Chapter 1: Back Again
Chapter Text
Atem stepped off the plane and drew in a long breath.
He stretched with groan as he made his way through the airport, following the signs on the walls to lead him to the exit.
The novelty of being able to travel the world in a matter of hours had somewhat been lost given how often they'd traveled by air during their previous adventures, but it beat horseback and chariots hands down just for pure convenience. However, he still found airports themselves to be overly complicated and crowded, and he was quick to grab his bag just so he could get outside.
He sighed with relief the moment he moved through the self-opening doors. Another modern convenience he appreciated, even if he still was startled sometimes when his mind had not anticipated the automation. Seto had tried once to explain the mechanics behind it, but knowing the bits and bobs involved in such things did not detract from the fact that the doors sometimes simply opened unprompted in the modern world. Atem's melded ancient mind was just still coming to terms with them.
But if they allowed him to get outside of the airport faster, he did not mind the possibly possessed technology making way for him.
Even as exhausted as he was for taking the first flight available back to Japan, he felt invigorated being able to taste the salt on the air from the nearby ocean, and see the lights of Domino city off in the distance.
It was a far cry from vast oasis, and barren desserts, but he still got a sense of home nonetheless. Because his true home was wherever his aibou was.
Dragging his suitcase behind him, Atem pulled out the Kaiba Corp branded phone Seto had given him and checked the time. Given that the sun was already setting in the sky, he knew that it was past the usual clock-off time for most who worked in the city.
But he knew Yugi too well to assume he'd already be back at their apartment. Especially given how long Atem had been away this time. Not to mention that the flight he was supposed to take was not due to arrive until tomorrow morning.
Atem had been too eager to return to force himself to stay another night in an empty hotel room. Two weeks away was much too long.
Shouldering his bag higher, Atem waved down a cab as he'd been taught. And then gave the address that Yugi had him memorize years ago when he'd first arrived back in the mortal world. And then once they had arrived at their destination, Atem had counted out the money owed for the service very carefully, checking the coins and bills to make sure he'd chosen the right ones, and handed them over.
Just as the cab pulled away, Atem felt his phone vibrate in his pocket, indicating a call was coming through.
As he pulled it out, he noted the name on the screen and decided to answer, "Good evening, Jounouchi."
"Hey, Atem! Glad I caught you, I wasn't sure what time it is where you are. First off, congrats on the win! Knew you'd knock 'em dead, buddy!"
Atem smiled, "Thank you. It was a fun tournament, lots of familiar faces. I'm still a little surprised you didn't sign up."
"Oh, I uh, had something else I was doing this week. But don't you worry, I'll be at the next one for sure! But anyway, I called cause I wanted to see if you were still heading back to town tomorrow. Honda's been dying to get everyone together. What do you say? Can we tempt you and Yugi away from the high life for an hour to grab a dinner?"
Atem pulled the phone away from his ear to pull up the calendar feature that Yugi had painstakingly taught him how to use. It contained all of their shared events to help streamline their busy lives. He checked following date and smiled as he went back to the call screen, happy when he didn't accidentally hang up on Jounouchi. Again.
"It looks like we should be able to, I'll check with Yugi in a few minutes though to be sure. I'm actually already back in town, I just landed. I didn't want to spend another night away," he said, glancing up at the building he stood in front of, taking in the towering height of Kaiba Corps headquarters.
He heard Jounouchi laugh, "Aw, couldn't stand another night away from Yugi, huh? You guys are so sweet it's giving me cavities."
Atem rolled his eyes, but just thinking of his partner had his chest filling with warmth and eagerness to return to his side, "I missed him, and I hate leaving him alone so long."
"Ha! You're still worrying over him like he's that little kid in duelist kingdom. And wasn't he with Kaiba most of the time while you were gone?"
Atem shuddered, "That's part of the reason I'm worried. Those two should not be left alone unattended for too long. Surely you recall the three day working binge from last fall? I returned to greet Yugi, but for some reason he spent an hour believing I was a hologram of all things, he was so sleep deprived. Or the time they thought that incorporating motorcycles with dueling was a safe idea? Neither of them had ever even driven one of those before. It was only Honda stepping in that prevented an incident, I'm certain."
Jounouchi laughed again, "Oof, yeah. Who could forget those! But Mokuba would have called if he suspected anything too extreme. He'd assured us that he knew where all of Kaiba's 'secret' labs are now, so he must have had eyes on them. I'm sure Yugi's fine. Anyway, let me know if you're in for tomorrow!"
"Will do," Atem said and pressed the red button that would end the call. When he was certain he'd actually hung up, he turned his attention back to the building. He was smiling even before he stepped inside.
The receptionist at the front desk had been kind enough to track down where they were for Atem, and after being here enough times now, he declined her offer to escort him to Seto's personal research lab. Or at least the one that was in this building. Mokuba had alluded to what may have been a network of labs throughout the city in the past without confirming when asked, but Atem considered himself lucky to have it easy locating Yugi today.
He stepped off the elevator (another wonderful modern marvel that certainly beat the hundreds of stairs he'd had to climb for certain temples in the past), and made his way down the hall to where he knew the lab was located.
As he reached the door, he drew in a steadying breath to both prepare himself for whatever he may find on the other side, and to calm his heart that had begun to quicken knowing that he was about to see Yugi.
He could hear a few sounds breaking through the thick metal door. Some banging, and what sounded like a welding torch being lit. But at least there was no screaming or any alarms going off. Already off to a better start than last time he was away.
Despite no immediate need for any alarm on his part, his heart was still beating a quick rhythym in his chest.
After almost four years back in the mortal world, his heart still raced when he thought of his aibou.
Two weeks had been torturously long. Even with video calls and text messages. There was nothing to compare to actually being able to touch his partner. To know he was really there at all times.
Even with the trepidation of what he may find in the lab, he didn't want to spend another second away from Yugi when he was mere feet away now. So he opened the door, slowly, and cautiously peered around it into the room.
The darkness inside was rather ominous, and reminded him a little too much of the dark lair of his soul room back in the puzzle.
And did he smell something burning?
There was a spark and crackle of blue flame off in the back of the lab, and Atem could just barely make out the profile of Seto under a welding mask. Although most of him was blocked from sight behind a large…something. Whatever it was, it was bulky and clearly far from being finished given how many gears and wires were still exposed. Seto prided himself on sleek designs, so this must be one of the newer projects they'd been working on.
Or the gutted remains of a failed project…
Atem grinned when he just barely spied the magenta tips of Yugi's hair sticking up behind the hulking…thing.
"Seto, check that white wire in the back. It looks loose, maybe add some more sauter. Yeah, that's better."
Atem still was amazed at how Yugi had grown in the last four years. And not just physically. Although his aibou had certainly caught everyone except Atem off guard when he'd developed into a stunningly beautiful young man after high school. Even if he hadn't grown as tall as Yugi wanted, he still carried a presence of greatness around him that everyone could see. But Yugi had grown in many ways other than physically. He was subtly confident without arrogance, and his humbleness knew no bounds, even after he graduated with his game design degree last spring.
Atem was still trying to understand half of what Yugi said when he spoke of the coding that went into his career, but tried to be supportive and encouraging of whatever these insects were in his work. Or did he call them bugs? In any case, Atem was endlessly proud of him, and had given his full support when Seto had recruited (called dibs) on Yugi the moment he stepped off the stage at the commencement ceremony.
Seto had grown in many ways too. Physically as well as in maturity. Although whenever he and Yugi got together on a project, Atem swore he saw more of their childlike habits coming out to play. It was amusing to see their banter when they worked on projects together. And Yugi was learning a lot of the mechanical aspects to Seto's work, and it was making him invaluable in grounding Seto in reality when it came to his work and inventions.
But then again, Seto had a way about him that was too good at getting Yugi to go along with some of his stranger ideas. Honestly, the two of them together was a brilliant combination, but also a frightening one.
Atem silently stalked into the room, placing his bag and suitcase off to the side and observing. He smirked seeing Yugi's hair bobbing up and down in place, and knew his aibou was probably trying to contain his excitement.
"Okay, I think I finished the last bit of coding we needed! I'm going to render it now and we can hook it up."
"Just hurry up and pass me that wrench. And grab some more of the wiring, I think we need to splice a few cables to hook up the new processor to the motor."
There was some shuffling of tools and metal before Seto made a satisfied sound, "That should be good. Give me a hand with the motor fan though, your tiny little pixie hands will fit better than mine."
"Okay, first off, rude…but yeah, lemme get down there and reach…Hey, did you check to make sure the motor was powered down before I stick my hands in there?"
…
A loud click was heard that echoed through the room.
"It's powered down now."
Atem grimaced and dragged a hand down his face before finally stepping deeper into the lab.
He heard Yugi sigh, "This is why Atem worries about me isn't it?"
"It's definitely part of the reason," Atem called out, smirking when he heard them both yelp and the sound of a wrench being dropped.
Yugi's head popped out from behind the machine, and Atem chuckled when he saw bits of wiring stuck in his hair and a cord draped over his neck. Seto's head popped up next, a smudge of grease on his cheek.
"Atem!" Yugi squealed, nearly falling flat on his face as he hurried past an entire floor of electronic spaghetti. But Atem was there to catch him in his arms, using the momentum of his trip to spin him around.
Yugi's laughter bubbled out of him as he was spun, and then latched onto Atem the moment his feet touched the ground again.
"You're back early! I'm so happy, I missed you so much," Yugi said, squeezing Atem so hard that he could barely draw in a breath, but then again, his partner often left him breathless. He was used to it.
Atem squeezed him back just as hard, burying his face in Yugi's hair and pressing a kiss into the mess of it, "I couldn't stay away from you a moment longer, my love." He pulled away and chuckled as he pulled a string of wire out from the tangles in his bangs.
"It's been two weeks already?" Seto asked the air, sounding confused. He pulled a tablet seemingly out of nowhere and Atem could see him pulling up a calendar on the screen.
The two lovers ignored him as they basked in each other's presence.
Atem gazed adoringly down at Yugi's face, taking in every detail he saw there, even pushing back the tangled bangs to see it better.
"I swear, you grow more lovely with each passing day since my return," he said softly, and watched Yug's cheeks redden under his touch.
"Well, I have to make up for you leaving paradise for me somehow," Yugi chuckled, ducking his head bashfully.
Atem hummed and he gently pushed Yugi back a few inches, stroking his hands up and down Yugi's flanks as he looked him over. All limbs and digits still attached, no noticeable bandages, no signs of fever, no noticeable weight loss, smiling beautifully, and no suspiciously guilty look in his eyes.
And only the usual diameter of dark circles under his luminous eyes that he got whenever elbows deep in a project with Seto. All in all, an acceptable condition.
He pulled Yugi back closer and pressed another kiss to his brow. He would have let him pull back again, but it seemed Yugi had other plans and grabbed at the collar of his leather jacket to yank him in for a kiss of his own.
Atem melted into the feeling of Yugi's mouth on his, and couldn't help the small moan that escaped him when he felt a tongue attempting to slip in. It seemed his aibou had missed him too.
"Hey, I said none of that affectionate shit in my lab! Don't make me order another sign," Seto scolded, glancing up from the motor and wagging a wrench at them and then gesturing to the assortment of pre-existing signs on the wall. Atem smirked as he remembered the reason for the 'no dueling while drunk' sign.
"Aww, but I missed him! And I know you did too, admit it," Yugi said before turning to smirk up at Atem, "He made me duel him twice a day for the last two weeks."
"So many duels. I'm still surprised you haven't participated in a tournament in years, Seto," Atem said, leaning a hip against something that he assumed wouldn't blow up if it were touched. He pulled Yugi closer, arms circling his waist to keep him from moving away.
Seto paused his work to stare at him blankly, "Why would I bother dealing with all of those chumps when I can just duel one of you two whenever I want?"
"Aw, he only wants to duel us now, Atem. That's so sweet!" Yugi cooed, and giggled as he ducked out of the way of a screw tossed at his head.
"Call it what you want. I call it efficiency. I get what I want without having to deal with wading through third rate duelists, and wasting time away from my multi-billion dollar company."
Yugi glanced up at him and mouthed silently, "That's how he says 'I miss you and I love you'."
Atem fought to stifle his laughter, and only just barely managed to muffle it by burying his face into Yugi's shoulder. In the back of the lab, Seto began to work again, filling up the air with noise.
It gave Atem a little semblance of being alone with Yugi, at least until he could drag him away from whatever this was. Yugi seemed to appreciate it too, given how he had all but climbed up on Atem's lap by now. Thank goodness Atem had been growing too now that he had his own mortal body, he had to keep up with everyone now after all. He couldn't just stay sixteen forever. At least the Gods had been merciful in letting him return in a more age appropriate body.
"I'm so happy you came home early. The apartment feels so empty when you're away," Yugi said, leaning in close and tucking his head up under Atem's chin.
Atem sighed, wrapping his arms tighter around Yugi, "I'm happy too. Any minute away from you is too long," he said, knowing the truth of it. The months he'd spent away from Yugi in the Aaru had proven just how much he hated being separated from Yugi. How wrong it had been to even be gone on that long. He sighed again, and reached up to stroke his hand down the side of Yugi's darling face, "I belong by your side and nowhere else, beloved."
There was a gagging sound somewhere behind the machine and Seto's head popped out again, scowling, "No, I will not be subjected to this torment. Take your little pet names and moony eyes and get out of my lab. I have actual work to do."
Yugi giggled, slipping down from Atem's lap, "Alright, boss-man. You heard him, Atem. Sounds like I am dismissed for the night. Just let me go put away some things and grab my coat, I'll be back in a sec," he said, pressing a quick peck to Atem's cheek before flying out of the lab, his laptop tucked under his arm as he raced through the door.
Atem appreciated the view of him running off as long as he could, already looking forward to getting Yugi back to their apartment. And more importantly, their bedroom.
When the door shut behind Yugi, Atem pushed off from his perch and sauntered over to where Seto was hooking up a tablet to a few wires.
Atem barely caught a glimpse of what was scrolling across the screen, but didn't bother trying to understand it. He was still working his way through the coding for beginners book he'd picked out a few months ago. An attempt on his part to understand a little more of what Yugi was saying when he spoke of his work. But 'attempt' was still the best way to describe it. He imagined code looked to him, like ancient hieroglyphics did to Yugi. But he was trying.
"So, how were things while I was gone?" Atem asked him.
Seto glanced up at him with shrewd, calculating eyes, "We've been getting a few reports about glitches in some of our dueling software. Yugi and I have been taking apart some of the equipment used in the affected arenas to see what may be happening," he said, gesturing behind him to the metal scraps.
Atem nodded, "I heard about that. It even happened during the tournament I was in. I summoned a monster to the field, and it almost seemed to fail at first. But after a moment it was rendered." It had been surprising for the whole stadium, but Dark Magician Girl appeared all the same, even if delayed. In any case, he had still won the duel.
Seto huffed, "That's been happening with a lot of monster summons, but has always resolved within a minute or two. But even so, it should be perfect. So we're working on that. But I know you aren't really asking about the business, so I can only assume you really want to know how Yugi was the last two weeks."
Ah, as perceptive as ever.
Atem relented his pride with a sigh, "Yes, was he alright?"
Seto put down the tablet and leveled him with a stare, "Yugi's a big boy, you know. Can tie his own shoes any everything."
Atem winced, looking away, "I know. I just worry about him when I'm not there. Can you blame me?" he asked, cocking a brow up at Seto.
Seto sighed, crossing his arms over his chest, "Statistically I suppose I can't, given his history. But it's been almost four years since anything remotely interesting happened around here though. I think that's enough time for you to relax the guard dog mode at least a little."
Atem grimaced and looked down at the floor, scuffing his boots along the scorched floor (were those fresh burn marks?). In comparison to the first years that Atem had been with Yugi as a spirit, their lives had seemed to be an endless stream of chaos and adventure, danger and looming threats. Atem had thought that by leaving for the Aaru, that Yugi's life would be simple and carefree, safe and happy.
He'd even tortured himself daily, in what was supposed to be his earned paradise, by keeping watch over Yugi and his friends. Six months after his departure, Atem had tried to be happy to see that their lives had quieted since he had left.
And then Diva had happened.
Atem had felt Yugi dying even from a realm away. He felt the tug at his heart and soul, and despite it breaking every rule the Gods had set, Atem had gone to save him anyway.
Only once he had returned, he found that after death had come too close to Yugi, Atem could not even pretend he had found peace anymore. He'd quickly petitioned for his return to the mortal world, and was shocked when the request had been granted. He'd be allowed to live out a mortal life that had been denied him before. And he was returned to Yugi once more.
That had been four years ago. And despite Atem expecting to come back and needing to defend Yugi from whatever threat was looming next, none had come. Yet.
A few things of note had happened. But they were just natural events that came with living in the mortal realm, surrounded by mortal souls. Nothing on the scale of what they'd dealt with in the past. It should have been a peaceful life, relaxing even. Atem was not a pharaoh anymore. He should be grateful for such a peaceful existence, and not having to deal with the stress of protecting his country or having to save the world.
But instead Atem's skin itched the longer the peace dragged on. Because all he could wonder was…when would the peace be broken? And would it put Yugi in danger?
"Ugh, are you really brooding in my lab?" Seto scowled, swatting at Atem with his tablet, "I almost prefer you having inappropriate daydreams about my work partner instead."
Atem raised a brow at him, "How do you know they're inappropriate?"
Seto turned to scoff at him, "Because you make the same face looking at him that Jounouchi makes when he sees pizza."
Before he could offer any retort, the door opened again and Yugi flew through the door. His jacket was only situated over one arm, and he was seemingly tangled up with the loose sleeve and his laptop bag's straps. But he was beaming with joy all the same as he came up to them.
"Alright, I'm ready! Let's get going," he said, despite still only being half dressed for the autumn cold outside.
Atem took pity on him and helped him into the second sleeve, and took the laptop bag to carry himself. He could easily manage it along with his own luggage.
"Thank fuck. Both of you go somewhere else that you can stare at each other dreamily. I've got work to do. That dueling software won't fix itself. And Yugi! I don't care how late you stay up tonight, I want your ass back here at the usual time," he said, waving a wrench over his head.
"Can I bring Atem?" Yugi asked hopefully.
"If it gets you here faster and he's fully clothed the entire time, yes."
Seto used the wrench to tap at another sign.
'No Shoes, No Shirt, Fuck Off'
Atem rolled his eyes, it had been one time…
"Yay!" Yugi cheered, and grabbed Atem away before Seto could change his mind.
Chapter 2: Reunited and it Feels so Good
Notes:
Thanks to all who checked in to chapter one!!!! :D I'm excited for this story, mostly cause I get to try out aged up characters. Also, established relationship!!! For once no slow burn that takes over 100k ^.^
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"Which car did you drive today?" Atem asked as they stepped into the garage. His eyes were glinting as he tried to steal a peek at the keys Yugi was fishing out of his pocket.
"The black one," Yugi said around a laugh when Atem impatiently tried to reach in and grab the keys himself. And maybe playing around in there longer than necessary, making Yugi giggle and swat his hands away. Finally the keys were pulled free, but they were in Yugi's victorious grasp.
But Yugi's victory was short lived once he caught a look at Atem's face.
"May I…?" he asked, making the face that he knew would have Yugi caving to whatever he asked for. As if anyone could say no to a pouting pharaoh. It was Yugi's fault for choosing Atem's favorite sports car today. Oh well, Yugi got to drive it that morning.
Yugi rolled his eyes and held out the keys. They were snatched from his hand instantly as Atem all but ran to their car. But, ever the gentlemen, he opened up the passenger door for Yugi first.
Yugi got himself situated and buckled up while Atem put their stuff in the trunk. A swell of contentment ran through him as he reveled in knowing that he was back. It had only been two weeks, but it had felt like an eternity apart.
Still, Yugi was glad that Atem had gone to the tournament. He needed something to occupy his time, and to be passionate about since coming back. Well, passionate about something that wasn't just Yugi related, he thought with a blush. Plus, since Yugi had pulled out from competitive dueling for the most part (more like entirely), he was glad to have Atem taking up the title of King of Games again. Yugi thought he wore the crown better anyways.
Also, watching him compete on tv this last week had been thrilling for Yugi in different ways…
Save it for when we get home, Yugi.
He drew in a steadying breath. Four years, and sometimes he still felt like a hormonal teenager around Atem.
Yugi watched as Atem slid in behind the wheel, stopping only long enough to kiss Yugi on the cheek, and then powered on the car.
"Are you hungry? Do we need to stop and pick up some food on the way home?" Atem asked as he backed up smoothly, working the car with more confidence than even Yugi had when it came to driving.
The sight of Atem driving was still something Yugi was getting used to. After seeing Atem as a pharaoh in the memory world, Yug had struggled to get his brain to adapt fully to seeing an ancient king driving their fancy sports car. But the leather jacket he was wearing certainly helped the image…
"Yeah, we probably should," Yugi allowed only when he tried to think of when he and Seto had last taken a break and came up empty. Actually…had he ever taken a break when working with Seto?
Did Seto even eat?
"Burgers?"
Yugi smiled up at him, pulled out of his musings, "You know me too well."
Atem grinned, eyes still on the road (he was a stickler for road safety, especially when Yugi was in the car), and reached across the center console to grab Yugi's hand, bringing it up to his lips to press a warm kiss to his knuckles.
"And because I know myself too well, I suggest we eat at the restaurant. Because if we try to take the food home, I know that I won't be able to keep my hands to myself long enough for you to eat," he said, letting their hands drop down, but not pull apart.
Yugi felt a heat at the words, and felt the simmering of anticipation…until his belly decided to gurgle loudly with hunger over the protest Yugi was about to offer.
Atem laughed, the rich sound making Yugi's heart swell, "Your stomach has spoken. Restaurant it is."
The car was turned down the street that would take them to one of their favorite burger joints, and Yugi settled into his seat. He took the chance to look over Atem more fully, now that he wasn't distracted by work, and felt himself swooning all over again at the sight of him.
It was sometimes unfair just how handsome he was. Yugi couldn't begin to find words to say how grateful he was that Atem had been granted a body of his own. And wow, what a body.
Part of Yugi kind of missed the Egyptian attire he'd seen in the memory world, because it had suited Atem so well. But since returning, it seemed like he'd found a new style that suited him just fine.
So very fine.
Yugi's own punk/goth attire had suited Atem as a spirit well enough, but the classy rocker vibes he went for these days were perfectly suited to his sinfully lean, muscular frame. And Yugi's style had shifted a little too since graduating college and having to enter the professional world. Thankfully Seto wouldn't have even batted an eye if Yugi showed up in full lolita frills as long as he got work done, but still, Yugi wanted to appear more mature where he could. Anything to get people to stop assuming he was still in high school (at least they stopped assuming he was a little kid though). His goth look became a little more preppy, and he'd learned the benefits of tailored fit clothes. Mostly because Atem had nearly combusted the first time Yugi tried on a fitted vest.
But damn if Atem didn't look great in some leather. Yugi hated the cold, but loved it when the seasons got cold just because it meant Atem would bring that coat out again.
His thoughts were bordering on scandalous now though, and he needed to keep cool so that his stomach could be satiated before his libido was. So Yugi forced himself to look away from his gorgeous boyfriend's profile.
His eyes trailed over the fancy interior the car, out the window at the city passing by, and then over his shoulder to the tiny back seat where he spied an open bag from the bookstore laying there.
He grinned as he craned his neck to read a few of the titles.
"Bread Baking for Beginners: How to get your starter started?" Yugi asked.
Atem hummed, "Yes, with dueling season over I figured it was time to find something new to occupy my time. I've heard it is challenging, but rewarding. We can even name our sourdough starter."
Yugi's head tilted to the side, squinting to try and read another, "Crochet: You'll Be Hooked by the First Stitch."
He nodded enthusiastically, still watching the road, "I told you, Yugi. I want to try everything, and the nice elderly lady at the bookstore said it was good for hand dexterity. Plus, she suggested a pattern book for making duel monsters."
Yugi bit his lip to try and not laugh, imagining an ancient pharaoh crocheting a little winged dragon of Ra while waiting for his bread to proof.
At least these latest hobbies were safe ones.
The DIY phase had been terrifying. Yugi never knew what he'd come home to. A giant hole in the drywall. A bookshelf to house all his new self-help books, but that would break if more than five books were placed on it. And instant cement was now forbidden in the apartment under any circumstance.
The self-care phase had been nice though. Their skin was still glowing from Atem's many experiments there.
And the catching up on modern history was an ongoing thing still. One would have thought a history nerd lived in their apartment given how many history textbooks Atem had laying around.
And the basic life skills had been a mixed bag of disasters and helpful things. Atem had wanted to learn how to be a modern adult, but he had a lot of knowledge gaps that even Yugi was a little fuzzy on. But the water damage from the washing machine wasn't that bad. And Atem was a quick learner for other things, like how metal and the microwave did not mix well. But learning how to vacuum a carpet had been easy, and helpful. Even if Yugi's mind struggled to comprehend watching his ancient Egyptian pharaoh boyfriend doing house chores still.
Of course, there were bound to be some hiccups along the way as Atem got used to modern life. It clashed even more since he got his memories back, making adjustments a little bit harder since he had more ancient references to work from than modern ones outside of Yugi's mind. Like he lost all his cheat codes to the modern world after his soul ascended. It had resulted in a few…interesting moments over the last few years.
Like when Yugi made the mistake of showing Atem how to use the internet. In his own defense, it was a useful tool, and Atem could use it to help out if Yugi wasn't there to answer a question. But it had also let Atem start looking up everything. And believing everything he saw and read too.
Which led to the fun event Yugi liked to call, ‘That time my ancient boyfriend almost bankrupted us’.
“But Yugi, he is a Nigerian prince! I once held an alliance with them, and I must honor that to aid their royal lineage. Now, where is your wallet?”
At least Yugi had been able to stop that one before it took off into a real incident. But it was hardly the last one. Not too long after that another fun incident came along when Yugi had gotten the flu. Not even a particularly bad one, but it was enough to knock him on his ass pretty hard. But of course, this was when Atem learned how to look up symptoms.
“Aibou! We must get you to a hospital, now!”
Yugi groaned, rolling over to face Atem standing at the end of the bed looking like he was about to cry.
“What? Why?”
Atem shoved the phone into Yugi’s face, “Many of my people were lost to an illness like this. And I have entered your ailments into the search engine and it has informed me that you are indeed dying! Please, aibou, I can't lose you! We need to take you to the hospital!”
Yugi had done his best to calm down the frantic ex-pharaoh, but he must have not done a great job because it led quickly to the incident he liked to call, ‘The time my ancient boyfriend learned how to call for an ambulance all by himself”.
That one had been stressful for both of them, and had taken Seto’s team of doctors and Seto to convince Atem that he wasn't dying. But as a compromise, Atem had been allowed to spend an entire paycheck of money in a local pharmacy for supplies he'd read the benefits about. Now Yugi had a vitamin regimen, their medicine cabinet was filled to the brim, and he was pretty sure that half their linen closet could have been used as a clinic.
To be fair though, Yugi never ran out of bandaids since, and his hair and nails had never been healthier. Maybe there was something to the vitamins thing.
These new hobbies should be harmless. Maybe even tasty! How hard could bread really be anyway?
Yugi's attention was drawn back as he felt the car turn and glanced up to see they had arrived. He and Atem exchanged grins before climbing out together.
Even though Atem was the only one of them that was true royalty, anyone watching them interact would have assumed it would have been Yugi given how much he was doted on.
When they were together, Atem would always be guiding Yugi with a hand on his lower back, positioning himself between others and his partner. He'd get all the doors, even if Yugi was clearly capable of getting them himself. If he could help it, Atem would also carry everything for him. Grocery bags. School books. Even a tray at a burger place was snatched up before Yugi could even raise his arms.
It was all very sweet, even if it never failed to make Yugi blush. Part of him wondered if that was why Atem insisted on it…
The next thing others may assume watching them, was that they may actually be attached at the hip.
If they were seen together, they were often together.
This was partly Yugi's fault too though. After having to let go of Atem's soul from his body, Yugi had been horrified at just how incredibly empty he felt. The loneliness was suffocating, and in those six months that Atem had been in the afterlife, Yugi's heart had kept reaching for something that was no longer there.
Atem returning had been incredible and had instantly eased that loneliness. But even having him back, Yugi still found his heart calling out to him to be closer. To keep him at arm's reach so that he could always be sure he was still there. This of course had been a lot easier to achieve once they'd both confessed their feelings and started a more physical way of bonding with each other. That had also eased more of that lingering pain and fear of having been apart for so long. But the easiest way for them to both feel that aching emptiness fade, was by touching.
Hand holding. A hand on Yugi's back. Chin resting on a shoulder. Someone sitting in the other's lap. Arms brushing against each other as they walked. Sex. So much sex. All of it helped.
It had taken over a year before they'd even worked up to not being in the same building, and another year before they managed a day apart at a time when Atem started to duel again. And eventually they had worked up to being more okay with being apart.
But two weeks had really been pushing it this time.
Thank Ra for Seto, because he had kept Yugi busy enough to keep his mind off of missing Atem enough that he hadn't dissolved into a puddle of anxiety in the first three days. And Atem stayed strong in the sense that his hourly text check-ins were almost not frantic if Yugi was late by a few minutes.
Yeah, they were both fine. Totally fine. Clingy as fuck…but fine.
At least that's what Yugi told himself as he clutched to Atem's arm as he led them up to their apartment.
The fancy glass elevator they rode up always offered a stunning view of the city below, even if looking down sometimes made Yugi's stomach swoop. But Atem had his arm around Yugi's shoulders, so he'd be fine. He was home.
And what a home it was.
Maybe it wasn't as cozy as the game shop had been, but Yugi still adored the space that the two of them had built together.
Well, technically Seto had built it, given he owned the luxury apartment building, but still. Yugi had chosen the drapes himself, and Atem chose the wall paint. Maybe Yugi shouldn't have mentioned to Seto their plans to shop around for a new place two years ago, because the CEO had not allowed them to look anywhere except his own approved real estate choices.
If Yugi had been more confident about house searching in the first place, maybe he would have pushed back more on Seto basically forcing them into one of his properties. But honestly, the place had been too amazing to pass up. Even if the price Seto quoted was…suspiciously low, but again, Yugi didn't know a whole lot about real estate. They'd signed for it a day later and had never left.
It really was something though. It was like some minimalistic modern decorators wet dream. At first Yugi had wondered if Atem's ancient preferences would turn him off of the place, but he'd just smiled sweetly and said he was happy wherever Yugi was. And they still were happy in the home they'd built.
He knew because Atem drew in a deep breath as he unlocked the door and led Yugi inside, the small smile on his face widening and his shoulders relaxing the moment they stepped in. And if they both still felt a little wonky to call it home, then that was fine. Yugi was sure eventually it would feel as welcoming as the game shop had been for both of them. Eventually...
Bags and luggage were dropped by the door to be handled when they found their collective fucks in the morning. Then helped each other out of their jackets to be hung on in the closet, and kicked off their shoes.
"I'm going to go wash the airport off of me. Why don't you go get settled, I won't be long," Atem promised with a tender kiss on Yugi's neck.
"Keep kissing me like that and I won't be able to settle at all," Yugi countered.
Atem's chuckle was deep and sent shivers down Yugi's spine, "Wait for me, my love," he chided, and moved up the stairs to where their bedroom and master bath were on the second level.
Yugi watched him go until he was out of sight, and took a moment to steady himself as he walked across the foyer, through the expansive living room, and over to the kitchen to get himself some water.
After he finished a glass, he walked over the plush white carpet as he headed for the stairs. He glanced over at the tv and media center that held their obscene collection of gaming consoles and game cartridges. He'd have to show Atem the new racing game that had come out last week. Yugi had been dying to start playing, but had promised to wait.
Later though. There was something they both needed more than games right now.
Yugi hopped up the stairs to the second level, glancing out the floor to ceiling windows that lined the wall, taking in the Domino skyline again. Even though it was dark out, it still sparkled with lights. Being in the city, they didn't get to see stars much, but if they squinted they could pretend the lights of the buildings were different kinds of stars.
Yugi walked by the office that doubled as Atem's library of collected books and past hobbies. Then past the guest room that Anzu frequented the most whenever she visited from the states. Their room was at the end of the hall, and Yugi could already hear the shower running as he slipped inside their bedroom.
When they'd first moved in here, Yugi had found the room to be intimidatingly big. Even their king sized bed was dwarfed by the sheer size of it. High ceilings, massive windows, a closet that was bigger than Yugi's entire childhood bedroom. Atem had shrugged it off, his own royal chambers back in Egypt probably along the same line of impressiveness.
It always seemed endlessly large and empty when Atem was away. Almost to where Yugi considered sleeping in the guest room, but the sheets didn't smell like him in there.
It was already so much more welcoming just because he could see Atem's clothes already placed in the hamper, and could hear him moving around in the bathroom.
Yugi smiled softly and stepped into the room, slipping off his vest and sliding down the skinny tie as he placed them away. He wandered through the room as he began to undo the buttons at his wrists, stopping in front of their dresser where a line of photo frames sat.
He thought he heard the shower turn off, but he was drifting too far away in his thoughts to notice.
He felt a warmth looking them over. Some were taken in the years Atem was a spirit, sometimes the photos even being of Atem fronting (Yugi always knew when it was him just from the eyes alone). But as he went down the line of photos, the pictures were more and more recent. Anzu in her first dance production. Honda, Jounouchi, Otogi and Ryou at Yugi's eighteenth birthday party. A picture of Yugi and Atem together, one that Grandpa had snuck of them a couple weeks after his return to the mortal world. Yugi couldn't believe they weren't aware of how much they loved each other at that point. Just looking at the picture now it was painfully obvious they'd already had hearts for eyes looking at each other.
His eyes drifted to the last photo, and he felt the smile slip just a little. Slowly he reached out to pick up the frame, looking down at the happy faces it held.
Atem came up behind him, wrapping his arms around Yugi's waist. His body was wet and moist from his shower, but Yugi still leaned into the embrace without turning around. The two of them stared down at the picture frame that held an image of Grandpa holding Yugi when he was a child.
"He'd be so proud of you," Atem whispered.
"You've said that many times before," Yugi teased quietly.
Atem pressed a kiss to his neck, "Only because I know Grandpa would want me to keep reminding you of that in his absence."
Yugi chuckled, tracing his hand over the frame lovingly, "I miss him though."
"He's watching over you, just as I did," Atem said, squeezing him tightly. A reminder that he was here, not… there.
The frame was put back in place.
Yugi hummed something that might have been an agreement or dismissal, but he turned in Atem's grip and snaked his arms up around his neck. He felt himself begin to swell when he found Atem standing before him in nothing but a loosely held towel.
"I missed you," he mumbled, leaning into that chiseled chest he could spend hours tracing with his tongue.
Atem chuckled, rubbing their noses together playfully, "So you have said, many times."
"Only because I want you to know how much I missed you," Yugi said, standing on his toes to nip at Atem's bottom lip, "But if you still don't believe me, then maybe I can show you how much I missed you."
Atem purred, "Show me then, beloved."
Yugi's grin was all teeth as he reached for the towel that was in his way.
Notes:
Next Up: Yugi welcomes home Atem (warnings for explicit sexual content)
Chapter 3: Home
Notes:
My inbox broke again, so sorry if I didn't respond to your comments! I see and love you all! <3
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
They had been able to touch for almost four years now, and still Yugi's knees weakened when Atem kissed him.
Just like with all things Atem did, he put all of himself into it. Kissing him was no different. Every press was deep and hungered, like he could never get enough of Yugi. And Yugi let him take anything he wanted, just because it meant he could feel him close again.
Atem pressed the length of his moist body up against Yugi's, not caring if his work clothes got damp in the process. The clothes would be removed soon anyway. Heck, Yugi would rip them off himself if Atem wasn't already clutching him close.
It was odd how sometimes even when they were literally holding one another, Yugi still felt like they still were too far apart. It probably had to do with Atem living in his heart and mind for years. Being in separate bodies had been an adjustment for both of them. It certainly had its perks, one of them being they finally got to explore each other on a more intimate level. That was a big freaking perk. But there were drawbacks too. Mostly just missing the other's constant presence within them, at least that's how Yugi felt sometimes.
But he wouldn't give up having Atem alive and with him for anything. Not if it meant being held like this in those strong arms, and feeling every inch of him pressed up close.
He could already feel where their arousals were flush up against one another, and moaned deeply into the kiss.
"Missed you so much," Yugi whined as Atem bit at his lower lip.
Atem let out a low moan as he ducked his head down to start mouthing along the line of Yugi's neck, "Not as much as I did you."
"Not a competition, Atem," Yugi scolded teasingly, but they both knew he adored how competitive Atem could be. It made for a lot of fun moments in and out of the bedroom.
"And yet I still feel like I've won a prize," he said between bites under Yugi's ear.
Yugi shivered at the touch, his legs turning to rubber as Atem reduced him to little more than a puddle of arousal. He felt his own cock throb with need, and he jutted his hips up into Atem's to voice that need.
He felt the deep rumble of Atem's chuckling where their chests were touching, "Does my beloved wish to move this someplace more horizontal?"
"Fuck, horizontal, vertical, I really don't care, I just really need you to feel you," Yugi said desperately.
"Anything for you," Atem promised, and he began to work those elegant fingers at the buttons of Yugi's shirt, trailing down until he could rip at the belt at his hips. He didn't even bother being gentle with the clothing as the hunger grew more pronounced in his eyes. He was eyeing Yugi with a possessive glint that always made his heart quicken and swoon.
The shirt was ripped off of him in a sharp tug, and sent sailing expertly across the room to land in the laundry basket. Atem didn't even give Yugi a chance to step out of his pants before he was hauling him up and having his legs wrap around his waist, carrying him across the room to their bed.
Yugi clung to that muscled torso, and forced their mouths together again, pressing his tongue in deep to taste more of what he'd missed so much.
The kiss was only broken when Atem let him fall back onto the bed. Yugi didn't even stop bouncing before those hands had already grabbed onto the hem of his pants and boxers and slipped them off in one smooth motion.
Laid out bare before him, Yugi shifted to meet his fiery gaze. He was already breathing heavier as he felt his desire growing. His eyes trailed up Atem's perfect body and he felt himself throb with need when he saw the long line of his cock filled and ready for more.
Yugi didn't need to use his words or a mind link to tell what Atem what he wanted next. All he had to do was lay back and spread his legs out in open invitation to convey that desire.
Atem made a strangled noise of answering desperation before he was climbing up on the bed, and over Yugi.
"Look at you, presenting yourself like the gift you are," he whispered in awe as he crawled up Yugi's body. Yugi shivered again under his gaze and then more at his wandering touch.
Years they had been doing this, and Atem still would always treat the moment like it was a ritual. He'd whisper Yugi's name like it was a prayer, and he'd touch him so reverently, like he was something to be worshiped.
Yugi gasped and felt his cock twitch when Atem's hands caressed over his flanks and then traced them down until they rested over his thighs.
"So lovely and perfect. They would have carved art of you had you lived in my time," he said, his hands tightening around Yugi's legs as he pushed them aside to rest around his own hips.
If his face wasn't already flushed with his arousal, a blush would have bloomed over his nose instantly. Yugi was too breathless to laugh though as he reached up to begin to trace his hands over the carved perfection that was his lover's chest, "Yeah, well, Ishizu has shown me the statue and carvings they dug up of you from last year. Strongly debating asking her if we can put some of it up in our apartment," he teased.
Atem laughed, "If you must. My body is for your eyes only now, in any case."
Yugi hummed appreciatively as his fingers dipped and stroked over the ridges of muscle, and he grinned when he felt Atem shiver as he dragged a thumb over a pebbled nipple.
It seemed Yugi's attentions were waking the beast though, because Atem became a flurry of touches and kisses a second later. Yugi was nearly overwhelmed with the attentions to his body. He whimpered as a sucking kiss was placed right on the skin of his inner thigh, and hands began to stroke over his cock and over Yugi's flat belly.
He nearly screamed when he felt Atem's mouth close over his cock, and it was only the strong hand holding down his belly that kept him from arching off the bed.
He swore he could feel Atem smirking around him as he began to bob his head over the shaft. Yugi could do little else besides bury his hands into his hair and just hold on for dear life as his lover sucked him deep.
Crimson eyes watched him from below, drinking in every second of Yugi's pleasure as he continued to blow him.
Yugi was already getting close because of how perfect that mouth felt around him, but he wanted more tonight than just that. He wanted to feel Atem.
But his lover knew how to read him and his body better than anyone, and let Yugi's cock slip from his lips just as he was about to edge out over into bliss.
And damn it, he was still smirking. Because he knew how to play Yugi's body like it was another game he'd mastered.
"Atem, please, two weeks was too long to wait any longer," Yugi begged, wrapping his legs tighter around those strong hips until both their arousals grinded together. Atem gasped as he felt Yugi start to rut up against him, and tried to keep him from sending them both over the edge by holding him down long enough to get them both what they really needed.
Thank the Gods that the bedside table was in reach, because it didn't seem like Atem wanted to move away from Yugi even for a second to gather the lube from the drawer.
"So impatient tonight, my love," Atem teased, but he was hardly one to talk. Yugi could hear the roughness in his voice that came from the combo of having Yugi's cock down his throat, but also sharpened by his own frenzied desires.
"Two weeks, Atem."
"Alright, darling, I've got you. I'll always take care of you," he promised as he began to coat his fingers liberally.
Ever so carefully, he traced a finger over Yugi's rim to loosen the muscle before pressing in. Yugi's entire body shuddered at the feeling.
Up and down his leg, Atem stroked down his thigh with his free hand, soothing Yugi as he pressed in a second, building up the stretch into something that burned just right. And he only added a third when Atem thought he was ready, no matter how impatiently Yugi was rutting down on them.
He was always so gentle in preparing Yugi, even if he they both knew he'd dissolve into something more desperate and rough towards the end. Yugi adored it, even though he sometimes wished Atem wouldn't hold back on his account. Maybe Yugi wasn't as big and strong as everyone else, but he wasn't made of glass either.
Yugi groaned with relief when finally Atem removed his fingers and started to crawl back over him. Yugi welcomed him with open arms that wrapped over his neck, pulling their faces in close so that he could stare up into that face and those eyes he adored. He felt Atem lift one of his legs higher over his shoulder, and wow was Yugi grateful for all the dance stretches that Anzu had taught him over the years, because this flexibility had come in handy so many times now. Just not for dancing…well, honestly never for dancing.
Over their time together, they'd explored a lot of different ways to be intimate. But face to face had always been their favorite because of how close it made them both feel. Yugi was glad they chose this way again tonight, because he needed to feel that closeness again.
Atem bent his neck down to capture Yugi's lips in a wet and messy kiss that was more tongue than anything else. And it was perfect.
Yugi's mouth slackened in an open gasp as he felt the tip of Atem's cock press into him. Atem swallowed the sound that broke free as he covered his mouth with his own, and muffled it further with his own deep purr.
"Paradise could never compare to the feeling being inside of you," Atem breathed as he pulled his head back again.
Yugi couldn't even form words to respond as he adjusted to the wonderfully full feeling of Atem's cock finally entering him again. He forced himself to relax around the girth of it, because all he wanted was to feel full of him again. When Atem felt him loosen, he began to move again.
Yugi threw his head back and gasped breathlessly as he was filled.
"Always perfect for me. So perfect," Atem breathed over Yugi's cheek.
Yugi had no idea how Atem was able to even form full sentences while he was reduced to little more than noises once he became lost to pleasure.
Yugi felt the moment that Atem became fully sheathed inside of him, and wasted no time after that.
"Atem, please, " he managed to choke out brokenly, and that was all it took to finally get him to start moving inside of him.
He felt the drag of his cock leaving him, only for it to quickly be pushed back in. The pattern repeated until Yugi was lost in his ocean of pleasure and bliss, and all he could do was hold on tight and ride on the cresting wave to his climax.
Atem thrust up into him with abandon. Yugi watched the sheen of sweat building up over him as he worked into his body, muscles flexing with each movement. Atem's hands were always moving, tracing, caressing where he could reach. His eyes never left Yugi though, like he worried he'd disappear if he looked away too long.
Yugi could feel the pressure building up quickly with Atem's perfect thrusts, and he felt his pants become stuttered and higher in pitch as he edged closer to oblivion.
Atem moved, lifting Yugi's leg higher up on his shoulder and leaning down until Yugi was pinned to the mattress, almost bent in half under him.
"Fuck, s-so good, oh !" he cried when Atem shifted to just that right angle inside of him.
"My love, oh you are perfection. Taking me so well," Atem growled, pinning him harder on the bed as his thrusts became harder and more forceful.
Yugi couldn't even respond because his mouth was hung open in a silent scream as he finally broke over the crest of the wave and fell into euphoric ecstasy. His walls clenched hard around Atem's cock inside of him, and it was just enough to send him over too.
Atem roared through his release before biting down on the juncture of Yugi's neck and collarbone. He felt his lover's spend spill inside of him, and he shivered at the warmth. Even as they came down from their blissful high, neither of them pulled away from each other, arms and legs still holding the other in place as their breathing evened once more, and Atem finally slipped out from Yugi's body.
The short distance across the room was too far to bother with sleep clothes, and neither of them really wanted to part from the other right now.
Yugi yawned widely, and it was signal enough to both of them that they should settle in to sleep. They would both be at Kaiba Corp tomorrow, and they needed to be fully alert to deal with whatever would come of that . Part of Yugi (the 'little shit' part of him) wondered if they could earn another sign on the wall if they played their cards right. Seto may think the signs were some kind of deterrent, but he didn't realize it had become a competitive game between Yugi and Atem to see who could earn the most signs for their misdeeds.
In their defense, it was the most exciting thing they had going on these days.
Atem busied himself with turning off the lights and then double checking his phone to make sure that the fancy security system that Seto installed for them was armed for the night.
They just used the tissues in the side table to clean up just enough to be comfortable and settled back into their bed together.
Yugi pulled the comforter up over them, tucking it around them as Atem attached himself around Yugi like some sort of sexy octopus. He chuckled and lifted his arm over Atem's head and shoulders to let him duck in closer.
He felt Atem shift against his side, pulling him in tightly and pressing his face into Yugi's neck.
"I miss being inside of you."
Yugi frowned in confusion, "Atem, we literally just had sex."
"No, not like…not like that. I mean…" his hand trailed over Yugi's chest until the palm of it rested over his heart, "When I lived here, I always knew where you were. And that you were safe. And that I could be there to protect you when you needed me. I miss that," he confessed in a hushed whisper.
Yugi laid his hand over Atem's, stroking his thumb over it, "Me too. But I wouldn't trade this ever."
"Nor I," Atem said, and pressed a wet kiss to Yugi's shoulder, "Get some rest, my love. I'll be right here."
Well, Yugi knew that, but it was still nice to hear. He always felt safer knowing Atem was there to protect him. He smiled and snuggled in closer, "Okay, love you."
"And I love you."
Notes:
Next Up: Another day at Kaiba Corp
Chapter 4: Don't Smother the Fries
Notes:
This is a heads up that I will be away from my laptop for (insert drum roll) a week (giga gasp). I'll be able to do this posting and my Tuesday posting before I leave for the land of no reception. So I will likely miss two of my regular postings (insert my crying noises). But I will be back right afterwards with more ^.^
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Shadows danced freely in the sun once more. A veil opening, followed by a violent flash of light. A door locked shut, the sounds of angry roars just beyond it. The slide and clash of steel, mingling with the shrieks of the great beasts flying above.
A lock clicked in place.
And suddenly there was peace.
Atem lay on the couch in the lab, flicking absently through the latest issue of Duel Monsters Elite magazine as he listened to Yugi and Seto bickering once again. It was the last of the stack he'd stolen from the lobby to flip through, just to have something to read today. He'd forgotten his bag of books and yarn back at the apartment because he had been distracted wrestling Yugi into a raincoat before they left. He didn't care if they were unflattering, Yugi should not be letting himself get wet when it was this cold out.
He sighed and let the magazine drop in a heap on his chest, completely uninterested in what the next article had to say about the next generation of duel disc. Yugi and Seto had already shown him everything about it ad nauseum. Hell, he'd even been a part of the testing team.
There was an article about himself in there too, delving into the mystery that was the Egyptian newcomer who came on the scene only three years ago and had been dominating ever since. He didn't bother to read it, even if their theories of his origins were always humorously wrong. Thank Ra for Seto being able to whip up believable documents to make him a citizen, otherwise they'd all be in trouble explaining the truth of where he'd come from.
His was drawn out of his thoughts by the sound of a tool being tossed aside angrily. He glanced over to see Seto sulking away from the dismembered duel pod and over to where Yugi had been working at the computer screens for hours.
He lurked over where Yugi sat for a moment, staring over his shoulder. Atem wondered if Seto even understood all the coding that was flashing across the screen.
"Have you tried–"
"Yes."
"What about–"
"Already checked."
"Did you consider–"
"Sure did, and no, it's not that either."
"You know I'm technically your boss, right?"
Yugi didn't even bother to raise his head as Seto loomed over him.
Yugi snorted, "You won't fire me. It would make Mokuba cry."
"...I can lower your wages."
"Atem makes even more money than me from dueling."
"...get back to work," Seto grumbled and turned to stalk back over to the pod. He began to hammer at it once more. Loudly.
That conversation was by far the most entertaining thing to happen thus far today. Perhaps even this entire week. Their days had become endless bouts of Yugi working in the lab with Seto, with Atem trailing uselessly behind him every morning, and none of them leaving until after dinner time. Atem wasn't even useful at all in this, but he refused to just stay home alone and bake more bread when Yugi was off working himself into the ground.
He'd even take this mind numbing boredom if it meant he could be there beside Yugi and support him. Although it was difficult to offer aid when Seto had forbidden him from touching the power tools, and Yugi had forbidden him from using his work laptop.
Yugi was so wrapped up in this dueling glitch that he hadn't even made any effort to earn another sign on the wall. And it was only fun if both of them were playing that game. So here he was, reduced to reading stale articles and lounging around like an extra lump on the couch.
It was a far cry from how things used to be for him.
There was no chaos to manage. No country to run. No world to save. Unless he counted Yugi as his world that needed saving, he had no over reaching mission anymore. Although even just that sometimes seemed like quite the task. Especially once he and Seto got a little too into whatever their latest project was. Like this software glitch.
Atem lazily tilted his head so he could catch a better glimpse of where Yugi was hunched over his laptop, the glow of the screen in the dark lab making his skin look pale and emphasizing the marks under his eyes. His hair was even more of a mess than usual because he kept running his hands through it. His once deep sleep had started to become interrupted, waking him in the middle of the night, his restlessness in turn waking Atem with him.
Atem felt a sympathetic whine build in the back of his throat, hating to see his partner looking so worn down. With a sigh, he rolled to his feet and walked over to the desk Yugi sat at.
He leaned his forearms on the surface and bumped their shoulders together to get his attention.
"How about you stop for lunch, darling?
"I can't, we've got to get something to report for the press conference tomorrow and we still don't know what's causing the glitches!" Yugi mumbled, not looking up from his coding.
Atem tutted gently, "But you haven't eaten since breakfast. I don't want you making yourself ill, beloved."
Seto's head popped up from inside the dueling pod, "He's a little busy. There's a perfectly fine vending machine down the hall if you're so worried."
Atem ignored him, standing up to hover over Yugi with his arms crossed, "What if I went out and got you something with a little more substance? Would you at least eat that for me?"
Yugi sighed and his shoulders dropped in defeat, "Fine, if it'll make you feel better. Just make sure it's finger food so I can keep going."
Atem sighed, but relented, "Deal."
"What about me?" Seto piped in.
Atem didn't even glance over at him as he replied, "You do this to yourself, Seto. And there is a perfectly fine vending machine down the hall," he tossed over his shoulder as he left the lab.
As Atem left the elevator he heard a familiar voice in the lobby, and chuckled at the frustration tinging his words.
"I don't care if my name is on a list or not, I know my friends are in this building and I wanna say hi!"
"I'm sorry, sir, but without clearance–"
"I think I'm being perfectly clear, lady. Come on, I haven't seen them for weeks. Call Kaiba, he knows me! Give him my name, please?"
Atem was grinning as he walked over to the desk, "I think if you gave Seto your name it would be even harder for you to get in the building."
Jounouchi whipped around to see him and broke into a wide smile before bounding up to him and lifting him in a tight, crushing hug.
"There you are! Well, one of you at least! Where's the other half?" He asked, putting Atem down and ruffling his hair.
Atem endured the undignified treatment mostly because he had missed Jounouchi as well. He politely waved off the flustered receptionist and tugged Jounouchi by the arm back towards the exit.
"Yugi is quite busy right now, so I'm going to fetch him some food. How about you walk with me?" Atem offered.
Jounouchi hurried to his side as they left Kaiba Corp.
"Glad you caught me down there. I had been arguing with her for half an hour. Still can't believe after all this time Kaiba still doesn't have my name down as a welcomed visitor. I thought we had gotten past all that," he said with a sigh.
"You are on the list, he just has you down as "One of Yugi's Loud Friends", or several dog derivations."
Before Jounouchi could work up to his next rant, Atem gently pushed him towards the burger place across the street, "Anyway, what have you been up to since the season ended anyway?"
He shrugged, scratching at the back of his head, "Oh, this and that. I've been so busy I haven't even been home much lately, but that's fine. What about you and Yugi? You've been back for weeks and we haven't even seen you two at all," Jounouchi asked, deflecting quickly.
Atem grimaced. They really had been swept up in Yugi’s work, hadn't they.
"I apologize for that, we should have made time sooner. Yugi has been so consumed by his work since my return, and I've been trying to support him as best I can. He and Seto have been working every day to try and determine what has been causing glitches with their dueling software."
The two of them crossed the street together, moving along with the crowds of people bustling through the city. Atem had gotten used to it all as a spirit within Yugi, but after remembering the peace of the desert, sometimes all the noise seemed a little overwhelming. Having Jounouchi as a distraction was nice, however.
Jounouchi bumped shoulders with him as they got squished between another hoard of people, "Yeah, I've been hearing a lot about that. That issue has been popping up in duel discs and arenas, and it's making everyone nervous. Last time the holographic software 'glitched' to their memories was the whole Dartz thing. I think even though it's been years, everyone is still a little antsy about zombie monsters running around everywhere stealing souls."
Atem shivered, hating to think back on what might have been the worst week of his long existence, "It's troublesome, yes. But all we've observed is a few rendering delays or malfunctions. From what little I can understand of the technical aspect, Yugi and Seto have been trying to find the insect that is the possible cause of the issue."
"You mean bug?"
"Are they not the same thing?"
Jounouchi shrugged, "So no dice yet on the glitch, I guess?"
Atem sighed and shook his head, "No. As lead programmer, Yugi is mainly responsible for finding and correcting the issue, but he can't find anything. Even Seto is at a loss."
Jounouchi whistled and kicked at a little pebble on the sidewalk, "That's a bummer. But Yugi will figure it out, little genius he is."
Atem felt a rush of pride fill him, "Yes, you're right. Yugi will figure it out. I just hope it is sooner rather than later. He's letting himself get consumed by this. Getting him to rest and eat is more challenging than most duels I've competed in lately. And there is a part of me that is also concerned that maybe there are other forces at play in all this."
"Other forces? Wait, you don't mean like 'crazy dudes trying to take over the world' type forces, right?" Jounouchi asked warily.
Atem sighed, "I don't know. I have not seen anything that would indicate something like that. But I find myself worried all the same. Something doesn't feel right," he admitted, pressing a hand to his chest where the puzzle once rested. If he wore it now, maybe he'd have been able to sense if something dark was at play. But he was woefully human now with no items power to lean on. All he had were his own basic, human senses and his mounting anxiety.
He felt a hand slap over his shoulder to squeeze it tightly, "Let's not get ahead of ourselves then! You, my friend, worry too much. It's been four years since the last disaster we had to deal with. Things have calmed down! I think we've earned a little boredom and peace, don't you? Enjoy it!"
Atem forced himself to smile and nodded.
"You're right. There's the burger place, come on. Now that you know you're on the list, we can bring food back with us and you can see Yugi."
Jounouchi pumped his fist in the air, "Alright!"
As the two of them walked into the restaurant, they did not notice the eyes carefully following them.
Yugi sighed loudly as he dropped his head to the desk, letting it thump there a second time for good measure. Maybe if he hit it hard enough the answer would fall out of his face of something.
"Stop killing your brain cells, we need those to solve this mess," Seto instantly scolded.
Yugi turned his head to see his boss half buried under the mess of wires and cables, his shadow on the wall behind him looking like some kind of eldritch monster.
"Sorry, guess the stress is getting to me," he mumbled. He half heartedly hit the enter key to start rendering his latest program. He knew it would take a few minutes before it finished so he took the time to allow himself some well earned brooding.
He got up and stretched, and saw Atem’s stolen pile of magazines by the couch. Curious, he went over to pick through them to see what he'd been entertained by for the last six hours.
Duel magazine, alright, that was a good one. Home furnishings? Well, they had been talking about new furniture to fill up their massive apartment. Fashion magazine? Okay, he was pretty fashion forward. Knitting? Huh, maybe he was really liking the crochet. Nature? Well, the animal photos were pretty cute. Men's health. Sports. Cooking. Baking. Tech. Photography. Business. Home repair…oh shit, should probably hide this one.
Yugi blew out a breath and put the stack back down.
"I'm starting to think Atem is getting a little bored," he said to himself. Of course he'd suspected this for a while now, but the eclectic collection of magazines paired with the never ending slew of new hobbies was hard not to notice.
"You know he doesn't have to come with you to work. Or is he like an emotional support dog for you?" Seto said, grunting as he strained to untwist a stubborn bolt.
Yugi scoffed, "You like having him here too. And don't deny it. Or do I have to mention your little AI proje-"
"We agreed to never speak of that again!" Seto snapped, waving a wrench over at Yugi threateningly.
Yugi rolled his eyes, "Fine. But I wasn't just talking about today. I'm talking about in general. The first few years he was back we were so busy trying to help him adjust to everything. But now that he's settled in and we're both doing our own thing, it just seems like he's struggling to find himself."
"He's the top ranked duelist in the world. Although a certain someone still refuses to participate to test that rank," Seto pointed out, his words muffled from the screwdriver he'd placed between his teeth.
"Not dueling him again, Seto. Let it go. And dueling definitely keeps him busy and happy. But only during tournaments. In between he gets, I don't know, lost? Bored seems too simple a way to describe it."
Yugi sighed and wandered back over to his desk, leaning against the edge wearily.
"You said that he had hobbies."
Yugi beamed up at him, "Aw, you do listen! And yes, he has hobbies, but those are just time fillers I think. Something to keep busy with outside of dueling season. They aren't his real passion, and he doesn't seem too fulfilled by them either. I mean, he gave up paradise and a crown to come back here! And now he's reduced to playing GrubHubby to get me lunch, and reading trash magazines on a dingy couch in your lab."
"That couch cost more than your car," Seto huffed, sounding offended.
"Not the point, Seto. Anyway, I think he misses having true purpose and drive. Right now he's kind of just…floating in space. No direction, no force, drifting around hoping that he finally bumps into something. After the crazy life, or multiple lives, he's led, I can see how a normal one would feel a little unfulfilling. And I get that, I even find myself missing our crazy adventures, you know?"
Seto paused to stare at him, "You miss getting your soul stolen and psychos trying to take over the world every other week?"
Yugi grimaced with a shrug, "Okay, I don't necessarily miss those things. I miss the vibes, you know? Thrill, adventure…And the dragons. Those were so fucking cool," he sighed wistfully, "I guess things could be called boring here," he had to admit that even to himself that programming and doing the corporate thing daily didn't carry the same kick as their lives before. Sure was less stressful though. That was good, right?
Seto huffed, disbelieving, "If stress is what you think he needs, then he has plenty enough being tied to you. You'd think you were an off the wall toddler with self-preservation issues given how he hovers around you and worries every time you so much as sneeze, or Gods forbid you get lost in a crowd."
"In our defense, it's easy to get lost from each other in a crowd when everyone insists on being at least a foot taller than us."
Seto paused long enough to glare over at Yugi, unimpressed.
Yugi sighed and scuffed his foot on the scorched floor, "I know, he does worry a lot over me. I feel bad too since I seem to be his only source of stress these days. He even chose to leave paradise, the least stressful place ever, to come back because he was worried about me."
Seto fell quiet for a moment, having his own regrets about that.
It hurt to admit it out loud, but it was hardly a secret. They all knew what triggered Atem’s return. The mess with Diva was not something Yugi liked to look back on much. Even Seto felt some shame over it all. They both knew that Yugi almost dying that day had been the real trigger that had Atem returning to them, but Seto had his own contributions to answer to as well.
Of course they were all thrilled to have him back, and Atem seemed genuinely happy too. But now seeing Atem struggling like this…it brought up a lot of guilt that Yugi had hoped he'd get over someday.
Seto huffed out a breath after the silence went on too long and tossed another tool back into its box with a crash, "If it makes you feel less guilty and gets you to stop talking about relationship mush, then eat the damn food he brings so he's happy, alright? And then put the damn coat on when you leave so he won't worry, and I don't have to listen to him lecture you about the dangers of rain again."
Yugi's lips twitched into a small smile, "Aw, you're so sweet, Seto. You really do care about him. For that, you can have some of my fries."
"Not if you pour the ketchup over the top of them like some kind of undomesticated animal."
"It's more efficient that way" Yugi countered, sticking his tongue out.
"It is if you want soggy fries. Honestly, and to think I trust your judgement fixing this damn software glitch…no, stop smiling and get back to work, runt!"
Yugi wasn't quite able to wipe the grin off his face, but that was mostly because he was already planning to smother his french fries with as much ketchup as he could.
With any luck, he'd earn another sign on the wall.
Notes:
Up Next: Atem takes an exhausted Yugi home
Chapter 5: Caring for You
Notes:
Just a reminder that I will be away for a week and unable to post! But I shall return! ^.^
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"Come along, beloved."
"But what about–"
"It'll keep until tomorrow."
"I still haven't–"
"It can wait, you need rest."
"But Seto–"
"Will be leaving too. Now, put away your laptop please, darling. Don't make me carry you out of here, because if you keep this up I will toss you over my shoulder to do so."
Atem could see Yugi knew he was serious because his shoulders were already starting to stoop low. Either in defeat or exhaustion, it didn't really matter because in both cases Atem was right in that it was time to leave.
He nodded approvingly as Yugi finally started to log off and pack up his bag. Atem glanced over the desk that was a mess of the half eaten dinner he'd brought earlier, papers filled with notes and scribbles, and the mechanical guts of a duel disc scattered like confetti across the surface. He scowled particularly at the uneaten food, and was already trying to think of a balanced breakfast to make up for this failure of a meal.
There was some noise in the back of the room as Seto begrudgingly started to put away his tools, but it almost looked like it was done on autopilot rather than with any real thought. He winced when Seto almost walked into a wall, but was saved from doing so by his tablet beeping. And then it was suddenly like a wire sparked in him, because Seto jerked back to life and was rushing out the door a moment later.
Atem raised a single brow at the odd behavior, but it was quickly forgotten when he felt Yugi drift over to his side.
He looked down into those eyes he adored so much and felt an ache within him seeing just how tired and dazed they were. So lacking in their usual vibrancy.
"Ready?" He asked.
Yugi took a long moment to blink before nodding.
Atem grimaced at the delayed reaction and was wondering if he should be making sure Yugi didn’t walk into any walls on their way out.
Atem tutted and slipped his hand around Yugi's waist, and began to guide him out of the building.
Their usual bickering over who got to drive the car home was completely absent as Yugi drifted like a silent spirit at his side. Atem didn't even get to enjoy fishing the keys out of Yugi's pocket because they were already in his own.
He hadn't trusted Yugi was awake enough to drive that morning, and he certainly wasn't now. He sighed and resolved to turn off Yugi’s phone tonight to prevent any alarms or calls from asking him. In fact, he'd turn off his own as well. They'd be sleeping in tomorrow, and Seto could bring his own damn coffee.
As they stepped into the garage, Atem felt a shiver run through him that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, and his pulse quicken. He tightened his grip around Yugi and pulled him closer to his side as he tried to determine the cause. But the garage was mostly empty, and not a living soul was in sight.
Perhaps it was just the chill of the evening?
He glanced warily across the empty parking spots, but the shadows were still. A pull was felt within him…not one he hadn't felt before, but it was more insistent this time. Like someone raising their voice when they weren't heard the first time. But like all the other times before, he ignored it.
Then Yugi yawned beside him and leaned heavily into his side.
"S'mthing wrong?" He asked, eyelids blinking slowly up at him.
Atem sighed at seeing Yugi so tired and shook his head free of the momentary lapse, "It's nothing, darling. Let's get you home, so I can take care of you."
He helped Yugi into the car and made sure he was buckled in before pulling out of the garage. He did his best to ignore the way his skin was still tingling as they drove out onto the road.
As the car pulled away, eyes followed them.
Yugi yawned widely as they trudged their way back into their apartment building. It had been another long, unsuccessful day at work, and both of them were exhausted.
Yugi was actually grateful that Atem finally put his foot down that evening and insisted that both Seto and Yugi had to call it quits for the night. That neither of them would come up with a solution dead on their feet.
But Seto hadn't relented until Atem threatened to call Mokuba. A low blow, but a necessary one. While it was killing Yugi that he hadn't been able to find the cause of the glitch, working as much as he had the last few weeks may also be actively killing him.
Yugi didn't even have the energy to fight back when Atem slipped him into that hideous raincoat again. Why the hell had it been raining so much lately anyway?
Atem guided him with a hand on Yugi’s waist from the car all the way up to their door.
Yugi yawned through the grueling process of Atem unlocking their door, trying to rationalize why Kaiba's security system had to be so complex for just their apartment. Codes, fingerprints, voice recognition…Yugi was just glad they hadn't gotten up to retinal scans yet. The headache he'd been sporting for a week now would have screamed at a light being shined in his eyes right now. But that was Yugi putting his foot down, because if he let Atem take the lead in this, Yugi would be living in a guarded fortress instead of what is supposed to be a comfortable living space.
"Come on, darling. Let's get you taken care of," Atem said, his deep voice a low rumble that almost made Yugi whimper with how soothing it was on his raw nerves.
Ever so gently he was eased out of his coat and shoes, and then once again guided along with the press of a hand until they were crossing their room.
Yugi was too tired to even question it when he was led into the bathroom and sat down on the edge of the tub. Atem was a blur of motion around the room. Or maybe it was just blurry cause Yugi was having trouble trying to focus his eyes.
Absently he registered the sound of water filling the tub, and woodenly moved his limbs when prompted until he was surprised to find himself completely naked suddenly.
Not for the first time Yugi marveled at just how much he trusted Atem with his body that he didn't even question himself getting undressed by him. Atem’s soul may not reside within him anymore, but to Yugi, his body would always belong to him too in some ways.
"Up you get. This will help you get a true night's rest, and help that headache of yours. And don't think I didn’t notice you rubbing your neck earlier."
"Are you getting in?" Yugi asked when he noticed Atem hadn't shed his clothes.
He shook his head, "Not this time. I'm afraid if I got in there, I wouldn't be able to keep my hands to myself. You're tired enough as it is," he said with a wink.
Yugi would have blushed if he had the energy to do so. Maybe he'd been depriving them both a bit over the last few weeks. Yugi struggled to think of the last time they had been intimate beyond a kiss goodnight.
And what a feat that was given how Atem was basically sex on legs. Yugi must have been tired if it had been that long and he wasn't trying to climb him like a tree.
Atem carefully helped Yugi into the bath, and Yugi sighed as he felt the heat sink into his sore muscles. He could smell lavender oils, and giggled at the sheer quantity of bubbles that had been added.
"You really paid attention to all those self care tips," Yugi tried to tease, but the playfulness was lost to a yawn.
"I spent most of my life having servants do everything for me. Choosing my clothes, making my food, preparing my baths, cleaning up my rooms…everything was done for me so I could focus on being their leader. And…now that I am no longer in such a position, I needed to learn how to do these things for myself…but more than that, I like to think that I also learned them so I could take better care of you," he said, his eyes shining with warmth.
"Like 'other self' care?" Yugi grinned lazily as he twisted around in the tub to fold his arms over the edge. He rested his chin on them so he could stare back at the man resting on the floor beside him.
Atem leaned in close too, their arms pressed against one another as they stared into the other's eyes.
Yugi reached out to trace a finger down the side of Atem’s handsome face, "You're too good to me. Sometimes I feel like I don't deserve you," Yugi whispered, curling a strand of Atem’s bangs around his finger.
Atem cupped the hand there and pulled it down to his mouth to kiss it, "You are my everything now. Everything I do is for you, and I will never stray from your side again."
Strangely, as sweet as those words were, it made something inside of Yugi shrivel with guilt. Thankfully his body was too tired to let such emotions show visibly on his face.
He let Atem pull him in for a kiss so deep and passionate that it stole all the breath from his lungs and his heart must have skipped several beats. When he pulled away Yugi was little more than loose muscles and half lidded eyes.
He didn't even remember getting out of the tub, but somehow he ended up in their bed with a pair of sleep shorts on as Atem pulled the blankets up around him.
He felt Atem walk away and let out a pitiful whine, reaching out his hand and making grabby motions to get him to come back to bed.
He heard Atem chuckle from across the room.
"In a minute, beloved. I've got to set the security for the night, and shut off a few things," he called back.
Yugi pouted and forced himself to stay awake just a little longer. He slept better knowing Atem was close anyway.
He listened carefully for the sounds of his lover shutting and locking doors, and the beep of the security alarm being armed. Then he listened to him pad across the room to fiddle with their phones.
And only then did Yugi finally feel the dip of the mattress behind him, and he let out a happy squeal before turning to latch onto Atem's torso, snuggling his face against the hard muscle there.
He felt Atem's chuckle against his nose.
"Careful, darling. Don't start anything you can't finish. Whether I like it or not, Seto does expect you at work tomorrow."
Yugi snorted, not pulling away in the slightest.
"You ever think that Seto has too much access to our lives? He picked out our apartment, set up our security, employs me, and now dictates when I can do naughty things with you?"
Atem huffed, "He does not dictate when I will have you…his work habits just have an adverse effect on that. As for the rest of it, I imagine he just needs an outlet for his fussing since Mokuba left for school in the states. I can understand that at least. Probably the only reason I tolerate it."
Yugi grunted, quietly admitting to himself he was too tired anyway. He'd probably fall asleep halfway through. How embarrassing. And what a wasted opportunity.
"I'm gonna threaten to switch over to the finance department next time he makes me work past dinner. I miss you."
"I've been by your side this entire week," Atem reminded him teasingly. Threading his fingers through Yugi’s hair.
"Not what I mean and you know it," Yugi said, his voice muffled where he was petulantly burying it deeper into that warm skin.
Atem laughed again and lay back dragging Yugi with him until he was laid half draped over him.
"Of course I do, and I miss you too. But if we tried anything before you got some sleep there would likely be an accident. Get some rest, my love. Maybe there will be time for more once you wake."
Yugi’s body betrayed him with another yawn, but he knew Atem was right. So he nodded and lay his head down, tucking in right under his chin, and let his eyes droop shut.
The last thing he felt before he fell asleep was the tender kiss pressed to his brow.
Electricity crackled and sparked, lighting up the otherwise dark shadows. Armor glinted in the distance.
The door and veil shuddered, making all shudder and back away in fear.
"We're coming for you. I will find my key. And then nothing will be able to stop me."
Notes:
Up Next: A bump in the night
Chapter Text
Atem woke suddenly.
HIs eyes shot open to take in the dark room around them, but even the shadowed interior showed him no cause for him to be pulled from his sleep so suddenly. He turned his attention to the one he held, noting that sometime in the night Yugi had all but entirely wrapped himself around Atem’s torso like a koala. He felt the steady rise and fall of his breathing, and felt the lax grip he had, all indicating he was still asleep.
He brushed away the loose hair that had fallen onto Yugi’s face. No wrinkled nose. No furrowed brow. Not even a downwards twitch of his perfect lips. Nothing that would indicate a nightmare, even if his eyes moved rapidly behind his eyelids. Just dreaming then?
So what woke Atem then?
Atem lay there with his eyes open, listening to the apartment around them, even straining to hear the sounds of the city outside the muffled windows. There was absolutely nothing that should have woken him, and nothing to explain why his entire being was suddenly on high alert. Or why the pull within him seemed to hum louder with every passing day.
But then he heard a slight shuffling noise. Like feet upon a carpet. But they didn’t have carpet in the loft area.
Atem’s entire body went tense and he sat up in their bed, shoving the sheets off of him quickly. Yugi snorted awake beside him, and Atem all but threw himself over his lover to press his palm over his mouth.
Yugi’s eyes were wide and confused at the touch, but he was smart, and kept silent when Atem raised a finger to his lips to beg that he not talk.
Then they both heard the shuffling again, and Yugi barely stifled a sharp gasp behind Atem’s hand.
Atem was suddenly torn between wanting to go and confront whatever was in their apartment, and also getting Yugi as far away from the possible threat as quickly as possible.
Atem wordlessly tried to get Yugi to stay in their bed, but his lover was stubborn and seemed just as determined to investigate. A swell of panic began to build somewhere behind his heart, making his pulse quicken even more as he tried to coax Yugi into hiding under the bed, or in the closet, or just somewhere that wasn’t in the direct line of danger. But it was a losing battle, and Yugi just slipped out of his frantic hands to slide off the bed and tip toe towards the door.
Atem hurried after him, biting down on his tongue hard enough to taste blood, to prevent himself from shouting out to call him back.
He only just barely managed to place himself between Yugi and the door, holding him back with an outstretched arm to stop him for a moment. Atem needed to figure out what they might be dealing with. It could have been many things, but given how Seto had assured him, promised him, that this security would be enough to keep Yugi safe, Atem was struggling to think of any innocent reason for something to be moving in their home that wasn’t them.
Or why his entire body was thrumming with the overwhelming feeling of threat surging through his blood.
“The alarm is still set. It doesn’t even show anyone coming through the door,” Yugi noted in a whisper, having grabbed his phone and turned it on to check. The glow of it lit up his face eerily as it fell into a frown, “Why are there so many missed calls from Seto?”
Atem suddenly felt nauseous, completely overcome with concern for his partner’s safety.
Before he could say or do anything, they both startled hearing a loud crash from the first floor. Atem pushed Yugi away from the door and pinned him against the wall with his body, both of them breathing hard.
Yugi’s hands were shaking as he pulled up the dial pad on his phone.
Atem shifted away from him and grabbed one of the old Egyptian weapons he’d had mounted on the walls for 'decoration' (or that's what he'd told Yugi). They weren’t as sharp as they would have been thousands of years ago, but at least Atem remembered how to use them from his days training as prince.
Yugi saw this though and grabbed his wrist, “What are you doing ?” He hissed.
“Protecting you,” Atem whispered back harshly, “There is someone in our home and I will not let them touch you. Stay here, I will take care of it.”
Yugi’s mouth dropped open in a horrified gape, “What?! Atem, no! Are you nuts? You’re not a spirit anymore, you’re human and alive and I’d like to keep you that way! I’m calling the police now.”
They both heard a loud screeching wail followed by more crashing below. Atem idly wondered if their neighbors would complain about the noise.
“They will not arrive soon enough,” Atem growled, but Yugi was not letting go of his wrist. His grip was stronger than one would assume looking at him, and Atem would have been impressed if it were happening at a more convenient time!
Atem whipped around and Yugi yelped when they heard another crash and slam from below.
“Yugi, let go of me and go hide!” Atem ordered, feeling himself start to fall victim to his fear. Yugi just looked too vulnerable standing there and after four years of peace, Atem suddenly found himself thinking that four years had been nothing more than a taunting tease of security. He should have known something would come back to try and take it all away, “Darling, please, I need to know you’re safe,” he found himself begging.
“What about you? What if I want to know you’re safe,” Yugi tried to challenge, but his call to the police went through and the voice of the person on the phone drew his attention away. It gave Atem just enough time to slip out of his grasp and dart out of the door before Yugi could try to stop him. He closed the door behind him to keep Yugi inside. He heard angry fists banging on the door behind him, but he’d deal with Yugi’s anger later when the threat was gone.
Atem hurried down the hall with the kopesh held in his grip, just as the sound of glass shattering filled his ears sharply enough to make them ache. It sounded like a wind tunnel had opened up in their kitchen, and the force of it nearly sent him flying off his feet.
What was even happening?!
He pushed against it all to make it to the stairs, lifting his arm to try and protect his face from what was happening. He couldn’t even see anything!
But before he could make it down all the way, he heard a loud snap and was blinded by a flash of light that had him crying out in pain as his eyes burned.
“Atem!”
He heard Yugi’s shout and then felt his hands catch him from behind and they both shrank away from the chaos around them. Atem twisted in his hold to climb over Yugi, shielding him with his own body as what felt like a shockwave ruptured through their home.
And then suddenly it was silent. All the light was gone, as if it had been swallowed by whatever had happened. The only sounds he could hear were their labored breathing, and the unmuffled sounds of the city below beyond what must have been a shattered window.
Atem was breathing hard as he pulled away from where he had Yugi pinned to the stairs, his hands trailing all over him, searching from injury in the pitch black apartment.
“I told you to stay safe,” he said, his voice shaking worse than his hands.
”Yeah, well, guess neither of us are good at listening,” Yugi snarked back. Atem nearly collapsed in relief not hearing any pain in his voice. Just irritation. Irritation he could handle.
Atem was about to insist Yugi go back to their room and wait for him, when suddenly the door slammed open and the room flooded with lights and voices again.
Yugi yelped in shock, and Atem pinned him back against the stairs instinctively. He turned to see a hoard of men with guns raised, rushing into their apartment.
If Atem didn’t already recognize Isono at the head of the pack, he would have probably lifted his kopesh to meet them. He sagged with relief again when the flash of police lights could be seen flashing outside of the window.
It was only then that he saw the chaos left behind. It was like a tornado had gone off in the middle of the room, and there were scorch marks and scratches on the floor. Some even looked like they were dug in by claws . If something wasn't smashed, it had at least been flung across the room. And the windows that they usually enjoyed looking out of were now just massive holes in the wall, promising a very long fall down to the pavement below if they ventured too close to the edge.
Yugi gasped in horror under him, also seeing the damage to their home.
Then Seto’s imposing form was filling up their doorway, barking orders and holding up his tablet as he stepped into their living room.
“Seto, what the fuck!” Yugi shouted from where Atem still had him pinned.
Seto turned as if he hadn’t seen them there before, “Ah, so you are alive. Good. I came to inspect your security system. There was an anomaly detected this evening at one of my residences. I was taking some readings and noticed that your system encountered the same issue. I was on my way here to check in,” he said calmly, and then glanced around the ruin that was their apartment, “I see you had some trouble too.”
"That's one fucking way to put it," Yugi growled, sounding more pissed off than scared. Yugi shoved Atem off of him and stomped over to Seto.
"Watch out for the broken glass," Atem warned, flinching with each bare footstep Yugi took over the mess.
For all of their height difference, Yugi hardly seemed deterred as he stood toe to toe with him, "Are you telling me it was your security system that did this?" he asked, gesturing wildly to the ruin of the apartment.
Well, Atem doubted that. And going off of the offended look Seto gave him, he also doubted that. Atem may not have the same sense of magic that he did when he had the puzzle, but it was not entirely numb. He didn't think that the answer to all this would come from something as simple as faulty wiring or insects. Bugs. Whatever they were called.
“So you didn’t come with the police?” Atem demanded, just trying to make sense of it all.
Seto turned his head and almost seemed surprised to see the flashing lights outside. But then smirked proudly, “We had a better response time than them. You should be glad.”
”I’ll be glad when you explain what is going on. Is Yugi in danger here?” Atem asked sharply, stepping between Yugi and Seto.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Seto's men walking around their home and inspecting everything. Atem shifted himself around Yugi as much as he could, now becoming more aware of the fact that the two of them were not…heavily clothed at the moment. Atem hardly cared about himself, but he was not exactly thrilled with so many seeing his partner so exposed. And especially not after whatever the hell just happened here. Everything had been destroyed. He didn't care so much about the objects, but…
If they had been down here whenever this had happened…if Yugi had been down here…
Atem felt his blood turn to ice in his veins, even as his rage began to boil once again. The hot and cold of it left him reeling.
Seto continued like he hadn't even noticed, "Well, I wouldn't call this place safe seeing how you're almost missing an entire wall to what would be a nine story drop."
"He means about what the fuck just happened to take out our wall, and almost had Atem taking a sword to face some unknown threat in the middle of the night, in a home that your security system was supoosed to protect," Yugi spat.
Seto glanced over at Atem with a raised brow.
He shrugged, suddenly a little sheepish, "It was actually a kopesh."
Seto nodded sagely, like that had it all making sense.
Yugi turned to glare at Atem with narrowed eyes, "Not. The. Point," he said through gritted teeth.
Sighing, Seto tapped at his tablet a few times before turning the screen for them to look at. Atem stared for enough seconds to recognize a few words and numbers before giving up and waiting for the explanation to come.
"The feed was interrupted which triggered an alarm that was sent to me. The same thing happened to me earlier. By the time I made it to my place though, it looked about the same as this," he said, gesturing around to the mess, "I had my men looking for who caused it when I received the alarm for your place and we came here to see if we could catch who did this."
Yugi sputtered, "So you just barged in without–"
"Hey, I tried to call, but someone had their phone off," Seto huffed.
Atem cursed himself, knowing he'd done that for both their phones so that they could sleep in. How could he have been so careless? He hadn't realized it would put Yugi in danger. Seto had assured him the security would be enough, but he had been too trustful. He opened his mouth to try and apologize, but they were interrupted by a noise from upstairs.
"Sir! We checked the whole place and found nothing," one of the men hollered from the railing. Atem felt his stomach churn thinking about all these people running through their home and their bedroom. He curled protectively around Yugi more.
Seto grunted his version of a reply, "Figures. With the feed interrupted, none of the cameras seemed to catch anything. All we have is the anomaly of what appears to be some kind of energy surge right before everything shut off. I'll have to do some further analysis to see what we may be looking at here. But this wasn't caused by the security. It just caused the security to short circuit. This was not the fault of my device or my system," he made sure to point out.
Atem rolled his eyes skywards, wondering if the Gods were up there laughing at him now for ever wanting to come to the mortal world to deal with Seto Kaiba again.
"Noted. So now what," Atem groused, already mentally giving up on any more sleep tonight. And certainly not here. He wanted to get Yugi as far away from this as he could.
Seto shrugged, "I was going back to my place to run some tests. I suppose you can come with me, since I may need Yugi's input anyway."
"I thought you said your place got trashed too," Yugi huffed, crossing his arms over his naked chest angrily.
"I have many residences. This was just the one I had been using the most often lately since it was closer to work. The mansion is still fine, we're going there. It has a lab too."
"Of course it does," Atem sighed. He wondered if Mokuba knew of this one.
“Fine! You’re going to show me what the hell this ‘anomaly’ is,” Yugi huffed angrily, wagging his finger up in Seto’s unimpressed face. He looked like he was about to walk out the door, but Atem held him firmly.
“Uh, darling, perhaps we should get you some clothes first,” Atem suggested.
It was only then that Yugi glanced down at himself and realized he was standing there in only a pair of sleep shorts.
Yugi didn’t cower or cover himself, although Atem may have pulled him a little bit closer to angle further in front of him, and he sighed, letting his head fall back.
"This. This is what I meant by Seto has too much access to our lives, Atem.”
”I am starting to understand that better, yes.”
Notes:
Next Up: Atem is pissed and afraid
Ginsenshi on Chapter 1 Tue 12 Aug 2025 05:58PM UTC
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TAMO282 on Chapter 1 Sat 16 Aug 2025 12:26PM UTC
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LadyPhoenix6 on Chapter 1 Wed 13 Aug 2025 04:06AM UTC
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TAMO282 on Chapter 1 Sat 16 Aug 2025 12:22PM UTC
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Chao995 on Chapter 1 Wed 13 Aug 2025 02:26PM UTC
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TAMO282 on Chapter 1 Sat 16 Aug 2025 12:19PM UTC
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WavesOver on Chapter 1 Thu 14 Aug 2025 06:01PM UTC
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IcedAquarius on Chapter 1 Sat 16 Aug 2025 02:45PM UTC
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IcedAquarius on Chapter 2 Sat 16 Aug 2025 02:57PM UTC
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Ginsenshi on Chapter 2 Sat 16 Aug 2025 11:06PM UTC
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LadyPhoenix6 on Chapter 2 Mon 18 Aug 2025 05:07AM UTC
Last Edited Mon 18 Aug 2025 05:09AM UTC
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WavesOver on Chapter 2 Tue 19 Aug 2025 04:02PM UTC
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IcedAquarius on Chapter 3 Tue 19 Aug 2025 07:50PM UTC
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Ginsenshi on Chapter 4 Sat 23 Aug 2025 02:43PM UTC
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Ginsenshi on Chapter 5 Tue 26 Aug 2025 03:41PM UTC
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Ginsenshi on Chapter 6 Sat 06 Sep 2025 09:43PM UTC
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