Chapter Text
46. A lingering kiss before a long trip apart. (Puzzleshipping)
Atem’s foot felt heavy as it touched the first stone step. He almost couldn’t bare to pick up his other foot. To take that next step.
“Wait!”
A relief, so acute it punched the air from his lungs, struck him. He didn’t take another step. But he remained facing forward. He felt if he turned around now, he might not have the will to continue.
“Mou Hitori no Boku, Please don’t! Don’t-“
Atem’s heart clenched so painfully. Don’t do this to me. We agreed. These were the terms of our duel. He heard Yugi’s sneakers strike the stone, frantic and rushed, nearly running.
He couldn’t stop himself from turning around and catching his Aibou. Yugi flung himself into Atem’s arms, and Atem wrapped him in the most desperate embrace. He crushed his light into his chest, so tight, so fierce, their hearts might have beat as one once more.
“Please...” Yugi whined, lips brushing against Atem’s collarbone. He lifted his face to meet Atem’s stare, and those soul-stealing purple eyes were shedding fresh tears.
Moisture stung the corner of Atem’s eyes. “Yugi, I can’t-“
He never got to finish his answer, because Yugi pushed up on his tip-toes and kissed him.
The rest of his words caught painfully in his throat. Or maybe it was the pain of choking back a sob. Either way, Yugi was kissing him. Kissing him with a kind of desperation that robbed Atem of every last shred of self control he had.
He kissed Yugi back.
One hand clutched at Yugi’s lower back, dragging his Aibou closer. Practically picking him off the floor. The other buried in Yugi’s hair, fingers tangling, fisting. Yugi’s hands clutched at his back, nails clawing harshly at the fabric of Atem’s clothes.
The kiss was reckless, and fervid. Like an all consuming fire that threatened his sanity.
Atem tilted his head, and Yugi followed along in kind, angling to take it deeper. Yugi was already parting his lips, anticipating Atem’s tongue that sought his own.
There were a thousand goodbyes in the kiss, and a million pleas to stay. Tears slipped down Atem’s cheeks, flowing unbidden; not even a god could have stopped them at this point.
Please stay with me.
It was in the way Yugi clung to him. Fingers clawing so desperately. Heart pounding so frantically, and lips pressed so hard it hurt.
Yes. Forever. I will.
It was the cruelest lie his heart ever screamed. Every beat, a mantra of devotion and promises to Yugi that would never come to pass.
He committed it all to memory, his taste, his feel, this moment. It was everything he ever wanted. It was all he wanted. It was worth more than a thousand afterlifes. The gods could burn, and the world crumble, and he would sacrifice it all to stay in this moment.
If only he could just live in this one moment.
A tugging at his soul reminded him that this must end.
Atem reluctantly lowered his Aibou back to the ground. It was agony to break the kiss. And his lips dragged over Yugi’s even as they parted. As if he could drag this out for even just a half a second longer. Please Ra, just one billion more half seconds?
His hands slipped to either side of Yugi’s face, cupping his cheeks as he met those watery amethyst eyes again.
I’ll stay with you.
He placed one last lingering kiss against Yugi’s lips.
“Goodbye, my Aibou.”
Even as he spoke the words they burned his tongue. Acrid, and bitter.
Atem forced himself to step back, even as his fingers curled with the need to hold on.
Yugi, clutched at his clothing. As if Atem couldn’t leave if he never let go.
Another step back.
“Goodbye, Mou Hitori... no...” Yugi’s words broke off into sobbing. Atem wanted to drop to his knees and kiss the tears away. To promise him everything. To stay...
The gods beckoned him once more. This time a warning that shook Atem to his soul. He lost the ceremonial duel...
...and it was time to go.