Chapter Text
“Looking for someone?”
Yugi faltered in his antsy look around of the groups of people outside Domino University to meet the eyes of his best friend, Katsuya. He sighed and adjusted his dark blue graduation gown on his shoulders.
“Atem,” he answered needlessly. By the look on Katsuya’s face, he had already known who Yugi had been searching for before asking.
“Didn’t you say his plane came in two hours ago?”
Yugi’s heart sank and he wished he had his phone on him. As it was, it was stuffed into his bag in Ryou’s car. They’d all carpooled together.
“Yeah and he was supposed to be here an hour ago,” Yugi said, brushing his bangs out of his worried gaze. “It’s not like him to be late.”
“Maybe there was a delay,” Ryou said, appearing by their sides. He fixed his cap upon his fluffy white hair.
Yugi pressed his lips together and tried not to panic about Atem not making it to his graduation. “Maybe.”
After that, Yugi was whisked away by his friends and family, thoroughly distracting him from his turbulent thoughts about his boyfriend. He posed and smiled with everyone when his mother offered to take pictures.
However, the sight of Ryou on Malik’s arm and Katsuya’s hand upon Mai’s waist made him miss Atem even more.
For the past three weeks, Atem had been on a business trip. They weren’t rare and Yugi had found ways to distract himself while he was gone. He had a lot of schoolwork to take care of anyway as the end of the year drew nearer.
It was a little different on their dynamic when they were apart, but a lot of photos and video calls kept them going to a certain extent.
The problem was, that recently, Atem’s responses on his trip had become less instant. They had been drawn out upon hours and by the time a text came through, the mood was ruined and Yugi didn’t want to play anymore.
It didn’t help that Yugi had seen photos of Atem with a rather beautiful brunette woman on the company’s social media page. He didn’t truly believe that anything was going on behind Yugi’s back, but seeing them smiling and laughing at a dinner table wasn’t exactly something that sat well with him.
It reminded him that it wasn’t him making Atem smile like that. He couldn’t even remember when he’d made him smile like that.
They hadn’t had much time to talk either. Atem was busy and Yugi was getting ready for graduation.
Thankfully, Atem had been able to fly in for it, and even agreed to go on a beach trip with their friends for the long weekend, but Yugi’s hope for that happening was dwindling.
Atem hadn’t even given him any rules for the weekend either.
What if Atem wasn’t wanting to be with him anymore?
Yugi tried to stop himself from thinking that way but it was difficult when he felt so disconnected.
He just wanted his boyfriend and Sir back.
“Still no show?” Malik asked, hand in his pocket as he regarded Yugi’s helpless wandering eyes.
Yugi’s shoulders deflated slightly. “No. The ceremony is going to start soon.”
“When I see that guy, I’m gonna—” Katsuya’s irritated threat was interrupted by Malik’s sudden amused smile and a deep, familiar voice from behind.
“Going to what?”
Yugi’s heart violently flipped in his chest and he whirled around, his gown swirling around his legs.
Atem stood there, gray suit and an open collar of his white shirt, and a gigantic bouquet of red roses in his hands.
When his mahogany eyes met Yugi’s, they softened into a soft ember. “I’m sorry I’m late, sweetheart.”
Yugi nearly felt like crying by how relieved he was to see him standing there. Had he not been surrounded by his friends, he may have thrown himself at the man.
“You came,” Yugi breathed instead with a slow smile, heart fluttering.
Atem cringed guiltily. “There was a mixup at the airport and then I wanted to pick these up for you. I admittedly haven’t even showered yet.”
“I’m just glad to see you.” Yugi took the bouquet from him, shocked when they were nearly two sizes bigger than himself. “But this really is too much.”
Atem smiled and brushed a hand over Yugi’s smiling cheek. “Not at all. It’s not every day you graduate, baby.”
Yugi’s bottom lip wavered and he looked up above the flowers. “Thank you.”
Atem’s eyes flashed in that way of his, but he was interrupted by Katsuya who came over and slugged him in the shoulder.
“You almost missed it, you jerk. I would have had to comfort Yugi myself all weekend.”
Atem rolled his eyes and stuck his hands into his pockets, looking devastatingly handsome in the sunshine. Yugi couldn’t take his eyes off of him.
“You wouldn’t know how,” Atem joked with sadistic humor.
Katsuya’s face went unsurprisingly red but he fought through it. “I’ve been friends with him since we were kids. I know how to comfort him without getting kinky.”
“Oh god,” Yugi complained with embarrassment and turned away from them. Atem laughed. “Let’s just go in and find our seats.”
It wasn’t until they were all climbing into the rental van after saying goodbye to classmates and family members, that Yugi allowed himself to relax a little and tried to look forward to the beach trip with their friends.
The van was very similar to the one they’d rented before for Atem’s senior camping trip, and reminded Yugi of quite a lot, and he may have made a comment to Atem about it had he not been talking on the phone to someone from his work.
Yugi buckled himself into the passenger seat and stared ahead as everyone else chatted excitedly and got settled into their seats. He looked over to see one of Atem’s hand on the steering wheel and the other on the phone at his ear.
“I’ll take a look at it once I get to my destination. Alright then.” He hung up and stuffed his phone into his pocket, but Yugi turned away from him as he turned the engine on.
He’d look at something when he got to his destination? Did he bring his work laptop? Was he going to work on their beach trip?
… was he going to talk to that woman during their time together?
“Ready?” Atem asked them all, but Yugi could feel his eyes on him. Could feel them burning into the back of his head. Especially when Yugi didn’t turn to look at him.
“Let’s get the hell outta here!” Katsuya cheered and everyone merrily agreed.
A warm, familiar hand touched Yugi’s thigh. Normally, Yugi’d welcome such a feeling, but he was so wildly stuck in his head that he jolted away from him.
From his home.
“Yugi,” Atem called to him, deep voice low.
“Hm?” Yugi halfheartedly answered, looking down to see Atem’s hand still on his thigh. He hadn’t been deterred by the reaction.
“Yugi, look at me.”
The clear command was softly spoken. Yugi’s jaw tightened and he slowly looked over at his boyfriend as pulled by a taut string.
Atem’s eyes penetrated his in a slanted manner. “Is something bothering you?”
“No,” Yugi said far too quickly and Atem’s eyes flared with simultaneous shock and concern.
“You’re lying to me,” Atem clarified.
Yugi didn’t respond. He bit the inside of his cheek instead.
“You want to try that again, sweetheart?”
Yugi’s heart jumped and he mentally shook himself. He moved away from Atem in order to get his thoughts better executed. “I’ll tell you later.”
Atem didn’t like that answer and he sure didn’t like the way Yugi inched away from him. His frown deepened until his brows furrowed tightly above his sharp nose.
“What's the hold up?” Malik asked and Atem moved himself away from Yugi to grip the wheel.
“Nothing. Let’s get going.”
Yugi stared out the window as they took off, keenly aware that he was digging himself into a hole and he was allowing himself to spiral into misery when he was supposed to be enjoying this time with everyone before they all had to go their separate ways for a while. Each of the graduates had different internships that would keep them busy for at least two months.
He really didn’t want to waste time being upset.
But he also didn’t want the situation that upset him in the first place.
When they stopped off at a store to grab snacks and take a quick bathroom break, Atem stopped him from exiting the car with everyone. He should have known that would happen.
“You coming, Yugi?” Ryou asked, hesitating to get up when he saw Yugi still sitting there.
“I need to talk to him for a second. He’ll be along shortly,” Atem reassured him with a friendly smile.
Ryou looked between them and then, after a second of indecision, left. The van door was rather deafening when it shut.
Yugi didn’t speak immediately once they were alone. And neither did Atem.
Yugi stared down at his board shorts he had donned after graduation, feeling Atem stare at him.
As if waiting for him to explain himself.
When Yugi didn’t, Atem sighed loudly in the silent van.
“What’s going on, Yugi? You don’t ever lie to me. So I need you to talk to me, baby.”
Yugi fiddled with a loose thread on his shorts without looking up at him. His tongue felt heavy in his mouth. He knew logically he could tell Atem anything. He was his safe place. His sanctuary.
But right now… he didn’t know how to say what was going on in his head.
“You’re working on our trip,” he finally explained.
Atem didn’t respond at first and Yugi hesitantly lifted his eyes to gauge his reaction. He was regarding him with a rather unreadable expression.
“I had to bring my laptop in case something happens at work while I’m gone, and I do have a document to go over for a client, but I’m not planning on working more than that,” Atem told him and he did sound sincere. “Does that bother you?”
Yugi swallowed over a constrictive throat. His eyes lowered again. “Yes. I was hoping to spend our time together without work being involved. You’ve been gone for a long time and I was really looking forward to this.”
Atem reached over and lifted Yugi’s face back up by a finger to his chin. His eyes gazed into Yugi’s. “I’ve missed you very much,” Atem told him. “I’ve been looking forward to this too. I promise you. Unless it’s dire, which it shouldn’t be, I will not be working this weekend. This weekend is all about me and you. Alright?”
Yugi nodded. He believed him. Of course he did. He had no reason not to.
Atem rubbed his thumb just under Yugi’s bottom lip. “You lied to me.” He nearly sounded like he was pouting.
Yugi’s heart jumped at the implications. “I’m sorry, Sir.”
“You should be,” Atem murmured, lowering his eyes to Yugi’s mouth with interest. “Although I understand why, you know I can’t let this slide. It’s a very important rule.”
“I’ll take whatever punishment you give me, Sir.” He hadn’t been punished in so long that it was nearly a thrill to think Atem would give him one.
Atem breathed in deeply, fingers trailing down Yugi’s jawline. “Yes, you will,” he promised darkly. “I’ll let you know what it is this evening. For now, go get your snacks.”
Yugi nodded with a tiny, hopeful smile. “Do you want anything?”
Atem smiled and settled back into his chair. “No, I’m alright for now.”
Yugi left the van, catching up with his friends, and although he was nervous about his punishment and relieved about telling Atem about his feelings over working during their trip, that woman kept flashing behind his eyes repeatedly like she had for the past three weeks.
He should have said something, Yugi realized as he walked up to the checkout to pay for his snacks.
He couldn’t imagine Atem cheating on him. Not at all, but the idea of a possibility and the pictures for evidence made the worry nag at him until his stomach was in knots again.
And it continued to bother him until they reached the beach house they’d rented in Senet Shores.
That evening, they had a barbecue out on the beach and had a wonderful time talking and enjoying the atmosphere.
And when they all began to filter to bed, to Yugi’s disappointment, Atem got a call from his work again.
Yugi was left out on a chair, the twinkling stars above him, and the tide rolling in for the evening.
A sinking feeling dropped in his stomach and ate away at him.
Atem kissed the top of his head and told him to give him five minutes before they went to bed together, when Yugi was supposed to get his punishment.
But now, Yugi didn’t want to play anymore.
He was exhausted and disappointed. He desperately missed the beginning of their relationship when it had been easier to juggle a relationship, a kink dynamic, and school/work.
Now, with Atem’s business taking off, he didn’t seem to have any time for it. For Yugi.
Yugi tightly wrapped himself up with the blanket Mai had left out and stared out across the dark sea, wondering what he should do to fix the situation.
It didn’t really feel solvable. Atem’s career was important. Everything he did was important.
How could Yugi ask him to stop? It just didn’t feel right.
Yugi stayed like that far past five minutes and truthfully didn’t know how long he had been out there, but eventually, he must have dozed off in the chair. The next thing he knew, he was waking to find himself in Atem’s arms as the man carried him back into the beach house.
Yugi pretended to be asleep when Atem lay him on the bed. He didn’t want to talk to him. He didn’t want to play with him. He didn’t want to do anything except go back to sleep and escape his pain.
Atem removed his shoes and slid the blankets over him. His fingers gently brushed Yugi’s hair from his face. “I love you, sweetheart,” Atem murmured quietly, and then left to close himself up in the bathroom.
Yugi rolled to his side and stared at the shut door, listening to the shower turn on.
A stray tear slipped down his cheek and wedged itself between his jaw and pillow. “I love you too.”
When Yugi woke the next morning, Atem was still asleep. He rolled over, looking down at the peaceful serenity on his boyfriend’s face. He watched the way his lashes twitched. The way his lips parted to allow breath. The way his chest gently rose then fell under his beautiful bronze skin.
Yugi wanted to crawl onto him and never let go. To force him to never pick up his cell phone or laptop again. To focus only on him.
He also wished to tell Atem everything weighing on him, but was too worried it would upset him.
In the end, Yugi carefully removed himself out of bed to shower and get ready for the day. By the time he was finished and wearing a t-shirt and shorts, he found Atem sitting up in bed, stretching his sunkissed arms up above his head.
Yugi faltered at the beauty of him and was then momentarily pinned into place by Atem’s ever penetrative gaze.
“Good morning,” Atem said with a smile curving his lips. “You’re up early.”
Yugi smiled a little sheepishly. “I guess I slept well last night.”
“I am sure the bed was a far cry better option than the chair outside where I found you,” Atem teased with a smirk. He reached out a hand. “Come here, baby.”
Yugi tried not to rush over to him, but at this point, any chance to get Atem’s undivided attention was something he didn’t want to miss out on.
Atem tilted his head with a small frown when Yugi came to a stop beside the bed and Yugi mirrored the action, unsure what prompted it.
Then, Atem pointed to the floor.
Yugi’s heart jumped and he dropped down onto his knees, surprised at himself as well for not habitually kneeling for him. It had become second nature by this point.
Atem looked down at him, not smiling anymore. “You avaded your punishment last night,” he pointed out. Yugi pressed his lips together. “A part of me wonders if you did it on purpose.”
“I didn’t,” Yugi said instantly, but then caught himself when Atem lifted an eyebrow. “Sir.”
Atem adjusted himself on the bed to face him properly, placing his knees on either side of Yugi’s shoulders. He looked down deeply into Yugi’s eyes. “Of course not,” he said lightly. “I know you wouldn’t do that. You’re a very good boy. Despite testing my patience about kneeling and respect.”
Yugi’s heart quickened. “I’m sorry, Sir.”
“Hmmm,” Atem hummed, rubbing a thumb across Yugi’s warm, tingling cheekbone. “Tonight, after all the activities with our friends, I expect you in our bed, naked and ready for your punishment.”
“Yes, Sir,” Yugi replied, holding his gaze. Hoping it would happen for real this time. Hoping nothing would stop them from doing what they wanted to do.
“What do you say for my leniency?”
“Thank you, Sir.” He dropped his head to show respect but Atem lifted his chin.
Yugi reluctantly met his eyes once more. Atem’s brows furrowed and his lips pointedly turned downward. His gaze flickered over Yugi and observed him until Yugi began to fidget with discomfort.
Finally, Atem spoke. “Why does it sound like I’m talking to a robot?”
Yugi’s breath caught in his throat. “Y-You’re not,” he tried to defend himself, realizing he hadn’t been very convincing.
Atem sat back. “Get up here and sit next to me.”
He helped him into a standing position and Yugi slowly sat down, unable to remove his eyes from Atem, worried he’d do something wrong.
“Something’s the matter.”
Yugi shook his head out of instinct.
“You’re lying to me again. I can always tell.” Atem’s hand took Yugi’s. “What's the matter, sweetheart?”
Yugi’s blood rushed through his ears. His entire body grew hot with humiliation. He should have realized Atem would pick up on his lack of enthusiasm.
He just didn’t know what to say. Or how to say it. Or—
Knock, knock! “You guys awake? We’re all going down to the cafe for breakfast,” came Katsuya’s voice through the door.
Yugi jerked away and his hand broke from Atem’s without thinking. He caught Atem’s hurt expression before he stood.
“Yeah! Sounds good!”
“Cool! We’re leaving in ten,” Katsuya replied.
“Okay!”
Yugi turned to see Atem standing, still frowning. Still obviously upset with the situation.
“I, uh, I’ll let you get ready,” Yugi suggested, trying to escape for the time being, and then left the room in a hurry before Atem could say anything else.
They were relatively silent with each other on the short walk and Yugi tried to overcompensate by talking to Ryou about their plans for the day, all while feeling Atem’s eyes on his back.
Malik thankfully stole his attention to prevent him from trying anything at the present time.
But when Yugi pulled open the cafe door, that seemed to be the final straw. Atem’s hand wrapped around Yugi’s wrist in a tight grip, preventing him from moving.
Yugi whirled his head around to find Atem very close to his face. His eyes narrowed. His lips pursed.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Atem asked him, warning in his deep tone.
Yugi’s eyes frantically moved to their friends who had already entered and were finding tables for them all.
“Going in the cafe?” Yugi asked, confused and his heart quickly beating in his chest.
A semi permanent furrow to Atem’s brows pulled at his forehead. “Have I left you alone for so long that you have forgotten to ask permission to do such a thing for yourself?”
Yugi blinked, unsure what he meant by that, until it suddenly flooded his nervous system and his back straightened. “I didn’t know I needed to ask for permission anymore.”
Atem’s face changed dramatically and he finally let go of Yugi’s wrist. “Since when have you not needed to ask for permission? You know there’s a rule for me to open doors for you.”
Admittedly, Yugi had forgotten. He’d spent so much time opening his own doors that it hadn’t even dawned on him.
“The rule stopped applying when you forgot to enforce it.”
Atem’s brows raised so high, they disappeared behind his golden bangs. “Forgot to—”
“Hey, you two love birds coming?” Katsuya asked with a smirk, not realizing what he’d interrupted.
Yugi spun away from Atem as fast as he could. “Yes! We’re coming—”
Atem grabbed his wrist again, stopping him from fleeing and Yugi practically flew out of his skin with nerves. “No, we aren’t. You all go ahead and eat without us.”
That was when Katsuya got suspicious. He looked between them with a confused frown. “Uh… is everything okay?”
Yugi swallowed over a lump in his throat and wasn’t sure what to say. His mouth opened, but Atem answered for him again.
“Everything is fine,” Atem reassured him with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. His grip adjusted on Yugi’s wrist. “We will catch up with you all later.”
Before Katsuya could say anything more, Atem tugged Yugi away and made a beeline down the sidewalks toward the beach.
Yugi’s toes sank into the warm sand over his sandals. When they were seemingly far enough away to be overheard or interrupted, Atem stopped and turned Yugi to face him by the shoulders.
“No more running away, sweetheart. You’re going to tell me what is the matter or we will stand here all day until you do.”
The heavy chain around Yugi’s neck felt like it held more weight than usual when Atem looked at him like that.
Yugi lowered his gaze, his stomach twisting and his mind swirling with a million different things to say but nothing sticking enough to say them aloud.
“This isn’t like you,” Atem said, voice gentling. “I’ve tried to be understanding and patient, baby, but you’ve been distant from me the entire time I was gone and now this.” He squeezed Yugi’s hand. “Please, just talk to me.”
The fact that Atem noticed Yugi pulling away for so long made Yugi wonder why the man had not said anything sooner. Had he really wanted Yugi to come to him first?
“I don’t feel close to you,” Yugi finally mumbled, without looking up at him.
“I have noticed,” Atem murmured, rubbing his thumb across the back of Yugi’s hand. “Is it because I’ve been traveling a lot recently?”
Yugi’s nose burned from unshed tears as he thought of that woman. “Mhm.”
Atem sighed and released Yugi’s hand to press his palm to Yugi’s cheek, to lift his face up to find his eyes. “I know this is difficult for us, but you know that I try to make as much time for us as possible. I give you chores and reward you when I can. I talk to you until you fall asleep.”
“You did that once,” Yugi said, untangling himself from Atem’s hold, surprising Atem. Yugi averted his eyes. “You’re always working. Even when you’re with me. You’re just always busy. Too busy for me and… and us.”
Atem was silent for a second, eyes heavily on Yugi who refused to look up at him. “This is how you’ve been feeling?”
“Yes,” Yugi mumbled. “Because it’s true. Even last night. We were supposed to… my punishment was supposed to happen, but then you had to talk on the phone. And it was probably that woman that you always hang out with when you’re away from me and—”
“Woman?” Atem asked, baffled. “You mean Mana?”
Yugi shrugged a shoulder. He didn’t know what her name was. He didn’t really care, honestly.
“Mana is my new assistant,” Atem explained. “Didn’t I tell you that?”
“No,” Yugi said, gaze firing at Atem. “You didn’t. You told me you got a new assistant but you didn’t tell me it was a woman who you’d spend so much time with. You go on more dates with her than you do with me when you’re here.”
“Yugi, I don’t go on dates with her. Those are business outings with clients.”
“Then why are there so many pictures of you together? And you’re happy with her! Happier than when you’re with me and—” he broke off as a sob broke through and he turned away from Atem, wiping at his cheeks furiously, angrily.
“That’s absolutely not true,” Atem countered. His hand touched Yugi’s shoulder, but Yugi couldn’t take it. He shrugged him off. “Yugi. Baby, you know I don’t want anyone else but you. You are the only one who has ever made me happy. You know this.”
Yugi sniffled loudly. “No, I don’t know that. Not anymore.”
“Yugi, look at me.”
“No,” he said stubbornly.
Atem huffed. “Yugi. Don’t make me turn you around.”
Yugi crossed his arms over his chest, over his heart.
“How do I prove it to you that I only want you?” Atem asked. “Because I only want you. That chain around your neck is proof of my feelings for you. My entire life is built around you. It always has been. Honest, sweetheart, I never intended to make you feel this way.”
Yugi’s heart hurt and he turned around, finding Atem’s pained eyes. He’d never seen him like that before. Like he was scared to lose Yugi.
He couldn’t have that.
Yugi pressed his lips together, trying to think properly. On how to fix it. How to get them back on the right track.
“No more work this weekend,” he eventually decided. “And when you’re home with me, can you not answer phones or emails after a certain time? Or during our dates? Or our… us time? And… and…” his cheeks warmed as he thought of what he was about to say.
“And?” Atem prompted.
“And…” he stepped closer to Atem, his competitive heart calling out to the man before him. “You’ll have to play a game with me.”
“A game?” Atem asked, breath swirling across Yugi’s cheeks. He straightened his shoulders. “Alright, I can do that. What are the rules?”
Yugi couldn’t help but smile with relief in response. “You’ll have to figure them out as you go.”
Atem’s mouth lifted and he stepped closer to Yugi, intending to close the gap between them, but Yugi stepped back.
Atem paused, eyes narrowing slightly with suspicion and tried to advance once more.
Yugi moved back again, smile growing into a smirk.
“I see,” Atem said, eyes changing into a look of predatory amusement. Their dance continued, until Yugi’s back hit the stone wall of the outside bathrooms.
Before Yugi could escape, Atem’s hands slammed down on either side of him, locking him in.
“It appears I’ve already won,” he said, mahogany eyes glittering. “What is my reward? Hmm?”
Yugi’s heart pounded in his chest, eyes widening as Atem’s face got closer and closer to him. It dawned on Yugi that they had yet to kiss each other since Atem had returned.
Right as Atem’s lips may have pressed against Yugi’s, he ducked out from underneath Atem’s arms and made a dash for the sidewalk.
“You’ll have to try harder than that,” Yugi told him with a breathless laugh as he ran away from him, turning to walk backward with a playful gait.
Atem stuck his hands on his hips and stared at him as he followed. “Bratty Yugi is making me work for his forgiveness, hm? I suppose I deserve that.”
Yugi grinned wider and shrugged. “Maybe. Do you think you can handle it? Or is the game too tough for you.”
Atem gave him a look like Yugi was cute for thinking he couldn’t. “They didn’t call me the King of Games for nothing.”
“That’s funny, because if I remember right, I am the current holder of that title and have been for nearly a year. Thank you for that, by the way.”
Atem’s eyes flashed as he got closer, almost within arm’s distance. “You’re playing dirty again, I see.”
Yugi’s heart pounded in his chest. “I’ve told you before. I never play dirty.”
“We both know that’s a lie,” Atem countered with a smirk. “Go ahead, keep tacking on to your eventual punishment.”
“Oh, come on,” Yugi laughed, inching backward again. “Catching me isn’t that hard. You’ve done it before.”
“Oh, I’ll show you hard,” Atem threatened halfheartedly, slipping his shades on from the top of his head as he continued to approach him, concealing his eyes. “Have your fun now sweetheart, because when I catch you, you’re going to regret it.”
Yugi raised his eyebrows. “Please do.”
Atem’s nostrils flared and Yugi knew that was his cue. He spun around and made a run for the cafe, grinning and feeling more free than he had in a long while.
Game start.