A/N: Hello all. I'm back to answer the question you are all asking. Where the hell is Yugi taking Atemu? Dun DUn DUN! Stay tuned and find out!
Thank you all for your support. I appreciate it so much you have no idea. You don't have to take time out of your day to read my things yet, here you are. I lurv you all.
jofisk: So glad you appreciate the music videos. It's very difficult to portray what I see in my head for them.
NaileaMarie7890: Thank you very much for your support. The wait is over. Read on to find out!
Alright everyone. The wait is over. Sit back, grab some popcorn and maybe a box of tissues and enjoy the chapter. Please feed the starving authoress with reviews. Thank you!
Yugi instructed me to get dressed and follow him. Where is he taking me at this time of night? No clue. I glance at him out of the corner of my eye, fastening my pants on and notice his hands shaking and fidgeting. My eyebrows furrow and worry wiggles its way into my thoughts.
"Yugi, are you alright?" I limp over to him and take his trembling hands into my own.
"I..." Yugi licks his lips, "I'm fine."
"You can talk to me if there is something wrong," I tilt my head down towards his, gently resting my forehead against his.
Amethyst meet my gaze and dart away, "I know. Just please. Follow me."
"Always," I smile. "Lead the way."
The warm and dry night air of Egypt assaults my senses, instantly transporting me back in time to my childhood. Any time I wanted to think, I would sneak out and sit under the stars. On occasion, I would sit on the roof of my parent's place. More often then not, I found myself on the beach of the Nile. The stars and moon shone as brightly as gems without the light pollution of the city. I would slide my feet into the water and lay on the warm, sun-heated sand. The sound of the small waves washing ashore and the tickle of the sand against my skin never failed to relax me.
I shake my head, realizing I had gone space case again. I followed Yugi all the way to a dimly lit building resting in a dark and almost abandoned street. I shift my weight to try and stand on my own. My ankle is throbbing, but not too terribly.
Yugi pauses at the door, hands swinging and fingers fidgeting and tugging on his pants. All is quiet. What are we doing here? Where are we? I squint, struggling to read the sign on the building in front of us. My heart leaps. It's The Blue Nile restaurant! It's where we had our date when we were last in Egypt. If you really think about it, that night was our official first date. Sure we spent a lot of time together before that point, but we had never actually gone out on a date ever since Yugi and the others joined up with me. I'm quite confused though. It's in the middle of the night. The restaurant is closed. Why are we here?
"Do you remember the last time we were here?" Yugi's delicate voice sounds like it is on the verge of cracking.
"Of course. We had a great dinner on the patio together," I comment with fondness.
An almost unnoticeable tickle brushes my hand. I look down and see Yugi's fingers caressing my skin. I shiver despite the warm, evening temperature.
"Why are we here?" I finally ask.
"Do you love me?" he asks again.
Why does he keep asking? I am actually getting a bit nervous,"Yes, Yugi. With all of my heart and all of my being."
He takes my hand and guides me through the door. Why wasn't it locked? That thought vanishes from my mind as quickly as it had entered. I blink in surprise and awe. On the ground, leading from the front door of the restaurant to the far doors leading to the patio is a long, white cloth lined on both sides with white candles. White and red rose pedals dapple the white cloth on our path, their fragrance mingling with that of the aroma of spice lingering in the air.
My heart beat echos in my ears. Yugi's shaking hand squeezes mine before he lets go of my hand and loops his arm around mine, supporting me while we walk side-by-side down the white linen path towards the patio doors. Yugi must have paid a fortune for us to rent out the restaurant during non-operating hours.
We walk out onto the patio and were greeted by only four other people. One is Seto. The second is an elderly gentleman that I recognize to be the manager. The third is a young lady who is poised behind a large, golden harp. And the fourth... You got me. I don't know who he is. He is middle-aged with black hair and black glasses. He is dressed in black, silver, and gold robes. I swallow hard and drink in the surroundings.
The table and chairs that usually reside out here were cleared from the balcony; replaced by flowing, sheer white fabric draped from the wooden columns and beams, more white candles, red and white roses, and the distant sounds of the Nile flowing by. The silver light from the moon and stars blessed the scene with an ethereal light.
Yugi squeezes my arm. I glance at him. He looks so terrified. I turn to face him, resting my hand on his cheek. His lips brush my palm.
"Atemu, I have to ask you something," he voice cracks and his eyes gloss over.
"Yes?" I ask. I have a feeling I know what he's going to ask.
"Will you marry me? Right here? Right now?" His eyes lock on mine, pleading with me to respond quickly.
I close my eyes and swallow the lump in my throat. That's what I thought. Before I answer, I feel a sense of calm, warmth, and love flood my existence. My eyelids slide open. Yugi is near tears.
"Yes, Yugi. I would love to," I nod. Tears break free from Yugi's eyes and he half laughs and half cries. He encloses me in a tight embrace. A hug so tight it feels desperate and relieved. I struggle to breath. Faint applause barely registers on my attention meter. All that matters right now is Yugi.
"Yugi, did you think I would say no?" I pull away from him, examining his face. He nods and I pull him back, folding him into my arms, "But why? I love you so much. How else can I prove it?"
He giggles through his soft sobs, "Marry me?"
My grin spreads from ear to ear, mirroring the Cheshire Cat, "Well what are we waiting for?" I limp forward, escorting him to the Imam, the Muslim Cleric. That is who the fourth individual is. As I walk Yugi to the Imam, the harpist plays Cannon in D by Pachelbel.
The Imam reads the first chapter of the Quran. He discusses the meaning of marriage and blesses the union. He smiles and locks eyes with me, "You may kiss, Yugi."
I sweep Yugi into a dip and meld our lips together. Yugi sighs and melts into my arms. His soft moans drift on the breeze to my ears, sending chills down my spine and pleasurable impulses to my nether regions. Yugi opens his mouth before I could even request entrance. The tip of his tongue meets the tip of mine just on the inside of his mouth. My tongue glides up and down the length of his, finishing with a playful circle. I lift him back to his full standing position and he stares at me with the most dazed and pleasant expression on his face. I chuckle.
"Congratulations!" Seto, the manager, the Imam, and the harpist exclaim.
The door opens to the balcony revealing two servers; one with the bubbly and the other with food. Yugi and Seto must have been planning this for a while. This wasn't something that happened at last minute just on a whim.
The server with the champagne offers Yugi and myself the beverage first before holding out the tray to the others.
Seto taps the champagne flute to pull attention to him. His usually cold and stern demeanor is gone; replaced by the seldom seen happy and relaxed persona. Who is this and where is Seto?
Seto's gaze shifts to Yugi, "Oh, Yugi. Atemu was in such a horrible state when he first found you. He was miserable. His misery made him difficult to manage and to be around." I wince. "After you and the others came into our lives, I saw Yami change. The change was slow, subtle, and amazing to watch. You turned his life around. You helped him become a better person in every way. I've known this man for almost our entire lives. I want to assure you of this... You will never find someone more devoted and more loving. He will always look after you and do his best to make you happy. Seeing you two together and the love you have for each other is like watching a fairy tail unfold." He lifts his champagne flute, "I wish you both the best and I can't wait to see your relationship thrive. To Yugi and to Atemu."
The others around us echoed, "To Yugi and Atemu."
Yugi and I entwine our arms and take a sip from our champagne flutes. I enjoying the light, floral taste and the fizz dancing on my tongue, letting out a soft hum of approval.
The manager approaches us, a grin on his face, "We have prepared an area for you two to sit and enjoy your food and drink in privacy. The manager motions to a corner of the patio that I had not previously noticed. There was an L-shaped sofa facing the corner and looking out at the Nile and the night sky. In front of the couch rested a small fire pit with minuscule embers popping and crackling softly. There were three posts set up to allow a thick, purple cloth to fall from the beams overhead and block the view of the corner from the balcony from any prying eyes. However, the view of the river and the sky is not obstructed.
"Wow. That is for us?" I ask, pointing at the corner.
"Yes. The servers are setting up your food and champagne as we speak. You both will be able to enjoy the rest of the evening in there. The staff will be inside and available if you need us.
"Thank you," Yugi grins. He helps me limp over to the sofa. Before sitting next to me, Yugi grabs a bowl of fruit. He sits next to me and nestles the bowl in his lap.
"I'm going to go back to the hotel to get some rest," Seto comments. "We will organize a reception for you at a later date. Congratulations again, and good night," Seto draws the curtains around us and we are left alone.
"I'm blown away, Yugi," I shake my head in amazement, watching him pluck a grape from the bowl and hold it up to my lips.
"Really?" Yugi's excitement overflows, he is practically vibrating.
"This is amazing. I couldn't have asked for a better wedding," our lips brushed together.
"I'm," Yugi places a small kiss on my lips, "glad," and another, "you," and another, "liked," and another, "it." He crushes his lips onto mine. I feel him shifting against me. The bowl clatters as it falls from his lap onto the floor.