Chapter Text
As Atem opened the back door to allow Sophie outside, he looked out at the expansive backyard and smiled. The weather was warming up, the ground was slowly drying from the wetness of melted snow, and best of all, the trees were blooming. Beautiful petals of pink, white and red were peppering tree branches, as flecks of green and yellows fought the pastel colors to be seen. The wind was calm, the skies clear, and the temperature just right.
It was a perfect Saturday, spring morning.
One he would share with his boyfriend whether he liked it or not.
After Sophie finished her business, she scrambled back into the house, nails clacking against the decorative tiles as she followed Atem back into the kitchen where breakfast was being prepared. Seto stood at the island counter, adding the final touches to Sophie’s breakfast before setting the bowl down on her special mat. He petted from her back to her tail before straightening and accepting the cup of tea from Atem with a silent thank you. Atem nodded and they both sat at the dining table, himself cradling a cup of black coffee.
After a minute of companionable silence, the ex-spirit spoke up, “It looks like spring is finally here.”
“Hn,” Seto shrugged and grabbed the newspaper sitting on the table, opening to the stocks page, “It’s March.”
“Indeed it is,” Atem nodded, grinning behind his cup. “It’s also Saturday.”
Seto stilled mid-sip and looked up at his tiny lover, eyebrow raised. “Yes,” he said slowly, “and I'm not at work… like you asked.”
“Have I mentioned how much I appreciate you taking weekends off for me?” Atem asked with a grin, leaning over to kiss Seto but the CEO gently pushed him back.
“Uh huh, lots, now what is it you’re scheming, Mr. Pharaoh?” Seto deadpanned. He could read the Egyptian like a stack of financials; he was planning something.
Atem pouted but sat back, coffee mug back in his hands. “Well,” he began, “I was just thinking… since it’s such a nice day out… the weather is calm, the pollen content is down which means no allergy attacks… I thought we could go do something.”
“Like what?” Seto asked.
“Hanami.”
“Hanami?” Seto blinked and snorted. “You… Want to go flower viewing? You can do that from our backyard.”
“But it’s not the same,” Atem replied with a pout, “I’ve been back for a couple years now and I noticed that flower viewing is very popular here in Japan and I just thought… it would be fun to do it with a significant other.”
Seto made a face and set down his tea. “Isn’t that a little… cliche? Like, it’s just flower petals that bloom and is such an old tradition here.”
“Perhaps, but… it seems romantic,” Atem mumbled, looking down, “And… There's nothing wrong with traditions. Maybe… maybe I want to start some new traditions with you.”
Seto scratched his chin and watched the other carefully. He supposed that wasn’t a hard thing to want. Ever since Atem returned with him from the Netherworld, the former pharaoh threw himself into all sorts of japanese traditions. From festivals to specific foods, Atem tried everything he could find, and always wanted to try them with Seto. He wanted to do these amazing things with his boyfriend, and if the CEO was honest with himself, the pharaoh probably knew more about his own culture than he did.
If he was really honest with himself, Seto never actually experienced a hanami that he could remember; not even with Mokuba.
He felt a nudge on his hand and looked down at Sophie sitting by his chair, idly wagging her tail. Seto then noticed Louie come into the room with a meow and jump into Atem’s lap, purring away and causing the young man to smile and coo.
Seto sighed, and returned to his paper and tea. “I’ll give you two hours to plan something,” he said, “although I'm sure you already did.”
Atem let out the tiniest of squeals and jumped to his feet with Louie in tow, leaning down to kiss Seto’s cheek. “Then I'll see you at the front door in two hours!” he said and ran out of the kitchen.
Seto smirked behind his mug.
He’d tease Atem for the squeak later.
Seto had to admit; so far things were pretty… nice.
The couple strolled through a portion of Domino City called the Mentor’s Path, a long stretch of street sacred monks and philosophers took every day, from way before Domino had become a metropolitan city. It ran alongside a shallow stream with a small bridge every few meters to connect to the other side, littered with temples, old houses, and ancient arches and statues. Hundreds of cherry blossom trees lined either side of the road, creating a soft pink glow with the occasional thatch of moss and green leaves in between. Groups of people gathered together outside to take pictures, teens and grandparents alike admiring the view; a few artists were also out, sketching the scenery while people of all ages took pictures with their cameras.
Seto and Atem walked hand in hand, Sophie ahead on her leash with Louie poking out from the little backpack the Egyptian wore on their walks. They received a few looks here and there although the CEO wasn’t sure if it was because it was the Famous Duel Couple, or because of the bengal cat, or even the golden retriever; large dogs were still a rarity in Domino. Either way, the billionaire ignored the looks like always and focused on his lover.
Atem grinned from ear to ear, occasionally taking out his phone to take a picture of a particularly beautiful patch of blossoms, sometimes even convincing Seto to take a selfie with him. They began their journey driving to a small town just on the outskirts of urban Domino that was famous for sakura mochi and having the best views for Hanami and so far, it didn’t disappoint. The little shops carried a variety of sakura treats and drinks, both Seto and Atem experiencing hanami dango for the first time. They also stumbled upon a festival procession, watching the dancers dance, the musicians play, and the men and women carry the large shrine on its pedestal all the way to the mountain temple.
They now walked down Mentor’s Path until Atem spotted a quaint little cafe where they could sit outside. They were seated in a perfect spot to observe the trees and people watch, Sophie laying next to Seto’s chair dutifully while Louie shifted to lay atop her back for a nap. They ordered a selection of sushi and bento boxes, and a pot of cherry blossom tea brought to their table while they waited.
Seto turned his attention back to Atem and couldn’t help but smile. The pharaoh was dressed simply today with dark jeans, a light cream sweater and light tan overcoat with a pair of white tennis shoes. Of course, he couldn’t help but add flecks of gold with thin chained earrings, a subtle necklace, and gold bangles on his wrists. He was speaking with the waitress, the two smiling and giggling at something he said; even after two years, Atem’s presence attracted people to him and he loved the interactions. After a flirtatious wink, the waitress walked away flushed and tittering, and Atem turned back to Seto with a wink.
“I got us a free sample of their cherry cheesecake,” he said, resting his chin on his hand. “The price is we have to let her pet Louie and Sophie.”
Seto chuckled and shook his head, taking a sip of his tea and looking out at the crowd. “You are pimping our animals for free food. That feels a bit illegal, ‘Tem.”
Atem’s grin widened and it was his turn to observe the man he loved with all his heart. It was amazing how much the brunette had changed in the two years they’ve been together. He had grown taller, if that were even possible, and his sense of style changed with it. While he still enjoyed the occasional theatrical trench coat in his duels, his everyday ensemble became a little more subdued. Like today. Where Atem wore tans and creams, Seto wore mostly black, from his tight jeans, black turtleneck sweater and polished leather shoes. However, his jacket was a soft, muted burgundy that went down to his knees, and along with his ever present card necklace, he sported a silver chain necklace with a circular pendant carrying both their names in hieroglyphs; a present Atem gave him last year that he refused to take off.
Atem tilted his head as he continued watching his lover. God, Seto was beautiful. Everything from his perfectly styled brown locks, to his chiseled jaw and strong nose was perfect to him. If Seto wasn’t one of the richest men in the world, he could have been a successful model, making all the men and women swoon. He could have anyone he wanted.
Seto only wanted him; even broke the realm of reality to do so.
Nothing, not even hanami season, could outweigh the beauty that was Seto Kaiba.
Hearing the distinct sound of a camera click, Seto turned his attention back to his boyfriend, raising an eyebrow as he lowered his phone with a smirk. “Don’t you have enough pictures of the flowers?”
“I do,” Atem clicked a few items on his phone and then set it down, “I got a picture of something even more beautiful than the cherry blossoms and wanted it on my phone.”
Seto tilted his head and looked down at Atem’s home screen just before it went to black, barely noticing the image of himself before it disappeared from view. He snorted and sat back just as the waitress and more of the staff came over with their food and requests to pet their animals.
Atem laughed. Sophie and Louie wiggled in excitement and Seto decided to start in on his lunch.
Perhaps he could get used to this tradition.
TBC