Chapter XVIII: Memories

Yugi's mind was much more immersive than Atem's seemed from his limited experiences traversing it. His dreams weren't as rich as Atem's when it came to colors but for the God Dragon in his memory—as if the whole world paled in comparison—but Yami found them far softer than any Atem produced. The feelings associated with them were always warm and kind, like what Yami had felt whenever Yugi incubated it. Atem's had seemed troubled, electric, like a storm about to crash through. He always seemed uneasy and cautious, no matter the dream in question.

When Yami had forced his dreams to cease once for the sake of Atem sleeping well, the effort had exhausted him. Smothering the fear and overall anxiety had been nearly overwhelming. Atem had slept without dreams for a while then, as if Yami had created a void of some kind that swallowed them away.

It was only now that he'd hatched and Atem blocked him so forcefully that he no longer seemed to sleep. Atem twitched and flexed his claws and snarled softly, and sometimes he jolted awake and sprang to his paws and moved away. Whatever void Yami had created before had ceased entirely.

He didn't know how to recreate it.

He'd just wanted so badly for his father to sleep through the night for once. He'd just wanted him to feel reassured and loved rather than so scared that his own shadow made him bristle and snarl and turn on himself.

Yugi had no such problems. He slept wholly but for when Atem got up and moved away. He always woke when Atem left, but whether he raised his head and watched or pretended to sleep as Atem got settled was an entirely different matter. Yami always knew when he woke, however, because he felt sorrow gnawing at his insides, chewing as if with claws and teeth ready to rip through him.

He thought of sorrow like maggots sometimes, squirming and trying to swallow away at the edges of one's heart until it finally collapsed upon itself. It made it easier to force it away, to replace it with other feelings and thoughts that could easily barricade it.

There was no sorrow to be found when Yugi relayed seeing Atem for the first time. The woods were bright and sunny and the den he hid inside, peeking over the top of the lip and straining his eyes, was marred with dirt and a long root hung overhead. The clearing was peppered with trees and foliage of the brightest green he'd ever seen. Yet it instantly paled when Atem sprung into focus. He was chasing something, leaping up and down like a small fox might. He pounced about for a few moments, then raised his head and blinked bright golden eyes when his name was called. He chirped a response, his voice much like Yami's own, and darted away with "Coming!"

Yami blinked as the image slowly melted away. It was like when the rain fell in sheets and the tree branches drooped and leaves or needles fell. He frowned as it faded to nothing, like mist drifting away, and looked at his father with a tilted head. Yugi was watching him intently, searching his face and shivering with excitement.

"Did it work?"

He laughed. "Of course it did!" Why would he have thought otherwise? Yami wondered if he thought his abilities were limited or too small to always work. "He was so tiny."

"He was just as small as you." Yugi quivered with excitement, then got to his paws. "He was so cute and tiny. I adored him at first sight."

He blinked. "Really?" he breathed, tilting his head. "How old were you?"

"Six moons. I saw him and decided he was going to be my mate," Yugi said, voice full of embarrassed pride. He shifted his weight and shook himself out. His eyes glowed with affection as he continued. "Of course, no one really believed me when I said that—least of all him when I explained. But it doesn't matter. Things worked out."

Yami studied his face, and he felt certain of the thought forming in his head. He didn't voice it, but he found himself smiling and a warm feeling formed in his chest.

"Dad didn't believe you?"

Yugi snorted. "He implied I was crazy," he snickered. "His exact words were 'You were new to the world, a mere six moons, and you think you fell in love with me?' It was kind of disheartening, but I couldn't really expect much else. He was exasperated with suitors and pretty shaken up after everything. Hearing some random younger male tell him he'd always been in love with him from first sight couldn't have been easy."

Yami blinked. "Was he upset?"

"He thought I'd come to humiliate him."

The hatchling faltered, eyes stretching wide. "Oh." He couldn't imagine it.

His dad tilted his head, expression far away but full of adoration before he blinked and shed it.

"Obviously we're beyond that, or you wouldn't be here."

Yami nodded slightly, considering him for a long time. Then he smiled tightly and looked away, mumbling, "So, you saw Atem way before he ever saw you?"

"He didn't see me until I challenged him and won."

"Was it hard? Winning, I mean?"

Yugi was quiet for a moment. "Emotionally, yes. Actually physically doing it? It seemed far easier."

Yami turned back, frowning. "Really? I would have expected it to be the other way around."

He smiled faintly, but it seemed sad and tired now. "Atem was caught off guard by my behavior when I challenged him. I didn't boast about how I was going to win and…force him to his belly. Apparently it threw him off enough that it distracted him so that I could win."

"That sounds…false."

"I didn't go into the challenge planning or wanting to hurt him. I tricked him instead. That's how I won." Yugi smiled more brightly. "That might seem false, but it wasn't intended to be. I didn't mean for it to be false at all. It was meant to be as painless as possible to win the challenge."

Yami opened his mouth, then paused and turned his head. "Oh, Daddy is back!" he exclaimed, more startled than excited. He looked back toward Yugi and found his father looked excited but flustered as well. He wondered if it was because of his presence or if it was the fact Yugi was afraid Atem might become upset if he found out they'd been playing with his gifts.

He almost asked, but found the chance snatched away. Atem came through the tunnel a split second later, jumping down and shaking himself out. He went straight over to Yugi, curled up, and lay his chin across Yugi's paws.

"Welcome back."

"Thank you."

Yugi studied him a moment, then licked his forehead and glanced at Yami as if in query. Yami looked away, unwilling to attempt to probe at the exhaustion radiating from Atem.

"What did I interrupt?"

Yami glanced over and grinned. "Daddy was telling me about how you both met."

Atem blinked and looked at Yugi, raising his head after a moment. "Did you tell him about how you're a sneaky little stalker?"

"I didn't get that far," Yugi laughed. The Gandora looked proud of himself as he continued. "I was just about to explain how I won and then how I'd prepared to challenge you. I didn't get that far before you arrived, though, Atem."

The Sky Dragon turned to Yami. "He stalked me for four moons short of a year. Because he's crazy."

Yugi laughed and shook his head. "Atem."

"I was so scared when I found out that I just had to let him win. What else could I have done? He might have tried to eat me otherwise!"

Yami snickered. "You're much bigger than him, Father. I can't imagine he could do much."

"Wow." Atem looked at Yugi. "He just called me fat."

Yugi turned away, laughing and shaking his head. "Absolutely not, Atem. He would never call you fat. You're just pleasantly plump and happily wide."

The Sky Dragon opened and closed his mouth, appearing stunned. Yami laughed harder and Yugi glanced at his mate sideways with a grin before looking away again. Atem huffed after a moment, then sprang at Yugi, throwing him sideways and pinning him there. The Gandora squirmed and looked at Yami.

"Help?"

He snorted. "I won't help. You called him fat. He should pin you."

"I haven't forgotten you called me fat as well."

"No, I would never!" he snickered, squeaking when Atem sprang at him. He darted under his belly and tried to make a run for it, but the Sky Dragon twisted around and placed a paw on his tail. Yami squeaked again and huffed, grinning at him over his shoulder. "Daddy."

Atem didn't release him, looking to Yugi. "What did you get to tell him while I was away?"

"Only that you suspected I was lying when I told you I loved you."

The God Dragon was quiet for a long moment. "You cannot blame me."

"No." Yugi smiled and tilted his head. "I didn't get to tell him what the challenge was yet, or anything from there."

Atem turned to Yami. The hatchling blinked up at him, seeing an expression of quiet consideration on his face. His eyes seemed shadowed, as if he were uncertain, but he smiled when he noticed Yami staring back. His expression cleared and his eyes glimmered. The gem on his forehead had turned brighter. He released his tail and lay down facing him.

"What would you like to know?"

Yami sat up, trying to look more regal than he had with Atem's paw across his tail. He would have been embarrassed under any other circumstances, but this time he merely sat straighter and smiled with his chin raised. "How did he win?"

"He's a lying little sneaky snake."

Yugi laughed and tackled him. "Shush. Don't fill his head with lies."

"It's not a lie. You're a lying sneaky snake." Atem turned to Yami. "He's blasphemous. He called me a liar."

He laughed and shook his head. "How is he a lying sneaky snake?"

"Don't you believe a word he says, Yami. He's full of lies."

"Says the sneaky snake." Atem grunted when Yugi boxed him gently and immediately licked his cheek in apology. Yami snickered and shook his head again. "He tricked me in order to win."

"I didn't trick you. I used a trick." Yugi grinned. "There's a difference."

Yami tilted his head. "How?"

Atem squirmed out from beneath Yugi after a moment, standing and shaking himself out. He stretched lazily, yawned, and then lay down again. Yugi frowned, still ready to play, but took the spot he usually did at his side. Atem flexed his claws and tilted his head. "He's technically right. He didn't trick me. He used a trick on me," he said softy, glancing at Yugi sideways and studying him. The Gandora lowered his chin to his paws, smiling proudly. Yami thought he looked almost mischievous. "The challenge I proclaimed with Yugi was as always. If he could pin me, he won and could have me."

Yami blinked and considered the words curiously. He looked toward Yugi, wondering, and smiled faintly. Yugi had known what the challenge would be. He must have, if he'd managed to fool Atem in the midst of it.

"He flew off after a small physical altercation and led me into the trees. He dodged aside at the last second and I flew past him and straight into a net he'd set."

"A net?" Yami breathed, springing to his paws. "But that's cheating!"

Atem snickered and Yugi snorted.

"Why would you even accept that?" he blurted, eyes huge as he searched his face. He shook his head slowly and stared, flustered. "He used a human trick!"

"You're right. It was a human trick and I had every right to deny his victory," Atem agreed softly. He smiled wider when Yugi smirked and shook his head slightly. "Truthfully, I don't even know why I put up with him at all."

Yugi opened and closed his mouth, eyes huge. "Atem!"

Yami burst out laughing and bounced forward, pressing his paws into Atem's forelimbs to lean closer and lick his face happily. "Daddy said he doesn't know!" he guffawed.

Yugi sprang forward and caught him with a paw, pulling him closer. Yami squirmed and attempted to flee, but Yugi held him closer and began bathing his face.

"Daddy, help!"

Atem snorted and shook his head. "I most certainly will not," he scoffed. He smirked. "Yugi will lick me to death after."

The Gandora laughed, licking his cheek as he continued bathing him. He nuzzled his shoulder and licked his neck. Yami whined as he squirmed again, twisting just far enough around to face Atem again. He managed to get out from between Yugi's paws and hurried over to hide behind Atem's wing. When he peeked out, Yugi was smirking.

"See? I know how to discipline."

Atem snorted. "I can tell. He looks traumatized." He butted Yugi's shoulder gently before turning back. "Are you excited for Timaeus to come here?"

Yami glanced at Yugi, expecting at least the smallest hint of jealousy or anxiety on his face. But the Gandora was watching him intently, waiting for his answer, as if he might base his reaction around his. He wondered if Yugi would have been upset had Yami shown frustration or unhappiness toward the decision. He wondered if he would have gone back on his original agreement in order to assure Yami was not unhappy.

"Yes!" he chirped, grinning widely. "I can't wait!"

Atem stared at him for a long time, studying, and then smiled faintly and shook his head slightly. Yugi looked over at the Sky Dragon almost uncertainly before sighing and turning back. Atem turned to his mate, murmuring, "He'll be here in two days."

There was no room for argument.

Yami was almost stunned by the sharp certainty in his tone. Yugi could not argue otherwise, and should he Atem would merely ignore his judgment on the matter. He'd never seen him so dismissive before. Had something happened that Yami had not been privy to? He could not imagine it, but Atem was so adept at blocking him that he couldn't ignore the possibility.

Yugi did not always allow him entrance, either. If they'd fought at some point, Yami would not know.

Atem lost his controlled tension almost immediately when Yugi failed to object. The Gandora looked annoyed, but Yami thought he'd been the deciding factor in his response. Had he said he was uncomfortable, he realized now Yugi would have fought him. He would have argued and snapped and lashed out if it'd been necessary. He'd prepared himself to be dismissed one way or another, but probably not like that.

"What else did you discuss while I was away?"

Yami didn't have the words to explain that they hadn't spoken and he'd instead been able to delve into Yugi's memories. That wouldn't have made Atem happy. He knew that much. He would have grown angered, frustrated, though he would have tried to conceal it. He wanted to pretend Yami didn't have abilities, that he was not a God Dragon like himself. Yami knew that much.

It wasn't that Atem wished to smother his abilities or tell him never to use them.

He just wished he didn't have them.

He was afraid for him. Yami noticed it when Atem made eye contact with him a moment too long after something happened. When he'd breathed ice and Timaeus had visited, Yami had seen it then as well.

"Nothing." He grinned. "I just wanted to know more about my parents."

Atem narrowed his eyes almost suspiciously, glancing at Yugi sideways. The Gandora came over to Yami, plopping down in front of him, and then reached a paw out to tap his shoulder. Yami squeaked protests as his tongue ran over his face again.

"Timaeus!"

He sprang forward and launched himself. The Knight Dragon blinked, startled, but quickly regained his composure and allowed Yami to land on his back. Yugi smiled as he took a seat nearby, watching Yami tumble about the teal scales and climb atop Timaeus's head. The Wind Dragon yawned and looked to him with a small grin.

"I'm so used to this by now that I don't even have to move my head for a few hours anymore."

Yugi snickered. "Thankfully, Yami doesn't usually make his way onto our heads." His eyes shot to the hatchling as he raced about, tumbling, and then sprang onto his wing where it was curled. Timaeus grunted, eyes huge with shock, and Yugi hurried forward. "Little flame, his wings aren't as strong as Atem's!"

Yami blinked and then rolled off the appendage, eyes wide. "Sorry."

Yugi shook his head. "I should have told you before. I didn't think about it." He smiled again, hearts warming as Yami looked shyly at Timaeus and the Wind Dragon butted his shoulder gently. "Your father's wings are a lot stronger than most dragons'. You can tumble about his and play on them all day if you'd like, but Timaeus has softer ones. So, be careful with them and ask permission next time, okay?"

"Okay!" He darted off again, circling Timaeus and then looping around Yugi as well. The Gandora felt as if his hearts might burst as he raced around. He was so happy. Yami looked as if someone had just given him the moon and the stars.

And then he faltered. His eyes shot to Timaeus's and he raised his head, flustered. Was he seeing something that wasn't there? But…Yami was acting so much like himself when…

"Where is Atem, speaking of?"

Yami sprang about Timaeus's large paws. "He's down by the river, near his favorite sunbathing spot. Someone came to challenge him. He's warning them off right now."

Yugi bristled. "I'm sorry. What?"

Yami faltered as he picked up on Yugi's sharper tone. His head snapped around, eyes huge with confusion. "Dad?"

He grimaced, then shook it off and stepped closer. "I didn't hear a mating call." He narrowed his eyes. "But you said there's someone else here. With Atem…"

Yami blinked and frowned. "Yes. She is speaking to him about the fact that you've never stood in place of him for challenges before. She's confused, because your courtship wasn't announced and Atem isn't Claimed."

Yugi felt a small spear of ice in his spine at the thought. Atem was terrified of the Claim. He didn't say it in so many words, but it had always been clear. He didn't like Yugi near his neck, especially along the jugular or vein he'd have to puncture to Claim him. He shied away, always asking if Yugi was still willing to let him have a Claim over him instead. Yugi always agreed but Atem shied away again, as if the topic caused him physical pain. He was sure his memories didn't allow much fondness for the gesture. And so many suitors had wanted to Claim him to use it as an abusive hold to control him.

He exhaled slowly. "And Atem is saying what?"

"It's not her business what happens between the two of you. Your courtship was announced at the gathering you attended moons ago about Keith, and she has no right for challenge regardless." Yami tilted his head. "She's becoming increasingly upset. Atem isn't happy with her."

Timaeus blinked and looked at Yugi with a puzzled, amazed expression.

He ignored it and focused more intently on Yami. The hatchling looked troubled. "Daddy said if she doesn't leave of her own volition now, he'll abandon the entire challenge and just kill her where she stands."

Yugi bristled further. Why would he say that? He'd never said that before. Why in the world would he—?

Yami looked up. "Jaden is coming. Atem sensed him. He's panicking."

Yugi looked at Timaeus and then back. "Go with Timaeus into the den. I'll go to Atem." He turned to the Knight Dragon again. "Watch him. Pin him if you have to. I don't care. Keep him in the den."

Timaeus nodded. "I will."

Yugi turned to Yami. "Promise me."

The hatchling faltered a moment, as if startled and scared. Then he nodded and bumped beaks with him. "I promise." He turned to Timaeus and paused. "Ooh! You've never seen the den. Come on! I'll show you!"

Yugi watched him take off. Timaeus sprinted after him immediately. Yugi waited until he could no longer see them, then sprang into the air and took off. He tucked his paws to his belly and flapped his wings quickly. He craned his neck, moving as swiftly as possible. He dove, weaving past a couple of branches, and moved closer to the ground.

Atem was within sight a few minutes later. The God Dragon was eyeing the female with a furious expression. His lips were pulled further back to show the ridges of his teeth. Every scale along his back was raised into a bristle. She was so close to him, smirking and laughing as she said something.

Yugi hit her full force.

She snarled, spitting with shock, and twisted rapidly as she hit the ground. She scrabbled for her paws. Yugi slammed a paw into her spine, claws digging into her flesh.

"I wouldn't," he hissed. "I'll puncture your spine with my claws and you'll never walk again."

Atem blinked, so startled by the sudden appearance that he was frozen in place. "Yugi?" he breathed. Then he stood straighter. "Timaeus?"

Yugi nodded slightly without taking his eyes off the female. "Yeah, Timaeus," he growled. He risked a glance at him in his peripheral. Atem was almost shaking with relief. Yugi had the slight impulse to snap that he wasn't that unfit as a parent. And then he faltered.

Atem hadn't realized Timaeus was there yet.

Which meant…

Yugi raised his head.

How long had Jaden been in their territory?