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Would you love me if I was a worm?
In hindsight, it seemed like an innocent question, nothing to take seriously; one of those hypotheticals which Atem didn't wrap his head around. So he lifted his head from his book, an eyebrow raised. His reading glasses tilted to the side a little, matching his confusion.
His partner was typing on his keyboard, working on a series of codes and numbers Atem wasn't able to comprehend, no matter how many times Yugi explained.
“Hmm? A worm?”
Clicks paused.
Atem closed his book gently, placing it gently by his side. He took his glasses off, pinching the bridge of his nose in an attempt to reduce the soreness he felt from reading for so long.
“Yeah, would you love me if I was one?” Yugi glanced at him, then returned to focus on his programming. “Just been thinking about that for a while now.”
Strange. That wasn’t quite like Yugi to ask so nonchalantly. Atem flattened the wrinkles on his blanket, his thoughts swirling in whirlpools.
“It wouldn't make a difference if you were a worm or not, sunflower. I'd still love you the same.”
The reaction was unexpected, Yugi twirled his chair around to face him, amethysts sparkling in unexpected mirth. “Really?! Really, babe? You would?”
Atem nodded, smiling awkwardly. “Yes, I would still love you. Whether you were a worm or something else, It matters not to me.” As long as it's you, unconditionally you, it would matter not. His tongue tangled at the end, unable to express all the emotions soaring in his chest.
Yugi beamed so brilliantly, reflecting delight so blinding, Atem couldn't help but squint in return. His partner jumped to his feet in a span of seconds, wrapping his arms around him. A surprise noise escaped from Atem's lips, interrupted by the many kisses that followed that impromptu hug, a few thank yous and I love you so muchs were thrown around after each kiss.
“Y-Yugi,” it was impossible to contain his laughter any longer, heart swelling in so much adoration he prayed he could just spill out right at that moment.
Tomorrow had another plan for Atem.
At first, he couldn't quite believe what he woke up to. Yugi's side on the bed was quite empty, which he wouldn't have dubbed as unusual; Yugi had tendencies to walk in his sleep and return by his side after a while passed. What was strange to him was the tiny worm that was wiggling on his partner's pillow.
A sigh left Atem's lips, did Yugi open the window while he sleepwalked? He pushed his blanket away from his body, stretching his arms, popping a few joints in satisfaction. He grunted, before blinking the drowsiness away, and glared at the invasive worm.
“You're not quite welcomed here, Little One,” Atem mumbled with a deep voice, his body refusing to have it return to its usual tone immediately. “You must return to Mother Earth. That's where you belong.”
He gripped the worm tenderly, putting it on his other palm, then grunted again as he pushed his bed out of the bed, standing up sluggishly. Scanning the bedroom, he couldn't find Yugi anywhere near his tiny office, nor heard any sounds from the other rooms outside.
“Yugi?” Atem opened the door to the living room, humming in puzzlement.
Where was he? A quick look at the clock told him that it wasn't the time for Yugi to leave for work just yet; not like he would without giving Atem his morning kiss anyways.
“Strange… Did he have an early shift or something?” he murmured, rubbing his neck.
His eyes fell on the worm in his hand and remembered. He needed to put it outside the window, then call Yugi using the telephone, or whatever his partner called the damned device.
“Well, Mother Earth awaits for your return, Little One,” Atem smiled tightly and walked towards the window. He opened the lock, and relocated the worm to be on the outside frame. “Here you go. You can leave now.”
The worm flopped around frantically, Atem chuckled. “You're that joyous to be released, huh? I should have done that sooner. To you, I give you my sincerest apology.”
It twisted around, its head lifting up and shaking left and right. Atem tilted his head, hands on his waist in bewilderment. “What is it now? Should I put you in a lower ground?”
Babe?! Can you hear me?
Atem perked up, mind link sending a message. Was that Yugi just now?
Yugi? Where are you? Have you gone to work-
What?! No! You're about to throw me away right now!
“What?” Atem scrunched his face, throwing his hands up. “What do you mean by throwing you away?” he returned his gaze at the worm, whose head popped up and down.
Oh no. Oh no no no no. This had to be a prank. Did Jounouchi put Yugi to this? He must have. Oh that smug blonde bastard would get what's coming for him.
“Are you pulling my leg right now, Yugi? If you're around and staging this with Jou, I'm telling you this instant, it's not–”
No, I'm NOT yanking your chain, Atem! I'm one hundred percent legit with you. I turned into a worm when I was sleeping somehow.
Oh. Atem blankly stared at the worm for what it seemed like an eternity.
“You're not joking?”
The worm shook its head no.
“You're actually a worm.”
It nodded.
Oh Gods, what had he done? He almost threw Yugi out the window just now.
Panicked, he picked Yugi in his hand and slammed the window shut. “Oh Gods, oh Gods. What the fuck?”
Me too, buddy… I was as confused as you when I woke up.
Was that the consequence of answering such a question last night? He was just replying innocently. He didn't want to manifest anything related to a worm reality upon his poor, poor sunflower. Oh Gods, what should he even do? Did he need to google how to take care of a worm right now? What was googling again? Did Yugi need to eat? Was he even holding the poor thing correc–
Atem. ATEM. I know you're in a state of disarray right now, and I get you so much, but can you just put me on a flat surface right now? You're killing me right now.
“Oh, of course!” Atem sprinted to the nearby coffee table, resting Yugi tenderly on the wooden surface. “Is this better?”
Oh yes. Thank you. I feel so much better.
Atem kneeled next to the table, looking so closely at Yugi. Now that he actually observed the creature, it resembled Yugi so much, even the little star-shaped hair was there. He would’ve recognised that much earlier if he had paid attention.
“What do we do now?”
I don't know…
“I guess…” Atem rested his elbows on the table. “That's a testament to your question yesterday.”
Heh. I guess so. Would you still love me if I was a worm?
“I would,” he rested his head on his palm, smiling fondly. “I am.”
Aww Atem… I would kiss you right now, but I don't think it's possible right now.
“You better not,” Atem deadpanned, dropping his smile very quickly. “I might get attached to your worm-ness and refuse to find a way to return you back to your original form.”
Yugi lifted his head up, and then shook it violently.
You wouldn't dare! You wouldn't dare leave me in this hopeless state forever!
Atem smirked, eyebrow quirked up. Yugi gradually stopped twisting around, looking quite worried.
You wouldn't, would you?
“No, I would not,” Atem reassured. “I presume the best course of action is finding a way on how to keep you alive until you revert back.”
Yugi nodded. Yeah. I don't think I should be outside without any dirt.
“Maybe call Kaiba to help us out. I can't google anything to save my own life, let alone yours, dear.”
Oh noooo. This is hell, my personal hell. Yugi slumped his tiny body on the table. That's the absolute worst. Why do we need to tell him anything?
Atem shrugged, “Would you rather Jou handle this?”
No… I stand corrected. Yugi flopped around, seemingly thinking deeply about this. As much as Atem. Would he even believe us in the first place?
“Well, he has to,” Atem rose to his feet, determined. “I'll get a jar full of dirt and will be right back.”
After a bit of trial and error, Yugi was secured inside the jar of dirt, held tightly between Atem's palms.
Okay. We so got this, babe.
Atem nodded, “I pray to Gods we convince him, or I may have to find other methods of persuasion.”
Yugi stared at his boyfriend worryingly. Maybe don't say it like you're gonna murder the guy.
Atem chuckled, grabbing his key. “I would never,” he unlocked the door. “I need him to help us, not make the matter a hundred times worse.”
Right. We got this. We so got this. I'm getting too used to being a worm.
With a nod of agreement, Atem left the apartment with Yugi, in search of answers to what made his partner a worm.