Chapter XVII: Ice

Yami sprang into the air and flapped his wings, staring at Yugi as the Gandora snickered. "Tell me, tell me, tell me!" he chirped, spinning in a circle and raising his voice. Atem chuckled from his spot a few feet away, lying about the shade a few trees with new growth granted. Yugi laughed and butted him gently to get him to hold still.

"Okay, little flame. We're not aiming for the trees, remember? You have to aim for the dirt." Yugi pressed a paw gently into his rump to move him to face away from the forest. Yami could have wailed with both excitement and indignation. He was trembling, however, and Yugi snickered as he pressed his paw into his back to smooth his shoulders. "Don't tense up. In a fight, if you're tense and you try to use your fire breath, it'll end up weaker. So you have to relax your shoulders and stop your wriggling."

"I can't help it! I'm so excited!"

Atem kept laughing and Yami risked a glance. His father had lowered his head to his paws, smiling widely and watching with brilliant, glittering eyes.

Yugi nudged him gently. "The dirt, Yami, not Atem," he laughed. He waited for Yami to stop trembling and exhaled loudly. "It's easier to summon the breath if you open each set of lungs and breathe into them individually. You'll feel and recognize them if you exercise them this way. Fire is always warm, water is cooler, wind feels like mist against your scales…"

Yami looked over when he trailed off. Yugi's head was tilted and he looked almost troubled.

"I don't know that you'll have the lungs, but I don't know anyone whose ever said what lightning or earth feel like. So I don't know how to describe them." Yugi smiled and laughed. "Stop wiggling!"

"I can't help it!"

Atem was laughing again when Yami risked a glance. The God Dragon had his eyes half-closed, but he was still watching them intently.

"We'll practice it several times, okay? And when you're used to it, we'll try again. And then we'll use the breath."

When he managed to open his fire lungs, his entire body felt as if it were soaked in sunlight. His water felt like a small stream running through his blood, cool and soft as it trailed through him. Wind was easy and content, centered in his chest and drifting outward slowly like mist. Lightning came with a crackle and a tingling that made his wings stiff. He exhaled and inhaled several times, then sorted air through each of them again.

It was odd. The elements seemed almost to dance and writhe within him, as if he'd summoned an animal rather than opened a pair of lungs for each.

He found himself leaning forward at Yugi's command, placing his right paw outward and dipping his head. When he opened his mouth to exhale the breath, entire body warm and crackling with energy, he was excited.

But what came out wasn't fire.

It hit the rock bed in front of him with force, coating it like moss. The air sizzled and crackled as if it had been struck with fire or a bolt of lightning. Yet what coated the stone was bright blue and silver where the shadows touched, and a shimmering white where the light graced it. Mist curled through the air and Yami wondered if the ringing in his ears was residual from the sound of his lungs opening or if he had heard the startling burst and deafening silence in that split second.

He stumbled back and whimpered, looking at Yugi as the Gandora stared with a stunned yet horrified expression. "W-what did I just do?"

"It's okay, Yami," Atem said quietly, and he looked up to find he'd gotten to Yugi's side while they were frozen like this. Yami felt exhausted as the God Dragon added, "Ice was my first breath, too. We just…hadn't thought you'd have the ability."

Yami blinked and looked over. That was ice? It looked nothing like the snow he'd seen when he was born.

This was…malicious. It made the air sizzle and refused to release the stone it was frozen against. Every moment more mist rose and it seemed almost to hiss at him, as if trying to speak but failing.

"I don't…like it."

"That's okay," Yugi said abruptly, and his face twisted into an extremely forced smile. He shifted closer. "We can try again tomorrow, little flame."

Atem was still staring at the ice when Yugi grabbed Yami and began to carry him away.

Timaeus was confused when he landed beside Atem. The God Dragon was all but motionless, staring at a point on the nearby rock bed. His eyes were glazed and his head was slightly tilted. He didn't look stiff, but he clearly wasn't moving but for breathing at the moment. The Knight Dragon hesitated, then took a seat and lowered himself to his belly before asking, "Atem?"

The Sky Dragon grunted, head snapping around. He blinked huge eyes, glanced at the sky overhead, and then looked back. "I… Did they already leave the nest?" He sounded disturbed, eyes wandering back to the rock bed almost immediately. "I thought I was supposed to give them a Blessing."

"I came to ask again. You never gave me a clear answer. They'll be leaving in a couple of days. Kris is anxious and she's even more so after our conversation." Timaeus paused. "What are you staring at?"

Atem hesitated, glancing at him for a long moment before he finally nodded toward the stone. "Yami breathes ice."

He blinked, tilted his head, and then snorted. "What?"

The God Dragon locked eyes with him. "Yami breathes ice. He was… We were trying to teach him to use his fire breath and when he tried, he opened his wind and water lungs and he breathed ice." He shivered. "The rock is corroded and if you get closer to it, there's a slight color difference where the breath ate away at it."

"So what does that mean exactly?"

He shook his head. "I don't know."

"You look troubled by it."

"I am. I don't… Is this a portent? He's gifted and he breathes ice. He's got to be a God Dragon. And if he's a God Dragon, what does that mean for the rest of us? Does it mean omen or good will? If superstition about the eclipse is true—"

"It's not," Timaeus snapped. "It doesn't mean our ancestors are trying to tell us something. Dragons born on false moons aren't omens and neither are any born during an eclipse. Slivers in eyes don't mean great character in dragons and an unusual color pattern isn't indication of an amazing role in life."

Atem blinked and frowned. "I can't help but wonder. There's so much that's happened. But he's still as sweet as always and he doesn't have a malicious bone in his body. He wouldn't even kill prey when it wandered into the den by the river." He tilted his head. "But he saved Yugi. He did. I know that. And he… I don't know anymore. He's my son and I don't know, Timaeus."

He shook his head. "I don't believe for even a second that a dragon you birthed could possibly be malicious. Between you and Yugi, you're the opposition to both species."

"Yes, but—"

"Violent tendencies are taught or manifest early. If Yami was going to be as dangerous as you fear, he would have shown capabilities by now."

Atem blinked, opening and closing his mouth, and faltered. He glanced away and back. "Maybe," he relented, and didn't say anything for a long moment. Finally he stood and shook himself out, blinking and shaking his head. "It doesn't matter if he develops them now or later. What matters is he's okay for now. If it happens that this was an omen, I'll deal with it then."

Timaeus wasn't sure that was the healthiest manner to deal with it, but he didn't think saying so would win him any favors. He smiled wryly and looked away. "It's okay to be scared."

"I'm beyond fear, Timaeus. I'm terrified."

He couldn't imagine what Atem must have felt to even admit that. He had to be horrified and shaken to say the words, and Timaeus was sure he felt too alone to tell Yugi as well. Timaeus looked away, unsure how to offer comfort and failing to think of even a way to reassure him.

If he didn't trust Yugi with the admission, it was no surprise Atem would struggle to believe him if he tried to reassure him. It occurred to him just how fragile Atem was at that moment, standing on the precipice between panic and charade.

"Whatever happens, it'll be okay."

Atem narrowed his eyes and glanced at the stone and back. "I breathed ice when I meant to use fire. Maybe it's hereditary." He sounded far from convinced and forcefully flippant, but Timaeus supposed that was better than his original frantic state. "I turned out all right."

Timaeus smiled faintly. "You did," he agreed, and he meant it. Atem had turned out okay for the most part. There were still times he swore he saw the shadow of the God Dragon he could have been, cold and callous and bloodthirsty, ready to take a life at a second's notice. But they seemed few and far between now that Yugi was there. Yugi had a much softer, calming effect for the God Dragon. He didn't think Atem or Yugi even noticed it, but Timaeus did.

Atem glanced away again. "You said they will leave tomorrow?"

"Yes, they—"

"Timaeus!"

He turned just as Yami bolted forward. The hatchling sprang at him, hitting him hard in the shoulder. He rubbed against him in greeting, purring and chirping, and Atem chuckled. Yugi tilted his head where he was watching a few yards away.

"Wow. You show me more affection than my own clutch."

Yami purred, "I'm better than them!" and then paused. Timaeus was startled when he stepped over his paws and hurried to Atem. He rubbed beaks and then licked his forehead when Atem leaned forward to meet him. "Right, Daddy?"

The God Dragon snorted, eyes glowing with warm laughter. "Of course, Yami," he teased. Yami purred and chirped, then spun around to dart over to Yugi again. The Gandora looked puzzled but relaxed immediately when Yami took a seat beside him.

Timaeus wondered if Yugi felt as jealous as he would have. He didn't show the slightest spark of envy in his posture, eyes soft with warmth. He nodded to him in greeting, but looked far too comfortable with Yami at his side to bother moving forward to greet him.

Atem didn't move to join them, however, turning back to him. "And Kris is okay with it?"

He grimaced. "She's upset, but she's not going to stop you. It's for them, not us. She'll accept it and move on."

The God Dragon took a moment to study him, expression critical, and then nodded slightly. "Okay. If you believe so, then I will meet with you tomorrow morning." He paused. "Or, actually, make it a surprise. I'm only going to do it this once. Why not?"

Timaeus snorted and looked at Yami. "He's being friendly because you're here."

The hatchling blinked, startled, and then sat up straighter, chest puffed and chin raised proudly. Timaeus laughed as Yami looked at Atem with a huge grin, trembling before springing forward to bump beaks again. He truly had all the energy Yugi did, with the graceful demeanor Atem possessed.

Even if Atem had not told him he'd laid his egg, Timaeus would have realized immediately just upon seeing the three of them interact. He had all the mannerisms to match both parents, from his exhilarated trembling to his proud stance when he stood beside either of them. At first glance, he looked like an exact replica of Atem, of course, though some of the features were different. But had he looked completely different, he still would have been distinguishable as their offspring.

"I'm friendly…just not all the time."

Yugi snorted. "I believe the word you're searching for, Atem, is never."

"Rude."

"Well, you are usually cranky," Yami supplied, looking at him and tilting his head. "But you've always been nice to me, so I don't mind."

Yugi burst out laughing. "He better be nice to you all the time, no matter what!" he snickered, shaking his head. Atem snorted and Yami rubbed against him again. Timaeus smirked when Yugi continued. "Or else I'll have to beat him!"

Atem scoffed and tilted his head. Yugi grinned at him, eyes bright and full of laughter. Timaeus shook his head, snickering so hard his lungs began to hurt. Yami hurried over to lick Yugi's face all over, purring so loudly Timaeus almost thought he was in front of a crackling fire. The Knight Dragon wondered for a moment if he knew just how nervous and flustered Atem was.

Yami blinked his eyes open as he pulled away to take a seat, locking gazes with him for a single second. The look in his eye made Timaeus's blood turn to ice.

Yami knew.

Yami definitely knew.

"I don't think you could take Daddy," Yami said, turning to Yugi and grinning. "He always throws you around during play."

Yugi stared at him as if he'd just struck him, eyes wide before he growled playfully. "I could certainly take you, though." He sprang and Yami squeaked, taking off for Atem immediately. The God Dragon barely blinked at the display, smirking, and Yugi caught the hatchling with precision, forcing him to the ground and licking him playfully. Yami squealed protests and flailed his paws, trying to appeal to Atem.

Atem snorted and turned to him again. "See this? This is how he disciplines the little menace," he announced. "He licks him while Yami screams like a pig being slaughtered."

Timaeus burst out laughing. "My parents boxed me upside the head when I was bad."

"That explains your brain damage," the God Dragon snickered.

"Wow, Atem, put the claws away," he snorted. He laughed when Atem huffed and looked at his son and mate again. Yami squeezed out from beneath Yugi's paws and sprang forward again. Atem snorted and pawed him so he hit the ground and rolled. The hatchling was up immediately, racing around the three of them for a moment.

The sheer amount of energy was amazing to him.

"Critias wasn't even this insane."

"Atem was," Yugi said proudly, grinning wide and glancing at the God Dragon. Timaeus saw the surprised look on Atem's face before he could mask it. "I remember him running around for hours even after his brothers."

He didn't trail off and he didn't leave the words to hang in the air. Timaeus realized abruptly Yugi was carefully voicing his words to avoid Yami's curiosity or perhaps to block his ability altogether.

"He uses a lemon tree," Yami said from behind him.

Timaeus whipped around and found him staring up at him with bright eyes. "I'm sorry?"

"He uses a lemon tree," he repeated. "When he blocks me from his mind, he uses a lemon tree."

Timaeus blinked and looked to Atem and Yugi. The Gandora smiled tightly and Atem considered them both before looking away. "I use fog and thornbushes. He doesn't even wander in my dreams anymore because of it."

He whipped around again. "Wander into dreams?"

Yami nodded. "I sometimes end up in someone else's dreams if I'm focused on them when I fall asleep." He tilted his head. "I haven't done it in a while, though. Yugi dreams of Atem and I don't like trespassing on that."

"I… Huh." Timaeus was at a loss as to what to say. He blinked and tilted his head, studying the dragonet. "Your father doesn't have any abilities like that."

Yami shook his head. "His are stronger than mine, but they're completely different," he answered, and then he took off running again. He leaped over Yugi, then weaved around Atem's paws and circled Timaeus twice. He did this several more times, then took a seat. He wasn't even winded.

"So, you can't get enough of me when we're awake. You have to dream of me, too?" Atem said, looking at Yugi and grinning. "I must say, little one, I didn't realize you were so obsessed."

Yugi laughed. "I never said otherwise."

Timaeus was almost amazed by how calmly Atem said that. Anyone else and he would have panicked and attacked. Now he just smiled wider at his mate and shook his head.

"I can't say you feature much in my dreams. I feel I'd remember if you did." Atem got to his paws and shook himself out. "They'd be more valuable then."

Timaeus snorted. "Mushy."

"Like your entrails when I tear them out," the God Dragon growled playfully. "Don't you overstep, Timaeus."

"Ooh, I'm so threatened. You scare me so much."

Atem huffed. Yami snickered. Yugi shook his head and covered his face with his paws.

Yami looked up as Atem got to his paws. Yugi got up after a moment, leaning forward to rub beaks with him. Atem's eyes closed halfway with pleasure before he blinked and shook himself out. "I'll be back in a little while. If not, it'll be before sunset at the latest," he murmured, glancing at Yami after a moment. "You'll stay here with Yugi and keep him company. You know how needy he is."

The Gandora nipped his wing and butted his side. "Shush."

Yami smiled and nodded. It was almost as good as being told he was in charge of things while Atem was gone. It was as close as he would ever get to being told that, he was sure.

"I'll see you when you get back. I expect a thousand details!"

"You saw me give a Blessing already," Atem muttered, and Yami saw his eyes flash distantly, as if he were lost in thought. "What is the difference now?"

"I like Critias."

Atem burst out laughing. "Oh, so my siblings aren't good enough?"

"Absolutely not. They came from Seto."

Atem butted his shoulder and snickered. "I'm so glad you think Timaeus's clutch is better than any related to me."

Yugi scoffed. "I didn't say that." He pointed a paw toward Yami. "He's better than Critias for sure."

Atem snorted. "Didn't you want us to steal him and bring him to the den at one point?"

"Well, yeah, but then Yami happened. So who needs a lousy Wind Dragon hatchling?"

Yami tilted his head from his seated position, considering them both. Atem looked at him over Yugi's shoulder, eyes softening slightly. Yugi had turned to him with a brilliant grin, gaze sparkling like water beneath sunlight. Yami gave them both a lazy smile, wondering for a moment if they really would have taken Timaeus's son in if they'd been given the chance. It seemed a joke, but he could imagine Yugi meant it seriously despite his tone.

The Sky Dragon turned away and shook himself out. "I'll be back as soon as I'm done." He was gone almost instantly and Yugi turned around with a slightly annoyed but mostly adoring expression.

Yugi came to him after a moment, laying down in front of him and searching his face. Yami wasn't sure what he was looking for, but it didn't seem to matter. Yugi scooted closer and licked his face before he could ask if there was something he needed. He squeaked in protest but let him continue, snuggling into his paw where he pressed it against his shoulder.

"I'd have ditched Critias immediately after your egg was laid."

Yami laughed, startled, and shook his head. "What?"

Yugi nuzzled him, licking his cheek and searching his face. His eyes were like gemstones when he murmured, "Would you like to hear a story while we wait for Atem to come back?"

He tilted his head, curious, and wondered what kind of story Yugi might want to share. Atem's absence shouldn't have meant Yugi felt free to tell him a story. Atem never argued when he wished to tell stories, no matter the subject, and did not even say otherwise when Yugi veered toward discussions Atem would rather he didn't. Atem often grimaced but did not argue, though he narrowed his gaze and tilted his head occasionally in disagreement. Yugi noticed and sometimes he stopped speaking. Others he went ahead and spoke regardless.

It was not often it happened. But occasionally he spoke of Atem's brothers or the circumstances prior to their union. And Atem would grow quiet, visibly withdrawn, though he'd force himself to shrug it off in order to talk about something else.

"Okay!"

Yugi hummed and shifted his weight, flexing his claws and tilting his head. "What do you want to hear? I know a bunch of stories. I know human ones from two regions and a bunch of dragon lore, too." He seemed to debate for a long time, considering and opening and then closing his mouth again. A few seconds passed and he sighed softly. "I can't choose one."

Yami wondered how many stories he had to know to be unable to pick one to tell. It seemed amazing to him that anyone could know so much they couldn't decide on just one.

"Tell me something about you and Father."

Yugi blinked as if confused by the request, studying him. "You want to hear about us?" he finally asked. "But there's so much more I could tell you besides that."

Yami smiled and shook his head. "I want to hear about you and Father." He paused. "But you could always show me instead. You never did tell me how either of you met or anything. I've always wondered. Atem doesn't think about it often and you don't usually bring it up. I don't know anything about it."

Yugi's eyes stretched wide. "Oh!" he breathed, blinking and somehow widening his eyes further. "Oh, wow. I didn't realize we hadn't told you anything about that…"

"I've seen him in your dreams when he was small, but I haven't seen anything else." Yami wondered if Yugi purposefully thought of Atem as a dragonet when he went to sleep and managed to summon the memory. Otherwise he must have felt so in love and so safe with the other dragon that his mind went back immediately to it when he was at his most vulnerable. "You always seem happiest when you see him."

"I love him more than anything but you," Yugi said with a huge smile. "But you're right. I've never actually told you much of anything about the two of us, have I?"

"Atem is far more closed off, but you don't think about it a lot."

"I don't like remembering what happened after I spotted him." Yugi grimaced. "And I don't like thinking about his brothers. They disgust me. I'd rather never think of them again."

Yami tilted his head. "But…weren't you excited when Seto announced a nest?"

"I was excited for Atem. It meant more family for him. But the stress it put on him later makes me resent that I was ever so happy to hear it," he admitted. Yugi shook his head and sighed. "There's so much to it, little flame."

He frowned. "I remember Atem being afraid when he thought of them after he laid my egg. He panicked and thought my egg would smell of rot, too. He thought it was an omen."

Yugi shook his head. "Blessing the nest spooked him a lot."

"You didn't smell the rot, but in his memories it's painful how strong it is."

He blinked. "I knew he sensed something. I just… I'm not a God Dragon. I couldn't smell it."

"I know." Yami smiled and tilted his head. "That's okay. There can only be so many God Dragons in one family."

Yugi laughed and licked his forehead. "You're my favorite."

"No, Atem is your favorite," he laughed, "but thanks for lying."

His dad paused for a moment, startled, then tilted his head and smiled awkwardly. "Sorry. Atem owns that rank. But you're my favorite son."

Yami snickered. "Deal."