Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh

XVIII: Hostile

Atem flinched when Yugi spun on him. The Gandora huffed and glared, eyes sharp with annoyance. The God Dragon shifted his weight and moved a few steps aside, eyeing him uncertainly. He'd been okay earlier, in a cheerful mood and happy to spend time with him. Over the course of the day he'd slowly begun to lose his mood and grown further irritable. Atem did not know how to respond to any of his words when he huffed them, nor whether to dodge when Yugi moved too quickly. He shivered and flinched, bristling faintly, as Yugi narrowed his eyes and studied him intently.

He moved away again, further, and glanced at him in his peripheral as he began to slink aside. He watched Yugi as closely as the Gandora did him. He slunk away a few more yards, then got to his paws and trotted aside to another outcrop to lay beneath. The shade was comforting even as he endured Yugi's heated stare.

The Gandora huffed and turned away after a moment, glaring at the ground as if it had somehow offended him. He blinked a few times, then glanced over at Atem. He looked almost puzzled, then mortified. Atem watched his eyes stretch wider than ever and his entire body freeze for a split second. The Gandora blurted, "Give me an hour!" and raced away as if someone were chasing him.

Atem watched him go, curious rather than upset. Yugi had never turned on him, even when he'd growled and glared and huffed. He'd bristled and scowled, getting up and wandering away and baring his teeth when Atem got too close or spoke and further aggravated him. He did not believe Yugi wished to hurt him, or even to turn on him in any manner. He likely was tired and frustrated by something or other.

It didn't make sense to him, however. He'd been okay when they'd woken. And his mood had just…deteriorated. Atem lowered his eyes and stared at his paws.

Was he angry with him?

What had Atem done to anger him like this?

Yugi was so sweet and gentle and he hardly had a mean bone in his body. He was soft and easygoing and happy most often. Atem had only ever seen him angry when he'd gone into a fight. He'd never had such anger directed toward him, however. Yugi had growled and huffed and been angry, but he'd always apologized or defused the situation before anything might happen. He didn't even like to argue with him most times, guilty and quiet after.

He even made grand gestures to make up for it at times. He'd brought him food once, jumped around until he'd encouraged him to play. He'd licked his face until Atem could do nothing but laugh and squirm away and run. He'd apologized profusely. He'd run about and jumped around like a fawn just to get his attention.

Atem had the smallest urge to follow him. But he didn't know which direction he'd gone after he'd left their usual area. He could always take flight; he was fast enough he'd cover the distance of his entire territory in a matter of minutes. But he didn't want to get snapped at again. It had taken everything in him to remain nearby and ask if he was okay, despite knowing it annoyed him and further angered Yugi each time.

Atem lay down and placed his chin on his paws. Normally he'd have sunbathed, but he'd done so in succession the last few days. He would not need to do so for a matter of days. He'd wait there for Yugi, beneath the outcrop where he'd seen him last. He didn't want him to panic, either, should he interrupt something and Yugi respond badly.

He doubted Yugi would lash out, but he didn't want to scare him, nor to make him think he distrusted him. Following him when he'd requested an hour to himself could only come off as rude, demanding, and distrusting. He could not do that to him.

Atem curled up and dozed, half aware at all times. He listened to birds chirping and branches whispering in the wind. He listened to an animal bark and squirrels jump about, mice scuttle away or around, and the sound of his own even breathing. The day seemed to drift in a myriad of noise and indistinct patches of black and gray as he remained half-awake and dozing.

He heard Yugi coming a while later. An hour or two had passed, at least. He felt the difference from the sun's position overhead, an internal clock he'd never doubted even once. Yugi had just come from the tree line and was racing toward him as quickly as his paws could carry him. Atem raised his head and uncurled from the ball he'd chosen for rest, unsure but relaxing as he saw the ease in Yugi's stance now. He blinked and tilted his head, eyes stretching wide, as Yugi stopped a few inches from him. The Gandora hovered, hesitant, opening and closing his mouth twice before he seemed to rethink what he might say. He shifted his weight, bouncing from paw to paw several times, and then looked away.

The Gandora smiled as he plopped down, still staring at the ground as he wiggled his toes and clicked his claws against the dirt. He raised his head after a moment, seemingly decided on smiling wider and chirping, "Hi!"

Atem tipped his head up and searched his face, curious. "Hello."

Yugi bumped beaks with him and threw himself sideways to lay against his flank. He yawned and tucked his paws against his belly, stretching to put his cheek against his leg. He peered up at him, the smile still brilliant on his face. "I was really hungry."

Atem blinked and looked down, about to question him, and then grunted, "Fire Dragons."

Yugi laughed and nodded, eyes bright with warmth. "Yeah. Fire Dragons."