Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Part I: Patrol

Yugi sat up as Atem tensed in his sleep. The Sky Dragon had curled into a tight ball as the night had gone on. But he hadn't gotten up and wandered off as he usually did. Yugi would wake occasionally in the middle of the night to Atem halfway across their den, curled up in the corner but facing him. The Sky Dragon didn't do it to be malicious, but he had nightmares often and when he would wake, he was sometimes too scared and alarmed to realize it was Yugi beside him. It would take him a few moments to relax, remembering himself, and then he'd get up and move away.

Close proximity was not something Atem was used to and it often startled him and made him snarl or tense up when he was not yet fully awake. At times he would turn on him with glowing golden eyes, the gem on his forehead bright and glittering but oddly clear. He'd stare at him for a few moments. Then he would slowly but surely rise to his paws, stare at Yugi with a look he could not decipher, and eventually pick his way across the den or go outside.

Yugi would watch when he did this. It wasn't often it happened, which made it more alarming, but Atem also seemed to calm down more quickly if Yugi maintained eye contact. Yugi was unsure whether he was still in the grips of his nightmare or if he was lost in his thoughts or if he was in some kind of feral state.

The problem became that Yugi might have known what Atem had gone through as a dragonet, but he did not know all the abuse from his suitors. Atem was always quiet about them except for the rarest occasions. When Yugi had won their competition to become Atem's mate—Atem had almost always determined victors by which dragon was pinned rather than deathly battles and violent attacks—he'd told him of how he'd killed Fire Dragons for getting too close to him before. He'd told him how one of his suitors had threatened to tear his wings off if he squirmed too much during their mounting. He'd mentioned another had said they'd mount him until he was mute from roaring and full of their seed.

Yugi was unsure if Atem was so reluctant to tell him more because he did not want to remember or because he did not want to upset him. Yugi had made it rather clear just how much he hated the fact Atem had been so mistreated by them. Most of his suitors—if not all—had come to court him for the sake of conquering a God Dragon. God Dragons were extremely rare, with only four in existence at any given time in order to keep the world balanced, and to have one as a mate was a privilege many would abuse if given the chance.

A God Dragon as a mate almost ensured no dragon would be keen upon trying to fight them for territory or attempt to encroach on their hunts or leftovers. It was said a God Dragon produced nests of perfect dragonets, with no deformities to be found and an almost absolute survival rate. It was said their power was almost half or a quarter of what their parent possessed, that they would have abilities others in their species didn't.

And, if that were true, Atem's offspring would have been some of the most powerful and—likely—violent dragons in existence.

The dragons to challenge Atem had not been ones to mate for life. Fire Dragons mated as copiously as they were able. Wind Dragons often mated at least ten times on the same day. Water Dragons would constrict their mates until the eggs were produced and often eat them before the females recovered. Lightning Dragons were often likely to mate with at least three or four females when the season came around. Ice and Sky Dragons tended to be the only two species to mate for life.

But it was for two entirely different reasons.

Ice Dragons had been forced to mate for life, inclined to do so due to dwindling numbers. Sky Dragons mated for life due to their combination of instincts between the three species they'd been created from—Wind, Lightning and Water—and the fact they bonded immediately to the other they chose to mate with.

Yugi had gotten lucky in the fact Atem had even held his half of their deal when he'd challenged him. The Sky Dragon had had every chance to simply kill him or run him off. Yugi did not have the stamina to match him; Gandoras were known for their short bursts of power and speed, for their limited ability to hold their own for longer than a few minutes. They were likely to wait for an opening, taking the hardest hits and shrugging them off, and then go for a kill blow. They were known as Dragons of Destruction for a reason, for their ability to catch fire and burn until either their hearts stopped or their opponent's did.

Doing so was exhausting and caused the Gandora in question to all but kill themselves as a means to protect whatever it was they were fighting for. It was enough to incapacitate enemies even if they could not kill, but the effects were mirrored in the Gandora as well.

Being a hybrid of Fire and Wind Dragon genetics, the Gandora was often, though not always, stockier, somewhat lower to the ground, with flatter paws and a barrel chest. Their wings were longer, with a large spear of keratin which curled at the end like the sharp edge of their claws where they tapered to impressive hooks which cut through scale and hide effortlessly to eviscerate an enemy. Their bodies were covered in red gems that helped to concentrate their power when they lit themselves on fire. Their tails were somewhat longer and smoother, the scales almost completely level and without interruption. Their heads were always broader, their jaws wider and able to open much further than most other species'. Their mouths were framed by tusks on either side, helping to hold prey in place when it squirmed and close enough to the teeth that one could sharpen them.

They were deadly and efficient. Their eyes were made for low light, with acute night vision that was almost as keen in daylight. They were naturally equipped with a series of lenses which blocked sunlight from blinding them in the desert, kept sand from storms and burrowing from clinging to them, and protected their eyes from drying out the few times they flew. Their bodies were heavier in build, making them difficult to overpower, and their scales were harder and smoother, making it nearly impossible for one to hook their claws between them.

But Atem was a Slifer. The red Sky Dragons were deadly, efficient, and fast. Atem himself was almost four times faster than Yugi, by far capable of landing a rain of blows in the time Yugi could blink.

The God Dragon was a few inches taller than him still due to their age gap. His physical form was slender, longer in design. His back legs were stronger than his front, used to propel him through river currents and burrow underground for procuring nests. His claws were longer and thicker, hooked upwards halfway through the top which were hollowed out enough to help retain balance in heavy air currents. His toes were smaller, his paws dainty and fragile in appearance due to sheer size, but his claws were like talons in length and width. Their height and thickness kept his paws from touching the ground, preventing the scent glands from coming into contact with the terrain but for the very back. They were amazingly powerful despite their dainty formation, with the sheer force behind them to break a jaw on impact when swung.

His tail was almost five times the length of his body, with the end a set of blades he could open and shut at his command. He could swing so fiercely it decapitated in an instant, and he used it so lethally it took but a split second for it to be precisely aimed and lashed out with. The muscles in his tail were strong enough he could control every little nerve ending if he so desired, and Yugi had seen him more than once only open one blade rather than all four, sheering a stone in practice before realizing he was being watched.

His wings were thicker in build, the membrane darkened between each long bone, and the joints at the top were curled and heavy much like his claws, one of keratin and the other beneath scales in a knot of sharp bone. They stretched long enough to cover his entire body when he lay down and curled up, though he did not do so often. His chest was smooth until it came to where his hearts lay, where the six scales became heavy plates that were sharp like the two scythes of keratin jutting through them.

His neck was long and slender, his head wide with a mild slope that supported a crest of five thorn-like spikes that curled upward and framed his face when he turned towards someone. His jaws were weaker than the average Slifer's, as he had two mouths with teeth that were wide and gaping and shone like starlight. Two huge tusks came from the end of his bottom jaw, rising so high they almost reached the bottom of his eyes. The jaw power had been cut in half due to this.

He could not clamp onto his prey and hold them for long periods of time, unable to sink his teeth in far enough to manage it. He could not simply hold them for hours like his counterparts, nor could he shake them so violently as to snap their bones out of place or knock their senses off balance. He could not snap someone's spine, or decapitate as some were able.

He was weaker there. But he could use both mouths to aim a more violent and powerful attack than the usual Slifer could.

His scales were slippery and moist to the touch. Trying to grab him and hold him down was almost impossible unless Atem allowed him to. But during play, unless he was exhausted, Atem would slip out from beneath him as if he were nothing more than a droplet of water. He'd laugh at him when Yugi would pout, then dart away when the Gandora tried to lunge.

And Atem moved fast.

He could clear distance in mere seconds. When Yugi had fought him, Atem had nearly killed him more than once. And he flew at speeds Yugi could not fathom. When he'd come to court him, Yugi had spent much of his time watching him. Atem was an incredibly cautious and powerful dragon, but even he was vulnerable to exhaustion. And, in those few times Yugi had found him like that, hiding and making sure not to so much as breathe for long periods of time, Atem had shown him just how impressively fast he was.

His main diet was of fish. His favorite river stretched a few miles from their current den to the very bottom of the main expanse of their territory, passing through the valleys and down to the human village below. Yugi had managed rather easily to hide away, spending most of his time as a human in the year he'd been waiting and watching, and had managed to keep him from hearing his approach or where he crouched in the shadows.

Yugi couldn't see as well in water as Atem could. What he saw as water spray and the occasional flash of light across the surface when the water zipped past him beneath the dappled grove of tree branches, Atem saw beyond to glittering scales and moving prey. And, where Yugi was waiting impatiently for Atem to show him why he was there, the Sky Dragon had merely monitored.

When he'd finally moved, it had happened in a flash.

Yugi had only seen his head tilt.

But a large silver fish had come flying from beneath a wave of water. It had hit the ground, dead from the gouge marks in its side. Atem had trotted over, swallowed it whole, and moved back to watch some more.

He hadn't been sure why Atem had done it like that for a few days. And then it had occurred to him that Atem had been doing so in such a slow and agonizing manner to make sure he would not be distracted by his meal and let an opponent creep up on him. He'd done it to ensure he was aware of his surroundings—though Yugi had never seen him unaware, even in sleep—and to make sure he didn't eat too much at one time.

Yugi watched him now, tilting his head.

Atem didn't look troubled. But it was clear something in his dreams was not good, was forcing itself through and burrowing into his conscious further than he was used to. Yugi had seen him snap out of nightmares before, twitching and then abruptly stilling. And it was like he had simply shrugged it away somehow.

Now, however, he seemed to be falling further into whatever chaos he was being offered.

"Atem," he called quietly. He swore his voice echoed, despite the fact that it never had before. He shivered when the other did not respond, then hesitantly reached a paw out to touch him. "Dear heart—"

He was winded the moment he came into contact with him. Atem had risen in a lunge, snarling. His paw had slammed into his shoulder. And he'd flipped him hard onto his back. The red dragon loomed over him, spitting and flicking his bottom tongue. His golden eyes glowed furiously in the dark. His scales had risen into a hideous bristle. Both mouths were half-opened, posed to strike. His paw was on Yugi's belly, claws clenched atop the soft scales. Yugi could see his gums, pale beyond his teeth.

The red dragon blinked.

And then he withdrew from him, backing up several feet and crouching down. He blinked a few more times, then twisted around to lick his side. Yugi rolled over again, getting up and shaking himself out. He wasn't bleeding anywhere, though he still felt as if he'd been pinched on the belly. He took a seat, wrapping his tail around his paws, and tilted his head.

"Are you all right?"

"You're the one who just got knocked over." Atem turned back, golden eyes softer than usual in their almond shape. He considered him, then yawned and stretched to put his chin on his paws. "Are you all right?"

Yugi smiled, hurrying to close the distance between them and lick his forehead. "Of course! You didn't hurt me at all!" he laughed. "I'm perfectly good!"

Atem tilted his head, skeptical, but didn't argue. He yawned again, watching him, and stretched out to lick his chin. Yugi smiled wider, sitting up a little straighter. "Why did you wake me? Was something wrong?"

Yugi's amused, proud stance died instantly. He frowned, tilting his head, and considered him for a long handful of minutes. Then he sighed, flustered. "You looked really distressed. And you usually shake that off on your own but this time you didn't. I just… I wanted to make sure you were okay…"

Atem blinked in surprise, startled. He shifted his weight, closed his eyes, and put his chin on his paws again. "I'm okay." He was quiet for another handful of moments. "I was just…"

Yugi watched him struggle for words, then leaned forward to lick his forehead again. "Was it a nightmare?" he asked gently, but he doubted Atem would answer him. The few times he'd woken him in a similar state, the Sky Dragon had ignored him. Yugi was highly doubtful he would grant him an answer now. And he didn't know if that was for his own sake, or if it was because he still struggled with the idea of being mated that kept him silent.

He was aware Atem was still unused to him, that he so often woke in confusion and stared at him in bewilderment before he would remember why Yugi was there. He sometimes would start to snarl and others he simply bristled and got up to move, stretching and curling up by himself.

The red dragon was almost motionless for a few moments. Then his claws flexed and Yugi watched as they shifted the river stones aside and caused the soft sand beneath to almost ripple. "I was dreaming of Seto," he finally mumbled.

Yugi bristled, anger swelling through him at the mention of the other Sky Dragon. Seto was Atem's eldest brother, a Felgrand dragon that had tortured him often when he was younger. He'd carved a large gaping wound into his side, causing Atem to finally flee on his own moons before he ever should have left his nest. From there Atem had gone closer to the Wind Dragon terrain, struggling to survive on his own due to his wound and young age, and eventually befriended the only dragon Atem had trusted for years. Timaeus had saved his life on multiple accounts, from what Yugi understood, healing his wound where it had been so terrible and haunting for him. He'd kept him alive, well-groomed, comforted and protected for the most part, until Timaeus had finally left to find a mate.

Atem looked up at him, blinking slowly and staring curiously. "I dreamed that he was begging me for help," he continued quietly. He tilted his head. "And I don't know why. He was begging me for help and I was confused and kept asking him why. But he just kept begging… Every time I would turn away he would keep coming back. It was beginning to scare me. So I guess I finally started reacting to it."

Yugi shook his head slightly. "Do you think it was just because of the Keith thing before? He asked for help then, remember? And you said he basically begged."

Atem blinked and angled his head back, stretching his neck. "Perhaps." He tilted his head and watched Yugi. Yugi could see the thoughts behind his eyes, the way he was considering this but seemed come up short in justification. Yugi almost shivered. It was a different idea completely that Atem had to explain the dream. And it had nothing whatsoever to do with Keith.

Yugi felt bad for reminding him of the bastard suitor. Atem had suffered enough when it came to him. He'd been threatened, attacked aggressively, forced to intervene in the war he'd decided to wage, and subsequently had night terrors before then. Yugi didn't want to think about him more than necessary, but it was the only time he knew of Seto might have possibly begged Atem for help. Keith had taken Kisara prisoner, had killed their clutch and no doubt forcefully mounted her several times. And, so, scared and humiliated from the beating he'd taken, Seto had come to Atem. The red Sky Dragon had chased him out rather violently, cutting his face almost to the bone and telling him he'd kill him if he approached him again.

Yugi had come to court Atem soon after, won their competition, and they'd consummated. And, despite the warning, Seto had approached him again the next day. Yugi had been the one to deal with him at first, though Atem had prevented him killing him as he'd wanted. Regardless, he'd witnessed Seto ask for help, though then it had been with more posturing and snarling than the begging Atem had described before.

"It had nothing to do with Keith," the Sky Dragon said softly, putting his chin on his paws again. He blinked up at him, searching his face. "I remember that much. It was… It was something else. Speaking of Keith, however, I had almost forgotten. Jesse came a few days ago to tell me Jaden and Yusei wished to speak to me."

Yugi bristled, hearts hammering. Jaden and Yusei were God Dragons as well, but they had only met Atem a moon ago. That fact alone made him suspicious, and their reaction upon meeting him had done nothing to reassure him. Jaden and Yusei had chosen an area between their four territories called the Badlands in order to dampen Atem's power before he even got there. It was a well-known fact Sky Dragons had trouble surviving in arid climates and the Badlands were a desert region that got increasingly hot during the day and barely cooled at night. They'd admitted to the placement when the Leviathan and Atem had snarled at each other, before Atem had taken off on his own and Yusei had spoken to Yugi.

"Why?" he demanded; he hated how sharp his voice became. He hated how Atem blinked, startled by his vicious tone. He leaned forward to lick his head in apology, watching his face. "Why do they want to see you?"

"Yusei was on my side at the meeting," the red dragon reminded him softly. "I doubt that if things came down to a fight between Jaden and myself he would remain idle. He'd likely stop him before it got anywhere. And it is merely for the two of them to show me their territories."

"And what do they expect from you in return? The same thing?"

"Not quite. Jaden intended to press upon that but I told him I would not share that information as it was not pertinent to anything. I can sense it the moment they approach my territory so it is not necessary they know know where to find me." He went quiet, then flicked his tongue. Yugi watched the bright blue appendage, seeing the sharp bristles atop its surface which scraped flesh from bone when he ate red meat but sheered scales from the fish he swallowed whole so often. Atem shuffled his weight, clearly uncomfortable with his attention once more, and Yugi's hearts hurt at the reminder of how nervous Atem became whenever Yugi so much as took interest in him. "I do not believe he will press for it again. And I think Yusei would agree with me in that sense and prevent him arguing."

The Gandora watched him a moment longer, then closed his eyes. "And if he doesn't? You're giving Yusei a lot of credit here."

Atem stayed quiet. Then he slowly sat up. Yugi opened his eyes to see him reaching a paw out. He lightly tapped his shoulder, pressing just enough to coax him to lay down. Then he rose to his paws, circled around him thrice, and lay down, curling up around him. He lowered his head to Yugi's paws, closing his eyes and settling comfortably.

"Yusei has the common sense to keep him docile." Atem moved his beak to slide beneath Yugi's chin, exhaling loudly against his flesh. Yugi looked down at him, ran his tongue over his face, and settled into a similar cuddling position. "Because both of them are afraid of me and Yusei wouldn't risk a fight with me."

"How do you know they're both afraid of you?"

Atem was groggy when he spoke again, voice slurred and half-faded. "Because when Jaden spoke to me at the meeting, I could sense it. And I know Yusei is because he's the one who chose the Badlands." When he breathed out again, it came in a whistle and Yugi knew he was asleep. That was a sound Atem only produced when he dreamed.

Yugi insisted upon accompanying him to the Badlands, where Atem had told him he would meet them. He'd refused to let them anywhere near his own territory, though he was sure Jaden knew by now where it was. Jesse had been there after all, and seeing as they were mates he was sure he'd told him long before. Atem didn't want them anywhere near it, however, as too much had happened as of late that he did not want repetition of.

He shook himself out as they landed. Yugi was immediately alert, looking around and huffing when he saw nothing. They were technically early. The other two God Dragons were supposed to meet him there at dawn and Atem had left an hour earlier to ensure he made it on time and got to see them before they did him. It was a strategy he'd employed with many of his challengers, lying in wait and only coming out when he had identified them and any information he could use to his advantage.

He'd taken note of species first, size, and then any physical deformities he could use to his advantage. He'd won battles in a mere minute due to knowing which leg couldn't support their weight properly or if they had an injury that had not healed yet.

Yugi took a seat in the dirt and turned around to look at him. "I still don't like them," he said petulantly.

"As I'm sure they're well aware," he teased, licking his forehead. He took a seat as well. He tipped his head back, looking around for any sense of cloud coverage. But the desert was often too dry to produce them and the ones that crossed through did not always last for more than a few heartbeats. He could not imagine wanting to live in such a dry place.

The very thought was enough to make him shudder.

His eyes flickered and settled on Yugi. The Gandora was perfectly at home in this environment. He'd grown up in the mountains, mere miles from Atem's own den when he was a hatchling, but he'd lived in the desert as an adolescent before he'd come to challenge him. Yugi clearly loved the area, regardless of whether he claimed he cared more for Atem than where they lived, and the Sky Dragon was incredibly grateful once more he'd lost to Yugi rather than anyone else.

Any other dragon would have forced him to follow them to their territory. And most species traveled. The Sky Dragon species usually had a huge expanse of territory and went to different areas throughout the year, often with the seasons. But Fire Dragons were prone to traveling long expanses and wandering. Water Dragons tended to like to swim from one water to the next. Ice Dragons moved around the most, drifting from one part of the territory to another for the fun of it. Earth Dragons tended to like moving as if they were nomads. Wind Dragons tended to be stagnant until mating seasons rolled around and then they traveled however far they wanted and would fight for breeding rights.

Atem would have been dragged along with them, dictated by their whims but forced by his own instincts. Sky Dragons mating for life was both a curse and a blessing depending on the situation. They never strayed and would offer almost every part of themselves for their mates. And, depending on the species, it was either cherished or seen as a weakness. His majority of suitors had been male Fire Dragons who had wished to use him for the sake of having a powerful dragon to chain to them like humans did their dogs.

Yugi had proven himself to be the exact opposite, bending over backwards to compromise and provide him with options. He'd stayed among the humans for almost a year to figure out how to use a net to pin him to win his competition, had learned to live in the valleys beneath his mountain in order to ensure he would not have to move far to accommodate him. And he'd tried to learn to fish as a dragon, but the water still tended to scare him and getting his paws wet usually made him bristle. He'd gone above and beyond in proving he didn't want to use Atem as a tactic to promote his own strength and range of territory.

"What?" Yugi asked, tilting his head and watching him. Atem blinked, realizing he'd still been staring at him. The Gandora got up, springing at him and licking his face eagerly. Atem snorted and Yugi groomed him more vigorously. "What are you thinking about so hard?"

"I was thinking how lucky I am that I lost to you instead of someone else," he answered quietly, almost surprised he'd even bothered to answer. He wasn't close enough to the other male to tell him he loved him nor was he so close he did not snarl and snap at him when he drifted too near him. And, as he'd told Yugi upon consummation, he did not love him in any way as of the moment but he did not think it impossible to in the future. He still wondered if perhaps he had given him false hope or if he were right in that statement. Sometimes he thought it impossible and others he thought the world of the little Gandora and wanted to do anything and everything to make him happy. He did not know if that was truly love or if it was simply instinct, however, and so he did not say anything.

Yugi paused grooming his face to blink in surprise and look at him for a single second. Atem couldn't tell if it was wonder beneath all the affection or if it was simply surprise he'd said that. But it only lasted a second. The Yugi licked his face rigorously. Atem almost flinched beneath the onslaught but the Gandora merely snickered and licked faster.

At that point Atem swore his face was so wet he could not expect even the sun to dry it. Yugi pulled away a few minutes later, beaming, and plopped down in a seated position with bright eyes.

"And am I clean enough to your satisfaction?"

Yugi smiled brightly, eyes dancing with laughter. "Of course! You just needed a little extra polishing!" he teased.

Atem snorted. "I'm glad you were there to help me."

"Always," the Gandora promised, eyes softer and smile warmer. Atem shuffled his paws, opening his mouth to reply, but stopped short.

The dragon approaching them was a brilliant glossy black color, their eyes narrow and glowing. They barreled forward, heavy set but full of powerful muscles and flat paws used for faster travel in the sand. And then they slowed, shaking themselves out, and called, "What are you two doing here?"

Yugi spun around, at first bristling and then relaxing. "Oh, hi, Jonouchi."

Atem considered the Red-Eyes. Yugi's mother was a Red-Eyes, his father a Luster Dragon, and at such a close proximity he could see the similarities in Yugi's build by comparison. Their skulls were similar, their mouths almost exact mirrors in width and build. Their paws were flatter, but Yugi's claws were longer and sharper and the hooks on the ends made the ground much easier for him to tread. Where it took Jonouchi a few minutes to get to them, it would have taken Yugi one at a full sprint.

His back legs were strong enough they propelled him rapidly. What Atem could do underwater, Yugi could do on land. But he did so in short bursts and Atem had the stamina to keep going for hours without tiring. Thankfully he'd never had to do that more than a handful of times, mostly to hide underwater until a wound healed if he could not make it back his current den. Most dragons would not go underwater and even Water Dragons tended to stay out of deeper depths as their bones were too dense for the pressure.

Atem shook the thought off. But he couldn't help but wonder if Jonouchi had not recognized them from the distance he'd been. If that were the truth of it, that meant the rumors Red-Eyes were blind at far distances was true. If that were true, it meant their acuity was based on movement

Atem glanced at Yugi sideways.

He truly hoped that was not something Yugi had inherited. Hopefully he'd gotten his father's Luster Dragon genetics in that department. Wind Dragons tended to have extremely sharp eyes. But he supposed he wouldn't know until Yugi hit physical maturity and his eyesight changed.

He hated to admit it, but if Yugi had this weakness, he would likely have difficulty identifying threats and remaining with Atem, he'd become an easy target when mating seasons rolled around every year. And Atem knew that most of the dragons that would seek him out later would not see their union as more than a joke. Yugi would need to be on his toes at all times. Atem was not sure he could protect him from everything.

His hearts lurched. If he could not defend him from an attack, what would he do if something more monumental happened?

He snorted. Yugi was giving Jonouchi a dirty look, head slightly angled towards Atem in a clear command he acknowledge him. The Sky Dragon shook his head when Jonouchi huffed and looked away.

"Hello, Jonouchi," he said quietly. Yugi shot him a dirty look, clearly annoyed he'd been the one to bridge that gap. The Red-Eyes kneaded anxiously at the dirt and replicated a mumbled greeting.

Atem shook himself out and glanced around, ignoring them. He'd done his part. If Yugi required more, he'd accommodate him then.

"What are you doing here?"

Yugi huffed, clearly still annoyed, but was friendly again all the same. "Jaden and Yusei are supposed to meet us here." Atem watched him cast an uncertain glance in his direction. In his peripheral Atem could not properly read his expression. But he thought he saw worry and trepidation painted in his blue-violet eyes. "Apparently they wanted him to see their territories or something."

Atem glanced over, wondering if perhaps he should say something to reassure him of the matter. But thought of potential argument held his tongues and he closed his eyes as he tilted his head and wrapped his tail around his paws. The lack of comment made Yugi huff again, this time more loudly and with a slight snap of his jaws. Atem opened his eyes just enough to level him with a warning look that warranted no room for discussion. The Gandora glared for a long handful of seconds, then turned to Jonouchi.

"So, Atem is going to spend some time with them and then we're going back home." The Red-Eyes cast Atem a slightly unnerved glance but Yugi put an end to that when he swatted him with his tail, whipping him in the side. The Fire Dragon yelped, spinning on him with a stunned expression, and Yugi looked at him with feigned innocence. Atem snorted and glanced around; the air was still cool with shadows and he could see the smallest patches of stars in the sky overhead. "And then tomorrow we need to go see about visiting Seto and Kisara."

The red dragon blinked, confused, and turned to him in bewilderment. "What?"

Yugi tilted his head, puzzled. "You were going to bless their nest, remember?"

He blinked again, then nodded slowly. "Right."

He almost shivered. His brother had looked so frantic and desperate in those dreams. He'd been so panicked. But he couldn't remember what about. And he'd never had a dream like that before regarding his siblings. He could not imagine why it might have come to him now of all times.

Keith had attacked them before. He'd nearly killed them. Seto's nest had been destroyed in front of him. Kisara had been taken from him. From what he remembered, Seto had managed to flee when he'd killed one of the guards that was supposed to be watching him and a few other males. Likely Keith had planned to kill them, but Atem didn't know much more detail. Seto had never offered them and Atem had not cared to ask.

So why now? Was it because he wished to use Atem as a status symbol to prevent something of that magnitude happening again? Or was he attempting to somehow bridge the mountainous gap between them?

Atem forced the thought away. He could not imagine the latter the reason. He saw more the former. He could see Seto trying more than ever to use him as a power figure for his own gain. It was not hard to imagine. The Felgrand had always been dominating in that manner. He'd always—

He silenced the thought again. He pushed it away entirely. Then he looked to Yugi. "Do you ever miss your family?"

The Gandora stopped mid-sentence of talking animatedly with Jonouchi. The Red-Eyes froze in surprise and both of them turned to him with startled looks. Yugi was concerned immediately afterward, head tilted as he said, "Not really? I mean, I miss my mom and dad every now and then but not enough to truly mind. It's every once in a while that I even really think about them, I guess." He was quiet for a long minute. Then he sighed softly and shook his head. "It's okay if you miss them."

Atem blinked slowly. "Not quite." He turned away. His eyes fell on Jonouchi. And then he looked past him and into the lightening sky. Dawn was coming earlier than he'd expected. Maybe it had to do with the desert. Maybe somehow the terrain affected every sunrise a different way?

Or perhaps they had been there longer than he'd thought. If that were true, how long had he been lost in thought? How long had Yugi been distracting Jonouchi to hide his inattention?

There was an awkward silence, pregnant and bearing down on them. Jonouchi abruptly said, "No, uh, I mean, I have my little sister Shizuka. But we're traveling together. So I don't really ever have to…miss her."

Atem turned to him in surprise. He was actually talking to him? He almost wanted to ask if he was sick. But then he noticed Yugi smiling, looking almost proud of himself. No doubt he was happy his friend was reaching out and trying to be amicable with his mate. Atem considered them both. Then he looked away again, eyes on the sky. He thought he sensed—

Yes; there.

He spotted them as Yusei began to dive. His wings were wider than Atem was used to seeing. They stretched far beyond the length of his body. His white scales shimmered like mist and he hovered and glided more than flew. A few yards away he stopped, banking, and landed as easily as he might breathe. Jaden came a few seconds later, glowing brilliantly even in the dim light. He looked like an ember against the dark stone and grains of sand and he landed closer than his counterpart. He was a mere two or three yards from Atem himself.

Jonouchi had long since moved. He'd taken to using Yugi as a mediator between himself and the other three. His eyes were wide, startled.

Jaden shook himself out and stretched, turning to Atem with dark red-orange eyes that reminded him of the sun setting. Yusei looked at Yugi with bright, glowing royal blue eyes. Atem almost bristled, but the Gandora was watching him. His bright blue-violet eyes were locked entirely on Atem.

The Sky Dragon didn't bother to move for a moment. Yusei looked between them a heartbeat later, then snorted and marched past Jaden. Atem blinked in surprise but the Stardust Dragon simply bumped beaks with him and murmured, "Glad to see you in good health, Atem."

Yugi was staring with unbridled curiosity and suspicion. Atem could see him bristling in his peripheral. But he returned the greeting with a mumbled, "You as well, Yusei."

Both of them turned to look at Jaden. The Fire Dragon was regarding Atem again, however, and he wasn't sure what he saw there. But he was not one to be outdone, hurrying forward to stop beside Yusei and peer at Atem pointedly.

They made no move to touch. Yugi felt as if he were looking at two different flames that were lapping at the same air. He had seen it at the human village several times. Fire was not always an easy element. And, while it raged with joy and destruction at times, it also cowered and danced away from itself others. He had seen smoke billow between two flames inches apart, dancing and wavering and spinning between them. And they'd been perfectly capable of creeping forward and meeting.

But they never had.

Yugi had always been fascinated whenever it had happened.

But now he was anxious. If Jaden lunged at Atem, he'd kill him. He didn't care if he got maimed or slaughtered in turn. He'd take Jaden with him. He didn't care if he was a God Dragon.

"Atem." The Fire Dragon nodded curtly and Atem ignored the gesture. He got to his paws and shook himself out. Yugi was surprised by how much taller Atem was than them. His legs were longer, thinner, his paws much smaller. His neck was twice as long as Jaden's, perhaps a third longer than Yusei's.

Yugi shivered. Atem could beat them. He had no doubt about that. But it worried him that they might ambush him. They had been mates formerly. And from what he understood of it, they'd been basically inseparable for the longest time. Whatever had caused Jaden to turn away from Yusei and instead mate with Jesse was beyond him. But he also supposed it didn't truly matter. What mattered was whether they would turn on Atem.

He didn't realize he was snarling until all three God Dragons turned to stare at him in surprise. Jonouchi hit him in the side with his paw gently. Yugi huffed a breath and ignored the urge to turn around. Instead he glared, lips curled back and teeth bared as he bristled. He truly wished he could smack Jaden across the muzzle and not get hurt for it. He wished with everything in him that he could.

He'd tried to use his magic on them both before. He deserved nothing less as far as Yugi was concerned.

Yusei chuckled. "You have my word, Yugi; he'll stay unharmed throughout the patrol. I won't let anything happen to him," he laughed. He watched the Gandora fondly, eyes warm with amusement. "I'll keep Jaden away from him if I have to."

"Oh, shut your jaws," Jaden said goodnaturedly, but he stared at Yugi with a wary expression. Whatever amusement he'd had before when they were at the meeting and spoke was gone. He watched him as if he expected him to launch himself at any moment. "He won't be hurt. There won't even be an opportunity."

Atem moved past them, butting Yugi on the side with his muzzle. Yugi didn't budge, still glaring. But the second hit made him grunt, the force hard enough to turn him halfway. He huffed and turned, glaring, but Atem simply stared. He didn't look upset, more amused and perhaps even grateful, but he also had a warning glint in his eyes. Yugi could see he didn't plan to talk, that if he refused to heed him now, Atem would strike out. He wouldn't hurt him, but the discipline would still be enough to make him back down.

And it would still be humiliating. He shook his head slightly, narrowing his eyes, huffed and turned away again. He couldn't afford to have Atem lash out in front of them. They'd think them both weak. They'd think Atem couldn't control him and they'd think Yugi needed constant discipline.

So he plopped down into a seated position and shot Atem a petulant look. The Sky Dragon watched him a moment, leaned forward to lick his forehead, and then turned back.

"He's very protective of you," Yusei commented with a small smile. He didn't look ruffled in the slightest, glancing at Yugi with bright eyes. He definitely seemed to love the fact Yugi was not afraid to show how much he despised them. The Stardust Dragon tilted his head. "The Leviathan would love how fierce he is in regards to you. He'd never stop annoying you so Yugi would lash out."

Jaden chuckled. "He's not wrong. He'd antagonize you just so Yugi would puff up and snarl at him."

Atem turned to Yugi, golden eyes thoughtful but also cautious. "Stay with Jonouchi," he finally mumbled, too low for the other two God Dragons to hear. But Jonouchi did, head snapping around with widened eyes. "I'll be back and then we'll discuss meeting with Seto and Kisara."

Yusei and Jaden watched them with a mixture of bemusement and curiosity. There was the smallest glint of suspicion in the Fire Dragon's eyes but the Ice Dragon was relaxed. Atem locked eyes with Yugi again, studying, and the Gandora nodded almost dismissively. But then he smiled, leaning forward and licking his beak.

"Stay safe."

The words were spoken gently, but with an ominous undertone as well. Atem couldn't help but snicker at the bold hostility. Yugi grinned at him, then turned to Jonouchi. Whatever passed between their eyes, Atem didn't know, but they soon trotted away. Yugi stopped a few yards past, then turned around and watched him.

Atem ignored his pointed stare and shook himself out. "Where are we headed?"

"Lightning Clan territory, then to Wind," Yusei said with a glance at Jaden. He still looked overly amused by the aggressive display. "Those were where Keith frequented the most before he went after you."

Atem blinked and glanced sidelong towards Yugi. The Gandora refused to move. Jonouchi nudged him but Yugi had plopped down, staring intently. Atem could not tell if he still suspected they might turn on him or if he was trying to hear what they were saying. Whatever the reason, Atem could not help but snicker. Yugi had whacked his friend away with his tail without even looking. Jonouchi had given up and taken a seat as well, glaring at the Gandora.

Atem turned away again. He supposed they'd changed their minds about showing their territories; he didn't know if it was because he'd denied the same or if it was something else. He supposed it also didn't matter. "We are checking in on nests Keith fathered then?"

Jaden nodded. "If we stay on top of it rather than allow something to happen later, we could prevent casualties."

Atem studied him. "You seem rather intent on the idea one of his offspring will be a monster."

"I'd rather not take chance," the Fire Dragon returned. His voice had grown cold and his eyes had darkened. Something about his stance made Atem bristle and the Sky Dragon couldn't help but snarl low in his throat.

"Oh, no, none of that," Yusei said immediately, laughing again. "I don't want an angry little Gandora coming after me."

Jaden huffed and shook himself out. "Let's get a move on."

Atem glanced over. Yugi bristled, crouched low to the ground. He smiled faintly, shook his head, and waited until Jaden had launched himself into the air to prepare himself to mimic him. But Yusei abruptly turned to him, voice low and soft as he said, "Listen, Atem. Jaden isn't in the best of moods. Don't take anything he says personally. If he says something that you think is a threat, don't react. He doesn't mean it. He's just…restless again."

Atem blinked. "And does he have no way to fix that?"

"He does. But for the moment he's not bothering. Probably when you leave us, I'll talk to him."

The Sky Dragon nodded slightly, glanced over his shoulder at his mate and Jonouchi, and then turned back. Yusei had launched himself into the air. Atem followed suit, leaping nimbly and flapping once to gain altitude. Yusei and Jaden were ahead of him by several yards when he evened himself out and tucked his paws to his chest. Doing so made it easier to maneuver. It was only when he had to make sharper turns he would have a problem.

But he doubted he'd need to. Fire Dragons weren't well known for flying and Ice Dragons did not often have trouble but they were not good at higher altitudes. They were heavier than Sky Dragons, and their bones were fragile enough to go higher than Wind or Water Dragons but their heavier masses tended to make that kind of flight harder. They felt the pressure on their bodies far more acutely than Atem himself ever would. Atem could go high enough to shield himself from any and every suitor come to challenge him. But he couldn't land on clouds. He couldn't rest up there above them. He'd head off in another direction, find one of his various other dens scattered about his territory, and rest there. It had only happened a few times. He'd been too tired, hungry and exhausted, and he'd known his suitors would not have cared to let him rest and recover for a fair fight. So he'd simply moved along to the next den, eaten and rested, and then gone back a day or two after. And from there he'd accepted the returning suitor's challenge.

Atem glanced at the ground. The desert terrain had been swallowed away by ocean, and the water banked upon an earthy area of brilliant yellow and green grass. The stalks were not too high, the brush about them muted in color and several shades lighter than Atem was used to seeing in his own territory. The earth looked as if it could be clawed up easily and the few trees about them were almost completely leafless. He blinked, eyes stretching wide, and his stomach lolled with discomfort.

It was almost autumn. If it was almost autumn, the Fire and Wind Dragons would soon be moving about. They'd visit other territories in search of their newest mates.

That also meant Timaeus would be visiting…

But that meant, as well, that Atem would be seeing more suitors soon enough. They'd likely dismiss his union with Yugi and try their paw at challenging him regardless. He wouldn't be surprised. He had thought so more than once, even if he had not spoken of it to Yugi. The Gandora would not be happy, he knew, and he wondered if he would lash out at any dragon to enter their territory.

They landed on a smaller, somewhat rockier outcrop. He scented the air, first with his nose and then with his top mouth open. His tongue was more sensitive there, with more sensors, and it made it easier to catch any scent he was unfamiliar with. But it was mostly of mild rain from drifting storms and perhaps the smallest hint of a juvenile dragon running about the grass.

Atem glanced at the other two God Dragons.

Yusei shook himself out and sniffed the air. Then he began to trot ahead. Jaden turned to Atem, explaining, "I did not want to alert them to our presence early. We are not calling out to announce ourselves. If the mothers hide their dragonets, it might become a fight if we pressure them to let us see."

The Sky Dragon nodded, but his scales rose and fell in an uneasy bristle. What were they supposed to do if they did choose to fight them? He could win; he knew that. But he'd rather not waste the energy.

Yusei led them easily through the bramble bunches and around snake holes. And finally, without much preamble, he leaped forward and landed in the center of what looked to be a large clearing. Atem followed him rather reluctantly, every sense telling him to announce his presence. He didn't want an unnecessary fight. He wanted to get in and out quickly. Jaden was behind him, however, as if he expected him to falter and it would give him an excuse to snarl and snap.

Immediately a low, almost barking noise came about the clearing. Yusei stood perfectly still, not answering. Atem hesitated, then slowly slunk forward. Jaden, however, scoffed at his trepidation and trotted around him towards Yusei.

The walls of the stone hollow they'd entered were almost tall enough they blocked the sky when he looked about them. They loomed high over his head, sheer cliff walls of bright gold and dark gray like granite stones. Small patches of bush and scraggly trees half-dead with exposed roots and knobby, half-broken limbs were scattered about unevenly. Brambles were used in the entrances of some of what looked to be cavernous openings in the stone faces. And Atem could feel their eyes on him even as he remained blind to their locations.

"Atem?"

His head snapped around. Seto picked his way out of a hollowed out chasm in part of the stone embankment surrounding them. He was northwest of Atem himself, south of Jaden and Yusei who had spun to see him as well. The Felgrand trotted forward and eyed them critically, circled the God Dragons and cut between Jaden and Yusei to face Atem.

"What are you doing here?"

Jaden turned his head, watching the Sky Dragons with darkened, curious eyes. Atem ignored him, murmuring, "Jaden and Yusei said we were patrolling."

He hesitated. What more was there to say? He didn't know more. And he was not in the best position to say anything else. Should he be wrong, Seto might become suspicious. And if he became suspicious, how did he calm him?

But he could already see his unease was doing himself no favors. His silence was unnerving only to himself. Seto had clearly sensed it. His eyes were darker and his mouth twitched slightly as if with laughter. But to react meant he'd have to acknowledge his own hesitancy and Atem could not stand to.

So he simply stared back, waiting.

Seto blinked. "Patrol?" he repeated slowly. He turned his head and stared at the other two interlopers. His blue eyes flashed and he sniffed disdainfully, voice ful of contempt. "For what?"

Yusei pushed Jaden aside when the Fire Dragon simply stared back at Seto. Atem had the sudden impulse to flatten himself to the ground and ask for a blessing for safe travel about the territory. It was only natural. Dragons asked blessings before they ran throughout another's territory. It was dangerous otherwise; more deaths were caused through territory skirmishes than even mating fights. But the Ice Dragon was amiable, saying, "We came to see the current nests."

"You've never done this before," Seto sneered. His eyes fell on Atem again; he snorted. "You look as if you might fall over. What is wrong with you?"

Jaden scoffed, "He's new to traveling like a God Dragon. Regardless"—Seto watched him in his peripheral, but his eyes were trained on Atem—"we have reason to check now where we did not before."

It took the Felgrand only a moment to determine what he meant. Then he turned on the Fire Dragon with a snarl. "Keith's offspring," he spat, "are dead."

Atem bristled faintly. Then he moved to coil his tail more pointedly towards himself. If a fight broke out, he could use it to puncture rather than decapitate. He shook his head and glanced around. More of the dragons watched them from overhead. Some sprang forward to see. He caught Kisara watching with wide eyes, visibly confused. She was watching him, not Seto, and the realization made him even more nervous.

How many of them knew who he was? Had Seto told them? He must have thought to, if only to explain he would be there to bless his nest.

"Are they now?" Jaden asked, voice almost soft with disbelief. His eyes were sharp like human spears, however, and when he wrinkled his lips back it was into a partial sneer. "Their mothers allowed them to be destroyed?"

Atem looked over at Seto. His brother eyed Jaden as if he were nothing more than a piece of dung. And some part of him could do nothing more than picture his face pleading with him, panicked and begging his help. The Sky Dragon bristled faintly at the reminder and forced himself to loosen his muscles by exhaling heavily.

Seto turned his head. "What?"

He shook his head, mind racing to calm his own thoughts and diffuse the tension building between Jaden and the Felgrand before him. "Why are you down here and not Kisara's father? He is the one meant to address us, not you." He realized how aggressive he sounded only after he'd spoken. Seto stared at him as if he were a bug he meant to flatten beneath his paw. Atem hesitated, debating whether to challenge the stance his eldest sibling had taken or to narrow his eyes and reword his statement. Initially there was a part of him that desired to snap at him. And then he stopped short and shrugged it away. Sibling rivalry had no place here. "Is he ill? Or did you usurp him?"

Seto looked almost as startled by the suggestion as Jaden or Yusei sounded when they repeated the question quietly to one another. The Felgrand was not a terribly powerful dragon. It had a leaner frame, a more heavily armored chest, and sharp claws. But its most effective battle technique was the wider, flatter paws and the heavy set body. Where it lacked the usual grace of the Sky Dragon's longer frame and immense wings, it made up for with sturdy design and steady strength. A Felgrand could control its magic like no other.

Atem knew that a normal Felgrand would never have made a dent against Kisara's father. A Blue-Eyes White Dragon was known for its destructive capabilities. The species was known for winning fights in a matter of seconds for the most part. They were powerful in body, magic, and general capabilities. Their lightning blasts were enough to stun even a Red-Eyes or—according to rumor, anyways—stop a Gandora in its tracks.

But Seto had a lot of things that pushed him towards a position of power should he pursue it. He had ambition, a strategic mind, the patience to wait for things to fall into place as he needed them, and pride. If he were to set his mind to it, Atem was sure he could usurp her father in little to no time. His pride made him deadly and his ambitious nature did not allow he settle for less.

Atem would not put much beyond him. He'd watched Seto knock Bakura about once as hatchlings. Bakura had lost his temper and struck out. Seto had originally ignored it. But the second blow had been to his muzzle. And Seto had turned around and ruthlessly attacked. Bakura had held his own, but he'd eventually given up just as Seto was gaining his second wind. Atem, thankfully, had not been the focus of their games that day. It was one of the rare safe havens of his childhood.

But the fight had been ugly. Bakura should have won, in truth. He was the faster. He was built with deadlier claws and a tail like a scorpion. He should have been able to overpower him. But Seto had been determined to put him in his place. So, he'd done it.

Atem watched him. The surprise had slowly faded into something like cautious bewilderment. The Felgrand truly had no plans to take over the Clan. Some part of him was relieved, and yet another part was almost disappointed. He did not know why he felt this way. But he did. And being unable to pinpoint its meaning didn't lessen the feeling.

"No," Seto said slowly, staring. His eyes narrowed suspiciously, tilting his head. "Why would I have?"

"I assumed if you came to greet us, it meant something."

"You're my little brother," he reminded him, sneering the title. Atem felt the smallest twinge of bitterness swell through him. Some of the dragons around them were staring with startled, yet somewhat relieved expressions. "It only makes sense that I greet you instead, yes? Or would you have rather Akunadin meet you?"

Atem stared, unblinking and almost snarling with frustration. But he shrugged the impulse away and shifted his position to take a seat comfortably. It made him look friendly, but it also protected his flanks if Seto came any closer. He moved his wings to tuck them slightly along his sides and slowly wrapped his tail around his paws.

His brother's attention immediately fell to it. His eyes narrowed and then snapped to his face again. It was clear he had not forgotten the strength and speed with which he utilized it, the capability he possessed when it was used in battle. He had not forgotten Atem using it on Bakura in his anger, nor destroying Keith's hearts in that final fight at the cliffs.

"Akunadin does not have to meet me at all if he does not want to. I was simply confused. I am not worried." Atem looked him over. Was he slimmer than usual? He wondered if something had stressed him out and made him lose weight. Or perhaps he had simply spent too much time awake and waiting anxiously for Atem to bless his nest. Atem did not know. But he supposed it would not do to puzzle over it. "As Jaden said, we came to see the nests more than anything. But if the nests are destroyed—"

"Do you believe that?" Yusei interrupted. He was soft spoken and quiet when he asked. Atem almost did not hear him. He turned his head to look over his shoulder. Jaden was still standing. His eyes were on some of the other dragons gathered about. Yusei had taken a seat, watching Atem and Seto with a keen glint in his eyes. "Do you believe they destroyed the nests Keith might have fathered?"

Atem hesitated. Then he snorted. "Lightning Dragons are almost as territorial as Fire Dragons, are they not? I can't imagine they'd let any nests fathered by him hatch." He turned to Seto. The Felgrand was studying Yusei and Jaden again, eyes narrowed with clear suspicion. "Then I guess we can be on our way, right?"

Jaden made a noise of disagreement but Yusei got to his paws immediately. "I'll trust your judgment on this, Atem. I'd consider you the most knowledgeable on the subject." Atem turned his head in bewilderment. "You've fought the most dragons between the four of us God Dragons. I think you'd know their habits best."

He almost bristled, feeling confused and perhaps slightly chastised. But he shrugged it away. Then he got to his paws and turned to Seto again.

"Yugi and I will return tomorrow. You said sunset, yes?"

His brother stared at him. He looked as if he wanted to object. Maybe he wanted to argue and push for him to do it then instead. But he didn't speak. Instead he nodded, glanced at the other two, and then looked at the ledges of the stone gorge around them. The Lightning Dragons were studying them curiously. Some of them were staring at Atem more than the other two, but some were watching him as if they thought he might turn on them. Perhaps they expected the God Dragons to attack him instead. He didn't care.

Atem would not shed blood today. He had made that decision long before he'd come with them. Even Seto could not change his mind.

"The nests were destroyed before the meeting," Seto said abruptly. Atem stiffened and looked to him in surprise. Yusei and Jaden both came closer.

"Before the meeting?" Jaden said with interest. "You all killed the eggs before the meeting was held?"

Seto ignored him. He stared at Atem solely, as if challenging him to say something in argument. It did not take the God Dragon more than a moment to understand. Seto was baiting him because he'd fought against needless extermination. He was sneering at him for his apparent weakness. He was making a point in front of the others, that his opinion had been the strongest influence in the camp.

Atem narrowed his eyes slightly. "Oh?"

"The mothers killed them themselves." Seto tilted his head and his lips peeled into something of a smirk. Atem bristled faintly but refused to give him the satisfaction of a true response. "No one wanted to risk Keith's offspring being capable of usurping Akunadin or that they were natural monsters."

Atem nodded slowly. "I see."

Seto glanced away from him a few minutes later. His eyes fell on Yusei and Jaden and then he turned back. "I want to speak to you, Atem." He looked as if he might snap when Yusei stepped forward as if to intervene. But somehow his voice only came out mildly condescending, his expression only slightly scathing. "Am I not allowed to speak to my brother alone?"

"If it is in regards to the nests you've mentioned, it requires the attention of all three of us," Yusei answered in a cold voice. Atem had the oddest sense Yusei was trying to protect him, as if his unease had brought him to his side. "And I don't know if you understand this, but if I want to box your brains from your skull, I will. Your brother will have no chance to stop me. Your insolence annoys me."

Atem snickered. "It's true. I won't even try to stop him."

Seto eyed him critically. "Is that so?"

He went to laugh at him. It was definitely so. He'd gladly watch and laugh. But he was struck by the way his brother had begged him in his dreams again. And so he turned to Yusei, murmuring, "I will speak to him for a moment and then return."

It wasn't a question. Yusei stared at him as if he might argue. Jaden watched the three of them keenly. His golden eyes were burning, his stare cold. But Atem ignored him as well when he turned back and followed his sibling several yards away.

They were near the entrance, where a few large tunnels ran through the stone walls to clearings about the territory. They were large and amazingly smooth, as if glossed with metal and fire magic. He had always hated the smell of melted metal, but he'd enjoyed the way gold and silver twinkled in the sunlight and glimmered like gems beneath the moon.

But that did not stop him from realizing they were moving too far away. If he and Seto came to blows, he was not sure he'd manage to stop himself killing him. And, despite his earlier vow he would not do so, he wondered now. Some part of him truly expected to lash out and hurt him. Between his unease and the memory of his night terrors and the violent, aching aggression he felt at Seto's mere presence, he could not be sure of his restraint.

"What is this about?" he demanded icily, refusing to move any further. Seto stopped a couple of feet ahead of him and turned around, blinking. Atem stood stiffly, awaiting an explanation. "What is it that you want to talk to me about?"

His eldest sibling straightened his stance and gave him a dismissive sniff. "You're here now. Why not bless the nest?"

"I promised Yugi he could come with me."

"And that should matter to me?"

"Yes. I told you I would do this for you. And my agreement relies on Yugi's presence. I told you that when you first asked me. Just as I am telling you now, I will not perform this Blessing if he is not present."

"He's not the one who will be performing it. Why does it matter whether he is here or not?"

Atem narrowed his eyes slightly. "Because I promised him he would be able to join me. He wanted a nest of his own when he was younger. And this will be the closest he ever gets to—"

"I didn't agree to that filthy little Gandora even entertaining the thought of adopting my nest as his own."

He tilted his head slowly to the side. Seto stiffened and backed up a step. He seemed to have realized he'd overstepped. It was simple enough to leave it there and let it die. But a part of him burned with indignation and he snarled, "That filthy little Gandora is the only reason I agreed. If not for him, you would have been denied the moment you opened your mouth, brother. I do not care for your nest. It affects me little. Aside from having more family, I have no relation to them. Now. If you wish for me to Bless your nest at all, you will stop with this notion that I will abandon our original agreement for the sake of your ego."

Seto bristled visibly, stepping forward. "You would not even be alive if not for me. Keith would have killed your stubborn dog-brain if I had not intervened and told you he was headed your way."

"No," Atem snorted. "What you did was run to your brother for protection and aid to rescue your mate when you were too weak and pitiful to do so yourself. What you seek to do now is twist that truth into something more dignified. But you were practically begging for my help, all but crawling on your belly and pleading."

Seto stepped closer, snarling. Atem flicked his tail, thumping it once, and lowered his head as he flicked his tongue. "Beg for your aid?" the Felgrand snarled. His voice was louder now, carrying towards the center of the hollow. Atem could only imagine just how aggressive it must have truly sounded. "You think for even a moment I would do that? Why would I need to? I can beat you into submission if I try."

"I've never before heard such false words in my life."

"Is that so?" he sneered. He stepped closer, snarling, and his voice dropped as he spat, "Well then, how about your side? Who carved it open and left you to rot?"

Atem's ears were ringing. Rage crashed through him. He lunged, roaring. Seto screamed. Blood flew through the air. Atem bore down on him. He was lashing out without thought. His claws were soaked. His nostrils burned. Parts of his face seemed to sting. He lashed out again.

Something slammed into his side. Atem spun on it, snarling. He arched his back, flattened his wings to his sides. His tail thumped twice. The entire clearing was dull with distant alarm cries. The Clan had come forward as one to save Seto. They were snarling, an entire mass of bodies.

He backed up a step. Seto was on his paws again. He was shaking himself out.

Another dragon bit at his haunch. Atem didn't turn. The majority was in front of him. There were only a couple behind him. Even as they bit a second time, he couldn't be bothered. He'd never doubted instinct before. If the mass was in front of him, a few small stragglers were distraction.

A Serpent Night came forward. Atem knocked them off their paws. They immediately rolled to their back, neck exposed in submission. A Thunder Dragon flinched back. Another circled him, excited rather than aggressive. And another watched him with an expression of intense interest.

Atem thumped his tail again. He bore his teeth and snarled. And then he snapped his wing out. It hit the Blue-Eyes hard enough to snap its jaw. The dragon whimpered and backed away. Another spat a curse and fled. Others watched intently.

"Get out of here," Seto snarled abruptly. "I don't need help."

Some of them shot him curious looks. Others flinched and glanced away. And then a couple of them backed away entirely.

"What just happened?" Jaden demanded. He snarled and snapped his teeth. The Lightning Dragon that had turned on him flinched. He swatted another away with a roar. He turned immediately to Atem, hurrying forward. "You got too far from us. We couldn't hear you aside from his yelling. Did he attack you?"

Atem snarled low in his throat, backing up a step.

"If he did, he couldn't manage a blow," Yusei laughed at his side. He gave Atem a huge grin, then instantly froze and blinked. The amusement was gone when he stepped forward again. "Relax. No one is going to hurt you."

They were crowded around him. And he swore he could feel each of their breaths on his scales. He snarled again, backing up. The Clan began to pace anxiously. Jaden was frozen, staring at him in something almost akin recognition. Yusei looked stunned.

"Back off," Seto spat. His voice had grown dangerously cold and calm, like the wind before a heavy storm. Atem snarled and lashed his tail. He turned his head just enough to watch him in his peripheral. Seto stared at the two God Dragons, expression hateful and annoyed. "You're too close. He'll kill you if you keep going."

Yusei blinked once. Then he backed up. Jaden remained there, staring. He jerked when Yusei hit him hard in the side to lead him back as well. The other dragons began to slowly move away. And then, collectively, they lowered themselves to the ground. The submission was halfhearted. Atem was not a fool. He knew if he so much as stepped forward, they would rush him.

The Sky Dragon forced himself to take a seat. But the curve of his spine did not lessen. He did not move his wings from where they were tucked into his sides. And he refused to take his eyes off of them.

"He's fine," Seto snapped. Atem allowed himself to watch him in his peripheral. The Felgrand's jaw was dislocated, though not broken. His face was covered in blood but he did not look permanently disfigured. His eyes were not crushed. In truth, despite his anger, Atem had not hurt him. He'd drawn blood, he'd jarred his jaw, but he had not broken anything. "I promise he is perfectly fine. Just…leave him alone."

Atem backed up a few steps, then lowered himself into a crouched position. There was nothing submissive about the stance, more like a large cat before it sprang. He was used to standing and facing an opponent as a dog might, staring and maintaining eye contact and showing no fear. But with so many different dragons, the two God Dragons, and the unfamiliar sensation of encroaching on territory like this, he could not justify doing so.

He'd started this fight. And he'd provoked the attack from the others. In doing this, it made it clear he had no plans to lash out further. But it highlighted he would do so again if they were to try to turn on him once more.

Jaden continued staring for a long minute. Then he turned to Seto. "It looks rather superficial. I suppose he must not have cared to render you a carcass," he hissed. His eyes glowed with anger and he strode forward to bear down on him. "I do not suppose you'd be so stupid as to repeat this incident, yes?"

Atem blinked and got to his paws. "It won't happen again," he mumbled.

Yusei looked over at him immediately. "You're all right?"

"Yes." The Sky Dragon forced himself not to turn on the Serpent Night that had drifted closer. It was sniffing at him curiously, though he did not know if it was because the little black dragon was trying to recognize Yugi's species from his scent or if it wished to test his willingness to mate. Either was equally likely. He kept his eyes focused on Jaden. The Fire Dragon was studying him from his peripheral. "It's okay. No one was badly hurt."

"Right," the Prime Material Dragon scoffed. "No one was badly hurt."

Chapter Text

Part II: Visits

Atem landed uncertainly on the edge of the Wind Dragon territory. He could smell a thousand different pheromones, announcing the coming arrival of the mating season only days away. They migrated for mating grounds twice a year, on the warmest and coldest days. If a dragon were ever to wonder about the weather, it took only the presence of a Wind Dragon looking to mate to help. And their mating season went from a week to potentially a month or longer depending on the more terrible fights between males for the sake of procuring females. Most often travel took a day and fights began the morning after arrival. Battles were long and arduous and terrible depending on the amount of males and the temperament of the females as we. Timaeus, he knew, had not had to fight for Kris. She'd chosen him, going to him when she'd seen his size and glossy scales. It had been enough to overlook the permanent scar Atem had inflicted him with, the jagged aching red flash against the brilliant teal of his flesh, when he'd taken his eye out with his tail in a single horrifying fit of panic.

And he knew this merely by rumor. Kris had picked Timaeus out of the crowd of males. In truth, she'd likely picked who she thought best as her mate for her first heat cycle. Timaeus was far more patient than most and he was quite capable of protecting her and the clutch she'd laid. Likely she'd also assumed the scar on his face to be one he'd gotten from a fight involving previous nests. It had likely been enough to make her turn her head, if only with curiosity at first.

Males often went for the face. Jaws were broken, eyes were scratched, teeth occasionally knocked out, but Wind Dragons rarely tried to kill for mating rights. They would fight until the other might collapse or retreat. Timaeus had gotten his wing broken his first fight and had been left to retreat, which was how he and Atem had come to cross paths.

The females that fought, however, were more likely to kill, especially those that held grudges for prior losses.

It was rare, but it happened. Some of the older females would turn on each other when the fighting began, if only because they resented another spending time with their mate—or mates—prior. It wasn't too incredibly often a female mated with more than one male, but it happened on occasion. Usually the females got to choose which of the males they were interested in and the males which reciprocated often fought depending on the female's willingness to take a suitor. He knew a couple had taken on two males but usually one would wander for a new conquest before the day was over.

Thankfully he'd never had to participate in such things. He himself merely had to wait for others to find him, dodging and weaving about dens when he was wounded but returning to fight yet another suitor almost every other day. It had been exhausting and more than enough reason to bring heavier snows to hold them at bay for a season. Winter passed without much incident, which had easily made it his favorite season. Snow made too many dragons wary to have visitors as he did during spring, summer and autumn. Although, the moment Timaeus entered his territory some of the dragons looking to pursue him would flinch away. Timaeus was rather large, with broader shoulders and heavier more apparent muscles. He was well-built and it was clear he could easily fight someone off should he truly need to. His presence was usually enough to startle them into fleeing, if only because they thought they'd have to fight him to challenge Atem.

Atem dove slightly, shaking himself out as he spun in the air. Jaden eyes him but did not try to overtake him. Yusei hummed a small tune that Atem remembered from his days as a. He remembered his mother singing the words to him, licking and grooming and holding him tight between her paws. She'd sing it to him when he could not sleep, when his energy was too high and his family too exhausted to help him expel it. The tune would usually help him get comfortable, curling up against her chest and stretching a paw lazily outward to her leg. He'd fall asleep usually after the fourth or fifth time hearing the song and wake up to her still laying there with her chin on his back.

Atem shook the memory off, padding forward. The warmth it brought had always been tainted whenever he'd fallen back on it. He remembered all too easily how much worse his brothers had turned on him for his mother's favor. And he could not shake the cold dread that so often overwhelmed him after the thought crossed his mind.

He cast a glance around slowly, ready to lash out at any other dragon to approach. Behind the Fire Dragons, Wind Dragons had been disgustingly prevalent in their pursuit of overpowering and courting him. It didn't matter, as he knew he smelled enough of Yugi that it should be something of a warning. They'd mated a couple of nights ago and the scent had faded enough that it was not overwhelming, but he knew anyone could smell Yugi on him.

But he wondered as well.

The Serpent Night had looked as if he had been tempted to challenge him for mating rights. He'd been watching him so intently, sniffing so pointedly, that Atem was sure there was no other meaning behind it.

"So, do you plan to explain what happened at the camp?" Jaden demanded. He was a step behind him. Atem faltered, bristling faintly as he turned to look over his shoulder. Yusei appeared flustered, glancing at Jaden with an irritable expression. "You went to speak with your brother and the next we know, the entire Clan is looking to do battle with you."

"I had no intention to tell you anything." Atem considered him with the slight impulse to sneer. "What happened with me and Seto does not require your acknowledgment. That is my business, not yours. Do you understand?"

"Do you understand that should you become a liability in provoking needless fights, I am required to discipline you? No God Dragon is allowed to throw their weight about and cause trouble as you just did."

"Leave him be, Jaden," Yusei said softly, shaking himself out. He sounded tired. "They are siblings. I doubt Atem simply attacked him without reason as you are suggesting. I believe he was provoked. And what does it matter? No one was harmed."

"He drew blood."

"It was nothing but a scratch," the Ice Dragon snapped. His voice rose an octave with anger. Atem looked over, startled by his aggravation but lost to his thoughts as well. He had not expected Seto to bleed so much from what had proved to be nothing short of shallow cuts. It had only been the dislocation of his jaw that had been troublesome. But he'd been fine beyond that, more surprised and caught off guard than anything else. In a few days' time Seto likely would not have even the smallest sign to remind himself or others of his wounded state. "It was nothing but a scratch and even Seto failed to show concern. Do not make this to be bigger than it truly was. We do not need fights amongst ourselves. We are meant to stand as a united force, as God Dragons meant to protect and uphold the lore. We are not meant to be antagonistic towards one another or dragons undeserving of our tempers."

Atem blinked. Jaden had spun on the younger male, breathing hard and all but snarling. But he did not lunge. Yusei glared steadily in turn, eyeing him fiercely. They stared at one another for a long handful of minutes. Yusei turned away and Jaden thumped his tail with a snarl as he looked to the ground.

"My apologies," the Fire Dragon spat, almost trembling with rage. "Keep your secrets as you so wish."

Atem studied him, confused. He did not truly believe it a secret. But he did not care to explain and tell him what had come from his exposure to his brother. It had happened and it did not matter.

He turned away, grateful to find neither were paying him any mind. He led them a few more yards into the field terrain. The long grass swayed with a small breeze that made the blades whistle. He could feel the coming heat now like water tickling his paws. The air was dry and hot.

His stomach lurched as he looked around slowly. He wished now he might have taken a swim in one of the nearby rivers before they'd come. He doubted any of the dragons might challenge him for mating rights. But fights when he was dehydrated were always harder. Atem could not use his moist scales to his advantage. He would not be able to slip away beneath their paws as easily. Claws could dig in more easily. Teeth could clip him. Usually he was slippery like a fish beneath water. But dry heat and long exposure to the sun outside of his usual sunbathing could dry him out quickly.

Atem could have influenced the weather to a more comfortable degree for himself. It would not have been hard. But he did not want anyone to suffer the repercussions. He'd mess up the weather patterns necessary for the regions. A monsoon might appear in the desert and dry winds might creep through the mountains. He had done so more than once as a hatchling, his temper lost and his emotions too volatile. It had struck his magic into motion and from there heavy storms and gusting winds had stripped an entire green terrain to a water-logged marshland. The desert had gotten an immense monsoon that had lasted for almost a moon, the downpour enough to almost drown every Fire Dragon there.

Atem shook this off.

And then he spun around, stiffening.

Someone was approaching them.

He bristled, scenting the air, but it was no use. Dragons did not usually carry much of a scent. Scent markings and glands in their paws and cheeks were often the only sources of smell for them. Upon reaching sexual maturity their pheromones spiked for a short period and then faded again. Aside from those few marks on their bodies, they became almost without a scent as they were when they were hatchlings. But for the moment, with mating season so close, he should have been able to pick up something.

But the wind was blowing his scent toward them. The opposing direction lent them aid and left him in the dark. He listened closely, setting on the task of finding them before they got to him, and took smaller and lighter steps. He was used to the terrain, if only because of his few visits to see Timaeus.

He inched forward, then blinked.

Timaeus. He slowed his steps, listening more acutely. They were not in the Clan's territory yet; a patrol was unlikely to have strayed so far from their own borders. And the dragon coming forward was not charging, as a Clan member would have upon realizing their presence. This dragon took quick but easy steps, light enough it sounded friendly.

Timaeus must have caught his scent—or more likely Yugi's considering the season and position their mounting had taken. He slowed his steps and listened once more, studying for the direction. He could hear the easy rhythm, usually light and soft but now with false heaviness to announce himself from a distance.

"Atem?" Yusei murmured behind him. He sounded almost anxious. "What's wrong?"

He ignored him. The teal dragon had come through the grass a few yards away, shaking himself out before hurrying over to him. Atem relaxed his stance, lazy, and met him in a slow gait halfway. Immediately Timaeus rubbed his head against his, then along his flanks, and nipped his wing before taking a seat with a huge grin.

"You look extremely well; healthier than I've seen you in a while!" he praised. Atem looked at him, startled, and wondered how haggard he must have looked before the fight at Timaeus' den. He smiled at him, however, too delighted by the measure of joy on his friend's face to truly care. "It's almost like the day you and I went our separate ways. You were healthy and glowing back then. You look like that now. Yugi must be taking good care of you."

Atem chuckled, leaning forward to rub briefly against his shoulder with his head. "Yes, as I am so incapable of taking care of myself," he teased.

"Well, yes," Timaeus snorted. Atem swatted his shoulder. "You're incredibly incapable of doing anything for yourself. Don't even try to pretend otherwise."

Atem snickered. "No, I suppose I cannot pretend." He looked up after a moment, then risked a glance over his shoulder. Yusei and Jaden stood a few yards away. Both stared blankly, as if unsure of what to make of the display.

And then the Stardust Dragon shook himself out, recovering from his surprise, and hurriedly padded forward.

"Hello. I don't recall meeting you at the gathering, but I do remember seeing you there," he greeted calmly. He was friendlier than Atem expected. And, behind him, Jaden studied them with a confused, curious expression. "But I assume you are not part of the Clan, seeing as you are so far out here and not towards the heart of the territory."

Timaeus eyed them both, then cast Atem a glance that seemed to ask if he should bother answering. Atem snickered and Timaeus turned back with a small smirk. "Hello, Yusei. I'm Timaeus, Atem's friend as I'm sure you could already tell. And, yes, you assume correctly. I'm not part of the Clan. The Clan is further northwest towards the heart of the territory. A patrol should be scouting nearby in a matter of minutes. They usually go in hourly increments since the issue with Keith. You can meet them if you leave now. It'll make it easier for you to enter the camp."

Yusei nodded slightly. "Thank you." He turned to Jaden. "Atem and Timaeus can spend some time alone. We'll check the nests ourselves."

Jaden shot Atem a look bordering suspicion and frustration. He nodded a moment later, turning to follow Yusei as the Ice Dragon darted off. Atem turned to Timaeus immediately when they were out of sight.

"My, how things have changed. I was once the only dragon you'd talk to and now you've gone and made two new friends! What does that leave you at? Me, Yugi, Yusei and Jaden? Four friends. You're going up in the world."

Atem snorted. "You're such a dog-brain!" he snickered. He reached forward to tap his beak with his paw, studying him. "How did you know it was me?"

"I smelled Yugi, actually," he answered, grinning. "I was excited to see you both again. I know it's been only a moon but it feels like forever since I saw you both last."

Atem tilted his head. "My apologies. I was not aware you were so clingy."

Timaeus snorted. "I'm not the Sky Dragon."

"A shame. You're so attached to me you might as well be."

He laughed and shook his head. "You're adorable." The Wind Dragon looked him over with a scrutinizing expression. Then he sat straighter and stared at him more pointedly. "And you look well, but you also look rattled and as if something is troubling you. So, what is it?"

He opened his mouth to object and his friend tilted his head. Atem faltered, thinking for a moment to redirect their conversation elsewhere. And then he shook his head. "I've…been having odd dreams again."

Timaeus blinked. "You mean like when you dreamed that human boy was going to wander into the woods and you came across him not an hour later and turned invisible and watched him gather water and go home? Or like when you woke up frantic thinking that the horse we'd been eating was going to come back from the dead and eat us instead?"

Atem huffed and bristled at the reminder. "I was ill!" he hissed. "I was ill and you lied to me! You said we would not speak of it again."

"I only meant that for when you were so angry at me for laughing at you. Now you're older and I'm going to tease you relentlessly whenever I so get the chance. Now…what are we talking about?"

"It's…not like either of them," he finally mumbled. He shook his head, struggling for words. "I…I've been having this strange dream for days. It's…almost a nightmare. Last night Yugi woke me twice because of it. I… Every time I lay my head to rest, I see it again. I see it all over again, almost beat for beat, Timaeus. I… Seto begs me for help. He begs and begs and begs. And when I try to leave him, he just…reappears. And sometimes it gets so loud—his pleading—that I cannot hear anything else. I cannot even think. And sometimes he crawls on his belly pleading. And others he simply stands before me and cries and pleads and begs. And I never have an answer. And he never explains what he's begging me for. He never tells me what he wants from me. He simply says, 'Atem, please. Please do this for me. I need your help. You are the only one who can do this for me. Please.'"

Timaeus studied him a moment. "And you do not think maybe this has to do with what happened before? He came to you for help once and you rejected him. Perhaps you feel guilty for it now? You both were civil at the gathering. Perhaps you feel bad for how you behaved?"

"Yugi said something similar, but it was not guilt of that. He said maybe it was from when I told Seto no and chased him away when he pleaded for help to get Kisara back from Keith. But I do not harbor any guilt for that. I never have. He did not deserve my aid. I did not know Kisara and I had no reason to intervene. I harbor no feelings towards that situation whatsoever." Atem tilted his head, then moved forward a step. Timaeus blinked. The Sky Dragon lay down beside him, leaning forward and licking his face. He ran his tongue over his skull where he'd once lashed out and taken his eye. He groomed it vigorously, working to calm down and remind himself Timaeus had granted him forgiveness immediately after. "I wonder if it has to do with his nest. That is…all I can think of that has changed since I last saw him. Kisara laid her eggs and Seto asked me before to bless them. I agreed to and now I wonder if I am fabricating a problem in my mind because I am fearful I will not be able to Bless them properly…"

Timaeus was quiet for a moment. "It's possible. You've always worried yourself too much. I would not be surprised in any manner if that were it."

"I do not know what to do." Atem lowered his head to his friend's paws and closed his eyes. Timaeus smelled of autumn leaves and dappled sunlight. He breathed in a few times, losing himself in the familiar scent. When he'd been younger, he'd loved the smell more than anything. When he'd gotten the chance, he'd brush against his cheeks or challenge him to play fights so he could get another wave of it. Winter was his favorite season, and Timaeus had smelled as close to the season as he could get. And, when Timaeus had finally realized what he was doing, he'd simply lay with his paws flipped on their sides so Atem could nestle between them and bury his face in one. "I agreed to bless his nest but I don't know how. It's not something that anyone has ever spoken about. And I do not want to ask Yusei or Jaden. Either of them might take it for weakness. And I don't want to appear that way before them, even if I am doubtful they'd try to use it against me. I just… I don't want to admit to them I'm as young and naïve as they suspect."

"Naivety has nothing to do with it," Timaeus said quietly. "You're inexperienced. And you didn't have anyone to guide you and tell you how to do these things. I'm not a God Dragon. I couldn't have helped you no matter how much I would have liked."

Atem yawned. "I wouldn't have asked you for help when I was younger regardless. You and I both know how spiteful and foolish I was. If you had even offered to try to help me with that, I would have lashed out at you for it." He shook his head and snuggled further into his leg. The smell of autumn leaves beneath the sun reached him, soothing and warm in his lungs. "It doesn't matter. All I need to do is Bless the nest and then hopefully I will not have to do much else."

Timaeus opened his mouth to answer, but seemingly chose otherwise at the last second. Instead he began to groom his face in turn. Atem flexed his paws, content with the affectionate touch. The Wind Dragon bathed his face to the crown of spikes atop his head. And then he lay his head on his neck.

Atem wasn't sure how long he managed to sleep. But he woke to the sound of footfalls. He scrambled for his paws. A sleepy Timaeus grumbled in discontent and got up as well. Atem bristled, almost snarling with mounting discomfort, and the Wind Dragon stretched himself out lazily. He wondered if he would speak, but the teal dragon merely shook himself out and took a seat. He didn't seem alarmed.

"I'm glad you decided to go far," Yusei quipped as he came forward. He looked between them, then turned to Timaeus with a friendly glimmer in his eyes. "I wished to ask a favor of you, Timaeus."

The teal dragon shook himself out and looked at him cautiously. "What is it?"

"I would like to see your nest as well."

Atem bristled. "What need do you have for that?" he snapped. "Timaeus had his clutch long before Keith became a threat. He passed through my territory wintertime in order to find a mate. His nest would have hatched a moon or two after. That puts them at almost six moons before Keith began his rampage."

Yusei blinked. "It was not actually a question, Atem. It was a request."

"And I'm requesting to know why."

"Why should it matter to you?" Jaden asked slowly. "You act as if there is some terrible secret to be discovered. We are simply asking he let us see his nest. It does not matter that they were born before Keith made his rise to power. We want to see them."

Timaeus shrugged. "I don't see why you shouldn't."

"Because they have no need," Atem snarled. "That's why."

"You're getting upset without reason," the Wind Dragon said gently. "I don't have a problem with it. They'll be leaving on their own in a few moons anyways. It wouldn't be a bad idea for them to meet two of the God Dragons they'll need to abide by, don't you think?"

He hesitated, unsure and staring at him as if in confusion. He shook his head slightly, frowning. "But, Timaeus…"

The Wind Dragon shook his head at him. His remaining amber eye was cold and glittering. Atem was struck with the idea he was not happy to be asked, but he was unwilling to pick a fight with them. He might have trusted Atem to aid him should he have to fight, but he did not want to risk it. "It's okay, Atem. They can meet them. It doesn't matter. They're old enough it will prove they have nothing to do whatsoever with Keith or his offspring."

And with that he got up and began walking. Atem hesitated. Then he huffed and followed. Yusei and Jaden immediately came forward. Atem lowered his head slightly, trying not to snarl with frustration. He was not ready for them to be there. And he did not want them anywhere near Timaeus and his family. The problem was Timaeus had come to see him, expecting to find Yugi and Atem instead. He hadn't expected the two of them instead of the friendly little Gandora. And Atem could not name a reason as to why they wished to see his nest.

When they got closer, Atem spotted Kris almost immediately. She was crouched in some of the taller grass, her eyes locked on him. Atem wished he could have reassured her he himself was not there to do or say anything. But he could not think of the words necessary to quell her nerves. And he did not want to risk making his affection for Timaeus a threat of any kind. He did not want them to think Atem was so attached to them they could be used against him.

It would have been so easy to use him again as Keith had planned. Had it not been for Critias reaching him when he had, Atem would not have known until either Timaeus was already dead or Keith brought him to the cliffs to torment him. He could have easily broken him if it would have come to the point Timaeus was used as leverage. He was his closest friend. Atem would have let Keith do a great many things had it come to that.

But then there was also Yugi. And, as much as Atem likely would not have admitted it then, he would have had to get past Timaeus for the little Gandora. He'd have to save him no matter what. He didn't love him, but he was tied to him. And if Keith hadn't known that when Yugi had charged at him, he would have when Atem had gone after him for laying a claw on him.

He couldn't suppress the shiver that went through him. Keith had been eating the hearts of other dragons to gain their magic. If Yugi had not been hidden in the human village beneath the mountains for that year, he likely would have met a similar fate. Keith had been too afraid to approach his territory again after their initial fight when he'd challenged him for mating rights. He would never have found Yugi regardless of losing his challenge if he had simply stayed within the territory.

But then, Atem was not sure he would have allowed it. He may not have killed him for entering the territory but he could not have sworn he'd allow him to remain, either. And, despite it all, he did not think Yugi would have stayed with the humans if he'd been kicked out of the territory. And Atem could not find it in himself to lie that he might truly believe he'd let him stay there. Gandora dragons in general still made him anxious at times. Being nicknamed the Dragons of Destruction often made him nervous to even consider them. Their hybrid status made them a threatening force like no other.

"Atem?"

He paused, stopping short. Timaeus had turned around, staring in concern. The Sky Dragon blinked, glancing around them awkwardly. Yusei and Jaden watched him, studying him in bewilderment. Atem glanced between the three of them uncertainly. The Wind Dragon looked as if he might go to him, but seemed to stop short due to their audience. Eventually he tilted his head and mumbled, "You okay?"

"Perfectly." Atem shook himself out and took a seat. And part of him realized why they were all staring at him. His paws were still somewhat shaky. He wrapped his tail around them to appear more collected. Jaden was still staring. But Yusei seemed to accept his answer. He moved past him and towards where he had spotted Kris as well.

The female Wind Dragon got to her paws and came closer. Her eyes were dark and icy and she stopped a few yards away, snarling, "I can do with one God Dragon in my territory every now and then. But the three of you? Why?"

Timaeus turned his head, clearly shocked by her vicious greeting. "It's okay, Kris. They're just here to meet the clutch."

She spun on him, bristling. "For what reason?"

Yusei blinked twice, then smiled at her warmly. "I'd almost forgotten how protective young Wind Dragon mothers are," he chuckled. He dipped his head. "We've been patrolling this morning to see nests in the areas Keith frequented. Timaeus and Atem have both assured us your clutch is not one he fathered. But we'd still like to meet them. It helps us maintain a better understanding of how many dragons populate certain areas. The Clan is already a third bigger than it once was, which is a significant jump from what it was six moons ago. Knowing numbers helps us in case another threat comes about. It helps us to know allies and foes should anything happen."

Atem narrowed his eyes. They'd never done that when he was younger. Yusei was lying through his teeth. Jaden had pushed for this, to see about the offspring Keith might have procured, but it was Yusei doing all the work to mollify the infuriated mothers.

And he was struck with the intensity of the thought that perhaps Jaden was convinced of oncoming war. And should that be the truth, then he was taking stock of resistance rather than allies. He was counting the number of dragons they might have to strike down rather than who might aid them.

He turned his head. Jaden watched his former mate with an unreadable expression. But as he felt his stare, those dark orange eyes flickered over to lock with his. They stared at each other pointedly. Atem could see that he understood the accusation in his eyes. Jaden nodded at him slightly, eyes flickering away, and looked to Yusei again.

"Funny," Kris commented wryly. "You never did this when I was growing up."

Yusei chuckled. "We had no reason to back then. It comes down to the stir Keith caused. We'd rather avoid casualties and monitor the offspring properly before they become a problem."

She shot Atem an annoyed look. "I almost wish you would have let them kill them all for all this trouble," she growled.

He went to respond, but Timaeus cut him off, voice sharp and cold. "Perhaps you should also remember that he's the only reason either of us are alive and the clutch's lives are indebted him as well." He glared. "Had he been so cold as to kill them, he could have easily killed Critias simply for entering his territory."

Kris bristled furiously. Atem blinked in shock at the hateful words. Jaden and Yusei both swapped startled looks. The Sky Dragon shook his head.

"Enough. It's over and done with." He turned to Kris. "Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe they'll turn out to be monsters after all. I don't know. Maybe I deserve your anger. But I do not intend to let anything happen to your clutch. I shed blood to protect them once. I'll do it again if it comes to that."

"It won't," Jaden said quietly. He narrowed his eyes as Atem looked over at him in his peripheral. Yusei nodded his head. Timaeus huffed a breath and took a seat, snarling softly. Kris was still glaring at her mate before sighing loudly and turning away. "No one will lay a claw on them. You have our word. We simply wish to meet them."

"Do as you wish," Kris snapped.

Atem watched as Jaden and Yusei turned to look toward the entrance of the den further into the clearing. The Sky Dragon got to his paws and moved past them, not sparing a glance. He could hear Critias, telling his siblings to stay back while he went to check on the situation. Someone hesitantly argued with him but he shut them up with a growl and Atem could hear him scrabbling up the smooth stone of the den towards him.

When he came to a stop, it was with his head halfway up over the lip, turned just enough to see better. He blinked when he saw Atem, squeaked, and came bolting out with a loud cry of "Atem!"

He stopped a couple of feet away and the hatchling came racing for him. He squeaked again, springing on his paws like an excited calf. Atem looked past him to see his siblings all poking their heads up as well. It took them a few moments to come out, Mahado far more cautious than his siblings as he spotted Yusei and Jaden over his shoulder.

"They seem to know you well enough," Jaden commented quietly.

"Critias found me when Keith sent his son after the nest." Atem glanced uncomfortably towards Timaeus but the Wind Dragon and Kris were arguing. They were glaring, growling quietly enough they could not hear them. He turned back to the other two God Dragons. "Yugi hid him before we split up and Timaeus retrieved him afterwards."

Critias seemed to realize he shouldn't speak to the contrary. He stood oddly still in front of Atem now, looking at the other two God Dragons warily. He seemed to be trying to take his cues from Atem, but he clearly didn't know what to make of the situation.

He turned to him. "Why don't you go ahead and show them your battle scar?" he teased, lowering his head to whisper to him. Critias turned immediately to him, eyes wide in surprise. "They just want to meet you and your siblings. Go ahead and break the ice by showing them."

The hatchling blinked again, then jumped and hurried over to Yusei. "Look at my battle scar!" he cried, turning lengthwise to show the tiny white strip of discoloration. It would be gone in a matter of days, thankfully, but for the moment it was still visible. And Yusei was listening to him with apt attention as he began to spin his newest iteration of the story. Jaden was even paying him mind, smiling and encouraging him. He stretched out and listened to his story with a warm expression and Yusei snickered as Critias continued.

Atem turned back to the other three siblings. Hermos stared up at him, Mahado took a seat and watched his brother, and Ishizu groomed her wing.

"Why are they here?" Ishizu asked abruptly, turning to him. "Are they supposed to be here?"

"They're God Dragons. They do what they want," Mahado answered.

"I wasn't asking you," she griped, never taking her eyes off Atem. "Why are they here? Why are you here?"

"That's rude!" Hermos snapped. He'd spun around to glare at her, puffed up. "You're not supposed to be rude when we have friends over!"

Ishizu puffed up, jumping to her paws and glaring. "I'm asking a question!"

"You're being mean!"

Atem snorted. "It's all right. We came to meet you."

"You've already met us," Hermos mumbled, confused.

"He means them," Mahado growled. "Yusei and Jaden. They wanted to meet us."

"Why?" Ishizu demanded. "Why would they want to meet us?"

He shook his head. "They're just touring territories right now. And since they're touring, they thought they would meet some of the dragonets in the area."

Ishizu stared at him skeptically. Hermos frowned. Mahado snorted in clear disbelief. Atem didn't know what else to say. So he simply looked away, glancing over his shoulder. Critias was still telling his story, the other two God Dragons looked pleased, and beyond them Timaeus and Kris had calmed down for the most part. His friend got to his paws after a moment, licking her forehead, and came to Atem's side.

"Did you send Critias to them?"

"It seemed easiest. They're listening to his story about his battle scar."

Timaeus chuckled. "That's always good." He hesitated. "Kris is hormonal. She's still technically juvenile, seeing as she's only ever had one clutch before. She didn't mean anything against you when she said that."

"I'm aware. I didn't think she did. I was not worried about it. She simply surprised me. "

"I know. But she's having a hard time with it."

"You apologize as if you truly think I might ever hold her desire to protect her hatchlings against her," Atem said softly, tilting his head. He snorted at the annoyed glance Timaeus shot him. "I understood. It was never a problem. Don't trouble yourself with apology."

Timaeus puffed up for a second, as if to retort, then sighed. "I do not like that she spoke to you like that. I don't care that she did it to them. I could not care less for them or how she might address them. But you have done much for us in the last few moons and you didn't deserve it."

Atem shook his head. "Mothers," he mumbled, "what can you do?"

His friend laughed at the wry remark, then looked away. "Yes, well—"

"I would expect you to forgive Yugi if he were ever to get upset with you," Atem said slowly, eyeing him; Timaeus blinked in surprise and then shot him a look of playful disagreement, "so what is the difference?"

The Wind Dragon opened his mouth to answer, but stopped short. He seemed to realize he couldn't win and so turned away with a tilt of his head. He didn't answer him again, folding his paws close to his chest so he could lay down more comfortably. He tucked his wings into his sides and looked to him again.

"Where is he?"

Atem blinked in confusion, then glanced over his shoulder. "I did not want him around them and they wanted it to be us alone. I was not going to instigate either of them. And since I refused to let them know where my territory is, we met at the Badlands. Yugi and I separated from there." He smiled slightly, sarcastic but amused. "Yugi almost attacked them when they were standing around after landing."

"Oh?"

Atem ignored the amusement in his face and narrowed his gaze. "Yes. He was ready to risk his life on an unnecessary fight."

"Being protective is not something to scoff about," Timaeus said gently, butting him in the shoulder and offering him a small smile. "Yugi cares a lot about you. If he had been anyone else, you would be on your own if they were to turn on you. He's a sweet little Gandora and he values you more than himself. You have to remember he's younger than you and he grew up knowing about your siblings and your situation. If he hadn't, he would have probably assumed you could stand on your own with them if it came down to it."

"I can handle it on my own," Atem snapped. "He doesn't need to worry so much. And he doesn't have to think everyone harbors ill intentions towards me."

"You think you could beat Yusei, Jaden and the Leviathan in battle?"

He blinked. "I can," he answered bitterly. Then he flicked his wings and settled into a more comfortable position on his belly. He lay his chin on his paws and kept his eyes on the hatchlings as they darted around and spoke to the two God Dragons. He assumed they'd left soon after Timaeus had begun speaking to him. "I could kill them if I had to. But it will not happen."

Timaeus went quiet. Then he sighed softly and got to his paws to shake himself out and tuck his wings into his sides. "Do you remember how often you turned on me when you were younger? You were convinced I would hurt you."

Atem looked over after a moment, hesitant. "Yes. I remember. But it's not the same."

"No? I do not see much of a difference. Yugi is afraid you will be hurt by someone else and is willing to do anything in order to protect you. When you were younger, you threatened my life because you were afraid I'd hurt you. I don't see a difference, but for yours was self-preservation and his is from adoration of you."

The God Dragon searched his face for a heartbeat. Then he nodded slightly and turned away. "I suppose so," he mumbled. "But it does not change the fact that it is dangerous. Jaden or the Leviathan do not have the best of tempers. Their fuses are short. And I do not know they won't lash out if he pushes too hard."

Timaeus nodded slightly and looked over again. "Do you imagine he will not be able to defend himself? From what I heard of his fight at the cliffs, he was like a little hurricane. He had help from Jonouchi, yes, but he also held off Keith on his own for as long as it took for you to reach them."

Atem searched his face. "Perhaps, but I would rather he not get hurt regardless."

"Then you cannot reproach him for feeling the same about you."

The red male opened his mouth to argue. Then he paused and looked away. Timaeus was right. It was rather foolish to ignore Yugi's protective instincts in favor of his own. It was stupid of him to consider that it was only himself allowed to have such a stance. Yugi was allowed to feel however he did, regardless of argument.

He exhaled slowly and got to his paws again. Timaeus turned to him with a confused expression. Atem ignored his look to wander forward. Jaden was speaking quietly to Kris, who looked irritable but no longer furious. Yusei had let each of the hatchlings climb atop him and wrestle and tumble about. He even pretended to be wounded and let them pin him and chew on his paws and tail. He let out little squeaks and snarls to encourage them and played easily with the five of them.

Atem did not want to interrupt their games. But he felt the need to. He focused on Jaden, who had turned around to face him. The red male paused in front of him.

"Are we ready to return? I do not want to make Yugi wait longer than necessary."

Jaden considered him coolly. Yusei got to his paws, apologizing to the hatchlings as he shook himself out. He butted Hermos in the rump and trotted over to the other two God Dragons. Atem watched them both for a few heartbeats, waiting for Jaden to speak. The Prime Material Dragon stared at him blankly, dark red-orange eyes narrowed and lips drawn back into something of a snarl.

Then he realized he was smirking. "Yes, let's return. We've seen what we came to and I wouldn't want a Sky Dragon angry at me."

Yusei snarled softly in turn. "Don't start, Jaden," he snapped. But he turned to Atem with a dip of his head. "I think it's worth remembering your mate's ferocity to justify leaving early. I'm sure he gave you a curfew."

Timaeus burst out laughing and Atem huffed a breath before shaking his head and smirking at the Stardust Dragon. "We'd already be late then. He'd probably limit me to ten minutes at the most."

Both God Dragons laughed and moved away. Atem glanced at Timaeus, dipping his head slightly, and turned to follow. He was halfway over to them when he heard Critias mumble, "Where is Atem going?"

Jaden and Yusei made no indication they'd heard the question and he nearly trembled with relief.

"He has to go home. Yugi is waiting for him."

"Oh…well when is he coming back? Is Yugi coming next time, too?"

Timaeus was quiet for a few seconds. Atem bunched his muscles to jump.

"I don't know. It's not likely to be soon, Critias. I'm going to go visit him, though. Maybe you can come with me."

Jaden wrinkled his lips back, showing his teeth and breathing in deeply. Every scale along his back had risen in a bristle and he looked like a flame right before it spread forward and devoured everything in its path. His tongue flicked twice. Then he turned his head to look at Atem with a small smirk, eyes dark with laughter.

"Well, unless my senses mislead me, I think I smell a female in heat."

"It's a little early in season," Yusei mumbled, sounding a little confused and slightly puzzled. He padded forward a step or two, tilting his head and turning to Atem. "A Red-Eyes in heat? Who…?"

Atem blinked and looked between them both uncomfortably. "Jonouchi's sister, Shizuka, most likely," he answered uncertainly. "I would believe that to be her."

Jaden eyed him for a long handful of seconds. His head tilted slightly and his expression became amused. "A Red-Eyes in heat and a little Gandora left alone with her."

Atem bristled, spinning on him. Yusei snarled in annoyance, "Don't start, Jaden. You know that would not happen. Yugi has already proven his loyalty to him if only in the fact he's willing to fight us to protect him."

"Fighting," Jaden snickered, "is different than mating."

Yusei huffed. Atem looked briefly at them and then away. Shizuka smelled nearby, but not within yards of them. Her pheromones were stronger than usual due to her adolescence so she could be miles away, and Atem would never know. Which meant Yugi could be far away as well for all he knew. He wondered briefly if the smell would drive Yugi crazy. It had to if he was within close proximity of her. He was half Fire and Wind Dragon. He was capable of mating with her. He could likely even get a nest from her. And the first mating for a female usually procured more eggs than latter ones, as age tended to slow reproduction.

He refused to look over again. Jaden snickered, "If I were him, I would try for it. Why not? It's not as if a Sky Dragon is liable to hurt me if I'm mated to one."

"And hurt Jesse like that?"

Jaden was quiet for a moment, then snapped, "I hurt him plenty as it is. What's a bit more?"

Yusei let out a small hiss of displeasure. "You're despicable."

"I've no idea what you mean." Jaden snorted. "And it is not as if Yugi would do it anyways. Somehow Atem got lucky."

He didn't miss the bitterness in his tone. He risked a small glance in his direction. Jaden was scowling, glaring at something off in the distance and ignoring them both. His eyes looked unfocused for a long moment and then he huffed and shook himself out, trotting forward with a sneer of "He'd probably beat her to death for even trying it."

Yusei chuckled softly. "I wouldn't be surprised if he did," he admitted, giving Atem a small grin. He hurried to get to Jaden's side a moment later. "Ah, and there he is."

Atem turned his head just in time to see Yugi sprinting towards him. The Gandora didn't spare them a glance, springing forward and skidding awkwardly to a stop. He barely refrained slamming into him, using his wings to scrape the ground enough to come within inches of him. Atem blinked, startled, and the Gandora hurried forward to rub muzzles with him in greeting.

Jaden stared at them from over his shoulder. His eyes were narrowed slightly, lip curled the smallest degree. He didn't look impressed but he was not indifferent, either. Atem couldn't truly read his expression, but he almost suspected envy. But then the older God Dragon blinked and turned away, Yusei watching a moment longer before the two of them swapped looks.

"How was it?! Did you see anything worth talking about?" Yugi asked expectantly, sitting in front of him and kneading his paws in the dirt. He was almost trembling with excitement.

Atem felt bad when he mumbled, "No, not quite."

"Oh." Yugi deflated for only a moment. Then he sprang to his paws and leaned forward to rub beaks with him once more. "Okay then."

"I'm not sure that's entirely true," Jaden snorted. Yugi whipped around bristling, as if offended on Atem's behalf. He huffed and narrowed his eyes and the Prime Material Dragon took a seat with a small smirk. Atem didn't know if it was because of how easily he'd riled him up or because Atem himself looked so confused by the accusatory tone. "He almost started a fight with the entirety of the Lightning Clan."

Yugi blinked and shot Atem a startled look. Then he tilted his head, voice full of disdain. "Seto?" The Sky Dragon blinked and nodded slightly. Yugi snorted and grumbled, "Then he surely deserved it."

Yusei burst out laughing. "You're so fierce and friendly. It's adorable."

"If Atem decides you're a threat to his pairing with Yugi, I will fully support him if he decides to flip you," Jaden snorted.

Yugi burst out laughing and Atem chuckled. Yusei shot his former mate a startled glance before rushing forward. "Do it!" he snickered, looking at him and growling playfully. "Flip me!"

Yugi turned around to look at him with a huge grin. "He's giving you permission!" he laughed. "Flip him!"

Atem snorted and took a seat, shaking his head. Yusei scoffed, "Well that's stupid", Jaden snickered, "He doesn't even think you're worth flipping", Yugi chuckled, "Too much effort?" and Atem found himself feeling oddly closed in on as the three of them faced him with mirroring looks of amusement. He frowned slightly, unsure, then turned away to peer past Yugi to where he could see Jonouchi watching them curiously.

Shizuka was near him, a few yards back, but with gray and silver scales versus the usual glossy black. He didn't know if it was a discoloration natural to her or if it was a shedding factor or if Red-Eyes went through a small period of such during their first mating cycle. Who knew? Atem wasn't sure he truly cared. But he did glance sideways at Yugi, some small part of him aching with anxiety.

What if Yugi had wanted to mount her? He wasn't sure he could entirely blame him if he had. If he'd acted on it, Atem was not sure even then he could hold it against him. He was mixed with two species that didn't show loyalty to their mates. He was a contradiction to his entire species and the two that made his genetics.

In truth, had he done so, Atem could have chalked it up to genetics. Gandoras were hardly known for mating for life. If he had mounted her, Atem was sure he would have killed her first and lashed out at him, but he didn't think he'd be able to strike him down. It was a hard thing to think about, but Yugi was too far under his scales. He couldn't kill him as he'd threatened formerly upon first meeting.

Atem wasn't sure what he would have done. When he thought of attacking him, he knew he could. But he couldn't kill him. And he wasn't sure he could have held himself together after lashing out. Most likely he'd have run him off if he couldn't kill him. But if he could manage it, Atem would have likely taken his head off before he could think to explain himself.

Atem was sure somehow he could have found a way to excuse Yugi, if only in order to spare him. He'd still likely have run him out of the territory and left him to rot, but he would not have killed him. It would have been all too easy to turn on him for it, but harder to accept the loss if he'd destroyed him as he'd threatened.

Yugi sat watching Yusei as the Ice Dragon spoke of something or other. Whatever it was, he had Yugi's attention. Jaden watched him as well, though Atem knew instinctively he was studying the Sky Dragon around Yusei.

"He could have taken them," Yugi said with a small flick of his tail. He looked proud more than irritable, but there was still an edge to the action. "He could have easily knocked them around and had fun doing it!"

"Oh?" Yusei teased, watching him. "You think he could have fought an entire Clan so easily?"

"Think? I know it!" Yugi sprang to his paws, his stance proud. "Atem can knock around anyone!"

He blinked. Yusei laughed and Jaden turned his head to stare at him. He was sizing him up, Atem realized, and whatever it was he was judging him for he didn't seem to find. Abruptly the Prime Material Dragon turned his attention back to his former mate. Yusei was still snickering and Yugi was glaring, thumping his tail.

"No! But he could!" he insisted loudly. "He could win a fight with them if he was forced to. Seto deserved to get boxed around if he provoked him. And clearly he did if Atem reacted."

Jaden snorted. "If his fuse is so short, it makes him dangerous. You do realize that, don't you?"

"If you ever lay a claw on him, I'll kill you," Yugi snarled. He bristled hideously, the scales on his back rising furiously into the air like claws. He was vibrating with tension and his tail thumped a few times in rapid succession, as if he were struggling to stay in place and not launch himself.

"Jaden," Yusei snapped. "Leave him alone. Atem has never been an issue before. Don't make him one now."

"We didn't even know he existed before now."

"Because he was never a problem," the Ice Dragon spat. Even he was bristling now, eyes like glittering gems and icebergs, mouth half-opened with anger. "He was never a problem before. He was there all that time under our beaks and he never once did anything to warrant our attention. Killing suitors is a natural part of life. If it were ever a problem, we would have dealt with it. He's not violent by nature."

"Bold statement," the Fire Dragon dismissed, turning to stare at Atem. "But I am not to be taken lightly. Your fuse is short and your manner is ill more often than not. What happens if you turn on us? I don't care if Yugi manages to kill me for it afterwards, but I'll destroy you before then."

The Sky Dragon blinked. When he rose to his paws, Yusei panted with mounting anxiety before pushing it aside. Yugi spun around to face him, eyes wide and confused. Atem ignored him as he stepped around to get within inches of Jaden. They stared at one another, the Fire Dragon snarling as he lashed his tail.

"You're shaking," Atem sneered, standing straighter. "Are you so sure you could fight me and win?"

Yusei abruptly lunged forward. He slammed into Jaden's side, sending him scrabbling for balance. The Fire Dragon turned on him, hissing and spitting. And Yusei carefully maneuvered himself between him and Atem.

"Enough," the Stardust Dragon growled. "Jaden isn't in his right mind right now. Just…don't further this. I can't deal with both of you right now."

He blinked, confused, then glanced at the Prime Material Dragon. And, to his surprise, for the first time he noticed how thin and oddly frail he looked. It was as if he'd lost the bulk of strength he'd had just a moon ago at the meeting when they'd voted whether or not to kill Keith's various offspring. His eyes widened. He looked malnourished and tired, his stance more fearful than aggressive and the way he stared up at him sent alarms through Atem's core.

The Sky Dragon stepped away unconsciously. He bristled slightly, then padded a few more feet backwards. When he turned back, Yusei was nudging Jaden a few paces aside, as if trying to force him to slink away. The Fire Dragon shoved him off abruptly, snapping his teeth, but didn't lash out any further. Atem wondered just how weak he was, if it was some kind of illness or—

"We'll leave you two here. Jaden and I have something we must deal with." Yusei turned to Atem and the Sky Dragon almost swore he looked as if he might thank him. He looked so grateful Atem almost bristled again. But then it passed. The Stardust Dragon seemed to understand his unease, nodding instead and abruptly turning away. "Let's go. Before you make this any worse, okay?"

Yugi was still watching them when they left. Then he spun around to face his mate again. Atem looked oddly rattled. Yugi hurried forward a pace, wondering if it was fear or confusion which left him so dazed. But whatever it was, it was gone an instant later. He turned his head, watching him, and Yugi rubbed affectionately against his shoulder.

"I don't know what that was about, but I'm just glad you're okay."

Atem blinked at him. "I didn't think Yusei would let us fight. He's much too cautious for that, even if he acts childish at times. Besides, I'm sure he was afraid of you as well. You're a force to be reckoned with when you're trying to protect me."

Yugi smirked. "Oh? I wasn't aware." He bounced on his paws, a rush of warmth crashing through him. Atem was not uneasy any longer. The idea made him feel better than ever. The ease with which Atem held himself made his hearts race. "I thought I still looked like an adorable little Gandora even when I was angry."

Atem tilted his head. "Whoever lied and said you were adorable? You're about as cute as a dog's butt."

He launched himself at him, butting him in the shoulder and growling playfully. "I might just have to box you upside the head for that," he threatened. He pressed into him, rubbing, and threw himself unceremoniously onto his side and then his back. He pressed a paw into his side and grinned at him lazily. "I really am relieved Jaden didn't instigate it further."

Atem lost his amusement. His eyes grew troubled, a shade darker than usual, and his mouths pulled into a pair of grimaces. He tilted his head slightly and the gem in his forehead turned cloudy. "He looked…frail," he mumbled. "I don't…think he's healthy right now."

Yugi blinked. "Frail?" he scoffed. "I must not have seen it around all that ego."

Atem turned to him, focusing. "Maybe I was seeing things. But he looked…almost haunted." He shook his head and turned away again. "I think he's afraid of something. I think he was lashing out because he's afraid of something he doesn't know how to handle."

"And I think you're giving him too much credit because you're trying to justify his attitude towards you," Yugi argued, rolling back onto his belly and getting up. He shook himself out and frowned. "You can't accept that he's not what those legends made him out to be. A healer, my butt! He's probably terrible at it."

Atem snickered. Yugi felt his hearts speed up at the sound. That was progress! If he was laughing, he couldn't be as upset. And if he wasn't upset, Yugi could help him relax further later. He could help him calm down and lose the tension he could see still in his shoulders and the way his spine curved uncomfortably with his hindquarters bunched beneath his wings. It was a defensive posture. Yugi knew that much. And he knew Atem could block almost—if not all—attacks with his wings. If he was sitting like that, it was because he felt the need to shield himself behind them.

He'd seen it one too many times when Atem had grown upset upon speaking of his siblings. He would tuck his wings into his sides in a comforting manner, trying not to lash out. But his back would tighten and he'd shift his weight just enough to make it easier to cover his entire body with his immense wings.

Yugi hated that he did so around him, that his siblings still had such a hold on him. He loathed them for damaging him so much. And he wished more than ever he could take those memories away and replace them with something better. Atem hadn't deserved all that pain and despair. He'd deserved nothing but goodness and love and affection and…

Maybe Yugi wasn't the best at always expressing it. Sometimes he came on so strong Atem would stiffen, stare, and then pace away. Declarations made him nervous. It was only when they were playing and talking afterwards that he allowed Yugi to truly tell him how much he loved him. Times like that were the only times he wasn't so skeptical he almost scoffed at him. It was times like that when Atem allowed himself to believe him without that nagging doubt.

Atem shook his head, smiling. "You're a dog-brain," he mumbled. He went to speak again, but abruptly stopped short. His head snapped around and Yugi turned as well, bristling before relaxing. Jonouchi had come forward a few paces. He hovered a few yards away, still, eyes locked on them both with growing anxiety.

"I should leave you to spend time with your friends," Atem said quietly, moving to stand. "I don't want to interrupt—"

Yugi shook his head immediately. "I don't want you to leave. And I won't spend time here without you."

Atem stared at him as if he'd grown a second head. "What? Why would you—?"

"Because I'd rather be with you than Jonouchi."

Atem blinked, startled. Then he glanced awkwardly towards the two siblings. Something in his eyes grew darker as he looked at Shizuka, as if he were considering something. And Yugi realized with abrupt clarity why his stance had grown so defensive even when his immediate threats had long since left.

His hearts ached.

Atem was reacting to Jonouchi's sister. He was reacting to her mating scent, fearful of causing a fight between Yugi and Jonouchi should he lash out if his memories became too much.

And maybe he was even afraid Yugi himself would be attracted to it. He knew Atem didn't directly doubt him, but he was still skeptical of his affection and he so often looked as if he were unsure he believed him when he said he loved him more than anything. Maybe it was the fact Atem couldn't procure him a nest that so often made him shaky in response to his words. Maybe he was afraid Yugi would leave him for another who could.

"No, we can go, actually," Yugi said slowly, all too aware of how abruptly his stance had changed. Atem looked over curiously. Jonouchi shot him a confused glance. Shizuka was busy grooming her side, ignoring all three of them. He remembered his sides prickling and his wings itching for days when he went through his first hormonal shift. Yugi had picked at them until he'd made one bleed and his wings had been ragged from all the licking and constant grooming. "I don't mind if we leave."

He ignored the way Jonouchi shot him a startled, almost hurt look. Atem meant everything to him; if it came to a choice between his friend and his mate's comfort, he would choose the Sky Dragon any and every time. He wouldn't even think about it.

"No, we can stay. I don't want to interrupt." Atem looked around after a few moments. Then he moved away from them and towards a small outcrop of dirt and stone. He dug at the ground for a moment, clawing some loose soil away, and lay down with his head on his paws. Yugi thought he looked as if he might be ill.

He wondered just how badly Shizuka's mating scent upset him. He couldn't have been comfortable with such open exposure.

But there wasn't much Yugi could do but try to take him away from it. And Atem did not want to return to their den yet, most likely due to self-inflicted guilt at the thought of separating Yugi prematurely from his friend, so he could not do even that. Yugi watched him as his mate closed his eyes and his breathing became even but forced.

He wasn't going to be able to rest properly here. Yugi could tell that much already.

It was several hours later when Yugi went back to see him. Atem was breathing hard, flanks heaving fitfully, his front claws flexing and a shiver tracing its way down his spine. The Sky Dragon was snarling when Yugi got within an inch of him. The gem on his forehead flashed twice and abruptly, as if he'd been stung, Atem jerked awake, sitting up and hitting his head against the rocky outcrop. He hissed, startled, bristled fiercely, and turned on Yugi with a furious expression for a split second.

"Where…?" Atem growled, looking around rapidly before bristling further and turning to him. "I don't…"

Yugi shook his head, smiling at him softly in what he hoped was a reassuring expression. "It's okay, Atem," he murmured, voice as soft and soothing as he could manage. "You're okay. I'm okay. I just wanted to wake you up. You've been asleep for most of the day now so I thought it'd be easier to leave and go back to the den when it was sunset."

The Sky Dragon stared at him as if he didn't understand. Then he blinked and turned to look around again. It took him only a few seconds to consider and recognize their surroundings. But he hardly looked pleased with the desert expanse spread before him.

"Seto again?"

Atem turned his head, giving him a sharp and startled look. But then he blinked and turned away immediately after. He blinked a few times more, then shook his head slowly and considered him more pointedly. "I don't want to talk about this."

"Jonouchi and Shizuka already left. I didn't want them to see you if you woke up upset." Yugi tilted his head, watching him. He hadn't wanted either of them to be alarmed. But he'd also been afraid Atem would be more stressed and feel the need to flee or lash out. He couldn't imagine Atem would feel safe with two unfamiliar Fire Dragons near him, especially when Shizuka smelled so keenly of her heat cycle. He wouldn't have risked it regardless but especially not now.

Atem grunted and got to his paws. He looked exhausted and almost lost, but the Sky Dragon only mumbled, "Then let's return. I'd like to rest in the den."

The flight back was silent. Atem made no effort to speak and Yugi himself had no idea what it was he should say. So he simply followed Atem as the Sky Dragon moved slowly for him to keep pace. Usually Atem could fly at speeds that required an onlooker's steady eyes to track the path; if one so much as blinked while watching him they'd lose sight of the God Dragon. Yugi knew it all too well. All the time he'd spent watching him from the village below with the humans had taught him that.

Atem might be visible for one second, then gone the next. He moved far faster than any other dragon Yugi knew of.

But now he moved slowly enough Yugi did not have to work to keep pace with him. He was clearly still troubled, wavering more than once, as if his wings had lost the ability to support his weight for all of a moment. But he was fine again a heartbeat later, recovering himself immediately. Yugi watched him, alarmed by the slight dips he would take before he'd straighten once more, and some part of him was terrified Atem might not catch himself the next.

But they got to the den without issue. Atem landed easily, with as much grace as he usually did. His steps were slow and calm and his stance was easy. But Yugi could see the way his wing tips were tucked into his flanks, as if burrowing into his flesh in an effort to ground himself. He could see the slight droop of his tail, where it lay more fully across the soft dirt and dragged gently, as if he were too exhausted to properly coil it.

Atem stopped moving forward a few minutes later, as if he had been struck by something. Abruptly his head snapped around and he blinked, eyes focusing on Yugi's face with stark clarity. For a split second Yugi almost thought he did not recognize him. And then he realized Atem was waiting. He'd gotten too far behind.

Yugi hurried forward, flashing him a small smile. "Sorry!"

The Sky Dragon smiled, but his eyes had darkened and the gem on his forehead was stormy. He was only a step ahead when Atem blurted out, "I don't… I don't know what I'm doing."

Yugi halted, spinning around to look at him in alarm. He blinked, eyes stretching wide with confusion. He tilted his head, then smiled softly as he leaned forward to rub his muzzle against his. "We were going to the den," he teased, "so that we could rest and snuggle."

The God Dragon blinked, clearly surprised, and then smiled at him again. He shook his head, closing his eyes. "Little gem, I meant the Blessing tomorrow. I… I don't know what I am doing, Yugi." He exhaled slowly, lowering and turning his head away slightly. "I… I don't know what I am meant to do."

"You just have wet paws right now." Yugi licked his forehead and lay his chin upon the crown of thorns that made up the crest of his skull. "You've never done it before, so you have wet paws."

Atem stared at him as if he might argue. Then he blinked and looked away. For a split second Yugi felt a wave of shame and fear crash through him; Atem did not think he was dismissing him, did he? He didn't think he was ignoring him because he was teasing, right? His hearts hurt at the abrupt thought and his mouth opened to rush to tell him otherwise. But it was gone again. The God Dragon had moved forward, butting him gently in the shoulder, and murmured, "You're right. It's just wet paws. Let's go rest."

"Did I wake you?" Atem whispered, flexing his claws in the river sand he'd lined the bottom of the den with. It was soft and absorbed body warmth easily. It helped keep his temperature regulated during winter. It wasn't as if the weather truly affected him—he had full control of it, after all—but when he'd been recovering manipulating even air had been exhausting and difficult. The river sand had kept him warm while his side healed.

"Oh, no," Yugi said softly, voice warm with teasing. "No one would wake from their mate thrashing and whimpering in their sleep like that."

He flinched. "I'm sorry."

The Gandora smiled at him, leaning forward to lick his forehead. "It's okay. I don't care as long as you're okay." He rubbed his head against his shoulder. When the Sky Dragon did not respond, the Gandora shifted closer to press into his side and asked, "Are you okay, Atem?"

"I… I don't know," he finally mumbled. He shivered but couldn't speak further as Yugi gave him an encouraging glance. It took him another handful of minutes for him to try his voice again, his lungs losing some of their tightness. "I…I guess so. I'm not…physically hurt."

Yugi nodded slightly. Atem was just relieved he didn't push. The Gandora lowered his head to lay his chin on Atem's paws. His eyes were soft and warm as they peered up at him. "Well, that's a start, right?" he teased.

He stared. He had to be miserable from waking so often to Atem trembling and snarling like this. Even if he never said anything, Atem knew he had to be tired of it.

"So, today is the day." Yugi smiled. "Are you still nervous?"

Atem stared at him for a split second, confused. Today was what day? The biggest events in his life were more or less already past; he'd mated, he'd met the other God Dragons, and he couldn't produce a nest so that was out of the question. So what was there to call "the day"?

Yugi tilted his head, then leaned forward to lick his beak. "Blessing the nest, remember?" he said softly, coaxing him to attention. The Sky Dragon focused on him, studying. Then he lowered his head to rest on Yugi's neck.

"Yes."

Yugi went quiet. "Why are you nervous?"

He hesitated. "I've never…done it before."

The Gandora nuzzled his chest. He exhaled hotly with a small sigh and shook his head. "You'll figure it out. I have faith."

"I don't… I don't want to do it anymore."

That stirred more of a response. Yugi shifted his weight and pulled his head out from beneath his. Atem ignored it, chin on his paws and eyes focused on the back wall. Maybe Yugi would realize he was a coward and leave. Perhaps that was for the best anyways. Who knew? He certainly didn't. The gift of second sight had never been his.

"Atem," Yugi murmured, voice quiet and distressed, "what does that mean? Are you okay?"

He blinked. Then he shifted his head and looked over in surprise. He thought he was hurt? Was that what he'd assumed? He blinked again, frowning, and then slowly looked away. Was Yugi so worried he'd jumped to that conclusion without any basis?

"I'm fine," he mumbled. "I just…"

"You don't want to do it anymore. That's okay. But can I ask why?"

Atem looked up at him and almost trembled. Then he looked away quickly and thought to bury his beak beneath his paws. He wished he only had one mouth. It would have been easier to hide his face if he'd only had one. Slifer mouths were actually rather slender because of their usual diet of fish. They had muzzles that were sharp and angular at the bottom, but smooth and sleek along the sides and top. He could have easily burrowed beneath his paws and hidden from Yugi if he'd only had one.

It was a stupid thought. He wasn't a hatchling and hiding from problems had never done him any good. His stomach lurched. Yugi probably wouldn't even take well to it. And Atem couldn't justify it if he did hide away from him. What was he to say?

"I don't know how." He drew in a deep breath. "I don't know how and I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do. And I don't even know if I can…"

"You can. And it'll be okay. You're just nervous right now."

"No, I'm scared," Atem corrected harshly. "I'm scared."

Saying it made his chest squeeze. He wasn't used to admitting weakness. His first impulse was to jump to his paws and trot away to the other side of the den. If he could get there, he'd have some space to breathe and try to calm himself and—

He blinked, startled by the rough tongue on his face. It ran from his cheek to his eye and Atem grunted when it repeated the action. He shivered and Yugi continued grooming along his face for a few moments. When Atem was almost used to the persistent attention, Yugi pulled away to ask, "Why are you scared?"

It was almost cruel how he had comforted him and then turned to the conversation again. Atem looked at him, cautious. Then he turned away and stared down at the stones beneath his paws.

"I don't know what to do."

"But we can figure it out."

"And the nightmares are getting worse."

Yugi was quiet for a moment. "And you think it has to do with the nest?"

"They started…after I agreed to Bless the clutch."

The declaration gained the Gandora's attention. His eyes widened, startled, and he blinked as he considered him. Shame made Atem look away again from where he'd risked a peek. The God Dragon flexed his claws and closed his eyes tightly. The shame made his skin crawl, his entire body icy as his scales rippled with a shudder along his spine. Yugi was gentle when he spoke again and Atem almost wanted to bellow with frustration.

Why did he treat his cowardice with such gentleness and warmth?

Why did he not treat his weakness as what it was?

"Maybe it's more than wet paws. But I don't know. It could be nerves, but I don't want to say that and we both know it's wrong. If you don't feel safe to do it, then maybe we should avoid it."

"I told Kisara I would do this for her."

"It doesn't matter. If you don't feel that you're okay to do it, then she can ask someone else to Bless them. You're not the only God Dragon alive."

Atem blinked and looked up at him in surprise. "But they're my family. They're my siblings…"

"That doesn't mean you're obligated to do this."

The simplicity of the words struck him. His chest tightened for a brief heartbeat. Yugi was right. In truth he'd agreed out of kindness to Kisara, not because he was the only one who could perform it. And it was not as if he truly thought Seto worth doing this for. It was merely his feeling of regret towards treating her harshly upon their first meeting which made him so eager to. But he was almost sure such foreboding feelings meant something. He had the intense feelings of alarm and disbelief, which made his skin crawl and his hearts tremble. He was relatively sure he should not have been feeling such things towards new life and his own proximity to it.

"If you change your mind, I can go and tell Seto in your place." The words were said softly, gently, without the smallest hint of malice. And Atem felt cold for thinking that perhaps Yugi should have spoken up angrily against him. Fear was not something he liked to project and knowing he even still felt it was overwhelming. "I'd be more than happy to do that. I don't want you to go there and he try to pressure you or something…"

Atem lowered his eyes again, staring at his paws. What had he done to truly deserve a mate so sweet? "I'll… I'll think about it in a little while. For right now I'd rather try to settle down again and rest some more."

Yugi shifted closer, moving to lay his chin on his paws again, and closed his eyes. Atem knew neither of them would rest. It was all but impossible. The words had brought up thoughts of his nightmares and there was no shaking them. He knew Yugi was worried about him. He'd stay awake just to make sure he didn't slip into the grip of another nightmare. He knew that.

He lay his chin on Yugi's neck after a long minute.

"What if this Blessing goes wrong?"

Yugi was quiet beneath him for a second. "Wrong?" he asked softly. "How could it go wrong? You do not wish ill on them, right?"

"Of course not!"

"Then how could it possibly be wrong, Atem?" He could hear the small smile in his voice, and Atem tilted his head as he considered the gentle nature in his soft tone. "You do not wish ill of them. And you only wish them well. I don't think a Blessing could go wrong as long as the God Dragon giving such truly wishes as they say for the nest."

He hummed quietly, unnerved by the sheer confidence in his mate's voice. And then he closed his eyes and shook his head slowly. "Perhaps," he relented, feeling almost cold. Something about the words made his hearts ache. He shifted his weight, closing his eyes tightly and trying to press further into Yugi's physical warmth. "But I suppose we shall see."

Yugi was quiet for a moment, then sighed softly. "It'll be okay, whatever happens."

Chapter Text

Part III: Blessing

"When should we go?"

Atem didn't open his eyes. The sun felt warm against his scales even where he rested within the shade. The leaves left a dappled pattern across his scales, cooling and heating him alternately. And some part of him was as disturbed as he was comfortable.

"I did not say that I would go at any certain time of day. I suggested sunset when I was there yesterday, but I did not commit and he did not agree. But we should do it before or after the sun reaches its zenith." He hesitated, knowing that Yugi had turned to him with a bewildered look. A small wave of shame crept through him and he opened an eye into a slit just wide enough to observe the Gandora. He looked away again quickly. "You know I have not been sleeping well."

The younger male paused for a moment, then mumbled, "Okay. Then we'll leave in a little while. The sun will reach its zenith soon after we head back home depending on how long the Blessing is." He sounded almost upset but Atem was not so foolish as to misinterpret his frustration. Yugi was annoyed with him for not taking better care. And he knew a part of the Gandora blamed himself for the fact that he had not noticed earlier that the lack of true rest and the energy spent in his nightmares had made Atem weak. He blamed himself for not realizing sooner what Atem meant when he'd requested an earlier flight to the Lightning Clan territory.

Atem looked down at his paws, focusing on them pointedly. "I'm sorry."

Yugi sighed softly and the God Dragon listened as he came closer. The Gandora was quiet for a long moment, then leaned forward and licked his forehead. "It's not okay," he said quietly, softly, "but I forgive you. You're my heart. And we'll get this figured out just like we do everything else."

Atem ignored it when he pressed further into his side, licking once more. The shame was almost enough to numb him against the comforting affection. He flexed his claws and closed his eyes. The urge to apologize again lay on his tongues but he swallowed it away.

"Are you sure you want to go?"

He blinked, eyes stretching wide, and peered at Yugi in surprise. "What?"

"Do you want to do this? Just because you agreed before now doesn't mean the decision is set in stone. Seto might come to argue with you but I could knock him around until he didn't anymore." Yugi tilted his head, eyes kind and full of absolute concern. "I could chase him off if he tried to challenge us. There's no reason to go through with this if it's not what you want."

Atem lowered his eyes again. "I… I don't know if I want to. I don't know what I want, Yugi." He exhaled slowly. "I want to believe this is just a case of wet paws. But I… I can't shake the feeling of something terrible happening."

"Then we'll call it off. Seto can stew in his own anger and I'll beat him until he can't walk and begs me to take his hearts out."

Atem couldn't help but chuckle at the determination in his tone. He turned to him, smiling, and shook his head slowly. "You sound so happy to threaten him," he teased, moving to shift closer and butt him in the shoulder with his head. "But it is unnecessary. I committed myself to this. I will see it to completion."

Yugi studied him for a long heartbeat. Then he licked his forehead and nodded. "Okay. If that's how you feel." He got to his paws after a moment, shaking himself out. "But, in the meantime, I wouldn't mind getting something to eat and then discussing leaving for the Clan territory."

Atem snorted. "Such a Gandora," he chuckled. He got to his paws as well, trotting lazily behind him as Yugi began to pick his way along. Atem studied him for a moment before he realized he was heading further towards the bottom of the mountain. He was almost headed for the human village if he were not turned slightly off course of it. He considered for a moment that it might be useful to visit it at some point soon, if only to see that they were prospering as they were meant to. If the humans were stable it meant less possibility of a fight later. And he did not want to consider the fight that might come from humans and dragons should they clash in such a manner.

He'd heard of such things happening in the south before. And the devastation had been abundant. He did not want anything of such magnitude to happen here. This mountain range was his home and he wasn't willing to let anything happen to it. He already hated when he damaged it inadvertently during fights. He'd uprooted trees, burned a small portion, drenched the trees so much that they'd nearly collapsed, and even made the river swell until it was almost ten times the size it was meant to be. This terrain was not meant for torrential downpours, but the problem had arisen more than once during fights. Not all dragons had abided by his rule of not using magic when they challenged him for mating rights. And correcting the damage done to the land had been an arduous process. He'd had to forego the proper seasonal weather in favor of heavy rain for fires, or extreme sunlight for the abundance of unnecessary water. Wind storms had been dealt with by way of mist accumulation manipulated until it was easily swept away in lighter breezes.

All that time the humans had been rather content to believe he would right those wrongs as they were done. Never once had he so much as suffered hearing discord amongst the humans in the village below the mountains. None had said a word of distrust or spoken against him in any manner. But he always wondered if they might turn on him if something should go so horribly wrong. It was something he did not enjoy thinking about but it was there nonetheless.

And Atem could not ignore the possibility at some point. There was always the smallest chance. And he did not want to allow it to happen.

Atem trailed Yugi as he began to pick his way down the incline of the hill. His flatter paws did well for moving about despite the straw sliding under them. But Atem himself slipped and almost slid down the entire hill. The only reason he didn't was because Yugi sprang forward to grab him by the scruff and pull him back slightly.

The humiliation was enough to make him bristle as he glanced at him sideways. He had the impulse to snarl and snap his teeth at his face. But it passed almost immediately after. Atem looked away when Yugi released him. He would have backed away if he'd thought he had the proper balance. But now he simply stared at the ground, considering his paws. His claws were too long and the tips were too narrow to properly grip at the earth under all the straw. And to force more of his paw onto the ground would cause him pain and eventually snap the delicate bones in half should he go for longer than a few minutes at a time.

Thankfully the younger male seemed to know better than to comment. He licked his cheek and began picking his way down again. Atem, on the other hand, watched for a long time until Yugi had gotten to the bottom of the hill and turned around. Then he crouched, tucked his wings into his side, and sprang forward.

In truth, the trees were too tightly spread for the maneuver to be effective. Had he been in open space, he could have used his wings to land gracefully in front of Yugi. Like this, however, he had to tuck his paws into his chest, spring harder on his back limbs, and immediately straighten his legs again. When he landed, it was with a spray of straw that hit Yugi in the face and made the Gandora snicker. Atem was wobbly for a single second, before his claws managed to sink into the earth beneath all the pine. He shook himself out, relaxing his muscles where they'd been straining to find his balance, and straightened slowly to his full height again.

"Nice jump," Yugi teased.

"I prefer the word leap," Atem said with a grin. "It sounds more God-Dragon-like, don't you think?"

Yugi laughed and licked his cheek. "Nice leap!" he chirped, pouncing away and weaving around the tree trunks to make his way along. Atem watched him for a moment, then picked his way more delicately after him; Yugi would be fine to fall and tumble along the forest floor if he tripped. Atem was rather sure something would sprain or break should he do the same.

He'd been foolish in allowing his discomfort to cause him to turn away from food. And he knew Yugi had not been blind to it. He'd watched him, had given him frustrated glances, had occasionally dropped meat at his paws and glared at him until he ate. Atem had pretended from there that he'd been eating more regularly, even going as far as to fish at the river. But what little he'd caught could never sustain him and he merely brought it back to Yugi instead. And he knew Yugi had been hopeful, but he was far from stupid. The Gandora hadn't wanted to fight or scare him, so he had not brought it up before.

And Atem almost wished he had now. He flexed his claws and pressed the tips into a large root nearby. Several more lay around and one was so high up if he didn't shift his weight, his dew claw would snag on it and tear off. He shifted his stance, picking his paws up higher when he took another step. Yugi was far ahead now, almost at the end of the tightly spaced forest. He'd turned around to look at him, eyes at first curious and then frustrated.

When he got to the end of the trees, the Gandora was visibly trembling with anger. Atem almost flinched at the sight, but backpedaled rapidly when Yugi swiped a paw at him. He flattened himself, tucking his wings to shield his sides, and waited.

The paw landed on his crest. Yugi let it linger there for a long moment, sighing softly. "Atem," he growled, "you're supposed to be taking better care of yourself."

He huffed. "Don't swing at me," he grumbled, "and I'll still pretend I'm healthy."

The Gandora let out a furious snarl. "You're not supposed to pretend to be healthy, damn it!" he snapped. "You're actually meant to be healthy. I should have said something before. I knew I should have. I knew I should have said something about how lean you look and how much more hesitant you are."

Atem opened his eyes. Yugi was no longer glaring at him, having turned his focus on the ground beneath his paws. He was obviously still furious, trembling briefly, but he was not aggressive in stance. He lifted his paw after a long moment, looking over again, and leaned forward to rub beaks with him. His voice was soft and warm when he mumbled, "I'm going to fatten you up when we get back."

The God Dragon snorted as he straightened again. "Not too fat. I still have to be smaller than the Leviathan," he replied. "Otherwise it will not be half as fun to throw him like I did at the gathering."

Yugi laughed and butted his shoulder before turning and trotting ahead. "We'll fatten you up and then by the time there's another summons for that, we'll have you all slimmed down again." He grinned over his shoulder, coming to a stop and pouncing as if he were a deer. "You'll be so fat you'll look like you have a nest to lay. And then right before meetings, you'll be skinny as a twig again!"

Atem chuckled and shook his head. "And the purpose of that would be?"

"The element of surprise! Other dragons will get word that you're fat and they'll be expecting a slow, fat Sky Dragon and then bam! You'll be all skinny and they'll flee with their tail between their legs!"

Atem laughed loudly and shook his head. "You're so cute." He smiled as he got to his side. "But I don't think that would work as well as you're thinking."

"Sure it will!" Yugi laughed. "Especially if they're all confused and angry because they think you're going to lay a clutch! It'll be perfect!"

He faltered a step, considering him before looking away. "Yugi…"

The Gandora fell into step at his side. "What? What's wrong?" he demanded. "What did I say?"

Atem grimaced. "Are you still…satisfied?"

Yugi blinked. "Satisfied?"

He didn't want to say happy. It seemed false in light of things.

"Right. Satisfied… Are you still satisfied…being here…being with…me?"

The Gandora stopped short. "Did you just ask me that?"

"Better now than later, yes?" Atem rushed to say, watching him in his peripheral. Yugi was bristling, stone still, and his claws had visibly sunken into the shed needles littering the forest floor. The God Dragon nearly cringed at the anger in his face. "You are very…excited about this Blessing. And you've been talking about clutches for…for a moon now. You already know I can't procure one for you. And if that's what you want—"

Yugi snapped his teeth. His tail thumped heavily as it slammed into the ground. Atem snarled before he could stop himself. He backed up, bristling. His wings moved to shield his flanks. Both sets of teeth were bared. The Gandora snarled low in his throat. Then he huffed loudly and shook himself out.

"You're a…a fish-brain!" he snapped. And then he turned away and started walking again. Atem watched him for a long moment before following slowly. "I'm not 'satisfied'. I'm happy. And I'm not leaving you just so that I can have offspring. You know that."

"Desires change all the time," Atem mumbled. "They change and if that happens for you, I think you should follow them."

"Sounds more like you're trying to get rid of me." Yugi was singing the words, tone full of anger. "But that's never going to happen."

The God Dragon cringed. "I'm not trying to—"

"We're going to scare away all the prey if we keep talking."

Atem wondered if that was the simplest, nicest way Yugi could think to tell him to be quiet without snapping at him. He looked away, lowering his eyes to the ground as the straw slowly gave way to grass tipped with yellow. Autumn would be coming soon enough. Timaeus would visit to make sure he was okay and then mating season for the Wind and Fire Dragons would start up again.

He wondered if Yugi would last a full year there if he were to be bombarded with suitors as usual. Yugi may have been loyal, but even he had instincts. And instincts often ruled a dragon—or so they always had him. But he wasn't sure that was a normal occurrence for others. It could have simply been because of his…unusual circumstances in birth.

After all, his parents should have killed him. Had they been so superstitious, they would have. A false moon wasn't meant to be a good sign for a hatchling. Usually it was an omen for weakness and illness. They should have left him to rot somewhere in the mountains.

Atem shivered and glanced around. The trees were much further spread apart now. But he almost wished he'd stayed back in the more compact forest behind them. He felt oddly stripped here.

"Atem?"

He turned his head, startled by how tentative his name sounded. He blinked, bristling faintly, and looked over. Yugi was at the edge of one of the trees several yards away. His head was tilted, eyes wide, and he looked hesitant as they peered at each other. Atem glanced around awkwardly after a moment and wondered vaguely if perhaps the feeling was from being near humans. They were only a few miles further down the mountains. He knew they could be watching them nearby if they'd liked. The humans didn't usually interact with the dragons in this area, thankfully, but he knew they still liked to occasionally observe them.

"I didn't mean to snap…"

He blinked. "I'm not upset about…" He shook his head. "It doesn't matter."

Yugi tilted his head and came forward a step, hesitant. "I shouldn't have snapped at you. I'm sorry."

"You're fine."

They fell into an uneasy pace together. Atem considered their surroundings for a moment, but that feeling of being stripped did not leave even when he realized there was no one there to see them. He couldn't smell a single human nearby but for leftover when they had passed by. He knew their smell enough to tell them from other animals in the area. They didn't have magic of their own, which was a small mercy in light of what they did even without.

"I'm sorry for snapping."

Atem blinked and turned his head in bewilderment. He'd almost forgotten entirely about it before that moment. And he was almost amazed that Yugi was still on the subject. His head had been so absorbed in the task of scenting for humans that he had not even considered it further. He nodded absently, mumbling, "I forgive you" and flicking a tongue to smell more. It didn't happen to lead to anything. He smelled nothing but prey animals further into the mountains and perhaps the smallest instance of human from long before.

"Atem, the humans don't come this way when autumn begins," Yugi said gently. He sounded as if he were concerned for some reason Atem could not name. "And once autumn comes they won't want to be around here unless they're desperate for food. The deer move elsewhere and the elk wander further down towards the valley. The humans follow them as their main source of food when the rivers aren't abundant with fish anymore."

The Sky Dragon blinked. The rivers weren't abundant with fish anymore? What was he talking about? They were always abundant. He could eat his weight in fish and—that was why there weren't fish further near the village. Because he ate so much during winter to keep himself from going into a more hibernation-like state. If he didn't sustain himself during winter, he would become sluggish and more likely to sleep rather than hunt or take care of himself. And if he failed to take care of himself, he would be ruined by the time he had to fight another suitor.

Yugi was quiet for a long handful of minutes. "Atem…"

He blinked, turning to him with a confused expression. He didn't sound upset in any manner but Atem could not truly tell at the moment. He tilted his head. "Little gem?"

"I just… I shouldn't have lost my temper like that. I know you've been stressed out and uncomfortable. And I should have brought it up sooner instead of just now." The Gandora looked uncertain, shifting his weight from paw to paw and lowering his head. "I know you didn't mean to diminish my feelings for you. You just… You just want me to be happy. I know that. And you're already upset about other things and I hate that I can't help you with that more than anything. That's why… That's why I got upset. But I… You know I love you more than anything, right?"

Atem blinked. "I know." Or, more accurately, he knew that Yugi said he did. How he might truly feel that way for him was something Atem was not sure he knew how to understand. But he knew better than to argue that point; he'd never been so foolish as to start that fight with him. He knew when to step down before a fight even began. He had never been so stupid as to argue a moot point.

"I don't want to fight with you. I just… I'm sorry."

Atem tilted his head. "I promise you I am not upset with you."

Yugi nodded after a long moment, looking up at him slowly. "Okay." He stayed quiet for a few heartbeats. "I didn't ask what it is you'd like to eat. D-did you want something specific?"

He blinked in confusion, then shook his head. "No, I do not want anything in particular," he answered softly. He glanced around them once more, looking for any humans nearby, and turned back. It was foolish to expect them to appear out of nowhere, but he still felt he was being watched somehow. And the only other dragon even slightly near them was Yugi, of course. He would have sensed if anyone else were nearby; he'd recognize their signatures and he'd be aware of who and what species unless they were new. But he'd sense them by the density of the air change when they entered the territory. It was the gift of being a Sky Dragon. They were so incredibly drawn into the air around them and the atmosphere changing even lightly was enough to consume their senses. It was a blessing and a curse at times. "Whatever you wish to eat, I will as well."

Yugi seemed confused by the statement but did not speak for what felt a lifetime. When he finally did, the Gandora sounded almost exhausted. "I was going to find some deer. They're easiest to catch at a time like this. And I'm pretty hungry. I don't think I want fish at the moment, you know?" he said quietly. He smiled slightly, tilting his head again, and closed his eyes. "When we leave for the Clan territory, I… I don't want you to have to stay around Seto alone at any time."

For a long moment the Sky Dragon didn't know what he was meant to say. He knew well enough why; being weaker than usual due to his own disregard of food would not do well to defend himself from his sibling. Yugi was physically more adept and capable than Atem could hope to be at the moment. And he was not sure Seto would be peaceful for long after the Blessing was given. He was first and foremost a bully. And Atem could handle it, but he'd rather avoid the fight at all costs.

He wondered somewhere in the back of his mind if Yusei had felt similarly when he'd begged him to leave Jaden alone before they might go to blows. Had he realized that Jaden was as weak as Atem had thought him to be? Had he noticed the wasted muscle and physical fatigue as Atem had? He must have known about it longer than the Sky Dragon, he was sure, but he had not intervened until a fight might have broken out.

Atem tilted his head, eyeing Yugi for a moment. He couldn't imagine that Yugi would let it get that far to begin with, however. He wouldn't let Seto get close enough to fight him. He'd seen enough to know Yugi would throw himself into that fight before Seto even got the chance to attack Atem as it was.

A small wave of shame crashed through him a moment later. Jaden had meant to jab at his insecurities by suggesting Yugi might prove disloyal and mate with Shizuka because she was in heat. And Atem had wondered more than once about such a thing, whether Yugi could be so easily swayed. He didn't wish to call him disloyal, but he was a God Dragon. And his suitors had made it rather clear what their intentions were for him.

He was meant to be a power piece for the various fights and territory spats. He knew that. He wasn't so stupid that he did not know his place when a suitor came calling. Yugi had been different by all means, but it was still a struggle to reconcile in his head. Yugi didn't want him for power or ranking. He didn't want him for hierarchy while he procured nests with various females. He didn't even want him in order to take over his territory.

And sometimes Atem simply could not wrap his mind around this. It still stunned him, even now. Even after almost three moons with him, Atem still found himself disbelieving.

And it hurt.

Because he knew Yugi recognized it. He knew Yugi saw it and tried so hard not to make it apparent that he knew or that he saw so much doubt in him. And Yugi tried so hard to make compromises. He had come to a mountain with green forestry and more regular rainfall, where humans lived in a village not too far, and the land was never arid rather than cool and somewhat damp at times. He'd gotten lay of the land for almost an entire year, hiding amongst those humans to learn the weather the territory took during the year and where he could properly nest during winter time. He had given up the ability to have clutches, had changed his diet partially for Atem's more constant meal of fish.

And then he said he loved him but didn't grow disheartened when Atem himself said he might never come to share those same feelings. And that had to hurt, did it not?

"Can I ask you something?"

Atem blinked and looked at him in surprise. He'd forgotten to answer him, he realized with a small frown. He nodded, wondering when Yugi would lose his patience with him. He got lost in his own head so often, he could not even properly reciprocate his feelings, and he gave him the cold shoulder when Yugi wanted to get closer to him.

How he was still there with him was an absolute mystery to him.

"Of course."

Yugi offered him a small smile. "You shouldn't say that. You never know if what I'm going to say might upset you."

He said it so gently that Atem almost cringed. Instead the Sky Dragon nodded slightly. "Yes."

"I heard Jaden saying that he thought I'd probably mounted Shizuka by the time you got back," the Gandora said quietly, watching him with narrowed blue-violet eyes. "Is that where you got the idea that I should find another mate?"

Atem stayed quiet for a moment. "It is one of the reasons, yes," he answered finally. "But you've been so excited whenever I have mentioned Seto's clutch. And you were very good with Critias and his siblings when we went to his nest. It made me think that you would be much better off finding another mate who can give you all the things you actually desire in life."

Yugi shook his head slowly. "I've already told you once before that I only ever desired you." He smiled, pupils flipping from horizontal to vertical once more to pronounce his relaxed state. "That hasn't changed."

Atem nodded slightly, but the doubt made his hearts ache for a single moment. "Okay."

Yugi tilted his head, studying him for a moment, then came forward to rub muzzles with him. When he exhaled, his breath was hot against Atem's cheek and the God Dragon shivered. The hybrid didn't comment on it, instead licking his forehead and smiling. "We can talk about it again some other time if you want. But I'm ready to eat!"

Atem snorted, butting him in the shoulder. "Yes, let's eat."

When they landed at the edge of the territory, it was clear they'd known they were coming. But what else Seto had told them was a question. The dragons had accepted that Atem would come and perhaps they'd even expected him to appear with another dragon. But they clearly had not expected to see a Gandora there. The alarm call that went up was one of pure shock, as if the messenger could not believe their eyes. Several of the other Clan dragons came running from posts further inside the wind-beaten grassy terrain. Some of them were charging as if they thought a fight might break out and others just looked as if they were confused and disbelieving of the news. It became clear to him that Seto had said Atem would have a visitor—he only might have called Yugi his mate—with him but had neglected to explain what species.

One of them stopped near him, snarling, "Aren't you a little far from your home, Gandora?"

Atem bristled, snapping his teeth. "Don't come any closer to him."

The threat in those simple words was enough to make several of them back up in alarm. Yugi had turned away to let a couple of dragons sniff at his paws and wings, tail moved to tuck into his side to give them more room to investigate. His willing cooperation to sate their curiosity against Atem's aggression was enough to make it clear which of them needed to be watched.

All eyes turned to Atem, as if expecting him to lash out.

The Sky Dragon watched them as they began to slink forward a few moments later, sniffing at them both. Atem bristled, refusing to lift his paws or tail. He tucked his wings into his sides and bore his teeth in a snarl. But he didn't lash out even as they seemingly closed in on him. Behind him he could hear Yugi complying with the usual border patrol regimens, lifting his paws and moving around for them to take proper notice of everything from his claws to his teeth.

One of the females was sniffing rather pointedly at Yugi's hindquarters, hissing and then snapping her teeth at another that drifted too close. The Gandora grimaced and sprang forward to avoid it when the two began to quarrel. His sudden movement made Atem turn his head, golden eyes widening before narrowing as he spotted them. He huffed and Yugi offered him a small smile before shaking himself out and turning to the other Clan dragons. The males were more interested in the quarreling behind him and some of the females were watching him intently.

Yugi nearly snarled with displeasure. He'd forgotten mating season for the Lightning Dragons was so close to Wind and Fire. It was normally a moon's difference in time and it usually overlapped for a moon with the other species'. The females were already starting to go into heat, though had they been at that moment the quarreling would have turned more vicious and one of them might have been dead by now. The females fought viciously and tirelessly when it came to mating rights. The females would make sure the strongest was always noticeable before the males themselves fought. The losers in both genders were often spurned from mating until they proved themselves next season—if they didn't die from their wounds.

He wondered if Atem had forgotten as well. He'd seemed to only realize when he'd seen the two females fighting. He hadn't been prepared for it by any means, which meant most likely that the God Dragon had forgotten altogether.

It made Yugi feel a little bit better. He hadn't wanted to be suspicious of Atem, but he realized it could have been so easy for him to have brought up the idea of Yugi procuring nests because he knew the Lightning females would be close to mating. It would have been easy for him to shrug it off and point to Yugi going with the horde of them if he so desired.

Yugi watched Atem snap his teeth at one of the females when they got too close. The red male was clearly unnerved now. And Yugi knew for a fact that he'd been caught off guard. Otherwise he would have likely shrugged it off and snarled if one stepped too close before leaving them to continue their fights without his presence. Atem had always been secluded and passive until confronted for mating rights. And then he'd fought, killed, and left scatterings of bodies around his mountains.

"He didn't say that you'd mated with a Gandora," one of the Clan dragons scoffed. He was bristling, scowling at Yugi as if the Gandora had personally affronted him. He blinked, dismissive, but Atem stepped forward, putting himself between them as he hissed, "You'd be wise not to step on my paws. I'm not above boxing some sense into your skull."

"Testy," a new voice chuckled, and Atem snarled low in his throat at the newcomer. Yugi blinked in confusion, then bristled in annoyance. He recognized the older male, scarred along the side of his mouth and with one eye missing entirely. He remembered hearing once that the Lightning Clan leader had been born with the gift of foresight and so when he'd been attacked his opponent had removed his eye in order to destroy the ability.

Atem straightened to his full height, bristling but breathing evenly. He did not look primed to attack, but rather observant as he stood there. His wings had folded into his sides and every muscle was bunched in preparation, but he made no move to spring forward. Yugi could tell he was testing the air before he made a move towards violence. He'd seen him do so more than once in the time he'd been watching for him while hiding amongst the humans.

"Why bristle? You know it is unnecessary, Atem, God Dragon of the East," the Clan leader chuckled. "I have no qualms with you…or who you decide to take as your mate."

Yugi lashed his tail, annoyed, but did not speak. Atem, on the other hand, scoffed, "I only came for one thing, Akunadin. Yugi is accompanying me. And if any of your dragons turn a claw on him, I'll punish you for it."

A ripple of noise came from the dragons surrounding them, clearly startled and unsure as to how to respond. Yugi could not think to answer himself, surprised by the challenge his mate had just declared. It seemed odd to him that he'd turn on Akunadin so readily. But he realized he shouldn't have been surprised in the slightest, as Atem was a Sky Dragon and Sky Dragons were known for being the most protective species when it came to mates or clutches. And, with the power to back up such a threat, Atem could easily lay waste to the entire Clan should he so desire.

"Your last visit here was just yesterday and yet you did not bless the nest then. Why is that?" Akunadin's eye flickered to Yugi, boring into his face. "You wished for your mate to be here as well, yes?"

Yugi bristled and backed up a step. It was like the other male was staring through him rather than at him. He almost could not breathe for a moment. And he didn't know if it was superstition because of the rumors or if he were truly so imposing upon him.

"Where is Seto?" Atem answered instead. "I had assumed he would be the one to meet us here rather than the entire Clan of you."

Akunadin snorted. "The entire Clan? This is but a fourth of it, Atem."

Yugi highly doubted that. A Clan of the size he was boasting would have been too large to handle without outside intervention. And, should Seto have been the leader, he could understand such a thing. His brother was a God Dragon, after all. All he would need to do was call Atem into his territory to snap his teeth and bare his claws should they step out of line. But that was only if Atem cared enough to do so. And Yugi knew for a fact that he didn't. He'd rather let Seto get torn to pieces than risk his life or Yugi's for his safety.

"That's a large number to boast," Atem said quietly, and Yugi could see his tail twitching now. "But it still doesn't answer my question. Why are you here and not my brother?"

Akunadin chuckled and Yugi swore his hearts grew cold at the sound. Something about it set off every alarm in his body. He bristled faintly, ignoring the urge to snarl, as Akunadin continued. "Is it not customary for a Clan leader to meet a God Dragon to enter their territory?"

"You were not here to greet me yesterday."

"I was preoccupied when you, Yusei and Jaden came here."

Atem let out a noise that sounded like a mixture of a snarl and a scoff. "My apologies for missing you then," he answered briskly.

"Seto is at the camp. He'll be first to greet you when you get there, I'm sure."

Yugi looked at him for a long moment. Something about the way he phrased the statement made his scales rise into another furious bristle. But the unease faded when he noticed Atem had not reacted in a similar manner. The red male was simply studying the Clan leader, golden eyes dark and curious. And then he shook himself out.

"And Kisara?"

"Do you mean to accuse me of harming my own daughter?"

Atem was quiet for a long moment. "Should I have reason to?" he finally asked, and his voice was more puzzled than aggressive as it had been moments before. "I simply meant to ask if she would be with him."

Whatever anger Akunadin possessed towards such a rebuttal was gone again moments later. He blinked, narrowed his eye, and snorted, "I should assume so. They have not left each other's sides often since the clutch was initially laid."

Atem nodded, but Yugi could tell the action was entirely dismissive. Atem was off in his own little world again, lost to them. "That is good, yes?"

"I suppose so." The older dragon scoffed his answer, then looked over his shoulder. "Rafael, show them to the camp. Make sure that neither of them drift from the set path. Atem is only to see his brother's clutch and none of the others."

Yugi bristled, offended by the slight. It was not as if Atem might turn on a clutch of eggs, nor as if he truly cared to see any of the others. In truth, had they not been related to Atem himself, the God Dragon would never have so much as considered giving a Blessing of any kind. And yet Akunadin seemed to believe that something else might come to happen should he allow them free reign amongst the camp.

He blinked, then huffed a breath.

It wasn't Atem he was afraid of. It was him. He was afraid of Yugi. He was afraid of Yugi because he was a Gandora and he knew Atem would protect him if things got out of control. He was afraid of the ensuing bloodbath should Yugi himself turn on them in any manner.

Atem was silent for a long time, clearly noticing and understanding the underlying words to his statement. But he nodded after a heartbeat. And Yugi watched as a large pale golden male dragon stepped forward.

"I'm sure you know who Rafael is."

Atem glanced at Yugi sideways when he spoke. "He is one of the Leviathan's kin, a half-sibling from a later nest. He was the only of his clutch to survive. And rumor has it that he once fought Jaden and won," the Sky Dragon answered dismissively. He was watching Yugi with something of a cautionary expression and the Gandora realized he was telling him to stay close but out of range of the Lightning hybrid should something happen. When his focus shifted away, Atem's eyes had grown cold and dangerous. "And yet, you'd be wise not to overstep."

The Lightning hybrid snorted, eyes unreadable. "I make no plans to."

Yugi felt almost sick for a long moment. He looked between them uncertainly, wondering if perhaps Atem might lash out in anger. But it was gone again a second later. The Sky Dragon let out a loud breath, one that Yugi swore looked almost like smoke, and then began to move past Akunadin and towards the other dragon.

"You forgot to mention how fast he is."

Atem stopped short, head lowering slightly and a snarl leaving his throat. "Did I?"

Akunadin was staring at Yugi, sneering, "He's faster than even Atem is."

Yugi found that hard to believe. "Okay," he snorted, turning and trotting after his mate. He ignored the looks sent his way and the various glances of distrust shot in his direction. Rafael eyed him for a single heartbeat, then turned away and picked his way along the terrain towards the camp.

He didn't speak to them even once. He stopped at the entrance, glanced at them as if to make sure they'd kept up, and then led the way silently to the nursery.

"It's about time that you showed," Seto snarled the moment they got within a yard of the entrance. He was bristling, pacing anxiously. "What kept you so long?"

"An unexpected meeting with your mate's father, actually."

Seto blinked, tilting his head. "Akunadin is back already?"

"He met us with a patrol," Atem answered wryly. When he cast a glance at Rafael, it was far from friendly. Yugi wondered at the clear aggression in his stance, if perhaps he was unnerved by his presence. If Rafael was nearly the big deal that Atem had hinted at minutes before, then Yugi was sure he was someone who deserved such wariness. Yugi had never truly heard of a dragon taking on a God Dragon and surviving the encounter in a manner that was violent. It simply didn't happen.

Seto looked mildly surprised, though he curled his lip when he noticed Rafael there. Yugi saw something hideous flash in his eyes but he couldn't quite make it out. The Felgrand turned away, facing Atem solely now.

"I wasn't aware he was back from his patrol to meet with Honda."

Yugi tilted his head. "He was meeting with Honda?"

"I just said that, didn't I?"

"What he's truly asking is as to why they are meeting."

Yugi ignored the way Seto leveled him with a sharp look. Atem was staring at his brother with an expression that begged him to attack. Rafael had moved aside and wandered off to take a seat a few feet behind Seto, watching Yugi intently.

Yugi had the feeling that Akunadin had known of his species before they'd come to see the nest. Rafael seemed a testament to that, considering how he refused to take his eyes off his face entirely. At the very least Rafael had been told what species he was, so that he was prepared to fight him should it come to that. That was what his being there meant. He was there to protect the other clutches and force Yugi back should something happen. It had nothing to do with keeping Atem away. It had to do with Yugi himself.

He huffed out a breath, forcing himself not to bristle with anger. But his species did come with a reputation. And just because he did not conform to it did not mean he was too stupid to understand the vast majority did. He turned away, looking at Atem and Seto now. Both of them were eyeing each other as if they thought the other might spring. When they had become so tense was beyond him but he forced his voice to come out light and friendly.

"I was asking that."

"I'm not privy to Akunadin's movements and meetings," Seto finally grumbled. He looked over at Rafael, bristling faintly as they studied each other. "You've seen them to me. Why are you still here?"

Yugi stiffened, startled by the open hostility in his tone. Atem looked between them both with a somewhat uneasy expression. Rafael seemed used to Seto, however, and did not so much as blink, lips pulling back into a wide smirk.

"I was told to see them to the nest, not to you."

"Why?"

"Perhaps because Akunadin's not blind to the fact that your brother could easily overpower you."

"You believe you could hold your own against him for even a heartbeat?" Seto scoffed, laughing harshly. "Do you truly? Atem would lay waste to you before you even raised a paw!"

Atem blinked, appearing almost startled by the declaration. Yugi bristled, anxiety creeping through him. Seto was right—had Atem been in the proper health. He was weakened by his lack of sleep and eating improperly due to stress, however. Rafael could likely hold his own against him should it come to that.

"I'll take my chances." Rafael had turned cool silver-blue eyes on Yugi now, lips drawn back into a sneering smile. "I'm more interested in what the little Gandora can do, truthfully."

Atem turned his head so sharply that the Lightning hybrid visibly startled. Yugi bristled, turning to face him now as well. He felt ill for a moment; he didn't like the way Rafael was staring at him so pointedly. He fought away the flinch which threatened to come through him. He couldn't read his expression, but something in his eyes terrified him.

"You're even more pathetic than I thought," Seto snorted. "You can't tell they're mated?"

"Should I truly care?" Rafael scoffed. He turned abruptly away, stretching himself out in a leisurely manner. The action showed off every muscle in his lean frame, vibrant scales glittering in the sunlight. Yugi looked to Atem, refusing to glance at Rafael any longer; he'd kill him before he so much as acknowledged him. Atem was still staring, golden eyes hard and the gem on his forehead a hideous darkened shade. "It is not as if the Gandora is a monogamous mate. He'll run out on him soon enough."

"I wouldn't run to you if you were the last dragon this world had to offer," Yugi sneered, spinning on him. "And if you so much as keep looking at me like that, I'll beat you to death."

Atem was still staring, stance relaxed but expression tumultuous. "You wish to mate with another male with no chance of procreation?" he asked slowly, tilting his head. "For what reason?"

Rafael let out a sharp, hideous bark of a laugh. "Because the males are sturdier. Mounting them is by far more fun than a female."

Yugi gaped at him for a moment, then looked sideways towards Seto. The Felgrand looked just as startled and disgusted as Yugi himself did. Atem was clearly shocked, but he was merely considering rather than truly stunned as Yugi was. The God Dragon blinked once, then murmured, "You mount males because of how often you can do so in a short period of time."

Yugi swore he could see the shadows moving in his eyes as he considered the words. His hearts ached when Atem abruptly turned away. Something in his expression had changed, perhaps pensive or flustered even. But he exhaled, the noise a rough and vicious snarling sound, and turned to his brother with a sneer.

"Let us get this done. I wish to return home before sunset."

"It's still early," Rafael scoffed, smirking viciously. "You have hours."

"I must be mistaken. I am certain you are not speaking out of turn to a God Dragon," Atem said softly. The words were calm, quiet, as if he were merely telling him the sky was blue. But Yugi noticed the minute change of stance he'd taken. His right wing was slightly arched, the ends stretched more towards him, as if he meant to reach forward and tap him. And it occurred to him then Atem was posed to push Yugi back when he lunged. "Seto."

The Felgrand blinked, nodding, and turned to begin leading them forward. Yugi noticed in the corner of his eye that many of the Lightning Dragons had come forward again. They'd taken seats nearby, at the peripheral of the limestone walls of the caverns. Atem didn't seem to notice, however, which Yugi felt was a small mercy at this point. He knew the God Dragon would become self-conscious if he noticed.

He followed them into the cavern. The opening was smaller than he'd expected, the walls smooth and shiny like slicked stone. A small pile of pebbles littered the bottom, clinking lightly against each other as they stepped over them. The opening was just wide enough for them to squeeze through singularly, expanding about four yards further along. Each wall had ledges too thin for an adult to traverse, but no doubt served as perches for hatchlings preparing or practicing flight. The roof was low-hanging, scraping Atem's head where the spikes of his crown rose into the air and the floor was leveled by a thousand paws rather than natural.

Several small tunnels branched from within the main cavern. Yugi could smell various dragon scents leading from each and it occurred to him that likely the mothers were still with their clutches. He almost shivered with excitement; that meant he'd get to see Kisara. The Blue-Eyes was so sweet and friendly and no doubt she'd want to see the Blessing as Yugi himself did. She had been friendly toward Atem and that counted for everything as far as Yugi was concerned. Seto could rot for all he cared, but he liked Kisara.

They continued forward into a tunnel that stank of Seto and Kisara, their scent markers flooding the thin air of the shallow space. Yugi wrinkled his nose; no doubt Seto had taken it upon himself to mark the tunnel more prominently due to the usurpation Keith had implemented. In his paws Yugi was sure he would have done the same.

The fact that he and Atem could not reproduce was almost a blessing at this point. He did not know how he would have dealt had they been in a similar situation. He couldn't imagine the pain and guilt and terror a parent felt when they were unable to protect their offspring.

He'd be devastated. He knew that much. And he knew Atem would likely never have recovered had such a thing happened to them. And Yugi was not sure he would have ever been able to try for a second clutch as Seto and Kisara had.

Yugi shook his head to scatter the idea away. His hearts squeezed painfully in his chest. He looked over at Atem again as the two siblings began to slow. Kisara was lying across the nest, head on her paws and eyes glued to them as she slowly moved to stand. She was clearly relieved when she spotted them, eyes lighting immediately upon seeing Atem there. The Sky Dragon halted, peering at her for a moment, and then dipped his head slightly in greeting.

"I'm glad you came," she said happily, coming forward to meet them both halfway. She butted Yugi gently in the shoulder with her head but performed a more traditional greeting for Atem. She lowered her front legs, dipped her head so that her chin touched the ground, and laid her wings flat. Yugi remembered the greeting as the most common in use for God Dragons among average dragons. It was ingrained in stories about God Dragons, usually taught at a young age to make sure they were prepared to greet them no matter what setting. Of course, it was not something most dragons often practiced any longer. The God Dragons were still worshipped, but many did not practice this ritual for the sake of familiarity. It might have been presented as greeting the first time they crossed paths with the God Dragons, but it was not beyond that.

In truth, Yugi was confused as to why she was doing so now. He did not want to ask, however, so he simply turned to Atem and studied his face. The Sky Dragon was staring blankly, though Yugi could see that the gem on his forehead was clouded.

He was nervous, Yugi realized. Atem was nervous and didn't want to do this any longer. It was clear in how stiff he stood, how awkwardly he peered at her in turn. He blinked, studying his mate just as Atem slowly glanced over at him. He could tell by the way his shoulders relaxed slightly that he was paying him mind at the moment. Atem was watching Kisara with a somewhat wary expression when he looked away again.

"It's nice to see you," Atem said slowly, in a quiet tone that made Yugi wonder if he was speaking through his teeth. The red male shook himself out, as if he were trying to shed his unease, and Seto was watching his youngest brother with brilliant icy blue eyes.

"I'm sorry I didn't greet you at the border," she murmured, straightening and almost ignoring the tone Atem had taken on moments before. "I thought it would be better to give you room to come here instead."

"Your father met me at the border," the God Dragon answered, and now Yugi could hear the frustration in his tone. "And he had your strongest hybrid escort me here."

Kisara blinked wide eyes, startled by the news, and then looked down with something of a shameful expression. "He doesn't believe in God Dragons being worth revering," she blurted out. She sounded almost breathless for a split second. "He's…not very faithful towards worship but my mom always was. She was his favorite, so when she passed of illness, he became more and more…unhappy with God Dragons, I guess is the best way to explain it."

Atem stared at her, golden eyes sharpening for a single moment. Then he nodded slowly and said, "I am not worried about his idea of worship or dislike of God Dragons. It matters nothing to me."

Yugi looked at him closely, studying his relaxed posture. He assumed it was likely such easy acceptance because Atem himself still doubted his godly status. He knew that to be the truth of it, as Atem had admitted so on more than one occasion. Atem had confessed he did not believe himself to be a deity, as he did not possess the most meager of skills the God Dragons so often did in the manner of future sight. He didn't have the ability to see things in water, nor did he seem to have any capabilities of prediction as far as Yugi knew. Atem had asked him before if he truly thought he was a God Dragon and that it was not simply a physical deformation that the others worshipped out of pure ignorance.

And, in truth, Atem was not entirely wrong. He didn't have some kind of amazing power that the others lacked. Jaden was able to heal physical and mental wounds and influence emotions of those around him, Yusei was rumored to be able to summon ice storms despite surrounding weather, and Yugi remembered once hearing stories about how the Leviathan could turn to mist when he needed to flee.

Yugi didn't know how true the rumors surrounding Yusei and the Leviathan were. But he did know the abilities Jaden possessed. The Prime Material Dragon had attempted to use them on Yugi and Atem when they'd first met.

He shrugged the thought off as Seto demanded, "You want us both to leave?"

Yugi bristled at the sharp tone, head snapping up from where he'd been studying the tunnel a little further into the cavern. Kisara had her head tilted from where she stood a few feet away and Seto was glaring at his sibling hatefully. He remembered Seto saying he would not be with them when Atem performed it, because Atem did not want the stress of dealing with his more protective temperament. Kisara had been allowed to stay formerly, however, and now Yugi found himself bristling uncertainly.

"I do not recall asking."

Yugi almost snickered at the dismissive tone. Atem was staring at his eldest sibling with a lazy look, golden eyes almost half-closed. Yugi grinned, almost laughing at his expression, but tensed when he saw Seto curl his lips back to show his teeth. Yugi sprang forward, snarling low in his throat and baring his fangs. Kisara turned to him with a startled expression and Seto visibly flinched at the sudden lunge. He huffed, backing up a step to cover it. Yugi let out a heavy breath, one intoned with aggression, and Atem snorted with amusement.

"Leave so that I can perform this Blessing. I want to be home before sunset."

"Did you not waste enough time sunbathing before you left?" Seto sneered.

Kisara sighed softly. "Leave him alone, Seto. He agreed to do this when he doesn't owe us anything." She stepped forward, nudging him gently with her beak. The touch made Seto blink before losing his aggressive stance and relaxing visibly. He melted into the gesture, then gave Atem an annoyed look before diligently following his mate when she continued walking. She paused at the exit, saying, "Thank you, Atem" before turning away again. Seto shot them a dirty look over his shoulder but quickly followed her.

Yugi hovered for a moment at his side, then stepped away from him to take a seat a yard or two from him. Atem looked at him, golden eyes almost curious, then nodded almost thankfully. The red dragon turned away, pacing forward a few steps. He hesitated there, staring down at the eggs and resisting the urge to bristle. The smallest touch of fear crept through him, almost threatening to overwhelm as he peered down at the smooth shells.

They were all a pale blue or yellow, like silken sunlight or the sky. They were each rounded rather than oval as a Sky Dragon's usually was, due to their hybrid status. The rounded more squat shape was a Lightning Dragon trait. And the yellow color was more the shade of a lightning bolt when it flashed brilliantly against dark clouds. It would be a wonder as to which traits they took more after, whether they'd have the gentleness Sky Dragons were known for or the ferocity and pure strength Lightning Dragons so often boasted.

Atem supposed it did not matter. He likely would not need to bother with his siblings when they were hatched. He was relatively sure Seto would not wish for his presence there, if only because he did not believe Atem worth the air he breathed when he did not require something of him.

Atem shook himself out and slowly moved forward until the tips of the claws on his left paw almost touched the egg nearest him. He bristled faintly, then exhaled softly and peered down at it. He stared down at the light yellow egg in front of him, studying. It was incredibly smooth, appearing almost perfect in shape. The little holes Kisara had dug for each of them, nestling them in the warmer earth, were noticeably deep. It was to help with incubation when neither parent was near the eggs; the sand and stone formation they'd made their camp out of absorbed body heat and fostered it there.

When they were absent the earth kept them warm for nearly an hour. Atem himself used river sand because it could hold sunlight for almost an entire day. When he left his den for more than a few hours, it usually retained some hint of his body temperature in one manner or another. He did not live in a shelter of limestone, however, where the heat tended to dissipate more quickly. And he was incredibly thankful for this.

He lowered his head towards one of the eggs. He'd remembered only while speaking to Seto what the ritual entailed. It was a simple one, without the various steps that many others possessed. It was almost painful to realize he'd forgotten prior, in light of how easy it truly was.

Each egg was to be nuzzled, moved slightly toward the God Dragon, and breathed gently upon. As long as the dragon did not have ill wishes for the nest, the Blessing would be successful on their behalf. He remembered once hearing from his parents that they'd almost asked him to do a Blessing before, but during the time he'd been gone on his own they'd been unable to find him. The nest had been born late and so they'd been fearful the eggs wouldn't hatch. But it had passed. When early summer had come, his mother had found him but had been too startled to ask him when she'd witnessed him kill a suitor. So, upon returning to the nest she'd told his father that they would ask him another time. He didn't know what excuse she'd made, or whether she'd confirmed that he was in fact the Sky Dragon that had been so often spoken of. He'd killed every suitor that had not backed down when he'd bested them in battle or flight and everyone had spoken of it at some point or another. He'd gotten a reputation for shamelessly killing in cold blood and rumors had abounded that he'd used the bones to sharpen his claws and teeth or he'd strung the bodies in the branches of trees to ward off other potential suitors.

Yugi had only found him thanks to them. He'd followed the rumors to find where Atem was, then waited and watched for him to prove his hope worth it. And then he'd outwitted him, using a net to pin Atem for a few heartbeats as were the grounds of his contest. Atem had only meant to pin him and then allow him to flee, or even to just let him run when Yugi had taken off flying. If it had not been for the fact that the direction Yugi had gone had been the path to his den, he would have let him go. But he'd given chase and Yugi had veered off path, leaving him to get caught and pinned beneath the net.

Atem shrugged the memories off and nuzzled the first egg. He pulled it slightly closer towards himself, studying the smooth surface. There was a small, sweet yet sour smell that met him now. He stopped short, investigating the egg more thoroughly. He nuzzled it once more, inching it up from the nest bottom to sniff at the stone beneath. But the sour smell was nonexistent the more he tried to find its source.

He risked a sidelong glance at Yugi. The Gandora visibly stiffened, head tilted and eyes wide with confusion. Atem lowered his gaze again, hissing as softly as he could, "Come here, little one."

Yugi hurried forward as if he'd been snarled at, coming to his side instantly. Atem wondered how badly rattled his voice sounded, how urgent or fierce the tone. The Gandora was silent at his side, studying him with a somewhat alarmed expression. Atem was quiet for a long moment, then lowered his head toward the eggs again. He sniffed twice, then picked his way around to the far side of the clutch. He gestured for Yugi to join him, then pointed his beak at the egg in the center.

"Smell that."

The Gandora did as instructed, sniffing. He did so for a long minute, as if trying his hardest to find what had rattled Atem. Because it was clear that he did not smell the bitterness as he did. When Yugi finally lifted his head and turned to him, his expression was puzzled.

"Dear heart?"

Atem shook himself out; perhaps he was imagining it. He could have easily have been imagining it. He had wet paws, as he'd admitted formerly. No doubt he could have convinced himself he smelled something due to pure discomfort. He wouldn't have been surprised should that have been the case.

Yet some part of him felt sick and nervous.

"You don't smell it?"

Yugi shook his head. His voice was soft and gentle, a mere whisper. "No. I don't smell anything."

Atem lowered his eyes again, staring down at the clutch and suppressing a shiver. "Oh."

"What does it smell like?"

Atem remained silent for a long handful of seconds. He did not want to say it, because saying it made it seem more real. And Atem was not sure he could stomach saying it. It made his belly ache and his hearts squeeze within his chest. He didn't know what he could say that would not turn out something to be dismissed and pushed aside.

"Atem?"

"Nothing. It's nothing."

Yugi was quiet for a long handful of seconds. Then he sighed softly. "Okay. If you're sure."

"I am."

The Gandora nodded, then moved as if to step away and around the nest. Atem hesitantly tapped his hip with his tail, halting Yugi in place there. Slightly ashamed by the need to have Yugi so close, Atem lowered his head and peered at him sideways in a somewhat sheepish manner. His mate watched him for a moment, then smiled and pressed against his side before taking a seat. He sat neatly there, tail around his paws and eyes on the nest.

Atem relaxed slightly, warmed by Yugi's place beside him. Thankfully the Gandora was so easy and sweet and did not doubt him. He himself would have doubted another dragon who had claimed to smell something odd from a nest when he couldn't do the same. Any other dragon would have sneered and spat and laughed. And yet Yugi just sat beside him, tail around his paws and eyes on the eggs in front of him.

He couldn't read his mind, so perhaps Yugi did think he was crazy, but he was not showing it. And Atem couldn't have explained to him just how grateful he was at the moment.

The red dragon lowered his head again, sniffing once more. A heavy whiff of the bitter smell came forward, the scent cloying and swelling in his nose. He struggled not to flick his tongues and flinch away. His eyes flickered towards Yugi once more and he swallowed back his frustration in order to lower his beak towards the egg nearest him.

"Atem," his mate whispered, leaning forward. The red dragon turned his head, hoping against everything that the Gandora would say he smelled it now. But when he saw his face, he knew otherwise. Yugi looked concerned, as if he were afraid something were wrong with him instead. "You're shaking."

Was he? Atem blinked and shook himself out, hoping to soothe his nerves. He looked over to Yugi again, finding the Gandora studying him closely for a moment. He butted Atem gently in the shoulder, then licked his forehead and settled back into his seated position.

Atem turned away again, looking down at the nest. He flicked his tongue, ignoring the scent that lingered there. His mouth felt sticky just from exposure. He nudged the egg closer, focusing on the feeling of hope he'd had formerly upon first arriving to bless the nest. He focused on this until there was nothing else—even the stench he'd nearly suffocated beneath had dissipated by then—and exhaled upon the egg.

There was a single moment where he swore the egg looked pale and fractured. And then it disappeared entirely. Atem almost thought, for a single second, that perhaps he'd used his ice breath. But the egg would have shattered. The shell would have turned to dust. But it was still there, smooth and unmarred but for that single second he'd seen what looked like frost.

The smell seemed to become worse as he continued, however. The more he nudged the eggs and breathed on them, the harder it became. He stopped on the final egg, there in the middle of the clutch. He stared down at it, bristling faintly, and almost moved away entirely to the entrance before he caught himself. He lowered himself to a crouch, staring at the egg for a handful of heartbeats.

It looked no different from the others from what he could see of it. It was still perfectly round, a lighter color.

"Atem?"

He didn't answer him. He narrowed his eyes and rose into a seated position, studying the egg. The smell was almost suffocating, to the point of threatening to glue his lungs together. He exhaled roughly, narrowing his eyes further and peering down. The smell came up higher, burning through his system and tearing him almost in half. And then he shook himself out and bristled faintly. He flexed his claws and tucked his wings into his sides until the pressure nearly made him feel as if he were being crushed.

And the thought crossed his mind that he should lean forward and snap his teeth through the shell. He could swallow the egg and the smell would leave and he wouldn't feel so disgusting and fearful. He could destroy it. And if he swallowed it whole, Seto would never have any idea until he'd already fled. If he and Yugi left fast enough, they'd be able to go and leave Seto and Kisara to realize on their own later. He'd lead Yugi elsewhere, to another den where they could hide until he was sure Seto would be too preoccupied with raising the other dragonets to bother chasing any longer.

He stared at the egg, where its yellow shell had the smallest streak of bright blue that went in a lightning form from the bottom to the top. And for a moment he opened his bottom mouth, flicking his tongue. He leaned forward, staring down at it, and opened his jaws wide.

And then he faltered.

His eyes flickered upward.

Yugi hadn't moved but for staring at him with wide eyes. He hadn't spoken again. He wasn't even about to leap up and run forward to stop him. He was simply staring, clearly startled and shaken, but determined to help him should it come to that. Atem watched his face for a long handful of seconds, then faltered again.

The entire nest stank of rot. The eggs would all die, likely within a few moons of hatching. He didn't know what sickness they carried. He did not know whether they would die quickly or slowly. And he did not know that this egg might ever hatch as it was.

So what right did he have to destroy it?

Atem lowered his eyes to it again. Maybe if he gave it the chance to exist and grow, it would prove him wrong. Perhaps it would save itself somehow.

He closed his mouth, ignoring the pain that came through him as he breathed roughly. He shook himself out, narrowing his eyes faintly. And then he nudged the egg towards himself. He lowered his mouth, breathing in deeply. He didn't know how useful the Blessing would be. He didn't know if he was even truly doing it right. But he hoped to the gods that this egg would hatch. He hoped they'd survive and live a long life. And he hoped more than ever that if he were truly a God Dragon that this attempt would prove it.

He exhaled on it, ignoring the immediate pain that made his lungs clamp together afterwards. He assumed it to be the smell of rotting flesh he'd caught upon exposure to the nest. But he couldn't be sure. And some small part of him recoiled aggressively at this thought, insisting it was something else. He did not know for sure. He didn't know how he was meant to respond. But when he tried to breathe his lungs burned as if struck with flame.

He backed up a few steps, lowering his head towards the stone and trying to get air into his lungs. Yugi was at his side instantly. For a moment he hovered. Then he leaned forward and began licking at his throat in an effort to help clear his airways. It was a technique used on hatchlings, either when they swallowed something too large or they just couldn't breathe for whatever reason.

Atem was almost trembling when he finally managed to draw in a shaky breath, exhaling once. And then his lungs opened fully, drawing in as much air as they could hold. When he exhaled again, Yugi was the one shaking next to him. Atem let the tension in his body fade, then lifted his head slightly. Yugi took a seat for a single second, then sprang forward again to lick rigorously at his face and jaw. The relief was obvious and Atem could see that he was overwhelmed.

The Gandora was shaking finely, breathing hard. His pupils had turned into slits of pure distress, flipping to a horizontal formation. Even his tongue felt as if it were trembling.

"Are you okay?"

Was he? Atem remained quiet for a long heartbeat. Then he lowered his head. His first instinct was to deny that it had ever happened, to preserve his stance as a God Dragon and refuse acknowledgment. Only the weakest dragons acknowledged a problem of this magnitude in front of another. And then he forced himself to remember that this was Yugi, and that he owed him such acknowledgment, if nothing else. But he couldn't seem to find the words and everything felt shaky and swollen at the moment.

He exhaled roughly, then licked Yugi's cheek, struggling for a moment to find his voice. He shook himself out, turning to preen at his wing in a bid to catch his breath for a minute.

"I'm okay."

"What just happened?" Yugi demanded, voice flustered and fearful rather than angry. His eyes stretched wide and his mouth opened and closed several times. He was staring at him with a fearful, yet fierce expression. "Atem?"

He tried to think of an answer, but everything in him screamed to leave. Atem opened his mouth, then faltered and bristled fearfully. His nose burned when he glanced at the nest and his lungs squeezed painfully.

"You still do not smell anything?"

Yugi stiffened, startled by his aggravated tone. Then he sat up, tasting the air. He flicked his tongue several times, drew in a breath and focused with his eyes shut, and even got up to investigate the nest more thoroughly. He budged each of them gently, sniffing at the stone beneath and the eggs themselves. Finally, a long minute later, he turned around with a regretful expression.

"I can only smell Seto and Kisara," he mumbled. "I don't smell anything…bad."

The Sky Dragon frowned, shaking his head. "Okay," he exhaled shakily, nearly trembling with distress. The feeling of his lungs being too tight, forcing themselves shut, had not left him entirely. He bristled faintly, then shrugged it away and sat up to shake himself out. He got to his paws, flexing his toes, and narrowed his eyes as he looked down. "We should leave. Now."

"Okay."

Atem turned immediately away, beginning to pick his way out of the den so that he could flee altogether. And then he faltered, glancing over his shoulder at the nest. "I hope the Blessing did something for them," he said slowly, voice caught between a sneer and a growl. He bristled once more, huffing out a breath at the choking phantom pain in his chest. "I hope it makes their lives somewhat better for as long as they survive."

Yugi's face twisted into an expression of pure shock. His eyes widened and his head snapped around. For a moment he stared, then he turned back. They locked eyes for a heartbeat before Atem scoffed loudly and headed for the entrance once more. His claws clicked against the stone this time, his movements too frenzied and fast to be even remotely dignified. Even as Yugi kept pace, the only sound he could hear of his flatter paws touching the stone was akin sand shifting.

At the entrance, Kisara spun around with wide eyes before her face morphed into a brilliant smile. Her blue eyes lit up and she padded forward to meet them immediately. Seto looked up from where he'd been seated nearby with his eyes locked on the Clan gathered below the nursery ledge. The Felgrand was up instantly, hurrying over to them as if to check that they were not harmed in some manner.

Atem wondered now if he showed anger or fear on his face. But both of them stopped in front of him, Kisara bright-eyed with gratitude and Seto frustrated with his agreed banishment. Atem stopped a few feet away from them, looking past and towards the gathered dragons below. They were all peering up at him, some of them with reverence and others skepticism.

He supposed it did not help that Atem had not announced himself a God Dragon until recently, staying hidden instead as rumors circulated about him. Jaden, Yusei and the Leviathan had always been well-known. He himself had appeared seemingly suddenly when they had all gathered that day at the Badlands for the meeting to decide the fate of Keith's kin. Anyone who had seen him only then likely did not believe him to be a God Dragon, which no doubt he had brought upon himself in ignoring the title and pretending more often than not to be an average dragon instead.

Circumstances had lined up better for aid in this depiction than that of the God Dragon, from ease of life to a stationary existence in his home mountain range. The other God Dragons had never come to try to seek him out, though they'd claimed to have heard the rumors and dismissed them as a Sky Dragon that had simply become a legend among them due to its ruthless killing of suitors. After all, not many of his potential suitors had accepted defeat and left willingly. Many of them had overstepped and tried to force themselves on him and he'd made the rules very clear. If the challenger lost, they were to leave and not return to his territory. If they won, they'd have him.

It was not his fault that he'd been forced to use lethal measures to ensure his own safety in the matter.

Akunadin was back now, he noticed curiously. At his side sat Rafael, staring at Yugi who'd positioned himself strategically at his shoulder. The apparent interest in his eyes was enough to make Atem almost snarl, but the others seemed to be focused on the Sky Dragon instead. The remainder of the patrol was nearby, studying him acutely, somewhere between curious and fierce. He wondered if their aggression was aimed toward him or Yugi.

He shook himself out, banishing the thoughts. He forced himself to turn to his brother, ignoring the anger that came through him as he noticed Rafael still did not look away from Yugi in his peripheral. "Your nest is blessed," he murmured, forcing his voice to come out smooth. His voice was low enough that the dragons just below them could hear but the various others toward the back could not.

But he noticed it. The moment the words left him, there was movement.

He turned his head, half expecting the Clan to be coming forward to hear him more clearly. But the dragons towards the front had begun to lower themselves into a respectful bow formation, wings to the ground and chins touching the floor. Some prostated themselves further, flattening themselves completely to the ground. Others retained the bowing formation, hindquarters somewhat crouched but not flattened.

Atem blinked at them, somewhat startled and partially aggrieved with phantom pains again. Those eggs wouldn't make it to even a year. He didn't know how long they would survive but he did not think once they hatched it would be more than a few moons at the most.

Yugi straightened proudly beside him, eyes full of adoration when he looked at him with a small grin. Atem wanted nothing more than to duck and turn his head, snarling with annoyance; they shouldn't have been celebrating. They should have been more suspicious that the newest God Dragon, who had not been truly acknowledged as one prior, had performed a Blessing on one of their clutches. He should have been met with skepticism and perhaps frustration, maybe even aggression. And yet they were there, bowing and showing him submission and thanks and acknowledging a title he'd all but ignored growing up.

"Thank you." Kisara did a quick bow in turn, then took off quickly past them and to the nest again. Atem watched her go, ignoring the intent stare his brother cast him, and then looked briefly around. Akunadin had foregone a respectful bow and had instead peered at him rather blatantly. The Clan leader did not respond to his returned stare for what felt a lifetime. Then he finally dipped his head in a small show of respect before turning away to speak to the hybrid next to him; Rafael took his eyes off Yugi only then and darted off after Akunadin finished speaking. Two other dragons joined him when he tipped his head in a beckoning motion at them and then all three of them sprinted through the entrance of the camp.

Atem watched them until they disappeared; it was likely a border patrol again.

He shook himself out, turning to Seto. "If there is nothing else, we'll be leaving now."

Seto hesitated, clearly torn between answering and simply following his mate. Then he turned back, eyes narrowing as he considered his youngest sibling. "I wanted to speak to you about something." He huffed when he seemed to see the skepticism on Atem's face; talking normally led to fighting. He'd proven that just the day before. "Kisara asked me to."

Atem hated the fact that he liked the Blue-Eyes female so much. She was so sweet, however, and Seto did not deserve her in any way, and Atem would have to be pressed between a rock and a slew of lava to deny her something. He also still felt guilty for his reaction when they'd first met at the Badlands after he'd killed Keith. That didn't help him to say no should she have a request of him.

He let out a sigh, nodding after a moment, and waited for Seto to begin leading the way. Atem was bristling when they left the camp, curiosity and suspicion bleeding through him. Was he going to try to lead him off and attack for one reason or another? Atem had never been too sure with Seto what his motives were. Leading him away from the camp would surely make an attack that much easier for him…

They continued for a distance past the camp, as if to keep any Clan members from being able to hear them whatsoever. Atem glanced over his shoulder at Yugi, unsure whether he was relieved or nervous that he was so faithfully following him. He knew Seto couldn't take him in a fight, but if he turned on Yugi, he wasn't sure the Gandora would be as well prepared as he was. But when he saw his face, riddled with suspicion and full of cautionary aggression, Atem realized he was just as tense as he was.

They swapped a single look and Yugi came forward, getting to his side and moving in unison with him rather than following behind. The Gandora offered him a small smile that spoke of anxiety and turned away again to watch Seto. Atem followed his lead, studying his brother as well now.

They continued for a while longer, until they were towards the very edge of the territory where the tall grass seemed to turn more to rocky terrain, leading toward the southern range that Jaden made his home. Atem paused here, looking towards the Badlands and peering at the reddened sand that so often reminded him of drying blood. He couldn't see much of it, but it was not something he aspired to do, either. He didn't like the stifling heat or the heaviness of the air when it got too warm, how easily it bore down and threatened to pin him to the ground. It did not help, either, that the air so often grew too dense and rippled before his eyes when he was stationary. It was not a pleasant sensation, his entire body tensing if he was not moving constantly, because he reacted so instinctively to movement around him. He'd needed to do so when he'd fought suitors; they often pretended to accept that they'd lost and then would try to lunge or engage him in a second fight immediately after.

"Kisara," Seto said slowly, turning to face them now as he stopped on the very edge that marked the border, "wants me to extend a more…permanent invitation for the…two of you to come back to the camp to see the clutch when it hatches."

Yugi blinked wide eyes, clearly startled. Atem watched him from the corner of his eye for a long moment, then narrowed his gaze. His stomach coiled. He didn't want anything to do with these doomed hatchlings. But he couldn't simply cut them out of Yugi's life. He was already invested in them.

But the thought of returning to see them made his throat threaten to close up. He forced the phantom pain away, ignoring the sudden itch that came over his right side where he'd been wounded formerly. He forced himself to relax, staring at his sibling and reading the distrust in his expression as his eyes flickered briefly toward Yugi.

"That's…rather generous of her."

He knew his tone was guarded, clipped. The look Yugi shot him was one of confusion and partial alarm. Atem wondered if Yugi feared his reaction in the nursery. Perhaps he was worried Atem and Seto might go to blows. He didn't know. But he could understand the tension in his bones at the moment. Atem himself had a mirroring feeling, however much he wished he could deny it.

"Being the Clan leader's favorite daughter gives you a lot more leniency," Seto said dismissively. He sounded almost bored with the conversation now, done with them, a clear indication that he no longer cared for their presence. He tilted his head, peering at Atem insistently. When the red dragon failed to answer, the Felgrand stepped closer, snapping, "Well?"

Atem fought the urge to box him upside the head. "Yes, yes," he spat, noncommittal as he turned to Yugi. He didn't expect the clutch to survive more than a moon upon hatching, if even that, in truth. Committing to the idea of visiting often to see a doomed nest was not something he felt inclined to do. "Are we ready to leave?"

Yugi nodded slightly, though there was clear puzzlement in his eyes. "Yes, we're ready," he answered softly.

"Then let's go."

"You realize you will likely never be asked by another dragon to do this, yes?" Seto sneered suddenly, bristling as Atem turned to regard him in bemusement. "You're not as amazing or prominent as Jaden or Yusei or the Leviathan. Kisara and I are likely the only dragons so desperate and foolish to ever request your Blessing."

Atem barked a laugh. "I'd rather you never asked me, either," he snapped. He shook himself out, ignoring the glare his brother shot him. Yugi was staring at him with a slightly startled expression now as well. "Let's go."

Thankfully the Gandora was not so surprised that he failed to hear the urgency in his voice. He nodded immediately, turning away to crouch low to the ground. He kept this pose for a moment, then sprang into the air. With a flourish unusual for his species, Yugi straightened his wings and flapped once to stabilize his weight and hover gracefully.

Atem admired the form his mate took for a single second. Yugi was a quick learner, adapting at a much faster rate than even Atem had expected. He had learned to leap higher, then straighten his wings to catch the necessary air pockets to hold his weight without constantly flapping. Most Fire Dragons—and even some Wind species—did not care to be airborne. They usually used flight only when necessary for mating or fighting or fleeing a battle. The fact that Yugi could follow his instructions so well and hover so easily on his own like this was amazing to him.

Atem ignored the snarl Seto loosed, springing into the air to follow Yugi's lead. He glanced at the Badlands once more for a single second, then took off after the Gandora as Yugi began to fly towards their territory. He could barely wait to curl up inside the den and rest again. He feared his nightmares but he doubted he'd be unable to shake them off as he usually did.

They landed an hour before sunset. Atem shook himself out and looked around. His belly growled, aching with growing hunger, and he wondered what might be nearby to hunt. He blinked, a small bristle overcoming him, and wished abruptly that he'd landed closer to the river.

He didn't want to travel so far.

"So, you're finally hungry?" Yugi teased, but even he must have noticed that his voice sounded slightly flustered rather than amused. The Gandora frowned, looking down with something almost ashamed in his expression. "Atem…"

The Sky Dragon felt his hunger leave him just as quickly as it had come. He looked down as well, closing his eyes tightly. "Are you upset with me?" he whispered, unsure of himself. He could feel shame crashing through him hard enough it threatened to knock him off his paws.

"No, of course not. Why would I be upset?"

"You saw what I was going to do."

"I'm not upset with that. I would have helped had you done it."

"But you do not care that I was going to eat one of my siblings?" He shot him an incredulous look, curling his lips back more prominently to show his teeth. "You do not think I believe that, surely."

Yugi was quiet for a long time. Then he searched his face, shaking his head slowly in turn. "No. And I wasn't okay with it. But if you considered it, it was for a reason."

"But you didn't smell it."

"I'm also not a God Dragon, Atem."

"What does that have to do with anything?" he demanded, voice taking on a vicious edge and teeth bared fiercely.

Yugi tilted his head, staring at him curiously. Then he shook his head slowly, voice low and gentle as if he meant to soothe a small hatchling. Atem wondered if he was acting like one, hearts squeezing in his chest. "You sense things I don't, bright sky. And I'm sorry I couldn't smell it as well. But I trust you. If you say you smelled rot in that nest, then you smelled rot."

Atem shook his head, looking away. "I…I could have simply imagined it."

"Atem—"

"If you did not smell it as I did, then perhaps I was wrong. It could have been nerves." Shame made him lower his head. He moved to take a seat, wrapping his long tail partially around his paws and peeking at Yugi from beneath the ridge of his brows. "It could have been my wet paws. Maybe I imagined it because I was so nervous."

"Atem, that's not—"

"I'm not sure why I thought you would smell it, too. I should have known better. I'm sorry."

"No!" Yugi snarled, startling him into looking up. The Gandora had gotten a step closer, entire body posed as if to strike out at him. He glared, blue-violet eyes cold and glittering. The Gandora huffed a breath, flexing his claws into the dirt and trembling with anger. "I am not saying that. All I meant is that I did not smell it and if you did, then it's because you are a God Dragon. You sensed something! You must have sensed something! You were about to destroy an egg. You just advocated a moon ago for Keith's eggs to assure that they were not destroyed without a chance! You've never been so foolish or violent as to turn mindlessly on another. You can't tell me that you would ever have done this if you hadn't felt sure there was something wrong."

Atem looked away after a long moment, shuffling his paws like a scorned hatchling awaiting punishment. "No," he finally grumbled, "I can't argue that."

Yugi deflated, relieved with the reluctant agreement. He relaxed, entire body softening from its aggressive stance. "You're a God Dragon, dear heart," he reminded him gently, smiling warmly and licking his forehead happily. As long as Atem was listening, there was always a chance to reach him. "So, of course you'd be able to sense something that I couldn't. Just because I couldn't smell it, too, doesn't mean that you were wrong. It just means that you were more sensitive to it."

Atem shook his head. "Or it was a mistake," he said bitterly, "that anyone ever thought I was a God Dragon."

Yugi stiffened, then spat, "No."

Atem huffed. "You keep arguing with me on this, but it doesn't change the fact that I still don't believe it all. My species is known for physical deformities. Physical deformities are a common Sky Dragon problem." He snarled softly in annoyance, shaking his head sharply. "My second mouth could be nothing but that."

Yugi stepped forward now, narrowing his eyes. He was torn between licking his face or arguing with him more fiercely. Instead he settled for responding with a prodding, "You're a blindspot for Jaden and Yusei and the Leviathan. How do you explain that? How do you think you can explain that if you're not a God Dragon?"

Atem didn't appear to have an answer; in fact, he almost looked stunned and perhaps even horrified. "Maybe because I'm an abnormality," he huffed after a long minute of silence. He looked away, blinking down at the ground.

Yugi burst out laughing and licked his forehead. "You don't even have an answer," he teased. He lathered him in licks and lay his chin on his forehead. He rubbed against him for a moment and wished he remembered how to purr, but most dragons lost the ability when they were no longer juvenile. Atem loosed a low, wordless rumbling noise that he almost could have mistaken for a snarl had it not been for the melancholic stance he possessed. "It's always nice to know I'm smarter than my God Dragon mate."

Atem let out a loud noise of mocking annoyance. He pulled away from him, studying his face as if he'd almost thought the insult true on Yugi's behalf before licking his cheek and turning away. "I'm glad you find some amusement in my situation," he murmured in a voice that was friendly enough to portray a lack of aggression.

Yugi went to answer him, to deny that there was amusement to be found in any of it. He went to say that he didn't find Atem's self-doubt funny in the slightest. He went to say he didn't care for Atem's lack of self-esteem or the way he looked down on anything to do with himself. He went to say that he didn't understand how he could even believe he thought it amusing in any way.

And then he stopped short. The last time they'd argued about his stature as a God Dragon, Atem had abruptly cut himself off from him. He'd closed himself off and refused for a long time to speak to him. It had passed only when Atem's unwelcome brothers had shown up again and Atem had returned from his hunt with deer meat for Yugi he insisted he eat.

Now Yugi considered him, swallowing back his angered response. Atem didn't see himself the way Yugi did. He doubted himself more than Yugi had expected, to the point that he even seemed to double check himself over the simplest of decisions. The only thing he never seemed to have to double check was fighting, and Yugi thanked the gods for that. Atem could go into a fight and come out alive no matter what the odds—or, admittedly, that was what Yugi liked to think. He was sure it wasn't entirely true, but he was a firm believer in it until it was proven otherwise. And that he was going to make sure did not happen anytime soon whatsoever. He'd die before he let anything happen to Atem in any manner.

"If you ever have to make a hard decision, you know I'll always defend it, right?"

Atem blinked, golden eyes widening in confusion for a moment. And then he seemed to understand his meaning, nodding slowly and looking away. "Yes."

Yugi could hear the hesitation in his voice, but he knew Atem didn't doubt him. Atem likely doubted he was worth such a thing. Yugi wanted to bat him in the head for such disparaging thoughts, but he knew it wouldn't do any good. Atem would not change his mind where his own worth was involved, if only because he was fearful of believing in it. Yugi had the idea that Atem felt if he trusted himself as the God Dragon of the East—which he'd only referred to himself directly as about four times in his presence—that he'd become fearful of making any mistakes, because the world would be watching him from then on. They'd expect amazing things from him. They'd want his Blessing. They'd ask for his favor. They'd petition him for aid in battle where necessary. They'd ask his blessing and move into his territory to hide from other dragons. They'd expect everything to go well for them simply due to proximity to him. He'd heard of such things with the other God Dragons. And he was sure that Atem, as the youngest and newest, would be the most abused in this sense.

He remembered abruptly Kisara's explanation about her father's behavior, how he didn't truly revere God Dragons. His hearts clenched; it had just another steady reminder in the wake of his own nervousness. Atem would need time to recover from that self-doubt later, and Yugi could only help him where he'd allow him.

"How about you go rest? I'll get some food and bring it to the den."

Atem looked as if he might argue, but he abruptly stopped and nodded. "Okay." He hesitated, then came forward to lick his forehead and mumble an almost inaudible thanks before hurrying off for the den entrance.

"You've killed us all."

Atem looked over in confusion. His eyes stretched wide and his body tensed. The clearing was soaked in blood. Limestone was drenched, streaked where layers had dried in dark brown and baked beneath the sun to near black. The ledges glistened with fresh rivulets in areas. And some of the dragons he recognized from the Clan lay scattered about. One had been torn almost to pieces, nearly decapitated but for the bones of its neck. The wings had been ripped off, its belly split so that its entrails were dislodged. Their eyes were blank and staring, reflecting his stunned expression there.

He blinked and turned his head once more. Body after body had been thrown into a pile. Some of them had their heads. Others only had bloodied stumps. Some were burned with fire breath. Others had been simply dragged through the dusty sand of the clearing. They all stared back at him, however, eyes hollow and peering.

Atem unconsciously flinched, backing up a step. He lowered himself to his belly before he could stop himself. His paws flexed anxiously, hearts hammering in his chest. He quivered and his wings threatened to expand to cover his entire body in a defensive manner.

But he could not sense a threat.

Instead all he could do was look at the lifeless corpses and smell the cloying stench of rapid decay.

"You've killed us all."

He turned around, almost tripping over his own paws.

The Felgrand was covered in blood like his companions. But his wounds looked surprisingly almost superficial in design. He didn't think he'd die from any of them. None looked particularly deep.

Atem wasn't sure he cared so much about that, however, as Seto continued talking.

"Kill them."

The God Dragon stared at him, unable to process the words. Kill who?

"What?" he finally managed to spit out. "What are you talking about?"

"Kill them."

"Kill who?" he snapped, then flinched when Seto stalked forward with his teeth bared. He was snarling low in his throat and Atem bristled as he backed away rapidly.

"Kill h—"

Atem jolted awake. The den was calm and serene. Yugi was snoring beside him, belly to him from where he'd fallen asleep after eating so much. Everything was as it should have been. But his muscles were bunched and trembling from the abuse. The Sky Dragon tried to quell his shaking but it seemed to make it worse. He forced himself to lay there still, rather than jump to his paws and flee. He didn't want to wake Yugi, nor to have him panic when he saw the state Atem was in. He lowered his eyes, focusing on his paws, and knew sunrise was a long time in coming.