"No way!"

Yuugi didn't echo Jounouchi's call, or Anzu's amazed praise, or even Honda's astonished cry of "How'd you do that?!"

He simply sat there, silent among his friends, beaming down on the bowling lane and the man standing before it.

Atem turned around and grinned at them all, triumph painted across his face. And as he moved to rejoin the table, his gaze caught and lingered with Yuugi's, sharing an extra curl of a smile with him before he shifted his attention back to the group as a whole. As he sat down beside Anzu, Atem honed in on Honda in specific, answering his question. "There's some luck involved, but if you know the trick to it, you can usually manage a spare."

"Yeah, sure," Jounouchi scoffed, his derision a thin veil over obvious awe. "But managing to hit both pins in a full split?!"

"You just have to aim for one of the pins so that it'll clip the edge, and–"

"Woah, Atem-kun," Anzu interjected, waving a staying hand in his face before leaning towards him, shifting her voice into a mock whisper as her grin remained fixed on the visibly irked Jounouchi. "You aren't giving tips to an opponent right in the middle of a game, are you?"

Atem stared at her for a full three seconds… then smirked, chuckling in belated amusement. "Sorry, I wasn't thinking." He apologized, shifting his attention from Anzu to his other teammate, who sat on the girl's other side.

Yuugi smiled right back at him, shaking his head. "It's fine! Even if you know that move, it takes a while to master it. Besides, this is all just for fun."

"That's no reason not to take it seriously, aibou." The sincerity woven into Atem's warm-eyed tease made Yuugi snort and look down at his burger, his smile stretching far beyond what the comment likely called for.

It refused to soften, even when a sudden laugh from Otogi grabbed his attention.

"Seriously," he was saying, lounging casually back in his seat as he eyed the 'team' sitting across from him at the table. "Whose bright idea was it to let Anzu claim Yuugi-kun and Atem-kun for this game?"

"If you have some complaint, Otogi-kun," the girl said, grinning open challenge at the gamer. "You should have voiced it before we started. It's too late to take it back now."

"Eh, what were we going to do, anyways?" Honda sighed, his chin supported in his hand as he focused on his food, dipping a fry in some ketchup. "Ban the two from ever teaming up in one of our games?"

"I wouldn't accept that," Yuugi countered instantly, voice quietly firm as he looked to his other self.

He was looking right back at him, open, pleased warmth in his eyes. "Neither would I."

"Me either." –The two both turned to blink in surprise at Jounouchi, but their best friend just grinned. "What kind of stupid handicap would that be, huh? If the rest of us can't beat the two of you on the same terms, then that just means we need to step up our game."

"Easy for you to say." Honda's comment merely floated in the background of Atem's grin and Yuugi's bright agreement– a fine counterpoint to the quiet chuckle of the pale-haired teen sitting at the head of the table.

"I must say, games have definitely gotten a lot livelier since Atem-kun and Yuugi-kun started playing with us at the same time," Bakura commented, prompting Yuugi's smile to soften as he focused on him.

"Thanks, Bakura-kun. Though, it's too bad we can't all play at once here, now that there's seven of us. That is, at least as teams… Are you sure you're okay with sitting out the game? We could still all play for personal highest score."

"Yuugi-kun!" Anzu gasped, mock hurt shining on her face. "You wouldn't abandon me now, would you?"

"Heh, what, Anzu?" Jounouchi cut right through Yuugi's sudden dramatic blustering with a smirking grin. "You think you can't win without Yuugi and Atem to back you up?"

–The girl's joking indignation fell flat as she focused on the blond.

Atem and Yuugi stared at Anzu with twin sideways glances, subtly leaning away from her as she pinned Jounouchi down by glare alone.

He, in turn, looked away, trying valiantly to look unfazed… and failing spectacularly.

"But, then again," Anzu started. "If you do want to play, Bakura-kun–"

A laugh from the would-be seventh wheel cut through the tension, popping it like a bubble so quickly that it left them all blinking.

"No, no, it's fine!" Bakura countered, smiling so brightly that Yuugi felt silly for holding onto that little nugget of concern in the first place, even as logic said he was right to worry. Bakura was quick to punch holes in his anxiety, after all, his cheeriness striking Yuugi as completely transparent and true. "I think the benefits of an odd number of players outway the issues. And besides, I liked the idea of bowling most of all because we can all hang out and chat as we play, and share in the fun whenever someone does well– like just now," he tacked on, shooting Atem a smile and earning a short chuckle and acknowledging nod in return.

"Thanks, Bakura. But if you do want to play yourself, maybe you and the three who win this round could split into pairs, and play against each other."

"Hey, yeah!" Jounouchi yelled, focusing on the clearly intrigued Bakura. "That'd put a real weight on who wins, too!"

"I think you put that weight on all of us already," Honda grumbled not-so-quietly, eyeing Anzu… who was thoughtfully, and pointedly , looking at the bowling lane.

"Hmn, it would be cool to get to play another round, seeing as we'll definitely win and get the chance," she said, earning an instant snort from Jounouchi that she ignored in favor of smiling apologetically at Bakura-kun. "I'm afraid I only have time for one game today, though, since I have practice this afternoon. –And shouldn't you be playing right now?" she asked suddenly, pinning a raised brow on Jounouchi… who stared blankly back at her before eying the score board.

"Oh. Right."

"Get a move on, man, or we won't even finish this round." Honda pushed on Jounouchi's arm until he got up, smacking his hand off his arm as he went.

"I'm going! I'm going! Don't push me!"

"Good luck, Jounouchi-kun!" Yuugi called after him, before shifting his attention to the girl beside him. "And it's fine, Anzu-chan. Even if you could stay, our time's going to be up soon. We only paid for an hour."

"Yeah, and besides, I need to get back to the mall after this." Otogi looked at each one of them with grateful eyes, a sharp sincerity marking his usually casual demeanor. "Thanks to all of you, we should be ready in time for our grand opening. And you should all definitely come by the first day. I'll get you your first drinks on the house. You too," he added as he focused in on Atem, who shook his head with a soft smirk.

"I didn't do anything."

"Eh, call it a 'saved the world' freebie." Otogi waved dismissively, matching Atem look for amused look. "I saw that news feature. If you hadn't stopped that demon a couple weeks ago, I wouldn't have a café to open. Or any customers to buy food, for that matter."

Atem grinned, shaking his head. "I didn't do that alone. Or for a free drink."

"It's not a bad bonus though, right?" Honda joked, smiling.

Before any of them could laugh or reply, Bakura spoke up. "Jounouchi-kun's going."

"Oh–" Yuugi turned his head just in time to see the pins fall, and he gave the loudest cry of all when all ten toppled over. "Way to go!"

"Whoo, two in a row!" Jounouchi hooted, shooting a fist in the air as he grinned up at them. "One more, and I'm set! Told you I'd get the first turkey!"

"At this rate, you definitely will!" Atem agreed, grinning brightly as their friend rejoined them– and looking beside him when Anzu chimed in.

"Where did you learn to play like that anyways, Jounouchi-kun?"

Jounouchi stalled, halfway back into his seat beside Honda, and shot Anzu a surprised stare… relaxing with a dismissive, but still clear gratification when he saw nothing in her face but sincere appreciation. "Heh, it's just luck."

"That so? Well, here's hoping I'm just as lucky. Atem-kun?"

"Aa." Atem obligingly stood up, stepping out of the way long enough for Anzu to slide out of the booth and go take her turn. He watched her go before retaking his seat… and sliding into the middle of the booth.

Beside Yuugi.

Yuugi stalled mid-sip of his soda, eying Atem as he came in close, surprise mingling with a quiet, abstract delight.

Atem met his shock with a smile Yuugi quickly mirrored– an expression they might have shared with any of their friends, at any time, and to any outsider it might have looked just like any of those other smiles. But Yuugi knew that it was different, and Atem knew that it was different. And that shared knowledge created a completely unique meaning that hummed in the air between them like a private, silent tune.

Yuugi reveled in that silence, listened to it… then turned back to his other friends.

He froze when he saw Honda looking right back at him.

At them.

Jounouchi, Bakura, and Otogi were all watching Anzu pick out her bowling ball, but Honda was staring at them with an unblinking, knowing look.

Because… yeah, Honda did know. Atem told Yuugi what Honda had said that night, back at Bakura's, and how he had confirmed what he knew the day Kaiba showed up at the shop. Honda knew that… well, that Yuugi and Atem weren't just friends.

At the very least, he knew that much.

And Yuugi hadn't said anything to his friends about what had happened that weekend, and he knew Atem hadn't either… but, he wouldn't have been surprised if Honda had guessed. Put it together from… well, from how happy they were.

But he hadn't said anything. And until Atem mentioned Honda last night, Yuugi hadn't had the faintest idea that Honda knew anything, even though they'd been at the mall together, and in class, and now here. Honda hadn't said or done anything to give away his awareness.

Until now.

And now, seeing Yuugi tense under his attention?

Honda sniffed, mouth twitching with the faintest of grins before he dismissed them, focusing on Anzu.

…

…Had… he just…

Was that supposed to be avoidance? Or approval?

Yuugi turned to Atem, seeking insight, but his other self merely shrugged, his own expression relaxed… but thoughtful.

He was as uncertain as he was.

That solidarity eased Yuugi, and he turned away, focused on cheering Anzu when she managed a surprise spare. He told himself Honda hadn't done anything yet, and it looked like he was just going to let sleeping dogs lie.

Yuugi could think about it later.

Pushing the thoughts aside, he focused on his friends, listened to Jounouchi as he asked Bakura what he had meant earlier. "You know, when you said 'the benefits of an odd number of players.' What's so cool about there being seven of us?"

"Oh! Well, I was namely thinking of how it encourages us to mix up our teams. Before, when it was just the six of us, we tended to break up into the same two trios all of the time."

"You mean Jounouchi claimed Yuugi and Honda all the time." Otogi grinned widely at the blond as he stood to take his turn, patting Bakura's shoulder as he passed by his seat. "You can just say it, you know."

"Excuse me for having the good sense to pick the best team! No offense Bakura, Anzu," Jounouchi yelled after Otogi, just to soften his irritated tones as he addressed the named two.

"Offense taken," Anzu said as she rejoined them, but she was smiling as she slid in beside Atem, and there was no anger in her tone or face. And she proved she had caught the rest of conversation when she added, "But I agree, Bakura-kun. It's good to mix things up sometimes. Like with that paintball game last week." She laughed, turning her smile on Yuugi– and he couldn't help but offer one back, a familiar, distinct sweetness welling up in his chest. "We were all practically walking rainbows by the time we were– good try, Otogi-kun!" she cheered, interrupting herself.

"Aaa, don't try to soften it, Anzu!" Otogi called back, glowering up from where he had just taken his turn. "I got a freaking gutter, there's no coming back from that!"

"Not with that attitude, there ain't!" Jounouchi yelled back, while beside him Honda chuckled, still focused on Anzu and her comments.

"Yeah, that paintball game was pretty fun. It kind of reminded me of that tag game we played in Death-T, remember?"

"Oh, don't bring that up," Jounouchi complained, instantly focusing back on the conversation as he grimaced. "I almost died, remember? A guy literally chased me with a chainsaw."

"Wait, what?" Otogi was back, but he stalled right beside the booth to gape at Jounouchi, while beside him, in his seat, Bakura stared in pure surprise.

"I've never heard this story before."

"Pfft, of course not! It's not an episode I like to remember."

Right. Of course he wouldn't.

Yuugi, who had been silent and stiff since the topic was brought up, quietly cut in before Bakura could reply. "I'm sorry you had to go through it in the first place, Jounouchi-kun." After all, he had been there for his sake, so if the memory still troubled him that much–

But as soon as he spoke, Jounouchi was staring at him with open alarm. He tried to stand up, making the table shake and everyone scramble to keep food and drinks from toppling over. "Yuugi, don't even! That whole thing was Kaiba's fault, not yours, so don't go claiming even a dash of his blame, you got it?!"

Yuugi… couldn't answer. His throat was too clogged, the emotion striking him too sudden and unexpected for tears, but still strong enough to make it hard to breathe.

But it passed as quickly as it came, gratitude rising high and overflowing out of his mind he grinned through the backlash. "Yeah…"

Jounouchi nodded, mouth curling in an answering smile, even as his eyes remained serious.

"Yeah, well," Honda started uncertainly, doubt for if he should speak at all painted on his face as they looked at him. "I wasn't thinking about that part, anyways. Just the tag game part. Even if the weapons were actually fatal, that was–"

A light pressure pressed against Yuugi's thigh, and Honda's words faded out of focus as Yuugi looked down.

There was nothing there, and the sensation had disappeared before he could even catch the source.

But, just beside him, Atem's hand was sliding over his knee. As though it had just been somewhere else.

…Yuugi looked up, eying his other self tentatively.

Atem's answer was just as silent, and just as clear, his expression soft but composed. Composed in that way it always was when he aimed to assure.

The look only faltered into a more vulnerable relief when Yuugi smiled soundly back, and even then, only for a second. Atem soon broke their gaze, turning a light frown on Honda. "Still, I'm surprised you can think of any part of that day as a good memory, considering you nearly died yourself."

Honda gave a soft huff, scratching the side of his nose as he dodged their eyes. "Yeah, that wasn't pleasant, but still–"

"Hey, that's right!" Jounouchi leaned forward in his seat as he focused on Atem, staring at him like he had somehow shocked him. "Didn't you get pretty mad that time, too? We could even see it when Yuugi was still in control and everything."

–Yuugi straightened in his seat, turning to his other self.

Atem just… stared blank-faced at Jounouchi. Not saying anything.

"Okay," Otogi said from his reclaimed seat, drawing everyone's attention as he put both up hands in a 'hold on' gesture. "Again, what?"

Bakura didn't add any verbal comment, but his gaze was just as confused.

And then Honda himself spoke up, an uncertain frown on his face. "Yeah, I– don't know about this one, either." He looked to Atem, as if for an answer… but Atem still didn't speak.

And Yuugi remained silent, too, wordlessly searching his other self's face.

Beside them, Anzu was talking. "Death-T was this deadly set of games Kaiba-kun pushed Yuugi-kun through after he hurt his grandfather, and Honda-kun and Jounouchi-kun supported him, and I was working for his theme park at the time–" but the words faded into a blur as Atem apparently felt Yuugi's attention, and met his gaze… the flat, vacant look on his face dissolving into a weighted, but still true warmth.

And Yuugi understood. Because he felt the same.

Because that memory wasn't an easy one, but it really wasn't bad, either. Not anymore. His friends and grandfather had all survived that dark game, and even Kaiba had become a friend in the end. Nothing was really lost, and knowing that softened nearly every memory from that day.

Even that one.

The memory of thinking they had lost Honda… how that had brought Atem's rage boiling to surface… and how Yuugi had answered that rage with fear.

Fear of the unknown.

Of losing his friends.

Of Atem.

But… that was okay. Even remembering that, seeing Atem remember that, couldn't hurt anymore. They had buried those worries long ago. There was no fear left in Yuugi's heart, and Atem knew that. Trusted that. Yuugi trusted that he trusted that.

But, still, the memories remained… and Yuugi wouldn't have it any other way.

The memories were what gave the now meaning.

Even that one. The memory of what might well have been the lowest point in their bond, before it had ever really begun. Even the disconnect they had suffered in the wake of their duel against Kaiba, back at Pegasus's castle, couldn't quite compare. Because Yuugi might have pushed Atem away then, but he had at least acknowledged him. Before, he wasn't just feared or distrusted Atem. He hadn't understood him. Hadn't really thought of him as person.

He was just a shadow. The shadow that had come from the Puzzle. The blur in his mind that did strange, sometimes good, sometimes terrifying things, and might well scare his friends away if they ever discovered the truth.

And it was… it was just night and day, next to now.

And that had all been little more than a year ago, but everything had changed.

…Really, when Yuugi thought about it? It was shocking how far they had come since then. Strange, and really, really wonderful.

Funny, too, Yuugi thought, grinning to himself. Because honestly, who would have thought that the one who'd once hidden in the shadows of his heart would become his heart?

The thought made him want to chuckle, and it must have shown in his face, because Atem's expression lightened, shifted to curiosity as he arched a brow at him. But Yuugi just shook his head, longing to repeat his thoughts. But he passed along what he could with a glance, and Atem shot him a look Yuugi knew well. From before. From when they could pass their affection directly through the soul. That look was the one Atem always gave him with the return of that feeling.

Atem heard him.

Yuugi smiled, turned back to their friends– and laughed with them, never even hearing what the joke was. And the humor still eluded him as they calmed and kept talking, because his focus was on keeping his hands on his knees. On keeping them still.

On keeping them from reaching out for Atem.

Beside him, Atem was quiet, his arms crossed over his chest… but he shifted subtly, restless as he never was, his hands clenched tight on his biceps.

Knowing why made Yuugi smile, his chest heavy and full.

Satisfied.

"…Yuugi-kun? Yuugi-kun?"

"Huh?" Yuugi blinked blind eyes to Anzu. "Sorry?"

She peered back at him curiously, faint confusion shifting into a smile as she took in his. "It's your turn, remember?"

"…Oh, right." He laughed, sliding out of the booth. "I forgot. Just a minute!"

"Good luck, aibou!"

Yuugi grinned, but didn't answer, making a bee-line for the lane with his friends' cries of support at his back.

"Isn't it a bit cruel to play that in front of me?"

Atem shifted his palm from his chin to his cheek and turned his head so he could look at his partner.

But Yuugi wasn't looking back at him. He was frowning at the Mahjong tiles laid out on the low living room table, between Atem and his opponent.

Across from him, Sugoroku chuckled. "If it's a problem, you could do your homework up in your room. I'll keep Atem busy down here until you're done."

"What, and spend the whole evening alone?"

"I certainly hope that won't take the entire evening." Three heads turned towards the woman sitting on the couch, just behind Sugoroku. Yui had been reading, quietly enjoying her family's company as the evening wore on and dinner settled in their stomachs. But now, she closed her book until only her finger marked her place, and focused a frown on her son. "You didn't leave that much work for Sunday night, did you?"

"No," Yuugi claimed, looking down at his book in what Atem could only call a dodge to hide his face. "It's just hard to focus."

"Then I suggest you stop talking, or go upstairs, as your grandfather suggested."

Yuugi grimaced, but didn't look up– earning another laugh from Sugoroku.

"Come on, my boy," he coaxed, smiling when Yuugi met his eye. "If you wrap it up fast enough, you can play yourself before bed."

"That's…" Yuugi trailed off with no more than that word, looking again at the tiles… until his mother called his name.

"Yuugi-kun."

"Right, right…" he grumbled, picking up his pencil again… his eye catching Atem's.

Atem hadn't say anything throughout the talk, but the moment their eyes met, he twitched a small smile into place, holding it until Yuugi timidly mirrored it, and looked away… then Atem didn't bother to hold it, smoothing his expression back into a simple ease– forced as it might be.

His head hurt.

Again.

But, it was negligible enough. Like a toothache, but right between the eyes, pulsing distractingly upwards through his head. And he was sure that the pain was to blame for the careless move he had made in the last round of the game, discarding a tile he had just suspected would lead to a win for Sugoroku.

It had, the man loudly proclaimed ron as he took the tile and showed his hand.

Now, they were well into their second round, and Atem still couldn't think past the distracting pressure enough to decide if he was should take the risk and go for seven pairs, or double down and hope for a half-flush and–

"Nagase came by again today."

Atem tugged his eyes off of the tiles and stared at Sugoroku. "Who?"

"What, you forgot?!" He glowered at Atem with a surprising amount of disapproval, though there was still a lightness to his demeanor that kept Atem from tensing amid his confusion. "The girl from last week. The college student looking for a game to share."

"Oh!" Atem grinned with the recollection, recalling the blue haired, anxious girl Sugoroku meant. "Of course. What did she need?"

"She said she was hoping you'd be around to show her more card games. Which had me wondering, you did sell her that Mahjong set she was eying when she came in last week, right?"

"No, I didn't. She liked cards more in the end, so I just showed her how to play poker and she left, since she already had a basic deck at home."

"Ah, Atem-kun! I know you just wanted to help her, but you could have approached it with sales more in mind!" Sugoroku sighed… smiling as his turned away eyes caught sight of his grandson. Atem followed his gaze and realized that Yuugi was peering back at them both, confusion and tentative interest lighting his face. Before Atem could speak himself, Sugoroku explained, "Nagase-chan came in last week looking for some game she could use to 'break the ice' with her college club during a get together, and I nearly had her buying a Mahjong set when Yui-chan called me in for lunch. So, I left her with Atem to wrap up."

"–And Atem showed her poker, instead," Yuugi wrapped up, shifting his gaze back to him with a faint smile.

Atem just shrugged, turning back to Sugoroku. "I don't think Nagase is her first name."

"Oh, either way," the man answered, scanning his tiles with a distracted eye. "At least you seem to be drawing customers back in. She made do with a blackjack lesson, since that was all I had time to show her, but she said she'd be by again to see what you had promised to come up with."

"I have a couple of ideas." Atem shifted his gaze back to his partner with a smile. "She seemed faintly intrigued by some Duel Monster packs when I pointed them out. We might make a duelist out of her, if I can just get the chance to show her how to play."

"Why wait until a work shift?" Atem and Yuugi both turned to Sugoroku at the question, and the older man smiled back at them both before focusing an arched brow at his game opponent. "If you can catch her again, why not just arrange to meet some other time, and hang out while you're at it?"

"That would be fun," Atem admitted, but he shook his head at Sugoroku's wide smile. "But no, I don't have time for anything that involved."

"That so?" He looked ready to actually protest… then seemed to reconsider it, shaking his head with a faint, heavy smile. "Suit yourself, then."

Atem relaxed as Sugoroku dropped the subject, dismissing him in favor of picking up a tile and adding it to his hand, discarding another in its stead. Atem's gaze followed the tossed tile, noting its number and deciding not to claim it… and as he turned back to his own hand, he noticed.

Yuugi.

It wasn't a sixth sense or anything, or some echo of their connection. Atem just happened to glance at him. He did so regularly whenever his partner was around, after all. Even when Yuugi didn't notice, it was heartening to see him there, close by.

But Yuugi did notice this time, since he was frowning at him when Atem turned his way.

Atem stalled, hesitating at the expression on his partner's face. But, Yuugi softened the instant he saw the uncertainty in Atem's gaze, smiling– until a voice cut through the moment.

"Yuugi-kun," Yui sighed, looking more tired than perturbed as she lowered her book again. "You're the one who left homework until the last minute. If you can't stay focused on it now–"

"Right, right." Yuugi didn't fight it, or even stall, shooting Atem another quick smile before turning back to his work book.

Atem kept staring, focused on his partner's brow, hesitating… until Sugoroku grabbed his attention.

"Are you going to draw?"

–Atem turned back to the tiles, reaching for a new one from his 'deck'… eyeing it only for a moment before tossing it, proclaiming its name with the discard. "White Dragon."

Atem was in the White Dragon cave.

Yuugi recognized it the moment he peeked over his shoulder, and he grinned on sight, swiveling around in his desk chair to ask, "Lunar?"

Atem tossed a smile right back at him, looking his way just long enough to catch eyes before refocusing on the television– stopping the character just before it hit an ice wall. "Eternal Blue."

"I haven't seen that in forever. That has to be an old save file, right? Where in the storyline is that?"

"No idea. It's wherever you left off last. But I'm not starting from the top with that labyrinth. The battles are too simple for the first– what? Five hours?"

"Well, aren't we impatient?"

"Killing time," Atem corrected, smirking as he flicked another glance Yuugi's way. "Aren't you supposed to be doing homework?"

Yuugi stuck out his tongue. "You don't know about that, remember? I finished it all downstairs."

"Ha ha, of course you did."

"Oh, shush," Yuugi said, feigning irritation as a laugh bubbled in his chest– a laugh that he struggled to keep quiet. Whatever his honest mirth, he really didn't want to be overheard. If Mama found out that Yuugi hadn't finish his readings downstairs, when she told them to get ready for bed? Then–

"Yuugi-kun?"

He jerked, then slammed himself backwards, his chair hitting his desk with a loud thump as he twisted and threw an elbow over his work book. "Ah– yeah, Mama?"

She must not have seen. If she had, she would have certainly glared and started lecturing.

Instead she just narrowed her eyes at him, his sudden movements clearly catching her attention and suspicion… but with nothing obvious to hone in on, she swerved her frown from Yuugi to Atem, shifting between them both. "It's getting late. Aren't you going to bed?"

"As soon as I finish this battle and save." Atem's answered, earning a hesitant look from Mama for the unfamiliar terms, but she didn't ask. And Yuugi could hear a smile in his other self's voice as he promised, "Aibou is waiting up for me, but I won't be long."

Mama hummed thoughtfully, eying the futon already laid out beneath Atem's lounging form, the pajamas both boys were wearing, and the light, lingering sheen of bath water on their hair. "Well, make sure you go to sleep as soon as you're done," she settled on, splitting her pointed gaze between both boys again. "In the meantime, Otou-san is already asleep, and I am turning in. So, keep it down, okay?"

"Yes, Mama. Night."

"Good night, boys."

"Night," Atem echoed, already looking at the screen again as Yui walked away… a grin slowly growing on his face.

He must have been watching Yuugi out of the corner of his eye. Seen him smiling at him.

"Thanks, mou hitori no boku."

"For what? I didn't do anything."

"Uh-huh." Yuugi shook his head, turning back to his desk… and stalled. Looked back over his shoulder.

At his other self, content and focused on his game.

At the bedroom door beyond him, left ajar… open to a now silent hall, and a tucked-in household.

…Yuugi closed his book, crossed the room, and shut the door.

When he turned around, Atem was looking at him.

The question in his eyes was light, passing, but Yuugi imagined there was some held breath behind that gaze. And he smiled for it, sliding back across the room to sit at Atem's side.

He didn't answer the look, or even speak until he was settled on the floor, leaning back against his bed– beside Atem. Only then did he speak, his skin prickling in odd, shivery patches all along his bare arm, where it was just a breath from Atem's own. "Is this cool?"

There was no question in Atem's gaze, or confusion. Just a fascination shot with warm welcome as he grinned. "Of course."

–Yuugi beamed back.

Even before he was aware of it, his mouth was aching with the stretch, and he bit his lip to suppress it down to a proper smile… managing it only when he shifted his attention to the television and relaxed into the simplicity of sitting there, beside his other self, as Atem started playing again… the muted game leaving them in a soft, comfortable silence.

He didn't have anything in particular to say, after all. He just wanted to be with Atem.

Like, last night.

After they got home from their date yesterday, they hadn't had much time alone together. They were sucked into watching television with the family, and by the time the show ended and they slipped away from Jii-chan's chatter and Mama's checking questions, it was time to prep for bed.

But, just like now, there had been a little window of opportunity after their baths, and before Mama inevitably grew suspicious that they were pulling an all nighter, and started poking her head in.

The two had spent that time pouring over that book they bought. And for both to see it, they had laid on their stomachs on Atem's futon… huddling side by side over the pages.

So close that their arms and shoulders were pressed together.

And in the moment, it had prompted no more than the occasional look, when one stopped reading and moved to turn the page– only to catch the other staring.

They'd smiled, shared a pleased, little look, then returned to the book… but Yuugi had wanted to do– more. Press back, or grab Atem's hand, or keep looking at him, or– something.

But the door had been open the whole time, and Yuugi's face burned when he imagined shutting it– openly putting himself behind a close door with his other self, Atem watching him do it, and the given of why he did it.

It was so silly, looking back, but he'd just– hesitated.

He wouldn't chance that hesitance tonight.

And… yet, he felt no particular pull to do anything right then.

He just wanted to be with Atem. Even if they didn't say anything, or do anything? After a long day of good company, but no privacy, he wanted to be alone with his other self. To enjoy him alone.

He didn't need words for that.

…So, it was Atem who spoke up first, the question so unexpected that Yuugi missed it.

He blinked the blur of the television out of his eyes and looked beside him, at his other self's still-turned profile. "What did you say?"

"I said, why were you upset earlier?" Atem's manner was as relaxed as before, but when he paused the game and looked at him, his gaze was sharp, searching Yuugi's earnestly for an answer.

And Yuugi honestly didn't know what to tell him.

He just stared at him, trying to remember… "When?"

"Downstairs, when Jii-chan and I were talking about Nagase. You looked upset. It's been bothering me."

"…Oh." It took Yuugi a second to remember. He had honestly forgotten the whole thing.

But, recalling it now? He frowned all over again.

And Atem did too, seeing that. But before he could ask, Yuugi focused back on him and voiced the concern that had hit him, scattered by his mother's calls and forgotten. "I just didn't get why you'd toss aside the chance to make a new friend. Did you actually not like Nagase-san or something?"

Apparently, this was a much lighter concern than Atem had expected. His black anxiety cleared with a blink, and after a long moment of just gaping at him– "No, she was fine. A bit gloomy, but nice to talk to. Open to whatever I presented to her."

"Right. You said she liked games. Even Duel Monsters. So, why not make friends?" Of course, Atem had given his own answer downstairs, and as he looked ready to repeat it then, frowning into the welling words, Yuugi interrupted with a rushed, "I know you won't be here much longer."

Everything went still.

The two stared at each other like they expected something to crack.

The floor beneath them, for example.

But, it didn't. And slowly, Yuugi relaxed into the lull, smiling a small, tentative, allowing smile. "But, that just makes chances like that even more important, doesn't it?"

…

A… chuckle gradually fell from Atem's lips, and he was grinning as he set aside the controller, shifting to face Yuugi that little bit more. "You're right, of course. And if the opportunity really came up, I'd be happy to talk to her more. Make a friend. I just don't want to reserve time for that. Prioritize that over other things. Because it's more important to me right now to help in the shop. Help the family, and make time for our friends. The ones we have now, and– you." There was such a natural ease to Atem's justification. And, though the motion was cautious, careful with the new meaning behind a more familiar gesture, there was no doubt there when Atem reached for his hand. He didn't even look down as their fingers met, and Yuugi couldn't, either. Not when he was caught in his other self's smile. "Today with everyone was great, but my time with you is precious, too. And I don't want to give it up for anything. Not a single second."

Yuugi… couldn't answer for a bit.

His throat had closed up, caught around a ball of feeling he struggled to swallow.

But when he did, he did so with a smile, nodding wordlessly until he could manage a quiet, "Okay." Because, he… he still wished Atem would explore that possibility for a new bond. Was sure that he'd be happier for it. But, Yuugi couldn't fight that reasoning. Couldn't… do anything except squeeze that hand, and marvel that he was even sitting there, hearing that.

It was too much.

It was too good.

And when Atem smiled back at him like that, Yuugi couldn't help it. Didn't want to stop himself– and didn't need to.

He kissed him.

As simple as that.

And Atem? He met him halfway.

Or… or was that really it? Had Atem not… had he actually started the kiss? It– it had almost been like he had moved first. Did Yuugi have it backwards? Had Yuugi read his intentions in his eyes, and responded to him by moving?

…It didn't matter.

Whoever started it, they drifted through a half-dozen soft, still little kisses, one layered over the other, until Yuugi's head was full of an awareness of Atem.

Right there.

So close.

Breathing the same air so thoroughly, so easily, they might as well have the same lungs.

Still have the same lungs.

…Until it… finally… folded to a close.

It was Atem who slid back first, hovering so close that his breath warmed Yuugi's lips as he sighed, bone deep satisfaction in that silent sound.

Yuugi grinned for it as he opened his eyes, and he saw the same sweet sentiment he felt tangled up in Atem's reverent gaze.

And his chest burned, in the best of ways.

…Yuugi squeezed his fingers, shifting their loose grip into a proper clutch as he murmured, still lingering in Atem's air, "I don't want to go to bed yet."

And they hadn't even been speaking of that. But, battles in Lunar took minutes at most. If Atem focused on the game again, kept his word to Mama, they'd be going to bed within moments… and bed meant getting up.

Letting go.

Yuugi really didn't expect Atem to be the voice of reason, or to insist on practicality. But a part of him still soared when Atem beamed in reply. "Me neither."

"You… want to keep playing, then?" For a few minutes? An hour? The rest of the night, until the alarm went off and they stumbled off to school and work, and on through the rest of the week?

Atem nodded, practically glowing as he returned Yuugi's tight grip. "Sure."

And Yuugi had to have the stupidest grin on his face, but he couldn't tear his eyes off of Atem's smile as his other self looked away, towards the television, and– "Are you happy?"

Atem stalled. Looked back at him, clearly taken aback at the question. And Yuugi really couldn't say why he'd asked it in the first place… but he didn't take it back. He wanted to know.

He really wanted to know.

Even if it seemed pretty obvious.

Even if Atem smiled at him like it was obvious, a laugh clear in his voice. "Aibou, it's unbelievable how happy I am. So much so, I wonder sometimes if this isn't all some kind of mistake." And he honestly sounded amazed as he considered it… but, where Atem's tones were light? Yuugi had stayed silent, struck dumb by a sudden, unexpected pang in his chest.

Hadn't… hadn't Atem said something like that before, too?

Yuugi couldn't quite recall. The details just weren't there in his head. But, either way? The idea of that? That his other self would call it a mistake? That… it made it sound like simply being happy was wrong to Atem somehow.

Why?

…Things had gone quiet.

When Yuugi looked past his own shock, he saw Atem, staring at him, stiff as a rod, confusion and alarm shining in his eyes.

What did I say? those eyes asked.

…Yuugi breathed out, forcing himself to relax. He smiled reassurance, clutching Atem's hand again and rolling his thumb over his knuckles until his other self was blinking dazed wonder at him, prompting affection to color the firm insistence in Yuugi's voice. "Mou hitori no boku? This? All this? It's yours. Ours. So, don't dismiss that as a fluke, okay?"

…

…

Atem… he…

Yuugi had never seen him cry.

He had no idea what that would even look like. Hoped he would never have a reason to find out.

But… even though Atem… wasn't moving? Wasn't doing anything, save looking at him?

Yuugi was pretty sure, that this was close.

Was certain of it when Atem struggled to swallow, and grimaced with the effort.

His fingers shook, just a little, and Yuugi squeezed them, smiling into Atem's eyes… until they melted.

Until he nodded, finally breathing… bowing his head to stare at their hands.

And the odd peace that had struck Yuugi rippled as Atem lifted their hands, drawing Yuugi's close to his face, bending over it, and–

He–

Was he going to kiss it?!

Yuugi's brain shorted out at the very idea, left him blinking, thinking that… wouldn't be horrible.

Weird… but, not horrible.

But, Atem didn't. He didn't kiss him. He just kept his hand close, breathing over it for a while, before finally lowering it… clutching it to his own knee as he lifted his head, and looked at him.

Yuugi stared back, caught in the overwhelming deference and regret in his other self's eyes. "Of course not," he was saying, voice quiet, but even. "I never could. But, I'm sorry for letting doubt… for making you think…" The brief glimmer of serenity in his face staticed out, clearly marred by his uncharacteristic, frustrating lack of words.

Before he could fall face first into that frustration, Yuugi laughed, drawing surprised red eyes to his. "No, it's fine. Really, mou hitori no boku. I wasn't upset. I'm just… I'm happy you're happy," he settled on, sobering as he said it… squeezing Atem's knee as he murmured, "I'm happy, too."

Atem… stared at him again… the pieces that had silently scattered coming back together in his eyes, forming an adoration that practically radiated from him, and– and Yuugi… could only watch. Let go of Atem's knee as his other self shifted to kneel.

To face him.

To lean forward.

Yuugi only had time to turn towards him before Atem caught the back of his neck, and their lips met.

That grip was all that kept Yuugi from falling right out of that kiss. Not from shock, or protest– but sheer sensation. The emotion in Atem's eyes melded into the kiss, the fervent, stumbling contact stealing Yuugi's breath and leaving him gripping the edge of the bed, his other hand grappling blindly for the one keeping Atem upright– to grasp it. Clutch his wrist as Atem worked to somehow translate his feelings into their kiss, the effort rough, and insistent, and still achingly, achingly sweet.

Yuugi melted into it, his body collapsing into jelly, leaning hard into Atem's grip and barely staying upright as he… met Atem. Matched him slow, pressing kiss, for pressing kiss. Each one catching, messy, tripping into the next before the last had ended.

They still didn't know what the hell they were doing. Neither of them.

…But they… had to be getting better.

Because, every time, Yuugi had to grapple a little harder… to remember how to think.

To remember himself.

And when he did, between breathless gasps that made them stall for air… he was starkly aware that he was breathing into Atem's open mouth. And he could feel his breath on his tongue, and–

Realization burned Yuugi, and he opened his eyes as a fire lit across his cheeks, thumped hot in his chest, sizzled through his bones as he slid back, choking out a breathless, "Mou hitori no boku?"

Atem… opened his eyes… the unseeing, watchful sheen in those dark orbs making something in Yuugi drop hard to the floor, and he nearly forgot himself all over again… until his other self shifted. Moved back to sit where he had been, just a moment ago… the only contact left between them Yuugi's hand, still holding that wrist.

He shifted that grip to Atem's hand and held on blindly… his cheeks burning all the more as he recollected himself, straining to catch his breath.

Why… did he have the feeling that he had been that close to making a fool of himself… somehow?

It was an abstract, but fervent impression, and Yuugi could only toss it aside and focus on his other self… on the strange, unanchored look on Atem's face.

He had the distinct look of a man wondering if he shouldn't have done something… without a lick of regret or apology for it.

He… just looked thunderstruck.

The sight left Yuugi dizzy.

It took a pointed squeeze of his hand to get Atem look at him properly, and when he did? That uncertain, breathless wonder was shared between them… until Yuugi finally managed a smile, grappling for the pieces of himself enough to ask, "Lunar?"

His voice was still embarrassingly strained.

If he noticed, Atem didn't react. He just hummed, turning to face the game as though he had forgotten it, or what he had intended with it… like he still couldn't see it… but then, he shook his head hard, and shifted– facing the television and picking up the controller.

Only to stall and stare at his hand, still caught in Yuugi's.

The glance should have prompted Yuugi to let go, but Atem's gaze was so torn. Like he couldn't decide if it was honestly worth it to pull away.

Yuugi laughed.

Had to laugh, and the release was an odd relief, returning a sense of self to him he hadn't known he had lost. And there was nothing hesitant about the motion when Yuugi worked his hand free from Atem's grasp– and moved it back to his knee.

Atem followed the motion, and beamed as soon as he caught on, shooting Yuugi a warm, grateful smile– only to knock his hand off by shifting to his knees. Yuugi's hand hovered uncertainly in the air as he frowned, following Atem's movements as he… what was he doing?

He had turned away. Was pulling the Puzzle's chain up over his head.

He sat the golden Item aside, on his pillow, then shifted back into his original position… sliding a hand behind Yuugi's back, and tugging on his shoulder.

It was a simple gesture, and Atem's intentions were clear at a glance. But still Yuugi stared at him, struck by the wordless suggestion… until his other self's questioning smile assured him that he understood the gesture correctly.

Yuugi tentatively mirrored the look, then shifted– to lean back against Atem.

When he settled, their legs were still stretched out side by side, but Atem's chest was supporting Yuugi's back and shoulder, his shoulder cushioning Yuugi's head as Atem reached around his body to hold the controller, resting it against Yuugi's stomach so that he could play.

He was virtually hugging him from behind.

The position was comfortable, easy, but astonishingly warm, and Yuugi's pulse kept catching in the stillness as they settled in… Atem's belated mumble of "Is this alright?" tickling down his neck and back in a way that made Yuugi want to squirm.

So he did, smiling as he fidgeted into a better position against his other self's chest. "Yeah, this is good."

Atem hummed again, then unpaused the game.

And with no movement save for the controller, nothing said, it was easy to relax into the contact. Enjoy it without consideration, and Yuugi… found he had room to just revel in it.

To grow comfortable.

To explore.

He listened to the breaths running passed his ear. Felt the shift of the chest against his back. Let one hand rest on Atem's wrist, feeling the movements of his other self's thumb as he played… and there were no words for it. How peaceful and warm it all was, being that unconcernedly close to his other self, and… "You missed a chest back there."

"Oh?"

"Yup. There's an Endurance Ring over to the left."

"Thanks. You really have this cave memorized, don't you, aibou?"

"I would think you would, too, given I played this back before I solved the Puzzle. But, then again, you weren't the one who lost to that dragon like twenty times from pushing through under-leveled, were you? So maybe it just didn't stick as much with you."

"I did have to level up quite a bit to continue tonight. I kept dying at first. It was pretty boring, though not labyrinth-levels boring… Wasn't that why you stopped playing this in the first place?"

"I don't remember."

Atem laughed at the evasive reply– then stopped.

The character on the screen stopped moving, Atem's hands stopped moving, and Yuugi just grinned, not looking back, a sweet satisfaction warming his nerves.

His hovering hand had found Atem's knee again, and clasped it… thumb grazing the side through the fabric of his pajama pants.

Not grasping.

Caressing.

But, he stopped, waiting without a single drop of anxiety in his heart for Atem's reaction.

He wouldn't continue if Atem wanted him to stop, but he was confident that he didn't need to…

And indeed, Atem soon unpaused. Kept playing, not a comment made… the leg under Yuugi's hand shifting, just a little, into his palm.

Yuugi grinned, scratching lightly at the inside of Atem's knee before shifting back to simple, grazing touches… zoning out on the freedom of that contact… until, sometime later, his face split into another grin as Atem moved towards the last area of the dungeon. "Are you going to fight the boss without healing?"

Atem's hands stilled, then he paused the game properly, assessing the screen for his party's current HP and MP… huffing to himself as he saw the red numbers Yuugi himself had already been aware. "I wasn't thinking."

"No? You must be getting tired if you missed that."

"Hn."

"…" Yuugi wasn't sure what it was. Maybe it was just intuition, or maybe he was just that familiar with Atem, and could read more in his silences than he even knew.

Either way, he frowned, his mouth a flat line as he turned his head. Not enough to see Atem, but– "Is your head hurting again?"

"A little, yeah."

…And for him to admit it, that likely meant a lot.

And Yuugi… wasn't sure what to do about it. If it were himself, or anyone else, he would suggest a rest. Maybe a check-up, if it was as chronic as Atem's headaches were.

But… that was it. It was just headaches, after all. Nothing a couple of pills couldn't fix.

But, as he suggested just that, asked, "Do you need to some painkillers?" it was with a dissatisfied heart. That might be the normal fix, sure, but what even was normal with Atem?

Yuugi didn't know. Not with this. And he hated that glaring unfamiliarity.

Atem seemed at ease, though, his voice tired but relaxed. "Probably not. It usually goes away when I sleep." And for a breath, Yuugi thought that was a call for rest. But when Atem shifted his controller? He held it up for Yuugi to take. "You want to play?"

Yuugi's frown cleared with a blink. "Me? …Now?"

"I'm not up to a boss fight, clearly. But I'd like to watch, if you're up to it." Atem leaned up into his back as he spoke, and the last, coaxing challenge came right behind his ear, the grin audible within it shooting a charged, restless feeling straight up Yuugi's spine. "Let me enjoy it vicariously."

–How the hell did he do that?

Yuugi didn't know, and he shook the question and his worry both out of his head for the time being. He couldn't do anything about his concerns now, after all. Didn't even know if he should be concerned… and he didn't want to ruin the moment.

So, he shrugged. "Alright." He took the controller and skimmed through the game inventory, looking for the item that would take them back to a healing point… and stopped.

His mind blanked out in a wave of warmth as Atem's arms shifted around his chest, pulling him close. His palms came to rest against Yuugi's ribs, fingers playing lightly along one side… drumming softly along the bone…

Yuugi couldn't see his face, but he felt it. Felt contentment in every light, soft tap.

And he was stuck. Floating, flushed, listless beneath that touch until Atem anchored him back down by resting his cheek on his head. "Aibou?"

That murmur tickled through his hair and burst across Yuugi's senses, and he grinned, sharing an unseen smile with his other self. "Nothing."

They didn't say anything else.

Yuugi played. Scrolled through the item inventory, found the Dragon's Wings, and activated them– leaning back into Atem as the character teleported out of the cave.

Arms gathered him closer, and the screen changed.