Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh

Update schedule: Chapter four on 26th, chapter five on August 6th

Chapter Warnings: Referenced Self-Neglect, Mentioned Violence

Signatures are a type of pheromone/magic mixture a dragon feels when another enters/breeches their territory. Atem recognizes a huge number of them as he shares his territory with a large population. He can usually tell who is who and where they are if he focuses on their signature. His history with suitors makes him adept at picking out unfamiliar dragons in his territory; he uses it as well to find out when a dragon has re-entered his territory to challenge him. Atem challenges each suitor to pin him or out-maneuver him in air with the promise to not return should they fail. Some prefer to fight under the stipulation that magic and breaths not be used, due to Atem's biological advantage of having five breaths. He kills repeat offenders without a rematch.

Atem is used to Timaeus, but not Critias as Critias did not have a signature when he first entered the territory because of his age.

Yugi tells a human myth in and claims he "forgot" some details. It will come up in the final installment, as it has a lot to do with Yami's arc.

Part III: Stories

Yugi woke from his half-nap state to the sound of paws nearby. He startled, sitting halfway in confusion, and instantly bristled as he remembered himself. The egg was still right behind him, hidden from sight but there. He sprang to his paws and thumped his tail in warning, but the other dragon merely blinked. Yugi prepared to lunge, then shook himself out and relaxed. Atem stood before him, golden eyes studious as he tilted his head. He looked as if he might comment on his sleeping state but such impulse seemed to die immediately after. The red male peered past him toward the egg and Yugi wondered if he was upset he'd dozed off. Yugi went to apologize, but Atem beat him to it.

"Timaeus is headed this way," he said, shaking himself out and almost stumbling from the force. Yugi nearly flinched; Atem was upset, but he wasn't going to say anything. But the more he spoke, the more Yugi wondered who with. He knew Atem adored Timaeus, as the Wind Dragon was his first and likely only friend, but the timing was terrible. "And I believe the other signature I feel is Critias but I don't recognize him as well."

Yugi blinked and jumped to his paws, both excited and full of dread at the thought of seeing Timaeus again. He always felt awkward and far too young around him. And it didn't help Atem so clearly favored him. He looked at him sometimes as a hatchling would their parent, which he understood but also felt burning envy and despair over. He loved him and Atem only seemed to openly show such devotion to Timaeus when it came to emotional attachment. He clearly adored him more than he did Yugi and the jealousy made him want to snarl at times. But Timaeus had helped keep Atem safe, saving him on several occasions when he was younger, and failing to acknowledge this was impossible. He knew and understood and he owed Timaeus for the fact Atem had survived and become the dragon he was. He could have turned bloodthirsty and bitter rather than just reserved and cold at times.

He didn't like feeling this way, either, but the way Atem seemed to light up upon seeing the teal male made his hearts ache. He could not suppress the urge to bristle whenever Timaeus was around. He had basically raised Atem when the Sky Dragon had fled his nest so prematurely due to his abusive siblings. If not for Timaeus finding him when Atem's side was infected, the Sky Dragon likely would have starved to death when he was unable to get food for himself. And, had it not been for Timaeus being kind-hearted and taking care of him, Atem would have likely gotten killed when he tried to steal from other dragons in the area. The Wind Dragon had been unbelievably gentle to have taken in a dragonet of another species and healed the infection in his side and taught him necessary life skills. Had it been someone else, they likely would have left him because the wound had been terrible, a huge gaping mass of exposed flesh and pus.

Yugi tilted his head. "Critias?" he echoed in surprise. Timaeus would bring his son this far? He almost couldn't imagine it. But Critias had flown there once on his own when he'd fled Keith's attack at his den. Timaeus had sent Critias south to find Atem, which the dragonet had accomplished right before he and the God Dragon had set to leave to aid Seto in fighting Keith. Had he gotten there even a few moments later he might have been left alone and Timaeus likely killed. Yugi didn't like thinking about that; Timaeus was a good friend, even if he was envious.

"I remember hearing him suggesting he might bring him to see us," Atem said quietly, turning his head to look at the sky as if he were listening for something. Yugi wondered just how prominently he felt his friend's presence. "But I wasn't sure and I didn't think he truly would."

Yugi frowned in puzzlement. "Why do you say that?"

"Because I'd assumed him to be more cautious seeing as other male Wind Dragons are around and will be passing through the territory."

"It's a miracle they haven't stopped to challenge you again."

"I think you might have scared him enough that he passed along the message for the moment." Atem turned to him. "It's a fortunate turn of events."

Yugi grinned and almost trembled with elation at the gratitude in his eyes. "Everything considered," he agreed, smiling wider and glancing over his shoulder at the egg again. "How do you want to do this? Should I hide it in the den again?"

"He's too close. I was too far away and unhealthy to get here to warn you with time to spare. And the only warning call I could think to do was a war cry," Atem admitted, shaking his head. "You'll need to lay with it. Timaeus will likely wish to speak to me and I'll say you're tired and wounded from a hunt gone wrong. Critias likely won't want to play with you when he hears that."

Yugi nodded slightly, then quickly turned to circle the egg and lay down, a few inches between himself and its smooth shell. He curled his wing atop it, burrowing it slightly into the displaced dirt, and bunched himself comfortably to the ground. "I don't think my hunting skills are so inadequate," he teased, turning with a grin. "I'm almost offended."

"You don't look bristly," he snorted, tipping his head up just as Yugi heard the sound of heavy wings. A few moments passed before he could spot Timaeus and, sure enough, at his hip was Critias. The dragonet was eagerly scanning the area in front of them looking for the two of them. Timaeus banked and led the way to a soft landing, Critias eagerly following his movements. The Wind Dragon shook himself out and hurried forward to butt Atem in the shoulder affectionately.

"Hello," the God Dragon murmured, but his eyes shot quickly to Yugi with subtle urgency. The Gandora smiled and nodded slightly. Atem eyed him a moment longer, then returned the warm gesture and looked to Critias. "How are you?"

The hatchling perked up immediately upon having attention, spinning around to face him and grin. "Good! Dad said I could come this time to see you!" he said proudly, puffing his chest slightly and bouncing on his paws. "He said I'm more mature than my siblings so I could come!"

Atem snorted loudly and looked at Timaeus. "What kind of cattle dung?"

The Wind Dragon burst out laughing and pulled away to butt Yugi gently in the shoulder as well before turning back. "Kris wasn't so keen on him leaving with me with mating season having just begun. I told her he was mature enough which resulted in an argument until I swore a heart on the fact that we would not stop anywhere but here to see you and then return afterward."

"That's a drastic pledge," Atem mumbled, confused. "Have the fights gotten so terrible?"

Timaeus faltered, expression turning to one of disbelief and then bewilderment. His eye narrowed for a moment as he looked him over and then flickered briefly toward his son and then Yugi. When he turned back, Atem found himself almost bristling with tension.

"You haven't been fighting as much this season," Timaeus announced abruptly, voice suspicious, "or else you'd know the newer males are basically waging war on each other."

"It always seems like war when it comes to mating," Atem dismissed, wrapping his tail around his paws. And it had. Every fight he'd gone into with suitors had turned from a competition to an attempt for forceful mounting or beating him violently into submission. There was a reason he was considered highly dangerous and newer dragons warned away from his territory with tales of him murdering any suitor to lose and eventually impaling their bodies on branches to ward them from his territory. "What is your point?"

The teal male tilted his head in surprise. "They're actually using magic and decimating entire areas further south of you. You really haven't been paying attention, have you?"

"I had something come up," he grunted, ignoring Timaeus's tilted head and suspicious stare. He wasn't going to say a word about the egg. If it didn't hatch, what was the point of mentioning it? "So, no, I haven't been paying attention as of late."

"A rumor is going around that you must have moved territories seeing as you've been absent for a while now."

Atem snorted. "And, yet, here I am."

Timaeus shook his head, turning to Yugi. "I don't know what's happened since I last saw him, but he's lost the color in his scales and he's standing awkwardly."

Yugi almost cringed at the accusatory tone, smothering the impulse only when he remembered the egg was right behind him. He did not wish to inadvertently hurt it. "Atem got hurt during a hunt and he's been recovering in the den," he answered, careful to keep his voice even and unaggressive. He ignored the urge to shoot a desperate glance at Atem. "I've been with him since then and he wasn't hungry for a while because he didn't like being unable to hunt for himself."

The red male peered at him as if he couldn't quite believe he was saying that. Then he looked away when Timaeus turned to stare at him. The Wind Dragon looked suspicious but Yugi couldn't tell what of, if he suspected Yugi had hurt him or if he thought Atem had been absent from the usual barrage of venturing dragons for another reason.

"How bad was it?"

"I sprained my leg. Yugi insisted I stay in the den until it healed." The Sky Dragon turned his head to look at Timaeus now, golden eyes darkening briefly. "As you so clearly noted, I'm still not up to my standard weight and I am not as mobile. He made me stay a few days longer than necessary to make sure I wasn't limping around when we left the den."

Timaeus still looked skeptical but shook it off, turning to Yugi. "Critias has been nonstop about wanting to see you. I heard all about it throughout the flight here."

Yugi tried his hardest not to frown. Timaeus was trying to get him to play with Critias so Yugi would be distracted and he'd be able to speak more freely with Atem. He'd seen through the explanation. He wasn't stupid and he knew well enough Atem had not wounded himself during a hunt, not when he took such extreme measures to prevent it due to constant suitors. The three of them were well aware. It was only Critias left blind and in the dark.

"I'm sorry, Critias," he finally mumbled, flexing his paws and looking down at them anxiously. "I'm not very mobile at the moment. There was a dragon who came through and I got injured while we were fighting."

The hatchling looked almost devastated by the news, then sprang forward. "That's okay!" he announced, plopping down in front of him and staring intently. He was all but wiggling in his seat. "How about stories? Can you tell me stories?"

Yugi blinked, then burst out laughing at his excitement. "Oh, of course I can tell stories!" he snickered. "What story do you want to hear?"

"Ooh, uh…" Critias looked over his shoulder at Timaeus as if he needed him to answer. Then he turned back, eyes stretching wide with interest. "Are there any stories only Gandoras know?!"

Yugi fought a flinch. "I, uh, wasn't raised by Gandora parents," he said quietly, risking a small glance toward where Atem and Timaeus were now speaking with their heads slightly lowered. Atem was watching him closely, not as if with suspicion but with slight concern and perhaps mild frustration. Whatever Timaeus was telling him was not pleasant news. Yugi turned back to find Critias staring at him in confusion. "I'm a first generation Gandora, which means my mom was a Fire Dragon and my dad was a Wind."

Critias tilted his head. "Oh… Well, do you have any stories from your mom and dad?"

He puzzled for a moment, searching his memories and for a long time he couldn't think of one. Somehow they'd all fled the moment Critias had asked. And then he blinked, reconsidering, and grinned. "How about a different story? I know a bunch of stories from the humans. Do you want to hear one of those?"

"Humans?" the dragonet squeaked, voice rising with excitement. Yugi saw Timaeus look over in confusion even as Atem raised his head as if to understand what he'd just heard. "You know human stories?!"

"Of course I do!" Yugi teased, flashing him a wide grin. "Didn't your father tell you anything about me? I spent a year with them so I could woo Atem."

Critias looked over his shoulder and turned back, eyes huge. "Did it work? You wooed him with stories about humans?"

He snorted; humans made Atem openly nervous. It was no secret the mere mention of them managed to make him anxious. He smiled and shook his head. "No, actually I wooed him in a completely different way." He shifted his weight slightly, making sure not to smother the egg with close proximity. "I went to the humans for a completely different reason than stories to woo Atem with. I went there to learn some of their hunting methods so I could beat Atem at a mating game."

Critias bounced to his paws, blurting over his shoulder, "You guys had mating games? You were doing challenges for courtship?!" He jumped rapidly up and down even as Atem stared at him with a startled, almost stunned look. "I didn't know Sky Dragons did challenges for courtship!"

Atem looked visibly uncomfortable. "It was…necessary at the time," he said slowly. He blinked and then glanced at Yugi. "First I hear the word humans and now I'm being asked about mating challenges? Yugi, what are you telling him?"

Timaeus snorted loudly beside him, grinning even as Atem shot him a dirty look. Yugi smiled awkwardly and looked at his mate, chest warm when the red male huffed and turned back.

"He asked for a story so I'm going to tell him a human one. He didn't know why I know human stories." Atem blinked, then nodded slightly and glanced at his friend again, seeming satisfied. Yugi watched Critias turn back with huge eyes again, almost trembling with excitement. "Okay, so, let's see. What do you want to hear about? Their lore is very interesting, and I know a lot of it so maybe I'll know something that fits with a story you want to hear."

Critias faltered, then squirmed as he dropped into a stretched position in front of him again. He was quivering finely once more. "Oh, um…um… What about one about human wars?!"

Yugi frowned slightly. Atem and Timaeus were no longer talking and now they'd both turned to look at them again, as if the word had summoned their attention. He shook his head. "I think there's been enough talk about that for a while, even in stories," he said gently, ignoring the way Critias lost his excited stance. "Here, I'll tell you about the human boy who befriended a dragon."

Critias snorted. "That's definitely a myth," he announced loudly, scoffing. "Dragons know better than to befriend humans."

"You can't judge all humans by the misdeeds of a few," Yugi argued. "Some of them—especially the tribe beneath these mountains—are extremely respectful of dragons and only want to live alongside them."

"Oh, cattle dung!" the hatchling snorted. "There aren't any peaceful humans. All they want are our hides and our lands."

Yugi almost gaped at him. When had he become so cold and skeptical; who had taught him that? He glanced at Timaeus and found the Wind Dragon watching them intently now, as if curious as to his son's outburst. His eyes shot to Atem soon after to find the red male staring at Critias with a mirroring look of surprise.

"Well, how about I prove it then?" he said louder now, looking at Atem pointedly. "Have you ever had an altercation of any kind with the humans below the mountains, Atem?"

His mate blinked, clearly startled. Timaeus turned to stare at him just as his son did. Yugi searched his face, comforted by the puzzled and thoughtful expression he wore. Then the God Dragon slowly shook his head, murmuring, "No, not even once. They've always been respectful and secluded to their village there beneath my range."

Critias looked skeptical. "That's not very usual."

Atem chuckled. "And that's a very polite way of indirectly calling me a liar," he teased, to which the dragonet ducked his head and looked down at his paws. "I see Timaeus taught you to regard God Dragons as respectfully as possible, hmm?"

The teal male huffed. "The Leviathan or Jaden wouldn't be as amused as you or Yusei might if he said what he's really thinking on the matter."

"Are you so heavily opinionated?" Atem asked, clearly curious.

Timaeus snorted. "He'd likely say you were talking cow dung if I hadn't told him otherwise."

Yugi snickered. "What a wonderful curse, Timaeus. Have you taught him anything else?"

Critias huffed. "I'm right here!"

"He knows a lot of curses," Timaeus grumbled, clearly flustered. "It's not my fault hatchlings cling to words they shouldn't say."

Atem burst out laughing. "Now that's cow dung. You used to love teaching me curses!"

Timaeus looked insulted for a single second, then snickered loudly and nodded. "Oh, yes, I definitely did. It was perfect. You sounded so proper and then you dropped a curse word and your entire voice would change. It was great."

Yugi chuckled. "Going around corrupting other people's hatchlings and your own. Good job, Timaeus."

"What can I say? I'm an equal opportunist."

"Cow dung, dog teats, bull patty"—Yugi's head snapped around, eyes wide; Atem gaped for a moment and Timaeus covered his face with his paws—"dung rot, bastard!"

All three of them remained silent for a moment before Atem burst out laughing and Timaeus groaned. Yugi snorted and Critias stood proudly in front of him, head high and eyes glittering. Timaeus sighed loudly, grumbling, "I have a foul mouth. What can I say?"

"You could have corrupted my poor sweet Sky Dragon," Yugi laughed, shaking his head and smiling warmly at Atem. The God Dragon was still chortling and watching Critias with sparkling eyes. "What would I have done if he was cursing at me constantly when I came to find him?"

Timaeus huffed and shot him a dirty look. "You would have enjoyed it because you love everything about Atem," he scoffed. He scowled when Atem laughed harder at the declaration and Yugi snickered, wanting for a moment to race over and lick him everywhere. He would have loved it just because it was Atem. He didn't care about a foul mouth, but he did like that it was only when upset that Atem would say such things.

Atem shook his head and closed his eyes. "Oh, Timaeus," he sighed, "you're such a dung head."

Yugi burst out laughing at Timaeus's startled look and Critias quickly repeated the insult in a loud voice. Atem chuckled and looked away again, rising to his paws to shake himself out. "I'm curious as to the human myths now as well," he said quietly, turning to Yugi with an almost expectant look. "I'd like to hear one."

The Gandora almost trembled with elation; Atem likely knew more lore than he did when it came to dragons, but Yugi had human lore as well. And he wanted to hear him relay it! He raised his head slightly, tipping his chin the smallest degree, and sorted through his memory. Which would Atem like?

"I want a war story!" Critias whined, clearly sensing he had lost the attention. He bounced on his paws and looked to Timaeus. "We want a war story, right, Dad?"

"I don't care about human myths," Timaeus grumbled.

Critias scoffed and turned back. "He wants a war story."

Atem snorted. "How demanding," he teased, smiling at him. "A war story would be fine for me as well if you wish to relay one, Yugi. But it is your choice what to tell. I do not have a preference."

But Yugi was sure he was tired of hearing about war. He'd been engaged in it almost daily upon striking out his own territory. Every fight he'd had with his suitor had potentially been to the death depending on how violent they became. And when they refused to take no for an answer, to accept their defeats with grace, Atem had been forced to kill. Yugi didn't think a war story was proper for him to find some comfort in and relax to. He didn't want to have to worry about the nightmares he might conjure up in neglecting Atem's history…

Yugi tucked his paws into his chest. "I have a story with some elements of war," he finally said, turning to Critias. "Will that work?"

The hatchling huffed quietly, then seemed to consider and finally sighed, "Okay."

The Gandora glanced at Atem again, nervous about how to begin the story. He'd never told a myth to a God Dragon and sometimes his stories felt flat when he was working to entertain someone. It was probably his lack of ability to imitate the voices of the figures in the legends. He'd always been rather uncertain of that, faltering where he shouldn't have and soon losing the interest of those listening.

He exhaled nervously and settled for looking at his paws as he tried to remember the beginning. Critias was no longer staring at him expectantly, having since turned away at some point. Atem was still watching him, puzzled but unimposing, and Timaeus was laying down with his eye closed, perhaps resting or simply waiting. He didn't know anymore.

"The way the humans explain it," he finally started, "is that there was a boy named Alexander who lived in a valley beneath a huge nest of dragons—Wind, Fire, Lightning, Sky, Earth and Ice."

Atem blinked in confusion and peered at him more pointedly when Yugi risked a glance in his direction. He pulled his paws to his chest and looked away again.

"This was before each species had claimed regions of their owns, before they had blessings for safe travel and before they became neutral with humans in their territories." He could feel it when Atem tilted his head in bewilderment. He exhaled shakily but forced himself to continue. "So, the humans lived in the valley beneath this nest of all species of dragons. They rarely interacted at first, as the dragons hunted prey far too large for the humans to master killing. And as long as they did not have reason to interact they did not have to bother with any kind of care for one another."

Critias huffed quietly and Yugi almost snickered. He hated the beginning of a story too. It was all about the actions and end for him. Everything in the start was more for familiarity and he didn't always care for it. But he didn't want to have to repeat himself in answering questions he could easily do so by laying out details now.

"One day, the humans had an uproar. The dragons were obviously surprised as usually the humans never made so much noise as to gather their attention. So the dragons attempted to determine what it was that had happened and elected a Sky Dragon with the ability to turn invisible—"

"We can do that too!" Critias huffed. "Right, Dad?"

Timaeus made an exaggerated snoring noise. "Yeah, yeah," he grumbled when Critias repeated the question much louder. He opened his eye into a slit and scowled at his son. "Just listen to the story, Critias. Yugi is only doing this for you. Don't be ungrateful by interrupting."

Critias faltered, then ducked his head. "Sorry, Yugi."

"It's fine. Don't worry about it." He wondered briefly if his hatchling would do the same during stories or if he'd eat them up as Atem had when he was younger. He hoped for the latter, because he'd rather he took more after the Sky Dragon than himself. He blinked and resisted the urge to look over his shoulder at the egg. He hoped it hatched soon. He wanted to know just who it was he was going to be playing with and hunting for and passing stories along to and—

"They elected a Sky Dragon with the ability to turn invisible," Atem prompted gently.

Yugi would have flushed had he been human. He'd almost forgotten! He nodded and flexed his claws. "So, a Sky Dragon named Amun turned invisible and set his sights on the humans. He went down the mountainside and through the valley to find them. What he saw was a human body bound to a large pillar of wood and fire beneath it. The human was long since dead and Amun was confused by this until the boy, Alexander, announced he would be the new king of the human village now that his father was dead. The humans were cheering, which had been the uproar. They were drunk and—"

"What's drunk?"

Even Atem was puzzled. "I don't understand."

Timaeus raised his head to stare at Yugi. "What?"

The Gandora burst out laughing at each of their startled expressions. "It means they drank too much of some kind of substance that they make… They call it fire-water in the village beneath the mountains. In the fire region it's called alcohol and in the ice territory it's known as brush-water. I don't know what else it's called, but it's…something the humans drink that makes them much louder and more annoying and more likely to run around being obnoxious. Or pass out. Some of them just fell asleep where they stood." He tilted his head. "It's described as being lightheaded like from blood loss and then losing their sense of judgment."

Atem peered at him with narrowed eyes. "Did you never get drunk in your time with them?"

Yugi made a disgusted noise, shaking his head. "It tastes like blood. I couldn't do it. It burned my throat too much." He looked at his paws. "It also made them participate in public…couplings. They'd even switch partners at times. So I was never interested after that."

Timaeus blinked in surprise. "Humans do that? I thought it was an animal trait."

"It's only ever been when they've had fire-water," he admitted with a frown. "Or at least that's the only time they ever did it around me. I don't know if they practice it like that even before that but it was only ever when they were drunk."

Atem studied him with an amused expression. "I see."

Critias turned to Timaeus. "What's a coupling? Does he mean mating?"

"Yes, now hush so he can get back to the story."

"You seem pretty invested for someone who was just pretending to be asleep a minute ago," Atem teased. "I must say, I'm rather surprised, Timaeus."

"Oh, shut your beak," he joked back, putting his chin on his paws again. He closed his eye a moment later. "I was hoping Critias would think I'm asleep."

"I'm not that stupid," he complained loudly.

Atem burst out laughing and Yugi couldn't help but snicker. "By the God Dragons," Atem snorted, turning away, "you're ridiculous, Timaeus."

"He always gets his attention diverted and asks questions! It's not my fault." He cracked his eye open and abruptly sat up. "How about this, Critias? I'll make a deal with you. If you stay quiet through this entire story—to the very end—I will let you lead a hunt in two moons when we take you all out for the first time."

Atem looked interested now. "That's a pretty big honor."

Critias trembled with excitement, eyes wide and mouth in a wide grin. "Okay! Deal!"

"The entire story, Critias. Or else I'll let Hermos be in charge."

"No way! I'm going to be the best hunter in our nest!" he burst out. "He won't be any good at it."

Atem chortled and turned to Yugi. "Resume your tale, little one, before they continue their argument."

Timaeus shoved at him with his paw, grinning lazily and closing his eye soon after. "Yes, please resume, Yugi. I'd like to hear this tale to its conclusion."

Yugi nodded and backtracked. "Right. So, Amun watched the humans get drunk and louder and louder. And he watched them crown the boy Alexander who, at that moment, began to give a speech. He told them that they would no longer need to hide in the shadows of the mountains and they would travel freely and move about the world as they wished. He said they'd slay the dragons where it was necessary and leave them where it wasn't. The humans got louder and crazier in their frenzy of approval and Amun continued spying until they all collapsed from exhaustion of their excitement.

"He returned to tell the other dragons and they became anxious and discontent. Amun suggested they simply leave the territory and travel elsewhere as the humans were landlocked and wouldn't have been able to truly get further along than the little island they all populated. But another dragon argued with him that it was unacceptable to do so and he would rather die than surrender his territory to humans. So the dragons cast about their vote and decided to stand their ground in a unified front."

The snort to come at these words was from Atem this time, the Sky Dragon looking away with something of a spiteful glare at the ground as Yugi turned to him in surprise. He looked away again instantly upon seeing his narrowed eyes and the harsh glint in his gaze. The crystal on his forehead had been tumultuous with a stormy darker blue and almost black, clearly caught in his own thoughts. Yugi's hearts hurt when he flexed his claws and resumed.

He had to have been thinking of the many times he'd been left alone to deal with things, from being a God Dragon to defending his territory to dealing with his more forceful suitors. Even at the gathering with the other God Dragons Atem had stood alone. He'd been arguing with Jaden to save the hatchlings Keith had spawned before Atem had killed him. And he'd been the only one arguing for their sake. Yusei had only agreed when Atem and the Leviathan had gotten into a physical altercation, though Atem had not truly hurt the Divine Serpent. He'd flipped him which had gotten Yusei to agree to help Atem should Keith's offspring turn into monsters rather than side with his former mate.

"The following few years the dragons and humans fought relentlessly. Casualties were numerous on both sides. Blood was shed and countless lives were lost. The humans had turned their sights on conquering the territory now, regardless of their former declaration to spare the dragons that refused to fight. Alexander led the majority of the attacks, joining them when they killed but usually directing them from atop the horse he'd managed to tame in the meantime." Yugi tilted his head and puzzled for a moment, but he could not remember its name. He shook it off; it wasn't truly important. "Amun was at the forefront when Alexander finally managed to breech the top of the mountain range. They fought so bitterly that they became the only combatants in a series of days of nonstop battle. Amun had summoned storm after storm and Alexander had refused to back down so they were in a stalemate for the most part."

"Stalemate," he heard Atem mumble. He glanced at him, but the God Dragon had lowered his chin to his paws and was staring up at the sky rather than Yugi. His mumble had likely not meant anything. But Yugi still waited a moment for him to continue. When the silence prevailed, he turned away again.

Maybe Atem would share what was going on in his head later.

"Eventually Amun managed to pierce his armor and Alexander his chest plates. They were both immobilized from there, unable to further their fight and exhausted from blood loss and the drop of temperature. The dragons had since fled to strategize and the humans had all but abandoned Alexander to his death. Only one human remained to drag him home, but it was Amun to do it. He had lost a heart and woken with the determination to stop the fighting."

Critias opened his mouth, then shut it again. Atem chortled and Timaeus snickered when he saw his son. Yugi grinned at him playfully but Critias ignored him, nodding at him to continue. He was sitting straight now, wings folded neatly at his sides and eyes flashing with frustration as they all snickered at him again.

"He decided to grant him mercy in taking him back to his human village. The humans were confused and shocked by the action and allowed Amun to stay with them and recover from his lingering wounds. When he was properly healed, the dragons from the mountains came to realize what happened and where Amun was. They declared him a traitor for saving the human and decided to turn on him." Yugi fell quiet for a long moment, hearts squeezing in his chest as he narrowed his eyes. He didn't want to remember this part. It was disgusting and bloody and more than a slight stain on their species as a whole. He didn't want to mention it with Atem right there. It would likely only upset him; he'd always been fighting, and Yugi didn't want to remind him of that yet again. "They raided the village and decimated them but the change of terrain also hindered them. Many died and Amun was desperate to stop the fighting despite Alexander's insistence they could hold their own. He gave himself up and the dragons turned on him relentlessly, eventually killing him and using his body as a warning to other dragons. But his death moved the humans and dragons towards coexistence again, as the time spent with Amun and Alexander together was enough to secure this as a truth."

Atem wasn't looking at him when he mumbled, "I would rather never have anything to do with humans. The humans beneath my mountains are good to mind their own rather than stick their nose in my business."

Yugi looked over, surprised. "They worship you."

The Sky Dragon lay his chin on his paws. "I am aware." He closed his eyes. "But I do not care to spend my time among them. Their species as a whole are far too volatile for me to wish for close proximity."

"I… They were always rather kind to me."

"Yes, well, this story alone is proof enough to me they change their minds far too easily."

Yugi faltered. "There was more to it than just that."

Atem raised and turned his head, curious now. "Then why not tell it?"

The Gandora fought a flinch, turning away. "I've forgotten some of the story," he finally mumbled. "It's been a long time since I heard it."

The God Dragon looked suspicious but did not push. "Well, then, Timaeus, I do believe you owe Critias the lead in the next hunt."

The Wind Dragon pretended to snore and his son sprang forward, jumping onto his side and making Timaeus startle with a snarl of surprise. He sat up, growling at the hatchling, and Critias glared back at him with his scales in a bristle and wings tucked firmly into his sides.

"Okay, okay," Timaeus grumbled, huffing and shaking himself out. "It won't be anytime soon anyways. We have enough food."

Atem snorted and ignored the sharp look he was cast. Yugi smiled and put his chin on his paws again. "He did earn it," the Sky Dragon teased, jumping away when Timaeus swiped at him in annoyance. The red male grinned and shook himself out, padding over to Yugi's side and taking a seat. He'd taken to the flank he'd been using to shield the egg. "Good job, Critias."

The hatchling turned around, basking in the praise, and then turned to Yugi. "The story was interesting until the end. You clearly skipped all the good parts!"

Yugi laughed and shook his head. "Oh, I know. I just forgot some of the details from the story. If I could remember all of it, it would be a different story."


Atem nudged him gently. "Move over."

Yugi grunted and yawned, climbing to his paws and wandering forward a few paces to plop down once more. He looked over, studying him as Atem circled the egg and lay down. The Sky Dragon had been rather attached since Timaeus and Critias had left, nudging Yugi only a few times to curl up with it or to leave it so he could do the same. He was sure it was for incubation but he'd woken him more than a handful of times now and Yugi could feel his frustration creeping up slowly but surely. Fire Dragons had never been a species well known for being easily woken up or even slightly friendly when forced to an aware state.

Yugi lay his chin on his paws and studied him. There had been a definitive change in Atem's behavior since they'd left. Something in him seemed far more hopeful than before. He seemed more hopeful the egg would hatch now, as if interacting with Critias had made him feel desire to see it through again. He wondered if Atem felt the urge more because of his instincts as a Sky Dragon or if it was true desire to have his own hatchling to teach and love and play with.

"Little one?"

Yugi blinked, eyes stretching wide with confusion, and looked at him in bewilderment. "What?"

Atem stared back, head tilted and eyes half-closed with obvious weariness. "You looked upset."

"Oh." He frowned minutely, then smiled when the God Dragon focused more pointedly on him. "No, I'm not upset. I'm just not used to being woken up so often."

"Oh." Atem blinked. "My apologies."

"No, no, it's okay. It's not a bad thing! When it hatches, they'll be waking me up constantly anyways! I might as well learn now, right?"

The God Dragon didn't look nearly as amused as Yugi had hoped. He'd hoped his mate would find the statement funny rather than upsetting and yet, somehow, the red male looked distressed. The Sky Dragon shifted his weight and studied him a while longer before closing his eyes.

"I forget sometimes…" Yugi blinked and craned his head closer as the dragon continued speaking softly, "that you are still part Fire Dragon. You so rarely act as if you have such genes."

He fought a flinch as he got to his paws and moved forward to nuzzle his jaw. "I don't mind that you wake me," he said gently, flustered when Atem gave him a slightly annoyed look. "I love you. If you need to wake me for anything, I'd rather you did. I'm just not used to it, but learning now will help when the egg hatches, Atem. I do not want to be grumpy and agitated when our hatchling is running around and begging attention."

Atem huffed. "And what if they're lazy and don't want to run around constantly? What if they're low energy?"

"Their father is a God Dragon," Yugi laughed, shaking his head. "That's never going to happen. They'll have energy in bounds and love their life and they'll ask a million questions and love you almost as much as I do!"

The red male was silent for a moment, then shifted slightly toward him. "Father?"

The Gandora peered at him in confusion for a brief second, at first struggling to understand why he was questioning the title. Then he faltered, eyes widening in shock at the way Atem's expression seemed mildly crestfallen and perhaps upset as well. Yugi shook his head, hearts squeezing painfully in his chest.

"Of course. You're their father. You're Atem, the God Dragon of the East, born and still male. You laid the egg while male and you've always been male. Never once have you tried to change gender and never would I ask you to. And I know they're going to love you more than anything just like I do, and they'll understand later—"

"No," Atem cut in abruptly, eyes sharp, "they will not. They will not understand. Because we will not tell them."

Yugi blinked, startled. "What?"

"I don't want them to know. They'll never know I'm the one who laid their egg. I will not let them know and I do not want you to, either."

"And what will happen when they ask?"

Atem was silent for a long handful of minutes. He narrowed his eyes and shook his head. "How do you know they will?"

"Atem, they're going to be the offspring of two male dragons and one of them is a God Dragon. Of course they'll ask. They'll want to know all about it. You have to know they'll be curious and wonder."

The red male looked down at his paws, then glanced over his shoulder to the egg hidden behind his wing. "I do not want them to know." He lay his chin on his paws a few moments later, shaking his head slightly. "Let them wonder."

"Atem, I do not believe we will be able to hide it for long even if we should tell them otherwise. What is it that you believe we would tell them when they ask?"

Atem looked torn when he considered the question. Then he blinked and hissed, "We found an egg. We took it in. Simple."

Yugi shook his head slightly. "Why should you be ashamed of yourself for laying the egg?"

Atem looked at him as if he couldn't understand why he might ask such. The expression on his face was almost disgusted as they considered each other. And then he lowered his eyes and shook his head.

"It shouldn't have happened. It's meant to be impossible."

Yugi faltered, trying to think of some way to reassure him and failing. Atem was right. It shouldn't have been possible. It never should have happened. He was male. He was a Sky Dragon. Yugi was a Wind and Fire Dragon hybrid. There never should have been even the smallest chance. Their genetics never should have mixed to procure an egg. And perhaps Atem was right and it was dead. But…

"Do you regret it?"

Atem didn't answer for a long time. "If it doesn't hatch, I will." And then he turned away, tucking his head into his wing. "I'll regret spending the time raising your excitement like this if it is not alive."

Yugi opened and closed his mouth, then shook his head. "And what of you? Atem, this clearly is not affecting you in any positive manner. Are you going to tell me you only care about me and not yourself? You clearly care…"

The red male was silent for a long handful of seconds. "I do. But if it should be dead as I have so long suspected, it will not hurt me as it will you." For a long time he didn't look towards him and then abruptly the eye nearest him snapped open, boring into his. "If it does not survive, I am sorry I laid it."

Yugi couldn't think to speak for a split second, then blinked and lowered his eyes. "And if they're alive? What then?"

Atem bristled faintly as he raised his head and turned to stare at him. "What?"

Yugi looked up at him again, startled by the fierce expression he wore. "I know you'll love them, Atem, but… Will you regret this if we raise them?"

The Sky Dragon did not answer him for a long handful of minutes, golden eyes narrowing into slits. "No," he finally mumbled, "I do not believe so."

And while he wished he could argue the statement, it was clear Atem did not have assurance for him. He was scared and he didn't want to argue and he was too afraid to commit to an answer. He wanted to believe he wouldn't regret it, but he was too scared to tell him such positively and with firmness.

Yugi looked away, staring down at his paws, and closed his eyes. "Okay."


Yugi woke to the sound of Atem stretching and yawning, mumbling, "When do you plan to hatch?" as if the egg might answer. The red male circled the egg twice, then stretched his wings lazily before turning toward Yugi. Clearly he had not thought him to be awake, face becoming instantly sheepish upon noticing his eyes locked on him. Yugi offered him a small smile and stood lazily, shaking himself out and flexing his paws and yawning. He twitched his wings and glanced at the egg now as well.

"Good morning," he murmured, grinning. "You look well-rested today."

The God Dragon nodded, a small smile faintly quirking his bottom mouth. He leaned forward, licking his forehead and stretching his head back to crane towards the entrance. "I remember asking you to tell me what you wished to name them if they should hatch."

Yugi went to argue that it would, but found himself unable to. Atem was staring at the egg with a fascinated, faintly hopeful expression. He was afraid to be anymore earnest, kneading at the sand and river stones under his paws.

"Oh, um, well it mostly depends on their gender, but I…" He looked to the egg for a moment, hesitant before stretching out to rub his cheek against it. "There's a human word I learned in the village and it's the perfect combination of letters from our names."

Atem raised his head, faintly bristling with surprise. "You learned to write in the human language?"

"I did. I wanted to know our names in human tongue, and how to write them." He paused, smiling, and studied his mate's flustered expression. "So, I learned. And then I learned about a name that's a combination of ours."

"What is it?"

"Yami." Yugi studied his face, hoping to see a reaction or indication he felt even the faintest feeling toward it. He found himself nearly frowning, wondering then if Atem had ever thought of names when he was younger. Had that only been him when he'd gone to the human village, before he'd known Fire and Sky Dragon genetics did not mix? "I think it would work for male or female."

He blinked. "What does it mean?"

"It's a human word for darkness."

Atem stared at him in puzzlement. "Okay." He smirked, eyes brightening with laughter. "So, someone is hoping their hatchling comes out with black scales, hmm?"

Yugi blinked, then burst out laughing and sprang forward. He put his paws on his chest plate and rubbed muzzles with him, snickering. "They could come out with white scales and I'll still want that name," he teased. He muzzled him again when Atem snickered. "But I want to name them Yami. And I want to show you how to spell it when they've hatched."

The God Dragon nodded, but the laughter had faded from his face. Yugi didn't know if it was because he doubted it would hatch or if he truly had no input. "We can do that."

The Gandora paused, then crept forward a step. "Can I lay with you?"

The uncertainty in his voice must have startled him, for Atem turned to him with wide eyes and a confused expression. "Why are you asking?" he mumbled, staring in bewilderment. He glanced at the egg and then Yugi and tapped the tip of his tail invitingly against the stones there. Yugi would have purred had he been able, springing forward and rushing over. He plopped down beside him, stretching out and burrowing into his side. Atem snorted and put his chin on his paws. "When do you think it might hatch?"

Yugi studied him before sighing softly. "I'm hoping before winter hits. You still have to summon snow in a moon."

Atem froze, visibly startled. "You're right. I do…" His attention turned to the egg. "I'd almost forgotten."

"When do you think it will hatch?"

Atem blinked and looked at him sideways, with an expression that said he knew Yugi had caught his phrasing. The Gandora was only mildly satisfied with his sheepish expression, but it wasn't another argument he wanted to have. So he settled for waiting, and finally Atem looked away and shook his head.

"It would be preferable to happen before I summon snow. It would be far less dangerous to move it then."

Yugi stiffened. "Move it?"

Atem shot him a bewildered look. "We cannot remain in this den forever. The cold will get far worse and this den isn't made to be a stable environment for such weather but for me. You cannot survive when the temperature drops should we remain here. The altitude is too high."

He faltered, eyes widening at the reminder. He'd forgotten just how incompatible they truly were. Until now he hadn't even remembered he needed to move further down the mountain and into the valley for winter. It'd escaped him due to his excitement of just being with Atem. The Sky Dragon would have to follow him down, which in itself was not a big ordeal but made Yugi feel guilty. He deserved to be able to settle where he was and not worry about it. That was the gift of being a Sky Dragon. Climate hardly mattered to them. Weather was easy for them. They could manipulate it where necessary and leave it where not. They were born to what some of the dragons believed the greatest magic in existence. Atem could sleep in snow with no cover and survive with minimal stiffness, if even that.

"And I doubt an egg half Fire Dragon will survive here, either. Perhaps we should move dens before I summon snow."

"No, we don't need to do that!" Yugi blurted out before he could stop himself. He ducked his head when Atem turned to him with a startled expression. "We… We'll wait. I'd rather they were born here. You said yourself it's the nicest den and your favorite. So, I…"

It sounded stupid in retrospect, but Yugi couldn't help it. When he'd imagined them hatching, it'd been in this den, not one further down the mountains. He wanted it here. He wanted them to be born and raised here, though he doubted the latter could possibly happen until they moved dens again in spring. But he wanted it regardless.

Atem blinked at him, then looked at the egg. "I suppose we can wait. But when I summon snow we will need to leave sooner rather than later."

"A couple of days after."

The God Dragon turned his head slowly to regard him. The look in his eyes was not of fondness but rather warning. "A couple of days after is a dangerous idea."

"You can keep the weather a little warmer—"

"At the cost of what? I will bring about disaster elsewhere. Drought in the forests or tornadoes in the valley, ice storms in the desert or monsoons to the north? Yugi, I cannot simply change the weather and temperature at my own whim without considering the consequences. And none of them are fun. In fact they are usually rather dire, and I do not plan to put anyone through that."

"Okay, but… A couple of days won't hurt me! I promise."

Atem scoffed, staring coldly for a moment, and then sighed and curled up with his back to him. "If you say so, Yugi."

He wanted to argue, but the most he could do was shift his weight and put his chin on his paws, moving just enough to put his back to his and fold his wings comfortably into his side. He closed his eyes and forced himself not to focus on the disaster that might come about from waiting so long. Even a day of temperature plummets could ruin him. He knew that. Fire Dragons were not adept to temperature changes at all. The night air in the desert cooled well enough but it was not the point of snow or ice or bodies freezing upon exposure. Wind Dragons were slightly sturdier, but they were used to heavier winds and that did not necessarily always mean cold air.

He closed his eyes tightly.


Atem felt guilty when he nudged him awake. Yugi had been restless since their argument, his sleep proving fitful and uncomfortable. He panted and twitched at times and growled others. When Atem had brushed against him, Yugi had bristled and snarled in his sleep. It had clearly not been a fun dream, whatever it was. Atem did not know if waking him would be a mercy or a cruelty considering.

Yugi sprang to his paws as if he'd been bitten, startling and grunting an incoherent mumble that Atem strained himself to understand before giving up. The Gandora shook himself out and yawned, stretching, and turned to him with wide eyes. "Yes?"

He frowned. Then he got up as well. A bone in his back popped from the force of the movement. "I thought it might be a good time to wake you so that we might go sunbathe."

Yugi blinked, then nodded. "Okay!"

Atem tilted his head. "I'm sorry for upsetting you earlier."

He saw it when Yugi debated ignoring him in favor of avoiding another argument. The Gandora only buckled and acknowledged him because he saw how closely Atem was watching. He sighed and tilted his head away, mumbling, "It's okay. I didn't really…think it through."

The Sky Dragon went to answer but found himself unable. He nodded slightly and turned away. "I'm sorry to have reminded you then."

Yugi turned to him with wide eyes. "It wasn't… I shouldn't have forgotten about it." He smiled, licking his forehead and moving past him toward the egg. "Do you want me to meet you out there?"

Atem hesitated. Then he nodded and turned tail to jump the small ledge and hurry out the tunnel. He didn't want to attack him because he moved the wrong way and his instincts kicked in. That was hardly something he wanted. He shivered as he moved along the incline and towards flat ground again. Yugi didn't deserve a mate who turned on him because he couldn't control his instincts. He knew it was inexperience and being so young, but it didn't stop the guilt and shame that always came when he acknowledged this problem.

He moved away from a rocky outcrop and towards a small clearing where the mountain plateaued for a mile or two before sharply declining once more. The forest trees were almost stripped bare, yet another reminder he needed to solidify his resolve and summon snow. Winter in the mountains demanded it. It drove the ungulates down into the valley and the other animals which survived off their presence were secured another summer. Further more the fish would migrate to warmer waters which ensured they'd travel to the other regions before returning in summer. Failing to produce snow would only cause issues with the other animals and the dragons that survived off the fish in winter.

He could not afford to dismiss this necessity for the sake of this egg. He might do so for the sake of Yugi, but he could not afford to for the life of an egg that might never hatch.

Atem shook the thought off, taking a seat at the edge of the plateau overlooking the valley. There were still evergreen trees there, with high pointy tops and a river that never froze. The lake towards the center of the forest would be solid from the cold, but the river he so often ate from would not cease its movements.

He could hear when Yugi came closer, but he didn't wander as far as Atem. Instead he turned and made his way towards the spot he'd taken residence two days before. He lay there beside the egg, allowing it to absorb his body heat as well as the mixture of sunlight and shade. He looked comfortable, almost proud of himself, and when he looked at Atem he grinned.

"I still get to watch when you summon snow, right?"

He didn't know anymore if that was a good idea. He'd assumed they would move immediately afterward and thus Yugi would be safe from the effects. If he was pushing to remain there a while longer after he summoned cold weather it might be a bad idea to let him watch. He looked back down at the expanse of territory beneath his perch and murmured, "If you are still interested."

"Of course I'm still interested!"

"Then…so be it." He tilted his head. The humans were moving about, oddly enough, and they seemed almost to be gathering a hunting patrol or something of that manner. His mind flashed briefly to the story Yugi had told, of how they'd come up the mountains hoping to exterminate the dragons. He'd imagined it would have been futile, but the way the story had gone had sounded the opposite. He wondered if it had been changed for the sake of human retelling. Perhaps they'd meant to give a more favorable ending and the idea that optimism could carry their offspring far.

"You don't sound very happy."

Atem remained quiet. Then he glanced over. "It's not that. I've just…a lot on my mind."

"Do you want to share?"

"It seems rather burdensome, to be truthful. I feel if I let you listen to my troubles, you'll simply be exhausted after." He turned away again. It was a half-truth, but a truth all the same. He did think Yugi might become overwhelmed by the majority of his worries. He'd always gotten tired and stressed beneath them, and he was the one who harbored them. To imagine splitting those worries with another almost made him want to lay down and sleep forever. They likely wouldn't understand, though he hardly felt it accusatory to make such an assumption. Yugi would likely be able to, if only because he loved him and he'd try, but actually attempting to put it all into words was overwhelming. "Maybe I'll explain some other time…"

Yugi was quiet for a long moment. Then, softly, he murmured, "If you say so, Atem."

Something about the way he said his name sent a prickle of unease down his spine. Had he hurt his feelings? Had he made him feel inferior? Had he stuck his paw in his mouth in saying that? He looked over his shoulder but Yugi was watching the egg, eyes full of parental fondness.

Atem wondered what was wrong with him that he felt no such warmth towards it. He had the instinct to nurture and protect it, but he felt no such attachment. It hurt to consider maybe he was so unnatural and removed from everything. It was the only thing to explain it. Sky Dragons were one of the best parents in the world. He couldn't imagine they felt so despondent towards their clutch of eggs as he himself did. Even Seto had seemed to show more affection and desire.

Yugi was a Gandora, a species known for abandoning the females to raise and protect them. And he had a better connection to an egg Atem laid. It seemed almost cruel. And yet he realized as well Yugi didn't feel the dread he did. He didn't suffer the guilt that came with knowing he'd laid an egg that shouldn't exist. He didn't have that inkling feeling of disgust and horror that came knowing that.

He wasn't haunted by the smell of egg-rot in his dreams or the feeling of cold despair that gripped him when he thought of the nest his brother had procured. And he still had no understanding why he felt that wat, either. It made no sense. Their mother was sweet and nurturing and perhaps Seto was not who Atem would consider even slightly worthwhile, but the Felgrand had clearly harbored no ill will towards his own nest.

Maybe Atem was just wrong. It wouldn't have been the first time he'd felt displaced and—

He looked away.

"I need to summon snow in seven days' time. If the egg hasn't hatched by then, we'll have to carry it with us when we move to the valley."

There was a long heartbeat where Yugi didn't respond. And then he asked, "Can it survive that? It's only a couple of weeks old. I don't know if we could safely move it…"

"Better it perish than you."

Atem got up and wandered away before Yugi could respond.