Warnings: Mild Cursing, Referenced Violence/Death

Prompt XVIII: Doctor

"Have him back by evening," Yugi said abruptly, voice full of aggravated tension when he looked over. His eyes flashed for a single second, as if he were barely able to keep from lunging forward and attacking. Yami watched him with a considerate expression, blinking and studying him. His head tilted after a moment and his eyes flickered between Yugi and Atem curiously.

Atem, however, snorted and smirked. "Wow, you have me on a tight leash, huh?" he teased. "Little brother comes to see me and his mate is all about ripping out my jugular."

Yugi's lip curled. "I'll do much worse if he doesn't come back okay." He was trembling now, fingers twitching before balling into tight fists. "I don't have words for what I'll do to you if he gets hurt, Atem."

Atem rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, got it. Thanks." He snickered. "Seriously, Yugi, why would I want to hurt him after all I did to save him? You're not making any sense."

The smaller boy offered him a sneer of a smile. "I know those stories just like you do, Atem. A family member comes back, then leads the other into danger because they don't want to die alone."

Yami blinked and turned his head to stare at Atem for a long minute. Atem struggled not to lunge at Yugi for the first time since he'd met him. So much for the younger boy and future alpha being the smart one. Apparently he'd misjudged when he'd originally assumed that. He had about as much sense as his grandfather, it seemed.

"Right," he said slowly, forcing himself to breathe evenly through his teeth. "Right. Okay, well, how about you fuck right on along and go back to your pack and I'll spend the day with Yami and return him by midnight?"

"Sunset or I'll have everyone in this pack after you. Got. It?"

Atem rolled his eyes again. "Fenrir fuck, yes, okay, got it."

Yugi curled his lip back again. Then he blinked, glancing at Yami, and abruptly came forward once more. Atem turned his head, bewildered, before snickering. Yugi kissed Yami's cheek once, the most innocent peck Atem had ever seen, and his little brother turned bright red to match his eyes. Yugi mirrored the blush brilliantly, ducked his head, and then mumbled, "Sunset, okay, aibou? Be back by then."

"Okay."

Atem covered his mouth to muffle his laughter. Yami had just squeaked. He'd squeaked like a chew toy. Atem couldn't help but turn away as he struggled to suppress his guffaws.

"Stop it," Yami whined a minute later, and Atem felt him shove at his shoulder pitifully. "It wasn't that funny."

He snorted, turning back, and almost burst out laughing again. "Your face is still red!" he snickered, dodging when Yami tried to kick his shin. "You're so damn cute! Both of you are too damn cute."

His little brother huffed. "I'm not cute. I'm adorable."

Atem burst out laughing. "Right. Adorable. Let's go."

Yami rolled his eyes at him and huffed again, following him. Atem smirked and shook his head, humming with amusement. He glanced at Yami sideways, raising a brow as he took in his brother's face. His cheeks were still slightly flushed and his eyes were sparkling with affection. Atem snorted before he could stop himself; that really was some strong puppy love the two of them had for each other. He could almost taste it.

"You two are adorable."

Yami blinked, flushed more profusely, and grumbled, "Shut up." He opened and closed his mouth once, then lowered his eyes to the ground and kicked a small rock along the incline. "Actually, uh, did you ever meet your mate?"

He tilted his head, stomach twisting for a split second. "I did. I have. I…" He looked over slowly, then frowned and considered him. It was a heavier story and Yami was still so young. He wasn't sure a twelve-year-old on the cusp of his thirteenth birthday really needed to hear this kind of thing. "It's not a pretty story, so if I tell you, you have to remember that this isn't the same circumstance you'll have with Yugi, okay?"

His brother glanced at him in surprise. "I… N-no! Yugi and I are great! I just… I was curious because… I don't know what I'm doing."

Atem snorted. "Hearing about me and mine won't help you with that, Yami."

He grimaced. "But you know more than I do! I know everyone knows we're bonded, but it's… I don't know what that means. I…I don't know what to do…"

He tilted his head and stared for a moment. Yami had heard all the mate stories he had when they'd been growing up. He knew well enough what the mating bond meant in terms of loyalty and affection and who was the top priority from then on. He even knew the bond only truly solidified when both partners admitted feelings for one another. So what was he asking?

And then he snickered.

"Are you asking me about pack structure or sex? Because I didn't realize I'd be the one giving you the sex talk. I figured you'd know by now with public schooling."

Yami flushed furiously and turned his head, snapping, "No! I know what happens with that! They went over it at school."

Atem burst out laughing again. "No, they didn't. Because I'd know if they did. You'd be way more curious about it than you are!"

He huffed. "Shut up."

He rolled his eyes, snickering and putting his hands in his pockets. "What? There's nothing wrong with being innocent, Yami. I almost wish I was still innocent." He looked at him sideways as his brother blinked and considered him curiously again. "To answer your question, though, yes, I did meet my mate. And I'm almost sorry I did."

Now his brother stopped short and turned to him more pointedly. "What? How? What does that mean?"

Atem hesitated, then sighed. "The circumstances where I met Mai were terrible and the pack structure we've taken on is the worst we could have. So, yeah, Yami, I'm not entirely happy with it."