Adjusting to being alive again wasn't terrible. The only trouble Atem found was getting used to not seeing Grandpa in the mornings. Yuugi made a small shrine for him, and Atem could only look at it once.

Perhaps Seto isn't the only one who struggles with loss. Atem wished it weren't the case.

Apparently Seto picked up on Atem being uncomfortable. Which answered the pharaoh's silent question if the CEO can also sense his emotions through the bond. At least they didn't have to pretend they don't hear each other's thoughts. Thus far they can only sense when the other is in distress.

One day, Mokuba showed up at the Game Shop. Atem and Yuugi were restocking and making plans what sets needed to go to make room for new products. They both turned when the door opened.

They're almost like twins. Mokuba almost commented out loud. The way they move were similar. Same turn of the head, and the same blink. Being the same height now only added to the almost perfect mirror illusion of twins.

"Five days isn't enough time to settle?" Yuugi had hoped for longer.

"Aibou." Atem reprimanded.

"You're acting like we're kidnapping the pharaoh." Mokuba deadpans.

"I know you're not." Yuugi sighed. "Don't mind me, still kind of mad at your brother."

"As much as you have every right to be, he's just as bad at himself over it. Also, it's up to Atem whether he wants to accept the offer or not."

"Which is?" The pharaoh raised an eyebrow. He was curious to learn.

"A job offer. Testing out new duel disks and other projects we're working on." Mokuba smiled when he noticed Atem appeared interested. And finally the twin image gave way to their own individuality.

"It won't be dangerous, right?" Yuugi was suspicious.

"My brother prefers testing everything by himself. But since a tower of ours exploded, he's been stuck to his desk. Which in turn is slowing down some of our projects not yet introduced to the public."

"When can I start?" Atem was eager for a new routine. One that placed him out of home enough to settle into being alive and part of society again.

"Tomorrow, if you want. I've brought a keycard for you just in case you agreed. This will allow you access to all floors of the main building and most of Kaiba Land." Mokuba handed it over.

Atem blinked at the name printed on it. Atem Mutou. The pharaoh hadn't thought of giving himself a surname for his return. He didn't judge this small action. It was somehow fitting.

"What time do I start?"

"For testers, there's no time frame. Before Seto took over as the only tester, they were call in basis. But if it helps you, big brother likes to start at nine."

"Wait, so Atem won't be call in basis?" Yuugi asked.

"Not until after the big projects are caught up from the delay. But we decided Atem can have the same freedom Seto had." Mokuba smiled.

So much trust placed on me. Atem had a feeling this was the official cover up of simply adjusting to the bond at a closer proximity. It was a good idea in his mind. The pharaoh wouldn't demand Seto's time from his company after two major mishaps.

It wasn't a secret Kaiba Corp was being ridiculed for both the strange tournament and the mysterious tower. Although the new duel disks were a popularity. Atem was eager to get his hands on one to see for himself how they change the game.

"Then I'll see you tomorrow." Atem smiled.

"Great! I'll go give the good news to big brother. See ya!" Mokuba left in good spirits.

That evening, Yuugi surprised Atem with a question. It caught the pharaoh off guard as they cleaned up after dinner.

"The loss of Grandpa is hard on you, too, isn't it?"

The pharaoh blinked slowly. Then there was a gentle smile. Atem should have known he can't hide from Yuugi.

"...I suppose I should know better than to put a brave act around you." He sighed. "Yes, it's a bit strange to me not seeing him first thing in the morning making breakfast."

"He didn't join you?" Yuugi seemed disturbed.

"No. But I ensured he arrived where he was meant to go."

"So...everyone goes where they believe?" Yuugi tentatively asked.

"For the most part, yes. For Grandpa, his peace was simple. And yet also helpful. He runs a replica of the Game Shop. And freely gives toys to the souls who passed on too young."

"That's...actually comforting to know." Yuugi seemed more at ease from the news. "I had wondered if he joined you, or went somewhere else."

"The journey to me is difficult. I was willing to allow him an exception. But as much as he loved Egypt, he settled to help others. I want to believe it was right for him." Atem expressed.

"I think you're right. And thank you for telling me." A huge weight seemed to be lifted within Yuugi's heart.

"Of course, aibou." The pharaoh was glad to see one wound mending.

The next morning Atem arrived at Kaiba Corp just in time for Seto to begin his own work. Although Atem felt out of place despite his casual clothes, Mokuba met him in the lobby to give a tour. It was mainly to the floor where the testing took place, then the cafeteria and lounge floor. The final leg of the tour Atem was brought to Seto's office.

Upon seeing the CEO, Atem felt a fluttering in his chest. The pharaoh couldn't discern whether it was him or Seto. At current the taller duelist was focused on work already. Yet when the door opened his eyes did briefly acknowledge Mokuba and Atem.

"Mr. Kaiba, there's a meeting with the owner of Goodwin Powers scheduled for today." A secretary was on speaker. "Will you or Vice President Kaiba will be meeting with him?"

"I can meet with him. It's the small power company that's gained popularity here in Domino, right?" Mokuba volunteers.

"Yes, Mr. Kaiba." The secretary confirmed.

"Then I'll meet with him." The younger Kaiba insisted. He promptly left without saying a word. The secretary hung up. Atem stared after Mokuba with growing surprise.

"He's been handling meetings when the workload has grown overwhelming." Seto confided. "I can safely say I have faith he can take over without any trouble."

"You're actually thinking of leaving your seat?" Atem turned in surprise.

"Someday." The CEO didn't elaborate further. Atem decided not to pry further on this subject.

"So am I correct to assume this job offer was mainly to have us spend time together and adjust to this bond?"

"Hmph. Knew you would see through it." Seto smirked.

"Kind of obvious to me when you sent your brother."

"You don't have a problem with this arrangement?" The CEO regarded him with a mixture of curiosity and caution.

"I'm here, aren't I?" Atem countered coyly. A playful smirk. A teasing mirth in his eyes. For a moment Seto could only blankly stare before responding.

"Keep playing like that and we'll be skipping the formalities to bending you over my desk."

Atem did his best to not reveal the shiver of excitement he felt. He knew the CEO would carry on with the threat. Although the pharaoh was growing an interest to experience such actions, his heart whispered patience.

Yet strangely he was intrigued.

"We could - " take it slow he meant to say.

"You were hesitating." Seto interrupted. So he could sense Atem's uncertainty even when he tried to hide it. "I need you to understand once I have you, I won't let you go. And if my possessive nature scares you away before you're ready, we just might burn the world around us."

"...I am surprised at how aware you are of circumstances." Atem stated after a moment.

"The last few days lead to a lot of thinking on my part. Everything that can possibly happen played through my head. I almost didn't want to reach out so soon, but you were uncomfortable at the shop." Seto returned his focus to the computer.

A surprising admission. One the pharaoh didn't expect from the CEO. It showed that Seto was slowly revealing his vulnerability. And once again Atem pondered if insecurities had grown within the taller duelist. He decided not to take the risk to ask.

"I should thank you, then. It's too different there." Atem didn't need to say it was due to old routines and habits were missing someone. Seto likely knew, thus it didn't need to be said.

"Hmph. I wonder if you'll feel the same with the boring routines here." Seto comments.

"When you're involved, nothing is boring." Atem replied without a second thought. He actually blinked in surprise at his own words. When he processed what he said the pharaoh glanced at Seto.

Hungry blue eyes stared back. And Atem realized he wasn't scared. Seto must have noticed, for his expression changed to a taunting manner. The usual challenging gaze he had just before they dueled.

Ah, so this is the game we will be playing. Atem smirked.