Hello everyone and welcome back! Thank you so much for all your reviews and no, I am not sorry for the cliffhanger hahaha But, that's why this chapter will have some answers in regards to everything, but will also bring up more questions because that is the fun part.
Again, my warning for this is that I have taken quite an artistic liberty to change Atemu's official past so that it can fit this story, but if anyone has questions about it: please, feel free to ask. I try to put my wandering mind on paper as best as I can, but sometimes I leave things out, although I do admit that as the story progresses you'll get to know more too (obviously).
Either way, I hope everyone will enjoy this chapter too!
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Chapter 11
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Would it be possible? Was Atemu right? Had perhaps someone in his family known it was a door? Did he even want to think about that? Because, realistically speaking, his family should know despite all the superstitions and their fear for the Item... Simply because they had been its keeper and Yami held his breath as his mind continued to race along all the possible options whilst chastising himself for being so naive. He even gasped softly in surprise when he was shaken from his thoughts at the soft call of his name and crimson eyes stared into rose-red ones, prior to the pale man feeling guilty for making the spirit worry about him.
"Are you all right?", Atemu even asked and Yami sighed softly, before he gave a small nod.
"Yes, just a little distracted with what you said... Because it shouldn't make sense, but it somehow does and it kind of hurts too", the pale man answered gently, before he sighed again while leaning back in his seat at the same time he drew his knees up against his chest. "You see, my self-proclaimed mission for searching everything there is to know about the Sennen Items isn't always received well among the council. They fear that my search will lead to destruction as they take the warnings very seriously and they should, really... but that also means they have stumped me before and with what you said... Well, I think they did it again", Yami continued while waving at the floor plans atop the coffee table and he bristled softly to express his annoyance, even though he was also embarrassed because this just had to happen in front of the man who needed this information.
"Although I am glad they take the warnings as seriously as they do, I am sorry they have treated you like a child on these occasions. Do they not trust you at all?", the tanned spirit asked softly, although the look in those beautiful crimson irises said enough. There was even a frown as if his question, questioned his sanity and because it probably did, Atemu winced slightly.
"In their eyes, I'm still a child considering I'm only eighteen years old. At the same time, they are well over their fifties and a couple of old people trying to make sure I'll never find the answers in regards to the Sennen Items because they're afraid I'll destroy the world... It hurts they won't help me, but I am slowly getting used to it", Yami replied gently, before he sat up a little straighter and nibbled his lip while gazing at the two floor plans atop the coffee table. "Which means I just can't stop, unless you want me to", were his next words while he gave Atemu a hopeful glance and the tanned spirit smiled, before he sat up a little straighter as well.
"Although it is obviously with a personal interest, don't let me stop your from finding the answer to your mystery. Especially because I, too, am curious as to why you are so interested in these objects and also as to why you can see me?", Atemu replied and he tilted his head slightly as Yami nibbled his lip again, though this time accompanied with a small hesitant gleam inside his crimson eyes.
"Well, to be fair... The interest comes because for as long as I can remember, I've been dreaming about the Items and it is why my sister gave me the book I showed you last week. Still, even then it felt like I was looking at images of objects I should know, but couldn't recall no matter what I tried. They felt familiar, like friends I had lost and couldn't meet just yet, but the information on finding them has always been out of my reach. Plus, they didn't give me 'Sennen' as my last name for nothing", Yami replied, although that made Atemu frown and crimson eyes gleamed in confusion, before the pale man realised he had never told the spirit his name. Yugi knew, but that had been said inside class and it was why he smiled apologetically immediately as he figured it out.
"Sorry, you didn't know... Yugi knew, but you didn't- I'm sorry", Yami whispered, but that only made an incorporeal hand reach out to him in an attempt to reassure him while Atemu smiled warmly at the same time.
"There is no need to apologise, you couldn't have known this 'information' wasn't shared between Yugi and myself, so please, don't feel guilty. Although I do admit I am surprised at the revelation and it sparks my curiosity. You're named after the Items?", the tanned spirit asked gently and Yami smiled as he nodded, before he nibbled his lip slightly.
"Yes, I am. You know I have been adopted and when I was, the family gave me 'Sennen' as my last name... but they did so with a reason and I'll have to show you to make this easier... Everything will actually make sense once you see it too, considering you then understand why the council doesn't want for me to find anything about the Items or why I am obsessed by them", was the soft answer, prior to the pale man raising up from his seat slowly and beckoning for Atemu to follow him towards his bedroom. "I don't want for Yugi to see it just yet though... He might think I'll steal the Puzzle away from him if he does", Yami whispered, even though he could see that only heightened the spirit's confusion and he sighed softly while closing the door as soon as Atemu had wandered inside.
"Why would he possibly think that? He hasn't hidden the Puzzle either after you've touched it by accident and I don't think he will", Atemu replied while he watched how Yami fidgeted slightly, prior to the pale man sighing once more.
"Because he thinks it was an accident, while it may very well not have been one. I'll show you, but it's on my skin, so I'll have to-", Yami whispered and he couldn't help but blush as he realised what he was about to do, prior to lifting his shirt over his head to reveal the birthmark on his chest. He watched how Atemu wished to object at first, but the spirit fell silent as his rose-red eyes fell on the image of his prison upon pale skin and he looked at it while he couldn't believe what he saw.
"This is why I was given my last name and it is why the council wants to stop me from finding information on the Sennen Items while at the same time, Ishizu believes that I was originally the one who should have completed the Puzzle from the start. This is why I'm obsessed with the Items, because I want to know why this mark is on my chest and it's quite possibly also the reason as to why I'm sleepwalking; for either awake or asleep, I hope the Puzzle has the answers I'm looking for", Yami said, but rose-red eyes were still focused upon the birthmark, before an incorporeal hand slowly reached out to touch it. The tingling sensation from when Atemu's hand reached him almost made the pale teen tremble, as it oddly felt good and reassuring, before the spirit locked their eyes in a questioning glance.
"I wish I could give you all the answers you've been looking for all this time, but instead, there are more questions than there have ever been. You- You were born with this mark?", Atemu asked, prior to shaking his head while he wished he could touch the pale skin. How could this even be and what did it mean? Could it mean destruction and should Yami stay away from his prison or... was it the other reason? That not Yugi, but this man should have been his host? "My apologies... I didn't mean to question if you were born with this, because you are. It's just- Overwhelming", were the spirit's next words and he smiled in return when Yami did so kindly. His crimson eyes were even warm in understanding and Atemu sighed as that brought him a certain peace of mind.
"No need to apologise, Até, it's more than all right to be confused and I understand that this is quite a confrontation you hadn't expected", Yami answered gently and he continued to smile while reaching out to the incorporeal hand to show it was all right if it wanted to come closer. Perhaps they couldn't touch, but Atemu's fingers followed either way and both men trembled as something made them aware of how close they were. "It's just unfortunate there are more questions than answers. Why am I born with this? Am I to destroy the next country or was I meant to finish the Puzzle? Plus, there is the thought that sometimes keeps me awake recently: was I meant to find you?", the pale man asked and he could see how his questions were quite the same as Atemu's own while those alluring rose-red eyes gleamed with that same conclusion.
"How I wish I knew, Yami, but like every time after my wakening: I'm stumped for an answer. Although I do currently understand where your obsession comes from and to be honest, it's addicting. I will try to help you with searching for the answers you deserve, I promise", Atemu answered while he gently moved his thumb across the birthmark, even though he couldn't feel it, but that didn't matter. It still made him tremble to be this close to the pale teen and it was frightening. Only a week ago he had met this wonderful man who had seen him as being alive, yet now, there was this pull towards him the spirit couldn't explain. It was inappropriate while crimson eyes stared at him with a warmth he had never seen in Yugi's eyes and Atemu suppressed the shudder which wanted to race down his spine.
"I'd be honoured if you'd help me", Yami whispered softly in return, for his voice would seem too loud otherwise. His skin was tingling, especially so around his birthmark while he stood still for rose-red eyes to look at him. To see him differently than anyone had ever looked at him and it made his heart beat faster while he tried to stop being so silly. Atemu was a spirit with better things to do, yet, this entire week had been such a gift... to be able to spend it with someone he could share his interests with without being judged still warmed his entire being.
"Yami? Atemu? Where have you guys wandered off to?", Yugi's voice suddenly called out through the apartment and the pale man gasped softly in surprise while he nearly jumped out of his skin at the same time the tanned spirit pulled his hand away from Yami to glance at the door in alarm. The inexplicable pull between them was gone too as he quickly pulled his shirt back over his head in case his roommate would barge in without knocking, but the latter didn't while Yugi called out one more time.
"In here, sorry, I had to look something up in another book", the pale man lied as he opened his bedroom door and walked out into the hallway to meet his roommate who was staring at him in apparent relief.
"Don't scare me like that, will you? I thought you had been kidnapped", Yugi muttered as he placed a hand over his heart and Yami couldn't help himself as he chuckled, before he quickly grasped the book about the Sennen Items off his shelf so his lie wouldn't be found out. "Anyway, I'm taking a small break from homework for drinks and snacks, do you want some too? Did you get further with your research?", the shorter teen asked while he turned halfway towards the kitchen and the crimson-eyed man smiled with another nod, prior to following Yugi into the livingroom. He glanced back at Atemu following them, although the tanned spirit sat down atop the sofa with his eyes clouded and he appeared to be deep in thought.
"So... Did you guys find something interesting?", Yugi asked and he watched his roommate curiously while his eyes drifted only partially to Atemu. It was already clear the latter wouldn't talk, considering his current mood and it really didn't matter either, because he wanted Yami's attention; not the one from the spirit he shared a body with.
"Actually, yes", was the gentle answer while Yami sorted through their things atop the coffee table, before he pointed at the two floor plans and smiled as he traced a line between them gently. "You see, by studying the recordings and these maps we've discovered that your grandfather found the Sennen Puzzle through a hidden door in this wall of Hamunaptra and went through a tunnel between it and this small hill that is south from Kul Elna", Yami continued and with his glass in hand, Yugi eyed the maps while his roommate showed him what they'd found. "So, technically, your grandfather did quite a discovering", were the next words and the crimson-eyed man smiled a little broader at the same time Yugi gaped at him.
"Wait... gramps actually discovered something?", the shorter teen asked in return, which made Yami raise a sceptical eyebrow, before he gave a soft chuckle.
"Aside from the Sennen Puzzle? Yes, he did", the pale man answered and Yugi followed him in a sheepish laughter while he scratched the back of his head. Obviously finding the Pendant itself was already a huge discovery, although he was surprised his grandfather found something else in a structure that should have already been looked through from top to bottom. Yet, he chuckled again at his own silliness, before he took a sip from his drink at the same time he glanced into Atemu's direction ever so slightly. The following silence was awkward in the least, considering the tanned spirit was deep in thought and Yami seemingly wasn't sure if he should clean up or not. On the other hand, Yugi had no idea what to talk about, which was why he was glad his roommate was able to think of something instead: "So, how's homework?"
Not that it was the best of topics, but at the moment, the shorter man didn't care while he gave a small shrug. "It actually sucks as usual, considering it's math and that's not my strong point. It's a struggle, but I'll have to deal with it I guess", Yugi therefore answered, even though he received an apologetic wince for it in return.
"That does sound horrible... If you want, I might be able to help you? I mean, I already finished our math homework yesterday to the best of my abilities", Yami answered gently and Yugi nearly choked on his drink as he wanted to answer as quickly as possible. Especially because that would leave his roommate all for himself and he couldn't wait to have that for the moment.
"If you wouldn't mind, then yes please! Unless you're still working on Atemu's past?", he asked, just to be sure he wasn't barging in on anything even though the spirit had taken up enough of Yami's time to begin with. Homework was far more important in Yugi's sincere opinion...
"Would you mind taking a break Até?", Yami asked softly as he wasn't sure. He actually felt guilty for proposing to help Yugi out while they were still working on the spirit's past, but the latter seemed to be quite lost in his thoughts, which he didn't want to disturb either. Still, when rose-red eyes looked up at him, they were warm with understanding, albeit still cloudy and the pale man smiled in return while Yugi couldn't help but mentally question if he had heard right. Had his roommate given the spirit a nickname?
"Of course we can, Yami. My mind is quite full right now, so please, go ahead. Your studies are far more important than my past too", Atemu replied kindly, which the pale man immediately replied to with a snort and the spirit chuckled warmly while he watched how Yami started to clean the coffee table gently.
"Thanks Atemu", Yugi said quickly, prior to darting for his bedroom to get his homework and crimson eyes followed him for a moment until he was out of sight. They slowly turned towards Atemu afterwards and they gleamed with gratitude as well as an apology deep within them too, while Yami tenderly handled the floor plans at the same time.
"I'm sorry I offered to help Yugi, but I promise we can continue this later. Then you can ask all your questions while your host is asleep, which means we'll have all the time in world throughout the night", the pale man whispered softly while he looked away guiltily, until Atemu gently reached out with his incorporeal hand to capture his attention once more.
"There is no need to apologise, Yami. As I said, there are currently plenty of things to think about and you will need your sleep too", the tanned spirit replied, but Yami's expression turned pleadingly afterwards at the same time the pale man nibbled his lip.
"Yes, but I can sleep in tomorrow, so please? I'd really want to talk some more in private too", was his soft whisper in return and he could see how Atemu was conflicted for a moment, before his lips curled upwards in a warm smile.
"Yes... Very well, if you're certain I'd gladly accept your offer", the spirit answered and his gleaming rose-red eyes met warm crimson ones to see Yami nod in slight excitement which made his soul tingle. It was truly a gift to be able to be given this kind of gaze and Atemu smiled some more as it calmed him down peacefully.
"Thanks Até, that means a lot to me", the pale man replied and he smiled kindly as well, before they could hear Yugi coming back.
"You're welcome, Yami, and thank you as well", Atemu said in another whisper, prior to retrieving his incorporeal hand away from Yami's real one so he could take his leave towards his prison. One that probably held all the answers they were looking for, but wouldn't give it for some unknown reason. It was why the spirit glanced at the painted image upon the wall and questioned once more what the birthmark on Yami's chest could mean to him. Or them? Was there even a meaning or was he making things up? At least he would have the time to currently think about it, as his host would take as long as he could with his homework and Yami would quite possibly cook for them both as well later on this evening. If only he could smell it... but then he'd want to taste it too and Atemu tilted his head as he gazed at the black-headed God he had no recollections of either.
"What does it mean? What do you want from me?", he asked, like so many times before even though he would never receive an answer. Not from the painting at least and Atemu sighed as his mind started to wander once more. Gently, he turned away from the image to let his feet take him elsewhere and he slowly walked up the first staircase he came across, just to have something to do while he tried to find an answer that was way out of his reach.
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Even though it was still light out, Atemu gazed through the window at the few people passing by the dorm as it simply was a much better view than the doors he couldn't open or the empty sandstone walls inside his prison. Plus, whilst standing in the livingroom, he could hear the background noises of both roommates preparing themselves for bed and he liked listening to some sound. It was at least something else than his feet upon the labyrinth of staircases he had walked upon throughout the hours in which his host had been completing his homework with the other pale man.
Sometimes, he had emerged from the Puzzle to listen to them talking and it had made him remember how Yugi used to be towards him; albeit after the shorter teen had stopped being afraid. Yugi had been talkative and excited about little things in life, which Atemu realised he missed on occasion, although he understood the change perfectly. Even within himself he could feel the forced fusion of both his soul with his host was... 'wrong' and therefore influenced the light-hearted man too much. The dark magic was seeping through, no matter how much he tried to protect the young teen and the tanned spirit sighed softly as he gazed at the red-tinted sky with his mind elsewhere.
"Até? Are you all right?", was Yami's gentle voice suddenly breaking through his thoughts and when it did, the older spirit turned towards the other man, prior to smiling warmly. No matter the fact this man could have been his host, Atemu was glad he wasn't. The taint within Yugi was already painful to acknowledge as it happened right in front of his eyes and a part of him was glad Yami didn't have to go through that at all.
"Yes, just staring out the window while listening to something else than my own footsteps or thoughts while you two ready yourselves for bed. It's a very calming sound", Atemu replied softly while still smiling, especially as Yami returned it with a warm one of his own at the same time the latter came over to stand next to him. Crimson eyes briefly glanced out the window to see the other students still mingling upon the grounds, before he looked up at Atemu again to see the other man examining him. "Although we agreed to talk, if you wish to sleep, you must do so", were the sudden kind words, but the pale man shook his head in answer while he continued to smile.
"No, truly, I'd like to talk some more with you. Even if it is not about your past or the Sennen Items... As long as it won't be about homework or the dance party tomorrow, I'm all set", Yami said softly, just so his roommate wouldn't hear him even though they had already wished each other a good night and he chuckled softly when Atemu laughed about his misfortune.
"Why does that not surprise me?", the tanned spirit asked with another chuckle and he was glad his companion laughed with him, before the latter tilted his head and gave a small unknowing shrug.
"Beats me", Yami replied, before he glanced at Atemu again and seemed almost nervous. "But it's up to you. If you'd like to talk, we can talk and even take it to the privacy of my bedroom where I have all the maps, books and recordings we might need... or I can retrieve everything and we can sit down here or we can rest up and decide what to do tomorrow", the pale man continued softly as he fought against the blush as he wasn't sure if the spirit would be comfortable inside his bedroom. He had seemed to be comfortable last week, but that wasn't fair to Atemu... That had been an unexpected event and now he was trying to invite him inside without it perhaps being appropriate. The thought made Yami nibble his lip while he watched how his companion hesitated for a moment, before the older man gave a warm smile.
"Well... there are many questions, but you can't answer them as they are like your own. Why were you born with that mark? Where are the other Sennen Items? Would it mean something if we'd find them? Who was the man who created them? Did he have a lot of magic like I do right now, or does mine come from the Puzzle? Am I judged? Will I ever find the answers? What will happen if I'll ever do? Can I keep Yugi safe from the darkness within my prison or am I already too late? Would it be better to find another host in order to protect him, but could I even put someone else through the fusion of our souls? Can I even move? Because if Yugi and I separate for too long, we feel the pain from the Puzzle calling us back... Many, many questions, but no answers", Atemu whispered forlornly, which only intensified as Yami tried to comfort him, but couldn't. There was no real body to touch, after all, but the effort was heart-warming and the tanned spirit smiled kindly while he wished he could receive the hand reaching out to him.
That alone made his soul tingle pleasantly, as if he could almost feel the gentle fingers atop his shoulder and he glanced into crimson eyes to let the small peace wash over him. "I'm sorry I can't be of more use, Até... All I can truly give you is the name of the one who created the Puzzle and a little background information in regards to whom he was according to the knowledge I have acquired over the years", Yami replied in a soft whisper as well, especially because he wasn't sure what else to do.
"You've done plenty for me already, Yami, there is no need to apologise. I'm sorry I let my wandering mind go like that", the tanned spirit commented, but the pale man at his side shook his head at that.
"No, that's all right. You need to vent too and you need to talk about your worries or else you'll only bottle things up which is definitely not good for your health. Perhaps you are a spirit, but you are alive and you have feelings. That means you can talk about them just like anyone else", Yami answered and Atemu felt himself tremble as he swallowed thickly. Again, he was seen as a living person, even though he could not breath, taste, smell or had any blood to bleed with. He was a parasite, living off of Yugi at the same time he infected his host with dark magic and yet... This man didn't view him as that at all.
"Truly, I am not alive as either you or Yugi are", Atemu argued in return, as he felt like he had to make Yami see differently about him, no matter how much he enjoyed the pale man's view upon his 'life' as a spirit. His companion merely smiled as they both realised how weak the counter really was and slowly, rose-red eyes lowered themselves as the tanned man gave in happily.
"Perhaps not that kind of alive, but you are more than sentient and that means you can talk about whatever is on your mind if you need it. I'll be here, I'll listen", Yami said kindly and Atemu smiled in return as he appreciated the warm words of comfort.
"Thank you, Yami, that means a lot to me", the tanned spirit replied softly and crimson eyes burned with that same warmth as his smile, which only added to the sense of peace and safety Atemu felt washing over him. Which was odd, as he had never been inclined to put his guard down so far, but this unique man had managed within a week and he didn't mind. Not in the slightest and if he'd have a heart, it would currently drum inside his chest as Yami still stood close by and gazed at him kindly. "I'd love to hear you talk about your studies", Atemu eventually replied, however, as he didn't want to burden this man even further with questions than he already was and he smiled as his companion accepted that, prior to the latter leading him towards the many books within his bedroom.
"Although I do admit that most of my studies come from the books translated by the council, I'll gladly tell you about Akunamkanon and his family. He was a good king prior to his death and his brother was all right too until he made the Sennen Items. Yes, he tried to use them only in an attempt to defend Khemet from invaders, but he was consumed by the dark magic afterwards and did a lot of damage as well", Yami started softly, as he didn't want to wake Yugi, because this subject wouldn't interest the other man and he simply didn't want to share his moment with Atemu either. Why, he had no idea, nor could he pinpoint as to why this all seemed so familiar, but it suddenly wasn't awkward to close the door behind Atemu or to talk with him about his studies and Yami smiled as he gently picked out the books he needed from their respective shelves.
"There are a few images of Akunamkanon which the council has always kept and with which they have taught us about the forgotten kings of old. He was a wise king, who was the last of his line as he never sired any children. His younger brother was one of the priests who worked on the Atlantean relic and it was said he had more magic in his veins, but being younger meant he would never be the heir to the throne", Yami started while they both settled down atop his bed where he laid the books open to certain pages which held both his own research as well as the translated history texts with images from the library.
"Do you happen to know who the younger brother was?", Atemu asked as he gazed at an image of the gathered priests and Yami nodded, prior to pointing at a smaller man who had a Sennen Item inside his left socket instead of a normal eye and the tanned spirit couldn't help but wince in disgust as he saw the image.
"This is him, Akunadin, and he was the bearer of the Sennen Eye. This is Seth, his secret son and wielder of the Sennen Rod. He was meant to be first in line after Akunamkanon and Akunadin died, but he never got to the throne for unknown reasons. At least, we assume he died horribly after the war, although his death was never recorded and that could be because he was to be erased from history as well. When the Items were hidden from the world, so were all the records of how they had been created, but also of whom had wielded them. None of these people were known, aside from the Pharaoh, his brother and Seth", Yami continued to tell while he opened another one of his own notebooks which was filled to the brim with scribbles, but Atemu happily read whatever he could while his companion tried to explain some of the thoughts he had written down as well in earlier years.
It was intriguing to hear of the ancient family that had created his Puzzle and of how their lives could have been like while Yami also told him about the war and the little bits of Atlantis he had knowledge of. That was, until his companion yawned for the fourth time or so and Atemu smiled while he gently moved his incorporeal hand across the page the pale man had been reading with him. It made the words blurry and crimson eyes blinked slowly in surprise, before Yami glanced up at the spirit seated beside him. "Yes?", he asked with a small smile, considering Atemu had done it before if he wanted to ask something in regards to what they had been reading and especially because the alluring rose-red eyes were gleaming as if they were lit up with a warm fire.
"You are tired... Perhaps it would be wise for you to sleep?", Atemu asked softly and he chuckled as a blush spread across pale cheeks for being caught yawning, although the younger man had to admit his companion was right. The words had already started to become a blur, even without the see-through hand covering them, but he had just wanted to prolong this evening. His skin tingled pleasantly while an inner peace had washed over him and Yami didn't want for that to leave just yet.
"Perhaps", he whispered either way, considering he had to yawn again as well and rose-red eyes gleamed once more while Atemu was glad his companion agreed with him. Would he miss the conversation and the fact it took his mind off of other things? Yes, he sure would, but it made him feel better the pale man would look after himself at some point as well and the tanned spirit smiled while he got off the bed so he'd give Yami all the space he'd need.
"Then I shall leave you alone", he whispered softly, although that made crimson eyes look up at him at the same time the pale man cleaned his bed from both his laptop as well as the books they had been reading.
"Actually... there was something I'd wanted to ask you, but I'm not sure if you'll allow me", Yami said and Atemu tilted his head slightly while the younger man was hesitant.
"You can ask me anything you'd want, there has been plenty I have asked you too", the spirit answered in return and although his companion smiled slightly, Atemu could still feel Yami was a little uncomfortable.
"Well... it's just that... You mentioned your soul is now fused with Yugi's and I- I'd like to ask a question about that", was the soft reply, before the pale man settled everything down atop his desk so he could climb back onto his bed and underneath the covers. "But it would be fine if you don't want to talk about it. I'll just go to sleep then and- Sorry", Yami continued while he nibbled his lip as he realised he had made it very awkward for them now. Which had been a stupid thing to do and the pale man sighed at the same time he glanced away from Atemu so he wouldn't have to see the possible conflicted look upon the spirit's face.
"Yes, I did say that and it is more than all right to ask your questions, Yami. Especially because they are more than understandable. What I understand of my fusion with Yugi's soul is that it is a fail-safe to a certain extend. We cannot be separated for more than forty-eight hours or else we'll feel the pain of the Puzzle calling us back. His knowledge was given to me upon my wakening and we can switch places so that I may be in control of his body while he then sleeps inside the Item", Atemu started gently at the same time he settled down upon the side of Yami's bed and crimson eyes glanced at him to see the spirit smile warmly. To be fair, the tanned man had already been expecting questions and although he could be accused of bottling things up, Yami was probably no better than him.
"A fail-safe? I guess that doesn't allow for you to switch hosts, does it? Considering the dark magic is slowly endangering Yugi more each day, I was hoping that would have been an option", Yami murmured as he leaned back against the pillow and sighed while at the same time his mind fought for dominance in regards to either thinking about the subject or falling asleep.
"Perhaps it would indeed safe Yugi, but if I would be able to switch hosts... I would only endanger another and that is not something I'd like to do. Truly, if it would be an option, I'd rather have the Puzzle back into pieces so that it cannot harm anyone else ever again, but we can't do that either. If my prison would ever break, Yugi's life will be lost as well", Atemu replied and he smiled wryly as that only made his companion worried, but it was the truth. He couldn't switch, no matter how much he'd want to right now, even if it wasn't solely for his host's protection.
"I'm sorry to hear that, for the both of you, because if your souls are currently fused together... that means you'll die as well, yes?", Yami asked with even more worry gleaming in his beautiful eyes, but Atemu nodded in answer either way as he would be gone too if his host would lose his life. "That's not fair", the pale man whispered, to which the tanned spirit smiled warmly. Simply because he couldn't help himself as he found comfort in the softly uttered words, no matter how odd that truly was.
"It's all right, Yami, I am not alive to begin with so it would only be a shame to lose Yugi's life if that would ever happen. I will protect him from death at any time, yes, but nature can be cruel too", Atemu answered, although that earned him a defiant look from his companion in return.
"You matter just like everyone else, even though nobody can see you but Yugi and myself. You matter, Atemu, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise", Yami declared, even though it was mostly for selfish reasons. He didn't want to lose the spirit, even though he had no idea as to why just yet. But this sense of peace and them being comfortable discussing these subjects weren't things he'd like to lose. Even though he would eventually if he'd solve the mystery of the Sennen Items, although nothing else but that option would be acceptable.
Still, he was captured by the rose-red eyes glancing at him in surprise, before they turned warm and kind again as Atemu looked at him and accepted his words of what he believed to be right. "Thank you", the spirit therefore whispered as he was truly grateful for Yami's view upon his soul, upon the fact it was worthy to remain in this world for a moment longer, until he had to leave for Yugi's sake. He wished he didn't have to though, at least not until after Yami had left the campus grounds and Atemu smiled while his companion did as well.
"You're welcome, Até, more than welcome. You matter too", the pale man replied softly as well, while his eyes started to droop ever so slightly and the spirit continued to smile, before he simply started to whisper a story which he had acquired through the fusion of his soul with Yugi's. One from the many books his host had read during his childhood as a requirement for his education, but it felt right to recount the tale while Yami sunk a little further into the pillows.
"I know this one", was the soft comment while the pale man smiled warmly, prior to yawning again as he got comfortable. "We should read it together some time... Sleep well, Até", Yami continued as he felt his mind drifting off slowly and the spirit smiled at him as he interrupted his whispers for a mere moment.
"Yes, we should. Sleep well, Yami, I shall see you tomorrow", Atemu whispered and he continued to smile as the sudden familiarity he shouldn't have, made him feel warm inside. It made him whisper some more of the story he had started, even after the pale man had already fallen asleep, but it simply felt too good to stop. Especially as he was allowed to watch over Yami and turn the lights off with a little use of his magic, just to make sleep easier for the other man. At least, that's what he told himself while he probably lingered longer than he would have been allowed to stay, but the sight of Yami sleeping was enthralling. It made him feel as if there were memories inside his mind and out of his reach, but he didn't want them currently as he accepted the new ones with both hands. Even the small murmur his companion gave was noted and rose-red eyes gleamed in the dark while their owner sighed softly as he simply remained his watchful gaze until morning came.
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Thank you all for reading and if you have the time, please leave a review. The twelfth installment is still a work in progress, but I have a good surprise in store for you all that I hope you'll love when I finish it. Until then, byebye!