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Chapter Text

The overture plays from the music system as Atem is sitting in the dressing room, already dressed for his part.

He takes a deep breath in, and with it the doubts and second guesses, the fact that his father doesn’t know, the fact he’s been lying to him for months, the fact that-

He breaths out, letting the negative feelings go wit them. Or attempting to at any rate.

He takes another deep breath. Remembers the praise for his audition. Remembers the friends he made in during practice. Remembers the boxing coach, Mister Suwa, who helps him with doing this, even teaching him some moves in his spare time to help with the illusion. Remembers Sakura, and how she’s always been so kind to him. Ryou, who insisted on making his scar look visceral and visible for the audience, and who loves talking about his set up for his RPGs, even giving Atem an invite to one.

He breaths out.

He takes another deep breath, and with it, reflects on his favorite person here. Yugi. The stage manager who does so much for this community theater production, turning the stage hands into a well-oiled machine perfect for any professional production. How it was Yugi who encouraged him in the first place, calming his nerves so he could go on that stage. How he always keeps on top of things, even taking the sudden departure of Mai, and making sure her understudy was spectacular. His passion for gaming of all types. How he’s willing to give everyone a second chance.

He breaths out one final time, opening his eyes before fixing the mask on, looking ever part the Phantom he’s meant to be. Atem stands up, ready to wow the audience as he starts singing.

Chapter Text

Yugi watches in awe as Atem and Anzu help Joey with his dance routine, their ability to keep in time with the rhythm seeming almost magical to his graceless two-left feet. Joey, for his part, was following along quite well, maybe a beat or two behind the two professional-level dancers, but he’s still learning the steps. But that didn’t seem to matter to Atem and Anzu, who seemed like they were enjoying just dancing for the sake of it, even twisting around each other joking for the heck of it.

If Yugi was an insecure man, he would be jealous, no matter how ridiculous it would be. But he wasn’t. Instead, all he saw in the smiles and laughters of his best friend and his boyfriend was a connection that was more about finding a dance partner that can keep up, who can add on to their own excitement and energy.

There are some days that make Yugi feel like he’s lucky, that it was a fluke that had him meet Atem that day. Others, he felt like… he doesn’t know if strong is the right word. Perhaps needed would be better, on those days where the scars Atem tries to ignore bother him, old rejections and heartbreaks making his love feel small, used, unwanted. Fortunately those days seems to be becoming less and less frequent, but still…

Atem pulls at Yugi’s arm, his eyes asking what his mouth won’t say, Anzu gesturing for him to join them on the dance floor.

Yugi smiles, nodding his head as he moves his body to the beat, never as fluid as Atem could be, but content with that fact.

Chapter Text

It was a perfect day to be outside, the sun out, but not too hot, with a gentle breeze in the air as they walked through the woods, Atem ahead as Yugi tried to keep up, not understanding why Atem seems to enjoy this so much but happy to be there with him. I must have seen more grand places, out in space like that. What was so interesting about this?

“Do you know how unique this planet is?”

Wait? Does Atem have mind reading power?

“Um… what do you mean?”

“Your planet has so many different bio-planes, with so much life in all of them. My Hom… former home planet had half of that, and two-thirds of them were inhabitable. But even the coldest of places here have life teeming through them, with Humans stubborn enough to stay in a place that could easily kill them,” he said in wonder, his eyes sparkling as he rubs his hand against the bark.

“I’m sure that there are other planets with their own biomes,” Yugi added, opening his water bottle.

“Yes, but the diversity, Aibou.”

“Still…”

“Atem, you foolish Brat, what in the name of the gods were you thinking? Leaving without your phone!” Atem’s asshole cousin shouted, some of his more inhuman features showing as he held said phone.

“I just wanted an unplugged afternoon, you know?”

“And would those aghetalls would love catching you out here, all alone, without anyway to call for help because of your stubborn attitude.”

“I can defend myself, Set.”

“Oh, like how you kept our existence a secret?”

Yugi shook his head at the arguing duo, sitting down as they fought, drinking his water as they raged on.

Chapter Text

“So, what song do you want to do?” Yugi asked as he sat on the couch with Atem, Honda scouring the booklet for the most romantic song while Miho, his date, was more interested in singing with Anzu, who was “dating” Otogi, who was mooning over Honda.

“I don’t know, I’m not a very good singer,” she said, fidgeting with her skirt as the other figured things out.

“Well, Karaoke’s not about being good, just having fun. Maybe we coul-“

“Oh my god, they have musicals! And not just Japanese! American ones!” Anzu shouted, cutting Yugi off.

They fumbled for a bit, figuring out who sang first, who’s singing with who and any drink orders. Honda got one song with Miho, but Otogi got three with him, and they belted out from that Duel Monsters musical from a few years back. He’s also certain that Miho’s more interested in Anzu than anyone else, since they have six songs together.

Finally it was their turn to sing, Yugi offering Atem his hand as the both of them went up. It was this song from an older musical, “Old Devil Moon”, that Anzu thing would work for them.

They started their duet, Atem’s eyes intense on the screen as the words appeared.

Yugi went first, trying to follow the words as the rest of the room cheered them on. He’s pretty sure he’s bombing it, but like he said, it’s not about being good.

And then Atem came in.

She was phenomenal, her deeper voice perfect for the piece as she sung like an angel. Yugi missed a few words from his next part before recovering, trying to keep up with Atem as she follows the beat and tempo, her eyes never leaving the screen until the song finishes.

Yugi reached out, wanting to praise her, but he was beaten to the punch.

“Yay! Yami-chan! You never said you’re so good at singing!” Miho said with a hug.

“I’m not. Not really.”

“Are you kidding? You sound like a professional,” Anzu added, with the other two nodding in agreement.

“No I’m not. I just followed the words. Father never said it was good when I was younger and in any case-“

Yugi hugged her.

She froze.

“Hey, you did great.”

She gives a quick nod, her face warm enough that he could feel it, as they sat back down, Miho dragging Anzu up for another song as they just sat together, this thing between them strengthening with each moment in each other’s arms.

Chapter Text

Atem stood near the doors of the sanctuary, leaning against the frame as the service goes on, letting the music wash over him as he tried to figure out the pastor’s deal. He vaguely aware that the branch of Christianity that Yugi’s ordained in is the one that accepts the rainbow guard into their ranks, but he’s been hurt before by bigoted bastards who claim to love and follow Jesus, and using their religion as a justification for hate. And yet they praise the shittiest humans, just because they’re “normal”. For fucking sakes, there are more passages against being rich then there are being gay.

The hymn continues on as Yugi holds his sermon, walking up to the pulpit with an easy smile on his face. And as the last note ends, he starts speaking, drawing parallels between the story of Paul and the modern world, about us needing to accept our fellow man, how there’s no one way to be a Christian, and how everyone is accepted by Christ, just as they are.

He doesn’t know how to feel about this. How… nice Yugi is. How he didn’t judge him for being a stripper. How he’s more accepting of him then his own father…

He goes into the Steiff room, getting another cup of coffee as the service goes on, not going in, but not leaving either. Just there, on the edge, trying to figure out what happens next.

Chapter Text

“So, what do yo think?” Atem asks the room, panting after the dance routine, his wig askew as he looks to up.

“Eh, could use some work,” Jou said, Anzu smacking him as Atem pouts.

“Jou, do you have any tack?” she hissed, glaring at him.

“Hey, he asked for feedback, I gave it, what gives?”

“Do you have anything concrete to say? Like, do a build-up move as the beat climbs up, or outfit suggestions, or anything?”

“Hey, I don’t know fancy art shit. All I know is what I like, and I think it needs something to make it better.”

“Oh, and that’s sooo helpful. Perhaps if you-“

“Here,” Yugi offered him an umbrella, coordinated with the raincoat that Atem was wearing.

Atem looked at it, confused for a second before he realized the meaning. Why didn’t he think about this.

“I see. Let’s take it from the top,” Atem shouts, Honda getting the track ready as he walks back, ideas bubbling up as he got into position, ready to kick some ass with this number.

Chapter Text

“Here,” the small scientist said as he shoves the key into Yami’s hand, looking off to the side, his eyes narrowed underneath his glasses, blushing despite himself.

If this were anyone else, Yami’d have a quip, about him wanting to see him in a more intimate matter or something of that nature. A flirty piece that he uses to get control of the situation, to keep others at a distance.  Trying to seem as cool as his father was, on the rare times he saw him. Hoping that by doing so, he could understand the agent that saved so many, but never seems to be around for him.

But this was Yugi. Yugi, who seemed so immune to charm and conventional standards. Yugi, who created for many organizations they fought, who made care guilds for each being he created. Yugi, who stole his heart without even trying.

In the face of that he just nods, hold the key of the one that held the key to his own heart, trying to keep himself from ruining the moment.

Unfortunately, Joey didn’t see it that way.

“Gheze, you’re sure grateful for us savin’ your ass.”

“Well, I wouldn’t have needed it if you didn’t have piss-poor digital security.”

“Fuck up, Frankenstein.”

Yugi threw a Kuribo to Joey’s face.  Good thing for Joey’s face, this was a milder Kuribo.

“If you’re going to insult me, at least be somewhat accurate.”

“The fuck do you mean?”

As Yugi argues how Victor was a terrible creator, running away from his creation because it wasn’t exactly how he thought it would look, and how he wasn’t as reckless as that, even for his creations that were unconventional, Yami slipped the key into his inner pocket, not wanting to risk losing it, not after a chance like that.

Chapter Text

“Well, this is a fun way to spend a date night,” Yugi says in a dead-pan tone, the one thing he can do considering his tied up status, as Shadow King faces off against the mystic warriors conjured up by his magical foe.

“Yes, it really adds a spark to the relationship, doesn’t it?” Atemu quips as he jabs, taking out his opponents left and right as the Dark Disciple looks on.

“Yeah, defiantly puts dinner and a show in a new light.”

“Not to mention the scenery.”

“Don’t forget the-“

“Enough! I’m tried of you two jabbering on like this is some kind of show!” Dark Disciple yells, his claws twitching as he grabs Yugi’s chair, “Now you’re going to stop fighting and die like your thrice-damned ancestors or I’m going to-“

He gets cut off by a hit to the back of the head, courtesy of Mana, who was there to meet Yugi in person. She may not be in the heroing side of things now at days, but just because Mana’s in the background doesn’t mean that she still can’t kick ass. It was also helpful in dispersing the crowd of magical mooks, giving Atemu time to cut Yugi out of his bonds.

“Thanks,” Yugi says as Atemu nods, the three of them leaving the penthouse (which is another question entirely that they’ll look up later). They look towards the doors for the stairs, which were… not working, to say the least.

“Soooo, how are we going to get down?”

Atemu looks down, then at his shadows, then at the ground again.

“I think I have a solution.”

“I think you need a better solution,” Yugi grumbles as he goes down, the shadows scaling them down a pulley system to the next building over.

“Oh, come on, where’s your sense of adventure?” Mana jokes, using her magic to make Atemu’s shadows last for the whole trip.

“About five stories down and with solid flooring.”

Atemu shushes the two of them as he concentrates, making sure that they’re on solid ground before dispersing the shadows.

Yugi hugs his boyfriend, glad to be on something that could disappear at a moment’s notice. Not that Atemu is bad at this kind of thing, but still, kinda hard to not think about those kinds of things in the air.

“Does anyone know what building this is?” Mana asks, using a skeleton key to open the gate to the fire escape. Probably for the best, considering that they don’t want to trespass when they-

“Yug’!”

The trio turn around, only to find Jou on the roof, security outfit on as his flashlight almost blinds him.

“Ehehehe… I can explain?”

Chapter Text

This was dangerous. He knows this was dangerous. Outside of this being a speakeasy that Yugi’s cousin owns. Outside of him being out with Yugi in a club like this.

He knows the stories.  Knows what happens to people like

The performance goes into a rubato, the jazz adding to Yugi’s siren beauty, her eyes half-open as she gets lost in the music.

She gets up, asking him without words to join her on the dance floor.

He really should have left. It would have been the smarter thing to do.

Instead he joins her, damn the consequences.

Chapter Text

They stood at the gravesite, no one saying anything as the remains of the fool. A prince, who married for duty, with only a handful of people there. She recognizes most of them from school, though whether they were his companions from childhood or he brought them into his inner circle because they came from the same school. She’s mildly curious, but not enough to bother them.

Atem never expected to get a notice of his funeral, especially since it’s been years since they last saw him. She honestly came here out of obligation rather than any lingering affection for the man. Yugi, she’s sure, is only to make sure he’s dead and stays dead. His father was busy with his eldest grandson, no doubt making sure he understands the responsibilities on his shoulders. By the gods, his own wife wasn’t there, let alone any of their children. It was truly quite, well, awkward.

The priest already left the place, not even offering any word of kindness for the deceased. It seems quite telling of the life that he had, to have such a funeral.

They stood there, no one saying anything. Atem hopes that she could get those sweets she liked for Mana and Mahad, they really were delightful.

Then Yugi started singing a dirge.

But not a normal one.

No. This is one that showed just what she thought of him, the rhyming quite impressive.

Then someone added a verse of their own, talking about him taking credit for his work.

Then another. And another. And another, all complaining about his flaws and their own grievances with him.

If her father was there, he would be disappointed in their conduct.

As he wasn’t here, she added her part to the song.

“Here lies a foolish prince, who few people would ever miss, he once had class, and now he’s grass, and all the more useful for it.”

they continued for that for a bit before leaving, lighter then when they left, no more thought spared for the man.

Chapter Text

“Nooooo! It was a canon event!!! A CANON EVENT!!!” a weird, mad-man cosplaying Kaiba shouted to the heavens.

Yugi just stood there, pushing Atem behind him as the stranger twists towards them, his eyes twitching at the two of them.

“How could you, a weak, insignificant vessel manage to do what I couldn’t, you-“

The crazy cosplayer was then hit in the head by some cat-eared lady with a cartoonishly big hammer.

“Sorry for that, my friend here gets intense about his ships,” She smiles before dragging the body away.

Yugi looks at Atem.

Atem looks at Yugi.

“Well, that was weird,” he said, before going back to their date, not giving a second thought to the strange event that happened.

Chapter Text

Atem sighs as he sits down, exhausted after the day he had. He had bookings from Kaiba Corp for a retreat, with the domineering, perfectionist CEO taking the best room. It seemed like a miracle at the time, having guests that were normal for once.

That was a mistake he won’t make again, especially considering how friendly Kaiba was to the staff. About the only thing he liked (besides the money coming in from all this) was the disdain that Kaiba had to the supposed supernatural presence at his establishment.

He’s starting to think that-

No. He was not going down that line of thinking. He was better than that.

Atem got up, walking over to where his guitar was. An indulgence from his youth.

He wasn’t a professional by any means, but sometimes, when he needs to get his mind of his troubles, be takes it out to play, letting his feelings out in a way that makes it feel productive.

He tunes his guitar, checking the strings before playing, first the scales, then to the melodies he’s memorized, letting himself get lost in the music.

Then a flute started playing, a soft sweet melody that added a melancholic undercurrent to his performance.

It almost felt…

He stops, looking around, trying to find who make his solo into a sonata. But there was no one there.

He glares into nothingness before playing again, figuring that it was just some guest. It had to be… right?

Chapter Text

Atem slams Yugi into the wall, the year apart doing nothing for his need of the former mortal. He has spent many a night with Yugi’s letter in hand, imagining what he’d do with him once he…

Atem pulls back, trying to see if his mind was playing tricks on him. But no, Yugi really did do it.

He really should have expected some changes in the interval years, all things considered.  But this…

“Yugi Mouto, did you get piercings?” he asks, somewhere between astonished, admiring, and the tiniest bit affronted that he didn’t know.

“I did,” his love confirms, not ashamed at all, “It’s not like you didn’t know I liked this kind of thing.”

Atem pouts.

“It’s one thing to admire it. It’s another when you get them and didn’t tell me in any of your letters.”

“And what would you have done, if you knew?” Yugi asks, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Probably add them to my fantasies, he thought, but not willing to say so… yet.

“It would have been less of a surprise, for one thing.”

“And what about your back?” Yugi points out, tracing an image he got with Sakura and that unruly thief under her command, a result of a bet, though what it was about he couldn’t recall.

He looks away, not willing to acknowledge his mistake.

“Honestly, it looks kinda sexy,” he said, his hands moving his cape away as he starts tracing the marks with his tongue.

“Yours are too,” he manages to get out, brought back into the moment as they showed each other how they appreciated the new additions to their form.

Chapter Text

The fiddling was fast for this dance, Yugi barely able to keep up as he dances with his husband. Perhaps this is how fast all dances are for the fae, he didn’t know. This is really his first time out willingly. He worries that he’s just messing things up. He was never one for dancing, only joining in with Anzu as the small parties they had at the castle after some celebration was had.

His husband adores it all the same, his eyes bright with glee as he twists and steps and even dips him a few times, to his embarrassment (and a bit of pleasure as well). Yugi even found himself enjoying himself after a bit, only stopping when his feet couldn’t take it any more.

“My love?”

“I’m fine,” Yugi told his husband, “I just need a moment.”

“Would you like a slower pace?”

“No, no, I don’t want to ruin your fun, just-“

His husband liftes him up, taking him back into their room, Yugi’s face as red as the wine being served. Yugi heart races in his chest, not sure how to feel at the attention.

“Really, I’m fi-“

“Shuuuuuuush, let me take care of you,” he whispers in Yugi’s ear, which was matching his face in their scarlet hue. His heart really can’t take any more of this attention, so he just shuts his mouth as his husband takes care of him, not sure what to do with all this attention.

Chapter Text

It was a whim, going to this concert. She’d never really been outside of the palace on such inconsequential things. It wasn’t how her father raised here.

She doubts that her father would be happy about this development, taking time that should be for improving the lives of others to spend on herself.

But Yugi was different. Still innocent in ways that baffle her, despite his father, he wanted to see this performance.

He talked about a friend of his who danced to such music, who wanted to be part of the ballet troupe for the royal courts. How some of the music tells stories, and how he sometimes plays a game in guessing the next instrument the conductor directs next.

It was… fun. No, well, that, but also something else.

It was during a part where the pace was increasing, the performance building up, when it happened.

Yugi held her hand, a simple gesture really, but, for some reason, her heart beat faster, mirroring the performance on stage as the performance reached its finale, Atem given a reprieve when Yugi stood up to applauds the orchestra. She gave her own claps, trying to recover from what happened as they left, puzzling out what just happened.

Chapter Text

There was no funeral the day Ot… Atem passed on into the afterlife. Afterall, he’s been dead since they met, trapped in a puzzle trying to save everyone.

He should be happy, that Atem was with his family in the afterlife. He wanted to be happy… but he still can’t help but feel like they were robbed, only knowing each other for so short a time, when he just wanted more.

But he couldn’t do that… being so selfish as to keep him for his own petty reasons.

After they came back… after the disaster that was Diva, they organized their own memorial service, a way for them to grieve the friend they lost. It was the least they could do, for everything he’s done for them.

Chapter Text

Atem looks at his book, something he worked on over the years when he spent time in Paris. His Magna Opus. A look into life and its mysteries, which he sometime shared with other artists. He often heard praise for it, but perhaps it’s more the wine he bought with each reading. Because it’s shit.

He didn’t know when he changed, when he, grew, no… matured, that’s the word. It had to be, to turn thoughts that once seems so profound into garbage, the words the rambles of a spoiled child.

Perhaps it’s his time with Yugi, from hearing her own life and stories he heard from her. She seemed so small, like a doll, but she had a core of steel. There was that one time when a college from his… the café he frequented, where he tried to…

Yugi soundly rejected him, being far more loyal to Atem than he really deserves. But she wasn’t boring. She once joined him at a cards table, smiling as sweet as can be, before cleaning the rest of the table, never giving away anything as she played.

He looks over his work again, trying to see if anything was salvageable.

He tosses most of it in the fire, only keeping some pages for their phrases rather than their thoughts, going to his desk as he goes again, ready to write something good.

Chapter Text

“Sorry things are a bit of a mess,” Atemu says as they go into his apartment, both of them soaked from the sudden rain that happened while on their date.

“Oh, it’s fine,” Yugi replies,  looks around the small apartment, not sure how he feels seeing such an important hero in something he’d expect from a part-timer.

“Still, I really should clean up,” he says, taking some small items into the closet, probably the only place he can put it.

“No, it’s really no trou-“

He stares at the instrument.

He then looks at Atemu, who is busy getting towels for them.

He then turns back to the instrument, which is somehow still there.

“Yugi?”

“I didn’t know you played.”

He then picks it up, not sure how to feel about this new fact.

“Oh. Oh, that.  It’s just a hobby.” Atemu comments, taking the violin from his hand.

God damn, is there anything this god on earth can’t do.

“Can you play something?” Yugi asks, taking one of the towels to dry his hair as he sits down.

“Are you sure? I’m not that good,” Atemu dismisses, taking instrument from it’s case as he  checks over it, making sure it’s  in good condition.

“Yeah, I mean, I want to see you play.”

He blushes. Then he tunes. And then he plays, the timbre pulling at his core as his instrument sings, Yugi getting lost in the moment as the bow glides over the strings, his worries melting away.

“Yugi?”

“Where did… When did… Why did you learn to play?”

“Oh. Well, mother feels that we should be well-rounded individuals, so we were encouraged to have hobbies outside of whatever path we chose for a career. And, well, it’s soothing, to develop skills where you can hear your progress. Plus-“

Yugi kisses his idiot, pulling him down as he shows him just how talented he is.

Chapter Text

Rehearsals were a necessary part of theater, especially for community productions like theirs, where most of the performers were either enthusiastic beginners, theater kids who were just getting out of their schools productions, or people with actual jobs just see this as a hobby, a +--taste of childhood dreams of fame before fading back into their ordinary lives. It was especially needed when you have newbies, like the understudy, and most of the cast members who don’t have any lines, and two-thirds of the fucking love triangle this fucking musical is focused on in the first place.

So, it’s needed. Badly.

Honestly, how could Yuuko make such decisions and not have it blow up in her face is a miracle in of itself.

Admittedly the kid that she chose as the Phantom does have some pipes, holding that fermata as long as he is, but still.

Yugi goes to the back, checking on the trick chandelier that their illustrious director was somehow able to get, hoping that things go smoothly for once.

Chapter Text

There were a few (well, more than a few things) that his… spouse can do that he cannot. Magic, speeches, art, writing, riding, all expected from a ruler by himself.

Yugi didn’t have that education, wouldn’t even imagine himself being taught like her majesty (even with their unexpected connection, damn it, he never expected that…)

And several of the things he can do his husband forbidden him from doing, as if he were just…

No, he was trying to be helpful. He wasn’t being mean.

But there was one thing he could do to show his feelings. It wasn’t much, but still…

One night, he asked the Fae King for his time, just a bit of time in the evening.

He granted Yugi’s request, smiling as he sat in the chair that was there.

Yugi walked away, calming himself down before turning back around, so The king would see his face.

He closed his eyes

And then, he sung.

It was a small talent, admittedly, but he considered himself quite good at it. he also enjoyed singing with friends, especially when there was a celebration to be had. It was a bittersweet reminder of what he lost… but there was hope there as well, though what he couldn’t say.

He sang and sang, both the formal songs done at court as well as the ones sung amongst friends, his legato holding true as he expressed himself, conveying all the emotions he felt.

He stopped once his voice started to ache, taking several breaths as he opened his eyes, the king nowhere in sight.

… Damn. He should have expected that. To be so-

Arms wrapped around him from behind, as his husband’s face buries in the crock of Yugi’s neck, kissing and nuzzling and sucking in ways that made his heart pump fast, his face blush, and certain parts reacting in ways he hoped to control.

“It seems my bride has all sorts of talents,” he whispered in his ear before dragging Yugi into their bedroom, Yugi hoping that he’s still able to stand in the morning.

Chapter Text

“Damn, this’s boring,” Jou whined, as if he wasn’t the one who begged to get in on this performance that they got for Anzu for her birthday. She was usually busy, but by some god, demon, or crazed villain who had it out for the company’s owner, she was free.  It was just supposed to be just her, but Jou wanted in, and then Honda, heck, even Ryou got in on it, saying it’ll be a good way for everyone to catch up.

And now Jou’s complaining…

Anzu elbowed him, sending a glare his way. Jou gave a defensive gesture before looking up front, looking to be on the verge of a power nap.

Ryou, for his part, was quiet, looking over some papers that looked nothing like the playbill they were given before the show. How he was able to do that is a mystery…

The most surprising thing was Honda who watched the play in awe, mesmerized by the performance, something he didn’t expect from the gearhead who personally maintains his own motorcycle.

The music changed, as the ballet went into the nocturne piece, Yugi vaguely knowing about it through the many, many times that Anzu went over this performance, first as a child, starry-eyed at the grace of the dancers on stage, then as a student, trying to show her parents about how devoted she was to dancing, then as a professional, growing into her own as she conveyed elegance with every step.

Yugi didn’t have the love he had for her when they were teens in love, too young to understand what really went into a relationship, but he still loved her. Perhaps even more so, since his dick wasn’t there to take away from her personhood (not that you couldn’t have that… it’s just a horny teenage brain does not have the best sense of things).

He felt a hand upon his own, Atemu giving him a soft look, bringing him out of his head into the here and now.

Yugi adjusted himself into his seat, his sides pressed against the confines of his seat, before focusing in on the performance. It really was good, especially the person currently dancing with Atemu’s brother.

Chapter Text

Atem sighs, annoyed at the fools in court. Yes, he did lose his sight to some Ra-damned curse, which Mahad is hard at work trying to find the caster, but there’s the possibility of a cure. Not to mention that whatever it was didn’t take away his arms. His wits. It could even be argued he’s gotten better, since his ears sharpen to compensate for the loss, being able to hear not only oncoming attacks, but also the sublet differences in one’s voice when they are lying to his face.

It is fortunate that not all of his priests were affected by this curse, Isis in particular being helpful, but still.

“Play,” he ordered, hoping some music will calm him down.

They did so, the melody fine, but there’s something missing. Something that…

Wait, where was the flautist? The one whose playing added a light note to each performance? The one who smelt of honey cakes and sunshine?

“Is there someone missing from your performance?” he asks, trying to keep calm without the soothing presence of] his little musician. He was eye-catching, back when he could see. A slight resemblance to him when he was younger, but with softer eyes, his eyes the color of his favorite cloak.

“No, your highness,” someone said.

“Really?”

“Of course.”

“Then why it is, then, that I hear no flute?”

“P-pardon? I believe that your majesty is-”

“Are you really going to tell me that there is something missing? Because last I checked, it was my sight that was gone. And even before then, I was able to hear when there was a, what was that word again… oh yes, an absent in the musical troupe. Now, I don’t know why you chose to lie like that, but I suggest that you find your flautist… now.”

He heard running as the fool did as ordered, resting his head in his hand as others went about. Pompous fool, must be new. Everyone knew about his flautist, how his part was essential to his day, more so now that he was like this.