Atem woke to the morning sun earlier than Yugi had. He was used to Yugi sleeping late as he was not quite yet used to Egyptian life but this morning he stalled, watching him sleep curled into himself, a peaceful expression softening his face. He missed watching him sleep, wondering what he could have been dreaming about and now they were safe in his Palace he allowed himself the luxury of watching.

Long had it been a dream of his to gaze upon Yugi asleep in his bed, surrounded by his Egyptian silk sheets and feather pillows, dressed in light breathable clothing or on occasion none at all. Now it was reality.

Waking to him in the desert on their way back here had been blissful in it's own way but he was quickly carried away to tend to his duties… in this moment time was still and he was allowed to take in this sight and let it warm his heart.

They had said very little once they retired, both too shocked and uncertain to breach the silence. Even as they were separated to bathe and had returned to sleep they said little save for goodnights. Atem watched Yugi closely, trying hard not to be noticed but Yugi had seemed so lost in his own thoughts to be aware of much. Once they climbed into bed Atem had to coax him into it, reassuring him more than once that it was okay and even then he stayed close to the edge. He tried not to let it bother him, convincing himself that Yugi was sobering up and needed to clear his mind. It still stung of course; he wanted so desperately to push past the voice of reason and to hold him, to pull him close and kiss him anywhere he could, to show him he loved him and explore those feelings with him, to be true to himself like he's never been… but against his own desires he held firm, silencing his urges and drowning out his impossible thoughts.

This morning though, as Yugi slept, he felt nothing but excitement. He almost wanted to wake him but he couldn't bring himself to disturb the peaceful boy beside him. Yugi would be sober this morning and if he wanted to they could discuss last night, hopefully even carry on with it, continue where they could have left off… if it hadn't been too much alcohol that is. Thats what he feared. He told Yugi he wanted him to stay, he wanted to kiss him… if it was just the alcohol talking behind Yugi's voice and influencing his actions then he could very well have disturbed their friendship.

Touching his fingers to his lips he remembered what it felt like and in retrospect he noted that Yugi's force felt somewhat desperate… but why? What else was going through his mind in that moment? Had there been more he wanted to say? Perhaps the wine was affecting him more than he realised… or the opposite. What if he was sober enough to know what he was doing in which case why had he been so desperate? Or was it nerves? He understood that, he was nervous too. In fact ever since Yugi had arrived here he'd been nervous around him, except on few occasions when Yugi had calmed him down, eased him into laughing and enjoying himself. But from Yugi's perspective he was also the King. His closest friend he feared pushing away with his feelings but also the most powerful man in the entire country. If his court had seen them he could have protected him with ease but it would not have made Yugi feel any safer.

There was a lot of courage in his actions, drunk or not, and while he mustn't have known Atem returned his feelings he still took the risk… and Atem was glad he did.

Because he wouldn't have… he was certain Yugi could never have thought of him any other way than a friend, was certain it could never be possible and he was not going to risk losing what they had. He was content in silently baring those feelings, keeping them to himself but… when he kissed him… when he pushed his own limits Atem could no longer deny them.

Would no longer deny them.

He wanted Yugi by his side as a friend or more and whatever Yugi wanted he would grant it, but he would at least make his feelings known to him.

But that would need to wait until he woke and he was likely not to wake for a while. He could stay here and watch him but the temptation to brush his hair and snuggle in behind him was strong and the last thing he wanted was to make him feel uncomfortable, so he sighed lovingly and carefully slipped out of the bed.

In his connected bathroom Rajah had already heated a bath for him and was laying out his clothes for the day, bowing to him deeply as he entered.

"Good morning Rajah."

"Good morning, Pharaoh." He said politely.

"When you are finished here please turn any visitors away this morning. I don't wish to be disturbed until midday at least."

"Yes my Pharaoh. And of breakfast?"

"That will be fine. Breakfast for two please."

Rajah bowed his head low, assisted Atem with his clothes and lingered long enough for Atem to wave him off.

Yugi stirred awake softly to blue skies and comfortable morning warmth. Silk sheets rubbed against his skin, soothing his nerves and making him almost forget everything there was to remember; until the stretching ceased and the events of last night flooded the forefront of his memory.

Did he… dream that?

His breath caught in his chest and he quickly rose to see he was alone in Atem's bed, clothes intact and the smell of warm food lofting from the balcony.

He was hungry but… his fingers went to his lips… had he really?

Did he …?

He shook his head, rubbed his eyes and breathed deeply, trying with all his might to gather his nerves. As he closed his eyes though he felt the kiss they shared. It was small, inviting even for a moment, but powerful. He couldn't believe he did that. Drunk or not that was not okay.

But Atem he… he had said it was… but no. No it couldn't be okay. Atem needed a Queen. His people would demand an heir. If Atem were to give himself to a male there would be riots, protests, assassination attempts for both of them. Their people required his line to carry on… unless he chose a Queen and he became his … what… consort? Could he be okay with that?

He shook his head of the thoughts, feeling dirty for even thinking it.

'Now I've gone and done it haven't I?' He thought sourly.

He stood to change into the clothes he wore yesterday and tiptoed towards the balcony. He was nervous, almost hoping that Atem had left already to tend to his business. He enjoyed his company but after last night he just wanted some time to build his nerves up… but he was there. Standing peacefully over the railing sipping a wine as he watched his city; a calm, content and smiling expression befalling him. He was so beautiful. So regal. And so at peace with the world. He looked happy… but a sort of happy Yugi had rarely seen.

He remembered that look after they had returned from defeating Darts… on the beach as they watched the sunrise. Atem had looked so happy then too, and when he looked at him… the world fell away, leaving only the two of them. The only other time he remembered seeing this look was when Yugi had won the duel. He was so proud of him. Sad… but so very proud.

He wondered why he was wearing this look now, after everything Yugi had done last night… how could he be so content? Did something happen while he slept? Something that might make him forget that Yugi had kissed him? He could pray it had.

He cleared his throat quietly, bringing Atem's excited attention to him. He beamed upon seeing him, his eyes sparkling and his chest rising. For a moment Yugi forgot himself, completely thrown by how happy he was to see him that he blinked several times just to remain focused.

"Good morning Yugi. Care for breakfast?" Atem asked him, smoothly whisking over to him and gesturing to the generous platter of food before them. Meats and fruits and various plants all cooked and prepared so delicately it looked simply divine...and while he was very hungry he could only stand still, starstruck at the beautiful King before him. How was he not bothered at all by last night?

"Um… yes. Please." Yugi said stiffly.

Atem's smile widened and he took his hand with such delicate fingers it sent chills through his skin. He sat him down, poured him a goblet of wine and gestured for him to start.

"I've already eaten. This is for you." Atem sparkled, positively buzzing with energy.

"Thank you. You didn't need to go to this much effort." Yugi blushed, nevertheless moving to accept the food.

Before he could even touch the slice of meat to his lips though Atem planted a quick peck on his cheek, a simple brush of his lips to his skin before he took his goblet back in hand and sipped at it, eyeing him with a watchful, excited eye.

Yugi could only freeze… forgetting how to move, how to breathe… His cheeks grew hot immediately and his head began to swim… he just… he …

He… kissed his…

He…

"I do apologise if that was not okay. I couldn't resist. I do want to talk about last night but first… I do hope you permit me that one kiss." Atem said. He looked to him then, hiding behind his goblet, a deep crimson painted beneath his bronzed skin and glassed over eyes portraying his own nerves.

He was excited… but more than that he too was feeling embarrassed, nervous even…

He said it was okay… did he mean it? Does that mean…?

"I am so sorry for last night. I never should have pushed myself onto you. It was the alcohol, I swear I will not do it again -"

"It would make me sad if you didn't." Atem interrupted him, offering a checking, encouraging smile.

Yugi forgot how to do anything except blink. He was aware of his lips being parted, of his heart thumping in his ears and his breath coming out in shallow puffs, but he forgot how to compose himself, how to be normal.

Atem smiled, replacing his goblet for Yugi's hands.

"I can only hope to guess your feelings, but I want you to know what mine are. If at any means you are uncomfortable I want you to know that nothing has to change. We can continue being the close friends we are no problems at all; but I cannot miss this chance. I've already missed it before… it's not every day one is given another." Atem said, locking his eyes with his. Yugi's heart was pounding, almost so loudly he could barely concentrate on Atem's voice.

"I thought it impossible that you might return my feelings Yugi. I had already come to terms with the fact that we could never be. Not because I was King and not because of my people, but because I honestly believed you would not hold me the way I hold you. When you kissed me last night my world exploded. I dared to think it was the alcohol, dared to hope it wasn't… but regardless on what provoked you, it made me realise that I don't want to deny my feelings for you. If you don't want anything more than what we have then I will silence them and we can continue on as what we are… but I want you to know that I care for you deeply. Much more than close friends. My bond to you runs deeper in my skin than any I've ever known and you are more precious to me than any life I've ever known.

I love you Yugi. I adore you. I just want you to know that."

Yugi sat in stunned silence for an almost unbearable amount of time, replaying his words over and over and over again until he finally caught up.

He had no thoughts… actually he had hundreds… but all of them was white noise, deafening him so he couldn't think. He saw him, heard his hearts words and gave his body permission to take control for right now his brain had abandoned him. He had no idea what he was doing, just that he was watching as he moved towards Atem, slowly, calculating, checking until finally he was close enough to wrap his arms around his neck and bury his lips into his.

Unlike last night Atem didn't sit frozen. He wrapped his arms around Yugi's waist, his hands pushing him closer by his shoulders as their kiss transcended mere pecks. Tongues danced on lips begging for entry and as they breathed one another in they fought for dominance. Each time their tongues touched they retreated, cold shivers coursing through their bodies but it was so addicting they kept trying, testing and becoming more and more daring.

Yugi was in love with his taste, with his scent. It was intoxicating, alluring and so mind numbing that he didn't even know when he had climbed onto his lap, when he had entwined his fingers into his hair and when Atem's hands had gripped his back to pull him flush against his stomach.

He tasted so sweet, like the wine they had been drinking but there was something else… something of Atem. It must have been him, his own taste rolling on his tongue, filling his mouth.

He loved it. He needed it.

And he took it.

And whats more… Atem needed him to. He could feel his desperation for him, his passion and love raw on his fingers and in the music of his gasps and ever so slight moans whenever Yugi rolled on him a certain way, or when he pulled slightly at his hair, or when he slid his tongue against his own.

Soon though they needed to breathe and they broke apart, panting and gasping, resting their foreheads together as Atem kneaded his hips. Yugi could barely control his hips from rolling on his lap, pushing his chest against Atems as he allowed his desire to take control of him.

Atem loved it, smiling wide as he breathed him in, sliding his fingers over every inch he could reach without finding a way into his clothes.

"I take it… you permit me that kiss." Atem giggled breathlessly.

Yugi laughed and stole another kiss from him. A smaller one but long and tender.

"Yugi." Atem said against his lips, smiling wide beneath the kiss. "I like this kind of answer but I'd love to hear your thoughts."

Yugi tore himself from him with an exasperated sigh and relaxed into his hands. He thought a while, allowing himself to go blank in his eyes as he tried to think of the words to say. He was just so vacant of everything though he found it almost impossible.

"I love you." He said finally, laughing at how little he could come up with.

Atem smiled and chuckled with him, stroking his cheek affectionately as he waited patiently for him.

"I'm sorry my mind is kind of numb right now. I … I had no idea… I thought you never would have even considered us to be a thing. I'm so out of your league …"

Atem briefly frowned at that but his lips turned upward in amusement. Still he held his tongue.

"I thought that it would be impossible. You need a Queen. Your people need a King who can provide for them a steady, healthy line… I can't be that person for you. Beyond being physically impossible Im foreign here, a commoner. Its one thing to be welcomed into your Palace, given these clothes, but your people would never accept someone like me as your … partner."

Atems expression softened, sighing slowly and deeply, as if getting lost in his words.

"I want this to be true. Ive loved you for years. Well before you left. I spent the last few years searching for a way to see you, even if you couldn't see me. I wanted to know if you were happy, if you had found rest or had moved on so that I could let you go. Arriving here was a complete accident, but one I could not have hoped better for. I intended to keep my feelings in check, and until last night I had. It was the alcohol that made me lose control, but it was my desire to do it in the first place. I knew we could never be… so I just wanted that one taste, something I could keep that would allow me to stop wondering. Because I wondered. I thought about it. I dreamed about it in such vivid detail and I just … want to know."

Atem smiled, nuzzling his nose lovingly and and closing his eyes. He looked so happy, in complete bliss again and when he opened his dark, deep eyes he took his breath away. There was love in those eyes, and a deep intense desire bordering lust, searching him, probing his mind.

"You never have to wonder again Yugi. If you want to know what I taste like, what I can feel like, what this can feel like." He tightened his grip on him, pulling him even closer. Yugi gasped and Atem almost caught his lips with his own, stopping short of him to speak against him. "All you need to do is take it. I will always give to you."

Yugi was so tempted to take it, to close the distance and steal his breath away. His heart was pounding hard against his chest and he felt positively pulled in by the gravity of his eyes.

"Is this okay?" Yugi asked him, his voice shaking in anticipation.

"Yes. I want you Yugi. I want you by my side and I never want to part from You again. Is this okay for you?"

"Yes." Yugi nodded quickly. He hesitated for a moment before capturing his lips with his own. Atem giggled, smiling into the kiss and embracing him firmly, forcing and excited and giddy and adorable laughter from Yugi.

After a short while of a back and forth struggle for dominance between small fits of exhilarated laughter they broke for air again, hugging deeply and breathing one another in.

"Did you say you dreamed about kissing me?" Atem asked him cheekily.

Yugi went red immediately, tensing and freezing in his place upon his lap. When he didn't answer Atem nuzzled into his hair and his fingers danced against his ribs, coaxing a giggle and a squirm from him.

"I might have. I'm sure you've dreamed of similar if not about me." Yugi laughed.

Atem moved to face him, momentarily sighing before his smirk became obviously playful.

"My dreams of that nature aren't so innocent as only kissing though Yugi."

Yugi chewed his bottom lip, a spark itching behind his tongue.

"Who said my dreams stopped at kissing?" Yugi grinned at the widening of Atems eyes and the blush across his face. Obvious intrigue and curiosity behind his eyes.

"Maybe… sometime soon we can turn those dreams into reality." Atem said slowly, carefully, checking.

"Perhaps. But maybe we shouldn't rush things."

"I will do anything you ask of me Yugi… but I do agree. As much as I desire you, perhaps it would be sweeter if we explored one another first, take this slowly. I want to enjoy every moment with you and never take for granted moments like this, never take for granted these kisses, these embraces."

Yugi nodded, smiling and biting his lip, excitement growing with every word he spoke.

"I agree. Kiss me." He ordered him breathlessly. He took the kiss before Atem could even oblige.

Atem laughed as Yugi kissed his lips, moving to his cheek and his jaw as he felt Atem trying to speak.

"If this is slow Yugi I won't complain."

"We can take it slow after this." Yugi said. His voice was hoarse, thick with lust Atem could not deny. Only after Yugi finally needed to breathe did he let him go, panting hard and feeling heavy in his arms.

"Wow… you were wondering." Atem said breathlessly.

"Don't tease me." Yugi laughed.

"I think my lips are numb and I kind of need them today." Atem smiled, nuzzling his neck affectionately and kneading his hips, forcing him to grind and roll on his lap.

"Nyah… I hope you don't mean for talking because if you keep doing that you won't be doing much of it." Yugi moaned into him.

Atem pulled away from him then and gazed lovingly into his eyes. It made his heart tingle and he felt his cheeks burn...as if he couldnt feel any hotter.

"I was worried about keeping my own desires in check. You've been keeping this beast down this whole time?"

"I couldn't resist. I had to indulge and what you were saying was too hot to resist."

"About taking it slow?" Atem cocked a brow.

"About not taking these moments for granted."

Atem giggled and kissed his nose.

"Well I'd say we've definitely made the most if this morning so far."

"Yeah…" Yugi sighed lovingly. "I suppose I should get off you huh?"

"You dont have to." Atem purred.

"Mmm, don't tempt me. I'll stay here forever." Yugi giggled and regrettably slid off him to sit back down beside him.

"Hmmm." Atem hummed, earning a cute questioning look from Yugi before he shook his head no. "I dont like this." He said and leaned over to steal a quick kiss from a surprised Yugi.

"That's better."

"That better?" Yugi laughed.

"Mmm. I'll never grow tired of that taste."

"Do I taste good?" Yugi winked as Atem peeled a date, a satisfied expression upon his face. He pressed it to Yugis lips who took it slowly, seductively, loving the wonderous and dark look in Atems eyes as they watched his lips slowly devour the fruit.

"Mmm. Impossibly good." Atem purred again.

Yugi giggled and sucked the fruit from his lips, making sure to capture the tip of his fingers. Atem hitched a breath and shifted in his seat, moving his hands away to take his wine. Yugi smirked, feeling very satisfied with himself. He was honestly over the moon. He never could have imagined this morning could happen but he was so happy it did.

He loved him so much. Kissing him was so much better than he dreamed. His taste, the feel of his lips and his tongue as smooth as silk, the feel of his hands gripping and kneading his skin, the feel of his breath against his and how fast his heart beat and how hot his skin was…

It was making him flustered again just thinking about it and a glance at Atem told him he might have been thinking the same thing.

It made him positively giddy with the idea that he felt the same way. He never would have guessed. In retrospect the signs were there but before this he never imagined. He just wanted to break out laughing, shout it out to the entire city how happy he was but he contained it.

"Papyrus for your thoughts?" Atem asked bashfully.

"Papyrus?" Yugi laughed. "I was thinking how happy I am. I still can't believe you return my feelings for you. This is possibly the actual best day of my life."

Atem beamed at that, his chest visibly catching and his eyes sparkling like stars. He stood then, stealing another date and lazily peeling it as he walked around the table to Yugis other side.

Gently he placed the date to his lips and bent down to kiss his cheek.

Yugi couldn't move, he couldnt kiss him, or move away. All he could do was keep the date where it was or slowly accept it. But all the while Atem kissed his cheek, his jaw and down to his earlobe while keeping the date firmly in place at his lips.

"I love you. With my entire being. But I do need to go. I trust youll be able to feed yourself? And not tire yourself out before I return this evening?" Atem asked, his voice husky and hoarse in his ear.

Yugi sighed, mumbling unintelligibly. His brain forgot words but it made him giggle all the same. He took the date away long enough to kiss him deeply, breathing in his scent as if charging up for the day before returning the date back and leaving through the archway.

Yugi watched him leave, sighing deeply until he finally left the room.

Slowly his mind returned and he could think about how to eat food. While it was delicious all he could think of was the taste of Atems lips and the feel of his kisses. He drank wine and dreamed of him, hummed to himself and heard his moans.

He was so in love in this moment and he relished every second, eagerly waiting for his Pharaoh to return to him.