out the rest of the discussion; he had little interest in it, knowing it would shortly take the same turn as so many conversations he'd had with Anzu - into a place only the two of them understood. Instead he took his pot inside, ready to put it away. Shemei fell on him.
"You have chores to do," she began, and Yuugi promptly blocked her out. He'd heard this speech before, and without fail it was always Atem making him late enough that he had to hear it.
" - and you know Atem is eating here tonight - "
"Wait, what?" Sometimes knowing the usual speech by heart had its downfalls. Shemei huffed.
"It's Merishu's birthday, and new year on top of that. Atem always eats here. It's Meri's treat. Which is why you have to - "
Yuugi nodded dutifully as Shemei rambled on, and sat down to cut canteloupe.
--------------------------
"Merishu, sit still," Idut pleaded. Usually Merishu listened to her wonderfully, but tonight he was sitting next to his brother to eat. It likely wouldn't happen again for a year. He was, as Jii-chan might have said, wound up like a pocketwatch.
"Meri." Atem's eyes met Idut's across the cloth spread on the floor, and in their shared glance Yuugi saw the half-amused exasperation only parents and longtime childminders could know. Yuugi personally cared nothing for Merishu's antics; sooner or later Merishu would get hungry, and then he would sit down easily enough. Yuugi took more interest in the fact that Idut met Atem's eyes at all. Atem was generally well-liked among the slaves, but Idut had something of a reputation for being quiet and reclusive. Maybe, Yuugi thought, Atem was working the same magic on her that he'd once worked on Yuugi himself. He had a way of doing that.
Merishu looked ready to whine, but a single glance from Atem put an end to that. He plunked down at his space between Atem and Shemei, turned to Atem, and waited expectantly. Atem took a bite of chicken, and the rest of the party began to eat. Yuugi was hard-pressed to not make a complete pig of himself - it had been ten months since he'd tasted chicken, and the piece of bird in front of him was hot and juicy. And then there was bread with butter, and fresh cantaloupe and plums, and sweet wine instead of beer. There was also lettuce dipped in a kind of flavoured oil, which Yuugi ignored. The rest was feast enough, as far as he was concerned. And a feast it was - Merishu had been born during the week of the Egyptian new year, quite possibly the biggest holiday of the year, and even slaves got to celebrate freely. Yuugi finished his chicken regretfully. Atem had ignored at least half of his, and Yuugi did his best to not stare at it openly. Once upon a time Yuugi would have laughed openly at the idea that he'd be willing to trade sexual favors for half a chicken breast, but not now.
Hey, Pharaoh. Tell you what. I'll blow you every night for a week if I can have a piece of your meat.
Yuugi bit his lip to keep from laughing outright. Not only was the thought outrageous, the pun - completely unintentional, truth be told - was one that would have Jounouchi roaring. Maybe Atem, too, if the humour had been invented yet.
Atem raised an eyebrow. "Is something funny, Aibou?"
Yuugi struggled to keep a straight face. "No. I was just - reminded of someone I used to know."
Atem looked mildly puzzled. "Ah." He turned back to his lettuce. Yuugi watched him eat with a small amount of fascination. Silverware had yet to be invented in this world, and chopsticks were equally foreign. Everyone ate with their hands - including the pharaoh. For once everyone was on mostly equal ground. Not entirely equal ground, because it was clear Atem had been raised to have actual table manners, but mostly equal, yes. Yuugi was slightly awed by the idea of someone who could eat with their hands and still look more or less refined.
At last the meal ended. Yuugi loaded his arms with dishes and left to clean them. He'd mostly finished by the time he heard footsteps behind him. He had a fairly good idea who it was; the moon was full, and there was already a horse standing outside the stable. A hand landed on his back, and he spun around, ready to fight if Atem's arrival had been precipitated by someone else with less benign motives. Atem backed away from him, clearly aware that he'd stepped over a line he shouldn't have. Yuugi lowered his hands.
"Sorry."
Atem didn't acknowledge his apology; he only gestured Yuugi closer. When he spoke, it was in a whisper that made Yuugi shiver in spite of the heat.
"I saw you watching me tonight."
Yuugi hoped he hadn't broken some rule he didn't know about. There would be hell to pay if he had.
"I was going to take this with me, but I had this idea you'd make it worth my while." He put a lettuce-wrapped something in Yuugi's hands. Yuugi smelled chicken.
No way. No way. What did he do, read my mind or something?
"I'll be back in about an hour." Yuugi understood the implied order: be waiting.
"Okay."
He watched Atem swing his leg over the horse and pull himself onto its back. His eyes widened when Atem rode toward him, instead of away.
"I told Madu I might bathe when I get in. I may be late."
"Okay."
Atem's eyes flicked over Yuugi's shoulder. "Meri!"
Yuugi backpedaled rapidly to get out of Merishu's way. Atem leaned over to swing him onto the horse. Yuugi gave him a boost.
"Your mother's going to kill me," Atem confided, and Merishu giggled.
Yuugi bit his lip in confusion as Atem rode away, one arm securely around Merishu's middle. It wasn't Merishu's presence that confused him; Mana hadn't lied when she said Atem spoiled his little brother absolutely to death, and Yuugi thought a nighttime birthday ride fit the bill quite well. It was the other part - the part where Atem had stopped to tell him about the bath - that confused him. Yuugi had grown used to Atem's skin being still damp from the bath when he came to bed, except on nights when the moon was full or nearly so. Then he came to bed dusty, because -
because he bathes first, and then goes out to ride, and then comes to bed. There was still water in his hair.
Yuugi smiled. It was too kind to be sardonic, but it was nearly so.
"Ante up," he whispered, and took the clean dishes inside to put away. There he bid Shemei good night, hoping he looked decently humble - especially given that she looked ready to breathe fire. He followed his usual path until she was well out of sight, and then turned back and went left instead.
The bath was just as it had been the day he'd had a water fight with Atem, the day Idut had come to them. And the water was still hot. Yuugi slipped into the water happily, his robe a forgotten puddle on the floor behind him. He felt slightly giddy, and had an idea the wine he'd drunk with dinner was probably too strong for him. Jounouchi had told him once that alcohol had a way of catching up with you later, when you were least expecting it.
So don't let go of the wall. And if you start feeling sleepy or dizzy, get out. Right away. Fair enough.
"The first rule of playing a game is that you should know what the rules are," Yuugi said, his voice echoing even though he tried to keep it down. He didn't think anyone would be in this part of the palace at this hour, but he didn't want to encourage the wrong kind of attention. "The second rule of playing games is . . . " He paused to think. There must be a second rule. Must be. His brain felt like someone had poured a soda pop into it - bubbly and floating.
If this is what being drunk is like, it's no wonder they put an age limit on it.
"The second rule of playing games is that when someone offers you chicken and a hot bath, you screw the rules." There. He liked that rule. The chicken was already in his belly, and he was sitting in wonderfully warm water up to his neck. Whatever price Atem chose to put on his presents would be fair, as long as Yuugi didn't end up dying trying to pay.
He found a cake of the same soap the slaves used - only one kind of soap here in Egypt, apparently - and bathed happily. By the time he was done his skin was noticeably lighter. Yuugi had an idea he should probably start paying more attention when he bathed, even if he did have to do it in cold water.
He didn't dare soak as long as he would have liked; he had no way to tell the time, and he was afraid of falling asleep and sliding under the water. At last he pulled himself out of the water, dried off with the towel-thing he suspected Atem had left there on purpose, and made his way upstairs. He intended to sit and wait, more than ready to give whatever Atem wanted to take - chicken! And hot water! his mind repeated happily and in an endless loop - but he'd been very right about one thing: the wine was strong, and the alcohol in it was different from that in the beer he was used to drinking. Before long he grew tired waiting for Atem's return, and so he lay down on the covers.
And then he fell asleep, asprawl amid soft covers and summer warmth.
-----------------------------
Yuugi felt hands on his back, wonderfully warm and light. He floated back into consciousness with little trouble; he hadn't been sleeping long.
"I think the wine's gone to your head, little Aibou."
Yuugi squirmed. One of the hands was caressing the flat place just below and between his shoulderblades, and there was no better way to drive him absolutely crazy. He wondered if Atem knew that. Probably. He doesn't miss a single trick, Jii-chan might have said, and was it not true? Were they not playing the oldest game in the world right now?
"I know it did." There was something that struck him funny about the idea - quiet, sensible Mutou Yuugi, drunk! - and he started to laugh the loose, bubbly giggles that are the sole property of people who have drunk wine into the late hours. Atem raised an eyebrow, and he laughed more. It wasn't really funny, he saw it every day, but -
"I should have left you sleeping. You've taken complete leave of your senses."
Yuugi's laughs wound back down to giggles, and he snuggled against Atem's side. Atem was amazingly warm and comfortable, and Yuugi was going to take full advantage of having a human pillow.
And a hot bath and chicken, don't forget that.
Yes, and a hot bath and chicken, and Yuugi should probably do something to thank him at some point after the room stopped moving every time he tried to do more than sit up. He rested his head against Atem's shoulder and could smell dust and wind on his bare skin. It was the mercy of the gods that Yuugi didn't see the surprise on Atem's face - Atem would have spent hours trying to make him stop laughing. Finally Atem let his arm slide around Yuugi's waist, the two of them side by side in the middle of the blankets and pillows, and lowered Yuugi carefully to the bed.
"Perhaps we should keep you away from the wine for the rest of this week," he murmured, and his voice was a pot of melted chocolate. Yuugi curled up with his head in Atem's lap and made a sound that would have been an almost comical noise of protest if he hadn't already been halfway to sleeping again.
"I had two bowls. I'll have one tomorrow." He had no idea when he might taste something other than beer again, and didn't want to miss the chance while he had it.
"Probably a wise decision." Yuugi could feel Atem's fingers in his hair, and why had he never tried to draw out this side of his - whatever Atem was - before? The fingers paused in their trek through the thick mess of curls Yuugi called hair. Yuugi whined and nuzzled against the hand attached to the fingers. The fingers moved again.
"You're a demanding little thing, aren't you?" The tone in Atem's voice was one of amusement rather than anger, and Yuugi agreed readily. Yes, he was a demanding little thing, absolutely, whatever you say. Then again, he'd spent seven months at this man's beck and call, and if he could get something back now -
You did get something back. Chicken and a hot bath, remember?
Yes, chicken and a hot bath, he did remember, but neither of those things could do such maddeningly nice things to the place where his hairline met his neck. Yuugi tried to think of a way to describe it and failed. And now was probably not a good time to get excited over anything. The room still rocked every time he tried to sit up, and though he thought he could make it from one place to another without falling over, he imagined his tracks would look very loopy indeed.
But I'm supposed to - I'm supposed to - Yuugi couldn't remember what he was supposed to do. He'd known earlier. He'd thought of it while he was eating dinner, just a silly, offhand thought that didn't mean anything, but then Atem had -
Right. That.
Yuugi sat up, closed his eyes until he regained his equilibrium, and then slid neatly off the side of the bed. Atem leaned forward, resting his weight on his hands.
"What on earth do you think you're doing, little Aibou?"
"Making it worth your while. Put your legs down." Some very small part of his brain - the part that was usually in charge when he was sober - told him that ordering the pharaoh around was a very good way to get himself killed. Another very small part - the part currently operating at full power - told him the pharaoh would get over it. Very quickly, in fact, that part added as Atem raised his eyebrows and complied.
"I think perhaps whatever you're thinking of should be postponed until you're sober."
"I know what I'm doing." These, as Jii-chan had said more than once, were famous last words - but really, how hard could it be?
"Yes, and I know you're - "
Yuugi would never find out what Atem knew; the last word disappeared in a kind of strangled gasp that left Yuugi fighting a fit of the giggles he probably would have had even if he were sober. The one thing that kept him more or less straightfaced was knowing he'd probably die if he did any biting. Atem's fingers clenched on Yuugi's shoulders. Yuugi reached up to bat impatiently at one of the offending hands. Even chicken (and a hot bath) wasn't worth explaining the mysterious marks on his shoulders tomorrow.
Yes, you're getting head. That's no reason to leave bruises. But if it were really this simple . . . maybe he should consider trying to get a hot bath more often. Although if he ever got back to Domino, he doubted he'd ever be able to eat a lollipop again. He'd start laughing every time it got anywhere near his mouth.
Okay, you know what? This is harder than it sounds like it should be. Not to mention it was taking forever. Yuugi didn't fancy still sitting here at sunrise, paying up. His feet were going numb. The response was gratifying, but he was starting to get cold. Yuugi had no idea how to do some of the postively sinful-sounding things Jounouchi had snickered about in the back of the classroom, but the basic design of the human male hadn't changed much in three thousand years, and there were a few other things he knew he was fairly good at. He slid a hand between Atem's legs and received another of those ridiculous-sounding noises in return.
The space of roughly thirty seconds was enough for Yuugi to realise just why Jii-chan called "I know what I'm doing" famous last words. He made a face as Atem fell backward on the bed and wondered if anyone would notice if he wiped his mouth on the blanket. Worse, there was nothing in the room he dared drink to take the taste out of his mouth. Maybe after Atem fell asleep he could slip out for five minutes and get some beer or a plum or something. Yuugi crawled up onto the bed. Atem had sprawled out across the middle of it, eyes closed. Yuugi nudged him nervously. He wasn't dead - Yuugi could see the rise and fall of his chest easily enough - but if he was sleeping, Yuugi was going to be pissed. He hadn't put in that much effort so Atem could just fall asleep without a single word.
"Was there any particular reason for that?" The words sounded dazed, and Yuugi grinned triumphantly. He hadn't quite left Atem speechless, but he'd come close. Not too shabby.
"You said - "
"I was teasing you, little Aibou." Atem rolled over, pulling his legs back on the bed. "If I really wanted payment, I would have taken it first."
Yuugi's mouth fell open. He made no attempt to close it. Not only had he been had, Atem's recovery had been disappointingly swift. There went any personal satisfaction he might have taken from the matter.
"You - " Yuugi turned away and folded his arms. Had he been closer to sober, he would have realised he was being ridiculously petulant. Then again, if he'd been closer to sober he likely wouldn't have acted as he had to begin with.
"If it's any consolation, I didn't expect you to take me seriously."
"It's not." Even half-drunk Yuugi could hear the pout in his own voice. The bed shifted, and he felt an arm slip around his waist. Yuugi pulled away. He wasn't done being mad yet. By tomorrow he'd likely have forgotten he had anything to even be mad about, and he wasn't going to let Atem off easy. Some part of him wondered dimly when he was going to stop being disappointed every time Atem acted like an ass. Really, he should be used to the pattern by now. It was like Atem got worn out from all that nice.
"What are you so angry for?" Genuine confusion. He really doesn't get it, Yuugi thought. Far from calming him, the thought only made him angrier. Really, anyone who could be a complete and total jerk and not understand when someone got upset about it -
Yuugi became aware of a hand caressing his shoulder, and he pulled away again. He didn't want to be comforted.
"I hate you." Yuugi was aware that he didn't really mean it, but he didn't care. It was a blow to Atem's pride, and they both knew it. Yuugi found a kind of bitter satisfaction in taking away whatever enjoyment Atem might get out of this situation. Having a pet that would bite could do that.
Atem did not approach him again, and Yuugi was on the point of slipping off the bed and leaving - why stay? His obligations were more than fulfilled - when he heard Atem's voice from behind him, quiet and heartbreakingly familiar. It wasn't as deep as the tone Yuugi knew, but in spite of that it still sounded almost exactly like Atem when he had been the other Yuugi, a lost spirit trying to find his way home.
"How can I make it up to you?"
There was something not quite right about the question, and had Yuugi been closer to his normal state of mind he would doubtless have recognised it. As he was - tired, upset, and still trying to shake off the effects of the wine - he did not.
"Don't do it again. I hate being teased."
"All right." That voice again, quiet and not entirely sure of itself. Yuugi chanced a glance back over his shoulder. Atem was sitting with his knees to his chest, arms wrapped firmly around his legs. Yuugi couldn't help himself.
"You know, it's an insult to the gods to be so ashamed of their work."
Atem raised an eyebrow at him. "I'm not ashamed. I'm cold."
Yuugi considered telling him he should get under the covers if he was so cold, and then decided not to. He didn't like fighting without a good reason, and being slightly irritated was not a good reason. So instead he stretched toward the head of the bed and pulled the blankets down. Atem offered him a smile - not the usual sunny, cocky grin that left Yuugi wanting to smack him, but one that managed to seem both shy and relieved at the same time - and slid beneath the covers. Yuugi followed him. An arm slid around his waist to pull him close, and this time he let it.
Yuugi was on the verge of falling asleep altogether when the tiny seed of confusion planted in his mind bloomed and burst.
What can I do to make it up to you?
Yuugi sat up, dismayed.
"Hey - "
Atem shifted his weight and sighed deeply. Yuugi slid back under the covers, discomfited.
I'll have to apologise tomorrow. Don't forget.
He was vaguely aware as he slid into sleep that he was being cuddled.
You big faker.
Yuugi could have been irritated, but decided not to be. They were still playing the game, after all, and Atem always played by the rules.
Even when there were no real rules to play by.
