Theme: 02 Strengths
Title: Headache
Word Count: 615
Summary: It hadn't occurred to him that Atemu might need a little adjustment period first.
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The thunder crashed again outside, and Yuugi glared at the window before finishing the tray he'd been preparing. He picked it up and went back into the living room, where Atemu was lying on the couch, a pillow tucked beneath his head, a blanket spread out over him. In deference to his splitting headache, Yuugi had closed all the curtains and turned off all the lights. If only, he thought, he could do something about the storm. It couldn't be helping Atemu's delicate senses.
He set the tray down on the coffee table in the center of the room, as quietly as he could.
"Atemu?" He whispered. Atemu turned his head and smiled at him. It was a good effort, but it didn't quite mask the pain.
"Yes?"
"I brought you a hot drink. And some fruit." Yuugi pointed at the tray, where there was sliced apple and a mug of steaming tea. He sat down on the carpet between the sofa and the table. "Would you like something?"
Atemu shook his head. "No, thank you." He winced at the small movement. "You should rest a bit, rather than fussing over me."
"Don't be silly." Yuugi reached out and touched Atemu's forehead; it was a little warm. He jumped up and jogged out of the room; within seconds, he was back, a folded towel in hand. He laid it on Atemu's forehead; it was cool and damp. Atemu sighed.
"Thank you."
"Shh." Yuugi straightened the blanket laid over Atemu. He glanced around, noting that he could hear the rain pattering hard against the windows and the roof. It wasn't loud for him, but it must have been painful for Atemu. He gazed wistfully at his other self; when he'd imagined, in his wildest dreams, Atemu finally gained a body, it had always been triumphant and full of joy.
It hadn't occurred to him that Atemu might need a little adjustment period first.
"Yuugi…?"
"Yes?" He leaned forward eagerly.
"You're going to make someone a wonderful housewife someday." Atemu informed him.
Yuugi pouted. "I am not a housewife!" He hissed in his softest voice.
"You've been mothering me all afternoon."
"You're sick."
"And when you aren't hovering over me as though I'm on my deathbed, you've been cleaning." Atemu continued.
"It's soothing." Yuugi mumbled. "I used to do chores everyday."
"Why did you stop?"
"You came along." He laughed. "I didn't have time anymore." He poked at the rag on Atemu's head. "Ah—I'd better replace this…"
"Never mind that." Atemu said. He shifted again. "It's been quiet lately, hasn't it?"
"Mm." Yuugi nodded. "I had time to organize the stockroom properly yesterday. It felt good to do something normal."
They sat in silence, the quiet a natural extension of their conversation. Yuugi made a long list of household tasks in his head: there was spring cleaning to be done, the usual bookkeeping for the shop, and Grandpa was going out of town, so he'd have to make some arrangement for food. And he'd be cooking for two. The thought brought a smile to his face.
"What kinds of things do you like to eat?"
"I—I don't know." Atemu looked confused by the question. His brow furrowed. "I used to like sweet things. Maybe."
"You did? You can't remember?"
"I just ate whatever was put before me. My priests were always saying that I ought to eat more."
Yuugi eyed him critically. He was thin, but he didn't look underfed.
"I'll make something really good." He promised. Atemu nodded. "After you're better."
"I look forward to it." He reaches out and Yuugi takes his hand. "Thank you."
- — - — -
A/N: I'm a fan of the whole Yami-gains-his-own-body trope, but I wanted to play with it a little.