A/N: Lets go with something a little different. I've been writing in 1st person for a while, wanted to try writing in 3rd since gifting the previous one shot was super fun. Trigger warning for the future: this fic deals with relationship drama, loyalty, faithfulness and jealousy. If you've a bad relationship history, please be warned and I am so sorry. 3 Also please let me know what you think of the pacing? I feel it might be quick, but it's been a while since I've written from a 3rd perspective :D

Work was finally over and Yugi is only too glad that it is. The last two weeks Kaiba has been pushing more and more work onto him and it was starting to pile up. He'd been coming home later and later, often missing his lunch breaks just to finish in time for some kind of dinner before it got too late. Today was no exception, though he was at least able to get away on time. He'd promised his boyfriend he'd be there tonight and he didn't want to be the one to miss it.

He let himself sigh once he safely made it to his car without being surprised by someone else asking for his help. He sent Taylor a quick text to let him know he was on his way home and brought his car to life.

The weather today had been hectic. It had started off beautifully but around noon a horrifying storm had taken the city by surprise. It was still raining even now, past 6pm, but it was much gentler, merely a drizzle. His hair and clothes were wet as he didn't anticipate the downpour at all, but this wouldn't put a damper on his mood.

He was looking forward to dinner with his partner. It had been so long since they had any time together. Yugi's work kept him late and the nights he was able to come at a reasonable time, Taylor had various other things keeping him. At most they saw each other in the mornings and caught one another asleep. Hardly the grounds for any personal time. But tonight would be different. Tay had promised him a home cooked meal and Yugi had promised to come home on time, no work, just them tonight.

He lazily switches on the radio to listen to, a little treat he hasn't had for a while. The local news is reporting on some increased robberies within the city and a traffic jam somewhere behind him. Droll stuff really, only slightly surprising but otherwise inconsequential. It changes to the weather which predicts the surprising downpour from today won't be letting up. It's predicted to be storming tonight through the week with winds increasing. It didn't bother him so much. Working in the office as it rained was actually quite enjoyable, at least for him, but he didn't like the idea of driving home at night in it. But there wasn't much he could do about that.

It didn't matter. He changed the station to some kind of music channel and tried to forget about the week to come. Tonight was about him and Tay. Nothing else.

The rain had picked up once again by the time he reached his apartment, leaving him too wet for comfort once he got inside. He didn't like the idea of dragging water up the stairs so he tried to dry himself off as best as he could, ringing his jacket outside, shaking out his hair and shoes. He guessed there was no escaping it really. In this kind of weather the cleaner would expect to dry up the floors. Still, once he was somewhat satisfied he wouldn't cause that much trouble he slipped out his phone half way up the stairs. He didn't see any notifications but he didn't think too much on it. Didn't let himself think too much on it. Tay was probably cooking and didn't see the notification. That's fine. He'd have a really quick, hot shower, enjoy dinner and finally get to be with his boyfriend.

Out of habit he took out his keys but found the front door already unlocked. He smiled though. It meant he was home. Tonight would be perfect.

That's what he thought. That's what he hoped. It's what he's been thinking about all day. For the last several. But life enjoys toying with you. And tonight of all nights it thought to play an exceptional trick. Cruel? Maybe. Kind? Possibly. But a trick all the same.

His apartment wasn't massive. A single short hall opened to the kitchen on the right and the living room and dining ahead of him, all open. To the left a small hall leading to the bathroom, two bedrooms and laundry. It's a modest little place barely affordable on his and Tay's income - and being so open from the front door he was able to see the trick life wanted to play on him all too easily.

He couldn't smell anything being cooked in the kitchen, couldn't feel the warmth of the heater to fight the cold that had taken the city, couldn't hear anything beyond his own heart beating loudly behind his ears.

He saw Joey sitting in his living room, mid conversation and casually seated on his coffee table. It's common for his best friend to just come over but he didn't expect the person he was talking to to be here.

Smooth copper skin, thin but toned build hiding underneath a beige tunic and skirt that was held together by a thick golden belt. Golden jewellery adorned his wrists, his chest, his hands folded over his stomach. Gold hung from his ears and hugged his shins. He sat cross legged, regal and calm as he always was. His tri coloured hair spiked every which way just like his own, but unlike his own it held a finesse about it that the rain had robbed Yugi of. Its shine, its groomed appearance… it was more beautiful than he remembered. He was more beautiful than he remembered. But then maybe it was because he was sitting in his living room, looking over at him as if he belonged there and Yugi was the one intruding.

"Hey Yug. Welcome home!" Joey calls over to him loudly, as if he wasn't entertaining the 5000 year old Pharaoh in his living room.

He blinked, rubbed his eyes, shook his head, none of it freeing him from the insanity he is sure he's feeling. Perhaps he's overworked. Tired. That could be it.

Atem smiles at him, lifting his hand lazily to wave and Yugi opens his mouth but his brain has abandoned him. His entire vocabulary forgotten. His heart beats once, reminding him he needs to breathe and in that moment he decides he's insane.

"I'm in the wrong house." He proclaims loudly, spinning on his heel to leave only to stop when Joey's voice pauses him.

"Come back here and greet our old pal, man!"

Yugi stands rigid, concentrating on breathing. This wasn't how his night was supposed to go. A shower, dinner, a movie, maybe a game and then some long needed lovin; but insanity was not on his agenda.

He turns to face them, half hoping he imagined the entire thing, half hoping his dear friend is still there - but when he sees him sitting there he feels a shiver course through his body. His entire being vibrates, his eyes begin to prickle. He can't be imagining this… could he?

Slowly he steps forward, tentative in his own house and both he and Joey stand to greet him. It's his fluid movements that make him stop. The way his cloak swishes at his ankles, the way he stands tall and proud like he used to, the way he smiles that smile only for him. It is these that make him stop breathing. That make him question his surroundings and where he is in the world in this moment.

"Hello, partner."

Partner.

Partner.

Yugi breathes once, finally remembering how and then rushes him, wrapping his arms around his neck in an embrace that Joey needs to hold them up for lest they fall and break everything.

He can hardly believe who he's holding. Even as Atems arms wrap around him and he feels him nestle in his hair affectionately, even as his scent fills his nostrils and his warmth penetrates his cold wet clothes, he still can't believe it. So he pulls off him, looking intently at his ruby red eyes, finding nothing but familiarity there. Familiarity that has him crashing down to reality so fast he can hardly keep the tears from falling freely. He wants to speak. He wants to ask him how he's here and why, if this is real - but again his mind is gone and all he can do is stare slack jawed in awe as he pets his chest, feels his arms, touches his cheeks; all to confirm he's really there. Only when Yugi's fingers brushes his ribs and Atem jolts from the touch with a little laugh, his hands taking Yugi's away gently, does he find some manner of voice.

"Y-you're here. You're really here."

"Yes. Though the how is still a mystery. Welcome home." Atem says warmly. His voice is the same as he remembers. Deep and warm like the calmest fire. It used to calm his fears, used to comfort him, used to boost his confidence, used to share in his delights… and now hearing him welcome him home is like a dream he never thought could come true. It fills him with a happiness he never expected could be so powerful!

"You too!" He laughs through his tears and comes in to hug him once more, burying his face in his chest as best he can over the gold plate protecting him. "How are you here?" He asks.

"I'm not sure. I honestly just sort of opened my eyes somewhere in the city. Shortly after that a storm broke out and I needed to run for cover. Joey found me pretty quickly after that." His voice rumbles in his chest and Yugi simply hums, enjoying the feel of its vibrations and the purr of its melody. He heard him of course but he takes this moment to enjoy this a little longer.

"Yep. I was just as shocked as you were, buddy, believe me." Joey laughs happily.

Yugi pulls back from him a little to look at him again, his hands never leaving his back. Atem takes this time now to observe him, smiling and chuckling as he moves Yugi's heavy wet spikes from his face. They no longer sit up anymore, sloping down from the weight of the water soaking him.

"Looks like the rain hasn't let up." He chuckles.

Yugi's cheeks heat up and he hastily steps away from Atem, realising now that his drenched state has no doubt soaked Atem's clothing as well. "I'm so sorry!"

"It's okay. It's just water. Though, you should probably shower or you'll catch a cold." He says kindly.

Always so thoughtful. He's right though, and I'm dragging water through the house despite my efforts. He thinks.

"Well I should go anyway. I promised Mai I'd be home for dinner. Didn't you have something planned tonight, Yug?" Joey asks him.

It's now of course that Yugi remembers he had a life before this moment! Taylor wasn't home and he still hadn't responded to his text.

"Oh! Am I interrupting something?" Atem takes a step back, holding his hands in the air apologetically and Yugi is quick to copy the action.

"No no! It's fine. I wonder where he is though. Um Joey if you need to go you can. Thank you so much for looking after him."

"Ey my pleasure Yug. Couldn't just leave him outside on his own now. But hey, if ya not doing anything tomorrow maybe we can-?" Joey's leaning in with some nudges to his ribs but unfortunately Yugi's sullen response is pretty clear.

"Sorry Joey, I'll be working. But if Atem has nothing else to do…?"

"I'd love to catch up. There's a lot I don't know." Atem is all too happy to say and the smile he wears to compliment it is gorgeous.

"Great! I'll come over tomorrow. See ya guys!" Joey waves them off happily, hopping by the door to put his shoes on first before he leaves. The moment the door clicks closed is when Yugi rushes his phone out to check.

Still no messages. "Hey I'm gonna make a quick call. Can I get you anything? Like a drink or … did you shower after you were caught in the rain?"

"Uhh no. I just sort of dried…" Atem admits sheepishly. Yugi didn't wet him too much at least. There was an obvious patch on his front but apart from that he had already wiped the water off his skin. Still, this didn't bode well enough for Yugi.

"I'll get you something to wear and you can take the first shower. Last thing we want is for you to get sick on your first day back alive." Yugi says, his lips pulling to a little pout but his brows scrunched in thought. He wonders if his clothes would fit him. Most might be too snug but the after work wear might be good for now.

"You don't need to go out of your way, partner -"

Yugi was almost thrown off by his old nickname but he pushed through it and dragged him behind him anyway. "It's honestly fine. Come on." He says happily.

Though he was worried. He didn't know where Taylor was. His shift should have ended at 4, which should have given him ample time to come home, relax and start dinner. If he needed to shop he should still be home by now. With no text or calls… where was he?

If he's safe then Yugi had another issue to worry about: Atem. How did he come back? Why did he come back? Would he leave again? Is there a new evil afoot? So many questions and the way he came back suggests to Yugi that Atem might not have the answers. So much for a relaxing, romantic evening.

He sighs quietly before shoving it aside. He'd deal with this while Atem showered. He didn't want him to feel unwelcome after all.

He drags Atem to his room and apologies for the mess as he rummages through his wardrobe. Atem takes this time to curiously glance around.

Yugi's new bedroom is pretty standard. The large double bed is unmade, towels and discarded clothes lay strewn about the floor and hide his dresser. A thin standing mirror is half hidden by a dressing gown. There's one alarm clock on a bedside table with a lamp on both. On the other is a photo that from here he can see is of Yugi and someone else Atem didn't recognise. Actually he has yet to see anything of Yugi's he does recognise. This room belongs to an average adult living an average life with no time for average hobbies. It makes him sad in a way.

"Here. This should fit you. Um… sorry about lending you my underwear too… we'll shop for your own as soon as we can." Yugi smiles happily at him but Atem merely chuckles at him, gracefully receiving his new clothes.

"It's honestly fine."

"Good. Then, follow me. "

The bathroom also lacks the character his partner normally brought with him, but then he wasn't really sure what to expect here. "The blue towel you can use and you can use any of the things inside the shower. Just let it run for a minute first to heat up. We don't have the best heating…"

"Thank you. I won't be long."

"Don't rush. Take your time." Yugi smiles before closing the door on him.

Alone, pushed into his bathroom and holding his clothes, Atem touches the door where he's sure his partner is still standing.

Joey had told him it's been 5 years since he left and every day of it has shown on his dear aibou's person. This wasn't a bad thing but it set in stone how much Atem had missed them. Yugi was taller now, his baby cheeks had thinned to reveal gorgeous high cheekbones, his eyes were sharper but no less kind and adoring. His hair remained the same, especially the little curl that refused to stand unlike his own. But he did feel thin when he held him despite the suit he wore.

That was another thing. He noticed the collar he wears is different and the suit he wore suggested he was in some line of business work. His apartment only showed hints of his love for gaming but apart from that it remained relatively unclaimed. Joey had also mentioned that Yugi did not live alone but he didn't know this Taylor person he had mentioned. Assuming he was the man in the photo by Yugi's bed he supposed they might have been very close, but Joey had spoken on very broad terms and avoided most questions in regards to Yugi's social life.

He shook himself of the thoughts and deigned to undress. He would have the rest of the night to catch up with him and the longer he spent dwelling here the longer Yugi would remain in wet clothes.

While Atem showered, Yugi let his emotions settle for a moment before stripping his suit off to put in the wash and temporarily changing into some loose pajamas himself. He'd shower after Atem but for now, something dry, loose and comfortable felt much better. He lingered over the nice clothes hanging in his wardrobe though. His initial plan was to just wear his work gear, figuring it was nice enough for a romantic evening in, but given all the rain he had also thought to dress into a dress shirt and pants still, just to make sure the night felt special. He supposed though that wasn't happening now. Even if Tay had decided to come home with an apology and take out, he now had Atem to take care of.

Atem… it's been 5 years since he said goodbye. 5 excruciatingly long years. Coping with his departure, learning to be himself where before he was two, learning to only rely on his own voice - all of it had been so hard. But he did it. For him. Because if he could be strong among the living it would mean Atem would be able to rest in peace.

But now he's here and with no explanation as to why or how. He shows up all of a sudden and that's it? There must be more to it.

He sighed heavily, feeling the weight of the day, the week, the past two settle on his chest. He was so looking forward to tonight. He doesn't blame Atem at all, but he was getting more and more worried about Tay. If he wasn't going to be here he'd normally at least send a text.

He slips out his phone, sees that he still has no messages so he tries to call him as he heads back out into the living room. He doesn't answer so he leaves a message and idly checks the fridge. If anything he could have left a little note on some microwave meal saying raincheck. But no. There's nothing indicating he's even been home.

"Where are you?" He whispers in anxious frustration.

The sound of the shower is soothing though. It's nice knowing he isn't alone at least. When Atem gets out he'll have someone to talk to.

Who is he kidding? Behind all the anxiety of his missing lover he was actually beyond ecstatic that Atem was actually here, in his bathroom no less. They had so much to catch up on and enjoying his presence was something Yugi missed tremendously. He didn't even know where to begin. He half wanted him to get out right now and skip his own shower just to hold him again.

But that would be silly wouldn't it. He'd have time with him, he just needed to be patient. After all, he had no idea until now that this would ever be possible.

He decides to sit down and flick through the news stations. There still hadn't been any change from when he listened to the radio though now he had a visual of the downpour. Yesterday it was forecasted to be sunny for the next 2 weeks. This rain has stunned meteorologists but they're predicting now it will stay here for the next 2 weeks.

"Wonderful." Yugi sighs. Not only must he work in this but even on the weekend he might not be able to take Atem anywhere. Though that shouldn't stop him. He'll need his own clothes. He doesn't mind sharing with him - after all 5 years prior he shared everything with him - but Tay might not appreciate a stranger walking around in his boyfriends clothes.

Another sigh and again he slips out his phone, dials his boyfriends number and listens for it to ring out to his message bank.

"Tay, call me please. At least send me a text so I know you're okay? I love you." He's getting tired of sending him the same messages only to receive nothing. He has no idea if he's hurt, lost, his phone is dead, he forgot… At this point he's not even worried about their night, he just wants to know he's okay.

"Is everything okay?" He jumps when he hears Atem's soft, shy voice from the corner. He has no idea when he got out of the shower but now he's dressed in Yugi's clothes with a towel draped over his shoulders, letting his hair drip gently onto it. He looks so much different now without his Egyptian getup, but somehow oddly more breathtaking. Wearing his clothing, in his house, fresh from his shower.

He shakes himself of the heat starting to tingle from within and the unfaithful way his body is betraying him and smiles at him happily.

"Yeah! So I was thinking Chinese for dinner, what do you think?" Yugi asks him quickly. Atem gives him a smile that tells him quite clearly he knows he's lying, but he doesn't push and instead glides over to meet him.

"Sounds good to me. Though I can't help pay for it." He shrugs easily and Yugi laughs.

"I know. It's on me. I'll have a shower first and then we can order. Feel free to surf the channels, I won't be long." Yugi chirps, handing Atem the remote before swiftly scooting around him.

The sound of Atem and Yugi's laughter was the music in his little apartment. They laughed over the stories of the past, talked about what Atem had missed. It was a lot of course. 5 years had it's way of piling up.

Joey duelled professionally and in the off seasons worked part time as a sports retail assistant. He was dating Mai now and she also duelled professionally alongside him and became a full time streamer otherwise to pay for her expensive tastes.

Tea danced in one of Japan's hottest idol groups and often toured the country, sometimes even to others. She was a music sensation with her own fanbase and everything. Yugi showed Atem some of her videos on his phone to which he stared in awe at her moves, even blushing heavily at the more provocative routines.

Tristan designed bikes in his spare time when he was not assisting his father run his shop. He finished a degree in engineering and dreams of designing the hottest bikes in the world one day. He claims it's a modest dream for a modest guy but Yugi couldn't be prouder of him, of them all for that matter.
Bakura had started taking on his first name, Ryou and was studying psychology and criminology. Yugi worried about him for these choices but then Ryou would always surprise and sometimes make him feel uncomfortable with how interested he was in criminal behaviour. He wondered if this interest stemmed from his time with evil Bakura but he never voiced this question. Whenever he was brought up Ryou would become silent so he didn't want to push any more than necessary.

Of course Atem asked him about his grandfather and he was glad to hear he was still running the gameshop. Mama was still around too and they did talk often enough, as much as Yugi could spare anyway. He enjoyed going over there for dinner, or helping at the store if he had time. Sometimes he'd go over just to see them.

But this lead to Yugi's current predicament of never having time to do any of those things. Before he realised it he was venting about his work, complaining about his bosses, bitching about his colleagues and sighing over how much more there still was.

All the while Atem watched him, a sympathetic smile gracing his features as he let his dear Aibou unwind before him. In no time at all they had slipped into easy and deep conversations as if no time at all had changed and it was until there was a lull of silence that Yugi had even realised how much he had unloaded onto Atem.

Their dinner was finished, Yugi had laid it all out to bare and Atem had been silent for far too long, simply listening with the occasional hum to let him know he was paying attention.

"It's quite alright." Atem chuckles as Yugi apologises for the umpteenth time. He begins to clear their food and Atem smoothly assists him.

"It's just I guess there's been way more happening than I realised. Especially lately. It's been pretty tough not really being able to talk about it at all." Yugi sighs sadly.

"What about Taylor?" Atem asks boldly. He neglected to explain this person's involvement but he couldn't deny his existence forever. If he was meant to be Yugi's partner, then he should have been available for him.

"Oh?" Yugi turns to face him, questioning how he knows about him as he slowly loads the dishwasher.

"Joey told me you live with someone named Taylor. I saw his photo in your room. I thought that maybe if he lived with you you might vent to him sometimes?" Atem saves himself, but this also leaves Yugi free to explain.

He expected a happier expression to befall his partner. Perhaps some excitement to boast about his housemate, but his expression only deepens, growing more disappointed by the second.

"I've been working so much lately I hardly get to see him. We both work the days, but most nights I come home after he's gone to bed and he's gone by the time I wake up. Sometimes we have breakfast together in the 10 minute window we might share. Otherwise it's just been hard to see each other lately." Yugi sighs again.

Atem feels in his heart there is a lot more unsaid, but he's unsure if he should press this or not. If it would be too personal. At the very least he can ask about their relationship, surely.

"Are you two…?" He trails off, not feeling the need to ask completely and Yugi shyly smiles at him which more or less confirms it. Still he nods and leans back on the counter, his elbows resting on the hard surface.

"Yes. For about 2 years now. We've been living together for one year, which is why you might have noticed the house is still kinda bare. We haven't really finished making it ours yet." He says with a guilty little shrug.

Atem feels somewhat relieved though. He's glad he could tell him something like this and it also lets him lead their conversation to a less awkward one.

"I did notice that. I thought it lacked your charm."

"My charm?" Yugi scoffs.

"Mhm. You love gaming too much to adopt such a bare living space." He says cheekily and Yugi laughs, nodding in agreement.

"Yeah. A lot of my things are still at Grandpa's. I've got all the latest consoles though, courtesy of working at Kaiba Corp. As a beta tester slash coder slash part time developer I get to play all the cool things coming out." He beams proudly.

"That's incredible. I'm so proud of you. Though… Kaiba? You're working for Kaiba?" Atem hides a giggle behind his hand and Yugi shoots him a don't even say it look.

"Honestly, Kaiba isn't so bad to work for. It's the jackasses below him and above me that can suck a cactus." Yugi says and this makes Atem actually bellows. It takes Yugi by surprise how lovely a sound that is. Of course Atem has laughed before, but not normally more than a humble chuckle. To actually make him laugh though fills Yugi with an odd sense of satisfaction. Almost enough to make him feel… appreciated.

He misses Taylor. He missed Atem more than anything but now that he's here, making him feel heard and cared for, like he matters; he also misses how things were before he and Taylor moved in with one another.

One more sly glance at his watch tells him it is almost 9pm and there's still no word. Where is he?

"Yugi?" He's startled to hear Atem use his name. It's rare for him actually, usually choosing Aibou or Partner… to use his name though speaks directly to his heart, especially with the concerned, questioning look his eyes have adopted.

"I'm okay. How about I show you one of these games yeah? You can tell me what you think of them." Yugi suggests. Atem knows him. He knows his tells, knows his voice, can feel the aura around him shift - but he respects his space and nods with a smile.

"Sounds like fun."

"Great! I'm just gonna freshen up and I'll come set it up. I won't be long, promise." He smiles and bounces away happily down the hall.

He hides in the bathroom and quickly tries to call Taylor one more time. He gets his recorded message, sighs and once more tells him to call him, he's worried and then loosely briefs him to let him know an old friend is staying with them so he shouldn't freak out when coming home. After that he lets himself breathe, splashes his face with cold water, and does his best to find a calm, happy place where he and Taylor are okay, there is nothing to worry about and everything is fine.

Only after he feels strong enough does he rejoin Atem in the living room, who is waiting for him patiently.

Yugi shows him several games that he's beta testing and for most he shows him the ropes and then lets him play. He'd like to note the experience of a less avid gamer and takes great enjoyment watching Atem learn the new controls. Gaming consoles have changed a lot since they were in school but Atem is a quick study and is soon cursing in his own tongue at every missed jump or miscalculation - but it's all terribly fun to watch.

During this they talk a bit about what Atem knows and remembers. It turns out he knows as much as Yugi does in terms of how he got here. He arrived as he said sporadically, in the middle of some street in the CBD. It was a miracle no one ran screaming. He was just standing on the sidewalk in Egyptian clothing with no memory of why. In fact the last thing he remembers is the white light of the spirit world before him and the next is the white light of the sun blinding him.

He does feel as if time has passed. As if he has rested a long while, been on vacation and is ready to continue on, but he has no recollection of said vacation or rest. That said, when the storm began he couldn't help but feel responsible for it. It was like the world opened up to let him through and that is why the rain had come on so quickly and without warning. He didn't have anything to back this up, it was just a feeling - but one Yugi could accept and lightly blamed him for because now he'd have to go to and from work in this. Atem apologised profusely, even pausing his game to turn and face him but Yugi was laughing and waving his hands, letting him know he was only playing.

Still that lead the conversation to shift and Atem's apology became more serious. "I am though. I am grateful to you for taking me in tonight and for Joey for looking after me today. I don't know what lies ahead if anything, and if I put you and Taylor, our friends in any danger then I'd much prefer to leave than do that. You've all been through so much because of me, and now I've shown up inexplicably and I can't help but feel that if anything should happen from here on out I would be responsible for that. So, I am sorry for any trouble I have caused and any I may cause. The last thing I wanted was to burden you. That is why I left in the first place."

The speech stuns Yugi and a flurry of emotions bubble within him. Guilt for somehow making Atem think this way, longing to hold him and reassure him, happiness to hear that burdening him was the only reason he left, fear for their future and sadness because Atem was still trying to take on the world by himself.

He didn't need to think. He slipped off the couch and crawled over to Atem, pulling him to a comforting hug. Atem's face pressed against Yugi's chest and Yugi rested his cheek atop his head, petting his hair and rubbing circles on his back. It was a hold his mother often did for him, one of pure comfort and protection and it felt nice to be that someone for someone for a change. He often took on other people's burdens. It was what he did. But he never got to be their source of comfort and safety. Now, with Atem feeling so open and vulnerable and scared for the future, he could be his pillar and not the other way around.

"You could never burden me. Living with you was the best thing that ever happened to me and I am so happy that you are back, no matter what we have to go through for it. I will fight a thousand Bakura's if it means I get to keep you here this time." Yugi says kindly and he feels Atem hiccup and slowly wrap his arms around his waist, finally embracing the comfort offered to him.

He knows Atem feels frightened and vulnerable, he knows he feels guilty and sad - but in this moment Yugi was actually feeling happy. He has his best friend in his arms, willingingly accepting the love and support he offers and he never thought it would ever be possible. He didn't know if he should thank the Gods or thank some evil waiting in the night, but whatever brought him back to him, he is grateful to it.