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“Okay, this was a bad idea”, Atem said as he cleaned the mess of clay he’d made for the third time. “Why did we agree to this, again?”
Yugi sighed. He was being somewhat more successful in his attempt. At least, what he was making could pass for a vase, if a rather misshapen one. “Because we’re helping Jonouchi, who’s trying to impress the girl who teaches this pottery class by bringing students to her.”
“Then we’re clearly idiots.” Atem gave him a rueful smile as he started over. “This was supposed to be our date.”
“But neither of us can say no to Jonouchi’s puppy eyes, it would seem.”
“You’ve known him for years, shouldn’t you be immune by now?”
“You live with him. I could say the same for you.”
“Fair enough.” Atem sighed. “I just... this is not what I had envisioned when I woke up today. I thought we’d be doing something a little more...” He trailed off with a blush, which piqued Yugi’s curiosity immediately.
“More...?” he prompted.
“...romantic”, he mumbled, suddenly very focused on his vase attempt.
Yugi chuckled, which just made Atem blush deeper. Really, he was adorable. The more he got to know the real him, the more he liked him. After their talk at the lab, he’d been wondering why exactly Atem acted the way he normally did, if he was so different inside. The question had been answered upon meeting his father, however.
Atem simply didn’t know how to interact normally with people anymore. But that was okay. Yugi was more than willing to teach him whatever was necessary.
For example, being the subject of teasing.
“Well, we could always make this more romantic”, he began. When Atem looked at him curiously, he smirked and said, “Ever seen that film, Ghost? Specifically, one very famous scene near the beginning? We could re-enact that.”
Atem blinked. “What? I don’t remember any romantic films with pottery... oh.” He blushed even more. “Yugi!”
The boy in question laughed. “What? You said you wanted romantic”, he said innocently.
“Romantic, not ‘trying to be sexy but mostly really gross’. I mean, who would want clay all over them? This is going to be hard enough to get out”, he said, pointing to his stained t-shirt.
“In that case, finish your vase, Romeo, so we can get out of here and go on a real date.”
Twenty minutes later, they both handed their (arguably) finished projects and gladly got out.
“Finally”, Atem sighed. “Remind me to never say yes to a ridiculous idea of Jonouchi’s ever again.”
“I think the stain on that t-shirt will be reminder enough”, Yugi pointed out, and Atem groaned.
“I need to wash this off as quickly as possible, or it’ll never come out again. Let’s find the nearest bathroom-”
“Whoa”, Yugi interrupted. “Are you going to do that in a public restroom?”
“Well, where else would I do that? We aren’t near... oh.” Atem trailed off as he realised what Yugi was saying. He blushed, which caused Yugi to flush as well.
“I’m not suggesting... just, you know, so you can wash it in peace”, he quickly clarified. Why was he nervous all of a sudden? His suggestion was reasonable: his dorm room was fairly close, so Atem could wash his t-shirt there. No ulterior motives.
Not that he minded if something else happened... okay, no, he needed to calm down. This was only their second date, after all. Even if he found he really liked Atem, he didn’t want to rush anything.
The other boy seemed a little dazed, but eventually stuttered an agreement, and off they went. It took only a minute to get there, filled with slightly awkward silence.
“So”, Atem said once they were in, “I’m just going to... yeah.”
“Go right ahead.”
As splashing noises were heard from the bathroom, Yugi focused on getting himself under control. He had nearly managed, too, when the other boy came back, and only then did Yugi realise his fatal mistake. He’d failed to consider one thing: if Atem washed his t-shirt, he’d have to hang it to dry, and not wear it.
Something he was only remembering now, seeing a shirtless Atem, and, well, the fact that he was always doing sports definitely showed. He tried not to stare too hard.
He suspected he wasn’t doing too well.
“Are you going to lend me something to wear, or are you just going to stare? Not that I mind.”
Finally, Yugi was able to refocus on Atem’s face... and his smirk. Which just made him more attractive. Damn it. It seemed that Atem had found some confidence. Now if only he could do the same, and get rid of the stupid blush he could feel.
“I uh... I don’t know if I have anything that will fit you.” Way to get back on even ground, genius, he scolded himself.
Atem’s smirk grew. “If you want me to stay like this, just say so.”
Yugi took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He opened his mouth to speak, when a thought hit him. What am I doing? He wanted Atem, that much he knew. And clearly the feeling was mutual. So why he was trying to pretend otherwise?
Right, because he didn’t want to rush. But... a kiss surely wouldn’t be too fast. They were on the second date, after all. If he didn’t manage to stop himself... well, accidents happened.
Mind made up, Yugi gave a smirk of his own. “I do, actually.” He began slowly walking closer, and he could see Atem’s smirk fade. Now he was the one blushing. Seemed like that confidence was just bluffing. Not surprising, really.
When he was close enough to feel Atem’s breath on his face, he spoke again. “So”, he whispered, “what did you want to do now?”
The other boy groaned. His only response was to bury his hands in Yugi’s hair and drag their lips together.