Yu-Gi-Oh!

The Return of a King

Chapter 15:

Nights out and reminiscing

A/N: Seeing as how Atem's favorite food is Ta'amiyya, also known as falafel, I decided to head to my nearest Mediterranean restaurant to try some for myself. And I think I've found a new favorite food. Now I understand how Atem was able to keep so fit. Yet another life lesson. Less double bacon cheeseburgers, more falafel.

As the final preparations were being made to the details of the wedding, Atem sat back on the couch, sighing softly. "How did I become so lucky, my love? First, I am brought back by the grace of the Gods, and then I fall in love with you. And now, we are to be married? It all seems too good to be true."

"We were both lucky, Atem. To be honest, the last thing that I can remember my past self thinking before she passed was that she knew you were going to return one day and she vowed to be there when you did in order to guide you back to who you were. I suppose the Gods heard her prayer." Ishizu smiled as she walked up behind him.

"I suppose so, too." Tilting his head back, Atem returned her smile as she bent down, brushing her hair behind her ear as she captured his lips briefly. As she walked around the couch to sit beside him, Atem chuckled as she lay back, her head coming to rest in his lap.

Slowly running his fingers through her hair elicited a soft moan from Ishizu as his fingers massaged her scalp. "Mm, I think I'm due for another of your wonderful massages, my King."

"A request that I am all too happy to oblige, my Queen." As the two made their way to the bedroom, Ishizu undid the clasp to her dress, letting it fall before removing the strapless bra she wore and taking her position on the bed, her arms at her sides.

As Atem leaned over her, his hands slowly slid up her back, his fingers lightly digging into the tense muscles. At his motions, Ishizu could not help the deep groan that forced its way from her lips. As his hands kneaded into her back, Atem lowered his head, brushing his lips against her shoulder.

Once he had felt that all of his love's tension had been released, Atem slowly pulled his hands away, smiling as Ishizu rolled onto her back as her hand reached up to pull him into a deep kiss. "Thank you, my love. I did, indeed, need that."

"And you are welcome, my dear. Now, what say you and I enjoy a night on the town?" At Ishizu's nod, Atem moved to pull on a black dress shirt, leaving the room at Ishizu's request, as she wanted to surprise him with her outfit choice. Making his way to the garage, he made sure that his bike was prepared. Soon enough, he heard Ishizu descend the stairs, turning to behold the sight of his love in an outfit he did not think that he would see the normally reserved woman in.

The outfit consisted of a black, low cut tank top that ended just above her midsection, showing off her toned stomach, as well as a pair of dark blue denim cutoff shorts, completed by a pair of black Chuck Taylors, her hair loose, save for her customary locks that had been adorned with decorative golden bands, her circlet adorning her forehead.

"As always, my love, you look stunning." Atem smiled as he offered his hand, Ishizu gladly taking it. "Though I do normally wear clothing that might be considered conservative, I felt that a change was in order. I may seem traditionalist, but I have no qualms with embracing this more modern age. After all, being a Tomb Keeper for most of my life and being required to follow a strict code did not leave time for me to truly be myself." Ishizu explained to a nod from Atem.

As they left the apartment, the two climbed onto Atem's bike as he sped off in the direction of a club that they had passed a few times during their walks around the city. Approaching the club a few minutes later, the two walked inside, the music pumping through the speakers causing their bodies to hum in response to the rhythm.

Raising a brow as he felt Ishizu take his hand, Atem chuckled as he felt her pull him onto the dance floor, watching in amazement as her hands circled above her head, her hips swaying in time to the beat of the music.

As she pressed herself back against him, Atem found himself having to bite back a groan as her hips swayed seductively against his own, his hands immediately finding their way to her hips, his thumbs brushing the soft skin of her waist as one hand lowered to clasp the back of his neck.

Brushing his lips against her shoulder in response, Atem's hands slid around to her stomach as their bodies continued to sway in sync with the beat. Spinning in his arms, Ishizu's hands crossed behind his neck as her thigh glided up the side of his leg to hook around his waist, Atem expertly dipping her back as his lips brushed her throat, the light stubble of a beard that had begun to form eliciting a shiver from her.

Feeling Ishizu shiver in his arms, Atem grinned as he nipped lightly at the soft skin of her neck, delighting in the soft moan he drew from her. Lifting her back up, he spun her, crossing their arms over her torso as she pressed back into him, her hips rolling back into his once again.

Tilting his head, Atem captured her lips once more, a deep moan rumbling from her throat as she felt him press against her backside, her tongue extending to duel with his own briefly before they broke apart a moment later, Atem groaning softly. "Do you have any idea what you do to me, my Queen?"

Leaning back, Ishizu nipped lightly at his ear as she whispered. "Mm, I think I do, my King." As they broke apart to let the other calm themselves, the two moved from the dance floor to take a seat at a nearby table.

As they relaxed, Atem looked toward Ishizu, chuckling softly. "I would have never guessed you to be so adept at dancing, my love." A small laugh escaping her, Ishizu nodded. "Well, now that my family's duties as your Tomb Keepers have ended, I was free to pursue other interests and hobbies besides archaeology. Though I will admit, I could say the same of you, beloved."

Shrugging softly, Atem smiled. "Well, I suppose there are some things other than dueling that I am naturally gifted at." Noticing the glazed look in his love's eyes, Atem swallowed lightly as he heard her speak. "That, my love, is something I can attest to personally."

As the two lay in bed after an eventful night, Ishizu curled into Atem's side, her hand resting on his chest, she pressed a kiss to the still healing wound in his shoulder. Though he no longer needed a sling to stabilize it, the internal damage to the joint was still healing. Sighing softly, she looked up to his face as she spoke softly. "Atem?"

"Hm?" He questioned softly, his hand lightly caressing her bare hip as he gazed down at the beautiful woman. "Forgive me if this seems an odd question, but what is it that first attracted you to me, dearest?" Ishizu spoke hesitantly, unsure why her King would fall for someone such as her.

Pressing a kiss to the crown of her head, Atem smiled. "Do not think yourself foolish for asking such a thing, my love. To be honest, I suppose it started with the day you first introduced yourself at the museum before Battle City. You had informed me that I was the spirit of an Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh who had sealed my soul inside the Millennium Puzzle. I had no memory of my past, and yet you seemed to possess answers to many of my questions."

Pausing for a moment, Atem smiled fondly at the memories. "Then, there were our conversations on the zeppelin as we were competing in the Battle City finals. I felt as though I had found a kindred spirit in you, being that we shared a homeland. I felt as though I could confide in you, and I still do. Also, there was your determination to save Marik from his darker side. A truly admirable quality, if I do say so, myself. Also, your display of calm ferocity in battle with Kaiba. You showed a strength of character that I found intriguing, to say the least."

Pressing another kiss to her forehead, Atem brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Though you seemed emotionally distant at the time, I now understand that it was because you felt that you had to focus on your goal of saving your brother from himself. I, however, am glad to have been able to glimpse at the beautiful, wonderful woman that you are, beloved. Both inside and out."

Burying her face into his neck at the sentiment, Ishizu sniffled lightly, wiping tears from her eyes as she silently thanked the Gods once more for him before hearing him speak once more. "And now, my love, I suppose it's only fair that I ask the same of you."

Smiling up a him, Ishizu took his hand before speaking. "I'd have to say that your overall personality and character was what attracted me to you. You were willing to do anything for the sake of your friends. And not only that, but even after all he'd done, you still were willing to help me defeat Marik's dark side and bring out the good in him. Your kindness and gentleness of spirit, as well as your fierce determination was truly inspiring. You showed me that, even though all seems lost, there is always hope. And if you believe in that hope with everything you have, nothing is impossible."

Holding her to him, Atem smiled as he lowered his head, capturing her lips briefly. "And this, Ishizu, is why I love you."

Sliding her leg up to wrap around his waist, Ishizu pressed a hand to his chest, over his heart. "Show me that love, my King. Let us feel the love we share for each other."