**DISCLAIMER** Yu-Gi-Oh and Characters belong to Kazuki Takahashi
AN: It's finally here almost a year since it was updated! So sorry for the wait, hope this is a satisfactory conclusion for y'all :)
"Do not run from this, Kaiba."
His words cut across the room like a blow to the stomach, causing Kaiba to scowl.
"What kind of coward do you presume me to be, Mutou? I don't run from anything."
"Is that so? For last I saw, you left our duel quite quickly when it ended," his arms were crossed and he was leaning back nonchalantly. Kaiba was mirroring him with crossed arms but his stance was tense, his eyes burning with fury. How dare Yugi compare his actions to that of a craven?
"'Left' being the key difference," he says through gritted teeth. Outwardly he was calm; portraying his usual air of indifference, but inside he was surging with all kinds of emotions. Most of them familiar, such as anger and aggression but a few news ones that he didn't want to think about right now.
"And that difference is," Yugi's looked at him with his usual challenging gaze, and as usual Kaiba couldn't resist rising to meet his game.
"When I leave," he said emphasising each word, "I have every intention of returning. Stronger and better than ever."
Yugi's eyes clouded, the corner of his mouth twitching into a smile. He stepped forward until there was only a hands-width between them, his deep voice barely over a whisper, "Was that your intention then Kaiba? To return 'stronger and better than ever."
A hot flush spreads across Kaiba's cheeks as he caught the innuendo too late to turn back. Quickly controlling his breathing Kaiba resumes an impassive expression, studying his opponent guardedly. It was clear now, looking over him, that Yugi was gazing at him with desire. Begrudgingly Kaiba admitted it should have been obvious from all the groping and making out in the store but recognising it as more than a spur-of-the-moment thing helped renew his confidence in his next move.
Tilting his head slightly to the right, Kaiba grinned cockily, "Only if you defeated me, and from where I stand, that was clearly my victory."
Kaiba delighted in the blush that appeared on his rival's cheeks as he scrunched up his nose in irritation, "Your victory? I was under the impression spin the bottle had no winners."
"Every game has a winner Muto, or else there'd be no point playing," Kaiba stated in a matter-of-fact tone and frowned at how the spiky-haired boy chuckled at his words. Ignoring the boy's foolishness he went on, "In most games you win by ending on top and if you recall," he closed the space between them so they were only inches apart, "I was on top."
Yugi actually shuddered in response, causing a pleasurable stirring in Kaiba's chest. Their torsos were so close they were almost flushed against each other and the little space between them seemed to be radiating heat.
"Well I'll make sure we're more or less even next time then," Yugi breathed.
Suddenly Kaiba was overcome with the urge to capture those lips again and drive Yugi into the wall behind him. To hold him against the wall and devour his mouth until their lips were numb, to press against his lithe body until every divot and arc was imprinted in his conscious. This mad desire was so sudden and so overwhelming that Kaiba knew that it could not just be random, but he was not prepared yet to fully identify it for what it was.
Yugi fell against his chest unexpectedly, causing Kaiba to lurch in surprise but he steadied himself before they ended up crashing to the ground. Cursing he grabbed Yugi's shoulder intending to tilt his head back to see what had struck the smaller boy when arms wrapping around his back signalled to Kaiba the 'fall' was on purpose.
"What are you-" he was interrupted midway by Yugi standing on his toes to press his lips against the much taller boy's mouth.
At first Kaiba was completely rigid before hesitantly melting into the chaste kiss. When Yugi had begun leaning upwards to kiss him he'd moved his arms off his shoulders in surprise but he now wrapped them tightly around Yugi's waist, kissing him all the while.
They stood like that for several seconds before Yugi pulled away resting on the flats of his feet and pursing his lips together absentmindedly.
Looking at Kaiba apologetically he said, "Sorry, it seemed like you were too busy thinking of kissing me to actually do it." Despite the apologetic look there was a hint of a teasing smile on his face that caused Kaiba to scowl.
"You had no way of knowing what I was thinking about to accuse me of such," he growled airily.
"So you were blushing thinking about Duel Monsters perhaps?" he asked raising an eyebrow.
In response Kaiba blushed again, prompting Yugi to move forward and press against his chest again grinning wickedly. This time Kaiba surprised Yugi by moving down to claim his lips and pulled him into a much more heated kiss than the latters. After the initial surprise wore off Yugi more than happily returned the kiss, twisting the fabric of Kaiba's black shirt in his hands and smiling against Kaiba's assaulting lips.
"Hey Yugi, are you in there?" Anzu called out distinctly behind the sound of several knocks against the door, giving the two boys ample warning to pull apart before she entered the room, leaving the door slightly ajar.
For several seconds she just stared at the two boys who although disentangled from each other still stood only inches apart. Yugi was looking at her over his shoulder, allowing Kaiba to move closer while he wasn't looking, to stand over him possessively.
Her gaze flickered between them and if Kaiba was anyone else, he may have felt a pang of sympathy from the heartbroken look that passed through her eyes. Instead it just filled him with immense pleasure, seeing she recognised that Yugi was his now. Hmph, he really needed to sort out his emotions regarding his rival.
Clearing her throat, Anzu looked to her right avoiding eye contact with them and spoke in a tight voice, "Everyone was wondering where you were. Marik refused to kiss AGAINso the game ended, and we were just deciding… Well, we were waiting for you to join us before we started a new game."
"Oh. Well we won't be long. I just need to finish 'talking' to Kaiba," Kaiba raised an eyebrow at the way his rival's voice caught on the word 'talking'. Peering over slightly he smirked again at the deep shade of red Yugi's face had adorned.
Anzu's eyebrows were creased, her face clearly showing hurt, "But-" she paused to breath in deeply and wrap her arms over her chest before continuing, "Just don't take long okay, everyone's here to spend time with you before- well, you know."
"Sure, Anzu. I'll be out as soon as I can," she nodded and began to turn around when Yugi called, "Thanks again for all of this Anzu, you're, well, you're a great friend." The usually confident duellist sounded awkward but his words seemed to remove some of the hurt from the cheerleader's eyes as she smiled back at him.
"Don't mention it Yu- Atem. Just don't take too long, you don't have all the time in the world," she turned and began to leave, hesitating at the door to glance over her shoulder one last time before slipping away, clicking the door shut behind her.
Sighing in exasperation Kaiba snorted, "I thought she'd never leave."
"Don't be so callous, Kaiba! I just hurt her feelings profoundly, after everything she's done for me!"
Kaiba chuckled at his rival's self-righteous declaration before saying with a dismissive shrug, "So what? The pious little girl has been rude to me all night. I don't feel sorry for her at all," he was going to say 'little bitch' but he figured the harsher terminology may be enough to provoke an actual violent reaction from the usually pacifistic boy, and Kaiba was not in the mood to roll the shorter boy over his hip and onto the ground.
Instead of the annoyed reaction he expected, Yugi bit his lip and looked away uncertainly before saying, "That's probably my fault, actually."
Kaiba stepped back and raised an eyebrow at Yugi, who shrugged helplessly, "She didn't understand why I was so insistent that you were invited to the party. Or she understood too much and… Well I think it's self-explanatory."
Kaiba didn't lower his sceptical eyebrow until Yugi sighed heavily.
"She's jealous."
"That isn't exactly rocket science 'Atem'," he called the name Anzu referred to him as with derision, smirking down at his rival again. He hadn't noticed how Yugi flinched as Kaiba said it, nor that he had inched away during their conversation.
"But enough of that, I'd rather go back to what we were doing before we were rudely interrupted…" moving forward smoothly, a wide grin spread across his face, Kaiba prepared to envelop him in another embrace, when suddenly Yugi pulled away.
"No, we shouldn't do this Kaiba."
Kaiba froze, every muscle in his body rigid with tension. He didn't let any hurt or confusion show on his face, forming a blank mask, allowing irritation and anger to feed into his expression. Yet it was there at the seams and knowing that just infuriated him more, because he shouldn't be so torn up by this boy but he is and knows he is.
"What?" It's all he can muster, anything longer than that and he'll probably start yelling, then everyone would hear him and he would just wind up humiliating himself.
Is this your game Yugi? He wondered, well played.
Despite his words though, Yugi looks stricken and regretful, and Kaiba knew the boy too well to accept he would sink down to such levels.
"Kaiba I don't mean to hurt- offend you, it's just… on the invite, do you remember why Anzu threw this party for me?"
Kaiba rolled his eyes, "Some kind of 'going away' party? What's your point?"
Yugi stared at him for several seconds, "My point is, this can't continue beyond tonight."
"And you presume it would?" he spoke in a haughty tone but he was genuinely curious as to what he wanted from this momentary lapse of judgement.
Yugi wrung his hands anxiously, striding passed Kaiba to the desk behind him. It was odd seeing him so nervous, the only other times he had been, were when he thought his opponent was going to defeat him. Then it was always brief, as Yugi always figured out a strategy to win in the end, but now it was discomforting seeing him so worked up, to say the least.
When he spoke at last, it was uncertain, "I- No of course not, I mean. This is just a little fun at a party, right?"
"Is it?" He didn't turn around to face him, he couldn't.
It felt like his whole body had shutdown waiting for Yugi to reply. Feeling like an eternity had passed before Yugi breathed.
"No."
A shiver ran all along Kaiba's shoulders at that one breathy word, and he could have collapsed from all the tension leaving his body.
"What is it then?" Kaiba asked still refusing to face his rival, still unable to, because he can no longer hide how much he wanted to- needed to know on his face, yet he still didn't want his rival to see how much he affected him in this way.
He flinched when he felt a body press against his back and arms wrap around his waist, "It's the one thing I've wanted to be selfish about."
Kaiba furrowed his brow putting one arm over Yugi's, "How long?" He asked simply, still incapable of long sentences.
Yugi's face is pressed just below his shoulder blades and his voice is slightly muffled when he begins talking, "A while now I suppose, but it's been gradual. When we first met we were both completely different people. I was not… myself. And you were twisted with such anger… but that changed after… After I shattered your soul," his voice caught in his throat at that but he continued, "I already had such respect and admiration for you as a duellist but seeing your dedication to your brother in Duellist Kingdom, and then duelling with you in Battle City…" Kaiba unconsciously squeezed his arm as he talked, "I began to admire you more, for the person you are Kaiba.
"It was after Battle City when we went our separate ways that I realised how strongly I felt for you."
"'Absence makes the heart grow stronger'," Kaiba quoted with a wrinkled nose, this was corny enough without damn clichés.
Yugi chuckled, his chest shaking against Kaiba's back, "Indeed. Though I never thought I would act on these feelings, or that they would be requited in anyway.
After a lull Yugi asked, "So how about you?"
Obviously Kaiba couldn't deny having feelings for Yugi anymore. It would hardly be convincing to say he was only interested in the physical aspects when he was allowing the other boy to hold him so, and was absentmindedly stroking one of his arms. No, Kaiba found himself thinking, this was far deeper than that and honestly he'd been aware of that for a while. He just hadn't been prepared to think about it and he still wasn't prepared to explain himself to Yugi.
How did one explain months of his only purpose in life being to exact revenge upon the person who had defeated him? Months of obsessing over when they'd next duel, so he could put him in his place? Months of wanting nothing more than to be in his presence again, to truly know the only man who could be compared to him as an equal?
Then the agony but also the relief that came with having his very soul being torn apart so he could reforge himself as the man he wanted to be, not the man Gozuburo had wanted him to be. Waking up months after Death-T with his first thought being of Yugi, and knowing that the raw hate inside him had wilted but the obsession hadn't. Thoughts of saving his brother always coming first but Yugi… he'd been a very close second.
Meeting Yugi's cold, determined gaze when his ultimatum had been made. Attack and kill me or surrender and lose. He remembered being struck with both fear and awe, with an insane amount of admiration for his rival when he declared the attack. The shame of losing and the thrill of seeing the extent Yugi would go to win, filling his heart as he prepared to embrace death, mixed with the sudden relief and oddly disappointment when the other Yugi rescinded the order.
His obsession had only deepened in Battle City, with the chance of a proper rematch between them. And although he had lost in the end; when he gave Yugi his card, Devil's Sanctuary, the trust Yugi had shown to him by not even looking at the card… It had been an indescribable feeling. Nothing compared to the moment 'their souls had crossed' as Yugi had put it. Nothing could ever compare to that. Nothing except maybe when they kissed.
There was just too much to explain and Kaiba had neither the patience nor the sentimentality to, so he answered simply instead.
"A while."
Yugi nodded against his back before pulling away reluctantly. Kaiba turned around and intent blue eyes met uncertain purple as Yugi looked properly helpless for the first time.
"I want this Kaiba, I do. But I can't. This isn't my own body and-"
"And what? Speak plainly Yugi because this is growing wearisome," Kaiba snapped, "Also calling me Kaiba seems a little formal now, don't you think?"
The shorter boy looked shaken and nodded. Prior to all this, Kaiba would have been delighted by how he was calling the shots, but under the circumstances if just left a bitter taste in his mouth.
"Yes, Seto, it does," he said the name like he was eating something new and didn't know how to wrap his tongue around it. However his eyes softened as he spoke and the corners of his mouth seemed to pull upwards slightly.
Sitting down on the small single bed beside them, he gestured for Kaiba to do the same. When they were both comfortable he began to speak.
Kaiba listened intently, refraining from speaking aloud any sceptical comments while Yugi recounted his memories from his past life. He couldn't disguise his scowl though when Yugi brought up the 'Priest Set' who had a 'remarkable' likeness to himself, nor his grin when Yugi described how this priest had defeated Yugi in the end, even if it were amicable.
His mood grew darker though as Yugi drew to the close of his story, the mention of Ishizu's involvement doing nothing to quieten his temper.
"… And now Ishizu says I must face the real Yugi in a ceremonial duel, and when- if I lose, my soul will pass onto the afterlife where it should have a long time ago," he was silent for a moment, his eyes tinted with an unfamiliar sadness that made Kaiba's chest feel tight.
"And what makes you think, you'll lose against that runt?" Kaiba hissed, not missing the quick word change Yugi attempted, "And why him of all people? You said in your 'past life' it was this Priest Set, who Ishizu is constantly going on about being my 'previous incarnation', who was your final challenger. Do you think I'm not worthy enough to do it in this lifetime?" he glared fiercely at the other boy whose eyes had widened considerably.
"I- No of course not, Seto, you will always be my greatest rival!" he exclaimed, taken aback.
"Then what? What makes Yugi a worthier final opponent than me?" Kaiba was aware how petty he was being, but in all honestly he didn't really give a damn. This conversation was a lot more familiar to him then the 'please don't die, I don't know what I'd do without you' conversation they'd been inevitably heading towards.
"It is not that he is worthier as a final opponent Seto, it's that he has earned the right to duel me. Yugi has become stronger in the last couple of months, but he doesn't truly see how strong he is without me. He deserves the chance to see his potential, or he will feel like he will forever be in my shadow. Unlike you, who always strives to be stronger no matter what, Yugi needs this push. I owe it to him."
Kaiba stubbornly 'hmphed' but inside he was somewhat placated, however the anger he felt still needed to be fed so he repeated, "Fine then, but you still haven't answered my question. What makes you think he'll win against you?" If I couldn't?
Yugi was silent hiding behind blonde bangs.
"Because deep down I know it's my time. There's no purpose for me in this world anymore. My greatest foe is vanquished; an evil peril has been stopped. It's time for my soul to pass on, it's long overdue anyway."
"Don't you dare say that to me ever," Kaiba growled voice dangerously low, "You hear me Yugi? Where do you get these stupid notions? Did Ishizu put this fatalistic idea in your head?" If she did, Kaiba would certainly have a word with her about it.
"In part yes, but can't you try to understand my feelings Seto? I know you're sceptical but I truly feel like it's my time to pass on."
Kaiba stood up to tower over Yugi, his fists clenched at his sides and his teeth gritted together, "You ask me to understand your 'feelings' Yugi but how can I when you're behaving so illogically. You do one thing and say the other and expect me to understand your intentions. If you're so convinced you're going to die, why kiss me? I know your hearts too weak to act cruelly, and you've already expressed your affections run deeper than mere fancy. So tell me Yugi, why must I try to understand your feelings when I don't think you understand them yourself?"
Kaiba received a small measure of delight from his rival's stunned expression, especially when he looked away embarrassed, "P-Perhaps you're right, I'm behaving selfishly-"
"Of course I'm right, I've been making a habit of it my whole life," Kaiba quipped haughtily.
Yugi chuckled, the merry sound relieving a weight off Kaiba's shoulder he hadn't been aware was there, before saying sheepishly, "I wasn't thinking clearly during that game. I acted on impulse as I did again in here. I can't take it back-"
"And I wouldn't ask you to."
"Seto…"
"No, listen to me Yugi! I won't have you lie down and accept this defeat! Back in the Battle City semi-finals, against the odds given to me, against my so called 'pre-determined' fate you told me you saw a future where we duelled in Battle City. You wouldn't accept a reality where we didn't duel and now I won't accept one where you don't emerge Ishizu's hogwash duel, victorious!" one where Ill lose you, "You asked me to surpass fate and now I ask the same from you and I won't accept any other answer."
He stared down at his rival with furious eyes, mouth tight with struggling emotions. Yugi was staring back with widened eyes; mouth parted slightly in what could only be described as awe. Suddenly he shook himself and breathed in deeply seeming to gain strength in the simple act and met Kaiba's gaze with renewed confidence.
"You're right again, Seto," before Kaiba could interject with another 'well, obviously' he continued, "I have asked a lot from you in the past, perhaps it's time I listened to you." He hesitated biting his lip, "But with this duel, I can't promise that I will leave… victorious." Alive.
Kaiba shrugged, looking away to hide the momentary pain he felt, "You don't have to, I promise that no matter what I'll make sure you leave that duel in one piece. I don't let go of things easily Yugi, especially not when I've just gotten them."
Yugi smiled at him, "Oh I know Seto and please, call me Atem."
"Atem, hmm. I'll have to get used to that."
Atem stood up, so they were only inches apart once more and already Kaiba felt heat crawl across his skin, just from the reduced space between them. Atem tilted his head and put one hand on his own hip, gazing at Kaiba with a doubtful expression.
"If I do continue to exist in this world Seto, what about that fact I don't have my own body. I know I've been acting impulsively but I will not take advantage of Yugi's body any more than what we've already done."
Kaiba shrugged again, looking nonplussed, "I'll figure something out."
Atem smiled privately, eyes lighting with such warmth Kaiba felt his heartbeat accelerate just a little, "Hmm, always so confidant Seto."
"I have every reason to be," he replied tilting his chin up and crossing his arms over his chest.
Atem looked up at him for several moments before winding his arms around his waist and leaning into an embrace. After several seconds Kaiba unfolded his arms and brought them around Atem's shoulders, resting a hand between his shoulder blades. They stood like that frozen, while Atem pressed his face into Kaiba's chest.
"I should take Mokuba home now," Kaiba breathed after a few seconds had passed.
"And I should be with the others," Atem said but not without reluctance.
Kaiba stepped back and looked over his rival once more. Atem seemed more at peace but still uncertain, prompting Kaiba to impulsively lean down and press a brief kiss against his lips.
He pulled back just as quickly and looked away. Though even without actually looking at Atem he knew the boy would be smiling to himself, and knowing that made him smile himself.
"I expect to see you sometime during the week. Perhaps Sunday afternoon, if you're not busy? I also expect you to tell me more about your plans with Ishizu, when you can."
Atem rolled his eyes chuckling under his breath, "I'll see what I can do Seto."
Kaiba nodded, "See that you do." He turned and left the room without saying goodbye, his white coat trailing behind him dramatically. There was no need for goodbyes as far as he was concerned because Atem wasn't going anywhere, he was going to make sure of that.
"Come on Mokuba, it's time to leave," he said to his younger sibling, who was out in the living room playing Duel Monsters with Rebecca Hopkins.
Mokuba quickly said goodbye, seemingly cheered by the extra twenty minutes or so that Kaiba and Atem's conversation had granted him, before following his brothers downstairs and out of the Game shop.
As they walked outside, Kaiba's cool stride contrasting Mokuba's energetic bounce, his little brother looked up at him with a smile and said, "How did things go with Yugi? It seemed pretty tense before."
Before Kaiba could reply he heard the door of the game shop slam open and the steady thumping of feet running over pavement. He whipped around just in time for Atem to crash into his arms and press his lips against his. Mokuba squeaked in embarrassment and surprise, while Kaiba stood frozen before returning the kiss deeply.
Atem clutched his shirt in one hand while the other hand found itself tangled in Kaiba's hair. For his part Kaiba rested his hands on his rival's hips, pulling him closer until there was no space between their bodies.
When they finally pulled a part, both of them needed a moment to catch their breath. They gazed intently at each other before Atem said:
"I will surpass my fate Seto, for you and for myself and for my friends. I will not disappoint you."
"You never do," Kaiba said.
Atem nodded, "And neither do you," his eyes softened and he leaned up and kissed his cheek. Now that his attention wasn't completely absorbed by the other boy, Kaiba realised Mokuba was blushing furiously. He would have to have a word to Atem later about public displays of affection.
"Thank you Seto," Atem continued, "I was giving up and-"
"You're welcome, let's leave it at that. If tonight gets anymore sentimental I may have to gag and I've done enough of that watching your mutt of a friend drape himself all over Mai Kujaku," he said briskly but he didn't guard his expression when he said it, he was proud of Atem. He couldn't describe the relief seeing his rival assured and confident again gave him.
Atem in response, chuckled, "Very well, Seto. I'll see you again soon."
He hesitated for a moment before kissing Kaiba's cheek again; seeming to delight in the way Kaiba furrowed his brow in response, before turning and walking back into the store.
Crossing his arms Kaiba looked down and smiled to himself, he could still taste Yugi's mouth on his lips and although it was an unfamiliar sensation, it was certainly one he could get used to. When he opened his eyes he was greeted by a wide eyed stare and large smile from Mokuba.
"So things went well, then," Mokuba grinned, his eyes teasing.
Kaiba smirked, "Yes a lot better than expected, Mokuba. We'll be seeing a lot more of him from here on."
AN: Isn't that sweet, awwwwww. Seriously though, apologies again for the wait it's been floating around for a while in editing limbo. BUT! My beta finally did get around to it just in time for uni to start again. In all honesty after rereading the ending I'm not sure how I feel, but I'd love to read your opinions :) Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed it!