Prompt: Model/Ring/Chest
Rating: PG-13 for adult situations

Summary: Atem is at a photo shoot with his boyfriend and is wondering if something is wrong with Kaiba.

NOTES: in my AU World, you know the drill.

So I wasn't able to do all the prompts this month but needless to say, this was such a fun and amazing challenge for me. For the last day of the year, I decided to write a story that was floating in my brain since the very beginning but I thought it would be a good way to end Pridecember in 2020. I just want to thank everyone who has read, comment, liked, and reached out to me. Ive discovered some amazing new authors and this has really helped me come up with ideas for my current story One More Time. So to those who have found me through this, welcome! And I hope wonderful things for everyone in 2021.

It's a new year! Let's do this!

"Alright, now turn to your left… that's it, another turn and then look back at the camera… little less pout, more intense stare!"

Atem easily followed the photographer's directions, turning this way and that to make sure the older man got all his best angles. He turned again and raised a perfectly coiffed eyebrow, brandishing the brand new duel disk on his left arm, holding five cards in his right. He was dressed in his updated "duel" gear; form fitted, leather pants, multiple belts and shiny boots, along with a tight, black tank and a red, leather crop jacket with silver inlets.

Atem did another twirl and finally the photographer nodded in approval. "Perfect! These are going to look fantastic. As always, Atem, it's a pleasure working with you." He walked over to the computer set up and looked over his assistant's shoulder. "Too bad Mr. Kaiba didn't want to join you in the photos. He's a striking young man, and with the two of you, people would swoon."

"Seto isn't one for photo shoots," Atem said with a chuckle, unhooking the duel disk and handing it off to the tech team. "That's why he hired me."

"Yet he still likes to come to the sessions," the photographer quipped with a smirk; they both looked over to the corner of the room where said CEO sat in a chair, laptop open and furiously typing away. Atem grinned; even if his boyfriend looked engrossed in his work, he knew the other was watching his every move. It wasn't often Seto came to his photo shoots but when he did, he feigned disinterest, but Atem always felt his gaze on him. It made for sexier shots because he wanted to perform for his boyfriend.

As the shoot wrapped up, Seto tucked his laptop away in his briefcase and stood, walking over to Atem. "What do you think of the new duel disk?"

"You know what I think," Atem replied, heading over to the costume department to change behind the screen, tossing the jacket over the top. "I like this outfit, can I keep it, Baby?"

"Fine, whatever," Seto huffed, motioning the costume designer to bag up the clothes; he'd send a credit over the next day, "you still didn't answer my question."

"I love it," Atem said loudly so the other could hear, pulling on a much looser, burgundy tank and then his grey cardigan. He slipped on a pair of jeans and walked out, boots in one hand. "It's much lighter than the current model but I still think you need it to be versatile for left handed people like me."

"I've been discussing that with the marketing department," Seto replied and took Atem's left hand in his, lacing their fingers together in front of them. "We're looking into adding an attachment that can turn the card field around." He frowned and turned his lover's hand a bit, "your fingers are looking a little thinner than usual… have you been eating?"

"Wh… of course I have," Atem frowned and released Seto's hand to inspect his fingers, wiggling them a bit. "They don't seem that different to me… does it look like I've lost weight?"

Seto shook his head and shrugged. "Maybe I'm just imagining things," he said, taking Atem's hand again so they could exit the building.

Atem tilted his head and looked up at his tall lover. Something was wrong. Seto wasn't himself but he couldn't figure out what was bothering him. It couldn't be his new car, which they slid into the front seats of the freshly polished Ferrari; a dream car he bought for both of them. It wasn't due to work. Kaiba Corp. was booming right now; stocks were up, partners were pouring in, and Seto was riding high on his success.

No, whatever was bothering him was at a more personal level. They hadn't gotten into a major fight recently, and things with Mokuba were good. Atem noticed that Seto was being more fidgety, his eyes drifting over in his direction. Atem's frown deepened and he shifted. Had he lost too much weight, or had he put on too much as he was doing more strength training?

He didn't think that could be it because Seto told him countless times his weight didn't define who he was, even if he sometimes felt like it did.

So what was it?!

After a few minutes of silence Seto finally spoke, "Are you hungry? It's nearing dinner and I could go for something to eat."

"Sure, where do you want to go?"

"It's your turn to pick," Seto replied with a smirk. "I picked last time."

Atem sighed and rolled his eyes. "Oh fiiiine… sushi, we can go to our favorite restaurant at Domino Tower. I could go for some tempura."

Seto chuckled and switched gears to head to the large train station. "Don't forget, there are other types of sushi besides tempura."

"And there are other types than just straight up eel," Atem countered and childishly stuck out his tongue.

A quick park and they walked five minutes to Domino Tower, taking the elevator all the way to the top. Seto hadn't let go of Atem's hand; in fact, he was now running his hand over his knuckles, in a subconscious manner. Throughout dinner, Atem was starting to get worried. After they ordered their meals, Seto ate rather… subduedly. He didn't speak much and his fidgeting was getting worse. There were times he would drop his chopsticks or fumble with the soy sauce, brushing off Atem's attempts to help him.

After a while, Atem had had enough. He set his utensils down, crossed his arms, and sat back. "Okay, Seto, what's the matter?" He asked, making sure he caught the other's eye. "You are acting very strangely… did something happen? Was the photo shoot not to your liking?"

Seto sighed and wiped his mouth, mimicking his boyfriend's stance. "The photo shoot was just fine," he said and Atem noticed his leg was starting to bounce. "And nothing happened… just have a lot of my mind."

Atem gave Seto a look. "Are you sure that's all? You seem very distracted…"

Seto let out a deep sigh, scratching the back of his neck. His eyes finally wavered and he looked down at the table. "It's… a personal matter," he muttered, "... one I'm not ready to discuss but I promise I will soon."

Atem narrowed his eyes but deduced Seto was telling him the truth. His lover, although complicated, had finally started opening up more but sometimes he needed time to collect his thoughts before sharing them. Atem understood, and didn't press the matter; Seto would open when he was ready.

Satisfied, Atem nodded and picked up his chopsticks again, letting his foot brush against Seto's leg in a comforting manner. The twitching finally stopped.

Dinner done and paid for, Seto let Atem drive them back home and sat quietly in the passenger seat, once again holding his boyfriend's left hand. They drove in silence but Atem didn't mind. They didn't have to be talking every second they were together, and would rather just enjoy each other's company. Atem parked the car in the garage and they went inside to enjoy the rest of their evening.

It was well into the night when the two finally found comfort in their bed after a bout of lovemaking. Seto lay on his back, Atem asleep on his bare chest, cheek pressed against the skin. He could feel his lover's warm breath ghosting over his skin, causing goosebumps to form and he smiled. Like this, tired and asleep, Atem lost that edge that kept everyone on their toes. Every muscle was relaxed, a sated smile on his face, and he snuggled in close as he wandered off to dreamland.

Seto wished his mind would let him join, but it continued to pester him with thoughts. They gnawed at him all day, going back and forth between what he should and shouldn't do, the what ifs, and the if nots. He ran his hand up Atem's back and over his shoulder, sliding down his arm to the hand resting against his chest. He squeezed gently, grounding himself.

He couldn't believe he and Atem were still together, even after eight years. They went through a lot; rivalries, family traumas, the car accident… so much was thrown in their paths yet here they lay, together through thick and thin and… love. Their love for one another may not be conventional to normal people, but neither were normal. They loved how they loved and no one would understand them.

Atem understood. He understood more about Seto than Seto did. He broke down so many barriers, sometimes forcibly, sometimes discreetly, but whatever he did, he made Seto a better man. He was more compassionate now. His company was thriving in ways he never thought possible. Mokuba now had two parent-like guardians to raise him and he was becoming a strong, independent young man. Atem made things so much better.

So why was Seto hesitating?

That's right. The fucking "what ifs" plaguing his mind.

Seto looked to the nightstand, watching as the clock clicked to midnight. He'd been trying to do it all day. Maybe during breakfast? No, that was a horrible time. During the shoot… too many people. At dinner, it would have been perfect but again… he just couldn't do it. Now, alone, Seto wondered if he actually would do it.

Without dislodging his boyfriend, Seto reached for the nightstand and grabbed the little box hiding behind the lamp. He rolled it between his fingers, blue eyes trained on the velvet casing. He hated to admit it but he was scared. Scared of what Atem would do… or what he would not do. If he… he didn't know what he would do…

God, he could give a theatrical speech to thousands of screaming fans, or demand the attention of a company boardroom with ease yet he couldn't utter four, simple words.

Shaking his head, Seto opened the box, took out the object and then turned off the light.

Atem woke the next morning alone. The Egyptian rolled over so he could press into Seto's side, but was met with a cool mattress. He frowned and opened his eyes, looking around, disoriented. True, it was Saturday, but it was only six-thirty in the morning; they stayed in bed to at least seven-thirty before getting up.

Sitting up, Atem yawned and rubbed his eyes tiredly, wincing and pulling his hands away. What the… he didn't remember going to bed with any rings on. In fact, he wasn't wearing any the whole day so what…

Atem stared at the new adornment on his left hand. It was a beautiful ring made of white gold. The band was thin, inset with one ruby and two sapphires on each side with a very subtle filigree design. It was not like his normal rings; those were statement pieces yet this one was different. It was intimate. It was serious.

Swallowing, Atem finally found his boyfriend sitting outside on their bedroom balcony, dressed in a loose, blue robe, and staring out at the grounds. Atem gathered the bedsheet around his body and walked out, biting his lip. Seto hadn't acknowledged him yet and he finally cleared his throat.

"Seto?"

The brunette blinked once and slowly turned his head to look up at Atem. Atem shifted from foot to foot, unable to look away from Seto's stare. It was so open, even in the early morning light. The blue of his eyes swirled with an array of emotions; fear, fire, passion, uncertainty, resolution… it was so intense the other felt as if he was being stripped bare.

Atem spoke only after he regained his composure. "Seto… what…" he looked down and then held up his left hand, "... what is this?"

"... I believe we still call them rings," Seto replied and Atem shook his head in exasperation.

"I know that," he said, "but… what does it mean?"

It was Seto's turn to squirm. "... I thought it would be obvious."

Another swallow and Atem shook his head. "Not quite… Seto, does this mean what I think it means?"

Biting his lip, Seto held out his hand and Atem took it, settling in his lover's lap. The brunette held him about the hips, pressing his forehead against his shoulder. He sighed and spoke in a hushed voice, "Atem… we've known each other for nearly ten years now. Eight of those years have been together. A lot has changed because of it. You. Me. Our lives have become so entwined that I don't know where one of us ends and the other begins.

"Yet," he pulled his face free and Atem cupped his face with both hands. "You've helped me become someone who I thought was long since dead. It's because of you I found my humanity and vulnerability. You made me stronger. But… I'm still a coward," he ran his thumb over Atem's newly acquired jewelry, "I'm such a fucking coward because I'm afraid what you will say. I don't know if I could handle it… this was the only way I knew how to do it."

Atem sniffled and bit his lip, pressing their foreheads together. "Seto… baby, you don't have to be afraid," he whispered, holding back his tears, "deep down you know what I'll say."

"Do I?" Seto shuddered and Atem nodded, bumping their noses together.

"You do."

Seto swallowed and held fast to Atem. "...'Tem… my beautiful Atem…"

"Say it," the other whispered desperately. "Please."

Finally, Seto found the word and blurted them out, "Marry me."

Atem smiled and kissed Seto deeply, finally letting his tears fall. "Yes, Seto Kaiba… I will."

A smile broke out on the brunette's face and he pulled Atem flush against his chest, kissing him until they were both out of breath. Atem curled up in his lap, feeling the sheet being pulled away from his body. He let it happen, soon shifting in Seto's lap, both naked and panting as their passions erupted. Atem once again lay against Seto's chest, this time awake in contentment. He looked at the ring on his left hand, a sign of the other's love and commitment. His desire to seal their fate forever together.

Seto's hand came up to hold fast to Atem's and the Egyptian kissed the skin underneath his lips.

"I love you," Atem whispered and closed his eyes, feeling his chest warm when Seto kissed the top of his head and whispered in kind.

"I love you too, Atem."

END