Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh

XXIII: Comfort

"Hey, Timaeus?"

The Knight Dragon instantly blinked and looked over, amber eyes glittering in the moonlight. He yawned and tilted his head, blinking at him again and shifting his weight to encompass Atem's smaller size. The God Dragon shuffled his paws as Timaeus mumbled, "Atem?" in a coaxing tone.

He flexed his claws and flicked his tail tip, huffing. He didn't know how to ask. He sounded too young and foolish no matter how he thought to pose the question. Uncertain and flustered, he blurted, "What do you think the most comforting thing in the world is?"

His friend blinked, then snorted. "A full belly and being able to sleep as long as you want," he said immediately, smirking when Atem raised his head to peer at him in surprise. "And, of course, you know, mating. Mating is always nice."

The God Dragon frowned. "Have you already?"

"No, but I've heard it's the greatest thing in the world," the Knight Dragon snorted. He grinned and nudged his shoulder. His eyes were sparkling with laughter. "I wouldn't be here if I'd managed to win that fight, remember?"

He lay his chin on his paws. "That's true." He paused, then looked at him sideways. "My mom always told me taking on a mate is an important ordeal."

Timaeus chuckled. "You're a Sky Dragon, Atem. Mates are all you'll ever care about when you get one."

He remembered his dad saying something like that. Apparently Sky Dragons mated so completely that their entire world revolved around the other. It didn't matter if they never even produced a nest. They only cared about the other, to the point of sacrificing themselves for their safety. It was a terrifying thought, but it still filled him with wonder and the smallest thrill of excitement regardless.

"Mom says that there's a dragon out there for everyone—someone whose meant to stay by their side forever. She said there's a special dragon for everyone and they're meant to be a mate eternal." Atem raised and turned his head. "She said we would just have to wait for them to come along and we'd know who they were instantly."

Timaeus snorted so hard his entire body jerked. His grin widened and he blew a breath edged with laughter. "What a wonderful little story," he scoffed, not quite mocking but certainly close. Atem blinked wide eyes, oddly stung by the dismissal but also extremely curious. He didn't believe that? "Did she tell it to you to make you all quiet down at night?"

Atem flinched, startled by his own reaction but unable to stop himself. He blinked and looked at his paws, frowning. Was that it? Was that the only reason she'd told them that? Had it been to make them quiet down so she and his father could rest? Was it just a story? Had she lied to them just to make them more obedient?

Timaeus faltered at his side. He saw him flinch after a moment. The teal male opened and closed his mouth, then leaned forward and butted his shoulder. "That's true for Sky Dragons, but not the rest of us," he said gently. Atem looked at him in his peripheral, refusing to turn his head. He felt small and foolish and ill, his belly knotting and his mouths dry. "The rest of us are just…depressing dragons with no real idea what it means to have a mate for all eternity."

Atem shook his head. "It doesn't matter." He looked away, head spinning. His hearts squeezed in his chest. There was something lodged in his throat. "You were probably right. She only ever told it at night, when we were supposed to go to sleep."

"Atem…" Timaeus sighed softly. "I didn't mean it like that. Your species is so much…better than the rest of ours. We're not…as attached because we don't have the same parenting or guidance you do. You're blessed as a Sky Dragon. Mating for you means someone wants to stay with you forever. The rest of us don't have that."

He frowned. "It doesn't matter."

"It does. Look, Atem… You're a God Dragon. Life is just…going to get harder for you from here. When you're an adult you're going to face hardships far worse than this." Timaeus's voice turned earnest. Atem looked over, startled by his tone. "Everyone is going to want you. Everyone is going to see you as a prize. Not everyone is going to be nice. And not everyone will care more about you than your status. Being a Sky Dragon makes you weak and stronger than anyone. You're going to be a force of nature when you mature. You're already too smart for your own good and I know you'll be able to hold your own when the time comes. Just… Don't lose sight of that. Don't become bitter. Don't become tired and angry and forget who you are now."

Atem blinked and tilted his head, stunned.

"You're going to change everything one day. But you have to remember you're not cold and heartless, no matter how tired you become. Don't let bitterness rule your heart and remember yourself." Timaeus fell quiet for a moment, then nudged his shoulder. "And then, one day, if you do forget, your mate will remind you. They're going to be just as precious and pure as you and they'll remind you."

The red male blinked, shifted his weight, and then turned away.

"They're going to be the single most important thing in the world to you when you meet them. You'll see, Atem." Timaeus hesitated. His tongue passed over Atem's head and his muzzle was gentle against his shoulder when he continued gently. "They'll be exactly what your mother promised. They'll be every ounce of comfort you'll ever need in life."