Yugi dropped his backpack near his sleeping bag inside the tent. He could hear the others setting up outside and the occasional snapping twig as Joey and Tristan stumbled around the campsite, Tea directed them in their tasks. He sighed contentedly,the surrounding area was peaceful, secluded and in Yugi's opinion, perfect for getting away with your loved ones. He was already imagining how amazing the next two days would be. He couldn't wait to share the experience with Atem.

He smiled to himself, imagining sitting around the campfire, snuggling while he and the pharaoh, roast marshmallows over the crackling flames. He could almost feel the strong arms around him, offering him warmth and security under the darkened sky. Yugi's day dream was interrupted by the sound of Atem entering the tent.

The Pharaoh placed his sleeping bag across from Yugi's and sat down beside him.

"I have to say." Atem said, taking a look around. "I wasn't sure if the two of us would fit inside at first, but seeing it all set up, I think we'll be fine." Yugi chuckled.

"I told you, they look smaller in the bag because it's all rolled up. How's everything out there?" The young duelist asked.

"Everything seems to be fine. We should have everything set up shortly and we'll still have enough time to get some wood for the fire before it gets late."

"Great." Yugi said cheerfully. "I can't wait for tonight, we'll make s'mores and tell stories...there's all kinds of things to do and it's really beautiful when the stars are out. We'll have a clear view since we're further out from the city and it's really peaceful here. I'm so glad you came with us." Before Atem could reply, a shadow appeared on their tent.

"Hey, we're just about to leave, if you guys want to join us." Tea called.

"I guess we should get out there." Yugi said, moving toward the entrance, taking Atem's hand as he exited. He turned back, zipping up the tent.

"Finally decided to join us eh, guys?" Joey teased.

"Leave them alone, Joey." Tea chastised, crossing her arms in front of her. She turned to the pair. "This won't take long with everyone pitching in."

"Hope it doesn't take too long, I'm starvin'"Joey complained.

"I know the feeling, I haven't eaten anything since breakfast." Tristan added, earning an exasperated sigh from Tea.

"You two are always hungry." She grumbled, shaking her head. The group set about their task, gathering what they could for their fire.

"So Pharaoh," Tea began tentatively, as they moved through the wooded area. The sunlight streamed through the trees, reminding Yugi of a beautiful painting he once saw.

"We've never really talked about what you've been up to since you left. I bet you were glad to finally be back home."

"There isn't much to talk about, though I was happy to see everyone. As for being home, it was a bit...I'm not sure of the word. I suppose you could say I had mixed feelings about it. Please, just call me Atem, I appreciate the respect but I'll admit that I'm enjoying the use of my name more than my title. I am not a king in your world and if I'm being honest, I enjoy that as well."Atem replied, adding another stick to the small stack in his arms.

"I'm grateful for the experience of being part of a group rather than needing to take the lead." He continued. "It's only because of all of you that I've learned what it's like to just be the person I am away from all the responsibility. You've all done so much for me. I remembered my past and returned home with your help and now I've seen what it's like to just be...me. Away from all of traditions and expectations, almost like another side of myself, it's freeing. None of you expect me to be anything other than who I am. I don't have to tell you what to do or- anything really."Tea smiled.

"Nope,"Joey grinned. "All you gotta do is show up and hang out."

"There's always a place here for you." Tristan added.

"Thank you." the pharaoh said, he found that with each day that passed, it became easier for him to want to take Yugi's offer. It was good to feel loved for reasons other than being pharaoh.

"We're glad we got to be part of that." Yugi said. "We've had some pretty big adventures together, friendship can only grow stronger when you take that kind of a journey." The group journeyed further into the wooded area, coming across a narrow creek. An eerie silence fell over the space, they could no longer hear the birds singing. Joey smirked and nudged Tristan in his side.

"You know what this place reminds me of?" he asked.

"I think we have enough for now." Tea said, not liking where Joey was taking the conversation. Tristan readjusted the objects in his hand, gazing around at the sight.

"Well, it's pretty empty, doesn't look like anything hangs around here..must remind you of your brain." Tristan joked. Joey glared at his friend.

"Watch it!" Joey shouted. "You-"

"Come on guys," Yugi interrupted. "This is Atem's first camping trip with us, don't spend it fighting." Tristan and Joey remained still, glaring a moment longer before Joey took a step back.

"Like I was sayin' this place reminds me of Jack and Diane."

"You know Tea hates that story. Maybe we shouldn't-" Tea held the sticks closer, shuddering at the thought.

"Who are-"Atem began, but stopped when Yugi shook his head.

"I'll tell you the story later." Yugi promised.

"It's a good one for sittin around the campfire. Don't know what you're so scared about, Tea. There's nothin' out here." Joey said, holding out his arms, gesturing to the open space. "Even if there was, we're here to protect ya'"

"Yeah, I feel safer already." She replied sarcastically. That evening, Atem found himself sitting around the fire, listening to the soft crackling. He gazed up into the darkened sky to see the bright stars twinkling brilliantly above them,

"Here Love," Yugi said, offering him a roasting stick and a marshmallow. Atem took the objects, he watched his heart place the treat on the end of the stick and mimicked the action.

"So who's got a story?" Joey asked, receiving no reply. "Aw come on, this is the best part of camping. "Yugi moved closer to his love as they pulled their food away from the flames. He offered him two graham cracker squares and some chocolate, helping him add the marshmallow in the middle.

"This is a s'more." He explained. "They're really good." Atem and Yugi both took a bite of their snack.

"I agree." Atem said after swallowing it. "Mana would have also enjoyed this. She and have always liked sweet often shared honey cakes."

"Well now that you know how to make them, we can get you some supplies and you can share these with her too. There's nothing better than sharing your favorite things with your best friends." Yugi offered, though the thought of Atem leaving made his heart ache, he knew he would have to face it eventually He would need to find a way to be okay with it, for both their sakes.

"You must be close to her." Tea added. "I mean to think of her like that."

"Yes, Mana is more like a sister to me. She's the one that made this visit possible, it was an early gift for my birthday, our secret." Yugi smiled.

"Then you'll have to thank her for me, it was a gift to me too."

"I will. She'll be happy to hear about all of this, I've told her about all our adventures. She does so much to make me happy and asks so little in return. It's good to know I have such friends, both at home and here as well."

"When is your birthday?" Tea asked.

"I really couldn't judge by your calendar." Atem replied,"Things are quite different at home. Going by my measurement of time, it's next month on the eighth day."

"Next month here is July, Love." Yugi explained. "We'll have to look into it. Maybe you could stay until then and we can have a party for you. I know it won't be like the ones you're used to, but if you could I think it'd be great."

"I'm afraid I can't make such promises,my heart. There are many things I must do and Nephthys will be waiting. Though I can't in all honesty say that I'm looking forward to it."

"Nephthys eh?" Joey smirked. "That your girlfriend or something?" Yugi bowed his head silently, as Joey received a hard nudge from Tea and Tristan.

"Actually, you're not that far off. She and I are to be married soon. It's tradition and apparently my father feels that the time has come for me to take this step."

"Married?" Tristan, Joey and Tea cried in surprise.

" Yes. It doesn't seem fair though, having found my heart, knowing what it means to truly love someone, how could I possibly take that chance from another. The connection I have with Yugi is unlike anything I've ever felt, I know once I leave here, I will never again know this feeling with another. It feels very wrong to deny her the possibility of finding her own true love. It's true that love can grow in time, but I could never love her in this way."

"I should learn to keep my big mouth shut, sorry, Atem." Atem shook his head.

"It's fine. You couldn't have known. I do intend to stay as long as I possibly can. I want to hold onto this feeling a while longer."

"Me too." Yugi said softly, snuggling into him. "We knew we wouldn't have forever, but we had to give ourselves the chance to see where this goes. We know that once Atem leaves he has obligations but like he said, we'll never love this way again. I'm so glad we did."

"Well maybe you could-" Tea began, her heart breaking for her friends.

"There's nothing we can do, Tea." Yugi replied. "Not everyone gets the happy ending they want. I can't keep him, eventually he'll be back in Egypt doing what he does best. I'll find a way to move past it because that's what Atem wants for me and what I want for him. But we'll have these beautiful memories of each other, enough to cherish for the rest of our lives."

"We'll have to make the best of what we do have." Atem added. "I can't promise to share my future with Yugi, but I can give him right now, moments like this."Tea fought back the tears that were threatening to fall. She knew all too well what they were feeling.

"Go on Joey." She said. "Tell the story, Atem should be get the full camping experience." She would rather feel anything other than the pain that tugged at her heart.

"You just-"

"Just tell it."She insisted. Yugi rested in Atem's arms, his thoughts turning back to the conversation as Joey began the tale. He had one more request for the Pharaoh, one that given their limited time, he wanted to make. He decided it would wait until they returned from their trip in the hope that by then he could gather the courage to ask. For now, all he could do was hold Atem close to him and hope for one more day.