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Atem Sennen had an almost infamously bad memory. He forgot things constantly: dates, names, plans he made, what he had been doing ten minutes ago. His doctors attributed it to his chronic brain fog. They attributed the brain fog to the car crash he had supposedly been in five years ago. Supposedly he had spent nearly a year after the crash in a coma. He hadn’t remembered anything upon waking up, and four years later he still knew nothing of his life before the crash. He tried not to think too hard about any aspect of his life. Trying to remember things gave him a headache at the best of times, and anything to do with the crash or who he had been before it shot a sharp, staggering pain arcing through his head almost immediately. He had quickly given up any attempts to work through it.
As it was, his life was alright. He kept a detailed list of things he needed to know, updated and reviewed daily to make sure he wasn’t missing anything too terribly important. He didn’t have any particularly close friends, but he’d been working at a local convenience store for the last three years, and most of his coworkers were friendly, and usually happy to include him in their lives. He knew they worried about him. If he was honest, he appreciated their concern. Especially in the earlier days of his employment, when he had been less stable, and his memory issues weren’t as well managed.
He was still hesitant to call any of his coworkers friends. He knew they all counted him as one of their own, but something always made him feel like he was intruding, like he didn’t belong. He didn’t know why either. They had never been anything but welcoming.
He was closest with the manager he tended to close with. Jaden was a bit young to be a manager, barely 22, but he had been working at the store long before Atem. The young brunet was bubbly and friendly, and had never been one to let Atem distance himself from the group.
Atem really didn’t know much about Jaden’s life. He had heard vague references to him having dropped out of high school, but Jaden didn’t like to talk about his past much. Atem had never minded. It meant Jaden never asked him questions about his own past. Atem appreciated that about their relationship.
“Hey Atem,” Jaden said casually one Wednesday night as they were closing up, “You’re off next Saturday right?”
Atem looked up from winding the cord on the vacuum, pulling out his phone to consult the schedule he had taken a picture of the day before.
“Yes, I am,” he confirmed, wondering what Jaden wanted to do this time. He liked to invite Atem to things, to make sure he was getting out. At least that was how Jaden put it.
Jaden grinned and leaned forward on the counter. He appeared to be done counting the tills.
“My friend is playing a concert at the Bluebird that night. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him, but he sent me some tickets and I think you’d like his music,” he explained, a strangely nostalgic expression on his face.
“Wouldn’t you rather invite your boyfriend?” Atem asked, tilting his head a bit. Jaden always said that habit reminded him of a cat.
“Nah, as much as I’m sure Chazz would love to knock me down a peg or two in front of Yugi, I haven’t gotten to see him in years, and I’d rather give him a bit of a heads up about the whole dating thing,” he explained easily.
Yugi. Why did that name feel familiar? Atem didn’t have time to think about it long before he felt the beginnings of a headache creeping across his temples. Then Atem frowned. Jaden and Chazz had been dating as long as he’d known them.
His confusion must have shown on his face, because Jaden laughed sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck.
“I met Yugi back when I was in high school. He was something of a mentor to me. Kind of saved my life really. Anyway, you know how Chazz is, and he’s honestly mellowed out a lot since you’ve known him. Yugi hasn’t seen him in like five years though, and I don’t want him to worry about me too much. He’s always been a worrier.”
Jaden’s expression looked far off for a second when he mentioned high school. Atem was surprised by the revelation. Jaden never talked about anything before he dropped out. It was rare that he mentioned anything about his teenage years at all. This Yugi person must be incredibly important to him.
“Are you sure you want me to come?” Atem asked hesitantly, “This seems important to you; I wouldn’t want to intrude–”
“Atem,” Jaden cut him off, “I asked you to come because I want you there. You’re my friend. If you don’t want to, that's fine, but you wouldn’t be ‘intruding’ if you said yes.”
Atem swallowed thickly. It always caught him off guard how easily Jaden included him in his life.
“In that case, I would be delighted to join you.”
“Sweet! I’ll text you the details tonight. Make sure you write them down before you go to bed.”
Atem smiled back at Jaden and nodded. This was going to be fun.
.
The night of the concert came quickly, and Atem found himself sitting at one of the few tables shoved against the wall of the club it was taking place in. At Jaden’s suggestion he had a set of concert ear plugs in his pocket, but he would wait to put them in until the show started.
For now he held their spot at the table while Jaden disappeared to get them some water. Atem listened idly to the conversation of the group at the table behind him. Their voices were the only sound he could make out above the buzz of noise in the club. They appeared to be in the middle of some debate when he tuned in.
“How much sexual tension do you think there will be between Yugi and the bassist this time?” A woman asked, to the apparent amusement of her companions.
“You really gotta stop projecting,” A man responded, and the woman made an offended noise.
“I’m serious! They have a little too much stage chemistry. There’s gotta be something going on there,” she argued, and another man snorted.
“Brit they broke up like ten years ago. The bassist is literally married to the drummer. They talk about it all the time in interviews,” The second man said.
“But–”
“You said it yourself Brit, they have stage chemistry . Maybe they’re just really close and they play it up for the audience. That doesn’t mean there’s anything ‘going on’ between them,” Another woman chimed in. The first woman huffed in annoyance.
“Yeah whatever. I still say it’s a little much for just friends.”
Atem was glad that Jaden chose that moment to return with the water. He didn’t want to listen to this conversation anymore. It seemed incredibly invasive, and particularly inappropriate if the bassist and drummer were indeed married like the second man claimed.
Jaden and Atem chatted idly for a bit, before the lights around them began to dim and Jaden instructed Atem to put in his earplugs, pulling out a pair of his own. They were sat rather close to the stage, and Atem was immediately grateful for the suggestion when the opening act began to play.
The opener was okay in Atem’s opinion. A few of the songs were pretty good, but some of the others really weren’t his thing. Overall hit or miss for him. Still, not a bad opening act.
All thoughts of the opener left his mind when the main band finished setting up, and the lead singer stepped up to the mic. He almost missed the first few things the man said he was so transfixed.
“Hey everybody, how are y’all doing tonight?”
The crowd cheered so loud that Atem almost missed the sound of the man’s responding laughter.
“That good? Dang, we’ll have to be pretty good to top the energy in here already,” A mischievous grin spread across the man’s handsome face.
“What do you think guys?” He asked as he glanced back at his band, “We ready to knock ‘em dead?”
Another uproar of loud cheering, and Yugi laughed again as the band cheered with the crowd.
“Well then allow me to introduce us! We got Tristan on the guitar! Joey on the drums! Ryou on the bass, and the keyboard! And as always I’m your loveable frontman Yugi! We are Spherium!”
Atem found himself unable to look away from the stage the whole show. Something about these people felt so familiar. Like he’d somehow known them his whole life, even though he was positive he had never met any of them. Something about them was captivating and comforting, especially Yugi.
Yugi had a natural charm and charisma about him that Atem couldn't keep his eyes off of. Time and time again he found his eyes glued to the frontman as he sang. The way he interacted with his bandmates was electric and spoke to a deep trust and strong bond. Atem was certain he could watch them forever.
About halfway through the concert the drummer and guitarist left the stage, and the bassist switched over to a keyboard. Yugi picked up a guitar stationed near the far edge of the stage, and together they performed a few slower songs. As much as Atem didn’t want to indulge the nosy woman he had heard before the show, the two performers were obviously very comfortable with each other. Atem wouldn’t dare to presume anything about their relationship, but it was very clear that two were extremely close. For a few moments during their last song before the other band members returned, it almost looked as though the world around them had melted away, Yugi and Ryou looking at each other with complicated but fond gazes as they both sang the final lyrics.
When the set was nearing its end, Yugi paused to speak into the mic again.
“I’d like to thank you all for coming out here tonight. This is our last song tonight, and it’s a very special one to me. This whole night is special actually. If you’re a long time fan you might know that ten years ago I lost someone very close to me. I took it pretty hard, and there still isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t miss him. But I promised I’d live a good life for him, and I’m working every day to make him proud. I wrote this song five years ago, and I’ve yet to perform it live. I think it’s time though, so I want to dedicate this next song, this whole show, to him. Ten years ago today I lost my Partner, the other half of my soul, my Other Me. Wherever you are now I hope you’re at peace, and if you’re listening I want you to know that I’m sorry, but I’m never going to stop loving you.”
A hush had fallen over the crowd as Yugi spoke, and from his place near the stage Atem could make out the slight shine in Yugi’s eyes. His voice was emotional, but it didn’t waver as he delivered his speech. Atem felt his heart ache for this man, an almost overwhelming sense of heartbreak that he didn’t understand.
He didn't register the tears gathering in his eyes as Yugi began to sing.
“ The loveless nights, they seem so long
I know that I’ll hold you someday
But til you come back where you belong
It’s just another lonely Sunday”
The applause was deafening as the band said their thanks and exited the stage, only continuing through the encore. Atem wasn’t paying attention. His head hurt the way it always did when he tried to remember something. He almost didn’t notice the show ending for real this time, the brain fog making it difficult to think, let alone pay attention to his surroundings.
He came back to himself just a bit when Jaden shook his shoulder.
“You alright buddy?” The brunet asked, concern in his eyes. Atem forced himself to nod.
“Do you wanna leave? I could take you home,” Jaden offered, and Atem forced himself to shake his head this time.
“You wanted to see your friend,” he said softly, just barely loud enough for Jaden to hear in the emptying venue.
“I can see him another time if you need to leave,” Jaden insisted, but Atem shook his head again, more firmly this time.
“I am okay,” Atem replied, hoping it sounded convincing.
He meant it too, or at least he wanted to mean it. He hated letting the brain fog dictate his life. It frustrated him to no end. He had come out with Jaden so he could see his friend and he wasn’t going to let himself zoning out a little ruin that.
After a moment Jaden sighed and nodded.
“If you’re sure man.”
“I am sure,” Atem sounded more steady to his own ears this time. That was a good sign. He could do this.
It was a few minutes before Jaden was able to get ahold of Yugi for directions and instructions on how to get backstage, which Atem was grateful for. It gave him more time to collect himself.
When they finally made their way backstage, Jaden pushed into the band’s greenroom like he owned the place, slinging an arm around Yugi’s shoulders in greeting.
“Jay! How’ve you been kid?” Yugi exclaimed, and Jaden groaned good naturedly.
“You’re only four years older than me!”
“Is that any way to speak to your legal guardian young man?” Joey interjected with a smirk, and Jaden rolled his eyes.
“Jeez you get kicked out of your house and crash on a guy’s couch one time– ”
“It was six months and you moved into the guest room after two weeks,” Ryou corrected, smile playing on his lips.
Jaden groaned again, but he was smiling too.
“Details, whatever, none of that makes Yugi my guardian. ”
“I thought you said you were bringing a friend,” Yugi changed the subject, and Jaden’s face brightened even further.
“I did! He’s a bit shy,” He explained, moving back towards the door to call: “You gonna come in or what man? They don’t bite, I promise!”
Slowly the group heard a slight shuffling in the hall, and then Atem stepped through the door.
For a second time froze, wide eyed stares locked onto the newcomer. Yugi was the one to break the silence.
“Atem…?” He whispered in disbelief.
Suddenly time was in motion again, and Atem immediately grabbed his head as a sharp pain stabbed behind his eyes.
“Shit,” he heard someone say above him.
He didn’t even realize he was on the ground until he felt Jaden’s gentle hands sit him up against a wall.
“Atem can you hear me?” Atem whined.
“Tap me once if that was a yes,” Jaden instructed, placing one of Atem’s hands on his wrist.
Shakily, Atem managed to tap a single finger against Jaden’s wrist.
Yugi was frozen until Jaden looked up at him. He realized immediately that Atem was starting to hyperventilate, and he could tell Jaden wasn’t sure what to do.
Yugi moved quickly, kneeling in front of Atem. He didn’t know what was going on, why or even how Atem was here, but that could all wait. He needed to get Atem to calm down first.
Gently he called Atem’s name again. The man’s breath hitched and he flinched a little, curling further into himself. Yugi tried to ignore how much it hurt.
“I need you to breathe with me for a bit, okay? You don’t have to look, just follow my voice, and mirror what I do. Breathe in,” He said before inhaling deeply and holding it as Atem slowly complied, “And breathe out, nice and slow.”
He led Atem through a few breathing exercises until the man’s breath had evened out and he wasn’t shaking quite as bad.
“Can you look at me now?” He whispered kindly, and Atem whined again before chancing a glance upward.
For a few agonizing seconds they just stared at each other, before Atem’s face broke into a sad, watery smile.
“It’s you,” he whispered hoarsely, “Gods it’s–I remember now. It’s really you.”
The tears that had been threatening Yugi finally began to fall, and he leaned forward to muffle a sob in Atem’s shoulder, arms wrapped tight around him.
“I’m sorry Partner,” Atem whispered repeatedly into Yugi’s hair as the singer continued to sob into him.
On the other side of the room Jaden leaned in to whisper to Joey.
“Is anyone going to tell me what’s going on here?”
The band snapped out of their trance at his words. Ryou sighed.
“It’s a bit of a long story, and I’d rather confirm the details before we start explaining,” He whispered back.
Several hours later found the group gathered in Yugi’s living room, filling Jaden in on the history and trying to piece together what was happening.
“How are you here?” Yugi asked, and Atem shook his head slowly.
“I do not know. I was supposedly in a bad car crash five years ago. When I woke from my coma I couldn’t remember anything. It hurt to even try. I still didn’t remember anything until Yugi spoke my name earlier, and then it all came back at once. However the time between my losing the ceremonial duel and waking up in the hospital is still lost to me.”
There was silence as they all took that in. Finally Ryou spoke up.
“If you’re back, then does that mean…?” He trailed off uncertainly, but Atem could guess what he meant.
“I haven’t come across him, but given that I do not know the nature of my return I cannot be certain.”
Ryou nodded, an odd mix of relief and disappointment on his face. After another long stretch of silence Jaden made to stand.
“Well, it’s been a hell of a night but Chazz will kill me if I’m not home soon. He’s got work tomorrow morning but I know he’ll wait up for me and I want him to get at least a little sleep.”
Jaden stretched and pulled Yugi in for a side hug, ignoring the amused arch of his friend’s eyebrow.
“Chazz, huh?”
“Are you gonna try to tell me what a bad idea this is? Because it’s a bit late for that.”
Yugi smiled and ruffled Jaden’s hair affectionately, pulling the younger man into a full hug.
“I trust you to do what makes you happy. I better be invited to your wedding though.”
Jaden scoffed with a grin.
“Who do I think I am? You’ve got a guaranteed invite no matter what.”
Atem watched as Yugi’s face softened, and recalled the conversation he’d heard before entering the greenroom earlier that evening.
“Love you Jay, be safe and text me when you get home.”
Atem watched as Jaden’s face softened in turn.
“Love you too Yugi, and the rest of you too. Keep me updated on your show schedule; I’ll see if I can’t make it to another. Have a good night,” He waved with a grin, before turning back when he reached the door.
“Oh and Atem, take tomorrow off dude. I’ll cover your shift, you should rest.”
Atem, almost startled to be included, nodded mutely, and Jaden waved again before leaving.
“He’s a good kid,” Joey said as Atem stared at the door, and finally he turned back to the group.
“He is,” Atem agreed.
With a glance at the clock in the kitchen Yugi sighed and said, “It’s getting pretty late. We should probably turn in soon. It’s been quite a day.”
With murmurs of agreement from the group Yugi stood to see his friends out. After saying goodbye to Joey, Ryou and Tristan, he turned to Atem, lingering shyly by the door.
“Do you have a way to get home tonight?”
Atem shrugged and glanced away.
“I can call an uber. I wouldn’t want to be a burden.”
Yugi hesitated slightly before speaking.
“You can stay here if you want. It really is late, and I don’t mind,” he paused a moment before adding, “I missed you.”
Atem looked at him again, surprise melting off his face into something far more fond.
“I will stay as long as you’ll have me Partner,” he whispered, and they both knew he was talking about much more than a bed to sleep in for the night.
Yugi smiled and held his hand out to Atem.
“I suppose you’ll have to stay forever then.”