Atem followed Yugi into the living room. Kaiba had sat on the other empty chair next to Bakura and Marik. Atem smirked as he sat on the couch next to Yugi. Those two had become close it seemed. It wasn't unexpected though. Though, not a lot surprised the Pharaoh at this point. Yugi started to go off. Speaking quickly with excitement to fill in his old friend. The game shop was thriving. There was a touch of a sad tone when explaining that his grandfather had passed away. It wasn't on foul terms now, which was all that any of them could have hoped for. Tea had remained at their High School. Becoming a teacher and role model for young girls who wanted to get into dueling. She was determined to show that it wasn't just a man's world. Joey was currently in college to become a doctor. Caring for his sister had showed him how much he enjoyed the process of seeing someone progress. He wanted to help; to make a difference in the world. Tristan went in an entirely different direction. He had went to college to get more into a business setting. Kaiba's success always hit his nerves. He wanted to be just as successful. Tristan had met a girl out one night and next thing he knew he had a baby in his arms. There was currently a wedding underway.

Mokuba had become a nicer version of his brother in high school. Taking on responsibilities with the company at full speed. His grades were perfect. Rishid and Ishizu worked together at the museum to preserve ancient Egyptian artifacts. Their brother Marik worked more closely protecting the ancient tombs. Some weren't even released to public knowledge yet. Bakura seemed to roam. Teaching classes from time to time on Ancient Egypt. He would volunteer most of his time. Yugi paused to glance over at Kaiba. The man didn't seem like he was ready to explain anything about his life. Mokuba cut in smiling; his brother wouldn't give him attitude.

"Nii-San is still the CEO. Working with Pegasus mostly for new ideas in dueling. Currently we are creating a new event based off of Ancient Egypt actually. I've been in close contact with everyone here for help on the project. We want everything to be as accurate as possible."

Kaiba shot a glare at his brother. That was more information than what was needed. Yugi beamed then getting excited out of nowhere. He spoke before he could consider the consequences.

"I've seen one of the new cards. It looks exactly like you Yami!"

Mokuba's eyes widened. They couldn't even compare to the expression currently plastered on Kaiba's face. Pure murderous intent streaked his normal stoic expression. Yugi swallowed nervously while leaning back against the couch. Atem broke the uncomfortable silence with laughter. His voice booming in the room of stressed adults.

"I'm sure it will be a fantastic game. We will have to test it out won't we?"

Atem stole Kaiba's attention then. They stared at each other from across the room. That was exactly what the man wanted. He felt the most alive when dueling the Pharaoh. Nothing had been the same since he had departed. No one compared to the man when it came to the game. His sheer passion and strategy was more addictive than drugs. Their moment was shattered by Ishizu calling everyone in for dinner. The entire situation was extremely strange. Everything was too normal at this moment. Like Atem being there was just another day. The Pharaoh hid his stress well. Knowing that at any moment everything could change. That they did not have the answers that they needed. Everyone could be in danger at this very moment. He hid it all behind a smile that could fool thousands. Kaiba on the other hand did not hide his emotions well. He was reserved and irritated. This entire scene was a complete joke. Sitting around and eating dinner when Atem could be taken from them at any moment. Foolish, they were all idiots. They needed to get out to that scene in the desert. See if anything could be spotted to help. Kaiba shot up from his seat, slamming his palms on the table. A joined confused/shocked expression was shared by the table. He was angry, this was insane. No one seemed to realize the gravity of the situation.

"We need to get moving! This is ridiculous. Have any of you even returned to the spot that you found him at? There could be clues slowly disappearing in the fuc"

"Seto."

Kaiba's attention snapped to the Pharaoh. Atem wasn't smiling though. His eyes matched Kaiba's. Almost like a threat. Poking at him to test his patience. Atem continued after seeing that Kaiba wasn't speaking.

"The sun is setting. It would be pointless to waste our energy tonight. First thing tomorrow we can go and search. If you are so restless then you can return to your work can't you? You found me, here I am. What can I do for you?"

Kaiba left the table then in a rush. Angry beyond reasoning; feeling embarrassed for being called out. It was more frustration than anything. What did he want from Atem? They got Yugi here…he could technically leave. There was no real reason for the man to stay. Atem's business had nothing to do with him. The only problem was that Kaiba didn't completely agree with that reasoning. He couldn't force himself to leave. Atem could disappear at any second. He wanted to hold on as long as he could. Surely the Pharaoh knew this though? He could read just about any situation. So why was he poking at his nerves? They heard the door slam as Kaiba left the house. Mokuba apologized to everyone before standing up himself. Atem put up a hand to show that he was going to get up instead.

"This isn't your fight. He's mad at me."

Mokuba watched as Atem left the room as well. They all shared worried expressions. Those two were going to kill each other. That or start throwing cards down in the sand while screaming obscenities. They all almost preferred the killing over the later.

The setting sun made the winds cooler outside of the home. The sand blew lightly against his ankles as he closed the front door behind him. This was unfamiliar territory. He wasn't even entirely sure why he was coming after the man. Sometimes anger could force you to do stupid things. Being alone could rehabilitate in a way that talking would only make things worse. He had chosen to follow though. Sometimes his actions took over his reasoning.

Sand dusted across his clothes. The Pharaoh had no idea where Kaiba had run off too. He could only assume that the man walked in a random direction. There were no tire tracks to signal that he had gone far. The stoned ground didn't exactly leave trace marks for feet though. Atem started to walk towards more buildings. Figuring Kaiba wouldn't just wander off into the desert. He paused seeing a figure out of the corner of his eye. Kaiba was leaning against the side of Ishizu's home. He glanced over with a hateful expression that seemed to be almost turning confused as his eyes met Atem's. He stood up straight as Atem walked over. His voice was irritated; but not even Kaiba could hide the exhaustion in his tone.

"What are you doing out here?"

"I could ask you the same question."

Atem crossed his arms as he regarded the taller man. They had a long history of bickering and competition. It was hard to not always start an argument just by speaking to each other.

"Why are you here Seto?"

That was a stupid question. To Kaiba at least. He was here because his brother needed his help. He was here because he wanted to hang onto the slimmest possibility that an emergency in Egypt was connected to the Pharaoh. Atem was the only fire that he still felt in his soul. The memory that he used to be passionate about life. Dueling competitively with his rival was all that he had lived for. Everything else was dull. The world turned gray after Atem departed. He couldn't bring himself to repeat any of that though. It would remain in the confines of his mind. The Pharaoh seemed to feel his hesitation. He sighed.

"I cannot make you speak to me. But you cannot lash out consistently for no reason. If you choose to stay here then that is your decision-"

Kaiba grabbed Atem for the third time today. Shoving him against the side of the house. His left arm holding tightly onto the old blue fabric against Atem's chest. The wind escaped the Pharaoh's lungs. Eyes widened, looking up into clear blue eyes that held no mercy. They never did, he always enjoyed lighting the blue fire in those eyes. Atem raised an eyebrow after realizing that he wasn't released right away like before.

"I don't have any cards on me."

He wasn't sure what Kaiba wanted. They couldn't duel. Fighting would be interesting but still pointless. Kaiba didn't answer. He moved up against Atem looking down at him. There wasn't any space left between him and the wall. He suddenly felt Kaiba's fingers released their hold on the fabric to circle around him. Atem continued to be confused and surprised as he was brought into a close embrace. Kaiba was hugging him. Tensions had been high though. It seemed to be just a little more difficult for him to accept the situation that they were all currently in. Everyone else had hugged him; this seemed different though. The buckles on his arms pressed into his back. His body was warm; the scent of sand and detergent mixing in a pleasant way. Atem pressed his head against Kaiba's chest. The other's heartbeat was much faster than it should have been. More than likely this was done without much thought to it; like most things that Kaiba did.

They remained like that for a moment. Neither man moving. Atem wasn't sure when his own arms had moved to return the embrace. They were certainly there now. Kaiba's steady breathing was nice. He closed his eyes while listening to the heartbeat that slowly went down to a normal pace. Kaiba's voice broke the strange moment that they were sharing.

"Don't leave again."

Atem's eyes opened slowly. There wasn't much he could do to control that situation. The nature as to why he was here was a mystery in the first place. Regardless the Pharaoh nodded into Kaiba's chest.

"If I have control over that I won't."

He released him then. Backing up so that Atem was no longer being shoved into a wall. The warmth disappeared, replaced with the cool winds of the early night. Kaiba turned his back to walk towards the house. This was unlike him. Almost defeated in a way. Atem frowned as he turned to follow. In front of the door they stood for a moment. Kaiba's hand paused above the door handle to glance backwards.

"I will take control then; and you won't."

He opened the door then. Entering without a word to anyone. He just went back to the room Atem would be staying in and slammed the door. The Pharaoh entered into the living room with a firm expression on his face. That was a statement that he wasn't sure Kaiba had any control over. The man said it anyways. Why did everything have to be a challenge to him? Atem smirked; closing the door behind him. That was one of the many things he missed about him. He went into the kitchen to see everyone staring expectedly.

"We will be headed to the desert tomorrow."

He sat back down then to finish off his food. Things went back to the eerie calm that they were before. Laughing and sharing stories like nothing had happened. Like Atem had never left in the first place. They all helped clean up afterwards. Bakura offered for Mokuba to stay in their spare room. Saying that Kaiba could come up as well of course. Yugi offered to crash on the couch. Stating it wasn't too much different than the bed he slept on at home anyways. They all needed their energy. As much as anyone was too scared to drop their eyes from Atem for a second. Worried that if they even blinked that he would be gone again. There was nothing he could say or do to lessen that stress. He truly had no idea how much time he had to begin with.

Lights were turned off and bodies went back to try and find some sleep. Tomorrow would certainly bring more stress and confusion. Yugi laid back on the couch as Atem moved to make his way to the spare room.

"Regardless of how long you're here…I'm happy. Happy that we all got to spend this time together. It felt like I was a kid again."

Atem smiled. Resting his hand on the door frame that led the way to the hallway.

"I can say that I agree to my heart's extent. I am forever grateful for having friends like all of you."

He turned then, Yugi laying his head down to fall asleep. Hoping that when he woke up that Atem would still be there. Atem turned the handle to the spare room and entered. It was dark already; he hadn't remembered turning off the light when he left before? Closing the door behind him he tried to search for the light. It must have been a lamp or something that lit the room instead. Shrugging he walked over to the bed in the dark. His bare feet brushed up against a metal feeling item on the ground. He avoided it, not wanting to cut his foot on whatever it was. Atem got into the bed immediately feeling that there was already weight on it. He was grabbed instantly. Like a mouse in a trap he was pulled close to the other in the bed. The smell of sand and detergent matched the fast-paced heartbeat that he had just heard outside. Glancing upwards he tried to search for a face in the dark.

"Se-"

Lips were pressed against his. Atem's widened for a moment before he was pulled up as close as possible to the other. He gave in, closing his eyes and returning the kiss. A hand moved around to his back, pressing firmly Kaiba slightly bit Atem's lower lip. He opened his mouth allowing the interaction to deepen. He tasted like a crisp mouth wash. Saliva thickened as Atem got as close as he possibly could. They pulled away, both needing to breathe. Kaiba held Atem closely then. Resting his head on top of the tri-coloured hair. The Pharaoh rested his head against the other's chest. A whisper broke the silence.

"Mutou isn't in your head anymore right?"

"N..No…he is not."

"Good."

Kaiba seemed to relax more then. Atem closed his eyes after realizing that the man had no intention of leaving the room. He wouldn't complain. As confusing as this entire encounter was he didn't want to question it right now. He just wanted to enjoy the company. His breathing slowed as the exhaustion won him over. Kaiba ran his fingers up and down Atem's spine. He could tell the other had fallen asleep. There was no explanation for his actions. He was sure that there would be payback for that later. Maybe by then he could come up with something. Kaiba closed his eyes as well then. Tomorrow would certainly bring a fresh hell for them all. The desert was not known to be gentle.

*Note: This was a smaller update. I will try to work on just doing longer updates in the future.

[Edited for typos]