Zypher: and it all comes full circle. when i got a handle on what bookend prompts were, this one written itself as well. only fair that one side of the story is told at the start with the other left for the end. so enjoy the end off PuzzleJune with Atemu's side of the story from Doors. and for K1mba, i will indeed be doing a continuation of the kitsune story~ it will be over on ao3 (name in profile as i dont go by the same name there as I do here!) however i will consider crossposting here if you're interested!
hopefully for all that found interest in this collection, you enjoyed all that was written. this was a delightful challenge and glad i chose to participate in it this year. it was absolute fun and wouldn't mind going again for 2021!
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Day 30: Atemu was always surrounded by the walls of his name and how he is perceived in public. He wanted nothing to do with being a Sennen, he just wanted to be himself. So as he escapes those walls for one night, he came upon a bar and met a male who had walls of his own to guard him from finding new love but also allowed the old love to fester a bitter sore upon his heart. What is Atemu to do to help this lovelorn beauty?
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Walls.
Since he was a child, Atemu was always sheltered by walls. Tall, imposing walls that kept him from the outside world and never to know the wonders of it. Born into a well off family, he had wealth and power at his fingertips but with it was always talk of finding a suitable partner in which to share his fortune with. Someone with a respectable face and appearance to stand by his side at parties and galas and functions. All sorts of things that were just the equivalent of boredom.
Atemu hated it all and wanted to break down these walls that kept him trapped in a position he cared nothing for. He can have fame and fortune and a name of which was known to many but his heart wanted someone honest and worth his time. Someone that made him genuinely happy and not just a trophy wife to hang from his arm.
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It was a late evening and one of which Atemu wanted to get out of the house. His parents had discussed once again of his foreseeable future. Of a bride with fake plastic smiles and eyes lit with greed for his money and not for him. They didn't want to hear his opinions, of him to find his own romantic partner that would be just what he wanted and not someone chosen by their hand that they thought was to be perfect. Atemu needed out of that house and its encroaching walls. So with his wallet and keys and attire fitting for the night, Atemu ducked past the servants and left out the front door, disappearing down the driveway and went to look for a place in which to settle. A place where he wouldn't be recognized quickly. His feet carried him far from home and deep into the city, landing him in downtown Domino that was ripe with its nightlife.
Atemu felt relaxed in that place, a place where he can be himself and not a Sennen. A bar with a charming name caught his eye and felt it to be a place where it would be light of rowdiness for being more of a music bar than one to spend all your funds on drinks to wash away your guilts had him walk through the door. The soft bass and fast paced beat made the other smile as he looked around. The bar was calm, with people on the dance floor dancing the night away with other drinks at tables or the bar. As scarlet eyes scanned the bar, it was there he saw a peculiar sight. Of a small figure who looked much too young to be in a bar but if there was one thing he learned when it came to his own stature, being on the short side didn't equate to a kid from a first glance.
But that wasn't all to catch his attention as from the back, the figure looked so much like him with a wild mane of magenta and raven compared to his ruby and obsidian. Curiosity brought him to the bar and sat next to the lad, ordering a drink for himself as eyes skimmed over the figure absent to all around him as he was taken away by the band to play over the speakers. With a closer look had Atemu see the clear difference between them. Ivory skin flushed just lightly from the alcohol gleaned under the fluorescent lighting dimmed to give the bar the atmosphere to stick around longer than a mere hour as golden bangs framed a rounded face light on defined angles. His eyes were closed but it made Atemu wonder just what shade of eyes laid behind them. Knowing it to be rude to continue his observation while he was blissfully unaware had Atemu finally speak up in hopes to grasp the male's attention.
"Nice night, isn't it?"
Startled to alertness brought their gazes to meet and Atemu was left breathless toward the sight. Wide violet eyes met his scarlet and with all features revealed, he felt himself pining for the breathtaking creature that he chose to sit beside that evening. And it seems Atemu wasn't alone when it came to observation, feeling the wandering eyes of the other before they had landed on his own and froze to the sight. Too often he was used to some being rather frightened of his scarlet eyes, a feature that would do well when it came to business and to not let anyone get the upper hand on him. But that was just another wall that made to cover his true self and one that he didn't want to be in the way of getting to know this fair gem. A response so light came from the other and by the tone that Atemu caught, a sweet and light alto, he could tell the other had quite the emotional baggage upon his shoulders and hoped that perhaps some light conversation would ease its weight.
As his drink was set on the counter before him, he took the glass in slender fingers and began. He didn't receive a name for the first round but the other did join in though reluctant to get himself too deeply involved into the conversation. Clear avoidance of sounding interested in something Atemu was in no means seeking. He was a guarded one with walls of his own and would be hard to see what troubled the youth. When their topics drifted off did Atemu watch the other's body language, of slumped shoulders and wistful stirs of the ice in his cup. If he had to put a finger on what ailed the other, it has to be something close, something related to the heart. A girlfriend perhaps. "Trouble in paradise?" Atemu began and that sparked a reaction though the response isn't the one he sought as he was quickly denied of knowing upon a first meeting. Fair enough. Finishing up the dredges of his drink, leaving nothing but ice behind, Atemu took out his wallet to pay for it and found something that he normally hated carrying around.
A business card holding his cell information and name embossed on the card stock as simply A. Sennen. He paused for a moment, looking between the card and the male to keep his head down, a few sips from finishing his own drink and made his decision easily. Money and tip set down for the bartender, the card was set beside the other's arm. "You have no need to take it," Atemu began as he pulled away from the other to start out the bar. "But if you need someone to give an ear, call me at that number. No one should have to carry bitterness in their heart til it festers." It was a stretch and he was sure it would likely be ripped up and tossed into the trash but Atemu had a small bud of hope that perhaps the other will keep it, to think upon his offer and confide in him when the burden gets too heavy to bear.
Free of the bar, Atemu inhaled sharply of the night air, so brisk and chilling and felt lighter than when he left home. A smile crossed his lips before he started back for home. Yes, he'll be back behind those jailed walls but for one night, he wouldn't feel as trapped as he would normally. Able to sleep easy with the memory of violet eyes.
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It was a week before Atemu heard anything new. He was trapped with busy work of the family name and already he was exhausted. Another banquet he was forced to attend and had to make friendly with yet another business partner's daughter. He wanted to get out, to get from behind the walls that trapped him in. He kept appearances up for the family but once behind the door of his room, he collapsed into his bed and would've been dead asleep if his phone didn't start to ring. Atemu almost didn't want to reach for it but to ignore it could be missing an important call. Whatever could be considered important, he thought bitterly as he went to pick up the cell from the bedside table and answered without checking the caller ID. "Hello, Atemu speaking." There was silence for a moment before a familiar voice of the sweetest honey came over the line. "Hello...I know we never formally introduced ourselves before but I'm the guy from the bar. I...really need someone to talk to. Can you meet me there?"
Atemu never got onto his feet so fast with promise that he'd be there in twenty minutes. Their next meeting was a bit more welcoming, Atemu properly introducing himself this time and got a name in return and what a name it was. Yugi was such a delightful name that played sweetly on his lips and smiled as the two began to talk. The petite male still didn't divulge the worries that plagued him but after talking to Atemu, he felt lighter in heart and that was enough for the other male. Soon after, they found themselves a routine that worked, the bar a common meeting spot for the two and Yugi giving a call to Atemu when he had hit a snag of a bad night and needed company. Both were the breath of air they needed from their separate lives, only needing a single drink and a conversation to sweep away the toils of the day.
Atemu could see the gratitude in Yugi's face after they left and in his heart that pined for him, wanted to continue to see that smile on his face. If Atemu could, he would be the happiness that Yugi so desperately needed but knew he couldn't step over the boundaries set. Only friends they could be for now as Atemu didn't know what Yugi's preferences were. To assume would only end in heartbreak and he couldn't take that. He didn't want to lose the bond of friendship they shared either. So it was to the other's surprise that one night took a different turn. Atemu knew how it felt to have women throw themselves at him at the behest of his parents to find a wife that he didn't need. So it was a whole different case when it was drunk women who saw his looks and his eyes and wanted a piece of him whether it was to dance on the floor or pull him into some sort of backroom for rewards undeserving of their inebriated breath and uncoordinated fingers.
Yugi, bless his heart, found amusement towards his plight but also felt like he was in the way. "You know you don't have to stick around with me." The light voice spoke after another woman was turned away, a little more conscious in thought of her actions but Atemu still didn't plan to give her what she wanted upon looking at him. Scarlet hues looked into violet as a small smile crossed his face, arms coming to settle themselves on the countertop. "They don't want to spend time with me for me, Yugi. I rather have your company than theirs. You're more interesting and dare I say a pleasantry to be around. And you need the company." Atemu said truthfully. He needed no other company than Yugi's. Yugi made his heart soar and always brought a smile upon his face. He was the life Atemu wanted but felt he could never have all because of a pedigree that left him without a choice of his own to make.
He wanted to smash the walls of societal ignorance and live a life of which he can be happy with. And that would be a life at Yugi's side as a friend or, if he was allowed to hope, a lover. The smile that appeared on Yugi's face had him smiling too, seeing the answer was well approved and let the ice clink inside the glass as he moved his straw, hearing the song change on the set playlist. As the woman's voice floated through the bar with her tale of woe and misery, something changed in Yugi. Something that Atemu caught onto quick and grew worried as the petite male's eyes shadowed with misery to match the tone of the song. What could've sour such a bright mood so quickly? The other knew it couldn't be the song but something in the song's words resonated hard with the problems that still had their hidden claws in Yugi. A hand moved to land on his shoulder, feeling the slight jump which pained Atemu to see.
"Yugi?"
The call of his name was light but it gave a proper response as Yugi turned his head to see the concern flitting in Atemu's eyes. Something changed that night between the two, something that was the start of something deeper, of something that told both that they were each other's support without being vocal. Daring to be brave, Atemu reached forward and cupped a warm cheek, feeling the petite male lean into it, braving the contact so desperately needed. The walls were cracking around Yugi and knew a bar was no place to let it all go without it being overheard by others. So the other moved from the stool, extending another hand and it warmed his soul to feel the small hand grip his own, giving him the consent to take Yugi away from the melancholy sounds to ravage his worn soul.
Yugi was growing comfortable to him and it was all Atemu could ask for if it meant helping in any way he could.
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The scarlet eyed male was glad his parents were away on business this time around. He knew they wouldn't be invasive towards getting to know Yugi but he didn't want them getting ideas until he was sure of those ideas himself. Not to mention that by the expression to cross Yugi's face when they had reached the manor, he'd have more explaining to do about his wealth and name. "I know it's a lot to take in and I'm sorry I didn't come clean sooner." Atemu began softly, resting a hand over Yugi's shoulder, a tad worried that for all the things they had done together, it would go up in dust. "I just wanted to feel like a normal guy. A guy that doesn't have to worry about people or press knocking at my door asking about me trying to have even the slightest bit of leisure that isn't spending thousands of yen on trivial things. I just wanted to have someone that I can talk to normally. Someone that isn't all about business or the prospect of marriage." Praise be to Ra that Yugi understood once the shock had worn off and gave him a smile to show there were no hard feelings.
Atemu introducing himself as he had made the transition all the easier into finding out who he really was for Yugi and still felt the same comfort as he always did, that money made no difference in who Atemu was at heart. This made him smile as he went to lead Yugi up to the manor. "Let's head inside, I can set up a movie and some snacks and if there's anything you want to get off your chest, I'm all ready to listen." They stepped in to the servants bowing to Atemu's presence, a uniform greeting of 'Atemu-sama' as they always did and he nodded towards them as he led Yugi past them and into the living room. He offered him a seat while he went to get snacks for their movie night, disappearing off to the kitchen to get a tray and load them with a couple cans of soda, a bowl of cheese curls and some leftover fruit gummies he bought when he had a taste for them.
As he did all this, Atemu began to wonder if Yugi was really ready to share what had been ailing him since their first encounter. It definitely had been some time since that day and Yugi had grown comfortable to his presence and accepted the hand of friendship extended after enough late night meetings at the bar. Truly he wanted to relieve him of the burden but if he still didn't want to talk about it, Atemu certainly won't force it. With everything set, the other stepped back out into the living room and set the tray on the coffee table before sitting beside Yugi. The remote was left where it sat normally as he watched the smaller male beside him. He waited to see if Yugi wanted to talk and saw his thumbs fidgeting with apprehension. Looks like whatever had been on his mind had hit its breaking point but Yugi was afraid to unload that all onto him. It wasn't Atemu's problem to deal with after all but he wanted to be there for him. Wanted him to get it all off his chest instead of letting it sit there and rot until he finally collapsed under his own walls.
A hand reached out to cover Yugi's and gazed right into those pained violets as they turned to look towards him and then he saw it happen. The walls around his emotions broke away and Yugi began to speak of all that had him a bundle of frayed nerves. It was no surprise when Yugi started off that he had a girlfriend, Atemu expected that much of him but he was surprised in hearing that he was also the one behind the Spherium II project heard through the grapevine that was his cousin. It was such an interesting game concept that had caught his attention and was in full consent in giving it a trial run when asked. As he continued, Atemu could see where all the stress had stemmed from. The significant other was giving Yugi such a hard time for doing what he loved and had to wonder if she thought complaining enough towards him or walking out on him constantly will make him drop it all for her. It was a cruel and terrible thought and Atemu couldn't help but hate such a woman.
She should be appreciative, even lucky, to have someone as sweet as Yugi to be her boyfriend. He'd kill to have her luck even. With the problem laid out on the table, Yugi bowed his head as he questions what he should do next. "I don't want to leave her...but I'm running out of options and patience. I don't think I can handle the sound of that damned oak door slamming on me again. I honestly thought she loved me...but it doesn't seem that way anymore..." Atemu hated the defeated tone, it was undeserving to be coming from such sweet lips. He ran a thumb over the back of his hand and bit his tongue from saying the first thing to come to mind. To not care for her feelings and kick her to the curb. That isn't something he'd want to hear. He wanted advice as the situation was clearly sensitive enough for Yugi not to set off a powder keg he isn't prepared to deal with.
The woman really wasn't worth Yugi's time and energy but the question lied in whether Yugi still wanted to put the effort into keeping what clearly was a dying relationship alive. To him, the only answer she was seeking is for Yugi to drop the project and focus on her. An unfair trade. "I could say what's really on my mind but that wouldn't be nice. So I offer this as the closest rephrasing. When one door closes, another opens." The words seem to be just what Yugi needed to hear, his head rising to look towards Atemu before the barest smile crossed his face. The light of life was back in his eyes and seemed like something else grew along with it. Yugi scooted a bit closer to Atemu, taking in his presence and if Atemu had to judge, this was Yugi coming to terms with something new.
Something the likes of which he wasn't expecting but something he was willing to try if it meant a chance of being happy for himself. They both loved games and could talk for hours about some of their favorites. Just by that alone, they forged a bond that he and his girlfriend could never hope to do with how her behavior had grown to be. If Atemu was getting the wish he so desired, he would take it slow. Yugi surely didn't think that a conversation about how to solve his romance problem would lead to finding a potential new lover. "You don't have to sit here and figure all this out right now. You have time to see if what you wish to have is still salvageable and if not, then I will still wait until you are ready to take that step, Yugi. I'm sure this did end up happening much too quick for you to understand and process if a guy is someone you needed more than your current girlfriend but take the time, settle things as needed and know that I'm only a phone call away."
Yugi nodded, a smile still across his face for all Atemu did and a split second thought had him bringing their hands up, the press of soft lips to the back of his hand nearly making him swoon. It was but a small gesture but a gesture that promised that Yugi will come back to him if all else fails. Yes, he'll wait. Wait for as long as he had to until Yugi was ready to come into his arms and feel love and safety there.
"Now then, how about we start that movie I promised."
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Atemu shouldn't be as happy as he was but he was. Another wall was knocked down as he finally talked to his parents about everything. The banquets, the galas, the business dinners and functions. He was tired of them all but in particular, tired of being handed the hands of promising girls to be his wife. "I don't want a trophy wife. I just want someone to accept me as I am and not for money." It was shocking to hear but his mother understood and took her convincing to get his father to accept the same. It was a small victory as he really wanted to be free to make the choice he wanted and that choice was to be with Yugi when Yugi was ready. It wouldn't do him any good to keep to that promise but was forced without warning into some arranged marriage signed without his permission.
At least now, that was one item to cross off the list and the next was to wait on Yugi. But he didn't have to wait long as one call came from him to tell him that his girlfriend had up and left on her own. She wasn't coming back and would send for her things. "Can you come over? I'll text you my address. I just need you here right now." Yugi spoke and Atemu nodded, promising to be there as soon as he could. Once he had the address, he snagged a set of car keys and was off for the apartment where Yugi lived. It was happening, it was finally and truly happening and the fluttering of his heart would not stop. As he pulled up to park, Atemu stepped out the car and started on his way to the door, seeing the plate marked with Yugi's last name and that of his now ex-girlfriend and would've selfishly taken out the plate to toss when his cell rang again.
He saw the ID reading Yugi's name and smiled as he went to answer it. "Atemu...I hope your door is still open." He didn't need to hear the words through the phone as the door opened to reveal the smiling face of the other as he spoke them. Atemu couldn't help the smile to cross his own as he held his arms open in invitation for the hug that he knew Yugi wanted. To finally accept the desire in his heart to close the door on his last relationship and open the door to the new one that led to Atemu. "My door was always unlocked and open for you, Yugi." And with those words, Yugi ran into his embrace and hugged him tight, Atemu returning the clinging hold as tears marked the shirt he wore from the happy tears Yugi cried.
They both had walls that sheltered their lives and made them miserable in different instances but together, they had broken through those walls and found the happiness they sought for.