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Atem is only partly paying attention to his surroundings so the sudden whistle of the kettle is quite jarring. He hurriedly pulls it from the burner, and the sharp noise quickly subsides. He collects Yugi’s favorite mug from the overhead cabinet and readies the herbal tea he’d picked up early this morning. He’d left Yugi sleeping soundly in bed, his face hidden under a mound of blankets he must've burrowed underneath at some point in the night. Atem woke only to slivers of Yugi's hair peeking out from under the sheets.
He would've much preferred to have awoken to the sight of his partner's peaceful, sleeping face. He remembers those nights he spent as a restless spirit, watching Yugi as he slept, finding comfort in the faint twitches of his brow and the soft sounds of his breathing.
Once the tea leaves have steeped for several minutes, Atem removes the small teabag and sets the mug in the center of the kitchen island to cool.
Despite his calm movements, his thoughts border on hysteria.
His impromptu confession from the night before replays on an endless loop in his head.
He hadn’t planned it at all. It had just… slipped out.
He’d been lulled into a sense of complacency, having his partner curled in his arms. Fingers lost to the forest of Yugi’s hair, Atem had spent half the night relishing in Yugi's warmth, in the gentle body heat that permeated his skin.
He could feel their souls, so familiar with each other, humming with pure contentment at the closeness. He was swept up in the moment — not enchanted, but humbled at the opportunity to hold his partner in this way.
The words fell from his lips before he could even think to stop them.
Yugi was just so lovely, and he fit so perfectly into the exact grooves of his arms. How could he not impulsively confess his love in a moment of weakness to his half-conscious partner?
It’s not like he was a self-possessed king in his past life, taught from an early age to maintain his presence of mind and composure.
Planting his elbows on the counter, Atem leans over the kitchen island and drops his head into his hands.
Stupid, he silently groans.
He must be sulking pretty loudly because Yugi appears less than a minute later as though summoned by his pity party.
Atem lifts his head at the sound of the kitchen floorboards creaking under a new weight. He finds his partner standing in the threshold, his hair tousled and face softened with sleep.
Atem is suddenly reminded of those early days when they were still learning of each other, when Yugi’s face was more rounded, before it’d thinned with age and definition.
Back when Yugi’s eyes shined with sweet naivety and childish glee.
Atem’s heart beats faster before the natural beauty of his partner, always so radiant in the light of day.
“Good morning,” Yugi greets with a sleepy smile. He rubs his eye with a fist and yawns. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to sleep in so long.”
“Morning…” Atem responds slowly. His brows furrow as he assesses his partner. There’s no discomfort to be found in his smile, no tension in his frame. Yugi doesn’t seem nervous or shy or embarrassed. He doesn’t exude any emotion Atem would expect after being on the receiving end of an abrupt declaration of love.
No sign he’d heard him at all, really.
“Uh…” Atem straightens and scratches the back of his neck nervously, “h-how did you sleep last night?”
Yugi’s smile widens. “Wonderful,” he says. “Between the bath and the solid stretch of sleep, I'm not as sore today.” His eyes drop to the mug on the counter. “Is that for me?"
Atem perks up. “Oh, yes, this is for you.” He slides it closer to Yugi. “I woke up early this morning and spent some time looking up remedies for your muscle aches. I know that you are taking painkillers, but I wanted to see if… there was more that could be done to ease your discomfort. I came across an article that said ginger tea could aid in muscle relaxation, so I ran out to the store to grab a box. I’m not sure if you’ll like it but — “
"Atem," Yugi gently interrupts his rambling. “You didn’t have to do that, but I really appreciate that you did. This is so thoughtful.” His partner regards him with warm eyes. "Thank you.”
A heat creeps up Atem's neck, being on the receiving end of such a look.
He finds himself at a crossroads, unsure of what to say or do next.
Based on Yugi’s demeanor, it would appear as if he didn’t hear his confession after all. Perhaps, he'd already dozed off. Atem wouldn't be too surprised given that Yugi had begun lightly snoring only minutes after.
In that case, does he even bring it up?
If Yugi did hear him, then maybe he was acting normal to buy himself some time to figure out a way to let him down gently.
His partner was incredibly selfless.
It would hardly be the first time Yugi hid his own discomfort for the sake of protecting another’s feelings.
“You’re welcome,” Atem manages after an unnaturally long pause.
He watches Yugi grab a pastry from the bread closet and then return to the counter to lower down onto a stool.
He decides to drop the matter for now. He doesn’t want to taint such a morning with a conversation he still isn’t sure he’s prepared to have.
Standing adjacent to his seated partner, Atem notes that Yugi’s hair is extra curly this morning. It’s a beautiful halo of disorganized chaos and, if he were still a king, he’d pay an irresponsible amount of gold to detangle it for him. Trade a city for it, perhaps.
His mind drifts to the previous night, to those silken strands sliding between his fingers as he tended to them. Yugi was buzzing with contentment, the tension in his partner’s frame melting away under his touch. There was a rumbling in Yugi’s chest as Atem washed his hair that sounded very much like a purr. The soft vibrations made it difficult at times for Atem to focus on his task.
However, given the circumstances, he’d argue he handled the previous evening well. He had to pretend Yugi was clothed under the scattering of bubbles to prevent psychic damage but otherwise he was able to aid his partner in the manner requested.
His overall concern for Yugi and his desire to help eclipsed his panic and fear of embarrassing himself. It helped him push through the nerves bubbling in the pit of his stomach.
Once he’d gotten started, he calmed even further, immersing himself in the act of providing for Yugi.
There were traces of arousal rushing through him, being able to care for Yugi in this way, but there was also something very innocent about the pleasant hum in his body and the contented beat of his heart. He felt completely fulfilled, embracing what brought him the most joy.
Atem had been holding it together quite well — all the way until the very end when Yugi gazed up at him, and his eyes begged Atem to do something.
Atem was nearly paralyzed, crippled by the high flush in Yugi’s cheeks and the glowing appreciation in his eyes for Atem’s care.
His brain chose that moment to remind him of Yugi's state of undress, and Atem knew that he needed to remove himself from the premises immediately.
“So,” Atem says, forcing himself back to the present. “What do you think of the tea?”
Yugi smiles at him over the rim of his mug. “It’s delicious,” he says. “You chose well."
Atem’s heart swells. He feels oddly shy. “A-ah, good, I’m glad you like it…” He quietly clears his throat. “So, is there anything you’d like to get done today?”
Yugi glances away, contemplating. “I’m pretty sure the guys were still planning to meet up for lunch this afternoon, and I’d still like to do that.” He looks back at him. “Otherwise, I think maybe a lazy day is in order. I should probably take it easy. I don’t want to overdo it again.”
“That sounds wise, Partner.”
“Mm.” Yugi tears off a piece of croissant and pops it in his mouth. As he chews, his expression turns thoughtful. “What about you?”
Atem blinks. “Me?”
“Yeah. Is there anything you wanted to get done…” Yugi shifts in his seat. “Or anything you wanted to… I don’t know… address today?”
Atem frowns, considering. There was some inventory he’d been meaning to sort through, but that didn’t necessarily need to be done today. “Nothing in particular. Perhaps, I'll unbox some of the new inventory in the shop,” he replies. “But I'm not in any rush. I think a lazy day sounds wonderful.”
Yugi smiles at that, though it’s slightly more strained than before. "Sounds good to me," he says before taking a very long sip of his tea.
Lunch is a standard affair with the usual crowd (sans Téa who is still studying abroad). The venue is a quaint, old-school diner with complementing decor. Oversized menus await them atop the worn tables.
Ryou claims the chair at the head of the table while Tristan and Joey plop down onto the seats on either side of him.
He and Yugi take up the end, sitting across from each other.
Atem prefers sitting next to his partner when possible but this is a lovely point of view as well.
From here, he can see the sparkle in Yugi’s deep blue eyes and the way they crease at the corners when he laughs because Yugi laughs with his whole body.
It’s always been a beautiful sound.
When he was only a spirit chained to the darkness, hearing his partner laugh was incredibly freeing.
As Atem watches Yugi converse with their friends, he notices that his shoulders don’t seem as heavy now. His heart isn’t so guarded, as it was when he’d first returned. It’s there on his sleeve again to share with his friends, with him.
Atem’s heart blooms with pride as he admires his partner, forever resilient and kind in the face of any obstacle or adversity.
When Yugi excuses himself to the bathroom, Atem’s eyes follow him until he’s out of sight.
It’s still difficult for him to be separated from Yugi, even for short periods of time. There’s an anxious itch when Yugi isn’t beside him; a type of codependency that comes from sharing a body, a heart.
For years, they were, in every sense of the word, inseparable.
It is not something he feels the need to explain or justify, nor is it something that he thinks someone else could ever hope to understand.
As the months have passed, he’s grown more tolerant of the distance between them out of necessity since Yugi is required to attend classes often.
He still doesn’t like it, but he accepts that they are two very separate people now, and not attached and sewn together as one any longer.
He’s mindful and acknowledges his feelings on the matter, but he's learned to let his mind wander to other things to keep himself busy in Yugi’s absence.
He thinks back to his conversation with Yugi earlier and ponders again on the new shipment of inventory. Yugi had mentioned that they were expecting new booster packs. Maybe Atem could spend some time when they returned sorting through that, provided Yugi didn’t need him for anything.
Due to tangled, painful associations, they hadn’t played Duel Monsters since his return, but they both still enjoyed opening new booster packs and creating new decks together. Maybe if they were lucky, they’d find a limited edition card or one of the —
“Yugi’s in trouble.”
Atem jolts to attention. “What? Where’s Yugi? What’s wrong?"
Joey gives the two other men at the table a pointed look. “Told you,” he says before turning to Atem. “Yugi is fine. Sit down, will ya?"
Atem doesn’t remember standing, but sure enough, he’s on his feet. Confused but momentarily placated, he slowly lowers himself back down to his seat. “But you said — “
“Yeah, well,” Joey says, twirling his fork. “We’ve been talkin’ to you for like two full minutes, but you were just — off somewhere. I was just tryin’ to get your attention.”
A telling heat floods Atem’s face. “Oh… ah, apologies,” he mutters. “What were you saying?”
It’s Ryou who answers. “I was just wondering if you wanted to come with me next week to the shops. I need to pick up some new clothes, and I thought maybe you’d like to grab a few things for yourself.”
Atem doesn’t answer him right away.
Yugi has grown a few inches in the last year, and they’re roughly the same size which makes it easy to share a wardrobe.
Atem finds comfort in still being able to wear Yugi's clothes. Even after being washed, the fabrics retain a lingering floral scent that Atem has come to associate with his partner. He hopes he uses it forever.
“Yugi has been gracious enough to lend me some clothes,” he eventually replies.
Ryou frowns. “You don’t want a few of your own things?”
Of course he does.
There’s a permanency to that, to buying his own clothes and jewelry and makeup, that Atem is desperate for.
But it scares him how much he yearns for it, so he’s been avoiding the topic altogether.
There’s movement in his peripheral when Yugi rejoins them.
“I’m back,” his partner chirps. He looks between all of them. “What are we talking about?”
“I was just telling Atem that I need to buy some new clothes,” Ryou answers, “and invited him to join in case he wanted to pick up some things for himself.”
Yugi looks over at him. There’s an entire conversation to be found in those eyes. Atem sees the same desperate desire for him to plant his roots and the same terrible fear that they’ll be torn out.
For a brief period of time, they had to experience life without the other, and they both suffered immensely for it. He knows they are both simply reacting to that lingering grief.
But he also knows that they’ll get through this together, as they do all things.
The corner of Yugi’s lips lifts in a half-smile. “That sounds like a wonderful idea,” he says, his eyes never leaving him.
There is an unexpected tightness in Atem’s throat and a faint heat in his eyes. He is unable to look away from his partner, and he doesn’t think he ever wants to.
“Alright, you two,” Joey says beside them. “I can see our food comin’. Y’all can gaze longingly at each other later.”
Because Atem is already staring at Yugi, he can see the color that immediately fills his partner’s face. Yugi's cheeks are bright red, the color of actual fire, and his eyes cut briefly to Joey in a displeased glare.
When Yugi's attention returns to him, his partner shyly ducks his head and looks down at his food.
Atem’s own gaze drops to the plate set in front of him.
That was... interesting.
When Yugi and Atem return to the game shop after lunch, they are both surprised to find a visitor at their door.
“Oh, hey!” Yugi says, his voice muffled by the scarf he’s wrapped several times around his neck. “I haven’t seen you in a while. What are you doing here?”
Bundled in his own winter gear, Malik’s friendly shrug is hidden under a puffy jacket. “I wanted to stop by and see how you and the Pharoah were adjusting to his resurrection.”
“Oh, that’s kind of you,” Yugi says, rummaging through his pocket for his keys.
Atem narrows his eyes slightly. “Indeed,” he says.
He is much more suspicious of this visit than his partner but he hides his reservations behind a neutral mask.
“I hope you haven’t been waiting long,” Yugi says as he opens the door.
Malik shuffles in behind him followed by Atem. “No, not long at all," he says.
Once they shed themselves of their extra layers, Yugi invites Malik into the kitchen and offers him coffee and snacks. Like a proper host, Yugi asks Malik about how he and Isis are doing and about the latest exhibits the Ishtar family is overseeing at the Domino Museum. As the light-hearted conversation continues, the tension in Atem’s frame begins to dissipate. He supposes Malik was truly just paying them a social visit and checking in on them as friends do.
Atem feels guilty for harboring any suspicion in the first place.
“Yugi, you should let Atem wash that. I’m sure he’d love to help you.”
Then again, he hasn't mind crushed anyone in a while.
“Oh, it’s fine,” Yugi says, depositing their collected cups in the sink. “I don’t mind.”
Malik leans back against one of the counters and hums thoughtfully. “Trust me on this. Atem really likes helping out. Actually, do you have any laundry that needs folding?”
"Huh — "
"Partner, would you excuse us?” Atem says, his smile tight across his face. “There’s something I must talk to Malik about.”
Yugi is instantly anxious. He abandons the sink and comes to stand in front of him. “Nothing bad, right?” he says, his voice lower as if to keep their guest from hearing him. “Nothing to do with you being here?”
Atem seeks to comfort Yugi at once. He wraps his hands around the smaller pair and gives them a firm squeeze. “No, no, nothing like that at all,” he assures his partner. “Just some personal things.”
“Is everything okay?” Yugi asks but then immediately backtracks. “Sorry, sorry, I don’t mean to pry. You’re allowed to have your friends and privacy. I just… if something is bothering you,” his eyes lower to their hands, “or if you want to talk about anything,” he peers back up at him, “you know you can always talk to me, right?”
Atem almost confesses right then and there. Would it really be so terrible? If nothing else, at least he’d know where they stood and wouldn’t be left wondering if they could be more.
There’s a cough low in Malik’s throat, and Atem remembers that they are in front of company.
He gently lets go of Yugi’s hands.
“Of course, Partner,” he says.
Yugi smiles, seemingly reassured. He looks from him to Malik. “Thank you for being there for Atem while he continues to settle in,” he says. “You are more than welcome to come visit anytime.”
“Partner, you are much too kind,” Atem says before Malik can respond.
Yugi leaves them, but not without tossing them both a quizzical look first.
Atem listens to Yugi’s soft footfalls on the stairs, then on the second-floor landing.
A few moments later, he hears the sound of the bedroom door closing.
He turns his head and pins Malik with a glare worthy of a dueling opponent.
“You realize that completing menial tasks doesn’t affect me in any way, correct? That my…” Atem grimaces, “kink is specifically tied to the joy and comfort I’m able to provide Yugi through these acts of service.”
“Oh, I know,” Malik says with a cheeky grin. “But you also used to be a Pharaoh so watching you fold laundry and wash dishes is just amusing in general.”
Atem bristles. “I'm beginning to think that you are still looking for revenge.”
“Hey now,” Malik says, raising his hands in a show of peace. “Despite what you think, I am here to help.” He purses his lips, reconsidering. “Mostly.”
Atem raises a skeptical brow. “How so?”
“By giving you a friendly push in the right direction,” Malik says. “If I don’t, I fear that you will simply torture yourself for all of eternity.”
"What is that supposed to mean?"
“Well, based on how flustered you became when discussing your feelings for Yugi the last time we spoke, I figured I’d come and help talk you through what to say. You tend to malfunction in his presence when it comes to how you feel about him.”
“I wouldn’t go that far. I have more grace than that,” Atem argues. “As you said, I was a king once.”
“Around others, sure. Opponents, no question. Around Yugi?” Malik snorts. “It’s like watching a baby deer walk for the first time.”
At his hot glare, Malik hurriedly adds, “Hey, it’s not a bad thing. I’d go so far as to say it’s even cute. But you’ve done a lot for my family, and I’d like to help you with this if I can.”
Atem can hear the sincerity in Malik’s words. After a few beats, he lowers his defenses. Then, he deflates entirely. “Last night,” he says quietly, “Yugi was in pain so I… stayed in bed with him in case he needed me... and I told him how I felt.”
Malik is visibly surprised. “And?”
“And…” Atem sighs, “It was right as he fell asleep. So… I don’t know if he actually heard me.”
A brief pause. “You sure do know how to pick a time, Pharaoh.”
“I assume your helpfulness will make itself apparent at some point.”
"Ow?" Malik glances towards the kitchen entrance. “Has he mentioned anything?”
“No,” Atem exhales. “And he’s not acting as if anything has changed between us so I don’t… I don’t know. Either he didn’t hear or… or he did and doesn’t want to bring it up because he wants to spare my feelings.”
Malik makes an odd noise — something between a chuckle and a groan. “Atem, listen,” he says. “The world owes you a lot. I owe you a lot. But you are just… so dense.” He raises a hand to stop the incoming retort. “I promise, this is where the helpfulness comes in. Atem, you have nothing to be worried about. Yugi feels the same way about you, I swear.”
Atem’s heart skips several disbelieving beats. “How do you know that?”
“Because he looks at you like you’ve hung his moon.”
Atem considers this. He shakes his head. “We’re partners,” he says. “He cares for me because — “
“No, no, don’t give me any of that,” Malik interrupts. “You need to tell him. Tonight.”
“But — “
“If Yugi is dealing with the same self-doubt and anxiety that you are over this, don’t you want to make your feelings clear for his sake?” Malik gives him a knowing look. “Time is too precious to waste. You know that more than anybody.”
That hits Atem harder than he expects.
Malik’s words circle in his head long after he leaves.
He tries to push them away but they linger in the forefront of his mind all throughout dinner. After he and Yugi wash off their plates, they relocate to the living room to watch a movie. He hopes it will settle his thoughts but, two hours in, Atem wouldn’t have been able to tell someone what the movie was about if asked.
His eyes wander over to his partner who is tucked in a ball at the end of the couch, bundled up under blankets.
Malik was right.
With others, he could coast through conversation and rallying speeches well enough.
But with Yugi, there's an undercurrent of anxiety. Not because of anything Yugi did, but because of who he is and what he means to Atem.
Yugi is the only one who can see him, the real him, and it makes him feel immensely vulnerable and insecure at times. Then again, his partner has seen the ugliness of his soul in his darkest hour and still managed to find the beauty within.
At the end of the day, he can’t hide from Yugi, but he also doesn’t want to.
“Other Me?”
Atem sits up and meets Yugi’s concerned gaze. “Yes?”
“The movie is over... Hey, are you okay?” he asks him. “You’ve been quiet since Malik left.”
Atem sighs. “Apologies."
“You don’t have to apologize,” Yugi interrupts gently. “I just… wanted to make sure everything was okay.”
Atem’s heart thrums with affection at Yugi’s concern. “It is,” he says.
Yugi sends him a small smile then stands from the couch. He turns to fold and pile his blankets on the end cushion. Once he's straightened up the space, Yugi dims the lights and heads toward the stairs to begin his nightly routine.
Atem trails behind him, his mind still a mess of half-formed thoughts.
He's distracted enough that he nearly runs into Yugi when his partner stops abruptly in the hallway.
Yugi turns to him, unaware of the near collision. “Did you… uh, did you want to…” He gestures vaguely. “I wasn’t sure if you — “
Atem waits patiently for Yugi to work through the question. As he does, he thinks of Malik’s words about his unfounded fears. He thinks of Joey’s earlier comment, of Yugi’s bright red face, burning with embarrassment.
Yugi inhales a deep breath and finally says, “It made me happy, sleeping next to you last night. If you… If you wanted to — you don’t have to — “
“I want to stay with you again tonight," Atem says quietly.
“Oh. Okay,” Yugi says. “Okay, good.”
There must be something else on his mind because Yugi makes no move to go into his bedroom. Instead, he plays with his hands. His chest rises with another big intake of breath.
“Last night, when we were lying in bed…” Yugi says, and Atem’s heart jumps into his throat. “I dozed off but I thought…” His partner’s brows meet in a pained furrow. “I thought I heard you say…”
Atem sees it now, his own uncertainty reflected back in Yugi’s stance, in his gaze, in the lines of his face.
And yet, he’s still trying.
His partner is so brave.
Atem wants to be brave, too.
“Uh, nevermind,” Yugi finally says, dropping his gaze to the floor. “I think I was dreaming – “
“You weren’t.”
The short silence that follows is edged with emotion.
Yugi stares at Atem, and Atem holds his gaze.
Because his partner deserves to know.
"I wasn't?" Yugi breathes. Then, to the detriment of Atem’s heart, he sniffs. His voice is thick when he says, "Promise?"
The small distance between them is closed in seconds. They move in unison — Yugi to him, him to Yugi.
Yugi’s palms glide over his cheeks and Atem’s arms wrap tightly around Yugi’s lower back, squeezing him with all he is. Then, Yugi nuzzles his cheek, dips his head, and their lips meet for the very first time.
Remnants of their bond rush through him, flickering embers that would never die, and he can feel Yugi's emotions in that moment as well as his own. He tries not to cry but the moment is too perfect not to. Oh god, was this what Aaru was supposed to feel like? Was this the peace he’d been promised, here in Yugi’s touch?
Tangled up like this, Atem could almost believe they were one again.
He wants it to last forever, but he's terribly inexperienced. He has to pull away far too soon because he forgets to breathe.
As he sucks in air, Yugi laughs sweetly, his tears catching on his lashes.
"I can’t believe — I thought I had dreamt it,” Yugi says, tracing the curve of his cheekbones with his thumbs. “I — I think I’m in shock. I can’t believe… that you love me, too.”
Too.
Atem could feel it in his kiss, but the verbal confirmation makes him curl in on Yugi a little more. He lifts his hand to wipe the corner of Yugi’s eyes with his knuckle. "What's not to love?" he says with a smile. “Your beautiful, selfless heart. Your brilliant mind. Your soul that granted me shelter.” He exhales shakily. “I am entirely unworthy of your affections, Partner,” he says, “but I will cherish them anyway.”
"Atem," Yugi murmurs, smiling through his tears. "How in the world am I supposed to follow that up?"
Atem chuckles. "You could always just let me kiss you again?”
Yugi nods excitedly, and Atem feels unadulterated joy bursting at his seams.
When their lips meet, it’s a glimpse of heaven again — but it’s only for a moment this time because small hiccups of laughter keep bubbling from Yugi's mouth, and it makes it impossible to continue kissing him.
Atem still tries, but after several failed attempts, he peeks an eye open to look at Yugi.
"Partner, I've been rather looking forward to this moment. If you could humor me — "
“I’m sorry." Yugi is smiling so wide, giddy with disbelief, and Atem is flooded with adoration. “Try again. I want to kiss you,” his partner says, “please?”
How could Atem ever deny him?
He slips his fingers into Yugi’s hair, cups the back of his head to tilt it back, and leans down to kiss him again.
But it’s Atem who can’t focus this time — not when Yugi is shaking with silent laughter.
His partner's lips are pressed together in a tight line, almost hidden, as he tries to keep his delight contained.
Atem bursts into laughter himself at the display. He inclines his head to kiss the tip of Yugi’s nose, then pulls away. “I’ll get another proper kiss out of you some other time,” he says. “For now though, can we finish getting ready for bed? I really want to lie down with you and just… talk to you."
Atem's not sure if he could make that sound less dorky if he tried, but still, something in Yugi’s gaze softens. His giddiness gives way to a more subdued happiness.
They separate for just long enough to complete their respective routines.
Then, they slip into bed next to each other, impossibly close.
“There’s something I’ve wanted to do since you came back…" Yugi whispers, "if you’re okay with it.”
"Yes," Atem says right away because he trusts Yugi implicitly.
With Atem's consent, Yugi's eyes drop to his chest. His hand comes to rest against his night shirt, palm over his heart.
Atem inhales at the touch, and Yugi exhales as he focuses on the beat of his heart.
Once satisfied, Yugi moves his hand to trace an invisible path over his ribcage.
His fingertips skate over a sensitive patch on his side, and Atem squirms slightly.
Yugi looks up at him, a playful glint in his eyes. "Oh, are you ticklish here?"
"Careful, Partner,” Atem warns. “I know your weak spots quite well."
Yugi chuckles. "Kind of unfair, Other Me."
They fall into another lull as Yugi continues his quiet exploration. His fingers graze over his shoulder, catching on the fabric of his shirt. Then, the pads of his fingers meet skin, trailing the protrusion of his collarbone. It’s a gentle pressure from there up the column of his neck and then across his jaw.
Atem watches his partner's eyes all the while, taken aback by the wonder there. A thumb grazes lovingly over his cheekbone. When Atem closes his eyes, he feels the soft pad sweep past his lashes.
"Do I truly amaze you so?" Atem asks softly, opening his eyes when Yugi’s hand pulls away.
Yugi looks surprised by the question. "You're a miracle," he breathes.
Atem is often rendered speechless by his partner, so it shouldn't be a surprise when he finds himself at a loss for words.
He's so, so grateful that Yugi can understand him without them.
He can see it in his small smile, in his glittering gaze.
Wordlessly, Atem brushes Yugi's hair aside, taps his chin, and brings Yugi into a kiss.
It's nothing more than a tender press, broken up not by joyous laughter this time but by Yugi's little sighs.
Atem had never imagined he'd be gifted this degree of intimacy with his partner. It's utter bliss.
So much so that Atem imagines that he's back in the Field of Reeds, but this time with Yugi by his side.
When the kiss naturally comes to an end, Yugi doesn't pull away. Rather, he shuffles in closer to him. Their foreheads touch and their noses brush. Yugi's breath is a steady flow of warm puffs against his cheek.
Atem focuses on the rhythm until their breaths match, until their hearts are synced.
He fits his palm to Yugi’s cheek and holds him close so he doesn’t stray overnight.
He wants Yugi's face to be the very first thing he sees when he wakes.