Before We Knew It

by daisytealeaves

Summary:

Yugi’s intention was just to help a friend in need with a dueling tournament. He never expected to gain the undivided attention of the King of Games himself.

Notes:

Hey guys! Long time no see. I have taken a much needed break. After finishing PO and moving into a new place, it left me in quite a bit of a slump.

A friend suggested I write something purely self indulgent to help me out of it.

So, here it is! 😂

This was only supposed to be a Oneshot but quickly turned into a three chapter story. It doesn’t have much plot, but should still be fun to read. I know I enjoyed writing 🧡

Happy September! 🌻

Chapter 1

 

Yugi would never tell Katsuya what his puppy dog eyes did to him. If he did, he’d never hear the end of it, and it would most assuredly be used against him. 

And despite his efforts of refusals and protests, Yugi was once again a victim to it, proven by the fact that he was walking into the very place he had sworn he’d never walk into. 

The Black Clown.

Compared to the small, cozy game shop he’d grown up in, this one was downright massive. It was practically a shopping mall with three levels and housing the most up to date, popular games in existence. 

His friends had been thoroughly impressed from the start and frequented it often, however Yugi could not seem to get past his judgment and annoyance with just how ridiculous it was in order to enjoy it with them. 

The fact that his grandfather’s game shop had suffered greatly from it also gave him enough incentive to boycott it whenever he could. 

And he would have died on that hill, gladly and smiling the whole time, if it weren’t for that dreaded puppy dog look from his best friend. 

“Tell me again why I let you talk me into this,” Yugi grumbled, arms crossed over his chest, feeling vulnerable in such a large space. 

There were what looked like one hundred shelves filled with video games, displays, board games, and even card games throughout the room. 

There were also a ton of people. People that didn’t appreciate the traditional elegance of simpler and older games that he preferred. 

Katsuya steered him through the merchandise displays, toward the elevators near the back of the building, with both hands steady on his shoulders. 

“Because I’m your best friend and you’re doing me a solid. You’re the best duelist I know.” 

Yugi huffed and watched the doors of the elevator close before his eyes, sealing his fate. “I don’t know anything about competitive dueling, Jou. I hardly think I’ll be able to help you defeat the current champion.”

Katsuya pressed the second floor button and leaned against the wall, looking far too smug to understand reason, in Yugi’s opinion. “Oh, you will. You’re way better than him, Yugi. And with my luck and your smarts, we’ll have this tournament in the bag,” he threw his arms up, fists in the air, “I can practically taste our victory!” 

Yugi rolled his eyes and huffed again. “Damn your puppy dog eyes,” he muttered to the ground with a scowl. 

Katsuya straightened as the elevator came to a stop. “What was that?” 

Yugi squared his shoulders, averted his eyes, and schooled his features. “Nothing. Let’s just get this over with. I have a date with my bed tonight and I’m not about to give that up.” 

Katsuya whooped behind him, unable to control his cheering and enthusiasm as they exited the elevator. “That’s the spirit!” 

The whole second floor was dedicated to local tournaments and at other times, casual game nights. As Yugi silently followed Katsuya through the many tables set up, there was a buzz in the air that even Yugi could feel. 

“Here, you sit here and set up. I’ll be right back.” 

Yugi froze at the table Katsuya had stopped them at. “What? Wait, where are you going?” 

Katsuya chuckled and clapped a strong hand on Yugi’s shoulder, pitching him forward a little. “I’m just signing our names in, relax.”

Yugi nervously sat down in a chair, watching his friend disappear into the crowds of people at the far end of the room. 

Yugi pulled his bag off of his body and opened it, taking his deck and mat out and setting it in front of him.

He kept his eyes lowered, worried he’d make eye contact with the other contestants and accidentally cause a stir. 

He’d heard the trash talk that they were known to have from Katsuya and years of being bullied for his short stature and soft features instilled a protective instinct over himself. 

He took his cards out of the case and shuffled them, hoping that he had chosen the right ones. He didn’t want to let his friend down. Although, maybe if he did, Katsuya would stop asking him to come. 

A bump to his elbow made his cards go flying and he gasped, scooting backward in his chair with frantic movements to pick them up. 

“Sorry man!” Someone said over their shoulder as they rushed away and Yugi frowned, bending down on the ground to grab the ones that had fallen. His hair fell into his eyes as he stacked them back up, disguising his glare. 

“Stupid puppy dog eyes,” Yugi muttered to himself as he reached for an upside down card a little bit away from him. The last one. 

His eyes snapped up in shock at the sudden brush of skin against his fingers. 

Deep pools of mahogany consumed his every thought and he got lost in them for an unnecessary amount of time. The owner's lips tilted up the longer Yugi stared, until Yugi’s eyes lowered uncontrollably to the soft mouth curved in amusement. 

“I haven’t seen you here before.” The deep, dulcet voice broke through Yugi’s subconscious and he snatched his hand back like he’d been burned, and consequently sliced through his index finger with the card. 

“Ah!” He hissed as he cradled his finger, looking down to see blood already collecting. 

“Damn, did you cut yourself?” The now gentle voice asked, scooting closer. “Let me see.” 

Yugi shot his attention back to the stranger just in time to see him get closer. Yugi promptly fell back on his behind in a failed effort to flee. “No! I’m fine. It’s just a paper cut.” 

The man leveled a look at him, looking far too attractive than humanly possible with his mocha colored skin and flawless complexion. “I won’t take no for an answer.” 

Yugi’s spine stiffened. “Wha—”

The man chuckled and reached for Yugi’s wrist, pulling him up to his feet. Yugi almost fell against him from the force, but somehow stopped himself before he hit body. The man leaned forward, breath encasing Yugi’s heated cheeks. “Wouldn’t want it to get infected, now would we?” 

In any other universe, Yugi may have protested and pushed him away, but for some reason his logic had completely flown out the window and he allowed the stranger to take his deck and carefully place it back into his case and then tug him away from the table by the wrist.  

Later, Yugi would blame the strong cologne the man was wearing. It must have had some sort of chemical in it that produced a reaction to the mind. 

Yugi soon found himself near a table filled with drinks of all kinds and stacks of plastic cups. The man released him only to pour some water and then offer it to Yugi, who stared at him like he was crazy, holding his bleeding finger close to his chest. 

The man shook the cup a little, sloshing the liquid around. “It’s water,” he encouraged with a dazzling smile. 

“I’m aware,” Yugi responded, eyeing the cup with a reluctant frown. 

“It’s the best I can do, unless you want me to accompany you to the restroom downstairs.” 

Yugi wrinkled his nose and ignored the sheepish grin on the stranger’s face to hesitantly reach for the cup. Before he could take it, the man snatched his wrist and dipped Yugi’s finger into the cool water himself. 

Yugi jolted and stared helplessly at the blood that swirled, before raising his eyes to the man next to him. He didn’t know what to make of this guy. He was kind and helpful, but also very assertive and… something else that Yugi couldn’t decipher at that moment. 

The man stared unabashedly back, holding him hostage, intending not to let up until he was satisfied. Yugi’s face warmed to an uncomfortable extent, his tongue swelling and keeping him from voicing his thoughts. 

Whatever they were. 

All he could focus on was the throbbing of his finger, the coolness of the water, the warm hand around his, and the heated gaze staring at him and igniting his insides on fire. 

“This is unnecessary,” Yugi stated, once he was able to get a coherent thought out. “It’s just a paper cut.” 

The man’s smile loosened. “These soft hands deserve to be treated with kindness,” he murmured, the sound vibrating within Yugi’s sternum. 

Oh, he was dangerous. 

Yugi knew that coming here had been a big mistake and meeting someone like this man was proof. 

Once again, he cursed Katsuya. 

When Yugi’s finger seemed to be okay, the stranger slowly released his wrist and offered a paper napkin. Yugi dried his finger off with delicate strokes and was glad to see it wasn’t bleeding anymore. 

When he crumbled the napkin in his hand, he looked up to see the man watching him, leaning against the table with a confident tilt to his hips. 

“Thank you,” Yugi said, and did mean it. Even though he was half weirded out by the experience. The other half he chose to respectively ignore as it was much farther south than was decent for a public setting. 

The man smiled again, revealing perfect white teeth. “You’re awfully polite,” he drawled in appreciation, making Yugi flush. “You’re welcome…?”

Yugi shifted on his feet, feeling shy all of a sudden. “Yugi. And you are?” 

The man’s smile widened as he straightened to his full height, which was admittedly not all that taller than Yugi himself. He reached over and took Yugi’s idle hand, lifting it to his mouth where he pressed a soft, lingering kiss to the back. His eyes lifted and it sent an electric shock wave down Yugi’s spine. “Atem. Nice to meet you, sweetheart.” 

“Atem,” Yugi breathed in response, trying the foreign word out on his tongue, finding himself to be breathless all of a sudden. 

The man’s gaze morphed into something far more indecent than proper and Yugi felt like he may go into cardiac arrest. 

“Hey! What are you doing to my partner!” 

Katsuya’s booming voice made Yugi violently flinch, tearing him and his hand from Atem’s undivided attention. 

“Ah, Jonouchi. It is ever so lovely to see you again. And with a friend .” At that, Atem’s eyes cut to Yugi. “I didn’t know you had those.” 

Katsuya threw Atem a disgusted look and draped his arm around Yugi’s shoulders before Yugi could say anything. “Shove off, won’t ya? We have a tournament to win.” 

Atem was completely unaffected by Katsuya’s animosity. He stuffed his hands casually into his front pockets. “You say that every time and yet I am still champion.”

Yugi stiffened at the admission and his vision tunneled at the realization. That this was the person Yugi was solely there to defeat. That this was the man Katsuya had been harping about for months now. 

Katsuya, of course, did not help the situation with his never ending mouth. 

“Yeah, well this time I have my pal Yugi and he’s the best duelist in Domino.” 

Atem’s eyes fell to him once more, this time in keen interest. Yugi was positive his face was on fire as Atem stepped a little bit closer. Katsuya tightened his grip on Yugi’s shoulders, as if preparing for a fight.

Atem paid him no mind. He only had eyes for Yugi. “Is that so?” 

Yugi’s finger throbbed all of a sudden. 

Atem apparently saw something on his face worth noting because his smirk widened. “I’m looking forward to seeing him in action then.” 

Yugi swallowed, throat bobbing, his skin growing tingly. 

When Atem finally walked away, Yugi let out a huge breath of relief that he didn’t realize he’d been holding. 

“What an asshole. Taunting you like that. He’s so full of himself. I’ll be glad when we finally put him in his place.” 

Yugi tightened his grip on the napkin at his side. “Y-Yeah. Right.” 

 

---

To Yugi’s surprise, and immense relief, he did rather well with the other duelists. As it was a team tournament, Yugi had lined up many different strategies with his cards that would align with Katsuya’s deck. 

And before he knew it, they were already in the finals and were dangerously close to Atem.

“God, the smug bastard. Taking on teams all on his own,” Katsuya muttered furiously. “I can’t wait to knock that cocky expression off his face once and for all.” 

Yugi shuffled his deck, readying himself for the next duel, eyes firmly on his cards and nowhere near the man who had set fire to his veins. “Don’t pay any attention to him, Jou. Just focus on the game. We have gotten too far to get distracted now.” 

Katsuya grumbled to himself while he shuffled his own cards, just as their new opponents sat across from them. 

They were half way through the duel when Katsuya practically exploded with irritation. “What the hell does he keep staring at? Is he trying to see our strategies or something?!” 

Yugi jumped in his seat at Katsuya’s outburst and looked up from his cards, peering around, not understanding what had set his friend off. Their opponents were too busy murmuring to each other to notice anything either. 

“Who are you talking about?” Yugi asked with a frown. 

“That asshole over there,” Katsuya gestured over to a couple tables down where Atem was sitting alone on one side, arms crossed over his chest, his two opponents hanging their heads across from him. 

Atem didn’t pay them any mind. His attention was in their direction, however, and to Yugi’s horror: firmly on him.

“Shit!” Yugi blurted in surprise without meaning to, cutting his eyes back to his cards. 

Katsuya patted his arm in a gesture of comfort. “Hey, don’t let that sleazebag get to you,” he muttered, despite the fact that he had let Atem get to him just a second ago. Yugi chose not to comment. 

Especially since the churning in Yugi’s gut had nothing to do with the card game. 

Three wins later, Yugi found himself face to face with Atem again. 

He leaned back in his chair, eyes gleaming as Yugi sat down. 

“Hey there,” Atem greeted warmly, words slow as if savoring them. It made the hairs on Yugi’s skin raise. “I was hoping I’d see you again.” 

Katsuya dropped down into the seat next to Yugi. “Why’s that? Eager to lose?” 

Atem didn’t even look over at Yugi’s friend. It was as if his eyes were glued to Yugi, who awkwardly began shuffling his cards. 

He was stopped by a warm hand over his own. 

Yugi went rigid, gaze snapping up to the smirking man in front of him. 

“I’ll cut you a deal,” Atem stated, voice low and doing unsolicited things to Yugi’s senses. 

Katsuya’s hand snatched Atem’s wrist, forcing Yugi and Atem to break their intense eye contact. “Let him go and I won’t break your fingers for touching him.” 

Atem looked sorely unimpressed as he yanked his hand back. 

Before he could retort, Katsuya was suddenly called by the associate at the counter for a question. 

Reluctantly, Katsuya stood, glancing between them before glaring at Atem. “You better not mess with my buddy, you got that? I don’t put up with people being mean to my friends.” 

Atem gave Katsuya the biggest grin Yugi had ever seen on a person. “ Just friends, you say? Good to know.” 

Yugi sank down deeper in his seat. He just wanted to go home and put all of that night behind him and then never do it again. 

Katsuya muttered something under his breath as he disappeared from the table, leaving an awkward Yugi and a smirking Atem alone. 

Many of the locals had left after losing, but some had lingered to talk in the distance and take advantage of the free snacks and drinks. It was all background noise to Yugi as he settled his gaze back on the man in front of him. 

“You shouldn’t rile him up like that.” 

Atem quirked a brow and leaned an elbow on the table. “But it’s so much fun.” 

Yugi wrinkled his nose and looked away. “He’s a good guy. Duel Monsters means a lot to him and he just wants to have a good time. There’s no need to make him angry.” 

There was a lengthy pause before Atem replied. “He seems to make himself angry, more than half of the time. All I have to do is greet him and he’s all red in the face, puffing up like a rabid dog.” 

Yugi wanted to agree, because that was all true, but he also didn’t want to say anything demeaning about his well meaning friend. 

“Still,” Yugi said, eyes rising to meet Atem’s, that glittered under the artificial lights above. “Go easier on him, please.” 

“I quite like it when you say ‘please’,” Atem murmured, voice dipping and sounding far more sensual than he had previously. Yugi’s cheeks heated. “As I was saying before. I’ll cut you a deal.” 

Yugi fumbled with his deck as he tried not to show just how much Atem’s attention and voice were affecting him. “I’m not interested in deals.” 

Atem leaned on the table a little more. “If I win, you give me your number and allow me to take you out somewhere nice.” 

Yugi’s insides both simultaneously warmed to an uncomfortable degree as well as twisted in shock. He defaulted to his automatic reply he’d given quite a few people since he’d started university. “I’m not looking to date anyone right now.” 

Which was one hundred percent true. He wanted to focus on his major rather than some fling that could or would not become anything serious. 

Besides, he also worked at his grandfather’s game shop on the weekends. He barely had time for the friends he had, let alone someone completely new. 

Atem hummed and leaned back in his chair, regarding him thoughtfully. “Are you more into casual relations then?” 

Yugi grew flustered at that and he straightened, face red as Atem’s eyes no doubt, and ignored the snickering coming from the man across from him. “I’m not into anything right now. I am focusing on my studies, my responsibilities, and my future.” 

“I could be a part of that future,” Atem smoothly cut in.  

Yugi narrowed his eyes. “You’re very persistent.” 

Atem grinned, eyes crinkling at the sides. “You don’t even know the half of it. You may as well fold now.” 

The threat of the challenge gave Yugi a weird thrill down his spine and he smirked at the man. “Never.” 

Atem looked quite pleased with the answer and as soon as Katsuya sat back down, the duel commenced. 

Yugi had to admit, Atem was the biggest challenge he’d faced so far and he quickly understood why he was the champion for such a long amount of time.

However, Atem had a fatal flaw that Yugi picked up on quite easily. And that was Atem’s apparent intense attraction to Yugi. 

During the duel, Yugi carefully surveyed Atem’s reactions to the way Yugi would look at him. When Atem would consider the field or make a comment, Yugi would make it a point to lift his gaze from under his lashes, most affirmatively causing Atem to subtly falter in whatever line of thinking he might have had. 

It also called into question how Yugi spoke. Atem had commented twice on how he appreciated Yugi’s politeness, and so he took it up a notch. 

He said thank you every time Atem triggered a trap card. He said please do, every time Atem initiated an attack. 

Yugi had to admit, he never thought he’d enjoy manipulating a situation to his advantage so much.

Before he knew it, Yugi flipped over his last trap card, thoroughly ruining any of Atem’s hopes of winning and ending the game. 

Katsuya was on his feet in an instant. “Suck it, Sennen! That’s what I’m talking about!” 

Atem stared at the board, flabbergasted by the results as the remaining people in the room crowded closer to them. 

Yugi’s heart was pounding, a smile growing on his face from the accomplished victory. 

Katsuya's arm dragged Yugi to his feet, practically bouncing up and down from how excited he was. “We did it, Yug'! I knew I could count on you! King of Games, baby!” 

Yugi laughed along with him and allowed the satisfaction of winning to wash over him. It was admittedly a wonderful feeling. 

After they had packed up and Katsuya was bragging to anyone who would hear him, which was literally everyone in the room since he was speaking that loudly, Yugi wandered back over to the drinks table and filled a cup with a dark cola. 

The bubbling felt nice on his throat. 

“Enjoying your victory?” 

Yugi almost spilled his drink. He pivoted around to see Atem standing there, eyes intently on him, arms crossed over his broad chest. 

Yugi wiped at his mouth with a sleeve. “Actually yes,” he told him with a grin. “Who wouldn’t?”

Atem hummed and turned, busying himself as he made a drink. Yugi watched him silently, unsure of how to read him at the moment. 

“You’re not a… sore loser, are you?” Yugi wondered aloud and Atem threw him a moody look. Yugi’s grin grew. “You are, aren’t you?” He laughed smugly. “Who would have thought? The previous Duel Monsters champion is a sore loser.”

Atem faced him then, leaning a hip on the table as he regarded Yugi over his cup while taking a drink. When he didn’t say anything in response, Yugi’s smile faltered. 

“What?” Yugi finally questioned when Atem’s silent stare became too unnerving. 

Atem sat his empty cup on the table and stepped closer to Yugi. “I’m surprised at you.” Yugi swallowed down his nerves as Atem tilted his head a little. “And here I thought you were the most innocent one in the room.” 

Yugi’s brows furrowed. “What are you talking about?” 

Atem began to draw closer and Yugi didn’t know why, but he was suddenly rooted to the spot, unable to move even if he wanted to. Completely at the man before him’s mercy. 

“Do you honestly think I didn’t know what you were doing during our duel, sweetheart?” 

Yugi’s heart jumped to his throat. “I-I am not sure what you mean. I just played the game.” 

Atem’s gaze pierced through him as he took the last necessary step toward him, their clothing brushing and sending goosebumps along Yugi’s arms. 

Atem leaned forward, face getting closer and closer until Yugi couldn’t take it anymore. His eyes shut automatically, completely spellbound and out of his mind. Going against better judgment and completely willing to let an out of this world sexy stranger kiss him right there on the second floor of The Black Clown. 

He felt Atem’s breath upon his lips and Yugi’s heart skipped. Just when he thought he would get kissed right then and there, Atem drifted past his cheek to where his ear was. “You’re playing with fire, Yugi. Using your manners like a good boy right there in front of everyone. Just begging for my attention.” 

Yugi’s body lit on fire and he sucked in a breath when Atem’s lips met the sensitive skin of his ear. 

“You should be over my knee for the act you just pulled. For distracting the king to steal his crown. Don’t you think you should be punished for such a crime?” 

Yugi’s lashes fluttered, face warm and an intense erection quickly coming to life. No one had ever spoken to him like that before or make him reconsider his morals. For even just a second. 

“I…” 

Atem’s mouth lingered at the skin below his ear. “Give me your number, sweetheart.” 

Yugi had a hard time breathing, let alone speaking at that moment. Somehow, he managed. “I d-don’t think that’s a good idea.” 

“Why not?” Atem purred across his skin, skimming lips across his throat. “I’d take good care of you. You’re so sweet and delicious, Yugi.” 

“I’m not food,” he breathed indignantly, subconsciously tilting his head to give Atem more room. A hand snaked across his waist and Yugi was positive he was going to orgasm just by the innocent touches and dirty talk alone. 

“Mmm, but I’d eat you just the same.”

Yugi bit on his bottom lip hard. He wasn’t going to survive this. As it was, his will power was weakening. Screw studies and his future. Who cared about that when he could have Atem between his legs and making good on his promise. 

“The fuck are you two doing?” 

Yugi’s eyes shot open at the sound of Katsuya’s voice and furiously pushed at Atem’s chest to put a decent amount of space between them. 

“Talking! Just talking!” Yugi exclaimed a little too loudly to be convincing. 

However, now that he was free from Atem’s advances, he appreciated the interruption. He needed to get away from Atem. Now. Otherwise, he’d for sure regret his decisions in the morning. 

He ignored Atem’s ever present gaze on him as he jumped forward and latched onto Katsuya’s arm, weirding his friend out further. 

“Let’s go!” Yugi frantically suggested. “It’s getting late!” He tugged Katsuya in the direction of the door and tossed Atem one last look. “Bye Atem. Thank you for the duel!” 

Yugi knew, as he disappeared into the elevator with a fuming best friend, a man like Atem needed to stay only in his fantasies. 

He’d be, without a doubt, nothing but trouble. 

And Yugi didn’t have time for trouble. 

He didn’t think. 

Chapter 2

Notes:

Wow! I’m so glad you guys enjoyed the first chapter so much! I’m kind of worried this one won’t be as great, but I hope you like it anyway. 🧡

The next time Yugi was a victim to Katsuya’s puppy dog eyes was a couple of months later. 

After being informed that Atem had not shown back up at The Black Clown since his ultimate defeat, Yugi decided it was safe to attend locals every so often to keep his and Katsuya’s title as King of Games. 

Truthfully, Yugi had really enjoyed himself playing Duel Monsters competitively. He honestly wished he had taken Katsuya up on his offer sooner. 

However, the obvious sexual tension that had been between Yugi and Atem during that fateful day had left Katsuya adamant about finding someone “better” for Yugi. 

Even though Yugi had made it extremely clear that he wasn’t interested in dating anyone, or even having a one night stand, Katsuya didn’t seem to take no for an answer. 

For days after, Yugi had random women and men approach him on campus and ask for his number. It had quickly grated on his nerves and he’d done his best to express to Katsuya that it was unneeded.

Katsuya then informed him that he’d stop trying to “just make my pal happy and maybe get some so you can stop thinking about that asshole Atem” if Yugi would agree to go to a single matchmaking party one of their seniors was hosting. 

Yugi, of course, made it clear that he “was not thinking about Atem” (even though he was) and also explained in no certain terms how much he did not want to attend a matchmaking party. 

Hence, the puppy dog eyes. And dammit, Yugi was pretty sure Katsuya was catching on to his weakness. 

Mai was the senior and host of the party, who Katsuya had a huge crush on. So naturally, he was hoping to score a date with her. Or even just a kiss on the cheek. Katsuya wasn’t apparently picky. 

Yugi, on the other hand, planned to hide away in a corner and pray that no one noticed him until it was all over.  

It was an unfortunate coincidence that for that evening, a familiar face had emerged across the room as soon as he walked through the door. 

At first, Yugi had not noticed him. His back was to Yugi and he was talking to another man with shoulder-length, platinum hair and an outfit that rivaled the most fashionable models in Vogue magazine. 

The other looked just as gorgeous as he had the night of the Duel Monsters tournament and Yugi knew that he had to be cursed. 

With a hasty scan of his memories, he tried to think if there was anything he’d done to deserve this sexual torture. This suffering. 

Atem turned at the sound of Katsuya’s cheerful greeting to Mai and immediately caught Yugi’s eyes. The heated, vermillion gaze morphed into dark intensity in a heartbeat. 

Yugi jolted as if struck. 

“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” Came Katsuya’s complaint over the echoing chatter of the room. 

Atem reluctantly tore his gaze from Yugi to smirk at Katsuya in that arrogant, yet charming manner. “Long time no see,” Atem replied pleasantly, as if Katsuya hadn’t been rude to him. “How’s my throne treating you?” 

Yugi’s hand went to Katsuya’s arm before his friend could explode with expletives. Thankfully, Mai stepped in. 

“Oh! You know each other. How lovely. They’re the other seniors I was talking about.” She smiled excitedly at them all, ignorant to the animosity between Katsuya and Atem. “Shall we start then?” 

Yugi ignored Atem’s gaze that seemed to be permanently fixed on him as he sat down between Katsuya and another classmate that he knew to be Ryou. 

He could not allow Atem anywhere near him. He knew that if he did, then he’d fall victim to his deep, sexy voice and erotic verbiage. 

Just thinking about what had been said to him the last time they were alone was enough to leave Yugi squirming in his chair. 

To his dismay, Atem pointedly claimed the chair directly across from him. 

Yugi knew Atem was trying to create eye contact again, with the way he was practically burning a hole into Yugi’s soul, but Yugi refused to play into it. He was there to get Katsuya off of his back and that was that. 

Then he could go on and live his life in peace. 

Hopefully. The tingling in his gut at the undivided attention created heavy doubts. 

Food came first. And then drinks. Alcohol especially. Everyone chatted easily and began getting to know each other. 

The only time Atem had tried talking to him was when he asked him how he was doing. It had been casual enough. However, the deep voice in his direction broke through Yugi’s defenses easier than he preferred. Somehow he was able to answer with a simple, “Fine, thank you.” 

Of course, he had been habitually polite, but the damage had already been done. Yugi could visibly see the way Atem’s eyes zeroed in on his mouth when he said it and then slowly trailed them back up with obvious arousal.   

To his relief, Katsuya was primarily focusing his attention on Mai to notice the sexual tension between them, so the evening thankfully did not end in an unnecessary brawl over the table. 

Ryou chatted with Yugi about their classes and projects they were working on, but his classmate was more often than not taken by conversation with the man at Atem’s side. 

Marik, was his name, and they apparently were hitting it off pretty well, based on the smiles and laughs at each other from across the table. 

When “games” were brought up, Yugi took a large gulp from his beer. He knew he’d need it to get through the rest of the evening. 

Especially since Atem was still watching him. 

To Yugi’s relief, the first game wasn’t so bad. They had to go around the table and say a word that best described them. 

Thankfully, they started on the other side of the table first so Yugi could think of something to say. He wasn’t the best at public speaking or speaking about himself in general so he appreciated the extra time. 

“Ostentatious,” was Marik’s answer, eyes firmly focused on the reddened cheeks of Yugi’s classmate. 

Yugi smiled behind his hand as he rested an elbow on the table. 

The deep voice from the man across from him startled Yugi’s nervous system, even though he should have expected it. 

“Ambitious.” 

As soon as Yugi risked a look in his direction, Atem’s gaze swallowed him whole. Yugi’s elbow promptly slipped off the table and he had to brace himself on the table to keep himself from falling into Ryou’s lap. 

A low chuckle graced his ears and warmed Yugi’s cheeks. He refused to make eye contact until his turn came, trying to figure out a word that would stop this nonsense. 

It couldn’t be healthy to have all these strong reactions to someone. 

Soon enough, Ryou voiced his answer of “Inquisitive.” Marik’s smile grew wider. 

Then, it was Yugi’s turn. His heart quickened as he finally settled his gaze back on Atem, who tilted his head a little in curiosity. Yugi blurted the first thing that came to mind, out of sheer panic. “Unobtainable.” 

Atem’s expression flickered and his jaw tightened. He straightened in his chair, taking hold of his beer and throwing back a drink. 

Yugi turned away with a flush to look at Katsuya for his answer, who was smirking at Atem’s disgruntled behavior. 

Katsuya leaned back and jabbed two thumbs up at himself. “One of a kind.” 

Mai groaned with a face palm. “One word, Jonouchi. Not four.”

“There’s hyphens in there somewhere. One-of-a-kind. See?” 

The next game was far more awkward. They all had to line up by alphabetical order in a circle, to mix up everyone. Which meant that Yugi and Atem had to stand next to each other to finish the circle. 

Yugi kept his distance as best as he could without looking obvious, although he could still feel the never ending warmth radiating from Atem as he stood there next to him, hands in his pockets and eyes on the ground. 

Yugi tried not to let his unreadable expression affect him in any way. 

To Yugi’s absolute horror, the game involved a pocky stick. 

He watched in slow motion as Atem took the offered pocky stick and turned to the person next to him. He looked almost bored when he slid the stick into his mouth and leaned in to offer the other end. 

Blushing, the other man took the pocky stick into his mouth, before it broke off in Atem’s mouth. Yugi was positive he did it on purpose to avoid having to get any closer to the other man’s mouth. 

Yugi’s muscles unclenched. He hadn’t realized they’d been tense until he started to ache. 

Atem turned away, chewing the pocky stick with the most bored look possible for something so sweet, then returned to his uninterested stance. 

Yugi wasn’t sure which he preferred. The neverending stare from Atem that left him anxious and too warm, or the cool exterior that made Yugi’s insides twist uncomfortably with guilt. 

The game continued until the man standing on the other side of Yugi turned to him, offering a pocky stick from his mouth. 

Disgusted and trying not to flounder with everyone’s eyes on him, he leaned in, nose flaring with how badly he did not want to do this, and was just about to close his mouth around the pocky stick when a hand shot out and grabbed it, breaking it from the other man’s mouth and crumbling it into a fist before Yugi’s eyes. 

He gasped and jolted backward, barely hearing the protests and complaints from some of the others, most especially Katsuya. 

Yugi looked up to see Atem rigid beside him, fist tight as crumbs littered the floor at their feet. His chest heaved like he was out of breath. A tinge of red touched his cheekbones  

Then, he met Yugi’s stunned gaze. 

They stared at each other for an unnecessarily long time. Yugi couldn’t move. He couldn’t blink. 

He couldn’t believe that Atem would just do that. 

“You really are a sore loser then.” 

Atem finally lowered his fist and Yugi heard him huff through his nose. “And you are confusing as hell, sweetheart.” 

Yugi frowned, all playfulness disappearing at the words. “What are you talking about?” 

Atem turned to face him properly as the others began talking amongst themselves. “You’re telling me and everyone else that you aren’t looking for someone to date but you show up to a matchmaking party.”

Yugi flushed as his eyes darted away. “I’m only here because my friend asked me to be. I have no intention of finding my soulmate tonight.” 

“Is that so?” 

Yugi reluctantly looked back at him and Atem regarded him silently.

“Yes,” Yugi replied. 

“And tell me, unobtainable Yugi,” Atem murmured as he stepped closer. “Do you do whatever your friend tells you to do?” 

Yugi found it hard to breathe with Atem looking at him like that and tried to stand his ground. The memory of Atem’s sinful mouth across his skin instantly flooded his mind and he wasn’t sure what he’d do if the man did something as equally devious to him now. 

“No. Of course not.” 

Atem’s hand lifted and slid the backs of his fingers along Yugi’s heated cheek. Yugi’s lashes fluttered in response. “Then how does he get a sweet boy like you, to do things you don’t want to do?”

To his relief, Yugi was spared from having to answer that particular question by Mai clapping her hands together and announcing the next game. 

It was the zodiac game and Yugi had a few memories with it from his high school days. Katsuya and he had both been scarred by the things they’d been forced to do based on those blasted zodiac cards. 

Each of them was handed one with a different zodiac on it. Yugi inwardly laughed at the irony of him receiving Gemini, while simultaneously hoping that whoever he was paired with was some stranger he wouldn’t have to see ever again. 

Or who didn’t have dark, mahogany eyes that had haunted his dreams for months now. 

The game began and Yugi thankfully wasn’t chosen for quite some time. Ryou on the other hand was matched with Marik and was now the victim of the older man’s affections for a whole week, based on the “action” card that had been pulled. 

Not that either of them seemed to complain about the circumstances. 

Katsuya was paired with another girl who he begrudgingly gave a kiss to her cheek. The painful looks from his friend toward Mai when she scored a date with a senior named Valon was too hard for Yugi to watch. 

He almost didn’t realize Atem’s name had been called until the man took his stance in the middle of the circle to claim his shameless action that apparently would send him off into the journey of self discovery and wholesome love. 

Or whatever nonsense they were telling themselves to justify the game. 

“Ooooh, kissing!” Mai’s voice gushed over the cup she was pulling the cards from. “Now, let’s see who this hunk of a man is going to kiss this fine evening—” there was a hush of anticipation and Yugi realized too late his hands were curled into fists at his sides. 

His fingers ached and palms were sweaty. Atem would have to kiss someone? Why on earth did that make him annoyed?

Yugi didn’t have any claim on the man. He had made that very clear just minutes ago. Atem could technically kiss or do whatever he wanted with whomever he wanted. 

It had nothing to do with Yugi. Bile rose to his throat. 

“Gemini!” Mai declared, holding the card up so everyone could see. “Whoever has Gemini, is so lucky.” 

Everyone looked around and down at their cards for a good half of a minute before it actually dawned on Yugi. 

That he had Gemini. 

Atem turned around and met his gaze. It must have been written all over Yugi’s face because Atem’s eyes lit up and his lips curved upward into a satisfied smile. 

Katsuya’s impatient voice cut in. “Well? Who has Gemini?” 

Yugi slowly raised his card and found the eyes of his friend from across the room. Immediately, Katsuya puffed up and became the angry dog Atem had accused him of all that time ago. 

Yugi took one defeated step toward Atem, heart pounding in his ears, before Atem quickly closed the distance between them as if he couldn’t wait any longer. 

His hands immediately cradled Yugi’s face and the room fell silent. 

Yugi gasped at the sudden intimate contact and was helpless to Atem’s endless depths of longing. 

“I’ve wanted to kiss you since the first moment I saw you,” Atem confessed softly into the scarce space between them. 

Yugi’s mouth went dry. He didn’t know what to say. Wasn’t even sure if he could say anything. 

All he knew was that everyone was staring at them and Atem was staring at him like he was equally a piece of meat and the most precious thing on the earth. 

“Then do it,” Yugi said finally, closing his eyes tightly to encourage him to just get it over with. Blood rushed into his ears as he resolved himself for the moment he would surely die. 

His lips puckered to encourage him. To just put him out of his misery. 

Atem shifted and Yugi felt warm air meet his skin. He stopped breathing. 

Just when Yugi was positive their lips would meet, Atem’s thumb subtly slid between. 

To an outsider, as was proven by the hoots and hollers around them, it appeared easily as if they had kissed. 

In truth, Atem had just placed a kiss right upon the tip of his own thumb, before then pulling away from a very confused and disappointed Yugi.

His eyes slowly slid open to see Atem walking away, a charming smile on his face and heading over to the table to take a long drink of his beer. 

The game continued and Yugi avoided the suspicious gaze of Katsuya and the inner turmoil Atem’s actions had given him, for the rest of the night. 

The party tapered off with a couple of more games and Yugi excused himself to the bathroom to get away from the tension that lingered in the room. 

After washing his hands, he exited the restroom, only to be confronted by the very man who had haunted his every thought. 

“How’s that finger?” 

Yugi froze in the hallway as he watched Atem approach from the wall he’d been leaning on. 

Finger? He looked down at his hands. Oh. 

“It’s fine,” Yugi replied with a shrug. 

It had only been a paper cut that had occurred a couple of months ago. It had long since healed. 

He looked up at Atem, finding him watching his every movement. From anyone else, that infiltrating gaze would have freaked him out, but in the darkest parts of his psyche, he wanted those dark eyes on him. 

He wanted them to stay on him for the end of time. 

“Good,” Atem drew out the word and then took a deep breath. “Listen, Yugi. I’m well aware of your incessant statements of not wanting a relationship of any kind, but…” 

Yugi found himself being backed into a corner, figuratively and literally, until his back hit the wall behind him. 

Atem propped a hand up by Yugi’s head, eyes imploring into Yugi’s widened gaze. “This is the second time I have seen you and I can’t help but feel like the universe is trying to tell us something.” 

When Atem’s hand lifted to caress Yugi’s cheek, Yugi’s heart fluttered wildly in his chest. The roughened palm felt like heaven on his skin. He had to really catch himself from leaning into the touch. 

Yugi swallowed his nerves and unbending arousal, to murmur into the space between them. “Why didn’t you kiss me then?” 

Atem’s thumb ran across his cheekbone as his eyes drifted down to Yugi’s lips. Yugi’s breath caught. “Because…” Atem shifted his hand lower to stroke Yugi’s bottom lip, eyes half lidded and full of longing. “Because when I kiss you for the first time, Yugi, it will not be the result of a game or with several pairs of eyes on us. It will be when you ask for it and in a place away from others so that I can fully ravish you.” 

Yugi’s body caught on fire instantly by the deep rumble of Atem’s voice and the sudden press of Atem’s hips along his own. Yugi’s breath came out shakily. “I… I don’t know what ‘ravish’ means.” 

Atem drew forward until their foreheads touched. The space between them got thicker and shorter. Their bodies flushed against the other. 

“Would you like me to demonstrate?” Atem murmured heatedly against Yugi’s parted lips. 

Yugi’s stomach swooped. His breathing grew ragged. His body begged to be taken. To be completely enraptured by this incredible man until he couldn’t see straight. 

Based on that alone, there was really only one true answer he could give Atem. And it went against every single thing he’d told himself was necessary to make a successful future for himself. 

“Please,” Yugi breathed and that seemed to be the last barrier to break between them. 

Atem’s hot, perfect mouth collided fully on Yugi’s, searing their lips together in a fitful, passionate kiss. 

Yugi’s hands clutched at Atem’s biceps, finger tips pressing harder as Atem slanted to pull Yugi’s bottom lip fully into his mouth. A whimper erupted from Yugi’s throat, desperate for Atem to consume him with his scorching heat and absolute hunger for him. 

Just when Yugi was positive Atem may just go ahead and eat him as he had suggested before, the man drew back with a sensual slide of lips. Yugi chased him, not willing to separate just yet. 

Cool air ultimately hit his mouth and Yugi struggled to open his eyes. 

“That is just the beginning, sweet Yugi,” Atem spoke roughly. A slow smile grew, eyes dark and glittering at him. “You’ll have to learn the true meaning by giving me your number. By letting me into this carefully protected heart of yours.” For emphasis, Atem’s hand drifted down to where the specified organ beat furiously under his shirt, desperate for attention despite being guarded. “I promise I’ll take care of it.” 

Yugi tried to catch his breath but it was proving to be difficult with such gorgeous, tempting words being spoken to him and the feverish gaze of such an attractive man giving Yugi his undivided attention. 

“I’m scared,” Yugi finally admitted in a tiny voice. 

Scared of how strong the attraction was. Scared of just what Atem could give him. Scared that he’d lose himself within the man and forget his hopes and dreams. 

Atem’s brows furrowed and backed up a little, putting more space between their bodies. “Of me?” 

Yugi felt like he could speak a little easier with the distance. “Somewhat. But more of… how intense it feels to be near you. Of allowing myself to get distracted by you and falling behind.” 

Half of Atem’s mouth quirked upward. His hand took Yugi’s shoulder and gave him a gentle squeeze. “Believe it or not, I feel similarly. I am quite a busy man and you’ve proven to be quite the distraction. However… If you give me a chance, sweetheart, we can work together to create balance between responsibilities and… “ he let his fingertips graze Yugi’s collarbone, “… pleasure.” 

Yugi’s resolve was crumbling. At the temptation of Atem’s lovely words and the promise of delicious euphoria that Yugi knew only he could give him. 

He knew that no one would ever compare to this feeling. 

“I’ll let you think about it,” Atem finally said, pulling himself away and leaving Yugi against the wall alone. 

No. He didn’t know what he was doing before he panicked and his hand shot out. 

Atem halted his exit and then looked down. Yugi’s hand clutched to the hem of his shirt, eyes downcast, blood rushing into his ears. 

He felt the rest of his resistance disappear into the nothingness of the night. “Okay.” 

Atem lifted his gaze just as Yugi did. The hand on Atem’s shirt tightened. Everything was now in this man’s hands and Yugi hoped that he wouldn’t regret it. 

Atem stepped closer, completely facing him once more. His fingers cradled Yugi’s jaw, eyes looking intently into Yugi’s in an obvious attempt to read his thoughts. “Are you sure?” 

Yugi hesitated only a second, just because this was a huge step for him. He’d never done something like this before.  

Then, he nodded. “Can I please have your phone?” 

Atem’s eyes expanded and his lips curved upward. “Of course, sweetheart.” He drew back only to take his phone out, unlock it, and then hand it over to Yugi. 

Yugi hurriedly sent a text to himself, fingers shaking a little from the fact that he was doing this, and then handed the phone back to Atem. “There. Y-You can contact me then. For…”

There was no way Yugi could say it aloud. 

Atem chuckled and slid his phone back into his pocket. Before Yugi could react, a quick kiss was placed on his lips. 

“Go home and get some rest,” Atem told him softly, pushing hair from Yugi’s wide eyes. “There’s no reason for you to be here any longer. You’ve fulfilled your friend’s need for you and you’re no longer available.” Yugi’s mind spun from the commands. His face grew hot and his spine tingled. “And I want you to text me when you get home. Tell me when you made it home safe.” 

Yugi only barely felt himself nodding. 

Atem smiled and adjusted his shirt to rest properly on his shoulder. At some point it must have slipped down a little. Atem’s warm fingers grazed Yugi’s skin, leaving him with enticing images of where those hands could drift to. 

“But what about taking me somewhere nice?” Yugi couldn’t help but question, his nervous heart taunting him. 

Atem chuckled fondly, making Yugi’s cheeks grow warmer. “God, you’re so cute.” He took a step back from him. “We will discuss all that tomorrow. After you’ve had some time to sleep on all of this.” 

Yugi nodded, relief flooding him. For how Atem was previously, he wasn't as pressuring as Yugi would have assumed.  “Okay, right. Yeah, that’s a good idea.”

Atem saw him to the party room and allowed him to say goodbye to Katsuya alone. He tried to evade the nosy questions about Atem from his friend and promised to catch up with him for a burger later on that week. 

Atem met him at the door, also looking like he was ready to leave, and led him out into the night. 

“Don’t forget to text me,” Atem reminded. 

Yugi grinned back at him. “I won’t. I promise.” 

Atem’s eyes softened, hand raising to touch Yugi’s chin. “How am I going to survive until I see you again?” 

Yugi’s grin turned sheepish. “Don’t keep me waiting long then.”

Atem’s eyes crinkled at the sides, before glancing down at Yugi’s mouth. He dropped his hand and took a step back, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “Go. Before I change my mind and keep you for myself for the night.” 

Would that be such a bad thing? Yugi forced himself to put a hand up to wave. “I’ll text you. See you later!” 

Only after he was laying in bed that night, did he allow himself to fully feel the effect of just what he’d agreed to. He held his phone near his face, nervously staring at the newly created contact. 

He chewed at his bottom lip until it got sore. 

“Just do it, Yugi,” he eventually scolded himself. He went to his messages and typed a quick note. 

Me: I made it home. Goodnight. 

The response came quicker than Yugi expected. As if Atem had been waiting on him. 

Weirdo 👑: Thank you for letting me know, sweetheart. Have sweet dreams. 

A dumb grin took over Yugi’s face. He dropped his phone over his heart and looked up at the skylight above his head for what felt like hours. 

That night, he dreamed of deep mahogany eyes and a bronze body entangled with his in nearly impossible measures. 

Even when he woke up late the next morning to help his grandfather with the game shop, he could still hear the deep, velvety voice in his ear and feel the warm, strong hands along his skin. 

Chapter 3

For as long as Yugi had been friends with Katsuya Jonouchi, he had always been able to convince him to do things that Yugi just really didn’t want to do, regardless of his feelings on the matter.  

Despite this, he had always known that Katsuya had a good heart and would always have his back for anything. That everything he did was well meant and Yugi was grateful for his friendship. 

So when Katsuya told him not to pursue Atem and gave him those dreaded puppy dog eyes that on any other occasion would have had Yugi caving pretty immediately, he was shocked that for the first time in their friendship that it didn’t work. 

Sitting across from Katsuya at Burger World a week after the matchmaking party, he expected the familiar resolve of his heart. Of wanting to make his oldest and closest friend happy and not disappointed in him. 

But it never happened. 

And eventually, after Yugi kept to his guns, he was surprised that Katsuya actually relented and just told him to be careful. To call him if anything went south. 

Something that Yugi could whole heartedly agree to and with it, a weight lifted from his shoulders. 

After the party, Atem had texted him every day. They had gone over plenty and Yugi felt a bit more confident in his decision to allow… whatever they had to continue. 

To allow Atem fully into his life. 

When he arrived at Atem’s apartment that weekend, a bottle of wine in his hand, he was nervous, but not as nervous as he’d thought he’d be. 

In fact, seeing Atem in his kitchen, an apron around his neck and an oven mitt on his hand, it considerably lessened the anxiety over that night’s activities. 

When the delicious meal Atem had prepared for them was placed on the  table near the ceiling to floor windows, overlooking the illuminated city and the twinkling stars in the evening sky, Yugi allowed himself to relish in the fact that he was being true to his heart for the very first time. 

“I hope you don’t mind that we didn’t go out to a five star restaurant for our first date,” Atem mentioned once they finished their meal. 

Yugi smiled at him, after taking a drink from his wine glass. “I prefer this, actually. Thank you.” 

Atem reached over and took Yugi’s idle hand, threading their fingers together. “Shall we move on to dessert, then?”

Yugi’s heart jumped to his throat. “N-Now?” 

Atem chuckled and leaned in to place a kiss to Yugi’s knuckles. “There’s no rush, sweetheart. Let’s just relax on the couch, shall we?” 

After clearing the table, which Atem refused to allow Yugi to help with, they sat down on Atem’s plush couch. The TV was turned on as a quiet distraction.

Atem made it a point to keep Yugi as close to him as possible, throwing an arm around him and pulling Yugi’s back flush up against his chest.  

Atem’s breath graced Yugi’s ear as he rested the side of his head upon Yugi’s. His other hand ran softly up and down Yugi’s arm, in an obvious attempt to alleviate Yugi’s quickening heartbeat. 

He had never been so close to another person before. 

It eventually worked and Yugi’s head fell backward against Atem’s collarbone as he took a deep breath. 

Atem pressed a sweet kiss to Yugi’s hairline. “Feeling calmer?” 

Yugi nodded and turned his head, finding himself inches from Atem’s face. The dark mahogany eyes roamed over him as his hand grew bolder, drifting over Yugi’s waist, over his hip bones and above Yugi’s belt. Just enough to hint at more but not go too fast for Yugi’s comfort zone. 

“What would you like, sweetheart?” Atem asked him softly. 

“I…” he lowered his eyes to Atem’s soft mouth. Plush and perfect. So easily ready for a smirk or arrogant remark, but could also weave the loveliest of words that always sent Yugi’s heart racing. “I want you to kiss me.” 

Atem’s pupils expanded at the words and his other hand lifted to find Yugi’s chin. His thumb gently pulled Yugi’s bottom lip downward. “Where did those manners go?” 

Yugi swallowed the best he could with his lips parted. His tongue poked at the thumb still there. “Please. Will you kiss me, Atem?” 

Atem smiled, voice dipping lower. “There’s my polite, good boy.” Yugi’s lip was instantly released as Atem leaned down and captured it between his. 

Yugi got lost in the sweet glide of Atem’s mouth, the way their lips moved over each other in tantalizing slowness, tongues swirling around the other, tasting wine and the delicious meal Atem had generously cooked for him. 

Yugi barely realized that Atem’s hand had reached his belt until he heard the tinkling of metal and felt the button of his jeans played with. 

Yugi pulled back with a breathless gasp, eyes opening to find Atem staring at him with a heat to his irises that scorched Yugi alive. 

“I want you to tell me to stop if I ever make you uncomfortable, Yugi,” Atem murmured gently, fingers teasing under his waistband. 

Yugi nodded shakily, heart jumping when the button of his jeans flicked open. 

“Tell me with words,” Atem demanded lowly in his ear. “Tell me you understand.” 

Yugi shut his eyes, the warm hand on his sensitive skin causing his brain to misfire. “I-I understand.” 

“Good boy.” 

The touch lowered and Yugi’s breath hitched. His head fell back against Atem, unable to hold it up any longer. 

A warm kiss was placed on his neck, right below his ear, giving him goosebumps. “Spread your legs a little wider, sweetheart. Let me feel you.” 

Yugi obeyed immediately, giving Atem’s hand more room to slide further down into his underwear. His half erect arousal throbbed for attention. 

“Do you want me to stop?” Atem asked him, voice becoming rougher as he palmed and gave Yugi’s shaft a light squeeze. 

Yugi immediately shook his head, before his delayed mind remembered that he should have used words. “N-No, please.” 

Atem rewarded him with a firm stroke to his cock, pressing an open kiss to his pulse point. “You’re so fucking good for me, sweetheart.” 

He couldn’t control the moan that pushed past his lips as Atem’s hand continued to stroke him at a very slow pace. Too slow for Yugi. His voice caught in his throat as he tried to vocalize. “A-Atem, please, I—”

“What do you want, baby? Tell me.” The hand on him squeezed again. 

Yugi groaned. He wasn’t going to last long at this rate. 

His cheeks heated to an uncomfortable extent, the idea of voicing his wants proving to be difficult for him. “I… I can’t—” His hips thrusted upward, as if he could trick Atem into moving faster to reach his climax quicker.  

Atem hummed down his jaw, as his hand came to a complete and alarming stop. He firmly held Yugi’s weeping, hard erection and Yugi cried out in frustration, chest heaving from his ragged breathing. 

Atem’s other hand found Yugi’s jaw, turning his face to him again. Yugi struggled to keep eye contact. 

“Yugi.” His name being spoken in that velvety voice made Yugi tremble in Atem’s arms. “How am I supposed to know what you want if you don’t tell me? I cannot read your mind.” 

Yugi’s throat closed up, eyes warming at an unspoken emotion. “I’m sorry,” he immediately said, scared he’d make Atem mad. That he’d fail him. That he wasn’t living up to the expectation. 

That he wouldn’t want to do this with him anymore. 

Atem promptly removed his hand from Yugi’s pants and gently took him by the arms, turning him so that Yugi was completely facing him. He cradled his face. 

“You don’t need to apologize, sweetheart.” Atem’s voice was soft and comforting. “I’m not upset. You just need to communicate with me. I know we are still getting to know each other, but I want you to feel safe enough to tell me things. Anything. If I ever disagree with something, I will always talk to you about it first. Do you understand?” 

Yugi nodded before he could stop himself. “I mean, y-yes. Thank you.” 

Atem smiled affectionately at him then. “You’re so sweet,” he pushed hair from Yugi’s eyes, “How about this? We go get a drink. Then we can revisit this in the bedroom.” 

Yugi didn’t want to stop what they were doing but a bed did sound nice.

And so did a drink. 

Atem buttoned his pants back up and helped him up off the couch. He poured them another drink of wine in the kitchen and talked to him about mundane things, things that Yugi felt comfortable talking about.

Atem made him laugh. Yugi made him smile. 

It eased the tension in his gut. 

Then, he brought up the one thing that Yugi didn’t really want to discuss, that Atem apparently did. 

And that was Katsuya. 

“He seems to be able to make you do things you are not comfortable with,” Atem raised his brows as he regarded Yugi over his wine glass, leaning back on his kitchen counter.

Yugi’s cheeks warmed and he averted his eyes to the expensive looking espresso machine to his right. “He doesn’t make me. I just don’t like telling him no. And I ended up liking competitive duels after I finally went to one. And I saw you again at the party… so it all worked out in the end.” 

Atem hummed thoughtfully and sat his glass down. Yugi watched him lick at his lips and wished to have that talented tongue in his mouth again. 

Yugi swallowed the last of his wine. 

Atem slowly approached him and took his glass. “Finished?” 

Yugi’s throat bobbed. “Yes.” 

Atem’s eyes glittered. “Good.” He stepped into Yugi’s orbit, placing his hands upon the counter on either side of him. “Shall we take things to the bedroom then?” 

Although the extra glass of wine helped his nerves, Yugi’s heart raced at the thought. “If you want to.” 

Atem sighed and shifted to use a hand to lift Yugi’s chin up when he looked away. “I want to know what you want to do, sweetheart. If you’d prefer, we can sit back down on the couch and watch a movie. Then afterward, I can take you back home. How does that sound?”

Yugi immediately panicked. “No! No, I want to… to finish where we left off.” 

Atem leaned in and kissed him deeply until Yugi forgot what he’d been worried about. 

Atem led him to the bedroom and Yugi took off his belt, watching with rapt attention as the man in front of him began to unbutton his shirt, one at a time, until he was completely bare chested. 

Yugi’s fingers hesitated at the hem of his own shirt. His body wasn’t nearly as exquisite or toned as Atem’s was. His mouth went dry while insecurity tugged at his gut. 

Atem approached him, eyes always carefully watching. “This has to go, sweetheart,” Atem murmured, lifting the hem of Yugi’s shirt. “Lift your arms.” 

Yugi swallowed and reluctantly lifted his arms. Atem pulled his shirt off easily, dropping it to the side and raked his eyes down the newly exposed skin.

Yugi fidgeted and fought the instinct to cover his smaller torso.

Atem lifted his chin, making him meet his eyes. “You’re beautiful,” Atem spoke to Yugi’s heart. “All soft lines and pale beauty. I could stare at you for hours, sweetheart.”

A wave of deep emotion burned his eyes but he then became distracted by the fingers at his jeans again. 

Moments later, Yugi found himself bare, laying atop Atem’s soft blankets on the bed, with Atem leaning over him, kissing him senseless until he forgot where he was and just how vulnerable he was. 

Only when Atem drifted down his body, laying open mouth kisses to every part of his sensitive skin, did Yugi truly realize just where it was going. 

When Atem reached right above Yugi’s hardened arousal, precum already leaking, he looked up from between Yugi’s legs. “I’m going to taste you. I do not want you to come until I say you can. Tell me you understand, sweetheart.” 

Yugi’s body trembled under the weight of Atem’s words. How was he expected not to? He sucked in a breath to steady himself. 

“A-Alright.” 

Atem pressed a soft kiss to his inner thigh. “Good boy.” 

The first lick to the underside of his shaft was too much, and Yugi’s back arched, his eyes shutting tightly. Atem hummed appreciatively at the reaction and swirled his tongue, licking and sucking at the head until he completely engulfed Yugi’s cock into his mouth and practically down his throat. 

“Ah! Shi— oh god,” Yugi groaned helplessly into the room, the obscene sounds of Atem’s mouth on him completely driving him right to the edge so quickly, his vision tunneled. 

Atem hummed before he pulled away, making Yugi whine in blind confusion. His legs shook when Atem gave Yugi’s cock a couple slow strokes with his hand. 

Yugi looked down through furrowed brows, to see Atem watching him. “Are you going to come already, sweetheart?” 

Yugi’s heart swooped when he remembered what Atem had told him before they started. “I-I… no?” 

Atem chuckled but gave his inner thigh a light slap, making Yugi jolt and his skin tingle. The feeling went straight to his cock that swelled even further, making his toes curl. 

“You don’t need to lie. It feels good, doesn’t it? That’s okay,” Atem told him, soothing Yugi’s guilt, as he continued to stroke him. “If you want to come, I want you to ask for it. Can you do that, sweetheart?” 

Yugi blew out a breath, a fine sweat slicking his forehead. “Yes, I c-can do that.”

“You’re so good, baby,” Atem praised him, making Yugi’s heart swell and he knew he’d resist this time.

There was no warning when Atem took his cock back into his mouth, the tip hitting the back of his throat. Yugi cried out in surprise. When fingers slipped into his entrance in addition to Atem’s talented mouth, Yugi clutched the blankets under him, wondering if it would even be possible for him to resist climaxing without asking. 

When two fingers stretched him, filling him more and hitting exactly where he needed, his hips moved on their own, meeting Atem’s mouth and hand in tandem. 

In response, Atem threw an arm over Yugi’s waist to stop the movement, pinning him down with a strong weight, and that was what broke him. 

The words tumbled out of his mouth in desperate succession. “Please! Please, oh please, can I come? Please Atem?” 

Atem moaned loudly around his cock and gave a particularly well deserved suck before pulling off, wild eyes meeting Yugi’s, lips flushed and reddened. “Oh fuck, yes. You’re so fucking polite. Of course you can come, sweetheart.” 

Atem added another finger and it slid in easily from the saliva and precum that had dripped between Yugi’s cheeks. Yugi’s body tensed to an almost painful extent. 

As soon as Atem’s mouth returned to Yugi’s cock, Yugi orgasmed so hard that he was practically screaming into the silence of the bedroom. His chest heaved with loud pants, body tingling as wave after wave of euphoria rocked through him. 

Atem swallowed him down until Yugi collapsed heavily against the blankets, completely spent. 

When he opened his eyes, Atem was climbing up his body with a hungry gaze.

Atem dropped down and seared him with a kiss, fully taking his fill of Yugi’s willing mouth. Yugi could taste the remnants of himself on his tongue, salty and tangy, but all he did was pull Atem nearer, his legs wrapping around Atem’s waist as if he couldn’t get any closer. As if he wanted to become one person. 

Atem rocked into him with mindless abandon and the heavy weight of Atem’s own erection against him was just too much for his poor mind to handle. 

“Please,” Yugi weakly spoke against Atem’s lips. 

“Please what, sweetheart?” Atem answered, trailing kisses down Yugi’s jaw. 

Yugi barely recognized his own voice as the words dropped easily from his mouth. “Please. I need you.” 

“Mmm,” Atem hummed against Yugi’s pulse. His lips skimmed Yugi’s ear. “And how do you need me, baby?”

Goosebumps broke out upon Yugi’s feverish skin, a strange combination that had him shuddering. His hands slid up over the strong surface of Atem’s back. “I need you inside me, please.” 

Atem rocked his hips, his cock prodding at Yugi’s slippery entrance. “You need me inside you?”

“I do,” Yugi echoed, arching his body up to meet more of Atem’s damp skin. “Please.” 

Atem lifted up and sloppily kissed the corner of Yugi’s mouth, before pushing himself up onto his knees between Yugi’s legs. His hands widened them further to line himself up. 

Yugi clutched at the blanket again, squirming when Atem’s cock slid between his cheeks, over and over again, teasing Yugi to an almost frustrating level. 

“Tell me again, sweetheart,” Atem commanded, voice deep and rough, his eyes lifting to Yugi’s flushed face. “How do you need me?”

“Inside me,” Yugi answered immediately, fidgeting in a restless, needy manner. He wanted to reach and pull him inside but he stayed where he was, glued to the bed in a state of heightened arousal. 

Atem’s hand reached down and used two fingers to swat at the inside of his thigh, harder this time, just enough to make Yugi squeak in surprise. Goosebumps littered his skin. “Manners,” Atem reminded gruffly. 

It took him a second to find the word, but he somehow managed in a whimper. “Please. Please, Atem.” 

“Mmm.” The tip of his cock slid into him, making Yugi groan, an arm going over his eyes. Atem’s voice was uneven when he spoke. “You’re so fucking polite. Begging for my cock. Wanting me to fill you up and stretch that tight hole until all you know is me.”

Yugi almost bit his tongue as his arm fell back to his side. Every bit of blood in his body rushed south so fast that he felt dizzy, even while laying down. Yugi spread his legs farther if possible, inviting him in.

“Please,” Yugi said again, hoping it would encourage him to just fill him already. That the simple word would be Atem’s undoing. 

It was. Atem groaned and adjusted his grip on Yugi's legs to press himself further inside, slowly stretching him, a burn rubbing against Yugi’s insides until he was too tense. Until Atem couldn’t go any further. 

Gentle hands soothed his thighs with soft caresses and a light squeeze. “Breathe, baby. You need to relax.” Yugi released a gush of air, his body deflating a little. Atem moved a little deeper inside. “That’s it. Oh, damn you're so perfect. Look at that,” he breathed harshly as he watched their bodies connect, making Yugi whimper in response. “My sweet boy, taking my cock. Like you were made for me. Were you made for me, sweetheart?” 

Yugi trembled uncontrollably and gripped the blanket under him. “Yes. Yes.” 

Atem leaned over him, bracing his elbows at Yugi’s sides, his knees up toward his chest as Atem rolled into him again. Atem watched Yugi carefully, watching the twitches of his face and the gasps that left his mouth. “What do you say, sweetheart? I’m inside you like you needed.” 

Yugi’s stomach swooped amidst the tremors of pleasure sparking through him with every thrust. “Thank you,” he moaned, wrapping his arms around Atem appreciatively. “Thank you.” 

Yugi’s body moved on instinct, rising to meet each of Atem’s movements until they both were groaning against the other and sloppily kissing their mouths in wet, heated drags of lips. 

Atem held him through powerful slams of his hips, pressing his face into Yugi’s neck, marking him with painful sucking that had Yugi’s whole body spasming. It was all too much and Yugi felt himself slipping back into that haze of desperate anticipation, his spine coiling tightly, and orgasm pending. 

Atem somehow knew immediately by how fast Yugi’s breath was. He loosened his hold on him, one of his aching legs falling to the side. “Reach down and touch yourself, sweetheart, but don’t forget to ask for permission.” 

Yugi moaned, muscles tense and tight from holding onto Atem for dear life. He unwound an arm to reach down between them, finding both of their bodies slick with sweat. His cock felt overly sensitive when he wrapped a hand around it. 

A whine left his lips and Atem kissed it away. His hips thrusted quicker and harder into him until Yugi could barely do anything except half heartedly stroke himself, crying out against Atem’s lips. 

“Fuck, you’re so sweet. That’s it. Give yourself to me, baby. Give me all of you. I’ll catch you.” 

“Please, please, please?” He sobbed, forehead dropping to Atem’s chin as he struggled to hold on. 

Atem pressed a quick kiss to Yugi’s sweaty hairline. “Please what, sweetheart?” He asked roughly against his skin. He accented it with a sharp snap of his hips that had Yugi teetering. 

“Oh, shit—I… please! Please, Atem. Please can I come?” 

Atem slid his head down to Yugi’s shoulder. He spoke right into Yugi’s ear. “Come for me.” 

Yugi screamed, his body loosening and completely breaking away from his soul, his orgasm shattering him into a million different pieces. He heard nothing except for Atem’s breathless sounds in his ear. Couldn’t see anything except static. All he could feel was Atem’s body, pressing into him and dragging every spasm out until Yugi was clutching at him in a desperate attempt to stay grounded.

Atem followed soon after, twitching and surrendering to the instinctual out of rhythm thrusts as Atem came deep inside him. 

Atem collapsed upon Yugi, limbs shaking uncontrollably and trembling as they tangled together, the mess of Yugi’s orgasm sticking between them. 

Yugi slid his wet hand out from between them and let it tiredly fall to his side, his mouth open and allowing harsh breaths to leave his lungs as he tried to remember where he was. Everything was so hazy in his mind. Every nerve on his body was tingling. He couldn’t even hear or feel his heart beating. 

All he knew was that he was floating and he didn't know how to come down. 

That is, until there was a soft, lingering kiss pressed to his lips. Yugi blinked and kissed back weakly.

Atem.

“There you are, sweetheart,” Atem murmured, a small smile gracing his features. Yugi dazedly stared up him. 

“Is it—” Yugi tried, but his throat was sore and his mouth was extremely dry. He attempted to wet it with a swallow. “Is it always like that?” 

“Sex?” Atem clarified and Yugi nodded. “Not for everyone. For some people, it can be a very spiritual experience.” 

Yugi nodded in a sort of understanding. He couldn’t even describe what he had just experienced or how he was feeling except that his body felt sated, incredibly sore, and very tired. 

“What about you?” Yugi asked as his mind became a little clearer. 

Atem pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Let me clean you up and then I’ll tell you how much I very much loved that.” Atem pushed himself up. “Don’t move.” 

Yugi didn’t think he could move. And so he laid there, staring up at the ceiling with racing, muffled thoughts. He shivered just as Atem returned with a damp cloth. 

Yugi lay there and let Atem attend to him. Then, he handed him a soft pair of pajamas that smelled exactly like Atem. It comforted him to new levels. 

Atem threw a blanket over them and pulled him into his arms, as Yugi rested his head on Atem’s chest. He sleepily nuzzled closer and Atem tightened his arms around him, chuckling softly. 

“Thank you,” Yugi murmured and Atem sighed deeply. 

“You’re so welcome, sweetheart,” he replied softly, “but I want to say thank you to you. For letting me into that sweet heart of yours.” 

Yugi smiled and closed his eyes. “You were very persistent.” 

“Mmm,” Atem smoothed Yugi’s hair down fondly. “Could you blame me? You’re perfect. I knew it from the first time I saw you.” 

“I knew you’d be trouble when I saw you.” 

Atem snorted. “Trouble? Do I give off that vibe?” 

Yugi laughed tiredly. “Yes. With your intimidating eyes and your deep, confident voice. Or just the way you carry yourself.”

Atem kissed the top of his head. Like he couldn’t help but shower him with affection. It made Yugi melt against him. “Good to know.” 

They were quiet for a while and Yugi wondered if he could fall asleep now. Curled up in Atem’s safe, strong arms, feeling more free and content then he’d ever felt. 

Atem eventually broke the silence, sounding far more insecure than Yugi had ever heard him. It woke him up immediately. “Could I tell you something? Without you thinking I’m weird?” 

Yugi broke the tension with a small laugh. “I’ve always thought you were weird.” 

Atem scoffed and swatted at Yugi’s lower back lightly. It widened Yugi’s smile. “You’ll pay for that when I get my energy back.” 

Yugi huffed a laugh as he nuzzled against him. “Tell me, please?” 

Atem sighed and rested his cheek on Yugi’s hair. “Your manners will be the death of me, sweetheart.” 

Yugi now knew the effect on the man very well. “It did help me win the tournament. I’m technically now referred to as a ‘King of Games’.” 

Atem chuckled. “Not for long, sweetheart. I plan to make my comeback very soon.” 

Yugi lifted his head in surprise, finding Atem’s eyes glittering in the dim lighting. “Really?”

Atem smiled and curled some of Yugi’s messy hair behind his ear. “I can’t let my reputation continue to be tarnished by a couple of newbies.” 

Yugi‘s jaw fell. “Newbie? I’ll have you know I’ve played Duel Monsters practically my whole life!” 

Atem laughed, hand comfortingly sliding up and down Yugi’s back. “I know.” 

Yugi opened his mouth to counter with a snide remark, but found himself gaping instead. “You know?”

Atem’s hand slid off of him, his smile faltering. “That is actually what I was trying to tell you.” He cleared his throat, looking away for a second. “When I’ve said that I knew you were perfect from the moment I saw you, I didn’t mean at The Dark Clown.” 

Yugi stared at him blankly. “I don’t understand.” 

Atem shifted and Yugi moved out of the way, allowing Atem to sit up and press his back against the headboard. “Two years ago, I attended the Kaiba Corp Expo.” 

Yugi gasped as he rolled onto his stomach and looked up at him with wide eyes. “No way! You did? So did I.” 

Atem chuckled fondly. “Yes. I’m aware.” He smiled, looking away as if thinking of a memory. “It was a big reveal of the new video game. The crowd was compact. I was with my friends having a good time and hadn’t noticed you yet. When everyone started cheering, you jumped up and down with so much excitement, right in front of me, but you tripped backward, falling against me and I caught you before you landed on the ground.” Atem huffed a laugh at the thought. “Barely looked at me, soft cheeks reddened from the sun and probably embarrassment, and told me ‘I am so sorry, sir.’ It immediately took me off guard because it appeared that we weren’t that far apart in ages. Normally, people our age tend to say “man” or “dude.” 

“You mean that was you?” Yugi asked in astonishment.

He remembered that day. It had been a hot summer day and he and Katsuya had used all of the allowance they’d saved up to attend the event. 

Atem smirked. “Sure was, sweetheart. I couldn’t take my eyes off of you for the rest of the showing. I thought about approaching you, but by the time I’d made up my mind, you and your friend had disappeared.” 

“Wait,” Yugi stopped him. “So you noticed Jonouchi then? He was with me.” 

Atem nodded. “I did. Of course, he didn’t know all of that when I met him at The Dark Clown, but I recognized him instantly. When I saw him, I assumed you must be around too. So I waited, hoping to see you. When you didn’t show, I started to lose hope. Maybe you had moved away for university? Imagine my surprise when you appeared at the tournament that day. And go to my school too? You were right under my nose the whole time.” 

Atem playfully booped his nose and Yugi wrinkled it, baffled. “Wow.” 

Atem pulled him back into his arms and Yugi went willingly. “Now you know why I came on so strongly to you before. I just… wanted you so bad after trying to find you for so long.” 

Yugi smiled, his ear pressed against Atem’s steady heartbeat. “I can’t believe this. All this time. You knew me. Well, sort of.” 

Atem hummed, the sound vibrating against Yugi’s cheek. His hand smoothed down Yugi’s back. “Believe it. I had a feeling you were right for me immediately. But now, getting to know you better, I know for certain you are. We… match, you and I.” 

If anyone would have asked him a month ago if he’d agree with those words, he would have scoffed and said absolutely not.

Now, oxytocin pumping through his brain in large waves, Yugi sighed and reached for Atem’s arm. He pulled it around him, feeling warmer and happier as the weight sank onto his body. “I think you’re right.” 

“Look at me, baby, so I can kiss you and show you how thankful I am that you’re here with me.” 

Yugi smiled and pushed himself up. He turned sheepish as he got closer to Atem’s awaiting mouth. “Yes, Sir.” 

Atem’s arm tightened around him in response, eyes glazing over in that familiar way that Yugi was becoming accustomed to. 

Atem tugged him closer until their noses brushed. Yugi’s smile only grew and Atem’s voice dipped into a lower octave that made Yugi’s heart skip. “I sure like the sound of that from your pretty mouth.” He skimmed Yugi’s lips with his own, not quite kissing but enough to have Yugi leaning forward for more. “Ask me for it,” Atem murmured. 

Yugi’s body grew warm at the command and he gazed into Atem’s mahogany eyes, so beautiful and mesmerizing. “Please, may I have a kiss, Sir?” 

Atem growled, and tugged Yugi forward by the head until their lips met in a fast and deep kiss that left him gasping for breath when they finally pulled back. 

Their foreheads met. “Damn, you can have whatever you want, baby. All you have to do is ask nicely.” 

Yugi smiled through a daze. “I just want one thing.” 

“What’s that, sweetheart?”

Yugi grinned as he pulled back. “I want a fair rematch.”

Atem bursted into laughter. “Are you finally admitting you used dirty tricks against me?” 

Yugi wrinkled his nose with guilt. “Yes, but I promise, I won’t this time.”

Atem kissed him sweetly. “Deal.”

The two pulled cards from Atem’s collection and played their beloved game well into the night. 

Once tired again, Yugi cuddled up to Atem under the covers and relished in the feeling of the man’s strong arms around him. 

He had originally thought Atem would be trouble. 

It turned out as time went on, that he was in fact: a sanctuary. 

Notes:

I hope you liked this incredibly self-indulgent short story of mine. I completely let my mind go wild with this, so I hope it’s enjoyed Lmao

This could turn into a series easily, but we will see. 🧡

Thank you for reading as always!

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 1 of Mind Your Manners