diatu | closed to atem & kaiba.

[Awkward is putting it mildly- but Atem blames himself for it being so. He should have been able to put his own feelings aside for their benefit, and truthfully he was trying but the sudden nature of it was making it difficult. The last thing he wanted to do was discourage them from feeling they could talk to him about anything. At least one word helped to draw him out of seeking solace in silence]

Domino? [Domino had been the furthest place from his mind. Even if he had decided to stay at Diatu it was due in part to his desire to help the other sundered. Yes, he was falling into old habits swiftly, thinking of others over himself. After their last meeting he'd gotten the impression that though Yugi and Kaiba were not thrilled with the outcome they were more prepared to move on- but what was being proposed was the exact opposite. It would be like having a normal life- something he had never truly experienced, and one in which he wasn't sure he would adapt well to.] You've both put considerable thought into this. [For his benefit. Oh- that does make him feel guiltier for having any qualms about their relationship]

I hadn't really considered trying to use this opportunity for something as ambitious as- [He trailed off as he heard Yugi cut in asking him not to go. There was such a strong level of emotion to it, that everything else melted away in that instance.] Yugi..... [Said softly and with a measure of compassion in it. He'd put the young duelist through so much already, that he wouldn't make this worse by flatly rejecting the notion. It might be possible to return to Domino..... as a separate person, alive and well. It wasn't unappealing but it would mean that his family and friends in his own time... would be left waiting for him to return again. He truly felt torn between the two time periods and likely always would.]

[When the tears start, Atem is alarmed by them, his first instinct is to reach out to cup both of Yugi's shoulders but he refrains, hesitating and looking to Kaiba. Then trying to dispel his own unusual behavior, he proceeded to place a hand on one..... of Yugi's shoulders, the one furthest from the new boyfriend.] Yugi, it's alright. Please don't be upset, there's nothing threatening either one of us right this minute. [The outward show of emotion was hard for him to watch, who knows how long Yugi had been bottling up these feelings.]

[ There's so much they still have to negotiate between them, but that can wait. His heart clenches at the sight of Yugi's distress, and then Atem's hesitation...no. Something breaks inside him as he watches. This won't do at all. ]

He needs you, Atem. Don't hesitate on my behalf.

[ With that, Kaiba rather awkwardly pushes Atem toward Yugi, and...he didn't entirely think this through, so somehow he ends up with his arms wrapped protectively around both of them.

Welp. This happened. ]

[ he expected this to take a few twists and turns, but he didn't think he'd lead them straight into a dead end. the guilt sets in and he feels even worse. he might have been nervous about sharing his feelings, but this was supposed to be a happy occasion. he feels himself crumble further when he realizes he might have put atem on the spot. not to mention he's probably making kaiba feel pretty third wheel-y. his head drops until his chin hits his chest and a couple more tears drop from his eyes. ] I'm not the only one that needs Atem. We all do. You left such a big impact on all of us and... no one wanted to see you go...

[ yugi's voice wavers the entire time, but he manages to get it all out. when kaiba forces atem closer he doesn't hesitate to wrap his arms and bury his face against atem, kaiba coming up from behind to secure them both in place. yugi eventually turns, keeping one arm around atem as he moves the other around kaiba. thank you, kaiba, he needed this. it might not help solve any problems, but it certainly makes him feel a bit better. ]

[ eventually he nudges the two of them back and cleans the tear stains from his face. ] I... I'm sorry. [ he let his emotions get the better of him. ] W- Whatever you decide, Atem, we'll support you in any way that we can, because we all share a very important and very special bond... and there's no shaking it! [ he needs to get them back on track. ] And it seems like we're all looking into the magic used to bring us here, so it's really only a matter of time before we find something out. But, uhm, w- why don't we take this into the restaurant, so we can get a bite to eat and, ah, talk... some more...

[There really was nothing that Yugi needed to feel sorry for. It's not as if the pair of them could put off announcing their relationship at some point, or their other ideas since they were directly related to Atem himself. The shock would have been great no matter the method of delivery. So many uncertainties were swiftly clearing up as the pieces fell more into place. All the secrecy, and the feelings of exclusion were for legitimate reasons. This new relationship was something they had to explore for themselves before sharing it with anyone else, and the research on sundering could have been met with stiff opposition. That is precisely why Atem had been left out of several discussions since their mutual arrival.]

[He felt ... well selfish for taking some consolation from their words. Didn't everyone want to be needed to some degree...? .. But... still- his life shouldn't have interfered with theirs to start with.] I... know, it was sudden too. My departure. It really didn't give anyone time to truly prepare for it. [You're not the only one that needs someone in their life Yugi. He held back the words he should have shared]

[Then he found himself pushed toward Yugi and trapped in a collective embrace. It prompted him to return the hug to his other self, rubbing one hand briefly in a comforting arc along his back. He doesn't try to pull away until Yugi gives them an indication that it's ok to do so. They're both so close though...]

Yugi, you don't have to apologize, you never have to apologize for anything. [Emotions had a way of creeping up on you, and when they did they didn't care if it was convenient or if it put you on the spot] Thank you Yugi, and you as well Kaiba. I - I didn't know you were working on something like this in the background. I'll give it a considerable amount of thought. [That's something he can promise] ....................... [Who is still hungry? Really? Cough. Well....] It would be nice to sit down. [.. and digest all this.]

[ Good. They're back to being mushy again. All is well, and Kaiba wants to th---no. Those days are behind him now. He's swept up in this moment too, holding on to them and wishing they could stay together.

He awkwardly disentangles from them and coughs. ]

I'll pay this time. There's a gaming association a little further into town---more of a war simulation game, and I've been working my way through the ranks. The tournament winnings are decent.

And I find that good food and a good drink can really put things into perspective.

I... I know. [ he grabs a hold of his jacket and wrings the material in hand. ] No on had time to prepared. [ least of all him and atem. the hug comes at the perfect time and yugi doesn't dare move for a couple of minutes. he enjoys being close to two of the most important people in his life. eventually though, all good things must come to an end, and he's giving them all some space. ]

H- Heh. [ he's not so sure about that, but the sentiment is appreciated all the same. ] Of course. We're all in this together, Atem. [ and perhaps even if atem decided not to join them back in domino as a permanent resident they could find a way to open a gateway between their worlds, so they could visit each other at their leisure. ]

What? Seriously! How long have you been holding out on us, Kaiba! [ NOT FAIR. ] I hope you got enough of a head start, Kaiba, because we're coming for you. [ yugi wasn't really all that hungry, himself, but he could use a drink. ] I need to finish ironing out the rules of my game too, so you can both create your own piece.

No, we didn't.. [Atem agreed with Yugi somberly, letting the other get everything out. Kaiba hadn't even had the benefit of an invite to their final duel. So there the three of them stood in the middle the street in a world of their own all linked together by the gesture.]

[The duration of the hug doesn't go unappreciated, Kaiba. So no light cough can really distance you enough from what just occurred. Also, you don't have to be sure of that Yugi because Atem is sure enough for the both of you. Oodly, he's finding himself feeling a little more at ease after the show of affection too.] Mm, together. [Providing that wouldn't destabilize either world... it could be an option. Imagine making regular trips between the afterlife and Modern Japan.]

Did... you say gaming association? [Quirking an eyebrow at that and looking up at the taller duelist.] For how long? I never saw you the- [Then he issued a cough of his own. Guess Kaiba wasn't the only one holding out on them.] Long enough to participate in the tournaments. [Guess now was as good a time as any to admit this] I thought I might share the location with each of you but I only just recently found it myself. [The topic was enough to help a transition more towards normalcy]

Mm. You do Yugi, but we can help. [Making a move to draw nearer to the restaurant]

Edited 2019-04-09 04:52 (UTC)

[ Shh. He's carrying the secret that he's turned into a dweeb to his grave and none of you will ruin it for him. He does his best to look strong, but he slips closer to Yugi and gently squeezes his arm when given half a chance...and after a moment he squeezes Atem's too. ]

Since we arrived, but...ah. You two distracted me in other ways and I never got around to mentioning it.

[ Kaiba shares a guilty look with Atem and shakes his head as they enter. He could really go for a stiff drink right now, and promptly orders one. ]

You'll find a way to crush me at the last second in the first match we play against each other regardless. So you have that to look forward to.

... [ his cheeks puff up and he puts his hands on his hips as he stares the both of them down. ] Are the two of you kidding me right now! [ huff huff huff. ] How could you hold out on me about something like this! [ a game! his hands move to cross over his chest as he looks away from the both of them and simply enters the restaurant. ] Tournaments too? Really Kaiba? [ he forgives atem just a bit more, but only because he'd supposedly just discovered it. ] ... [ he's silent for the next couple of minutes, taking his seat at the table and staring down the menu, because he's resigned himself to being slightly annoyed. at least they've moved past the initial awkward feelings! ] A likely story. [ his eyes flicker to kaiba briefly. ]

[That might be difficult to pull off, Kaiba- as time progresses. Your secret might get out. The additional touch is as amusing as it is comforting. It's alright now. A lot of this still seems incredible and sudden but for now, it's alright.]

[Yugi's reaction to the war games association draws a smile to Atem's lips and he covers his mouth to stifle a chuckle. It couldn't be helped, Yugi just looked so put out to be the last one to know.] No, I'm afraid not, Yugi. [It was as Kaiba said- there had been a lot of distractions going on what with Fantastic Foils, and all the strange occurrences between here and then] Three months is a little excessive.... [ Tipping his chin downward and pointing that comment to Kaiba, because if he thought he could slip by without any commentary he was mistaken]

[Following Yugi inside, he took a seat at the table still smiling a bit at the unusual coincidence. Maybe it wasn't all that unusual given both his and Kaiba's backgrounds. They just happened to have a connection to games and were both lured towards them] Come now Kaiba, don't be so pessimistic. I'm sure there's much about this game that you could fill us in on.

[ Kaiba is left floundering, his mouth a thin line as he picks up his menu. He mis-stepped big time here...even if he'd never become attracted to Yugi, or come to care so deeply about Atem,, it would still be wrong to leave him out of a group so relevant to their skills. Some small part of him is still a hoarder, still selfish...and whatever the reason, he has to make it right.

He takes a few moments to think through his response before he begins, fingers folded and head lowered. ]

It is long. I should have told you and let us challenge the group together, as you did with the foils.

And I'm not being a pessimist, Atem, just learning from precedent. I'll tell you everything before we enter. It's a tight-knit group and difficult to earn their trust, but...

Some of the elder members have finally begun to warm up to me. If I endorse the two of you as my only worthy rivals, you'll easily attract sponsors. You'll be completely ready to dominate by the first game.

And I'll find another way to make it up to you.

[ He takes a drink and wills his emotions back down. Ugh. This is one he doesn't like. ]

I can't believe I'm the last to know. [ he looks aside, his shoulders slumping, because he's torn between being upset and annoyed. eventually annoyed wins, so he quietly stews as they make their way into the restaurant. ] It's like an eternity! [ he makes a noise when kaiba tries to placate the situation. ]

Well maybe I don't want to know now. [ he does. he really does. he's just being difficult. ] I wonder if anybody at the shop knows anything about your war game. [ he'll have to ask. ]

Will you? [ he sideeyes kaiba. ] It's going to be pretty hard to make it up to the both of us. You sure you're ready to pay the piper? [ he orders himself a stiff drink, because he's still pretty tightly wound from early. he takes a sip, crinkling his nose, because wow... but the shock wears off pretty quickly and he's able to take a sip here and there. ] My price is pretty steep.

[Wasn't Atem the one lamenting being the last to know something earlier? Cough. In hindsight, he was glad that he'd kept his unease primarily to himself, though body language likely betrayed him a few times. Oh- and there was that one line to Yugi about keeping secrets that was meant to be in jest but it wouldn't have been difficult to read between the lines. This shared sentiment went a long way towards smoothing everything over from before, as did their discussion.] Come on, Yugi- can't you cut Kaiba some slack this time? Given the circumstances surely. [Deciding to back off of the brunette in regards to the war games. It was obvious that the slight hadn't been intended by his mannerisms and it's not as if he had to tell them everything]

If the group is as cloistered as you say Kaiba, it might have been for the best that you made their acquaintance first. If we had all expressed an interest in it at the same time we could have been barred from participating from the start.

[Atem orders a drink himself that likely would have given Yugi pause- but he personally seems to have no problem with it.] To make it up to us? [There's seems to be no end to the surprises today. He was about to say that it wouldn't be necessary, just relieved that everything has more or less calmed down from earlier when Yugi pipes up. Oh- he's playing a game of his own is he?]

[ Kaiba appreciates your attempts to help him, Atem, but Yugi's right. Friends shouldn't keep these things from one another. ]

While that's smart thinking, I still should have trusted you with that information. That's what...I believe the phrase is 'that's what friends do'?

[ He sighs and nods. Even if this price is surely harder to pay than the usual. ]

Name it.

[ he does feel a bit bad for going to hard on kaiba, so he'll nudge him under the table in an attempt to relay that he's kind of sort of kidding. not completely, but he does need to cool his jets. ] It's... alright. You needed to make nice with them. Now we have an in. [ he gives kaiba a small smile and then looks to the drink atem ordered, curious. ]

I need to think on it. [ but now seems like the perfect time to move on again. ] -oh! I just got a job at Prismatic Hobbycrafts, so if you guys ever need anything let me know. I get a discount~

Well, yes... that is the phrase. [Sounding a little dubious as to the rest of it. This wasn't the sort of secret that did any real harm to anyone. Catching the look Yugi gives his drink, he'll quietly offer it to him to try it. Be forewarned that it's pretty strong in itself.]

Congratulations Yugi. [Everyone was out there making connections, and getting new jobs. It's like they were really settling in to this new world] Have you already made it through orientation and gotten used to the routine?

How are you enjoying it?

Edited 2019-04-11 03:55 (UTC)

[ Kaiba silently nudges Yugi back. He still feels guilty, but he seems to understand that this isn't a relationship-ending disaster. So that's a relief.

He looks on with mild interest. It's perhaps a little different from selling games, but well in Yugi's wheelhouse. ]

I'll have to visit soon.

[ no, of course not, it's going to take a lot more than one little secret to break their bond. ]

I did, and it's not so bad. When it's not busy I can even study, so it's not like I'm really missing out. I can't wait until we start hosting tournaments. I expect the both of you to be there, making a clean sweep of the competition. [ he covers a laugh. ] But, yeah, I am... [ he takes atem's drink and gives it a sip, which, again, prompts him to crinkle his nose. it's stronger than his, which is surprising, because his own was already strong! slides it back over, giving his other self a smile. ] It reminds me of home...

But, yeah, please do!

[It's not difficult to tell that Kaiba was considerably worried that his omission would have had more repercussions to it. He should know Yugi better than that by now but it was proof positive that Kaiba was serious about his intentions toward the shorter duelist and sincerely wanted to make it work. Well- maybe Atem could forgo the speech he'd been saving for later about "if you do anything to hurt Yugi..."... cough. No, it wouldn't be necessary]

We'll have to see about that, won't we Kaiba? [Looking towards him with a smile]

[He had a feeling the drink wouldn't be to Yugi's liking, but alcohol wasn't exactly something foreign to the pharaoh. Sometimes it was safer than trusting the water supply] Mm, I'm glad it's working out for you Yugi. [If only he had some new venture to share he would have inserted it into the conversation now]

Oh, we will. And I'll see you there very soon.

[ Maybe he should have pursued traditional employment, but...he likes his way better. He hides a smile at Yugi's reaction to the alcohol, but he can't resist commenting. ]

Be careful with giving Yugi drinks. He gets...well...let's just say that's part of how he lowered my walls in the first place.

[ yugi had said that working there reminded him of home, and while that was most definitely true there was another reason he'd looked into employment there... so he could feed his addiction. not to mention being surrounded by new games could help spur his own creative juices! ]

K- Kaiba! [ he's going to bristle and give him a nudge from under the table. ] I can hold my liquor! [ no he can't. he's small and gets drunk easily. ] M- Maybe we should be careful what we give you.

Really? [The tone of Atem's voice indicated that he found the warning intriguing. Then he looked aside and tried to discretely nudge his drink back over to Yugi in jest.]

I'm sure you can Yugi... in one hand, until you start to get tipsy then you need both. [Knowing full well that wasn't what Yugi had meant by the assertion.]

From a bystander's casual observation I think it's more fair to assume I should keep an eye on both of you when alcohol is introduced.

[ How rude! Kaiba huffs. He resembles that remark. He's...a little bolder when tipsy. Not that he wasn't already, but there's an added element of emotional honesty. ]

What? We're the poor defenseless humans who don't get to see their pharaoh cut loose?

[ There's laughter in his eyes. He's swaying slightly to the music floating through. ]

... [ he's not backing down from a challenge. ] I can so hold it... in both hands. [ ha ha ha atem. he takes the pharaoh's drink and, taking a deep breath to brace himself, throws his head back to guzzle it all down. it stings, and he has to keep himself in check, otherwise he might choke on it, but he's got this. he slams the glass down and gives atem a cocky grin. ] See. [ and to further punctuate his point he'll finish his own drink. #regret. ]

[ yugi's shrill with laughter as the waitress comes over to give atem a new drink, since SOMEONE drank his x: and she looks between the two drunk people and gives him a sympathetic look. ]

Let's see you drink up, Atem, cheers! [ raises his empty glass. ]

[Don't be offended Kaiba, just drink up. Let's see more of this emotional honesty.]

Are we making this into a drinking game...? [Quirking an eyebrow at Kaiba's statement, because if they were...... ~~you two can prepare to lose~~. Then he looks to Yugi and smiles a little surprised when he does drink the whole thing with his own glass on top of it.
What has he started?]

Thank you. [ Atem voices to the waitress, as she brings him a fresh drink. He catches the look but he thinks he has this under control so her concern isn't necessary.] We've never had the opportunity to go out drinking before, have we? [With that, Atem raises his glass and proves that he can polish off a glass himself, though Yugi is one drink ahead of him. Kaiba had offered to pay for this outing but that was before it had escalated, perhaps they should be a little more conservative- since.. admittedly Atem was the only one sans a money making venture]

[ Kaiba downs his own glass with a spark in his eye. Now this is more like it. ]

We should've done this a long time ago. Maybe I wouldn't have wasted so much time fighting.

If it's a game, then it's a game I'm going to win. [ he flails an arm to call the waitress over, but she's already on her way to refresh their drinks. yugi's smirk is lopsided, but still as challenging as ever. ] Friends can still fight. Not every fight has to be a fight. [ it made more sense in his head, anyway, he's going to carefully nurse his newest drink until it's empty. ]

Perhaps. [Atem allowed as far as Kaiba's response went even though he doubted that Kaiba would have let alcohol impede his sense in the past]

I would like to see you try, Yugi- but if it gets to be too much there is no shame in quitting. [Shaking his head at how animated Yugi had become.] That's true as well. Even close friends won't always agree on everything. Disagreements are bound to arise.. but yes they don't have to be detrimental to the relationship on a whole.

[He starts losing counts of the drinks as they continue to partake]

Edited 2019-04-23 21:36 (UTC)

Heh.

[ Kaiba tosses down another drink, regarding them with a solemn expression. ]

Your main disagreement with me back then was whether friendship was valuable at all or a waste of time. I still won't socialize frivolously, but...

We all have our beliefs that we'll stick to. And others that you've managed to turn me around on. But...Yugi, Atem, your words have always carried weight with me, and always will.

[ he's dead set on winning so he's not going to stop. ]

Of course. No one's asking anyone to change. Not, like, crazily. But opening your arms and your heart to friends isn't the weakness you thought it was. It's a strength, and I'm glad you're starting to see that.

closed to atem & kaiba.

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