Chapter Text
Atem knew he would never forget this moment. When he saw him up on the stage in that crowded bar, his fingers on the keys and his voice so sweet and divine, with just enough melancholy that Atem thought his heart could break from the sound if it. All the lights shone for him, illuminating him in a glow like a halo.
Plenty of others had graced the stage that night, but he was the only one who could cause that hush to descend so completely. Like the world was holding its breath for him. Atem did, just to hear each perfect note a little better. He had found himself moving to the front of the crowd, trying to see him better. How had anyone managed to seize his neglected heart so tightly with only a song?
The singer was young and slender with a pleasant shape to his body. His hips and legs were especially nice to look at with their gentle curves, and Atem was sure they would be even better to touch. He was dressed for the heat in an oversized t-shirt that fell below his hips and criminally short shorts that were nearly hidden beneath it, exposing a sinful amount of creamy thigh. He wore a thin lilac choker with a silver clasp and more silver at his wrists and ankles that probably jingled delicately when he moved.
His calves were nicely defined, legs ending in delicate looking ankles. He had small feet, but they fit the proportions of the rest of his body. Atem suspected that he had to buy shoes from the women’s section. The sandals he wore had a feminine style that supported his assumption.
As his song came to an end, a miracle happened. Beautiful amethyst eyes rose to scan the crowd, and fell on Atem as if they had been drawn to him. Then he stood and came straight to Atem with a few graceful steps and hop from the stage, like he was just as pulled to Atem as Atem was to him.
From this close he could see the shimmer of highlighter on his cheeks and the subtle sparkle of glitter on his skin. There was no hesitation or shyness in his approach. Just determination and wonder. His eyes sparkled more than anything else when he smiled and spoke with a soft voice, just as pretty as when he sang.
“What’s your name?”
He almost forgot to breathe again. This felt like a dream. He didn’t question why this vision of innocence was untouched in a place frequented by the worst criminals the city had to offer. “Atem.”
“Atem.” He sounded it out, and Atem found his name was beautiful when it fell from the lips of this angel. “My name’s Yūgi.” He leaned closer, eyes roaming over Atem’s face, and Atem had to resist moving in as well.
Yūgi’s smile brightened. “Do you want to have some fun with me?”
Atem never stood a chance.
That first night was a fever dream. They danced and drank and touched, teasing what was to come. Yūgi’s confidence was all self-assured sweetness, and his unearthly beauty drew attention from men and women alike. He knew he was loved and didn’t use it against anyone. He never asked for anything or put anyone down for wanting him. He let all his suitors down gently, easily deflected the flirting and dodged unwanted hands with a light laugh and a heartbreaking smile.
Suddenly he was dragging Atem off into the night and the blessedly cool breeze. They ran, and Atem didn’t care where as long as Yūgi didn’t let go of his hand. Then they were in the spray of the fountain, and Yūgi was laughing and Atem wondered if this was what love was like. They kissed in the middle of the jets, hands wandering like they weren’t on public display.
Atem dragged him home between searing kisses, barely getting through the door before they were both stripped of their sodden clothes, mouths free to explore bare skin. They somehow made it to the bed without taking their hands or mouths off each other, and soon Atem was loving him like Yūgi held Atem’s salvation in his hot, yielding body. Atem’s touches were like a form of desperate worship.
Yūgi held him, calling his name like Atem was the only thing keeping him from being lost. Like Atem was his anchor in a vast dark sea. The way he looked at Atem awakened every instinct he thought he didn’t have. The need to protect, to save him, was so strong. He didn’t even know from what. Just that he needed it.
That’s how he knew Yūgi was dangerous. Because part of Atem already wanted to abandon everything he had worked for just to keep Yūgi safe by his side. To care for him and see his radiantly smiling face every morning. What would happen if he let himself really know Yūgi? Would this feeling be exposed as an illusion? Just his heart getting carried away by a perfect moment and a pretty face? Or would Yūgi truly test his resolve?
Their lovemaking was raw and emotional. He’d never experienced anything like it, and certainly never thought he would with a stranger. But everything about Yūgi drew him in and left him needing more. Yūgi held nothing back and had given Atem just as much as he’d gotten.
It all came together in one perfect moment. With Yūgi’s hands on him, his name on those lips, eyes that held nothing but him.
Atem lay lost in thought. He should have made the connection sooner. Yūgi’s eyes should have given it away; he had only seen that shade of purple on one other person. Mutou Chūji. The long-running boss of the Wisteria clan and the one secretly running Domino City. He just hadn’t made the connection at first because he was so different from what Atem had imagined. Yūgi wasn’t someone that should have been running free in that bar. He was off limits. So high above the rest that Atem should never have even been able to speak with him. But he had heard rumours that Chūji’s son had a reputation for being ‘unmanageable’, he believed the word was. He was nearly uncontrollable, but never in a way that anyone felt the need to deal with.
Mutou Chūji. The same man who was responsible for the deaths of his parents. The man Atem planned to kill, no matter the cost.
When he looked at the man’s son, it was impossible to feel the hatred or resentment he would have expected. Not when he appeared so sweet and vulnerable, lying curled against him in the moonlight. Soft breaths fanned over Atem’s neck from his soundly sleeping companion, and he knew he could kill him easily if he wanted. Instead, he found he wanted to protect him. It was like cherishing this boy was the most natural thing for him to do. The feeling that he needed to keep Yūgi safe by his side warred with the desire to destroy Mutou Chūji and anything that belonged to him.
Atem took the opportunity to study him. Long dark lashes framed eyes he recalled were large and doe-like, and a striking deep amethyst. Soft porcelain skin seemed even fairer against Atem’s tanned complexion. Lips like fresh petals called to him, but he forced his attention on, landing on the tattoo that covered Yūgi’s shoulder and upper arm. A sign of his ties to the clan. Atem just hadn’t realized how strong those ties were.
The artistry was incredible. He had never seen this level of fragile beauty translated into a tattoo. There were no hard lines, just delicate, almost painted on colours that all worked perfectly together and with Yūgi’s complexion. The placement was perfect as well. He’d seen many otherwise well-designed tattoos that wound up looking off because they were just tossed wherever. But this looked like it was meant to be there. It had probably taken many sessions and lots of planning to complete, almost becoming as much a work of art as the man it adorned.
He found himself tracing the lines, following along a thin branch and a waterfall of purple flowers that spilled down his slim shoulder.
Yūgi stirred and nuzzled closer with a sleepy sigh. One leg was draped over Atem, drawing his eye, and hand, to enjoy its lovely shape. Atem continued tracing Yūgi’s body with a different purpose now. He placed lingering kisses against petal-soft lips until Yūgi kissed him back sleepily, struggling to keep up and to open his eyes.
There was no point worrying about who Yūgi was when there were better ways to spend their time together. He could worry plenty later.
That was how he found himself with his enemy’s son walking out of his shower wearing one of his shirts and a warm smile that made his eyes sparkle. He practically skipped to Atem’s side.
Yūgi didn’t look like he was planning to leave any time soon, and some traitorous part of himself didn’t want him to. It was the same part that had been captivated by a song and fallen for a set of amethyst eyes. It was the part that had him smiling back before he realized what he was doing.
Yūgi nuzzled up against his side in a way he could only describe as adorable. Not at all like a cold-blooded killer or someone who had grown up with the city on its knees before him.
Atem had always assumed that Mutou Chūji’s child would be an intimidating villain. Or at least some bratty kid used to getting his way. It was possible that he was, but it wasn’t the impression Atem had gotten. Yūgi seemed to love having fun and running free. Not that Atem knew him well. But he wanted to.
He fed Yūgi breakfast, watching that sweet face for any hint that something darker lay beneath. But the worst he did was pick the mushrooms from his food.
“You know they’re good for you.”
“They’re slimy and taste like dirt.” He crinkled his nose at Atem.
“I guarantee they do not taste like dirt.”
“But they are slimy?”
“You’re impossible.” He couldn’t help but smile as Yūgi scooped them onto Atem’s plate while blinking innocently.
He stood to clean up when Yūgi finished, but Yūgi was faster. Distracting him with a kiss and scooping up the dishes before Atem could, “I’ll do it.”
“You don’t have to. You’re a guest.”
“You cooked, so sit and relax for a bit.” Yūgi pouted until Atem relented and sat back down.
He hummed while he worked, nearly dropping a plate once before catching it and looking sheepishly at Atem. If Yūgi did have a hidden side, it was well hidden. Either it would show itself eventually, or it wasn’t there to begin with. There was no point wasting time like this when he could be enjoying his weekend with an attractive, and very willing, partner.
After breakfast, they spent some time doing surprisingly mundane things. They played games, and he found Yūgi was competitive, nearly beating him several times. He found out Yūgi hadn’t watched much TV growing up, so he pulled out his collection of his favourite childhood shows to binge while they cuddled on the couch. Yūgi picked Slayers and quickly decided he liked Lina Inverse best.
He couldn’t remember the last time he let himself enjoy a weekend like this. They spent their time laughing and having fun before passions flared and they forgot everything else. Atem lost count of how many times they had gotten lost in each other's bodies in the first day alone, and he wondered if Yūgi felt this inexplicable connection too.
It all blurred together. The moments when Yūgi suddenly slipped between Atem’s legs with that enticing face and the times that Atem bent Yūgi over the furniture in a lust filled rush. The moments when Yūgi laughed and teased and the moments when he sighed softly, tears threatening to fall as Atem held him in a tender embrace.
They hadn’t even left his apartment, yet it felt like so much had happened. The end was coming too quickly, and Atem was determined to savour every moment he could. It was too easy to forget who Yūgi was.
How long could he ignore the complicated mess he’d gotten himself into?
He watched Yūgi pace on the small balcony, his expression serious. He couldn’t make out the contents of the call, but it couldn’t be good from the way Yūgi chewed nervously on his nail.
It was cool out today, and Yūgi wore one of Atem’s sweaters that was large enough to make it look like he wore nothing else. He couldn’t help but mourn what was no doubt the end of their time together.
Yūgi hurried back in and up to Atem to pull him into a kiss. “I have to go.” There was regret in his voice as he stepped back and rushed out. Not giving Atem time to respond.
The apartment fell stiflingly quiet the moment the door clicked closed. If only Atem could keep him here beside him, even for a little longer.
How could he feel this way about Yūgi out of everyone? Atem planned to kill his father. There was no way they could ever work out; this could only end in disaster.