Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Atem stared down at the microphone all but shoved up his nose with an air of contempt.

His fingers clenched around the cup of coffee in his hands tightly enough he was worried about crushing it. He really should have just made himself a cup back at his place like Mahad kept telling him to do. It just never tasted as good when he made it himself.

And now he was paying the price of his hubris for daring to leave the relative safety of his apartment.

“Mr. Sennen, what brings you out here today?” one of the reporters asked, the one who seemed to think that the closer the microphone was to his face the better the answer would be.

Atem leveled him with a flat, blank look, “Coffee,” he said as bland and dry as toast with no butter. The reporter stammered as if only just realizing that they had all accosted him stepping out of a simple café. The microphone was pulled away only for a recorder to take its place a moment later.

Neutral face, calm and collected. Don’t give them anything you don’t want them to have.

They’ve already taken enough of you.

“Mr. Sennen, how are you preparing for the upcoming Regionals?”

Atem swallowed back a sigh, “By getting coffee.” He wiggled the quickly cooling drink in his hand for emphasis. He longed to duck away from this sooner rather than later. Where was Mahad when he needed him for a quick escape?

That’s right, he was enjoying his day off. Which Atem was supposed to be doing as well, but no, he can afford any luxury except for privacy it seemed. He’d be as bitter as his coffee, if he didn’t prefer it a tad on the sweet side.

“You look tired, has the anxiety of trying to maintain your title for the tenth year in a row begun to get to you?”

“No, I probably look tired because I haven’t had my coffee yet,” Atem replied, biting his tongue to try and not sound as annoyed as he felt. But he knew from experience that no matter what he said, no matter how carefully he schooled his features, something would come out of this that he hadn’t intended. He didn’t even know why he bothered at all anymore.

A few more questions were thrown at him carelessly, and he tried to let their voices flow over him as if they were water over an unmovable stone. At least until one particularly shrill voice broke through with the first question that actually stood out from the rest.

“Mr. Sennen, what are your thoughts on Yugi Mutou?”

Atem froze, mostly just because after so many years of being asked the same questions over and over, this one was the first of its kind. He found himself caught off guard as he blinked over at the tiny blonde reporter who held a notepad in her hands and had a pen tucked behind her ear, how very old fashioned of her.

What is a Yugi Mutou, some kind of mixed drink?

“Am I supposed to know what that is?” he asked in a bored tone, already lamenting the time he’d already lost in getting trapped by this latest batch of reporters. Honestly though, outside his favorite café? Now he’d have to find another one to frequent that didn’t mess up his admittedly complicated order. And this one had been so conveniently close to his apartment...

“Yugi was last year’s Junior Champion title winner,” she supplied with a wide grin.

Atem blinked, now officially done with the conversation, “I have not followed the junior division since I was in the junior division,” he dismissed, all interest lost again.

But it seemed she wasn’t done as she moved a step closer, her eyes narrowing into something sharper, “Were you aware then that last night he beat Seto Kaiba for the title of Regionals Champion for Eastern Asia?”

And his interest flickered to life once more.

No, no he had not been aware. Of course, he’d known the regionals that his number one rival was a part of were concluding last night. He’d chosen to go to bed early rather than watch, having already given up on anything exciting happening during the finals. Kaiba always won after all, and with the same tactics he'd been harping on for years. But now it seemed Atem had been wrong about that. A shame he missed it live, but he could always look up a video later of Seto’s face as he was trounced by someone other than Atem for once. Perhaps he should pick up popcorn to snack on while doing so.

Although that would mean he’d have to risk going out again and having reporters ask him why he was buying popcorn. Would it even be worth it at that point?

“What does Yugi’s rise in the ranks mean for you and the World Tournament next year, Mr. Sennen?” she asked, breaking him from his thoughts again.

He met her gaze unwaveringly.

“Just because this Yugi kid was able to beat Seto Kaiba does not mean that he can beat me. Or have you all learned nothing from the last nine years?” he scoffed, narrowing his gaze to angry slits as flashes of cameras started to erupt around him. His fingers curled around the scribbled marks on his coffee cup. The last thing he wanted was an article to appear tomorrow listing his preferred coffee order and where to get it, while another painted an ugly picture of a spoiled celebrity with picky tastes. The picky part may have been partially true, but no one needed to know that.

“As of now, Yugi means nothing to me. Now, if you would excuse me, I have plans I am now late for,” he snapped when one reporter got just a little too close to his elbow. He pulled away from the microphones and began to push his way through the dense collection of cameras and recording tech all pointed at him.

His scowl deepened as he finally broke free, and he hurried down the street to where his car was parked before they could catch up. He knew of course that a few would make an attempt to follow him to find out where he was headed, but thanks to Mahad, Atem knew how to lose tails when necessary.

At least he would have his coffee to keep him company for however long it took to shake them off. He just hoped it hadn’t gotten cold being held against his will.

As he pulled away from the curb, his mind finally allowed him to actually think about this ‘Yugi Mutou’. Had Kaiba finally lost his touch? Or was there something more to the latest up and comer? 

Perhaps he had lied a little when telling the reporter that Yugi’s rise meant nothing. Atem did not expect, although maybe he hoped, for a challenge after so long. This could just be a fluke easily too though, and this truly would mean nothing to him. Yugi could lose the title back to Kaiba in next season’s Regionals and nothing would have changed for Atem.

Yes, this truly could mean nothing in the long run.

But part of him wondered if it meant that maybe...just maybe, it would mean things would get interesting once more.

He still wanted that popcorn though. Perhaps he’d call Mahad and have him bring it by later.

Chapter Text

The popcorn lay forgotten in his lap as he watched the final match between Kaiba and the newcomer, Yugi Mutou. If Atem had not already known who would be victorious in this match, he could have assumed from the start, watching them walk up, that once again his rival would prevail just on appearance of his opponent. Even knowing he still felt a level of disbelief as he watched the short, young man step onto the field, looking about as confident as a mouse facing down a lion. The somewhat punk-ish goth hybrid clothing he wore did very little to harden his softer features and round eyes. Everything about his face screamed youth to Atem, and it made Yugi appear very much like he’d just stepped out of the Junior’s League. He practically felt a cavity starting to develop just looking at his sweet little face and shy smiles as he waved to the crowd.

It wasn’t until the bell rung and the duel began that Atem could bring himself to believe that this boy had actually managed to beat the second best duelist in the world. Suddenly the shy mouse was gone and in its place was either a snarling chihuahua or a rabid rabbit that met every one of Kaiba’s vicious moves with a snap of his own little teeth. 

Even when it looked like Kaiba had him cornered and was about to go for the slender throat clad in a collar of all things, Yugi managed to flip it around like a kitten pulling a seismic toss of something twenty times its size. 

He was good. Very good.

Kaiba was no pushover though, and victory did not come easily to either party. In the end though, it had been a solid, strategic pull out for Yugi as Kaiba’s life point fell to zero. It could not be attributed to luck, even Atem had to begrudgingly admit that. Although it would remain to be seen if Kaiba’s ego would allow him the same clarity. 

Going off of Kaiba’s face as the two were positioned on the podium, Atem was not so sure that had happened yet. The scowl was more deeply set than even what Atem had seen while standing above him at past World Tournaments. He barely even twitched in any sort of recognition as his name was announced in second place, and somehow defied all sense of physical limitation when the scowl went impossibly deeper as Yugi was crowned as the new Regional Champion. 

Atem studied the boy as he shyly ducked his head as the crowd cheered loudly as his name was announced as the first-place winner. He seemed almost…delicate as his arm stuttered into something that might have been a wave. Small, and shrinking further under the lights and attention. Atem felt a sudden and uncontrollable urge to shield the little one from it, because no one knew better than Atem what came next. What awful things would come next...

This was only his first few months in the big leagues, and whatever attention he may have garnered in Junior’s would be nothing compared to what would come now. Yugi had made his name known loud and fast, with no time to allow for a slow and measured introduction into this kind of notoriety and fame. No one knew better than Atem what would come next. He almost pitied the little thing. But it was not his place to care, and certainly not his place to do anything about it. 

Yugi signed up for this when he joined the adult League, he’d have to deal with all that came with it and adjust. Just as Atem had to do. 

“Do you think his manager has him dress like that to appear more intimidating?” Mana asked around a full mouth of popcorn.  

“If they do, they have failed miserably. Like putting a spiked collar on a papillon puppy,” Atem mumbled, finally allowing himself a handful of the popcorn before Mana ate it all. 

Mahad calmly sipped at his wine, “I believe the original purpose of those spiked collars was actually to protect the wearer, not to appear intimidating.”

“Well, given how Seto looks like he would like nothing more than to bite out Yugi’s jugular, maybe his manager had the right idea having him dress like that,” Mana giggled. 

Atem grimaced, imagining what Kaiba was likely doing at this very moment in the wake of his loss. He’d barely taken it when Atem beat him year after year at World’s, he could only imagine how poorly he’d react to losing to someone who was honestly not on anyone’s radar until now. Junior league transfers usually took years to build up the skill and stamina to work up to regional rounds, so none of the professionals really paid any attention to them from the start. Up until now, Atem and Kaiba were the only ones who came out of Junior’s hard and fast, and that had been almost a decade ago. 

“He seems a gentle soul, don’t you think, Atem?” Mahad asked, drawing the duelist’s attention back from the past. 

Atem shrugged, “How am I supposed to know? That innocence could all be an act for all we know. I’d have to watch the Junior’s recordings to see if it holds up. But I truly don’t care enough to bother right now. He’s not even in my region, I won’t have to face him for months at the earliest. And that’s only if he qualifies for World's.”

What Mahad didn’t need to know was that as soon as him and Mana left, Atem would be doing just that. While his bodyguard and personal assistant were likely the only people he would dare count as close friends, this was too much to openly admit even to them. He trusted the two of them with his body, but he trusted no one with much more than that these days. Too much of himself had already been exposed over the years thanks to cruel reporters and fans who didn’t seem to understand his desire for privacy. So much of himself had been lost to them, whatever remained his own was guarded under lock, key, and a metaphorical bullet proof safe.

“But if he maintains the title, or ranks in the top three of the Region by next year then you’ll see him at World’s,” Mahad pointed out.

Atem grunted in way of reply, and grabbed for more popcorn just as an excuse to not dignify any further response. But part of the reason he liked to keep Mana around was because she knew how to lift a mood. Even if it sometimes was done rather loudly.

She sighed wistfully, leaning forward as they all watched Yugi appear in the post-event press conference interview, “He just looks so sweet, even with how they dressed him! Oh, I just want to give him cookies and wrap him in a blanket before the media and stress gets to him, you know?”

Atem snorted indelicately, throwing back a sip of his wine, “It’ll be too late for that. He’s probably already been swarmed by them. They won’t let up until he finally loses and fades into nothingness, or the pressure gets to him and he drops out. And maybe not even then.”

“And what will you do now that you have won the Regional Champion title, Mr. Mutou?”

“Well, I guess there is still a couple more tournaments coming up. I’ll try my best at all of those,” came the timid reply. Yugi’s eyelids were fluttering as he winced through each and every flash of came on his face. 

“And what do you have to say to all of your future opponents?”

”Uh…good luck and that I look forward to dueling?” Yugi sounded like he was answering with a question, and Atem could not help but chuckle sadly as he shook his head. Mana groaned sympathetically, having dealt with a response like that before.

“Wait until tomorrow when the news is just a sound bite of him saying ‘good luck’ like it’s some sort of taunt,” she bemoaned. Mahad took a bigger sip of wine. 

“They’re going to eat him alive,” Atem predicted darkly. Neither Mana nor Mahad tried to correct him. They’d seen it too many times already. Yugi would be no different. 

The dueling world was not an easy one. Even less so for those fighting for their lives at the top. It didn’t matter any of their original reasons for getting into dueling in the first place, it was a bloodthirsty business as much as A-List actors or top athletes. Not everyone was cut out for it.

And looking at Yugi cringing under the bright spotlights above, Atem had to wonder how long it would be before they broke him. Just like they broke everything else they touched.

This world either ate one up and spat them back out once they were done chewing them through, or you were stuck within its maw where escape was impossible, and you learned to just live with the teeth around you. Atem had been trapped here for almost ten years now, and he was still waiting for when he’d get spat out. Sometimes it seemed preferable to whatever life this was. 

Atem stared blandly ahead, gaze unfocused, as cameras shuttered in his face and microphones were all held aloft. He drew in a long breath to let it out slowly, trying his best to keep his features smooth. Mana had been coaching him almost daily now to stop appearing so ‘frowny’ for the cameras, but it was starting to feel like it was the only battle Atem could not truly win. Even now he could already feel his brows beetling together as he tried to make sense of what was being asked now.

Wasn’t this interview supposed to have just been a pre-season catch up before his regional's qualifications? Why did it sound more like they were trying to write an article for a gossip magazine? 

“Mr. Sennen, rumors have been circulating that you’ve begun seeing your gym instructor, is this true?”

Atem sighed, “I do not have a gym instructor, so no. A question pertaining to dueling next, please?”

“Mr. Sennen as the reigning champion for nine consecutive years, are you at all worried—“

Wait for it…this may be a relevant one…Atem held his breath.

“—that your advancing age will start to negatively affect your game?”

So close. He’s actually have preferred it to have been about his non existent dating life.

“I’m still in my twenties, I’m hardly considered geriatric,” he said, rubbing at his temple where he could feel the beginnings of a headache forming. A regular occurrence at events like this. 

“Mr. Sennen, is it true that you were seen outside of a hotel with a young woman in Alexandria?”

And there was the dating life question. He instantly regretting mentally asking for one.

Atem blinked once, twice, and a third time before replying, “I have been in Alexandria many times, seeing how it is where I am originally from. I have stayed in many hotels. And if I recall correctly, women exist in my home city. Unless this leads to an important question regarding dueling, I don’t see why you are wasting your breath asking me such things.”

He heard the slap of skin from off to the side of the table where he knew Mana had likely slapped her hand over her eyes hearing the reply. Atem knew he’d be scolded later, but honestly, what was he even supposed to say to that kind of question? Were they expecting him to cave in and admit to some sordid affair that lasted all of one night in some unnamed hotel in a massive city he was from? One that very much did not happen?

Thankfully another reporter stood up next and Atem tried to mentally manifest an actually pertinent question to be asked this time.

“What are your thoughts on Yugi Mutou?” This one asked, and Atem qualified it as somewhat relevant at least.

He shrugged, “I have not dueled him yet, so I cannot say much about him.”

But even with the indifferent reply, this reporter got that glint in his eye that many did when they thought they scented blood in the water. Atem braced himself and saw Mahad straighten up out of the corner of his eye, his bodyguard probably wondering if he’d have to haul Atem out of there before something violent happened.

Metaphorically anyway. Atem was known for being calm, aloof and indifferent for the most part after all. He left all the violence up to Keith.

“But as your new rival, surely you want to be ready to face him in you meet up at World’s.”

“Rival? How can he be a rival when I’ve never even met him, let alone dueled him?” Atem felt something in him snap.

“He beat your long-standing rival, Seto Kaiba, this makes him the top contender for taking your title seeing how no one has ever come close save for Kaiba,” the reporter shot back just as quickly.

Atem felt himself bristle, “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Just because he beat Kaiba does not mean he can beat me. The kid needs to be a lot stronger than what very little I’ve seen of him if he wants to stand a chance.”

Another slap of skin sounded from the far end of the table. Atem bit his tongue after that and another reporter finally took over, this time asking him about what diet he followed to remain so lean. 

It was only years of training from Mana that stopped him from replying with some ridiculous answer just to spite them. Although telling them that he ate a pinecone a day for breakfast would have certainly been funny…for a few minutes at least. Until he later found out half his fans were starting to eat pinecones because their favorite duelist told them to.

No more questions were asked about Yugi at least, and Atem hoped he’d hear nothing more about the kid until it was time for World’s. 

After so many years in the spotlight, Atem felt that he lived in a constant stake of fluctuating between not caring the slightest bit of what the media thought, and then caring too much about what they thought. 

But he’d also learned long ago that appearing defensive of anything they said only made things worse.

And as he was coming to learn now, apparently appearing indifferent could be just as bad.

“Atem Sennen, long standing and senior champion of Duel Monsters, has all but completely dismissed new up and coming duelist Yugi Mutou as any sort of competition. Even going so far to say Yugi Mutou doesn’t matter, much to the young duelists heartbroken dismay. But experts are saying—“

Atem leaned forward, rubbing at his temples as he fought against his latest headache. Senior? Really? Since when was that a term used for his title? Just stick to King of Games, please, before they started calling him Elder of Games or something else equally insulting.

And he hadn’t even met this Yugi Mutou yet, and already he was quickly becoming the bane of his existence. As much as he liked to remind the media that he was not old, he was feeling it these days when Mana kept sending him news clips like this. They were even worse when they included the kid in question on the other half of the coin. 

“Twenty-year-old, Mr. Mutou has also been asked about the developing rivalry on multiple occasions and had this to say...”

The camera cut to Yugi’s face as he blinked like a deer in headlights, seemingly caught outside of what looked like a basic game shop, “O-oh, uh, I guess it’s fair that he doesn’t have much of an opinion on me. I am kinda new and all that. And he’s a legend! I don’t think I’d compare myself to him either. It’s an honor just being mentioned in the same sentence as him,” Yugi replied candidly, blushing as he rubbed a hand through his hair. 

Atem felt the Yugi shaped cavity deepen.

“Despite all of Sennen’s insistence that Mutou doesn’t stand a chance against him, Mutou appears to be letting it all roll off his shoulders as we all wait eagerly to see what match ups could be on the horizon for World's next year.”

“Thanks for that update. I’m sure we’ll hear plenty more from both duelists as we move deeper into the season. For now, here is a report on the ranking of top ten sexiest duelists that are still rumored to be single! And see where the new and darling Yugi Mutou ranks among his older competitors. And after that, join us as we talk about who is rumored to be dating who in the North American division!”

“Great, he’s becoming their little sweetheart,” Atem mumbled as he thumbed through the several other clips and articles Mana had sent overnight. Honestly, did she ever sleep? He’d gotten something sent almost every hour through the night. He grimaced as he saw an article that had a picture of him from a year ago standing outside of his apartment building where a fan had stopped him for an autograph. Unfortunately, the photo blocked the paper he’d been signing and they were claiming he’d taken yet another lover to his bed. Despite it being a year-old photo and untrue, Atem knew he’d make it once again to the top rank for the biggest players in dueling. And by player, he did not mean actual dueling. This was just Mana’s kind way of warning him that he’d won that title again.

Even though Atem hadn’t even found the time or desire to be intimate with anyone in years, it seemingly didn’t matter. The media would see what it wanted to see and nothing else. 

He could remember a time when the reporters had been kinder to him too. When he used to smile sweetly at the camera like Yugi did. Before he’d learned their sneaky ways and the fact they were more interested in a story that sold rather than the truth. Or anyone's feelings.  

It was only a matter of time before Yugi learned his lesson in that sense. He tried to convince himself he didn’t care that he knew eventually they’d turn on the kid too. Just like he tried to convince himself that it shouldn’t bother him how vulnerable a seemingly sweet kid like Yugi was leaving himself so open for them from the start.  Nobody cared when they’d turned on him years ago. Why should he feel bad for anyone else?

“Atem, I’m begging you. Please stop engaging with the reporters when they ask about Yugi. Each time you do they just warp it to sound like you’re bullying him. It’s bad for your image, and I hate when they make you out to sound so mean when we both know you’re an absolute teddy bear at heart,” Mana whined as she started to put away the make-up supplies.

Atem was leaning forward to check her make-up work in the mirror, pleased to see she’d done a good job on it once again. Mahad lurked around the back of the dressing room, arms crossed over his chest.

“I don’t know if even I would describe myself as a teddy bear, Mana,” Atem said as he got up to check the clothes she’d picked out, “And while I do not appreciate them making up a mortal enemy I did not ask for, there is little I can do to stop them at this point without making it worse. If Yugi manages to keep his rank and manages to meet up against me at World's, then I’ll just beat him there and this will be over and done with. We’ve got six months to survive through until that.”

He quirked a brow as he took in the clothes laid out for him, once again marveling at Mana’s ability to fill so many roles for him so well. He once had a full team working for him at the start of his dueling career, but after one too many breeches in confidence, Atem had shrunk his team down to the only ones who had been faithful from the start. Thankfully they were also incredibly competent. Mana seamlessly filled the role of personal assistant, public relations, manager, scheduler, make-up artist, and wardrobe stylist. 

And even if Mahad’s actual title was just that of bodyguard, Mahad would argue he functioned as nursemaid and therapist in addition to that. 

And that was all fine and well to Atem. He didn’t need more than that anyway. 

A fitted dress shirt that went well with his preferred gold jewelry, accentuating make up, and sinfully fitted jeans would do well for a simple TV interview like this one. Even seated, it would still do wonders to show off his best assets. He had to maintain his rank as number one on the sexiest duelists list, after all. Mai was getting a little too close to stealing the only other title he cared about lately. Thankfully Yugi was still far down ranked at number eight, although Atem wondered if that was a fair ranking. It seemed a little low to him, not that he would dare to say such out loud. Maybe he’d lost points with that innocently sweet disposition of his?

“Did they agree to stick to the approved questions list?” Atem asked as he undid the top three buttons of his shirt and began to roll the sleeves up past his forearms.

Mana grimaced, “The assistant at the front desk said she couldn’t find the signed agreement.”

Atem rolled his eyes, they both knew that really meant that they’d chosen not to stick to the listed questions. Of course, they had the choice now of leaving the interview entirely because of the breach of contract, but they’d done that before and they’d played it up to make it seem like Atem had thrown a royal tantrum and stormed out because they didn’t have his favorite snacks in his dressing room. 

He waved his hand dismissively to Mana, a silent assurance he’d go on with the interview anyway. It was TV after all, they couldn’t get too inappropriate at least. 

Or so he thought.

“So, Mr. Sennen, your dating history has been…colorful, wouldn’t you say?” The female reporter on the left asked, her painfully bright red lipstick pulling back into a grin that looked almost demonic.

Atem leaned back in the chair, careful to keep his body language open and calm even as he felt his entire body tense up so fast he may have pulled something internally, “I don’t know if I would say that at all,” he replied cautiously. If anything, it was a stunning shade of beige of late.

“But you have been seen with both men and women over the years. Many in fact,” she pressed.

Atem sucked at his teeth before replying, “I work with people every day.”

“We’re talking about dating them.”

“Are we? I don’t believe I’ve ever confirmed dating anyone,” Atem shot back.

“Ah, so you are saying you prefer one-night stands?”

“I’m not saying that either. I cannot confirm anything of the sort. My love life, or lack thereof, is not up for discussion,” he said, reciting what Mana had made him repeat back to her five times before letting him get on stage. 

The reporter’s eye twitched, but the smile stayed in place as if made of plastic, “I see. Well, perhaps you can comment instead on your rival’s recent reveal. We’re you aware that yesterday Yugi Mutou made it public that he was bisexual?”

Now it was Atem’s eye that twitched as many years of speculation and uncomfortable interviews, rude comments, and public pressures all came barreling back to the forefront of his mind unbidden. His own coming out had been less of a reveal and more of unwanted and too sudden exposure. He could not imagine revealing such a thing willingly after the backlash he’d gotten. 

He shifted uncomfortably in the chair, drawing a leg up as he closed his hands over his ankle just to have something to grab onto that wasn’t the squeaky leather armrests that would give him away. 

“I don’t see what that has to do with dueling. I don’t care about any of that. What I care about is if he can hold his own against an opponent, I don’t care about who he takes to bed. Mutou should focus on his game and nothing else if he wants to keep his rank, and if he ever hopes to place against me,” he snapped. 

He heard the slap of skin off stage, and knew he’d gone and messed up again. He sat back in the chair again, letting himself sink deeper into it, just like he kept sinking deeper into the hole he’d gone and dug for himself once again.

Atem’s face was buried in his hands as the week from hell continued to play out in every form of media that existed. Half of it was speculations of Atem and his impending mental breakdown (which honestly may not be that far off), or clips played of Yugi’s heartbroken expression as reporters told him to his sweet little face that his dueling idol seemingly hated him and told him to focus on his game.

Mana grimaced as she clicked to a different news channel that showed a clip of Yugi training in one of Japan’s well-known arenas, seemingly taking the advice to heart at least. And then cut to a clip of Atem getting coffee from another café...and not training. Making him look like an even bigger jackass than they’d already concluded he was. And honestly Atem felt like they may be right for once. 

“Forgive me for suggesting this, but perhaps it would be wise to reach out to Yugi directly? Clear the air as it were?” Mahad suggested. Atem had no public events today, and Mana had made sure that anything for the next two weeks was cancelled, so there was really no reason for Mahad to even be there with them as they watched his shame play out on TV…but even so, Atem was grateful for his calming presence all the same. As much as he longed to be left alone…he didn’t want to be alone.  

“That’s not a bad idea, Atem. I can reach out to whoever manages him and ask for his number,” Mana said gently. 

The massive luxury apartment he called his own felt stiflingly small right now after days of shutting himself away inside. He did not want to be caught outside right now, not by anyone. He didn’t want to be perceived, judged, admired, hated, or even seen right now. 

But he hated being stuck here all the same. 

“Knowing me lately, I’d probably find a way to make him cry,” he groaned through his hands. 

“Maybe they’d be tears of joy because his idol was speaking to him?” Mana offered brightly. Atem whimpered and let himself fall heavily on his side, the couch all that saved him from crashing to the floor. He flung his arm over his face, unable to face his friend’s concerned gazes right now. He was making all their lives more difficult, and it wasn’t even intentional. He didn’t deserve their kindness. 

He heard her sigh and the remote click again as she changed it to another channel.

Suddenly Atem heard Yugi’s voice coming from the screen and he brought his other arm up to cover his entire face, not wanting to see those massive eyes staring back at him, probably welling up with tears or red rimmed. He didn’t think there would be a more damning sight than those eyes, that probably would use candy dishes for contact lenses, looking back at him sadly because of something he’d said. 

But then he actually listened to what was being said on the TV and he frowned behind the sleeves of his linen shirt.

“If that old man thinks he can hold the title forever, then he’s got another thing coming. Me. I’ve dealt with bullies my whole life. He doesn’t scare me at all.”

Atem’s arms fell away as he bolted up from the couch to stare at the TV, seeing not Yugi’s round eyes red rimmed and glassy, but sharp and angry as he looked down at the camera.

Mahad gaped openly beside him as Mana let out a soft gasp of shock.

Atem’s mouth opened and closed a few times before finally forming words. Old man?!

“Why, that jumped up little shit.”

Chapter Text

So, the little mouse had teeth outside of the arena after all. Atem was starting to regret the week of self-imprisonment he’d subjected himself to as it appeared that Yugi had gotten over the heartbreak of his idol rejecting him and was spitting back like a seasoned pro wrestler in shit talking in the span of a day. 

Maybe he’d last longer in this business than Atem thought?

While this should have made him feel a little better to have been part of the reason Yugi was growing a bit more of a backbone, Atem found that he still felt guilt over it even so. It made him think back to all the cruel things said about him when he’d first come on the scene, and all the venom spat between the meaner duelists that he’d tried to stay above. He had never wanted to be part of that cruelty that sometimes came with the territory of competition, but found himself in it all the same it seemed. And to have it directed at Yugi, even if unintentionally, may have made Atem feel like the bully Yugi accused him of being. 

Despite his reluctant entrance to the ‘shit-talking’ side show, Atem still firmly believed he was still above other participants in the side game like Keith and Haga were. He just hated to be grouped with scum like them at all. Keith especially. He’d rather be ranked among the worst dressed list three seasons consecutively than be placed in the same category as that man. 

Thankfully Mana was much too good at her job to land him in anything other than best dressed every time. 

Atem knew he’d have to redeem himself at least a little as his own Regional’s Tournament drew closer. While he didn’t think his unfortunate slip ups regarding Yugi would have any effect on his game, it would still make all the required press conferences a nightmare to behold. 

But at least they couldn’t hold him responsible for being the one to make Yugi cry himself out of his top rankings. Already Yugi had taken part in two smaller charity tournament events and come out blazingly on top each time. Once again proving his duel with Kaiba was hardly a fluke. Not that Atem ever believed it was. The kid was far too interesting, and Atem found himself drawn in in spite of himself. He should be distancing himself from the kid. But instead, he was just digging himself in deeper into his Yugi shaped hole by following along with his ranking and the news surrounding him. 

Atem couldn't remember when he'd last spent so much of his time pouring over articles and clips of the game. It was stirring something awake inside of him, oddly enough. It almost got him excited for his own regionals coming up. Almost. He still knew it would be like all the other hundreds of tournaments he'd competed in over the last decade, not truly worth getting his heartrate up really. 

Thank goodness that Yugi would not be in attendance to the upcoming regionals for his division at least. Atem didn’t want to think what it would be like to come face to face with him right now. For all he knew, the media had riled up their new little darling enough that the kid would go fully feral and claw at his eyes the moment their eyes met. 

Although it was difficult to imagine even that given how kind his face appeared when he now wasn’t clapping back at whatever accidental word vomit Atem had managed to spew that day. 

Maybe Atem was overthinking it. Besides, it was unlikely he’d see Yugi until World’s anyway. That was plenty of time for things to cool down.

It turned out that while Atem may not have had to worry about meeting Yugi any time soon, he probably should have worried about meeting anyone associated with him.

Because apparently Atem forgot that newcomers like Yugi usually came with friends who hadn’t learned to hate him for his fame yet. Ones even willing to fly out to an event outside of the country to confront him.

“Hey, Sennen! You’ve got some fucking nerve talking shit about my friend like that.”

Atem paused, caught off guard at the sudden harsh voice ringing out over the usually happy screams of his gathered fans lined up outside the event. Mahad shifted closer at his back, placing his body instantly between Atem and whoever was raising their voice startlingly louder than the shrill masses of teenaged girls. Unable to contain his curiosity though, Atem peered out past the bulk of his bodyguard to try and see who was making that racket.

Quickly he caught sight of the person, mostly because of the raised fist in the air as well as his face being the only one not starry eyed and screaming to have his baby. He seemed to have quickly noted Atem seeing him because his reddened face darkened even further as he pushed his way through the crowd of fans until only the stanchions and security team were holding him back. 

“Can I help you?” Atem asked warily. Mahad made a tsking noise behind him, clearly unhappy Atem was engaging with an angered person. This meant Atem would be getting a scolding later, but he’d come to expect it anyway. He just couldn’t do anything right these days.

“You bet you can help me! I want you to lay off Yuug,” he snapped. 

Atem frowned, his head tilting to the side in confusion, “Yuge? Is that slang for something?” He turned to Mahad, although he didn’t know why. Mahad was even worse when it came to whatever strange words the youth were making up these days. Didn’t they already have enough words without adding more nonsensical ones every year? They needed Mana for this.

“Yuug. Yu-gi! Yugi Mutou, you old creep! That’s my friend you’ve been dissing and I’m not about to let you just keep getting away with it,” he said, raising his fist between them only for Mahad to easily push it back down.

Mahad leveled Atem with an unimpressed look as he easily held the struggling kids arm down, “Atem, what did you say about Yugi now?” he asked.

Atem gaped, raising his hands in defense mode, “Hell if I know this time, I haven’t said a word about him in weeks. You know that!”

The kid was listening though and scoffed loudly, “Yeah, well you’ve said plenty before that! You have any idea what those words did to him? You were his idol, you arrogant prick. I bet you aren’t half the duelist he is, but we aren’t even going to get a chance to find out because I’m gonna be the one to knock you out of World's before you even get a chance to get near him,” the kid spat back.

Atem frowned, looking his face over with more care this time. He grimaced when a name finally clicked in place, “Wait, I know you. You took sixth at Regionals in Japan. Kaiba beat you to advance.”

The kid puffed up his chest, “That’s right, you better get used to hearing the name Jounouchi, because me and my buddy Yuug are coming straight up to the top to take your crown. About time the new generation brought life back to dueling,” the duelist, Jounouchi said proudly. 

Mahad rolled his eyes as Atem scowled, “You think you’re the first recent Junior’s transfer to say that to me? Nine years and no one has lived up to the promise. I’ll wish you all the luck just like all those that came before you,” he said with a wave of his hand as he walked into the event. He heard Jounouchi sputtering behind him, but paid it no mind as Mahad escorted him away from the screaming fans that finally managed to drown out his voice. 

Strangely though, as the door closed behind him, he swore he still heard the challenge ringing through his mind. 

After seeing one too many celebrities fall to dangerous vices over the years, Atem knew better than to drink himself into oblivion just because he found himself once again alone in his apartment on a Friday night.

He longed to do something just to break free of the prison he’d found himself in for years, but knew he didn’t want to deal with the consequences of even allowing himself a few hours of limited happiness. Even sneaking into a movie held little appeal, because the last thing he wanted was to be recognized sitting alone in a theatre only for there to be a report the next day about his lonely ass not even having a date for a movie. Even going for a walk came with risks unless he wore some disguise, and his pride made it very difficult to reduce himself to such a level just for a stroll through the park.

Coffee was the only thing worth the risk these days, and he’d even given that up in favor of giving Mana or Mahad an additional bonus if they brought it to him.

At least he was fitter than ever before thanks to his apartment complex having their own gym. It was the only thing he left his rooms for just for a change of scenery. He’d probably look even better if he didn’t have to keep ordering in food just to avoid going shopping. He had even tried to have a shopping service do it for him, but they were always terrible at picking out the best produce and he’d given up fast after that.

What he wouldn’t give to not be himself for a few hours...

Atem slowly paced around the large expanse of his apartment. Taking in elegant pool table in the back that no one but him had used in at least three years. Then turning to see the long wooden dining room table that even he hadn’t used since his interior decorator insisted on it. There were ten chairs seated around it. Ten. He could only think of two people he’d ever want to share a meal with, and he paid them to work for him.

The massive sectional leather couch that had cost some unseemly amount of money had only one decorative pillow and one single throw blanket in the only spot that got used by him. The rest of the couch was almost pristine, with not even the hint of an indent where anyone else sat since the cleaners came through.

There was a guest bedroom that had never been touched. Atem didn’t even want to look at the door as he stalked past it, because it only made him wonder if he’d ever have someone want to partake in a life like his.

The large patio beckoned to him welcomingly due to the lovely sight it had over his city, but he’d avoided for years thanks to a journalist with a very impressive zoom lens that had managed to catch his latest tryst and Atem enjoying the hot tub and then the patio chairs...and then the patio floor...

He shook his head, as much as he’d like to enjoy memories of that adventurous night, they’d been spoiled by the images being leaked online. That had been years ago now, and he still couldn’t bring himself to go outside on the patio anymore. Even alone.

He walked past it and decided that he couldn’t do the gym for the third time today without hurting something. He may as well just go to bed early.

Which led him to his bedroom.

His interior decorator had done a marvelous job making the room scream opulence and comfort. Everything just bragged of money, even if Atem didn’t truly care all that much about the money. He’d just wanted a comforting place to call his own, and he’d gotten that.

It was indeed comfortable...and it was indeed his own. Only his own.

He yanked back the black satin sheets, wondering if it weren’t for the cleaners that came by if a plume of dust would have risen from the other side of the bed. The sheets felt cool against his skin as he slid in. Never warm at first, because it was only ever him here. No one else was there to keep them warm after all.

But it was fine. The mattress was the perfect ratio of soft and hard. The sheets cost more than he cared to admit. And the comforter was as heavy and plush as it could be without crushing or suffocating him at night. What more could he possibly ask for?

He asked himself that again and again over the next few hours as he stared at the ceiling, waiting for when he finally was able to fall asleep.

The flurry of movement around his bedroom almost seemed foreign to the space given all it had seen of life in the last years had only been himself.

It was just a shame it was only by two people he adored like siblings, and not anyone of more promising reasons to be here.

“Mana, I really don’t want to do another public event so close to regionals,” Atem said, trailing behind her as she began shoving armfuls of clothes into his suitcase. 

Mahad was sitting on his bed, flipping through the latest issue of Duelist’s Elite magazine absently. Atem grimaced when he saw Yugi’s face on the cover as he tried not to think of how good the photo was of the younger duelist. It had been a moment of weakness that he hadn’t instantly burned it once it showed up in his mail. He hoped Mahad didn’t question why it was in his bedroom of all places that weren't the trash, because Atem had been asking himself that all week. 

“This is a charity event, Atem. It’s not only good for your image, but you always attend a few of these before dueling season really takes off. You’ve been so holed up lately that you haven’t even gone to one. They’re the only non-dueling thing you actually look forward to,” Mana said over her shoulder as she began to pack his toiletries bag for him. 

Atem tried not to question how she knew exactly what he usually packed himself, but then again, he paid her to know everything. Still, how did she even know that drawer was where he put his belts?

“It’s one of your favorite charities too, Atem. Besides, I’d like to visit that city again. There’s this little street food cart that I’ve been dreaming about for a year now,” Mahad said, still thumbing through another article. Atem stuck his tongue out with disgust to see Keith’s shirtless body flexing from behind a block of text saying ‘he was ready to squash the competition’. 

Atem was far too old to whine, so he groaned instead as he flopped back on his bed that still felt too large even with Mahad and his suitcase taking up most of it. 

Mana hummed some happy sounding tune as she gleefully dumped another armload of clothes and travel items into the open case. Atem didn’t even bother to try and stop her now. It would take too much effort to unpack, and they were right. He did enjoy attending the charity events. Not the actual attending part, but the giving back part. For all the trouble his fame caused him, he still could appreciate the draw they he brought when he showed up at events like this. It always meant more money being poured into whatever cause he was supporting that wasn’t just from his own bulging wallet. 

Thankfully, news reporters were usually confined to the outside of charity events, and he wouldn’t have to endure their attention for long. He was usually safe within the ballrooms where events like this were held. And maybe if the stars and planets aligned he could find someone who may not know his name or face well enough to risk a romp back in his hotel room. After the last month, he felt like he could use the release. It had been far too long. 

“Fine. Just pack the black suit and the dark maroon shirt. I’d like to fade into the background this time,” he sighed and let Mana finish packing for him. He tried not to read too much into the strange relationship he had with the two people who were technically his employees when he saw Mana slip condoms and lube into a side pocket. At least she had faith in his love life, even if Atem didn’t.

It’s just a charity event, not even one held in a region he competed in. If he was lucky, the only people who would recognize him would be the fans and reporters forced to stay outside the ballroom. 

Yes, maybe this wouldn’t be so bad. Perhaps it would even help turn his recent miserable existence around, and maybe even distract him from even thinking about anyone named Yugi for a least a few hours.

He should have known he wouldn’t be that lucky.

Chapter Text

“Okay, let’s run through the evening plans one last time, shall we?”

Atem rolled his eyes as he gazed out the windows of the limo, but did not bother to try and stop him. Nothing had changed since they’d gone over the same schedule before leaving their last interview for the day, but he had a feeling it had more to do with Mahad wanting to make sure Atem did not go ‘off script’ on his watch. Mana was already back at the hotel and doing whatever magic she did to keep Atem’s career reined in, so it was up to Mahad to be the sole handler for a while longer.

Absently he fiddled with the cuffs of his suit sleeves, hating how restricting it felt on his wrists.

“Once the limo drops us off, I will escort you through the red carpet they have set up. There will be photographers, camera men, as well as a few journalists for the first half, and then fans have been allowed to be there for autograph signings if you wish to do so,” Mahad recited, ticking off his fingers as Atem was forced to listen.

They knew that even if Atem would like nothing more than to just run inside without interacting with anyone, he should try to restore some of his tarnished image by posing for as many photos as he could, while interacting with as many fans as well. At least his most of his fans didn’t seem to hate him yet, and he truly adored their passion for the game.

“Once we are inside, I will escort you to the ballroom for the event. They do not want bodyguards present inside as they have hired their own security and don’t want tables taken up by those not contributing to the funds, so I will leave the building only once you are inside the ballroom and not before then. That means you are not to leave the ballroom until either the event ends or you have called for me and I am visible to you. We both know reception has been spotty for us in this city, so if you can’t get a text through you still need to wait where you are until I respond. Atem, are you listening to me?”

Atem grunted, slouching back from the widow to look over at Mahad’s stern expression.

He leveled a lazy look at his friend, “Yes, I know. No sneaking off until you’re there to hold my hand on the way back to the hotel room. Only eat or drink things provided by staff. No talking to strangers. No elbows on the table, and watch my manners. Anything else I’ve forgotten, dearest mother?”

“How about mind your tone, young man?” Mahad said after a pause, and Atem found himself chuckling wryly. If anyone were to ask journalists how to describe him, ‘young’ would not be among their choices given how lately they’ve tried to play him up as some ancient being among all these modern youths. It made him wonder what they truly saw when they looked at him.

Atem sighed and brushed some invisible lint off of his pants, once again marveling at how well Mana had dressed him. “Did Mana ever manage to get the guest list off of the organizers?” he asked just as the screams of fans could be heard outside of the limo. He peered out the tinted windows to see cameras already flashing.

“She was not successful, no. Understandable given it’s a room full of rich and famous people. I can imagine they would not want a running list of guests circulating,” Mahad said with a shrug. It really wasn’t anything new, but Atem had hoped to find out if anyone he tolerated as a human being would be around the party to talk with. It seemed he’d be forced into small talk with strangers then.

He’d been trying so hard to look forward to this event as a chance to remind himself why he used to love his life and all the excitement it used to bring him. But instead, he only felt dread as the limo came to a stop and the bright red carpet could be seen right outside the door.  

“Atem? Are you ready?” Mahad asked gently.

Atem drew in a deep sigh before nodding and sliding over to let Mahad exit first.

His ears were still ringing as he stepped into the lobby of the hotel where the event was being held. It also happened to be the hotel where Mana had booked his room, so he was happy to know he could have a quick getaway when it was deemed appropriate for him to duck out.

The doors shut behind them, the voices of the crowds outside muffled to the point he could hear the soft tinkling of piano keys playing. All cries of “It’s the King of Games!” faded, but the feeling lingered all the same.

“That wasn’t so bad, now was it?” Mahad cooed at him.

Atem let himself smile a little, “No, it really wasn’t actually.” Maybe the night wouldn’t be a total loss then. The dueling fans outside were all happy and eager, smiles brighter and blinding than even the cameras still flashing around him for every step he took. The reporters were thankfully more willing to ask questions about the charity than dueling, or even his personal life of late. And he had happily sung what praises he had for the organization and all they had accomplished, and all they wanted to accomplish after tonight. It felt good, and he didn’t leave with any more trauma than he arrived with. There was hope for this night yet.

“Come on then, your highness,” Mahad teased, gently pushing Atem forward towards the open doors of the ballroom, “Your ball awaits you.”

Atem rolled his eyes, playfully elbowing him in the stomach, “I’ll text you when I’m ready to leave the event. Go find your food cart, and try not to get food poisoning.”

“Behave while I’m gone,” was Mahad’s final warning before Atem walked through the doors. Only then did Mahad finally retreat for the night.

Inside the ballroom was the expected amount of grandeur and elegance an event like this usually had. There was a stage where speeches would be made, and white clothes tables with unreasonably huge floral arrangements at the center of each. There were live musicians and an open dance floor that no one had braved stepping on yet. An open bar that already had a line coming from it. Atem didn’t even make it deeper in the room before one of the organizers approached him and started up conversation, asking him if his speech was ready.

He patted the breast pocket where he felt the notecards Mana had made for him with a smile, assuring her everything was fine. As soon as she scurried off to make sure there were no other lurking disasters for the night, Atem found himself surrounded by a few of the donors and he began playing his part for the night seamlessly. A few times he checked his phone he noted once again he had almost no reception, and he hoped that didn’t mean he’d have to wait until the bitter end of the party for Mahad to come.

Everything was going fine for now at least. He was eloquently thanking the donors for their contributions and urging them to continue to support in projects such as this, while also reciting all the witty (and sometimes painful) puns that Mana had written into his note. People would chuckle or laugh at the right cues, it seemed everything was perfectly going to plan...until midway through his speech he happened to look up, for no discernable reason, and spotted an unmistakable head of hair at one of the tables.

Were he less practiced in giving speeches he may have actually swallowed his tongue seeing Yugi Mutou of all people in the crowd. Even so, he did pause for a breath too long as he tried to remember what words were and how to read them on the cards in his hands. He cleared his throat and hurried through the last few cards though, eager to get off stage so that he could have more time to question all his life decisions that led him here and now.

What was Yugi even doing here? Had he gone out of his way to hunt down Atem like his ‘friend’ Jounouchi had? Maybe he should text Mahad to come bail him out in case Yugi was here to lash out. No, that couldn’t be it. This party was by invite only. That meant someone invited Yugi Mutou of all people.

But why? Didn’t rich people watch the news? Why would they willingly invite something that may actually stir up drama at their stuffy party?

As he woodenly made his way back to his table, he could not help but glance over to where Yugi was seated a few tables away, and caught him staring back. And truthfully, the kid looked as shocked to see Atem as he was to see Yugi. There would have been some comfort there if Yugi’s shocked expression didn’t almost instantly fall into something that looked like he had sucked on the lemon from his drink. Was the kid even old enough to drink here? What country were they in again?

Atem sat down and kept his chin held high despite the bubbling anxiety he began feeling. Something felt off about this. Yugi wasn’t even listed as one of the special guests speaking tonight.

He sat through several more speeches, but didn’t hear a word of them as he tried to not turn his neck to try and catch another glimpse of the other duelist in the room. It was far more difficult than he cared to admit and even resorted to trying to catch any mirrored reflection he could in the ridiculously large vases on the table, but Yugi was too far away or too distorted to make out much besides his black suit and...was he still wearing that collar?

Once the speeches ended though, Atem all but flew out of his seat and made a beeline for the bar. A drink would be the only thing to carry him through the night now. A few people congratulated him on a wonderful speech, but Atem could not honestly even remember what he said. He managed a nod and a thank you to each of them as he skillfully weaved his way through the crowds and ducked behind the nearest pillar to hide.

He leaned against it heavily, throwing his head back so he could properly bang it against the hard stone a few times because he deserved it seeing how Mana wasn’t here to slap him upside the head for being so stupid over his reaction. Atem had stared down hundreds of intimidating duelists since he started competing and he’d never so much as flinched away from them. Not even to Keith who may have actually tried to throw some punches.

Atem was being ridiculous. Yes, he felt a little guilty for his carelessly thrown words, but Yugi had rebounded just fine. He probably hated Atem, but he would have learned to hate him eventually anyway when he eventually would crush his dreams of winning the Worlds Title. Yugi just got more of a head start than most.

Letting out a long breath, Atem calmed himself. He was more confident than this. He should not be so shaken by one chance encounter. He would have eventually met up with the kid at some point after all. Even if this seemed a little too coincidental for him to easily brush off.

He should just finish his drink and go back out to mingle as he was supposed to. He’d give it an hour at most before he called Mahad to come take him back to his room though.

Then he glanced down at his phone to check the time and his reception again and choked on his drink when he saw a message from Mana pop up.

Mana: Atem, it’s a media trap! They invited Yugi to catch you two meeting up for the first time and drum up more attention for the event. Someone must have tipped off the media about it, I saw a bunch of the dueling gossip magazine journalists sneaking into the hotel. You need to lay low and stay away from Yugi!

Given how he only had half a bar of service, this text may have been older and only just gotten through. He’d have no fucking clue how long those media hounds had been sniffing around outside, or if they’re still lurking inside.

“Shit,” he cursed under his breath, putting his glass down on the nearest tray and hurling himself towards the nearest exit he could see.

He wasn’t even going to risk it. While there was security for the event, it was all inside the ballroom, where Yugi was. After nine years of maintaining a confident and regal presence befitting his title of King of Games, he’d been reduced to eating his own foot more often in the last month than he had in his entire career. He didn’t want to taste verbal toe jam again today and then have it be spread to the lurking media hounds by morning. Even if they couldn’t get to Atem, they could certainly catch Yugi whenever he left the party. Best not leave anything to chance and just leave before he messed up again.

In his haste, he may have forgotten to text Mahad.

That was his first big mistake of the night besides showing up at all.

As soon as he stepped out from the ballroom doors, he realized quite quickly that the hotel staff was not prepared to hold back all the reporters, and it didn’t take long before he heard the first shouts of his name be called out from down the hall.

Atem managed to turn in the opposite direction with a somewhat measured pace until he found the first corner to turn down...and then broke into a sprint.

It seemed all that extra time at the gym was finally paying off because he was flying down the hallway before even the first flash of the camera went off. If they were lucky, they would have gotten an action shot of his shoe and nothing more.

If they didn’t get a shot of his face, then the story would be dropped. He just had to keep ahead of them.

But he didn’t expect them to be fanned out in the halls. Or maybe they were just fans? Atem didn’t even have time to pause and find out, he couldn’t risk it. He nearly fell over as he skidded around another corner.

He could still hear more voices drifting down the halls, and they could have just been hotel guests, but Atem was too far lost in his own panic to just get away that his brain couldn’t even begin to comprehend them as anything other than a threat.

He just had to find some elevators, then at least he could make it back to his floor and maybe get back to his room before he was caught. He’d deal with Mahad’s scolding later. Preferably after Atem had made use of the room’s mini bar after all this was done.

But voices were getting louder, and he swore this time he heard his name being said followed by Yugi’s as he made one last desperate scramble around a corner. Only to come to a very dead end.

“Fuck,” he panted, staring at the wall before him with one nondescript door upon it. No exit sign was above it, but it didn’t have a key card lock on it. Maybe...

He didn’t have time to consider it further as the voices got closer and he heard fast footsteps in pursuit. Atem grabbed for the handle, grunting in effort when it only seemed to move a little. He snarled under his breath and used every last sinew of muscle he’d unintentionally put on in the last month and yanked at the door, finally having it swing open before him...

With Yugi Mutou’s stunned face staring up at him holding the other side of the door that appeared to lead into a janitor’s closet.

“Hey, get your own closet!” Yugi whispered harshly.

Atem opened his mouth to ask him what he was doing in there, but the voices got loud once more and Atem thought questions like that were overrated anyway and shoved the younger duelist forward until they were both crowded in the small space and then pulled the door shut behind them.

Chapter Text

Both of them held their breath as the sounds of voices and footsteps could be heard just outside of the closet. Atem swore he could hear his own heartbeat frantically beating in his ears as he waited for what he felt like the inevitable.

Atem was actually glad that Yugi had not managed to turn on the light in here because it may have given away their position as well as having him literally face to face with the kid who he could feel was scant inches away from him at best.

The doorhandle was wiggled and both Atem and Yugi dove for it, their hands closing over it together to keep it from opening. They could feel the person trying to jiggle it more, but they held it firmly in place, hoping that they would assume it was locked. It shook once, twice, and one last time before it stopped and the voices faded away.

He could have crumpled to the floor in relief if not for being overly aware of just who it was that he was practically holding hands with. Yugi must have realized this too, because he was suddenly yanking his hands back with a huff before switching on the lightbulb above them.

Atem flinched at the sudden light, but took the moment to look at where he’d ended up. Any excuse not to have to look Yugi in the eye just yet. It wouldn’t have been that small a closet if not for how many shelves and cleaning tools were lined up inside of it. Atem wrinkled his nose at the dirty mop heads level with his face and took a half step back only to freeze when he realized it moved him closer to the room’s other occupant. The one that was watching him warily.

“Okay, they’ve moved on. This was my closet. You can go get your own now,” Yugi said, waving his hand over his head dismissively. 

Atem snorted, still not looking at him, because he was pretending that looking at dirty mops was more interesting than looking at Yugi’s pretty face, “If you think they don’t have people still prowling around out there, then you truly are new to the game. Besides, if I leave from here, I may lead them right back to you. Just because you’re their little darling right now does not mean they won’t gladly write up some sordid excuse for you hiding in a closet with the King of Games. I think it benefits us both to just stay put and once we are out of here never speak of this again.”

“Fine,” Yugi sighed and turned to lean against the wall, his hair oddly looking in place among the feather dusters hung there.

Atem knew he could only look at cleaning appliances for so long before even Yugi may start asking invasive questions about his interests, so he pulled out his phone to check for any more messages from Mana. Or better yet, try to text Mahad to come and save his sorry ass once again. He didn’t even care if it made Mahad laugh at him for the foreseeable future, Atem just wanted out.

“There’s no reception in here,” Yugi pointed out just as Atem saw he was right.

Atem scowled and shoved it back in his pocket.

“Wonderful,” he sighed, rubbing at his temples and wishing he had the forethought to bring his drink along with him. It would have helped right about now. With a sharp sigh he dropped his hand back to his side, “We may be here for a while then if we want to be safe. Leaving too early they may catch us both leaving together, and I imagine that’s not a headline either of us wants.”

Yugi shoulders slumped miserably as he nodded, “No, not really.”

At least they could agree on that.

Atem eyed the abandoned suit jacket that Yugi had already tossed aside, leaving him in just his black dress shirt and purple vest, sleeves rolled up messily at his elbows. Leather cuffs could be seen on his wrists which Atem quirked a brow at seeing as this was supposed to be a high-class event. It seemed the kid wasn’t overly fond of formal wear. Not that Atem could blame him. The sleeves of his own constricting jacket were enough to make him want to rip it off...but he was more composed than that and calmly slid it off his shoulders instead and hung it on the handle of a vacuum. He leaned against the opposite wall of the younger duelist, trying to keep his face in the practiced confident façade he wore to all his duels. It was comforting, like putting on armor for whatever battle may be ahead of him.

But as he watched Yugi across from him, he didn’t really get the vibe that the kid wanted a fight. Not unless it was going to be with his own feet given how he was staring down at the ground quite intently. Maybe he could salvage something here like Mana had hoped he could with a phone call?

For all that Atem had expected drama, flames, shouting, and possibly broken objects from their first in person meeting, he found the actual situation much more sedate than that. The kid looked more tired than angry. Had the media played up Yugi's anger and Atem hadn't caught on? 

To say he was relieved would have been quite the understatement. 

Slowly he began to roll his own sleeves up, done dealing with the cuffs. It wasn’t like the window cleaner would be offended if he let his hair down a bit. They were in a closet, not a ballroom. He eyed Yugi as he slowly turned to face him. 

Atem cleared his throat, “No one had told me that you were attending this event,” he said, tugging the second sleeve into place.

“No one told me either,” Yugi replied, his voice sounding both annoyed and sad. Atem tried not to let that bother him as much as it did. This kid had called him old quite recently after all and was openly making threats to take his title. It just didn’t sit right that someone that practically oozed liquid sunshine in all those clips Mana sent him could look so put out in a dingy, poorly lit closet.

Atem felt his lips pull back in a grimace, “I got a message from my manager that she spotted the tabloid vans pulling up and warned me to leave the party. She thought it was an attempt to stage our first public meeting together. I admit I left quite quickly after that. I did not want a public confrontation.”

“We figured as much too. Anzu messaged me the same, she saw a news station reporting on the party and mentioned you were here too. I didn’t really want to make a big deal of it so I figured hiding would be my best bet. Until you came along and invaded my hiding spot,” he said, finally lifting his head enough for Atem to see a little glint of challenge in those deceivingly sweet eyes.

Atem rolled his eyes, “I did not know you had laid claim to this closet. I apologize for my lack of foresight into such things. I thought you had told the media you were done with hiding in closets,” he said, rubbing at his neck and tried to twitch his lips into something he hoped looked like a friendly smile.

Yugi’s laugh was bitter, and it twisted something inside of Atem, “Ha ha. Not like I had much of a choice in that. But now we’re both stuck in here. Kind of feels a bit like high school in a way actually,” Yugi mumbled, and Atem swore he saw the twitch of his lips into something that may have also been considered a smile.

Atem chuckled against his better judgement, “There is a joke in here somewhere, I suppose.”

“Yeah, probably hanging beside the dirty mops,” Yugi said, wrinkling his nose and making Atem chuckle again.

They were making jokes, that was good right? Yugi hadn’t gone for his throat and Atem hadn’t said anything to make him cry. It was sad that he considered this one of his toughest victories to date. At least he could allow himself to relax slightly, and propped one foot up against the wall he was leaning on. He crossed his arms over his chest to observe his reluctant companion more closely not that he wasn’t looking at Atem like he was a monster from Bonz’s deck.

He slouched further against the wall, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly now that he didn’t feel like he was one poorly placed word away from disaster. He just had to keep this up for however long it took for the halls to clear out, or for Mahad to call in a search party with the local police when he discovered Atem wasn’t in his hotel room or the party anymore.

As glad as he was neither of them was spitting venom at the other, Atem found himself a little at a loss for what to say next. This was not at all what he had expected meeting Yugi for the first time. And not just because it was in a closet of all places. He had expected Yugi to come at him with the same calculated and surprising ferocity that he'd seen in that duel with Kaiba. And instead, Yugi was being...calm? Civil? Tolerant? 

It was a fucking miracle. 

He didn’t want to accidentally say the wrong thing now that things seemed peaceful between them, but he felt like the awkward silence between them would be just as damning if it kept up for too long. The media had been working for years to pass off his introverted nature as being aloof and arrogant, and he could only assume Yugi would have already absorbed that as truth. Everyone else did after all. Sometimes it was easier to lean into the skid, rather than try to fight it. Sometimes it was just easier to be what they wanted him to be, just so his real self could be safe from them. But for once, in this case he was hoping that Yugi may be able to see past what he'd been painted as. And maybe eventually know Atem never meant to hurt Yugi's feelings. 

Stealing a quick glance down where Yugi sat, he noted that the kid was still staring at the floor. It gave Atem a little more leeway in observing him openly, even if he worried why Yugi was avoiding even looking at him. The kid was much nicer to look at than cleaning chemicals after all. 

After seeing a shameful amount of videos of Yugi’s past duels, Atem already knew that he was a little on the short side...if he was being generous. But Yugi made up for it with his charisma and agreeable nature that came through in his interviews as much as it did in his duels. That glint of determination that seemed to overtake the kid like a different person during competition did not take away from what was obviously a sweet and kind person. Even when taunted by Kaiba or a few more of the mouthier kids in the Juniors division, Yugi either smiled blissfully through it all, came back with wonderfully witty taunts back, or just came at them even harder through the game. Even when Atem would have sworn he’d wilt, he never did.

Yugi wasn’t even wilted now, although he did look quite tired. Not surprising seeing how it was getting quite late and for all Atem knew he still had a bedtime.

The kid was intriguing, that was for certain, and not just because he was nice to look at. Even when the backdrop was dusty brooms and stained rags.  Atem couldn’t remember the last time he’d had any such interest in an opponent before they’d dueled even once. There was something about Yugi thought that sparked an old flame that used to burn more brightly inside of Atem, back when he first started competing just because he loved the challenge of it. Winning everything for nine years had dulled the thrill of the challenge to an almost numbness, almost to the point Atem didn’t even remember what it felt like to be excited by something anymore.

But, something about Yugi was kindling what he’d thought had died out long ago. He didn’t feel threatened by Yugi, but he felt that old feeling of challenge tickling something inside under his ribs. Like he’d been hunting for years and only just caught scent of game ahead.

And Yugi had already proven he could hold his own against whatever rubbish, twisted taunts were made by Atem’s words. There was more mettle in the kid than he gave him credit for. Just as there was more to his dueling too, somehow managing to take down the second best duelist in the world in his first year. Oh yes, Atem's interest was quite piqued now. 

But now as he watched as Yugi fiddled with the leather cuffs, seemingly unable to stop fidgeting in their shared boredom, it seemed like a way to not look back at Atem. Almost like he was intimidated by him, or afraid? No, maybe it was hurt? Atem felt a little part of him shrivel thinking that. While he usually took great joy in striking fear into his opponents on and off the field, he didn’t think the reason Yugi was looking away from him had anything to do with his title.

Whatever the reason, Atem didn’t like it.

He wanted to see more of that person he saw in the videos and interviews. The one who didn’t back down from a fight. The one who liked to prove everyone wrong. The one who looked like they could be made of cotton candy, but dressed like they’d fallen into a Hot Topic clearance bin.

How could he bring him out? He just had to start by getting the kid talking perhaps.

Casual conversation may be his worst skill of late, but he could try. 

“You seem to have quite the affinity for belts and the like,” Atem said, jerking his chin down at the cuffs and the studded belt slid into dress pants. He internally winced at the odd opening, but at least he said something. And he did appreciate Yugi's look. Atem was almost certain there was some fashionista designer that would faint seeing the combo in person, but he found the look suited Yugi and did not mind it.

Yugi’s lips twitched up into a smile as he peered up at Atem through his eyelashes, and he just barely saw the hint of teeth bared, “Like you’re one to talk. I’ve always wondered if you were allergic to sleeves or something. Did they not have sleeves back in your day?”

Atem threw his head back with a laugh, startling himself and Yugi. Ah yes, there he was. There was the glint he’d been hoping for sparking in Yugi’s eyes. That was easier than he thought to lure him out.

“And here everyone thinks you’re a sweetheart. You have some fight to you, don’t you?” Atem asked, looking down where Yugi was settling more comfortably on the floor, sitting on a somewhat clean pile of towels.

The kid shrugged carelessly, but Atem saw that glint come back to his eyes. The one he saw when this saccharine faced kid took down Kaiba. Yugi was no longer looking at the floor, his large eyes narrowing into something sharp as he looked up at Atem.

“I’m still a nice person, but I’ve learned not to just roll over and take shit from anyone. Not even those reporters who keep chasing me all over the place. And not from old duelists who say I’m their rival before even meeting me,” Yugi said with a dramatic roll of his painted eyes towards Atem.

“The media made that claim, not me I’ll have you know,” Atem confessed, and to his surprise Yugi didn’t look shocked at the revelation. He nodded, his face twisting into something sour again.

“Yeah, we thought it was weird too after we thought about it more. You’ve never been one for being petty with other duelists in the past. Eventually we realized we were probably being strung along. Maybe we figured it out a little too late for me not to react poorly though, sorry about that,” he said, only sounding slightly sheepish, “But really, they can go suck a big fat one. Do you know how stressed out I was thinking you hated me without even meeting me? They try that again I’m sicking Anzu on them. See if they try to fuck with me again,” he scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest moodily. 

Atem gaped at him through his wide smile, leaning forward as if he were being let in on a secret, “So, are you telling me that you aren’t their little darling after all?” he whispered in mock surprise.

Yugi snorts, kicking out one leg to stretch in the tiny little closet. If both of them weren’t as small as they were, it would have been impossible to get comfortable. But Atem found himself relaxing even more as Yugi’s more spitfire personality came to life before him.

“As if. Like I said, I’m a nice person and nice usually is boring enough I’m hoping they may leave me alone more often than not once I’m no longer shiny and new. If I told them how I really feel all the time then they’d never leave me alone,” Yugi said, loosening his tie with a grimace.

Atem hummed, shaking his head in sympathy, “Boring does tend to keep you out of the headlines, but from what I’ve seen you are far too interesting for your own good. Taking out the regionals champ in your first season...” Atem whistled impressed.

“I don’t know about that. I’m only doing what you did,” Yugi said quietly. And it was true. It was exactly what Atem had done his first season too. And no one had done since.

Atem sighed, turning to stare at the buckets of floor cleaner rather than what he knew would be a searching gaze from the other, “Yes, and that means I can say from experience that it is unlikely that they’ll let you stay boring. We only went two weeks without the media getting fresh taunts from either of us, and in response they tried to orchestrate us meeting and I suppose they were hoping for a brawl of some kind.”

Yugi snorted, “Well, we’ll just have to disappoint them then. I didn’t really want to fight you. I don’t start fights with the elderly.”

“And I am not one to take any brats over my knee unless they ask for it,” Atem shot back quickly, his lips pulling back into a grin that Yugi shared.

Something stirred again within Atem.

“Careful now, those are fighting words. I may just change my mind,” Yugi warned, but the effect was lessened because it was said around charming little giggles that sounded like musical wind chimes to Atem’s ears.

Atem mock gasped, hand resting on his chest, “Are you telling me you aren’t actually made of sunshine and puppies as you’ve led us all to believe?” Atem asked, strutting over and sliding down the wall to share the stack of towels. He counted victory number two when Yugi moved over to give him more space to sit.

Yugi wrinkled his nose again, “Being made out of puppies sounds kinda morbid actually. And I’m pretty sure my old high school science teacher said I was made out of carbon.”

“Aren’t you still in high school?” Atem teased and felt his heart flip in his chest when Yugi laughed and elbowed him in the side.

At least an hour had passed, but the two of them managed to fill the time with idle conversation that started with light teasing and then shifted into their shared interests. Most notably, Duel Monsters and the other competitors. Atem could not think of a time he'd enjoyed talking like this with anyone besides Mana or Mahad. Yugi was charming, witty, and apparently didn't hate Atem as much as the media had decided he should. 

This was the best time he could ever remember spending in a closet. 

“If I had known a Juniors transfer was going to come in and take down Kaiba, I would have gladly gotten front row seats just to see his face as the life point counter hit zero. I would have taken a selfie with the score board and kept it as my lock screen,” Atem mused, hands folded behind his head as he pictured what would have been one for the books for sure.

“I don’t think anyone could have predicted that win though. I think no one was more surprised than me when it was over,” Yugi said around a wide yawn.

“Nope, I watched that clip at least a dozen times. Trust me, no one was more surprised than Kaiba.”

Yugi’s eyes widened from where they’d become half lidded as the night grew later, and Atem belatedly realized he had just revealed having watched Yugi’s victory not once, but many times. But Atem didn’t bother trying to save face, surely Yugi would know it was just something the more serious competitors did. And not for any other reason. Well, besides watching Kaiba lose by someone other than himself for once.

“I heard that the North American Regionals should be finishing up their tournament later this week. I’ll try to tune into a few of those, but I’ve been trying to focus on my own training, cause some wise old man told me I should focus more on that,” Yugi said with a teasing wink.

Atem refused to blush, but was more grateful than ever for his darker complexion that would have hidden it better than most, “Ah, that. Perhaps I should apologize for saying that. That interview had brought up some less than comfortable subjects, and I may have lashed out in the wrong direction.”

Yugi waved him off, his own blush showing full force, “You don’t need to apologize. It’s fine, really. You weren’t wrong and even though it hurt at first to hear, I was glad to have something else to focus on after that week. You don’t have to coddle me, I’m young, but I’m not a baby. And I swear I’m not as weak as I look.”

Atem startled, turning his head and dropping his arms to look at Yugi, “I never thought you were weak. Vulnerable maybe...but not weak,” he mumbled, feeling the truth of it within himself. He was surprised to say as much to Yugi out loud, but maybe the kid deserved to hear it. It sounded like he'd had it just as rough as Atem these last few months.

Yugi grimaced, peering at him through the corner of his eye, “Weak, vulnerable. Aren’t they the same thing?”

Atem shook his head, “Not to me. Weak places the blame of harm on you. Vulnerable...that places the blame on those who would take advantage. You are open with yourself and your emotions, that’s just who you are. The fault is on those who would take that as an opportunity to take advantage.”

“Oh," Yugi said, looking surprised, "Do you think I should be more closed off then?” Yugi asked, and he sounded truly curious.

Atem opened his mouth to respond with what he immediately thought was the right answer...but his tongue stilled as he thought about it. About what his first reaction had been the first time he’d been bitten by fame. Lowering shutters around his soul, and putting up walls and locks around everything he felt he needed to protect. It had protected him, there was no doubt about that. But if he really thought about it. Thought about his lonely apartment. The unused pool table and couch. The bed too big for one person. The fact the only people he claimed as friends were among people he paid to work for him...

He had to wonder if it was all worth it. But he was safe at least.

“I don’t know if I’m the best person to answer that, Yugi. You should do...what makes you happy though. Regardless of what anyone else thinks,” he said after what was probably too long a pause.

But there was Yugi looking up at him with those wide, overly earnest eyes that gave away every emotion, and Atem felt a pulse of something run through him.

Yugi nodded slowly as he absorbed the words, and Atem had to wonder if maybe he could have helped the kid for real this time. If he had a good impact. If—

“Your advanced age has made you very wise.”

Atem sputtered as Yugi peeled with laughter that lit up the dingy closet more than that tiny lightbulb ever could.

When Yugi finally stopped long enough to wipe mirthful tears away from his eyes (at least Atem could be happy they weren’t sad ones for once), “Anyway, who do you think will take North America’s Regionals?”

Atem grimaced, knowing that who he would like to see win and who actually would win were two very different people.

“I believe Keith will come out on top again, unfortunately. Although I do hold some hope that will change someday. Otogi may advance ahead of him if he focuses on his gameplay rather than his taunting this season. But after two years of the same, I am doubtful.”

“There’s hope yet. There’s a girl in Junior’s that pretty damn good. I think once Rebecca turns twenty and moves to the big leagues she’ll give Keith a real challenge,” Yugi said, smiling fondly at something only he must know.

Atem looked over at his companion with an assessing eye, “And what do you think of Keith?”

Yugi tilted his head back, tapping his chin as if considering, “I think if my science teacher was right about what people are made of, then I think Keith may be a freakish waste of carbon on a good day.”

Now it was Atem’s turn to break into laughter, the feeling almost strangely foreign and making the muscles in his stomach hurt from not being used in far too long, “I’m regrettably starting to like you.”

“Well, I am dueling’s little Darling now, right?” Yugi asked through a flutter of his eyelashes.

Atem wrinkled his nose, “Gods above, is that what they will start to call you? I suppose there are worse things to be called.”

“Yeah, not all of us can be dubbed ‘King of Games’.”

Atem nodded sagely, “This is very true.”

“Is it, Captain Obvious?” Yugi sarcastically.

“I believe it’s King Obvious to you, Little Darling.”

Yugi chuckled again as he leaned back against the wall, pulling out his phone to grimace at the time, “How much longer do you think we have to be stuck here?”

Atem hummed, glancing over at his screen and absently noting the wallpaper showing Yugi among a group of what he assumed were friends. Once he was able to tear his eyes away from their many happy faces, he saw that the time was indeed getting late. But he knew the party would likely be going on for at least another hour. Leaving now would still be risky, and he told Yugi as much.

He pulled out his own phone to see if reception had somehow miraculously appeared in the form of at least half a bar of service, but a screen absent of any frantic messages from dear mother Mahad told him that he had no such luck. At least this hadn’t been as bad as it could have been.

He could have been stuck here in a sullen silence with Yugi this entire time. Or they could have shredded each other to pieces like two tom cats trapped in a box. Or, Atem could have been stuck here alone. Given all that had happened since shutting that door, he believed being alone would have been the worst thing that could have happened, but he wouldn’t have even known it. And wasn’t that a depressing thought?

But what would happen once they left?

Atem knew he'd like to keep whatever this was alive. He absolutely did not want to go back to the stress and misery that had been the last few months pitted against someone he'd come to respect. But what did Yugi want? Would he be happy to wave his goodbye and end things until they met up in the arena someday? Or could they consider each other...friends?

“So, what now? What do we do once we finally get out of here? Do we go back to trying to avoid each other and bringing up names in interviews?” Atem asked, leaning heavily against the back wall. They were close enough he could feel Yugi’s shoulder brush up against his with each breath. He tried to sound calm, despite the way his heart began to race wondering what Yugi would say. 

“I suppose...or we could fuck with them?” Yugi said with a small shrug and a wide yawn, slowly sliding even further down the wall in an uncomfortable looking slouch.

Excuse the fuck out of me, what?

Atem’s stomach flipped in the best way, like the first drop of a rollercoaster before the thrill began.

“Oh, please tell me what you have in mind?” he all but begged, suddenly enthralled by whatever Yugi was proposing. 

Yugi shrugged, a mischievous grin edging onto his lips as he turned to face Atem, “I was just thinking, why tempt the beast by changing anything now? If we suddenly start getting along, they’ll want to know why and hound us all over again. In this case, the status quo may actually be boring enough that they’ll let it rest a bit. And if it doesn’t, then at least we know between us there’s no harm meant. It'll be revenge for the shit they just put us through the last two months, or in your case longer. And...it could be fun,” he said with a shrug.

“Hmm, that may actually be fun. I’ve never tried actively deceiving the media before,” it actually sounded more thrilling than it ever should. Mana and Mahad would hate this idea, and it only made him love it more, "I think I'm game."

"Then I'm game too," Yugi said, sticking out his hand for Atem to take. 

Yugi's skin was pleasantly warm as they shook on it, and Atem swore he felt a shock of something at the touch. Perhaps it was just static shock from sitting in towels so long.

Another yawn was heard at his side.

“Is it past your bedtime, little darling?” Atem teased as Yugi sleepily rubbed at his eye.

“Isn’t it past yours? And maybe it is past mine if you count jet lag on top of not sleeping much lately. Suddenly everyone I’ve ever known wants to party into the night,” Yugi mumbled around another yawn.

Atem smirked, remembering those early days well. He still thinks he hadn’t fully recovered from them.

“A growing boy like you needs their sleep. Go ahead, I won’t do anything to you. I may even wake you when the party ends,” Atem chuckled.

Yugi wrinkled his nose again as he peered up at Atem through suspiciously narrowed eyes, “Glad to hear someone thinks I’m still growing. But yeah, I may just do that. Folded towels have never felt comfier,” he said, snuggling down deeper into the stack.

The kid was out like a light, and Atem tried to not stare at how his already sweet face softened with sleep, just like he tried not to take comfort in having someone close for what felt like the first time in forever. He forced himself to keep still so he didn’t accidentally wake him, and that was all that stopped him from leaping into the air when suddenly Yugi’s body tilted into his side and stayed there.

Atem had to remember how to breathe after that, but even so, he did not pull away. Not even when he relaxed into the warmth of a body beside him. And not even as he felt his lips still stretched out in a real smile that didn’t seem to fade even as the cause of it stayed fast asleep beside him.

For all he knew, it didn’t even fade as he finally let his own exhaustion take over his common sense and he also fell asleep against the duelist next to him.

Chapter Text

Atem startled awake with the sound of the door opening.

His entire body was tensed up and ready to start snarling at whatever camera was about to be shoved in his face, but then he saw just who was standing at the door and he allowed himself to sink heavily back against the previous warmth he was just in with a relieved sigh.

For maybe a second.

Then he realized just who was smirking down at him at the same time it clicked in his head just why he was warm and comfortable.

Atem jerked back up again with a strangled sound coming from his throat as he felt something shift beside him. Well, someone shift beside him.

Yugi blinked awake and brought a hand up to rub at one eye blearily. Once the sleep was cleared from his vision though, the world seemed to catch up to Yugi and he also jerked away with a high pitched squeaking noise that made the man standing in the door grin.

“Shit!” Yugi groaned, ducking behind his hands as if they would be enough to keep the paparazzi from recognizing him.

Atem rolled his eyes and slapped Yugi’s hands down from his face.

“It’s fine, Yugi. He’s not from the media,” he said.

He’s something much worse, he thought darkly.

“My, my, my. Now what do we have here? Atem, did you make a friend?” Mahad asked, his soft voice just bordering on being filled with what sounded like glee.

“You’re late,” Atem replied in lieu of any sort of answer. He crossed his arms over his chest, although he knew any stern effect would be lost seeing how he was still sitting on a stack of towels in a closet, with none other than his supposed arch nemesis draped against his side.

Mahad’s eyes were practically twinkling with mirth as he took in the scene before him, “Well, you were rather difficult to locate, and you never replied to any of mine or Mana’s calls. We’ve been all over the hotel, but you weren’t in your room or anywhere else we could find. I was debating calling in the police when you hadn’t shown up after hours of searching, but then the hotel was kind enough to pull up security footage for us and we traced you here. Honestly, Atem...” he said, shaking his head with a sad sigh.

Atem stood up and grabbed his jacket, trying his best not to seem as shaken as he felt, “Sorry to have worried you, Mother.”

“You should be,” Mahad replied and helped him back into the constricting sleeves. As Atem turned to slip on the other arm, he caught Yugi’s gaze from where he was still shrunken back against the shelves of cleaners, nervously fiddling with the cuffs on his wrists.

He looked almost frightened as his eyes darted between Atem and Mahad, and he found himself taking pity on him. This night hadn’t been as much of a disaster as it could have been, and his time trapped in here with Yugi had been both enlightening and possibly even pleasant despite the tense atmosphere and less than stellar accommodations.

He shrugged the jacket back in place and kept his attention on the other duelist as he took a half step forward, all the while wondering just what Mahad was going to make of all this.

“Yugi, this is Mahad. My bodyguard,” he said gesturing to the man behind him.

Yugi’s head craned back trying take in Mahad’s impressive height. Timidly, he waved up at him, “Oh, hi. I’m Yugi Mutou.”

“Oh, I know who you are, young one. Very pleased to meet you in person. Atem has not stopped talking about you since you came on the scene,” Mahad said pleasantly, ignoring Atem’s betrayed gasp.

Yugi shrugged, “Well, to be fair I’ve probably talked about him a lot to my friends even before then.”

“Well, I don’t see any open wounds or fresh tears. The only missing clothes seem to be your jackets. Does this mean Atem behaved himself?” Mahad asked, inquiring like a mother after her unruly son.

A musical giggle erupted from Yugi as he nodded, “Yes, he was a perfect gentlemen.”

Mahad turned to Atem with a grin, “There is hope for you yet then. Mana will be proud. But as much as I hate to end your lovely little date night early, I’m afraid we must be getting Atem to bed,” he said, resting his hand on Atem’s shoulder.

Atem was tempted to shrug it off, and he rolled his eyes heavenward as he tried to keep hold of whatever dignity he had left intact after tonight.

“Yeah, I hear the elderly need their sleep,” Yugi teased, making Mahad chuckle.

And there it went. The last of his dignity.

Atem waved him off, half turning away with a flourish, “Yes, well, babysitting is an exhausting job. Besides, it is way past our little baby duelist’s bedtime,” Atem shot back, and was pleased when instead of looking insulted, Yugi’s smile grew wider, stretching out into a smirk that somehow suited his usually innocent face.

“Yeah, I should get back to someplace with reception so I can call my friends. They’re probably worried I’ve been silent so long,” Yugi said, grimacing as he took out his phone and noted the now very late hour.

A trickle of something shivered down Atem’s spine and he turned back to face Yugi fully.

“You do have someone here with you, right? A manager or bodyguard?” he asked carefully.

His stomach flipped uneasily when Yugi shook his head with a small shrug, “Anzu is pretty much acting like my manager, but she’s back in Japan right now. I came here alone. And I don’t think a bodyguard is really necessary for me, no offense,” he said, nodding up at Mahad who waved it off understandingly. Most duelists didn’t need one if they were one of the lesser-known ones. And even if Yugi was very new, he was hardly lesser known.

Atem tried not to frown, but failed in the attempt.

“Do you at least have a room here in the hotel that we can walk you to?” Mahad offered kindly, picking up on Atem’s concern. Atem was hardly surprised at Mahad’s offer. Yugi had the look of someone who needed to be placed in protective bubble at all times, and it would have no doubt awoken Mahad’s incessant mothering instincts in full bloom.

“Oh, yeah I’ve got a room, but you don’t have to walk me there. Better we aren’t seen together, right?” he said, winking at Atem.

Atem absolutely refused to blush, and it was easy to quell it when his frown was deepening. He knew Yugi was right, especially if they wanted to preserve the image of media induced tension between them. Still, it did something inside of him to nod in agreement all the same.

“Fine, fair enough,” Atem relented.

“If it helps, Mana enlisted the help of the hotel staff and the security team from the party to remove anyone who was not a hotel guest or had an invite to the party. You should not encounter anyone from the media on your way back to your room, but all the same. Please be careful,” Mahad said, inclining his head slightly.

Yugi gave a polite bow back, “Thank you for your off and your concern. I should be fine. And thank you for an...interesting night, Atem. See you in the arena someday?”

“Earn your way and you just might,” Atem replied, and felt a thrill run through him at the answering glint of a challenge that sparked in Yugi’s eyes before he slipped past the two of them and down the hallway.

It wasn’t until he was out of sight that Atem finally turned with Mahad to go their own way.

Atem refused to look at Mahad’s face because he just knew he’d be reading far too much into this moment, not to mention the position they had been found in. It would probably take him weeks to get him to believe Atem when he said nothing happened.

Mahad didn’t even say anything, but he didn’t have to. The relentless smirk on his otherwise blank face was enough to have Atem scowling all the way back to his room.

After that night, Atem followed Yugi’s dueling with an almost embarrassing eagerness. As much as he tried to hide it from Mana and Mahad, the two of them almost seemed to pick up on his growing interest despite not giving them any real reason to.

Mahad had betrayed him and told Mana everything he’d seen an observed, and for whatever reason the two of them seemed to liken the innocent, if not awkward situation was of a far more impure nature. At least that’s what Atem assumed they were implying given how much eyebrow waggling the two of them exchanged behind his back when they thought he wasn’t paying attention.

They had taken to updating him with every single news clip, each video interview, and every single photo of Yugi that came out in the weeks after the charity event.

As if they truly believed he wanted to be flooded with even more things related to dueling’s little darling.

Although, perhaps it was because Atem had yet to tell them to stop...

Atem bit at his lip as he thumbed through the latest clips and photos that Mana had sent him through all hours of the night before. It was almost like having to read through a morning newspaper with how much had been sent over. Honestly, when did she sleep?

He rubbed at his face as he ignored the coffee cup by his elbow. It was his latest sad attempt at trying to make his own again. He didn’t know why he even bothered.

He still wore his sleep clothes from the night before, and was still wondering if it would even be necessary to change out of them at all today. Without proper coffee, he didn’t think he could even make it down to the gym after all. What was even the point?

He thumbed past an article about Yugi’s favorite duel monster cards, and stopped when a paparazzi photo showed on his screen. This one taken outside of that same little game shop that Atem recognized from that interview clip a month ago. He looked like he’d been caught off guard again, but Atem didn’t care so much for that as he did noticing that Yugi looked a bit...tired. His smile was no less brilliant in the daylight that made his face practically glow, and once again making Atem wonder if the kid was actually made of sunlight as he’d guessed and not just carbon after all.

Still, he wondered if Yugi was doing well, and what would have caused him to have such dark circles under his eyes.

Even if at the same time Atem wondered why he even cared.

Yugi just not been what he expected. While the gossip and magazines had him pegged as an overly innocent, naïve prodigy, the person who Atem had seen in that fiery interview and then the witty and sweet person he’d met in that closet seemed to all merge into something truly puzzling and yet insurmountably intriguing. Yugi was shaping up to be a thrillingly complex and challenging young thing, far more interesting than what the media had led them all to believe. Even Atem, who was all too well aware of how they could warp a person to fit their desired viewpoint, had fallen for their oversimplification of this new comer.

Atem had not even dueled him yet, and somehow, he found himself feeling the building tension of a worthy opponent walking into his arena. He could not remember the last time he’d ever found himself anticipating an opponent with anything other than boredom or vague awareness of their existence.

He dropped his phone onto the marble countertop, wrinkling his nose in disgust at both his coffee and himself. His casual interest in the young duelist was bordering on something obsessive, and he did not appreciate the interruption from his otherwise mundane and passive existence. Sure, it was a lonely existence, sometimes dreadfully boring, but he was safe and everything was predictable. Just as he liked it.

And then his front door opened unexpectedly.

“Oh, Atem! I’ve got a surprise for you,” Mana sang as he busted through the door of his apartment. It made Atem wonder why he ever gave them both a spare key.

And then Mahad appeared trailing on her heels despite Atem being reasonably sure it was supposed to be his day off, and then he saw the tray of coffee cups in his hand and all was instantly forgiven.

Atem made grabby hands up at Mahad until he chuckled and handed one of the paper cups to him, the one proudly labeled with his overly complicated order scrawled on the side. Atem allowed himself three scalding sips before feeling ready to take on whatever had Mana’s eyes glowing like that.

Whatever it was, it was most likely going to be an inconvenience to him. He’d seen that look before.

“Tell me quick, before I finish this coffee and both of you lose any reason to stay here,” he said, blinking up at the two of them. One standing perfectly still while the other practically vibrated in place.

“You’ve been requested for a promo photo shoot for the new duel monster card booster release!” Mana all but screamed, making both the men in the room wince and recoil.

Atem blinked once. Twice. And one last time as he waited for some sort of punch line or follow up, but it seemed one was not coming.

“That’s fine, but I don’t see why you are so excited about it. I’m asked to do those all the time,” Atem said with a shrug, taking a longer sip of his coffee. It was just good enough he wondered if it was time for Mahad to get another raise.

Mana’s answer was prefaced by a happy squeal that pierced his eardrums and woke him even faster than the extraordinary amounts of caffeine he was consuming.

Mahad calmly rubbed the ear closest to her and cleared his throat, “Perhaps a verbal reply would suffice, Mana. Tell him what is different about this promo shoot.”

“Please,” Atem all but begged, sagging heavily on the counter between them. With any luck they’d answer and he’d be left alone with his only real mistress in life, caffeine.

Mana bounced in place again and clapped her hands excitedly, “I saw who else was asked to be part of the shoot! They’ve asked Yugi Mutou to pair up with you!”

There were several instant reactions that coursed through Atem all at once. First, and perhaps the most damning, was excitement. He’d get another chance to interact with the challenging young man that brought an almost forgotten thrill back to his otherwise sedate existence. Perhaps even enjoy something for a change. But then his second reaction was one of apprehension. This would be another opportunity to screw up the one thing that promised him that excitement that had come from his dueling in years.

But perhaps he was overcomplicating it. He and Yugi had already agreed that they would continue the charade of hating one another, which added a new level of excitement as well as security. Yugi expected Atem to be brash and rude, whether he truly intended it or not. It would be hard to even mess that up.

Atem took another sip of his coffee as he thought if over and then remembered that he was the King of Games. He’d stared down hundreds of opponents over the years, dealt with obnoxious media, overbearing fans, and survived it all. Surely he could survive another interaction with Yugi, and with any luck he’d maybe even enjoy it.

“Fine, I’ll go,” he said with a heavy sigh and braced himself for Mana’s answering squeal of delight that may have rattled his glass windows.

And then suspicion set in as he noticed his two employees staring at him far too closely than something like this warranted.

He leveled them back with a mirroring suspicious look.

“Do I want to know why you are both so excited about this?” he asked warily.

Mahad placed his hand over Mana’s mouth before she even finished opening it.

“Most likely not. But please, do not let us deter you from going. I also believe this is a fine opportunity for you,” Mahad said with a cheer that did not suit his usually stoic manner. Atem’s eyes narrowed further, but knew better than to ask now.

He doubted he wanted to know the answer in any case.

“So where do I have to go for this promo shoot?”

“Japan!”

Chapter Text

Seeing how this would be a professional shoot, Atem was already prepared for the sometimes annoyingly buzzing atmosphere he’d walk into on set. Even after doing this countless times over the years, it still boggled his mind to see just how many people it apparently required just to take some photos. Managers, photographers, assistant photographers, lighting crew, set crew, magazine representatives, creative director, assistant creative director, make-up artists, wardrobe crew, hair stylists, catering crew, whoever the people were who walked around while furiously making calls and tapping on their tablets, and then there were the people actually getting their photo taken somewhere among the cacophony of it all.

Atem walked through it all with his head held high as some assistant of some other assistant took him back to what would be his dressing room for the day. There was a paper with his name and ‘King of Games’ tacked on the door, but it didn’t draw his attention as much as the door a few meters away that had Yugi’s name tacked up in the same way. The door was shut, and he had no way of knowing if he was already here or not.

But he knew better than to ask.

He’d been in better and worse dressing rooms over the years, but in all honesty as long as it had a comfortable chair for him to sit in through however long it took to get his look done, he didn’t really care about what else was in there.

He took his seat while Mahad took up inspecting the room and the table filled with various snacks, and Mana started digging through the large rack of clothes pushed off to the side.

“Your outfit choices aren’t so bad this time,” she said, glancing over her shoulder at him.

Atem shrugged, already knowing whether he liked them or not it wasn’t like he’d get much choice in the end. As long as they didn’t try to put him in another one of those over-the-top duel monster costumes, he’d just go with whatever they wanted.

“Oh, this one is so sexy! I hope they put you in this one,” she mumbled to herself, admiring what appeared to be leather pants.

“Since when do you want my image to be sexy?” Atem asked and then immediately regretted asking when her smile turned into what could only be a scheming smirk.

“You want to look nice for Yugi, don’t you?” she asked.

Munching could be heard as Mahad found a bowl of pretzels as he watched the two of them with silent interest.

“Why would I care about what he thinks?” Again, he regretted asking.

Mana bounded forward, hugging the leather pants to her chest like a teddy bear, “You tell me,” she challenged, but Atem wisely shut his mouth this time. And then thankfully the universe took mercy on him as the hair stylist and make-up artists walked in.

“Okay, Mr. Sennen. We’re going to start off with your individual shots for the promo. Then you’ll get a break while we do Mr. Mutou’s. And then we’ll finish off with you two paired up. Sound good?”

Atem had no idea who he was speaking to, but she had a clipboard in one hand and an expensive phone in the other, so he had to assume she was in charge of something here. He nodded, and all around him everyone burst into activity once more.

He’d have liked to put his hands in his pockets, but it seemed Mana had gotten her wish and wardrobe had chosen the leather pants, and had a tailored shirt and studded jacket thrown on top. None of it was comfortable, but he had to admit it looked decent. The only thing he truly liked were the boots since they had a little bit of heel on them. He wondered what they’d have Yugi wear. Would it compliment his own outfit, or would they once again try to have them contrasted from one another?

Someone eventually led Atem onto the set where a green screen was set up along with several different objects were spread around to sit or lean against. Whatever tickled the photographers fancy, he supposed. It was nice to have options at least. He hated when they just had him pose in front of a white screen with nothing else.

Too many years of doing many shoots like this, the nerves had long ago faded into the background like the green screen at his back. Even with what appeared to be a hundred faces staring at him as he settled into the first pose, he felt nothing but confidence and perhaps a little boredom. This was easy compared to the arena, where there would be thousands of faces on him watching his every move and all were just waiting for him to win once again.

The flashes of the camera began, and the room was silent save for the clicks of the photographer and a few suggestions offered from the director or photographer himself as Atem shifted his way through the set. He took it all in an easy stride, falling into a rhythm quickly when it seemed everyone was pleased so far.

And then he saw movement at the back of the room, and one bright flash of the camera lit up large amethyst eyes that were staring across at him. His heart stuttered in his chest.

Atem sucked in a sharp breath and tensed up just as the camera flashed again. But those eyes were gone, ducking into the other dressing room followed by a tall young man and a young woman at his heels.

“Relax your shoulders, for us Mr. Sennen. Face back to camera.”

Immediately Atem obeyed, suddenly feeling off kilter as he tried to calm his heart that had begun to race. Yugi was here, and suddenly things were no longer boring. No longer repetitive and dull. He found himself suddenly charged with excitement at the impending game that would begin once Yugi was on set. Atem felt his lips curl into an almost feral smirk. 

There was some giggling laughter in the back of the room that had his eyes snapping off in that direction where a few of the crew members were whispering behind their hands.

“Focus on the camera, Mr. Sennen. You and Mr. Mutou will have time to interact later, save it all for the pair shots,” the director said through a smirk. Clearly, he was anticipating some drama, and Atem tried to determine if this annoyed him or not.

Atem clenched his jaw and willed all his focus back to the camera and the present.

Absently he wondered why he was so distracted by all this. His game was thrown off. He was never off his game though. Not in nine years.

Why now?

After his own shoot was done, Atem lingered as long as he could without drawing too much attention to himself. It was difficult to become invisible as he wanted though, because it seemed a number of the crew were duel monster fans, as well as fans of his in particular. But then they started asking for autographs and well...at least it gave him a valid excuse to linger outside his dressing room a bit longer. At least until hair and make-up came and hauled him back to his room to get ready for touch ups.

It seemed it took just long enough for the door to Yugi’s dressing room to open, and for the younger man to finally emerge.

It seemed wardrobe was perfectly happy to indulge Yugi’s odd gothic/punk hybrid style, only perhaps making it slightly more polished than usual.

It suited him. Very well.

Too well.

Yugi must have been pleased too because he seemed comfortable as he stepped out, even if he looked slightly overwhelmed by all the people and crew around. But all the same he smiled and waved to almost every person he passed, playing up his title as 'Dueling’s Little Darling'.

It made Atem wonder if Yugi had ever let them see past the sweet exterior to the more spiced interior that came out to play on occasion.

Yugi was ushered onto the set, his eyes wide as he took it all in with open mouthed awe. It reminded Atem of a time that this was all new to him as well, when things were fresh and exciting still.

Another card was shoved in Atem’s face from anther eager fan seeking his signature, blocking his view of Yugi getting in place. Years of practice writing his name he could do it with his eyes closed and with his non-dominant hand, but he still finished it with his usual flare.

When he looked back up it was to the face of another assistant holding up a clipboard.

“Mr. Sennen, we need you back in your dressing room for touch ups before the pair shots,” she said, and ushered him away. He opened his mouth to protest, but shut it just as quickly as he realized he had no good reason to stay out here.

Instead, he nodded as he handed back the last signed card and followed her.

Atem watched over his shoulder as another nameless assistant pushed him back towards his room, just as the first flash of the camera went off on the set.

It felt like ages before he was finally summoned back onto the set.

In that time he’d spent waiting while people fidgeted with his hair, or brushed powder over his cheeks, his mind idled over how to approach the pair shots.

He’d done plenty in the past, Pegasus and his advertising team for Industrial Illusions loved to use many of the duelists to market their product. Atem had already done multiple shoots with a few of the other popular duelists over the years. Mai was often sought after thanks to her...assets, and the fact the camera and fans loved her. Keith was also unfortunately present in many as the most famous of the North American duelists. And many times Pegasus had chosen to have Atem paired with Kaiba in spreads, just because everyone loved to tout their rivalry as the top two duelists in the world.

Not that Kaiba liked those shoots, but even he swallowed his pride on occasion if it meant free publicity for his own company’s marketing team.

But this shoot was already standing out in Atem’s mind because Yugi had added a twist to everything with his suggestion to keep up the façade of animosity between the two of them. It was a thrilling as it was daunting, but Atem found himself eagerly anticipating it all the same.

The make-up artist had already scolded him twice to stop bouncing his leg and hold still, much to Mana’s amusement and Mahad’s knowing smirk. Atem tried to ignore them all, and keep his leg still until finally his name was called.

The set hadn’t changed at all, but for whatever reason people were still bustling around like a beehive as they moved lights and wires around. Yugi stood among the staged props, patiently holding still as someone tried to tame his hair.

Atem snorted, wondering why they even bothered when it looked like permanently tousled bedhead at best. Atem had seen dust bunnies with more controlled styles.  

Not that his own was much better. His was just long enough that it could be hidden better with hair ties.

He was smiling through all their fussing, eyes bright an earnest...until they flicked over to where Atem stood and then that glint appeared almost instantly, but was hidden once again just as quickly. His opponent was ready, it seemed, and remembered their little deal.

Atem’s lips pulled back into a smirk for only a moment before he let it fade in place of his usual cool exterior, and he waltzed over to the set. It was time for their game to begin.

Atem made the first move as he moved to the center of the set, tapping his foot impatiently as he waited for Yugi to join him. After the final teasing was done on his hair, Yugi made his way over as well.

It seemed the entire room held their breath as the two of them stood shoulder to shoulder, not looking at each other. They said nothing to each other as they waited for the photographer and director to start speaking, but it seemed like everyone was still waiting on the two of them to do something first.

Perhaps they thought they’d go at it like alley cats and scratch each other’s eyes out, or maybe they were hoping to capture one of them in a hissy fit right off the bat.

But, no. That would end the game too soon for both of them. They wanted to drag this on a bit more first. Mess with them all a bit longer. Take back control for once.

Confidently, Atem placed his hands on his hips in his usual manner, and felt Yugi shift beside him, arms crossing lazily over his slighter chest and cocking his hip out. Finally, a camera flashed.

A smirk pulled over his lips again, but he didn’t try to hide it as he knew it fit his usual demeanor in shoots. As much as he wanted to observe how Yugi was playing, he could only risk careful glances out of the corner of his eye.

The two of them shifted into the usual poses expected of a pair, all the while not even coming closer to touching one another. The silence in the room was deafening, but Atem found it all immensely amusing as the tension continued to build. They both knew that everyone was waiting for them to start digging in, but it had just been deliciously fun to make them wait for it. 

“Uh, Mr. Sennen and Mr. Mutou, would you mind trying to, uh, interact some more?”

The director sounded unsure, and Atem privately enjoyed catching them all off guard. Like they’d just triggered a trap card laid out on the field.

Blessed Yugi, in all his feigned innocent glory, raised his hand, “I’m not sure what you mean by that. Can you give us an example?”

Atem covered his snicker with an exaggerated eye roll.

“Uh, how about we try you both standing back to back?”

“Well, that’s not very fair to Yugi. He’d be half out of the shot if we did that,” Atem said, glancing Yugi up and down, obviously taking in his height, or lack thereof.

Yugi turned on him with his arms more tightly crossed, “You’re like two inches taller than me.”

Atem smirked down at him, “Yes, but I don’t slouch. It's about confidence, darling.”

The camera flashed.

Yugi leaned back, an answering smirk dancing over his features, “No, you just make up for it with heels.”

Atem leaned over him with all two extra inches and whatever the heels added, his face practically gloating as their faces got closer, “And you try to make up for it with that ridiculous hairstyle. Just who are you trying to impress, the porcupines?”

The camera flashed again.

“Oh, you mean you?”

The two of them were standing face to face now, both with arms crossed over their chest. With full view of Yugi, he could clearly see the glint that was back in his eyes and the amusement that he was doing well in concealing...but not from Atem who knew to look for it.

He lowered his voice and leaned in closer, “Having fun yet, darling?” he asked, keeping his face twisted in what appeared to be a taunt even if no one else could hear.

Yugi’s grin was borderline feral as he leaned in ever closer, “Probably way too much. You?”

“Haven’t had this much fun in a long time,” he replied, surprised at the honesty in his words. The two of them continued to trade insults back and forth, much to their own amusement. But it seemed to be what the crew expected, and the camera was flashing rapidly as the two of them circled around each other on the set.

Atem did not hold back in his carefully barbed words, and Yugi shot back just as quickly. Nothing got too dirty or personal, because they both knew the had to remain somewhat professional and PG-rated for their fans, but it didn’t stop them from enjoying themselves.

Gods above, Atem couldn’t wait to get Yugi into the arena now. If he was this much fun now, he could only imagine what he’d be like dueling.

“...I don’t want to upset my Grandpa. He always told me to be polite to the elderly,” Yugi quipped back.

“And I would hate to make a baby cry,” Atem pouted mockingly, just as the lights went on and the director finally called a wrap on the shoot.

The two of them took a step back, blinking at the abrupt stop to everything, and only belatedly realizing just how close the two of them had gotten amidst their playful banter. The crew around them were moving around once again, and Yugi’s entourage from before suddenly appeared at his side, escorting him away with matching frowns on their faces.

The girl even looked like she wanted to stick her tongue out rudely at Atem, but they hurried Yugi off before she could finish the gesture.

Then Mana and Mahad materialized at his back, and started to pull him away from the activity.

The game had ended too soon it felt like, and Atem felt his feet stumble as they led him back to his dressing room to get changed again. Reluctantly, he followed, but not without his eyes trailing the retreating head of spiked hair as it ducked back into his own room.

Chapter Text

“What was that? Is that how you flirt?! It has been way too long since your last date, hasn’t it? You must have forgotten. Don’t worry, I’m sure I can send you some videos and articles on how to do it right for next time,” Mana fretted, already pulling out her phone as Atem started to wipe off the make-up himself in the mirror.

“Mana, I have suspicions that that was actually—”

Mahad was cut off as Mana groaned loudly and flung herself on the couch, muttering something about having all her plans ruined. Atem paid her little mind as he began to peel off the leather pants, only half listening to her ranting. His mind was preoccupied elsewhere. Mostly in the dressing room down from his own where Yugi had disappeared into.

As much as he’d like to chase after him and enjoy more of the titillating banter, he knew that doing so would ruin their little game. And that was the last thing he wanted to do. This was the most fun he’d had at a photo shoot than he could ever remember. Even duels had not been this impelling for years. There was a thrum of something burning under his skin now, an itch that was growing into a desperate need for further stimulation.

It was like being awoken after a long, boring hibernation. He found himself full of energy and the need to seek out more now that he’d crawled out of his self-imposed cave stay.

As of that morning, Atem knew that his schedule for the week was bare by his own request, having thought he’d need time away after agreeing to this trip and photoshoot. Not anymore. The last thing he wanted now was to go back to his penthouse and stay locked inside doing nothing. He wanted to do something. But it wasn’t more press and promo events that he wanted to fill his time with now. No, he had something to look forward to now. Something that he knew he had to assure would come his way, rather than just assume it would come with minimal effort.

His own regionals tournament would be coming up after the conclusion of the North American ones. And while, yes, he’d never lost a regionals title before and could likely walk blindfolded through the competition, he found that he didn’t want to leave it up to the same tricks he’d been using. It was too much of a risk with the Ishtar siblings improving over the years. He’d let them come for him with little to no preparation on his end for quite some time now, as it had been the only way to make it even remotely challenging. But the risk of such a small rush from minimal challenge would not be enough.

For the first time in years, Atem actively wanted to make it to World's. Because he wanted to show Yugi just how good he was at this game, as well as their own. And if Yugi was as good as everyone said he was, then perhaps they’d even get paired up.

Just the thought of being able to duel Yugi at his best made his heart race.

Yes, Atem would be at World’s next year.

And Yugi better be too. Anyone else would not be worth his time or the effort he was now excited to put forth.

Atem slipped on his own clothes with a flourish.

“Mana, we have work to do. Whatever you are plotting can wait, I have a task I wish you to address,” he said, cutting her off from whatever she way saying that was making Mahad shake his head.

Her eyes widened comically, “Work? Task? Like what?” she asked, head tilting to the side. Even Mahad looked startled.

Atem grabbed his jacket and slipped it over his shoulders, already mentally planning everything he wanted to do over the next few weeks before regionals began.

“We’re going home now,” he said, grabbing Mana’s coat next and coaxing her into it faster.

“Of course, we were planning on heading back to the hotel next,” she said, sounding confused.

Atem shook his head, “Not the hotel, back home. Now. No more events or shoots before regionals unless they are for regionals. Change our flights to leave tonight instead of tomorrow morning.”

Mana gaped, standing there with her jacket hanging off one sleeve as she tried to make sense of it all. She looked up to Mahad for explanation, but he only shrugged and grabbed for his own jacket.

“Did the shoot with Yugi upset you that much? I’m sure he didn’t mean at least half of what he said. Ugh, I knew I should have had you practice flirting on the plane,” she mumbled to herself, stamping her foot on the ground with a huff.

Atem waved it off, “I don’t care about the shoot. Just get us those flight changes. And I want an arena booked for the next two weeks. I need to begin training as soon as we arrive. And during the flight, I need you to pull all recent competition duels that were televised and send them to me for review. Mahad, you’ll be needed for escort during the next weeks as I will not be home much.”

As he spoke he began to push at the two of them because for whatever reason they were just standing there gaping at him, when they should be doing their jobs. He’d already wasted too much time lazing about in the off-season. Everyone would already have a head start on him.

“Uh, okay. I’ll start checking flights in the cab to the hotel,” Mana said.

Mahad remained silent, but finally began to move as he took up stance beside Atem and Mana as he led them from the building. Oddly enough, he was smiling the entire way there.

Hardly an intimidating look for a bodyguard, Atem thought idly, but he didn’t comment on it. He was too occupied thinking about his deck and what changes may be warranted this season.

The arena shook as the hologram of Dark Knight Gaia rammed across the board and sent the life points to zero on the scoreboard.

Atem smirked as the haze dissipated and he heard Mana’s enthusiastic clapping from somewhere in the empty arena. Another win, even if it was just against a computer. He hit the button on the duel pod, and let it retract back from the field to where Mahad was waiting for him.

“That was well done, Atem,” Mahad praised as he stepped off the pod.

The duel disk on Atem’s arm retracted and he grabbed his deck to shove into the holster on his hip. As much as he’d like to take another go at the new Kaiba Corp computer dueling software, he knew that they’d been at this since the arena opened that morning, and already it was time to close.

“Thank you. Although this software is not as challenging as some of the real duelists out there, it is a good way to test out the new card combos I put in my deck last night,” Atem said with a smug grin. This was the fourth edit he’d made in the last two weeks, but he believed he’d worked out all the kinks. He wondered what his opponents would think of it once he used it to crush them. Some of the new combos were ones never seen or used in competition before, and he was actually excited to reveal them to the public.

Mahad hummed as he began to escort Atem down the long arena halls. As silent as Mahad usually was, Atem knew when he had something on his mind. Like now, his bodyguard was eyeing him out of the corner of his eye as they made their way down to the lower level of the arena. Like Atem either had something on his face, or was a puzzle waiting to be solved.

Atem took a quick glance in the reflection of a window they passed, and knew that it was nothing to do with his face.

He sighed and slid his own gaze over to meet Mahad’s, “What is it?”

Mahad’s answering smile was unnerving.

“Oh, nothing much. It is pleasing to see you so excited with your dueling again. You seem so focused lately. You haven’t done this kind of training, or been this passionate in years. What has made you so inspired?” he asked.

It was a loaded question for Atem, because despite Yugi not actually being present, they were still playing their little game together. One that Atem didn’t want to spoil by revealing his non-antagonistic interest in the younger duelist. But all the same, all of this was because of Yugi breathing life into his boring existence once more. And Mahad was keen enough to know that things changed the moment they left that dressing room.

But Atem would not be the duelist he was if he didn’t have an agile mind, and he’d learned long ago how to hide his emotions from nosey reporters and the like.

So, Atem kept his face carefully blank as he stared ahead, “I’m not going to just sit by and let these duelists think they can so easily come for my title,” he said with a shrug.

“Oh? And it has nothing to do with something Yugi might have said? By watching all this, I would almost assume you were trying to show off for him.”

No, but I am showing up for him. But Mahad doesn’t need to know that. That is for me alone.

Atem didn’t let his face twitch even a single muscle, “Hardly. If anything, I hope my performance at regionals scares him. He should know that I won’t just let a junior’s transfer intimidate me. If anyone should be intimidated, it’s him.”

Mahad hummed again, a little too knowingly for Atem’s comfort.

But then Mana’s pattering of running steps echoed from behind as she finally caught up, gasping for breath as she reached them. A welcomed distraction. Especially since she was supposed to have been working on something important for him.

“Wow! You’re going to do amazing this season! I haven’t seen you play like this since the beginning,” she gushed, “I bet Yugi will be impressed by those new combos too! I’ve seen enough of his duels now thanks to you making us watch them so many times, and I know he favors combo cards heavily in his own strategies.” There was a suggestive leer in her voice that Atem easily ignored. He’d gotten used to her prattling along about Yugi and something about the two of them being perfectly paired. Atem could not confirm or deny this until the two of them were actually facing off in an arena, but he appreciated Mana’s enthusiasm all the same. Usually, she showed no interest in the actual dueling part of her job, so this was a welcome change.

“We shall see if Yugi lives up to the hype that the media has riled up for him,” Atem said dismissively, “Now, what about those videos I asked you for?”

Mana grinned widely and shook her phone in her hand, “I got them! The North American final only finished an hour ago, but I was able to record it for you to check out. It’s a shame, but looks like Keith took the title again.”

Atem’s grin became almost feral as he snatched the phone and clicked on the play button, “That’s fine, I will take great pleasure in crushing him once again if he comes under my boot at Worlds.”

“Well, we only have a couple days before the tournament begins, and our flight is first thing in the morning. Do I need to come and pack your bags for you again?” Mana asked, but Atem shook his head, eyes fixed on the screen as he watched Keith playing one of his old combos.

“I already packed myself days ago,” he said, waving his hand dismissively.

He didn’t see the knowing look passed behind him as they all walked out of the arena.

Yugi flipped through his deck absently as he finished watching the North American finals conclude on the TV. Rebecca would have demolished Keith if she was old enough for the adult league. But Yugi would be more than happy to do it in her place if he made it to World’s next year. If they were paired together anyway. While Yugi didn’t think it would be a particularly challenging duel, he’d still have fun and get to show Keith a thing or two in the process.

“Ugh, that guy again? Just you wait till I make it to World’s someday, I’ll show him some tricks!” Jounouchi said, raising his fist in the air to punch at what Yugi imagined was an imaginary image of Keith’s face in the living room.

Anzu frowned down at her notepad, still scribbling away at whatever notes she’d been taking the entire time. She paused to look up at Jounouchi.

“Wait, does that mean you didn’t qualify for World’s?” she asked.

Jounouchi huffed, sitting back and sullenly growling through a scowl, “Not yet, but there is a chance someone from the top five could fall in their ranking before World’s and I can take their spot. But I have to keep my own rank high so I can be the next to fill.”

“You’re doing great though, Jounouchi! Sixth at regionals in your first year is amazing,” Yugi praised, and the scowl instantly disappeared as Jounouchi puffed out his chest again.

“I am kinda amazing, aren’t I? Too bad I can’t even compare to you, eh Yuug?” he said with a wink. Yugi still felt relief knowing that after years of competing in Junior’s together, Jounouchi and he had become best friends rather than bitter rivals like they could have been. A lot of Yugi’s confidence he owed to Jounouchi backing him up, after all. He owed him a lot for that.

“Yes, yes. You’re both pretty and have fancy cards,” Anzu said, waving her hand at them as she turned back to her notes, “I just need to know if any of this may come up in Yugi’s interviews,” she muttered, biting at the tip of her pen as she studied her notebook.

Yugi appreciated that she was trying so hard to understand dueling and all that came along with tournaments. It wasn’t every day that your childhood friend became famous and suddenly needed more help than Yugi could have ever anticipated. She was doing great as a manager though, and he couldn’t be more grateful that she’d stepped in when Yugi was suddenly thrust into the spotlight and no idea what to do. Honda was helping out Jounouchi in the same way, even splitting his time acting as an assistant for both of them had extra events or trips to make.

None of them had thought that this would all to happen so fast. Or at all.  

After all, winning against Kaiba had been...unexpected. Yugi was still trying to comprehend how that happened at all. But they’d made it as qualifiers for regionals and upon entering the tournament, Yugi was shocked as he kept moving up in the bracket almost effortlessly.

Sure, he’d spent his entire childhood watching and studying these duelists, but actually playing them?! It should have been impossible to win against such talented people he respected immensely.

And yet he did.

And now here they all were, four friends just trying to keep their heads above water as they were all unceremoniously dumped in the deep end of adult competitive dueling.

Some of them were handling it better than others.

And by others, Yugi meant himself.

“I don’t think either of you have to worry about Keith if you do make it to World’s. I’m not even pro myself and I can see that guy barely stacks up these days. I’d say we just got to hope that Mako falls behind in the ranks so that Jounouchi can join Yugi at World’s, and then you guys gotta figure out how to stack up against everyone else,” Honda said, sitting all of six inches from the TV screen, studying it like the key to winning would be written in the Japanese subtitles.

Yugi smiled to himself in amusement and snapped a picture on his phone to text to Shizuka, captioned ‘your man hard at work’. He owed her everything for putting up with Yugi having to borrow her boyfriend to go to that promo shoot, and for that non-sanctioned trip Jounouchi took to chase after Atem Sennen to ‘defend Yugi’s honor’. Yugi still couldn’t believe he did that. Still loved him for it though, even if it was stupid and unnecessary.

Although at the time, Yugi truly had been a mess after hearing from his actual dueling idol that he should be focusing more on his training than that whole mess with the media regarding his coming out. Of course, coming out had not been what he wanted, but it sure beat the alternative they were looking at. Thank fuck that Anzu was brilliant and had come up with a way to stop Yugi’s ex from outing him through tabloids and racy photos, but it had come at Yugi having to make the announcement himself in a formal interview. That may have been the actual worst week of his life leading up to that...until of course he heard Atem Sennen’s comments on the matter. That was the worst week ever at that point.

But it hadn’t taken long for Yugi to go from deeply depressed to pissed the fuck off, and it served him better in the end. He dove into his training and not only did it take his mind off the mess with the media, but it had actually done his deck some good. If he wanted to keep up at World’s then he really did need to train up for it. He couldn’t rely on whatever luck and planets were aligning that got him through regionals to get him to and through World’s.

He was so lucky to have his friends at his side through all of this. He’d only been out of Junior’s league for a few months and none of this had gone like he imagined. It was all just so unexpected and overwhelming.

Just like meeting Atem Sennen had been.

If Yugi hadn’t already been ticked off at the duelist’s dismissive and antagonistic words before, their first actual meeting would have likely gone very differently. Mostly consisting of Yugi stammering and blushing around words that probably wouldn’t have even sounded like words. Maybe it was a mercy then that Yugi had already gone through his ‘anger and depression’ phase regarding Atem’s words and have moved to acceptance by that point. Plus, Anzu had pointed out that the media could have been sound biting Atem’s interviews like they’d been doing with Yugi to make everything sound worse than it was. Already he’d seen how they turned his own words and turned them into something combative regarding the other duelist. Although honestly, they probably didn’t have to try hard to do that, Yugi truly was pissed at the time. He just wasn’t an angry person by nature, so this was all really new to him.

“So, what’s next for us, team?” Honda asked, finally turning away from the TV before it could melt his brain or damage his eyes.

“Vengeance!” Jounouchi hollered, shooting up from his spot on the couch.

Anzu rolled her eyes, “You’ve got to keep training before you can seek vengeance, Jou. And Mako, Haga or Ryuzaki need to flub out to give you a chance. All you can do now is wait and hope for the best.”

Dejected, Jounouchi slumped back into the couch. Yugi patted his shoulder in comfort.

“Don’t worry, Ryuzaki’s deck this season is far too monster heavy. It won’t take long for the other duelists to notice and capitalize on that. I think he’ll be knocked out in no time, and then you can take your chance,” Yugi said.

Jounouchi grinned, “Thanks, Yuug. I’ll keep the hope alive then. But how should I train in the meantime? Kaiba’s dueling software is great and all, but doesn’t pack enough punch for me.”

Yugi hummed, tilting his head as he tapped his chin, “You’re not wrong. The computerized duels aren’t really enough to get a handle on the live competition. In fact, I bet the only reason I beat Kaiba is because he only trained against his computers in the off-season. If he wrote the software himself then it only makes sense that it would think like him. So all I had to do was not think like him to get the upper hand. I think seeing real duelists compete is the best way to learn.”

Jounouchi slumped again, “Aw no, so more homework then? I guess I’ll start watching videos again.”

Yugi and Anzu exchanged smirks, both of them coming to the same conclusion at the same time.

“Or...we could all go to the Middle Eastern regionals and watch them in person? My treat!” Yugi said slyly.

Honda and Jounouchi jumped to their feet and punched the air.

“Alright! Thanks, Yuug!”

“Heck yeah, road trip!”

Anzu laughed and pulled out her laptop, “Okay, keep it together. I’ll take a look at plane tickets and hotels.”

As the three of them began to chatter over things to do while they were visiting, Yugi took the chance to grab a few of the empty snack dishes to take back to the kitchen. He let their happy voices drift across his apartment as he placed the bowls in the sink and began to rinse them out.

The trip out there was going to be even more fun now. In truth, he’d been a little nervous to go on his own. It was why he asked Anzu to come along, even though he had not plans to do any interviews or promos while out there. Lately he’d just felt a little too exposed every time he went anywhere. Be it to another country or just out his own door. He thought that fame would be very different than this. Not that he thought he’d ever be famous, but even so he thought it would be more dazzling than...daunting. And maybe a little traumatizing?

Stepping outside anywhere had become a gamble worthy of Jounouchi’s deck on whether he’d encounter nice fans just looking shyly for an autograph, or a reporter who would interrogate him about why he was coming out of a pharmacy, only for a tabloid article to come out within an hour claiming he way dying from a tropical disease.

Sometimes things like that were amusing and something he could laugh off. Other times he just wanted to hide under his bed and cuddle with his childhood stuffy Kuriboh.

He’d even moved away from the game shop just so that the media and fans would stop harassing his grandpa, but they still bothered him from time to time. Yugi hoped eventually they’d stop at least.

The thing with Atem had been pretty rough too. Yugi had nothing but respect and admiration for the King of Games. To suddenly be pitted against him as a rival had been horrifying. And maybe a little flattering at first? To be compared to him could be nothing short of an honor after all. If only that whole rivalry mess hadn’t happened...

Well, maybe it wasn’t all bad.

Yugi smirked to himself as he began to dry out the dishes and thought about their two encounters. It was admittedly hard to get a read on Atem. One minute he was cold and aloof, just as the media had always painted him to be. And then he’d be flirty and forward in the next second. And then a moment later he’d be as snarky and playful as a kid. Yugi didn’t even know if Atem was just all these things, or if there was one true version of him that Yugi still hadn’t figured out. But it sure made him much more interesting than even Yugi’s starstruck teenaged mind could have ever fantasized about. And he’d fantasized a lot.

Something else he’d have to look forward to on their little road trip to the Middle Eastern regionals was that Atem Sennen would be competing. A tingle ran through him just thinking about seeing him compete in person.

Or just seeing him in person in general.

Whatever little game they had going between them, it seemed like Atem was as into it as Yugi was. He hadn’t expected him to so eagerly go along with Yugi’s silly little suggestion to fuck with the media that fucked with them. Atem had always seemed too mature and above everything to take part in something so childish and petty. And yet he had instantly agreed all the same.

Yugi tried not to think about how excited that made him, or how eager it made him for whenever they’d get to meet up again and continue their little game. Or whatever it was. His own confusion over the whole thing was part of the reason why he hadn’t told his friends about the ‘arrangement’ yet, and didn’t know if he ever would. The other part, well, maybe Yugi just wanted to keep this between himself and Atem for now.

And while Atem would certainly be at these regionals, Yugi wasn’t about to fool himself into thinking that they’d get to meet up at all. Atem would be far too busy with the tournament to even give a single thought to Yugi being there.

Actually, he probably wouldn’t even notice.

Yugi shrugged and put away the bowls in the cupboard and turned back to the living room ready to back up Anzu on whatever she was yelling at the others for. He already knew she would be right, no matter how loud they were protesting.

“No, you are not going to paint your chests! This is televised! We aren’t going to scar half the world by showing them you two shirtless.”

Chapter Text

The week of regionals was upon them quickly, much to Atem’s relief. He was growing antsy not being able to duel real opponents, and was much too eager to get on with everything so he could secure his spot at World’s in a few months.

Like with any of the larger tournaments, Atem and his team showed up a few days early. There were many events and parties that led up to the tournament actually beginning, and it was always a good idea to be there for them. Otherwise, the media would start to make up reasons why someone was not there. Plus, Atem appreciated the opportunity to scope out the arena and the other competitors ahead of time.

The only thing he didn’t like about showing up early, was that reporters and fans were scattered around the entire city and could pounce at any given moment. He’d already had two almost-heart attacks just stepping out of the airport and then again into a hotel when his name was screamed shrilly by someone holding a notepad or a camera. He really had to remember to put on some sort of disguise before leaving the plane next time.

And while pre-tournament interviews were expected, Atem still found himself dreading them all the same. He’d grown even more tired of the media lately as they continued to hound him about subjects he’d rather steer clear of. And he’d seen more stupidity circulating around Yugi again, and wondered if they were actively trying to break down the poor kid with their incessant hounding of him.

But reporters always found him eventually. No matter how well he tried to avoid them. It seemed Yugi fared no better. 

“And what have you been doing to prepare for the tournament, Mr. Sennen?”

Atem slowly took a sip of his coffee while it was still reasonably warm, “Training,” he said blandly, licking his lips. Mana may scold him for his aloof replies later, but Atem couldn’t bring himself to care just yet. He was already running late as it was.

“Are there any competitors here this year that you are anticipating a challenge from?”

Another sip.

“No.”

More questions came, some more benign than others, but for the most part they were painfully repetitive and expected. They were all the same questions he’d been asked before every tournament since he began dueling, and by now he had grown tired of answering them.

And yet he still answered them, even if his replies were somewhat lacking in verbosity. It was just what was expected of him now. He’d wasted too much breath in the past trying to appease others with his responses, only for his own words to come back and bite him in the ass later no matter what he said or did. The less his said, the better. The more he hid himself, the less they could use against him.

Just like in dueling, you never wanted to give away your hand.

Atem was keen to keep his hand close to his chest, thank you very much. Cards close to his chest, and Mahad close at his back.

“Mr. Sennen, you’ve been in competitive dueling for nine seasons now...”

Atem hummed absently, “I’m aware.”

“...with the uprising of promising duelists like Yugi Mutou, have you given any thought to retirement?”

Atem startled hard enough that if his coffee had been full, it would have splashed over his hand. His eyes narrowed at the reporter as he tried to fight down the hiss building in his throat, “There are other duelists far older than myself playing. I will retire when I am done with dueling, and when there is something worthwhile to retire for,” he said, his tone sharp enough that even he winced internally. Mahad shifted uneasily behind him.

Atem didn’t care how the reporters gaped at his outburst, just as he didn’t care to leave them all hanging when Mahad chose that moment to give them a quick exit.

“Mr. Sennen has an appointment to keep, we will be moving on now,” Mahad said hurriedly, and began to usher the fuming duelist away.

Thankfully their ride was still waiting at the curb and Atem was able to throw himself inside where he took a seat and crossed his arms over his chest as he scowled.

Mahad slid in after him, closing the door and signaling for the driver to go. He turned to Atem and cleared his throat quietly, “Well, I was wondering when they’d start asking about such things. I expected you to at least by in your thirties by then though—”

“How dare they?” Atem snapped, interrupting him, “Age has nothing to do with dueling.”

“No, it doesn’t,” Mahad allowed, “But they’ve been harping on it for years, and you haven’t cared about the age digs for quite some time. Why is it bothering you now?”

“Well, frankly it’s rude and presumptuous of them to assume I’ll just bow out so easily,” Atem said, glaring angrily out the window as the city passed around them.

“Hmm but you have to admit that you’ve become somewhat reserved in the last couple years. You no longer speak of what goals you may have, or records you want to break. It almost seems like...” he hesitated a moment as if unsure he wanted to keep speaking, but Mahad was brave it seemed and continued anyway, “It seems like you haven’t cared about dueling in some time.”

Atem opened his mouth to reply with a sharp retort...only to find none waiting on his tongue.

Because Mahad may be right.

And as much as Atem would never admit out loud, he already knew that the real reason he’d been so upset at that last exchange was not so much the question being asked...but his own quick answer. He’d been so quick to snap back that he had said something that perhaps was a little too truthful. It had escaped his usual filters before he could stop it.

Perhaps he really would stop dueling when he was done. But what did done mean for him? Nine years, nine consecutive top rank position and titles. And where would it stop? What else did he really want to achieve in the end? Right now he was more focused on pairing up with Yugi for a match that he hadn’t even really given a thought to it being possibly his tenth World’s title. Was that the ‘done’ he had been waiting for?

And that brought up the damning second part of his answer.

That he’d retire when there was something worth retiring for.

Dueling had been all that Atem was for so long, he didn’t even know what was left outside of that world. Something that he’d been trying his best not to think about more than he had to in the off season. His annual existential crisis was practically a season in the calendar that fell right after World’s ended each spring as he was faced with sitting around his fancy apartment just waiting for dueling season to start up again.

If there was no more dueling for him, what would he have?

Cold, silk sheets, an unused pool table, and a patio he hadn’t stepped on in years.

He wouldn’t even need Mana and Mahad, the closest people he could claim were friends. But if he wasn’t dueling, then they would likely go somewhere else to find jobs. Away from Atem and his sour moods.

No, Atem Sennen would not be retiring like this. The world could just deal with him a while longer.

It had been long enough since Mahad had asked his question that Atem didn’t think it was worth replying to anymore. Besides, his silence was answer enough.

The greatest mercy of these pre-tournament parties was that they always had an open bar.

And an even greater mercy, whoever was in charge of scheduling the pre-tournament events was brilliant in that they did not have the actual tournament matches starting the next day. Which meant they could drink without worrying about a hangover fucking up with their matches the next morning.

Kaiba Corp's holograms and flashing lights in the arena and loud noises were abysmal to deal with when hungover. Atem had learned that the hard way. Multiple times.  

Of course he could have abstained entirely from drinking if the planner was in fact not brilliant, but then he’d have to face unnecessary amounts of mingling completely sober. Honestly, he’d take the hangover when it came to some of these tournaments. Especially World’s when he had to interact with duelists like Keith and Haga.

Although, his own regions duelists were not all that bad he supposed. Not that he interacted with them much beyond bland conversation and whatever was said during the matches themselves. Arcana was probably the most obnoxious, but he was usually too busy doing magic tricks for the sponsors to bother talking to Atem much. Akefia was a fucking freak, but never showed up to these parties anyway. Probably off cackling like a mad man in some alley somewhere...And the Ishtar siblings were not all that bad, even if their younger brother had quite the mouth on him. Marik had only been out of Junior’s for a few years now, but Atem was wondering when he’d finally surpass his older siblings. He obviously had the potential to do so, at least in Atem's opinion. 

Atem had found a table to lean against as he cradled his drink in hand. The welcoming speeches were thankfully already concluded, and all that was left was letting the sponsors and donors chat up the duelists to see where their money was being spent. It meant that Atem only had to stick around for another hour at most before he could slip away without causing any fuss for Mana to clean up later.

This was his third drink, but he was nursing this one more slowly than the first two he’d tossed back. The condensation on the glass was making his hands uncomfortably wet, but he would take his time with this one. He only needed a buzz to make it through the rest of this event. Anything more than that and he risked making a fool of himself in some way. Another lesson he’d learned the hard way before.

Blissfully alone for the moment, Atem took the chance to just look around the room. He spotted mostly familiar faces among the crowd. Anyone he didn’t recognize he knew was likely just here for their money and not for the tournament. This would be his tenth year doing this. By now he really should know everyone.

At least by face. And by deck. Besides that though, he could not think of a time that he’d delved into conversations deeper than that. Hell, it had taken him three years to learn that Isis and Rishid were actually siblings, and very much not married. He had Mana confirm the relations when Marik came on the scene with the same last name.

But all around he could see the other competitors mingling with each other. Sharing laughs, stories, handshakes. Maybe a few petty insults tossed here and there. All around him. But not with him.

He was ‘cold and aloof’ after all.

If he was left alone at parties like this it was his own fault for having spent almost ten years focused on the duels and not so much on the duelists outside of the arena. Not to mention the media painting him as an arrogant asshole no matter how he tried to change into a different light. It just wasn't worth the effort. 

“Hey, you look a little lonely.”

Atem jerked, almost dropping his glass as he turned to the voice that broke through his thoughts. He blinked as he took in Marik Ishtar smiling at him, or smirking as it were.

“Not lonely, just thinking,” he mumbled, staring down as he began swirling his watered-down drink as the ice cubes were all but completely melted at this point.

“Oh, okay. I’ve just noticed over the years you usually just look bored or annoyed. This was the first time you seemed...I dunno, different. I thought I’d come say hi and check,” Marik said with a shrug.

“Oh, I...”

Atem was about to wave off the concerns, but then he saw something in the younger duelists eyes that caught him off guard. They reminded him of Yugi’s. Not so much the eyes themselves, but the earnestness within them.

This was not the first time Marik had approached Atem. There had been other moments, back when Marik had first come along, that he’d made attempts to catch Atem’s attentions. Usually comprised of the usual ‘I’m your biggest fan’. Such comments always seemed daunting and uncomfortable to Atem even now when he knew deep down that these people claiming to be his fans didn’t know him deeper than skin.

Marik had been another young duelist that Atem had not bothered to get to know once he’d transferred up from Junior’s, not even when he learned of his relation to his older competitors. He’d only recently started to pay more attention to him and his dueling since he’d begun training in earnest this season.

He’d cast Marik aside just as he had planned to do with Yugi and the other Junior transfers. All of which actually did show great promise.

“I could use some company, actually,” Atem finished, much to his surprise as well as Marik’s.

Thankfully Marik recovered quickly enough for the both of them before starting up rapid fire questions about what Atem thought about the competition this year, and what he thought of Keith’s win a few weeks back.

Atem found the conversation came easier than he thought it would, and he wasn’t overly eager to end it either. Not even when Ishizu and Rishid made their way over as well, and the four of them began to talk. And not just about duels. They were all originally from Egypt it appeared, although Atem had already assumed. Still, it was nice to talk about home and use their own native language rather than the shared English most competitors used.

Atem was content enough in the conversation that he didn’t even notice how late it had become until Marik started yawning and his siblings begged off to go back to their hotel.

The two older siblings bid their goodnights, leaving Atem and Marik finishing off the last of their now completely watered down drinks and heading towards the doors.

Atem shot Mahad a quick text, absently noting that over an hour ago he’d gotten a message from him asking ‘It’s getting late. Do I need to start checking closets?’. But Mahad replied quickly that he was on his way at least, which was good. Atem was finally feeling very tired and he wanted to do a deck check tomorrow first thing in the morning.

As the two of them walked towards the door, Marik turned to him. His eyes curious.

“Not to be rude, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so social before. Ishizu said you like to keep to yourself, so I’ve tried to leave you alone. Until tonight at least. Are you really okay? Does it have to do with that Yugi Mutou kid? I saw there has been some heat between you,” Marik asked.

Heat is one way to describe it, Atem thought wryly.

“I appreciate you approaching me tonight. I found I enjoyed myself more than I thought I would. Mingling has never really been my thing. I truly am fine though,” he said, careful not to say anything about Yugi. Marik’s eyes seemed too keen, and clearly he was good at reading people if he saw Atem being sullen tonight. He didn’t want to risk spoiling his little game with anyone.

“Well, if you’re finally giving ‘mingling’ a try, then let me give you my number,” Marik said, pulling out his phone from his pocket, “I’ve been making friends with as many of the duelists as I can from other regions. I even nabbed a few from the Junior’s transfers since this new batch seems promising. Sometimes we all like to hook up for drinks if we find ourselves in the same area. There are a bunch are here coming to watch, so we may go get drinks after some of the matches this week. I can shoot you an address and time if you feel like meeting some more of us.”

Atem was pulling out his own phone before he could think better of it. He never gave out his personal number before to anyone whose paycheck didn’t come from his wallet. But tonight, he was apparently choosing to be reckless. Already Yugi was a bad influence on him it seemed, and blamed him entirely for this lapse of judgement. Yugi as well and that last watered-down drink that maybe wasn’t as watered-down as he thought.

And it had nothing to do at all with enjoying himself that night...nor the possibility of Yugi being one of the numbers Marik had in his phone. He shouldn’t get his hopes up in any case. The chances of Yugi being at the tournament as a spectator were slim. Atem should just focus on the real reason he was here. Dueling.

Marik could go ahead and text him, but Atem would decide later if he’d ever bother replying.

Chapter Text

It never ceased to amaze Atem just how popular these events were in all parts of the world. It was like the entire city had been taken over by fans, vendors, and news vans everywhere. Each corner he turned there were gathering of fans around screens, watching whatever match was happening at that moment. Or a cart full of marshmallon and kuriboh shaped balloons, or baskets full of duel monster merchandise. The plushies and keychains seemed especially popular this year if the sheer quantity of them were anything to go by. He ducked his head further into the collar of his jacket when he saw his own face plastered on several t-shirts he passed. Even some of the food offerings seemed to be themed around the tournament. The ‘Hungry Burger’ being offered seemed interesting enough he may have Mana grab some to bring back to the hotel later.

Already he’d grabbed a few of the packaged snacks to stuff in his pockets for watching the matches later. He’d be sure to stop by the falafel vendor on his way out as well. If Mahad hadn’t found him and dragged him out by the collar of his jacket by then, anyway.

For now, he was in the midst of trying to sneak into the arena to catch a few matches in person. His own first match wouldn’t be until the next afternoon, a primetime spot according to Mana, and he thought in person would give him a better read than just watching the replays later. Sometimes the cameramen recording the event didn’t focus enough on the players, and instead pointed their lenses at the immense holograms. While Atem was sure it was more fun for the casual viewer, it did not help him with his training. But to do this without drawing too much attention, he had to improvise.

Which meant dark clothes, low hats, large sunglasses, and non-descript everything down to his socks and shoes. Anything to just blend in and almost be a normal person for once.

Mahad hated when he did this, and often insisted on dressing in disguise to trail behind Atem. Which would have been fine...if Mahad was actually good at appearing like a normal person and not a bodyguard. His obscene height did not help with the whole blending in thing either. He’d likely get a tongue lashing once Mahad found out he wasn’t in his hotel room, but it would be worth it if Atem even managed one match without being spotted.

As it was, he was trying his best to blend in and hide his face without giving off alarming vibes to the many security personnel manning the event.

Not to mention the hoards of fan groups walking around. Many of which were wearing more shirts with his face on them.

Ra have mercy.

Atem startled and ducked behind a nearby wall when his jacket started vibrating. He rolled his eyes, thinking it was probably Mahad asking where he went, but he was surprised to see a name that was not one of the only two he could recall seeing before.

The Loud Ishtar: Hey! Don’t know if you’re around the arena today, but the fans are even more crazy than usual. Must be the start of the tournament or whatever. DO NOT ENGAGE IF YOU WANT TO LIVE!

Atem raised a brow. Were ominous warnings like this normal among the other duelists?

A piercing scream was heard suddenly and Atem swore his heart may have actually stopped when he heard his name attached to whoever’s shrill voice that had been. But a quick glance around his little hideout showed no screaming fangirls within his sight.

He risked peering around the corner and saw some poor fuck who just happened to have his hair styled similarly to his own get jumped by a group of fangirls. He winced in sympathy, and as he ran in the other direction he wondered how long it would take them to realize they’d found the wrong man.

And then how long it would take them to spot the real Atem.

Mahad was going to kill him for coming here alone.

With that thought in mind, Atem thought it best to hurry inside of the arena and find a seat before the crowds started to move inside. There was still an hour before the next match was supposed to begin, so he had some time to avoid the larger masses of people. And the hallways leading to his section would hopefully be empty.

They were not empty.

They were not crowded yet, but he heard voices up ahead before the saw people and instinctively he ducked behind a nearby vending machine. With any luck, they’d pass by thinking he was just taking a ridiculously long time to choose between the eight offerings and not pay attention to him.

But their voices didn’t get closer. However, they did get louder.

“Hey, you have some nerve showing up here!”

“Yeah! How dare you come here after all those nasty things you said about Tem-tem!”

“Tem-tem? I’m sorry, but who--”

Atem sucked in a sharp breath and held it, wondering if that voice could possibly be—

“Atem Sennen! You called him old!” came a screeching retort.

“Oh, that. Sorry about that, but he called me—”

“What, brat? Kid? Baby? Short? All of those are true!”

“...He called me short?”

So, it was Yugi! After meeting him, and maybe watching one too many interviews of him speaking, he’d recognize that voice anywhere now. Atem wondered if Yugi looked as bewildered as he sounded. Atem bit the sleeve of his jacket to smother his laughter. It seemed the kid had been found by another of his fan groups. He should have known better than to come into Atem’s regional territory and think he’d be greeted by friendly faces.

“Listen, ladies, I’m just here to watch the matches. Not cause any trouble—”

“If you think that by showing your face here that you’ll throw Tem-tem off his game then you have no idea just who it is you’re dealing with!”

Unable to help himself, Atem peered around the corner to take in the scene. Immediately he spotted about ten girls swarmed around a wall, and only just barely made out the pink tips of Yugi’s hair above their heads. He was trapped entirely around their scantily clad outfits.

Oh, the horror. He almost felt bad for the kid if he weren’t also very amused.

Atem smothered another snicker, but he could hear Yugi’s weak protests getting overcome by the harsh chattering of the girls who were crowding around him. He was beginning to wonder if maybe Marik was right in that the fans were extra crazy today though. His amusement was quickly becoming concern when Yugi made a few attempts to escape, and all were thwarted by the girls closing in on him.

Atem frowned from where he was hidden, feeling something burning build up inside of him as he watched them continue to hound the kid. He didn’t care if they were his fans or not, the only one allowed to insult Yugi was him.

Mahad was really going to kill him now.

Atem cleared his throat and hid behind the vending machine again, pulling his hat down low and drawing in a deep breath.

“OH MY GOD, IS THAT ATEM SENNEN?! IT IS, HE’S OVER HERE!” he called out, trying to make his voice higher pitched, and then tried to blend in with the shadows themselves as the group suddenly stampeded past his hiding place.

As soon as their heeled feet passed by, Atem darted out from behind the vending machine and sprinted over to where Yugi was half sliding down the wall clutching his chest in relief. He didn’t even have a hat on to hide his signature hair. What was he thinking?!

Yugi’s relief was short lived when Atem grabbed for his leather clasped wrist and dragged him away from the wall and down the hall in the opposite direction. Thankfully, Yugi kept pace with him, passing through the long halls and towards the nearest stairwell exit...only for Atem to haul them both to a screeching halt when he heard voices getting close again.

Should he chance them being sane, or maybe not recognizing them?

“Shit,” he hissed.

Yugi blinked up at him, “What’s wrong?”

Before he could answer Atem took an opportunity when he saw it and yanked Yugi through the nearest door.

Which just happened to be yet another closet.

Because of course it was.

At least it was moderately nicer than the janitor’s closet they found themselves in last time. This one actually had folding chairs stacked inside.

A gust of breath escaped from Yugi as he leaned against the wall, hand on his chest as he tried to catch his breath.

“Wow, thanks for saving me back there. I was starting to have high school hallway flashbacks,” he said, but his words were followed by a weak and breathy chuckle. Hopefully he wasn't too traumatized by what happened.

Atem turned to him, finger already raised to wag in his face, “You’re lucky I was there. You can’t just go traipsing around big events like this alone. What were you thinking, Yugi?” he asked, shaking his head of all the dangerous possibilities. Mahad would appreciate his mental creativity at least. Yugi didn’t look as impressed and looked right past the finger in his face to peer up at Atem.

Yugi blinked a few times before his eyes narrowed into curious slits, leaning closer to Atem’s face. Too close. Atem leaned back and took off his sunglasses in the too dark closet.

Then Yugi’s eyes widened and he flung back in shock, “Atem?!”

Atem gaped at him, “Yes? Wait, did you only just realize now that it was me?” he gasped, horrified when Yugi nodded and shrugged, “You just let a complete stranger grab you and stuff you in a closet?”

“Well, you seemed like a very nice and helpful stranger?”

“Yugi!”

Yugi held his hands up in defense mode, “Hey, maybe I would have noticed it was you sooner, but some guy just yelled that you were off in the other direction—”

“That was me shouting that. Are you really that trusting?” Atem asked, dismayed. He pinched the bridge of his nose and grabbed one of the nearby chairs to flop down into. He needed to sit down.

“It’s not like you gave me much choice. It was one stranger versus a bunch of your fangirls. They had heels on, Atem. It was intimidating.”

Groaning, Atem pressed his hands over his eyes, “Do you have any sense of self-preservation at all?”

Yugi shrugged again, and grabbed another chair to kick back in, leaning it back on two legs “Hey, you don’t get to point fingers, buddy. I don’t see your bodyguard lurking around anywhere.”

“At least I have a bodyguard.”

“Must be a pretty damn good at his job if he doesn’t even have to be near you to do it.”

Atem rolled his eyes, kicking at the chair so that all four feet were on the ground. Where they should be.  “At least I had the sense to wear a disguise,” he mumbled and tugged at the scratchy hat until it fell free from his head. He shoved it at Yugi before taking out his phone.

“Put that on. I’m calling Mahad to come and escort us out of here as subtly as he can manage.”

“Aw, but I wanted to watch the match!”

The way he whined brought a twitch of a smile to Atem’s lips, but he smothered it as he snapped his fingers impatiently for Yugi to put the hat on. With a huff, he finally complied.

“Good boy.”

“Woof.”

Me: Arena. Level 4 storage closet B. Come with an extra hat, shirt, jacket and sunglasses. If you don’t ask questions I’ll give you a bonus. I’ll accept whatever punishment you have later.

Mother: Deal. I’ll have Mana ask the questions in my stead. It may take a while to retrieve your highness, as the roads and arena have become quite crowded. Something about spotting Atem Sennen and Yugi Mutou around...

Me:   Just hurry up.

Mother: On my way, dearest.

Then his phone chirped, and he saw Marik’s number pop up again.

The Loud Ishtar: Woah, some loud girls just ran by asking where you went. Are you really here? Are you nuts, I warned you!

Atem sighed and stuffed his pocket away. He turned and saw Yugi watching him carefully.

“Wow, you actually know how to text?”

Rolling his eyes, Atem leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms over his chest, “Of course.”

“But you probably use punctuation, right?”

Atem glared at him, still agitated at Yugi’s risky move today, “What does that have to do with anything?”

Yugi smirked like he’d just won something, “Called it,” he grinned, and thankfully leaned forward instead of back as he rested his elbows on his knees, “So I’m guessing off of your face that we’re going to be here a while?”

Atem hummed, inspecting his nails, “Seems so. At least until Mahad can come and you can safely go back to the daycare you escaped from,” he said, lifting his gaze just enough to peer at Yugi through his eyelashes. His words may be teasing, but he knew there was a playful and coy edge to his voice that made Yugi perk up immediately.

While this was certainly not how Atem had thought their next meeting would go, he supposed it wasn’t all bad. At least they were out of the public eye for the moment, where they could relax a bit. Their game could continue whenever they left, but for now he appreciated having another chance to observe the young duelist again.

Yugi’s face twisted into one of agony as he draped himself loosely over his chair, “Aw, man. I was getting hungry too. Did you see those Hungry Burgers outside? I wanted to get one before the match.” He clutched at his stomach, and just as Atem was about to call him out for being dramatic, the sound of gurgling filled the room. Yugi’s blush spread out from his cheeks and down his neck, “Sorry...I’ve kinda been too busy or stressed to eat much lately. I didn’t even wait to get breakfast with my friends before running over here. Kinda regretting that now.”

“Being a duelist is a busy and stressful life, but you need to be sure to eat,” Atem scolded, but took pity on him all the same. The designer destressed jeans and skinny-tee the kid wore only emphasized just how lean he was. The kid needed to eat more. Atem mentally grumbled to himself, wondering when he’d apparently gotten so old that he had taken on grandmotherly instincts to fatten the kid up, and reached inside of his pocket for the snacks he’d gotten for himself. He’d just have Mahad get them more later.

Yugi’s eyes lit up like he’d just pulled an actual burger from his pocket, and not just a sleeve of Obelisk shaped crackers. Eagerly he began to munch on them and just like that they both fell into easy conversation once more.

Atem didn’t even care when they heard the cheers from outside and knew they were missing the first match. He was having his own fun down here, learning everything he could about his new ‘rival’. Yugi by far was the most thrilling opponent he’d never actually faced.

Before long, there were several empty snack wrappers scattered around their chair legs, and they’d both reclined back, their feet resting on the other’s chair across from them. Atem could feel the soft press of Yugi’s boots against his thigh, and swatted them playfully whenever the kid said something about his age. Even if Atem didn’t even care, because he felt young enjoying that time with Yugi. Or maybe young wasn’t the word for it. Perhaps alive was a better fit.

Yugi seemed to be enjoying himself as well. The edges of his eyes were crinkling with mirth as they both discussed their many fortunate and unfortunate run ins with overzealous fans. While Yugi may not have been famous for very long, he already had his fair share of stories that made Atem’s abs ache from laughter. But of course, ever the veteran of the dueling world and fame, Atem’s stories far surpassed them. Yugi nearly fell out of his chair and had to fix his eyeliner that had begun to smudge from tears that came from laughing too hard.

Atem laughed, stretching out until his own feet crowded against Yugi’s leg, “Ugh, where is Mahad anyway? It’s been almost an hour. I can’t feel my ass.”

“Oh, want me to feel it for you?”

Atem’s face shifted instantly into something more coy as he looked over at the other duelist, “What a kind and tempting offer.”

“Well, I’m a nice guy,” Yugi said with an absent shrug, and for all the innocence in his voice that Atem heard, there was no mistaking the glint in those large, expressive eyes. Oh. It seemed their game was moving to a new level. And Atem adored a challenge.

But then Yugi’s gaze fell to his own black painted nails, breaking away from the sudden heated looks between them. It made Atem wonder if he was truly trying to flirt with him, or it was just something hard written into his personality. Was he reading too much into this? He didn’t want to scare the kid off.

“You have a point though, it’s been a minute. You sure your guy is coming, or is this some weird punishment thing you two have going on?”

Atem shrugged, “Anything is possible I suppose, but Mahad is a professional. He won’t endanger me by not showing up, but he will certainly hold this over me later.”

“Sorry about that. Bet you didn’t think anyone would have to come bail you out.”

Atem waved him off, “I left on my own knowing exactly what I was doing. I would have been scolded even if I hadn’t run into you. Besides, I wouldn’t say this has been...all bad,” he said, glancing around the interior of the closet. Anywhere but Yugi’s pretty face, just in case he was making the kid uncomfortable. Their age difference wasn’t as outrageous as the media made it seem, but for all he knew Yugi already had something strong or pretty on his arm. It would make sense given how friendly and outgoing Dueling's Little Darling was. No wonder the media wanted to eat him up. He was practically a living pastry when it came to them. 

And Atem was the human equivalent of taking a shot of tabasco sauce. 

Yugi hummed thoughtfully, “This is actually comfortable. Better than a dirty janitors closet anyway. Maybe we should have done this that first night,” he said, and Atem felt a nudge at his thigh again. He glanced down to see Yugi’s foot still pressed up against him...and didn’t pull away. His eyes followed up the slender leg, over the open patches of the torn jeans where some skin peeked through, up the tight-fitting shirt, and then up to Yugi’s overly expressive face staring up at Atem through the fan of his eyelashes.

Perhaps he wasn’t reading too much into this. Perhaps this was just Yugi testing the waters, poking around for trap cards, and sizing up his opponent. Oh, what a clever boy. Atem was instantly intrigued again. 

Atem rolled his eyes around a smile, “Never on the first night, Yugi. I’m not that easy, despite what the media says.”

Yugi nodded sagely, “Ah, yes. Because the second night is so much classier. Well, you did get me away from being swarmed by those girls, and you shared your snacks with me,” Yugi leaned forward, cupping his chin in the palm of his hand, “What can I say, you truly know how to woo a man.”

Atem leaned forward too, not breaking eye contact between them, “Oh, you haven’t seen anything yet, darling.”

Atem would forever wonder what would have happened next if a knock hadn’t interrupted the two of them. They both instantly leaned back as Atem shoved his glasses back on and Yugi made sure the borrowed hat was still in place.

Atem pulled open the door a crack and sighed when it was just Mahad’s judgmental stare looking back at him through dark lenses and wearing a duel monsters shirt over his usual clothing.

“I told you, crossing your arms like that screams bodyguard,” Atem said by way of greeting.

“Funny, I was just thinking this bodyguard may just start screaming.”

Atem reached between them, waggling his hand out until Mahad sighed and slapped the bag of requested items in his hand.

Atem turned to hand Yugi the spare glasses, threw a plain shirt over his gothic attire, and then tugged the hat even harder into place to cover his loudly colorful hair. Yugi let him fuss while exchanging pleasantries with Mahad, and thanking him for saving them both. The kid was far too nice.

“There, now that you are disguised you should head back to your hotel to lay low,” he said firmly. Yugi’s wide eyes blinked up at him as his face fell.

“Oh, no way! I still want to watch the matches, I promise I’ll stay subtle. I’ll even make Jounouchi put on a hat. They’re probably waiting for me at our seats, actually...shoot,” he said, yanking out his phone and scrolling through what were probably a few missed messages. Yugi seemed like the type to have friends who cared about him.

“Fine, not my problem if you get trampled in a crowd. Just pay attention to the matches and maybe you’ll learn a thing or two,” he scolded, yanking Yugi out of the closet as the kid continued to text.

Yugi seemed to pay him little mind, but then his phone was unexpectedly shoved in Atem’s face.

“Hey, put your number in! This way I can text you if I get stuck in a closet again,” Yugi chirped.

Atem flatly refused to look at Mahad’s face as he snatched the phone and hammered in his number quickly. Yugi looked like he’d just handed him fresh booster packs for how he lit up.

Atem fought against the flush in his face as he shoved his hands in his pockets and turned to walk away as quickly as he could. But he stopped when Yugi called out to him. Why did he stop so easily?

He turned to look at him curiously.

“Hey, good luck tomorrow! I’ll be watching,” Yugi said with a smirk.

“You better be,” Atem replied, and finally the two of them parted. Yugi to find his seat with his friends, and Atem to take the walk of shame with his bodyguard to his own box. But as awkward as it was being found in another closet with his supposed rival, Atem’s mind was less on that and more on the next day now.

Atem wasn’t sure why knowing Yugi was here to watch excited him as much as it did, but he knew he’d ride the wave of motivation that came with it right up through his next duel. He would demolish his opponent for Yugi to see.

He was grinning as Mahad led him through the halls.

“So...care to tell me what all that was?”

“I said no questions asked, Mahad!”

Chapter Text

Little Darling: You gotta try the Hungry Burger. I think I had a religious moment with that first bite

Me: Little busy today, but I will see if I have time.

Little Darling: Make time. It’s life changing. Want it in my mouth again so bad

Me: I wonder if I should be feeling jealous of a burger?

Little Darling: I dunno, can you make me moan like that burger did?

Atem smirked as he shook his head, slipping his phone back into his pocket. Yugi had only had his number for a day and had not waited even an hour before sending out his first text. An image of a shirt with Yugi’s face on it and wondering if wearing it would help or hinder as a future disguise.

Atem had startled himself and Mahad sitting beside him by laughing out loud. While Atem had not thought that Yugi would actually text him, he did not hesitate to text back afterwards. The line of communication had been opened, and Atem was bursting out from it like a horse from the gates. After over a month of their little game interactions being few and far in between, Atem was hungry for more.

Texting had never been of much interest to him before, although he did know how to do it no matter what Yugi teasingly suggested. But the trepidation of this new level of their game did not last long before Atem was caught up and eagerly delving into it.

The flirting aspect was also a very much welcome development to their game. It stirred him in more ways than just entertainment in his otherwise stale existence. There was a heat building between them now, and Atem gleefully stoked the fire as Yugi all but threw lighter fluid in after it.

The media were full of fools if they thought that Yugi was just the sweet, darling little duelist that they’d made him up to be. And while yes, Yugi was rather sweet on the surface, there was so much more underneath. Too bad for them, Atem was the only one getting to enjoy seeing it.

With a new way to talk to Yugi outside of their occasional closet sessions, Atem found a new source of thrill in the time up to his first match. Yugi was providing him with an excitement that made his heart race and his blood heat, and it only made him that much more determined to crush his way through this tournament to earn his place at World’s.

And he’d do it by putting on one hell of a show for Yugi. He’d take a special kind of satisfaction in knowing the kid would be watching today. He knew they were already somewhere in the stands. Yugi had already sent over a selfie of himself and what must have been his dueling team all dressed in their ‘disguises’ for the day.

The obnoxious foam blue eyes white dragon hat was a nice touch.

“You go out there and have fun! You’ve been working so hard, I know you’ll do great,” Mana said as she brushed off some invisible lint from his clothes. She really didn’t need to bother fussing though, Atem already knew he looked perfect.

“We’ll be staying here until the duel concludes, so don’t get any ideas about running off alone afterwards,” Mahad said, wagging his finger. Atem rolled his eyes. He hadn’t even been planning to do that...not really.

“Fine. But I want to stop by a food stall on the way out. There’s a burger I want to try,” he said, just as his phone vibrated in his pocket. With Mana and Mahad standing there, there were very few others who would be texting him.

He knew who he hoped it would be, even if he couldn’t dare admit it out loud.

He reached for this phone and took it out, just as Atem heard his name and title were called by the announcer. He walked out into the stadium, lifting up his arm to wave at the crowds screaming and chanting all around. As usually, every seat was filled and the stadium was alive with noise and color. Cameras were flashing all around, and camera men were circling around everywhere to take everything in for those watching from home. But Atem didn’t pay them much attention for long, his mind still on the unread text in his phone.

When the announcer then began calling out his opponent, Atem snuck a glance down at the screen of his cell and grinned when he saw who it was.

Little Darling: Anything new to look out for this match? Or is this an old dog, new tricks kinda vibe? 😉

The announcer was still droning on about some information and stats, so Atem sent back a quick reply.

Me: Watch and learn, pup.

Little Darling: woof

Me: Good boy.

Atem’s grin was borderline feral as he sent off the last text, just as he stepped up and onto ramp. He could hear the cheers of the audience around him, but it was not as deafening as usual. Almost like they were dimmed to just background noise by his silent conversation with Yugi.

He handed his phone back to Mana before jumping up to the pod that would take him onto the field.

Atem could not remember the last time he’d been this fired up for a duel, or if he’d ever been. It wasn’t even against one of the better duelists from his region, just the magic obsessed Arkana. He would hardly be a challenge. And nowhere near as thrilling as his little game with Yugi. Arkana was just an obstacle that stood between him and meeting Yugi on the field.

An obstacle that he would demolish while Yugi looked on from the stands. He preened just thinking about how he’d been watching right now, and rolled his shoulders and neck to loosen up.

“Let me show you how it’s done, little darling,” Atem whispered to himself as his heels clicked under him, walking out onto the field. Whether or not he found Arkana a challenge, he would give Yugi a show. Proving to him just why he was called the King of Games.

He had shown no mercy.

Not that he’d ever shown mercy before, but with a fire lit within him and a goal in mind, Atem all but exploded into the match from the very first turn. Arkana didn’t even have time to drone on and monologue like he usually did because Atem had even less patience for it than ever before.

Atem was known for approaching his matches with calm, calculated coolness with occasional bouts of annoyance and anger. But for this match he wore a constant smirk on his lips as he imagined Yugi’s expression as he flexed his skills for all to see.

As Arkana’s life points hit zero, Atem was panting and the smirk was still in place as he wiped away the sweat from his brow. The stadium erupted as the commentator became almost indecipherable in their excitement, announcing loudly to all that Atem had just broken the record for all time shortest competitive duel in tournament history.

Arkana was on his knees across the arena, but it was his own rotten luck he was the first to be paired with Atem this seasons bracket. There would always be next year...

Atem pumped his fist into the air and kept it raised as he turned around for the cheers. He’d won many times before, but there was a certain sweetness to this victory that made it stand out. He wondered if Yugi could taste it too.

His heart was beating faster in his chest as he hopped back on the pod that took him back over to the floor. Mana and Mahad were both there waiting, clapping as he stepped off and hurried over to them. The sounds of the crowds were drowned out behind him as he stepped into the hallway with them.

“That was amazing! I knew all that training would pay off!” Mana squealed with joy, bouncing on the heels of her feet.

Even Mahad looked pleased, expressing his barely concealed enthusiasm with a gentle pat to Atem’s back.

“Very well done.”

Atem smiled at them both, “Thank you,” he said in a rush, “Mana, when is my next match?”

She gaped at him a moment before grabbing her tablet to flick through it, “Uh, well your match was supposed to take a lot longer, so they’re probably trying to get the next match set up as quick as they can. Which may move some stuff around tonight, but they want to keep you on prime-time spots,” she said with a sigh.

“I don’t care about prime-time spots, I’m ready for the next one,” Atem pressed.

Mana rolled her eyes, “Yeah, well the people with money want more money. You’ll play when they say so, but I’ll see what I can do. I’ll need to make some calls. Oh, speaking of calls,” Mana handed the phone back to him with a small frown, “Atem, I think your phone may be broken. It kept vibrating during the duel. I don’t think I’ve ever heard it do that before.”

Atem took it and grinned as he tapped the screen and saw the flood of messages all titled with “Little Darling” waiting for him.

“I’ll look into it,” he said to her absently, and thumbed the first message up on the screen.

He began to read through Yugi’s commentary on his duel as Mahad led him out of the arena. Atem only looked up when they stopped by the burger vendor.

“Atem Sennen has stunned the entire world watching the Middle Eastern Regional Tournament by coming out of the gate with a bang! Not only did he take down Arkana with a renewed flare, but he also broke a time record in doing so! Everyone is now anticipating this to be Sennen’s best season ever. This comes as a surprise to all who though that entering his tenth year as the top ranked duelist that he would be losing his touch, and seemed disinterested in the other competitors. Save of course for his new rival, Yugi Mutou, with whom he shares an ongoing animosity that has gripped the media and their fans for weeks. Could it be that his reason for such a spectacular start to the season is due to his new rivalry? What do you think, Stan?”

“Well, Jon, it is entirely possible that’s the case. Despite being Sennen’s rival for nine years, Seto Kaiba never actually managed to squeak out a win between the two of them. With Mutou beating Kaiba at the Eastern Asia Regionals, Sennen may realize that Mutou may just have a chance against him. Maybe not this season, but in later seasons as he matures.”

“But how many more seasons can we expect Sennen to stay for? There have been rumors of his retirement for years.”

“Well, we have a clip of Sennen’s thoughts about retirement that was taken right before the tournament began, and let me tell you, I don’t think he’s quitting dueling anytime soon. And if Mutou is the reason he’s upped his game, then I’m here for it because it’ll make for a stellar World’s if these two duelists meet up.”

“That’s all very exciting, Stan! But we’ve gotten word that it may not actually be Mutou who is the reason for Sennen’s performance. Let’s take a look at this clip taken just as Sennen walked out into the stadium.”

The image cut to Atem Sennen as he entered the arena, waving up to his fans for a moment before pulling out his phone. A wide smile is seen breaking out over his face as he quickly types a message back. The smile stays in place until the phone is put away and Sennen moves onto the field.

“Wow, would you look at that, Jon? In all my years of covering these tournaments and watching Sennen perform, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile like that before! And we weren’t the only ones who caught this look. Thousands of his fans on social media have begun posting speculation that he received a good luck text from a very special someone”

Jon laughs, “Given how Sennen’s been known for his playboy lifestyle for so long, it’s hard to imagine him settling down. But you all are right, that’s a special kind of smile right there. And it looks like the fans agree with us. Take a look at this meme that was posted earlier.”

Image pulls up of a crop of Sennen’s face as he smiles at his screen: Get you a man who looks at you like Atem Sennen looks at his phone

“Well, you heard it hear, folks! Atem Sennen, top ranked duelist and top ranked sexiest duelist may no longer be on the market! We’ll all have to be on the lookout for whoever his mystery lover is!”

Mana clicked the remote to turn it to another channel, but yet again it was filled with speculation about Atem’s ‘other’ behavior that day. The remote was tossed onto the bed where it landed next to where Mahad was sitting silently, watching the reports blandly.

As Mahad was about to take another sip of his dwindling wine glass, Mana snatched it out of his hands and drowned the rest in one go.

“How rude of them! One smile and they’ve gone and turned it into a bigger deal than Atem breaking a world record today!” she growled, stomping back and forth in front of the TV that was still playing more close ups of Atem’s face.

Mana whined and turned to where her boss was lounging back against the headboard, “I’m so sorry, boss. I’ll see if I can rouse up more attention for the record before your next match. You deserve that recognition. Not whatever this is about,” she said, gesturing at the TV with her nose wrinkled.

“Hmm? Oh, that? Do whatever you think is necessary, I’ll support you,” Atem said absently, waving his hand at her dismissively. He didn’t even look up from his phone as he continued to type, too engrossed in his texting to even notice the strange look Mana and Mahad exchanged over him.

Chapter Text

Mana worked miracles, and Atem didn’t have to wait long the next day to begin his next match. It ended much in the same way, with another stunning and expedited victory that left the stadium in an uproar for hours after it had finished, and Rishid gracefully bowing out in defeat.

Three more duels were closed out in rapid succession over the next day, leaving the schedulers scrambling to fill the streaming dead air that his matches were supposed to fill with more commentary while they tried to move up the other matches earlier. Mana got her wish in that once they seemed to have completely wrung out all the possible thoughts and comments about Atem’s ‘smile’ and they finally moved on to his record making duels. Yes, duels, because he’d broken another record with his third match for least amount of monster cards played in a tournament match.

No matter what the reporters were saying about his new phone habits, Atem still found himself grabbing for his phone just before, and just after each match now. Because each time without fail he’d see teasing messages from Yugi before he began, and then humorous play by play commentary once Atem was done. Not only were Yugi’s observations funny, but they were sharp too, and Atem looked forward to seeing his dissection of the match. It was also further bolstering to know that Yugi was watching him from wherever he was in the stands.

Before each match he found himself glancing up into the crowds, as if he may be able to spot that riotous head of hair somewhere among the throngs of people. Of course he knew that this stadium was far too large to pick someone out individually in, but he found himself looking all the same.

He’d never admit it to anyone, but he took the route that some of the more zealous fans were fond of in trying to get a better chance of spotting him. Mana had long ago shown him some posts she’d found where fans would think they’d spotted Atem out in public, and attached would be a photo of someone who absolutely was not him. Most of them were hilariously bad comparisons, with only a handful being really Atem. There had even been a picture of a white guy that someone mistook for Atem posted once. It got him thinking though, if there were similar spottings of Yugi posted. 

Turns out there were. He was ashamed to admit to it, but he’d made a dummy account on some of the more popular media accounts tracking Yugi.

Out of curiosity of course. 

And perhaps also to make sure the kid stayed out of trouble, and more closets.

Each day he checked there were always a few ‘spottings’ posted of pictures taken of people around the tournament that were very clearly not actually Yugi. And a few that were.

Of course, Atem could tell right away which ones were truly Yugi. And he smirked each time he saw what kind of ‘disguise’ he’d picked out to wear that day.

Heading into the stadium for the fourth day or the tournament and his upcoming fourth match, Atem was already thumbing through the morning’s posts of Yugi spottings.

He passed through at least thirty photos, one of which he was almost certain was of a woman, before finally coming across one he knew was the young duelist in the flesh.

The very colorfully dressed flesh. Clearly, he had not mastered the art of blending in yet. It did not help that his dueling companion Jounouchi was wearing an obviously fake mustache crookedly over his lip, the color of which did not match the hair poking out from under his hat. But even so, Yugi’s outfit was something to behold. He did not think a single item of clothing matched from his hat to his socks.

He chuckled and decided to start the next round of their new level of game and typed out a quick message to send off.

Me: That purple shirt you are wearing really brings out your eyes.

Mahad escorted him through several different tides of fans, and Mana allowed him a few moments to sign autographs before he was shepherded like a prized bull up to the dueling landing.

He stepped out as his name was called and waved as he usually did, but he paused when he felt the familiar vibration on his pocket. He knew the media would catch it again and speculate more, but there was no stopping the smile the spread over his lips as he took it out and saw Yugi’s message.

Little Darling: Yeah? Those pants you are wearing really bring out your ass.

Me: Children like you may be watching this show.

Me: behave

Yugi: Ooo, no punctuation in that last one. That’s so hot

Atem was still chuckling as he stepped into the pod and he handed his phone back to Mana. It took considerable effort to get his mind back on track for the match as his and Yugi’s flirting had begun to take over the majority of their interactions. At least Yugi’s outfit for today was enough to quell too much of a reaction on his part because it was more likely to make him laugh than become aroused.

But all it took was a reminder to himself about what he was dueling for in this match to get his brain to come back to complete focus.

He was going to get to World’s. He was going to duel Yugi.

And with that, Atem came at his opponent with everything he had and then some.

“Only two more matches to go,” Mana said with a relieved sigh as she threw herself down on Atem’s hotel couch.

Mahad was being nosey by the window as he made sure the blinds were still securely in place, “As fun as this has been, I imagine you will want a break for a few weeks when we are back home, Atem?”

“Maybe...I don’t want to spent too much time recuperating. I’ll want to book an arena for training for the European Bowl sooner rather than later,” he replied, already wondering if Yugi had been sent an invite to that tournament. He’d have to remember to ask him later...

“Oh, you want to compete at that one? No matter how you perform there it won’t change your ranking for World’s, so I suppose if you want to go I can set that up,” Mana said, and pulled out her tablet to get planning started.

“You’ll have to drop a few of your publicity events if you want time to train and attend,” she said, nibbling at the end of her stylus.

Atem waved off the concern, “You say this like I want to attend those things.”

She shrugged, “They’re what make you the most money.”

He wrinkled his nose, “I have more than enough of that. I want to duel this season, not be paraded around like a prized peacock.”

“Do people actually parade peacocks around?” Mahad asked curiously, finally stepping away from the window to begin inspecting the door. Again.

Mana hummed thoughtfully, “I think peacocks just do that on their own?”

“Focus, Mana. I want that arena booked,” Atem cut in, before they could start philosophizing over the self-awareness and showmanship of flamboyant birds.

Both of them focused on their tasks, Atem let his attention drift back to the phone in his hand. Did his phone battery always die this quickly? Just how much had he been texting Yugi today?

Atem glanced over at them as finished thumbing through Yugi’s flood of match commentary. He shrugged as he raised his arms over his head to stretch. It had been a week since he’d been home, and he didn’t dare try to use the hotel gym when anyone could be lurking in there. Usually, he was content to become a hotel hermit during tournaments, he found himself itching to stretch his legs this time. The somewhat lavish suite that Mana booked for him still felt stifling despite its considerable size.

Maybe it was just missing his usual workouts that had him so restless. But...perhaps it was the fact that the flirting was stirring something up inside of him that he’d kept dormant for far too long. Yugi had awoken his libido like some long slumbering dragon, whether the little shit knew he’d done it or not.

He probably did.

Despite what those nosey reporters like to say about his bed partner habits though, Atem’s bed had been painfully empty for years. A barren mockery covered in sinfully expensive sheets. And his chances to flirt or have any sort of stimulation that didn’t come from himself or pay-per-view were very few and far in between.

And this sudden chemistry that was developing through their constant contact seemed to be bubbling over into...something.

But the last time they’d actually been in the same vicinity, this level of their game had barely been touched upon and explored. While Atem had been having admittedly far too much fun, and invested a probably inappropriate amount of energy, he had to wonder if this would be where the chemistry fizzled out after simmering too long. He’d only seen Yugi through the usual social media stalking tactics over the last few days. Would this chemistry still be at play when they met up again?

Whenever they were able to meet up again?

World’s was five months away after all. That was plenty of time for the flirting to become stale.

But if he saw Yugi sooner, would there still be that spark between them?

Atem could not be sure, but he longed to find out. He wanted to know if Yugi wanted to keep playing their little game, but to add a new dynamic to it. So far it seemed ‘duelings little darling’ was up to the challenge, but it was easy to be bold through a text. Yugi could easily shy away if they met up face to face and Atem came in as hot as he felt.

And he really did feel hot now.

His skin itched and felt warm all over, and he felt as though he could go out an run laps around the stadium for all the pent up energy he had thrumming through him. He’d just finished a match hours ago, he should be exhausted and wanting nothing more than a nap and a snack. But instead, he wanted to move. His leg bounced restlessly in place as his phone vibrated again, startling him from his thoughts.

He grabbed for it quickly, thinking it was another text from Yugi. But instead, Marik’s number flashed across the screen. Curious, if not a little disappointed, Atem opened it.

The Loud Ishtar: Hey, a bunch of the duelists in town are renting out a VIP lounge at a club in the city. I put your name on the invite list if you wanted to join us. No outside people, fans, or reporters allowed, I promise! Scouts honor!

Me: You were a scout?

The Loud Ishtar: ....'former museum assistant curator’s honor' just doesn’t have the same ring, you know? Anyway, I’ll ping you the address and time if you decide to come!

Me: I’ll think about it.

But there was truly nothing to think about. Atem was already jumping up from the chair to leap over to the clothes that Mana had hung up in the closet as he prayed that he had remembered to pack something that wasn’t dueling attire.

Chapter Text

“I don’t like this.”

“You never do.”

“But you never go hang out with other duelists.”

“I am aware.”

“You always said that you don’t like to drink before a match.”

“I didn’t say I was going to drink, I said I was going out to a club.”

“Clubs have alcohol.”

“They also have a dancefloor.”

“You don’t dance.”

“Exactly, so I will not be using that either. And when did I suddenly gain two mothers looking out for me?” Atem asked, turning to face the two other occupants of his room. He was busying himself with buttoning up one of his nicer dress shirts that was usually reserved for post-duel interviews, but he left off the tie and the top two buttons undone to dress it down. He rather liked the finished look once he checked the mirror behind where Mahad was standing with his arms crossed. Mana was lingering at his side looking confused and a little worried.

“It’s just weird, Atem. You never accept invitations to go out,” Mana pressed, and Atem walked by her to grab a pair of his boots to slide on.

“First time for everything, I suppose,” he commented absently as he laced them up.

A shadow fell over him and Atem looked up to see Mahad leaning over him, eyes narrowed, “I shall accompany you.”

Atem shook his head as he walked over to the dresser to scoop up his room key and wallet, “Nope. Marik said this was duelists only. I’ll just have the hotel call me a cab to get there, and I’ll carpool with another duelist coming back. I’ll be perfectly safe.”

“But you will call for me to get you if anything comes up?”

Atem nodded, fiddling with his hair in the mirror to make sure the elastic was keeping everything in place, “I will call you if I need to be picked up early because the other kids were mean, or if someone tries to peer pressure me into drinking, Mother.”

Mahad sighed, but he didn’t continue to fight it. ‘Duelists only’ meant there wouldn’t be fans or media to fight off inside, and it was probably the only reason he wasn’t tying Atem down to the hotel bed to prevent him from leaving. And how odd was it that Atem believed he truly would do that if that weren’t the case?

He shrugged to himself and pulled away from the mirror, stretching out his arms before the other two, “Alright, how do I look?”

The two of them tilted their heads in unison.

“Uh, nice,” Mana offered with a meek thumbs up.

“Vulnerable,” Mahad offered next.

Atem rolled his eyes at the two of them, “I’ll text you when I’m back here so you can stop fretting. And please don’t wait in my room, I’m just going to sleep when I’m back.”

He ducked out before he could hear their replies, denials, refusals, or whatever else they may have pending for him. He was already fashionably late, but there was no need to stick around any longer. Not if he wanted to arrive before people started to trickle out for the night.

Even duelists had bedtimes, especially during a tournament.

As he waited for the cab outside, Atem pulled out his phone to pull up the last text he’d sent to Yugi.

Little Darling: Big match tomorrow. Feeling ready?

Me: I’m always ready, darling.

His thumb hovered over the text box for a moment, debating asking him if Marik had invited him. But just as quickly he swiped the conversation window away and stuffed his phone back in his pocket before he could do something stupid. Well, more stupid than going out to a club the night before a match.

But already the cool air on his skin was easing the itch he’d felt stuck in his room. And the prospect of maybe catching Yugi outside of a closet for once was too tempting to ignore.

Still, he would not text Yugi to ask if he was going. Atem still had some pride after all. And he would not ask Marik either, because that may be breaking the unspoken rules in their little game. Although perhaps Marik would assume it was to avoid Yugi rather than hunt him down...

Atem shook his head of the thought, no. He would not ask. He wanted to get out of the hotel, and this granted him that freedom. Whether Yugi was there or not would not make any difference. None.

He slid into the cab as it pulled up to the curb, and tried to convince himself that he was going to have a good time there regardless of who showed.

Marik was efficient in his planning it seemed, because as soon as the cab pulled up a bouncer at the door was there to greet him and escort him inside. He was led right past the general crowd on the lower level, and up a set of spiral stairs that took him up to the VIP lounge that had been rented out.

It was a nice area too. The floors didn’t even seem sticky, and there was a bar set up, a private dance floor and many lounging areas that were already occupied by many of the duelists.

It must help that the Ishtar’s came from wealth if Marik’s little ‘get together’ involved private areas to relax in. Atem felt his shoulders relax some, feeling comfortable that he wasn’t about to be swarmed by media or fans.

He pulled out his phone and shot off a quick text to Mahad.

Me: Don’t wait up. Everything is fine here.

He didn’t bother to wait for the reply before stuffing his phone away again and sliding up to the bar. He quickly ordered something basic and non-alcoholic, still sticking to his usual pre-match routine. Just by coming here he’d already shaken up that routine more than ever before, no reason to shake it like a can of soda until it exploded in his face.

It wasn’t long until someone walked up beside him, but at least it was just Marik.

“Hey, you actually came!” Marik said, a hand on his mouth in mock surprise.

Atem shrugged, sipping at his drink, “I needed to get out for a bit.”

Marik’s smile was beaming, although Atem was half certain it was still leftover from his own win earlier that day. It seemed Marik would be facing Akefia in his own semi-final match tomorrow, while Atem took on his sister. This was further than the kid had ever come before, no wonder he was so happy.

“Well, make yourself comfortable. They’ve got good food here too if you’re hungry, and, oh, I forgot to warn you,” he said, looking sheepish and Atem immediately tensed up, wondering if coming here was a bad idea after all, “I invited Yugi along as well, because I didn’t think you’d actually show up. I mean, I’m glad you did! But don’t worry, I’ve already got it handled. He’s hanging with Jounouchi, and my friend Ryou will play interference if needed. He’s really good at keeping the peace. Can’t have you two brawling before your match tomorrow, right?” he asked with a wink.

Atem’s body stiffened as his head began to swivel around the lounge. It didn’t take him long to spot the wild tangle of hair off in one of the corners of the room. Like Marik had said, there were two people with him, the three of them leaning on a shared table. He caught sight of Yugi’s face just as it broke out into a laugh that was drowned out by the pulsing music of the club. When he opened his eyes, it looked like the kid startled, having somehow managed to spot Atem across the crowded room.

Somewhere through the din he knew Marik was still talking to him, but it was through a muted filter as he stared openly across the room.

For a moment, Atem didn’t breathe, because Yugi truly looked breathtaking. All dark clothes that should have made him blend in with the dim room, but somehow it only just made his eyes stand out even more.

He felt his heart begin to race and his skin felt heated. It seemed that for Atem at least, the flicker of something he’d begun to feel back in the arena closet had not gone out. A flicker that was being kindled into a flame since they’d begun their more playful flirting through text.

He knew without a doubt now that he wanted their little game to advance to another level entirely. He wanted Yugi. He wanted him in the arena, and wanted him in his bed. If Yugi could be this thrilling with what little they’d done so far, he could only imagine what it would be like to explore him in a new dynamic.

But did Yugi want him back? He was reasonably certain that Yugi was attracted to him, and was flirting openly. But would he want to go beyond that?

Atem tested the waters by lifting a curious brow in Yugi’s direction while holding a sly grin that he knew worked in a sultry way after using it for many magazine shoots. Yugi noticed instantly, his usual blush spreading quickly over the bridge of his nose.

He thought Yugi would duck away, or turn back to his friends and ignore him, but instead a lightning quick wink was sent over to him that went straight to his groin.

Now that flicker from before was positively ablaze.

“Like I said, don’t worry. Yugi seems like a sweet kid when you get to know him. You just stick to this side of the room and it’ll be like he isn’t even here. Come on, I want you to meet some of the new duelists,” Marik said, his voice just coming back into focus, and he began to tug Atem along by his sleeve.

His feet may have moved to follow Marik, but his neck was craned around to keep sight of Yugi’s retreating back until a group of people blocked the view. The last glimpse he caught was of Yugi straining his own neck to follow where he went.

So, Yugi was looking for him too it seemed. This pleased Atem more than it should. They could have fun with this.

The next two hours became the strangest game of hide and seek that Atem had ever taken part in. Or perhaps depending on who you were talking to, it could have been a game of keep away if one were to ask Marik and Ryou what the rules were.

Atem would be dragged around by Marik to greet several other pods around the room of gathered duelists. Atem would half engage in whatever the conversation was, while his eyes trailed over the crowd of the room until he spied spiked hair. He’d smirk over the rim of his glass when he saw Yugi catch his eye. The two of them would angle themselves or shuffle position to try and catch another look, slowly creeping closer until their imposed guardian of the evening would notice and shepherd them off to a new corner, and the game started anew.

It was almost comical how desperately everyone was trying to keep the two supposed rivals apart. Atem was pretty sure he heard Ryou’s yelp over the music when Atem and Yugi had managed to come within a ten-foot distance of each other, and then nearly tripped over his own feet to shoo the younger duelist back towards the bar.

He knew Yugi was having fun too, because he could see that mischievous glint in his eyes even across the dark room. His face practically glowed under the strobed lights, and each time he caught Yugi staring at him there was a hint of pink peeking out from under carefully painted eyes.

But it was getting late, and as much fun as he was having, and as much as Atem wanted to continue to play...he found himself wanting something more stimulating than this.

Yugi must have felt the same, because a few second later his phone vibrated.

He smirked seeing who it was and he turning his body to block anyone from seeing the message as he popped it open.

Little Darling: Isn’t it past your bedtime?

Me: Isn’t it past yours? Or do you need someone to tuck you in?

Little Darling: You know, I might just need that. You offering?

Atem was grinning, feeling molten heat pooling in his belly as he typed out his next reply.

Me: I suppose I could be of service. Want to go someplace private then?”

Little Darling: I dunno, I didn’t see any closets when I came in 😉

Me: How about my room then?

It was bold, but so was Yugi despite the sweet little exterior he played up in interviews. Even so, Atem held his breath until the reply finally came through.

Little Darling: ...yeah, I’m game for that.

Atem let out a shaky breath as his skin began to itch for another reason entirely now.

Me: Good. I’ll send you the hotel and room number. And cover that remarkable hair of yours. Wouldn’t want anyone to recognize you, right?

Little Darling: *salutes* yes, sir!

It wasn’t hard to shake off Marik after that, claiming he wanted to get some rest before the match tomorrow. Across the room he imagined Yugi would be claiming he was tired or had a headache. Whatever would get him away without suspicion.

Atem headed downstairs and had the bouncer escort him to a cab, and then ducked inside.

Chapter Text

Once inside the cab as it pulled away, Atem felt the beginning of nerves cut into what should have been only a burning blaze of excitement and anticipation.

He managed to send a text to Mahad telling him to clear out from his room if he hadn’t already because he was on his way back. Sober, and unharmed.

That was one less thing to worry about at least.

And he could at least not worry about the actual act once they were both there. While it had been far too long since he’d allowed himself the luxury of another person in his bed, he was fairly confident in his skill set there. He wouldn’t allow Yugi to see anything other than his peak performance anyway.

He tapped his fingers over his knee as the drive to the hotel passed painfully slow, and giving his mind too much time to think. Or overthink, as it was.

However, he could not help but worry about whatever this was that he and Yugi were doing. They’d agreed upon fucking with the media, not with each other. Their game was evolving quickly and Atem worried with no set rules in place things could get messy fast.

But damn if he wanted Yugi bad enough that he didn’t really care about rules right now. He just hoped that this wouldn’t be something they both regretted. Or worse, it ended the fun they’d found playing this game with each other. Atem didn’t want to lose that seeing how it had become his reason for getting out of his empty bed each day, for hitting the arena for training. He felt more alive now than he had in years.

All because of one stunning, intriguing young man falling into his life.

The door to the cab pulled open, startling Atem from his thoughts as he realized he had arrived at the hotel. Atem stepped out and hurried up to his room, his eyes darting around to make sure there were no reporters or suspicious people around that Yugi may bump into when he arrived. Thankfully, he saw none.

Mahad would be so proud of him for checking though.

It was late enough the lobby was mostly empty save for the yawning concierge at the desk, so Atem went to the elevator to take him up.

Images of what this night could become flashed through his mind on the way up, bringing that hot ache back from where it had gone cold with doubts. He could not help wonder what Yugi would be like in this kind of setting. Would he be sweet and bashful like he was during those interviews? Or would he be as confident and bold like he was in his duels? Maybe even playful and mischievous like he had been through their texts and their few interactions thus far?  

Or would he be a stunning mix of all of that? Because Yugi was anything but one dimensional it seemed, and constantly was surprising Atem at every turn of their game.

Atem dove into his room and made quick work of checking over everything to make sure there was nothing out of place that would detract from the mood. Then he dove for one of his bags and began to unzip all the pockets, all the while wondering if Mana still had a lingering faith in...

Ah ha!

Atem grinned as he found the packed lube and condoms inside. Clearly Mana was due for another raise. Although he had to wonder how she knew what size to get...

He dove for the bathroom next to freshen up as much as he could, and for a self-check to make sure he was ‘camera ready’ for Yugi. He had his title as sexiest duelist to maintain, after all.

He’d rushed through it all so quickly that he was breathing hard by the time he ended up standing in the middle of the room, wondering how much longer he’d have to wait.

It had already been too long. He wished he could have just dragged Yugi out of the club by that ridiculous collar he wore and shoved him into a cab together, so he could already be enjoying getting his fill of the younger man. It was only the risk of being caught that kept him from doing that, or worse, like dragging him to a stall in the club bathroom. Or actively trying to find a closet, as per their special tradition.

But no. He couldn’t risk it. He couldn’t risk this. The life he lived had already stolen, broken, or tarnished so many things over the years, he could not let them have this too. He wanted Yugi for himself still. They could fuck off and keep believing they hated each other so that he could enjoy this little secret with Yugi as long as they could drag this out for.

The last thing Atem did was move over to the wide window his hotel suite had and make sure the curtains were closed firmly, and even used the clips on a hangar to make sure they stayed that way. This would not be like that night on his patio.

This night was for them, and them alone.

Somewhat satisfied, Atem stepped away. Just as he began to wonder if Yugi’s common sense had kicked in and wasn’t coming, he heard the knock at the door.

His heart leapt to his throat, and he felt some nerves trying to make their presence known...but Atem had been dueling for most of his life, and bashed down those nerves easily as if they were nothing more than measly level one monsters. Then he let his excitement override his doubts as he moved to the door and pulled it open.

And he laughed when he saw what Yugi was wearing on the other side of the door.

Was that a Dark Magician themed sweatshirt? Shaped hood and all?

“Hey, you’re the one who said I needed to cover my hair. I had to buy this off of someone in the club because I didn’t think to bring a disguise with me when Marik invited me over for a party,” Yugi whispered, glancing up and down the hall for anyone watching.

Atem tried to muffle his chuckles with a fist before taking pity on him and reached for the sleeve, “Look at you getting all dressed up for me. You look lovely. Like I said earlier, purple suits you.”

“I’d still really like to take it off now. You going to let me in?” Yugi asked.

Atem smirked and used the grip he already had on Yugi to drag him inside and closed the door, locking it for good measure.

Yugi was looking around and let out a low, impressed whistle, slipping out of the sweatshirt as he moved, “Wow, they set you up with some fancy digs.”

Atem smirked, leaning up against the wall, hands in his pockets, taking in the view, “Pays to be King, I suppose.”

Yugi glanced over his shoulder, a grin in place as he draped the purple abomination over a chair, leaving him once again in the dark clothes he’d chosen for the night. Now Atem could appreciate him openly, drinking in the sight of every lean line, dip and curve that the tight clothes did wonders to accentuate.

The heat was building quickly again, despite his earlier worries.

He could see it echoed in Yugi’s eyes as they met his from only a few paces away.

Those expressive eyes narrowed in a way that Atem had come to recognize from watching Yugi’s dueling videos. It was the face he made when he was trying to read an opponent’s strategy.

Yugi hummed thoughtfully, turning to face Atem fully, “I bet it does. I gotta say though, I didn’t expect you to be out with the peasants tonight. Marik was telling me and Jounouchi that you never went for those kinds of things just before you showed up and shocked everyone tonight. It makes me wonder, what made you come out tonight when you never have before?” he asked, and Atem knew a probing question when he heard them thanks to years dealing with reporters.

But he didn’t feel the need to immediately deflect or hide his real reason from Yugi in this case. Besides, the kid was too clever for his own good any probably already knew. Probably because Yugi was here for the same reason.

Atem shrugged, pushing off from the wall to prowl over to where Yugi stood. With each step closer he took, he watched Yugi’s eyes darken as the purple irises thinned to slits, his desire showing in those far too large eyes.

“I was looking for something, I suppose,” Atem said as he came to a stop in front of Yugi, close enough that their chests could have touched if they breathed too deeply. He reached up to stroke his knuckles down the side of Yugi’s face.

“Oh? Did you find it?” Yugi asked coyly, leaning into the touch.

“Perhaps. Still waiting to see,” Atem answered with a grin, “Tell me, did you want to have some fun, darling?”

Yugi tilted his chin up, either to move their faces closer together or in an open show of challenge, Atem did not know for sure, but he loved how it made a thrill run through him that he could only liken to skydiving.

“Why else would I be here?” came the simple words, and that was all it took to spark Atem’s passion into a burning inferno.

They crashed together in a heated press of bodies and lips, days of flirting finally escalating to physical touch that burned in the best way.

He didn’t know who reached for the other first, but Atem wasted no time trying to figure out who was the victor when he finally had his arms and hands full of the person he’d been fixated on for months now.

And wasn’t he quite the handful.

There was nothing shy or reserved about the way that Yugi bit at his lip and dug his fingers into Atem’s shoulders. Just as there was nothing gentle or timid in the way that Atem gripped Yugi’s hips in place as they rubbed against one another.

It was glorious, and not just because it had been too hellishly long since he’d last gotten to enjoy another’s touch. But because he could feel the electric passion in Yugi that he felt coursing through himself. Yugi was just as eager and excited for this as he was.

He could almost taste the answering desperation as their tongues met, and hear it in how quick his panting breaths were. Like he’d been aching for this just as long as Atem had. He purred at the thought that he’d been making Yugi just as riled up these last few weeks and he’d been. That maybe the younger duelist had as many lustful thoughts and dreams staring him. That their little flirting chats on the phone had left him aching for more.

And now that Atem had a taste of what their game could become, he wasn’t about to lose it.

The bed was too far in that moment, so the wall would have to do. Atem wanted to know Yugi was trapped in place at his mercy. He couldn’t let this little treasure escape him now.

He let out a low growl as he tightened his grip on Yugi’s hips and turned them until he could press Yugi’s back against the wall to hold him in place. Shirts were shed soon after, and Atem was able to feast upon the stunning sight of all the lovely lines and panes that made up Yugi’s form.

Atem preened when he saw the answering hungered gaze when he pulled away the fabric from his own chest, and Yugi took in the chiseled look that too many days at the gym had granted him. But he didn’t get to admire Atem too long, because soon he was being pressed back up against the wall by all the muscle he’d been staring at.

“We are going to have so much fun tonight, darling,” he promised between nips of Yugi’s lips. Oh, how lovely his skin felt, all soft and warm, just like Yugi’s smiles. Just like his lips. Just like how Atem felt inside when they were close.

“Oh yeah?” Yugi grinned, that glint shining through his eyes once again.

Atem hummed his promise as he carded his hands through Yugi’s hair until it curled to a fist at the base of his neck, and he force Yugi’s head to tilt to give him a better playing field to work with. Only to be met with something blocking his way.

He flicked at the obstruction at his neck with a grin, “I have to ask, why the collar?”

A soft blush was painted over Yugi’s cheeks from their activity up until now, and it deepened as he shyly looked away, “Well, at first it was because it made it harder for bullies in school to pick me up by my neck...but it kind of grew on me and I think it looks cool. Goes with the vibe of clothing I’ve adapted to wearing too.”

So Mahad was on to something when he mentioned the origin of spiked collars being to protect the wearer. For some reason it made Atem sad to think that Yugi had spent his childhood protecting himself against bullies, only to have to face them in an all new way in adulthood now that the media had dug their claws into him. Maybe Yugi’s choice to keep the collar now went beyond aesthetic and was something deeper.

He sighed, and traced his thumb over it as Yugi craned his neck further to the side, so sweetly offering up the skin there.

“It suits you, but right now it is in my way,” Atem tugs at it gently and Yugi laughs as he unbuckled it and tossed it to the floor with no hesitation. Showing he didn’t feel the need to protect himself from Atem. It surprised him, but he didn’t let his shock slow him.

Atem dived on him like a starved animal, feasting on the exposed flesh. Instantly he was met with musical sounding moans in his ear and hands tracing up and down his back.

“Shit, Atem, oh,” he gasped when he felt Atem’s hands trail lower from his hips...taking the hem of his pants with them.

“I’d like to taste you,” Atem whispered, pausing just before the waistline would pass over those darling little jutted hip bones.

“Yes,” Yugi breathed, and wiggled his hips just enough that Atem was able to slide the tight jeans the rest of the way off of him to be kicked away with the collar.

Instantly Atem fell to his knees and gripped at those slender hips once more, taking in the sight of Yugi’s arousal for the first time.

“I knew it,” he said with a grin, peering up at Yugi who stared down.

“What?” he asked impatiently, the flush on his cheeks now reaching down to his heaving chest.

Atem kept grinning as he leaned in closer, “Your cock is as pretty as the rest of you,” he said, just before taking Yugi whole in his mouth.

He was relentless with his ministrations, sucking hard like it was the only way to pull more of those delectable sounds for Yugi’s throat, and holding those hips so tightly as if anyone would ever dare to pull away from pleasure such as this.

“Oh, oh. That feels so good, oh fuck,” Yugi babbled, his hands fisted in Atem’s hair.

He smirked when he felt Yugi’s knees shake against his chest and knew that he’d have to stop here before the fun ended too soon. He gifted Yugi with one more long drag along the entire length before pulling away with a wet pop.

Yugi’s eyes were shut as he panted, and Atem drank in the sight feeling victorious for another reason tonight. But they hadn’t finished just yet.

Slowly he ran his hands up Yugi’s hips as he rose, sliding them along the creamy skin until he could cup under that delicate jaw, pulling Yugi into a deep, hungry kiss to steal what little air Yugi had left in him.

“Your move,” Atem said as he pulled away, and he heard a small whimper fall from Yugi’s lips as he chased after Atem’s retreating mouth.

“Uh, b-bed. I think we should move to the bed,” Yugi said, still catching his bearings after having what appeared to be half his life points sucked out from his cock.

“Mmm, excellent choice,” Atem mumbled, and scooped his hands under Yugi’s shapely bottom and hoisted him up against his chest. Instantly Yugi’s arms and legs wrapped around him, and he took full advantage of the position to force their mouths together again.

Even with his view substantially blocked by the action, Atem still managed to walk them both over to the bed without incident. All the while fully enjoying Yugi’s hungry mouth upon his own.

He lay Yugi down and stepped back just enough to appreciate the view of this stunning thing laid out before him. They may not have been his fancy sheets back in his apartment, but that did little to detract from how incredible the sight of Yugi spread out under him was.

And to think so many thought he could hate a lovely thing like this...

Yugi’s eyes were half lidded as he reached up to begin tracing his hands over Atem’s chest, feeling the ridges and tracing over pebbled nipples. His eyes were glazed over, lost in what Atem hoped was passion. Each sweet little touch of his hands was driving him to the brink of taking what he wanted now, rather than waiting for Yugi to make his move.

But he held back and shivered under the curious touches as he waited his turn.

It took a bit longer before Yugi seemed to reach some sort of decision, but Atem knew it was coming because the glaze of his eyes was replaced with that glint again, and it made his own cock twitch with eager anticipation.

Those eyes snapped up to meet Atem’s, sharpening into something hungry and lustful as he used a foot to push Atem off of him.

“Pants off,” Yugi demanded as he crawled backwards, further up the bed.

Atem obeyed without question, turning away to shuck them off and kicked them away along with his boxers. He allowed a three count to pass to let Yugi ogle his ass that he’d admired during the match earlier that day, and then turned back to him.

Yugi’s eyes widened comically upon seeing him.

“Holy...Atem, what the hell? That thing could be a monster in your deck!” he said, gaping down where Atem’s cock stood proudly and ready for whatever was next.

Atem preened looking down at himself proudly, “Oh, you think so? If it was they would certainly need to rethink the tv ratings for televised tounrmanets. You’re not scared, are you?” he asked, brow cocked teasingly at him.

Yugi looked up...and down at him dubiously, “Not scared, I love a challenge and all. Just let me put my ass in defense mode, I guess,” he chuckled nervously.

Atem laughed and jerked his chin over to the bedside table where Mana’s kindly packed supplies were waiting. He crawled up the bed over Yugi, ducking his head down to begin nipping and licking at the tantalizing collar bone there for the taking.

So that was the game Yugi wanted to play next. Atem had only dared to hope they may be able to do something this tonight. The tip of the rollercoaster sent his stomach rolling in a thrilling drop and it urged him to lavish even more attention on the sweet young thing under him, willing to share himself so intimately so fast. Yugi truly was something else.

Quickly those little whimpers and moans started to fall from the plush lips again, stoking an already raging inferno of heat in his cock.

“Can I help?” Atem asked, his voice roughened by the lust that was quickly taking over the room again after Yugi got out of his shock.

A stuttered breath escaped from Yugi’s mouth before he clicked it shut and nodded eagerly, slapping the items he’d grabbed into Atem’s hand.

For all his own desire to hurry this along to get to the blissful euphoria that Atem just knew he’d find fucking into Yugi, he had seen the light trepidation in his eyes when he first saw the size of him. Enough people had handled Yugi too roughly of late, and Atem did not want to count himself among them. He’d be gentle. This time anyway. Because already he knew he wanted a second round of this. Maybe even a third.

Yugi laid out on his back was probably the best way to go about this, so Atem crawled up between those legs that parted so sweetly for him as he drew near. How Yugi could be this open and vulnerable after what he’d been through lately was beyond Atem’s comprehension, but he was grateful for it all the same.

And he would not do a damn thing to make Yugi regret this.

He slicked up his fingers and while he waited for the liquid to warm, he used his other hand to slowly caress up the perfectly smooth thigh in smooth strokes, getting closer to his goal with each pass. He felt Yugi shiver under the touch.

“It will be impossible to take my eyes off you in the arena after seeing you like this,” Atem whispered, letting his free hand dance over the gentle dip of skin until he could run his hands over that oh so pretty cock.

“It was already impossible to look away from you before this. You’re always so incredible out there. I should have known it would translate to here too,” Yugi said, and then sucked in a sharp breath when Atem’s fingers ghosted over his entrance.

“You have not seen anything yet, darling,” Atem whispered, and pressed in the first finger.

Yugi tensed at the intrusion, but only for a second before he turned to putty in his hands and he moaned out something heavenly to Atem’s ears.

He worked him as thoroughly as he could with one until he felt Yugi’s hips impatiently pressing down for more, and he allowed a second to be added with little to no fuss.

But for however hard he was trying to focus on the task, literally at hand, it was rather hard to with Yugi’s clever little hands seemingly everywhere . Trailing up Atem’s thighs, tracing the ridges of his abs and the dip of his hip bone, brushing over his nipples, stroking at his...

“ Shit, ah, ” Atem gasped, jutting his cock up as Yugi stroked at it long and slow.

“You’re awfully distracting, you know that?” Atem teased, wiggling his fingers within Yugi and making his squirm against the sheets.

Yugi pouted, bouncing down more pushily on them when he stopped again, “And you’re awfully slow.”

“Then stop distracting me,” Atem chuckled, pressing in a third finger and watching Yugi’s pout burst open his lips in a pleasured gasp. The wandering hand fell away from his own cock, but it was fine only because Atem knew that something much better was coming next.

It was only once Yugi had all but been rendered liquid under him that he deemed him ready and pulled out his fingers.

Yugi whined but Atem hushed him as he got himself ready.

“Patience, darling. I’ve got you,” he said as he finished and moved up further between Yugi’s spread legs. Oh, what a wonderful place to be he was coming to think.

Tenderly, Atem lifted Yugi’s legs to a bend on either side of his hips and pulled him closer until their skin met and he could feel the head of his cock brush against that soft skin. He lifted one bent knee up until he could press an open-mouthed kiss to the inside of the milky thigh there and sucked just the hint of a mark into the skin.

His gaze flicked up to catch Yugi’s dilated eyes and saw him nod once before he pushed his hips down against Atem’s arousal. A silent pleading to start.

Atem lined himself up and pressed forward in a slow thrust until he felt the tip breech and then froze as the tight feeling enveloped him. He leaned forward over Yugi to place his mouth over the other’s to swallow the anticipated gasp of discomfort in exchange for something sweeter. He let his tongue lap at the inside of Yugi’s mouth as he pulled him away from the tense burn, and let their noses brush together sweetly.

Atem’s eyes were open the entire time as he watched Yugi’s face carefully. His legs shook with the restraint, and he felt his cock pulse with impatience, but he waited until the small frown eased from between Yugi’s brows before slowly beginning to rock himself in deeper. Each thrust easing him in deeper, and that feeling of bliss was getting closer.

At first Yugi made small gasps and whimpering noises that went straight to his cock as he eased in, but as soon as Atem became fully sheathed inside of that wonderous tight heat, he let out a choked moan that sent a shiver of pleasure down his spine.

The two of them were pressed so close now and Atem turned his head so he could bite and suck another mark into the lee of Yugi’s neck. Right where the collar would cover when he put it back on tomorrow. His own version of armor, the armor that Atem had somehow had been allowed to see beneath.

“A-atem. Oh, move please!” Yugi begged, his hands coming up to cling at Atem’s shoulders where his black painted nails dug in sharply. Atem could only hope that they left marks of their own tomorrow.

“So polite, darling. How can I say no to that?” he praised and sharply bucked his hips forward, making them both cry out at the sudden intense feedback from it. Atem wanted it to just be teasing, but it just felt so good that he couldn’t stop after that. Nothing could stop him from wanting to seek out more of those marvelous shocks of pleasure now, and he began to move without abandon into Yugi’s pliant body beneath him.

The bed began to shake under them and Atem shifted his feet to gain more traction, and it changed the angle of his thrusts just enough that he hit that spot inside of Yugi, making him sing out in a sharp cry of ecstasy.

“Oh, you feel amazing. Fuck, Atem, ah! Oh, harder, please,” Yugi gasped in his ear, and Atem found that he could not deny that sweet voice anything. He was clawing at Atem’s back, his slender legs squeezing around Atem’s waist tighter with each thrust, trapping him in place.

As if he’d ever want to pull away from this little paradise he’d found in this marvel of a man.

“You keep talking like that and I won’t last very long,” Atem warned, but nothing could be done to stop the building feeling of pleasure and they chased after completion. He could feel Yugi getting closer to his own release as the legs around him began to quake. He could hear it in the heightened pitch of his voice. He could taste it in the salt of the sweat on his skin and lips.

Still, Atem did not slow as he drove himself into Yugi again and again, the slap of slick skin and the sounds continuing to fall from both their lips filled the air around them and bounced off the walls.

“You feel wonderful on my cock, darling. Oh, I could stay inside you forever,” he panted, feeling the desperate build of pressure within him as he edged closer. It was impressive he could even form words, let alone complete sentences for how lost he was in this moment. Yugi had seemingly lost the ability to voice anything beyond cries of pleasure as he clung to Atem desperately.

Then the limbs around him clenched impossibly tighter, and Yugi shouted out as he reached his climax. The walls of muscle around Atem’s cock tightened too, gripping him and sending him careening over his own edge and plummeting into his own orgasm that stole the breath from his lungs as his own mouth dropped open in a silent scream.

He barely managed a handful more thrusts to ride it out before he felt Yugi go slack under him, and Atem followed in a limp heap on top of him.

Atem just barely caught himself on shaking arms from crushing the smaller body under him, but all the same he could feel Yugi’s narrow chest heaving against his own and feel the warm puffs of breath against his cheek as they came down from their blissful high.

Only once his head was no longer spinning and he was half caught up on oxygen intake, Atem weakly lifted his head to place a wet kiss upon Yugi’s sweaty brow and pulled out. He felt more than saw the grimace against his lips, and pressed another kiss there in apology.

“Are you alright, darling?” he asked quietly as Yugi still fought to calm the erratic beating of his heart that even Atem could feel between them.

“Shit, I don’t even know. I’m not sure if I can even move my legs after that,” Yugi breathed through a light chuckle.

Atem grinned as he rolled off of him and lay on the side of the bed next to him. There was a blissed out look upon Yugi’s face that made Atem feel a warm sense of pride in him for being the one to put that look there.

“Take your time, I’ll be right back,” he said and rolled off the bed onto his own unsteady legs to slowly make his way over to the bathroom to get a towel for them.

Yugi hadn’t moved an inch by the time he made it back, and took the liberty of moving the floppy legs aside to clean Yugi up properly. The entire time Yugi watched him through half lidded eyes, watching every move Atem made as if he were trying to figure out a strategy.

Atem let him look, keeping his expression as open as someone like him could manage. Which wasn’t very, but at least he was trying.

When Yugi still seemed like he wasn’t about to move just yet, Atem allowed himself the luxury of slipping back under the sheets next to him, pressing up against his back and pulling him in close again. Still chasing more of that thrill and warmth that came from the young man.

Yugi sighed happily and twisted around after some time to face him, his eyes just barely narrowed in something akin to regret.

He reached between them to trace his thumb over the bridge of Atem’s lip.

“It’s late, and you have a match tomorrow.”

“Hm, I do. What room are you in?” Atem asked between feather light kissed he trailed up Yugi’s shoulder to his neck.

Yugi shivered under the tender touches, leaning his head once more to allow for more, “I’m not at this hotel. Mine’s past the arena.”

Past the arena? That was on the other side of town.

Atem whined low in the back of his throat and rested his chin on Yugi’s shoulder with a sigh, “Yugi, that is too far to go this late. It’s not safe,” he said, all teasing absent from his voice in light of the seriousness he felt about this.

Yugi seemed inclined to shrug it off though, trying to pull away again, “I can call a cab?”

“A cab at this hour?” Atem tutted, but truthfully, he really was concerned about Yugi leaving. He didn’t even need Mahad’s stern looks to tell him that letting Yugi go out now would be dangerous. Stupidly dangerous.

Clearly neither of them wanted their little secret exposed, but Atem didn’t think it was worth the risk to send him away now. He breathed heavily out through his nose, bumping it into the rounded curve of Yugi’s shoulder, “Stay, at least until sunrise. We can wake early so you can leave before my team gets here, and before anyone else wakes up.”

Yugi tensed up like he wanted to challenge him, but all it took was a slight tightening of his arm around Yugi’s waist for the younger man to relent with a sigh.

“Fine, but I expect room service before I leave,” Yugi said, flopping back down in the tangled sheets.

Atem chuckled and pulled him back under the covers where he could feel that lithe form pressed up against him again.

“Deal.”

Yugi became pliant once again, and willingly snuggled into his arms easily. Like they’d done this a hundred times before. His head fit just perfectly under Atem’s chin, propped up by his chest.

“Did you find what you were looking for?” Yugi asked him, his voice sleepy and muffled through a yawn, “You said before you came out tonight looking for something. Well, did you find it?”

Atem hummed as he thought, dragging his fingers through Yugi’s unruly hair, “Maybe,” he said evasively, because truthfully he still didn’t know what he was looking for when he went to the club that night. He had a few fun ideas, but nothing so concrete. And after bringing Yugi back here, he couldn’t help but think he’d found something. Just nothing he could put a name to, let alone determine if it was what he’d been looking for.

But they had both certainly had fun.

The answer seemed enough for Yugi though, because he quickly had fallen asleep there on top of him, breathing softly through sweetly parted lips.

Now that he knew Yugi was not going to try leaving tonight, Atem let himself relax back against the hotel sheets, that warm and lithe body against his own. He fell asleep faster than he could ever remember doing so before.

Chapter Text

Yugi was coming to realize that he should just stop expecting things when it came to Atem.

Like how he’d spent most of his teenaged years watching Atem’s duels, interviews, career, all of it, and expected him to be like that when it finally came time to meet him in person. Only instead of cool, aloof, and indifferent as Yugi had expected , he’d been kind, sweet, and playful. Then when Yugi had expected Atem to laugh at him and turn down his offer to play a game with the media, he’d been surprised when the other man eagerly accepted the challenge. Then when they started to interact more, Yugi had expected Atem to grow bored of their game, maybe even ignore him after a while. But instead, it almost seemed like Atem sought him out. Expect Atem to turn down a request for a phone number, instead they become texting buddies. Expect Atem to wave off Yugi’s desperate attempts at flirting, and Atem flirts back harder. Sees Atem at a party and expects to be ignored, and instead they start a game of eye fucking across the room. Somehow Yugi is gifted with the invitation back to Atem’s hotel room, and he expects a quick fuck and to be sent on his way, only to be coaxed back to bed and to be held as they slept.

And Yugi dared to expect one awkward as hell morning upon waking. Maybe an empty room with a note telling him to fuck off kindly. Or silent regret as they both waited for Yugi to get the hint and slip out without a word.

But instead, he’s greeted with a cup of coffee and a tray of food spread out over the sheets they’d danced in the night before.

“Hope you don’t mind. I was uncertain what you preferred to eat, or if you had any allergies, so I ordered a bit of everything,” Atem said with a shrug as he sat beside Yugi on the bed.

“Unless they serve bee stings for breakfast, I’m not too picky,” Yugi managed to saw through his awed gape as he took it all in. Just to give his mouth something else to do besides hang open, he grabbed the closest thing to him and shoved it in his mouth. Croissant. A really, freaking delicious croissant.  

Probably not as delicious as whatever Atem had going on in his own coffee cup though. Going off of the blissed out look on his face, Yugi half felt jealous and half considering leaving the room so Atem could have a private moment with his beverage.

Yugi eyed the long description taped to the side of the cup and marveled that they managed to fit that many words on something only a few inches long.

At least Atem had managed to slip on some silk pajama pants since waking and wasn’t nearly as distracting as he could have been. Although Yugi had to wonder if this guy lived in a gym, because he was pretty damn sure that no one got abs like that from just dueling.

Yugi remained naked under the sheets, feeling a little shy about walking across the large hotel room to find wherever his boxers had gotten tossed in their passion last night. Not all of them could live at a gym...

But wow, what a night. Yugi would have struggled to believe it was anything besides a teenaged fantasy of his if not for the sore feeling in his ass and the love bites dotting his torso. That had really happened. And it had been so good. And Atem had been sweet where Yugi would have thought he’d be ruthless, and passionate when he’d think he would have been withdrawn. He really had to stop assuming anything of Atem, because he kept proving Yugi wrong at every turn.

It made Yugi wonder if he’d ever figure him out, but damn if he didn’t love a good puzzle.

“What are you thinking about so hard this early in the morning?”

“You mean besides mentally high-fiving by my teenaged self for making it with Atem Sennen?” Yugi replied through sips of his blacker than his soul coffee that Atem had watched him drink in open mouthed horror, and then added another spoonful of sugar to his own coffee as if to make up for Yugi’s bitter atrocity.

Atem snorted into his cup before reaching for a scone, “Yes, besides that I suppose.”

Yugi shrugged, nibbling at his own pastry as he rested his arms over his knees, “I’m thinking about what I should wear as a disguise for today at the arena. Think I should chance the Dark Magician hoodie again?”

“Hmm, there may be some risk in case you were seen coming here. But, I must say, you looked ravishing wearing my signature monster,” Atem said with a wink over at him.

Yugi felt the heat from last night gather in his belly. He could tell that Atem was testing the field for any trap cards between them by the gentle flirting, and it was kind of sweet thinking that maybe he was also a little nervous about ‘the morning after’ effect dimming the strange game they’d been playing.

“Ah, so that’s the real reason you let me in your hotel room last night,” Yugi teased back, and was rewarded with Atem’s million-watt smile blinding him in the early morning light.

“That among many more reasons, I assure you,” he said, eying Yugi’s partially visible naked body as he pushed up from the bed as he finished his scone. Stretching out the lean lines of his body, he began to move around the room gathering a few things that Yugi recognized from his signature dueling style. A few belts, a nice pair of boots, sleeveless shirt, deck holster, and a few pieces of gold jewelry that Yugi knew from watching way too many duels of his would gleam against his skin perfectly.

Yugi glanced at the clock on the side table and realized that he’d have to get moving soon. He took a too large bite of his pastry and it took effort to swallow it down as he realized he hadn’t texted anyone where he’d gone last night.

“Oh my god, I can’t believe...Shit, where are my pants?” Yugi gasped, already dreading what he’d see when he found his phone which he hoped was still in the pocket.

“What’s wrong?” Atem asked, glancing over his shoulder and actually looking genuinely concerned.

“I may have forgotten to mention to my friends I wouldn’t be coming back to my room last night,” Yugi admitted.

Atem paused from where he was putting in an earring and grabbed them from the floor, tossing them over to where Yugi was on the bed still.

“Yugi, they’ll probably be worried sick over you. Mahad would have my head if I did that. Not to mention half the country’s police out searching for me,” Atem scolded, walking over to the bed. It dipped under his hip as he sat beside Yugi as the younger duelist tore through his pockets until he found the device inside.

“Yeah, well, not all of us are super world famous duelists,” Yugi mumbled absently as he began to thumb through the dozen missed calls and frankly insulting amount of texts.

Atem’s sigh was a heavy one that he imagined Mahad would be impressed by, “Yugi, you are also a world famous duelist now.”

“Yeah, but not a super one,” Yugi replied with a grin, “Besides, I only managed to slip away last night because I hinted to Jounouchi that I may have had someone waiting for me. I’m sure he held back Anzu from calling the police...for now anyway.”

He pulled up her chat first and skipped through all the threats and pleas to get to the last message.

Boss Lady: Yugi, if you don’t tell me where your scrawny little leather clad ass is by breakfast, I am calling in the big guns.

Me: You mean Gramps?

Boss Lady: Finally! There you are. And yes, Grandpa. No one knows how to shame you better than him. Now where the hell are you? The first match starts in two hours and you wanted to get there early.

Me: Hold your pretty little butt, would you? I’ll be back at the hotel in a bit. I promise I’m fine, I just forgot. Sorry about that, do you still love me?

Boss Lady: You’re lucky you’re cute.

Yugi’s phone buzzed and another new text popped up from Jounouchi.

Gamblin’ Man: Hey, Yuug! I hope whatever tail you got last night can top what Anzu will do to your ass once you get here ;D

Me: Tell her she can wait for when I’m not so sore

Gamblin’ Man: Ah, so you did have some fun then. Atta boy!

Yugi smirked and fell back against the plush pillows, tossing his phone aside with disaster mostly averted. He’d probably get a tongue lashing from Anzu later, but last night had totally been worth it.

“Did...did you tell him who you were meeting?” Atem asked warily, and the fear in his voice had Yugi finally looking over at him. At first it looked like Atem’s face was carefully blank, but there was a slightly noticeable tightening around his mouth and at the corners of his eyes. If he’d been wearing his usual kohl already, Yugi would have missed it entirely.

Yugi propped himself back up on his elbows, shaking his head, “No, I didn’t tell him about you, or us, or anything of this, ” he said, gesturing between the two of them. Yugi bit at his lip as he felt Atem’s eyes searching him for any hint of a bluff. With a sigh, Yugi reached between them until he found Atem’s clenched fist in the sheets and closed his hand over it, “I haven’t told anyone about our game, arrangement, whatever we’re calling this thing. I kind of just wanted it to be something for me, us. You know? With my whole life suddenly on display, I wanted to be a little selfish keeping something to myself, if that makes sense. Plus, it’s been fun, right?”

Atem practically deflated with relief, nodding eagerly, “Of course that makes sense. I had thought much the same. Mahad and Mana may suspect something, but I have not even told them about our arrangement. I’ve enjoyed this, ” he said, also gesturing between the two of them, “I would like to keep it going as long as you’re still game for it.”

“Of course I’m game!” Yugi grinned.

“Good, then...perhaps you’d like to try and meet me back here later tonight? After my match?” Atem asked him, and Yugi could have swooned over how eager he sounded. Atem really wanted him to come back? Was this really happening?

His mental teenaged self was squealing in joy.

Yugi would get to spend more time with the most fascinating, impressive, and sexy person he’d ever met. How the hell had the media not shown just how cool Atem really was? They were really missing out.

Yugi had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from making a fool of himself and letting himself grin madly as his face was trying to do.

“That sounds fun,” he said instead, trying not to let it show on his face how his stomach was doing happy flips inside.

Keep it cool, Mutou.

His phone buzzed again, and Yugi glanced down to see Anzu messaging again. He sighed and looked up regretfully at Atem, “I should probably get going though. You’ve got a match to prepare for, and I have a ravenously angry manager to chew me out before we head over to the arena.”

Atem laughed, pushing up from the bed to let Yugi slip out and start tugging on his clothes, dressing for his walk of shame.

“Fair enough. My team will be arriving soon in any case,” he said, and mercifully pulled on his own shirt, helping Yugi be less distracted at least.

Yugi only just managed to slip on the hoodie when suddenly hands were grabbing at the fabric and he was pulled in for a searing kiss that stole his breath and possibly half his tongue too. All too eagerly, Yugi returned it, playfully dragging his fingers through the hair that Atem had just brushed. But the older duelist didn’t seem to care, or was too distracted by his own wandering hands cupping at Yugi’s sore backside.

It was only when Yugi’s phone buzzed again that they pulled apart.

“You really have a thing for this hoodie, don’t you?” Yugi teased once he remembered what words were.

“Perhaps,” Atem said, his eyes narrowed with poorly concealed mirth, “Now, as much as I hate to send you away when you are dressed so perfectly, I have company on their way, little darling. But...you’ll watch from the stands today, yes?”

Yugi smirked as he pulled away and slipped out the door, “As if I could possibly look away.”

Yugi was still smiling as the door shut and he hurried to the elevator.

As he made his way back to his own hotel, Yugi could not help but think about the night before. About him.

What were they even doing? Yugi was not a dumb person, but he could read ‘bad idea’ all over this situation in big, blaring, neon printed lights.

But he just couldn’t bring himself to care.

Not when this was the most fun he’d had in ages. Not when he finally had something that was just his again.

Although, he did feel a little bad about keeping it secret from his friends. He never kept secrets from them before, but this wasn’t just Yugi’s secret to keep. There was something haunted about Atem and the way he spoke about how the media treated him, and it kind of scared Yugi. He was already starting to get vicious flashbacks to his days being bullied whenever fans or media started to crowd around him, and it was only getting worse as time went on. But being able to fuck with the media by having this thing with Atem was helping a bit.

Atem made him feel safe from all that in some ways. Like he got a little bit of that sense of control taken back that he’d lost when he stepped out on the scene in a big way. Heck, he’d felt safe enough with Atem that he hadn’t even hesitated to take off his collar (aka, security blanket) when Atem had wanted access to his neck.

And on top of that...Atem was someone who understood Yugi better than anyone could. Even his friends, whom he adored, couldn’t completely grasp everything he was going through because the eyes weren’t on them like they were on Yugi. This whole experience so far had been equally thrilling as it was terrifying. Winning against Kaiba was incredible and one of the best moments of Yugi’s life, right up until everything that came after it. He wasn’t ready for the level of scrutiny and attention that would follow. Just as he certainly wasn’t ready to catch the attention of his idol in the worst way possible.

Thankfully that had been resolved with their little closet run-ins though.

Atem had been through everything Yugi was going through now. They could relate to one another more than anyone else could. Yugi found that endlessly comforting...and he wondered if Atem found comfort in that too.

Because for all of how the media tried to play off Atem as unshakable, untouchable...Yugi had touched him several times now, and was starting to wonder if Atem had been just as scared and overwhelmed of all this back when he first came on the scene as Yugi was now.

And of course, there was the fun aspect of all this. Yugi adored all types of games. Cards, dice, puzzles, board, video, heck he loved them all. He supposed he could add mind games to the list now since he and Atem took on their own little play together, and it was way more fun than Yugi had thought it would be.

If Atem was this much fun off the field, Yugi couldn’t wait to catch him in the arena someday. He couldn’t imagine anyone being as exciting as this. And not just because he was the ‘King of Games’, but because of Atem himself.

Yugi would just have to make sure he kept his standings in place so he could kick ass at World’s and meet Atem in a duel. He didn’t even care about the title. He just wanted the chance to face him in their career chosen game.

Yugi got shivers just thinking about it.

And speaking of their chosen game...

Yugi jumped through the door to the hotel and immediately pulled off the hoodie before any of his friends caught him in it. He’d have to find something else embarrassing to wear today anyway.

“Well, time to go find another disguise for today. Let’s see, how much dignity do I want intact by the end of the match. Hmm...”

Chapter Text

There was no denying that the match that just concluded was an incredible one. The stadium had shook with energy as Marik managed to squeak out a win over Akefia, and it had taken thirty minutes for the cheering to stop. Even Yugi’s heart was beating faster from feeding off of the thrill of the stadium and all the fans.

But it was nothing compared to the uproar that started the moment that Atem’s name was called out for the next match of the semi-finals. He hadn’t even stepped out yet, and already his name was being chanted from the rafters, screamed out by people waving posters and flags. Not too long ago, Yugi had been in the same mindset as them. Revering Atem as the king he was in the arena. Half of Yugi’s life had been spent watching Atem Sennen’s career, and marveling over everything he did, dreaming of what it would be like to actually get to meet him in person.

Well, Yugi had met him in person several times now. More intimately than even his hormone induced fantasies could have predicted. And he felt his own surge of excitement as he watched with the thousands of others in the stands as Atem stepped out into view.

It was a far different kind of excitement for him though, although Yug struggled to define how. But he fought to keep it contained all the same. He didn’t jump to his feet like everyone around them did, but his heart seemed to jump in his chest. He didn’t scream out Atem’s name across the arena, because he’d already done that the night before in his bed.

“Wow, they really do love him,” Anzu said, glancing around at the crowd on their feet around them, “It’s kind of a shame he turned out to be so mean to Yugi.”

“Yeah, I hear you on that. Hard not to have an ego though when this is what greets you the second anyone sees your face,” Honda said, his voice raised to be heard over the ongoing chants of Atem’s name that seemed to vibrate through Yugi’s entire body.

Jounouchi growled around a mouthful of popcorn, “Whatever. We’ll see how long people keep chanting his name once Yugi here brings him down. Right, man?”

“Hmm? Oh yeah, sure,” Yugi said absently. His attention was more on the man waving up at the crowds than the crowds themselves. Atem’s face was projected on the jumbotron screen, and Yugi felt his face flush thinking how he’d kissed those lips only a few hours before.

He watched as Atem turned around, looking out over the crowds, still waving as he usually did before match start. But his eyes were just slightly narrowed, as if he was looking for something.

The screen turned to the other side of the field as Isis’ introduction was called out, and Yugi let out a steadying breath when he could no longer see his face.

Then his phone buzzed in his pocket.

King of Closets: Are you watching, pup?

Me: You need to get your eyes checked, old man. How can you miss spotting this?

Yugi grinned as he quickly snapped a selfie of his chosen get up for the day and sent it over. It had taken him a while to put it all together, and his friends had almost refused to sit with him because of it, but Yugi was proud of the outfit. It would suit his needs just fine.

The announcers were still taking their sweet time building up the crowd before match start it seemed, going over all the wins that had led to these two semi-finalists matching up. Yugi’s impatience would have reared it’s head if he’d been on the field himself, he could only imagine how Atem must feel having to wait through all the fanfare when you just wanted to duel .

“Ooh, fancy. They did a montage of the duels,” Honda cooed as the clips began to cycle through. Yugi paid them little mind as his phone buzzed again.

King of Closets: After seeing that photo, I may just have to get them checked. Are you trying to blind people?

Me: What? You telling me this isn’t sexier than the DM hoodie?

King of Closets: I’ll tell you when my vision clears.

Me: It’s all part of my strategy. I figure if I dress like this, I’ll be too cringe for anyone to look at me long enough to identify me. Besides, I like a splash of color now and then.

King of Closets: That is not a ‘splash’, darling. It is a deluge.

Me: Depends on one’s perspective

King of Closets: Or severity of colorblindness.

Yugi snorted and had to cover the sound by pretending to cough. The montage on the screen closed out with images of the two finalists in a duel stance before fading out to black and the announcer began to hype the crowd up again as the lights shifted to the field.

King of Closets: I believe I have actually managed to spot you among several thousand people. I’d be impressed if I wasn’t so horrified.

Me: That was also part of my strategy. Now you know I’m here watching, like I promised.

King of Closets: That you are. Now pay close attention, little darling. This is how the big boys play. I want you good and ready for World’s.

Me: O . O

Yugi didn’t really need to be told to watch, because from the second Atem was let onto the field and the life point counter filled the screen, he wasn’t even sure he blinked.

Half his life had been spent watching Atem duel on TV, and nothing could compare to seeing him in person. He was a master of his craft, there was no denying that. Yugi was in awe from the time he was ten and still felt his mouth gape open as he watched each carefully crafted move and gesture. Pure artistry, and damn was it hot to watch. The gold bands Atem always wore on his arms caught the sunlight as he swept his arm out on a draw, and his fingers that had played with Yugi so skillfully the night before were elegant and swift as he laid out a monster in defense mode.

Yugi didn’t dare look away with each move, soaking it all in, but also because he swore he saw Atem’s head turn towards where Yugi was in the stands a few times. Almost as if he was checking to make sure Yugi was still there, still watching.

Almost like he was showing off for him.

A whole arena of fans, and Atem was playing for Yugi’s attention more than theirs.

Why the hell did this feel like foreplay?

Yugi swallowed when his throat suddenly felt dry, and his hands shook a little as he blindly sent out a commentary text to Atem’s phone to read later. Atem seemed to like hearing his thoughts about the matches after all. And it had so far been a good excuse to lure him into chatting at first. Now it was just another thing they did. Not that Yugi was complaining, he was just having trouble focusing on texting with his brain misfiring off signals as he tried to will his libido into believing this was not the time to be turned on.

“Hey guys, look at this. Looks like they caught him on his phone again,” Anzu said, barely breaking Yugi’s attention from the field as Isis managed to pull a trap card out of her ass.

Yugi hid a smirk behind his cup as he took a sip, eyes still not leaving the field. It must have been his texts to Atem that had caught the camera’s attention again. Honestly though, the memes had been pretty funny after that first pic went viral. And nobody knew except the two of them why or who Atem was smiling at.

Honda and Jounouchi leaned over to look down at Anzu’s phone where she was scrolling through the tournament’s hashtag feed.

“Woah, is that...I didn’t know he knew how to laugh,” Jounouchi said, sounding stunned enough that Yugi risked looking away from the field to peek over at the screen too.

He felt something lurch inside of his chest when he saw Atem’s face in the photo. Yugi had seen him smile and chuckle a few times now, and even caught a few real laughs shared between them. It hadn’t really caught him off guard before when they’d both just been enjoying the moment. But seeing his face captured like this...it put it in a different perspective. For someone who couldn’t even walk out his front door without being captured on camera, Yugi could not think of any other time he’d ever seen Atem’s face so happy. It made him look years younger, and even more stunning to Yugi’s eyes.

And all because of something they’d said in a text.

Honda gasped in awe, “Wow, for all the years we’ve been watching that guy, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him do more than smirk, and now he’s been caught smiling and laughing  in the same week.”

Anzu hummed, sounding more thoughtful than surprised, “Maybe for once the media is right and he’s been texting someone special before his duels.”

Jounouchi laughed harshly, slapping his knee, “As if! Sennen is known as the biggest playboy in all of dueling. There isn’t any way someone could rope him in when he obviously could have anyone he wanted. Panties fall and mouths drop every time he walks by a crowd. He probably just saw a funny cat pic or something. Don’t think about it too hard, Anzu.”

“Hm, I guess you’re right. We’ve seen how the media can make a mountain out of an ant hill, right?” she said with a wry chuckle, and tucked her phone away again.

Yugi’s gaze shifted back to the field, just in time to see Atem’s head swivel towards their section in the stands again. With the stadium as big as it was, there was no real way for Yugi to know for sure, but he swore he could see the playful smirk on his lips even without the jumbotron projecting to millions of viewers over the world.

His stomach released a flock of butterflies as he caught the glance his way, and once again Yugi became transfixed on the duel.

Isis was doing her best, and if it was against anyone else, she may have managed something incredible here today. But her opponent was the King of Games, and he wore the crown for a reason.  Atem was ruthless once again, and wasted no time in toying with his opponent like many others liked to do for whatever reason.

A trap card was flipped up at Isis’ last strike. A deflection. Atem’s turn came about and Yugi swore the very air shook with anticipation as his signature monster was summoned into place, and the fantastic pairing of two magic cards amped up the Dark Magician as much as it did the crowd.

Yugi’s heart was hammering away in his chest as the monster collided with Isis’ defenses, and burst through to steal away the last of her life points in a flash of light.

The sounds around them became deafening as the regional title holder moved up to be the next finalist in the tournament.

Yugi would have leapt to his feet as well if he didn’t freeze completely when he swore two garnet eyes shifted towards him and met his gaze. Even through the falling confetti and chaos erupting around them like fireworks, Yugi felt caught in silence and stillness as they stared across the stadium at each other.

Yeah, this definitely felt like foreplay.

Yugi’s face became as colorful as the clothes he was wearing, and he was grateful for the overly large hat covering his features to hide it. Heat was building up again and he tugged at his baggy shirt to get some air on his skin, all the while trying not to think too hard on how sexy Atem looked standing on the field soaking in his victory.

Jounouchi sighed, leaning back in his seat and stretching out his long legs, “Well, looks like we’ll have to watch him play again for the finals. At least it’ll give Yugi more time to study his moves, right?...Yuug?”

But Yugi’s face was looking down at the screen of his phone that had just finished vibrating with a new message.

King of Closets: I can respond to your commentary on my win, if you’d like. Or you can meet me back at my room to discuss it in person. Your move.

Me: Omw

Chapter Text

The last thing Yugi wanted to be wearing when he went for a booty call was the horrifying get up he’d dressed in that morning. Yeah, it would be great for another laugh like the Dark Magician hoodie, but Yugi wasn’t really looking for a laugh. He was looking to get off with the person who just decimated his opponent in the arena, all the while riling Yugi up like crazy.

He gave his hurried excuses to his friends as he parted with them outside the stadium, and then began to walk down the sidewalk to where Atem’s hotel was at. He could have taken a cab, but Atem would be held up for a bit with post-game reporters and autographs anyway, and walking would kill time.

He pulled off the clashing jacket and shirt, feeling mildly less hideous in the purple jeans and basic tank he wore underneath. At least he wasn’t a walking crime against fashion now. Last thing he wanted was a mood killer because his ‘deluge of color’ drowned any arousal Atem may have had waiting for him.

Yugi sighed and pulled the hat off his head last, reaching up to ruffle his flattened hair back to life at last. His hair just was not meant to be contained.  And as good as it felt to be free of it all, he realized very quickly what a dumb idea it was to unmask himself so soon after leaving.

“Mr. Mutou!”

“There, it’s Yugi Mutou! Hurry!”

“It’s Yugi Mutou! Sir, do you have time for questions?”

“Mr. Mutou, can you tell our viewers why you are here at the Middel Eastern Regionals today?”

Yugi was swarmed even before he could try to run. He felt like a rabbit cornered by a den of foxes and felt his skin prickle with unease as he was backed up against the wall the stadium behind him.

Suddenly cameras started to flash in his eyes and microphones were shoved in his face, making him startle back. He felt his legs begin to shake under him as he remembered all those other times that he’d been cornered as that small kid that everyone picked on. The one that bullies liked to trap against walls and take turns kicking and punching at him. He felt cold all over as he tried to remain present as questions were thrown at him rapid fire, almost like slaps across his face. He shook his head and tried to stay present, and trying to remember the game he and Atem had been playing that helped him get through these fucking sniper interviews.

“Yugi, are you here to antagonize your rival, Atem Sennen?”

“Mr. Mutou, are you trying to intimidate him by showing up on his home turf?”

Yugi stammered and shook his head, frowning a little when a camera flashed inches from his face and blinding him, “No, no. I’m just here to watch the tournament as training for World’s,” he finally managed to say.

“What about the rumors about you having a secret love affair with your fellow Junior’s transfer, Jounouchi Katsuya? And that you are cheating on your girlfriend Anzu Mazaki who doubles as your manager, is he aware of your relationship with her?”

Yugi wrinkled his nose, “She’s just a friend and my manager, And he’s my best friend. There is no love affair,” he said firmly, feeling his hackles rising. If he had fur, it would be standing on end and he’d be hissing like a cat.

“Can you answer to witnesses who saw you at a club last night? There were reports that people spotted you talking to someone and exchanging clothing. Were you trying to cover up something that happened inside? We also heard that Atem Sennen was spotted at the same club. Did anything happen between you and your rival?”

Yugi felt his heart stutter at the mention of Atem, and tensed up, a scowl falling over his face quickly, “It’s not my business where Atem Sennen is or what he does. I was out with friends. Actual friends and fellow duelists. Now, I think I’m done answering questions. I’d really like to go--”

He gasped and stepped back when another reporter appeared beside him, far too close for comfort, and he flinched back hard. The cameras started flashing faster around him, making his skin start to prickle with cold sweat.

“What about reports we got about someone spotting you leaving a hotel this morning that was not the hotel you were registered staying at?”

They checked the hotel to see where I was staying? Did they realize that was where Atem was check in? Shit.

“They were mistaken, it wasn’t me,” he said in a rush, and started to inch his way away from the reporters, but they were closing in more around him. It was getting harder to breath with them all standing so close and shouting over each other. He was trying to not snap at them even though all he wanted to do was scratch and claw his way out.

“Thank you for your questions, but I’m done answering for now. Please, I’d like to leave now,” he begged, feeling his hands starting to shake too, and he closed his arms across his chest, hugging his ribs to hide them.

He felt them shift in closer and felt a scream building in the back of his throat, but then there were shouts heard back at the stadium doors and someone screamed out another duelists name. The hoard around him suddenly ran away, chasing whatever poor duelist emerged, and Yugi took his chance to dart away from the wall and tore down the street to get away.

But as he ran he heard his name called again, people pulling out their phones to snap pictures.

Yugi tried to hurry past them, but he felt a hand close over his wrist suddenly and he wrenched it away instantly. He only noticed once he’d backed away that it was just some fan dressed in duel monster branded clothing and carrying a balloon in one hand.

Yugi instantly felt awful for ripping his arm away, but he was still too freaked out by everything to do much more than mumble an apology through uneven breaths, and then turn to run away again.

“Hey! I only wanted to get your autograph!” came a call behind him, but Yugi was too overwhelmed to stop and apologize for his startled reaction. He just wanted to get somewhere quiet to calm down again.

They always do this. They always corner me. Why do they always have to corner me?

He felt his chest tighten as he ran, but it was more to do with his emotional turmoil than his hurried steps. He wasn’t even truly paying attention to where he was going until his feet seemed to alert him to the fact he’d actually made it to Atem’s hotel.

His heart stuttered in sudden anxiety as he turned in a sharp circle around, trying to see if there were people lurking around with cameras or phones, waiting to catch him. But when the street seemed empty enough, he rushed inside and ran to the nearest stairwell to hide.

The heavy door slammed behind him, and Yugi ducked under the bottom set of stairs, a little cave he’d made use of in many places in his life, and always knew where to find them. He leaned back against the wall and slid down until he was curled up over his legs. His chest was heaving and he swore he could hear his heartbeat echoing off the empty stairwell walls.

But at least he was alone. No cameras here. No people. No threats.

But he didn’t feel safe. Not really. He just felt alone.

“Get it together, Yugi. You just got startled, that’s all. You can go back to fucking with them tomorrow,” he promised himself, willing it to be true. But it was hard to feel better when he knew that from now on, he’d have to come to terms with being swarmed like that. Cornered when he least expected it. Why did it have to be so scary when they did? He hadn’t even been beat up by bullies since he started competing in Junior’s. It had been years, why was he still so stressed out over something like this? Atem handled it all so much better than him. He wasn’t afraid to be rude, to bite back when needed. Why couldn’t Yugi do that?

He sighed and buried his face in his arms, and started to take deep breaths.

The phone in his pocket buzzed and he pulled it out after a moment’s hesitation.

King of Closets: I was held up for a while, but made it back to the hotel. Are you still coming?

Yugi stared at the message for a bit, and felt his breathing start to even out at last. He sighed and typed out a response when he didn’t feel half a second away from a full blown panic attack.

Me: Yeah, also got held up. I’ll be up in a bit.

King of Closets: I’ll be waiting

Yugi felt his stomach erupt with butterflies seeing that, and it was a nice change from the nausea he was feeling a moment ago. He put the phone away and pushed himself to his feet, brushing off his clothes from the dusty floor.

He stepped out from his little hideaway and measured the risk of leaving the stairwell to find an elevator, where people might be. People with phones and eyes.

Then he turned his gaze upwards, to the spiraling sets of stairs leading up to the many floors above. Who even used these stairs? Either people running from fire or those health nut freaks who enjoyed shit like running up and down and feeling like they were dying for fun.

And apparently Yugi too.

Fuck, and of course Atem’s room would be on the top fucking floor. Yugi groaned and began to climb.

Atem opened the hotel door to a slightly rumpled, and a very heavily breathing Yugi on the other side.

He blinked and wordlessly stepped aside to let him enter.

“Did you run here?” Atem asked as Yugi slumped in a nearby chair, his chest heaving as he melted into it. Yugi seemed too out of breath to answer, so Atem grabbed a drink from the mini fridge.

Yugi was still catching his breath and took the offered water bottle from him, eyeing him suspiciously as he stepped back, “I bet you’re one of those freaks who runs up stairs...” he mumbled, taking a long sip of the water.

Atem shrugged, “It’s good cardio.”

Yugi scowled, “Fucking knew it,” he said and handed it back when he was done.

Chuckling, Atem took it from him and circled back over to the chair to cock a hip up on the armrest where Yugi’s body was splayed over it.

“I take it you took the stairs to avoid being spotted then?” he asked.

Yugi grunted. As much of a yes as he’d get.

“Alright, while you recover, I’m going to go shower. Help yourself to what the room has to offer in the meantime,” Atem said and slid off the chair to go wash up from the duel. Yugi waved lazily without lifting his head, making Atem laugh again as he slipped into the bathroom.

Atem kept his shower short, only really wanting to rinse off a bit, and eager to get back to the man waiting for him in the room. He was still trying to think of how he wanted to play this night out as he dried off, but decided that he would wait and measure up Yugi’s intentions first. They had a decent amount of time, if Atem wasn’t dead set on getting a good night’s rest before the finals tomorrow.

But a ‘good nights rest’ didn’t necessarily mean he slept a certain amount of hours. It could be good for any number of reasons, depending on whatever mood Yugi was in. For all he knew, Yugi would only want to discuss the duel. Which was surprisingly okay with Atem if that turned out to be the case. Yugi was fun to talk to, and offered more titillating conversation than most. Of course, he’d also enjoy exploring more of what they’d done the night before, but he wouldn’t be presumptuous. Although he was quite riled up after that duel. He was almost certain he’d spent most of the duel looking to where Yugi was in the stands rather than at his opponent. Most of it thinking of him too. If he’d be impressed with a combo he used. Or if he’d have suggested a different approach.

Atem drew in a breath and stepped out of the bathroom.

He came out in just his lounge pants and a towel draped over his neck as he finished drying his hair. Quickly he spotted where Yugi had migrated to in his short absence.

He smiled spotting him laying belly down on the bed, feet kicking the air behind him and his chin perched up on his hands. The TV was showing highlights and commentary of the duel that just finished, and Atem preened hearing them gawking over his spectacular performance in the tournament thus far.

Yugi looked less frazzled and exhausted as he approached, but Atem had to stifle the need to frown when he noticed a ghost of a haunted look in his eyes, like he’d just been spooked by Bakura’s monster deck. He’d seen that look a few times now in some of the interviews he’d watched of Yugi over the last few months, the ones where his eyes were just slightly dimmed and his skin paler than usual. But even with that lingering on his face, Yugi still smiled up at him as he sat down next to him on the bed.

“You really did do well today. Count me as impressed. That last combo was something else,” he whistled, smirking up at him.

Atem hummed, leaning back on the bed beside him as he watched the clips on the screen without really paying attention. He’d been there himself, and the commentary had always seemed stale to him. One had to be a duelist to understand the true nuance of matches like this, and the commentators usually lacked in that department.  

“Thank you, I was pleased,” he said, a grin tugging at the edges of his lips as he warmed with pride, “Did you want to take a shower after your impromptu work out?” Atem asked him, brow cocked playfully where Yugi lay on the bed.

Yugi rolled his eyes, but still was smiling as he bumped his shoulder into Atem’s hip, “I’m fine now,” he said, and for all the answering playfulness in his voice, Atem could not help but wonder if there was more to the simple reply.

He puzzled over it a bit as Yugi’s attention was drawn back to the TV, his eyes watching the screen as it flipped between more reports on the duelists that had competed thus far, and then talking about the finals that would come tomorrow.

It was a little odd that Yugi was suddenly more quiet than he’d ever been when it was just the two of them, but Atem didn’t get the feeling it was because he was uncomfortable with him or being here. If anything, Yugi seemed to be relaxing even more than when he’d first arrived. Melting into the mattress next to him, and slowly inching closer to him until they were flush up against one another. Atem loved the contact, almost as much as he loved just the feeling of winding down after a duel in a non-empty hotel room, in a non-empty bed.

Perhaps Yugi had arrived upset about something else then that wasn’t Atem’s fault or doing, and just needed time to relax too. He could understand that. Events like this could be overwhelming. Especially when there were people everywhere that knew you.

Atem frowned, thinking of Yugi’s delay getting here and the text he saw. Maybe that was part of it. He sighed and gently tapped his foot against Yugi’s elbow to get his attention.

Yugi turned his head to look back at him, the haunted look still fading, even if it wasn’t quite gone yet.

“Yugi, on your way here...did something happen?” Atem asked gently. He felt Yugi’s body stiffen alongside his instantly, but just as quickly he seemed to will himself back to his calm.

Yugi turned his head back towards the tv, where Atem couldn’t see his face.

“Oh, just some reporters. It’s fine though. I got away before I could say something stupid,” he said, his voice suspiciously light.

Atem bit his lip, “Well, you’re better than me then. I seem to excel in many things. Especially saying something stupid when they catch me off guard.”

Yugi laughed, truly laughed, “It’s one of your greatest talents, for sure. One I can only hope to aspire to gaining some skill in.”

Atem chuckled, tapping his foot against him again, “I’ve seen your interviews, you’re much too sweet for that.”

“Yeah...I’m too nice for my own good, I suppose. Wish I could be more like you sometimes though,” Yugi said, and the slight hollowness in his voice as well as his words bothered Atem for some reason. Many had informed Atem that he’d once been Yugi’s childhood idol, but while Atem was flattered that Yugi would aspire to be a duelist like him...he hated the thought of Yugi being anyone but himself in every other aspect. Yugi was a better person than him, and was a kind, brilliant, and mischievously playful soul.

“Careful what you wish for, darling,” Atem said with a sigh, and let himself fall silent again. But Yugi was relaxed against him again at least.

Atem leaned back against the pillows, stretching out and letting his body relax, breathing in deeply when he felt a semblance of peace come over him as the two of them lay next to each other quietly. The sounds of the TV making just enough noise that it didn’t feel awkward at all. Just calm.

But he could feel something simmering between them still, like someone had left the stove on whenever to two of them were in a room together, and heat was building despite the relaxed comfort they had fallen into.

Despite Yugi calming from whatever must have happened, Atem was too good at reading opponents on the field to think that whatever had happened was so easily forgotten. It made him think back to his own early days navigating the demanding aspects of this lifestyle, and how raw each day felt at the end of it. Nerves constantly on edge. Anxiety brewing for whatever may happen the next day following. It ate away at you over time, until there was nothing left.

Atem had done his best to preserve himself from eroding from it all, but look what that had gotten him. He was over the moon with joy just sharing a hotel space with another person, and thriving off of a silly little game with someone suffering as he was. That wasn’t a normal reaction from someone who wasn’t damaged like him.

He hated to think of this world eroding Yugi like it had him. But how could he help when he was so broken himself?

Atem sighed and reached out to lay his hand on Yugi’s back. Slowly he began to rub little circles there, feeling the muscles turn lax under his touch. Yugi eventually leaned into it and shifted even closer as the minutes passed.

Until Yugi finally sat up on the bed and turned to face Atem. The screen finally forgotten by both of them as they met the other’s eyes.

Atem felt his gaze soften when he saw the lingering tiredness written into Yugi’s face and stayed perfectly still as he waited for Yugi to decide where they would go next. Giving him back a little shred of control in his uncontrollable life.

He didn’t speak, but he hoped that Yugi heard his offer all the same.

What do you need? His eyes asked, keeping his body open for the taking if Yugi should want it.

Yugi blinked at him, his face oddly calm as he crawled up the bed and on top of Atem, sitting across his lap.

Make me forget them. Make me forget it all, that look begged as Yugi pulled his shirt off over his head, leaving him bare before Atem.

Take what you need, Atem replied silently as he laid back, and draped his arms behind his head, letting Yugi take lead. To not crowd him and demand anything. Atem was used to letting others take from him unwillingly, but for Yugi...he’d gladly give him anything he asked for with those eyes of his.

Pants were tugged off of both of them by Yugi’s hands, and then he instantly climbed back into Atem’s lap as he ground down upon him. Sinfully sweet rolls of his hips and thrusts as he coaxed them both to fullness as Yugi moved on top of him.

It was glorious torture to keep his hands to himself, but Yugi seemed so confident and content to take lead this time that Atem wasn’t about to do anything to stop him. He watched as Yugi prepared himself and Atem, and then sank slowly down his cock, impaling himself on it in one go. Atem threw his head back in a voiceless gasp as he felt Yugi tight and hot around him.

And then he moved, and Atem was lost in him.

Chapter Text

It had been easier to convince Yugi to stay that night. Easier in that Atem didn’t even have to offer. They’d finished fucking early enough that Yugi could have found a cab to take him back to his hotel, but he’d become chattier again and they realized that they both shared a mutual interest in many games, not just Duel Monsters. And soon the two of them were animatedly talking over Marik’s strategies and how best to combat them the next day, and plotting how they could get their hands on a board game to play before they both flew home.

While Atem had no true fear of losing to Marik, he still found Yugi’s thoughts incredibly insightful, and stunningly clever strategies continued to pour from him. Atem was tempted to ask for a basic, table top duel as he felt excitement rise within him at finding a truly worthy opponent at last, but he surprised himself by holding back. He was enjoying this too much, and the thought of their first time dueling being at World’s was too enticing to give up.

They had ordered room service and ate with the tv on in the background, thankfully showing nothing out of the ordinary for either of them. Mostly it was on just to make fun of the dry commentator’s delivery and sadly mistaken predictions.

At some point the cards between them were dropped and Atem found himself with a lap full of Yugi again. He didn’t even know who started the second round, but he didn’t care as he was an eager participant all the same. He didn’t even care if he was sore for his match the next day, he was enjoying himself for once and didn’t want it to end.

It had eventually become too late for cabs or walking back to distant hotels, and all Atem had to do was shove Yugi’s dosing body further into the bed and pull the blanket over the two of them to get him to stay after that.

And Atem was glad for it. He had not forgotten the haunted look upon Yugi’s face that night, and he still didn’t know what had caused it to appear in the first place. But he didn’t like the thought of sending him away when it could happen again. Whatever it was.

But as they woke the next morning, there was little to be done. The match would begin that afternoon, and Atem would be needed most of the day for pre-match events and interviews.

Even if he wanted nothing more than to just stay in bed for a lazy day with Yugi and keep talking about all the other games they enjoyed.

Yugi was still puttering about in the bathroom after his shower, putting on some less conspicuous clothing that he was borrowing from Atem to go back to his hotel in. As Yugi got changed, Atem also called a cab to wait for him at a side door downstairs so Yugi could sneak out unnoticed this time.

Atem turned around when he heard the door to the bathroom open, and saw Yugi step out.

“Alright, how do I look?” he asked, glancing down at himself and then up at Atem.

Atem’s clothes hung a little loose on his slender frame, but not in a way that would draw attention at least. Well, not media attention, anyway. But it certainly drew Atem’s attention.

They were not his usual style, but Atem was oddly excited to see him dressed in his own clothes like this. He smiled and walked over to him, pulling at his hips to crash them together, and ducked down to steal a searing kiss from him. He felt heat gather between them again, but willed it to stay at a simmer because the cab was waiting downstairs already. Reluctantly, he pulled away and smirked at Yugi’s blissfully dazed expression.

“Yes, this will have to do. No more deluge of color for you, darling,” he teased, tugging at the collar of the shirt. He noted the belted collar was back in place on his neck, and traced his thumb over it absently.

Yugi rolled his eyes, “I was testing out a theory,” he pouted.

“Save your tests for practical moments, not when it’s vital to success,” Atem replied quickly, and stroked his hands down Yugi’s arms to smooth down the fabric...and to get a few last touches in before they’d have to part, “And have you given any thought to what I said about getting a bodyguard yet?”

Yugi shrugged, “I mean...I gave it a thought, I guess.”

“Yugi,” Atem scolded with a sigh, “Perhaps a second thought is in order. Followed by a third and fourth and then perhaps a phone call to an agency.”

“Yes, oh wise one.”

“Glad you see it as wise as well,” Atem said, poking Yugi’s nose just to watch it scrunch up. Yugi slapped his hand away playfully. Atem laughed and moved back over to the dresser to finish putting on his earrings. He’d let Mana finish the rest of his look once they were at the stadium. She was always better at getting the eyeliner wings even.

As he finished getting himself as ready as he could, he watched Yugi moving around the room through the reflection of the mirror. When he didn’t think he was being watched, Atem noticed that his shoulders seemed to scrunch up and a small frown fell between his brows. His eyes kept trailing towards the door, and he’d already peeked through the curtain windows several times. Yugi was nervous about leaving.

Atem sighed as he slipped on his bracelets, not feeling too thrilled with Yugi leaving either. There was clearly something bothering him, and he was still convinced something happened yesterday. He wanted to demand what it was so that he could use his leverage to fix it, but Atem didn’t know if Yugi would share it with him. Or if he’d be like Atem and tuck it all away to never speak of it or let anyone in to see. He didn’t know Yugi well enough yet, but perhaps...perhaps in time he would.

The last thing he grabbed was his duel disk, and he slid it on his wrist.

“You excited for today?” Yugi asked, peering over his shoulder as he munched on a pastry.

Atem hummed as he nodded, “Very much so. I am looking forward to closing out this tournament and solidifying my spot at World’s. I hear there is a new duelist that will be there that is gunning for my crown,” he said, turning to wink at Yugi who blushed sweetly.

Yugi shrugged on his borrowed jacket and slid the hood over his signature hair, but for all of his attempt to appear normal, Atem saw nothing but radiance leaking through it all.

Atem reached forward to tuck a few of the noticeable bangs back under the hood and hooked them behind Yugi’s pierced ears, “Yugi, promise me you’ll stay with someone today during the match. Perhaps your loud friends? Or your manager? Fans always go crazy on the last day of a tournament. You don’t want to get caught up in that,” he said, trying to make it sound teasing, but Yugi’s face fell instantly.

“Yeah, I’ll stick with them this time,” Yugi mumbled, his eyes falling to his feet.

Atem pressed a finger under his chin to lift his face back up so that they could meet his. Yugi should never look down around him. He hated seeing anything besides that bright, mirthful expression upon his pretty face, and wanted to bring it back.

Atem lifted his duel disc up between them.

“Kiss it for luck?”

Yugi startled before staring back at him deadpan, “I honestly don’t even know if you’re joking or not.”

Atem widened his eyes, “Do you want to risk not blessing your knights joust?” he asked, teasingly aghast. And finally, that glint returned to Yugi’s eyes and a smile tugged at his lips.

“Is that what you old folk are calling them these days, or are you truly medieval, Atem?” he said, shaking his head as his shoulders shook with contained laughter.

Atem grinned and pushed the duel disc closer to Yugi’s face, “Indulge an old man?”

Yugi wrinkled his nose again in that way that Atem was coming to adore, and gave Atem the most dour glare he could with the corners of his mouth tugging back into a smile, and dropped a very chaste kiss to the console.

He lifted a finger up between them in warning, “If you tell anyone that—”

“I know, I know. You’ll cancel Christmas for years to come, and the Easter bunny will never lay an egg again,” Atem sighed and waved his hand dismissively. His pocket vibrated, and he slid out his phone to see a message from Mana blinking up at him.

Trouble: We’re on our way over to your room. You better be awake and dressed! We’ve got a schedule to keep.

Atem rolled his eyes and stuffed it back in his pocket, “My team is on the way up. I’m afraid you’ll have to hurry along.”

The smile had yet to leave Yugi’s face at least and he made his way to the door with Atem following close behind. Atem leaned on the doorframe as Yugi stepped into the hall, “You’ll be watching from the stands?” he asked.

Yugi turned and gave him a wink and the thumbs up over his shoulder, “Count on it. Put on a good show for me, alright?”

Atem chuckled, “Of course. Now, hurry along, little darling.”

Atem felt a protective urge burst inside of him as he watched Yugi slink away down the stairwell, and then when the door shut behind him Atem went to the window to watch from above as Yugi stepped into the cab below. He breathed out slowly when he saw the cab pull away with no issue. He only stepped away from the window when he heard Mahad’s knock on the door.

The stadium was alight with cameras, spotlights and sound as he stepped into the arena.

His phone buzzed, waiting in his hand rather than his pocket because he had come to expect this before a match.

Little Darling: Give ‘em hell.

Me: I’ll give them more than that, darling. I have every intention of making it to World’s to face you.

Little Darling: I’ll be waiting

The phone was slipped away into Mana’s bag, but the smile didn’t fall. It merely shifted into a feral smirk as he stepped onto the field.

The tingle of anticipation was thrumming through his entire body, but it wasn’t for Marik who took his stance on the other side of the field. No. It was for the one person sitting up in the stands watching him . Not the King of Games. But Atem.

The duel disc on his arm shifted on and into place as he took his own stance. His blood surging with adrenaline that he hadn’t felt in years. He almost felt sorry for Marik, but the kid actually looked as eager as Atem to begin. Perhaps there was hope for the next generation of duelist yet.

Atem drew his first card with a sweep of his arm, and the match began.

Confetti rained down on the reining Middle Eastern Regional Champion. It was so dense that it almost seemed as though he were standing in a monsoon of glitter and streamers. It covered the field and floated around the stadium as thousands of voices screamed out his name in chants that shook the stands.

Atem stood in the middle of it all, smiling to himself as he drank in the satisfaction of having achieved his goal of securing his place at World’s. His best chance at facing Yugi in the arena.

Even through the thick celebrations around him, Atem looked up at the hoards of people cheering for him, but only truly looking for one. He wondered if Yugi was cheering for him too somewhere among the throngs of people, or if he’d save his own celebration for the next time they would meet up.

As he finally stepped down from the field, and Mana handed him back his phone while gushing over his win, he found his mind had already moved past his win and had shifted entirely to the messages waiting for him as he walked out of the stadium.

Chapter Text

As was expected, the hours following the match were not his own. Atem was surrounded by cameras even before he could leave the stadium, and then swarmed by fans before Mahad could slip him away to the car. He'd been through this enough times before, ten times now to be exact, and he knew the song and dance well. He knew when to turn, what words to say, and what was expected of him. He moved through it all mechanically, on full auto pilot…because his mind had already moved on to what lay ahead. 

But still, he smiled for the cameras and they weren't even fake because he truly was happy about the win. And could honestly say he was looking forward to Worlds next. And he did enjoy meeting with his excited fans, and thanking them for their support. He was proud of his win more so than he had been in years…because this was the first time in a very long time…he had actually cared. 

But once he was herded into the waiting car, Mahad and Mana on his heels, he knew the rest of the day and night would be taken up by everything else that came from winning a regional title. He resigned himself to the post-win press conference that would probably last hours.

And it did, but the mercy was that after doing this ten times already, most of the questions were ones he already knew safe answers for. Ones that wouldn't appear as a mockery or sound bite later on. There was one question raised about Yugi though. 

“Mr. Sennen, now that you have a secured spot a World’s, you have a chance at finally being paired up with your new rival, Yugi Mutou, in the brackets. What are your thoughts on that.”

Atem's smile was almost feral,  “I look forward to it,” he said simply. To others, he would appear to be their usual taunting. But to Atem it was merely the truth. Even an understated truth. It was entirely the reason he had just had his most successful regionals tournament to date.

It was also the reason he was more eager than ever to be free of the press conference and move on with the evening.

Even if he knew that it would still belong to everyone else. 

After that came the awards ceremony, where he received yet another trophy to add to his closet. But as expected of him, he raised it high and smiled for those watching. 

Then he was stuffed back in a car and driven back to the hotel. Not to relax, of course, but to get changed for the post tournament party that was being hosted in the downstairs ballroom. 

As Mana laid out the suit he was expected to wear for the night, Atem grabbed another quick shower. Not because he needed one, but because he just wanted a minute alone. Just a moment that was his. Before he had to go out and give himself back to them. 

Atem stuffed away the notecard of Manas pre-written victory speech into his pocket as he stepped down from the stage and back into the party. It wasn't quite as stuffy as the charity ball, but it was certainly more elegant than Marik’s club party. And by the merciful gods, the bar was well stocked. 

The party consisted of the same sponsors and donors from the welcoming reception, and all the duelists from the tournament were welcome with their own teams. Which meant Mana and Mahad were welcome to partake this time. It always meant a break for Atem flying solo, and twice as much work for Mahad though, once Mana made use of the open bar.

As much as Atem always got a good laugh watching Mahad chasing after a drunk off her ass Mana, he found that tonight his attention was drifting away. His win was secured, and his place set for next year. 

Atem sighed and sipped at his latest drink. It was only his second, but he was taking them slowly as a mercy to Mahad. He didn’t think his bodyguard would appreciate babysitting two drunk adults…again. Besides, it was nice to see his team getting to celebrate the evening too. They worked hard keeping Atem at the top of his game, especially this season. They put up with far more than they should when it came to Atem, and always went above and beyond in everything they did. Atem could not begin to say how grateful he was to them.

They should be allowed a break to celebrate their hard work, given how as soon as they flew home Atem would be hitting the arena’s again for more training. He wanted to adjust his deck a bit too and test out a few new combos he was debating adding for the European Bowl coming up soon. That would be the best place to give them a try and see if they would work out well for World’s. Because by then his deck had to be perfect.

He grinned around the rim of his glass. He stared out at the party around him from his little corner at the back of the room, not really feeling like he wanted to join in. For once he was the spectator, and he was glad for it. 

“You’re looking a little lonely again.”

Atem glanced up to see Marik making his way over, drink in hand.

“Just lost in thought, I suppose,” Atem said quietly, shifting over as a silent invitation for the other duelist to join him. He owed Marik anyway for inviting Yugi and himself to the club that night. Marik may not have known what he’d done by inviting Dueling’s Little Darling along with the King of Games, but it had turned into one of the best nights of Atem’s recent memory. Perhaps even distant memory. 

They tapped glasses together as he leaned against the table beside him, both looking out over the room.

“Congratulations on your win,” Marik offered, and his voice rang genuine.

“And to you for coming in second. That was your best showing to date. You’ve grown since last season,” Atem returned, not in a condescending way.

Marik grinned widely, a pleased flush overtaking his face, “Thanks! I know it’s not a regional title, but we’ve all gotten used to that title being yours alone. To come in second is still great, because it’s to you. And now I’ll really get to show my stuff at World’s! This is my first year qualifying.”

Atem smiled at the excitement radiating off of Marik, and felt it echoed in himself for once, “I’m sure you’ll do great.”

Marik nodded, knocking back the rest of his drink with a pleased sigh, “I sure hope so. In any case, I’ll be working my ass off once I’m home. What about you? You going to bother?”

Atem swirled his drink a bit, watching the ice melt more, “I will, yes. I’ll be asking my manager to book me an arena as soon as she remembers her own name,” he said, nodding over to where Mahad was pulling her away from hugging a marble statue of a naked man. Atem chuckled, wondering how bad her hangover would be by morning. Mahad would certainly have his hands full for the rest of the night. He probably wouldn’t even have a spare second to worry over Atem for once.

Probably wouldn’t even notice if he slipped away…

It was a shame that only people who were a part of the tournament were invited to the party, because he knew it meant that Yugi would not be in attendance. He could have really gone for another round of their hide and seek game from the night at the club. Or at least a chance to be in the same room as him, even if they had to pretend they hated each other while there. It was part of the fun, after all. 

He wondered what Yugi was up to now. Had he been able to slip away from the stadium without incident? Part of Atem was still a little wary about whatever may have happened yesterday to upset Yugi, and he still didn’t have a good answer as to what happened. He hated knowing that Yugi was suffering like this, and so early in his career too. Atem wished that he had more time that morning to try and make him smile a bit more before having to send him on his way…

And speaking of Yugi on his way. Was he already flying home now that the tournament was over? It would be a shame if he was…they wouldn’t even get to see each other again until World’s, and that was months away. 

Well, he supposed they could still text until then. Maybe even call if Yugi was one of those younger generation types that could stand to use the call function. It was more than Atem had in terms of social interaction in years, but now that he’d gotten a chance to truly enjoy himself and learn how much fun he and Yugi could have together, he was sorry to give it up so soon. Texts paled in comparison to the real thing now. And speaking of such…

Atem felt the weight of his phone in his pocket like he’d put a cinder block in his pants. His hands itched to take it out and start messaging Yugi, but he knew that if he did then he’d truly be lost for the night. It was still so early in the evening, and this party would drag on for hours still. 

Well, perhaps if he just took a quick look. Five minutes tops. Then he could stay focused for the rest of the night. Maybe grab that third drink to make Mahad sweat. Force himself to endure another few hours of talking to sponsors that he didn’t really need more money from. 

His hand slipped into his pocket and stayed there, holding the edges of his phone and wondering if he really had enough self control to keep it to five minutes when it came to Yugi.

He’d only gotten a glimpse of a few of the messages that had been sent during the match, but he hadn’t gotten time to respond to any or even read through them all yet. He’d resigned himself to having to do that once the party was over and he had to go back to his big hotel room alone. 

"You really are lost in thought tonight. Any tea I should be hearing?” Marik asked slyly, bumping his shoulder against Atem’s.

"No, I just haven’t gotten much of a chance to check my phone today,” he mumbled.

Atem bit his lip and slipped out his phone, flashing the screen on and seeing the collection of messages waiting for him.

Marik whistled as he peeked over, “Wow, aren’t you popular with them. Is that the person that everyone online says has you whipped? You got someone waiting on you tonight?”

Atem sighed and slipped it away again without looking, “Even if I did, I’m expected to stay here for the rest of the night,” he said, and he was surprised at how bitter he sounded. 

If Marik was surprised too, he didn’t show it. He was still smiling as he turned around to lean back against the table instead, turning his head to look over at Atem’s slumping stance.

"Nights still young. You could probably still have time to go enjoy yourself for real. You’ve done a good job over the years mastering that indifferent look of yours, but it’s slipping tonight. Anyone looking at you knows you want to be somewhere else,” Marik said, taking another sip while staring at Atem over the rim of the glass.

Atem had to force himself not to startle at the observation, and wondered just how much people had noticed. He fixed his slouch back to his usual perfect posture and slid his mask back in place. He hadn’t even known it had been taken off in the first place. 

“Even if I did want to be somewhere else….with someone else, I’m expected to stay here,” Atem said, resigned.

Marik laughed, “Who cares what they expect of you. You’ve shown your face here enough times that they know what it looks like. You’re the king, you should do what you want, not be stuck listening to their whims or whatever. I know you have someone you’d rather be with right now, so why don’t you go be with them?”

Atem gaped at him, “I don’t—“

Marik raised his hand to cut him off, “I saw you leaving at the club after you were texting. And the whole world has seen that smile clip of you before your matches. And unless you have a very strict bedtime, I think you left the club to go meet someone. Now, because you’ve been nice enough to tolerate my existence this season, I’m willing to do you a favor.”

"A favor?”

"Yes. I’m going to cover for you tonight. My treat, but you have to show up to my next party,” he said, wagging his finger in Atem’s face, “And! I expect to be invited to the wedding…AND, you will eventually tell me who it is that made you smile for the first time in the ten years I've watched you.”

Atem felt a thrill of hope chase through him, making him feel more dizzy than any alcohol could. 

“I don’t even know if they’re still—“

Marik grabbed his shoulders and began to steer him away from the table and back towards a door near the back.

"You won’t know until you text them and find out. Now, let’s sneak you to the elevator so you can go back to your room. I’ll handle the rest,” Marik said as he shoved Atem towards the door. Just as Atem made it through, Marik poked his head out after him with a grin, “Oh, you’re okay with me telling everyone you had food poisoning and had to go explode from both ends, right?”

Atem’s eyes widened, "Wait, what?”

He could hear Marik laughing as the door shut.

Once Atem had texted to make sure that Marik had come up with a less horrific excuse for his absence, he finally allowed himself to pull up the chat with Yugi.

His hands were shaking with adrenaline as he snuck away from the party. But still he managed to type out a quick message without losing any of his usual punctuation.

Me: Hey, are you still in town?

The elevator hadn’t even made it up to his floor before his phone buzzed with a reply.

Little Darling: Flight’s not until tomorrow morning, why?

Me: I found myself with some free time.

Little Darling: How?! I don’t think they let me sleep for three days after my regionals

Me: Easy. I bailed.

Little Darling: Wait, we can do that?! 

Me: Well, I just did. So, tell me. Are you game for having some fun tonight?

Little Darling: Beats sitting around my hotel room in my kuriboh slippers I guess ; ) 

Me: Excellent. I’ll be waiting.

Me: …Bring your kuriboh slippers.

Atem was already smiling as he quickly began to search a delivery app for a few things they’d need. If this was going to be their last time together before they met up at World’s, then they needed to make the best of it. He already had a few ideas of what they could do, and not even all of them were related to sex. Sex was an excellent way for both of them to release built up tension between themselves as well as the world around them, but it wasn’t what made Yugi smile that morning, or laugh the night before. 

No, if this was going to be their last few hours together before parting, he wanted to get the most out of it. For both of them.

He put a few items in the cart and placed his requests with the front desk. He was a celebrity after all, everyone expected them to have odd requests from time to time. They probably didn’t even bat an eye when he listed it all out for them and gave his room number.

Now, to go get things ready.

Chapter Text

Yugi had been riding the high of watching Atem duel that day as long as he could, anything to keep his mind off of what happened the day before. Staying with Atem the night before had done a damn good job of helping him out of that downward spiral he’d been caught in, and feeling the thrill of watching him had all but completely erased his thoughts on what had happened.

Until he’d been cornered again as they were leaving the stadium. Yugi had instantly frozen up the moment he heard his name being called out, his mind going back to empty hallways and bathrooms instantly, even though he knew he was just standing on a street in a different country. It was only because he’d been with his friends at the time that he kept relatively grounded, even if his nerves were still raw from the day before. Atem had been right to suggest he stay with someone today. Yugi really did need that emotional support, even if his friends had no idea they were doing it.

Jounouchi had been able to speak to the cameras in his brash way, letting Yugi fade the the background, and Anzu was quick to usher them away when she felt like the interview was starting to drift off topic, and Honda was there to clear the way. They’d escaped unscathed and with no accidental slips.

So why had Yugi still broken out in a cold sweat? 

He had shaken his head and laughed with his friends as they made their way back to the hotel, all of them in awe over the spectacle of the tournament. But with an early flight the next day, Anzu had been quick to step in (in full mother-mode) and shepherded them to bed early.

Yugi hadn’t even had time to do much else besides put on his kuriboh slippers before he’d gotten Atem’s text. How the King of Games was able to pull away from his rightfully earned victory lap was still a mystery to Yugi…

But he’d left the hotel not even five minutes later.

Yugi wasn’t entirely sure what he expected of the night when he snuck up to Atem’s hotel room. Atem wasn’t giving him the vibes that this was just a booty call, because while they had very much enjoyed booty time during Yugi’s visits, they had enjoyed a whole lot more than that too. 

Yugi had found an escape, and someone he felt safe and understood around. And Atem…well, Yugi didn’t know what he’d found, but he’s also said he’d been looking for something. Yugi hoped he’d found at least some of it with their little escapades. 

Truly, Yugi’s expectations were limited to just Atem being there and opening the door. Whatever came next he was more than likely game for.

But even having no expectations, he hadn’t expected…this.

Atem opened the door, and for once he wasn’t dressed to the nines, or fully naked. He looked…comfortable. Were those pajama pants? And a summoning skull t-shirt (sans sleeves of course)?

”Oh good, you actually did bring the slippers. I was curious to see if you were making them up,” he said by way of greeting, smiling down to where they were peeking out of Yugi’s bag. 

Yugi was kind of glad he hadn’t bothered to dress up before coming. He was still in the loose jeans and tank he’d tossed on after getting back from the stadium. And even then he felt overdressed.

Atem ushered him inside, and Yugi allowed him to dig out the slippers and he instantly started cooing over them. 

Yugi giggled and took a moment to look around the room, because there were a few things that caught his attention right away.

“Oh, neat! You got your Switch station set up, and with an extra controller!” Yugi exclaimed, wishing he hadn’t forgotten his own back home. He turned his head to the little dining area where he saw a bag laying open with a few things poking out, “Oh! Are those games?” He gasped and hurried over to explore.

Inside he found a chess board, a deck of basic cards, and scrabble of all things.

Off to the side of the room was a food cart that was stocked with all sorts of things. Finger foods, drinks, a couple bowls of snacks, and even a large bowl of candy in the center. Yugi hadn’t been able to eat during the match since he was far too distracted by ‘other things’, and suddenly he was starving.  

Atem was smiling as he came over, and handed the slippers back to Yugi, “Yes, I thought we could have some fun before we have to return home tomorrow. I hope you don’t mind, we can always do…other things,” he said with a wink.

Yugi had to fight back the blush as he felt a wave of heat build up between them again, but fought down the impulse to strip them both here and now in favor of the excitement he felt looking at what Atem had set up. 

He grabbed the slippers with a smile that was so wide it hurt, making Atem laugh.

“Excellent, I was hoping you’d want to play. I had the hotel staff run out to buy what they could find in the way of board games and had another come up to set up the tv. We should be able to enjoy ourselves. Now, get comfortable, darling, and find something caffeinated. We’ve got a long night ahead,” Atem promised.

Yugi nearly fell over in his haste to shove on the slippers, and dove for the food cart first. 

Was this a date?

Yugi couldn’t help but ask himself that as the two of them started in on the scrabble board first. Given that it was an English set, and that was neither of their native language, it added a new level of difficulty that had inspired them both…and led to copious amounts of googling after they’d had one too many heated debates on what may or may not be an actual word, or correct spelling. 

It certainly felt like a date in that they were two adults interested in each other on a physical and personal level and were participating in a shared activity of enjoyment and even included food (Yugi may have secretly googled what a date was to confirm that). 

And he was enjoying himself more sitting on the hotel floor fighting over the correct spelling of ‘gray’ than Yugi had on any date he’d had before. And those had been dates with people he’d actually been dating. Those had all been the basic trips to the movies, or dinner at a nice restaurant , or that one memorable time that he’d been taken to what may have been a summoning of some wiccan cult. Yugi was still unsure what that girl was into, but he hadn’t asked for a second date after that. 

It was a perfect date for someone like Yugi. He wondered if Atem knew that, or if they were just so alike in their preferences that it just translated better than the sorry excuse of a scrabble game they were both losing. 

One flipped board game later, they’d skipped chess because neither of them was able to sit still long enough for what they both knew would be one hell of a long match between them. Besides, they were looking for excitement tonight. Something to keep the high of the tournament going as long as they could, so they’d moved on to Mario kart next.

Yugi had to wonder if the entire floor around Atem’s room was unoccupied, because there was no way that someone would not have complained about their yelling by now. Maybe the hotel just wasn’t about to ask the King of Games to keep it down? 

Honestly, Yugi didn’t even care, because he’d just won the latest race of rainbow road. 

“Ah ha! Sweet victory!” Yugi cheered, lifting his arms high above his head. He laughed when Atem tackled him over onto the bed.

“Don’t think I didn’t notice you saving that shell for the very end,” he growled playfully, crushing Yugi into the comforter.

“It’s called strategy.”

“It’s called sabotage! I was in the lead,” Atem tried to say firmly, but Yugi could see the way his lips were tugging back into a smile even as he tried to smother Yugi with a conveniently placed pillow. 

“Learn to ration your shit then,” Yugi laughed and grabbed for another pillow to slam into Atem’s beautiful face. The soft ‘oof’ he heard with the impact was more rewarding than the trophy spinning on the screen of the tv. 

As Atem rallied for his next attack, grabbing for another pillow (really, why did hotel beds have so many?) and leapt for his attack, Yugi had completely forgotten about everything from the day before. The only thing in his mind right then was wailing on Atem with his own second pillow, and wondering what they could do next.

Yugi was studying him like a set of notes right before an exam, squinting his eyes as he kept watch for any tells. The intense look of concentration was startlingly offset from his undressed state. As of now, Yugi still had his slippers, boxers (adorably covered in more kuribohs), and one of his wrist cuffs. 

Atem wore the last shreds of his dignity, along with his own boxers (satin, thank you), his gold arm bands, and one earring. If he’d known they were going to play strip poker then he may have been more strategic in what he chose to wear that night, but still offered no protest when Yugi suggested it. Any chance to get him naked was a good chance to take, in Atem’s opinion. 

“I raise,” Yugi said, his voice even and calm as he tossed in his bid to the pile. A peppermint hard candy. Impressive.

After a moment’s consideration, Atem tossed in an equal amount. A strawberry hard candy.

“I'm in, with the added agreement that whoever wins the next hand also gets to choose the next garment lost,” he said, lifting a challenging brow to his opponent.

Yugi’s eyes glinted dangerously, and he shifted the lollipop in his mouth to better fit around his smirk, “Deal.”

This was more suspenseful than any match Atem could think of in recent history. It was an effort to keep his poker face sealed tight when all he wanted to do was ogle Yugi sitting before him, and win. Ogle him and that lollipop he'd been working on for the last hour.

Two hands of cards were slapped on the bed between them, and there was a clear winner of the two.

”Ah ha! I knew you were bluffing! Not enough smirking for you to have actually had a good hand,” Yugi yelled, jumping up on the bed and pointing an accusing finger at Atem’s face.

Atem rolled his eyes, “You won only because I couldn’t see your tells behind that massive lollipop you have been sucking on for the last hour.”

Yugi slurped loudly as he pulled the obscenely large sucker from his mouth, “Was it the lollipop that distracted you, or what I’m doing to it?” He asked slyly, and Atem knew he was caught.

He sighed, eyeing the pile of candy from the food cart they’d been using in place of poker chips. He knew he should have requested a set along with the cards…

”Alright, you know what comes next,” Yugi said with a grin, “Off with the pants, Atem.”

”Pervert,” Atem grumbled, but pulled them off with as much gusto as he could manage. 

“Rather cold in here, dear?” Yugi asked innocently, head cocking to the side. He licked at the lollipop again.

Atem glowered at him and pulled a pillow into his lap, “Hush up, you. You’re the one who wanted the AC on. And I doubt you'll be in any better shape once I rid you of those adorable shorts you've got on.”

"Bet," Yugi smirked and sat back down again to deal the cards for their next round, "You know, I bet people would pay some good candy to buy these boxers," he said.

Atem rolled his eyes and rubbed a hand over his face, "You have no idea, darling. I had to stop letting hotel staff clean my room during my stay because my underwear kept disappearing. You may want to do the same, unless you want to risk your precious kuribohs."

Yugi gasped around the lolly sticking out of his mouth, "Not my lucky boxers!"

Sunrise was only a few hours away now.

Atem could practically feel it coming up. But that was likely just his caffeine addiction withdrawal coming to light along with the waking world around them. 

Carefully he stretched out his legs, ever aware of the person snuggled up to his side where they both lay on the bed. The TV was still playing the next episode of an anime Atem had indulged Yugi by watching. He had to admit it was rather good. They'd started watching it over an hour ago when both of their playable characters on the latest switch game were dying more than they were winning. They'd played through the entire night, and despite how fucking tired Atem was, he didn't regret a single second of it. 

They hadn't even had sex. Not out of any lack of desire, but because they'd been having too much fun to start with, and then were too tired to do more than curl up on the bed and watch colorful cartoons together. 

Yugi hadn't even made it through the first episode before his head had fallen heavily on Atem's shoulder, where it still rested now. His little wayward spikes of hair tickling at Atem's neck.

Atem would have fallen asleep with him if the anime wasn't actually really good…and if he didn't realize that after they woke, it would be time for Yugi to leave. It could be months before they saw each other in person again. This bothered Atem more than he ever thought it would. 

He didn't want to go back to his empty apartment. 

But he had to go. He had to get back to training, as did Yugi. 

Tonight had been their last chance to enjoy the company of their supposed 'rival', although Atem thought they were more like playmates at this point. And it had also been Atem's attempt to bring back that glint to Yugi's eyes.

From what he'd seen, it had worked. Yugi was just as mischievous and playful as he'd ever seen him, and there hadn't been a single moment that Atem thought his mind had drifted away from the present. And by doing this, Atem had found that he also forgot everything. He wasn't worried about checking the news to see how they were painting him this time. He didn't care about people's reactions to him ditching the party. He hadn't even bothered to check in with Marik again to make sure he hadn't actually used the food poisoning excuse. Atem was living in the moment too. And loving every second of it. 

Even if he felt so tired that he was actually worried about affording the amount of coffee he'd need to wake up later. And he was fucking rich. That's what he got for having a complicated coffee order though. But it was worth it to stay up and enjoy what little time they had left. He wouldn't be seeing much of Yugi at least until next year. It would be a long time to wait…but Atem had waited almost ten years for someone like Yugi anyway to come in and add some fun back to his life. What was a few more months?

It would be fine. And maybe they'd still text on occasion. 

Atem sighed and leaned over to press his lips into the mess of hair just below his chin.

He could always sleep on the plane. For now, he'd let Yugi sleep until it was time to go. Kid probably needed it anyway.

Chapter Text

Two months later…

They were texting each other the moment they landed in their respective countries, and hadn't stopped since. And Atem had been very pleased to find out that Yugi was one of the few of his age group that wasn't allergic to answering calls. It had led to almost daily check ins between the two of them, and an endless stream of messages back and forth. Even though the two of them had been very busy, and in different time zones, they still tried to find time to talk.

Atem had no idea how he'd gotten so lucky. He hated luck. It was by far the most boring way to win something, and yet somehow he'd won the pleasure of keeping Yugi as a…what even were they? Rivals? Friends? Friends with many benefits? Playmates?

Atem couldn't put a name to it, but whatever it was, it was special to just the two of them. Between the two of them, and no one else. Something that belonged to them that no one could take away. Neither of them truly realized just how much they needed that in their lives. 

Whatever it was, it was something Atem would guard jealously from anything that would disturb their game, and the strange bond they had formed from it. 

Even if it meant trying to figure out how to work this stupid, fucking app.

"Hang on, hang on. I think I've figured it out."

"I doubt that, given that I'm still looking at a wall and not your face."

Atem sighed, frustrated enough he just started pressing whatever icons he could see that weren't the red end call button. 

"Man, these time differences are a bitch. Do you have any idea how hard it is to be horny at 3pm?"

Atem laughed despite his mounting frustrations, "I don't know, how hard are you?"

"Figure out how to flip the camera and maybe you'll find out."

Despite the eagerness and excitement that was building from Yugi's teasing, he still scowled when he clicked something and suddenly he had an animated mustache on his own image. He clicked that same button again, and was only somewhat mollified when the mustache disappeared. Although, honestly it hadn't looked that bad…

"So…nice wall paint you have. Dark neutrals, huh?" 

"Give me a moment," Atem hushed, desperately poking at a few more icons before finally the screen flipped and he was rewarded with Yugi's face filling the screen, "Ah, finally got it. I have no idea why they needed so many buttons for a video chat app anyway," he grumbled, taking in Yugi's face for the first time in months. At least outside of their occasional shared selfies, or the dummy pages that Atem used to follow Yugi's career. 

"Yeah, sure. Blame the app. Not the old man using it."

Atem rolled his eyes, glad Yugi would see it clearly. Their previous calls had been nice, but Atem felt like Yugi was overdue for a few more eyerolls, scowls, and maybe a few middle fingers. But more than anything, Atem was just glad to see him. Even if he did look a little tired…

"Alright, now that we have that set up…" he said coyly, smirking into the camera as he moved to his couch to get comfortable.

"I dunno. Seeing you struggle to flip the camera for ten minutes may have killed the mood…" 

Ah, time for another eyeroll already. As he did so though, he reached down to lift up his shirt and angle the camera down at the abs and pecs that he knew Yugi had spent a lot of time admiring.

"Well, hello! Okay, nevermind, we're good!" 

Yugi's laugh filled Atem's apartment, and instantly he felt his muscles relax. Atem flopped back onto his couch and got situated.

"I thought so," Atem said smugly, keeping it angled to give Yugi just enough of a view of what he must be missing by now, "Now, tell me what sort of trouble you've been up to since yesterday."

"What makes you think I was up to any trouble?"

Atem smirked at Yugi's eyes going impossibly wide to try and give off that same convincing innocent air he fed to the media. But Atem knew better.

"Because I know you too well now, darling, and I know how naughty you can be," he teased.

Yugi's innocent eyes narrowed down as that lovely glint of mischief returned to them, "Oh yeah, keep talking like that. You have the voice for a phone sex operator, you know that?"

Atem snorted, laughing too much to be turned on, "Do I?"

Yugi nodded sagely, "Yup. That or a really good duel commentator. You'd be great at that! Half the arena would be excited, and the other half aroused."

Atem threw his head back as he barked out a laugh, "And what would you be if you were there while I was commentating?"

"I'd be dueling, of course," Yugi said with a wink. 

"Dueling while aroused?" he asked, one eyebrow raised. 

"Honestly? Yeah, probably."

There was a sweet smile on his face as he spoke, and Atem drank in the sight of it. Honestly he'd been worried about Yugi since they parted two months ago. But he had been constantly assured by the kid that he was doing fine, and since his next tournament wasn't for another two weeks, the media wasn't hounding him nearly as bad. 

Although Yugi had still not hired a bodyguard, much to Atem's ongoing annoyance. Hopefully he'd have one in place by World's. They only had three months left until then. 

"So, are you going to make putting me through 'technology's saddest hour' worth it? Yugi asked in a purr, leaning back on his own bed to mirror the position Atem was in on his own couch. 

"That or we could just keep talking, seeing how that is enough for you to become aroused," Atem teased, but already he could feel his heart quicken, and his pants becoming more uncomfortable. Mid morning wasn't a problem for him to find reason to seek some enjoyment, but the fact that he had an arena booked for training in a few hours was enough reason to delve right in. Yugi would understand, given how he'd only just got back from his own training that day. 

"Oh, yeah, you can go ahead and keep talking. I'll just get comfortable here."

Atem's eyes widened as pants suddenly flew past the camera, and he scrambled to rid himself of his own. 

He had never done something like this before. In fact he’d all but flatly rejected the idea of it when Yugi made the suggestion. Mostly because the thought of it was a little embarrassing (shame seemed to not be in Yugi’s vocabulary as he had no such concerns). But two months in, he found his halfhearted rejections growing weaker. Was Atem really so desperate that he would actually consider such a thing? Apparently yes, because he finally caved in, bringing them to this moment.

In his mind, their previous flings had been incredible, and phone sex or video call sex could only pale in comparison. He been keeping his expectations of this rather low, but hadn’t really expected for his cock to suddenly become hard enough to pound nails seeing Yugi strip on camera right in front of him. 

Atem had never been more appreciative of the ease of lounge pants than when he was desperately trying to kick his own off in an attempt to keep up with Yugi.

How in hell did Yugi manage to take off all those clothes so quickly? 

“Hurry up, old man. You’ve got an arena booked ,” Yugi teased, looking far too comfortable sprawled fully naked in front of the camera. 

“Patience is a virtue, you brat,” Atem huffed around a laugh. But soon enough he was just as naked, and it was easier to shut Yugi up by displaying all he had to offer. 

Atem preened at Yugi’s hungered look, and took note at how his busy little hands were at work. Atem mirrored him as he began to get comfortable with this. It was a bit strange, but he found that if he just focused on Yugi, and not himself, that it was easier. 

Hmm, he had not considered the difficultly of holding up a phone with one hand while stroking himself with the other. Logistics to review at a later time. Preferably at a time when Yugi was not making those sounds and looking far too pretty as he lay back and worked himself for Atem’s viewing pleasure.

Yugi had been clever (oh, he was so very clever, Atem thought with a shiver) and had found a way to position his phone to allow him two free hands to work with. And was starting to tease himself open with little whimpers and thrusts. Atem would have applauded if his own hands weren’t very busy.

”So, I’ve had a lot of time to plan for one of these calls, because I knew you’d cave eventually,” Yugi started, his voice a little breathy as he worked a second finger into himself, “ So I may have gotten something to play with .”

Atem made a noise. It was supposed to be one that would convey his curiosity at what Yugi was saying, but instead he likened it to something a dying animal would make. 

“W-what did you get, darling?” He somehow found the mental capacity to ask, and was proud when his voice only wavered a little. 

Yugi’s face went from slack with pleasure, and shifted into that mischievous look that almost had Atem making another embarrassing sound. 

“Well, I already had a collection of toys I could have used…but seeing how it was going to be you I was doing this with…well, they just wouldn’t do,” he said, pouting a bit as he reached off camera.

What did that mean? 

Then Yugi brought out a toy with a smirk as he held it up to the camera, “They just weren’t big enough, you know? By the way, don’t search ‘monster cock dildo’ into a search engine, because you’ll see some weird shit . Anyway, it’s not the real thing, but we can pretend. ”

“Mhm,” was all Atem could manage as his brain misfired 

“Don’t worry, I know this is your first time, so I’ll be gentle,” Yugi said with a wink. 

Atem had to squeeze the base of his cock to keep from coming, and it was good that he did because Yugi began to work the considerable girth of the toy inside right then. Atem’s eyes widened as he tried to process all of this.  

Atem would be able to skip arm day at the gym at this point given how fast he was moving his fist over his cock. He instantly was cursing himself in every language he knew for waiting two fucking months to agree to this. 

“Fuck,” he breathed, “Yugi…” his breath hitched on his name, just as Yugi began to fuck the toy into himself. Pretending it was Atem. By the might of all the Gods, how had Atem ever thought this would be a bad idea? As soon as his brain recalibrated after this session, he was very much looking forward to maybe doing more than moaning and panting on his side of the camera. 

Because there absolutely would be more of these calls. 

“Atem…” Yugi whined just as his movements were starting to become more erratic. His legs began to shake, and his face became flushed.  Atem knew from their previous encounters that this meant Yugi was getting close. 

“That’s it, darling. Just like I would do, just tilt those tiny hips of yours back to get deeper at that angle I know you love,” Atem said, watching as Yugi instantly obeyed. He bit his lip hard as he felt his own climax fast approaching. 

Yugi whimpered and cried out when he found that perfect angle, and then began to work the toy into himself even faster than before. Atem did his best to keep up, matching the movements to Yugi’s toy. 

“That’s it, you’re perfect,” he cooed, watching Yugi lose himself on the screen. 

It was hearing Yugi cum over the speaker that had Atem spilling into his own hand. 

Atem lay on his couch in his empty apartment, listening to the sound of Yugi and him catching their breath. He could almost pretend he was actually there with him.

“You should really consider the phone sex operator gig,” Yugi breathed, sounding just as worn out as if Atem had truly been the one to work him over. 

Atem was too out of breath to manage more than a breathy chuckle, “I think that is the only other career path that my parents would approve of even less than dueling.”

“No, wait. We should give up dueling all together and start a new app specifically for long distance sex. We’d call it AssTime. We’d make millions. And you can choose how many icons are reasonable to have on the screen, and we can have you do the voice over instructions. Imagine people getting off just from getting their profile set up.”

Atem laughed hard, his entire body sinking into the cushions as he relaxed completely. 

“One step at a time, darling. Allow me a moment to recover from this,” he said, shifting against the pillows and getting comfortable again, resting his phone on his chest as he kept his eyes glued to the screen. Glued to Yugi. 

It was about time he broke in this couch. It was just a shame he was doing it by himself, even if he could clearly see Yugi on the camera just as spent and sticky as himself. Ah well, Yugi needed to break in his new mattress too he'd said. 

"Oh yeah. Now that you've mastered what most five year old's can manage in terms of technology, we are totally going to be doing this more often."

Atem wrinkled his nose and he cleaned himself up, "Not if you keep insulting my capabilities. I'll have you know that I'm consulted for all the new duel disc models."

"Probably because they want to make sure old people can figure it out too."

"Listen here, you little shit," Atem scolded, but the severity was lost when he couldn't hold back the laughter bubbling up in his chest. 

Oh well, he was too satisfied after this to even attempt to try and stay annoyed with Yugi. Not to mention any further scolding would be lost to Yugi's musical laughter coming through the speaker. 

He sighed and lay back down on the couch, holding the phone screen above his face as he watched Yugi getting comfortable too.

Yugi had laid out on his side on his bed, chin propped up on a bent arm, and his phone likely being held up by the kuriboh plush behind it.

Now that he was a little less…distracted, Atem was finally able to take in more than just the stunning image of watching him get off on camera. Like taking in where Yugi was for their little video tryst. 

From what little Atem could see of the room behind Yugi's head, it must have been his bedroom. Of course this instantly caught his attention as he took in what details he could. Yugi had mentioned moving to a new apartment on his own after getting run out of his grandfather's game shop. He also had mentioned that he was still unpacking, having been too busy to get more than a few basics out.

Apparently Yugi's definition of basics included random collectibles. Somehow those had ranked a higher priority than the toaster and bedlamp that Yugi said he still hadn't found to unpack. 

It was still amusing to see how Yugi nested in his new home. Duel Monster figurines covered most of the surfaces, and he could make out a few framed medals from his Junior's days hung up on the wall. He spied a stuffed kuriboh off to the side of the bed, and saw star patterned sheets under where Yugi just…well, anyway, the room was bright and playful, just like the person inhabiting it.

"How did your training go this morning?" He asked, his voice becoming soft and gentle as his body calmed.

He saw Yugi give a half shrug, "As well as it could have, given I had to book out early."

Atem raised a brow, "Oh?"

"Yeah, turns out there was a beehive in the stadium we booked, right under the bleachers. They were trying to remove it, but Jou didn't want to risk me getting stung, so we left."

Ah, perhaps there was something redeeming about this Jounouchi after all.

Atem lifted an arm to bend behind his head, "Good. But you had your epi pen with you though, right?" 

"Uh…"

Atem sighed, frowning at the screen, "Yugi, you know better than that."

Yugi waved him off, "It’s fine. Jounouchi knows how to call for help. And Grandpa scolded me enough for it afterwards."

"Ah, that's right. You said you were going to visit the game shop afterwards," Atem dared a glance at the clock on the wall and was happy to see he still had time. His eyes drifted right back to see Yugi burying his face in his hands, "How was the visit with your grandpa. I bet he was glad to see you."

"He was...right up until someone posted they saw me in the shop and it got swarmed with reporters again."

"Were they at least nice?" Atem asked, but he already knew the answer without looking at Yugi’s eyeroll.

"...are they ever nice?"

Atem grimaced, "What did they ask?"

"They asked Grandpa if he was disappointed that I had chosen dueling over inheriting the shop. Grandpa went ape shit on them, but given how he broke their camera, it shouldn't be on the news at least. And I paid for a replacement one to keep them quiet."

Atem tried and failed to smother a laugh. Good old grandpa, Atem thought. No wonder Yugi had so much spunk in him. He must have inherited that, if not the shop.

"Hey…I know we talk every day and all, but I'm finding I kind of miss you," Yugi confessed, his eyes dropping to the star patterned sheets, a finger tracing over the edges of a star. 

Atem felt his face soften as the more vulnerable (and rare) side of Yugi seemed to be making an appearance tonight. Part of him wanted to admit that he felt the same, that he constantly felt a tug in his chest that urged him to seek out Yugi again. He'd only been able to ignore that tugging as long as he had because he'd been surviving off of their calls and texts. And now video chat sex had been added to their repertoire, surely that should have been enough to cease the endless draw back to the younger duelist.

But as Atem lay there, heart still racing from what they'd both just done…he felt the tugging only getting worse. He was worried what that meant. But he still felt a warmth erupt inside of him knowing Yugi missed him too.  

"World's will be here before you know it," Atem soothed quietly, staring up at his phone and tracing the curves of Yugi's face and shirtless body with his eyes, even if he wished it were his hands instead. 

Yugi groaned and let his head drop heavily on the bed, "Oh, I hate all this waiting between tournaments! Kaiba's simulators are too boring. I want a real challenge again."

Atem chuckled, "I know how you feel, darling. Now, did you still want to go over your opponent list for your tournament in a few weeks? I've still got some time."

"Oh! Yes, please!"

  Atem fisted the air as the computer life point counter fell to zero. With a smirk in place, he left the field and took the pod back to the arena where Mana and Mahad were waiting patiently for him to finish.

"It looks like that new combo you wanted to try worked out great!" Mana cheered as he docked. 

Atem nodded, slipping his deck into the holster with a satisfied pat to the leather pouch, "Indeed. I think I want to test it out a few more times with different simulated decks, but it may be one I want to use for Europe next month."

Only two weeks out now. And once that was done, it was a straight shot to World's. Finally. 

Atem grabbed his bag and put away his duel disc inside. He glanced at his watch to note the time. It wasn’t all that late in Japan yet, if he hurried home he may be able to catch Yugi before he went to bed. He was in such a rush to leave that he only barely noticed Mana and Masada trailing after him until they spoke up.

“Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in such a good mood before. Were you able to find a new cafe that can handle your drink order?” Mana teased.

It just so happened that Atem did, but he knew that was only part of the reason he was like this. But they didn’t need to know that.

“It’s a bit further than I prefer, but yes, I’ve found a new one,” he allowed, not turning to look back at them. Both of them were too observant.

“Is it more than that?” Mahad’s voice was quiet, but Atem flinched all the same.

“I’m having a good season, and I have good coffee. Isn’t that enough reason to be happy?” He challenged

Mahad lifted a single eyebrow, “…Perhaps.”

“You've just seemed so happy lately. We're curious what's changed," Mana said, smiling up at him as her head tilted curiously. 

Atem felt his body stiffen. He knew deep down that Mana and Mahad were not threat to him, but he could not help but feel a possessive and protective urge thrum through him when it came to what he had with Yugi. This was meant to be something for just the two of them, and to tell even the only other people in the world he trusted with this, it would feel like he was breaking the rules of their game. And betraying Yugi. 

Atem turned on his heel sharply, unable to face them. 

"It's nothing. Nothing has changed. I'm just preserving my title," he said too fast. But his heart was beating rapidly enough that he didn't think he could speak any slower. 

"Is it really just that?" Mahad pressed, "I know it's not really our business, but–"

"That's right, it's not your business," Atem shot back, his body as tight as a wire now, "I appreciate you both wanting to make sure I'm okay, but I promised you I am and now we can drop this. I'm performing better than I ever have. Shouldn't that be enough for you to know that I'm fine?"

"I suppose. Sorry, we just aren't used to not knowing what's going on with you," Mana mumbled, her head ducking down until her chin almost touched her chest. 

Atem grimaced, "The whole world wants to know what's going on with me at any given moment. Please don't be like them," he found himself begging as he jumped down from the pod and started to walk away. He thought he heard a sharp intake of a breath, but it could have just been the hydraulics of the pod pulling away from the dock.

He pulled out his phone with a little less enthusiasm than usual, but felt a slight uptick in his heart when he saw a few missed messages from Yugi. 

Atem could tell just by the slow footsteps and silence following behind him that his team was still upset with him, but he couldn't do anything to help. It wasn't like he could tell them what he was doing, after all. Hopefully they'd be able to quell their curiosity soon enough. He needed them both at the top of their game for the European Bowl coming up, and then for World's afterwards. 

Atem was too busy thumbing through his phone to notice the shared, hurt expressions behind him. 

Chapter Text

The Loud Ishtar: What hotel did you get booked at? We're absolutely meeting up at EU Bowl next week. 

Me: I'll have to check with my manager later. 

The Loud Ishtar: Wait, she isn't there now? Isn't your team like…glued to you? 

Me: I may have slipped away to train on my own today.

The Loud Ishtar: Ballsy. Hope your bodyguard doesn't find out.

Atem sighed, slipping his phone away, "Me too…" he mumbled. It had been difficult enough to book an arena himself, given he hadn't booked himself an arena since he'd hired Mana almost ten years ago. But he had managed…even if it may have been in the worst condition he'd ever seen. Still, it functioned well enough and he didn't need to bother his team to come with him.

As much as Atem wanted to train, he also wanted some time alone. 

Mana and Mahad had become a little distant over the last week, and in truth, so had Atem. He feared that the two people who knew him so well would be able to see past his defenses, and maybe even discover what he'd been hiding all this time. 

But Atem was still guarding him against his chest like Yugi was a precious gemstone. He didn't even know if he was protecting himself or Yugi at this point. He just feared what may happen if someone found out about them. He didn't want to lose the only thing that had brought the life back in him. And Yugi was hounded enough as it was. Atem had seen him wilting under the constant flash of the cameras, and was afraid of what they would do to him if word got out. No, Yugi couldn't handle any more than he was already dealing with. It wouldn't be fair. They'd break him.

Just like they had broken Atem.

Atem sighed again, and gave up on anymore meaningful training happening that night. His mind was not in the game. Well, not this game anyway. Besides, he was hoping to catch a call with Yugi before he went to bed. If he left now they would have at least an hour to talk.

He gathered his things and hoisted his bag over his shoulder. In his head he was debating a new combo that he wanted to try tomorrow, but wanted Yugi’s opinion on first. He wanted a few combos to use at the European Bowl that would be different then the ones he had set aside for World’s, but wanted to still be sure of the efficacy of them all the same. 

He was still a little disappointed that Yugi would not be participating in EU Bowl invitation, but Atem understood that his schedule was aggressive enough for a first year and they'd sent out invitations before Yugi rose to fame. 

Still, he'd been waiting anxiously for Yugi to decide if he would at least attend as a spectator. He'd promised to ask his manager if his schedule would allow it, and said he'd get back to Atem today on his answer.

Atem would never admit to it to anyone, but he may have been checking his phone for messages every five minutes since that morning as he waited for a reply.

Yugi must have been very busy today though, because Atem hadn't heard from him since that morning. He had mentioned that he was supposed to go to a promo shoot and then a fan signing that day. Atem had been to enough of those to know how much time those sapped up, and with no time to pause in between. 

Hopefully Yugi would be done and home by the time Atem was planning to call him. Even if the kid was tired from everything, Atem would bet money he'd enjoy a chance to vent about the day. 

And Atem would be able to squeeze an answer out of him about the EU Bowl. It may be the last chance they got to see each other before World’s, and lasting another month and a half apart like this was not appealing in the slightest. 

Atem also firmly believed that Yugi needed the break too. He'd been carefully watching over Dueling’s Little Darling over the last two months and had noticed a slight decline in his seemingly endless youthful energy. The dark marks under his eyes showing in the Yugi tracking feeds when cameras caught him out in public. 

Yugi was as bright and playful as ever when it was just the two of them on the phone, but Atem knew too well the signs of a man being worn down by it all. 

If he could just get Yugi to meet him in France then they could use each other to distract from everything. They could play their game, they could enjoy each other's company, and Atem would see to it that Yugi was shielded for at least a little while.

…because he wanted Yugi to be in top form for World’s. 

And…maybe because it stung Atem’s heart like acid to see this life breaking down Yugi like it had him. 

He lifted his arm to check the time again as he stepped out of the arena. It still wasn't too late. He may even have time to stop and grab some food on the way back. Having dinner while chatting on the phone made having meals much less lonely, and he was hungry after the long day of training.

He'd been telling Yugi about one dish he thought the kid would like. Maybe he'd stop by that place to grab it so he could show him. Maybe even entice Yugi into eating something too. Mahad would agree with Atem that the kid needed to eat more. But that was just Mahad’s natural mothering habits. Atem wasn't sure what his own reasoning was. Perhaps just Mahad rubbing off on him after all these years?

Atem made his way over to his car and slipped in. He was about to turn on the engine when he felt his phone buzzed in his pocket. 

He grinned, thinking it was probably Yugi finally reaching out after hours of silence. Finally. In his head he was already thinking of immediately pestering him for an answer about France.  

Well, it was a text. Just not from the person he had expected. 

The Loud Ishtar: Hey, did you see the news yet today? 

Atem groaned, dragging a hand down his face. He hadn't even been out in public for a week! What could they possibly be accusing him of now? He scowled at his phone as he typed out a quick reply. 

Me: Do I even want to know? 

The Loud Ishtar: Maybe not, but it's got a lot of duelists talking. Poor kid. I'll send the link in case you get curious. I know he's not your favorite person, but this could happen to any of us. 

Ice shot down his spine. 

There was only one 'kid' that came to mind. And only one that Marik would assume he didn’t like. Even if that was far from the truth. 

His hands were shaking as he clicked on the link Marik sent. 

It pulled up to a live video report, and it took him three times to hit the play button.

“…authorities are saying that the target was one of dueling’s newest stars, Yugi Mutou. They do not know the exact motive yet, but witnesses said they saw the man approaching Mutou outside of the building he had made a signing appearance earlier that day. They said that Mutou was alone and made an attempt to get away, but was dragged out of sight by the assailant. Thankfully, other nearby witnesses observed this and ran to help, and Mutou was retrieved before any real harm could be done. Authorities think that this could have escalated to a kidnapping or worse if Mutou had not been saved. So far reports indicate that the assailant was a crazed fan, which is unfortunately a common threat among the rich and famous. Our thoughts and prayers are with the young duelist tonight. But we can all be thankful that this story didn’t end in tragedy. A happy ending here tonight.”

Once the video ended and closed out, his knuckles were starkly white from how hard he was gripping the phone.

His fingers slipped as he pulled up the latest chat between them, and then tried and failed to type out anything coherent. Angrily he closed the window and pulled up the most recent call instead, and managed to hit the green button on the first go this time.

But when it went straight to voicemail, Atem roared in frustration and tossed the phone into the passenger seat. He was breathing heavily as he leaned over the steering wheel, trying to get a hold of himself as his heart was racing much too fast. 

Fuck. He had told him to get a bodyguard. But that didn’t even matter right now because Yugi would still be terrified. Bodyguard or not. It didn’t matter if he’d been saved, because he would have still been there for when it had been much too close. It was a happy ending for the media, but to the person who actually suffered this event, it was just the start of the nightmares to come. 

Atem would know.

“Fuck,” he whispered, and then sat up and threw his head back against the headrest, “Fuck!”

His entire body was overtaken by tremors as he fought to keep his breathing steady. He couldn’t rid his mind of Yugi’s face, thinking how scared he must be right now. It wasn’t fair. Yugi didn’t deserve something like this happening to him. No one did, but least of all him. 

Would anyone know what Yugi needed right now? Would any one of his friends understand? Truly understand?

Atem didn’t know. The only thing he did know was that Yugi would be hurting right now, and that hurt Atem too. Much more than it should 

“Fuck…” he said again, his voice teetering dangerously on a pitiful waver as he felt his throat closing up. 

He sat there for all of a minute before his mind had already been made up. His body was now calmer than his heart or mind, and managed to drive out of the parking lot easily enough. But instead of seeking out the food shop, he turned the car back towards his apartment. He had to grab a few things before he could get on his way. 

He’d just buy a plane ticket on the way to the airport. Whichever one got him to Japan the fastest. 

Chapter Text

It was difficult to emphasize just how little thinking he’d done before acting. It was one of the most basic skills needed to succeed in life and in all matter of games. Think before you act. And the supposed ‘King of Games’ had neglected to do that. 

That became very apparent the moment he got off the plane and realized he had no idea where he was going next. And then once taking his phone out of airplane mode, he realized that he had also neglected to inform his team of his abrupt departure. He didn’t even think over the quick replies he sent them beyond assuring them he wasn’t dead or stuck in a closet somewhere. He’d think of something better later. Preferably when his reply wouldn’t make him sound as much like an idiot as he felt. Hopefully them knowing he was alive would be enough to hold them off from calling the cops for a bit.

He had other things he was worried about at the moment. Things that outweighed what his own team may be assuming right now. 

His mind had been fully consumed by his worry and frantic thoughts until now. He’d only managed to stuff a few random drawers worth of clothing into a suitcase and grab his passport before he was running from his apartment. At the very least, he had managed to put on a halfway decent disguise for the flight that didn’t have security tackling him to the ground, and so far no reporters had shown up from someone recognizing him.

It was honestly lucky that he even managed to book the flight at all given he hadn’t done that himself in over a decade. It was also lucky that Atem was aware of the city Yugi lived in just from a brief mention in one of their past conversations. 

So, at the very least, Atem had at least ended up in the right country and the right city. But as he dragged his hastily packed suitcase behind him (he’d be lucky if he remembered enough items to even make up a single coherent  and publicly acceptable outfit), he realized that his knowledge of Yugi’s home mostly ended there. 

Well, he lived in a nice apartment and had a lot of collectibles. But there were plenty of nice apartments here, and doubted knowing how Yugi arranged his funko pops would help locate him.

He moved off to the side of the airport hallway, finding a bench to sit down and think over his life choices of late. Most prominently, what he was thinking by coming here. Yugi hadn’t asked him to come after all. Atem didn’t even have his home address to find him. And for all he knew, Yugi wouldn’t even be there after something like this. And of all the people Yugi knew, would Atem be the one he wanted to see?

This was why he needed Mana to plan everything for him. Atem was clearly incapable of making an educated decision outside of games. Because this wasn’t a game. What was happening right now was all too real. 

What Yugi was going through was all too real.

Atem drew in a deep breath to calm himself again. 

As much as he wanted to, he wouldn't call Mana to save his ass and fix the latest mess he'd made. This fell outside even her immensely extensive list of job responsibilities. And Atem wasn't sure he could stomach explaining himself to her and Mahad right now.

He was having trouble explaining it to himself even. 

His ears were already burning from the future lecture he knew he'd get from Mahad for fucking off to another country without telling him, or bringing him. And right after the news started exploding with reports of a duelist almost getting kidnapped. 

Shit. He'd really gone and messed up this time.

“I’m already here. I might as well see this through for him,” he said to himself though. In any case, he imagined if he tried to book a flight back to Alexandria immediately it would raise some government flight tracking alarm. 

He really didn't want to add 'starting an international incident' to things the media could hound him on. 

Although it may draw attention away from Yugi’s attack…

He slapped the temptation away even without Mahad doing it for him. 

He was in Japan now. He best make his next move. Perhaps with a little more forethought this time though.

He let his head fall back until it was resting against the wall as he tried to figure out what his next move even was. He knew he wanted to go find Yugi, but Domino was not some small town with everyone at the gas station knowing who was who, and have the gossip to back it up. This was a large city, large enough that it even fit Kaiba’s ego well enough for his company’s headquarters to be located here too.  

He had to be strategic and resourceful if he was going to find Yugi. He was good at that in dueling. Surely he could come up with something now.

He just had to think about what he knew about Yugi from their countless conversations.

He vaguely thought about going to Yugi’s grandfather’s shop, because at least there could only be so many game shops in Domino. And he’d already seen images of the outside thanks to one too many interviews being taken there. But just as quickly he batted down that idea. Yugi’s grandfather would likely be on alert after what just happened, and wasn’t about to go handing out addresses. Especially to someone who publicly was known to be an antagonist to his grandson.

So getting what he needed from the game shop was out.

The phone in his pocket was dug out next, thankfully with some charge left on it after the long flight.

He tried to call Yugi’s phone again, but it went to voicemail. And there had been no replies to his last text either. 

Atem groaned audibly as he pulled up the name of the only other person who he thought may know where Yugi lived. A risky move, but worth it in his mind. 

He was grimacing as he lifted the phone to his ear and waited.

”What the fuck do you want, Sennen?”

Atem cleared his voice, “Hello, Kaiba. I was calling to ask a favor.”

”I don’t owe you shit.”

Atem rolled his eyes, recognizing this as the usual cadence Kaiba took when he was caught off guard, “Perhaps not, but I’d still like to at least ask all the same.”

“…fine.”

Atem drew in a steadying breath, “I”m looking for Yugi Mutou’s address.”

“…what? Why the fuck would you want that?”

Good question. Atem hurried to think of a valid excuse that wouldn’t give himself or Yugi away. 

He bit his lip before replying, “I’m sure you saw the news. My manager suggested that I have flowers sent to try and help my image,” he said, and felt physically ill for even coming up with it. He sighed and rubbed a hand over his aching eyes, “And…what happened truly was unfortunate.”

There was silence on the other end of the phone followed by an indecipherable huff, “I don’t buy that shit for a second. You forget that I have been dueling you for ten years, Sennen. I know you too well by now. You don’t bother with people. So, why is this kid so special that he gets the great King of Game’s attention?”

Atem tensed up immediately. Kaiba had always been a shrewd person, more than most would give the aloof and indifferent man credit for. But it was part of the reason he’d run a close second to Atem over the years. He could read opponents well, and only got stopped up by his own arrogance in his failed attempts to climb to the top. 

Of course he would see through Atem’s sad attempt to hide the truth. 

“Fine. It’s because…he’s not getting the King of Game’s attention. Just mine,” he relented. 

More silence. Atem had about chewed through his lip by now.

“…I don’t know what the fuck that even means, but you don’t sound like you’re lying. And yes, I did see the news. While I have very little regard for the runt that took my title from me, I agree that what happened was…unfortunate. And I want the kid in top form for World’s so I can take back my ranking fairly, so whatever you’re planning, you better make sure it helps him get past this mess. And good idea on the flowers. I’ll have my secretary do the same. I’ve been needing some good publicity lately.”

Atem’s breath hitched and his eyes widened, “So you’ll give me his address?”

”Only if you also agree to test run our new dueling software that’s in development. After World’s of course.”

”Deal!”

“How did you know I had his address anyway?”

Atem was too tired to smirk as he replied, “Because I’ve been dueling you for ten years, and I know you too well.”

“Fair enough. I’ll send over the address in a moment.”

“Thank you, Kaiba,” he breathed and hung up.

That was how Atem found himself outside of Yugi’s apartment building and trying to find the nerve to enter. 

A good duelist reviewed the field before making a move, but there was no way for him to know what would be waiting up there. Yugi could already be surrounded by people who cared about him. He was sweet enough of a person to have friends who clearly cared deeply for him. Jounouchi coming from another country to cuss out Atem was enough proof of that. 

Atem could be intruding for all he knew. After all, just because Atem was desperately alone didn't mean Yugi was. And he could be risking their arrangement by possibly exposing himself to someone while he was here. 

So what was more important here? That Atem preserved their arrangement possibly at the cost of Yugi suffering alone? Or that Atem risk the one thing that had brought him joy over the last few months by showing his face where he hadn't been invited?

Atem scoffed, already knowing his choice. He'd made it the second he'd left the arena, he just didn't know it then.

And with that, he opened the door and walked up to the elevator. 

He knew he had made the right choice the moment the door opened and he saw those red rimmed eyes.

He didn't even get a chance to explain himself before Yugi threw himself into Atem’s arms.

Atem held him tight, feeling the tremors wracking through his slight body. Much like the ones he had when he'd first seen the news. 

"You're here," he heard the disbelieving whisper in his ear.

"I'm here," came his hushed reply. Just as disbelieving. 

But not regretting. Not in the slightest. 

He didn't let go of Yugi as he led them both into the apartment, and locked the door behind them.

Chapter Text

The first thing he noticed besides Yugi was all the unopened boxes around the apartment. Given the modern minimalist design of everything, the clutter of Yugi’s belongings still packed away made the place still feel somewhat sterile. Like it still hadn't been lived in despite Yugi having gotten the place months ago. 

But he was relieved and disturbed when that was all he saw. This place was far too quiet and bare for someone as vibrant as Yugi. 

Atem looked around the apartment, a frown deepening on his face, “You’re alone…”

Yugi shrugged, slipping out from under Atem's arm and walking over to the couch. He flopped down onto it and pulled a pillow into his lap to wrap his arms around, “I told everyone I was fine and sent them home this morning.”

Atem stared at him for a moment, ”But you’re not fine.”

Obviously not, how could he be after something like this? 

Yugi seemed to know it would be useless to try and deny the silent accusation, and hugged the pillow tighter, "No. No, I’m not. But they don’t need to know that. I can be pretty convincing when I want to be."

Atem hummed, but it was a neutral sound. Not agreeing with or scolding Yugi’s choice. He was torn at the moment because he did not like the idea of Yugi being alone after something like that. Not that he could judge seeing how he'd done the very same damned thing once. But Yugi having sent them all away meant that Atem could be here instead, and preserve…whatever this was between them. 

"Need me to get you anything?" Yugi offered.

Atem frowned, "I feel like I should be asking you that."

He heard a huff of bitter laughter from where Yugi sat, "You just flew all this way for me, and I know you were training all day yesterday. I'm sure you're exhausted."

Atem shrugged, "It was my choice to come. I was worried about you."

He heard Yugi’s soft exhale followed by a quiet sniff. He felt his heart ache deeply in his chest. 

"Sorry, you must have texted a bunch. I had to shut off my phone because…it wouldn't stop ringing," Yugi said, and Atem swore he could feel the tremors in Yugi’s hands from across the room. 

He rounded over to the couch to sit down next to Yugi, barely an inch between them and still it seemed too far, because Yugi immediately shuffled over until they were pressed up against one another.

Atem leaned back and draped his arm over his shoulders to hug Yugi against his side. He felt his stomach flip at how easily the two of them fell into each other, even after months apart. And even after Yugi had just gone through something traumatic. To trust Atem enough to just lean into him…he didn't even know why, but it warmed and chilled him. 

"Why did you send them away?" He asked quietly, pressing his face into that ridiculous hair and breathing in. Him being alone right now didn't feel right. Yugi adored his friends after all. Atem was painfully aware of this.

Yugi shrugged and looked away, "Because I'm being a little ridiculous, right? I'm fine. Well, physically anyway. He only grabbed my arms and tried to shove me in a van. Those bystanders saved me before anything really happened. I've been through worse before in my own school hallways. I shouldn't be bothered by this. I'm just being pathetic."

Atem frowned, forcing Yugi to turn back to face him, "Of course you should be bothered by this. And no, it's not pathetic. Trust me, you are allowed to be upset over this. I…I've been there, Yugi. I've had something like this happen early in my career, and I know how scary it is."

Yugi blinked at him shocked, "W-what happened to you? I don't remember hearing about something like this."

Atem grimaced and heard the slam of a mental door in his head and a bolted lock sliding in place. He shook his head, "The details don't matter. I'm fine now. I'm just saying that I get it. You don't have to try and pretend that you aren't upset around me."

Yugi frowned at him reaching up between them to caress the side of Atem’s face as gently as a butterfly's touch, "Are you really okay?"

Atem grabbed the hand to press a kiss into the palm, "It was years ago, Yugi. Back when I first started. Mana was just an assistant at the time, but she found a way to keep the story from blowing up with the media. That's why I ended up making her my manager since what she did was frankly a miracle. It was also what triggered me into hiring the man who saved me to be my bodyguard. Mahad has been by my side ever since. But that doesn't matter right now. You do. Tell me what you need," Atem pressed, squeezing the hand he held gently. 

Yugi was staring at him warily, like he saw a face down card that he was trying to read across the field. But Atem never showed his cards to anyone. He played everything close to his chest. 

“I don’t know what I need,” he admitted a moment later, his voice wavering. 

Atem sighed and pulled at him until he was laying across his lap, “Then we’ll sit here a while to figure it out. I’m here now. I’m not going anywhere,” he promised.

Yugi seemed to accept this with no question or fuss, snark or deflection. He fell willingly into his hold and lay there.

Atem stayed perfectly calm and relaxed outwards, not wanting Yugi to feed off of the building chaos and anxiety he felt inside. For all his comforting words and assurances, Atem felt anything but calm right now. Getting here had been enough distraction to keep him from melting down on the plane, but now that he was sitting here in this apartment that didn’t even feel like someone lived here, holding onto someone hurting so deeply, and neither of them having any idea how to make it all better. 

And Atem was angry. He could admit that now. He’d endured this life on his own for ten years, and only barely managed to protect himself from all that came with it by creating barriers around himself. Mental barbed wire, barricades, locks and shields. Trap cards and labyrinths to confuse and deflect any attempts at this life trying to wear down any more of him. But Yugi didn’t have that. He was an open person by nature, his only defenses being made up from sarcasm, wit, and leather collars. And now Yugi had been hurt deeply, and Atem hadn’t been able to protect him from it because he was on another continent. And even then, what could Atem even do to help?

Their arrangement had been a good way to distract from their lifestyle, but it didn’t protect them from it. 

But their arrangement seemed to be evolving without either of them asking for it. What had started as just a little fun mind game to play with the media had turned into a reliance on each other outside of their dueling too. Atem wouldn’t even call it a friendship because friends didn’t try to keep other friends secret. And there were much fewer benefits that the two of them had definitely been benefiting from. And whatever they were calling this arrangement now, they both knew that Atem flying out to comfort Yugi went beyond the normal rules and parameters. 

Atem sighed heavily, stroking his thumb over the hand he still held.

This isn’t just a game anymore, is it…

Yugi was a mess.

That was probably the nicest way to describe himself right now if he was being kind. It had taken every ounce of his mental fortitude to force a smile on his face as he ushered his well wishing friends and his Grandpa out that morning. They’d all stayed with him all night as he slept, and it had been nice to know they were all nearby. But they all just looked so tired the next day, it made Yugi feel ten times worse than he already did. He had slapped on enough eyeliner to cover the puffiness from crying all night, and smiled brightly to tell them all he felt better after sleeping (or not sleeping). He wasn’t sure they bought it completely, but they did finally leave to get catch up on the sleep they’d also missed. Because of Yugi. 

His family and friends had given so much of themselves to help Yugi get into this life, to build him up during tournaments, and now they worked at his side to keep him at the top of his game. It hardly seemed fair for Yugi to just crumble to nothing after all their hard work. He’d been the one who wanted to be a top duelist, he should have been prepared to deal with everything that came with that kind of life. It would be one heck of a rude slap in the face to his friends to admit that he was struggling so bad with it all after all they’d done to get him here. 

He couldn’t stand to face them now. Not when he knew he was probably seconds away from curling up in a ball of sadness and anxiety. So, he found the best way to make them leave, and to not worry about him…was to say he was fine, and to hide it all away. 

They didn’t need to deal with Yugi’s heavy baggage that kept piling up lately. They already carried him far enough. 

Atem didn’t come with all that though. For once Yugi thought that maybe he was being helpful to someone else. Offering the other duelist some escape too, a little fun, something new. A chance to let go of the lifestyle and enjoy something that just the two of them shared that didn’t come with expectations, demands, or anything that drained them further. This was supposed to be a baggage free set up between them, no burdens either way, and a way to get back some of what was taken from them.

And yet as soon as the world came for Yugi and dropped another heavy bag into his arms, Atem had shown up to grab the other end.

Yugi was still trying to make sense of that, and maybe he was just fried from the last day, but something wasn’t adding up. They’d now been talking for months, and in all that time…Yugi had not gotten Atem to open up. Not even once. He had started to think that maybe there really just wasn’t anything that had ever gotten to Atem seeing how he shrugged off everything with the same stoic indifference he’d seen in duels. But there had been little hints here and there though. Little cracks in that facade that offered Yugi a glimpse of what may be hiding behind. 

Like when Atem would talk about a few bad run ins with the media in the past, and he’d try to laugh it off, Yugi had heard a shred of bitterness that lingered like a bad taste in his mouth.

Or Atem’s insistence that Yugi needed a bodyguard without saying exactly why he thought it was a good idea. Although Yugi completely understood now. 

And even when they were just chatting about nothing that had to do with their careers, and they got talking to their lives…Yugi swore he’d hear bolts sliding in place and he’d get nothing but vague or evasive answers from the other man. If Yugi was an open book in a public library, Atem was a confidential file stored in Area 51. 

But now knowing that Atem had a scary encounter like the one Yugi had…and knowing that Yugi would be upset, then that could only mean that Atem had been upset too. Why else would he have felt the need to fly all the way out here?

Just to be with Yugi.

And now the two of them were sitting on his couch in his ridiculously large living room, and Atem was holding Yugi tightly enough he thought maybe…just maybe, he wouldn’t actually shatter into a thousand pieces now. 

Yugi twisted the leather bands on his wrists absently, only just registering the slight ache of where the bruises were hidden below the straps. Of all the days to not wear them…but he’d forgotten to put them back on after the promo shoot, and then he’d been rushed off for the fan meet and greet…and then he’d left, and that person just grabbed him and…

Yugi shuddered, and felt his breath stutter in his chest, his eyes got hot and he bit at his lip so hard he tasted blood. He could feel the pressure building in his chest, aching with the need to let go, to cry it all out until that pressure went away again. 

Could he let it out though? His friends weren’t here anymore, they wouldn’t know he’d broken down. He could still pretend he was fine. But what about Atem? Atem who seemed fine brushing everything off like it was just lint on his shoulder. Would he judge Yugi for being unable to handle it?

Without asking, Yugi knew he wouldn’t. He’d seen enough through those cracks of the man that lay behind that indifference. No one would know what Yugi was going through better than him. 

That was why he flew here so quickly. Why he had somehow found Yugi’s home address, and why he was holding Yugi in his lap just waiting to be told how to make him feel better.

Atem had come because he knew this was what Yugi needed. 

And he was right.

The first sob broke through his chest like a dam being blasted open, and his entire body began to shake hard enough he wondered if he really would fall apart. But those strong arms held on to him through it all.

“It’s alright, Yugi. I’m right here,” he heard that deep voice whisper. 

And Yugi latched on to it like a drowning man reaching for a hand. He turned around in Atem’s lap and buried his face into his shirt, and felt hands stroking through his hair and down his back. 

The pressure was lessening in his chest though. But as he cried on, he could not help but worry over something else that was now moving to the forefront of his mind. All because of the man holding him so tenderly, and still whispering soft, comforting words he couldn’t even make out over his sobs, but still let himself be soothed by the voice alone. 

Something was shifting between them again. The board didn’t match the pieces in play here, and the rules were either all broken or didn’t exist anymore. If they ever did. What was happening?

This didn’t feel like a game anymore. 

Chapter Text

It had taken some time to get Yugi calm again, but Atem stayed with him the entire time holding him. He wanted to do everything for Yugi that he had denied himself over the years. 

The last thing he wanted was for Yugi to become like him. But he could already see the small hints of those walls developing as he saw Yugi keep his phone shut off, sending his friends and family away, and then trying to pretend he was fine. 

But Atem didn’t want Yugi to lose any part of himself to this lifestyle. He was too bright and sweet, and so very full of life. So much life that he had enough to breathe it back into Atem. 

But what could someone as broken and shuttered as Atem offer someone like him? He could feel Yugi trying to reach across the barriers he'd erected around himself, but Atem didn’t think he could reach back. 

Like Yugi could touch the shell of him, but never reach the inner man. And even if he could, all he'd find was what corroded man remained. 

Yugi needed something though, Atem wanted to be the one to give him whatever that was. He just wish he knew!

He looked away from the window when he heard a door open, and turned to see Yugi coming out from his bedroom, hair damp and cheeks flushed from the shower Atem suggested he take.

"Feeling refreshed?" he asked, pulling the large curtains closed tightly. 

Yugi’s smile was small, but genuine when he nodded. Atem was glad to see he'd chosen soft sleep clothes to wear. It meant Yugi had no intentions of going out today, and also that he didn't mind being comfortable around Atem. Even the collar was left off.

But looking at him like this, hair curling around his face with no product or make up, and comfortable clothes…he looked smaller than usual, and painfully vulnerable. Not weak. Vulnerable. 

It tugged at something sharply in his chest. 

And it also made him feel some incessant need to care for him somehow. 

He blamed Mahad entirely for this response. His motherly habits were rubbing off on him. That was the only explanation. 

There could be no other reason that Atem suddenly felt the need to bake cookies for Yugi, despite having no fucking clue how to even make cookies. 

Atem bit back a sigh as he tried to rein himself in, and walked over to Yugi. He lifted the towel draped over his shoulders and used it to dab at a strand of hair that was still dripping, and then over the dampness he saw at the back of his neck.

"I know you might not have much of an appetite right now, but we should get you something to eat," Atem said quietly. 

Gentle voices, softer touch. Like trying to pet a timid deer. 

Yugi's nose instantly wrinkled in distaste, but he relented quickly enough. Probably because he was thinking Atem may be hungry too.

"Fine. Take out menus are in that drawer. Go ahead and pick something out for us," he directed. 

Oh, clever boy making a strategic move. Deflecting the task of having to choose while also giving Atem the opportunity to choose something to his own preferences. By offering no suggestion, he left himself an opening to reject what was ordered and avoid eating.

But two could play this game. 

Atem was happy to take on the challenge. 

He picked out a menu and then proceeded to order one of everything. 

Check and mate.

Reluctantly, Yugi ate. Mostly because he felt bad about wasting the ridiculous amount of food Atem had ordered. Even Jounouchi would struggle to eat all this, honestly…

And then begrudgingly, he had to admit he felt a little better. The queasiness he'd felt since yesterday easing a bit, and he felt more sturdy on his feet. 

Even his head felt a little clearer, which was good because Yugi needed all his faculties in working order to try and figure out what was even happening right now.

He tugged self consciously at the droopy sleeves of his shirt, making sure his skin was covered from sight, and absently sipped at the boba tea Atem had ordered. He had said he had heard of it but never got to try it before. Japan not being on his normal tournament track. That was a fine excuse and all, but Yugi didn't think that warranted getting four different flavors.

Oh well.

As he took another sip, he peered over the rim of the cup to take in the man sitting beside him. He almost didn’t seem real sometimes. Maybe it was just leftover from the years Yugi had spent idolizing Atem, but it was just too unbelievable sometimes that he was not only playing such a big part in Yugi’s life right now, but that he was here.

It's like it was only just hitting him that Atem was really here. In his apartment. In Japan.  On his couch and borrowing his kuriboh slippers because he hadn't thought to pack anything besides the shoes on his feet. And Yugi had caught a glimpse of his bag. Who needed five pairs of pants and two shirts? It almost looked like he’d just grabbed a drawer in his dresser and tossed it in a suitcase. But there was no way someone as composed at Atem would do something like that. 

So what gives?

The puzzle of all this was an excellent distraction from his own woes. He shuddered and tried to mentally shove away everything about yesterday. He had Atem here after all. The same person that he'd been all but fully engrossed in over the last few months. It was just odd and a little incredible at how much the two of them had become apart of each other's daily lives despite being on different continents, supposedly being hated rivals, and the fact that this was Atem Sennen, and Yugi was just…Yugi.

And now he was here. The why of it was still a little beyond his grasp of confident comprehension. He could take a few blind guesses, but he was a cautious player who liked to watch the field before jumping to conclusions. Games of chance were Jounouchi's thing after all.

”Is your phone still off?” Atem asked after silence had gone on for probably too long to be comfortable for anyone.

Yugi shrugged and put his drink down on the too shiny coffee table Anzu had picked out for him, “Yeah. Pretty sure if I tried to power it on right now, it might actually explode. Seriously considering just tossing it and getting a new number to save myself the trouble,” he said, trying to sound as casual as he could. But inside he felt something in his shrivel, because he knew eventually he’d have to come out of hiding to face this mess head on. Anzu had already warned him that the media had been asking for interviews. And he was expected to release a statement of gratitude to the people who had saved him and the police who arrested the guy. And it was supposed to all be done sooner rather than later, because Yugi was ‘fine’. Waiting any longer would just be suspicious and damning. 

“Maybe hand your phone off to your manager? She seems capable enough to cover for you,” Atem offered.

Yugi shrugged again, “Maybe. But I don’t really want her to think I’m so messed up that I can’t handle it myself. She has enough to worry about. Let me just…I’ll work up to it, just not right now.”

Of course Yugi was too messed up to handle it himself, but he hadn’t gotten past that part of his self imposed denial yet. 

He heard Atem sigh and watched as he set aside his own drink on the table. Yugi knew without looking up from his socks that Atem would be looking at him. Probably with his ridiculously handsome face all twisted up into something pitying and sympathetic. 

All because Yugi was being pitiful and pathetic. He’d once told Yugi that he didn’t think he was weak. Just vulnerable.

Yugi wondered if he’d changed his mind about that yet. 

He didn’t know why he was such a wreck over this. Nothing really happened. Not like damaging anyway. He was hoping that he could take a page out of Atem’s playbook, because if he went through something like this before and come out still at the top of the rankings, then surely Yugi could too. There must be a way to become unphased by it all. Untouchable.

”Well, keeping it here on the table in front of you may not be the best thing then,” Atem reasoned, and he was right. 

It was like a literal bomb was sitting next to the TV remote and it was making Yugi way too jittery to even glance at. He sat up from his slouch and thought maybe it would be better to shove it in a drawer for a bit. Besides, the only person he would have wanted to text or call right now was already sitting next to him. 

"Yeah, good idea, I can grab it," Yugi said and reached down to pick up it up, but as he stretched his arm down, the sleeve of his shirt rose up. He flinched seeing the mottled skin revealed and moved to take his arm back before it could be seen…but it was too late by then.

He heard Atem’s sharp intake of breath and knew he’d been caught.

Long fingers were reaching out to his arm, hovering just about the bruised wrist, but not quite touching.

"Oh…Yugi. Is this…oh, sweetheart," Atem moaned, looking far too sympathetic for Yugi’s heart to take right now.

Yugi snatched away his wrist to cradle it against his chest, hiding the bruises from both of their eyes. He couldn't stand to look at it and be reminded of what happened. It had been years since he'd been sporting bruises like this…but they never seemed to hurt less. He'd thought being famous and some big shot duelist would stop this from happening. He’d thought…

He was wrong. It seemed like no matter what Yugi did, he'd still end up hurt by others.

”It’s fine, it’s because I wasn’t wearing my wrist bracers. Fair skin and all, I bruise too easily,” Yugi mumbled quickly, looking away and tugging the sleeves back down in place where neither of them had to look at them. 

Atem made a pained sound, hands still just barely hovering over Yugi, “It’s because someone hurt you, this isn’t your fault.”

”And yet it just keeps happening,” Yugi mumbled quietly. 

Atem didn’t seem to have anything to say to that, which Yugi understood. They both knew this wasn’t always a kind lifestyle. They’d bonded over their shared struggles, and were enjoying their little attempt to find the fun in it again. But one of the two of them seemed to be handling all of this a lot better. And had been doing so for a lot longer than Yugi had been.

Atem was the stronger player in this. Which meant Yugi was weaker.

"I wish I could be untouchable like you…" Yugi whispered curling in around himself on the couch.

Atem suddenly hissed, and moved to kneel in front of Yugi, holding his chin and making him look at his face, "No, I'm this way from my own doing. You don't have to be like me. You shouldn't be like me."

Yugi gaped at him, "But everyone wants to be like you! I spent half my life trying to be like you!"

"No!" Atem suddenly shouted, his eyes wild for a moment and startling Yugi at the intensity. And then just as quick, his face softened again. Crumpled until it almost looked like he was about to cry as he leaned over to wrap Yugi up in his arms to squeeze him, "Don't try to be like me, please."

"But why not? You're incredible! And stronger than anyone I know. You went through this shit before and it's rolled off your back like nothing, meanwhile I can't even look at my own skin and…gah!" Yugi growled tugging at the ends of his hair. Yugi knew his eyes were pained, shining wet with tears he was trying to hold back, "I know I'm being pathetic about all this! You've dealt with worse and you're fine!"

Atem looked away, and Yugi was surprised to see that he was breathing hard, and what he could see of his expression was haunted. When he turned back to Yugi, there was more wild emotion there than he'd ever seen before. More cracks in the surface of what might truly be beneath the cool exterior. 

"Alright! Maybe…maybe I'm not fine! That may be what they see, and what's expected of me, but…I am far from fine," he said, the words sounding like they were being pulled out from him like an anchor from the depths. 

Yugi stared, eyes wide and mouth open in shock. He felt Atem’s hands shake where they were holding on to him.

Another crack. Another peek at the man hiding underneath it all where Yugi could see himself reflected. 

And suddenly Yugi felt a shift inside of him. His body went from taut as a wire, to lax and tired instantly. He leaned forward and grabbed Atem to pull him back up onto the couch, and onto him. And he wrapped his arms around until they were both holding each other, and he didn’t let go as he buried his face into Atem’s neck. 

Atem’s hands were ghosting over him, even though Yugi could see how desperately he wanted to reach out. He was holding back. 

Yugi pressed his face along the line of his neck, bumping his nose on the underside of his chin, “You can touch me, you know? You won't break me more than I already am,” he whispered into the skin under his lips.   

He felt more than heard Atem sigh, “You're no more broken than I am, Yugi. If anything, you’re more whole than I’ll ever be.”

Atem shifted willingly, changing his hold on Yugi like…not like he was made of glass…but that he was something precious. The difference wasn’t that he thought Yugi was fragile and weak…but that he wanted to be kind and gentle in a life where very few cared for such things. 

“Why did you come here?” Yugi asked in a hushed tone.

”Because I…I thought you needed me.”

Yugi breathed out a sigh that almost sounded like a release of all the pressure he had felt right up until that moment, “You were right.”

Chapter Text

Outwardly, this moment was one of desperately needed peace. Atem was still and felt no urgent need to do anything else but be here. 

Inwardly…Atem could feel himself slipping somehow. Like the unbalanced sensation one got when they walked too close to the edge of a cliff. Part of him wanted to jerk back from that feeling, but then he possibly risked overcorrecting. A nasty habit of his that had gotten him in trouble countless times before. 

And it could also risk the peace of the person currently sleeping beside him. 

Atem would not be surprised if Yugi had not gotten a wink of sleep the night before. So it also came as no surprise when Yugi had then passed out on the couch after lunch. 

Like a toddler with a full belly, he thought to himself with amusement. He couldn’t help but grin down at where Yugi was curled up against him, little puffs of breath ghosting over his thigh. 

Atem also had to liken the moment to having a cat choose his lap to sleep in. Because just like with a cat, Atem found himself unable to willingly free himself from where his legs were trapped under Yugi's head. He had been chosen and it was his duty to sit out this nap. Even if his left leg had already gone numb.

The tv was on as white noise mostly, and they'd chosen to stay clear of any live channels to avoid seeing news reports. So for now, Atem was only half watching yet another anime that Yugi insisted he had to watch because "he'd be sucked in before the intro song even finished". And much to Atem's chagrin, he'd been right. But it was hard to focus on the show entirely when his mind was filled with his internal emotions dueling for supremacy. 

He stiffened when Yugi made a soft distressed noise and he peered down to see a small frown forming between his eyes. Again. This was the third time Yugi's troubled mind had tried to haunt him in his sleep.

Thankfully Atem had already had his panicked reaction to this the first time, and his solution had worked like a magic card then, and the second time, as it should this time as well. 

"Everything is fine. I'm right here," he whispered more calmly than he felt. And instantly the frown melted from Yugi's brow and he let out a sweet little sigh as he settled down again.

Like a magic card indeed…

When Atem had done it the first time it was more of a desperate plea that spilled from his tongue, but hey, it had worked. He would not complain. 

But it certainly got his mind in a tizzy at why it worked. He couldn't help but analyze why the move worked, in case it could be used strategically again in a different play if needed. He wanted to be prepared to help in whatever way he could while he was here, and without knowing how he could help, strategy was all he had left. And he was damn good at strategy. 

But again…the why of it remained stubbornly elusive.

He'd taken a big risk in coming here. There were too many unaccounted for factors that he'd all but completely ignored before making this move, and yet he'd forged on ahead like a rookie all the same. It was by luck that this hadn't blown up in his face yet.

Atem hated luck.

And yet he did feel lucky. For all of his hasty, ill thought out decisions, he still found himself with no regrets. Yugi had outright said he was glad Atem had come, and he'd already seen that he'd helped Yugi a little. Perhaps not with any real thought beyond intention, but it seemed to be working.

Yugi hadn’t pushed him away yet, if anything he pulled him closer. And Atem was at war with himself trying to decide if he was okay with that. 

That unsteady feeling came back along with that same rollercoaster dip sensation in his stomach that he'd grown used to being a normal thing to feel around Yugi. 

But instead of it coming from a playful thrill shared between them, it was coming from the sudden fall alone. 

Because Atem could not explain away his actions over the last day to be purely sourced in entertainment. He couldn't even explain away what he'd done as a form of escapism or even release, like what their original arrangement had been based upon. This went beyond the boundaries of the game they'd set. 

And it certainly didn't explain away how emotions had somehow become active players on the field. 

Atem scoffed at himself, mentally rolling his eyes as his brain was trying to do mental gymnastics to avoid the obvious conclusion. 

He may have had a very limited and beige love life for the majority of his adult years, but he was not completely ignorant of what line he was toeing here. 

Of what precipice the two of them were standing on. 

The sudden drop in his stomach was one of fear…but also of excitement. Perhaps he was falling, but in a different sense that was no less terrifying. 

But even so…if he was truly afraid of falling, he could have simply…gotten off the ride at any time. Could still do so if he wished.

But the very thought of getting off now was abhorrent. They were buckled in this together now, oddly enough. Yugi had said he needed Atem. And Atem was happy to give him that. Anything to preserve that life he saw beaming out from Yugi as if he were truly made from sunshine and not just carbon. 

He wanted to stick around with this little darling and see where this ride took them next. 

A sudden rush of fondness rolled over him, pulling his eyes away from the screen and down to the one curled up in his lap. It was so easy to let the rest of the world fall away when it was just the two of them.

The phone in his pocket began to vibrate.

And suddenly the world returned. 

Atem hastily fumbled it out of his pocket before the vibrations could wake Yugi. Grimacing when he felt him stirring a little as he frantically began pressing any button that would make it stop. He also just happened to see the multitude of unanswered text messages that he’d been ignoring just because the only person he’d been texting much of late was right next to him and asleep. 

Dread filled him when he saw the name flashing across the screen now though. 

Trouble Calling

Quite literally this time too. Atem was tempted to ignore it just because he knew he was about to get a tongue lashing, but just as soon as it went to voicemail, the phone began to vibrate with another call.

Mother Calling

Atem bit back a string of curses as he began to carefully extract himself out from under Yugi. No text would be enough now to stop Mahad from calling forth their country’s armed forces, not unless it came with a ransom picture with Atem holding today’s newspaper. He would have to answer for his crimes now or truly face Mahad’s and Mana’s ire when he got back.

If he wasn’t already.

Atem all but ran across the apartment and stepped into the first doorway he saw and pressed the accept call button.

Yugi woke to the sound of a hushed voice somewhere nearby. 

He blinked tiredly, his head pounding like he was hungover, but he knew it was just because of the mental turmoil of the last day. And to think he hadn’t even gotten a fun party to make up for how much his head hurt. He did feel slightly more rested than before, but he could have sworn he’d fallen asleep next to Atem.

He pushed up from the couch cushions to peer around the room. The tv still was playing the same show from before, although on a much later episode than Yugi remembered. His marshmallon patterned blanket had been draped over him at some point and pooled around his waist as he sat up. 

His head turned when he heard Atem’s voice drifting quietly from his bedroom, and saw the door partly open. Yugi got up on his knees to peer over the back of the couch, seeing Atem’s shadow passing back and forth behind the door.

He was talking fast, and sounded upset.

Yugi shrank back until half his face was hidden by the couch, suddenly feeling ashamed again for all this. He was selfishly glad that Atem had come, and truly he had needed to have the support from the one person who seemed to understand him best, but he should have known it would come at a cost to Atem.

”…I know that, you have sent me the calendar updates already…yes, of course I know it’s important for that…Mana, tell him that isn’t necessary, I’m fine!”

That sick feeling was coming back to Yugi’s stomach and he regretted drinking the second boba tea. 

“I didn’t just fuck off without a reason! I…yes, I had a reason, but it’s none of your business!…alright, maybe it is some of your business, but surely I can be allowed something private for once!”

Yugi ducked down entirely behind the couch and wondered if it was cowardly of him to want to bury his head in between the couch cushions to hide like some sort of domestic ostrich.  

“Fine! Next time I’ll tell you where I am going, but it was very sudden and an emergency. I wouldn’t have done it if it weren’t important. Yes…yes, I’m sorry…please stop crying…yes, I saw the news about him. Yes, I know it was frightening, but Mana it was in another country. It was not some grand international duelist kidnapping plot…sorry, I know…I know...I'll make it up to you both...What? Ugh, fine, yes that too.”

He sounded so stressed…The couch cushions were looking really inviting now. Yugi wrapped his arms around his legs and rested his chin on his knees, wondering if it was possible to die of second hand shame. 

“Alright, two days. I promise I’ll be back in two days. Yes, I’ll send Mahad hourly check in texts. No, I will not go into any crowded areas unless it’s the airport. And…yes, I’m fine, I promise. And buy Mahad a fancy bottle of wine on me. It sounds like he needs it. Maybe two. No, price doesn't matter. Alright…I’ll be in touch…yes, two days. I haven’t forgotten. Bye.”

Yugi heard the sigh even from across the apartment and could picture Atem standing in his room, head tilted back, eyes closed, and that frown back on his face. The pacing had stopped at least, but after a few moments of silence he heard the door open and soft footsteps padding closer. 

As much as he thought it would have been a good idea to do a tactical retreat and pretend to have been asleep still…he knew Atem was too good at reading others and would catch him. Plus…Yugi hadn’t really been given a reason to hide anything from Atem yet. 

Their eyes met when Atem rounded the couch.

”Oh, you’re awake,” he said, not quite sounding disappointed. But something close to that.

Yugi bit his lip and looked back down at his knees, “Yeah, heard you talking. It sounded rough in there.”

Atem grimaced and sat down on the couch, a little bit more space between them than before. He rubbed a hand over his neck and sighed, “It was nothing I didn’t deserve though. I’m afraid I neglected to inform my team of my abrupt departure last night,” he admitted.

Yugi’s mouth dropped open with a gasp, “Atem, are you serious? My friends would have shredded me like cheddar cheese if I pulled something like that!”

”You forgot to tell them about staying in a different hotel before,” Atem pointed out.

”A different hotel, not a different country! And Jounouchi at least knew I was staying with someone,” Yugi shot back, suddenly understanding the phone conversation a little bit more. But at the same time, hearing Atem’s voice and seeing him pacing like that…all paired with how tiredly his shoulders were stooped now…Yugi understood Atem’s side of this too. 

How could he not when his own phone was still shut off and buried in his junk drawer. Sometimes when it felt like everyone had too much access to your life, it was easier to shut the door.

Even if Yugi did miss his friends right now. He just…wasn’t ready to be any more of a burden than he already was. He knew he needed to get himself together first.

Yugi deflated, also knowing that Atem didn’t need to be reamed out by him too. 

Besides, Atem already looked pretty shredded as it was.

Slowly Yugi stretched out one leg until his socked foot poked against Atem’s hip, drawing his attention back to him.

Yugi forced himself to lift his head to meet his intense gaze, ”You know you’ve already helped me more than I could have ever asked for. I already feel a hundred times better now than I did this morning because of you. I just…I can’t ask you to give up anything more for me in good conscience. I know you’ve got your busy life, your team worrying about you, and lots of things going on outside of the two of us and our…thing. Please don’t hold yourself back just because of me though. I couldn’t forgive myself if I brought you down too. I’m really glad and grateful you’re here, Atem. But if you need to leave, I understand.”

Atem reached down to slide his hand around Yugi’s ankle and lifted the foot up into his lap, and then did the same with the other when Yugi unfolded for him. He kept his hands draped over Yugi’s legs, settling back into the couch pointedly.

”I am exactly where I want to be,” Atem said with a strength and finality it almost seemed like something he could announce in the center of a stadium. It left no room for argument, and Yugi shuddered thinking how relieved he was hearing it. 

“You’re sure? I know you have a lot going on with the upcoming tournament, and prepping for World’s, and there is a lot expected of you—“

Atem silenced him with a press of a finger to Yugi’s lips. His face was calmly neutral, but Yugi swore he saw a flicker of something akin to sadness in his eyes as he spoke, “I find that with each passing day lately that I care less of what is expected of me, and more about what I expect of myself. And right now, I am here to help you feel better and get back on your feet. I was able to claim back two days of my own to stay here, and I intend to keep them,” he said, patting Yugi’s socked toes for emphasis.

Wow, and wasn't that one heck of a warm rush hearing him say that. All his bad feelings from the last day scattered like mice when the lights suddenly turn on. 

"Thank you,” Yugi found himself saying, awed, “I really am glad you’re here. And I’m already feeling a lot better, really. Maybe we can even make a good time of it! I didn’t think we’d be seeing each other for a few weeks at least.”

Atem practically lit up hearing that, “You’re welcome, but does that mean you are coming to the EU bowl?”

Yugi giggled seeing how excited he was, “Yeah, I didn’t get a chance to text you my answer for obvious reasons. But Anzu was able to clear my schedule enough that I can go watch you. And I don’t plan to cancel that. It will be nice to get away from Domino for a bit after this.”

”Yes, I can imagine that may be a nice change of scenery. France is lovely this time of year. 

Yugi grinned and wiggled his feet in Atem’s lap, “But we don’t have to wait until then to have a good time if you don’t want to,” he said.

Atem’s head tilted to the side curiously, “We don’t?”

”Nope! We’ve got two days before you have to go back, right? And we’ve got two cleared schedules.”

Atem almost looked shocked, almost overwhelmed realizing that he had two days of no expectations ahead of him, “Two days…what should we do?” His eyes were bright and eager like a kid being told they were going to Disneyland. 

Yugi shrugged, “Whatever we want. But I’ve got a couple ideas. You game?”

”For you, always.”

Chapter Text

For all that Atem hated being stuck in his own apartment day after day, he didn't feel as stifled here in Yugi's half unpacked apartment. Even if it took them half an hour to find the box that contained all his consoles, and then another half hour to find the cables and hook it all up, the happy feeling did not fade.

Even with boxes taking up the majority of each room's contents, Atem could not shake the feeling that Yugi had already built more of a home than he had ever managed. He could feel it in the favored collectibles being put in places of honor around the room, and in the photos of friends and family cluttering the walls. Because those were more important to unpack than his toaster or shower mat. And it said a lot about Yugi without words. And somehow Atem didn't feel out of place from the things that managed to be unpacked. Yugi was welcoming and didn't stand on any sort of ceremony with Atem in his place, and it was truly a relief. 

After years of always being the center of attention of any room he walked into, he had learned the difference of being greeted…and being welcomed. And this felt like a true welcoming.

But something about being near Yugi just felt easy. Too easy even. Too safe. Several times now Atem had almost let his mask and walls slip in front of him. A rookie mistake he thought he'd gotten over years ago. He'd have to be more careful not to let himself relax too much now that they wouldn't have to part come morning. It would be much too easy to forget himself and slip up, show more of himself than he'd been willing to do in years. He couldn't risk it though, not if it meant risking what this was. 

After all, he had not forgotten that Yugi had idolized him for years before they'd even met. Yugi must see him as the person that had been projected by the media and his own careful crafting. That was the person Yugi had been drawn to. Not Atem, but Atem Sennen the King of Games. If the real Atem was who Yugi started to see, then why would he want to stick around for him?

Besides, they could still have fun like this. And fun was what they both desperately needed and had earned after weeks of hard training, and traumatic events. 

Atem knew that coming here and staying here were meant to be for Yugi, but he was surprised to feel like part of this was for himself too. Yugi would get the support and understanding that he needed, and Atem reclaimed two days doing what he wanted with who he wanted to do them with. These two days would be for both of them, he decided. 

"What do you want to play next you think? Should we try our hand at Mario Kart again or should I actually give a shit about what my neighbors think of the noise we'll make?" Yugi asked as he dug through the box they'd finally found with all his video games inside. Atem had actually found himself impressed at the collection. 

"Hmm, have you introduced yourself to them yet?" Atem asked, tapping his chin in consideration. 

Yugi rolled his eyes and snorted, "More like they haven't introduced themselves to me. Millions of yen worth of pearls were probably clutched when I walked through the doors and they saw my hair and clothing. I guess the high and mighty rich people of Domino weren't expecting someone like me for a next door neighbor."

Atem laughed, reaching down to ruffle at Yugi's spectacular mess of hair, "In that case, I think they would expect someone dressed like you to be loud, darling." 

"Well then let's not disappoint them. I've got an image to uphold as the resident punk," Yugi grinned and slid the game in to boot it up, "Maybe later we should make obnoxiously loud sex noises just to give them something to talk about in the lobby later. Get them clutching some more pearls and dabbing their brows with silk hankies."

"Just noises, or are we banging the headboard too?" Atem asked with feigned innocence. Although inside his libido was doing cartwheels. Given how that morning was, Atem had not given any thought to anything of that nature, but Yugi seemed to have come alive again after Atem had said he was staying for two days. 

Yugi turned to wink at him as he tossed over a controller, "I'll leave that up to you to decide."

Atem watched Yugi come around the coffee table and felt his stomach flip pleasantly when instead of sitting beside him on the couch, Yugi sat down on the floor between his legs and snuggled in close. Thankfully Yugi's short stature meant that Atem could still see the screen above the tips of his hair, and an added bonus was being able to feel him close. The novelty of having someone close enough to touch was not lost to him yet, if it ever would be. Maybe banging headboards against the wall would be a fine idea for later if Yugi was still up for it. 

"How long until the food arrives you think?" Atem asked as they picked out their characters.

Yugi looked like he was about to reach for his phone to check the time, but had forgotten it was hidden away.

"Uh, if I had to guess, maybe thirty minutes?" he said, voice trailing off as his eyes strayed over to the kitchen where his phone was stashed. But he didn't rise to retrieve it yet. It was still early yet though, Atem wasn't about to push him either. Not when Yugi seemed more like himself again. 

"Good, that should be more than enough time to assert my dominance over you," he said and after consideration, chose Bowser.  

Yugi chuckled for some reason and chose Princess Peach. 

As they began to play, Atem had to wonder if even with some very athletic sex that they would be able to top the amount of noise they made. Although the victorious roar Atem made when he won the final round could have possibly been mistaken for something sexual.

Food did arrive at some point, and Yugi had insisted that Atem try all of all the quintessential Japanese food items during his time here. The coffee table became a banquet of various dishes to try, and they worked their way through it in between rounds. The building superintendent never called, but then again, Yugi's phone was still switched off. Not that they really cared much having already switched over to a different track. 

Atem didn't even notice that the sun had set at some point, or that his legs were most likely numb from sitting for so long. But he felt so very awake despite not having slept at all the night before.

He felt Yugi shift in front of him, his head tilting back until it rested on Atem's knees and he could see his face. The haunted look and the red eyes had faded, and he saw that same brightness that he'd come to expect and adore. 

The smile seemed more radiant than ever too.

"I win," Yugi grinned up at him.

Atem rolled his eyes, "I do believe I still lead thirty to twenty eight," he said, glancing down at the tallies they'd been keeping on a take out napkin, "In any case, did you still want to do Super Smash Bros next, or–"

"Hang on, I want to check my phone real quick."

"W-what? Wait, are you sure–"

"I'll be quick!"

Atem startled, not having expected this so suddenly. He tensed up as he watched Yugi head over to the kitchen and pulled open the drawer they'd hidden his phone in earlier. The game and the controller in his hands was completely forgotten as he felt acid churning in his stomach as he waited, holding his breath as Yugi powered on his phone again.

Atem felt more nervous than Yugi looked, and it made sense because he must be braver too…because if it was Atem, he would not have checked that phone until he absolutely had to. And here Yugi was doing it willingly. 

He readied himself to launch over the back of the couch to run over to Yugi if he saw even an inkling of that haunted look come back. It was taking every ounce of his self control to not pull Yugi away from that device and to bundle him back on the couch under his marshmallon blanket and kuriboh plush shoved in his lap. He'd stand between Yugi and everything Atem had ever been made to suffer from. To hide them both away from the world that would continue to hurt them.  

But then a small smile crept over Yugi's lips and he lifted the phone to his ear, "Hey guys, are you all at Anzu's place?...Yeah, sorry I've been offline today…yeah, I guess I just needed a nap and some food, but I'm feeling more myself now. I'm doing okay, I promise," he said, and even to Atem's ears it didn't sound like a lie. 

His eyes widened and his heart began to thud in his chest, fully having anticipated Yugi shattering from reaching back across the barrier of their safe little haven here. But Yugi's shoulders were loose and his face free of stress as he leaned lazily on the marble counter. 

"Anyway, I wanted to reach out to let you guys know I'm still good. Also wanted to see if you, well, would you mind covering for me for the next two days? I know I need to do a statement and…oh, you already drafted them for me? Wow, thank you! And you already cleared my schedule, aw guys…you're amazing. Have I told you all how much I love you?...Ha! Sorry, Jounouchi, I could never look as good as Mai in a skirt, but thanks. Really, thank you guys. Yeah, I'll reach out if I need you. See you in a couple days. Love ya, bye!"

Atem stared open mouthed at Yugi, trying to comprehend what he was seeing. How much lighter he was since that morning. Had that been Atem's doing, or just Yugi's resilience? He couldn't be sure, but he was stunned. 

And a little ashamed. Because he'd been ready to slap that phone out of Yugi's hands and keep him locked away in their little fortress of solitude. And that would have deprived him of that sweet comforting contact of the friends Atem knew Yugi adored. 

Friends that were already trying to take care of Yugi in their own way. And apparently doing a damn good job of it too. And Yugi being strong enough to bounce back so quickly, and also being brave enough to lower those defenses so soon too. Atem had never bounced back like that. He'd just erected stronger defenses. And it had worked in keeping him safe, but…

He glanced over to where Yugi was still smiling as he typed out a few messages, probably to his family and other friends. Meanwhile Atem's phone remained untouched since that last disaster of a call…the one where he'd verbally slapped away Mana and Mahad's attempts to get close. But shouldn't they know by now that Atem didn't…couldn't do close. He just couldn't. 

Atem slumped back onto the couch, feeling defeated despite the number of tallies on his side of the napkin.

"Hey, did you still want to try taiyaki? It tastes better fresh, but I'm sure I can find a way to have some delivered," Yugi called out from across the room.

Atem cleared his throat, tossing back on his usual mental barriers and carefully crafted indifferent mask, "Oh, I suppose if you're still hungry we can."

"I don't know the physics or anatomy behind it, but there is always room for dessert according to Jounouchi," Yugi laughed.

Atem tried to chuckle too, but it came out more like an uncomfortable huff. He fiddled idly with the controller in his hands as he heard Yugi's soft footsteps approaching from behind. 

"What kind of filling you feeling? Anko, chocolate, custard, matcha…" Yugi asked, draping his top half over the back of the couch and resting on Atem's stiffened shoulder. The sudden close proximity was only serving to remind him of their talk of sex noises and banging headboards earlier, but it was dulled a little by the mental turmoil he was trying his best to corral back behind his brain's barbed wire fence. 

"Whatever you think is best," he replied with a shrug. 

Yugi's eyes were on him then, narrowed as if he was trying to read him like a face down card on the field, "Oh no, you're being a turtle again."

"Turtle?" Atem asked frowning, not sure if he should be offended or just confused. 

Yugi climbed over the back of the couch to straddle Atem's lap, and instinctively he put his hands over those slender thighs to run his palms over them. The feeling of him there stirred something primal in him, and only got stronger when he saw the answering heat in Yugi's eyes. 

"Yeah, a turtle. When it seems like you're finally poking your head out of that shell you wear and then suddenly you duck right back in. Come on, come back out," Yugi teased, leaning forward to rub their noses together playfully, chasing after his lips with a teasing kiss. 

"I am not a turtle."

"You say this, but you did choose Bowser."

"Because he has better speed capabilities," he pointed out, but just as described, Atem could feel himself retreating further. However, with Yugi all lively in his lap he was more than happy to focus on that instead. 

Yugi laughed, shifting too perfectly in between Atem's legs that he couldn't help but suck in a deep breath as he tried to follow along with the conversation, "Which is honestly funny because Bowser is in fact a turtle, which are not known for their speed. But anyway, I'm just saying that you can be open around me. You can trust me."

Atem sighed, trying to relax because part of him truly wanted to believe that. Maybe part of him even did believe that. But it just wasn't in his nature anymore to open up like that to anyone. 

"Don't think about it too hard, darling. It's just dessert," Atem said, an evasive maneuver, one that he followed up with a tactical distraction as he leaned up between them to capture another kiss. This one deeper than before. 

Unbidden by any real thought, Atem moved his hands up from Yugi's thighs, over his hips and resting just above the jut of the bone there. Thumbs traced over the hem of the comfortable pants he'd worn, and pulling a sweet sounding moan from Yugi's lips.

"You're not really hungry for taiyaki, are you?" he asked, sounding breathless. 

Atem shook his head, feeling safe to answer that at least, "Not for that, no," but there was a different hunger now that reflected in both their eyes and that could be felt building up between where Yugi sat on his body. 

"Thought so," Yugi teased, easing his hands up Atem's chest and then curling back behind his neck.

Atem felt his eyelids flutter almost completely shut when Yugi slid further forward, until their groins were pressed up against each other, and then grinded them together slowly. Atem flung the controller aside and grabbed hold of that slender waist, guiding him into another sinful roll against one another. 

"Atem?"

"Hm?"

"Do you want this?"

"Yes." He couldn't think of anything he wanted more right now. 

"Do you want me?"

"Yes," he breathed, the sound almost desperate. 

Yugi hummed something that almost sounded sympathetic and Atem felt the stroke of his hand pass down the side of his face, cupping along his jaw, "You've been giving a lot of yourself, haven't you? How about you take what you need tonight. No expectations. Just us."

Atem struggled to understand what was being offered. It almost sounded like…like Yugi knew something about what he'd been thinking about earlier. But how could he? Atem was so very careful to keep those parts of himself hidden from everyone. There was no way that Yugi saw through it, unless…unless he'd been slipping even more than he thought he had been. 

But what Yugi was offering also sounded exactly like what he needed. And it was being offered so sweetly. Impossible to ignore.

"Yugi, I…" but any more words or thoughts were lost as Yugi stood up from his lap. He gaped up at the man who began to saunter over across the apartment, pausing only long enough at the door to the bedroom to give a soul sucking 'come hither' look that forced Atem to swallow back a sound that would have likely been reminiscent of a dying animal if he'd let it out. 

Atem flew off the couch to follow a second later. 

He'd caught glimpses of Yugi's room plenty of times before during their video calls, and even when he'd been pacing the expanse of it on his own call earlier. It was familiar enough that he paid it very little mind as he entered, his focus entirely on the one standing in the center of the room. Waiting patiently for him to make his move. 

Atem met him there, a silent stalk forward until they were close enough that their breath mingled between them. 

"You're going to lead tonight," Yugi announced, just above a whisper.

Atem tried not to frown, feeling just a shred of unease thinking about what Yugi had gone through the day before, "Yugi, are you sure?"

Yugi smiled up at him, open and with no hesitation in his eyes or his touch as he slid a hand over him, "Of course. I trust you."

He really did too. Atem wasn't sure how he felt about that just yet, but he was too lost in Yugi's eyes to give it much thought now. He could feel that heat building between them again, and felt his cock awakening between them. As Yugi pressed in closer, he knew that he was just as eager to begin, chasing away the last shreds of hesitation he felt. 

They both wanted this. And Atem was in control this time. 

But first…

Atem reached down between them to tug the loose shirt off of Yugi, exposing all of that creamy skin before him in person for the first time in months. He eyes the expanse of it hungrily, but wanted to pay proper respects to something else first. His gaze drifted down those slender arms along with his hands, and he lifted both of Yugi's hands up to his face to place a reverent kiss on both of his bruised wrists, and felt Yugi shudder under the touch.

With that taken care of, his little darling wanted to play tonight. And Atem would try his best not to disappoint.

No…there were no expectations. Therefore, no disappointment. Even so, he would make sure this would be for both of them. 

"May I?" Yugi asked, fingers tugging at the hem of Atem's shirt.

He nodded, "Please," came the deep rumble. Yugi began to unbutton his shirt with the expressive face of someone opening a gift. 

While his busy little hands were occupied with that, Atem took the chance to start tracing his own along the lines and curves that he'd been missing since regionals. Those video calls had been a mere scratch at the itch that had been building since they had parted, and this was a soothing balm to the irritation that came from separating. He wanted more though. This was all just a tease so far. 

Once Yugi finished, Atem wasted no more time before ridding them both of their pants. 

"Fuck, still just as pretty as always," Atem said in a please growl, ducking down to lay claim on that long, bare neck. As always, Yugi tilted it aside so easily to grant him access. 

"Still have a ways to go to work up the sexiest duelist list to be on your playing field," Yugi giggled. Atem shivered as his painted nails dragged down his back. He felt his cock twitch eagerly at the sharp dig of them when they were squeezed over the ass that Yugi seemingly missed too. 

"Darling, you are already on my playing field. Can't you feel it?" he said, and gripped Yugi's hips to grind their arousals together, pulling a sharp whine from Yugi's lips.

"Hmm, well it is rather hard to miss, I suppose," Yugi teased, dragging Atem's face down to suck on his bottom lip, nipping at it just hard enough to get his attention. 

As if Atem's attention was not already fully upon him. 

Hands and lips explored one another for a time, building up the passion until it felt like an inferno was ablaze within him. Yugi went willingly along with every one of Atem's touches, leaning and pressing into them as if begging for more. Not once did he pull or flinch away. Completely trusting. Letting Atem take the lead just as he promised. 

Atem found himself unsure how to comprehend such a gift. 

"How do you want this?" Yugi asked breathlessly, gasped as they parted from the last soul sucking kiss that almost left Atem's tongue numb. 

Atem pulled back just enough to see Yugi's face, trying to read him and the moment as best he could in the dark room. There were endless ways Atem knew they could go about sex, but some he felt were just too vulnerable for him, and he'd shied away from putting himself in that position for years. Tonight would be no different, but that didn't mean that he couldn't think of other ways that they could enjoy themselves. 

Many ways in fact. 

But there was something about the way that Yugi was looking at him that made Atem feel even more exposed than just by being naked before him. Like he should by trying to cover his soul rather than his skin.

Those eyes were seeing too much, and Yugi was just so perfect right now. So open, too willing, and much too kind. Atem could feel his mask slipping again as he was rendered almost defenseless under that sweet gaze. But if Yugi saw too much…no, Atem couldn't risk it. He couldn't have those eyes on him when he already felt like he was unraveling under the overwhelming temptation that was Yugi Mutou. 

It was just luck then that Atem had teased making headboards rattle earlier. How convenient. 

"On your knees, against the headboard," he said, and saw Yugi's eyes dilate at the command.  

Yugi scrambled up on the bed, not a single graceful movement along the way, but it made Atem smile at his eagerness as he followed behind. 

He felt his own gaze narrow with desire as Yugi did as told, spreading his knees apart and gripping the edge of the headboard tightly. Waiting for Atem to guide them to the next moment. 

Atem climbed up behind him, already knowing where the supplies were from a few of their more spontaneous video call sessions before, and grabbed what was needed. 

He had to pause for just a moment though to take in the sight of Yugi kneeling there like that, committing the sight to memory. 

"That's it, such a good boy waiting patiently for me," Atem praised as he came up behind him and caressed his hands down Yugi's flank. 

"We'll see how long the patience lasts if you don't hurry up, old man," Yugi snarked, earning him a gentle slap on the rump from Atem. Of course Yugi leaned out as if asking for more though. Atem didn't give him the satisfaction of course, he was taking lead tonight after all. 

Settling in behind him, Atem traced slick fingers down his spine until they came to rest over Yugi's entrance, and he began to work the tight muscle loose. Each subsequent finger made Yugi's body shake more, and pulled increasingly louder sounds from him. 

Atem drank it all up like the finest of wines. 

"I'm ready, please. Please," Yugi whined, arching his back to press his hips back against Atem. 

Atem could believe it, and knew that he'd been ready for a few minutes now, but had been having too much fun pulling more of those sounds from Yugi to stop. 

"So needy, darling. Don't you trust me to give you what you want?"

"But I want more," Yugi breathed.

Atem swallowed hard, wondering just how true that statement was. How much did Yugi really want of this? It stirred at something else in him, making him wonder if he wanted more too. Of course he did. How could he not?

He felt the walls of his defenses shudder. 

At least Yugi wouldn't be able to see his face like this, which was for the best. Atem could feel the slip of his mask falling away as he took in the perfection before him, and could feel the adoration beaming from his eyes. But it was the desperate need and the uncertainty  that he knew would also be painted there that he was scared to show. 

"I'm right here, darling. You've already got me," he said quietly, and lined himself up to press inside that pliant and willing body splayed before him. Draping over him like a shield from above. He allowed Yugi to press back to meet him, but once they were fully joined, that was where Atem took the reins.

He wrapped his arms under Yugi's chest for leverage and began to thrust into him hard enough to make Yugi wail under the force of it, and fast enough to make sure he had no time to recover from each perfect hit to his pleasure spot. 

Atem was sure that the sounds of skin slapping against skin were a part of the din of their pleasure, but those sounds were lost between Yugi's sinful cries and gasps, and Atem's own lustful moans. 

Not to mention the very loud banging of the headboard against the wall. Absently he wondered if they were scuffing the paint. Or denting the drywall. 

"T-think they're clutching their pearls yet?" Yugi asked breathlessly.

Atem chuckled, ducking down to bite down on Yugi's shoulder and making him cry out loudly again, "Maybe even calling the building superintendent too."

"Sweet, we'll call that an achievement unlocked. Oh! Oh, fuck, right there! Ah, Atem! "

Clearly Atem was not fucking him well enough if Yugi was able to form complete sentences, so he doubled his efforts. He pulled Yugi back against his chest, taking his weight entirely in his grip and thrusting up into him relentlessly. 

Yugi was rendered to little more than desperate whimpers between cries of pleasure as Atem worked into him. Good. Atem didn't need the verbal warning that Yugi was getting close, because he could feel it as the lithe body he held began to tense and his breathing stuttered.

He didn't slow his pace or try to drag it out. They had two days to do that if they wanted, but both of them needed release more than they needed a tease. Atem drove up into him until Yugi's head fell back with a choked off wail as he finally came. Atem followed a few thrusts later into the warm and open body he held.

He guided them both back onto the bed where they fought for air, Yugi twisting around to face him as they pressed in close.

Through the dark of the room, Atem caught the glint of Yugi's eyes across the small space between them. 

And Atem froze, truly like a deer caught in headlights, the feeling of being caught somehow by that gaze rendering him speechless. But Yugi said nothing as he moved to rest his head on Atem's chest, and in turn, Atem wrapped an arm over his shoulders. 

He had two days to figure out what that glint was. 

He didn't even know if he was scared or elated to try and find out.

Chapter Text

Whatever tragic and frightening event brought Atem here in the first place, the two men found themselves grateful all the same to have been given the excuse to be together again. It was healing the broken and frayed edges of their hearts from whatever damage they'd sustained, and giving them a chance to explore whatever it was that was building between the two of them.

Atem woke to the perfect feeling of someone shifting on the bed beside him. After being alone so long, he should have been startled being suddenly woken in a peripherally familiar room. But he was smiling even before he opened his eyes, and not just because he felt clever little hands roaming down his torso in slow, tantalizing strokes.

Atem slowly rolled on his back to allow for better access for those hands. 

Atem chuckled when he felt a warm body slinking down the length of him, and hair tickling his chest. He lifted up the edge of the blanket to peer under. Looking back up at him were two wide and less than innocent eyes gleaming back up at him, a smirk already in place upon those darling lips.

"Well, hello there," Atem said with a grin of his own, "And how are you feeling this morning?" 

"Good. Really good…" Yugi said, and Atem chuckled again when he could feel his arousal against his thigh.

"I can see that, yes. And feel it," Atem teased.

Yugi hummed, dipping his head down to start licking sweetly at Atem's chest, lapping over a hardened nipple and making him shiver, "Wanna feel good too?" He asked, much too innocently for someone who had their cock pressed so firmly up against another. 

"Mmm, always," Atem purred, granting Yugi permission for whatever his devious little mind had come up with. When it came to Yugi, Atem was always game.

Given the green light, Yugi’s eyes lit up and he ducked deeper down under the blanket, trailing wet sucking kisses down Atem’s torso and down to where his cock had risen with the morning sun.

With the blanket still covering them both, Atem could not see what his playful companion was up to, but somehow that made it better. He jolted with a pleased shock when a wet heat closed over his cock and a hand cupped at the flesh below, rolling them gently. 

The sounds coming from under the blanket were obscene, but damn if they didn't make Atem feel hot all over. When he felt Yugi’s tongue start to twirl over the head of his cock, Atem could help but add his own noises to the room.

"Fuck, you feel amazing. That mouth of yours is much too sinful for such an angelic face," Atem panted through a chuckle, but it turned into a higher pitched moan when Yugi did something absolutely filthy with his tongue. 

His head fell back against the pillows as he arched into that perfect mouth. The blanket still draped over them bobbed with Yugi's head, and Atem’s toes curled as he felt his climax building. 

"Shit, darling, I'm close," he warned, but it could have been encouragement for how it spurred Yugi into doubling his efforts. Atem was panting through broken moans as Yugi swallowed him down to his base, still fondling, squeezing and stroking with those clever hands of his.

He cried out with his release, and felt Yugi take it all eagerly. 

And to think the world had Yugi pegged as an innocent sweetheart. Which he was in some ways, but absolutely not in others. Atem counted himself very lucky to be among the few aware of this side to Dueling’s Little Darling. 

His cheeks were hurting from smiling so much first thing in the morning. Like they were unpracticed in such things. Maybe by the time Atem had to leave he'd have broken in his smile once more.

"Come up here, darling," Atem called out, lifting the sheets up over Yugi's head as he scrambled out in a happy flurry of motion. Atem only spared a single blink of time trying to puzzle out how Yugi managed to completely undress without him noticing, but snapped his attention back to the one waiting eagerly in his lap. 

Atem coaxed the squirming body to sit higher on his chest until Yugi’s cock was level with his mouth, and then guided his hips forward so he could swallow the length whole. 

"Ahh, Atem," Yugi whimpered as Atem began to suck in long pulls along that pretty cock of his. Ever the energetic youth, Atem had to grip Yugi’s slender hips tight to keep him from moving too much. But Yugi seemed to enjoy the strong hold as he pressed into Atem's hands. 

Of course Atem was more than happy to indulge him. The headboard that they'd abused the night before creaked as Yugi's hands held onto it for something to grab as Atem all but completely devoured him. 

Yugi wasn't even forming complete words as he gasped, panted and whimpered half formed consonants and what might have been Atem's or some deity's name. His voice lost to the haze of pleasure Atem was raining on him, he knew that Yugi was close just by the breathless stutter of his gasp. Taking prompt from Yugi's deeds, Atem increased his efforts. He felt a victorious thrill run through him when Yugi began to cry out in ecstasy, and tasted him on his tongue a moment later.

Atem didn't pull off until he knew Yugi was done, and then watched as the young one slid down in a boneless heap on his chest.

"Atem, you're so incredible and sexy. It's not fair," Yugi whined, his voice muffled from where it was buried between muscular pecks. Atem laughed and patted Yugi’s head sympathetically. 

"I have to keep up with you somehow, darling," he rumbled, stroking his hands up and down the sinewy length of Yugi's naked spine. 

If he expected Yugi to lounge and be lazy in bed for the rest of the day though, Atem was sorely mistaken. Not disappointed, just mistaken. It took all of five quiet minutes before Yugi perked up from where he lay on Atem, grinning up at him with the glint returned to his eyes.

"Want to have some fun today?" He asked, wiggling like an eager puppy before him.

Atem nodded, surprised knowing that he really did. He did want to have fun. It didn't even matter the what, where or how…only the who. 

Yugi bounced eagerly on the bed, bringing Atem's attention front and center once more.

"Breakfast first! Have you ever tried anpan?

"How do I look?" 

Atem paused to look over Yugi's chosen disguise for the day. The plain and baggy sweatshirt did little to hide his slender figure, but obscured it enough to avoid grabbing too much attention. The jeans were sinfully tight in all the right places at least, giving Atem something to admire today. The beanie Yugi wore somehow managed to hide most of his colorful hair, with only a few patches of black and magenta peeking out at his neck. And it only added to the punk look accented by Yugi's usual odd collection of jewelry. And ever present collar back in place.

But it was the pair of large, fat rimmed, yellow tinted glasses that seemed to stand out, making Atem grin despite himself. But they served their purpose in masking Yugi’s stunning eyes without obscuring them all together. 

"Like an adorable, yet strangely fashionable insect."

Yugi's face twisted cautiously, "Insect? But not like Haga though, right?"

Atem scoffed, tucking one loose strand of hair under Yugi's beanie, "I believe I said adorable and fashionable. Not sinister and tragic, darling."

Yugi breathed out a sigh of relief, "Oh good. Okay, let's see how we did with you."

Atem held out his arms next, spinning around as he let Yugi take in their creation.

It had been a little difficult to put something together seeing how Atem had apparently packed for what Yugi must have assumed to be a formal dining event held at a gym. But there had been a pair of slacks among the random assortment of clothes since he didn't stand a chance at fitting in Yugi's collection of skinny jeans. They dressed it down with some of the looser shirts from Yugi's closet, all with their own level of distress or strategic holes and tears he insisted were part of his "look". He'd also been gifted one of Yugi’s treasured beanies to hide his own signature hairstyle, and a pair of heavily shaded sunglasses to cover his sharp eyes.

Atem was not too certain about it all together, but he supposed the point of them getting dressed like this was not to impress one another, but to fly under the radar as they dared to go outside of the building. And Yugi seemed to appreciate Atem wearing some of his clothing, so he supposed that was just a bonus.

"Wow, I hardly recognize you," Yugi replied when he stopped turning. 

"I imagine that's rather the point, isn't it?" 

Yugi stepped in close to tug on the loose collar of the shirt, "No, the point is to go out and have fun. This is just something we have to do so we can manage that without getting swarmed."

Atem tried not to let his anxiety show, "And you're sure you are ready to go out? Yugi, it's okay if you want to stay here–"

"And pass up a chance at getting to do this with you? No way, I'm not going to be scared out of living my life," Yugi said, and his voice didn't waver or falter with any hesitation. 

Atem sighed, relenting to his wishes. If it made Yugi happy then he could go along with it, "Alright, where are we going anyway?"

He could feel Yugi’s smile in the kiss he leaned up for. His face was flushed and beaming when he pulled back, "I'm taking you to my favorite place in the world," he announced, his eyes still blindingly bright behind the tinted lenses.

Atem blinked, "Oh? Where's that?"

Yugi grinned and grabbed his hand, tugging him out the door and into the world, "Come on, I'll show you."

Atem looked around the interior, taking in the colorful sounds of cheery lo-fi music and ringing bells. The flash of lights around him for once did not come from cameras, but from game stands and consoles around the room. Somehow even the dingy and battered carpet appeared cheerful in this environment, and Atem felt his shoulder relax a bit as Yugi tugged him inside.

All eyes seemed to focus on whatever game was being played, rather than the two men blending in with the sparse crowd. No one even turned their heads when the two celebrities passed them.

Yugi seemed to know his way well enough as he gracefully weaved through the aisles, even with the dim lighting. He led them right up to a two person player, one of the few without a line behind it.

He pulled out a game card from his wallet and beckoned Atem forward.

"Do you know this one?" Yugi asked as he swiped them in for a round.

Atem glanced at the name, "Actually yes, but I haven't played in a long time. Probably before I started competing in Juniors."

"Nice, we'll do a couple rounds to warm you up then," he said and let Atem choose a joystick.

It had been years since Atem remembered sneaking away from his private school to seek out the arcade his classmates had whispered about in the hallways. How scared he had been that he would get caught, but the excitement once he started playing had overridden the fear enough that he'd played until he'd run out of coins and the sun had set. His parents had been furious, but even so, Atem could only look back on the memory fondly. 

But he didn’t say any of this to Yugi as they played through the first round. By the time the second was started, Atem couldn't already feel himself lose the anxiety of being out in public, and focus entirely on kicking the shit out of Yugi's player. 

By the fourth round, Atem got his first victory. By the tenth round they were tied for wins and decided they needed to get a snack for Yugi’s seemingly endless appetite. 

Atem looked at Yugi over the rim of his drink, taking in how relaxed and happy he appeared. Like what had occurred two days before didn't even happen, and he perfectly content to munch on his fries as he tried to figure out what console they'd try next.

"So, your favorite place in the world is an arcade?" Atem asked, propping his chin up on his hand.

Yugi glanced over at him shyly, "Yeah…I've always loved arcades, but this one was more special than the rest. If you haven't already noticed, I'm not the biggest guy around. I used to get bullied a lot because everyone knew I was an easy, weak target," when he saw Atem flinch at the word Yugi waved it off, "It's true though. But this used to be the only place I felt strong. The only place I could actually win for once and feel good. It was on that TV in the corner over there that I saw you dueling for the first time," he said, pointing over to a relic of a television playing reels of last year's EU Bowl tournament, "You were fresh from your first year out of Juniors, and I was fresh from being pummeled in the boys bathroom at school. But you looked so confident and cool up there, and all I could think was…wow, I wish that could be me. I hid out here watching that TV until I felt brave enough to go home. The first thing I did was run up and ask Grandpa if we had any packs of duel monster cards in the store, all while still having dried blood all over my face. I didn't know it then, but everything would change for me after that day."

Yugi’s laugh was as light as his eyes, despite the story that made Atem want to wrap him in a protective bubble and feed him chocolate chip cookies. He marveled at him as Yugi sat, legs swinging under the stool and grinning around another french fry. Atem was both amazed and confused by it all. How could someone who had been through so much still be so…open? Didn’t Yugi know how vulnerable he left himself this way? Yugi was much too smart to not realize it, so Atem could only assume that Yugi was fully aware and just truly did not care…or that he was willing to accept the risks for whatever reward there was. 

The reward being this freedom and happiness that Yugi seemed to find even in a small arcade, and with a reclusive duelist with the reputation of being cold and indifferent. 

Yes, Yugi left himself open to attack with his open approach to life, but Atem was starting to see that maybe it was intentional. And while Atem could see all the vulnerabilities that were now laid out before him, he knew with certainty that no matter what he could never hurt Yugi. 

Atem only wished the rest of the world would be so kind and merciful. 

Yugi finished off his fries in what must have been some sort of record time, and leapt off the stool before Atem was even half done with his drink. 

“Hey, I want to go do something real quick! I’ll be right back,” he said in a rush that left Atem no time to respond before he was running off to the back of the arcade. 

Atem sat there stunned for just a moment before he started to take a look around. He didn’t see anyone watching him, and no phones or cameras were pointed in his direction, much to his relief. In his scan of the room though, he spotted a claw machine by the door. He was walking towards it and pulling out his wallet before he gave it any real thought.

He hadn’t tried his hand at one of these in years, but he assumed it would be like riding a bike. 

He beamed proudly when the item he’d been aiming for fell into the pocket, and he grabbed the prize in his hands, turning around just in time to see Yugi bounding up to him with his hands behind his back.

”I got you something,” Yugi said by way of greeting, his eyes twinkling with mirth. 

Atem grinned back, “And I got you something too. Here, to add to your expansive collection,” he said, and presented the little duel monster figure between them.

”It’s a little Dark Magician! Wow, I didn’t have one of him yet. Thank you!” Yugi said, grinning madly down at it. 

Atem tried his best not to look as proud as he felt, because surely he would look ridiculous if he did. But all the same, he felt more joy handing over the simple collectible to Yugi than he did being handed a trophy at regionals. A thought that gave him pause.

But before he could delve into the terrifying implications of that, Yugi whipped out something from behind his back and held it high in front of Atem’s face.

Suddenly his vision was filled with a purple plushie of a turtle staring back at him.

”I saw this earlier when we walked by the prize counter and it reminded me of you. I hope it reminds you that it’s okay to come out of your shell sometimes. Look, he’s out of his shell and looks so happy,” Yugi said, cooing down at the stitched grin on the plushie’s face. 

Atem took it from Yugi, staring down into the embroidered joy on the turtle’s face, and then up at Yugi’s beaming smile, and felt himself melting. 

No, not melting.

Falling. 

They spent hours in the arcade, and in all that time Atem kept the plush close to hand, and Yugi even closer. 

He found himself unable to go without touching Yugi for anything more than the passing of one level of a game, and even then he still would lean in close enough their shoulders would brush as they moved.

And when they finally called it a day, Atem held the plush in one hand, and Yugi’s fingers in the other. 

Somehow Yugi talked him into taking the long way home, and they walked together on the street that overlooked the ocean. They only stopped once to grab something to eat back at Yugi’s place…and then once more for Atem to kiss Yugi senseless as the sun set over the water. 

They only had plans to watch movies and relax once they got back to the apartment, but Atem didn’t care what they did as long as it meant he got more time with Yugi. And more of the joy that came as a combo with being with him. 

As he held Yugi in his arms, the two of them cuddled together on the couch later that night, he could think of no other place he wanted to be, or anyone else he’d rather be with. 

But at the back of his mind, he knew there were still expectations waiting for him the moment their two days were up. He beat back those thoughts with a mental hammer, not wanting to spoil what could only be described as a perfect day. 

“Hey, want to see if we can both get off before it reaches the end of the credits?”

A perfect day that apparently still had time to get even better. And Atem let himself freefall into it. 

Chapter Text

It seemed like all the worst moments of Yugi’s life somehow led him to his greatest. 

Dad walks out? Gets to move with his Grandpa who loved him more and treated him better.  Get lost walking to school as a little kid? Meet Anzu and never have to walk alone again. Get harassed by a bully and extorted for money? Yugi becomes friends with Jounouchi and Honda. Get the shit beaten out of him? Learns about duel monsters and gets someone to aspire to. Meet Seto Kaiba? Beats Seto Kaiba. Get insulted by his idol? Gets to not only meet his idol, but get to play with him too. Almost got kidnapped by a crazy fan? Gets to have the best day ever with the person who makes him feel happier and safer than anyone else. 

If he asked Ryou about it he'd probably say it was something along the lines of Yugi having perfect karmic balance. Not that Yugi believed such things, but it would be hard to argue that Ryou was wrong given all the evidence before him. 

But right now, Yugi didn’t get the feeling that things were in balance. Everything felt like he was one misstep away from something. It was like…walking along a narrow stone wall, arms stretched out with two different directions to fall. One side with a daunting height and rock bottom, the other with frigid black waters. But if Yugi looked ahead, he would see something tempting in the distance. Something that made him keep going no matter the risk of falling.

Yugi had known from the start that this thing with Atem had 'bad idea' written all over it. But as he lay there in bed, waking up after the most perfect day he could ever remember, he wondered if maybe it would all be worth it. That the risk was worth it if he could just make it to the end of the stone wall without tripping or slipping along the way. 

If it was Atem at the other end…how could it not be worth it? After all, he'd been following his path for half his life. Why stop now when he was so close.

Close enough to touch. 

Yugi’s hand crept across the scant inches between where he lay, and where Atem continued to sleep. He looked so relaxed like this. No furrowed brow, no eyes always scanning for danger around them, so shields up to hide behind. Yugi curled his hand around his wrist, feeling the warmth and strength there.

He was stunning like this. Yugi wished he could see it more, but he knew the moment Atem would wake, the shields would go up again. And he'd retreat back into his protective shell.

Sighing, Yugi glanced over to where the purple plush from the day before was perched up on the side table looking back. It had started as a little teasing joke, but Yugi was starting to think the metaphor may be a little too on the nose. 

More than anything, Yugi was just confused by the behavior. Not that he wondered why Atem was so cautious, no, Yugi absolutely understood that. That was a fucking given. What really confused him was trying to understand why Atem still felt the need to be like that with Yugi.

The whiplash of it was disorienting. One second he'd be holding onto Yugi like he was the last parachute and they had already jumped from the plane, and then a blink of an eye later Atem would be back to his mental cement mixer and building an impressive brick wall between them, adding another layer to the ones he'd he had already erected. Yugi’s mind was an open field of flowers compared to the Bowser level fortress Atem had going on. 

Yugi had been trying to let Atem know it was safe to come out and romp in the grass by opening up his own most vulnerable memories. Taking him to places that held the best and worst of Yugi. Or completely breaking down in front of him (well, that one wasn't intentional, but hey, it still counted). He'd even told Atem as much, giving him his promise that he was safe with Yugi.

But the best he got were just glimpses of the real Atem passing behind cracks in his walls just before he slapped more mental concrete over them to fix what he saw as a flaw. 

It all would be a hilarious mental image if it also wasn't so fucking tragic. Atem wore his mental shields and indifference like Yugi wore his collar. Like armor. But at least Yugi took his off from time to time.

But as Yugi was able to catch more of those glimpses, the more he realized he wanted…more. More of the man behind the curtain, more of the fun they shared, more of that safe feeling he got when they were together. Wanted more of this. Wanted more than this. Just…more. 

But the real question that Yugi still had was…did Atem want more too?

This had started off as just some dumb game between them. Did Atem want to keep it that way? All the fun and none of the drama?

Yugi would have assumed so…if Atem hadn't flown to Japan to comfort him like he did while not knowing what kind of mess he'd find when he got there.

Yugi’s thoughts were interrupted when he noticed Atem begin to stir beside him. His previous thoughts hadn't been a libido driven as yesterday, so Yugi didn't immediately pounce on him. Not yet anyway. Instead he chose to lay there, perfectly still, and test the field. 

Wait for Atem to make the first move.

Half lidded eyes blinked open and seemed magnetically drawn to where Yugi was curled up beside him. As soon as he felt those wine colored eyes on him, Atem’s face broke out in the most beautiful and soft smile that Yugi could have ever imagined. No fancy photographer from any of the magazines and posters Yugi had drooled over in his teen years had ever captured a smile like this. 

"G'morning, darling," Yugi heard him say, his voice still thick with sleep. There was enough of a haze in his eyes that Yugi knew Atem wasn't quite awake yet. Hadn't already wrapped himself in his shell like he was buried under the comforter. This was another glimpse of what lay beneath. 

"Morning," Yugi whispered back, not wanting to shatter the moment or startle Atem into hiding again. He didn't move either, but kept his hand where it already lay on Atem's wrist.

And then…Atem was rolling over and reaching for him, "You are much too far away. Come here," he called and tugged at Yugi until they were both pressed together. And once again he was holding Yugi like he was a lifeline.

Yugi closed his eyes and breathed in deeply.

As he felt Atem burying his face into Yugi’s hair, and stroking his strong hands down the length of his spine…Yugi knew he had his answer.

Atem did want more. He just didn't know how to let his guard down long enough to ask for it. But even then, would he ever be willing to reveal himself completely to Yugi?

Another question for another time. 

Yugi had some strategizing to do.

Yugi would be getting a damn bodyguard, even if it meant cloning Mahad and delivering him gift wrapped to this stubborn gremlin's apartment door. 

"Yugi, just send in the request. One of their representatives will call you within the next few days. It won't be hard. Or at least have Anzu do it, you trust her, right?"

Yugi frowned down at all the photos of available guards they were scrolling through, "I trust her, but I also know she'd choose this guy cause he's hot as fuck and looks like someone with a dark and mysterious past that should could try to fix. But all these other guys look like the people who used to beat me up in school. How am I supposed to trust one of these guys with my life?"

"Because you pay them to guard you," Atem said, exasperated. 

But Yugi leveled him with those big eyes of his, "So you think Mahad only protects you because you pay him?" He asked, sounding heartbroken at the thought. 

Atem was backpedaling instantly, "No, of course not! Mahad is different, I know he truly cares about me. That's why I trust…him," he said, wincing as his own words stabbed him in the heart. Or at least that's what it felt like.

Yugi huffed, lifting his chin on righteous victory,  "Well then I want someone different too. I'm not picking one out like the world's worst match making website. Can I at least meet these people in person first?"

Atem sighed, knowing he'd already lost this battle before it even began, "Fine, we will include in person interviews as one of your requirements."

"What will I even ask these guys? Hey, if I pay you enough will you make sure I don't get kidnapped? I haven't done many interviews in my life, but I feel like they'll know how to answer that. Whether they mean it or not."

Atem groaned and rubbed at his face, "You'll have to find out a way to determine if you can trust them. You have a gut feeling in duels, use that to see if you can catch their bluff."

It was astounding how much skepticism Yugi could fit in a single look. 

He'd been hoping to have Yugi pick out a suitable guard before Atem left the next day, but it looked like he wouldn't get his way with that. Not when Yugi was being so stubborn over it. 

Was it too much to ask that Atem would know Yugi would be safe after he left? To be comforted thinking no more harm would come for him when Atem couldn't be there to stop it himself?

Because as much as Atem wanted to be here and be that person for Yugi…he couldn't. Not when he had a calendar full of events and tasks filling up every waking moment that wasn’t spent in bitter solitude. 

Yugi needed someone to look out for him always. It just killed Atem that it couldn't be him. He probably hated this more than Yugi did, and trusted the men listed in the website even less.

But it would be better than nothing.

He just had to convince Yugi of the same. Otherwise Atem didn't know how he'd keep his sanity until the EU Bowl, wondering if Yugi would be taken care of publicly. 

Yugi was sulking now, glaring down at the posted resumes like one would look down on tax forms.

Atem had to admit that Mahad had been special in that he had already proven himself before Atem decided to trust him with his body and life. For Yugi who already had been through so much, Atem could understand why he'd be wary of it all.

If only Atem had met Yugi sooner, maybe he could have found a way to convince him before this mess could have even happened.

Atem sighed and reached over the laptop between them and grabbed Yugi's hands squeezing it until Yugi finally turned up his pouting face to look at him.

"Yugi, I know this is difficult for you. I know it is. But please…I leave tomorrow, and it'll be two weeks before I see you in France. I just would appreciate knowing that in that time you will be okay. And while we're in France, I'd feel better knowing someone was at your side when…when I can't be," he finally said, hating how his voice almost began to waver towards the end when his desperation started to take over. He thought he'd covered it up, but Yugi’s pout turned into something else entirely as he looked up at Atem with what could only be deep affection. 

And then suddenly his lap was full of the same stubborn gremlin embracing him like he was a life sized plushie. Atem was ashamed when he embraced him back just as fervently. 

"Okay, I promise I'll do it for you," Yugi whispered into his ear and he was held close. It was followed by a sweet little kiss under his ear, "Have I thanked you yet for being here?

"Once or twice," Atem mumbled back into the skin of Yugi’s neck. He noticed he hadn't put the collar on today, and tried not to think of how happy that made him. 

"Well consider this the third tally then."

Atem wanted to feel victorious in this win, but it was overshadowed by how much he hated having to rely on someone else to keep this frustratingly incredible soul safe for him. Hated how he knew the two of them loved being together, but kept getting dragged apart. 

Was it too much to ask just to hold him a while longer? 

Like possibly forever?

Chapter Text

The next day passed too quickly. After riding the high of the two most perfect days in Atem's living memory, he wasn't ready to come down. He didn't want to leave the safe little world they had created, especially knowing what was waiting for him the moment he returned. 

Schedules. Promos. Cameras. Expectations. 

Despite the original tragic circumstances that brought him here, Atem had found himself swept up in Yugi's resilient and bright nature and was not dwelling on the negatives of all this. 

They had spent every waking moment together from waking to when they'd both fallen back into Yugi's bed, fully and sinfully nude.  He had woken up first for once, and took the opportunity to indulge in his own eager morning pleasure by raining touches and kisses all over Yugi until he finally woke up aching and ready. They had then spent breakfast at a nearby cafe that Yugi insisted had the best pastries to choose from, and then Atem was dragged along on the most enthusiastic tour of Yugi's city that he didn't even have to pay for. They'd both stuck their tongues out at the Kaiba Corp building as they drove by. They'd held hands as Yugi took them both to walk down by the water, the feeling of sand familiar and comforting for Atem as well as Yugi. They'd stopped by the Black Clown game shop to look around since they couldn't go to his grandfather's place without getting noticed. They'd both left with full bags of new boosters they would open together during their lunch at a ramen place. And then they were back at the arcade to pass the hours until hunger drove them off to get some dinner on the way back to Yugi's apartment. 

Even knowing that it was their last day, Atem was so enraptured by everything, by Yugi, that it didn't distract him from enjoying every second. Like even the expectations of tomorrow were somehow not strong enough to break through the little bubble they currently lived in. 

But noting the passage of time as their hours together drew shorter, the reality of it all came back, even if the sorrow of it hadn't yet. Atem knew that tomorrow morning he'd have to say goodbye to Yugi before he left for the airport, but he'd allowed that to be a sorrow saved for tomorrow. Tonight he was content just to enjoy what time he had left with Yugi, and not to waste a second of it miserable because he had to leave at all. Because he'd have to let go of Yugi once again. 

Perhaps that was why Atem kept one arm so tightly circled around Yugi's heaving chest as he thrust into him from behind. 

The two of them were laid out on their sides on the bed, Atem's other hand being put to use holding Yugi's leg up as he drove into him with a fervor that left them both breathless. Well, perhaps Yugi was not quite breathless, as he still found air enough in his lungs to call out his name around high pitched moans of pleasure. But at least he was breathless enough that full sentences were left at the door along with their clothes. 

Yugi cried out after one particularly deep thrust, his hand falling back to rest on the back of Atem's head. Given the way his fingers tightened in Atem's hair, he must have been holding on for dear life. 

Atem grinned and lifted Yugi's leg higher, and grinned proudly when it made the kid scream even louder. 

"Ah! F-fuck, oh!" Yugi's fingers curled tighter, loosening the elastic that held Atem's hair back. 

"That's it, nice and loud for me. I don't think they heard you on the floor below us," Atem said, leaning forward to nibble along the shell of Yugi's ear. 

"S-still have to live with these people after you l-leave," Yugi panted and then gasped sharply again when Atem decided that was too many words and doubled his efforts again. 

"Well, let's leave them something to remember me by then. Perhaps another sound complaint?" And he pulled Yugi back, arching his back to give him just enough of an angle to drive up into that spot within him. Yugi's head fell back, his mouth slackened with pleasure for just a moment before he started to cry out louder. Just as Atem had intended. He wanted to have these sounds imprinted on his mind for the next few lonely weeks before he could be back with Yugi at the EU Bowl. Two weeks that promised to be painfully long. 

If Yugi had a witty retort to that, it was likely lost as he cried out, his climax coming on suddenly and hard. Atem kept thrusting into him through it and even as Yugi went limp beside him, until a minute later he reached his own and he had to force himself to refrain from biting down on that perfect curve of Yugi's exposed neck. 

It took a while before both of them were breathing evenly again, and Atem sluggishly slipped from the bed to get something to clean them up. Yugi had all the bodily fortitude of an al dente noodle as Atem shifted him towards the center of the bed and then crawled up after him. 

Before he could pull Yugi into his little spoon position, Atem watched as he turned around to have them facing each other instead.

"I don't know if I can sleep just yet," Yugi admitted suddenly.

Atem blinked in surprise, it was rather late and they had an early start that morning. And they'd be up early again tomorrow for the airport. Well, he supposed he could always sleep on the plane, "Oh? Well, I suppose we can go find another video game, or maybe–"

Yugi shook his head, "Not like that. My body is definitely ready for some shut eye. It's my head that I don't think is ready to shut up just yet."

"Oh…" Atem knew what that was like, but he felt himself wonder what could keep someone as easy going as Yugi up at night.

"Yeah, I guess I've got a lot on my mind these last two days. And I wasn't sure this was something that should be asked over a text or even a video call," Yugi said, and he met Atem's eyes, his face steeled in determination, "Atem, are you ready to go back?"

He almost sputtered at the oddly timed and placed question, "Am I ready to go back? Are you?" Atem shot back, brow raised. 

Yugi shrugged, "As I'll ever be, I suppose. I already have bodyguard interviews lined up and then I want to get back to training as soon as possible. World's will be here before we know it, and I hear there is this old man talking shit about me, so I got to go show him up," his eyes glinted even in the dark of the room. 

"Yeah? Well, I hear there is a jumped up little shit thinking he's got what it takes to throw down with the adults. I suppose I should go make sure he can put his money where his witty little mouth is. So yes, I am ready to go back to make sure I am as ready as I'll ever be as well."

The thrilling enticement of possibly facing Yugi at World's was once again dangling over his head like a golden carrot. Well, a golden carrot hung over both their heads if Yugi's eager expression were anything to go by. 

But for all that lay ahead, Atem found himself lingering behind. The sound of Yugi's cries and the feeling of his wet tears on his skin were not so soon forgotten. 

Atem sighed and reached forward to brush back Yugi's bangs that seemed to be as stubborn as the rest of him, "Are you truly ready, darling? What happened was…well, I would not blame you for wanting to retreat for a bit longer."

Yugi's eyes softened, "I think trying to retreat from everyone made me feel worse. You showing up after I pushed everyone away…well, it was almost easy to feel better. And not just because I was distracted, because I haven't forgotten what happened. I'll never forget it. But knowing that I had you and my friends in my back corner, even when I didn't ask for you, made me feel a whole lot less afraid. It wasn't me alone, backed into a dark hallway again. This time I had all of you at my back, or…at my side," he said quietly, reaching out to stroke his hand over the top of Atem's, "I felt stronger for it. Not invincible, but dang near close."

Atem didn't know what to say to that, but he bridged the gap between them to press a kiss to those pink lips he'd come to adore.

When he pulled away, Yugi had a strange look in his eyes, as if Atem were the most complex and vexing puzzle he'd ever seen. 

"Atem? I had another question I wanted to ask."

"Hm?"

"...Are we a thing?"

.....

Atem blinked, "A thing?" 

Was this one of those new terms Mana was still trying to teach him? His confusion must have shown on his face because Yugi chuckled and took mercy on him.

He leaned up to rest his head on a propped up hand, peering down at Atem in what felt oddly like a challenge.

"A thing," he gestured between the two of them, "I think after the last two days, and probably the last few months if we want to be real here, we may need to have that talk."

Atem grimaced and felt his heart begin to race because he knew what Yugi was talking about now. His first instinct was to retreat, but his pants were still in the living room and Yugi had already promised to get his fussy coffee order for him before he left for the airport in the morning. Yugi was looking for a definition to what they were. A label. 

"Do we need to? I don't even think there is a label for what we have between us," Atem almost whined. How pitiful though. How was the twenty year old the one being more emotionally responsible and mature between the two of them?

Yugi chuckled, and shuffled closer until Atem's arms moved on autopilot to wrap around him,  "Wow, I can practically hear you putting on your shoes in your head. Okay, how about no labels. We already hate that the media assigns us labels, so we don't do that to ourselves. But…maybe we should figure out our ground rules, you know? This started as just a game, and at the time our only rules were to keep it to ourselves. But this has kind of evolved past that, don't you think?" he asked.

"We've been doing fine without rules. Do we really need any?" Atem grumbled, even though he knew Yugi was right. He was just trying to make sure neither of them got hurt from this, he knew that. Why did he have to panic over something like this when it was all his heart was screaming for? 

Atem felt Yugi shift in his arms, and let himself feel how content he was being able to hold him like this. He'd be leaving in the morning and he hated that. Clearly he wasn't ready to give Yugi up, so was making this thing between them something more stable all that bad? Would it mean they could have more days like the last two? It sounded almost too good to be true. 

A finger started to trace over Atem's chest, drawing his attention back to the one he held. He peered down at him and swore he saw that glint in his eyes again. Yugi was plotting something.

"No rules, huh?…so…for example, if I took Vivian up on her offer to fuck the next time I'm in her region, you'd be down with that?"

Atem gaped, "What?" He instantly growled and tightened his grip on Yugi’s waist, "No!"

Yugi, the little shit, giggled, "You fell for my trap card."

"So she hasn't made an offer?" Atem all but demanded.

Yugi shrugged innocently, "Nope…She's made several."

Oh fuck no, she was not about to dig her claws into Yugi. Yugi was his. Which was likely the point Yugi was trying to make. Clever little brat. Atem knew what he was doing. 

Atem growled again and turned them both over until he had Yugi pinned back against the mattress, and he loomed over him with his own dangerous glint in his eyes, "You play dirty, my little darling."

"Or I have a feeling you want this too, you're just holding yourself back for some reason. We talk constantly, you flew out here just to help me, we've done way more intimate things than any healthy friendship would ever include. And you just called me 'my little darling'. Some part of you must want me more than just a casual fuck. So if the only way I can get you to come out of your shell and play with me is to lure you out, then so be it. Like I said, we don't have to have labels if you don't want. But if you do want to keep going like this, I need to know that…that at least some part of this is real, and not just a game to you," Yugi stared up at him, not even making a single attempt to wiggle free from where his body was lax and warm under him. Like he really did want this, wanted Atem. 

But which Atem? The one he idolized for years, or the disaster of a man hiding behind the King of Games? 

At the very least, Atem had the honored privilege to know who Yugi was just because he was endlessly open and kind. And Atem knew without a doubt that he adored him. But would Yugi think the same of him?

He didn't know.

But he wasn't ready to give this up. 

"It's real for me," Atem breathed out almost in a whisper. Too real. But he wasn't ready to say that out loud yet. It would give too much of himself away. 

He felt Yugi breathe out slowly beneath him, his eyes impossibly softening more, "Good. It's real for me too."

The relief, excitement and trepidation collided in his head like a three car collision, if the collision resulted in confetti and anxiety among the catastrophic explosion. He hid the sudden tremor in his hands by gripping them around Yugi's waist hard enough to still them. 

And damning words that might have slipped free in his momentary overwhelmed state were swallowed entirely by Yugi dragging him into a kiss that seemed to erase every thought that wasn't related to Yugi's lips and talented tongue away from his mind. The little moan that escaped him was borderline fading into a whimper with how perfectly it grounded him back in place, reminding him of the prize he held. A prize he wasn't about to give up now. Pulling away, even by mere inches, seemed like a monumental effort. If even this was hard, then what would tomorrow be like?

"I have to admit, I don't know what happens after this part," Atem said, burying his face into Yugi's riotous hair to hide his ignorant shame but to also breathe him in, knowing that this…may be…could be his now. Whatever the fuck it was. It was theirs. Yugi was somehow his.  

Yugi shrugged, nuzzling in closer as his eyes began to droop with exhaustion. Kid must have been tuckered out after two exciting days, Atem thought with amusement, "We'll figure it out as we go, I guess. As long as we're both still game."

Atem lay back again, pulling Yugi with him, "Always for you."