Atem and Ryou were—sadly—the only non-drunks by three in the morning. The whole night had dragged by slowly, just like Atem had thought. Not only was he now so hyper-aware of where Yugi was and what Yugi was doing, but Marik had decided to spike every drink Yugi had without anyone realizing, and therefore Atem now had a drunk half angel to deal with. What tipped him off at first that Yugi was becoming drunk? Before, every time he had touched Yugi – or when Yugi touched him – it wasn't a big deal; just something that seemed to come so naturally between the two. But now it was like Yugi was purposely trying to push the boundaries – and push Atem further and further into confusion as he tried to figure out what this feeling was. This feeling that had started stirring in him ever since they met. Atem didn't know how long he could handle it all. He thought being king was hard, but this…this was unbearable. He wasn't used to having someone around and worrying about him.
But one thing he was certain: he was going to kill Marik later.
As if he was summoned by Atem's thoughts, Yugi stumbled over his feet as he made his way to Atem. His face was bright and flushed from the alcohol—which had also removed all thoughts of Saguaro from his mind as well. Atem supposed he should at least be happy about that part. Without a word, Yugi took Atem's hand with a smile.
"Why are ya always so warm?" Yugi asked as he threaded their fingers together. Atem looked away and didn't answer – and he didn't let go of that pale hand in his either. The funny things was, Atem had been wondering the same thing just before Yugi said it.
"Ya know wha?" Jou suddenly said a bit loudly—like he was talking to someone in another room—his slurring plus his accent making it hard to understand him. Atem looked at him—and couldn't help but smirk at the blonde's position on Kaiba's lap. He hoped Jou and Kaiba remembered this tomorrow, because he would have fun taunting Kaiba.
"No, I don't." Atem said. "But I'm sure it's stupid, so lay it on me."
"We neva finished our game." Jou continued as if Atem hadn't said a single word.
"What game?" Malik, the lesser of the drunks, asked.
"Oh, yeah." Kaiba chuckled—sounding so clear that Atem wondered if he was really even drunk—and he wrapped his arm around Jou's waist. "It was Bakura's turn, wasn't it?"
"What game?" Malik asked impatiently.
"Truth or Dare." Marik clarified, leaning over and licking the side of Malik's face, who giggled at the gesture while Atem felt like gagging. He didn't want to see Marik getting vulgar with Yugi's closest friend. That was just too much.
"Wait. What?" Atem was nearly to his breaking point. "You people are drunk, and you want to play Truth or Dare?"
"Let 'em have their fun!" Yugi said with a small pout. He suddenly swayed and landed against Atem, who wasn't braced for the impact. He fell, and Yugi fell on top of him, his face buried in his chest.
"How cute," Kaiba remarked in a snide tone. Atem glared daggers at him.
"It's Marik's turn?" Jou asked, not paying attention to them.
"No, Bakura." Malik answered.
Yugi shifted a little, but didn't get up. Atem sat up halfway, using his elbows to prop him up. "Yugi, please get off of me." He said in a quite but tight tone. He tried not to think about how Yugi felt against him like this. Just all warm and smooth and soft. He felt no different than he had when Atem first met him, but being so close to Yugi was doing weird things to his heart. And he couldn't understand why - of all times - he was noticing it now.
"No. I'm comfortable." Yugi answered, letting out a long breath. "And sleepy…"
"Yuuugi!" Bakura sang. Atem looked to him, wondering what Bakura could possible want with Yugi. "Truth or dare?"
Yugi was quiet for so long that Atem thought that maybe he had fallen asleep. But then a soft voice said against his chest, "Truth." and Atem gave an inward sigh, secretly glad that Yugi wasn't drunk enough to pick dare. He didn't even want to think about what kind of thing Bakura would make Yugi do.
"You're no fun…" Bakura groaned. "Ok, fine. What would you do if Atem kissed y—"
"Bakura!" Ryou snapped before Atem could say anything. He was shooting a dark look to the shadow angel with his hands upon his hips. He looked angry and upset at once.
"What I do?" Bakura whined, defensive.
"There are some things you should and shouldn't say. Do well to remember that." Ryou informed him sharply. "Now lay down and go to sleep, because it's, like, three-thirty in the morning and I'm getting a headache because of you drunken retards."
Bakura scowled. "I am not drunk."
"That's what every drunk man says." Ryou muttered, rubbing his temple. Kaiba and Jou weren't even paying attention anymore; they were far too busy making out—which was going to stop soon because Jou was falling asleep. Malik was trying to support a super drunk Marik, who was too heavy for him, so they both fell to the ground. Malik sighed and watched as Marik's eyelids drooped.
And, in all the chaos, Yugi had fallen asleep. With a sigh, Atem struggled against Yugi's weight so he could sit up. Then he carefully got his arms under Yugi, picked him up bridal style, and looked to Ryou.
"I'm going to put Yugi to bed." He said. "When they fall asleep…" he looked around the room at all the drunks. "You know what? Just leave them on the floor. It serves them right."
Ryou gave a small nod and sank into a chair, exhaustion etched into his face. Atem winced in sympathy before he turned and walked down the hallway. He supposed this was his fault as well. If he'd tried harder to keep Kaiba, Bakura, and Marik home, none of this would've happened. As Atem went down the hall, he only had to open two doors before he found a bedroom that just screamed "Jou". Carefully, Atem set Yugi on the bed and covered him with the green sheet, trying to keep as quiet as he could. When he was sure Yugi would be comfortable, he turned to leave.
And he would've, too, if not for a hand that reached out and grabbed the edge of his shirt. Atem stopped and looked back around. Yugi stared back steadily and whispered three words that Atem could never—would never—ignore.
"Don't leave me." He whispered, looking, just for a moment, like he did way before. Scared and so alone. "…Please."
With a bemused look, Atem disconnected Yugi's hand from his shirt before sitting on the floor next to the bed. He kept Yugi's hand, though, not worrying about why he did or what Yugi might think. He just wanted to have this moment before it was interrupted—because it seems like he was always being interrupted.
"I won't," He said.
"You'll stay 'till I sleep?" Yugi whispered.
"Yes." He answered. Yugi gave a content smile as he closed his eyes again. Atem watched as, one by one, Yugi's muscles relaxed as he started to fall asleep. "I'm not going anywhere." Atem said in a softer tone. "I promise." He gripped Yugi's hand securely in his, his eyes never wavering from Yugi's face. Like he would ever be able to leave Yugi.
Yugi gave another slight smile. "I love you." He breathed. Atem was silent for a minute, holding his breath as Yugi finally drifted off to sleep.
In that moment, Atem felt himself love something—love someone—for the first time. He'd never felt it before, but somehow he knew this was different than the kind of feeling he would have for a friend—like Kaiba. It was…more. It was so strong that he knew he'd probably even let his kingdom fall before he let Yugi go, and that was saying much, since he'd always put the best interests of his realm first even though he hated the job.
He didn't know how he'd developed these feelings in a short time span, and he didn't fully understand why it was Yugi—or even why, after all these long years, he was just now gripping the concept of love. He supposed he didn't have to know how or why, though. All he really knew was that Yugi was here and with him, and he wouldn't let Yugi go. He would always be by Yugi's side to help him move forward and fix the broken glass that was his life, shard by jagged shard, for as long as Yugi needed him - wheather it was as a friend or more.
But also in that moment, he experienced what it was like to have his heart break in half. Because now that he knew love, knew what it felt like; he was certain that his meaning and Yugi's meaning of love were two completely different things. While Atem was falling in love, Yugi's term was simply platonic—meant for a friend.
And that was the hardest thing that the king ever had to learn.
Yugi opened his eyes to three things. First, he was back home—Atem's home. As the sun's light streamed in from the open balcony, he knew that somehow and in someway, Atem had gotten them back. He didn't know how to feel about that. He was glad to be back where he didn't have to hide who he was,but he was embarrassed that Atem (most likely) had to carry him home. And he was a little sad that he never got to say goodbye to his friends.
Second thing he realized was that he had a really horrible headache. So bad that he felt like he was going to hurl. The light was too bright, and his stomach felt twisted. He also couldn't remember anything from last night after the midnight mark. Perhaps that was when he'd fallen asleep. But he couldn't remember feeling tired. He could remember everything until then, but after there was nothing. Like a wall was blocking him out of his own mind.
And lastly, when he looked over to the right, he saw Atem sitting on the floor, his hand around Yugi's and his head on the edge of the bed, asleep. At least, Yugi was sure he was asleep as he watched Atem's back rise and fall slowly and steadily. It was interesting seeing Atem like this—so relaxed and unguarded. Him without that in-control mask he usually wore just made him all the more handsome. Atem suddenly took in a deep breath, and then let it out, his hand twitching and his head slipping closer to the edge of the bed.
Yugi blanched as he made to sit up, and a familiar burning feeling crept up his throat. Ripping his hand out of Atem's, he covered his mouth and jumped from the bed, almost tripping as the room gave a nasty spin. Not even stopping to apologize to Atem—who was probably just rudely awakened—he tore out of the room and ran straight into the bathroom, glad that the door had been left open. If it had been closed, Yugi wasn't sure he would've made it to the toilet in time. He immediately dropped to his knees and heaved over the bowl violently.
He brought one shaky hand up to wipe his bottom lip, and then he flushed the toilet. Then he scooted back till he was leaning against the wall. He didn't want to get up and go back to the room. He was too afraid that the room would keep spinning, and then he would need to vomit again. He let his eyes close and he tried to relax and not think about the pounding in his head. He couldn't even muster up the courage to stand up to get some painkillers from the cabinet.
He didn't have to, though. So softly, someone placed two pills in his hand and closed his fingers around them. When Yugi opened his eyes, he saw Atem staring back, holding out a glass of water. To tired and weak to say thank you, Yugi took the glass and tossed back the pills. He prayed they were fast acting and that they would stay down. Atem surrounded Yugi's hands in his in a comforting gesture, and Yugi gave him a trembling smile in return.
"So let me guess," Yugi said, letting his head rest against the wall. "Somebody spiked my soda." It was the only logical thing he could come up with that fit all his symptoms.
"Mhm." Came the curt reply, and Yugi could tell Atem wasn't happy. Yugi wasn't either, for that matter. He'd always sworn off alcohol—especially after he'd seen what it did to Saguaro. His friends knew that, and they would never have done something like this to him. Yugi seriously doubted Kaiba would, too—something like that was too immature for him. So it was probably Bakura or Marik.
"Just wait till I get my hands on—" Yugi cut off and swallowed hardly as some bile rose up again. But he pushed it down and resisted like a champ. It was a while till he spoke again. "What was I like?" He asked quietly. He'd never forgive himself if he—
"You're not like your father, Yugi." Atem said, as if reading Yugi's thoughts. Yugi recoiled a bit, but stayed silent, because he knew there was more. "Actually," Atem continued, "you are quite opposite. If anything you are much happier and clingy when drunk."
"…I guess that's good." Yugi allowed. He must've not done anything outrageous, because Atem would've told him if he had. "Was I the only one blessed with a hangover, or are there others joining me?"
"Marik, Jou, and Kaiba were drunk." Atem answered. "So was Malik, but he wasn't really drunk…more like buzzed."
"Well…at least Ryou got lucky." Yugi said. "And you." He felt his pride for Atem grow after hearing that he didn't drink. That meant more than anyone could ever know to Yugi.
"They said bye, by the way," Atem added. "You were still asleep when we left, and we all agreed it would've been pretty stupid to wake you—especially when we knew you'd be like…well, like this." He nodded at Yugi.
"Shame I didn't get to say bye back." Yugi shook his head sadly, and then groaned. "Oh, god, my head hurts. Son of a bitch."
"It must be hurting for you to talk like that," Atem said, unable to resist saying the comment. One looked from Yugi and he sombered up a little more. "I'm sorry."
"Not like it's your fault," Yugi said darkly, thinking of Marik and Bakura. Wondering if one had done this, or if they had conspired together.
"…I could've stopped Marik." Atem finally mumbled. "I should've known he was up to something. Being good is impossible for him."
"He probably would've done it anyway."
"Probably," Atem relented.
"And I didn't do or say anything stupid, right?"
Atem laughed a little. "No."
"That's…good." Yugi said. He thought he saw Atem look uncomfortable for a second there, but it was so fast that he wasn't sure. He watched Atem, but all that was there was the normal look he usually had, with the exception of light bags under his eyes and looking a little worn. "You look tired." Yugi finally commented, using his index finger to touch under Atem's left eye carefully. "Were you on the floor the whole time I slept?"
"Do you fell well enough to get back?" Atem asked, ignoring the question—to Yugi's surprise. Atem had never ignored something he'd asked. Atem always answered. It made Yugi take another closer look at Atem, who turned his face away from the gaze. There was something definitely different. Yugi just didn't know what.
"Are you okay?" He asked softly. He was about to place his hand on Atem's shoulder, but then he thought better of it. Something told him physical contact wasn't going to help.
"Would you believe me if I said yes?" Atem wondered quietly.
"No. I wouldn't."
"Then no." A great sigh blew past his lips and he smiled. "But it is nothing you need to worry about." Yugi frowned, catching onto Atem's tone, but said nothing. When Atem was ready to tell him, he would. There was no point trying to force it out of him. So, Yugi kept his tongue in check and closed his eyes again, praying to whatever higher power—if there was one—that this hangover would pass by quickly.
When he opened his eyes again, he was back in bed, the sheet tucked around him. He didn't remember falling asleep on the cold tile of the bathroom, but he supposed that was the only explanation. He sat up slowly - like an old man - and risked a glance outside. The sun was past its halfway mark, making its way back into the horizon. He must've been asleep for at least four hours. He didn't feel like puking anymore, and his headache was more of a light pang now. He didn't know if it would stay that way, but he hoped it did. He hated to puke—especially in front of people. Just thinking about how Atem saw him dangling over that toilet made Yugi cringe.
With a slight groan, he forced himself to get out of the too comfy bed and walk across the room. Rubbing his eye, he opened the door and peeked out into the hallway. It was empty, but he was sure everyone was probably in the living room or kitchen. After another thought, Yugi shot down the kitchen idea. There was no way the others would be feeling up to eating while they were hungover. Even Yugi didn't want to eat; though he hadn't had anything solid in his stomach since early last night.
"Atem…?" He called softly, just in case he was close. Only the silence greeted him back. So he stepped out of the room completely and made his way downstairs. When he got to the bottom, he almost laughed at the sight he got to see. Bakura and Marik were both slumped on the couch, looking sick and annoyed. Each had a rather large glass in front of them. Good. Serves them right for drinking—and serves Marik right for what he did.
"Yo, midget." Bakura said with a smirk, his hangover not hindering his ability to insult. Yugi bristled and scowled, but chose not to respond to the comment—because he knew he'd never win an insult fight against Bakura.
"Have you seen Atem?" He asked instead.
"Maybe." Bakura answered with a wicked shrug.
"God, Bakura. Can you just answer the questi—"
"He's in the kitchen!" Marik interrupted suddenly, now holding his head. "God, your voice is so fucking loud."
"Why aren't you all hungover?" Bakura asked, ignoring his friend. "You were pretty trashed, too."
"Ah, yes. I have Marik to thank for that, don't I?" Yugi said coldly. "I love throwing up as soon as I awake."
"Don't start getting all pissy." Marik snapped. "Atem already ripped me a new one for that." He winced. "I got the headache and bruises to prove it."
"Good." Yugi said, and he turned on his heel toward the kitchen. "Atem?" He asked as he stepped through the door.
"You just missed him." Kaiba informed from his spot at the table, a plate of eggs in front of him. What a guy. Yugi was surprised he could even eat. Wasn't Kaiba afraid he'd just hurl it right back up? Kaiba scooped some food into his mouth. Obviously not. "Actually," he went on thoughtfully, "he might have been going upstairs to check on you. Or, if we're lucky, maybe he decided to do some work for a change."
"I see. I should go find him, then." Yugi sighed and went to leave, but Kaiba stopped him.
"Wait, Yugi." Kaiba started, and Yugi looked at him expectantly. "About last night…Atem said that I kissed Jou. Is that really true?"
"Sorry, Kaiba. I wouldn't know." Yugi gave a slight smile, but was unsure whether he was happy or not to hear that Jou and Kaiba had something going on. The last thing he wanted was for his friends to get wrapped up in all this mayhem. "What if you did anyway? Unless you're just playing with him. In that case I—"
"Relax, Yugi. I have no intention of luring Jou in under false pretenses or just to use him for my amusement. I'm not twisted like Marik." Kaiba rubbed the bridge of his nose. "It's just…I'm certain he hates me."
"Only because you're mean to him."
"Not really." Kaiba shrugged. "Okay, yeah, I joke around and call him a mutt. But he's just so much fun to tease." Yugi shook his head. Were all shadow angels so…stubborn?
"Hold on. Do you love Jou?"
"Do you love Atem?" Kaiba countered instantly, and Yugi actually took a step back, startled. His face started to flame, and before he could reply, Kaiba shook his head. "No, I'm sorry. That was uncalled for. I'm not good at expressing many emotions, so…" He waved a limp wrist. "Go find Atem. He'll wonder where you went."
"Um, Kaiba…if you do like Jou…" Yugi paused for a second. "Maybe you should try being nicer and not such an…"
"Asshole?" Kaiba guessed.
"Well…yeah."
"I kind of wish I could remember it," Kaiba mused, and Yugi got the feeling that Kaiba wasn't talking directly to him anymore. He took that as his cue and he left the kitchen, bee-lining straight to the stairs. When he got to the top, a door in front of him suddenly opened and he walked straight into someone.
"Ouch." Yugi took a step back to collect himself.
"Oh, Yugi." Atem blinked at the other, surprised. "You're awake. How are you feeling?"
"Better than I was." Yugi answered. He chewed the side of his bottom lip thoughtfully, and his eyes caught on to a stray, wayward black feather on Atem's wings. Yugi reached around Atem and fixed it gently so it was aligned with the others. "Were you out flying?"
"It relieves stress." Atem said with a shrug, and he stepped back from Yugi so they had distance between them again. Yugi noticed the movement, but tried not to dwell on it. Closeness had never been an issue with them before. Something was obviously bothering Atem.
"Why didn't you take me with you?" Yugi asked, trying to keep the whine out of his voice. But he couldn't help it—flying was his new favorite pastime. There was something so freeing about gliding on the air.
"You were asleep."
"Oh, yeah." Yugi glanced at Atem's wings again, and he ached for the feel of the air under his own. "You know, your wings are really beautiful—" He slammed his hand over his mouth, unable to believe he'd just said something like that out loud.
Atem was quiet for a moment, then, "Why do you like my wings so much?
Yugi turned pink. "I—why do you ask?"
Atem gave a small, familiar pout. "That's not fair. You can't answer my question with another question."
"Sorry." Yugi laughed. "But what's not to like?"
"They're black." Atem said, making the word sound like a disease.
"Not exactly." Yugi took one of Atem's wings carefully and showed Atem. "See? They got this neatest greenish-blue shine to them in the light—like a crow's feathers." Yugi gave a small frown. "Now you want plain? Look at me. Mine are just white."
"And soft like your skin." Atem said, and, like Yugi had done earlier, he covered his mouth with his hand, as if just now realizing what he'd said. Yugi looked away from Atem at the compliment and his insides warmed. "I mean—just—you know. Soft and warm and cuddly—" Atem cut off again, realizing that he was just making it worse. "Just kill me now." He finally managed, and Yugi laughed nervously, only to trail away and let his eyes flicker back to Atem. To his surprise, he saw that Atem was actually blushing.
Atem's eyes shifted to Yugi, and they both gave a little start when their eyes connected. But neither looked away. There was some kind of string keeping them together, and Yugi was afraid it would hurt to look away. He was sure his face was totally red now. He could feel the heat not just in his skin, but deep inside himself—to his very core. Suddenly he remembered that first day they were together. That first connection to each other. That first real conversation. That accidental first kiss.
Oh, man. That kiss...
Yugi was leaning forward, inhaling deeply. Everything, for the first time, seemed totally right. For once he wasn't scared or worried. Everything and anything was only Atem. His voice, his scent, his presence…it was swirling all around Yugi. It was too much for him to handle, and yet it was also just the right amount. He wondered if this was how it felt for everyone, or if it was just him. Maybe it was, but he would never know, because he couldn't just become another person and find out. And in this moment, he didn't want to be anyone else, because it was not at them Atem was looking so deeply—like he could see straight into their very soul. It was not them whose heart was accelerating. It was not them who were leaning over that gap. It was all Yugi, and he wouldn't trade it for the world.
Yugi didn't want to let the feeling—this strange bond with Atem—go. It was his lifeline. He looked at Atem's face; totally able to see beyond that brave mask Atem wore. This whole time…Atem had been the one by him, supporting him. He saved Yugi, gave him a place to stay, protected him, and gave him another chance at life. Atem breathed life into Yugi, and he wanted to give him something in return. He just didn't know what. He didn't have anything to give but his own heart. And, without Yugi even deciding to, that had already happened. He loved Atem, and, as he noticed Atem's face looming closer, their eyes still locked onto each other, Yugi thought that maybe, just maybe, Atem felt the same.
He hoped so. God, he really did.
"Yugi…" Atem's whisper cut through the silence. It was supposed to have had a sentence attached to it, but instead it came out as soft and endearing. The sound of his name coming from Atem sent a sudden thrill through Yugi. Atem hesitated, and tried again. "I…I'm…" It was no use. The right words just wouldn't come.
They didn't have to, because in that moment a phone in the room Atem had just exited rang, and they both jumped. Noticed how close they were. Stepped back. The eye contact – the moment – it was broken and gone, leaving them both to wonder what had just happened. Yugi pushed his bangs out of his face and stared at the floor.
"I'll get it," Yugi finally said softly, brushing past Atem and into the room. He picked the phone off the receiver. "Hello?" Yugi asked. Then, in the brief quite while the person on the other end answered, Yugi's face shifted into fear. "H…how did you get this number?" Atem was looking and Yugi now, curious. Yugi's expression became one of anger. "That's not going to work. Like I'm really going to come out and meet you—" He stopped. "…T-that's not true." He whispered. "I can't be. She would never—" He slammed the phone down and started pacing the room.
"Who was it?" Atem asked, but already suspecting the answer. "What happened?"
"Saguaro." Yugi shook his head and kept pacing. "He says he wants to meet me. He says he has my mom. But I know that's impossible." He bit his thumb. "Mom would never get close enough to him for that, and I would've felt it if something was wrong. I know it." Yugi stopped pacing and stood steadily, his look uncertain. "I have to go. Just in case."
"No." Atem shook his head. "I'm not letting you. It's got to be a trap. He's planning something underhanded to get to you." Atem's heart gave a sharp twist. He wouldn't let Yugi get hurt.
"I've got to end this." Yugi said, spreading out his hands. "All of this has to stop."
"I'll come with you, then."
For some reason, the thought of Atem so close to Saguaro made Yugi shudder. He shot a look at Atem and said, a bit loudly, "No. I don't need a babysitter."
"Good, because that's not the relationship I want to have with you!" Atem snapped back.
For so many long moments, Yugi couldn't think. His heart was suddenly beating so fast he was afraid it would take flight and leave him. Hearing Atem admit that the feelings and bond between them wasn't just all from Yugi's side did something to him. He tried to take a deep breath, to swallow, but the inside of his mouth felt like he'd been sucking on cotton. Finally, somehow, he forced himself to speak.
"What kind of relationship do you want?"
Now that everything was coming to a head, Atem decided he'd better just lay everything out and get the rejection over with. He stuck his hands into his pockets and tried—and failed—to smile. It felt like a barbell had taken up residence in his stomach.
"Come on, Yugi. I don't want to play this game." Atem muttered, but Yugi wouldn't give up. He crossed the floor till he was standing right in front of Atem. The thin air between them warming from their combined body heat.
"What do you want?" He repeated, softer, his eyes searching Atem's. Atem rocked back on his heels, then his hands came up and held Yugi's face between them tenderly. He was so close that Yugi could feel the feather-light touches of Atem's breath on his skin.
"You," Atem breathed, and the word brushed past Yugi's slightly parted lips. He sucked it inside him with his next inhalation, and then held in there—in his lungs, in his mouth. "Stay, Yugi. For me. Please stay."
Yugi gave a slight shake of his head. "I can't do that. I can't spend the rest of my life in this darkness, pretending that he's not out there. I meant what I said. This all has to end. I wish it wasn't like -" He was cut off abruptly as Atem lowered his mouth onto his. For a moment, everything seemed to freeze—the air, the birds calling outside, Yugi's heart. Even the world with its never ceasing bustle seemed to stop as it held its breath and watched them. Yugi's slight gasp of surprise was muffled by their joined lips.
One of Atem's hands slid from Yugi's face to his hair, fingers fisting in the terraces as Atem pulled back, and then kissed him again. Then again. And again. So many emotions were flooding through Yugi that he could barely process them as Atem's mouth moved against his. All Yugi knew was that he was warm—hot even. Kissing Atem was like swallowing the sun.
Yugi's arms came up, wrapping around Atem's neck to bring them closer. He smelled so good. Like spices and the fresh air after rainfall. Like love. Yugi pressed himself against him, wanting to savor every sensation of this kiss. Not wanting to forget one single detail. Because he knew this might be the last time he would kiss Atem. The last time he'd get to hold him. Because no matter how much he loved Atem, he knew that sooner or later Saguaro would definitely find him and he'd have to face his past.
Atem inhaled sharply, wrapping his other hand around Yugi's waist and bringing them even closer together. So close Yugi could bathe in the heat from him. The warmth lit him up from the inside, until there was nothing left but the two of them and that kiss. Yugi wanted to take everything he could get as their lips mashed and moved together. He wanted to lose himself in Atem's arm, to forget all the troubles in his life. If he could just satisfy his need, then maybe it would be easier for him to leave and do what he knew he had to, even though Atem would most likely be furious by it.
But it was impossible—this need was impossible to stop. Yugi would never be able to have enough. The hand tangled in Yugi's hair tilted his head back until he was completely open to the other. Atem's tongue glanced by Yugi's lower lip, then their tongues touched, and then Atem's swept in to explore the very essence of Yugi. And Yugi let Atem do it—he wanted Atem to. Yugi wound his own fingers up into that wicked, wonderful hair. He trembled as Atem's tongue pressed against his again.
Yugi was the first to break away and stagger back. His chest rose and fell raggedly as he tried to fill his lungs with air and regain his mind. He had so much to say, but nothing would come out, and Atem looked the same. There wasn't anything he could say to make this easier anyway. No matter how much he wanted to stay in the safety of Atem's arms, he had to get away. He couldn't let Atem be in danger. Trap or not, he had to meet Saguaro and end this. But how would he distract Atem?
As if it were an answer to his prayers, there was a sudden crash downstairs, shattering the silence between them. Atem looked toward the noise, and then back to Yugi. He was torn between what he should do as king and what he wanted to do as a person. Yugi gave him a slight smile and a nod.
"It's okay. Go on."
Atem hesitated for another minute—for what? To kiss Yugi again; to tell him something important?—before he gave a curt nod and stepped down the stairs quickly to investigate. Before hecould feel sad that this moment was over so quickly, Yugi jogged to the bedroom, putting his plan into action. He searched the desk for paper and a pen and wrote a letter, his handwriting sloppy in his rush. He folded it and signed Atem's name on it before placing it on the bed, where he was sure Atem would see it. He stopped for a second, the weight of the situation finally settling in. He could stop now. He could tear up that letter and stay. He could run downstairs and tell Atem exactly how he felt before the chance to do so was taken away for good.
Atem really was the best thing that had ever happened to him and because of that…Yugi couldn't let Atem be in danger. He knew there was very little chance that Saguaro actually had his mother, but he needed to go there and finish this. Mind set, Yugi grabbed a shirt and ran to the balcony. As he unfurled his wings and leaped off the ledge, he committed Atem's face into his memory, burning it there, so he would never forget—like that was even possible. The air seemed to open up and invite him in with a warm, uplifting gust. Like an old friend who was coming home.
"Goodbye, Atem." Yugi whispered, but he forced himself not to cry. Instead, he urged the wind to somehow get the words to Atem as he turned and pressed his wings down, ready to face the biggest challenge of his life.