Seto Kaiba had done it.

Not only did he achieve the impossible in reaching the After Life while still alive, he had achieved his ultimate goal. Seto had won a duel against the pharaoh. Finally, he proved himself.

But at what cost?

Although elated that it was done, Seto still felt strangely empty. To add to it, he was aware of this and didn't care. Not even as he returned to his body. The machine beeping as it was about to burst in flames. The duel had gone for so long, and so intensely, that it strained the technology to the limit.

Seto closed his eyes, accepting his fate. He had been prepared to sacrifice everything to achieve his goal. There were even measures taken place for Mokuba to be financially stable should he hand the company over to someone else. He felt at peace.

The beeps hurried in a panic fashion. Seto faintly heard Mokuba and the other staff trying desperately to convince him to come back down the elevator. But he knew there wouldn't be time. Thus he accepted the consequences without a fight.

"Kaiba!" A cry stirred his heart.

No. That couldn't be. Seto didn't have time to open his eyes when arms embraced him. Even though the body was smaller, the other still cradled him protectively. And Seto knew who it was without even opening his eyes.

He wrapped an arm around the pharaoh. He had assumed this was a figment of imagination. But he could feel the touch of the other body. Warm and soft, he could faintly hear the heartbeat.

Then Seto felt the tingles of magic envelop them. The sparks around them growing erratic, seconds away from the explosion. Just as the machine burst into flames in a fury the magic whisked the pair out just in time.

Seto couldn't remember what happened next. When he next became aware, he was still in the pharaoh's arms. The taller duelist found comfort in the embrace. Seto was too comfortable to open his eyes.

And then he heard voices.

"You know you shouldn't have intervened!"

"You and I both know he wasn't supposed to die. His destiny required him to live longer." Atem defended, voice stern.

"He obsessed too much! He went too far! Further than he should have! He even accepted the consequences!" The other voice argued.

"And in the aftermath everyone would have forgotten him! No one, not even his own brother would mourn him! The Gods shouldn't have punished erasing every memory of his existence from the world. Such a fate should never be placed on anyone!" The pharaoh snapped.

Which meant Seto wouldn't be accepted in any after life. A wandering spirit, watching as the world forgot him. Seto wouldn't be able to find peace. This chilled his heart. His stomach dropped at the idea. How heartbroken it would be, his own brother wouldn't be spared. It was cruel and uncalled for.

"Even Thief King?" The other scoffed.

"Yes, even him." Atem didn't budge.

Forever the stubborn protector. Whatever he believed in, the pharaoh would never bow. Atem will fight tooth and nail until the end. Despite what others had done to hurt people or the world, Atem still believed in the good in those same enemies.

For a long moment there was silence. The atmosphere thick and the air thin with tension. Seto remained still, too exhausted to involve himself. That duel had taken a toll on his mind, body and soul in more ways than he imagined.

A hand reached for Seto's hair. He almost jumped at the touch. Never had anyone shown him any physical affection beyond a hug from Mokuba. Seto briefly tensed his shoulders. Atem paused, as if he noticed the change.

After a moment gentle fingers played with brown strands. It wasn't long before Seto relaxed. He could almost fall asleep like this. Yet he was nervous of the other voice, whoever it was, the man was obviously distraught over Atem's decision.

Anyone who would argue with Atem could be an enemy. But the pharaoh wasn't in a duel, so maybe this was a friend to him. Whatever the case, Seto didn't trust this person enough to sleep in their presence.

"My leaving for the After Life was supposed to allow everyone I cared for to grow without me. To walk tall despite the hardships of life without my encouragement. That succeeded with everyone but Seto. I had thought he would pull himself out of the despair, not obsess over it." Atem spoke softly.

At the sound of his name the brunette shivered. Not once had pharaoh called him that. He had always been addressed as Kaiba. They weren't in a close friend basis anyway. Still, hearing his name made his chest flutter.

"I won't just sit by and watch as he suffers further for simply doing what he thought was necessary to ease the gap my existence left. It wasn't his fault he didn't know what punishment awaited him. I refuse to allow him to become a tainted spirit of spite and vengeance like Thief King while I remained comfortable when I had the power to save him."

The admission wasn't a surprise to Seto. Still, the sentiment was appreciated this time. Yet guilt brewed in his stomach. He had still inadvertently caused the pharaoh to sacrifice his eternal peace to save a friend. And not even one of his closest friends. Seto had never considered himself that important. Which meant Atem really did cherish everyone he considered friend.

"You never change, my king." The voice sighed, having given up.

"It is within my nature." Atem brushed off. And what he said was true.

"I suppose I shall check on Yugi, then. Give him insight where you two are. In the meantime, someone will be visiting with food to keep you both alive until rescue arrives." The voice stated before the presence disappeared.

Seto briefly wondered if that had been the spirit that guided Yugi and Atem. Never providing actual aid, but simple nudges to the right direction. The same one who guarded the birth place of the Sennen items and the door to the After Life. Did that mean they were in the ruins?

"You should rest." Atem's voice pulled Seto out of his thoughts.

"Hmph." Was all the sound Seto could muster.

"Rest and recover. I won't leave your side." The pharaoh whispered gently. His hand slowed in movements while playing with Seto's hair.

Seto couldn't bother to argue.


DarkSlyBlue: I posted this originally on AO3 where I've taken to writing most these days. But, this one feels like it can be posted here too. This isn't one of those dive into sex stories that I've been nervous posting here on fanfic whereas AO3 has all the freedom lol