Yugi wondered when he had fallen in love.

Maybe it was from the moment that he saw him or when Atem had saved him from the wrath of the other knights? He was not sure, but Yugi felt a nagging thought that he should know. The thoughts made Yugi grow mad, borderline frustrated when he could not , for the life of himself, figure out this complex feelings that he held for the young dragon.

'Why can't I understand this damned feelings?' he'd find himself screaming internally, wanting to yank out his hair and probably claw at his face.

It has been a year since that incident back in his hometown happened, the news traveling as far as the borders that The Magician of Black Chaos was with a dragon. Yugi wanted to pulverize them but Atem, sweet little Atem, told Yugi that they didn't need to cause a scene, or worse, make it more damaging than it already was to Yugi's reputation, which had then resulted in their first fight and Yugi realizing with a stunning revelation that he had fallen for a dragon.

Of all the... He had to fall with a dragon! And a male one too no less!

Connections were cut, ties were broken, and all communications were halted. The misunderstanding was left as it is, never to be cleared, simply leaving all of the mess behind them. Yugi found that he did not give a damn, he would protect himself and Atem from any impending harm should there be any.

Yugi had grown closer with the other duel monsters in the area they resided in, simply enjoying their company. They didn't bother him, didn't annoy him, but accepted him as one of their own and the magician was more than happy to return the favor. Atem was accepted too in the community, which had brought them peace over all.

Yugi was still in this cursed form as a girl, not knowing how to undo it just yet, he never tried for fear that he might screw up again. It wasn't in his nature to hesitate at every opportunity to practice but here he was second guessing things, wishing he wasn't stuck in this cursed body.

The magician had lost his his leather clothing from the incident that transpired and he was forced to wear a lose white tunic that was held by a crimson colored sash, his other tunics consisted of blues, reds, and gold, with the assortment of sashes as well. Yugi didn't mind about his new clothing but he kind of wished he was back to his regular outfit.

He'd lost his staff too and Atem had immediately went out to find it, making Yugi panic when the dragon didn't return for hours on end. When Atem did, he was carrying Yugi's staff in his claws. The magician, out of relief, launched himself to the dragon, ranting and babbling about what could've happened to him if he was not careful but otherwise he was glad the dragon was okay.

"Oh I'm so glad you're not dead!"

-"Why, Yugi! Don't think like that! I will always, always return to you no matter what. I promise."

Atem had promised and Yugi didn't know how to react; how could he when those sincere words left the dragon's lips and made him ache with unabashed longing? He didn't know how to react at this type of display, so he simply went over to embrace Atem, which was gladly returned.

Atem gave him gifts, showered him with attention, and made sure he was taken care of and loves, replacing the empty space and longing in Yugi's heart. Honestly, he was living his life to the fullest with Atem by his side. Just one problem, Yugi was oblivious to Atem's courting.

He was oblivious about the reason Atem gave him expensive and shiny gifts, when Atem warmed him and kept him away from the night's chilly air, oblivious when Atem would grow protective of him whenever someone went too close to Yugi. Oh yes, Yugi was oblivious to all of this things.

He was currently bathing in the spring, a private area for the bathing female duel monsters when Atem had cornered him that day.

XxXx

Yugi was minding his own business, cleaning and scrubbing away at the dirt and grime that clung to his body, still in that accursed female body he had grown accustomed to and he loathed it. Out of nowhere, Atem had appeared near a bush without warning, scaring the hell out of Yugi.

"Atem!" He cried out, mortified, face red, ducking low on the water, arms covering his chest that surely held the small mounds. "Don't scare me like that!"

Atem had the audacity to blush, throwing him a sheepish smile and then looking down. -"My apologies, Yugi,"- he mumbled and glanced up. -"but I do have to tell you something, forgive me if it will be random... But... If... Only you're willing to listen?"-

There was hesitance and desperation in Atem's voice that Yugi did not miss, aware that whatever was on the dragon's mind it was clearly bothering him. So Yugi pushed everything aside and threw his whole attention to his companion, grabbing a towel and swiftly wrapping himself with it to cover his nudity. Atem flicked his golden irises to Yugi then diverted it away.

"Of course, Atem. What is it?" Yugi asked softly.

Atem chewed on his bottom lip-- damn was he adorable-- and spoke in a small, fragile voice. -"Promise you won't hate me for this?"- He asked, wanting assurance.

Yugi frowned at the oddity of the question. What was Atem saying-- "Atem, we've known each other for a year and a half already, I know you well by now. If it doesn't kill or harm me then I won't hate you for that."

Atem looked up from under his dark lashes. -"Promise?"-

Yugi smiled. "I promise... But if it's too much I could--"

-"I want you to be my mate"-

Yugi shuttered and recoiled like he was bitten, eyes wide in disbelief. Was... Was he hearing right? "I..I'm sorry... What?" He grabbed at the Hem of the towel, clenching it tightly around his body.

Atem looked down, face red, feeling his tail coil around him, the uncomfortable situation making him squirm. -"It's just... I want you, Yugi. I want you to spend the rest of your life, here with me. Be my life companion, my mate, and my partner."- he whispered and looked up again. -"I want you to be mine, you know? You brighten the darkest days of my life, you make me content, make me want nothing else, nothing else but you. I understand if you will not want to be mine, however, I will stay by your side as a friend shall."-

Yugi fell back on the spring, landing on his butt on the water, bug eyed, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water, his sensible thoughts having left him the moment Atem confessed. "I... You...??" He stammered, heart hammering rapidly on his chest, face stained red. "You.. you can't be serious, right? Why me?"

Atem stared at him dead in the eye which struck a lethal blow to poor Yugi's heart. -"I am serious... I don't know why I am intrigued by you, nor do I know why you make me feel like the luckiest dragon there is."- Not a harsh or soft tone, just plain, stating nothing but the truth.

Yugi continued to stare dumbly and Atem let out a bitter smile cross his face, a humorless laugh escaping his lips. -"I wish you would've just answered me Yugi... But your silence is enough of an answer.. I'll... I'll see you later... I suppose."-

Atem started walking away, wing and tail hanging limply in defeat behind him as he painfully strode away from the man he had come to adore and love. Why did he have to fall for Yugi out of all people?

"Atem wait!"

The aforementioned faltered in his steps and indeed stopped moving, not turning to face Yugi. He knew that Yugi had his head down, tilted to the side, his features reflecting on the crystal waters, his arms wrapped around himself.

"Yes I didn't answer, but I wasn't rejecting you outright," he started, fidgeting as Atem turned to him, a confused light in his eyes, features twisting to match the feelings reflected on those gold swirls.

-"What do you mean, Yugi?"- Atem rumbled, brows furrowed in confusion.

Seriously Yugi wanted to laugh, forcing himself not to do it and instead replied, trying to steady his voice. "Your confession... I-it caught me off guard is all..." He whispered. "Please let me think about it?"

Atem stared at him, form tense. He slowly, oh so agonizingly slow, let the tenseness wash away from his form at Yugi's words. -"I'll wait for your answer. Forever if that's what it takes." And then Atem was walking away, leaving Yugi to his own devices.

XxXx

Now, in the present day of his mulling after the past week of Atem's confession, Yugi was deep in his thoughts about his feelings for his companion. It was more than just friendship he felt that much he knew, though how deep it was he wasn't sure. He wasn't sure if it was infatuation or love, stuck in between the two and arguing back and forth.

Yugi's grip on his staff was tight, lip bitten in contemplation at his current predicament. He sighed loudly in defeat, swearing it was over exaggerated at best, going off to find Atem. Screw it, he found himself thinking. Screw everything that the law says. He will not hesitate any longer.

He will go after Atem if it's the last thing he'll do.

-"Yugi, help me!"- a distressed voice called out in the link, waves of panic and shrieks assaulting the link, snapping Yugi to attention, eyes going wide in fear.

-"Atem! What's wrong?!"- he demanded, feeling the anxiety and fear course from Atem's end of the link.

-"T-they're here Yugi! Please! They want to kill me! It's the knights! They found me! Help me, help me!!!"- was all Yugi heard before the link was cut off with another pained wail, Yugi feeling his side ache with sharp pain. Oh no... They were hurting Atem!

Yugi's breathing sped up and all he saw was red at that moment, the control he always had on his temper snapped and the magician knew no more. He could feel his body levitate and then throw fire after fire somewhere, hearing the pained screams, dull thuds, echoing cries of horror and fear, and the sickening squelch of blood, forever embedded in his hearing and mind.

XxXx

When Yugi came to, something wet was trailing all over his cheeks, whimpers filling his ears and making him groan, scrunching his eyes shut tightly. Who the hell was making the noise?

-"Y-Yugi?"- a small voice spoke.

Yugi's eyes snapped open. Violet met gold. Yugi felt the air in his lungs get sucked out as Atem teared up and hugged the life out of him, causing the magician to gasp, blinking and moaning in pain.

-"Oh thank the heavens! You're alive! I was so worried!"- Atem's voice cracked, on the verge of wailing.

Yugi groaned and leaned against Atem's chest, there was a pounding headache forming behind his eyelids. "What happened?"

Atem blinked, looking down at Yugi in surprise, his eyes glowing like the golden sunsets that swirled with the fiery sky. -"Y..you don't remember?" -

Atem bit his lips. -"You.. the knights... You obliterated them, Yugi, wiped them clean, and just..." He trailed off, not knowing what to say anymore.

Time seemed to stop and Yugi's world vanished, his breathing all but halted at Atem's haunting words. No-- no he couldn't have-- he just couldn't-- "I-I..I d-didn't--...w-why.." he stammered, tears welling at the edge of his vision.

There was a long silence that Atem broke, a small, gentle, smile painting his lips. "But.. you protected me.. and I'm grateful Yugi. If you didn't they could've killed us.." he whispered, leaning in and planting a soft kiss on the magician's forehead.

Yugi regretted the consequence of his actions but screw it! Those damned knights had tried to kill Atem, tried to murder him as well. No one will be taking this dragon away from him, not now, not ever! No one will be taking Atem away from Yugi!

When Atem pulled away, Yugi immediately followed him and pulled him back in, cupping his face and mashing their lips together in a kiss.

Atem's eyes widened, his movements stilling as he watched Yugi's lips catch his own. His shock was short lived as he slowly melted into that heart warming kiss, hands sneaking to wrap around Yugi's waist and pull him close. Yugi wrapped his arms around Atem's neck, burying his fingers on the wild mane of his companion.

The dragon's tail wrapped around them comfortingly and if Yugi had any complaints he didn't voice it out, choosing to enjoy and bask in Atem's kiss. His lips were so soft... Yugi let out a contented sigh which Atem mimicked.

He didn't notice that his body had shifted back into his male form, slowly but gradually his body shifted back into it's original form. They stayed in their intimate embrace for as long as they could until air was becoming an issue and they had to pull apart to breathe, gulping in much needed air.

Atem gazed at him shyly and then blinked, seeing his form, smiling softly at the other, eyes holding an affectionate look as he nuzzled Yugi's nose with his own, making the magician hum in appreciation. "You changed back," he stated. "How long...?"

Yugi looked down at his body and smiled, feeling giddy that he was back to his normal form. He looked up at Atem and grinned, putting their foreheads together sweetly. "Ah well, doesn't matter," he lowered his voice. "I got you all to myself now. I'm not sharing you with anyone nor will anybody take you away from me, my little dragon." He whispers adoringly.

Atem laughed softly at Yugi's corny line, nuzzling their noses again and pecking Yugi's lips. "So is that a yes?" He asks.

"No it was the spur of the moment of course it's a yes!" He snaps half heartedly.

Atem laughed and shook his head. "My magician.." he whispers lovingly and caresses Yugi's cheek.

Yugi rolled his eyes and once again pressed their lips together, their bodies molding and fitting like two pieces of a puzzle. Atem gladly returned the kiss, arms all but holding Yugi lovingly.

There in the middle of the battlefield, the two lovers kissed underneath the midday sun, everything all but settled.

They never corrected the rumors, never cleared the misunderstanding that happened in the village. No, matter what everyone would say both Yugi and Atem will forever be together.

And that ends the story of the Magician and the Dragon.