And so begins week three: Dimensions! Time frame for this part is immediately after the last chapter. Not sure if the timeline will skip ahead halfway through or not.

James Birdsong: Thank you!

Prompt XV: Travel

Yugi snuggled into his side more forcefully. Yami grunted and looked over in confusion, eyes casting a slight glow in the pale moonlight. He tilted his head and stared down at him, bewildered by the forceful manner in which he'd shifted and pressed against him. They'd been snuggling for over an hour. He didn't understand why he would have pushed against him so roughly.

Yugi?

Yugi blinked and then raised his eyes, blinking and tilting his head. Then he leaned forward to lick his nose and lay his head back down. He looked tired, but Yami couldn't tell if it was physical or just from tension. After Atem had left them there in the woods, Yugi had seemingly deflated. He'd lost his tension and from there he'd relaxed enough to the point that he seemed somehow…smaller.

Sorry, Yami, I'm just…exhausted. Yugi abruptly raised his head again. Why did you take the blame for traveling so far? I know you didn't tell Bakura to do that. I also know you didn't go into that territory without knowing there could have been a problem. Bakura has always been violent and impulsive. You're becoming methodical and strategic. So, why did you lie for him?

Yami blinked, searching his face for a moment. He wasn't wrong. Yami had only been impulsive when he'd run after Atem that first time. He'd never tried it again after Atem had seemingly abandoned him. He had no reason to go running into his old territory like that. And that one display of impulsiveness had made Sugoroku watch him more keenly, with clear accusation whenever he played with Yugi.

He felt warm with satisfaction; Yugi clearly trusted him, even if his grandfather and parents didn't always. He trusted him enough not to be upset that he'd lied. He'd known he'd lied from the beginning, he was sure. He'd known better than to believe him when he'd said he had gone there for no other reason than the assumption they'd be okay because he knew the area.

I didn't want him to get in more trouble than he already would be when someone figured it out. It seemed foolish to point the paw at him—He wagged his tail rapidly when Yugi snorted—when I didn't want to have him hate me even more.

Yugi flicked an ear. Bakura has never been friendly with anyone. Even Ryou is wary of him, and they're brothers.

Yami blinked. Are they?

You never noticed? They look a lot alike.

Isn't that rather hypocritical? We look alike and yet we're not related.

Thank Lupa for that, Yugi blurted out, so forceful it almost startled Yami into jumping to his paws and flinching away. The white wolf flattened his ears, clearly embarrassed, and wagged his tail awkwardly. S-sorry! I just... I really don't want to think of us being related. At all.

Yami nodded slightly. He didn't either, considering. Well, either way, no, I never really thought about them being related. I figured they looked alike and might be similar to us that way.

Ryou and Bakura aren't mated.

Yami fought the urge to both quiver with excitement and flinch away with disbelief. No matter how many times he thought of their mating bond, somehow he still could not wrap his mind around it. Yugi was meant to be an alpha and Yami was just…there. In his pack he probably would have remained the omega or around that rank in hierarchy. He wouldn't have gotten shoved up the ladder as Yugi was trying to do in teaching him. Atem would have taken over when his parents inevitably passed and they'd settle for things as they were, not try to push them forward beyond what they needed to be.

Yugi wanted him to be his beta, which insinuated one way or another he'd have a female mate for breeding purposes. If Yami wasn't pushed to a shared alpha rank with him, then he was going to be backseat to whoever Yugi chose. That was how it worked. Packs always had two alphas, gender not withstanding, and the beta was just…second. They weren't leader until something happened.

Yami blinked and looked away. I didn't mean that. I just… In the manner of them looking alike—

When did you get so formal? Yugi asked abruptly, cutting him off and staring blankly. You didn't used to talk like that. I've noticed it more often now than before, but I was starting to think it was because you'd gotten nervous when you talked to my grandpa like that. But now, I… Are you upset with me?

Yami didn't know how to answer that. He wasn't directly upset with him, no. But he wasn't exactly happy with him, either. Somehow he found himself caught between wanting to nip him on the ear and curl up with his back to him so he could ignore him.

It took him a long minute to decide on what to say.

I'm not mad at you. I'm upset about…something you said a few days ago.

Yugi gave him a bewildered look. A few days ago? he repeated immediately, then pricked his ears forward and twisted around in his spot to stare at him. What did we discuss a few days ago?

It wasn't…between us.

The smaller wolf spent a moment thinking, then bristled and blinked. What did I say to Bakura that upset you?

Yami huffed and lowered his head, watching him for a long time. Yugi stared at him more pointedly, then nudged him roughly in the shoulder with his nose. Yami ignored him, staring straight ahead, and then sighed loudly. I'm going to be beta, huh?

Yugi was silent for a long minute. Wait, you're upset because I want to raise your rank? Yami, you don't want to be an omega for the rest of your life, do you? I thought… I didn't think you'd be upset with me wanting to promote you.

I'm not.

Then why are you…? Yugi nudged at his shoulder again. Why are you upset with me? What about being beta is upsetting you? I thought

Beta is second.

Did you want the pack? He sounded lost now, as if Yami had utterly destroyed any hint of understanding he'd possessed formerly. I didn't think you'd want the pack.

Yami huffed. I don't.

Then why would you…? And then he seemed to understand. Abruptly he stopped talking. He turned his head and nudged his shoulder, then pressed firmly into his side and rolled over as if to mark himself with Yami's scent. You're a dumb butt!

Oh yeah?

Of course you're going to be alpha with me, Yami. I... You're my best friend. I'd choose you over anyone! You're going to be alpha with me and we can pick beta after! But for right now when I become alpha and my parents and grandpa are still alive, you have to be beta. Yugi rolled over and licked at his face. You're dumb for thinking otherwise.

Yami huffed and flattened his ears. Well you shouldn't have said it that way. Everyone knows betas are second.

Yugi shorted and jumped to his paws. His tongue ran over his cheek for a minute before he nipped his ear gently. But you're my number one!