The Dreamweaver

"You're married! I didn't know, what's it like?"

Given that Keith barely had time to cook, he hadn't attempted baking in years. The last attempt didn't exactly... go well.

At least, this time, Hunk was there to supervise, so everything didn't become a disaster. Hours later, Keith managed to do the near impossible; he had created a dozen "chocolate chip" cookies made with a few alien ingredients. They turned out perfect! While the chocolate wasn't exactly from cocoa beans, it was damn close to tasting like it. Maybe even better than its Earth counterpart.

After wrapping the contents in a bag, he made his way over to Yugi's place and knocked on the door. As soon as his friend opened the door, he greeted the half-fae with a smile. "Hey, Yugi."

"It's, uh.. been a while since we spoke." He had been doing a lot of Blade missions recently. "Since you always like making things for me, I thought I'd return the favor." He held out the gift box towards his friend.

Yugi had been finding his own footing after having arrived here. Finally settling and finding a 'normal' of sorts. It was odd for him to find comfort and normalcy in visiting the Other Realm rather than the human realm for once but he was figuring it out.

And part of that normal was keeping himself busy, mind and body. Which was why when he answered the door a bit out of breath from his work out and then running to see who it was when he wasn't expecting guests. But his eyes brightened when he saw Keith.

"Hey!" He smiled brightly, before his eyes softened a little at the offered gift. "Really?!" Reaching out, he took it and stepped aside to let his friend in. "Thank you, you didn't have to, you know. Just stopping in to say hi is always nice."

"Yugi, I'm back~" he called as he brought the spoils of their labor into the kitchen. "You won't believe how many apples there are."

After setting the fruit on the makeshift counter, he turned to find his mate. Only to blink at the way his bunny was fussing over himself. Was he itchy perhaps as he was losing his winter coat?

"Need some help, love?"

The turn of the seasons was always a time when Yugi felt torn. On one hand, things were busy. The sleepy time of winter has melted away, the struggle to find food has faded to gardening and harvesting. The abundance of the crop yields was already showing itself and Yugi knew that come the fall they might have far more stores and might not have to worry as much come the next cold season.

And yet while summer brought energy and excitement and warmth, Yugi also felt like there wasn't enough time to get done all he wanted and felt needed to do in a day. The sun was in the sky longer and longer by the day and yet, it still set and he wasn't done with his list of chores.

Then there was his coat.

He never cared before. It wasn't like he had a reason to. But now he knew he looked ridiculous, pulling tufts of the thick snowy coat out and adding them to a pile. He had been at it for a while now, desperately trying to look somewhat presentable. Even if he thought his sandy summer coat seemed more boring now in comparison to his fluffy pale winter one. At least it would be better than looking absolutely disheveled.

He'd long removed his jewels and crown for the day and wiped them down. And of course he and his prince had indulged in one another a few times already. Now the king sat on some cushions in only the bottom half of his shendyt.

That bottom part was all he could be bothered to put back on and even that was only because of how cool Kemet became in the evenings.

Not that any of that registered right now as he set aside his project. Only to take a quick bite from the stem of grapes to satisfy the hunger that woke him to begin with. Although he'd figured that so long as he was awake, he may as well use up the last bit of his energy from the day.

And the energy he was expending? It was for a drawing he sat working on as his eyes repeatedly flicked back to the bed and back to the papyrus. But who could blame him when he had such a lovely muse?

The torch and lamp light gave his pale skin a warm glow. His hair, wild like his own was even more askew from their love making and the prince's sleep. His lips, so pretty and pink were just slightly parted in his sleep and his lashes were dark crescents on his pale as moonlight cheeks.

The fae markings were on full display and seemed to glow under the lamp light. Those that weren't hidden by the blanket that covered him that is. And his wings.. They seemed to have a glow of their own under the light and he watched them flutter every once in a while when a breeze came through the balcony doors.

His Yugi made such a beautiful picture that the Pharaoh couldn't resist immortalizing the scene so that he could keep it forever. Besides - he noted with a private smirk - he doubted he'd be able to keep his beautiful prince still long enough to do this were he awake.

But then, maybe he could. Maybe he'd ask him soon, for now he set his completed work aside after stroking the drawn cheek with a single finger and a loving smile. Rather than return to bed however, he moved to the balcony with a goblet of wine.

As much as he wished to return to his love on the bed. He didn't want to wake him by restlessly stirring as he waited for fatigue to return. And so opted to take in the quiet of Kemet instead and let the warm - turning cool - breeze caress over him.

There was something to be said for a fae to sleep. Especially so deeply, to be so relaxed, while eyes were trained on them. And yet, the prince slept soundly, his body stretched out languidly as those eyes trailed over him. No instinct of alert, no fear of needing to jump awake in an instant to fight or flee. For him to sleep undisturbed was a certain kind of flattery.

It was an intimate level of trust.

Which the prince did indeed have with the human that he trusted to hold his heart. He would rather be no where else than right here in this bed. Well, he would have preferred to keep his warmth at his side rather than sleeping alone, of course.

Which might have been why he finally did stir. Not because a gaze had been trained on him, no, but the warmth and presence of his beloved that was still relatively close by, moved further away. After a moment, he inhaled softly and shifted, stretching on the bed, wings flaring out before he blinked his eyes open.

Sitting up, he looked to the balcony before quietly rising and fluttering over. Pale as the moon arms draped around the Pharaoh's shoulder as he pressed soft, lazy kisses to tanned skin. Did he bother to clothe? Not at all, it was still warm for the moment.

'Dear Yugi,'

You may not know me in this life but in another I am your fathers partner (yes he has a partner, close your jaw). I am also someone you have come to see as a father figure. I wished to send you this gift in this reality, to remind you no matter what you will always be loved. By family, friends, and lovers in all timelines and dimensions'

Have a wonderful birthday My Dreamwalker

From your dad in another life

Undoing the wrapping revealed the gift was a handmade one. Or more, hand painted. It was Yugi surrounded by the Duel Monsters he cherished and the nature he felt safe in. The two sides of himself, not at odds but as one.

Yugi blinked when he walked by the table and stopped…Back tracking he turned to the wrapped gift before looking around and wondering when it had been placed there. As far as he knew, he was home alone for the time being and hadn't heard the door at all.

Tilting his head, he picked up the letter. At first, he was indeed surprised by the notion of his father having a partner but then his eyes softened the further he read. And for a moment, tears stung his eyes at the ending of the message despite the soft smile on his lips.

A smile that grew as he unwrapped the gift and gasped at the painting. Ever so gently, he traced the lines with his fingers. It was perfect.

Holding the painting close, he looked around again, not sure where this gift giver might be or have entered… "Thank you," he whispered to the air, hoping his message would reach him regardless.

It was late and rather than them cuddling up in bed, it seemed his hikari was distracted with other things. Although Atem knew that, Yugi was probably just as fatigued as he was.

He walked up behind the young man, his eyelids heavy. And rather than ask, lifted the shorter man into a bridal carry.

"Whatever it is, it can wait for morning," he softly admonished.

He hadn't even taken the time to take note of what had his love so occupied. It didn't matter to him, what mattered was the both of them getting some much needed sleep. And if they fell asleep cuddled up together, even better.

The call of their soft bed and warm blanket was a sirens song to him. And even more so as he set, Yugi on the bed.

Every day was marching closer to the solstice which meant Yugi was rather torn on a few things. On one hand, he was gaining more energy and his magic grew stronger. On the other, it was a nuisance to deal with sometimes and it meant he usually felt obligated to help with planning in the Other Realm for the festivities. Which… Meant being a prince that he certainly didn't feel he was.

Out of place. That's usually what was highlighted around this time. Did anyone really mention it? No not really, but that didn't stop Yugi from feeling such. He wasn't raised a noble, he's just a normal guy. So as usual, he threw himself into chores so he would stop thinking about it.

Much like he was now, running on auto pilot as he folded the laundry, zoning out as exhaustion was starting to set in despite his best effort. He didn't even hear Atem coming up behind him before he was scooped into the air and gasped softly, still holding the t-shirt he had been in the process of folding.

Now of course Itachi wouldn't forget his husband's birthday. He comes from behind and wraps a pendent around Yugi's neck. It was pure rose gold with both of their initials engraved in it.

"To my lovely, wonderful husband~ Happy Birthday Yugi." He said before leaving a trail of kisses from the shoulder blade to the cheek.

"I made all your favorites, and tonight, it's all about you~"

He blinked as the pendant came around his neck but his expression instantly softened...Before a little shiver went down his spine at the kisses. Blushing softly, he turned to kiss his husband. "All about me?? You spoil me so," he laughed, smiling brightly.

However, that wouldn't keep him from popping up before hand to give his twin his gift. Last thing he wanted is for his brother to think his own twin forgot about him on his birthday. Besides, he and Yugi could hang out later, just the two of them. Or Atem with them, whichever. Or heck, even not until tomorrow.

Either way, he had gifts for his brother and not even strangers could deter him from popping over to give them to him in person. He'd spent a lot of time trying to think of a special gift to give him. Something, Yugi would enjoy without it seeming like another cop out like Heba had felt he'd done one year with just gift cards.

This time, he was sure he'd gotten something, Yugi would like and made his way to the park where they were supposed to be going to give Yugi a great day.

Yugi smiled brightly when he saw his brother and went to him without hesitation. "You know you didn't have to get me anything," he chuckled, seeing the wrapped gifts. "Especially because it's your birthday too, you know." Yugi nudged him a little before giving him a hug.

If he was honest, he was just happy to have his brother close. It wasn't all that long ago they had found each other again after all, four, five years at this point? "Here," he smiled and took his hand, tugging him to the side and away from the group of friends so it was a bit less quiet.

"I thought we could have some time to just hang out later," he smiled brightly at him. Something quiet, he knew Heba wasn't a fan of crowds so maybe just an evening of junk food and watching trashy tv.

This year though, he'd had help. Or rather help was thrust upon him via their friends. Jou, Honda, Anzu and Ryou had all stepped in and together they had all come up with a plan.

Anzu spending much of her time in America had, had the main idea of something the Americans did called a cook out. Complete with grilled food, snacks to go with it, drinks and friends and family having a good time playing outdoor games.

"Its a summer time staple here," Anzu had said.

It seemed like just the kind of thing Yugi would enjoy. Cheeseburgers, friends together again, and games like something called corn hole or a ring toss. No high stakes this time, just fun.

Now, everyone was setting up in the park, Jou in charge of the grill of course. Anzu was in charge of the beverages and Honda in charge of the snacks. That left he and Ryou to set up the games which he'd done before he was shooed away to fetch Yugi. That and ordering the birthday cake he'd pick up a bit later.

For now, he let himself into the apartment and walked up behind aibou to enfold his arms around him.

"Happy birthday, dearest," he softly said, leaning his forehead to his. "I have a surprise for you."

If Yugi was honest, he forgot. He tended to do that, forget his own birthday. To him, it wasn't really an important day, not when he'd rather the spotlight be on others. So he was just keeping to himself, none the wiser of what was being planned and prepared.

Though as he hummed to himself, busying himself with chores, he didn't even hear Atem enter. But he did smile and lean back against him with a happy little sigh. Before blushing softly at the happy birthday. "Oh…It slipped my mind," he admitted with a small chuckle before he turned to wrap his arms around Atem's neck and kiss him softly.

Only to blink, curiosity getting the better of him before he could say that Atem hadn't had to do anything for his birthday. In fact he would have been just happy to spend the day together, cuddling and relaxing. "A surprise?" He asked, tilting his head.

Had he any doubts of their loyalty to him or Kemet he'd have had Mahad and Mana questioned too. With as strangely as they were behaving.. Keeping him away from a certain wing of the palace or seeming to jide something in one of the secret escape tunnels.

But he could trust them and he was always distracted shortly after by his Yugi and for a short time, that foreboding feeling vanished. Though the prince seemed to like teasing and playing keep away with him a few times. A reminder of their first game.

Now the king sighed to himself as he returned to his room, hoping to find his prince already there. However upon seeing him this time, the bad feeling got worse instead of better. Bad enough that he was moving without thinking to.

He rushed over and possessively entwined his arms around the slender hips of his love. Only then did the feeling fade again and the Pharaoh was left blinking through his confusion of his own actions. Even more confusion when he realized his heart raced in his chest.

"Yugi love.. I can not shake the feeling that something is amiss," he finally confessed.

To say the fae prince was tired was an understatement. Not that he needed encouragement to distract and dote on his beloved Pharaoh, but all the events over the course of the last few days… Of redirecting attention and playing buffer, of making sure things stayed as normal as possible when there was magic playing tricks…

Not to mention the emotional ups and downs that had occurred. His heart felt… Heavy. Over things he had learned, or rather pieced together. But not for himself. No, for the man who held his heart. And yet, he also felt a sort of release. Knowing that, no matter how unknown the future may be, how different it may be, they at least will always find each other.

And now, now he could take a moment to breathe, laid out against the soft pillows and cushions and rest a little. The dangers were over, at least for the time being. Though it was only for a little while before he felt the Pharaoh drawing near, a sort of heat that spread over his skin as his eyes slid open to smile upon the man's entry…

Only to blink when he was suddenly pulled tightly against broad chest, he could feel that heart practically skipping beats. Without hesitation, his arms went around him, fingers sliding soothingly through wild hair as his wings fluttered softly. "Amiss?" He questioned softly, pressing soft kisses to his neck and shoulder. "What is it you feel is out of place?"

Yugi had an inkling, but sometimes he knew it best to let Atem puzzle things out himself.