Prompt 18: Silver
Rating: PG-13 for language
Summary: Atem and Seto are out and about for date night when something catches the CEO's eye. What could it be?
NOTES: set after DSOD with slight AU of Atem having returned to the realm of the living. Also, the next two chapters may be a little late. I'm trying to write something once a day but I am a little burnt out this week so want to take tonight and tomorrow some time to relax. Thank you to everyone still reading and liking and commenting on my work!
What a beautiful day!
The air was cool and crisp with the threat of imminent snow later tonight, but Atem didn't mind. The sun was still out, the wind was calm, and people were generally in a pleasant mood which made him happy. Then again, how could he not be when he was back from the dead, walking side by side with the man who figured out how to do it? He was alive, and living a new life with the man he loved heart and soul, who was currently staring at a small jewelry display outside one of the many shops along Domino's shopping strip.
Domino was quite lively during this time of December, especially in the mile and a half enclosed shopping center. It was lit up with multiple Christmas lights and garland, some J-POP singer's voice being broadcasted over the speakers. He and Seto were out on date night, and Atem was feeling something a little different than a high scale restaurant. Surprisingly, Seto suggested the Domino Strip, an enclosed space that had a multitude of shops, restaurants, and little mom and pops stores that locals and tourists frequented. People could buy little souvenirs or find some of the best takoyaki here.
Atem was quite fond of the boba tea and cat cafes but for now, he'd settle for a milk tea as he and Seto strolled down the street, arm and arm. They occasionally received some strange looks from people but they both ignored it. Who cares if their partnership was still not widely accepted in Japan? They both went through too much to give a flying fuck what other people thought of them.
A smile graced his lips as he stared up at his boyfriend. It was rather shocking that Seto was so open with his sexuality once he and Atem became a couple. Atem was convinced that he would have to be careful with his affection, not wanting to make the brunette uncomfortable or feel pressured to be so expressive, but he should have known better. Seto never did anything halfway. If he was passionate about something, he dove head first with no fear, no regrets, and made sure everyone knew about it.
It was refreshing. It was… so unexpected and yet Atem bathed in the attention and never shied away from letting everyone know who Seto Kaiba belonged to.
Realizing Seto was debating whether or not he wanted to actually enter the little jewelry shop, Atem gave a gentle tug and led him inside. The woman at the counter, an older woman with a kind smile and wrinkled face, gave a traditional greeting and bowed, and Atem returned the smile.
He then turned to his boyfriend. "What caught your eye, Baby?"
Seto coughed and shrugged. "It's nothing really…"
Atem gave him a look and smacked his backside, pushing Seto further into the store. The old woman smiled at the brunette and beckoned him closer; seems a grandmother had to be a grandmother and began to coo over the CEO. With him distracted, Atem took a peek at the display again to see what caught his lover's attention and found it immediately.
It was a known fact that Seto was not someone who liked to be bathed in expensive jewelry and gemstones. He may have dressed rather eccentrically as a teenager, but those were large statement pieces that radiated power and intimidation. The only jewelry he wore was the necklace with his brother's picture in it. But sometimes, very rarely, something would catch the brunette's eye.
This particular item was a necklace made of pure silver, handmade from what the Egyptian could tell. The chain was thin, almost delicate to the touch but was polished to a bright shine. The pendant was a traditional, eastern dragon design made of the same material; the three clawed deity holding in its grasp a sapphire gemstone.
Atem tilted his head. Although he knew his preference for gold, and looked amazing in gold, Seto definitely looked stunning in anything silver. He had no idea if it was because of his complexion, or even his personality, but the icy, cold and reflective metal was pure Seto; just like gold was Atem's. Gold was warm, it was bright and vibrant and just fit. Not to say Seto was cold.
On the contrary, Seto was the epitome of fire. He was passionate, determined, and non relenting, much like how a burning fire was as it ravages across the plains or burns in a hearth. Silver, however, was a quiet burn. Its icy, cold exterior held a flame so bright and beautiful, it reflected all forms of color and left a gray in its wake.
Silver was tough. Silver was resistant, and silver could protect even better than gold.
Silver was Seto; a silver dragon was Seto personified.
With an affirmative nod, Atem beckoned one of the other employees over and pointed to the necklace, the two exchanging information before the young man disappeared in the back. Seto, having finally escaped the overbearing woman, walked over and raised an eyebrow.
"What did you do?" He asked and Atem tilted his head and tried to put on an innocent face.
"I didn't do anything, Dragon of mine," he said lightly and wrapped his arm around Seto's waist, giving a squeeze. "Hey… I want another boba tea," he pointed to the little stall across the street. "Will you get me one?"
"Why don't you do it?" Seto snorted, "You have a credit card, you are more than capable of doing it."
"Yeah but you scare them to make it quicker," Atem teased and laughed when Seto rolled his eyes. Another squeeze and a kiss on the cheek, and the brunette went to do as his boyfriend asked, and Atem turned back to the young man.
He set a wrapped box on the counter and bowed. "Wrapped just as you requested, Mutou-san," he said and took the cash given, returning the change. "Thank you for shopping and please come again."
"Thank you very much," Atem smiled and tucked the necklace into his coat pocket. He walked over to find his lover being handed two drinks and grinned when Seto handed him his; a simple almond milk green tea with honey. "See? You got it in less than three minutes and all it took was a well placed glare."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Seto rolled his eyes but sipped his own tea, sans boba. "I'm tired. Can we go home?"
"Yes, Baby, we can go home," Atem nodded, patting his coat pocket discreetly.
One Christmas present down.