Chapter Three- City Visit

"You found a locket," Yugi answered as he held up the silver chain. He pointed at the oval. "It opens up and people put pictures of people they care about like family, a girlfriend or boyfriend, or friends." He pried the locket open and showed tow empty sides before closing it. "It's in good condition for being underwater."

"I don't think it's been there very long. If it had, the clasp would have rusted and the…silver wouldn't be so clean."

"You're right." Yugi unhooked the chair and attached it to Atem's neck. "Since you found it, you can keep it."

Atem pressed a hand to it. "I'll war it every time we're together."

"Great." Yugi stood up. "I got to go. I promised to teach Tea a new game. Well, new to her anyway."

Atem bit his lip as Yugi started to walk away. It was always hard to watch Yugi leave. His desire to be on land was tearing him up. He stared at the dry land. Was it really too dangerous for him to leave the water? If so, Yugi could roll me back into the ocean. His decision made, he pulled himself forward, calling, "Yugi!" as he did so.

Yugi turned and gasped at the sight of his friend, beached. "Atem!" he exclaimed, running over. "What are you doing? You can't leave the water!"

"Can't I?" Atem replied. He nodded at his tail. "It seems I can and that the rumor was nothing but a story used to scare children into going to bed. There is no…danger." Atem stared at his tail as it started to glow and then split into a pair of human legs. An outfit similar to Yugi's covered his body. Atem's eyes went wide. "I have legs," he gasped before smiling. "I'm human."

Yugi was also amazed. "This must be what happens when leaving the water." Yugi then laughed as he held out his hands. "Atem, this is great. Now I can show you my world."

Atem took Yugi's hands and was pulled to his knees. Atem planted a foot like he had seen Yugi do and pushed down on it. He rose up and placed his other foot down. He swayed as he released Yugi's hands. He threw out his arms. "Whoa," he said, trying to stabilize. His legs steadied themselves and Atem stood, gazing at his limbs. This is amazing! he thought. A dream come true.

"Well, let's see if you can walk," Yugi said.

Atem took a breath and slowly let it out as he lifted one leg and moved it forward. He did the same with the other leg and couldn't help grinning, pleased with his success. He quickened the pace and was soon running across the sand. Yugi was impressed with Atem's quick progress. "I believe I'm ready," Atem said.

"I'll say," Yugi said as they left the beach. "If I didn't know, I would have thought you had always been human."

"Thanks. Now, I believe you have a friend to teach a game to?"

"I do. Would you like to learn?"

"Of course I would."

"Tea, this is Atem."

"Atem?" Tea repeated. "The Atem? He's the out of town friend you met a year and a half ago?"

"Yeah. He's here for a short visit."

"Wow. Yugi, you didn't mention that he looks like you."

"I hardly think about that anymore. So, how about that game?"

"Where's Joey?" Atem asked as they settled on the floor.

"He had a date. He didn't say where," Tea said. "He didn't say where or how he met his boyfriend. He just said his name is Seto."

"Seto?" Atem repeated. Surely not my cousin. He has no interest in humans.

The same thought went through Yugi's mind. He had never considered that Joey's Seto could be Atem's Seto before today. It's possible despite Atem's claims of Seto's lack of interest in humans. I mean, if Atem can be human, so could Seto.

The game took a couple of hours to finish with Yugi the clear winner as it wasn't new to him. Neither of his friends minded losing; they were just learning it, after all. Yugi said he was going to show Atem around and Tea asked if she could tag along. Yugi agreed and the three of them wandered around until Tea was lured by a sale in her favorite store. "You guys go ahead. It was nice meeting you, Atem."

"Do all girls act like that?" Atem asked.

"You mean, crazy about sales?" Yugi grinned. "Not all, but most do. Do mermaids do the same?"

"Not all, but most yes."

Yugi chuckled. "Well, I guess so as you did mention a marketplace.'

"Yes, but it's smaller and simpler than here." He gestured at the shops.

"Let me show you the electronics store and explain them to you."

"Great. Start by telling me what electronics are."

A short time later, they emerged, Atem shaking his head in amazement. "Incredible. The inventions you humans created. Such things won't work in my world."

"True. Electronics won't work if they get wet." Yugi's stomach growled and he blushed. "I guess being a guide is hungry work."

Atem's eyes lit up. "We never ate at our meetings. I'd love to try some of your food."

"Great. Then let me treat you to my favorite hamburger place."

Atem swallowed and a slow smile came to his face. "This is wonderful," he commented. "We have nothing like this at home."

"I don't doubt it. We cook our food with fire which can't exist underwater."

"Oh, yeah? Tell that to the underwater volcanoes."

Yugi laughed and, in that moment, Atem felt his heart flutter. He had always love Yugi's younger looks even though he was two years older than Atem. He just never had thought that he could be in love with Yugi. That was before today. Now that I can be human whenever I want, the two of us as a couple isn't out of the question. I just have to tell him; perhaps when I'm about to go home.

Yugi sneaked looks at Atem while the merboy looked around the restaurant. Atem's fascination with humans was charming, especially now that he was able to experience everything he always question Yugi about. He's just as handsome human as he is merman. Wait…did I say handsome? Oh, boy. I think I 'm in love. I never thought about him like that before. Now that he can be human anytime, we could date. I'll tell him when he's about to go home.

Yugi and Atem sat on the dry sand, witnessing a beautiful sunset. "Yugi, thank you for showing me around."

"I feel like I haven't shown you much."

"It was enough today. I can visit another time and whenever I choose."

"Maybe next time, you can meet Joey."

"Speaking of Joey, is it possible that the Seto he's dating is my cousin?"

"Could be. Maybe you could ask him if he has a boyfriend and what his name is if he says yes."

"I think I will." The sun got lower. "Yugi? I have something to tell you. I believe I love you. I hadn't considered it before today but since I can be human, I don't see why not."

"Really? I wanted to say the same thing. I love you too, Atem."

Atem got to his knees as he faced Yugi. "Then from now on, we're boyfriends." He leaned forward and kissed Yugi who returned it happily. Atem then stood and headed for the water. He suspected that water would change his legs into a tail. He plunged into the shallows where he fell onto his stomach as he regained his tail. He kicked his tail and once in deeper water, turned, waved, and then dived down.