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Atem’s POV
It had been months since Atem had cost one man his life and taken another with his own hands. Long enough for the constant sweltering heat of summer to begin to show the first hints of autumn in the chill that descended in the night and early morning.
Yūgi’s bout of melancholy had passed quickly, and the guilt Atem should have felt for his actions never came. It was almost as if nothing had happened.
Yūgi remained a conundrum, and there was still no answer that could satisfy him. Because Atem refused to give up anything. All he had managed so far was to get better at ignoring the inevitable. Pushing his own looming betrayal from his mind when they were together.
They had both found themselves busy and struggling to match their schedules recently. He would have liked to at least check in on him more. Atem didn’t trust Yūgi to tell him if something was wrong.
It was part of why he was here facing the inevitable when he’d rather be anywhere else. All because he hoped to get a glimpse of him stopping by to unwind or slip into the back.
He looked to the faces around the table, all watching him with various expressions.
“Be careful around him. He’s dangerous.” Mana was leaning in and glancing around like she was afraid of being overheard, despite the table shaking music and uproarious laughter making that nearly impossible.
Atem scoffed, “For my heart maybe.” He didn’t want to have this conversation with them. But he knew that it was a small miracle that he’d managed to keep their relationship private this long, considering they’d been meeting openly every week and Yūgi had spent so many weekends and evenings in his home. It was almost shocking they hadn’t been seen sooner.
Mahad had known that Atem was seeing someone, but he hadn’t pried once it was clear that it was not a subject Atem wanted to discuss. He only cared that Atem had something he cared about beyond revenge for the first time since this all began.
This arrangement had been working well for them, and this was the happiest Atem had been in years. Even if he knew it would all come crumbling down eventually.
Atem wouldn’t be surprised if Mahad knew exactly who he had been seeing and had been waiting for Atem to tell him himself. Mahad was a PI and good at what he did, and Atem hadn’t exactly been trying hard to hide things. Mahad hadn’t looked surprised when Mana had told everyone what she’d seen, but he was good at schooling his expressions.
“I’m serious, Atem. Don’t you know who his father is? I know we want to get close, but sleeping with his son is a bad idea.”
He couldn’t help but sigh. “That’s not Yūgi’s fault.”
“He’s a mess. He’s one wrong move away from getting himself and anyone close to him killed. You have to have heard the stories about him. I know you think you can handle anything, but they’re bigger than us. We can’t afford to be reckless.”
Mahad placed a hand on her arm, and she fell silent. “While not ideal, he does not seem to be a bad person. I believe we should be glad that Atem has found someone who is able to bring him happiness.” He looked at Atem. “As long as you know what you are doing and the consequences, I will support your decision.” It felt like his words hinted at something more.
Bakura looked contemplative. “This might actually be good for us.” He smirked at Atem’s frown. “We’ve been looking for an in for months. Get close to the boy, and we get close to him. We always knew it would be dangerous. Why be cowards now? We want to get close, so get as close as possible.”
“No. He’s not even involved with the bigger stuff. We won’t get anywhere.”
“It doesn’t matter. He can get you where you need to be, and there’s no way he isn’t involved. You’re fooling yourself if you believe that. Get him to spill his secrets, then have him bring you into the inner circle.”
He was clenching his teeth. “I’m not doing that to him.”
A snort, “Well tough, ‘cause I’m not giving you a choice. Do it, or your time’s up, Atem.”
Atem growled as he stood. “You’re a bastard.”
“Yet we both know you’ll do it.” He laughed mockingly. “In the end, you’ll always choose yourself. You always have.”
Fate was cruel and chose that moment to send Yūgi to him. It didn’t matter that he was small and on the other side of a crowded, dark, and chaotic room. Atem knew the moment he walked in. It was like a spotlight shone on him and only him.
His heart nearly betrayed him. He wanted to run up there, grab hold of him, and take him somewhere far away. Somewhere Yūgi could laugh and run wild, and Atem could love him like he deserved. Somewhere, no one knew them, and they could live without fear or worry or pain.
But Atem had a purpose. And a pretty voice, soft thighs, infectious laugh, and even a tight grasp on his heart could not sway him from it. Bakura’s laughter faded away as Atem moved like a moth to the flame.
Yūgi was a vision. Somehow managing to look sweet and innocent while wearing barely anything and covered in glow in the dark body paint and sprayed on glitter. He wore it thicker than usual, and he knew his hands would leave evidence of his touch. And he desperately wanted to leave his mark for everyone to see.
This was the least amount of clothes Atem had ever seen him wear in public, but the paint created the illusion that he wore more. How indecent would he look with that paint smudged by Atem’s hands to reveal the illusion? It was tempting to drown his guilt in Yūgi’s body.
His eyes returned to Yūgi’s face to see he was being watched. Yūgi had a sparkle in his pretty eyes and a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. It was an expression that could have been innocent happiness or the hints of much less innocent thoughts.
His smile widened as Atem reached him. “Buy me a drink?”
“Anything you want.” Atem couldn’t stop staring, but Yūgi didn’t seem to mind.
“You should be careful making offers like that.” He brushed a kiss against Atem’s jaw, his lips lingering near his ear. “I might hold you to it.”
He turned his head, so close to those soft lips. “Maybe I want you to.”
“I’ll have to think of something good then.” Yūgi stepped back and shot him a wink before heading to the bar. Atem was close behind. Already convincing himself that everything was fine. He already planned to kill his father; how could using their relationship to do it make things worse? It would all end the same. He had already decided that he wouldn’t allow his guilt and doubt to ruin what they had now. He would make the most of this while it lasted.
They ordered their drinks, and Atem used reaching for his glass as an excuse to lean in close to Yūgi. His hand slipped down between them to cup Yūgi’s ass, squeezing the soft, gentle curves.
Yūgi’s eyes glazed over, his lips parting for a moment before he regained his composure and sipped at his drink as if he wasn’t being felt up in a crowded room. He licked his lips with an adorably pink tongue.
Atem downed his drink, not interested in savouring it when he could savour Yūgi instead. Yūgi was both the cause of all his doubts and the only way he could forget them.
He pushed the fabric aside to stroke the bare skin underneath. That earned a gasp, and Yūgi glanced at him with lidded eyes. His glass clinked against the counter as he set it down with suddenly unsteady hands while Atem continued to stroke and squeeze. Yūgi’s face was slowly losing its composure until he suddenly followed Atem’s example and finished his drink in one go, turning to face Atem with a fiery look. “Atem…” All his flirting and quips were gone in that instance; his voice was all raw desire as he pulled Atem closer.
Yūgi had ordered something sugary but deceptively strong, and Atem leaned in to capture his mouth and the taste that lingered on his already sweetly intoxicating lips. His tongue delved in and explored. Yūgi’s eyes fluttered closed as a moan escaped him.
“Fuck, Yūgi, I need you so bad right now.”
Yūgi wordlessly took Atem’s hand and pulled him along. He spared a glance towards the others, but couldn’t see them from here. Yūgi navigated them through the crowds with ease, leading him to the second floor and into one of the private rooms where he pushed Atem down and climbed into his lap to resume their kiss. He gladly delved back in to taste that sweetness.
Atem’s hands wandered, pausing to squeeze pliant flesh and pull him closer. Yūgi made a desperate sound and ground against him, sending a jolt through his body.
Bright patterns were left smudged under his fingers. Atem followed the flowing lines, dancing and dipping beneath Yūgi’s clothes. He grabbed the hem of Yūgi’s semi-sheer top and pulled it over his head. That shimmer sitting over his pretty skin was everywhere. He began leaving kisses over Yūgi’s chest.
Fingers tangled in his hair when he took one rosy pink nipple in his mouth and sucked. Yūgi was making sweet little noises that left Atem straining against his pants. The body in his arms shuddered when he used his teeth, grazing them over the hardened bud.
He felt Yūgi’s hands slip under his shirt to explore the expanse of skin beneath, and he paused to strip it off, tossing it aside.
“Take these off.” He tugged at Yūgi’s bottoms.
Yūgi got up to shimmy his shorts over his hips, letting them drop to pool around his ankles. Yūgi stood naked before him, the patterns on his skin making him look wild and divine. He caressed Yūgi’s slim hips, kissing a trail over them and down to Yūgi’s soft thighs. There was a catch of breath when he began using his tongue, his hands kneading his behind. Occasionally pulling open that sensitive place, but not yet touching it directly. Yūgi was starting to let out full, needy moans.
“Do you have anything?” He traced a circle around his entrance.
They could manage without, but he’d rather not take the chance that he could hurt Yūgi.
“Ah—Yah.” Atem put a little pressure on him before letting go.
Atem impatiently undid his pants while he watched Yūgi stumble over to the wall, opening a hidden cabinet and pulling out a small bottle. It was placed next to him on the couch as Yūgi climbed back into his lap. Atem raised a brow in question.
“This is my room. I have everything I need in here.” He smiled and gave Atem a too brief kiss.
Atem began kissing his neck while Yūgi reached between them to free Atem’s erection. He groaned at the feel of Yūgi’s soft hand stroking him.
He grabbed the bottle, coating his fingers before carefully pushing one in. Slowly starting to finger Yūgi, who was trying to focus past the pleasure.
He added the second finger, feeling Yūgi’s insides squeezing him. He couldn’t wait to feel that soft velvety heat around him.
“Fuck.” It came out as a whiny moan as Atem thrust his fingers in to the knuckle. Yūgi bit Atem’s shoulder and gasped when the resulting jerk made Atem use more force than he meant to. He felt Yūgi’s tongue gently lapping at the spot he’d bitten, his unsteady hand continuing to stroke Atem.
The elastic squeeze around his fingers was almost more of a turn on than the hand caressing him. Yūgi was using a decent pressure now, tightening his grip, and his palm slid over his head, but nothing could compare to the feeling of being inside him.
“I’m ready.” He nibbled Atem’s ear.
“You’re not.” He’d only just started using two fingers, and Yūgi was still way too tight.
“Please, I can take it. Please.”
Atem groaned and pulled his fingers out before grabbing Yūgi’s hips. “You’re sure?”
“Yes, please, fuck yes.”
Atem slicked himself quickly before pulling him roughly into position. The tip of his cock pressed against Yūgi’s entrance. Then Yūgi was slowly lowering himself, his fingers digging into Atem’s shoulders. Atem groaned as his erection broke through the resistant ring of muscles and began sinking into that tight heat.
They never looked away from one another. Yūgi’s skin was flushed, his pink lips parted with a gasp, and he moaned as Atem ground into him, hands finding a bruising grip on pale hips.
“Ah—Atem!” His brow furrowed in tortured ecstasy as he lifted himself, starting a steady pace.
Yūgi’s flushed skin called to him, and he began trailing kisses over his porcelain chest. Grazing his teeth teasingly over the soft body in his arms while Yūgi pleasured himself on his cock. Sweet little mewls leaked from Yūgi’s parted lips, and he abandoned his explorations to capture them.
Yūgi rode Atem like it was all he needed in life. Like the feeling of being filled by him was more necessary than even the hastily gasped breaths of air they found between kisses and cries.
Atem thrust up into him, meeting each decent. He pulled back to look at Yūgi’s face. A blush painted his cheeks pink, and his eyes were glassy and lidded. Moans tumbled from glistening lips with each hard thrust.
It wasn’t enough. He lifted Yūgi off him and onto the couch beside him. Yūgi made a needy, desperate noise and gave him an almost pained look.
“Kneel.”
Yūgi scrambled to comply, getting on all fours. Atem ran his hands over Yūgi’s body while he admired the view, rubbing his erection against him, dripping precum over him. He grabbed the bottle, drizzling it over them while he slid against him, coating them both.
“Please, I need you inside me right now so bad.”
He smirked and pressed against Yūgi. “Don’t be impatient.” Almost as soon as he had begun to press inside, he thrust forward hard, nearly knocking Yūgi down with the force. Yūgi desperately searched for something to brace against as Atem pounded into him without hesitation.
A string of half-coherent begging and curses poured from Yūgi, his nails scraped against the plasticky material, leaving marks. “Ah! Fuck, fuck,, Atem! Oh gods! Please—ah!”
Atem growled, maintaining his firm hold as he quickened his pace. Yūgi was shaking and whimpering, unable to keep himself up. His arms gave out, and he collapsed into them. Atem held his hips up as he continued to thrust hard and fast relentlessly, pulling Yūgi back to meet each thrust with more power.
“Atem, Atem, ATEM!”
The body beneath him was shaking violently, tears stained his cheeks, his loud cries were half muffled between his arm and the seat. Yūgi’s ass and thighs were red from Atem’s body pounding against them.
He leaned forward, tangling his fingers in Yūgi's hair and pulled his head back, using the new access to thrust his tongue into Yūgi’s mouth.
It was obvious they were both on the edge. He could feel his orgasm building up, the need coiling in his belly. A few more thrusts got him there, and he pressed into Yūgi as deep as he could while his cum shot inside in violent spurts. He moaned into Yūgi’s mouth while their tongues slid messily against each other. It was enough to send Yūgi over the edge as well, his insides milking every drop from Atem as Yūgi tightened around him.
He held Yūgi against him while he sat back, preventing him from collapsing into his own mess while they both recovered, exhausted and out of breath from the intensity of their lovemaking. He wiped a line of drool from Yūgi’s chin with an unsteady hand and kissed his forehead. Yūgi leaned against him limply, eyes half open and unfocused.
Yūgi was a mess, and Atem loved that he was the one who had done this to him. He smiled against Yūgi’s neck as he pressed light kisses there. “You’re so good. You were amazing.” Atem nibbled Yūgi’s ear. “It’s like you were made for me.”
A small moan left Yūgi’s parted lips, and Atem wondered if they could get away with another round. Assuming either of them could summon the energy. Instead, he carefully lay Yūgi down and wiped up the mess that was leaking from him.
“How are you feeling?” He pulled his pants back on, looking over the unmoving form on the couch.
“Like I’ve melted. But in a good way.” Hazy lavender eyes watched him dress. He looked absolutely spent. “Fuck Atem. That was intense.”
“Can you move?” Yūgi’s skin was still pink hued, and he had barely moved besides to speak.
He didn’t respond right away. “Maybe… In a minute.”
Atem sat, pulling Yūgi onto his lap and kissing him. Suddenly he didn’t want to leave this room. They could pretend in here. Pretend that they could be real, that Atem hadn’t just been asked to use him. That this wasn’t all leading to betrayal. To Atem becoming the villain in Yūgi’s story.
He held Yūgi closer, further smudging the paint adorning Yūgi’s skin. Atem didn’t care about his handprints on Yūgi’s body, or how the glitter now covered them both, exposing what they had done to everyone who saw them. If he was honest, Atem was happy that Yūgi’s body was so clearly marked as his.
He wished he could forget and just live in these moments. His kisses turned almost desperate as he pulled Yūgi closer. And Yūgi didn’t question the sudden change, always returning whatever Atem gave him with just as much emotion and intensity. Like he knew they were a fleeting dream just as surely as Atem did.
He brushed his lips against Yūgi’s temple. “Where would you go if you could go anywhere?”
Yūgi blinked, looking at him like no one had ever asked him something like that before. Atem found it hard to believe. Who wouldn’t fantasize about running away with Yūgi and starting a new life with him?
“Hm. I don’t know. Somewhere by the ocean with sandy beaches and blue water and no one but us anywhere in sight. But not too hot, I can’t handle too much sun.” He laughed, and Atem’s heart clenched at the mention of ‘us’. Like it was natural that they would be there together.
“What would we do there?” He brushed his fingers through Yūgi’s hair, and big amethyst eyes glittered tenderly at Atem.
“We’d spend all day playing and having fun. Then we would hold hands as the sun set,” He tangled their fingers together as he said it. “-and make love on the beach by the waves. It would start to get a little cold, but we’d keep each other warm.”
He cleared his suddenly tight throat. “I’ve heard sand isn’t the best for lovemaking.”
“I guess we could bring a towel. I wouldn’t want to irritate your poor skin.”
Atem let out an undignified snort, and Yūgi giggled.
“I’ve never been somewhere like that, but I feel like I can picture it if I close my eyes.” He searched Atem’s face. “Why are you asking all this?”
“Maybe I want to run away with you and keep you all to myself.”
“I wish you could.” He said it quietly, a hint of vulnerability finding its way into his voice, but his words cut into Atem’s soul with more precision than any blade.
“I can’t. We can’t…”
Yūgi looked at their hands, all the warmth faded from his face. “I know… I guess it doesn’t really matter where we are. I just want to be able to live without feeling scared or trapped. Travelling the world, having money, or power, or whatever. None of that matters, not really. I just wish I could be normal. I’m tired of missing out on everything important in life. And I never want to lose anyone ever again.”
“Yūgi, sweetheart…” What could he say? That such a basic dream as living a normal life would always elude him as long as his father’s shadow loomed over him? That he would have to lose someone, maybe everyone, to get the freedom he wanted?
Yūgi rested his head on Atem’s shoulder, and he thought he saw the shimmer of tears before his face was hidden. Neither of them dared take this conversation any further.
Yūgi’s ringtone startled them, and Yūgi grabbed his bottoms to fish his phone from them. He answered without looking, wiping his eyes before Atem could see his face. “Yeah?...” He sat up, looking alert. “Uhm, yes, of course I can… No.” He glanced at Atem. “I wasn’t. I’ll be there soon.”
He flipped his phone shut, looking at Atem with regret while he gathered his things. “I have to go. You can stay here as long as you want. I’ll let them know you can use this room whenever.” Yūgi began to hurriedly dress in his scant clothes.
As much as Atem wanted everyone to see that Yūgi was already claimed as his, he also needed to greedily keep him for his eyes only. So, he pulled Yūgi to a stop and draped his jacket over Yūgi’s shoulders. “Here, it’ll be cold outside.” His gaze lingered on the pendant that was meant to protect Yūgi. If it were real, Atem wouldn’t be able to stand before him like this.
Yūgi gave him one of his bright smiles and a kiss on the cheek, accepting the offering. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
Atem nodded, careful to keep his emotions off his face at the hope he heard there. Yūgi was one of the most innocent people Atem had ever met, and Atem was rotten to the deepest parts of his soul for using him and abusing the trust that had been placed in him. It was already a miracle that Yūgi could trust at all. “I’ll be waiting.”
Yūgi seemed happy, not looking for anything deeper below the surface, before he turned away and slipped out with one last wistful glance at Atem.
He waited, watching the door in case Yūgi had forgotten something. Then he took out the device that had sat in his pocket for months while he searched for a place where it would be useful. Most of the club was too loud, and the important stuff probably wasn’t being discussed openly at the bar.
Even if he didn’t meet with anyone here, just hearing Yūgi’s calls was big. He spoke directly to Chūji, and he was involved in a lot of planning.
He looked around. It would have to be somewhere it wouldn’t be found during cleaning. Atem paced before opening the hidden cupboard Yūgi had gotten the lube from. Atem put the bottle away before turning his attention to a half full box of condoms. They hadn’t been using them, so he hoped this box would sit here forgotten for a while.
He tucked the device at the bottom, wondering if they would be able to hear anything. If it was found, Atem would be top of the list of suspects.
Yūgi’s POV
He ran into his room, not even bothering to shut the door as he stripped, hurriedly dressing in less revealing clothes. There were still streaks of bright paint on his skin that he’d missed cleaning up in the club bathroom, but there wasn’t time to wash it all off.
He was out of breath by the time he ran into the training room. The floor was polished wood with a mat at the far end. The walls and ceiling were a darker wood, narrow slotted windows lined the upper walls, and panels made up the outer wall, sliding to open the room to the garden.
As nice as the room looked, Yūgi didn’t exactly have fond memories of it. He’d gathered more than his fair share of bruises and injuries here.
He slid to a stop in front of his dad, who raised a brow at his appearance but didn’t comment.
“Why are we doing this now? It's so late.”
“Your enemies won’t wait for you to be well rested and ready for an attack. Besides, you look like you’re still full of energy, despite the hour.”
Yūgi sighed, maybe he should have taken the time to get the rest of the paint off after all.
“Take your stance.”
He did, holding it while his dad inspected him, making no adjustments this time. It was a struggle not to let out a relieved breath. Instead he focused on controlling each one, on the way his weight was distributed and how he balanced so he could move quickly in any direction.
“Let's start.” Chūji fell into his own stance before lunging forward. Yūgi just barely managed to dodge.
Chūji smoothly transitioned into the next attack before Yūgi could recover, causing him to almost lose his footing as he jumped back.
He winced as Chūji struck him in the middle of his chest with the heel of his hand, making him stumble back further, but he stayed up and even blocked the next strike.
It became easier to keep up as they continued, his movements getting smoother as he fell into the practiced motions. Though he managed to dodge or block most of his dad’s attacks, he never managed to land one of his own, and Chūji started pushing harder.
Chūji caught his fist before his hit could land, easily stopping his momentum. “With your physique, it would be better to focus on keeping out of reach and looking for opportunities to escape or for something you can use to your advantage.” He let go, and they both fell into position again.
He switched to focusing on dodging while he waited for an opening.
“You still aren’t carrying a weapon?”
“I do when I need to. I can’t really hide it usually.” He watched his dad’s feet as he circled Yūgi, looking for some sign he was about to move.
“Have you thought of dressing properly?” He sounded exasperated.
“It’s not that bad.” He’d even changed into regular non-form-fitting clothes that he could move in comfortably. He could have worn something on his ankle, but he hated the feel. The straps chaffed and were distracting.
He caught the shift in weight before Chūji pounced and leapt into a roll, catching him off guard when he snapped his foot out, catching an ankle and causing him to stumble.
By the time he’d come out of the roll, Chūji had recovered and stood at the ready. But he looked pleased, and Yūgi was glad he’d tried the maneuver.
They continued like that, neither making any significant progress. Though he could tell he was going easy on him. He thought he had decent stamina, but he found his movements starting to slow after a while.
“I need to know that you can keep your composure under any circumstances. To that end, I have been considering having you conditioned again. Do you know what that means?”
He faltered, taking a glancing hit to the jaw. “Yes.”
“I don’t want to do that to you, but I will if I need to. Do not give me any more reasons to think it is necessary.”
He nodded, not trusting himself to speak.
Chūji fell out of his stance, and Yūgi cautiously did the same. “Go to bed, Yūgi.”