.
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Long ago, Atem found his name.
Long ago, his recovered memories burned within him like a heated flamelight. Atem longed for more. More heat. More newness in this mortal body. He stepped from the underground cavern's endless darkness into bright desert sun, holding out his hands.
Yuugi placed his arm around him, clutching Atem's torso, murmuring worriedly and holding his hands as Atem's eyes glisten wet.
He told Yuugi to not cry. To not fall to his knees and let himself think Yuugi was weak.
Perhaps weakness isn't burdensome.
And… because of Yuugi and their long journey together… Atem knows kindness rules their hearts.
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"Why did you stay?"
The lulling quiet makes him drowsy.
Atem stifles a groan, feeling his husband slowly recline into him.
They've nodded off after closing up Kame Game for the evening. Joey's son and Tristan's daughter loudly duel each other with Yuugi's old cards.
Atem shoo them out with a broom, resisting a grumpy complaint.
It seems so long ago.
It seems like a split-second flash instead of three thousand years living in this plane of existence, waiting, watching from the Millennium Puzzle. He knows now it was fated to be Yuugi. The one to release him. His partner. His best friend and his love.
Atem's wrinkled, brown fingers comb affectionately into Yuugi's greyed hair.
"Why would I leave, my dearest aibou?"
He feels time sifting like sands, wizening them, draining their bones and blood of life. Yuugi smiles, giving him a wheezing, happy laugh, kissing Atem's hand clutched in his. Atem stares down at him, and it's like they're young again, traveling from the Duelist Kingdom to Seto Kaiba's KC-1 Grand Prix Championship, challenging others and winning game-tournaments. They had the sun, the world, in their hands.
And they will always have each other.
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