Yu-Gi-Oh DM - puzzle/blindshipping

Everyone knows about dragons; gigantic creatures from other worlds that like to make deals with humans to come to our world; some to bring chaos and destruction, others to become some kind of deity or ruler, and some others to share their knowledge.

Since ancient times, humans and dragons of all kinds have made deals; each resulting in the creation of drakes, of three kinds known.

Drakens, those who are one with the dragon, were entities close to human-dragon hybrids. Some say that, like werewolves, they lose control of themselves and some nights turn into dragons. Others say that they can change when they want and that they control they dragon form without problems. No one really knows the truth about these creatures since they are the rarest, and usually keep this a secret.

Darakons, vessels of dragons, are people who make a deal with a dragon and give him certain power over their bodies; if they have enough power, their body can turn to that of the dragon, but if the vessel can't handle a transition, it dies, but those who can be able to turn back and forth into dragon and human for certain time, and only if the dragon will lend them their power.

And the last, the Darguls. They bond with the dragon and are able to summon them. In these cases, they usually have an artefact that works as a mediator, it turns into the dragon when summoned and it obeys the human, of course not without something in return.

But the people learned something with time; the power of one's name works differently for human and dragons.

For humans, it saves their souls and grants them a life after death.

But dragons and drakes; they are bound to obey those who know their true name.

Humans started abusing this knowledge, and so, dragons and drakes started keeping their true names a secret.

The red moon bathed the night with its crimson light while the houses of the village were on fire and the people's screams tainted the air with horror and dread. A gigantic beast flew over the village, and from time to time its tremendous roar would quiet down the pleas and cries.

It was under the light of the red moon, that the dragon attacked the village, not leaving a single soul alive.

"Ah Siamun, a letter for you?" the young prince asked the great vizier. "From who? If I may ask."

"My brother," he smiled before he opened the letter.

"I didn't know you had a brother." The boy tried to peek and see the contents of the letter but it was written in a weird foreign language.

"A twin brother actually, he lives in a faraway land to the north-east," he said as he started reading and frowned at what the letter said.

"What does it say Siamun?" he asked worried, shouldn't he be happy to know about his brother?

"He's asking for refuge for him and his grandson"

"They'll come here?"

"They must be on their way then. Sugoroku always acts before getting a response," he ruffled the boy's hair. "I'll need to go talk about this with your father"

"I'll go too."

"There's no need, why don't you play with Mana?" said the old man.

The boy scowled but obeyed nonetheless.

The gates opened and they were escorted inside.

The boy hid behind his grandfather, and at the throne room, the Pharaoh and great vizier awaited them.

"Pharaoh," the old man kneeled down and his grandson hurriedly did the same. "I'm thankful you are kind enough to receive us in your home."

"Stand up," ordered the Pharaoh. "There's no need for you to thank me. I'm just happy to help my dear friend and vizier Siamun, and those important to him too." smiled the ruler. "Be welcome to the palace of Thaobe, my home, and now yours too."

"Thank you, great Pharaoh."

"Now, I guess you'll want a moment of privacy with your brother. A room has been prepared for you and your grandson, you can sort everything out there."

The boy peeked from behind his grandfather to look at the Pharaoh, but when he looked at him, he shied away and hid again.

"Don't be shy," said the Pharaoh gently with a kind smile on his face. "I mean no harm to you or your family."

"Oh, sorry for my imprudence," excused Sugoroku. "This is my grandson, Yugi-" he then turned to his grandson "-Yugi, this is Pharaoh Akenankamon." Siamun walked closer to his relatives "And this is my brother, Siamun."

"Hello Yugi, I haven't seen you since you were in your mother's belly."

Little Yugi smiled sheepishly. "Nice to meet you," he said in a quiet voice.

"Nice to meet you too." He turned to his brother, "Follow me, I'll take you to your room"

"Thank you, Siamun."

"Don't thank me. You're my brother, there's nothing I wouldn't do to help you," both smiled and walked away from the throne room.

"Woah, they look just the same," Mana whispered.

"Shut up, Mana. I want to hear what they're saying," said the prince, both were peeking through the curtain door.

"A dragon has been appearing and destroying villages," sighed Siamun's twin. "All close to our home… I feared we would be next."

"Don't worry, here you'll be safe. I can assure you that," he put a hand over his shoulder reassuringly. "I'm happy I've got to see you again, and finally got to meet my grandson," he smiled at Yugi who had been checking a trunk.

The young prince gasped quietly. He had never seen someone so pretty, and just like that, he didn't pay attention to the conversation anymore, he just stared at Siamun's grandson.

"How old is he by the way?"

"10 springs old"

Mana shook him to get his attention.

"He's your age, Atem."

Atem just nodded.

"I want to go greet them," she said to herself.

Mana knocked on the wall beside the entrance.

"Great vizier," she said. "I heard about your brother's arrival and I wanted to come and greet him." She made the prince stand beside her. "Atem is here too," she added causing the prince beside her to freeze.

"Come on in."

Mana pulled Atem in with her.

Yugi stood there, almost behind his grandfather, shy but curious about the new people, he stared at them with bright eyes.

Atem felt his face grow hot when he noticed Yugi's pretty blush, his heart thundered in his chest; he felt like running away, but at the same time wanted to stay and stare at him all day.

"Sugoroku, Yugi. This is Atem, the heir of Thaobe's throne," presented Siamun.

Both bowed respectfully.

"And I'm Mana, his best friend," she commented. "Nice to meet you two," she smiled.

"Nice to meet you too Mana," said Sugoroku and patted her head.

Siamun gave Atem a look and he finally reacted.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," he said nervously and mimicked the bow they had made.

"Hey, why don't you two take Yugi and show him around the palace?" suggested Siamun.

"Of course great vizier!" Mana took Yugi's hand and ran out, dragging Atem and Yugi with her.

They had shown Yugi half the palace. He had warmed up to Mana and spoke more freely, more relaxed, while Atem had been rather quiet the whole time, only speaking when asked about something, but had been paying close attention to Yugi's expressions and movements, as if he was trying to memorize all of them.

They ran through the hallways because Mana wanted to get to her favourite part of the palace.

"What did I tell you about running in the hallways?" said someone warningly.

Mana giggled nervously and as she thought of an excuse Atem got closer to Yugi, stood beside him and shily took Yugi's hand, the boy didn't flinch away, he looked down as his face blushed harder.

"Mana, Atem, would you present me your new friend?" asked the tall man.

"His name is Yugi" answered Atem and puffed out his chest proudly "He's Siamun's grandson"

The tall man kneeled down to look at Yugi at the eyes, Yugi squeezed Atem's hand and tried to hide behind Mana.

"Don't be scared Yugi, master Mahad is super nice" she moved away from Yugi.

Yugi then tried to hide behind Atem, but he wouldn't let go off his hand so he ended up just tightly hugging Atem's arm.

Atem squeezed back and put his other hand over Yugi's hand that was over his arm.

"Nice to meet you Yugi, I'm Mahad, the courts head magician"

"Nice to meet you, Sir," he said, quietly.

He looked at him in the eyes briefly, before looking down again. Atem also looked down and found Yugi moving his feet nervously.

"Did you know?" said Mana "Yugi and his grandpa are going to live with us now"

"Then welcome home Yugi" he ruffled the boy's hair and a warm smile appeared on Yugi's face.

"Thank you Sir" he nodded.

"You can call me Mahad if it's more comfortable for you" the boy shook his head.

"Sir it's okay," he said.

"Okay then" he stood up again "I'll see you around Yugi" he started walking away "And don't forget your studies Mana" he added.

"Okay" she yelled "Come on we're getting to the best part" she started running again, leaving the boys behind.

Yugi was still hugging Atem's arm with an expression of fear, even tho his eyes shone with curiosity.

Atem released himself from Yugi and put his hands on his shoulders; Yugi looked at him in the eyes, clearly surprised by his sudden action.

"Yugi," he said, puffing out his chest "I'm going to protect you, so you don't have to be afraid anymore; no one will harm you as long as you're with me, okay?" Yugi nodded "So from now on, please stay by my side"

"Yes" Yugi smiled and his eyes sparkled like gemstones "I promise" his smile widened and Atem mirrored his expression.

"Hey! Hurry up!" yelled Mana from afar.

Atem took Yugi's hand.

"Let's go, Yugi," he said.

Yugi nodded and both ran after Mana, holding hands.

"Hey Atem" someone whispered to his ear.

Surprised, Atem almost jumped out of his hiding spot; his partner was crouched beside him, trying to muffle his giggles.

"Yugi, stop scaring me like that," he said, pouting; it wasn't the first, nor would it be the last time, Yugi sneaked from behind and scared him.

"But it's funny" he sat on the floor "and it's so easy" he added, smiling.

"It's only funny for you" he complained.

"Maybe, but anyway, what are you doing here?" he asked "Hiding from Master Aknadin again?" he inquired, a knowing look on his face.

Oh, Where did that shy little thing go? Where was the shy boy Atem met springs ago? Who knows? Like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly, Yugi's quiet and shy personality had turned into curious and playful, and sometimes a smart ass and a tease.

Atem looked away, a bit irritated because his partner was right, all the time actually.

"You know that if you don't go now you'll make things worse, right?"

"I'll go if you go with me," he said "If I'm going to be tortured by my uncle, you'll have to go down with me"

"I can't" he responded, not sad at all "I'm not a prince" he smiled "He'll kick me out; we went through this already, remember?"

Atem groaned.

"The way my uncle teaches is SO boring" he let himself fall no the floor and looked up to the sky "But he's the only one so knowledgeable of Thaobe's politics that agreed to be my teacher" Yugi lied down beside him.

They stared at the sky for a couple of minutes, until Atem bolted upright, eyes glimmering with an idea.

"You know?" he said "If it was decided that you were to become the next great vizier you would have to take classes with me" Yugi pouted "Including my uncle's class" Atem grinned devilishly.

"Don't" Yugi warned "Atem" he sat up but the prince had already sprinted away "Atem!" he ran after the prince.

Atem laughed, Yugi had yet to beat him in a race, so he was safe; he looked back to check if he had lost his friend and crashed with someone.

"I finally found you, prince," said the man.

The blood in his veins froze, he had found the man he had been avoiding all afternoon.

"Uncle," he said nervously "Good afternoon, don't you happen to know where the great vizier is? I've been looking for him" he smiled sheepishly.

"You can't fool me boy" he warned "Now off we go, I have so much to teach you yet" he grabbed his arm and dragged him to his classroom.

Yugi saw them passing by and when he was sure Atem had noticed him, he stuck out his tongue before running off.

"Are you sure about this?" Yugi stared at his feet, a pretty blush painting his cheeks pink.

"I am, but are you?" Atem grabbed Yugi's hands, he was also nervous, but he was determined, he was sure his partner shared the feeling, and he knew both of them wanted more than what they already had.

Yugi nodded with a soft 'yes', they got a little closer, the tip of their feet touching; that and their hands were the only places they were touching of the other.

Atem was looking down, he was half a head taller than his partner. He had never really felt the height difference until that moment.

Yugi looked up, he wasn't smiling and Atem was sure neither was he.

Yugi closed his eyes and leaned forward and stopped mere millimetres from Atem's mouth.

Time stopped, none moved for what felt like a millennium, then both moved at the same time and closed the small gap and their lips finally touched.

The kiss didn't last long but it felt like an eternity while it lasted.

Yugi's pink blush had turned a bright red, Atem was sure he was in the same state.

Yugi's lips stretched out in a wide smile, Atem felt his lips do the same.

Their gazes were locked, neither daring to look away.

"So," said Yugi, voice barely above a whisper "Is this what we are now?" his smile didn't falter "Is this what you want us to be now?"

"I do," he said "But what about you? Do you want this?"

"Of course I do. With you, only with you" said Yugi, leaning his face down on Atem's shoulder.

Atem exhaled a lovestruck 'partner'. He let Yugi's hands go and embraced him tightly getting their bodies even closer.

Yugi let the prince hold him for a couple of minutes before murmuring against his shoulder.

"Atem, can I, can I kiss you again?"

"Whenever you want," he said "It's part of what we are now"

"I meant right now?"

Atem let his partner go, suddenly flustered, he laughed nervously, repeating 'yes' and 'of course'.

Yugi snorted, grabbed Atem's face and crushed their lips together, it took Atem a minute to react; he closed his eyes, tilted his face to get in a more comfortable position and placed his hands on Yugi's waist.

Neither was sure what 'this' was, but neither really cared because whatever it was it surely was good.

Yugi enjoyed visiting the market place from time to time, you never knew what you could find and learn there.

He leaned against a house, cloaked; he chews an apple and listened to the men speaking close to him.

"Have you heard?" said one of them "It has been rumoured that a talented dragon charmer will come"

"Dragon charmer?" inquired the other "What is that?"

"I'm not entirely sure" he scratched his head "but they say he can guess the name of every dragon and drake he sees"

Yugi's blood went cold, he never thought there would be someone with a talent like that. He could have an army of loyal dragons if he so wished, how scary a man like that could be.

"Do you know his name?"

"Doryu" he paused "Or was it, Pendragon?"

"Where is he from?"

"Some say he's from Sesnus, some others say he's from Herlas"

"And he'll come here?" the other nodded "Do you think he would tell me his secret?" the other laughed.

Yugi decided that he had heard enough, he stormed out of there and sneaked back into the palace.

"Hello there," someone said from behind him.

"After all this time, I've finally managed to do it!"

"Atem!" Yugi frowned.

"You have no right to complain" he accused, calming his laughter "You have been doing this to me for six springs now" a smug smile appeared on his face "Anyway, what has you so on edge today? Did something happened at the market?"

"How did you know?"

"You sneak out there every two or three days. You aren't exactly subtle partner"

Yugi sighed.

"Nothing happened, I just heard about a dragon charmer that's coming," he said.

"Dragon charmer?"

Yugi explained what he heard and Atem also frowned, deep in thought.

"He does sound dangerous. I'll talk to my father about it" Yugi nodded "But first. You don't happen to have something for me, do you?" he said, playfully.

Yugi mirrored his expression.

"Will a bitten apple do?"

"No"

"Good, cuz I already ate it all" he smirked.

"How dare you?" he said in faked pain.

He shrieked and jumped away, whoever greeted him roared with laughter.