Chapter XX: Stalling

Timaeus looked up when he heard noise. Yami was fast asleep beside him, snuggled into his flank and cooing in his slumber much like Atem did. When he raised his head and blinked, Yugi came through the entrance without pause, jumping down and looking at Yami before shaking himself out. The hatchling yawned and stretched before hurrying over to him. Timaeus watched as Yugi's flustered, almost remorseful expression quickly changed to one of soft adoration. The Gandora laid down and pulled Yami closer, licking along his spine and rubbing against his shoulder.

Timaeus waited for a moment, watching the entrance, but Atem did not come. He tilted his head and frowned, looking over at Yugi and Yami again.

"He's sitting outside if you wanted to talk to him," Yugi said, though he never took his eyes off Yami. "He's…really upset. So don't take anything personally if he snaps at you."

Timaeus blinked and snorted. "I lived with him when he was an adolescent. His temper now is nothing in comparison." He glanced at Yami again. The hatchling was too interested in Yugi to care. He got to his paws, shook himself, and headed out the entrance and to the cliff he knew Atem would be seated.

The red male twisted around when he heard him but he lost interest when he saw it was not Yugi.

"Sorry to disappoint," he deadpanned. "Yugi is with Yami right now."

"I'm not disappointed you came. I'm disappointed Yugi didn't." Atem sighed and shook his head. "He's upset. Not with me…but still. It doesn't help I couldn't stop her."

Timaeus blinked. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Jaden came. He requested I take him to a nest in which the female had laid a clutch that hatched during the eclipse." Atem blinked and looked over, tilting his head and watching him. "We went and she'd slaughtered her entire nest of ten. She was soaked in blood, as was the den. I don't even know if they were all born and hatched during. There could have been several older and I would have no idea."

Timaeus tilted his head. "How did Jaden hear of it?"

"She confided in her sister and superstition got the best of her." Atem fell silent, then looked away again. He stared off at a point Timaeus couldn't quite place. "Seto found out about Yami. And I told my parents. I have no doubt Malik and Bakura know by now. And I don't trust either of them not to spread the news, if only for the fun of torturing me again. It's been too long since they've sunk their claws into my flesh."

"Jaden didn't think twice about the two of you being together and looking for him. If we do as you proposed before and make it seem as if neither of you are hindered by anything more than your usual hunting and health while I stay with Yami, he should remain in the dark about the situation."

"No. Timaeus… Once he hears of this, he'll come for him." Atem looked over. "I didn't think I'd be forced to kill another God Dragon. Yet, it seems as if that's my only choice."

He bristled. "Don't get that far ahead of yourself. You don't know you can't reason with him."

"It's him or Yami. At the end of it, one of them is going to die." Atem bore his teeth. "It's my responsibility to protect Yami. If it comes to a fight to the death, I'll kill Jaden. It won't slow me."

"You're scared. I get it. But—"

"I kill Jaden or I kill Yami." Atem eyed him coldly. "I have no choice. If it comes to the situation that female faced today, I will kill Jaden in cold blood. I won't allow him to kill Yami. He's mine."

"You're closing yourself off from compromise, Atem."

"Is that so? Maybe that's because compromise doesn't exist."

"Your entire relationship with Yugi is based on compromise. Why do you think it unattainable with Jaden?"

"Yugi is not an arrogant, pigheaded beast of a dragon who overestimates his worth." Atem snarled softly. "Do not compare them again."

Timaeus opened his mouth but stopped short. He barely had a moment to process that Yami was standing between them. He was posed to defend him, as if it would take more than a swat for Atem to kill him. The God Dragon stared blankly, eyes narrowed and body tensed, but made no move to raise a paw. He blinked after a long moment, then raised his head and got to his paws, shaking himself out. When he turned back to his son, Yami chirped, "See? I'm totally the strongest dragon ever!"

Atem snorted and butted his shoulder. The sound that left him was a soft snarl but it wasn't of anger as he'd displayed before. It was almost as if he were trying to purr despite being unable. When he straightened it was to go to the edge of the cliff.

"I'll be back before sunset. Tell Yugi to remain in the den."

Yami watched Atem go, then looked over his shoulder. "He wasn't going to hurt you, you know? He's just angry. And…really scared." He sighed and lowered his head. "I don't know why exactly, because he blocks me so much. I… Do you know?"

Timaeus stared down at him and for the first time wondered if Atem was right to be so afraid. Yami was developing rapidly in skill. He was smarter than they'd estimated. And he was learning so quickly to utilize his skill that Timaeus almost wanted to flinch as they looked at each other. But just as quickly as it had come, the impulse was gone. Yami wasn't devious or vicious. He was mischievous as any dragonet, but he was kind and sweet and he wanted to make everyone around him feel safe.

At the end of the day, Yami was almost exactly as Atem had been before the years had gotten to him or the bitterness had overcome his outward show of curiosity and wonder. Yami was almost like a second chance in that aspect, though he was hardly Atem in any manner beyond expression.

He was far stronger than Atem. His gifts were far more developed—

"You're wrong," Yami said quietly. "His gifts far exceed mine. He's a lot stronger than I could ever hope to be. His gifts are a part of him. He uses them daily without even knowing it. I don't. I can read thoughts and see things without trying, but my dreams are my own if I don't focus before I fall asleep. And I'm not strong like him. I can't fight. I can't fly. I can't breathe fire."

Timaeus tilted his head. "You can't fly yet?" he asked, startled. "You may not be a full Sky Dragon, but you're related to one. You should be flying by now."

Yami shook his head. "I'm not. I…I scared them when I breathed ice instead of fire. Atem pretended he wasn't, but I know he was. Yugi was horrified. I don't know if that's because he fell in the snow or if it was just shocking. But both of them were afraid because of it." He looked over, voice quiet. "Neither of them have offered to teach me again. And I don't want to upset them by asking."

Timaeus blinked and shook his head slowly. "I would offer to teach you, but it's not my place. I…" He tilted his head and smiled faintly. "You should ask Atem anyways. He'd love to teach you. I guarantee it. If you go up to him and ask him to teach you to fly, he'll do it in a heartbeat. You'll make him so happy, Yami."

The hatchling frowned and studied him. He seemed skeptical when he mumbled, "He hasn't seemed interested in teaching me."

"You only showed interest once, Yami. He likely thinks you take after Yugi when you didn't ask to try again."

"But that's stupid."

"Well, not truly. None of us know who you'll take after more. You may look like Atem now, but you could end up showing more of Yugi's genetics later."

Yami tilted his head, blurting, "Are you lying?"

Timaeus chuckled and shook his head. "What? No!"

"It sounds like you're lying." Yami blinked and then took a seat. "I want to keep looking like Atem."

"Oh? You like Atem more than Yugi?"

"No. It just makes Yugi so happy." The hatchling looked toward where Atem had gone. "It makes Yugi so happy, which means it makes Atem happy. As long as Yugi is happy, so is Atem. And I want them to stay happy. They deserve that."

Timaeus blinked and frowned. "You seem much wiser than your years."

Yami looked back at him. "I just like to copy my dads."

He laughed. "You do have the best teachers. They're both amazing."

He nodded solemnly, then got to his paws. "I need to go lay with Daddy now. He's still upset with whatever happened before. And I don't want him to think he needs to follow Father." He paused. "You could come, too."

Timaeus shook his head. "I'll join you later. Let Yugi have a while alone with you. I know he'd much rather spend it with you than have me present."

Yami nodded again, then turned and ran off without a second look.

Timaeus was asleep when Atem returned. The God Dragon paused, watching him a moment and resisting the urge to curl into his side and play pretend he was still a hatchling. It had been easier then, even if everything had seemed so much more painful. Atem took a seat and looked around, watching the sky rib with bright yellow and vibrant red, trickling spots of pink and purple. He could see the tiniest spots of white where the stars had begun to peek out. He tilted his head and looked back when he heard movement. Timaeus had shifted just enough to move his chin from where he'd been curled up into a ball. He didn't stretch, nor did he yawn, and Atem knew he wasn't fully awake yet. He was between awareness and rest, in that tiny space where one could fall back into their dreams or wake and face the day.

He didn't move but for glancing at the sky again.

The red that tainted the clouds seemed as bright as blood, and it lasted longer than it should have.

He wasn't sure if he should see it as a sign or dismiss it as his mind scrambling to scare him.

"You still seem pretty restless."

Atem didn't look over. "It's hard not to be."

"You know, I don't know half of what happened earlier but for the fact that it freaked you out—badly." Timaeus yawned and stretched and Atem glanced at him in his peripheral, watching his bright scales glitter beneath the sunset. He was discolored from the coming shadows, but Atem could still trace the line where the vibrant teal turned into pale starlit white. "So, maybe you'd like to explain again?"

"What is there to explain, Timaeus? I stand by what I said before." Atem looked over. "If Jaden should come for him, I will have to kill him."

"Then let's not let him find out."

Atem shook his head. "But he will, Timaeus. Seto found out. You found out. I went to my parents to speak to them about the situation. Mana and Valon were present during the discussion. I can no longer be upset with how he finds out. I can only prepare for when that time comes."

"You're smarter than he is. I know you can plan and strategize until you leave him in circles, Atem. You have Yugi as well. And Yami." Timaeus huffed and sat up, stretching again so that his spine popped. Atem snorted but Timaeus shook himself, appearing pleased with the sensation.

"I have you as well." But somehow none of that encouraged more than a sense of dread. It only seemed to add to the amount of potential casualties in his mind rather than soothe his anxiety. If he made the wrong move, they all suffered for it. Jaden had threatened Yugi before, without Atem's presence. He'd obviously considered it more than once for Yusei to use it in an argument. Timaeus could have been discussed as well. If Jaden knew his parents, he'd likely also discussed hurting them to get to Atem. "Which means you're all potential casualties."

"If you expect war with him, it'll trigger him to declare it."

"If I don't prepare, I risk overlooking the potential signs of its arrival."

"I think a dragon rushing at you with bloodlust is sign enough."

Atem chuckled and shook his head. "You think so?"

Timaeus snorted. "I'd like to believe you'd be capable of understanding some dangerous body language between yourself and another dragon. But who knows?"

Atem smirked and looked away. "I might be blind to that behavior." He laughed when Timaeus began snickering, then shook his head. The humor was gone again by the time he turned back. "How am I supposed to outwit him? He's suspicious and looking for anything he can to eliminate a threat that likely doesn't exist."

"It certainly doesn't exist in Yami," Timaeus scoffed. "He doesn't have a mean bone in his body. He said he hopes he doesn't end up looking like Yugi, because looking like you makes Yugi happy and since Yugi is happy, you are as well. That's certainly not the words of a ruthless beast born during the eclipse."

Atem tilted his head, eyes stretching wide. "Is there a possibility he'll look more like Yugi later?" he asked, freezing in place. "As he is now, I could claim he was…found. That we took the egg in. We're two incompatible species. If he looks more Fire or Wind Dragon and we claimed to have found him, it would hold more water."

"I don't know of any species that looks like he does."

"I…I've met a dragon that looked close to him. I know I have. I just… I don't remember the name. And I…" Atem shook his head. "Honestly, I don't remember much of that encounter. I can't recall any of it. But I know I've seen a dragon like him before. I… It gives me chills when I look at him sometimes. I remember, but I can't recall it to the surface."

Timaeus tilted his head and his eye glinted curiously. "Was the encounter so terrible?"

"I don't remember it. I'd suppose it would have to be if I can't remember it properly." Atem blinked and sighed softly. "But I don't know."

"If you can't remember, I'd like to say it's for a reason. You've always been able to recall everything else." Timaeus paused. "What do you think he looks more like? A Fire Dragon?"

"His scales would certainly indicate it." Atem sighed. "The problem, however, is I don't know of many dragons with a gem on their forehead like that. I don't know of species that naturally possess that. Aside from my parents and Yugi's, I don't…"

"It's usually hereditary. But I suppose we could always claim he's Yugi's."

Atem looked over. "He is."

"I meant that Yugi…found a female."

"I—"

"Seriously?" a new voice interrupted, and Atem flinched at the annoyed tone. He glanced past Timaeus to find the Gandora coming forward with a scowl. Yami was at his back paw, blinking at them curiously. "Why is that always the first thought to pop up?"

Timaeus huffed. "Because Gandoras are not generally known for loyalty. It wouldn't be so improbable."

"It would," Yugi snapped, "considering I threatened to beat the life out of the three of them for even looking at him the wrong way. I don't think claiming I ran off with a female is going to do us any good in the long run."

Timaeus grunted. "Well… Damn you for showing loyalty."

Atem chuckled and shook his head. "Absolutely."

Yugi snorted, his scowl melting to a puzzled frown. "Are we going to claim we found him then?"

"It might work. You can't reproduce," Timaeus put in, studying Yugi. His gaze fell upon Yami. "Or at least you shouldn't be able to. If we go by the idea that you are incapable of reproduction, finding an egg would fit. Yugi wanted a clutch and you couldn't provide it. You stumbled upon a nest without parents in sight, one that smelled abandoned, within your territory and you seized the opportunity."

Yugi was staring at him. Atem hesitated to meet his eyes.

A small silence fell over them.

"Is that what it will take to keep Jaden from hurting Daddy?"

Atem was ashamed he'd forgotten for a moment Yami was there. He glanced over just as Yugi looked to him and Timaeus shifted his weight with his head slightly bowed. Yami was staring straight at him, stepping forward and tilting his head.

"If we pretend you found my egg, will that help?"

Atem faltered, feeling almost exhausted as they locked eyes. His belly ached for a moment as they considered one another. His hearts twisted and tugged painfully and his mouths felt dry. He looked away again quickly, mumbling, "I don't know."

Yugi, however, murmured, "It might help to slow Jaden down. If there's anything we can do to slow him down, it may save us bloodshed later."

Yami didn't look away from him. Atem felt the stare as if his flesh might fall from his face. He shifted his weight and tried not to snarl with aggravation. It wasn't Yami's fault. It wasn't Yugi's fault, either. It wasn't even Timaeus's. He just didn't know. Not having the answers or knowing what to say to his own hatchling made him feel weak and small and sick.

How was he supposed to protect any of them if he was blind to the answer?

"Well, I don't want Jaden coming after anyone, so if we have to say someone found my egg, then let's do it." Yami looked over at Yugi in Atem's peripheral. "That's what Atem wanted to do, right? He wanted to say my egg was found. Now he has a reason to."

Yugi looked as if he'd been struck. But he nodded all the same after a moment. "Yeah, he did. I…" He turned to Atem and raised his head. "But I…I don't know of a species that looks like him. What are we supposed to say if he should ask?"

Timaeus shifted his weight awkwardly and peered at Yami uncertainly. Atem bristled faintly, unnerved, but did not attempt to answer. There was nothing he could truly think to say. What was he to do? He didn't know the species' name, though he knew he'd encountered a dragon much akin his son's shape and form.

But there had been something different about them, too.

He couldn't remember, but Yami did not solely look like one of them.

"I don't know."

Yami looked toward Timaeus and Atem's stomach knotted when he read the desperation on his face. "Do you know?" he demanded. "Do you know what species I look like?"

The Knight Dragon glanced at him, opened and closed his mouth, and then laughed awkwardly. "You look like the perfect cross between a Gandora and a Slifer."

Yami didn't smile. Instead he looked to Atem and grimaced. "We can still say Yugi found the egg. He wanted a nest, so it would make more sense that he'd come across it and think to take it."

Atem mirrored his expression. "I don't know that he'd believe it, Yami."

The hatchling stomped a paw. "He will! He has to!" he snapped. "He's not allowed to hurt anyone because of me."

Yugi nudged him gently, licking his cheek. "Atem can handle him if it comes to that, little flame." When he met Atem's eyes, his own were glowing with pride. "He could definitely beat Jaden if he was forced to."

Atem searched his face. He didn't doubt it, but he wasn't sure what he would do to win. Battle was second nature to him, but he didn't know what Jaden was capable of. In stories, he'd been far more destructive during the edict and level-headed later when things had cooled down. That trait had not lasted long, however. His distrust toward Atem said far more than if he'd lashed out.

The fact he'd only defended himself when Atem had attacked said something of another matter, however.

Atem wondered then, abruptly and with such clarity it startled him.

Was Jaden testing him?

Was he gaging his strength as Atem sometimes did with his own suitors?

He blinked and considered Yugi a moment. Jaden had defended himself against Atem, when he had done nothing but strike out upon realizing he was being followed. He had heard rumors but not seen Yugi in action against Keith. He had not seen him fight Seto or Bakura or Malik. Jaden only knew what he'd heard in rumors and had not seen it with his own eyes. He'd never seen Atem truly fight, even if he'd flipped the Leviathan in front of everyone at the gathering that night. Jaden was further in the dark about the two of them than they were him…

His eyes shot to Yami. "What can you sense from him? Anything?"

Yami tilted his head and frowned. "He's…restless, but I don't know what else I could have felt. He was too far away and he followed you both so quickly that I couldn't feel much after."

Yugi gave Atem a quizzical look, smiling faintly.

"Did you see anything?"

Yami blinked and shook his head. "It's harder with distances. And I've never met him." He shifted his weight and peered at him in mild distress. "I can try again the next time he comes."

Yugi looked between them. "Atem…"

"You and I didn't even feel it when he read our minds before, Yugi. I doubt Jaden would know what was happening." He shook his head. "I will not allow him closer, however. So this doesn't count for anything. I just…wanted to know."

Yami looked at Yugi and then back, ducking his head slightly and peering up at Atem again. "Is there anything else I can do?" he asked quietly. "I couldn't read his mind, but…"

Atem blinked. "No, there's… I wanted to know what he knows about either of us in combat. I wasn't fighting as hard when I attacked him. And he's never seen Yugi in battle."

Yami looked over at Yugi again. Something flashed in his brilliant eyes for a moment. And then he turned back. "He doesn't know Timaeus is here, either. And your entire plan hinged on him not knowing. So, if he doesn't know, then Timaeus can still watch me while you two are out and about hunting and stuff, right? And then that will still slow him down finding out."

Atem glanced at Timaeus. "Yes, but I don't know for how long."

"It'll have to be long enough," Yugi said firmly. "In the meantime, we'll teach Yami to defend himself and utilize his magic. That way, if something falls through, he's safe alone or otherwise."

Yami looked at Yugi awkwardly but didn't say a word. Atem considered his expression and glanced at Timaeus who was watching him with a flustered look in turn. Between the four of them, he didn't know who seemed the most miserable.

"Right."