Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Atem wandered the palace, arms folded behind his back. At his side, Mana chattered about what he’d missed. Three thousand years meant there was a lot to catch up on. She’d spent the past six months filling him in, with plenty more to go.

He could hardly believe it had already been six months. Time passed strangely in Aaru. He’d fought hard to keep track. Wanted to be aware of the amount of time that had passed in the real world. Of how long those left behind had been without him.

The brief visit he’d made to help keep the darkness at bay once again hadn’t been nearly enough. He wished he could have spent more time with all of them. Yugi, of course, Jonouchi, Anzu, Honda, and…Kaiba. It felt rude to leave without a word to him. Especially after all the effort he went through to reassemble his puzzle.

A valiant effort truly. Maybe he really could have solved it. If anyone other than Yugi could, he was certain it’d be Kaiba. The man was certainly determined enough.

“Atem!” Mana poked his cheek. “Have you listened to a word I said?”

He blinked and refocused on her. “Sorry…got distracted.”

She rolled her eyes. Pulled them both to a stop. Crossed her arms, skewering him under a critical eye. “You’ve been weird ever since you got back.” She paused and added, “Again.” He shrugged, but she wasn’t done. “You didn’t have to destroy the puzzle.”

“I did,” Atem said. Looked past her at the sand dunes out the window. They rolled like ocean waves beyond the palace and phantom recreation of Khemet. “I can’t have anyone messing with those items anymore. It only leads to trouble.” He threw out his arm. “I mean, look at what just happened!”

Mana shrugged. “I guess.” She kept a critical eye on him. “I just hate seeing you so sad."

Atem scoffed. “I’m not sad. What reason would I have to be sad? I’m finally here, back with all of you. Where I’m meant to be.”

“I agree, but you’ve been moping nonstop the last six months. The first real excitement I’ve seen out of you was when we realized the puzzle was being reassembled. You leapt at the possibility of returning to the living world.”

“Yugi was in trouble. They all were. It’s my duty to protect them.”

“Sure. Whatever you say. Keep lying to yourself.”

“I’m not-”

“My lord?” Karim said. “Apologies for the interruption.”

Atem withheld a sigh at the formality and faced him. Smiled at his old friend. “Yes?”

“There’s…someone approaching the palace.”

“Someone?” How was that possible? No one could enter this realm without his knowledge. “Do we know who?”

“It looks like…Seto Kaiba, my king.”

His heart skipped. Seto? Here? He should have been more surprised. “Show me.”

Karim bowed and led them to the throne room. Isis had a projection of a large silver orb hovering in the centre of the room. Clouds swirled around the image of a figure, unmistakably Seto Kaiba, marching through the sands. Headed their way. White coat billowed behind him, duel disk on his arm. Aura of soul flecks outlined his form. Lifted into the blue sky. Slowly consumed by the spiritual plane. A physical form was not meant to be there. Attached to the side of his head was the device he’d seen on Yugi in the arena.

He laughed, surprising himself and everyone else gathered. “Of course he found a way.”

“My lord? Shouldn’t you banish him immediately?” Priest Seto demanded.

A flicker of irritation crossed his face. He hid it the best he could. Being back involved constantly looking into the face of his rival, except…here they weren’t rivals. Not in the same way. The past was the past for them and he didn’t have any of Kaiba’s memories. He kept forgetting that.

“And be rude to our guest?” Atem grinned at him. “That would be inhospitable, don’t you think? He worked so hard to get here.”

His priest narrowed his eyes, but didn’t argue. Atem pushed aside yet another sigh. He missed the banter Kaiba offered. “Of course, my lord.”

“Clear the throne room. I will greet him alone,” Atem ordered. “No one is to enter until my say so. Understood?”

Murmurs of “Yes my lord,” or “Yes my king” sounded off as the throne room emptied. Isis dispelled the image of Kaiba’s journey. He wasn’t far now. The only two to linger were Seto and Mana. One with a frustrated glare, the other with a knowing smirk.

Whatever that meant.

Once alone Atem swept out his cape behind him and sat on his throne. Settled, he awaited his worthy rival to arrive.

________

Seto flicked on the pod's systems. Readied it to carry him to the pharaoh's realm. The cube from Diva sat beside him in the cramped space. It pulsed with faint light as it fed the engine. Beeped where it was hooked up to the navigation controls. 

After the monster tried to end his and Yugi's life during the tournament, and after realizing that the cube hadn't gone with Diva, Seto spent hours day in and out prepping for this moment. If the pharaoh was too much of a coward to face him again in this world, he'd simply go to him. 

On the screen above him, that also functioned as his windshield, Mokuba yammered about the sales for the latest duel disk. Even with the terrifying display at the product launch people were buying them as fast as they were able to manufacture them. They were an even greater success than previous product launches. Kaiba Corp's legacy of innovating gaming for the modern age remained firmly intact, now was as good a time as any to take a prolonged vacation.

“That's great, Mokuba,” Seto said. Though he'd only been half listening. The systems were all in the green, ready to go whenever he pressed the final countdown sequence.

“Seto…” his brother said, tone less certain. In any other circumstance it would have drawn his attention, but if he looked up now he worried he'd lose his nerve. “Are you sure about this? We've only run preliminary tests on the cube. What if there's something we missed and-”

“It'll be fine. I tested it myself.”

“I trust you, I just…” he trailed off. Voice lacked all the cheeriness he'd grown to expect from him.

Seto risked glancing at his little brother. His unruly black hair combed back out of his face. Business suit tailored to his short stature to indicate his new status in the company. He felt bad leaving it all on his little brother. The kid was even younger than he'd been when he took over the company. It couldn't be helped, though. He couldn't stay here anymore. Not without…Seto shut the thought down. That wasn't what this was about.

“Promise me you're coming back,” Mokuba pleaded, voice broke halfway through the sentence. 

He averted his gaze again. “You're in charge, Mokuba. If anyone gives you trouble, there's a form in my desk giving you all the authority as CEO. Shove it in their face and then fire them. Take care of our company.” And he ended the call.

Seto rested his forehead in his hands. Elbows propped against the console's edge. He took several deep breaths and sat back in his seat. Strapped himself into the chair, head pressed back into the headrest. He engaged the launch procedure. The cube by his side illuminated the symbols carved into it with gold light. A robotic voice counted down to take off.

“…3….2…1” The pod launched from the KC station into the inky void of space.

The skin on his face stretched back at the velocity. Hands remained clutched around the armrests as the cube and the computer guided the oblong pod through the fabric of time. 

The cube acted as the only light source in the cabin. Cast everything in a bright gold shimmer. Outside the window the infinite black lightened to greys, blues, until a gold schism opened in front of him. He smiled as the pod hurtled itself into the awaiting maw.

He squinted at the brightness. The metal walls shook as they crossed the threshold into the new dimension. It tossed him about in his seat, even with the belt holding him down. An eternity passed before the golden light receded, and he exploded into a sky of blue with a sea of yellow sand spanning the floor.

Seto laughed at the sight. He'd done it. He'd really done it. Purple flecks of his soul lifted off his hands and floated around the cabin. Fed off the cube that slowly dimmed the further into the realm they travelled. He brought a hand up to his face, it came away with extra flecks that floated up and out like the metal was immaterial.

Celebration of his success was cut short when lights on the console flickered. The cube's gold symbols stuttered and went out. Red emergency lights flared to life, followed by the alarm that told him all systems were down. 

He flicked on the backup power as the pod nose dived to the sands. The generator roared to life just in time to stop him from crashing in a fiery blaze. The pod righted itself and skid across the sands until the generator's limited power reserves died. Momentum carried him another several feet before the pod stopped permanently. 

Seto took a few seconds to catch his breath. Hand to his head, short stuttering laughter the only sound in his dead pod. It had been months since he felt this alive.

Outside the window to his right he could just make out the shimmering image of a small city and behind that his final destination. The grand golden palace where his rival hid from him.

“I'm coming for you, Pharaoh,” Seto said to no one in particular.

He unlatched the manual override on the pod's upper hatch. It depressurized and flung backwards to allow his exit. He pushed up out of the seat and slung his long legs over the cabin's edge. Stiff and like jelly all at once as he very gracefully tumbled out. He managed not to faceplant in the sand. Rested back against the already scalding metal as he caught his breath. Flecks of his soul consumed by the atmosphere wherever he moved.

One look at the state of his pod told him all he needed to know. It was beyond repair, at least for what he'd have available to him here. He bent in and picked up the cube. Turned it back and forth in his hands. It didn't react to his touch. All the lights extinguished and flecks of gold joined his soul bits in the sky. Frustrated scowl tilted his lips and he dropped it back on the seat. 

This would be a one way trip.

Knees no longer shaking, Seto pushed off the pod's side. Took his first step towards his victory.

The sun beat down on his back the whole way. Shadows moved in the houses he passed. People peered out the windows to see the intruder who marched towards the palace. He ignored all of them. Focus solely on his destination.

No one stopped him as he ascended the steps into the open palace doors. Like they were expecting him. Upon entry another set of doors opened for him and a grand throne room awaited. And there, seated on his throne, was the pharaoh.

He was cloaked in white fabric, ending at his knees. The flowing shift given shape by beads and a solid gold triangular chest piece. It connected to the long purple cape covering the throne. His face was painted with reds, purples, and blacks in dramatic points and swishes around his eyes. Rectangular golden earrings hung from both ears. Across his forehead was a gold headpiece with a familiar eye sculpted into the centre. Blond pieces of his bangs, braided into several twists stretched up into the black and red of his curls, arranged like the spikes of his other self.

He smiled when Seto stepped into the room. Gave him the sense that again, his arrival had been expected. A smirk tilted one corner of his own lips. Couldn't be helped.

“Kaiba, welcome to Aaru.” 

“You know why I'm here.” He activated the duel disk strapped to his arm.

The pharaoh's smile widened. “That I do.” He pushed off his throne. Taller than him only by the nature of the dais he stood on. He lifted an arm, gold cuffs decorated his bicep and his wrist. A duel disk manifested on his arm, a deck already loaded. He stepped down the steps until they stood on equal ground. “No reason to delay, then.”

“Glad you agree.”

He frowned, head tilted to the side as he observed Seto. “Hm, one thing to take care of first.” He lifted onto his toes and placed a hand atop his head. Closed his eyes and whispered something under his breath. Too fast for Seto to understand. When he opened his eyes, the sensation that he was slowly breaking apart faded. He looked at his hand. The purple flecks had stopped lifting off his body.

“There. Now go. Stand across the room.” The pharaoh motioned for him to move, and swept away from him without another word.

Seto grinned and took up his position. Faced his rival on their makeshift dueling grounds. The pharaoh swept out his cape and raised his arm. 

“Let's duel!”

Chapter Text

The smoke cleared as the opposing monster disintegrated and Seto’s life points dropped to zero. The same ending they always came to. Atem dropped his arm, a satisfied smile on his face. It felt good to fight against someone who actually offered a challenge.

Seto was not taking the outcome as well.

"I...lost...again..." Seto breathed. Gaze trained on the floor. Disbelief on his stoic face. "But the simulation..."

Simulation? Atem mused. He crossed the distance between them, now clear of their monsters' projections. Clapped a hand on Seto's shoulder. "You have improved. I thought I was going to lose that one." 

The man barely reacted. Something lost in the rapid shift of his eyes.

Atem hummed. "How about this? You came all this way, it seems a shame to send you back already. Stay the night. We can discuss what comes next in the morning."

Brief clarity flashed in the depths of his blue eyes. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Is that so?" Atem couldn't hide his amusement anymore.

Seto met his gaze. That resolute stubbornness he so adored had returned. "I will stay here until I finally beat you. I don't care how long it takes. Send me back if it makes you feel safer, I'll come back. Again and again until I win."

"That's not necessary. My home is yours, while you wish to stay," Atem said. "Consider it thanks for helping me accomplish my goals and return here."

"I didn't do any of that."

Atem squeezed his shoulder. "You did. In your own way." 

Seto held his gaze for a moment. Confusion crowded in his features. Atem allowed himself as long as he could to stay close to his guest. His rival. His friend. 

When he turned away, his fingers lingered on his shoulder a second. Trailed lightly down his arm. Avoided letting their fingers connect. He couldn't promise what he'd do if they did. 

"Mahad!" He called. And his friend appeared in the throne room in an instant.

He dipped into a low bow. "My king?"

That all was still a work in progress. "Rise. Please, you know I hate that." Mahad did, a sheepish smile on his face. The bastard was doing it on purpose. All a show for their guest he supposed. "Take Mr. Kaiba to a guest room. The finest we have. He is most honoured in this place." He flashed a smile at the still confused Seto over his shoulder. "Make sure he has access to whatever he wants."

"It will be done," Mahad confirmed. He smiled at Seto over his shoulder. "Follow me, Mr. Kaiba. I'll show you to your room."

Atem stepped to the side. Seto carefully walked past him. Met his gaze as he passed. "I'll see you in the morning, Kaiba."

"For our rematch, Pharaoh."

"I look forward to it." Atem beamed.

Seto frowned and followed Mahad out. 

Atem watched him go, finger to his lips. What an interesting turn of events.

______

The one called Mahad walked a twisting path back and forth through the golden palace halls. Arms folded neatly behind his back. Every so often he glanced back at Seto, as if checking to ensure he still followed.

It worked. Though Seto wished to wander off and explore this place, he knew better than to incur the wrath of the pharaoh. He knew what happened when people did. Had experienced it himself.

He rubbed at his chest, over his heart. There were days when it still hurt. Like it had when his mind had been shattered. The months spent tediously slotting each new piece back together a memory he wouldn't soon forget. No matter how much he wished it'd fade. The tug he felt on said forgotten heart was what led him here in the first place. It's what kept him coming back to the pharaoh time and time again. Only to lose just as many times. To the king it was just a game, a friendly duel between rivals. He saw it in the way he acted. The snide comments and showboating. He didn't take Seto seriously. Never had. So confident in his victory each time.

No more. Seto meant what he said. He would stay in this place until he proved to himself and to the pharaoh that he wasn't unbeatable. The numerous simulations he'd run provided enough evidence of that. They were perfect in every way. He just hadn't accounted for his skills having grown when he left their world. Left the limited abilities of his host behind. Though, how Yugi managed to win still baffled him.

How could he beat the pharaoh, with his mediocre deck, but Seto still couldn't?

Not for much longer, he reminded himself.

The pharaoh may be cocky now, but Seto would prove himself the better duelist if it was the last thing he did. It was all that mattered.

"I must say," Mahad said, pulling him from his thoughts. "I am quite impressed you were able to find your way here. None of us expected that."

He eyed the back of the man's head. A cream headress with gold accoutrements accented his high position in the court. His face was familiar, though Seto couldn't say how or why. So much of the last five years were a mix of that uncertainty. He'd hoped that coming here and seeing the supposed magic for himself would clear it up. 

He was growing very accustomed to disappointment.

"It wasn't hard. Not once I had my hands on Diva's cube.” Seto replied, tone dismissive of the compliment, though inside he preened at the acknowledgement. “We'd already been experimenting with interdimensional travel before he showed up."

A bit of an exaggeration sure, but how would this stranger know that? It was an area of study that had always intrigued Seto. The opportunity to finally explore it had simply fallen into his lap. He'd be a fool not to take advantage of it. And Seto was no fool.

Mahad chuckled. "That doesn't surprise me. You always were tenacious. Ready to push the borders of what was possible."

Seto bristled. "And what do you know about me? We've never interacted before." 

"Not us," Mahad agreed. "However, I am quite acquainted with your past self."

"Hm," Seto hummed. Eager for that to be the end of the conversation. Mahad had no such desires.

"You'll likely meet him if you stay with us. He is quite important to the pharaoh. We all are, it's why he chose us to be here with him." Mahad explained. "He saved me from my entrapment in the Dark Magician so I might better serve him here. I can never return to the physical dimension sans Atem, but that's alright. I go where my king goes, and Atem is here, so I am satisfied."

"Interesting," Seto muttered, though he cared little. He was sure the people the pharaoh chose to associate himself with were fine. They held no importance to him. He had a mission and he would not be distracted.

Mahad shook his head. Shoulders shook with laughter as he looked over at him. Familiar glint in his dark eyes. And yes, he did know that face. It looked like the hologram he'd sculpted of the Dark Magician. But how could he possibly have done that without knowing the man? Even Pegasus's design for the card lacked the specific details of his holograms.

"You are more like your past self than I thought." 

Seto didn't reply, brow raised instead. The other man fell silent until they rounded the corner. A hall of doors awaited them. He stopped in front of one, halfway down the right side. Golden walls and scenes in the traditional Ancient Egyptian style he'd been surrounded by in the last several years painted wherever he looked. 

The door where Mahad stopped had the symbol of a seated bird of prey with a hooked beak. Curled around it was, what he swore to be, a dragon. Blue eyes, like his own, looked into his soul. He averted his gaze.

"Atem had this room prepped for you when we heard you were arriving." Mahad unlocked the door. Pushed it open. "Consider this space your private quarters for the duration of your stay. It will be cleaned once a day, but other than that no one will have access."

Seto studied him a moment before entering the room. His eyes widened. 

The walls were painted the same blue as his favourite card. Silver hieroglyphs he could read covered the walls. Told the story of a priest who wielded the most powerful dragon to ever exist. His eternal battle searching for a worthy adversary. Moved mountains and seas to reach the one. The pharaoh still thought highly of himself it seemed. Sheets on the large bed were pure white with intricate details in silver depicting a dragon in flight.

A window on the other side of the room overlooked the great sand dunes he'd traversed. On the horizon the sun had set, casting the sky into golds and reds where its light persisted, faded to black the higher he lifted his gaze. Beside the window sat a table with a duel monsters mat and a place for him to store his duel disk and deck. An adjoining door across from the bed was propped open and he could just see the edge of a bathtub.

"How long did he know I was coming?" Seto asked, to no one in particular.

"When Karim announced you'd been spotted approaching the castle," Mahad said.

"That's not enough time to do all this!" Seto gestured around the room.

"You are correct, if we are talking about mortals. And none of us, least of all our king, has been mortal for some time."

Seto glanced away. Allowed himself a moment to admire the room in private. It was impressive, he supposed. "I see."

"Will there be anything else, Mr. Kaiba?"

"No."

"As you wish." Mahad paused before he left. "Should you require anything, please do not hesitate to ask. You can pull the cord by your bed," he motioned to a black velvet braided rope that hung next to the headboard. "One of us will come to assist you."

"Alright."

"I bid you goodnight." Mahad closed the door behind him, leaving Seto alone to his thoughts.

Chapter Text

The sun's rays sliding across his bed woke him from the deepest sleep he'd had in months. Maybe years. He chalked it up to the exertion of interdimensional travel. No one had done it, so no one had studied the effects it had on the human body. Just because his soul was no longer flaking away, didn't mean it hadn't cost him something to get here.

It was worth the cost.

He rolled out of the softest bed he'd ever had and pressed a hand to his forehead. Dragged his fingers down over his face. Blinked at the room the pharaoh had prepared for him. Half believing the night before had all been a dream. But no. Here he sat in a room full of his dragon's iconography. Just like his rival knew he loved. What a strange gift to give someone who crashed your afterlife. The pharaoh must have little else to occupy his time.

He got to his feet and stumbled to the adjoining room. A mirror and basin already full of steaming water awaited him. He frowned. Had someone entered the room while he was still asleep?

Unnerved, Seto dipped his hands into the warm water and splashed it over his face. It ran down his face, drops slipped under his collar. He’d fallen asleep in his clothes. Hadn’t bothered to check if there were any other options provided by the palace staff. Today, he thought he might check. Had he known he’d be staying longer, he might have packed a little heavier.

The plan had been to defeat the pharaoh upon his arrival and return home the same night. That’s what he’d promised Mokuba, though not in so many words. Probably smart he hadn’t made any promises he couldn’t keep.

Back in the main room, Seto approached the wardrobe with hesitance. Afraid of what he might find tucked away inside. Or no, he wasn’t afraid, but what if it was a replica of the outfit he’d seen his past self wearing the last time he’d been in a version of the pharaoh’s time?

You’re being ridiculous. He scolded himself and opened the wardrobe. Lips parted at the contents. A collection of the outfits he’d worn during the last five years were folded neatly on a collection of shelves. The purple coat and green shirt from Duelist Kingdom, the white coat he wore for Battle City. Same as the one hung on the back of the desk chair where he'd left it the night before. Even the white suit he’d worn once in Yugi’s presence. How had the pharaoh gotten them here? And why?

Seto pushed the thought aside. It didn’t matter. At least they were on the same page about not wanting to confuse the two versions that now resided in the afterlife. Short as his visit would be. The thought twisted his stomach. Reminiscent of the emptiness he’d been running from by searching for the puzzle in the first place. Would he ever be rid of it?

Yes. He told himself and grabbed a fresh black shirt and pair of pants from one of the shelves. A mimic of his outfit the previous day. Of course he would feel whole again. Once he defeated the pharaoh, everything would be as it should be.

Dressed for the day, he exited his room. No one was there to tell him what to do, or where to go, leaving him free to wander the palace. He backtracked the way Mahad had taken him the night before. Managed to find his way back to throne room doors after much trial and error. Ran into no one he recognized on the way, until he tread into a new area.

He turned the corner and came face to face with…himself. They were the same height, eyes the same blue. Same scowl he often saw in the mirror. That was where their similarities ended. The other version wore an outfit of blue and gold, like the last time he saw him. A cape in the same cream colour as Mahad's outfit swished behind him as he marched towards Seto. A pointed hat in blue framed by a golden rim. A cobra reared up in the centre, leering at him like its owner. His hair was completely hidden by the piece.

“What are you doing down here, imposter?” The other him sneered.

“Looking for the pharaoh,” Seto replied coolly. “He owes me a rematch.”

“Pharaoh Atem owes the likes of you nothing. Who do you think you are to come to our home and make demands?”

“If he has such a problem with me being here, why ask me to stay?”

His other self smirked. Seto found he didn’t like being on the other side of his own disdain. “As great as our king is, his priorities are not always where they should be. Allowing you to stay is a mistake. One I am sure he will rectify soon enough. Until then, you are but a nuisance in our home.”

Seto laughed. His other self’s face darkened with rage. “You sound jealous.”

The man pointed at him, finger inches from his nose. "You think you’re special? You’re just a shiny new toy for the king to play with. And all toys lose their novelty, eventually. He'll bore of you. Just like he did with me. And when he does, you'll be banished back to your time without so much as a goodbye, Imposter."

“Seto,” Mahad said, coming out of a room down the hall. Both sets of eyes lifted to address the new presence. “Are you harassing our honoured guest?”

His other self laughed. “No, of course not. Just making sure he knows his place.” He shot another scowl Seto’s way and brushed past him without another word.

Seto watched him go, pushing down the anger that boiled inside him. Listened to Mahad’s approaching steps. Didn’t turn to face him until he spoke.

“Are you alright?”

“I can take care of myself.”

“I never said you couldn’t.”

“Hm.”

“Come, the king has requested you eat before your rematch. It is important that you are both well rested and sharp. Once you’ve had your fill, I will escort you to the duel grounds.”

Duel grounds? The pharaoh built a space in his afterlife just for dueling? He supposed that made sense. He couldn’t say he wouldn’t do the same. 

Though he would have much preferred to make his next attempt at beating the pharaoh as soon as possible, he could use some food. He hadn't eaten since he left Earth.

“Fine. Lead the way,” Seto said.

Mahad dipped his head and fell into step beside him. Though, he didn’t try to hold a conversation like the night before. That suited him just fine. He had battle strategies to plot out. The pharaoh had demonstrated new techniques last night. Ones he hadn’t coded into his simulation. He refused to be caught off guard again.

Breakfast consisted of fruits and nuts, a sweet beverage that tingled on his tongue, and buttered bread. The taste of everything was far stronger than in his world. He wondered if it was smart of him to be eating the food here. Weren’t there stories that warned against that? He had never been much for folktales. For all he knew the pharaoh was poisoning him to give himself an advantage in their duel. Still, he couldn’t deny how much his stomach started growling as the food arrived on golden plates. 

He ate with Mahad, a shorter girl with dark skin and black curly hair dressed similarly to Mahad, a woman who looked shockingly like Ishizu, and two other men he didn’t recognize. Only Mahad and the woman, Maria or something he couldn’t remember, spoke with him.

The woman asked him question after question about his world. About his time spent with the pharaoh. She wanted a minute by minute, play by play of all their adventures. Seto thought it strange that the pharaoh hadn’t filled her in himself. He had been here for six months already, what exactly had he been up to?

After the table was cleared, Mahad stood and indicated for Seto to join him. “The king is expecting you.”

“It’s about time,” Seto said and followed Mahad out of the dining room. 

They left the palace walls through a back door. A great sprawling garden shaded their journey from the hot sun overhead. Even in the afterlife its heat was unbearable. Fruit trees and pungent flowers created a dizzying incense over the pathways. 

It was beautiful. Unlike any garden he had seen in the real world. Everything here was brighter, more saturated. Each of his senses heightened to greater appreciate the uncanny plane of existence.

At the end of the garden, the dueling grounds were revealed. It was simple, reminiscent of the earlier battlefields Seto had created for them in their world. A stone floor, roughly the size of a tennis court, with great sidr trees and jacaranda trees, both in full bloom, provided shade from the sun’s rays.

On one side of the court, surrounded by fallen purple petals of the jacaranda above him, was the pharaoh. He grinned when he spotted Mahad and Seto. Swept his cape back behind him with a dramatic flourish.

“Welcome Kaiba! What do you think of our new dueling grounds?”

“How new?” Seto asked. He stepped closer to the court, leaving Mahad behind. Didn't notice when the man bowed to his king and disappeared back into the gardens. 

“I spent all night growing the trees, decorating, plus a few…surprises. All to ensure it was up to your standards.”

He took in the space again. It really was stunning, especially if it had only been constructed the night before. The ground was tan sandstone with detailed paintings of monsters around the whole court. All from the cards in their decks. The images were so realistic he believed they'd rise up at any second. Maybe they would once their duel began. 

On the far end of the pharaoh's side was a recreation of his image from the tablet in the Domino Museum. Across from him on Seto's side was a modern depiction of himself in the ancient style, looking as he had in the duel with Diva. The paint was fresh and vibrant unlike the tablets that survived long enough to make it to the modern age. In front of Seto's depiction, his beloved Blue Eyes White Dragon roared at the pharaoh's Dark Magician.

When he stepped onto the sandstone, walls rose up around them on all sides. Provided privacy from seeing eyes in the garden. Plush cushions for spectators were scattered haphazardly on the long ends. Today they remained unoccupied. He walked to his end of the court. Faced his opponent with a stoic expression, though his heart pounded. The pharaoh had made this for them. So they'd have a suitable place to finally determine which one of them was the better duelist.

“I thought you wanted both of us to be fresh for the duel,” Seto said instead. 

The pharaoh grinned. It was infuriating how pleased he always was with himself. “I'm a god, Kaiba. I don't need the same kind of rest that you do. Besides, if I wasted my time sleeping, we wouldn't have such a beautiful place for our ultimate match now would we?”

“As long as it doesn't affect your dueling,” Seto said. He lifted his arm and his duel disk unfurled. Across the court, the pharaoh did the same.

“Nothing could stop me from giving you all I have,” the pharaoh goaded. He drew his first card and played Celtic Guardian. An explosion of purple smoke erupted in front of him, like the night before, and a large manifestation of the card roared to life. It glared at Seto across the field.

He snickered and played his first card. Battle Ox exploded to life, roaring with its duelist's good mood. It launched at the pharaoh's weaker monster. Its ax swung at the opponent's throat, destroying it instantly. Celtic Guardian disintegrated into golden particles and reformed in its depiction on the ground. Battle Ox returned to his position in front of Seto.

The duel went on that way. Each taking the advantage, only to be thwarted a turn or two later by their opponent's stronger monster. Seto's life points dipped, always just a little lower than the pharaoh's. Even with his Blue Eyes on the court.

At the end, his dragon disintegrated into the same gold particles and his life points dropped to zero. He growled and reshuffled his deck. “Again!”

This wasn't supposed to happen. He had practiced for this moment, studied every duel he had on file between the pharaoh and an opponent. Watched Yugi and his other self pull through in even the most unlikely of scenarios. Ran the sequences in his own simulation and overcame those again and again. He was supposed to win.

The pharaoh shrugged and shuffled his cards as requested. Drew his hand and looked at his opponent. A fire in the depths of his purple eyes that Seto had been searching for. No one in his world could match that passion and intensity. None of them were worth putting everything on the line for.

“You start this time, Kaiba.”

“Gladly.” And he played his first card.

____________

Several duels later, each longer than the last as the duo relearned the other's strategies, the sun set on the horizon. A table full of water and fruit, provided by Atem, sat by the exit so neither of them passed out from exhaustion. It was barely touched, both too engrossed in their battles.

Atem's continuous victory aggravated Seto more and more. He saw it in his posture. In the way he kept making stupid mistakes. Teeth grit every time he came so close to his own victory, only to lose focus and allow Atem an opportunity to end it all. Like he didn't want to win.

But that was ridiculous.

As the dust settled and Seto swayed on his feet, Atem knew they'd reached the limit for the day. He snapped his fingers and the walls dropped back into the ground. Revealed the garden, still empty except for them, and the desert beyond the palace walls. He closed his duel disk and dropped his arm. Watched Seto's face morph into one of confusion.

“What are you doing?”

“It's night time, Kaiba.”

Seto seethed. “So?”

“So, we've been at this all day.”

“Are you bored?” He snapped, more anger underlined his words than Atem thought necessary.

He frowned and headed for the exit. "Of course not. I've never been more alive.” He smiled at him over his shoulder. “All I'm saying is, better luck tomorrow.” He extended a hand to Seto. “Join me for dinner?"

“Tomorrow…” Seto said, voice soft.

“You'll join me for dinner tomorrow?” Atem asked, amused.

His rival blinked and shook his head. “No I, well yes I will, and I…will…tonight…but I…” He trailed off. Resolute again in his posture when he said, “You swear we'll do this again tomorrow?”

He couldn't recall ever seeing Seto flustered. The only indications in his speech and the shifting of his eyes as he focused on the court and then back at Atem. Never had he wished to read someone's mind so badly. Just what was going through the Seto Kaiba's head?

“Of course. And every day after until you beat me. Just like I promised.” He beckoned him over with his outstretched hand. Accepted that he wouldn't take it. “Come, I've requested quite the feast.”

Seto nodded and followed Atem out of the garden. The palace halls were empty wherever he led them. Intentional on the king's part. He knew where everyone in his realm was at all times, except for Seto. The only reason he could ascertain in regards to that dilemma was that Seto wasn't supposed to be here. A fact he rebelled against constantly in his mind. But even as a god, he had limited control over his own realm. The spirit world didn't like having a mortal in its space.

Atem pushed open the dining room doors. He swept aside and motioned for his rival to enter first. If anyone were around to see, they'd have endless questions. Which was why he kept them away. Seto was his equal and he would be treated as such.

For his part, Seto didn't seem to understand the gravity of the action. Another reason he felt safe enough to be so informal about protocol. It meant nothing to him, no reason to look deeper into it.

Spread out on the long table made of Lebbeck wood, with the legs mimicking the twisting trunk of the tree proper, was a feast fit for a party. He had no expectations that they'd finish it all. Whatever they didn't consume would be redistributed among his friends and staff. Nothing went to waste. 

The spread consisted of platters of roasted goat and beef cooked with pomegranates and oranges. A bowl of dates sat next to a plate of sweet breads with a honey glaze to adhere walnuts and pistachios to each roll. Vegetables roasted with the meat, but served separately sat nigh overflowing in two large bowls. Large jugs of wine were in the middle of the table with two gold goblets already poured. One had been placed at either end of the table. 

Seto took his seat at one end, the far side. Disbelief on his usually controlled face as he took in the array. Atem swept his wine goblet off his seat and dropped into the chair two down from his rival. Wanted to be closer, but thought it smarter to hold back. He tucked his cape beneath him and rested his chin on a fist.

“Dig in!” He ordered.

Seto did, though tentative at first. He filled his plate with small portions. Attention flickered to Atem's empty plate. Raised a questioning brow. Atem only smiled and motioned for him to take more. Only when Seto sat back in his chair did he take his own portion. Piled all his favourite dishes into distinct sections on his plate. He sipped his wine and shoved food in his face. Felt real hunger for the first time since he'd returned to his family.

From the corner of his eye he saw Seto take his first careful bite. Blue eyes widened as the flavours settled on his tongue. A satisfied thrill rushed down Atem's spine as the man ate with more ferocity after that.

Seto's eyes were on him for nearly the entire meal. Neither spoke. Both famished after their long day spent in the hot sun. He'd have to expand the cover of the new trees. They needed more shade if Seto was insistent on spending all their waking hours outside.

He was glad he liked the arena. It wasn't as high tech as the ones he'd built in his world, but he hoped it mimicked them well enough. Without his holograms, their duels wouldn't be quite the same. The magic he'd built into the foundation had taken some time to get right. The summoning words couldn't be too complicated. Just using their names had to be enough for the duel to move smoothly. After today's success, he was proud to say that he had accomplished that. They were just as, if not more, realistic than even Seto's holograms. Though, he'd never say that to him. Their rivalry was strong enough. He didn't need to add a technology versus magic debate.

A servant came in and cleared the plates. Several behind them brought in dessert. Platters of honey glazed dates and sweet breads stuffed with fruits and nuts. Lastly, they refilled the jugs of wine. Of which, Atem had been the only one drinking. Seto had to be five cups behind. Though that didn't seem to bother his rival, nor did it really surprise Atem. He had never seen the man spend much time indulging in anything besides his work and concotting greater and crazier ways to duel him/Yugi.

Why would that change now?

Once the servants left, Atem plucked a pastry off one of the platters and smiled at Seto. Broke the easy silence they'd fallen into. “I never got the chance to ask in all of the excitement yesterday, but I’m so curious.” He ripped off a corner of his dessert and gestured at Seto with it. “How did you manage to make it here?”

Seto remained quiet for a moment. Hand clutched his goblet's stem. Hard enough to shatter by the looks of his knuckles. “Diva's cube,” he said, monotone.

Sigh. Of course. Atem cleared his throat. “And…why?”

He lifted his eyes to his, and oh, there was anger in those depths. “You left before we could have our rematch.”

“We did have a rematch. Several times, if I recall correctly.”

“Not one where I proved I was better.”

Atem pressed a hand to his forehead. He couldn't look at that obsessive anger anymore. Mulled over the decisions he'd made whilst sharing a body with Yugi. “Let me see if I understand this correctly. You risked everything, even the very real possibility of your body being obliterated as you crossed into my plane of existence….just to duel me again?”

“Of course.”

“Kaiba…I….” Atem dropped his hand. Gazed fondly at his rival. “Flattering as that is, your life is worth more than a rivalry. I'm sure there are just as many worthy opponents besides me on Earth. Yugi, for instance, is very capable. You left everything to come here, without the certainty that you could get back. You left Mokuba-”

“Don't,” Seto snapped, but there was little bite behind it.

“Kaiba I simply-”

“Don't you get it?” He hissed. “You're the only one worth dueling. The only one who's worth my time. What's left for me in the land of the living? A company that can be run by other people and no friends because no one is worth my time except for you.” Seto pushed to his feet and stormed out of the dining room before Atem could reply.

The dining room doors slammed shut and Atem chugged the rest of his wine. And then Seto's. He groaned dramatically in the empty space and smashed his head down on the table. Headpiece dug into his forehead, but he didn't try to move.

Hinges creaked as one door opened again. His head snapped up, hopeful, but expression fell when he saw it was only Mana. 

“Whoa, no need to look that disappointed. I'm only your best friend through all of space and time.” She plopped down beside him, rested her head against his shoulder.

Atem wrapped one arm around her in a tight embrace. “Sorry, I just…thought you were Seto coming back.”

“No. He went to his room.” He frowned. She shrugged and popped a date into her mouth. “I was listening at the door. By the way, you could have handled that better.”

“Thank you, Miss Obvious.”

“No need to get snippy.”

He dropped his face into his hand. “I think I created a monster in Seto.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Just a feeling I have.”

Mana hummed and played with the edge of his cape. “Well, he seems to enjoy being in your presence at least. So if you did create a monster, I don’t think he minds.”

“That’s part of the problem. What if I’ve made myself the only thing he can think about?”

“You’re not that interesting or irresistible, Atem.” Mana scoffed and poked his side. He winced and she laughed. “Still ticklish huh?”

“Alright that’s enough of you.” He got to his feet. She whined as she was shoved off his shoulder. “Thanks for listening. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

She watched him walk towards the exit. “What are you going to spend all night making him this time?”

“Who says I’m going to do that?” Mana just stared at him. Atem sighed. “I’m not making him anything.” Anymore. “I’m going to bed.”

“I’ll be checking.”

“Fine.” Now he really was going to bed. He left the dining room and headed for his bedroom. Avoided the others who roamed the halls. He was in no mood to have a conversation with anyone. 

Well, that wasn’t true. There was one person he wanted to talk to, but said person was a terrible conversationalist.

_________________

A week passed since Seto arrived in the pharaoh's afterlife. They spent sun up to sun down dueling in the special arena. Each time he went to see it, there was something added. Something to improve the experience. More trees, taller walls, more refreshments that often went untouched, or more details in the already intricate paintings. When the pharaoh found time to do all of that around their duels and nightly meals was beyond Seto. They spoke amicably during said meals, though remained on lighter topics. He didn't bring up what had been left behind again. Which he did appreciate.

Especially since he kept losing.

It didn’t make sense. All his careful planning. The numerous hours spent honing the simulation to perfection. Battling against it for as many hours as he spent with the real pharaoh. It should have been over by now. 

After each loss, his rival announced how much better he was getting. That one of these days surely he would succeed. It was irritating. Like a parent pandering to a child about their terrible skills in a new hobby. Seto Kaiba was no amateur. So why couldn’t he reach that win? Where were his skills lacking? Maybe the pharaoh was cheating, though he couldn’t think of a reason for that. If his other self had any truth to his words, surely winning again and again to the same opponent was going to bore the king at some point. When that happened, Seto would be sent packing. Ran the risk of being barred from ever entering this realm again.

He couldn’t let that happen. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t win. Forever just out of reach from his grasping fingers.

Sleep no longer came easily to him. Despite how comfortable the provided bed. His mind raced each night, going over every detail of their duels from the day. He missed his computers and analytics that helped him break it down moment by moment. Minute expressions he’d missed that would have indicated which card he pulled. The cards in his opponent's deck that he’d forgotten to account for as he honed his own strategy. Here he had to rely on his, while excellent, still fallible, memory. 

It drove him insane.

So he had taken to walking in the evenings when the insomnia crept up on him. The cool night air cleared his head better than any type of caffeine on earth. It was fresh, full of intoxicating night flora that seeped into the windows from the sprawling gardens behind the palace. He never ventured into them. Spent enough time there during the day. No, his preferred pacing spot was by a pond in a back courtyard to the left of the gardens. Lotus flowers floated in crystal clear water. Tiny fish darted about in the depths. He paced back and forth amongst the tall pillars that created a semi private space around the pond.

It was familiar in a way that he still wasn’t accustomed to acknowledging. Once or twice he had run into his other self, but upon seeing his other self upon arrival, he simply walked back into the palace. Left Seto to his pacing. He appreciated it, but never told him that of course.

Tonight his spot was occupied by someone new. He walked into the courtyard and his feet stopped. Seated on the edge of the pool, bathed in moonlight, was the pharaoh. A hand swished back and forth in the water. Pensive expression on his still painted face. He was dressed simpler otherwise. Lacked any of his usual gold jewellery and his cape. Sat in just a white pleated kilt tied off by a golden sun pin at one hip. The only indication of his status in the palace. Tight curls decorated like Yugi’s and braided bangs framed his face. No crown today.

Seto went to leave, but had lingered too long staring at his rival.

“You’re still awake.”

He froze, turning back to face him. Crossed his arms. “I didn’t mean to intrude on your moment alone.”

“You could never intrude on me,” the pharaoh said. That annoying smirk on his face. “If you could, I would have sent you home as soon as I realized you were here.”

“Aren’t I lucky you’re so hospitable, then.”

“And don’t you forget it.”

Seto smiled, despite himself. “I’ll leave you to it.”

“Come. Sit. I don’t mind.”

The pharaoh may not, but Seto certainly did. The last thing he needed was his rival sitting across from him distracting him all night. He needed to nail the perfect strategy to finally take him down. It was all that his mind could focus on, all he had ever been able to focus on since their first duel that ended in a tie. Since he shattered Seto’s mind and left him to reconstruct his personality.

“I don’t-”

“I insist,” he said. “I can order you if that makes it easier?”

Seto scowled but joined him next to the pond. Sat on the other side. He went back to skimming his open palm across the otherwise placid surface. Ripples spread out from where he touched. Reaching the furthest corners of the large water feature.

“I want to apologize,” the pharaoh said, eyes never leaving the pond.

“For?”

“Angering you the other night.”

“You always anger me, you’ll have to be more specific.”

The pharaoh laughed. Head lifted to look at Seto. “I’m sorry for questioning your motives for coming here. I meant no disrespect by it, I swear. I only wanted to understand.”

“There’s nothing to understand, Pharaoh,” Seto said through gritted teeth. “I realized that with Diva’s cube I could finally warp the fabric of time to my will. Since you made it clear you weren’t going to let me do it the easy way, I took matters into my own hands.”

“So you did,” the pharaoh hummed. His attention drifted back to the pond. “I think we’re far past formalities now, don’t you?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I know you know my name, Seto.” There it was again. Started the day before, or maybe it had been the day before that…they'd started to morph into each other the longer he stayed. At some point during the week he’d dropped the last name and switched to primarily using his first. Seto thought he’d care more, but…he kinda liked it. He didn’t look deeper into that thought. It led nowhere good. “I spent so long without one, do me the courtesy of using it now that I have it back.”

Seto stared at the end of the courtyard. Studied the images on the pillars he couldn’t see in the dark. “If that’s what you want.”

“It is.” The pharaoh brushed a stray braid out of his face. “So, am I forgiven?”

“For what?” His attention shifted back.

The pharaoh hummed. Purple eyes flickered, almost glowed in the night. “All of it?”

“I can’t be mad at my only friend.”

“I’m not your sole friend, Seto.”

He averted his gaze again. Studied his hands as his fingers spread out on the stone ledge he sat on. “Yes, you are.”

“No I’m-”

“Forgiven, I mean,” Seto looked back at him. “I forgive you, Atem. For all of it.”

His beautiful face lit up. Damp hand reached across the pond, barely long enough to reach his. Fingers brushed across the back of it. “Thank you, Seto.”

Seto sat frozen. Attention locked on the shining face of his pharaoh. Spell only broke when the man removed his hand and got to his feet. Bare chest glistened with small beads of sweat in the hot night air. It never got cold enough here. 

“We should rest. We have another long day of battles ahead of us tomorrow, don’t we?”

“I thought you didn’t need sleep.”

A playful glimmer danced in his eyes. “True, but you do.” He beckoned with his head towards the courtyard’s exit. “I’ll walk you back to your room if you’d like?”

“No, thanks,” Seto said. “I’m not ready to sleep yet.”

The pharaoh shrugged. “Whatever you say. Just make sure you’re sharp enough for tomorrow. Something tells me it might be the day.”

“It will.”

He smiled. No hint of jokes this time. “Good night, Seto.”

“Good night.”

Chapter Text

On their fifth duel of the day, it finally happened. 

The dust settled on Atem’s monster reforming in its position around the court. His life points spun down to zero. He stared in disbelief at his duel disk and then up at Seto. The man looked just as shocked by the turn of events. His own life points hovered at a precarious one hundred.

Neither of them moved for a long time. The only sounds were heavy breathing and the birdsong that drifted in over the walls from the garden.

He broke the silence first.

"Congratulations, Kaiba! You finally did it. You beat me. Your quest is over." Atem beamed at him through the disappointment in his chest. Of course he would lose eventually. It was only right. They'd been dueling for so long. Even a god made mistakes.

Seto stood at the other end. Breaths came in quick pants. "I...did it."

"Yes. You can finally go home."

His eyes widened. Thrust a finger at him. If anyone else were present they'd gape at the disrespect. It thrilled Atem. Reminded him of the days before. They were equals in all ways that mattered. "You let me win!"

"I did no such thing."

"You did. Just like you let Yugi win."

Atem frowned. "I didn't let Yugi win. He proved himself capable of dueling all on his own. I was just as surprised when he won." He’d wanted to stay.

"How else would he beat you?"

"He's a good duelist. He beat you didn't he?"

Seto scoffed. "Hardly."

"Kaiba, you're acting ridiculous. You won. You can leave. I thought you’d be happy."

"If you wanted me to leave so bad, why not just banish me yourself?"

Atem's eyes narrowed. So he had been talking to his past self. He'd need to have a talk with his priest about manners and hospitality. "Seto I swear on my life, I didn't let you win. You beat me. Fair and square."

He stormed across the court. Towered over the pharaoh with no sense of self preservation. Sneered at him. "I don't believe you."

"Look me in the eye. Do you truly believe I would throw a duel? Or any game for that matter? Lest you forget, I have a reputation to uphold!" Atem snapped. He grabbed the front of Seto's shirt and dragged him down to his eye level. The CEO’s expression briefly shifted to surprise. A kind of excitement that Atem wished to read deeper into. A fool's wish when it came to Seto, he feared. 

"You won.” He reiterated. “You got what you wanted."

Seto's hands balled into fists at his side, but he didn't pull away. "And if I haven't yet?"

"What else could you possibly want from me?" A frustrated snarl curled Seto's lips down, but no sound left him. Atem frowned and stepped closer. "Are you asking for another rematch, my worthy rival? Even though you have proven yourself capable of beating me at last?"

"I've always been capable of beating you."

"I know," Atem said softly. "So why haven't you until now?"

Seto was shaking. "I don't-" His voice trailed off. Atem dropped his hand. Seto didn't move. Eyes searched over the pharaoh. An internal war raged behind the blue. Free of their ice for the first time since his arrival. "I don't want to leave yet."

Warmth rushed through him. “Is that so?”

His eyes shifted away. Shoulders shook with what Seto wanted him to believe was rage. Atem wasn't so convinced. 

He reached up and cradled his face. Thumbs brushed over his cheeks, fingers ran along the underside of his jaw. Felt him swallow against the pads. Seto refused to look at him, but didn't push him away. Emboldened he pushed up on his toes and kissed his rival.

The other man didn’t react. Panic creeped into Atem’s bones. He started to pull away, certain he misread the situation. Hands grabbed his shoulders. A low growl fell from Seto’s lips. His heart skipped at the sound. Teeth grazed along Atem’s lower lip. Fingers dug into the exposed skin of his upper arms, holding him in place. 

His body pulsed with excitement. Years of waiting all culminated into this moment. Hands grabbed wherever Seto could reach. Atem circled his arms around the man’s neck, tugged him down so he didn’t have to stand on his toes.

Seto’s hands slipped under his cape. Pressed on his back, until their bodies were flush against each other. Atem deepened the kiss, mouth partially agape. Seto reciprocated, though with less practiced movements. Made up for in enthusiasm and the way his fingers curled against Atem’s bare back under his cape. Skin heated under the direct touch.

Atem backpedaled as Seto pushed against him harder and harder. Didn't stop until his back crashed against the wall behind him. Hands grabbed his thighs and lifted him into the air. Cape dangled behind him. Seto's fingers dug into the soft flesh and Atem moaned in his ear. Locked his legs around his rival's waist.

Head fell back as chapped brushed over the sensitive skin of his neck. Breath hitched and he buried his fingers into the thick strands of his hair. Tugged at the roots, drawing a hiss from Seto. Heat spread throughout his body at the sound. Took great joy in knowing the effect he had on the other man.

Lips sought out his again, teeth knocked together in their desperation. Tongue slid over his lower lip and Atem moaned into Seto's mouth. The fingers around his thighs dug deeper. His heart skipped and hammered. Pleasure coursed through every inch of his body. Pooled in the depths of his stomach. His cock twitched where it pressed against Seto's waist.

Atem brought one hand down and pushed him back slightly at the base of his throat. Seto's lips chased after his, blue eyes blinked open. Confusion in the lust filled depths. Cheeks flushed and warm under the palm Atem dragged down his face. Seto turned into the touch, eyes fluttered. “Should we take this somewhere more comfortable?”

“Like?” Seto asked, bent in to drag his teeth along Atem's neck, distracting him. His finger curled into the front of Seto's collar. Kept his mouth on his throat.

“My room?”

Seto straightened, pressing against Atem's hand. He released his head. Gasped as Seto readjusted his hold on the pharaoh's thighs. The motion caused his cock to rub against his belt, sending a sharp spike up his abdomen. He grabbed the man's shoulders and exhaled sharply. A satisfied smirk crossed the bastard's face. It faded slightly as he processed the words. “Your…room.”

Atem stifled the panic. “We don't have to, this is nice. Really nice, but I thought maybe-”

Seto shut him up with another kiss. He gently let Atem's feet touch the ground. Bent with him to keep their lips pressed together. When he broke for air, he brushed a loose braid back from his face. “Lead the way.”

Excitement pounded in every molecule of his body. He grabbed Seto's hand and dragged him out of the arena. Greenery rushed by as he walked. Fast as his legs could carry him. The floral scents intoxicated his already flustered senses. Halfway through the gardens he was swept off the ground. 

“Ah-!” He gasped. A secure arm behind his knees, the other supported his lower back. Atem wrapped his arms around Seto's neck, mouth agape as he stared wordless at the man.

“You walk too slow,” Seto muttered. 

“Asshole,” Atem replied and locked his mouth around the part of his neck he could reach. Sucked on the sensitive skin. Grazed his teeth against any inch he could. Increased the intensity the more Seto's fingers dug into him. He nipped at his earlobe and Seto stumbled. 

“Careful,” he purred into his ear. “If you drop the king I can't promise you'll be spared.”

“I'll take my chances,” Seto grunted. Words ended in a desperate gasp as Atem found a new spot behind his ear to clamp his teeth down on. “Fuck-! That feels good.” He said, breathless.

“I'll show you how good I can make you feel,” Atem whispered and ran his tongue up Seto's neck over the array of dark purple and red bruises he'd left across his pale flesh. “Turn right up here.” He sensed Shada walking down the hall to their left. He didn't need his friends to see him in this state.

Seto did as he was told. Followed the hall until Atem directed him to the next and the one after. Didn’t question the obvious detours that kept them out of sight from the others that lived in the palace. By the time his bedroom door came into view, The right side of Seto’s neck was more hickey than skin. 

“You follow orders so well,” Atem praised. Smirked at the low whine that hitched in Seto’s throat. 

He opened the door. Atem hooked his foot around the handle and tugged it closed behind them. He curled his fingers into his hair. Tugged his head to the side to give him access to more of his neck. Stuck his nose under his chin and sucked another hickey into his skin. 

“Do you like that?” He asked between breaths. “Do you like when I tell you what a good boy you are?”

“Shut up,” Seto growled. The timbre vibrated through his chest, sending pleasant tingles up his spine. The pulse of anticipation for what came next.

“Make me.”

Seto dropped him on the bed, kicked off his shoes as he crawled on top of him. Great white coat shoved off his shoulders. Left him in his usual black shirt and tight pants. Seto reached up and unclipped his cape. Let it fall to the floor in a heap. Hands brushed up his legs. Slipped under the white pleated kilt he wore. Rough fingers caressed his inner thighs. Seto’s lips followed, brushing over the heated skin. His eyes met Atem’s. “I intend to.” He nipped at his skin.

Atem gasped and pushed his fingers into his hair. Felt his tongue drag along the inside of his thigh. Stopped just before he reached where his cock still ached to be touched. Half hard again already. “Fuck…Seto…”

A hand undid the pin holding the wrap around his waist. It joined the cape on the floor. He kissed down each leg and undid his sandals. Left him nude on the white sheets. He smiled up at his rival, at his friend. Hand lifted to caress the side of his face. “Your turn.”

“What-?”

Atem reached down and lifted the black fitted shirt over his head. Ran his fingers lightly down the soft skin. Wispy dark hairs covered his chest, grew sparse as they disappeared into his pants. Nimble fingers undid his belt and pushed them to his ankles. Kept one eye on Seto at all times. Gaged his comfort levels as he pressed heated kisses to his bared shoulders and down his chest. Flipped their position so he hovered above. Kissed down his body until he reached his groin. Nosed playfully at the dark wiry hairs. Stripped his pants over his ankles and left it on the floor with the rest. He kissed back up his body and pressed against him. Shaft of his cock dragged across Seto’s, causing both of them to gasp.

Seto captured his lips in a deep kiss. Lifted the headpiece off of Atem’s head and placed it gently on the small table next to the bed. Lips found his neck and he arched his back as teeth burrowed into his shoulder. His nails dug into Seto’s shoulders. 

“I need you,” Atem pleaded. Consumed by the pleasure that pulsed under his skin.

“Show me how,” Seto whispered, lips brushed against his pharaoh’s ear. The pressure building in his gut was almost too much to bear. Atem gave no indication of giving him a break. His legs wrapped around his waist held him close. Rolled his hips in a steady rhythm against his already aching cock. He wrapped his arms around the pharaoh’s shoulders and panted in his ear.

Atem moaned. Nails dragged down his back. Seto’s toes curled in. They shifted until he hovered over Atem. He leaned down and pressed already swollen lips to the other’s. Teeth nipped his lower lip as Atem welcomed him into his mouth. Hot breath washed over his face with years of unsaid words, manifested in the desperate way their lips moved together. 

“I want you to fuck me,” Atem gasped as Seto’s fingers dragged down his sides. He squirmed at the ticklish sensation, but refused to drop his legs. “Please, Seto I-”

Seto nodded, nosed at the crook between his neck and his shoulders. “I will, I will. Whatever you want.” He promised. Anything to keep the king on the bed with him. He would do anything.

A soft laugh left the pharaoh’s lips. He angled his mouth up to nip at his earlobe again. “Good boy,” he whispered and Seto couldn’t stop the embarrassing whine that exhaled from his lips. Overwhelmed by the feeling of Atem’s cock rubbing against his. Breath hitched as he felt precum leak over. Fingers curled deeper into the back of Atem’s shoulders. 

“Careful, Kaiba,” the king whispered, voice teasing. A hand slipped between their flushed torsos and a thumb swept over the slick head. Seto gasped, gritting his teeth. “You don’t want to lose do you?”

“Then hurry up and show me what to do.”

Atem smirked, pressed another heated kiss to his lips. He took Seto’s right hand. Slipped the fingers between his lips. Swirled his tongue around the digits. Heat pooled in his stomach. More precum coated both of their stomachs. His cock ached with every twitch of his body. Every inch of him was overstimulated and hot. Sweat shared between them as skin rubbed against skin. Atem’s hips never stopped rolling into him. 

He had never felt more alive.

Atem popped his fingers out of his mouth. String of saliva connected his tongue to his hand. His chest pounded at the visual. A knowing glint in those purple eyes. Dark brown skin shone with gold like the king himself was sweating pure sunlight. A hand brushed sweat soaked bangs back from his eyes. Deep affection Seto had never seen in another on full display in his eyes.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered.

Seto’s mind emptied and he kissed the glowing god. Atem wrapped his arm around his neck and held him close. Other hand reached out and grabbed the small jar of oil off the table. He unscrewed it behind Seto’s head. Lost a few drops down the man’s back. He wiggled at the new sensation. Atem moaned as his cock caught between their bodies was stimulated. His own tip leaked at the feeling of the two moving together.

He took Seto’s hand back in his. Dipped the three digits into the jar and placed it back on the table. Blue eyes studied every movement, learning the steps in real time. Atem was happy to be his teacher. He guided his hand down between his legs. Thumb brushed against his balls on the way. It sent a sting of pleasure up his body, drawing another loud moan from his lips. Once his leg stopped shaking, he pushed one of Seto's long fingers inside him. His legs tightened around his waist.

“A-ah…” Atem whimpered, held the man’s chin in his other hand. “I’ll tell you when to add the next.”

Seto nodded, face stoic in deep concentration. He moved his finger back and forth, in and out. Felt the pharaoh stretch around the single digit. He rocked and squirmed under him. Lips parted as soft little pants and whimpers fell from swollen lips. He watched, waiting for his next instruction.

“Okay. Another.” Atem gasped, chest heaved. Sweat rolled over his pecs, glistening in the afternoon sun that poked through the open window.

He did as he was told. Slipped his middle finger into Atem’s hole and wiggled them together. Pushed as deep as he could reach and curled them upward.

“Oh fuck-!” Atem shouted and his hips bucked. “Fuck, fuck, fuck, Seto.” He whined and dragged his nails along his back. 

Seto grinned and bent to kiss whatever skin he could reach. His neck, his cheek, his collarbone. Angled his back to suck on his nipples, drawing another desperate whimper from the king.

Who knew it took so little to turn such a powerful force into a pleading mess?

Atem panted and slowly regained his composure. Entire body vibrated with the pleasure rolling through him. With the knowledge that all of this was because of the man he’d been pining after for years. He exhaled shakily and took his chin again. Turned his face to kiss him, slipped his tongue over the other’s. Exhaled heavily into his mouth. “The third now,” He pleaded. He needed to feel his cock inside him, he needed Seto more than he needed anything else.

Without a word the man slipped his ring finger inside. Stretched the three out and curled them up again. The middle finger just brushed against his prostate and Atem thought he was going to cum right there. His cock twitched with the need for attention. The frotting between their abdomens not enough to relieve the pressure. He focused on keeping his breaths deep and full to avoid passing out. 

“Feel good?” Seto asked, a teasing smile on his pink lips. He curled his fingers up again and Atem saw spots dance in front of his eyes.

“Incredible,” he sighed, a slight purr to his words. “I think- oh fuck, yes right there, ah!-I’m ready.” Uncertainty passed over his rival’s face and Atem’s heart stuttered. “Only if you want to. I don’t-”

“Would you stop?” Seto snapped and pulled his fingers from Atem’s hole. The absence now more noticeable than when they were inside. “I want to be here. So just relax.”

Atem nodded, forcing his shoulders to drop. Softened into the bed. He reached down and took Seto’s length in his hand. The man hissed and rocked back and forth over top of him. Mischievous smile crossed the king’s lips and in one smooth motion he flipped them so he was seated on top of Seto. A surprised expression on his face at the king’s strength. He put a finger to his lips when he opened his mouth. “Just relax, remember?”

He nodded and watched Atem lower himself down, placing kisses along his skin. Stopped when he reached his hard cock resting against his stomach, and swirled his tongue around the tip. Hand reached between his legs and fondled his balls. Thumb dragged along the sensitive skin. Seto gasped and arched his back. The king took the rest of his length between his lips. Head bobbed as the man beneath him muttered strings of unintelligible phrases.

Seto wound his fingers into the pharaoh’s hair. Tugged at the curls, enjoying the moans it got from Atem. Spine arched as the king came up for air and swirled his tongue again. Felt it dip over the slit in his tip and panted hard. The pressure in his stomach built and he tugged hard on the strands clutched between his fingers.

“Fuck you’re good at that,” he gasped. Curled his other hand into the sheets below him. Damp from the sweat pooling off their bodies.

“Thank you. That means a lot coming from my rival.” Atem winked and took his full length in his mouth.

Seto moaned. Head spun with the sensation and scent of their mixed skin floating in the air. A haze he would happily drown in.

Chest heaving he tapped Atem’s head. The king blinked up at him through his eyelids. Purple gaze feverish in the dim room. “If you want me to fuck you, you better do it.” 

He’d never had to last this long on his own. Those were purely a release of pressure or stress. Done and over with as fast as possible, so he could return to whichever task required his attention at any given moment. Not to mention Atem was the first person he’d done, well, anything with. The only one he’d ever wanted. Not that he dared admit any of that to the clearly experienced king.

Atem nodded his understanding, swept his tongue one last time up the underside of his length. Seto’s back arched, toes curled as he fought to slow the rapid rise and fall of his chest. 

The pharaoh settled on his hips, kept him pinned down. He leaned forward, hovered over top of Seto. Swiped two fingers into the jar and sat back on his hips. He reached behind him and took his sensitive cock in his warm hand. Coated the length in the oil slicked on his fingers. Then he reached up and traced some around his hole. He positioned himself above Seto’s tip and looked at him.

“Ready?”

“Stop stalling,” Seto snapped.

“Be nice,” Atem chastised. Kissed him, lowering himself down. “Or I'll get off.” He moaned as he felt Seto’s length push into his ass, nulling the threat. Neither of them were going anywhere.

He took a moment to pause and enjoy the feeling of him before he began rocking back and forth. He broke the kiss so he could catch his breath. Panted next to Seto’s ear, picking up speed. Almost bottomed out on his first full thrust.

Seto's breath was loud in his ear. Hands clung to his hips as Atem moved himself along his cock. Fingers gripped him so tightly he was sure he’d have bruises in the morning. Which, considering the state of Seto’s neck, was only fair. He supposed he’d have to clean that up before they faced anyone else in the palace. It was a pretty obvious indication of what they’d been up to.

A shame. He liked seeing Seto covered in marks that claimed him as his and his alone.

“You feel incredible,” Seto gasped, the first intelligible sentence he’d managed since he started fucking him.

He hummed and brushed a hand through his damp hair. Pushed the bangs off his forehead. Smiled at the rare sight of his face laid bare. Flushed crimson, sweat at his temples and along his hairline. One side of his neck a mess of red and purple. Lips parted slightly, still swollen from Atem’s teeth. He looked gorgeous, undone and desperate beneath him. Atem reached up and braced himself against the headboard behind them. Other hand stroked himself, head fell back at the pressure building in his gut.

“Atem-” Seto said, and he knew that tone. He looked down at the desperate man. He squirmed under his methodical thrusts. Close to the end. “I’m…”

He pressed a hand to his mouth. Bent down until their faces were inches apart. “You can hold out longer. For me, you can do that, can’t you? We’ll finish together. Win together.” Blue eyes widened and hardened with the determination of his beloved rival. “That’s good. You’re so good for me, Seto. You feel incredible-ah! Hang onto me, stay with me. Help me get closer.”

The next thrust he took all of Seto’s length inside of him. He cried out as the tip found the perfect spot. Angled his hips to hit it again and again. Both hands needed to brace himself against the headboard. Seto took the hint and wrapped one hand around his length. His calloused hand rough against the hypersensitive skin of his shaft. He whimpered. Knuckles gripped the headboard so hard he worried he’d snap a piece off.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” Atem cried out as he drew closer. “Seto, yes!”

“Atem, Atem, Atem, Atem,” Seto whispered into his shoulder. Lips parted, teeth grazed his skin. “I can’t…hold it.”

“Let go, it’s okay, let go.” Atem encouraged, words barely audible.

Seto gasped, whispered his name several more times before clamping his teeth around his shoulder. Atem felt his cum fill him and that undid him. He cried out and spilled into Seto’s dutiful hand. Didn’t stop thrusting on his length until his leg shook so bad he couldn’t stay upright anymore.

He collapsed atop Seto’s chest. Breaths rasped too heavy for him to speak. He dropped his hands off the headboard, wrapped them around his neck. Nuzzled against his heated skin. Listened to the rabbit race of his heart beneath his ear. The rapid rise and fall of his chest slowed as they each caught their breaths.

Seto wrapped his arms around his back. Lay his head onto the pillow. Deep imprint of his teeth in the king’s shoulder. He winced at the sight, though it sent a thrill up his chest to know he’d marked the man so thoroughly. At least it was easily covered by his cape. Unlike whatever had been done to his neck. It ached now that the adrenaline seeped out of his body.

Movements slow, Atem shifted so Seto’s cock slipped from his ass. He collapsed beside the man. Burrowed back into the safety of his arms. Seto welcomed him closer. Trailed a light finger up and down his bicep. It sent a shiver down his spine. He angled his head up and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. “Much better than a duel, don’t you think?”

He scoffed. Breath tickled his forehead. “You aren’t getting out of another rematch that easily, Pharaoh.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it, Kaiba.”

“But…yes. That was…” Expression contorted, looking for the right word. The vulnerability of what had just happened registered on his face. Panic threatened to well up inside him. He forced his breaths to continue their even pace. Heart still thundered from the exertion.

Atem smirked. “That bad?”

“No!” Seto said, frustrated at his inability to express himself. “It was-it was good. It was everything I never thought I’d get to have when you left.”

Further amused, Atem readjusted so he lay on his front. Turned Seto’s face until their eyes met. Feverish blue, full of that passion he so adored. He traced the curve of his jaw. “So you did come here for more than just a rematch.”

“Don’t let it go to your head.”

“Too late,” Atem hummed, curling into Seto’s side. Buried his face into the crook of his shoulder. Inhaled the scent of him deeply. Played with the hair at the nape of his neck. “Your words are ingrained in my head. So is how amazing it was to have you chanting my name.”

Seto groaned, but didn’t move to leave. “I regret ever coming here. I forgot that I hate you.”

“Yes, that is quite apparent.”

“Fuck you, Atem.”

“Maybe in a bit, I need to rest first.”

Seto groaned louder, but rested his cheek on his pharaoh’s head. Mind clear of its racing thoughts for the first time in years.

Chapter Text

Seto woke up the next morning convinced the day before had been a dream. His triumphant victory over the pharaoh, over Atem, and then…his eyes snapped open. Sat up abruptly in his room.

No. Not his room after all. 

He looked around the warm coloured bedroom. Gold and red walls, decorated like a tomb. The pharaoh's journey to the afterlife, his adventures with them on Earth, and finally his reascension to this plane. To Aaru.

Movement next to him drew his attention back to the bed. Heart hammered at what he found. Atem, still nude and rumpled from sleep, lifted his head and smiled at Seto. Bite in his shoulder more obvious in the daylight. He winced, had he really done that? The king didn’t seem bothered nor in pain. Not like how the right side of his neck ached. He pressed a hand to the heated skin and winced. The slightest bit of pressure enough to remind him of what he’d find when he looked in the mirror.

“Alright?”

Seto nodded, slow and methodical. Hesitant hand reached out and brushed a stray curl from his face. “Are you?”

“Never better,” Atem whispered, pressing his cheek into the touch.

He relaxed back against the headboard. Atem shifted so he rested against his chest again. One arm draped across his torso. Lips brushed lightly against his bare skin. It was only then that he realized he was also still nude. He pulled part of the sheet over his lap. Cheeks pink at being so exposed.

Lifted a hand to rest on the pharaoh’s arm. Kept his attention firmly on the open window. He couldn’t see much beyond the sky and the tall trees that made up the garden. The edges of the walls around the arena. The ones Atem hadn’t dropped in their rushed exit the day before.

“I beat you.”

Atem hummed. “Still on that are we?”

“You didn’t let me win.”

“Like I told you yesterday.”

“Our deal is over.”

Atem remained quiet. Fingers traced the curve of his pecs and the slopes of his torso. The light touch left his skin tingling wherever it travelled. “I suppose…that’s one way of looking at it.”

“What’s the other?”

“Yesterday you said you hadn’t gotten everything you wanted. What else are you looking for, Seto?”

He thought for a moment. Eyes still on the window. A number of dismissive statements passed through his mind. None of them seemed right. He took a deep breath. Turned away to face the door. “I don’t want to be alone anymore.” Voice softer than he intended.

The silence in the room aggravated his nerves. His foot twitched where it stuck out from under the sheet. He refused to look at Atem. Refused to see the pity, the disgust, whatever it was that kept the god silent. The longer it persisted the worse the nervous tic got. He shifted to leave the bed, “Never mind. Forget I said anything. It’s stupid.” 

He swung a leg down. Atem’s strong grip caught his chin. Turned his head back. Big purple eyes bored into him. “Seto…”

“I told you to forget it,” he insisted and tried to pull away.

“You’re so infuriating!” Atem snapped. He rolled his eyes and kissed him before Seto could reply. Fingers dug into his cheeks to keep him from moving. “If you want to stay here, my home is your home.”

Heat rushed up his neck. Chest exploded with an emotion he didn’t know how to identify. Hadn’t felt it in years. 

Home.

Where was his home?

Here with the pharaoh? The only one who could really understand him and match his skills? Back on Earth, with people who called him friend, but knew close to nothing about him? With his brother in the house that used to belong to the man who’d ruined his life? 

At the thought of Mokuba, guilt replaced the blissful excitement. He gently pushed Atem back. Allowed himself a brief moment to admire how beautiful he looked. No longer glowing like the night before, but still stunning.

“I need to think…about what I want.”

Atem chewed his lower lip and nodded. “That is a wise course of action.”

“But…can we have another rematch tonight? I’ll know what to do by then.”

“Why don’t you take some time?” Atem asked, intertwining their fingers. “We can still have our duel, of course we can, but you have a big decision to make. Let’s not rush into anything.”

Mokuba was probably so worried about him, but he found himself nodding along to his words anyway. “Yes. Okay.”

His face lit up and he pressed another kiss to Seto’s lips. Cupped his face in both his hands and pushed him back into the bed. He straddled his hips and bent to kiss him. The sheet twisted between them. Atem’s fingers trailed down his bicep, lips parted, tongue brushed against his. 

Seto rested his thumbs in the divots of his hips. Kept him in place, as if he had any intention of going anywhere. Atem moaned into his mouth as Seto rolled his hips up into him. Gentle caresses turned to fingers dug in his arms as the pharaoh hardened against his abdomen.

This was not making his decision any easier.

                                  _______

Atem spent the next few days alone with Seto. Daylight hours out in their dueling arena, playing game after game. A mix of victories now that the seal had been broken on their rivalry. They took extra risks, saw boldness come to fruition in ways they never would have dared when there was something important on the line. Nights were spent with their hands exploring the other. Lips brushed over every inch of skin. Seto hadn’t slept in his own room since their titular duel.

Every morning Atem spent a good hour reluctantly healing the marks they left on each other. An attempt to keep their nights a secret. Neither ready to explain to the others what had changed in their relationship. It wasn’t shame, it was more…they didn’t know what they were yet. 

Atem curled into Seto’s arms each night, pressing gentle kisses along his collarbone. Body hummed in the afterglow of their time together. He asked any questions that came to mind. Brought up any and all topics of conversation until they fell asleep. Enjoyed the soft bluntness of his companion’s comments. They had never spoken so plainly with each other.

The one subject they both stayed far away from was, what came next? Did Atem send him back to his brother and the life he ran away from? Or did Seto choose to stay here in Aaru, with him until…well until the end of time, he supposed. Atem certainly had no intention of ever letting his greatest rival and friend go. Though, the option may not be up to either of them in the end. 

He avoided thinking about that whenever he could.

There had been a brief conversation where Atem asked after the state of the cube, only for Seto to shut down and say it wasn’t an option.

“When I crashed it lost all its…magic. Or whatever it was.”

“I could try to power it again?”

“It blew the fuse in my pod’s computer. Whatever surge it went through on my way in, destroyed it for good. It can't be fixed.” And that was the end of the conversation. Refused to even let Atem try to fix it.

He couldn’t understand why. It was a chance to make their situation not so final. To see where this new thing between them could go in a way that didn’t leave one of them alone or resentful of the other. Shouldn’t all avenues be explored? Not that he'd explained their predicament in blunt terms. Seto didn't ask, so Atem didn't tell. Besides, the subject only led to fights and Atem refused to spend any of their potential final days together in an argument. No matter how good the sex was afterwards.

He smiled to himself. Feet carried him towards the dining room where he was meant to meet Seto for a private lunch. They’d decided to take a day off dueling, both of them exhausted from being in the sun all day, every day, and then spending their nights mostly not sleeping. 

So instead, after lunch, Seto was going to teach him how to play chess. He said they needed a new game to keep their rivalry fresh.

“You think we’ll get bored of each other?” Atem asked the night before. Watched the pacing Seto. He only wore a pair of dark blue boxer briefs. Long legs carried him the length of Atem’s room in six paces both ways. The king watched with his chin propped up on his palms, lying on his front on the bed. Amused by his companion’s antics.

“It could happen! Even playing with different decks every time, we’d eventually go through them all. We need a new game. One that I have the years long advantage in this time.”

Atem lifted a finger. “I think it’s important to point out that I am the king of games. What makes you think I won’t pick up on it immediately?”

“Chess takes decades of practice to master. It’s the perfect game for us to spend hours playing. No game is ever the same, not if you’re good enough,” Seto’s face brightened as he tapped a finger against his chin. “It would take years for us to reach a level where we were perfect equals.”

His heart skipped at the mention of years. Even if he did pick it up easily, he could pretend that he didn’t. Make him believe he needed more time to be his equal. Until they found a new game to become their new obsession. 

Every time they had a conversation that went that way, Atem grew more and more certain that Seto was going to stay. That he wouldn’t have to say goodbye to another friend again. This time he could keep at least someone from his time on the mortal plane. No matter how selfish he was being about it.

“Atem!” Mana shouted and attacked him from the previously empty hall to his right. She wrapped her arms and legs around him. Hugged his arms down to his sides so he couldn't take any more steps. “You’ve been avoiding me!”

“Have not!”

“Yes, you have. And I will not let go until you admit why.”

“Mana-”

“Spill!”

Atem sighed and looked down either end of the hall. “Fine, fine.” He tried to wiggle out of her hold, but her arms only tightened. “I haven’t been avoiding you, not exactly, I’ve just been…spending a lot of time with Seto.”

“Ha! We called it!”

“How did you-wait, what do you mean, we?”

Mana rolled her eyes. “Do you think we can't hear you in the middle of the night? Or don't notice just how many hours you spend out in the gardens with him.” She wiggled her eyebrows. Atem had never been more mortified. “Oh cut it out, I was kidding about hearing you.”

“Then how do you-?”

“I didn’t. Not until I saw your face.” She laughed at his glare. “You made the same face when I asked about Mahad and Yugi.” She dropped her legs and poked his side. He shied away from her reach. “You’d think you’d learn by now.”

Atem buried his face in his hands. Fell against the wall behind him. He should have known better than to try and hide anything from his best friend. She knew him better than he knew himself. Apparently.

“Who have you told?”

“We all figured it out, placed bets on how long it would take.”

“Mana,” He bemoaned. Paused and then peeked through his fingers. “Who won?”

“Mahad. He guessed a week. I thought it’d only take twenty-four hours. The look on your face when Karim said he was approaching the castle was the happiest I’d seen you since you got back. Any chance you get to see the people from before…I don’t know, it just lights a fire in you that wasn’t there before.” She scuffed her foot against the floor. “You really bonded with them, huh.”

Atem was left speechless. Had he really been that obvious? He thought he’d been doing a pretty good job of hiding his feelings. All that erased when his brain processed Mana’s last comment. Guilt seeped into his bones. “I did. I don’t know how to explain it. Life is different there, things are…more. And the people, well not all of them, but the ones I was put with were incredible. My other self…” Atem shook his head, heart ached at the memories that swarmed his mind. “If I could have stayed with them forever, I would have.” He smiled at her sadly. “But that can’t happen. I don’t belong there anymore.” The bitterness was still there.

Mana frowned and kicked at the ground. An air about her that indicated she had an idea to solve all his problems. Usually it meant doing something that got them into even more trouble as children, but he’d listen to anything.

“What if…you could have it both ways?”

Atem side eyed her. “What did you have in mind?”

“The villagers found something in the desert.”

“Yes?”

“A cubic something.”

Excitement fluttered in his chest. Diva’s elusive cube. “Show me.”

                                  ________

All to his specific qualifications, Seto designed the perfect chess set for him and Atem. Brought to life by the king himself. His pieces were blue with white accents, whilst Atem’s were gold with red accents. The pawns were Kuribohs for Atem and his side were Different Dimension Dragons. Kings were the Dark Magician and the Blue Eyes White Dragon, their queens were Paladin of White Dragon on his side, and Dark Magician Girl for Atem.The other pieces were various monsters that he thought suited the position pulled from their respective decks.

Eventually they would play with regular pieces, but he thought this would be an interesting way to help teach the importance of each piece. Atem knew next to nothing about chess. Which was one of the reasons Seto chose it as their next game. It gave him an advantage. One he would utilize the utmost of his skills. If the pharaoh thought he would go easy on him at first he was sorely mistaken.

The chessboard was set up in his room. Took up the middle of the lent space with two plush armchairs, like ones he had back home, for them to sit. Prepared for when their games eventually took hours instead of simply ten to twenty minutes at a time. After explaining what each piece meant and how it moved about the board, Seto beat him in five moves.

“And- that's checkmate,” Seto grinned, leaning back in his throne of an armchair.

The pharaoh's eyes narrowed at the board. Tracked the previous movements of their pieces. Jaw dropped when he found the crucial mistake he'd made in his second move. 

“Never leave your king unguarded. His limited movements make him vulnerable. When you've played more, I'll teach you castling. Until then keep your pawn in front of him for as long as you can. Bring your knight out and don't leave your bishop so open.” Seto ran through his list of faux-pas.

Atem nodded along, chin between his fingers and eyes focused on the pieces he indicated. “Reset the board.”

His chest fluttered and he moved their pieces back to their spots. Settled back into his thoughtful position and motioned for Atem to make the first move.

They played well into the night. Trading pieces until the hint of dawn poked through the window. Seto's body betrayed him and he yawned, pressing a hand to the back of his mouth.

His opponent chuckled. “Have I tired you out?”

Seto scowled. “Hardly. I’ve stayed up far longer than this.”

“I'm sure.” Atem pushed to his feet. 

“Where do you think you're going?”

The king tilted his head. Arms loosely crossed over his chest. “I have morning duties to attend to.”

“You haven't done that in the last two weeks,” Seto accused.

“Indeed. So imagine how behind I am.”

“Who'd have thought the afterlife had chores,” Seto sneered. He flicked his king piece, it wobbled, but stayed upright.

“The universe is full of mysteries,” Atem said. Cape swished as he walked away. “Besides, you need to sleep.” 

Seto rolled his eyes. Stomach twisted as his opponent left him alone. “You're just bored of losing.” 

A silence followed. Long enough that he was sure Atem had left. He went to stand, only to be pushed back into the chair by rough hands. His eyes widened at the fury in Atem's. The pharaoh hovered over him, hands on either side of the chair's armrests. Bent so their faces were inches apart.

Seto lifted his chin in defiance. “Strike a nerve?”

“You're an idiot if-”

“Name calling is unbecoming,” Seto spat, turning away from the golden fury shining beneath his dark skin.

Atem grabbed his chin. Forced his face back to look in his eyes. Seto resisted the urge to squirm. 

“Don't interrupt. You will listen to me, do you understand?” He growled.

Heart thundered too hard for him to form a sentence. He simply nodded.

“You're an idiot if you think I would ever get bored of playing games with you. If you bored me I would have ended our time together a long time ago.” Atem took a breath. “If you really believe that I don't want you here, maybe I should send you back right now.”

Seto glared. Body pulsed with the desire to grab him and to let him send him away. “Do it then. If I'm such trouble.”

“Maybe I will.” Atem released his chin, raised an outstretched finger to touch his head. 

Reality sunk in. Seto's hand snapped up, grabbing his wrist just before it made contact. It left him looking weak. Unable to hold to his convictions. But he couldn't let the pharaoh send him away. That decision would be on his terms and his terms alone.

Irritating satisfaction passed over Atem's face. The glow under his skin dimmed, but didn't extinguish. Fire in his eyes flared brighter. “That's what I thought.”

“Atem-”

“Did I say you could speak yet?”

“You don't get to tell me what to do,” Seto snarled.

“I'm the king and god of this realm. I get to do whatever I want. Up to and including telling a rich brat like you what to do.” Atem leaned closer. Tore his wrist from the firm grip. A pale imprint of his fingers remained. His nose brushed against Seto's. Brought his attention back to Atem. “And right now, you're going to get some fucking sleep because you turn into an even bigger obnoxious grump when you don't.”

“I-”

Atem grabbed his jaw and Seto swallowed hard. “I. Didn't. Say. You. Could. Speak.” He waited until Seto leaned back into the chair before he said. “You're going to get a few hours of sleep. I'm going to finish my duties as king, and then you will join me for lunch. Understood?”

Seto nodded, heart hammered in his chest.

“Say it.”

Through gritted teeth he spat. “I understand.”

Atem nodded. He removed his hand and brushed his bangs back behind his ear. The pieces stayed in place for all of two seconds before sliding back to where they belonged. “Very good, that's what I wanted to hear.”

He hated the way his stomach flipped at his words. It shouldn't be that easy. “You're the worst.”

The hand against his forehead trailed down the side of his face, ending in a caress of his jaw. Atem kissed his forehead. The gentle touch surprised him and his eyelids fluttered closed. A soft sigh fell from his lips unbidden. Cheeks flushed at his reaction.

“I'll make sure you're awake when lunch is served. Just go to sleep. We have another long night of games ahead of us.” Atem said, straightening his posture. Looked at Seto fondly.

He pretended not to notice. Turned his heated face away. Crossed his arms over his chest, folded a leg over his knee to hide the erection that started when Atem grabbed him. The king didn't need any more reason to tease him. “Fine. Enjoy your chores.”

Atem laughed softly. Brushed a hand over his brown hair. “Sleep well, Kaiba.” His cape swept over Seto's knees, the door opened and closed with a click.

Once he was safely alone, Seto slumped in his chair. Legs spread out in front of him. Erection pressed against the seam of his pants, making him squirm. He curled his toes against the floor, feet in borrowed sandals. The boots he'd arrived in were far too warm for the temperature in Aaru. Even the afterlife wasn't free of the Egyptian heat.

The last thing on his mind was sleep. Maybe that had been the pharaoh's plan all along. Rile him up only to leave him to deal with the consequences. Seto grumbled to himself and pushed up from the chair. A low undignified whine left him as he did, tight pants pressed on his groin. He had never been more grateful to be alone. 

He dragged himself to the bed, shedding his clothes as he did. Audibly sighed in relief as he freed his cock from the confines of his pants. If he wasn't certain that he'd look ridiculous, he'd consider asking for an airy outfit like Atem's. Or any of the other members who wandered the palace. They never seemed to struggle in the heat. And as an added bonus, he wouldn't be so obvious. 

He never knew how excited Atem was until he was pressed up against him. Skirt hitched to his hips. Deep breathy voice in his ear telling him how amazing he was, how good he felt. Teeth skimming the side of his neck as his hand slipped into his pants and-

Seto moaned and stroked himself, slow at first, imagining the pharaoh on top of him. Grinding down until Seto begged him to do something before he did it himself.

“You're so impatient,” his phantom voice whispered in his ear. The manifestation of his own mind made him shiver.

He tugged at his cock, dragging a thumb roughly across the tip. Gasped at the wash of heat that followed. Hips thrusted into the air and he moved his hand faster. Ragged breaths were the only sound in the empty room. There was no one telling him to slow down, to enjoy the process. Old habits die hard. 

Precum coated his hand as he thrusted harder and harder. Other hand to his mouth to stifle the excited sounds he couldn't suppress. Control out the window since he and Atem started their physical relationship. He used to be so much quieter. He blamed the pharaoh for this new development.

“Mmm, you look so pretty like this,” Atem's phantom cooed in his ear. “So bothered that I didn't stay to help.” 

“You're terrible,” Seto panted at the illusion. “I ha-”

“I didn't tell you to speak.” The vision whispered and Seto hated how much he loved that command. 

His retort was cut off by a loud moan as he came into his hand. Back arched, feet pressing down into the mattress. Chest rose and fell, breaths slowly normalized as he lowered the hand from his lips. He dropped his other hand, staring at the pale blue ceiling with a mirage of clouds floating across a morning sky.

Eyes squeezed shut as a small wave of personal shame rolled over him. Maybe he should have never come here. Maybe it would have been better to never know what could be. Stay miserable in his world, never satisfied with the course of his life. It was inevitable that Atem would decide he was tired of him. His other self said it already happened to him. What made Seto think he was any different? 

His mind mocked him for being so desperate to be liked, to be wanted when he was so broken. If he couldn't handle his own problems, how could he expect anyone else to solve them? 

The echoes of his adopted father's teachings reared their ugly heads in these moments of weakness. Less when he had his rivalry to focus on. However, the effects of his influence were present forever. Interspersed with brief pockets of relief when he had a distraction. Something to occupy his attention, even when alone. Anything to keep the roar in his brain at bay.

Now the pharaoh had cruelly left him alone without a distraction. Without someone to tell him to stop being stupid. As much as he hated that. And he did hate it.

Just go to sleep. 

Seto had never heard anything so ridiculous in his life. If he could just go to sleep, he'd probably hallucinate less.

                                   ______

Atem sat at a low wooden table in the magicians’ workshop. The strange cube with its circuit board symbols across all six sides sat in front of him. The cube was dark, sides a pale brown. He could feel energy around it, weak as it was. They'd been trying to activate it over the last two days. It required more magic than even Mahad was capable of. Even all three working together wasn't enough to bring it back to life. Which meant they needed an amplifier.

Easy enough. Whatever Atem willed, he could create. The world bent for him. Well, the world minus Seto Kaiba. His stubbornness would be the death of him. Atem just hoped he wasn't the reason behind it.

The reality was, the longer Seto stayed, the more his connection to his plane was severed. While the spell Atem put over him to keep his soul intact was still in place and working, in making him one of his chosen to stay he'd ultimately doomed him. The spell sawed away at his bonds to the other world. Once the last thread of his cord was sliced, he could never go back. Ever. He'd never see his brother in this life or the next. Nor any other people he cared for. Those left behind would never know what happened to him, and he'd never get the chance to explain in the next life.

If he chose to stay, for now, but eventually decided he wanted to leave, there would be nothing Atem could do. If his bonds snapped, even he couldn't repair that link. And then Seto would hate him forever for taking him away from his family.

So, Atem was making the decision for him. If his experiments worked, if he could recode the cube to his whims, maybe it wouldn't have to be forever. When he went back, the bonds should heal. He was supposed to be there, as much as Atem didn't want that to be the truth, and if they did heal that meant visits could be possible. All contingent on if Atem could give the cube the ability to travel without dying after every jump.

He hated hiding all that from him, but he knew if he told him what he was actually doing, he'd think the worst. Because he always thought the worst. No matter what Atem did to show him how much he cared. No matter how much of his free time he spent playing games. It was never enough.

Atem regretted losing his temper that morning. It wasn't anything Seto hadn't said before. Only goading him to get under his skin on purpose. Today it just…burrowed deeper than usual. They'd made almost no headway and they were running out of ideas. The attempts he'd made at a living battery still didn't pack enough of a punch to keep the cube on once the amplifier was removed. So then, maybe a permanent one meant to remain attached, but even a battery needed to be charged every now and again.

“Hellooo! Anyone in there?” Mana waved a hand in front of his face. 

He blinked and looked up from the cube. Mahad stood behind Mana with a concerned frown. He pressed the back of his hand to his forehead.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, I'm fine, sorry.” Atem reassured him. Pressed a kiss to the inside of his palm. “You don't have to worry about me.”

“You're my friend, Atem, I'll always worry about you.”

He smiled, warmth filled his chest. “I'm sorry that I worry you.”

Mahad smirked. “Somehow, I don't believe you.”

“Okay you two.” Mana held up her hands between them. She narrowed her brows at him. “You were so deep in thought, I know you must have thought of the perfect amplifier. So spill.”

Atem glanced away. “Um…”

“Atem!” Mana dropped her hands on the table. “Would you please focus! You said the cord's fraying every second. I thought you wanted to help him.”

He finally looked at her. “Of course, I do.” He exhaled and rested his head in his hands. “I don't know, it's…it reacts to our magic. Seems to be connected to this place, but whatever Seto did to get here might have drained it completely. What if he was right? What if it can't be fixed? What if he hates me?”

“You're being dramatic.”

He was. He blamed Seto for it.

“Atem,” Mahad said gently. “We will find a solution. No one is going to be trapped here against their will.”

Except for himself. He kept that thought private.

“I know, I know.”

Mana swung her legs over the bench on the other side. Put her hands atop the cube and closed her eyes. A pale yellow pulsed in the edges, never growing deeper or brighter. “If we…can just…turn it on…” Mana said through grit teeth, “...and keep it on, maybe we can make progress.”

“Don't make yourself pass out,” Atem said, adding his hands on another side. Mahad's on the opposite. With the three of them channeling their magic, the light flared brighter. Deepened to a sunshine yellow. Particles swirled within, but didn't breach the glowing seams.

The cube's walls went a paler brown, slightly backlit by the energy they poured into it. The yellow deepened to a pale gold. Almost like he remembered seeing back on Earth. It lifted half an inch off the table, pressed into Mana’s hands. She flashed a smile, though sweat gathered at her brows. His own limit slowly approached before he started losing more than energy. Which meant Mahad was putting in more than his fair share and he'd get drained faster. Even with his god status, magic was Mahad’s specialty. 

Atem grit his teeth and sent more energy into the cube. Reached the edges of his reserves, but sent more still. The cube responded. Drank in what he offered. He felt something catch and tear, like a strained muscle. It continued to devour. 

Dark spots danced in front of his eyes. His vision crowded in around the edges. The lights in the room flickered. Someone shouted in alarm. Atem's focus remained on the cube. Image of the palace wavered around them. And then the room vanished, leaving behind nothing but an empty void. Atem floated weightless in the darkness. Cube clutched in only his hands for a long second before it all flickered back into existence. 

Hands shoved him back, and he toppled off the bench onto the floor. Back hit the glossy surface, drawing a groan from his lips. Though the sound seemed far away. Unattached to its source.

The room swam in front of him, the spots cleared and two faces hovered above. Someone called his name, far away like his groan. A loud crash followed. More voices clamoured in the room. A third face appeared in his periphery. Hands clasped either side of his cheeks and pleasant warmth flooded into his body. Like he'd just slipped into a hot bath. The world came into sharper focus. Isis knelt beside him, holding his face. 

“Atem? Are you back?” She asked, the flow of warmth continued.

He nodded, pushed himself into a seated position. Took her hands off his face. “Thank you.”

“How many times do I have to explain to you three, that if the god of this world is depleted of energy, the world disappears.” Isis glared at each of them individually. “That was too close. Lest you forget we also have a visitor who may not survive being temporarily extinguished.”

Atem's blood went cold. “Is he?”

“I already sent Shada to check.” Isis lifted her hands in assurance. “He hasn't returned yet.”

“We're sorry Isis,” Mana said, head bowed at the scolding.

“Did you at least succeed at whatever nonsense you were up to this time?” Priest Seto said, arms crossed in such a familiar way.

“Uh…” Mana said, eyes strayed to the cube on the table behind her, just out of sight from those at the door. “Kind of.”

Kind of…

He scrambled to his feet. Nearly smashed his chin into the edge of the table in his rush. Isis chastised him to slow down, but he didn't hear her. Mana was right. A faint yellow light remained burning in the centre of the cube. Didn't quite reach the edges but it was a start. They could feed it slower now, learn how it operated.

They might actually have a chance. If he hadn't accidentally killed Seto with his stunt. Shada still hadn't returned and he didn't know if that was good or bad.

“Don't let it go out,” he ordered those in the room. “Take turns, see if you can get it brighter.”

“And you?” Karim asked, joining the others around the table.

“I have to make sure I didn't kill anyone.” Atem rushed from the room. 

He ran down the halls until he reached Seto's room. His door was open and he heard a loud discussion from inside. At the sound of Seto's annoyed cadence he let himself slow up and catch his breath. Pressed a hand against the wall. Almost fell over. Isis's magic had helped, but it'd be a bit before he could expend much magic again. 

Nothing that some rest couldn't help, not that he had time to get much of it lately.

When he could breathe evenly, he approached the room. He peered around the corner to find a furious Seto waving his hands at a stone faced Shada.

“The whole world just vanished. Did I die? What kind of illusion is all this?” Seto snapped.

Atem entered. Seto's attention shifted to him immediately. Eyes narrowed, frown deepened. “What the hell happened to you?”

Shada turned and his eyes widened. “Atem?”

He waved off the concern. “I'm just a little tired.”

That didn't satisfy Seto. He pushed past Shada and stuck a finger in his face. “You don't get tired. You said so yourself. So what happened?”

He really shouldn't have pushed that hard. But it worked. This could be the start of something revolutionary. Maybe he could frame it that way. Wouldn't have to explain that by stopping his soul from stripping away and not sending him home to safety, he'd cursed him and put a limit on their time together. Gods weren't supposed to fuck up or be this fallible. He couldn't stop making mistakes that got other people hurt or stuck by his side forever. Never able to trust that they didn't hold resentment over that fact.

He looked around Seto’s shoulder at Shada. “Thank you for checking on him, my friend. The others need your help at the workshop.”

His priest bowed and left the room. Rested a hand on his shoulder as he passed. “I'm relieved to see you're okay.”

“I'm fine. Just a little overzealous.”

Shada smiled and disappeared. Atem closed the door after him. 

“What was all of that about?”

“I, uh, did it.”

“Did what?”

Atem met his eyes. “Fixed the cube.”

Chapter Text

Seto's posture stiffened, eyes hard. “You…” He shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. “How did you even get it?”

“One of the villagers alerted one of my friends and…she told me about it.” Atem motioned for him to sit. Seto didn't move. He sighed, swayed slightly on his feet. “They brought it back for us to study. I've been working on turning it back on.”

“Why would you do that?”

“Science!”

Seto gaped. Since when did the pharaoh perform science experiments? “What are you talking about?”

“I just wanted to know if I could.”

He shook his head again. This must be what it was like to talk to him. “Alright…so then what was the whole, blackout nightmare about?”

Atem scratched the back of his head. Avoided meeting his eyes. “Uh…me using too much energy and drawing on my ka to use magic instead of built up energy. And since I'm the only thing keeping this specific pocket in existence…if my ka were to be, say, devoured by a magic cube, it would destroy that world, me, and everyone here.”

And people said he was the crazy one? Seto stared at him. Disbelief on his furious face. “You risked your life for a science experiment?”

“Yes, that's what I did.”

“And you expect me to believe that?”

“Yes?”

Seto rolled his eyes. “I refuse to believe the one who's bested me so many times is that much of an idiot.”

“Please believe it?”

He glared and crossed his arms. “What's this really about?”

Atem shuffled further into the room. Dropped into the chair on his side of the chessboard. Seto watched, eyes narrowed at each uncertain step. It was a wonder he didn't fall over. How could he be so stupid?

He followed him to their respective chairs. Sat forward with his elbows on his knees. Lips rested against the side of his hands, waiting for an explanation that made sense.

The king didn't speak for a long time. Stared ahead at the chessboard. “The…unfortunate reality…is this visit has a time limit. One way or another.”

“Cryptic answers aren't going to cut it.”

Atem slumped. Legs out in front of him, knees nearly bumped the board. One arm flopped against the arm rest, the other held his forehead. “I'm…looking for a way to send you back-”

“What?”

“-without it being permanent.”

“Maybe I don't want to go.”

“You say that now,” Atem muttered. “But what about in five years? Ten? A hundred? Infinity?” The purple of his eyes burned into him. Spoke of something he didn't understand. Eternity. “What if you change your mind, and your option to go back isn't there anymore?”

The thought of his brother flashed in his mind. Mokuba growing up without him, graduating with only their staff and maybe the couple friends he'd made, maybe Yugi, to watch him cross the stage, when he got married…when he died. Seto sat further forward. “Atem-”

“I thought we had forever. I can send you back as if no time had passed, so however long you wanted to stay, it wouldn't be an issue.” He looked down. “I was wrong. You have…” He fell silent and then said, “damn it, another week, maybe, before your tie to the outside world is gone, and I can never send you back.”

“What does that mean?”

“There is a cord,” he mimed tugging something from his heart, “that connects your soul to the physical plane. Your body is here, but by me…claiming you, as it were, I put strain on the cord. It's slowly fraying, fading, the longer you're here. Were it to shatter completely you would no longer be…alive exactly. You'd be kept alive here, by my…will…” Atem winced and hid more of his face in his hand.

“Huh.” Seto exhaled. Closed his eyes. Thought for a moment. Opened them again to say, “And if I…don't care?”

“Eternity is long, Seto.” Atem didn't look at him. “Mokuba can't come here. No one else can, not to this pocket. And I have yet to figure out how to find any others. I'm not sure I even could. You'd never see your brother again.”

“I already knew that when I chose to come here.”

“Damn it Seto!” He slammed his hand on the arm rest. “I'm trying to help you! I refuse to become a point of resentment for another person I care about!”

Seto glared. “I never asked for your help. I can make my own decisions.” His mind refused to process any words beyond that.

“Not this time.” Atem shook his head. “Either I find a way to manipulate the cube to allow you to come back one day, or I send you home before the cord breaks.”

“I thought this was my choice.”

“It was supposed to be.” He lifted a weary face from his hand. Eyes looked at him imploringly. “Honestly, Seto, I could use your help. You've already manipulated it to your whims before. Maybe we could do it again.”

Seto tapped his hands against his mouth. He had managed to readjust its abilities. Once. Yes it had been a success, but success by what measure? The cube died upon his arrival and now… 

“You sent Shada to help keep it on.”

“More…help finish bringing it back to full capacity.”

“Can I see it?”

“Yes. When I've had a nap,” Atem said. He pushed to his feet and stumbled to the bed. Crashed face first down on the mattress. His muffled voice added, “What happened to your blanket?”

Heat crawled up his neck. He glanced at the bathroom where he'd hidden the cum stained sheet. 

“I don't sleep with a blanket,” he lied.

“Of course you don't. Freak.” Atem's muffled voice replied. He snapped his fingers and a new one covered him on the bed. Slow soft breathing quickly followed.

Seto watched the rumpled shape and smiled to himself. Head rested back on the chair, rolled to the side so he kept the pharaoh in his sight. A hand rubbed at his bare chest under his open shirt. He imagined the cord Atem mentioned. Strained and fraying pieces desperately keeping him tethered to Earth. He didn't feel any different. What if the king was lying? Maybe he'd been right about the void's purpose.

He'd been lying in bed, staring at the ceiling when the room disappeared. Left him floating in an emptiness. He didn't remember much. Only darkness and then the world spun, leaving him nauseous, when it came back. Sunlight from the window wiped away the heavy darkness. 

Once it righted, he leapt into action. Haphazardly threw on his shirt. Got it buttoned halfway and his pants zipped up, only seconds before Shada burst into his room without knocking. 

He tried in vain to get past him, prepared to rush through the palace to confront Atem. Convinced he'd decided that it would actually be better if Seto wasn't there anymore. That he found a way to send him away without having to physically be in the room.

It would be just like him to end their time together so abruptly.

Instead it had been caused by an experiment to get rid of him. He should have known this was all too good to last. Everything in his life ended that way. The pockets of peace grew fewer and further between the older he got. Maybe one day they'd stop forever.

Mood soured, he turned away from the shape of his rival and stared at the chessboard. It had managed to remain, even with the flickering of existence. So had all other aspects of his room. If he didn't know any better he'd think the brief black void of nothingness that had infected him was just a dream. Another hallucination.

Seto dragged a hand down his face. Atem's words played over in his head. 

A week. He had a week to enjoy the peace he'd found here. Part of him didn't want to spend all of it angry at Atem for hiding crucial information. Or going behind his back. Then again, if he left in anger and refused to help, if they weren't able to fix the cube, maybe that would be easier. Sever the tie before he even had to leave.

“Would you stop brooding and get your ass over here?” Atem said, still muffled. 

Seto glared at him even though the king was still face down on the mattress. He wasn't brooding. And if he were, he had every right to be. 

Reluctant, he pushed to his feet. Left the chair and the chessboard to lay down next to Atem. But only because he wanted to.

The pharaoh moved the thin sheet over both of them and wrapped his body around Seto. Leg across his waist, arms secured around his neck. Seto placed his hand on the man's back over the blanket. Kept his focus on the ceiling with its moving clouds.

“You didn't sleep like I told you to, did you?”

“I'm not a child. I don't need to sleep when I'm told.”

“So instead you're now overtired and acting moody.”

“After the stunt you just pulled, I think I've earned the right to be a little moody,” Seto said dryly.

Atem grumbled. “I don't see what the big deal is. It worked didn't it?”

“It was reckless and dangerous!”

“Because you've never done something reckless and dangerous.”

Seto glared at the ceiling. “This isn't about me.”

“It's all about you!” Atem protested. Head lifted off his chest. “Why else would I care about fixing Diva's infernal device?”

“I told you to leave it alone!”

“I'm not going to let you make a mistake and ruin your whole life over it.”

He laughed, refusing to meet the pharaoh's anger head on. “I don't make mistakes.”

“You're telling me you don't have a single regret about anything you've done in life?”

“No.”

Atem growled his frustration and sat up fully. Seto still refused to look at him. “This is no time for your Kaibaisms! You can't abandon your brother, I won't let you. Maybe right now you're okay with it, but I don't believe that you'd be fine never seeing him again. Never letting him know you're alright.”

“Stop bringing Mokuba into this,” Seto seethed.

“Apparently it's the only thing that makes you see reason! Even if just for a brief period.”

“He's fine. We both grew up tough.” His tone was dismissive, but even he didn't believe his own words. His brother's last words to him played over in his mind often. Not so much the words as the knowing tone in his pleading voice. Wanted Seto to at least pretend he intended on coming back. Both brothers knew there was nothing on Earth that could return his spark for life.

Atem's hand held the side of his face. Didn't force him to look over, just hung there as a point of comfort. “It's not fair that either of you had to, and I'm sorry that that was your experience, but Mokuba is still young. He doesn't have to have the same experiences you did. He doesn't have to be alone like you were forced to be.”

His breaths betrayed him. The shaky inhale, followed by a strained exhale. Even in his forced isolation by their adopted father, Mokuba never let him forget he was there. Found ways to get sneaky messages to him, or wave at him from the window as he played in the yard, or leave gifts and snacks outside his door. Most reached him. Something burned behind his eyes, constricted his breathing. He shook off Atem's hand, hid his weakness from his rival.

Was he subjecting his brother to the same fate their adopted father gave him? Was he destined to become the man he hated most in this world? He brushed the dampness from his eyes. It had been years since he actually cried and he certainly wasn't going to start now.

“I'm trying not to be selfish,” Atem continued. “If I had it my way, all of you would be here. Eternally under my care forever…” He trailed off, a hand circled his wrist. Lifted it until warm breath tickled the inside of his palm. “...but I can't. It's not fair to ask you all to forego more of your lives for my sake.”

“You're not asking me. I'm choosing you. Choosing this,” Seto muttered. Didn't trust his voice to not break. 

“So help me figure out how we can both win.”

Seto's heart stuttered. He got his breathing back under control. Wiped the rest of the remaining dampness away. The image of Mokuba's broken expression on the screen as he realized his brother's intentions haunted him yet again. “Fine. Whatever you want.”

“Can we sleep now?” Atem asked around a loud yawn.

“Whatever.”

Atem wasn't put off by his tone. He tugged Seto down, turned him so he could take up his position as before. Hung off him wherever he could. Gentle snores filled the otherwise quiet room. 

At some point, Seto's eyelids fluttered and the sleep he'd been putting off found him at last.

                                  _____

He was rudely awoken by someone kicking out and whimpering in his sleep. Annoyed, he looked at Atem’s unconscious body. The light under his skin a vibrant gold. He pushed closer to Seto. Fingers dragged across his chest, down under the open buttons of the dark green shirt.

Seto shook the sleeping pharaoh. He groaned. Mumbled something inaudible. Seto shook his shoulder with more force. Another groan, ending in what he swore was his name on the exhale.

“Atem, wake up,” Seto said, shaking him until the golden sheen dimmed. Purple eyes opened, blinking the sleep and whatever dream he'd been having from his mind.

When he saw Seto, now seated, at his side his eyes swept over him and then looked down at himself. A moment of confusion as the dream faded. He chewed on his lower lip, golden light flared brighter in his cheeks before he patted them down to their usual dark brown.

“Good dream?” Seto asked.

“Mhm.” 

“I think you said my name.”

“Doubt it.”

“And you seem to have grown a third leg.”

Atem's face glowed gold.

“What were you dreaming about?”

“It doesn't matter…”

“Call it curiosity.”

Atem went to leave. “We should really go check on the cube-ah!” Seto grabbed him by the waist and pulled him onto his lap. Arms tight around his middle to keep him from moving. He pressed his face against his neck.

“I want to know about the dream first.” Seto pressed insistent kisses along his skin. Down across his shoulder. “You were making quite the noises in your sleep.”

“Liar,” Atem breathed. Grabbed the back of his head and held his mouth in place. Whined softly when Seto bit his shoulder. 

Seto smirked, sucking on the sweat coated skin. “It sounded just like that.” He chose another spot, closer to his neck. Atem's fingers twisted into his hair, tugged on the strands with a desperate moan. “Mm, that one's new.”

“You're such an asshole,” Atem said, making no attempt to stop him.

“Were you dreaming about me? Do I occupy your thoughts that much?”

“You wish.” 

He did. If he had his way the pharaoh wouldn't give anyone, except him, his undivided attention. 

Certain Atem wouldn't try to get away, he moved one hand down his thigh, slipped it over the white skirt and groped at him through the fabric. His rival hissed, fingers burrowed deeper into his hair. Yanked his head back. Seto smirked at Atem's half closed eyes. Pretty mouth parted, so enticing. 

Seto turned his chin to capture his lips. Shared open mouthed kisses as both fought to catch their breaths. Atem rocked his hips in Seto's lap, desperate for more friction between his hand and erection. By consequence his ass grinded against Seto's groin. Spikes of warmth filled his gut.

“Ready to tell me the dream yet?” Seto said against Atem's lips. 

“It was pretty much this exactly,” Atem hooked his arm around the back of his neck, keeping their lips locked. His tongue slipped into his mouth, brushed across Seto's.

He moaned and slid the skirt's hem up to Atem's waist. Ran his hand up the inside of his thigh. Atem's breath hitched and his teeth tugged at his bottom lip. Released when it resisted going further. 

“Anything else?” Seto asked and squeezed one of his balls. Atem shivered in his arms. Turned and nuzzled into his neck. He fondled the other. Rewarded by Atem marking up his neck with a feverish drive. Every inch of him shimmered gold.

Hot breath on his neck when Atem came up for air. “There was…one other thing.” He said, breath tickled his ear. Teeth nipped at it.

“Tell me,” Seto said. Ran his hand up the underside of his cock. Atem pressed his face against his shoulder and inhaled sharply. 

“First, do that again,” he pleaded.

He hummed and moved his hand down his thigh. Pinched the sensitive skin next to his groin. Atem whined. “Hm, no I think I want to know the dream first.”

“Kaiba,” he growled, a low warning in his throat.

“Pharaoh,” Seto answered evenly. Drummed light fingers along his thighs and across his balls. “All you have to do is tell me, and I will do whatever you want.”

“Dangerous words.”

“I'm not scared.”

He laughed. “Of course not. Seto Kaiba doesn't feel fear.” 

He twisted around in Seto's lap. Straddled him with both knees pressed into the bed. Hips rolled. Fingers undid the rest of the buttons down his shirt. Slid it off his shoulders. Ran his hands down his chest and back up. Hands moved past his shoulders, along either side of his neck until they cupped his jaw.

Seto stared at him, gaze fluttering between his eyes and his lips. His hands ran up and down Atem's thighs. Lingered by his hips, pressed his thumbs into the divots. The other man gasped, head fell back and rocked against him.

“I'm waiting,” Seto pressed his lips to Atem's ear.

“It started like this,” Atem purred. Rolled harder. “And ended with you face down on the bed with my cock up your ass.”

Warmth spread through every inch of his body. He pushed forward to kiss him, but the pharaoh held him back. “What?” He complained.

“No witty quip or insult?”

“Did you want me to?”

“Just surprised. Usually I can't get you to shut up.”

“You're really annoying.”

Amused, Atem kissed the tip of his nose. Sat back and brushed light hands over his face. Adoration shone in his eyes.

Seto blinked at the softness. Hand slipped between Atem's legs, stroking his cock. Watched the pharaoh glow in the lit torches around the room. His head fell back. Moved in time with Seto's hand. 

“Yes…” Atem whispered, “that's so good, you're so good for me…”

His heart rate spiked and he dragged a thumb over the tip. Circled the head with a loose fist. “You're going to miss me, aren't you?”

Atem's laugh stuttered in his throat. “I will miss you for many reasons.” He inhaled sharply. “But-hh fuck!-this is high up on the list.”

Delighted by the confession, Seto moved his hand faster. “I like seeing you like this,” he said softly. Watched Atem's back arch with a smirk. Hands dropped from his face. Fell back to support himself on Seto's knees. “You look…” his voice caught. Couldn't find the right word.

The pharaoh lowered his chin, looked into his eyes. Face flushed. “How do I look, Seto?” He rolled his hips, rubbed against his hardening cock. Seto's breath hitched, his grip tightened around Atem's length. His eyes widened, “Oh-!” and his fingers dug into the flesh around his knees. “Fuck…” Once he recovered, he took a shuddering breath and bent his head until their foreheads rested together. “I said how do I look?”

“Beautiful,” Seto said on a rough exhale. Kissed him to shut him up. Felt him pulse under his eager hand. Atem preened and reached for Seto's pants, unbuttoned the top and undid the zipper. A long relieved sigh left Seto's lips as Atem's hand squeezed his cock.

Atem hummed against his lips. “Beautiful huh?”

“You will never hear me say it again,” Seto moaned.

“We'll see.”

He was so cocky. It drove him crazy. Maybe going home would be a good thing. A chance to get away from this infuriating annoying- “Fuck!” Atem found the spot behind his ear again. He bucked into his hand. Stroked Atem faster and felt the man curl into him. Loud moans and desperate whimpers close to his ear where he covered his neck in bruises.

“I'm so close,” Atem shuddered against him. Free hand clasped on the side of Seto's neck he wasn't chewing on. “Please ah-!”

Seto spread the precum on his tip. Legs shook as Atem's hand brought him closer to the edge with him. Still sensitive from earlier. He grabbed the pharaoh's neck with his free hand and dragged his fingers through his thick curls. “Don't stop.”

“Wouldn't dream of it,” Atem whispered into his skin. Found a fresh spot to attack. Hand kept its steady pace, soft and warm along his shaft. Seto's breathing grew more and more ragged. “You're so perfect like this. Feel so good in my hand.” 

Seto moaned, eyes locked on the ceiling. The clouds swirled as his eyes rolled back. “More.”

“You're my perfect equal, my eternal rival through all space and time,” Atem whispered into his ear. Kissed his neck softly in between each praise. “Dueling with you is one of my favourite things in this world.” He leaned back, his hand twirled around his length. Thumb pressed down on the tip. The world went white. Atem held his chin so their eyes met. “Life is so much duller when you aren't around.”

Seto's eyes burned. The hand on Atem's neck tightened. The pharaoh's breath shuddered. Eyes widened as fingers pressed into his skin. The pressure in his gut was so much that he couldn't speak. Tongue heavy with emotions he didn't know how to express. So he didn't. Instead he kissed Atem, mouth parted as he fought to breathe through the pleasure racing down his legs. 

With a soft cry against Atem's lips, he came into his hand. Body shook and craved rest, but he didn't stop moving his hand until the pharaoh was whimpering in his ear. Whispered his name over and over as he spilled over his fingers. Hands clawed at his back and he squirmed in his lap. Desperate to be as close to Seto as he could.

They fell back together. Atem on his chest, face burrowed between his pecs. “Mm…”

Seto nodded, one hand rested in the centre of his back. “And you want me to leave in a week.”

“No one said anything about want,” Atem retorted. He lifted his face, mischief in his eyes. “Besides, I have other companions who keep me company when the mood strikes, Kaiba. Don't let your ego get too big.”

He smirked. “But I’m your…what did you say? Perfect equal?”

Atem groaned and hid his face. “Yugi still beat me before you.”

“Ouch, you almost hurt my feelings.”

“Just saying,” Atem said, “He also made me-”

“Alright! I get it! You like Yugi more.”

“Hey now, I never said that.” Atem shuffled up, so his face hovered above him. Hands on either side of his head. “I care about all my friends. You are included in that list. No one is more or less dear to me.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“I will admit I have a certain fondness for you.”

“How touching.”

“Take it or leave it Kaiba.”

Seto leaned up and kissed him. “I'll be back. And when I do, I'm going to kick your ass at every game we play.”

Atem dropped to his elbows on the pillow and deepened the kiss. “I'll be counting the seconds until our next duel.”

Chapter Text

Seto hovered behind him. Observed as he placed his hands on the cube and searched for its internal processor. He could feel the heat rolling off his body and it was very distracting.

Across the table Mana and Mahad read through every magical scroll they had about arcane objects. Ones that weren't inherently cursed from their inception. Most were wholly unhelpful. Focused on either dispelling or creating new trinkets. None seemed to even consider the fact that one might want to tamper with someone else's work and make it their own.

The magic signature on the cube was familiar, but Atem didn't understand any better why Shadi would have done this. It hadn't led to anything good. Some overpowered children who were now left with nothing. Where was the benefit in that? His spectre hadn't even manifested to calm his distraught pupil. He let the events play out like he knew it would always end that way. Like he knew the darkness that lived in the ring would return and with it so must the pharaoh. 

The ‘why?’ would plague him for the rest of eternity he supposed.

Over his shoulder, Seto bent closer to the cube. Hair brushed against his cheek and he resisted the urge to brush it back from Seto's face. Not while they were around the others. Purple marks he'd left on his neck the day before were mostly faded, thanks to the healing spell, though this time he left a little evidence. A gift to himself to admire in moments like this. Everyone in the palace already knew, so where was the harm? Besides, sooner rather than later, his rival wouldn't be here. He was going to enjoy every single second he could.

Still the sight earned them both amused glances from Mahad and Mana when they entered the workshop. He ignored them, and if Seto noticed he didn't acknowledge it either. Attention zeroed in on the cube and had remained there since. Unaware of just how distracting his presence was.

The others noticed. Mana kept tossing knowing smirks his way. While Mahad took any opportunity to have Seto get as close to Atem as he could, without it being too obvious. It was very obvious, but oblivious Seto refused to be taken away from the mission at hand. Like he was with everything in his life.

The ache in his chest panged. Reminiscent of when it became clear Yugi was about to win their duel. That everything they'd done together would really be coming to an end. No matter how much his mind raged that he should be able to change that fate. All this power he was supposed to have and none of it useful.

He flicked the cube. It flared at his touch, hungry for another piece of his ka. If he thought it would make a difference he'd happily give it. What was another piece of his soul to get a happy ending for once?

Not worth the scorn he'd receive from Isis.

After his last risky move, the two of them did a sweep of his realm. Walked to the furthest points his control reached to ensure he hadn't lost any pieces. Everything seemed to be in order. All residents accounted for, all rooms in order. The only piece he hadn't come across was the decoration of a falcon missing from the back of his throne. 

Isis fretted over it and its implications. Forced him to sit in the chair, pressing her hands to the top of his head. Muttered her annoyances under her breath. Her magic floated just beneath his skin. Pale yellow flecks with hints of green that took stock of what remained of his ka.

“You were an idiot for pushing yourself that far.”

“Well I wasn't going to let Mahad or Mana do it. This is my project.” Atem squirmed as the magic vibrated pleasantly in his nervous system.

“Our souls aren't tied to the very nature of this place. Not like yours. We're tied to you, Atem. You can't be so reckless.”

He sighed. She had a point, he knew she did, but he couldn't ask that of his friends. Not of the people who were locked in this place because of him.

“It won't happen again.” The cube was working, it wouldn't have to happen again.

“You say that now.” Isis's hands moved down his neck, and came to rest over his heart. The concentration of her magic warmed him. Set his skin glowing. The underside of his chest itched as threads of light wound back and forth, stitching the hole in his ka back over. Couldn't replace the piece he'd torn off, that belonged to the cube now, but she made it whole again. No longer raw stripped edges that made his power unreliable. Eventually the scar would fade and he'd be back to full force. 

Hypothetically. This was a new experiment to occupy their time. Until they solved that and moved on to the next big idea. Life was a constant search for something new and exciting to entertain themselves in eternity.

He glanced at the man by his side. Smiled at the pensive tilt to his lips. How his eyes narrowed when in deep thought. Couldn't count how often he'd seen it across from him in an arena, or lately, on the other side of a chessboard. 

The notes Seto recalled from the tests they'd run were helpful insofar as they knew what they were attempting was possible. It didn't help them figure out how to reach the controls without some super computer to program it for them.

Mana suggested that Atem simply make them said device. Which had Seto laughing before she even finished her sentence.

“Even if he knew what a computer was, it wouldn't function like mine at home. I built those.”

“So why don't you do it, if you're so smart.”

Seto cast a long bored look around the room. Ended on Atem and then the cube. “Even if I had all the necessary materials, it would take more time than we have to construct.” Though his expression conveyed nothing, Atem heard the frustrated undercurrent to his words. 

“Old fashioned way it is,” Mahad announced, breaking the tension. 

The old fashioned way had yet to yield any useful results.

“You said a piece of your soul is inside?” Seto asked, sitting beside him. Long legs reached the other end of the small table. “Why not just connect to it and make it do what you want?”

“Any time I touch it, it tries to take more of my soul.”

“So don't let it.”

Atem shot him a withering glare. “As if it's that simple.”

“It could be. Have you even tried?” At his continued reluctance, Seto rolled his eyes and picked up the cube. It didn't react to his touch, but he didn't seem surprised. “You're the one who asked for my help. What was the point of that if you're just going to dismiss everything I suggest?” 

“I'm not dismissing anything,” Atem said, though he most certainly was. “It's more complicated than that.” He insisted.

Seto pushed the cube into his face. It flared to life at the mere proximity. “Doesn't seem that complex to me.”

He eyed the glowing cube with distaste. Hands remained stubbornly on the table. 

“I was able to figure it out, Atem. Are you saying you're not smart enough to do it yourself? That I'm smarter than you?” Competitive glint shone in his eyes. 

From his periphery he saw Mahad turn to Seto in shock. Mana gasped softly. It didn't matter how unimportant titles and social standings were in a place like this, habits were tough to break. To hear their king challenged in such a blasé manner would have gotten him punished were they still in ancient times.

Maybe that's what drew him back to Seto every time.

Atem took the cube. Seto nodded his approval. It rose off his palms, suspended between his hands. Its golden glow brilliant and powered to full capacity. The magic within sought out the source of his power. Almost slipped past the defensive wall that separated his energy reserves from the essence of his ka. He furrowed his brow, attention centered on the blinding light.

The room dimmed around him, almost disappeared. All that remained was him and the cube. It whispered to him. Asked what the man with the sun in his soul wanted. It didn't seem wise to answer. Strange symbols, like the ones etched into the sides, scrolled past his eyes. He got the sense he was looking at a kind of directory. If he could access the right file, maybe he could manipulate it like Seto had.

The internal structure warped, responding to Atem's thoughts in real time. Golden particles manifested into lines of hieroglyphs corresponding to commands it was capable of fulfilling. Eyes scanned the options, stopped when he found one marked “travel.”

His attention fell deeper into the cube. Followed that command line into a larger section of text. Skimmed through until he found an addendum, freshly coded into the cube's purpose. Found Seto's imprint on the code. It alone pulsed towards where the man stood in the room. Sensed the direction rather than saw it. He brought up the addition. Somehow he'd managed to use the cube to tap into the energy Atem created when he manifested back on Earth, which provided the coordinates that brought him to his doorstep. How he managed to capture it when he hadn't even been physically there or conscious was a different question for another time. 

When it came to Seto Kaiba, anything was possible. 

Thanks to his rival's one track mind obsession, he attuned the cube with the frequency of Aaru. Which allowed him to travel, at least one way, through the spatial planes that made up the universe. If Atem adjusted its capacity for travel, activated the piece of his soul the cube greedily kept locked at its core, it should be able to survive a jump.

Perhaps even allow for more than one visitor at a time.

A dream for another time.

Atem took a deep breath. His mind fell deeper into the thrall. He forced himself to remain aware enough that he didn't drop the defenses around his soul.

The cube resisted his changes at first. Didn't want to redirect power to this dangling piece of code. Wanted to spiral out and attach itself to whatever being had the greatest power. In that moment it was himself, or…the cube noticed Mahad in the room. Started to push Atem out of its controls. Reached out towards his friend. His fingers curled around the blasted object. Clung to it where it hovered. Drew its attention back to him.

You listen to me. In my realm you listen to me!

The cube shook and spun. Rebelled against the command, though, as Kaiba predicted, the piece of his soul responded. Oriented the cube back to a manageable state. It vibrated, intune with both sources of his ka. He redirected the majority of its power towards its ability to travel. Let the other threads wither if it meant gathering enough energy. It wouldn't be a continuous feedback, it would have to be charged, but he fed it what it needed. And then some. The cube responded, rattling against his fingers as it took on the new commands. Settled back into his palms and shoved his intruding mind back into reality.

He stumbled away. Arms caught him, and he smiled up at Mahad. Deep concern on his kind face. “Okay?”

Atem nodded. “I think I did it.”

“I knew you could,” Seto said, far too smug.

“Sure you did.” Atem turned the cube back and forth. It still hummed under his touch, but no longer tried to consume him. All its attention solely on keeping it powered for travel.

“You can do anything you set your mind to, Atem,” Seto said. Voice lacked any of the usual mocking he showed when they weren't alone. He looked up at the man. “Just like me.” He added. “Because only my rival could meet my excellence.”

“Of course,” Atem said. Held his gaze until Mana cleared her throat. They both looked over.

“Well, barring the fact that Atem is amazing…” His cheeks heated at the praise. Not that he didn't agree, but it was different to have it said so casually by someone he cared for. “...we should probably test to make sure it actually works. The last thing we need is for you to get home, or worse, end up somewhere unknown, only to discover it doesn't work after all.”

“How do you suggest we test that?” Atem asked.

Mana tapped her chin, curls fell into her face that she brushed away with an irritated flick of her wrist.

“Mokuba,” Seto said. 

“Who?” Mahad and Mana said.

“Brilliant!” Atem said.

Blue eyes glowed under the praise. His chest panged at the genuine emotion behind the delight. Seto didn't even seem aware of it. He'd grown far past the obsessed man he knew on Earth, even in their short time together. Oh that man was still in there, hungry for the next competition between them, but it was satiated for now. Required less to prove he was just as good, if not better, than his chosen rival.

He was going to miss him so much. Again.

“My brother,” Seto said for the sake of the other two. “If we send the cube to him with a message attached and instructions on how to send it back, he'll help us. I know he will.”

“Works for me,” Mana shrugged. She retrieved some papyrus, a quill, and some ink from a shelf mounted to the back wall. Bounced back over, dropping the contents on the table. “What should we write?”

“I'll do it." He took the materials from her. Ignored the offended scoff at having them all but yanked out of her hands.

She stared at Atem. Eyes wide to say “Can you believe him?” He shrugged his response. If he could control the actions of either Setos in his life he'd have done so a long time ago. His priest listened to him only because he felt compelled to by rank, and perhaps respect. They were friends, family even, though neither acknowledged the open secret. His rival listened to him in…circumstances inappropriate to engage in with others present.

Seto leaned over the page, obstructing any of them from seeing what he wrote. He scowled at how often he had to refresh the ink. Muttered about bringing more efficient writing tools when he came back. Atem's heart sang just hearing that he believed there would be a next time.

Message scrawled, dried, and folded in half, Mahad adhered the page to one side of the cube with some twine. Encircled it several times and tied it off with a secure knot. All that was left was for Atem to send it to Earth.

Three sets of eyes landed on him expectantly. He focused on the object, visualized the place where he wanted it to land. Earth, Japan, Domino City, Kaiba Corps Headquarters, Seto's office on his desk. He had never physically been inside the office in his time there, but that didn't matter. He saw it now in his mind's eye. The time of day it arrived would be a mystery. Hopefully someone was there to receive it.

Image set, he pressed a hand to the cube and it, along with its message, vanished. Like it had never been there to begin with. All that remained were a few gold particles formed by his magic.

“Now what?” Seto asked. Studied the spot where the cube had vanished.

“Now we wait.” 

That didn't satisfy him. He crossed his arms, leaning against the back wall. Eyes completely locked on the spot he expected the cube to reappear. So long as the instructions were clear, it should reappear as soon as Mokuba figured it out.

“I want a snack,” Mana said and pushed off the table. She skipped towards the door, turning her head over her shoulder before she left. “Any requests?”

“Mana, I can just manifest whatever you want-”

“Answer the question!”

He raised his hands in defense. “No. I'm fine.” Glanced at Mahad and then Seto. The latter didn't appear to have heard the question.

“Mahad you're coming with me,” Mana motioned for him to move. He frowned at Atem as she dragged him out of the room. 

He waved his friend off. Once Mana got something in her head there was no use trying to fight it. Mahad nodded and closed the door. Left him and Seto alone, waiting for a cube that may never come back. Or may appear somewhere else in his realm. Would he notice it this time? With a piece of his ka inside, perhaps that would be enough to connect it to this place. Act as a proper ferry between this world and Earth. 

From his spot by the wall, Seto still hadn't moved. Glowered at the continued empty spot on the table. Didn't even acknowledge when Atem joined him, hips pressed together. He poked his arm, no reaction. He poked his side. Still no movement in the statue Kaiba had become. Last he tried his cheek. That at least earned him an annoyed side eye.

“It isn't going to appear faster by not blinking.”

Seto glared, but blinked several times as if his body remembered it had been a while. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. Moved so their sides were no longer pressed together. Which would simply not to do. Atem wrapped his arm around Seto's waist, tugging him closer despite his protest. Head rested against his side, joined in the quiet vigil.

“What do you want?” Seto asked.

“This.”

He looked between Atem and the room. “You want…an empty ancient workshop.”

“Are you being purposefully obtuse?”

“Whoa, big word.”

“I change my mind about the cube. Once it returns I'm sending you back without it. No more impromptu visits,” Atem said. Pressed his face into his shirt.

“Fine. I'll find another way to break the barrier between our dimensions.”

“I believe that.” Atem lifted his head. Tugged Seto's shirt down until he could reach his lips. Pressed a brief kiss to them before releasing him. Seto remained with his back bent and a surprised flush to his cheeks. “You probably wouldn't even wait until your bonds were healed.”

Seto didn't reply. Body slowly lifted back into a standing position. Arms remained crossed, but he didn't push Atem away.

“When I decided to come here,” Seto said after a beat of silence, words hesitant. “I thought one of two things would happen.” He paused. Atem didn't prompt him. Afraid it would break whatever spell compelled him to be open. “That you would send me away without daring to duel me. Like how you refused to show up to my duel with Yugi.” Atem smirked. He had considered it. The chance to be with Yugi again, facing off against their great adversary was a bigger temptation than he cared to admit. Even to himself. “The other outcome was that I'd beat you and feel fulfilled for the first time…” His voice fell into a soft laugh. He didn't finish the thought. “...that I'd beat you at long last and then you'd send me away immediately. Why would you want me to stay?”

He cleared his throat. Readjusted his posture. Atem waited until he settled before he returned his arms lightly around his waist. Surprised Seto didn't push him off entirely. “Then I lost, initially,” always had to remind him, “and you didn't…send me away. You gave me a room. You built us a place to duel. You…” his voice stopped. Eyes never left the empty table. “You let me teach you chess. You fought to make travel not only possible, but easier between our worlds.” His jaw clenched. “And I don't understand why.”

Atem sputtered, laughter barely contained behind his hand. Sobered when he watched Seto close off again. He coughed and tightened his hold around his waist. “What answer will you believe?”

“The truth is preferred.”

“But will you believe it?”

“You're stalling.”

He sighed. “It's because…I miss being…alive. If I could even call leeching off Yugi for five years, a life. It felt like one, but…it wasn't my life.” The words weren't as easy to reach for as he thought. “The times I felt most like myself, even when I didn't know what that meant, were when I could duel. Play games. And no one offered me the challenge I wanted like you did.” He smiled, fingers curled into his shirt. “Yes you were…shall we say eccentric in your methods of challenging me, but there was always passion. There was always excitement. You had a goal in mind and I was the only thing in your way. I liked that. You wanted me, not because of my past, but for my present. I didn't realize how much I'd come to rely on it until….” He shook his head at the memory of his final duel. Of walking away from everyone, already lost in his own grief. He cleared his throat and continued. “So when you showed up at my doorstep with that same passion…how could I not keep you here for as long as I could?”

“You-”

The space around them warped a second. A wave of vertigo rose in his throat, passing just as quickly. In the next second, the cube sat on the table. A large sheet of paper, still tied with the twine, attached to the side. Both looked at each other and then rushed the object. Seto went for the note, while Atem put his hands on the cube to check the energy levels. 

It pulsed under his touch. Awakened when it recognized him, but had been weakened by the double trip. Not dead, though, like before. That was a good sign. 

“Did it work?” Seto asked, note clutched between his hands. Face unreadable as ever.

“Seems like. I don't know how to factor for bringing a whole person versus a scrap of paper, but we'll just have to cross that bridge when we get to it, won't we?” He motioned with his chin to the paper in his hands. “What did Mokuba say?”

He didn't reply at first. Unreadable expression left him uneasy. Blue eyes dropped to the page. Scanned the contents again. Lips remained sealed until he reached the end. “He's glad the cube worked. Glad to hear from me. Says hi.” Atem smiled. “The cube landed on my desk. Didn't even make a sound. Not there one second and there the next, just like it did for us. He says it worked as I explained it should. That it landed glowing bright, but dimmed when he picked it up. Asks if this test means I'm coming home…”

Atem wished to lean over and read along, but respected the brothers’ privacy. He sensed a long conversation brewing between them.

“Anything else?” He pressed. Seto remained silent and eventually shook his head. He was lying, but Atem left it there. “Well, we know it works.” He studied him, looked past his body to the cord that disappeared out the door, through the castle halls, until it bent time and space to reach Earth. However far away that was. The cord was getting dire. Clung to Seto by literal threads. They only had three days before it snapped completely. If that.

“I really have to leave.” Seto stared at the cube.

“Not forever.”

“Long enough.”

“Maybe you'll enjoy not having someone kicking your ass at games all the time.”

Seto shot him a glare. “You've yet to beat me at chess.”

“Next time you're here, I'll be the best chess player this universe has ever seen. Say goodbye to that title, Kaiba. Again.”

The usual competitive spirit ignited in his eyes. “You're on, Pharaoh.”

Atem grinned and picked up the cube. It illuminated immediately. Whispered to him about what it saw, what it did. He closed his eyes and let his energy flow to refuel the low tank. When he opened them, Seto watched him wearily. 

“What is it?”

“How long will I have to stay there? Before the bonds are healed enough for me to come back.”

“That depends.” Atem hummed. Finger to his lips.

“On?”

He tilted his head. Looked the man up and down. Didn't hide how much his eyes devoured him whole. “How long does it take to become a master chess player?”

“Oh fuck off,” Seto said. He tucked Mokuba's letter in his back pocket. Headed for the door. “I don't know why I bothered asking.”

“Come on now,” Atem called him back, laughing at the frustrated tilt to his lips. “I was kidding.” He motioned him back to the table with a wave. He remained at the end, hands gripping the edge. “Closer.” Seto ignored the command and stayed where he was. Glared at the wood grain until Atem's fingers took his jaw and forced his eyes over. He focused back on the cord. It was a new concept. No one had studied how long it took for bonds to heal, and they shredded just as quickly. How was he supposed to give him an accurate guess? 

“Give it a few months,” he said. Seto’s eyes widened and Atem put a finger to his lips, anticipating his argument. “You already went six before this, what's a few more?”

“Do you want a recap of what I went through during those months?” Seto said around his finger.

Atem only smiled. “I'll work on my end to learn how to keep it from fraying so quickly. So, if we're lucky, the next visit will be longer. This is what we have to work with. Is it enough?”

“For now.”

He laughed softly. Pressed up on his toes to kiss him. Seto grabbed his face and held him close. Atem clung to his shirt. Lips parted beneath his, tentative at first, but grew hungrier with every movement. Atem circled his neck. Forearms pressed against the back, giving him more leverage to reach his lips.

“Do I have to leave tonight?” Seto asked, thumbs pressed against his face.

“It would be wise.”

Seto nodded. “Can I stay one more day?” Hands ran down Atem's sides. Cheeks pink as he added, “We still have your dream to recreate.”

“My dream-oh! Yes. My dream.” Atem purred. He jumped into his arms. Seto fumbled to grab his legs before he fell. Annoyed glare his way that softened when Atem pulled his collar back and sucked on his skin. “Your room or mine?”

“Which is closer?”

He thought for a moment. “Yours.”

Seto opened the door behind him and slipped out into the well lit hall. Turned down each one until they reached his room. He carried Atem to the bed. They fell together. Bounced lightly on the mattress. 

He grinned as Seto bent down and captured his lips in another kiss. Unclipped his cape and shimmied off his clothes. Seto pulled off his shirt and crawled out of his pants. Kicked them to the floor.

Hands dragged down his torso. Atem wiggled as Seto's fingers trailed lightly over his sides. He held him down, soft lips joined his fingers as he placed quick heated kisses down his collarbone, over his chest and abdomen. Lifted one of his legs, kissing the inside of his thigh and down his calf. Smirked at the pharaoh's loud moans.

Kisses moved back up his leg. Ghosted over his skin, barely resting in one place long enough for Atem to register he was there until he moved on. Head buzzed with the pleasure racing through his chest. Close to his groin, teeth latched onto the sensitive flesh of his thigh.

Atem moaned, hand found Seto's hair. Tugged on it as his tongue brushed over the bite, mimicked the way Atem left marks on his neck. 

Face moved further up, until his nose brushed against his balls. Took one in his mouth and sucked hard. Atem's hips bucked up, knocking into Seto's chin. He sat up to apologize, but was pushed back. Hand flat on the centre of his chest, Seto resumed his work. Tongue dragged halfway up his shaft. Other hand massaged his thigh.

“Please, Seto, please, I want-!” His pleading cut off by a moan when the man's tongue swiped up his cock, swirling around the now hard tip. 

He ran a lazy hand up and down the shaft. Head tilted at the squirming pharaoh. “What do you want?”

“Suck me off, now.” Atem's fingers were still in his hair. He pushed his head back down, but Seto resisted.

“Maybe I don't want to,” he hummed. Hand continued agonizingly slow.

“Seto,” Atem growled.

He shrugged. Pressed a kiss to his abdomen. Adding to the collection of nips that already covered his left thigh. Easily hidden. These he would keep for as long as he could until they healed.

“If you don't, I won't fuck you,” Atem threatened. His body pulsed with waves of desire. 

Seto looked up at him from where he sucked another hickey into his hip. “I don't believe you.”

“Are you willing to take that risk?”

The man looked thoughtful, hand never changed its pace. Brought heavy desperate pants from Atem's lips. He met the pensive blue eyes that challenged his will.

Seto scoffed, but bent down and took his cock in his mouth. Hesitant tongue swirled around the tip. Atem whispered his encouragements, praised him for listening so well. His confidence grew. Head bobbed in a steady rhythm that had him gasping for air. Both hands now buried in his hair. The world spun around him pleasantly. Fingers tugged their excitement on the strands. This was already so much better than his dream.

Seto came up for air. Brushed the pad of his thumb across the tip and smiled at the hiss it produced. “You're so loud.” He leaned up and pressed the length of his body flush with Atem's. His sensitive cock twitched and he grabbed onto Seto's shoulders. Another loud moan fell from his lips. “Like that. It's cute.”

“You're a menace,” Atem gasped. He wrapped his legs around his waist and used his momentum to flip them over. Grinned at how he could still shock him. “Stay here.” He pushed off the bed and approached the desk. Ignored Seto's annoyed shouts. He knew he'd left a jar of oil here somewhere from the last time.

“Ah-ha!” Atem proclaimed, producing it from the top drawer. Laid out on the bed, Seto's eyes darkened. Excited tilt to his lips. 

“Get back over here already.”

Atem climbed back onto the bed. “Flip onto your front,” he ordered as he unscrewed the lid. Seto grumbled, but did as he was told. Atem grabbed his hips and pulled them up until he looked as he had in the dream.

Ran his fingers along his heated skin a moment. Enjoyed the happy sigh that left Seto. He slipped his fingers into the jar, coating them before placing it aside. He circled his hole a few times, laughing softly at Seto's whimpers. “New sensation for you?”

He glared back over his shoulder, though it didn't have the same bite when pathetic desperate whines kept leaving his throat.

“Mm, let's make it good then.” Atem slipped a finger inside him. Slipped a second in soon after and Seto's body sseized. A low moan left his throat. Hips lifted, hands scrunched up the blanket under them. Atem moved his fingers slowly, waited until he relaxed before stretching him more. Heart thrilled at how Seto became undone under his touch. Cock now hard against his stomach beneath him. He reached a hand down to stroke himself, Atem swatted it aside. Laughed at the glare it earned him. 

“Be patient. You don't want to finish early now, do you?”

“Fuck you,” Seto moaned, fingers rested near his needy cock, but did as he was told.

Atem chuckled and wiggled his fingers inside him. Felt him slowly but surely stretch around the digits. “Ready for the last one?” He asked.

He nodded. Expression desperate. Atem smiled and pushed in the third finger. Seto moaned. Pressed his face into the mattress. Breaths heaved with every new movement of his fingers. Sharp gasp and back arched as Atem pushed deeper inside.

“Do that again,” Seto gasped.

Atem complied. Leaned forward to press a kiss to his back. He pushed his fingers as deep as he could. Felt Seto's leg shake.

“Enough?” Atem asked, wiggling his fingers again.

Seto nodded, unable to speak. He panted into the mattress as Atem stroked himself with his oil slicked hand. Lined himself up and pushed in. Gasped at the jolt that raced up his spine. 

Beneath him, Seto moaned and pushed his hips back. Desperate for friction. Atem granted it, hands on his hips as he thrusted. Slow at first and gradually increasing his pace as the man begged for more.

“You feel incredible,” Atem praised. Fingers dug into his hips as he rocked inside him. “So good for me.”

He preened under the praise. Pushed back into Atem. Knuckles white where they gripped the sheets. He moaned, moving in time with each thrust. Heavy breathing fell from his lips and he slipped a hand between his legs.

Atem smirked, but didn't stop him. Too focused on the motion of his hips slapping against his skin. Head fell back as he moaned his name. He bent over and pressed heated kisses to the centre of his back. Wherever he could reach. Sweat glistened along his skin.

Seto panted, hand moving faster along his shaft. “Yes, Atem,” he moaned. His body clenched and Atem's fingers tightened around his hips. 

“Oh yes, keep doing that,” he begged. “Just like that, Seto, fuck.”

“Atem I'm-ah!” Sentence ended in a low moan. Face buried in the pillows as he spilled onto the sheets.

He didn't slow up. Relished in the muffled whimpers of his rival. Hips thrusted harder as Seto clenched around him, drawing him closer to the edge.

Atem cried out and thrusts slowed to a stop. He wrapped his arms arond his middle. Pressed his face to Seto's spine, body quivering as he recovered. He pulled out and caught his breath. Watched Seto roll onto his back, cheeks bright red and hair disheveled with sweat. Bangs stuck out at all ends. Chest rose and fell quickly. He lifted a hand and dragged it down Atem's abdomen.

“Are you sure I have to go?”

“Don't ask me that right now.” Atem dropped to the bed beside him. Curled on his side and stared at his rival laid out content on his back. One hand on his chest, the other rested in the small space of bed between them. Cheeks faded to a pale pink, beads of sweat rolled down his temple. Atem reached out and rearranged his bangs. Smiled when he glanced his way. “You did amazing.”

Red crept back up his neck. “Yeah?” He asked softly.

Atem nodded. “Especially for your first time.”

Seto rolled his eyes and looked away. “Thanks.”

“Don't get sour on me,” he reached up and turned his face back, “we've been having such a good time.”

Blue eyes scanned over his. The smallest smile crossed his lips. Barely there. “We have.”

Atem brushed his thumb over his cheekbone. Small frown at the one less thread on his cord. “It has to be tomorrow. You lose more threads every second you stay here.”

He nodded. Disappointment masked with indifference. Gaze moved anywhere except to meet his. “And then just three months, right?”

“Three months, minimum,” Atem confirmed. “If you don't feel grounded back in reality after that, it might have to be longer.”

“I haven't felt grounded anywhere since you left. Not until I came here.” The words seemed to surprise him. “How will I know?” Vulnerability underlined the soft words, so quiet he hardly heard them.

Atem smiled. “You'll know. Repair your bond with Mokuba. Find connections in the real world, Seto.”

“I don't-”

“You can. You have to.”

Seto looked back at the ceiling. “We'll see.”

                                 _______

They stood on the steps outside the palace. Alone. Atem brushed a hand over invisible dust on Seto's shirt. "I won't know you made it until you come back. So, good luck.”

“I'll find a way to tell you,” Seto said.

"I'm sure you will." Atem held out the cube to him.

Seto eyed it with distaste, but accepted it. Turned it over in his hands. “This is it, then.”

Atem nodded. “Not forever.”

“Not forever,” Seto agreed. Voice softer.

“Ready?” Atem asked.

“No,” Seto said and bent so Atem could reach his head easier. “Do it.”

The pharaoh took a deep breath. He closed his eyed and kissed him one last time. Hand shook when he lifted it and pressed a finger to his forehead. The kiss broke as he was sent away, leaving Atem alone on the palace steps.

Despair rose in his chest. He stared at the spot his rival had just been, half expecting him to reappear immediately. When he remained alone, his shoulders slumped and he dragged his feet back into the palace. 

Mana poked around the corner when he reached the main hall. “Is it done?”

He nodded. Crestfallen expression impossible to hide.

She stepped out fully and hugged him. Chin rested on his shoulder. “I'm sorry.”

Atem slowly lifted his arms to return the embrace. “He'll be back.”

“I don't think you could keep him away if you wanted.”

Atem laughed, wiped at his eyes and stepped out of the hug. He looked out over the town and sands of his domain. “Yes. It's wonderful isn't it?”

Mana snorted. “Sure, that's one way to think about it.”

He smiled, hugged her shoulders and led them further into the palace. Glanced back as the doors closed.

See you soon, Kaiba.

                                   _____

The world warped around him and a second later Seto stood alone in the middle of his office, not at headquarters, but at home. He was still bent at the hips, holding Diva's cube.

He straightened and placed the cube on his desk. He wore the clothes he'd left in. The office looked exactly as it had before his trip. The sun set on the horizon outside the back window. His calendar on the wall showed that a month had passed.

He did it. The pharaoh really sent him back.

The door to his office opened. “S-seto?!” His brother gasped and before he could turn to greet him, Mokuba's arms were around his middle. “You're home, you're home, you're home!” He chanted, bouncing on his toes.

Seto rested his hands on his head. “I'm home.”

“I wasn't sure…I thought maybe you'd decided to-” his voice broke and he hid his face in Seto's jacket, soft sobs muffled by the fabric.

Guilt gnawed at his chest. He dropped to a knee and wrapped his arms around Mokuba. “Of course, I'm back.”

Mokuba sobbed into the front of his shirt. His heart squeezed. How could he have ever truly thought about leaving his brother? They were a team. Forever and always.

“I'm sorry…Mokuba,” the words foreign on his tongue. 

His brother stepped back, wiped his eyes with his sleeve. He smiled up at him. “I forgive you.” His eyes brightened. “Did it work? Did you find the pharaoh?” He grabbed his sleeve. “Did you beat him?”

Seto smiled. “Yes, it took some time but I finally proved that I am the better duelist.”

Mokuba cheered. “So it was all worth it then!”

He peered around him, saw the cube on the desk. “Oh! I did it right. You got it back.”

He followed his gaze behind him. “I did. And now I can go whenever I want.” 

“...oh…”

Seto looked back at his brother. Body curled in and deflated. He placed his hands on his shoulders. His little brother looked up, big wide eyes full of tears. 

“But not for some time. I think…I need to spend some time at home, for a little bit.”

Relief exploded across his face and he hugged him again. “Thank goodness. I missed you, Seto.”

Seto returned the hug. “I missed you too.”