Heyo! This is my first Halloween fic in uhhh *checks notes* three years. WELP.

The title is from our lord and saviour, Gomez Addams: "I would die for her. I would kill for her. Either way, what bliss." It was meant to be a one-shot but uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ANYWAY I hope you enjoy! This fic was based on a prompt of "a medium who can't hear or speak, unless they are hosting another spirit".

Content Warnings: Swearing, brief depictions of a mugging, Ryou briefly described as an eldritch horror (will be described more later), knife wounds, implied/indirect ableism

Domino City was always beautiful in October. Since the foundation of the city's beautification team, funded by Kaiba Corp some decade earlier, trees lined the paths to create a more natural atmosphere. In the Summer, their leafy canopies created the perfect shade from heatwaves, and in Spring, the sakura blossoms always bloomed just in time to rain soft petals onto festival goers. Autumn, however, was always Yugi's favourite, when the city was awash with a constant flaming sunset of red, orange, and brown, no matter the time of day.

Ryou loved it too, but Yugi knew his partner preferred the trees at the end of Autumn, when they looked more ragged, creepier, because of course he did.

Yugi slipped his hand into Ryou's as they walked down the street. City centre was bustling with people, as always, but had been pedestrianised to cut down on gas emissions and improve accessibility. Of course, this altruism had generated plenty more tourism, which Yugi had no doubt was Seto's plan in the first place, but tourist season had ended, and so, thankfully, the city was back to normal levels of packed rather than 'crashing into somebody every two steps' packed.

Despite the normal October weather, the normal level of people, and the normal way Ryou's thumb ran over Yugi's knuckles as they walked, the shop that the two stopped in front of was anything but.

Yugi swallowed hard. "This is ridiculous."

"So you've said." Ryou gave Yugi's hand a squeeze. A light breeze teased a lock of white hair out of the braid Ryou had tied it into. "But we're already here. We might as well go in."

Yugi peered up at the wooden plaque hanging by the door. It was a rich ebony with golden lettering.

Licensed Medium ~ provisioner of necessary truths.

"Seriously?" Yugi muttered. "Ryou, are you sure about this guy?"

"Bakura recommended him highly." Ryou frowned at the plaque. "Grudgingly, but highly."

Yugi let out a slow breath. Bakura was always sceptical of any form of otherworldly magics, preferring the tangible kinds one could find in life. If he had gone to this guy for his village- who was Yugi kidding? Of course Bakura went to this guy for his village. "How highly?"

Ryou's black eyes flickered to Yugi, and he smiled. "He said it was worth every penny."

Yugi whistled. "Okay. Okay, if even Bakura didn't complain about the price, fine. We- we can try." He marched up the two steps to the door and pushed it open.

A bell tinkled above the door as he and Ryou stepped inside. The walls were painted a rich blue and hardwood lined the floors, meticulously maintained and polished. Shelves were stacked high with crystals, charms, candles, and books on witchcraft, protection, and various other kinds of magic.

"Welcome!" A voice called from deeper in the shop. "Please let me know if I can help with anything. We also have student discounts."

Yugi peered around one of the shelves to see the till towards the back, with a bored-looking orc sitting behind it, scrolling on her phone. He glanced at Ryou. "Think we have the wrong place?"

Ryou shook his head. "I double checked the address before we left. This is it."

Yugi let out a breath but followed Ryou up the aisle to the till.

The cashier glanced up at them and plastered a smile across her face. Her prominent teeth were pierced with a diamond on either side. "How can I help you today?"

"We're here to see the medium," Yugi replied. "Is he… in?"

The cashier's smile dropped a touch. "Oh. Yeah, he's in the back." She leaned out over the counter to point towards a semi-transparent curtain to the far left. "Head through there. I'll send him in to you."

"Thank you." Ryou bowed his head before leading Yugi through the curtain.

Yugi had to admit, the room beyond was much cosier than the shop, and less gimmicky. The walls were still blue, but the floor had been covered by comfortable rugs and cushions, with a low table in the very centre of the room. Although there were no windows, the ceiling was covered in fairy lights that cast any shadows to the far corners, and various candles were lit to create a soft glow. A handful of shelves were tastefully decorated with various paraphernalia that Yugi couldn't quite name, but they all looked vaguely mystical enough to serve some form of purpose.

"Okay." Yugi's gaze lingered on a crystal ball clutched in a steel raven talon. "This is… definitely more what I was expecting."

Ryou hummed softly in agreement, brushing his thumb over Yugi's knuckles again. The curtain swished behind them, and they both turned.

Piercing lilac eyes froze Yugi in place.

"Um…" Ryou's cheeks were pink. "Are you the medium?"

The gaze snapped to Ryou and Yugi released a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. Golden hair spilled down the man's broad shoulders, covered by a deep, deep blue turtleneck. Over that, he wore a fitting black dress with one shoulder and an asymmetrical flowing skirt that reached the top of his knee at the highest point, and his mid-calf at the lowest. His face was as beautifully made up as the rest of him, but was set in an impatient scowl.

He strode past them and sat, knees folded beneath him, on one of the cushions at the table, and tapped a manicured nail on the wood.

Ryou and Yugi exchanged a look but sat across from him, Ryou with his knees pulled up to his chest, and Yugi cross-legged. The man opened a drawer and pulled out a thin tablet with a keyboard connected to it, flipping it so Yugi and Ryou could see the screen.

My name is Malik Ishtar, licensed medium. Cross my palms with gold for the answers to your questions. NO REFUNDS, even if you don't like the answers.

The sentence was already typed up.

Yugi arched an eyebrow and glanced at Malik. "Gold? I thought it was meant to be silver."

Malik's lips quirked and he began typing. Just beneath his 'welcome' message, appeared, Gold suits me better.

"You don't speak?" Yugi pressed. Ryou elbowed him.

Malik's eyes narrowed a touch, but instead of a response, he simply extended his hand. Right, cross his palms with gold. Yugi pulled out his wallet. "Do you take credit?"

"Yugi," Ryou hissed.

"It was a joke," Yugi sighed, but he handed over a larger stack of bills than he would have liked.

Malik quickly counted it before nodding and setting it safely inside the drawer. He began typing again. What is it that you seek?

Yugi's throat tightened, but a gentle squeeze from Ryou helped him force the words out of his mouth. "Our friend," he said, "died two months ago. I just- We want to know if he's…"

"We want to make sure he found rest," Ryou stated when Yugi trailed off. "He may have had some unfinished business, and if that's the case, we need to know so we can help him."

Malik arched an eyebrow. An unseelie and a human looking to help a spirit rest? I don't see that often.

Ryou's lip curled, affording Malik a likely-purposeful glimpse of his sharp teeth. "We can always find somewhere else if that's an issue."

Malik held up his hands in surrender and reached across the table again. When Yugi and Ryou just stared, Malik rolled his eyes and motioned for them to take his hands.

Their own hands remaining linked beneath the table, Yugi and Ryou each clasped one of Malik's hands, joining them in a circle. Malik watched expectantly until Yugi said, "His name was Atem. Atem Eldessoukey."

Malik's eyes slipped shut. An eerie silence settled. Yugi had expected chanting, music, ominous warnings, but he supposed that would be difficult if Malik didn't speak. He was mouthing words, but not a single sound escaped him. Yugi squeezed Ryou's hand, and Malik stilled.

Then his head snapped up, eyes wide, and almost scared for a split second, before he slumped. When he next opened his eyes, they were red. "Y- Yugi?"

There was no mistaking that voice.

"Atem?" Yugi's eyes burned.

Malik's lips curved into a soft, genuine smile and his hand squeezed Yugi's. "Aibou," he breathed, "it's so good to see you." His gaze shifted to Ryou, his smile growing a touch. "I'm glad you've been taking care of each other."

Ryou returned the smile as best as he could, though his eyes too shone with unshed tears. "What? You thought we'd all fall apart the second you weren't here?"

"Of course not." Atem chuckled and shook his head. "No, but it's still good to see for myself."

"We had to make sure you were okay." Yugi clutched Atem's hand tighter. "I- I didn't even know if this would work-"

"It's okay, aibou," Atem assured him. "I'm safe. I passed my weighing." He paused. "Well, I suppose I couldn't be here if I hadn't."

"Did you find your family?" Yugi asked.

"Yes." Atem's smile returned. "It's beautiful here, Yugi. Please, trust me. I'm well."

"I do." Yugi wiped his cheek roughly on his shoulder to dry it. "I just had to see for myself."

Ryou leaned in to press a gentle kiss to Yugi's shoulder. "We both did."

"I know." Atem's lip twitched a little and he frowned. "I think I- I might be out of time."

"What?" Yugi's gaze snapped to the clock. It hadn't even been two minutes. "But- No, we paid for-"

"Yugi," Atem cut in, "I'm glad to see you, but please, don't worry. We'll see each other again someday. But don't forget to live. I didn't get as long as I'd hoped, and I would hate to see the same thing happen to you because of me."

"I won't," Yugi whispered. His voice shook and he gripped Atem's hand tighter, like he could physically anchor Atem's spirit.

Atem turned to Ryou and smiled, but it was strained, as though he was physically fighting to stay in Malik's body. "I love you both. Take care."

"Atem-"

Malik wrenched his hands out of their grip, breaking the circle, and his eyes flickered back to lilac. He gasped for breath and clutched his chest.

"What happened?" Yugi stood abruptly, glaring at Malik. "That was barely two minutes! We didn't even-"

"Yugi." Ryou touched Yugi's shoulder gently.

Malik was still breathing heavily, leaning on the table for support, but he pushed himself to his feet. When he finally lifted his gaze, his eyes were dark, and his lips were curled into a snarl. He wrenched the drawer of the table open, pulled out the cash Yugi had just paid him, and shoved it to Yugi's chest before pointing at the curtain.

The message was clear, even without words.

"I don't understand," Yugi protested. He held the money back out to Malik. "Please, take it, I just want more time-"

Malik snatched up the tablet and began typing furiously on the screen. Get the fuck out of my shop and don't come back, or I'm calling the police.

Yugi ground his teeth but shoved the money back into his wallet. "I'm blasting your shop on Google for this."

Malik made a face and wiped imaginary tears from his eyes, even as Ryou pulled Yugi out of the backroom.

"Thanks, see you never, I guess," the cashier called as the cheerful jingle of the shop bell saw them out.

"What was that?" Yugi slumped against the wall of the café neighbouring Malik's shop and gripped his hair. "I- Atem was right there, and then-"

Ryou gently wrapped his arms around Yugi, pulling him close. "He's safe."

Yugi shook as he sank into Ryou's arms, clutching his boyfriend's sweater like a lifeline as he echoed, "He's safe…"

"Exactly." Ryou pressed a soft kiss to the top of Yugi's head. "That's what's important. He's not stuck in limbo or on earth with unfinished business. He got to the Field of Reeds. He's with his family."

Yugi let out a slow breath and closed his eyes. "You're right," he mumbled. After a moment, he withdrew from Ryou's embrace and shook himself. "Let's go home. I don't know about you, but I could use a drink after that. And takeout." He paused. "And a B-movie to make fun of."

Ryou smiled and laced his fingers with Yugi's. "It's like you read my mind."

Over the next few days, Yugi did his best to put Malik Ishtar out of his mind. Work was busy, as always, at Kaiba Corp, and Yugi was on a time crunch to finalise a pitch. Ryou was busy too, working on his newest novel, so when they happened to have a few hours off at the same time, they spent it together. The hectic schedule should have been the perfect distraction, and it almost was.

Almost.

On their first shared day off, they made their yearly trip into city centre for the bulk of their Halloween decorations. Of course, they always picked up bits throughout the year, but the trip had been one of their first dates years ago, so they maintained the tradition, no matter how many spooky decorations they had already amassed. The trip back was always awkward with bulky bags on the train, but they never had any major issues.

Halfway from the train station back to their house, Ryou stopped in the middle of a sentence and frowned at a nearby alley.

"Ry?" Yugi followed his gaze. "Are you okay?"

"Yes." Ryou's eyes narrowed. "But somebody isn't."

Seconds later, a loud crash echoed through the air.

Yugi scowled and quickly set their bags down by an empty bench before peeking into the alley with Ryou. Three hulking figures blocked their view of whoever they were targeting. "Hand over the bag," one snarled. "Unless you want to lose one of those pretty eyes."

Ryou gritted his teeth. Yugi held up his hand. Wait.

"Just grab it already," another snarked. "He doesn't even seem to understand us."

"Fine." One figure reached down and seemed to struggle with whoever was holding the bag they wanted. "Dumb bitch, let go!" The figure jerked back, clutching his nose, and Yugi saw a flash of blood. "Son of a bitch! Fucker broke my nose!"

"Get him!" One of the others lunged for the person trapped between them and a wall.

Yugi dropped his hand. In an instant, Ryou was on them, a flurry of white and teeth, eyes black voids and talons erupting from his nails.

"Fuck this!" The three ran.

Sometimes, Yugi would trip them up and call the police, but of more concern was whoever they'd attacked. Ryou glared after the three until they were out of sight, while Yugi rushed towards the figure slumped against the wall.

"Are you okay?"

A flash of sharp, lilac eyes froze Yugi in place. Malik scowled and shoved past him, only to stagger.

Ryou caught him, in his masked form again, with a concerned frown. "You're hurt."

Malik wrenched free from Ryou's grip and moved his hands in a quick flurry of hands. Leave me alone.

You're hurt, Ryou signed back.

Malik's eyes widened and he paused. His gaze flickered back to Yugi, and he scowled. I'm fine.

"You're clearly not." Yugi signed as he spoke. "At least let me look at your leg. Please."

Malik's lips tightened in a firm line, but he reached down and pulled up the leg of his torn, flowing skirt. Yugi hissed when he saw the gash and knelt on one knee for a better look. The skin around it was red and inflamed. He looked up at Ryou. "We need to get that clean before it gets infected."

Malik frowned and leaned down, hooking a finger beneath Yugi's chin to tilt his head up. Yugi's breath caught as he met Malik's gaze. Malik paused before pulling his hand back. I need to see your lips to know what you're saying.

"Right, of course." Yugi stood and faced Malik properly, signing as he spoke again. "We need to clean your leg. We could go to a hospital-"

No hospitals.

Yugi sucked his teeth and looked back at Ryou. Ryou met Malik's gaze. "We can bring you to our house. We have a first aid kit, and we're not far from here."

Malik glared and huffed but gestured towards the exit of the alleyway.

"Is that a yes?" Yugi asked.

Malik rolled his eyes and slowly finger-spelled, Y-E-S.

Ryou hid a grin, but Yugi frowned. "You could stand to be nicer," he muttered as they began walking.

I saw that.

"You were meant to."

Please review and I hope y'all have a safe and fun Halloween!