#captivatedbyaibou1

Yugi wasn’t alone in that. Many times, the former monarch had wanted to hold his partner, comfort him, share in joy, whichever the case may be. And each time, he couldn’t. The closest that they could get to contact was when they were both in one soul room or the other and even then it wasn’t the same. It wasn’t like this, warm weight a comfort. A sign of life in himself that he could actually feel these things now where he couldn’t before.

He could feel the warmth as they embraced each other, the tears that soaked through his tunic like a brand on his skin where it had soaked through. Black from the eyeliner stained the tunic as well, but he wasn’t worried about his clothes. He’d have to replace them anyway, people these days didn’t walk around dressed as he currently was after all.

But to think he could have been the cause of tears of sorrow rather than happiness. It broke his heart to think of that cute face contorted in grief and a profound sorrow that no one else could truly understand.

They had literally shared their souls, communicated through them and through their minds. Such a thing.. To lose it, would have created a hole. At least on his end and he was sure he’d be forgiven for concluding it would have been the same for Yugi. Especially when considering his actions and words now.

“Its truly a wonder isn’t it?” he replied, voice soft, voice noticeably wobbly as he spoke again. “I’m sorry aibou.. To think I could have hurt you in such a way. I knew of the possibility already.. But knowing it to be true now... I never want to hurt you so deeply.”

"No, wait," Yugi pulled back to look up at the other at that statement, his face set with determination. He shook his head and wiped his eyes in the sleeve of his jacket, the hem of which was balled up in his fist. He took a breath and said, "I don't want you to think like that."

The boy seemed to find some of his resolve then and replied in a voice that was more clear and less tremulous, "If you had gone... If I was on my own now... I wouldn't want you to feel hurt or grief for having gone. My hurt would be a selfish one.

"I am glad you are here. Words cannot even begin to describe how happy I am to have you beside me. To see you alive and with me. But if that was how this story played out, I would still be grateful for every moment I got with you. I would mourn and I would hope we would meet again. But you finding peace and rest, it would be worth that pain, Atemu," he replied with a firm nod of his head.

But by divine intervention, the match was stopped.

He was given his friend back.

He was still reeling from everything that happened. He had been fully expecting to be spending this night mourning his partner— even if he would have been happy for him to be released from the bondage that chained him to the mortal realm, incorporeal and only able to manifest by utilizing his body.

His hands had shook as he had handed over his card to book their room and his knees still felt like they would give out from under him as he set down his bags. But as soon as they were alone, just he and his partner, his Pharaoh, with a body and a life of his own, all of it came roiling to the surface and Yugi had to clasp his hands over his mouth to muffle the sob of overwhelming happiness that left him as he let his forehead fall against Atemu's chest, "I— I can't believe you are here. You're really here."

“I suppose some things were so deeply rooted in my first life that they became second nature as a spirit,” he offered.

Truthfully, he didn’t know what else it could have been other than that. With no memories and all. And yet he had remained fixated on the importance of getting the lines just right, holding a regal air about himself and appearing unaffected in most things. Especially during duels and the like. And now that he had his memories back, he knew that, that was all things he’d learned as a prince and Pharaoh.

“Ah.. No hurry there, Yugi, I’m more than happy to assist you as long as you need. In the meantime.. Did you bring sweatpants with you aibou? Perhaps I can wear that until I find something else? Or some shorts? That and a shirt..”

Probably not the best thing to wear in the scorching Egyptian heat, but there was a bit of a height difference between them. And old habits died hard, he wanted to look presentable before showing himself again. The Egyptian people were not his subjects, that was true. But most, if not all of them, surely were descended from those who had been.

He knew none of those people were likely to look at him and know he’d once been Pharaoh. But he knew, and because he did, some part of him still felt as if he needed to be presentable for the people of Egypt in this modern world. A mindset and habit, he knew he’d have to eventually break himself of.

Yugi was right after all, he had no real responsibility for them anymore and as such, no longer had the responsibility of leading and guiding an entire nation. Truthfully.. It was a little disconcerting as much as it was a relief. He even felt a bit of guilt for the relief.. Or rather, more than a bit..

Yugi had told him he could do what he wanted to do now, experience things he wanted to do.. But he couldn’t for the life of him think of anything he especially wanted to do. Aside from take in his homeland again and have some chocolate that is.. But that was a start... Right?

Yugi could not help but to chuckle at the request. He gave a little nod and moved away to tug his suitcase onto the bed, opening it up to begin emptying it of its contents.

Of course, not a ton of the stuff that was in there would even come close to fitting the Pharaoh now that he was taller. Their plethora of tight leather outfits were pretty unforgiving when it came to any kind of give. But he was able to find a pair of black basketball shorts and a Dark Magician t-shirt which they had typically worn for bed which would do the trick until they were able to get him some clothes of his own.

He gathered up the clothes and offered them out to the other and said, "I mean, it is not the easiest outfit that we have. But it should fit and be comfortable enough for now. We can totally get you some new stuff that is more your style. We still have some money out aside and, if need be, I still know Kaiba's credit card information and we can max out one of his cards."

Atemu nodded in agreement, very much aware of what Yugi was saying. They didn’t really have a lot of time before now to just relax, to take a deep, calming breath and really take in the sights around them. They had been to many places, some of them in the real world, some of them in virtual reality, but never until now did they have a moment to just enjoy themselves. Not with threats seen and unseen looming and lurking, waiting to strike.

Now they had time to really enjoy the company of one another and of their friends. They could relax at last and what better way to start than getting their hands on some chocolate and exploring Atemu’s homeland? Though he blinked as Yuugi spoke about his clothes and looked down at himself, remembering he was still dressed as a Pharaoh for the first time.

Sure enough, he still wore the creamy white tunic and violet cape, and now that he was aware of it again, he could feel the weight of his crown and earrings. And just because he remembered how they were stared at as they made their way into the hotel, he chuckled.

“Yes, I believe a new wardrobe would be wise,” he replied, scarlet eyes sparkling in his mirth. “As for your eye liner, I can assist you with it if you like, aibou.”

The look definitely suited him, as did the clothing that Atemu had convinced him to try when he was Yami.

Yugi chuckled and gave a nod of agreement as he looked up to the other man. A wide grin split across his face as he replied, "It is going to be so exciting getting to help you be you. Like, all the clothes and things you wanted that I couldn't bring myself to put on my body and all the things that you want to do, you can just do them now. You get to just be you. And you didn't even have to die for it."

He lifted a hand to rub at his neck sheepishly and added, "And ah. Yeah, I'd love some help with the eyeliner. I always end up looking a bit like a racoon when I do it on my own. I never understood how you always got the lines so sharp and pretty."

It always amazed him how selfless that Yugi could be and truthfully, that quality of his partner’s probably always would amaze him. Yugi was the only one he knew who would give up so much without another thought for the sake of another. Many times already his life had been threatened, many others would have already thrown in the proverbial towel. But not his hikari, he stood with him all the way to the journey’s end. And now they were on another journey together, but this one, to see what the future held.

“I want you to know, that’s not the reason I stayed,” he said, wanting to nip any possible doubts in the bud.

Atem’s arms loosened to place his hands on Yugi’s shoulders instead. It was meant as another form of comfort. In doing so, he comforted himself as much as he hoped he comforted the young man standing before him. Even as he marveled yet again on the fact that he could touch him.

“I would have felt that same pain. You became so dear to me aibou. I simply wouldn’t be able to find peace if I left you behind.”

Like Yugi, he knew that his loved ones on the other side would have attempted to comfort him. But they wouldn’t be able to, not really. Because as Yugi said, they just wouldn’t get it. Unless they had shared a bond like the one between himself and his partner, no one could fully comprehend and grasp the pain of separation in such a final way. Thankfully, that future was no longer looming over their heads and the future looked bright.

“Though, chocolate does sound rather good to me at the moment,” he added, a smirk on his lips once again. “Its been a long time since I’ve had it.” He said it mostly to get his hikari to smile again as he moved a hand to wipe away any remaining tear drops from that sweet face. “What do you say, partner? Shall we embark and explore? I find myself quite curious on how my homeland has changed.”

The assurance that Atemu did not stay solely for Yugi's benefit did help quite a bit. He would hate to think that his partner had given up his chance for rest just because he was worried that Yugi would be hurt by his absence.

He lifted his own hands, letting them rest on the other's arms, letting the warmth and life of his tanned and beautiful skin sink into his fingertips, savouring the finally tangible touch as Atemu smirked down at him and tenderly cleaned his face.

Yugi nodded at the offer with a bright little laugh and replied, "I'd really love that. I can't really say that I have absorbed a single thing about being here so far. There has been a lot going on."

Atemu could hardly believe it himself. Like his partner, he thought that the duel would end one of two ways. Either he’d win and return to the puzzle to remain a spirit tied to the Millennium Item or Yugi would win and he’d be sent off to the afterlife.

 Neither had been a very tempting thought, but as a spirit remaining attached to the puzzle that meant he could stay with his aibou and their friends. But that also meant that he’d be there to see them all grow old and eventually leave the world while he remained the same.

 If Yugi had won then he’d have been released and went on to the afterlife where he’d surely reunite with loved ones he’d forgotten until very recently. But that life.. It may as well have belonged to someone else. That wasn’t to say that he didn’t love his father and mother and friends long gone from the world. Of course he did. But those memories.. Those bonds.. He couldn’t say he preferred them over those he’d formed with Yugi and their friends. And he knew what leaving this world behind would mean.

 Now watching Yugi practically trembling where he stood, he knew it to be true. Had he departed, then the pain would be tremendous. For himself as well. He’d resolved to just move on, believing that to be best. Not for himself, but for Yugi. But he knew that once he was gone and the doors closed behind him, he’d feel that separation in his soul. Clearly it would have been the same for his little hikari.

 A fact that was proven when the shorter of the two rushed him and practically sobbed into his chest. And all he could think to do was wrap his arms around him in return, laying his cheek against the top of Yugi’s head.

 “I know, its very surreal to me too,” he sincerely replied. “But I’m very glad it turned out this way. Truth is, I didn’t want to leave you behind.”

 The Gods saw fit to bless him with this second chance at life though. And he had no intentions of taking it for granted. He could live now without the responsibilities he’d had in his first life. He could experience things he couldn’t before. And best yet, he could share those things with friends.

The boy nodded his head in response, hiccoughing through tears as he said, "I didn't want you to go. But I couldn't say that. I mean, how big of an asshole would I have to be to tell my favourite person, my partner, not to go to the light? I never could have said that. But I don't think I would have been okay."

Yugi pulled back enough to scrub the tears from his eyes with the heels of his palms, managing to wreck his makeup in the process, the charcoal black liner smearing around his eyes and giving him a distinctly racooned look.

But when he looked up at the other, his face was full of adoration, despite the mess. He let out a relieved, albeit shaking, breath as he said, "But now you're here. And you are really alive."