Author's Note:
Hello again! As promised, here is the next chapter! It didn't take too long to post, did it? I hope this chapter answers questions some of you might have.
I want to say thank you to those that are following this story. It means the world to me every time I get a notification that I have a new follower or someone has favorited this story!
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Disclaimer: I still do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of its characters.
Chapter 5: Confessions and Secrets
Atem stayed at the kitchen table, his mind racing as he planning his next move until the ice pack was well past its usefulness. He kept his head down, resting it on his forearm which caused his shoulders to ache from the awkward position.
Their relationship was on its last leg despite his greatest efforts to fix what he had done. He decided his very last option was to tell Yugi his secret. If it didn't change Yugi's mind he really would have no options left. He just hoped it wouldn't make things worse, if that was even possible.
Atem lifted his head and winced as pain ran down his neck and spine. He rolled his head and neck, easing the pain a bit, when his eyes landed on the clock. He frowned realizing how much time had passed and Yugi still hadn't returned. Domino City wasn't a good place to wander at night but he knew Yugi would avoid the worse parts. The thought didn't make him feel better.
He needed to know Yugi was at least safe, even if he didn't want to be near him. Atem didn't have a cell phone but he knew how to use the house phone and that there was a book with important numbers in a drawer in the kitchen.
He stood to retrieve the book and scrolled through the names, thankful that the memories from his time with Yugi stayed with him. Not only did the memories help him understand the foreign language, but they also helped work the newer technology he wasn't accustomed to in Ancient Egypt.
He scanned the pages until he found Yugi's cell phone and picking up the phone off the wall, he hesitantly dialed it. He held his breath, praying Yugi would answer but it went straight to voicemail. Yugi's bright voice came over the line, telling whoever was calling to leave a message.
Atem cursed and hung up the phone on the wall receiver with more force then he intended. Yugi's phone must have died or he had shut it off to further avoid him.
This only made the worry swirling in his gut increase. If the phone was dead and Yugi was in danger he would have no way to call for help.
Atem shook the thought from his head, knowing Yugi was smarter than that. He wouldn't wander around Domino City at this hour. He would find somewhere to go, even if that wasn't his own home.
A groan escaped Atem's throat and placed his forehead on the hard surface of the wall next to the phone, realizing exactly where Yugi would go in the middle of the night.
He would seek guidance from Joey, the very person that was responsible for Yugi's sudden change of heart. A person that was plotting to have Atem removed from Yugi's life, and so far he was succeeding at it.
No matter how much he wished it wasn't true, Atem still flipped through the book to find the angry blonds home phone number. He dialed it and was surprised when a familiar, female voice answered instead of an irate male telling him off. He paused for a moment, until he remembered that Mai and Joey are a couple.
"Good evening, Mai. It's Atem… I'm sorry for the late night call but I was wondering if perhaps Yugi was there?" Relief washed over him when she confirmed he was there. At least he wasn't on the streets. She asked if he wanted to talk to him and even though Atem wanted to say yes, he refrained, wanting to give Yugi his space. "No that's okay. I was concerned about him being out so late. I just wanted to make sure he was somewhere safe… Goodnight."
Atem placed the phone back on the receiver as the feeling of relief shifted to uneasiness. After the fight they just went through Joey was probably throwing a party for Yugi, praising him for his decision. The last shred of optimism to salvage their relationship was fading away with every minute Yugi spent with Joey.
Right now there was nothing he could do except wait out Yugi's return.
Head down in defeat, Atem shuffled into the living room to get ready for bed. Yugi probably wouldn't be home until tomorrow so the only thing to do now was settle into bed and pray sleep would come fast.
It didn't.
After setting up his bed and changing into a pair of red, plaid pajama pants and a black t-shirt, Atem laid down with a thin sheet covering up to his waist. He crossed his arms behind his head and closed his eyes.
He wanted sleep to take him, to steal him away from the fears of reality, even if only temporarily but his mind was too active with the anxiety of what would happen in the upcoming days. The constant ache in his chest grew with every flittering thought of Yugi shutting his out for good.
In frustration, Atem threw the covers away and sat up, burying his face in his hands. The unrelenting torment of his mind coupled with the silence that rang through the house was becoming unbearable. He stood and started pacing the living room floor; the only sound in the house his soft footfalls of socked feet against carpet.
He paced, pausing every time he heard the slightest noise, whether it be a car driving past or the house creaking as it settled. Each time a sliver of hope graced his mind that Yugi had returned only to be torn away yet again.
The waiting was agonizing and he needed a distraction before he went insane. He spotted the book shelf that was on the other side of the living room and made his way to it, turning the switch on the lamp next to the couch on his way. His eyes shifted over the book titles on the higher shelves. They were mostly textbooks on ancient civilizations that no doubted belong to Yugi's grandfather. Two shelves held nothing but different books on dueling and card types. The shelf closest to the floor held photo albums and the familiar leather binding of one caught his eye.
Atem sat down and crossed his legs before pulling the album out and placing it in his lap. His hand ran over the smooth cover and the image of Yugi and his friends on the front. Inside he knew contained pictures from a time he wished he could go back to. Back when him and Yugi got along and were happy.
"No," he whispered to himself, knowing opening it would only torture him more. He went to put it back when a single picture fell from between the pages of the album.
After placing the book back on the shelf, Atem picked up the picture and turned it over. His heart stung at the image of him and Yugi.
This was the picture Yugi took of the both of them last week. Even though it was only days ago it felt like an eternity. This was when they had been so close to rekindling their lost relationship.
He gazed down at the picture, taking in all he could of the brief happiness they had created.
Yugi looked so happy and carefree. His eyes were closed and he was still laughing when the picture was taken. Atem could see his own face, turned slightly toward Yugi's, smiling and enjoying the sight of the cheerful man next to him.
This was by far his favorite moment since he had come back, enjoying a simple moment with his other half. They truly were light and dark, made to complement each other. Even the colors of their bodies represented this. Yugi's skin looked even paler next to his own sun-kissed skin. Atem's hair was a deep maroon, a few shades darker then Yugi's magenta tipped locks..
Even the way they styled their hair was different, Yugi's blond bangs falling around his face, flattering his softer features and gentle eyes when Atem's stuck up more, accentuating his sharp eyes and face. Atem also had a larger build to him, his shoulders slightly broader then Yugi's and his body was more toned where Yugi still kept his lean, slim body.
They were their own person now and he thought this is what they needed to be able to have the relationship they both wished for. Their mind-link was gone, along with the puzzle, and maybe the connection that linked their souls went with it as well.
His grip on the picture tightened, causing the paper to wrinkle. He would do anything to have this Yugi back again. He would do anything for this man but he was slowly finding out that maybe their relationship was broken beyond repair.
The picture fell from his now trembling hand and he buried his face in his hands. A sob emerged from his throat as he wondered what was going to happen now. Nothing had ever felt so painful and he had never felt as vulnerable as he did now.
Years of constant torture from the puzzle couldn't even compare to the pain coursing through his entire body. The pain and sorrow raking its way through his body caused his shoulders to shake.
This was even more painful then leaving Yugi after the Ceremonial Duel. Was this how Yugi felt when he left? Was this how it felt to give everything you had to another only to have them push themselves away?
He vowed to always protect his partner, shield him from the very pain Atem had caused.
He didn't blame Yugi for not wanting him anymore. This kind of pain was insufferable.
Atem forced these emotions down; having experience hiding his vulnerability from his many lessons from before he became Pharaoh. He put on a mask, hiding the pain, sorrow, and guilt trying so hard to escape. He'd become accustomed to this mask for so long and soon he feared he would never be able to take it off.
He needed to accept what was going to come and if that meant Yugi didn't want him in his life anymore he would have to leave but… His hands dropped limply into his lap as he wondering what he was supposed to do now.
"Atem?" His head shot up when the soft voice broke his desolate thoughts.
Atem turned his head slowly, praying it wasn't his imagination. On the other side of the room he could see Yugi standing nervously next to the couch.
Atem's eyes widened. He came back! Atem had to suppress the urge to jump up, run to him, and apologize for everything he had ever done to hurt this man.
"Yugi…" He said carefully, "I didn't hear you come in."
"I wasn't sure if you were sleeping or not…" He tilted his head to the side slightly. "What are you doing on the floor…?"
"Oh I… I was just looking for something to pass the time." Atem stood up and hid the picture in his pocket while making it look like he was just straightened out his clothes.
Atem stood still, taking in the anxious sight of the younger man. He decided it was best to let Yugi make the first move. After a few moments Yugi lowered his head, his voice weak when he spoke.
"I'm glad you're still here. After what I said to you I wouldn't have blamed you if you wanted to leave. What I said was horrible."
Atem's eyes widened in surprise. Surely he should be the one apologizing, not Yugi. "It's alright, Yugi. You were upset. No need to apologize," He said, wanting so badly to make him feel better.
"Yes I do. You came back and you've been doing everything you could to fix what happened between us. In return for that I've been just horrible to you. I should be glad you came back. I should be trying to make the most of it. Even if it turns out to be temporary again…"
"Yugi, how many times do I have to tell you? I came back to stay." Yugi lifted his head, about to speak but Atem held a hand up to silence him. It was now or never. "Before you say anything else I have a confession to make."
"You do?" He asked, raising a curious eyebrow.
"Yes. I've been keeping a secret from you because I was afraid of how you would react. The truth is…" Atem paused for a moment, trying to get his words right. "Even if I wanted to return to the Afterlife I wouldn't be able to. I've been forbidden to return."
Yugi blinked slowly, confused. "I don't understand. Who forbade you?"
"Sit. I'll explain everything."
Atem motioned toward the couch and he sat down next to his pillow while Yugi took a seat to his left, leaving a good amount of space between them, and folded his hands together tighty. Atem wanted to reach out and take hold of one of Yugi's hands, hoping that would give him the needed strength to continue but held back for fear of further rejection. Atem balled his fists tightly on his lap and shut his eyes, trying to gather the needed strength to recall the painful events that brought him back here. He took a deep breath, and forced his voice to remain strong when he told the story.
"As you know, after I walked through that door after our Ceremonial Duel I entered the Afterlife. All my friends and family greeted me and I was overwhelmed by the amount of love surrounding me. They had waited so long to see me and were thrilled that we could finally all be at rest together. They showed me everything the Afterlife had to offer. It was more amazing then I ever thought possible. More beautiful then you could ever imagine and no one wants for anything. There is no war or hardship, everyone rests peacefully and enjoys their afterlife in bliss." Atem paused and glanced toward Yugi, who was listening intently so he continued.
"I told you before that there really wasn't a sense of time there because you aren't really living like a mortal anymore. There is no need to sleep and no need to eat. The sun god, Ra, is always watching over us, bathing us in his eternal light. I tried to enjoy it but the longer I spent there the harder it got. Something just didn't feel right and no matter what I did I couldn't shake it. There was an empty feeling inside of me and I knew it was because I was missing the other half of my soul." Atem had to stop again from the pain bubbling up from his chest. He screwed up his face in an effort to suppress it again until he felt a hand on one of his tightly clenched fists. He looked up surprised to see Yugi giving him a weak smile, no doubt understanding how hard this must be to talk about.
He returned it with his own weak smile and opened his hand to entwine their fingers. The pain eased slightly when he felt Yugi give his hand a small squeeze as if telling him to go on.
"Eventually I gave into the feeling. I missed you and it made me miserable. All that the Afterlife had to offer, none of it was ever enough to compete with the one thing I truly needed: You. The Gods began to notice my feelings and they weren't happy about it. One day they approached me."
Pharaoh Atem walked along the bank of rushing, clear water that reminded him of the river Nile. This place always comforted him; the rushing sound pacified the silence that ached in his mind.
The grass crunched under his bare feet and he could feel droplets of water on his exposed legs below his knee where his beige tunic and skirt didn't reach. A breeze caused his deep blue cape to flutter behind him and the golden crown on his head felt heavy as he kept his head down.
He always put on the crown and many pieces of jewelry to match as a routine and necessity. The Afterlife supplied him with everything he could ever want, but none of that mattered to him, but rather accepting the riches so he didn't gather suspicion from the others that rested here.
He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, he truly did, but he always knew something was missing. Atem didn't want the others to notice so he hid this overwhelming feeling with a mask of happiness but inside he felt the hurt of the greatest loss he would ever experience.
The longer Atem kept these secrets, the harder it became to conceal them. He found that he would spend less and less time with those he knew, only to escape to the calming embrace of the drone sound.
The former Pharaoh needed time to himself to let his mask off. He needed time to accept and feel what he was trying to suppress but didn't want the others to know or for the Gods to think he was ungrateful for what they had to offer. Unfortunately, it wasn't easy to hide something from the Gods.
This moment was no different as Atem walked down the now familiar, river bank. The water wisped past his feet, only inches away, and he ignored the cool droplets against his bare legs while he focused on the agonizing emptiness in his chest.
His head was cast down, his eyes were unfocused, and his mind too busy to really care what was in front of him.
He jumped when a bright light shot down from the sky above him. The light was brighter than anything he had ever imagined possible and it was like the sun had suddenly fallen from the sky. It came down from above with such force that when it landed against the waters surface, waves swelled and splashed outward.
Atem brought his arm up to shield his eyes from both water and the blinding light. After a moment the harshness of the light calmed, only slightly, and he was left in the presence of something incredibly powerful… and angry.
A shiver went down his spine and he was forced to take a step back in awe as he gaped at the sight before him. It was something strange, but he knew he was in the presence of a God. The feeling ran through every fiber of his body, forcing him to kneel down in great respect for the God before him.
"Pharaoh Atem." The voice ripped through the air and thundered through his ears. He tried his best not to tremble in fear, afraid for whatever he had done to bring himself into the judgement of the Gods. "You have caused a great imbalance in the serenity of the Royal Afterlife. This is a place of peace for Pharaohs and royal family and you have brought despair. Explain yourself."
Atem kept his head bowed but his eyes opened wide in shock. He took a shuttering breath, trying to keep his voice noble in the presence of the God in front of him. "Please forgive me honorable God Ra. I have not meant to cause such an imbalance. I have left behind a life that I never had a chance to live and people I barely had a chance to get to know-"
"You are not the first to be taken from the living world prematurely." The voice boomed immediately, almost like it knew exactly what Atem was going to say. Atem wasn't about to argue.
"I understand-"
"You are, however, one of very few that were willing to give up their existence for their people. You were willing to endure 5000 years of shadows and torture so your people could live on. You have proven to be a selfless and honorable living God of Egypt. You have proven undoubtedly that you deserve for your soul to rest here for eternity, yet you resent this resting place and all the riches it has given to you." Atem continued to kneel, head bowed, waiting for his judgement. He closed his eyes, knowing that he would have to endure whatever punishment Ra would set upon him. "For all that you have done, the Gods have decided to give you a choice. If you do not wish to reside here you may take your leave."
Atem's head snapped up. His eyes squinted, staring up at the blinding light in disbelief. Surely it wasn't possible to just leave a place your soul resides? "I'm afraid I don't understand."
The voice was neutral when it spoke and stronger than anything he could have imagined. "If you wish to leave behind the eternity of the Royal Afterlife you have earned, one reserved solely for kings and royal family, for the mortal world that you feel is still in need of your presence, you may." The voice died down and from the center of the light came a glowing object. As the shining object floated toward Atem he recoiled when he realized what it was. It was the Millennium Puzzle and the place that once trapped his soul.
The puzzle stopped only a few feet in front of his kneeling form, waiting for him to accept it. He knew if he accepted this offer it would mean one thing. He would be trapped again, destined for a life as a shadow.
He lifted his gaze back to the God in front of him. "I will be locked inside the puzzle again?" The silence only confirmed his suspicions. He shook his head. "No. I can't do that to my friend again. He's already been put through enough."
"Very well." The voiced echoed as the puzzle disintegrated before his eyes. When the voice spoke again, Atem swore he could almost hear pride in the normally level tone. "You continue to show your worthiness and altruism in the presence of the Gods." The voice stopped and for a moment Atem believed the God was going to leave. Instead it continued with an offer he never thought possible. "The Gods will grant that your ka be returned to your former living body, renewed. The ka and ba will be reunited and you will be reborn and sent to the one you desire."
Atem smiled the first true smile he had since he first came to the Afterlife. He was so busy replaying the words in his head he almost didn't hear the warning that was given to him. "But beware; this gift does not come without a price. If you return to the living world as a mortal, you may not return to this Royal Afterlife. You will no longer lay claim to the title Pharaoh, living God of Egypt. You will live as a mortal with no ties to royal heritage."
Atem's smile fell, replaced with a furrowed brow and a frown. "I won't be able to return here? I won't be able to see my family again?"
"Correct. You will be stripped of your heritage and as an exchange you will be returned to your former vessel."
Atem dropped his head, his mind being pulled in two directions. He could never return if he accepted this offer. Was this really a decision he could make? Yes he could return to Yugi and have the life that was taken from him but in return he would turn his back on everyone that loved and cared about him. In his heart he knew there was only one answer. No matter what he knew he needed to go back to the one he loved.
Atem raised his head again and opened his mouth to speak but was cut short by a familiar, high-pitched voice behind him.
"You have to say yes!" It shouted.
Atem turned, only to find Mana running toward him though the taller grass. She bowed respectively in the presence of the God, kneeling next to Atem.
"Mana… What are you doing here?"
"I was worried about you when you left before. I could tell something was wrong so I followed you here. I've been watching you from a distance." Mana turned toward the beaming light that was unfazed by her sudden appearance. "Please forgive me, for I did not intend to eavesdrop on this meeting."
Her apology was met with silence. Both knew this was the only answer she was going to get.
Mana turned her head toward Atem again and said, "You have to accept the offer."
"You do know what that means don't you?"
"Yes I heard. It means that you won't be able to return here."
Atem nodded sadly. "I'll never be able to see you or my family ever again."
"But you will never forgive yourself if you don't accept it. Just like how you never forgave yourself for leaving Yugi. No matter how hard you try to hide it I could see it." She smiled proudly. "We are best friends, remember?"
Atem returned the smile, knowing she was right. Mana always had his back and this moment proved no different. "I could never hide anything from you."
"Nope! And now is no different. Pharaoh… I want you to be happy and this place isn't going to do that for you. You need to go back to him. It's the only way."
"But what about everyone here? How can I do that to them?"
"If they truly care about you they will understand. They will want you to be happy too, and not the way you've been pretending." Seeing the worry on her friend's faces, Mana placed a hand on Atem's shoulder. "Hey… Don't worry about us. We have each other and when you go back you will be with the one person that can truly make you happy again. We know you love all of us but you need to go back to him. We will be fine."
He knew Mana was right. This was going to be the only way. He stood and helped Mana to her feet. He hugged her tightly, knowing this could be the last chance he would get. His voice was kind when he spoke in her ear. "Thank you Mana. I will carry your kind words with me always."
Atem released their embrace and turned toward the light again. He squared his shoulders and his voice was sturdier then before, showing the confidence in his decision. "I understand and accept your terms."
At the sound of Atem's answer the light began to fade along with the resounding voice. "Say your farewells. Once completed, come to the gate that connects the spirit and mortal worlds."
"After I left is when I found you. The Gods brought me right back to you, exactly where you were." Atem finished his story and peered toward Yugi, realizing now he had stayed completely silent through his tale.
Yugi had his head down, staring unblinking at their linked hands still in Atem's lap. His face remained neutral, absorbing the new information. Atem gave his hand a gentle squeeze, trying to animate his frozen figure.
The light pressure brought Yugi back to the present and he looked up to Atem with a knit brow. "But what about everything you went through… Everything you had to sacrifice? How could you give up everything you worked so hard to achieve?"
Atem gave him a half smile. "That never mattered to me. I did all those things for my people because they depended on me. I never did it for the glory or reward. Not back 5000 years ago, not 3 years ago when we were saving the world together. The only thing that ever mattered to me was you. I wanted to come back to you, Partner."
Yugi dropped his head again, his voice soft and disbelieving. "You gave up everything… For me?"
"I did." Atem reached out to cup Yugi's cheek with his other hand and gently made him look back up so he could look him in the eyes. He knew this was going to be the deciding moment and he didn't want to ruin it. He looked into the vulnerable eyes of the smaller man and put all his heart in his next words. "It was like you always told me. The only place I truly belong is beside you…"
The words caused Yugi to involuntarily clutch Atem's hand tighter. "Y-you're really back... For good?"
Atem gave him a bigger smile and nodded.
"Atem…" Yugi breathed as his eyes began to cloud over with tears.
Through the tears and slight tremble of his lips as he spoke, Atem could see the pure happiness in his partner's eyes. Slowly the walls that were guarding his heart started to recede and he could finally allow himself to let Atem back into his life.
At first Yugi slowly inched toward Atem, but a second later he threw himself into the strong, welcoming embrace of the man that would forever hold his heart. The force of the hug tipped them over and left Yugi laying half on top of Atem while Atem's back rested on the armrest and his pillow. He wrapped his arms securely around older man's waist, so tight that Atem knew he never wanted to let go. Atem happily returned the embrace, wrapping his arms around Yugi's shoulders as he brought his face down to nuzzle the soft locks of Yugi's hair.
Yugi buried his face in Atem's chest and Atem could feel the tears that soaked through the thin fabric. With these tears Atem knew Yugi was letting out years of the pain he had suffered, thinking they would never have a chance to be together. Atem buried his face deeper as the same tears began to swell in his own eyes. He tucked Yugi further into his body, reassuring him that he wanted to be nowhere else.
Every few moments Yugi would let out another sob and Atem would rock him gently while whispering reassuring words through his own sobs. When Yugi began to calm down and his shuttering breath subsided Atem used one hand to gentlly cup Yugi's warm face and brought it up to face his own.
His eyes were red and they still glistened with the threat of tears, no doubt mirroring his own, but the happiness shined through even brighter. No longer did he see the darkness and pain in these eyes. Now they were filled with the light and happiness he had waited so long to see again.
This is what Atem wanted. He wanted to be able to give Yugi the happiness he truly deserved. Atem wanted to be able to give himself fully without the fear of their relationship being a disaster and now he finally could.
Atem let out his own shaky breath, the emotions swelling in his chest causing his voice to fail him. His body felt lighter than ever before as he held onto the slightly trembling body of his other half.
"Other me…" His voice cracked from the strain of sobbing. He brought his own hand to rest softly against Atem's that was still on his cheek. The feeling of Yugi's slim fingers against his own left a trail of sparks that traveled directly to his heart.
Yugi closed his eyes and a few leftover tears spilled that Atem quickly wiped away with his thumb. Yugi nuzzled his tear-stained face against Atem's palm, humming softly in content.
Atem was still unable to bring his voice back even though he wanted to lay his heart out completely. He wanted to apologize for the pain he had caused and promise him that he would stop at nothing to bring him nothing but happiness from now on.
Instead, Atem leaned forward and let his gesture speak for itself. His lips brushed against Yugi's forehead, and he smiled against the creamy skin as he heard a sigh from below and nothing had ever sounded sweeter.
He closed his eyes and brought his head down to rest his own forehead where his lips previously were. They continued this embrace, neither knowing exactly how long, but both knowing they never wanted it to end.
After a few minutes passed Atem shifted them so they could lie on the couch more comfortably. Atem was laying flat on his back with his head now resting on his pillow and Yugi was on his side with his back up against the back of the couch.
Yugi nestled himself into Atem's side, and Atem could have sworn they molded together perfectly. His head rested on Atem's chest and a hand gently rested not far from his face.
Atem used one arm to wrap around Yugi's back, his hand resting on Yugi's upper arm while the other hand rested on top of Yugi's that was on his chest. Atem nuzzled his face into Yugi's hair again, enjoying how the soft locks tickled his face, and inhaling the delicious scent of the lavender and honey shampoo he used. He hummed blissfully and grinned when he heard Yugi chuckle lightly against his chest.
Yugi looked up at him, smiled and rested his chin on Atem's chest. The beautiful sight before Atem caused a new rush of delight to spread through his chest. "I told you that we would both fit on the couch."
"Correct as usual." Atem raised his hand and brushed a few stray hairs out of Yugi's eyes.
Yugi closed his eyes and let out a contented sound at the feel of Atem's fingers gliding across his face.
"I still can't believe you did that for me."
"Well you better start believing it because now you are officially stuck with me." Atem playfully joked as he lightly tapped a single tanned finger against Yugi's nose causing him to scrunch it slightly in the adorable way Atem loved.
Yugi rested his cheek on Atem's chest again. "I don't think that's such a bad thing, Other Me."
Atem shut his eyes, loving the sound of Yugi's voice saying his nickname.
He squeezed him a little tighter, "Good because there is no where I'd rather be, Partner."
Atem ran his hand up and down Yugi's arm. The only sound he could hear was the soft, even breathing of the man in his arms. They would stay here all night if it were up to him.
Yugi propped himself up on his elbow with his other hand still resting on Atem's chest. At the movement Atem opened his eyes and looked to see Yugi looking at him anxiously. "I have one more thing to apologize for…"
"Oh?" Atem raised a brow curiously. "What's that?"
Yugi looked down at where his hand rested and gently rolled the soft fabric between his fingers. "The other day when you wanted to talk about that… kiss… And I blew you off… I'm really sorry… I know that must have hurt."
Atem gave him a comforting smile and rubbed his back. "It's okay, Partner. I know you were upset about everything."
Yugi shrugged his shoulders. "That still doesn't make it right. And I lied to you, when I said it didn't mean anything to me…" Yugi glanced up and Atem could see the blush that had spread across his pale cheeks. "I just want you to know that it did. It meant a lot. I would have told you after it happened but when Joey came over…" He dropped his head again, this time shamefully. "I let him get into my head and I shouldn't have. I shouldn't have let him make me doubt my feelings for you."
Atem let out a breath he felt like he had been holding all week. "Honestly, I knew he was up to something but hearing you say that is a relief. When you started avoiding me again all these terrible scenarios came to mind. I'm just glad to know I didn't over step your boundaries."
"You didn't do anything I didn't want you to…" Yugi looked back up at Atem with a shy smile. "I really enjoyed it…"
Atem raised a hand to gently cup his cheek as the blush deepened, trying to hold back his smirk. "Did you now?"
Yugi nodded. "I did. What about you… What did you think about it?"
"Hmmm…" Atem tapped a finger to his own cheek playfully. "You may have to jog my memory a bit."
Yugi gave him his own smirk and narrowed his eyes, causing Atem to chuckle.
Atem closed his eyes and didn't have to wait long before he left a pair of tender lips against his own. They were soft and gentle, just like the man they belonged to and they left him wanting more. Atem brought his hand up to run it through Yugi's hair, capturing his head so he lingered as long as possible.
"Oh yes," Atem mumbled against Yugi's lips, refusing to part with them just yet. "I believe it's coming back to me now..."
He pressed Yugi's head closer and deepened the kiss. Yugi's hand tightly clutched the fabric of Atem's shirt, giving soft moans.
Atem felt Yugi melt into the kiss, their lips gliding together effortlessly while their breathing intensified. Atem pulled Yugi closer so their chests pressed flush against each other and Atem could feel the rumble of Yugi's moans against his own chest. While one hand remained in Yugi's hair the other began to explore Yugi's trim figure.
He began at the smooth skin at his neck, feeling Yugi shudder beneath his touch before wandering lower, over his shoulders, down his back, and landing on his hips as he gently caressed them.
While he caressed his hip's and lower back Atem's hand glided across Yugi's shirt where it met his pants. Very gently he pulled up the fabric until he was able to slip his hand underneath, feeling the smooth skin on the small of his back. His fingers danced across the creamy skin causing Yugi to moan into the kiss. Atem explored this new area, mapping out every dip and curve of the other man's lower back.
As Yugi's moans became for passionate he parted his lips and Atem deepened the kiss further by slipping his tongue into Yugi's mouth. It was Atem's turn to moan in pleasure as Yugi accepted, using his own to lead it in a dance, over lips and across gums.
Yugi brought a hand up and caressed Atem's face while they enjoyed the taste of one another and the sounds they elicited. Nothing was holding either back now as they gave their all into the haven of passion they were creating.
Using one arm to keep himself propped up, Yugi let the other slide down from Atem's face and down his chest to his stomach where it swiftly slipped under Atem's night shirt where it caressed and massaged Atem's toned stomach and chest.
Atem's breath hitched when the nimble fingers grazed across one of his hardening nipples and he clutched Yugi even closer to his over-sensitive body.
In return Yugi shifted his body again so he could straddle Atem's hips. Their heated body pressed even closer against each other and their hearts threatened to beat out of their chests.
Though the lust that pumped through his veins was telling him to keep going, Atem's senses were telling him to slow down. His body was begging him to flip them over and worship his lover like he deserved but his mind was telling him it was not a wise decision.
Atem placed both his hands on Yugi's shoulders. He didn't want to push their relationship too far too fast and on top of that, they were out in the open. Ra forbid his grandfather woke up again…
"Partner," Atem moaned as he pulled himself away from Yugi's sweet kisses. Instead, Yugi's lips trailed down to his chin and began peppering electrifying kisses across his neck that sent sparks shooting through his nervous system, landing directly in his lower stomach. Yugi's breath was hot against his skin as he licked and nipped his way across his collar bone. Atem groaned from the new rush of lust reeking havoc on his body, the fire in him becoming harder to suppress.
His voice was laced with pleasure but he needed to get the words out before he was lost completely. "I think… We should… Stop."
"Mhmm…" Yugi hummed against his throat until he stopped abruptly. "Wait what?" He pulled his head back and panted out, "W-why?"
The pupils of his eyes were blown wide, barely showing any color at all but the pain of rejection was obvious. Yugi's face was flushed and he was breathing just as raggedly as Atem.
How much he loved and wanted this man… Atem reached up and played with a piece of Yugi's bangs. He heard the desire in his own voice, "I promise I want nothing more than to continue this but… Your grandfather is only just upstairs."
Yugi let out a relieved sigh as his fears fell from his mind. Reluctantly he shifted his body off of Atem's to take its place next to him and rested his face against Atem's chest. He pouted slightly. "I guess you're right… It'll give him a heart attack if he finds us making out on the couch. He shouldn't find out about us that way."
"You know…" Atem looked away from Yugi. "He is an insightful man. Do you think on some level he may already know?"
Yugi looked up at him to disagree but the faulty smile and side glance from Atem gave him away. Yugi's jaw dropped and his eyes widened in realization. "You told him!?"
"Of course not! He came down stairs when he heard us fighting earlier. He said that he's known about our feelings toward each other for some time now…" Yugi looked away, his face etched in worry. Atem knew Yugi wanted to tell his grandfather himself because he was afraid of how the older man would react. Atem cupped his cheek and made him look at him again. "Don't look so uneasy. He seemed pleased that we were trying to make amends."
"…Really?"
"Really." Atem said, giving him a reassuring smile. "He said all he cares about is that you are happy and he thinks I can make you happy."
Yugi returned the smile. "You do. You make me very happy."
"You have no idea how long I've wanted to hear those words from your lips." Atem stroked Yugi's cheek and Yugi brought his hand up and lightly squeezed Atem's hand. Even this gentle touch was enough to send shooting pain through his hand. "Ouch!"
Atem pulled his hand back and Yugi sat up quickly, unsure of what he did and not wanting to hurt him more. Atem sat up next to him cradling his hand carefully.
Yugi looked down to Atem's injured hand, only now noticing the bruising across his knuckles. "What happened to your hand?"
Giving him a remorseful look, he used his uninjured hand Atem to point to the wall beside the stairs.
Yugi's gaze followed until he noticed the small indent in the wall. He turned back to Atem shocked. "You punched the wall?"
Atem nodded. "When you left earlier… I'm not proud of it…" Atem eyes shifted back to Yugi and saw how unhappy he looked. "What's wrong?"
Yugi shook his head. "I… I just feel terrible for what I've put you through. I was so afraid that you would return to the Afterlife that I never thought about if you even could…"
Atem draped his arm over the smaller man's shoulders, pulling him against his side. "I shouldn't have kept that from you. It only caused more confusion and doubt between us."
"So why did you?", Yugi asked without looking up.
Atem rested his cheek on the side of Yugi's head.
"When I first came back you seemed upset that I was here. I was afraid if I told you, you would feel trapped or that I was forcing myself back into your life."
"You could never make me feel like that…" Yugi wrapped his arms around Atem's waist. "And I told you before that I was happy you were back. The only thing keeping us apart was my fear that you would leave again. If you would have just told me we wouldn't have had to go through all this..."
Atem rested his injured hand on Yugi's arm. "I know and I considered that too. Our relationship was so fragile and you were having such a hard time trusting in what I was saying. I wanted our trust to be reestablished before you knew so you wouldn't depend on this fact. I wanted you to be able to trust me like you used to. I wanted to make sure it wasn't broken beyond repair."
"I do trust you. Everything you have ever said or done was always done with my care in thought. Even when you decided to leave. Even when both our hearts were being broken you were only trying to do what was best for me. I don't think my trust issues were really directed at you but at what we always get caught up in. I think I was more afraid that something was going to happen that was going to force you to leave again."
Atem looked down at him curiously. "Like what?"
"I don't know…" Atem felt Yugi shutter in his arms, probably thinking about their painful separation. Yugi grip on Atem tightened and he said, "All the stuff with the Millennium Puzzle and your past life I guess."
"But I don't have the puzzle anymore." Atem reminded him and explained, "And my past life doesn't matter anymore because my life is with you now. No more saving the world."
Yugi looked up and the affection that sparkled in his amethyst orbs made Atem's heart flutter. "I love you, Other Me."
Atem nuzzled his nose against Yugi's. "And I Love you, Partner. I promise I'm not going anywhere."
Craning his neck forward he sealed his promise with a kiss that lingered until Yugi pulled back this time.
He smirked up at Atem and said, "I think I better get to bed before this goes any further."
"If you must," Atem pouted playfully, knowing Yugi was right. He brought his face forward and left one more chaste kiss before saying goodnight.
The next morning Atem opened his eyes as the early morning light shone in through the window.
He turned onto his back and stretched out his muscles as he noticed how much lighter he felt. He crossed his arms behind his head, closed his eyes and smiled, knowing that there was nothing keeping him and Yugi apart now.
Voices floated from the kitchen, indicating Solomon and Yugi were awake. He tossed the covers away and walked into the kitchen.
When he entered he spotted Yugi sitting with his back to him, still wearing his light blue pajama pants and a white tank top, revealing all of his slim, pale arms. He was eating a bowl of cereal and chatting with his grandfather. Solomon was standing at the at the kitchen counter, fixing himself a cup of coffee. He was also still in his green striped pajamas.
Atem walked further into kitchen and approached Yugi. He placing his hands on Yugi's shoulders from behind, leaning over and giving him a kiss on his cheek. "Good morning Partner." He pulled back only far enough to see his pale cheeks redden and he chuckled.
Yugi's smiled for a moment and opened his mouth to greet Atem but the words caught in his throat and he gave a small squeak instead. His eyes widened and Atem followed his gaze to see Solomon watching them as he leaned back into the counter.
Atem felt his own cheeks heat up as he let go of Yugi's shoulders and went to make a cup of coffee for himself.
Solomon eyed the two with amusement. "I'm glad you two are finally getting along," the older man said as he walked to the table and picked up the Sunday paper to tuck it under his arm. He normally read the Sunday paper in his brown arm chair in the living room and Atem supposed today was no different.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about… Us," Yugi said as he pointed between himself and Atem.
Solomon waved him off. "Don't worry about it. I know how young love is."
"I still feel like I should have told you. I just didn't know what I was going to do but now that I know nothing is going to force Atem to go back to the Afterlife I feel so much better," Yugi explained, his eyes shifting to Atem to give him a shy smile.
"I'm glad he finally told you about that. Now we can all move on. You have no idea how hard that was to watch." Solomon excused himself to the living room.
Atem sipped on his cup of coffee from his spot at the kitchen counter as he watched the older man leave the kitchen.
He heard a chair shift across the kitchen floor and turned his gaze back to Yugi, who was now walking over to the sink with his bowl in hand, head bowed, and his eyes cast down.
Atem frowned, unsure of why Yugi looked so upset. He abandoned his coffee mug and shifted closer to Yugi.
"Partner… Is something wrong?"
Yugi place both hands on the edge of the sink and sighed. He kept his head down. "You told him and not me…"
Atem twisted his mouth. "I didn't want to but he wouldn't relent in his questioning."
"Oh…" Yugi turned around to lean against the counter and cross his arms. He still refused to lift his head.
"Are you... Upset with me?" Atem asked carefully, placing a hand on the smaller mans shoulder. This is not how he wanted things to start between them.
"No…" Yugi shook his head and looked up to Atem. "You told me last night why you didn't tell me and I understand that." Yugi moved to stand in front of Atem, who leaned back into the counter. He wrapped his arms around Atem's neck and Atem circled Yugi's waist, pulling Yugi flush against his body. Yugi gave him a smile and said, "It's behind us now. I want to focus on the future from now on."
Atem returned the smile and asked, "And what do you see in our future?"
"Well…" Yugi paused as his eyes shifted away from Atem. He was still smiling when he said, "Right now I'm thinking about tonight."
Atem raised a single, thin brow. "Tonight?"
"Yup. Tonight I'm taking you out… On a date," Yugi confessed sheepishly after he looked back up to Atem, a small blush on his cheeks.
"Oh…" Atem furrowed his brow. "You don't have to do that, Partner."
"Your right, I don't have to but I want to. I've been so horrible to you that I want to make it up to you. Plus…" Yugi tightened his grip on Atem's neck, pulling their faces just a little closer. "Now that we are together I think we should go on our first official date."
Together! A single word had never sounded as tantalizingly alluring as that word did, causing his heart to skip a beat.
That's all Atem needed to hear before he pulled Yugi closer to him, giving him a deep kiss. The sudden movement startled Yugi but it didn't take long for his eyes to flutter closed and relax into the kiss. When he pulled away Yugi's eyes were half lidded.
"What was that for…?" Yugi whispered.
Atem chuckled at the dazed look on his lights face. "For saying that we are finally together."
The glazed look shifted to confusion. "I thought... Didn't last night prove that?"
"Well I didn't want to assume anything…"
Yugi gave him a shy smile. "Well you don't have to. I'm telling you… I want to be your boyfriend… If you want to be mine…"
Atem leaned down and placed a loving kiss on of petal soft lips, lingering for a moment.
"So that's a yes?" Yugi murmured against Atem's lips.
Atem brought his head back and laughed. "Of course."
"G-good." Yugi release his grip on Atem and cleared his throat. "Now that that's decided… I have to go plan our date." With that he turned, leaving Atem alone in the kitchen.
"Date…" Atem whispered to himself, feeling uneasy.
After showering and getting dressed, Atem sat down in the living room and waited for Yugi to come down stairs. He had dressed in a tight, black long-sleeved shirt and a pair of gray jeans. His only accessories was a pair of silver, stud earrings and a plain, silver chain around his neck.
He spent the morning going over a single word in his head, over and over: Date.
He wasn't sure exactly why going out with Yugi was making him so anxious. They had been out many time before so why did labeling it mean anything more?
He tapped his fingers nervously on his thighs, pondering his worries.
Eventually he came to the conclusion that these insecurities stemmed from never having these kind of experiences before. This was a completely new territory for him.
Dating was a new concept to Atem. As Pharaoh he didn't have time or the opportunity to date. Dating wasn't even a real thing back then for the royalty. Sure he was taught the concept of courting but royalty usually just participated in arranged marriages.
As lunch time drew near, the uneasy feeling in Atem's stomach only grew larger. Yugi had been up in his room the entire morning planning something, but Atem had no idea what.
With his curiosity getting the best of him, Atem decided to see what Yugi was up to so he climbed the steps up to the top floor of the game shop.
The door to Yugi's room was open so he peaked inside. Yugi was sitting at his desk, staring intently at his open laptop. Atem could see that he had changed, wearing a light purple collared shirt and a nice pair of dark jeans.
Atem knocked lightly, causing Yugi to jump slightly. He turned his head but when he saw it was Atem he shut the laptop quickly and spun around in his computer chair. Atem could see now that the purple shirt was unbuttoned, revealing a white tank top underneath and he had on his black choker and matching bracelets.
"Mind if I come in?" Atem asked.
"Of course not." Yugi leaned forward in his chair and smiled brightly at his visit.
Atem entered the room and sat down on Yugi's small bed. He made sure to sit close enough to the head of the bed, closest to where Yugi was and Yugi swiveled the chair to face him. They were only a couple feet apart.
"So… What are you up to?"
"I told you already," Yugi said, laughing lightly. "I'm planning our date."
"Oh…" Atem trailed off, turning his head so he could look up at the sky light above Yugi. Fluffy clouds floated through the picture perfect blue sky indicating it must be a perfect Autumn day outside. Yugi seemed so excited about this date and Atem didn't have the heart to disappoint him.
Yugi's smile faltered.
"Is… Is that alright?"
"Yes," Atem admitted but then shrugged his shoulders. "I'm just not sure what to do."
"What do you mean?" Yugi questioned, his eyebrows knit in confusion.
Atem twisted his mouth, trying to decide on how to bring up this sensitive subject, knowing some of the details might not be taken well by his partner. He leaned back slightly on the bed, placing his palms flat against the orange blanket.
"Well I've never been on a date before…"
"Really?" Yugi's eyes went wide in surprise.
Atem ignored Yugi's surprised look and nodded.
"Well, being Pharaoh was a busy job. I didn't have a lot of spare time."
"Not even when you were a prince?"
"No. The threats in Egypt were at an all-time high and I was in the palace most of the time learning to follow in my father's footsteps." Atem leaned forward, placing his forearms on his thighs, and for a moment wondered if he should keep this detail to himself until he remembered the last time he kept a secret from Yugi it almost ruined their chance at even having a relationship. "I was engaged to be married though but I never had the opportunity to court her before I was trapped in the puzzle."
Yugi's reaction was exactly what Atem thought it would be.
Yugi's mouth fell open and his voice faltered when he spoke. "You were… Engaged?"
The startled look on his younger companions face caused Atem to give a small chuckle. He reached out and, using a single finger to gently close Yugi's jaw, he continued explaining the situation.
"Yes, to a princess from a nearby kingdom. It was arranged for me as a way to get support from the other kingdom. She visited the palace only once and her visit was cut short due to the chaos going on. I saw her twice before she left."
Yugi leaned back in his chair, his eyes shifting in thought. Finally he looked up and gulped before he spoke again, scrunching up his eyes.
"Did you… like her?"
Atem shook his head immediately. "I didn't even know her. I don't think I spent enough time to be able to develop any sort of feelings for her." Suddenly a thought popped into his mind. Atem knew Yugi hadn't dated while they were together but he had been gone for a long time. His curiosity got the best of him and without thinking asked, "After I left, did you date much?"
This question seemed to catch Yugi off guard and he noticeably stiffened. He shifted in his chair uncomfortably.
"Uhm… Not much. A couple women but nothing ever worked out." He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "With the title I had a lot of the women in the dueling community harassing me for a while but once they realized I wasn't interested they left me alone."
"You mean Rebecca finally left you alone?"
Atem smirked, which earned a narrowed gaze from Yugi. Atem knew Yugi was trying his best to look serious but he thought he looked nothing but adorable.
"I was talking about other women but I wish." Yugi dropped his shoulders and confessed, "She still comes around occasionally."
Atem crossed his arms and playfully added, "I see. I guess I'll have to fight her for your affection now."
Yugi rolled his eyes and gave Atem a shy smile.
"That won't be much of a fight, Other Me."
"You're right. She may be small but she is feisty. I might be up for a tougher fight then I thought." Atem couldn't hold back the loud chuckle that escaped from his throat. "Ra help the poor bastard that has to tell her that we are in a relationship."
"Oh stop." Yugi lightly smacked Atem's knee, even though he giggled at the thought as well. "Listen, just leave it up to me and I promise we will have a great time tonight."
Atem finished laughing, feeling much better about the situation. Yugi's confidence about how the date would go eased Atem's trepidation's.
"What do you have planned?" Atem asked.
Yugi beamed at him, obviously excited for what he had planned. "It's a surprise but I promise it will be fun."
"I'll leave you to it then."
Atem stood to leave, but not before he leaned forward, captured Yugi's chin between his thumb and forefinger, and left a long, soft kiss on Yugi's warm lips.
Author's Note:
I hope you all enjoyed! Something in me feels like this chapter could have gone better but I'm posting it anyway.
I must say my favorite part of this was Atem's flash back. It was actually one of the first scenes I wrote out when starting this story.
The next chapter may take a couple weeks to post because I get to write their DATE! I have some ideas for it but its going to take some time to get them perfect. If anyone has any ideas of what they would like to see them do, feel free to PM me. (Serious inquiries only.)