Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh

XXII: Alive

Atem shook himself out and lay beside him, blinking lazily toward the entrance of the den. Yugi had taken the spot toward the far back, yawning and smiling immediately upon his arrival. The God Dragon ignored the urge to ask what he was so excited about. He didn't truly think he needed to; Atem had told him he had the ability to use his ice breath. Yugi had been ecstatic since then, all but shaking with happiness and excitement. It seemed the ability had somehow reconciled some of his former fears to a more manageable state.

"Yugi," he grunted when the little Gandora beside him continued shaking, "little gem, cease. I am tired."

Yugi, for his part, tried. Atem felt it when he stiffened every muscle in his body to remain still. But it lasted only a moment. He began shaking again, panting with excitement, and Atem huffed but found himself struggling not to laugh. Yugi was so sweet and innocent. It was amazing just how childish he was at times.

"Little one," he growled, trying to sound firm and almost failing, "stop shaking."

"I can't help it!" Yugi protested. He was struggling not to laugh when Atem cracked an eye and looked at him with mock annoyance. The Gandora jumped to his paws and sprang about the den. Atem snorted and stretched his legs out to put his chin on his paws. "I can't help it at all! I'm so excited. I'm so…"

Atem snorted and closed his eyes again. "You're so adorable."

Yugi sprang about as if he were a frog. "You're a blind spot to them!"

His eyes snapped open. He raised his head and shifted his weight, mystified. "That…is what excites you?" he asked in bewilderment. "Why are you so happy to know that? I…do not understand."

"It's… None of them knew you were alive. They heard rumors but they couldn't find you," Yugi said, turning to him with a huge grin. "They never bothered to investigate. They never even considered they could have missed an indication of another God Dragon. It's good. They didn't deserve to know you existed!"

Atem shook his head. "I don't understand."

Yugi hesitated a moment, then beamed at him. "It means they can't dictate anything we do! It means as a blind spot, they have no idea what choices either of us make." He paused. "That's amazing, Atem. We're… We're probably the only two dragons capable of hiding from them. Yusei didn't even know I was alive after I entered our territory! Atem, this is amazing!"

The God Dragon tilted his head. "Yugi, what is the point of this?"

Yugi smiled and pounced about. "The point is, they have no control over you! You're free to do whatever however you'd like. You can choose anything you'd like and they'd never know and we…we don't even have to acknowledge them if we don't want to. They can't control you."

He blinked. "They cannot control us," he corrected softly. "But I still do not understand, little one. Why is this so exciting to you?"

"Because, Atem," Yugi burst out, raising his head proudly and smirking, "you're amazing and they blew their chance to be involved in your life. And I don't want them to be able to poke their beaks into our business—especially not yours. You're my mate. And…y-you've been through so much already. I don't want them to be able to add to the distress you've already suffered."

Atem blinked. "You worry too much."

"Maybe," the Gandora relented, but his face was still bright and warm as he faced him, "but it's true. None of them deserve a place in your life or to even speak to you. I don't want them near you. You're my Slifer."

He chuckled and shook his head. "You're so overprotective," he teased. He smiled even as he began to close his eyes. "You shouldn't worry yourself like this so much."

"I get to worry about you. I know what you went through."

"As do I," he said, opening his eyes and raising his head to stare at him. He bristled faintly, somehow flustered and hurt despite himself, and pulled his paws toward his chest. He looked at the river stones when he realized he'd snapped, seeing Yugi's stunned face and trying to suppress an oncoming flinch. "I…I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap. I didn't…"

"It's okay, Atem! I know you're still a little shaky about it sometimes," he said gently. "Which is exactly why I don't want them in your life. They're basically your brothers—but with powers."

Atem let loose a startled laugh before he could stop himself. "What? No they're not, Yugi!" he snickered. He shook his head. "Seto, Malik and Bakura are nothing like Yusei, Jaden or the Leviathan."

"They're all nosy and needy."

He laughed and shifted his weight. "You're not wrong." He smiled and felt his heart melt when Yugi butted his shoulder and plopped down at his side again. He was trembling once more and Atem almost burst out laughing. "What's so exciting for you now, little gem?"

Yugi licked his forehead and lay his chin on his neck for a moment. Then he trembled and pulled away and stretched his legs, wiggling his toes and smiling warmly. "I just… I adore you. And I'm so happy I won." He exhaled slowly and then glanced over, eyes bright with adoration. Atem blinked and tilted his head, narrowing his eyes slightly. "I'm just really happy right now. Between knowing they don't have the ability to control or influence you, and the fact that I'm even here with you right now… It's just… It's amazing."

Atem blinked and frowned, puzzled. "Truly?"

"Of course!" Yugi laughed, smiling and licking his forehead again. He searched his face, tilted his head, and then closed his eyes. "I adore you. You make my life worth living."

He tilted his head, startled. "I… That's a…huge honor to bestow."

"I don't think that even…encompasses half of how happy I am with you." Yugi hesitated for a moment, then looked down at his paws and smiled. "But you're mine. And I love you—more than anything. I don't have the words to explain how much I adore you."