A/N: Finally... I am so relieved by this chapter and cannot wait to write more!

Atem's POV

I made a point of being spectacularly pleasant with the nurse. Her name is Miss Yuki Takajo and I treated her as well as any woman should. Short of doing her job for her I did all I could to make her visit as pleasant as possible. After all, I was on my worst behaviour the last few days, it is about time I act as regaly as I am.

She checked my readings, my reflexes, tested my memory. Everything required of her and I seemed to impress. I think I even impressed Yugi too based on his intrigued expression.

"Wonderful. Well then I'll let reception know to send the doctor in as soon as he's in. Is there anything I can get you?" She asks curtly, which I repay with a gentle smile and a slight tilt of my head.

"Only your smile the next time I am graced by your visit." I say politely. She blushed wildly, bowing low with a slight giggle on her voice as she swiftly yet gracefully bounced out of the room with a spring in her step. I'm glad I made a good impression this time. Hopefully that should help make up for my appalling behaviour.

"I'm going to get something to eat. Would you like anything Yugi?" Mr. Moto asked him and I notice now his expression has changed. He's got a slight pout on his lips and his eyes look somewhat sad now. I wonder why?

"No I'm fine for now, thank you." He says quietly. Okay, something is bothering him. He seemed fine literally a minute ago though.

Mr. Moto leaves with a wave and Yugi wanders over to me, arms crossed but lazily looking down to his feet.

"You okay?" I ask him, straight to the point. I know something's wrong, he can't hide from me. Not that he's particularly trying.

"I didn't know you could be so smooth." His lips formed a straight line and his shoulders slumped with his voice, but I understand now. He's jealous. I suppose I did turn up the charm a little too much. I didn't stop to think how it would affect him or if it would come off as flirting. I guess I now have one more thing I need to apologise for.

I lift myself up slightly and beckon him closer with a single finger and tilt of my head. He smiles slightly and comes closer, standing right next to my bed and close enough for my hand to slide behind his waist, skillfully under his shirt without his awareness until the soft warm pads of my fingers brush against the smooth, cool silk of his skin. He jumps slightly and I use to this my advantage by pulling him closer. He needs to use my bed to stop himself from falling on top of me but he's close enough now for me to stroke his cheek, down to his jaw and behind his ear to push my fingers through his hair. He breaths heavily, momentarily stunned and lost by the touch and I use this moment to slide my fingers ever so slightly past the hem of his pants to squeeze at the soft flesh beneath. He sighs hotly, his chest heaving with the sudden hot flushes undoubtedly coursing through his body and before he even realises he's leaned so close to me that I can feel his breath on my lips, the heat coming from his cheeks and the desire quickly rising within.

"I'll always save the extent of my charm for you, Yugi. If I weren't restrained I'd have shown you how smooth I can be already." I say in a low, husky voice, emphasizing how manly and enticing I can be. He's swooning so fast it's almost as if I've hypnotised him. I love it: how quickly I can turn him on even considering absolutely everything of the last week. Though I suppose for him it has been harder. Between me being comatosed and then a Pharaoh, he's been missing me a lot more than I have, realistically speaking.

"Okay. I forgive you." He breathes.

I want to kiss him. I know if I do I'll fall into the same trap as he but … I almost don't care. My nose touches his, I am so close to stealing his touch when my lips come into contact with his fingers. Confused I look up at him and I see his eyes are as dark with as much lust as I feel and the blush is incredibly heavy but there's a question on his lips he's unsure to ask. I want to ask what he's thinking when his hands moves toward mine, the one in his hair still. I follow his pull as he moves my hand slowly, gently down … to his neck.

My breathing increases with the nerves quickly climbing. I don't know what he's thinking. Why is he moving my hand to his neck? He knows he doesn't like being touched there. He knows I know that. I don't want to hurt him, or scare him. He's been through enough and here isn't the place to test this. If he has a moment I'm not in any position to calm him. I don't like this.

"Yugi. I -"

"I want to show you something." He whispers. He … doesn't sound nervous. At least I don't think it's nerves. It's more… shyness on his voice than nerves.

I let him move me and as my fingers glide across his skin I notice the only reaction from him is a hitch of his breath but it's not out of fear or apprehension, but … relief? I watch as he closes his eyes, breathing deeply as if the pit in his chest just lowered to his stomach, maybe even further. He pressed my fingers deeper against his skin and I can feel his apple, feel the blood rushing through and the pulse beating rapidly under.

I don't believe this is happening. I am touching his neck. No it's more than that. He's is guiding me, showing me that I can safely touch him and remarkably he is not afraid. In fact with every one of his sighs and slight moans as my fingers roll over his contours, mapping out this new territory, I feel as if he is in complete bliss with this sensation.

"Y-Yugi?" I stutter and he opens his eyes, smiling at me with a cute little nibble of his lips.

"I didn't know how else to tell you." He says breathlessly. He is positively floating right now. He loves this. Which means… it's okay for me to as well, right? Because I do. I've wanted to touch him like this for weeks and now… I can?

"You mean?" I ask and he nods before I can finish.

"I only have theories but what I know for certain is it doesn't bother me anymore. I can even wear the Puzzle and a collar. My friends can touch me, the doctors. I knew you would too but I didn't want to just say it. I wanted you to feel it; I wanted to feel it." He said fondly, allowing himself to get lost in the feel once more, and I am half lost by it too. Feeling his voice as he talks is a sensation I do not want to forget. By now he's released my hand and I am gliding over his throat freely now, just mind numbingly amazed at this.

"I … I don't understand. How? What changed?" I ask.

"My theory is that the Puzzle healed my mind somewhat when it was healing me. I was out cold for the first couple of days here and apparently no one could remove the puzzle from me and it was glowing. So… I think it healed me somehow. I can still remember what happened but it's almost as if I have no emotion attached to it at all. I don't feel afraid or angry or anything towards it. But… touching my neck isn't the only thing either."

"What do you mean?"

"I haven't had a single bad dream since. At least not Bakura related. You related sometimes but I think that's the fear of losing you… which should change now your mine again." He says happily, with half closed eyes and an adorable, contagious smile.

So he isn't suffering any more? I mean that is fantastic but … how? How is this possible? I would think that his experience with Bakura recently would have harmed him. Is it possible the puzzle helped him? I do not know all of the secrets of the Puzzle and it did contain every ounce of my memories for 5000 years as well as Bakura's evil. It may be possible but I do not understand how.

Then it struck me. What Yugi had said and I smile, sliding my fingers up to his chin to pull him close again. This time I am stealing that kiss.

"I will always be yours, Yugi. And only yours." I whisper and not a second passes from the words leaving my lips that he falls onto me. Our lips sink and crash, gentle at first as if testing and then quickly taken by hunger and an intense need. He tastes so divine, like what I imagine the richest honey or purest form of divinity to taste like. I lick at lips, lapping up his flavours and melting at his touch which I have longed for for too long. I missed him so much!

I sent him on his way to school that day, praying he would be blessed. I waited for him for several hours only to learn he was in trouble. I feared Bakura had gotten to him and lived it when we learned he had. I faced him in that duel, mortified and horrified that I would not free him, that I would lose him one way or another. He kissed me in his mind and forced me out and I believed that would be my last touch of his when I started to drown. I thought… I honestly thought that was the end. Of everything. Of us. Of my life. Of him.

But I have never been more glad, more relieved to be wrong in my life. As I kiss him now, as I feel his heart pounding in rhythm with mine with each pass we share, I am more grateful to the gods than I have ever been.

We stop gently and he rests his forehead on mine as he breathes, or tries to. Hes sobbing softly and when I crack open my eyes to look upon him I see his cheeks are wet with the tears subtly falling. Why is he crying? Is he hurt? I do not understand.

"Yugi?" I ask in a whisper, cupping his cheek in my palm to wipe away the tears with my thumb. He leans into the touch and sighs before he meets my gaze.

"I missed you." He squeaks, his voice weak. I can tell he's keeping his sentence short but there's much on his mind, all of which under the same premise. I almost died. Twice. He almost lost me just as much as I almost lost him. Likely more so. Of course he is crying. I want to too.

"I am here, Ife." I say, bumping his nose affectionately. He sobs for real now and I hold him as close as I can. I cannot wait to be released so I can hold him completely and never let him go.

Yugi's POV

I spent as much time with him as I could today! He's resting now, which is kind of nice because in my excitement to spend time with him I didn't end up eating at all until now. I am starving but I am over the moon. He's back to himself again. No more curses in another language, no more pillows being thrown at me or silent glares of contempt and curiosity. He's mine again! My sweet, passionate, charming Pharaoh I have come to cherish.

It is hindsight now though, that I look back over the last few days and listen to my grandfather. He's the one been having conversations with him as best he can and according to him Atem was in fact polite sometimes and very caring. Of course, only to him. To everyone else he was reserved and wary because we had captured him and were now holding him against his will. Apparently he was not quick to trust back then; not that I expected much else I suppose. He did tell me that on his first day as King someone tried to assassinate him so I suppose that doesn't do well to breed trust easily.

Lazily I poke at my tea, swirling around the sugar cube for it to dissolve as I think about him as a Pharaoh and life going forward. I always imagined he would be in my life but having never seen him ill before, I wonder if he will revert to his Pharaoh ways every time he gets feverish. That might be problematic if I don't know how to deal with it. I only know some Egyptian courtesy of this event but it's not enough to sate an irritated King. Maybe, when he gets out of hospital I should ask him to teach me more. Not just his language but how Pharaoh's should be addressed and how people should act around him to avoid getting pillows thrown at you. Because as much as I'd like to keep him as healthy as I possibly can, he cannot avoid getting sick for the rest of his life. This might happen again and I should be prepared.

"Hey Yugi."

I look up to see Ryou just arriving at my table. He looks well, even with his plastered wrist tied snuggly in a sling. His cheeks look fuller and the circles under his eyes are less severe. He must be sleeping well since staying with Tristan the last few days.

"Hey Ryou. How are you?" I ask pleasantly.

"I'm good. Sorry I haven't been around today. I actually only woke up an hour ago. I hope your grandfather hasn't been too busy." He says cheerfully yet apologetically. But it strikes me as obvious he wouldn't know yet. In fact no one else has come by today. It's just been me and Atem so no one else would know he's back to normal.

"Oh he's been fine. He just went home to get a nap in himself. Actually we've had it easy today. Atem's back to normal." I say warmly, letting my heart fill to the brim with that sentence.

"Normal? Really?" He asks eagerly.

"Yup. His fever broke last night. He's been his old self all day. He feels awful for how he's been treating everyone but he insists he doesn't remember. He also insists on making it up to everyone, especially you and Grandpa."

"Me?" He asks, tilting his head.

"Yeah. I know you say you don't mind helping but he feels pretty bad about treating you the way he did." I say, offering a sympathetic smile. If he doesn't remember, it's probably best he doesn't know everything but at least Ryou and I can share this.

"Oh. Well I'll have to let him know it's perfectly fine. The way he treated me was still better than Bakura. At least Atem didn't break my wrist. Verbal abuse I can take even if it is the foulest an Egyptian can offer."

"Well he doesn't know that bit. He knows he treated you like a servant and Grandpa like his advisor and that he threw pillows at me but beyond that we just told him he wasn't very pleasant."

"Probably for the best." He says and we both chuckle.

"How are you doing?" He asks me and I know the question is deeper than it's surface suggests. He's not asking if I'm okay. He knows I'm okay. He knows I'm happy Atem is back to himself and is not in any more danger. He knows I'm happy we'll be going home together soon. It doesn't take a genius to figure out. But if I've learned anything these past few weeks getting to know Ryou more, it's that he's keenly observant and his questions stem from a deeper level. He doesn't ask surface questions; he asks core questions.

How am I doing?

"I honestly don't know." Is my answer. "I'm happy. I'm apprehensive. I'm relieved. I'm wary. Atem narrowly escaped death. I almost lost my mind. You and Tea could have died that day too. Everyone could have. But you didn't. So much of what happened that day hung on a single thread. If any one thing went wrong, then so much could have been different. I'm happy he's back. I'm happy he's recovering. I'm happy to have you all in my life. But we're not safe, are we? Until he's gone for good." I elaborate, letting my heart talk instead of my head. I hadn't heard these feelings before but I felt them. It's good to let them out to form.

"Truthfully, no. Until he's gone, each one of us is a target. He has no quarrel with Tristan but he's just as much a target as we are, if it means he can hurt us. He's licking his wounds, planning his next strike. And we should be too. We know where all the Millennium Items are now but just as important so does he and he has most of them. You fought him back … but he knows not to underestimate you or us and he knows Atem has the Key. He won't make it escapable next time. Not for all of us." He says. I know he's right and I appreciate his honesty. To be frank I'm actually impressed by it. If anyone has grown more out of this experience it is him. He was even more terrified of Bakura than I was but he speaks with a resolve now that suggests he isn't scared at all. He faced him, personally. He fought him, struck him even and he came out of it with a broken wrist and slight drowning. I am utterly proud of him.

"I'm proud of you Ryou." I say, sipping at my tea and catching him off guard.

"M-me?" He stutters nervously. He may have grown but he's still the same old Ryou.

"Yeah. You've grown a lot. You're your own person and becoming it every day. I admire that."

He blushes heavily and looks straight down at the table, chewing his lip all bashful. It's true though and I want him to know I mean it, so I let him think on those words.

"Y-your strong too you know. And just as much owning yourself as well. If anything, I actually look up to you. Sometimes I'm a little envious because … you know who you are and everyone else does too. They really love you, and I don't blame them. You're someone I admire too, someone I hope to match some day."

Well… I wasn't expecting that. The deflection yes but it is sincere at least. I'm modest… but not that modest. I will admit a certain level of self growth here too. One of the things I'm most proud of is that I'm no longer terrified of someone or something touching my neck. I've yet to figure out for certain why or how I got to that point but the puzzle is not my only theory on that topic: self confidence is one too.

"Thank you. Truly. I think we did really well, considering." I say. I don't want to dismiss his feelings, but I do not want to overshadow either. I think it's right to acknowledge us both. He seems to agree with his smile.

"So… if he's back to normal why are you here alone?" He asks.

"He's getting some sleep. I've been chatting with him all day, catching him up on events and things. His fever broke but it doesn't mean he's recovered yet. He's still very tired. I don't think he's ready to come home just yet."

"Do you know when they might release him?"

I shrug and continue swirling my tea. "The doctor saw him earlier and he seemed please. They took an MRI and compared it to one he had a few days ago and I'm no doctor but they said something about a change in the bit to do with memory. Everything's okay it's just proving that he's back to normal which you know, is pretty obvious." I say, shrugging and taking another sip. He nods as if he understands which is good because I don't exactly. I kind of do but it sounds like he suggests there's like a split personality that might come out when he's feverish… which makes sense but I don't know if thats what he's saying.

"That would explain the difference in personality. If when he's feverish he remembers himself as a Pharaoh. At his core, that is what Atem is after all. He was born 5000 years ago. One can't simply repress that instinct with a few years of modernity." Ryou says simply… and I guess that makes sense. It's easy to forget that before all of this he lived a completely different life thousands of years ago. He does often tell me that I am the one who taught him to smile. But he speaks so freely of how much he would get into trouble and how much Mana and I would get along. Could he truly be that different? How many sides to him are there?

Now more than ever he is an even bigger intrigue to me than he was before. As if he wasn't already a complicated puzzle.

"I see you're not wearing the puzzle, even if his fever broke?" Ryou says, snapping me back to reality.

"Yes. I thought he should continue wearing it until he's allowed to leave. He might be feeling a bit better but with his immune system I don't want him relapsing."

"Convinced it is the puzzle then, healing him?" He asks but there's a sort of test in his voice, as if he's trying to make me convince myself of this decision… which to be fair is working. And it makes me feel better too. I don't know how he does it but it's affective.

"What else could it be? He almost died. Literally. If it weren't for the puzzle's ability to change the course of destiny then I think he would have. Regardless, so long as it glows around his neck I'm not keen on the idea of taking it from him."

"Mr. Moto."

"Excuse me, King of Games?"

"Yugi Moto, a few moments of your time."

We look to the hoard of people coming our way, equipped with microphones and camera's and too much invasion for my liking. I will face Bakura right now if I have to, but please god, let me escape the press.

"Uh oh. They got their sights on you." Ryou says amusedly. I gulp down the rest of my tea and stand to leave with him.

"Yep. Lets go quick before they trap us."

Atem's POV

I wake softly to the gentle caresses of loving fingertips dancing over my arms. A chuckle escapes my grasp from the tickling sensation and I move my head towards where I'm bound to find Yugi, standing over me, playfully whisking me to be awake with him. I find him, smiling down at me with a certain level of hidden excitement behind his glorious, lively eyes and as I meet his gaze he lowers himself to nuzzle my nose.

"Good morning." I whisper, though I don't even know if it is morning. The room is dark, so it's definitely not day time but it could be early morning for all I know. It feels like morning.

"Good morning." He whispers back, his lips ghosting mine. He's in such a playful mood right now. Shame I can't really do more to reward this behaviour.

"How are you?" I ask instead. Playful, spirited, potentially sexually needy? These are the answers I expect or something there of.

"Good." He says and I wait patiently, as he teases my lips with the breath from his. He's so close I could steal it… but there's more for him to say. I can sense it. "Especially now I do not need you anymore."

...what?

I crack open my heavy eyes to see him stand back, puzzle and key both snuggly around his neck and the life in his eyes dimmed with the light of the world. I feel so small under his deadened gaze and heartbroken by his words still ringing true in my ear but in the next moment, I barely have time to react as he's pulled a pillow out from no where and pushed it against my face. I grab his wrists, trying with all my weakened strength to push him off me but it's hard. So hard. How is he this strong? It doesn't help the wires in my arms and hands are hurting me, making my strength weaker than it should be. I cannot breathe and as the panic grips me I am losing air quicker than my body expects.

I am reminded of the water, of the ocean smothering me and pulling me under. I cannot take in any air without suffocating under the same pressure. It's like I'm back under water, only this is more painful because it is Yugi keeping me down. I don't understand… why? Yugi!

Help me!

"Your father should have taught you, not to treat others so poorly." I hear him through my own muffled screams for help.

I take one more desperate attempt for air through the pillow and finally!

I can breathe!

I am coughing and choking and sitting up for air but I can breathe. There's no pillow, no water and … regrettably best of all I am alone. I look around wildly, examining the dark room around me and hearing nothing but my own rapid breathing. But… I am alone.

Unless… that form huddled on the chair in the corner. It is too dark to make out what shape it could be but my clothes are put away safely in a drawer and I do not know of anything else that might be placed on a chair in such a way.

Now it moves. Slowly but surely. My heart beats rapidly, afraid of what it could be. Am I still dreaming? Could I be in danger. Surely if it were Yugi he'd have spoken by now.

"Atem?" Its him! He's drunk with sleep but it is definitely him! I'm safe! I should be. Oh am I so filled with relief regardless.

"Yugi?" I sigh, fighting hard against my bodies instinct to cry. It was just a dream, damn it. Stop.

"Whats wrong? Are you hurt?" He asks gently, swiftly making his way over to me. Instinct makes me search him first before I reach for his hand to hold. I squeeze it close to my mouth, kissing his fingers as he pets my hair. I am still feeling the effects of fear from that dream but I am so grateful to have him here with me. I never want this to end. I don't want to let him go.

"Atem?" He whispers, holding me as close as he can without hurting me. I know I should tell him that it was just a dream. I know I should say something. But I just want to hold him. I just want him to hold me. I just want to feel safe right now.

"Atem i need to know if your hurt." He pushes gently. I know he needs to know… so why can't I speak? Just talk.

I shake my head no instead and try to take a breath, but its shaking with me, rattling with the fear my body cannot let go.

"Okay. Okay. Take your time, I'm here. I'm not going anywhere." He hums sweetly, kissing the top of my head and rubbing circles on my back in large swooping motions. I listen to his heart beating like a lullaby. I focus on his movements hypnotising me to relax. I let my body calm with gentle waves he guides. And after a while, the only thing bothering me is how stiff my body is becoming in this position.

I pull back from him to straighten my spine and with great effort sigh the large amount of stress I had contained. He watches, patiently and kindly waiting for me to answer his unasked questions. I still have a hold of his hand, and I do not intend to let go yet. Not even as I look up to his face, only lit vaguely by the light of the puzzle around my neck.

"I'm okay. I'm sorry. It was just a bad dream." I say tiredly. Whispering despite being alone in this room. It is the dead of night and instinct demands silence. He smiles and nods, breathing deeply through his nose in relief I suppose.

"Its okay. I'm glad your not hurt, and your safe now. You have me watching over you." He says quietly, gently inching towards my cheek to stroke in a way that won't startle me. Oddly though, if he only knew it was he who tried to kill me just now.

I laugh weakly at the thought, feeling ridiculous because I know, deep down, he would never hurt me. Why my brain conjured up a Yugi such as that I do not know. But he would never hurt me.

"What is it?" He asks cutely, the smile clear in his voice.

"Just… my dream. Its stupid. Why are you here and not in your room? Or at home?" I ask, my eyes wandering around the scan the room once more. I do not know what time it is but it is surely late.

"They needed my bed for someone and I didn't want to go home without you, so I came in here and nestled on the armchair. You've been asleep all evening. How are you feeling?" He asks sheepishly. I should answer him but I am stuck on the notion that he was going to sleep on the armchair all night. He is … or was… going to be so sore tomorrow. Stubborn boy, why not go home to bed where it is comfortable and warm?

"Why stay here? You are well enough to leave the hospital, why not rest in bed instead of here where it is cold and uncomfortable?" I ask him. I feel him shift on the spot shyly but I never let go of his hand despite feeling him tug.

"I told you. I don't want to go home without you. I know you're okay now but I don't want to leave you alone. I tried going home once… I didn't like it. My room feels cold and my bed feels empty with you gone. I'd much rather stay here on the chair than sleep alone in my bed."

He is the sweetest thing. The daftest thing, but the sweetest. He needs to get his rest too though.

"Yugi… thank you but you need to rest too. It will do us no good if we're both down. I've got a bed here and nurses to help me. There's no reason you should go without for my sake." I say sweetly. He smiles but shakes his head no slightly.

"Its not just for yours. I don't like being away from you. Until I know you're safe at home, I am staying by your side. For my own peace of mind at the very least." He says and I guess I cannot fault him for that. Were the roles reversed I would likely do the same.

…

I would definitely do the same.

But there must be a better solution than the chair.

"What time is it?" I ask.

"4:30." He says, glancing over at a monitor. Good to know he can make heads or tails out of all those numbers. "I hope you can come home soon." He says, his mind wondering elsewhere. He must be tired. Not that I blame him. I wish I could give him my bed. Or he would go home to sleep properly.

"Me too." I say, fighting back a yawn.

"You should get more rest. The more you do the sooner you can come home." He says cheerfully.

I know he's right. But I am wide awake now. I've slept for ages and that dream still has me uneasy. But… Yugi needs to sleep too. I'm loath the let him sleep on the chair… so maybe.

"Do you have a blanket and a pillow at least?" I ask, hoping they might have spared him at least those.

"Yes. They gave me two pillows and two blankets. Its comfy if I drape my legs over. Don't worry about me." He says kindly.

"Go get them and sleep with me tonight." I say with a gentle nudge of encouragement. I bite back my own amusement too because: phrasing.

"Are you sure? You don't mind me sleeping with you?" He asks cutely and blissfully unaware of the innuendos here.

I cannot pass this up. Considering a conversation we had recently and the time that has been stolen from us? It would be shameful if I passed on this opportunity.

"I cannot wait to sleep with you. Its been far too long since I've fed off your body."

There it is. Its too dark to see right, but I feel it in the squeeze of his hand, in the hitch of his breath and the shift in his body. That blush. The race his mind takes part in towards all manner of perverted thoughts and ideas. How quick he is to turn on. Gods I've missed this sport.

"I best not let down my King then." He breathes hotly.

Like that, he is on fire… and I am beginning to burn. As soon as I am able, I am going to devour this boy. And if I can touch his neck… gods knows I am going to make him mine. So much so the world will know.

He leaves briefly to collect his things and I make room for him. Some time during my sleep the nurses must have removed everything attached to me so that is a good sign I am recovering. Beyond that I am feeling much stronger now. If I were to guess they may allow me to go home tomorrow. I see little reason for me to stay now. Whatever is left I am sure the puzzle and home remedies would cure.

He returns excitedly and I help him up. This bed isn't designed for two but that just means closer cuddles. Eventually when he is done getting comfortable and we are sure the bed will support us, I pull him close by the dip in his waist to push my body against his for what feels like the first time in my life. His hands spread on my chest but he welcomes this intimacy; in fact he helps guide it, entwining his legs with mine and giving his hips that little extra push against my crotch which sends my mind wild.

"We probably shouldn't get too naughty here. I think there are cameras in these rooms." Yugi whispers but the thought of someone watching stirs an excitement inside me that I didn't know I had. Quickly I am finding my body racing towards thrill and hunger that all previous notions of fear and fatigue are swept away. I care not for where we are or my supposed weakened condition: all I desire now is him and with him so close I could taste it, I see no reason why I should deny myself this.

"Let them watch. I have you now." I whisper against his lips, heating him up and making him melt into my hold. I catch his lips with ease, soaring along the dance we perform. He is utterly mine as my hands squeeze at the soft flesh under his shirt and my tongue licks at his lips which grants me entry. I explore the inside of his mouth, fight his tongue for dominance and map out this territory that belonged only to me and in return he feeds gentle little moans and whimpers of delight into me. He rolls his hips against mine, trying to get closer and tugs at my shirt, slides his hands up my chest until he finds my skin which his skillful, slender fingers massages and traces my neck until he finds a good handful of hair to pull on.

It has been too long since I tasted him. Too long since I felt him move against me. For him it must have felt a life time. I can tell by his movements, by his body language how desperate and impatient he is to feel this too. For me, it has only been a couple of days, but I can feel how much my body needs him as it hasn't the saving grace of amnesia. He is like oxygen to my starved lungs. He is like the hot fire in my blood. He is a drug I cannot do without and water I desperately need. I take all of him, as much as I can and still want more.

I feel the heat he feeds into my stirring low in my gut and the blood filling my groin with the desire I have for him. With every grind of his body he entices the beast within me to pounce, to take and I painfully want him to touch me and relieve this pressure building below. But I do not want to stop devouring him.

So I do the next best thing: I buck my hips into his, surprising him as my hardening erection pushes against his in a firm confrontation. He gasps, giving us both the opportunity to breathe and with his head thrown back just a little bit I see a new opportunity. One I dared not to take until now. One I am trained to resist but it beckons to me now. His exposed, hot, slender neck is just an inch away, begging for me to kiss it and lick it and suck on his forbidden fruit to make it mine. I know he can handle being touched… but I do not know if there is a limit he has not discovered. I want to... But do I risk it?

I want to.

I can almost taste it. Almost feel his blood rushing through his veins. Almost feel the heat beneath and he is shivering against my nervous breathing.

He's stilled actually. He's stopped moving his hips against mine. Stopped pulling on my hair. His breathing is deep yet slow, almost waiting to see what will happen next. I do not know if I can do this. I want every part of him to belong to me but I do not think I can force this part of him. It has been a taboo area for any but him to touch until recently. Can I really take without permission something that is so personal and delicate?

"It's okay." He whispers breathlessly. His breath is shaking as much as I am, but I doubt his nerves are the same. He sounds… excited maybe, mixed with nerves but it's hard to tell from two words alone.

He gives my head a slight push, forcing my closed lips against his throat and I hold my breath, afraid to let myself to do this. If I start to kiss him here I do not think I will stop even if he asks me too.

"Kiss me."

That's it.

All my body needed to defy my restraint. My lips offer a single test, pushing against his skin for a single kiss and then I had no reign on myself after that. Open mouthed and starving I take his skin against my lips, lick his throat and taste the eager tang of sweat bubbling to the surface. I love the feel of it. How thin his skin his, how delicate this area is to behold. I can feel every contour, every pulse of blood, actually feel his moans on my tongue with the vibrations of his throat and I adore this. His hands don't know what to do, I don't know what to do. I am as much a victim to my instinct as he is and whatever my tongue and the blunt edge of my teeth are doing to his skin he loves, encouraging more of this fresh new feeling. I find a spot I can sink myself into, sucking on an area of skin comfortably in a way he cannot move from and as I do his hands clench at my shirt again, awkwardly moving down but needing to stop and flex with every lick and suck. His breathing is quickening rapidly and he is trying so hard not to moan too loudly.

Finally though, as I start to taste a change in his skin, like copper and heat if heat had a flavour, his hands find the hem of my pants and clumsily slides under. I am quick for him to find, being eagerly hard and waiting to be touched but having been so long since I felt him push against me, my cock is almost painful to touch. I gasp, releasing wet, tender neck and he sighs and melts in relief. His fingers curl around my cock though as his body recovers and as he strokes slowly my mind is struggling to stay on target. I want to go back there. To lick where I had assaulted him and find a new area to make mine. I want to feel his moans again, taste the blood under his skin and hear the gasping whimpers of pleasure. But… I can't… move.

With every… stroke… my body aches and bucks and responds to him, delightfully ignoring me. I moan from the way he squeezes me and now it is his turn to kiss my neck. He is a lot more experienced though, wasting no time finding a spot of his own to suck and nibble on and make his. I am completely at his mercy now. What started off as my sport has quickly become his and now he is King of the mountain, stroking his reward and making his claim on my neck with ease. I am putty in his hands, a slave to his whim and my body is terrifyingly fast to race to the end. It's… coming. I …

"Yu-Yugi I - hah-ah….-" I have no time.

I'm coming. Stars blind me, my ears close off all sound, my body constricts in a way that the only thing it can do is release into his hand as he strokes my cock faster and faster and with more ease with my own cum coating me. I don't care though. It feels like pure bliss.

Finally, my body slowly relinquishes the control it stole back over to me and I relax in his hold, breathing deeply as my squishy puddle of a mind starts to reform. He is panting just as hard as I am and I can feel how heavy his hand is becoming as I soften in his loose grasp.

I want to talk to him. To thank him. To continue pleasing him because it is not fair I get to cum and he does not… but I am so tired now. I have no energy to spend. I can't even move my cock out of his hand and open my eyes to look upon him. I just… feel sleep fast approaching. But I at least… want to thank him… to tell him I love him.

"Yugi…" I whisper on my next breath.

"Hmm?" He hums tiredly. Curiosity gave me enough energy to open my eyes and while it is too dark to make out his features, I see his silhouette is completely relaxed. He must be falling asleep too. It is not uncommon for him to get sleepy after an orgasm but I didn't even touch him tonight. He must be exhausted.

"I love you. Thank you." I breathe, leaning forward just enough to boop his nose with mine, which startled us both. I didn't know he was that close to me.

"Thank you too. I love you." He whispers with a cute little yawn.

"I feel guilty, for not finishing you off too." I say because apparently I have no control over my inner monologue. He giggles though and slowly he moves his hand out from my pants and does something to his own… I don't know what but it's kind of a stroking motion. Is he finishing himself off? That's … very attractive.

"You did. Very easily." He says, relaxing once again. That didn't take long enough… what does he mean?

"I did?" I ask and I feel his head nod.

"When you were sucking on my neck. Before I searched for you."

Oh… oh wow. That good then huh? I see. Well that's a relief.

"Huh… I must kiss you … there more often." I say between tired, deep breaths. He hums pleasantly… on the verge of sleep.

"Please do." He whispers and his next breath is relaxed. Slow and steady. He's asleep.

I nuzzle closer to him, kissing the tip of his nose and relaxing. My hand finds the dip in his waist again and I drape my arm over him, just enough to hold him against me and after that, I feel the warm dark of sleep approaching.