YD: I got so sad watching the final duel on Youtube! It tore me up inside! So I had to write it my way to vent a few frustrations. Spoiler Alert!

HS: I do realize that Atem is gone. Don't remind me. And don't flame me for giving away the final episode. If you have not watched, do so before reading this if you don't want to spoil it.

YD: I went by the Japanese so some scenes might be different. I used the English subtitles here and wrote what they said. I'm sorry if you've heard otherwise but I just went by the subtitles.

Rated: T

Don't Go

Come on, aibou, Atem thought, as he watched his other half struggle with himself. Looking up with fierce determination shining in his eyes, Yuugi ordered Silent Magician LVL 5 to attack. The duel was over. Yuugi was the victor. Yuugi closed his eyes, unable to watch. Atem smiled slightly. His aibou had come a long way from the shy child he was when he solved the Puzzle.

As soon as Atem's life points fell to zero, the holograms disappeared. Yuugi sank to his knees cried. Atem approached his partner, sympathizing with him.

"I lost, aibou." Atem kneeled, putting a comforting hand on Yuugi's shoulder. "Stand up. How can a victor bow to the loser? If I were you, I wouldn't cry."

"I'm a coward." Yuugi replied, surprising Atem greatly. I always wanted to be as powerful as you are."

"You are not a coward." Atem retaliated firmly but not unkindly. "You have courage… courage of tenderness. That is what I learned from you. Aibou," Yuugi looked up into Atem's eyes, searching for any hint of a lie. Atem gripped Yuugi's shoulders, smiling lightly. "You have the courage of taking the challenge. That leads me in the right direction." He lifted his partner to his feet, hands still on the other's shoulders.

"Mou hitori no boku…"

"Don't call me that. I am no longer the other you." Yuugi gasped softly, meeting Atem's eyes briefly. "You are no one else but who you are. You are Mutou Yuugi. You are the only Mutou Yuugi in the world." Yuugi nodded in understanding.

The Eye on the doorway glowed, causing the occupants in the room to gasp. Aishizu allayed their fears by explaining.

"That is the Eye that guards the gate to the world of the dead. Because the Pharaoh lost the ceremonial battle, he must return. His soul has been here for 5000 years. Now, he will be greeted." Yuugi's friends gasped in realization. Atem was leaving them now.

"Pharaoh! Tell the Eye the Pharaoh's name!"

"My name is Atem!" Slowly the doorway opened, shining light on Atem. He took five steps before Yuugi's friends called out to him. Atem stopped, looking down but not turning.

"Wait, Yuugi!" Atem heard his – no – Yuugi's friends run up behind him. "Are you leaving?"

"You don't have to leave! Please don't go!" Honda pointed out, rubbing his eyes. The others winced, holding back tears. It crushed Atem inside when he heard Yuugi's sob.

"Mou hitori no Yuugi… Atemu… Is this really the right way? I understand… But it will take you away from us. I don't know what that means. You are our partner… and now you're leaving us. Why? Why do you have to go?" Anzu stopped, unable to say more. She rubbed her eyes, crying softly.

Atem pondered her words and looked behind him. Everyone was watching him, watching what he would do. Did he really have a choice? He was defeated… and his soul was set free. But did it mean he really had to leave? He glanced at Aishizu. She shook her head slightly and smiled.

"Aibou," Atem called. Yuugi stepped forward.

"Atemu…" Tearfully, he embraced his other half, clinging to him. Tears made the shirt Atem was wearing darken. Atem looked surprised for a second before hugging Yuugi back with just as much vigor.

"I… I want to ask you something, aibou." Yuugi loosened his grip on Atem a fraction, waiting. "Answer me truthfully," The others looked on in confusion. Atem was talking too softly for them to hear. But Jounouchi had a feeling he knew what Atem was about to do.

"Ore no turn," Atem whispered. My turn, aibou, it's my move. He ran his fingers through Yuugi silky locks, so much like his own. Atem leaned forward and gently pressed his lips against the other. Yuugi gasped into the kiss, but Atem didn't deepen the kiss, though he wanted to very much. Soon, Yuugi overcame the initial shock and pressed back desperately.

They broke apart after what seemed like an eternity. Yuugi sighed happily. They others just stared, wondering what the hell just happened. Aishizu hid a smile. The Pharaoh had chosen. Now, he could finally live happily.

"Boku no turn," Yuugi said softly, taking the initiative. He smiled and kissed his other half. It was Atem's turn to gasp. Yuugi did take the chance and deepened the fiery kiss. Atem gripped Yuugi waist, pulling him closer.

Jounouchi whistled, alerting the two that they were not alone. Yuugi had the decency to blush, hiding his face in Atem's jacket. Atem merely smirked, holding Yuugi possessively.

"What about the gate?" Honda asked. Aishizu stepped forward. Yuugi looked up, wondering whether Atem was allowed to stay.

"Because the Pharaoh lost, his soul was set free. But that doesn't mean he has to go back. He's chosen to stay here, a separate entity, unbound to the Puzzle. If he had lost, then the Pharaoh would have to stay here, forever bound to the Puzzle." She turned to the couple still holding each other.

"Are you sure this is your choice? Once you choose, there is no going back." Atem looked at the gate, still radiating light and back at his partner. Yuugi's eyes were unreadable, wanting Atem to make his own choice.

"There is no choice, Aishizu. My place is with Yuugi… forever." He sealed his promise with a gentle yet passionate kiss. Anzu looked on, jealous rising. She quickly squashed the feeling. If anyone deserved to be happy, it was those two. Anzu knew that she and Atem could never happen.

"So be it," Aishizu replied solemnly. A small twinkle in her eyes betrayed her real feelings. She was infinitely happy that Atem had chosen to stay. Watching them duel before, she realized that Yuugi harbored feelings deeper than friendship.

As if knowing what was going on, the gate started closing. Atem watched it, holding Yuugi tightly. Yuugi didn't mind; he held Atem just as fiercely, knowing what Atem was giving up. The light faded and Atem loosened his grip.

"Aibou," Atem kissed Yuugi again, seeking reassurance. Yuugi was more than happy to comply, letting Atem dominate the kiss as he so needed. A rumbling sound broke the kiss, as they both turned to look at the source.

"The Sennen Items!" Yuugi shouted. The Items dropped away, along with the Stone. Jounouchi jumped up and dragged the two away.

"Yuugi! Atemu! Come on!"

"We can't stay here!" Yuugi's grandfather yelled.

"Let's get out of here!" Mokuba suggested, turning to run. The others quickly followed the Kaiba brothers, as the walls of the tomb collapsed around them.

"Hurry!"

In their haste, they didn't see Shadi's spirit watching them out. Once they were out, they watched the dust clear, staring into the tomb that collapsed.

"The Sennen Items have done their job. That door will not be opened again."

"Yes," Atem whispered. He clung to Yuugi, holding him possessively. Yuugi comforted him by gently caressing Atem's face, whispering words of love. Atem relaxed in his Light's hold, constantly nuzzling his neck.

"Can we go home now?" Jounouchi asked. "I'm hungry." Everyone immediately fell on the ground as the result of an anime fall. Jounouchi looked around at the twitching limbs of his friends.

"What? What did I say?"

"I agree with Jounouchi-kun. Let's go home." Otogi said, being the first to recover. The others soon got up too, Yuugi having the most difficulty. Atem was attached to him and refused to let go.

"Atemu, it's okay. I'm not going anywhere." He pressed light kisses on Atem's face, lingering on Atem's lips. Atem sighed and pressed back, calming down enough to be content with holding Yuugi's hand.

"I love you, aibou."

"I love you too, Atemu."

A year passed and Yuugi and Atem's relationship flourished. Atem looked happier than he ever had before. He barely thought of what would've happened had he chosen to leave.

Atem waited nervously at the game shop's front door. He kept fingering the velvet box in his pocket. He was so afraid. Every time he thought about it, a jolt of fear struck him. He knew Yuugi was faithful but it didn't stop him from thinking that someone better would come along and take him away. The very thought of Yuugi leaving him broke his heart.

"Please accept me… But how do I tell him?"

"Tell me what?" It seemed Yuugi had snuck up on him. Atem smiled and gathered his lover into his arms.

"I love you, aibou. And whatever your answer may be, I will always love you."

"Wha—" Atem pressed a finger to Yuugi's lips, effectively silencing him. Slowly, Atem kneeled on one knee and reached into his pocket. He saw Yuugi raised a hand to cover his gasp. "Aibou… Yuugi, will you do the honor of marrying me?" Atem opened the black velvet box, revealing an opal inlaid with gold on a silver band. Atem knew that Yuugi thought diamonds cold and unfeeling.

"Yuugi, you need to say something." Atem pleaded. His hands were shaking from the impending refusal he thought would come. Yuugi's – no – their friends and a small crowd had gathered, watching the two.

"Yes," Yuugi whispered. He hugged Atem, tears of joy falling from his eyes. "I love you, Atemu." Atem sighed in relief and slipped the ring on Yuugi's finger.

"I love you." The crowd clapped wildly as Atem kissed his fiancé. Their friends dispersed the crowd and left to give the two some privacy.

The two snuggled on their shared bed, Yuugi in Atem's lap. Yuugi kept glancing at his ring and smiling. Atem suddenly harbored an extreme jealousy for the ring. He decided to shift Yuugi's attention to himself.

He reached out and gripped Yuugi's chin gently, turning his double to face him. Atem smirked before ravishing Yuugi's mouth. Yuugi moaned and forced Atem backwards. Atem lay on the bed with Yuugi above him, grinning.

"You have no idea how strongly you affect me, Mou hitori no boku." Atem gasped as Yuugi's breath ghosted over his ear. Yuugi licked the lobe and moved to his neck.

"Nnng… Yuugi…" Yuugi smirked against Atem's neck, knowing full well where his weak points were. "Aibou… please," Atem arched his hips into Yuugi's, moaning at the contact.

"Atemu…" Yuugi licked Atem's pulse point, eyes completely clouded with lust and love. Atem growled slightly and flipped their positions. He looked down on Yuugi with a predatory gleam in his eyes.

"Want you… Only you… Always you…" Yuugi whispered.

"Always, aibou," Atem kissed his lover fiercely, prying Yuugi's lips apart. His fingers darted across Yuugi's shirt, removing it without breaking the heated kiss. He ripped Yuugi's belt through the loops, not caring if he tore it. Yuugi paused only to relieve Atem of his shirt.

Their time together seemed short. Atem lay next to his spent lover, satiated. Yuugi kissed his other half and snuggled into his warmth.

"Love you, Mou hitori no boku,"

"I love you too, aibou." Yuugi fell asleep beside him, leaving Atem to his thoughts. Yuugi's soft breathing and steady heartbeat soon lulled him into a peaceful trance. "I'm so glad I stayed…"

"Yeah, Atem… me too," Yuugi whispered next to him, obviously not asleep. "You didn't think I'd forgotten, did you?"

"No," Atem caressed Yuugi's cheek, smiling softly. He kissed Yuugi softly. "Thank you, aibou, for loving me."

"Always," Yuugi replied, nuzzling his lover. "I love you."

"I love you too." Atem smiled at the one in his arms. "Rest your soul; I will watch over you." Yuugi yawned cutely and nodded, falling asleep listening to Atem's heartbeat. Atem himself soon followed. They slept in each other's warm and comforting embrace, dreaming of eternity together. As it should be.

Owari

YD: The one that was supposed to be here, another Puzzleshipping one, still has not been completed. Sorry for the delay.

HS: (watches sad parts of Yuugiou again) So SAD! (cries) Review please!