Prompt XI: Dust

"He's back in the area," Yugi finally mumbled, tugging on his jacket sleeve and swallowing hard. He couldn't bring himself to raise his eyes; he didn't want to see the hope in Yami's gaze. He didn't want to see the hurt should he realize Yugi had known sooner than he'd told him. But he didn't want to see it, either, when Yami up and decided to take off upon hearing the news. "He's still on the move, but he's close enough to the territory that we caught his scent during patrol."

No one bothered speaking for a long time. There was no movement. The air seemed heavy and suffocating and the room was small and claustrophobic. And then finally, the pack seemed to collectively turn as one.

Yugi refused to raise his eyes.

A long minute passed and then he heard someone walking forward. The movements were slow and seemingly calculated and Yugi saw dark sneakers before he really connected that the other boy was in front of him. Hands reached out, pulling his fingers from his fraying sleeves, as he mumbled, "Then he's not dead. That's good."

"I'm going after him" had been what Yugi thought he'd hear. He'd been prepared for that blow. It had crushed him when he'd come to the decision to tell Yami, after an entire twelve hours of debate. Even when Yami had been asleep next to him, whistling with every exhale, Yugi had been debating.

No one said anything.

And Yami did not add to his statement.

Yugi blinked, then looked up in surprise. Yami was staring at him, head tilted and eyes thoughtful as he considered him. His gaze was a brighter red than usual, as if curiosity lent them light, and Yugi felt his breath catch slightly. A long handful of seconds passed before Yami tilted his head the opposite way.

Yugi opened and closed his mouth once, then frowned. "You're not going after him?"

Yami blinked. "Am I meant to?" he asked. Then he smirked slightly, studying his face and raising a brow. "He can handle himself. I don't have to chase after him."

Yugi had the abrupt feeling Yami was doing it for him. He must have understood Yugi would be scared—terrified; actually, was the more accurate word—should he leave and now he would not do so. He must have known Yugi would follow him like a lost puppy dog if he was given the chance. No doubt he knew the repercussions of such an action as well. And he knew for a fact Yami would not let him abandon his pack and have them give chase later as enemies.

Yami moved their hands. Yugi felt his cheeks turn brilliant red, burning, as their fingers twined together.

It was the first time Yami had ever initiated any contact of such an intimate manner. He would let Yugi grab his wrist and lead him around like that, or tug on his sleeve or even bury his nose in his collarbone, but he never initiated. He was far more comfortable sleeping next to him and snuggling under blankets or brushing against him in the forest. Sometimes he played chase with him for hours and licked his face until Yugi whined and pleaded with him to stop.

It was more surprising, however, because this was a public gesture rather than one hidden behind closed doors or kept between them on nightly walks.

Yugi had always been hopeful Yami would show him something of a similar expression of affection at some point, but he'd hardly expected it to be in front of others. He'd always more imagined he'd say or do something when they were alone, anywhere from hold his hand to kiss his cheek or his lips or anything really. He wasn't super oblivious, he knew. Yami had always been perceptive, though he didn't act on much unless necessary.

He'd known Yugi was afraid he'd run after Atem. He'd known he would be expected to run and find his older brother. He'd known Yugi would follow.

He wondered when Yami had become aware of just how attached he was to him. Had he always known? Had he known from the moment they'd met just how much Yugi would come to adore him?

He blamed Yami for that. He'd called him cute within a few minutes of them meeting. Yugi couldn't help but be a little flustered when someone called him cute like that. Plus, how could he deny just how adorable Yami was? He had such bright eyes and a warm and gentle-looking but well-defined face. And some part of him had always known, even if he'd never said anything, just exactly why he'd been so attached so abruptly.

He smelled it on him. Every time they crossed paths, he felt that small rush of endorphins. He had locked eyes with him and understood that first night. He'd felt it when they'd collided when he'd tackled him, that uneven rush of his heart as he scrambled for his paws again. He recognized it in his even breaths, his warm heartbeat, his easy stance, his scent; it was impossible to miss. Every wolf knew when they'd come in contact with their mate.

It was impossible to ignore it.

They felt it in every fiber of their being. Their senses overloaded with details of their partner. They felt the connection instantly, saw the brilliance in their eyes, smelled something so intense they could not shrug it off no matter what, and every part of them craved their attention and close proximity.

The chemical response was impossible to ignore.

And, until it was acted upon, it often renewed itself tenfold in strength. He'd accepted it, which meant he craved Yami far more than he ever could anyone else. Now it was up to Yami to accept and initiate a response to act upon it or reject it.

Rejection would be dangerous. They all knew that. Wolves were violent when they were rejected. Even the humans seemed aware of it. It was almost suicidal for a rejection to happen, though it was always a possibility.

Yugi could see some of the other wolves glancing at one another. A couple were smirking. Others had their eyebrows raised as if in bewilderment. It was only a couple of the other yearlings who seemed confused. The adults watched with slight amusement. His grandpa had a slight smirk on his face in Yugi's peripheral. His mom rolled her eyes when his dad nudged her in the ribs playfully. Yugi almost shot the three of them dirty looks.

Instead he found himself relishing in the way Yami's hands felt so warm against his. When Yami squeezed, his heart skipped a beat in his chest.

Yami watched him for a long moment, holding his gaze. And then he dropped his eyes, as if afraid of the confrontation they both knew would never come. He squeezed his hands until Yugi felt his fingers might fall from his knuckles. And then he abruptly let go.

"If Atem comes into the territory, I want to speak to him." There was a long minute of silence. And then Yami looked up again, raising his eyes. "But I won't follow him."