Prompt VII: Eye

"Atem?"

He whipped around, startled, and barely stopped himself spitting with surprise. He bristled and blinked, staring at a black dragon with brilliant red gems spread across his heavier body. Atem narrowed his eyes, mind racing, as he tried to sort through the lingering memories of his dream to reconcile the presence of someone else there with him. It took longer than he cared to admit. Blood still smelled metallic and dense and his tongues felt caked and glued to his palates. He blinked again.

A brief flash of teal and white, and the heavy pulse of blood arching through the air, came to him for a split second. His paws almost quaked and guilt laced through him. An apology came to his tongue but failed. This wasn't…

Who was…?

Yugi. This was Yugi.

He fought the urge to nod to himself. Yugi was watching, unblinking and searching his face. Atem exhaled slowly and shook himself out, but he still tasted blood and he swore he could still hear the screaming in his head. He blinked again, turning away, and circled around a few times before yawning and plopping down. He buried his face into the crook of his back leg and moved his wings to press forcefully into his sides in an effort to comfort himself, hearts twisting in his chest.

Yugi flexed his claws and then sprang to his paws, moving toward him. Atem had the impulse to snap his teeth and tell him to back up again, to give him some more space to process everything, but the words died. Yugi didn't come to his side. He got within a couple of yards of him, then took a seat and studied him just as intently as he had before.

"Was it about Timaeus?"

Atem bristled and scowled at him, baring his teeth more pointedly as he raised his head to glare. "I'm not discussing this right now."

Yugi tilted his head but nodded and wrapped his tail around his paws. He didn't seem upset even with the sharp words Atem had just spat at him. "I just heard you jerk and you looked like you were terrified when you woke up. I figured it couldn't have been about Keith, so it had to be Timaeus."

"How keen of you," Atem hissed bitterly, dropping his head to bury it once more. His hearts ached as he pressed his wings into his flanks hard enough he swore he'd draw blood. "I'm so glad you can read me so well."

Yugi was quiet for a moment, then murmured, "I'm sorry if I upset you by asking."

Atem wanted to snarl and snap, because it was always easier to lean into anger and aggression than it was anything else. But it'd vanished and shame swept through him immediately after. He hesitated a moment, then mumbled, "You didn't. I'm sorry. I just… I can't… I'm not used to someone caring about me like this. I…"

Yugi nodded in his peripheral when he cracked an eye and risked a glance. He wasn't even sure when he'd clenched his eyes so tightly shut, but his hearts ached even more fervently as he looked at Yugi for a moment. He opened and closed his mouth twice, then pressed his chin into his leg again, tightening the circle he'd formed in order to close himself off.

"I know. I'm not upset with you." Yugi was quiet again for a heartbeat and Atem wondered if he'd let it die there. He was desperate for Yugi to, but also burned at the thought he'd give up so easily. "Can I talk to you? You don't have to answer."

Atem looked over, raising and turning his head in surprise. He wanted to talk? He wanted Atem to just listen? Was that truly what he was asking of him? Was that truly what he sought at the moment? He blinked once, long and slow, and studied him as suspicious seeped through his senses. But what malice could be found in something so simple, in such a gentle and easy request?

He lowered his eyes. "Okay," he whispered, amazed his voice carried enough for Yugi to even hear.

The Gandora took a moment to think, then offered, "I figured it had to be about Timaeus's eye when you jolted awake like that. Keith wasn't so scary for you like that. But you know? Timaeus had to have forgiven you when it happened. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so friendly or cared enough to check on you so often."

The God Dragon huffed.

"But, just so you know, Atem," Yugi continued in just as quiet a voice, "you didn't wake up posed to hurt me. Your tail wasn't open and you looked scared, not angry."

He blinked and narrowed his eyes, staring at him.

"So, I don't think you'd do it again. And I don't think you should punish yourself for it anymore." Yugi's eyes glittered from the dim reflection of the gems overhead, and Atem considered him for a long minute. The Gandora tilted his head, studied him in turn, and then grinned. "Do you want to hear a story until you fall asleep?"

Atem blinked, startled, and snorted in surprise, failing to stop himself smiling in bewilderment. Yugi was so odd. He wondered vaguely if he'd ever get used to his gentle nature or the way he tried so hard to distract and reassure him all at once. Maybe it was better he didn't, so that be didn't become complacent and expect it of him. But surely he couldn't remain surprised by every effort Yugi made forever.

"Sure," he said finally, smirking and shaking his head.

Yugi hurried to spring forward, taking the opportunity to lick his forehead as he said, "Okay! I've got the perfect story for you! It's about the best God Dragon ever."