Title: Oidche Shamhna
Author: Crimson Eyed Dragon
Pairing: Seto/Yami
Rating: R/M
Warnings: Language, angst, character death, lemon
Summary: Halloween – a time for families to go out and enjoy themselves, but to one man, it's a night worth staying home.
Status: 2/4
Oidche Shamhna means "The night of the Samhain"
Dragon: Forgive me, this was not sent to a beta.
"So, have everything set?"
"Yeah, I think so." Mokuba replied as he laced up the black work boots he chose to go with his costume.
"Well, if you forgot something, I'm sure Aibou or Jou will let you borrow something if needed."
Atemu smiled at the young Kaiba as he stood up showing off his completed outfit and stomped his feet to make sure the legs of the pants had fallen into place. "So what are you doing time for?" he teased.
"Doin' twenty-four hours for a panty raid gone bad. Should've known not to take the goods while they were still being worn."
Snickering at the other's 'crime', he reached out and ruffled the convict-teen's hair. "Don't say that around Anzu, she'll think Jou has corrupted you."
Nodding his head, Mokuba grabbed the brown leather leash hanging on a small peg on the wall and called out for his dog. "Are you sure you won't come? You know no one would mind you just showing up."
"I know, but I'm going to stay here and wait for Seto to show up."
Mokuba frowned, clasping the hook of the leash on the Shepard's collar once he showed up. "He might not show up tonight. He's been getting later and later each time ya' know."
Atemu shook his head, shivering slightly against the sudden coldness of the room. "No, he always comes home."
Atemu breathed deeply, inhaling the scent of the freshly made tenderloin steak as he placed the filled plate at the head of the table. Smiling to himself, he grabbed the glass of slightly melted ice, filled it with water and placed it on the table. Satisfied that Seto would be pleased with his favorite meal, Atemu left the kitchen and headed into the living room, pausing only to pick up the plastic storage box he had gotten from their room earlier. Sitting on the couch, he popped the top off and set it on the floor beside his sock covered feet. Scooting to the edge of the black leather sofa, Atemu reached inside and pulled the top item out. He laughed a little, remembering the first time he had approached Seto with the Sennen Rod and even though he never fully accepted the mystical item, he didn't raise his hackles every time someone mentioned it either.
It had been a start.
Carefully, he pulled the dark blue cloth off of the golden object and rolled it around in his hand, letting the lamplight reflect off of the surface. Grasping it with both hands, he gave it a twist. Feeling the Item unlock, he pulled on the bottom half and revealed a beautiful, untarnished blade, gleaming in the light.
Placing the 'head' of the Rod beside him on the couch, his eyes were transfixed on the deadly perfection before him. Memories flooded his mind of a time long forgotten and he could almost still see the spilt blood dripping from the weapon. Running a slim, calloused finger along the edge, he jerked it back when he felt the skin split.
He frowned at his carelessness and placed the dagger on the table before him so he could inspect the damage. It wasn't back, but it stung enough to make him wince when he pulled the skin apart to see the depth of the cut through the small trickle of blood.
Atemu shivered again when another cold, tingling spot seemed to caress his flesh. Crimson eyes blinked as he stuck his finger in his mouth, not knowing what else to do at the moment to get rid of the evidence of his carelessness.
I'll be fine.
A fleeting smile graced his face as he felt the coldness lift, and turned his attention back to the dagger and head of the Rod. Grabbing both pieces up, he returned the blade back to his hiding place and placed the Rod on the coffee table, watching as it rolled a bit before the two 'wings' stopped its moment.
Being mindful of his finger, he reached back into the plastic tote and pulled out the next item, making sure not to get any blood on the already damaged paper. A longing, wistful look settled on his face as he stared at the one time gift.
Atemu drew his black cloth robe tighter around his bare chest as Seto turned the gas up on the fireplace to make the room a bit warmer and brighter. Taking advantage of the rare time alone, Atemu slipped his hand inside the deep pocket of his robe and wrapped his tanned fingers around the small red foil covered gift. He couldn't help but smile when he thought about what was inside the perfectly wrapped Christmas gift.
"You've got that look on your face."
Blinking out of his thoughts, crimson eyes settled on the form of his lover regarding him from in front of the fire. He couldn't help but notice how perfectly the backdrop of flames enhanced Seto's pale, lithe features. It was an enticing sight and it took everything he had not to jump the other male right then and there.
"Oh? Since when do you know my 'looks'?"
Raising an amused eyebrow, Seto walked over and took a seat beside him, his robe falling open to show his chest was bare also, wearing nothing but a pair of dark cotton shorts. "We've been dating for over six months now, I think I would have learned a thing or two in that time. So what's on your mind?"
"Well," he shifted, pulling out the small box and then leaned against his lover, seeking the warmth of the pale body. "I wanted to give you this." Atemu held up the gift, shifting his eyes to get a better look at Seto.
"But Christmas isn't until tomorrow," he replied even as he took the red foil package into his hand.
"True, but tonight is Christmas Eve and we are alone…."
Kissing the top of Atemu's head, Seto began to open the wrapping carefully, perfectly. Not even now would he give into something so childish as ripping paper. But as he pulled the thick paper off and took the white box top off, his eyes few open wide, his mouth hung open and his body became stiff.
Knowingly, Atemu sat up and placed a hand on his lover's arm, and looked at him with a warm smile. "It's rightfully yours now, Dragon Master."
"But," he gulped, wide-eyes turning to look at the Egyptian. "It destroyed its self cause I was unworthy and you think its rightfully mine? Is this some kind of sick joke?"
Undeterred by the CEO's words, he reached inside the box and pulled out the torn Duel Monsters card and lovingly ran his fingers over the body of the magnificent silvery-white dragon. "When Jii-chan died, the fourth dragon lost his keeper. I've never thought of him being its master, but just his safe-keeper until his rightful master understood his soul and heart better. And Yugi feels the same way for it was also his idea to return it and let it reside with his brothers." Taking the box out of Seto's hand, he placed it on the coffee table then looked Seto straight in the eye as he gently placed the fourth Blue Eyes White Dragon card in his hand. "You have changed Seto, and for the better. He will not turn his back on you now even if you asked him too. I know it, I feel it….from both of you."
Sapphire eyes, lit with the flames from the fire, searched warm crimson looking for any signs of foul play, and Atemu let him, not hurt by the suspiciousness in anyway. His lover still had a ways to go, and he knew this and accepted it – him. But suddenly the eyes were no longer searching but closed and guarded.
"I…"
"Its ok Seto, I understand," he whispered, lifting his hand to run his fingertips over soft, rose colored lips, silencing him. "I love you too."
The stair's creak was noticeable in the quiet house as Atemu carried the lit pumpkin up to the Master bedroom. He was careful to go at a slow pace to make sure the small flame didn't flicker out of existence as he moved down the hall. Knowing he had left the door open –since he left all the doors open nowadays- he didn't bother to slow down as he made it to the dark room. The moon was just beginning to pass in front of the second story windows, allowing just enough light from it and the candle for him to be able to move around without worrying about bumping into anything.
Making it over to the window closest to the bed, he placed the natural lantern on the nightstand and pushed back the sheer dark blue curtains. Unlocking the latch, he pushed the glass panes up followed by the screen, closing his eyes as the fall breeze entered the room. The gentle rustle of the turning leaves was beautiful to him and he allowed himself a moment to relish in the natural melody, soothing his heart and soul.
All too soon, the wind died down and crimson eyes opened with a sigh. Picking up the pumpkin, he carefully placed it in the windowsill, making sure the opening with the candle faced out into the night as a welcoming beacon to any who seek its light.
Satisfied that it would stay and not fall over, Atemu mentally checked the placement of the other four pumpkins, making sure he had placed them in the four corners of the house; east, west, north and south. Nodding to himself, he turned his attention back to the lone pumpkin sitting on the window.
Now the darkness is descending,
The night is cold, and winds will blow,
Yet our loved ones reach to touch us,
Led home by the cauldron's glow.
Magnificent, bright glowing reds, greens, blues and white filled the chilly, dark winter sky and the sound of the explosions resounded off the Kaiba manor. Various 'oohs' and 'ahhs' were heard from Yugi-tachi as yet another fireworks display was set off, lighting up the darkened sky. Crimson and sapphire eyes watched from their lone vantage point, up on a small hill, away from the rest of the gang and anything that may have blocked their view.
Snuggling further into the blanket that was wrapped around both his and Seto's shoulders, Atemu pressed himself as close as he could to his lover, welcoming the warmth of the taller body.
Hearing a barely audible snicker, he turned his head just enough to give his boyfriend a questioning glance but Seto just shook his head in response and pulled the smaller male impossibly closer.
"Happy New Year." Seto whispered into his ear, as if his voice would be carried with the wind to the others.
Smiling, Atemu decided that he needed to be even closer and moved to sit in the CEO's lap, facing the other just as a flash of red lit up the sky behind him. Wrapping his arms around Seto's waist, he rested his head on his broad shoulder, turning his face towards a pale neck.
"Did you know, that according to the Celtics, that New Years is on November first? So, our Halloween would be their New Year's Eve. It signaled the arrival of the Season of Death."
"And you learned this, why?"
He shrugged his shoulders, closing his eyes, relishing in the other's closeness. "Aibou kept on hounding me about various holidays that he thought we should celebrate and gave me a book on the subject."
Seto snorted. "Holidays are only for retail sales. If it wasn't for Mokuba, we'd be inside bring in the new year with you screaming my name."
Atemu rolled his eyes, refraining on commenting on that statement. "Maybe, but some of them have ancient customs behind them but their meanings have been lost over time. But really, this one is rather fascinating."
"Only you would think something centered around spirits and death 'fascinating'."
"And death is not always viewed as an ending or tragedy. Egyptians and Celtics believed it was an honor to die and as long as the people love and remember the departed, they will be with us forever."
He could sense Seto's frown even if he could not see or feel it and the silence was interrupted by another set of colorful explosives until Seto spoke.
"Death is once action no one can follow."
Raising his head up, crimson eyes locked with icy-blue. "Death can be followed at any time, but we don't always get what we want because something important can hold us back. But death always happens eventually."
Placing the pen down on the desk, Atemu picked up the small white paper, biting his lip as he looked back over what he wrote. Confirming it said what he wanted it to, he walked back over to the pumpkin in the window and turned it just enough to allow him access to the opening. Crimson eyes watched the small flame flicker, bouncing back and forth as if it was a living thing.
Folding the paper, he quickly placed in into the pumpkin, making sure the edge caught fire before he let it fall to the bottom of the hollowed out shell and turned it back to its previous position facing outside.
Walking over to the bed, he pulled the covers back and crawled in, knowing it would be awhile before Seto showed up and he might as well get some sleep. Resting his head on the pillow, he closed his eyes, not noticing as the wind picked up and pulled the ashes out, part of the handwritten message being carried away into the night.
I want, no, long to….
Dragon: Samhain tidbit – The Feile na Marbh is the origin of our trick-or-treat tradition. Wearing masks and costumes were thought deceive wondering evil spirits and Fairies that were present on that night wouldn't 'steal' you or call you to death before your time. So they would dress as animals, wear white (like ghosts), wore disguises of straw or dressed like the opposite gender to fool them if they had to travel at night.
Two chapters down….two to go.