Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh
XXX: Choice
Yugi screeched, spinning around with a snarl. The Red-Eyes startled, opening their mouth. Yugi barely had a moment to recognize them. They were slammed into and tossed to the ground. They landed on their back, yelping. A blur of red scales pinned them. Teeth were clamped in their throat. Claws were braced at their belly. The God Dragon snarled and clamped down harder when they pressed a paw to his chest.
"Atem, Atem, wait! Let her go!"
The God Dragon looked as if he'd been struck. He released her instantly, backing away and looking at him in confusion. Yugi darted over immediately, licking his face and smiling.
"It's okay, bright sky. She just startled me." He butted his shoulder, licked his neck, and then hurried over to the Fire Dragon. "Hey, Mom! What are you doing here? Where's Dad?"
His mom rolled to her paws and turned to Atem. "By Paradise, you're really the God Dragon of the East!"
Yugi beamed. "Yep! That's my mate, Atem!" he announced, raising his chin proudly and looking over at the Sky Dragon. "God Dragon of the East, the most powerful God Dragon in existence!"
"Quite the impressive title," someone else snorted, smile wide with laughter as he came around one of the cliffs to Yugi's side. His eyes never wavered from Atem. "Hello."
"Hello." His attention shot to Yugi. "I did not know they were coming."
Yugi shook his head. "I didn't, either. Uh, is there something wrong? Is that why you're here? Or is it something else?" He stiffened, bristling. "You're not hurt, right?"
"Winded." She turned to Atem, blinking. "But we're fine beyond that. Your father wished to visit you."
Atem glanced between them awkwardly. "My apologies. I am not used to seeing a Red-Eyes in my territory." He hesitated. "Jonouchi lingers at the border for Yugi."
Yugi spun around, huffing. "Don't apologize! They knew better!" He turned back, fighting a bristle. Atem looked as if he wanted the earth to swallow him, so embarrassed he'd gone to protect him that it almost made him ache. "You know how dangerous it is to enter a territory without requesting a blessing!"
His dad laughed, looking at Atem with bright eyes. "I thought he would find us when we came." He grinned and flexed his wings. "You used to be so tiny! I remember you being smaller than my paw."
Atem bristled and stepped back. Yugi sprang forward to distract them, bouncing like a fawn.
"And now he's bigger than any of us! And his Origin Form is huge! You should see it sometime! He's like fifty times this size!"
Atem chuckled. "Not quite so large, Yugi."
He beamed at him, eyes sparkling. "Okay, but still! You're a lot bigger than me! So, I'm going to pretend you're fifty times larger!"
"You look healthy."
Yugi turned his head and sprang forward again, showing off his glossy scales with his chin raised. "I'm the healthiest I've ever been! We alternate diets every now and then. Atem likes fish, so we swap food."
His mother turned her head. "I'd assumed you would be in the mountains, not the valleys."
"We were fishing and Atem was going to show me a den for wintertime."
His mom's head snapped around, eyes huge as they locked on Atem. "He came with you?"
"Why is that a question?" Yugi asked, and now he saw Atem bristling in his peripheral. "Of course he did!"
"Of course he came with him. He's a Sky Dragon. You know how faithful they are," his dad said, looking around curiously. "He'd probably follow him into the human village if he had to."
Yugi shook his head. "I stayed here last winter, right under the mountain. I didn't want him to move too far once we mated."
"Are you comfortable down here?"
Atem was still bristling, but his voice remained even. "I do not have a problem moving about. And I will not hurt Yugi by making him stay on the mountain with me." He turned to Yugi. "I'll leave the three of you. I want something to eat."
Yugi could tell he was upset, more embarrassed than angry but still uncertain. "Okay," he said gently, smiling. He wanted to apologize, but he doubted Atem would accept it.
"Are you hungry?"
He rubbed beaks with him. "No, I'm still full from earlier."
Atem nodded. "I'll be back by sunset." He glanced at Yugi's parents, nodded slightly, and then trotted off into the woods. Yugi watched him disappear, hearts twisting. He must have felt so excluded and uncomfortable.
"And you're happy, Yugi?"
Yugi blinked and turned to his mom, confused. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"
"He's…a Sky Dragon." She frowned. "He can't produce a clutch."
He blinked. "And? That's a problem why?" He narrowed his eyes. No wonder Atem had left. He must have known the topic would come up. He huffed, scowling. "I chose him over that!"
"When you were younger you said you wanted a thousand hatchlings."
Yugi tossed his head. "That was before I realized we couldn't have a clutch! Now that I do, I don't care about them. I want him. I've always wanted him." He glared. "And now I have him!"
His dad butted his shoulder. "Relax, Yugi. She didn't mean it like that. You know your mother has zero tact."
He snorted and sighed. "Yeah, I know." He turned to his mom. "I'm sorry for snapping. Atem is self-conscious about it. A lot of his suitors were…horse dung."
The phrase didn't do them justice. But he'd settle for it.
"He's a God Dragon. Surely he expected as much?"
Yugi wanted to box her upside the head. "That doesn't excuse being abused and harassed," he spat. "He went through that for years. He didn't deserve that and no one should have felt it their right to do that to him!"
She tilted her head. "He took the position of waiting and allowing them to challenge him. He didn't actively seek anyone out. Of course they'd think he'd be submissive."
Yugi bore his teeth. His dad looked at her in disbelief for a moment. And then he shoved her gently with a muzzle-punch to the shoulder. "Let it go." He looked at Yugi with a helpless expression as the Gandora growled softly. "Just…let it go."
"I'm just stating the facts—"
"And Yugi doesn't need to be reminded of them," he snapped. "Just leave it alone. He and Atem are fine. He's happy and healthy and we can't ask for more."
She looked as if she might argue, then turned to Yugi and sighed. "Okay, I'll stop. It's your business what happens between yourself and Atem."
"You're right. It is." He scowled and shook his head. "Look, I'm sorry that Atem pinned you, but you should have waited and asked his blessing. He apologized as well, and I'm going to leave it there. But I'm going to go find him."
His mom looked as if she might argue, but his father nodded, saying, "Okay. We'll see ourselves out. Tell him we apologize for startling and embarrassing him. We'll…visit again sometime, if that's all right?"
Yugi nodded absently. "I look forward to it." He didn't look back as he took off into the woods. Atem had likely gone to the river or closer to the foothills. They were complete opposite directions and Yugi hated the idea of wasting time looking for him, but dragons didn't have enough smell to track him down. Atem's scent glands were kept almost completely off the ground by his huge claws. It was only when he pressed his claws entirely into the ground to launch himself into flight that his scent was viable amongst the undergrowth.
He went from the river to the foothills, then backtracked. Atem had to have been underwater, he realized. He got to the bank and took a seat, though he was still yards. He wrapped his tail around his paws and looked at the surface, trying his hardest to find him amongst the shadows there.
The God Dragon came to the surface a minute later, blinking and spotting him. He tilted his head, then moved forward and swam to shore. He climbed atop the sunning stones and lay upon one of the larger slabs. The sunlight made his scales glow as he draped his forelimbs over the top and put his chin on his wrists.
"Your parents have left already?"
"We got into an argument." Yugi hurried forward to tap beaks with him. He took a seat and smiled widely when Atem blinked lazily. "My mom was being rude."
Atem blinked and peered at him, confused. "What about, little one?"
Yugi trembled before his eyes, gaze bright with affection. "Stupid things."
The God Dragon tilted his head and studied him. He narrowed his gaze, then shifted his weight and rose to his paws. He watched Yugi intently. "She asked you about hatchlings."
The Gandora huffed and turned away. "Yes."
"And you're upset with her?" he inquired, frowning. That didn't make sense, aside from exasperation toward the familiar topic. "You used to want a nest."
Yugi blinked and tilted his head. "Yeah, but that changed."
"I'm aware." He faltered and looked away, voice quiet. "But I understand why she'd ask. You would make a good father."
"Huh?"
"You are great with Critias and his siblings."
"What does that…?"
Atem studied him, then lay down again, his legs feeling almost weak and small. "I told you before I'd kill you should you stray from me."
Yugi tilted his head and frowned. "I know you're not accusing me, but what are you…?"
He sighed, searching his face. "I take it back."
"Take what back?"
"I take it back that I would kill you."
Yugi blinked. "Atem, that doesn't make any sense. What are you getting at, dear heart? I'm confused."
He stood, bristling, and sprang from his perch to land before him. "I am saying," he growled quietly, "I retract my threat. I will not hurt you should you decide you want more."
Yugi froze and stared, eyes narrowing.
Atem huffed a breath, struggling to remember how to speak. "You would make an amazing father. And I have no right to keep you from bearing offspring if that is your desire." When Yugi shook his head and bristled, Atem continued. "I give you permission to find a female should you like a clutch."
Yugi barked a laugh. "How wonderful of you," he sneered. "I have to say, if you wanted to get rid of me, you didn't need to be so elaborate."
Atem blinked and shook his head. "You should be happy," he answered, studying his furious expression. "I give you permission to leave and raise a nest of your own. Isn't that what you wanted?"
Yugi let out a noise almost akin a scream. Atem flinched at the sound and flattened himself to the ground. It almost reminded him of a war cry, but Yugi was not challenging him. The Gandora tossed his head back, then clicked his teeth and turned to him with a snarl.
"I. Wanted. Them. With. You! When I was younger, I wanted clutches of miniature Sky Dragons running around! I didn't know then we were incompatible." He trembled, scowling and tossing his head as he began panting with anger. "I never wanted anyone else. I wanted you! I wanted little red Sky Dragons running around! Little copies of you! Atem, I came here knowing you would never be able to do that. I came here even when my dreams of tiny Sky Dragons were crushed."
Atem tucked his paws toward his chest and searched his face. The Gandora deflated a moment, as if the look on his face had caused him pain. Yugi looked away, huffed, and shook his head. He sounded exhausted when he spoke again.
"I came here because I love you more than anything. I don't want anyone else. I don't want a clutch if it's not with you." He blinked and looked over at him, eyes softening. "I adore you. I don't understand why you never believe me when I say that. But I… I love you. I love you more than anything, Atem. I chose you. I chose to give up hatchlings. I came for you. I came here because I chose you."
Atem frowned and looked away, flustered. He knew that. He did. Yugi had said so multiple times. He…
The Gandora hesitated a moment, then came forward to lick his cheek. "I appreciate that you chose to offer me that. I do. I appreciate the fact that you care enough to do that. But it's unnecessary. I have no plans to, no matter how many times you offer it."
"I just… I don't want you to miss out."
"It's my choice whether I miss out on something or not. And I don't think I've ever missed out on anything." He paused, licking him once more and nuzzling his throat before he nipped him. "If there's anything I wish for in life, it's for you to tell me you love me when you're ready. Beyond that, I'm content, Atem."
Was he? Or did he just mean to make him feel better? Atem watched his face for a moment, studying, but Yugi peered back headlong. He was not afraid to meet his eyes. He was not afraid to confront him with what he felt was true.
Atem lowered his eyes. "I… Okay."
What else was there to say? He shivered as Yugi groomed his face. The Gandora pressed him a little more to the ground, then plopped down beside him and smothered his face with his tongue.
"It's okay. You're my bright sky." Yugi nuzzled his side and lay his cheek across his paws, peering up at him when Atem tilted his head down. "I love you."
He nodded slightly, because the words still refused to come. Yugi closed his eyes and snuggled more firmly into his side, yawning.
Okay, so, if anyone is interested in reading the chapters in chronological order, it goes like this:
26 (Sunlight), 21 (Sharp), 20 (Melancholy), 23 (Comfort), 14 (Overwhelmed), 5 (Fast), 3 (Fresh), 25 (Scent), 4 (Upset), 27 (Share), 6 (Hunger), 24 (Charm), 17 (Sting), 7 (Wound), 1 (Opportunity), 12 (Mark), 13 (Dirty), 15 (Strength), 18 (Hostile), 19 (Surprise), 28 (Melody), 22 (Alive), 9 (Warmth), 16 (Lemon), 2 (Sea), 30 (Choice), 11 (Desert), 8 (Savor), 29 (Lips) and 10 (Season).
For reference, 26-25 happen before the events of Sky Dance. 4-28 happen directly after Blood Sky. 22-2 happen after Divine Sky. 30-10 happen directly after Dark Sky, before Frost Sky.