Chapter Two- Preferences

Atem entered the house and went to the doorway that led to the game shop where Solomon was working. "Hi, Grandpa."

"Hi. So, what did Kaiba want?"

"He forged some papers for me." He handed over the folder and Solomon looked through the papers.

"Well, that was nice of him, although you can't start school yet."

"I do need a bag and uniforms, but Kaiba had an ulterior motive for calling me there."

"What was it?"

"He…kissed me and said he loved me."

While the look on his face expressed his disgust despite it happening a while ago, Solomon heard the soft and wistful tone in his voice. "Sounds like you're equally taken by him."

Atem sighed. "I prefer women but I find myself attracted to three guys. Kaiba is one and after leaving his office, I was in the park looking over the papers when the second guy I like showed up: Bakura."

"And?"

"I told him what happened with Kaiba and he also kissed me and said he loved me. I told him what I told Kaiba. I said that if I was female then I would love him too. But I'm not so he needs to get over me."

"Would you like to be female?"

"Perhaps, but the procedure is expensive and I'm happy with who I am."

"You said you're attracted to three guys. Who's the third?"

A door opened and Yugi called, "Atem, Grandpa, I'm home!" before Atem could answer.

He sighed. "And there's number three."

Yugi appeared in the doorway, Atem having moved to the counter during the conversation. He gave both a hug as Solomon asked, "How was school today?"

"Fine, but Kaiba was absent." Yugi shrugged. "He didn't really miss much."

"No, I suppose he didn't." He gave Atem a quick understanding look before adding, "He did make forged papers for Atem so he can go to school next semester."

"He did? Wow! That was nice of him." The two teens headed back into the house.

"It was," Atem agreed. "But he also had a second reason for me to meet him."

"What was it?"

"To kiss me and say he loved me."

"And what did you say?" Yugi asked curiously as they headed upstairs.

"I said if I was female, I would return those sentiments and then I left. I ended up saying the same thing to Bakura at the part when he copied Kaiba's move."

"You're real popular, huh?"

"So it seems. I'm certainly attracted to them, but I prefer women. Yugi? You know I'm attracted to you as well, right?"

"Yeah and I love you like Kaiba and Bakura do. I know there can't be romance between us, but I just want to let you know."

"I understand and I'm fine with hugs. I mean, that's what some families do."

"Some do and I enjoy hugs, even with friends. Even though we're like brothers, you're my friend first."

"I feel the same way." They shared another friendly hug before leaving for their own rooms. Atem sat at his desk, pulled out his deck, and shuffled it absentmindedly, his mind dwelling on this afternoon.

Honestly, he like Kaiba, Bakura, and Yugi a lot, he just didn't know who he liked the most. He knew he was being unreasonable and stubborn. It was unusual for two guys to love one another, but it was somewhat acceptable. But for a guy to date three at once? That was highly unusual and usually didn't work out as the three boyfriends would end up fighting over him.

Yes, I'm attracted but my sexual preference is toward women. I'm comfortable with that concept. He shook his head a little. His feelings were pulling him in two directions. He liked three guys who were in love with him, but his upbringing as a prince and then a pharaoh made him prefer women to marry in order to carry out his family line.

I need to get over my refusal to accept love from another man. If I feel attraction, I should not be afraid to explore it. I know Kaiba, Bakura, and Yugi quite well so a date with any one of them wouldn't be uncomfortable. I could start with Yugi, and then Kaiba, and finally Bakura. I will state that I'm stepping out of my comfort zone in terms of relationships and willing to give this kind of love a try.

He heard the phone ring but ignored it until a few minutes later when Solomon called, "Atem, it's for you."

Curious, he left the room, went downstairs, and picked up the receiver. "Hello?"

"Pharaoh," came Bakura's voice. "I want to make it up to you for my actions today."

"Your calling and apology is enough."

"No, no. I truly want to make it up to you. How about tea at my place tomorrow at two?"

"All right. Tomorrow at two. See you then." He hung up with a feeling of satisfaction. He'd be able to tell Bakura the revelations he was coming to in regards to dating. You know, I could date men and women. That may be quite unusual, but it could work for me.

Atem knocked on Yugi's door hours later. It was almost bedtime but Atem needed to talk to Yugi. "Come in," Yugi called. He entered and saw Yugi sitting on his bed already in his pajamas like Atem was. It amused Atem how they both still wore the same kind of clothes even though they were separate people now; both were wearing pajamas with stars on them. In his opinion, the set made Yugi really cute.

"What's up?" Yugi asked as Atem took the chair.

"I've been doing a lot of thinking about this afternoon and thinking that I'm being unreasonable about my sexual preferences."

"You prefer women. There's nothing wrong or unreasonable about that."

"Yes, but I'm thinking of giving you, Kaiba, and Bakura the chance to date me. I'm attracted to all three of you a lot and I should be willing to give this type of relationship a try."

"Atem, that's real nice and I'll take the chance to go out with you."

Atem smiled. "I was hoping to go out with you first. I'm thinking of going with Kaiba second and Bakura third."

"You'll need to tell them that you've reconsidered your position."

"Yes. Bakura invited me to tea tomorrow afternoon to make up for his actions today. So, I can tell him then. Uh, Yugi? I would still want to date girls, though."

"So…you could be bi-sexual? Someone who likes both guys and girls?"

Atem appeared thoughtful before saying, "I could be. Is that unusual?"

"Yes, but not unheard of. If you want to keep it secret, I promise not to tell anyone."

"I appreciate that. I will have to tell Bakura and Kaiba about being bi-sexual as I will be dating them as well."

"Of course." Atem left and Yugi beamed. Atem had clearly thought long and hard about dating a guy even though he still liked girls. I'll take it nice and easy when we do go out. Atem will probably feel a little uncomfortable about it so I won't push him into anything.