Warnings: Mild Cursing, Referenced Violence, Death
Prompt XXVI: Senses
Yami ignored the sound of the pack running off as one to chase the herd of deer. They were snarling, hungry after a few days of human food that offered little sustenance. He himself was bored rather than hungry and when Yugi had asked him to act as second for him, he'd refused for the simple fact that he didn't want to fight with Bakura again. Ever since his birthday, when they'd consummated their bond, the other boy had been more and more stir crazy. He turned on him constantly, at the drop of a dime. For the last month, Yami had been forced to his belly and onto his back with his tail tucked more than a couple hundred times. Every other encounter turned violent, with Bakura snapping his teeth and biting at him as sharply as he could without drawing blood. Yugi had turned on him more than once for any physical attack, from clipping fur to budging him aside during a playful game of tag amongst the other yearlings.
They'd fought badly enough that Yugi had almost crippled him before Yami had managed to throw him off to diffuse the situation. The consummation had caused more tension than anything, which was why Yami had flinched away from physical affection from Yugi every time after. The suggestion of sex made him queasy for the simple fact that it made Bakura turn on him.
Yugi didn't take it personally, thank Lupa, because he'd seen the abuse and he'd stepped in so many times to put an end to it. But he knew he was disappointed and sometimes sad when Yami adamantly apologized for saying no. And it wasn't as if Yugi pressured him. It wasn't even as if Yami didn't like it. It was just the repercussions that made him so hesitant.
The others had congratulated them. Even Yugi's parents had taken to acknowledging their pairing and sometimes ceasing control to pass to him when decisions were being made. Yami appreciated the trust, but he always felt as if he were being made to mess up. Bakura was always there when it happened. And he couldn't stand to have the gray wolf baring down on him so often.
The stress alone was enough to run anyone else out of the pack. And he knew Bakura was more than slightly hopeful he could do that. It would prevent Yugi interfering—because he was afraid of Yugi, Yami realized—and it would stop him having to waste so much energy in such dramatic displays of dominance.
He knew it tired Bakura out just as much as it did Yami himself.
He sniffed at a thicket of brambles and pricked his ears.
The subtle smell was almost impossible to recognize. He blinked and studied it, then exhaled against the thorn with the most prominent hint once more. It was. A gust of the familiar smell hit his senses so quickly it made his head spin. He raised his head and listened for the pack.
He was sure Yugi had noticed his absence, but the rest seemed to be lost in the excitement. None of them seemed to have caught onto his lack of presence.
Yami looked around once, then padded forward and around the brambles. It was so faint he almost thought he was mistaken. But the further he went, the stronger it got, if only marginally.
How had the rest of the pack missed it?
He pricked his ears and looked around again. How had no one caught the scent? It may have been obscured by mud, but he'd still managed to find it. But then… Yugi had always told him that he had the best nose in the pack, even better than his own. He'd always assumed he was teasing and reveled in it each time because he thought he was playing with him. Now he wondered. Had the compliments been real? Had he truly meant it when he'd praised him like that?
Yami supposed he shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth.
He hurried along, nose to the ground, sniffing rapidly to catch every hint of the smell. It grew stronger as he continued, then wavered as if the other wolf had begun running. He couldn't quite pinpoint where each paw had landed. But he had the sudden thought he knew exactly where he'd gone.
Yami veered to the left and made his way downhill, taking the shortcut he'd discovered long before on a trip of his own through the forest. He darted around a tangle of roots and leaped forward. He caught himself atop the surface of a granite stone, looked down, and jumped to the ground. He stopped, sniffing and pricking his ears to make sure the other did not sense him coming. He'd flee. Or he'd turn on him as violently as he could.
Yami would rather not have to taste blood like that.
He slowed his steps and came forward again slowly, listening. Their heartbeat was steady and slow, as if they were resting, but their breathing was labored and awkward. He came to the edge of the territory, then looked over his shoulder. No one was coming.
He turned back and hesitated as he reached the familiar grove of trees, the stone protruding forward from the dirt in a bulky formation. The wolf was huddled there, dirt displaced from digging, entire body curled into a tight ball to make itself as small as possible.
Atem.
Red-flecked violet eyes snapped open. The black wolf bristled and bore his teeth. And then he blinked and tilted his head. His eyes widened and Yami smelled a wave of rotting flesh when he dragged himself forward and out of the lip of the badger set. It was arduous for him, Yami noted with shock, and he panted for a long moment after he'd managed to take a seat in front of him.
Atem shook his neck out and pricked his ears forward, staring. You smell a lot more like Yugi. You two finally consummated your bond?
He blinked. It was what I asked for…on my birthday.
Was it good at least? I don't need to kick his ass for hurting you, right?
Yami tilted his head and watched him. I don't think you could manage it. But, no, he, uh, let me top.
Atem blinked once, then twice, and stared at him with huge eyes. No shit?
He was scared of hurting me, so I topped. He considered him for a long moment. You smell like you're half-dead.
Ha! You might need to get your nose checked, little brother. I'm way more than just half dead, Atem scoffed. Yami noticed his legs were shaking from holding himself upright. His brother noticed as well, slinking down to lay stretched out. He was panting a second later, eyes half-closed. You always did have the best senses. I shouldn't be amazed you found me here like this.
Yami looked him over, feeling a ripple of unease shift through him. He really was dying, wasn't he? The smell of rot was intense and terrible and every breath stunk of it. He closed his eyes, taking a seat.
I'm glad you're okay.
Yami blinked and focused on him. What?
Yugi kept his promise. You're alive and well, even if you are playing omega, Atem said, sneering the last word and staring at him with something almost disgusted in his eyes. The disappointment made Yami's insides sting. Had he expected him to be acting as Yugi's total partner by now? I'd assumed he would have made you beta by now.
Yami flicked an ear. I got challenged for the rank and I lost.
His brother stared at him as if he'd grown a third eye. You lost? Bullshit. I taught you better than that.
He wanted it more than I did.
In other words, you got scared and backed down.
He would have killed me for it.
Or died for it in turn.
Yeah. Yami flattened his ears. I don't want to kill anyone, even someone as much of an asshole as Bakura. I don't want to permanently hurt him or anything like that.
Atem snorted. You're too soft. If he's willing to kill you for it, you should remember that and use that as motivation. I'd rip him to pieces for that.
Yami shook his head. I don't want to kill him.
If he won't back down from the rank and you plan to remain with Yugi, you'll have to. Alphas and omegas are not compatible enough. You'll risk death or being driven out of the pack for the sake of someone else's life? Why not take such care of your own and save yourself the pain?
Yami flattened his ears. He doesn't want to be the alpha. He wants beta. I could simply usurp him that way.
And risk the pack turning on you later for failing to prove yourself.
He looked away and listened for any noise. The pack still hadn't noticed. Likely only Yugi would as it was. He seemed to be the only one who truly cared about Yami and his whereabouts or anything of the matter.
Yami, Atem said abruptly, voice growing tired but increasingly urgent as well; he immediately stiffened and turned back, listen, okay? I didn't save you so you could constantly hide from your problems. I saved you because you're my little brother and I know you're going to do amazing things later. I've never understood how you doubted yourself so damn much all the time like this. But Yugi obviously trusts you enough to think you'll be alpha alongside him. Don't over-think and don't scare yourself out of it. What happens to Bakura is not your problem. It's his own. If he refuses to concede, there isn't much you can do to prevent him being a problem if he isn't dead.
Yami blinked and shook his head again, but didn't further provoke the topic. He leaned forward, peering at him instead. For my birthday, I actually wished I could see you one more time. I…was hoping for something different, but I'm grateful all the same.
Atem snorted and licked his nose, eyes half-closed and breathing shuddering. I would have fought an army to get to you if I wasn't already so fucked, he chuckled, then sighed softly and put his chin on his paws. You know I love you, right?
Yami blinked. Yeah, even when I messed everything up.
His brother snickered again. You should treat Bakura like I did that dog when it attacked you.
I don't want to tear his jugular out and throw his body around.
Fucking dog deserved it. No one goes after my baby brother.
Yami snorted and wagged his tail, chest feeling tight and cold for a single moment. I love you, too, Atem.
His brother probably didn't hear him. He wouldn't have known if he did or not. Atem's body shook once with a violent spasm, then went still. The rotting smell intensified with his final breath, then seemed to fade entirely.
Yami closed his eyes and nudged his cheek with his nose, getting to his paws. He turned his head to look over in the direction of the bramble patch he'd come from. For a moment there was no movement. And then Yugi came forward, eyes wide and considerate as he looked him over.
Aibou?
Yami wagged his tail slightly, exhausted. Can we go lay down?
Yugi licked his face. Of course.
