7Chapter 13: A Whole New Life
When Yugi came too, he found himself dimly aware of a dull pain in his legs, along with a sore and achy body. He wasn't too sure where he was, but knew that it definitely wasn't the Afterlife, the aches and pains he felt were proof of that. Knowing he wouldn't know where he was until he opened his eyes, Yugi willed his muscles to open the skin covering his sight. The only light in the room was from several torches mounted on the wall, each casting a shadow from whatever blocked the path of the light, letting Yugi know it was night. Yugi blinked as everything became clearer. He was in a large room, and based on the pattern in the stone walls, he was still in the palace… somewhere.
Turning his head to the right, Yugi saw Joey sprawled out on a nearby bed, his fingers and feet wrapped in some bandages, but sleeping soundly. The High Priest Seth was leaning against a pillar nearby, but judging by his drooped head and even breathing, the man had probably fallen asleep standing up. In a bed on the other side of Joey was a young man Yugi had never seen before. In fact, all that he could see was that he had shoulder length dark brown hair, and Selene was sleeping in a chair next the bed, but was leaned over so her head was on his chest.
Turning his head to the left, Yugi saw his father on another bed, (he could still hardly believe that his father was alive!), as well as Critias and Hermos resting on pair of beds that had been shoved together. When Yugi blinked, he found a pair of crimson eyes looking at him. Relief flooded Atem's face as Yugi focused on him, and the young man could only guess at what caused the worry.
"Atem." Yugi whispered.
And then Yugi coughed harshly as he realized how dry his throat was. Before he could say another word, he was gently propped up, a cup was at his lips, and water was poured into his mouth. Yugi drank the clear liquid happily and clutched the prince for support. He heard other voices speaking before the cup was taken away and he was lain back down.
Yugi felt himself trembling, and found that the effort to drink even a cup of water had drained him. His eyes began to droop again, and Yugi forced himself to stay awake and focus on Atem before another cup was pressed to his lips. This time the contents tasted awful. Yugi scrunched up his face and turned his head away. He heard some chuckles, groans, and some more talking.
"Yugi, please drink the medicine." Atem whispered. "It will help you get better."
Yugi wearily focused on the prince again, but nodded once. The cup with the awful taste was back, and this time he downed it without complaint, and by that, he meant that he didn't spit it out over the other side of the bed once the cup was taken away. But that didn't mean he couldn't make a sour face at the taste. Another cup was placed at his lips, and Yugi gave Atem a weak glare.
"It's just water." Atem promised.
Yugi relaxed and drank the water down, finding it hard to stay awake. A hand was running its way through his hair, and Yugi knew it was Atem. Was the prince trying to get him back asleep? Because whatever he was doing was certainly working. Yugi's eyes slid shut, and he fell asleep once more.
-0-0-0-0-0-
The next time Yugi opened his eyes, it was during the day. There was no pain in his legs, or anywhere in his body. Yugi looked around, concerned that he had woken up in the Afterlife. Ah nope, there was Joey, arguing with Seth while Atem looked ready to smack them upside their heads. Yugi swallowed what saliva was in his mouth, not wanting to repeat what he had experienced the last time he had woken up, but still ended up coughing. When Yugi recovered from the coughing and opened his eyes again, Atem was at his bedside with Joey close behind him.
"Hey pal." Joey grinned. "Nice to see you awake again."
"Joey." Yugi whispered with a smile.
And coughed again. Atem helped him sit up and pressed a cup of water to his lips. Yugi drank down the offered liquid, and sighed as the coolness ran down his parched throat. Sighing, Yugi glanced around to see that the dark brown haired young man and Selene were gone, as well as his and Joey's parents, and no one else was in the room.
"What happened?" Yugi asked as he looked back towards Atem. "The last things I remember are Dartz's lamp getting sent to the Cave of Wonders, and some awful tasting medicine."
"After you fainted, Isis brought you, and everyone else, to the healing chambers to be examined." Atem explained. "You had broken your upper right leg and lower left one, as well as something called 'frostbite' on your fingers and toes. Isis said it came from the cold area Dartz sent you and Joey to."
"I had some frostbite as well, but High Priestess Isis took care of it." Joey added in as he showed Yugi his fingers and toes, five digits on each appendage.
"You've been unconscious for the majority of the last 5 days." Atem admitted. "Isis had to work hard to keep you with us. The cold and your fight with Dartz had nearly killed you."
"And I used the lamp to make some wishes." Joey turned the topic of the conversation. "My first wish was for a big banquet for everyone in the city, rich and poor, because after craziness like that, you just know that no one had thought about making dinner. The second wish was to heal anyone who had been injured by Dartz in the last year, be it aftereffects from the Orichalcos, like headaches or memory loss, to broken bones, like you. And the third wish was that as long as you had a wish remaining, Akefia would not be able to grant the wish of anyone, or anything, else."
Yugi nodded his head, thankful for Joey's cleverness in the situation. He was actually very smart, despite playing dumb most of the time. And Yugi also understood what Joey hadn't said. The blond shifter had purposely not freed Akefia and Ryou because he wanted Yugi to keep his promise to the genie. Speaking of which…
"Where is Akefia?" Yugi asked as he moved his legs over the edge of the bed.
"Right here." Akefia said.
Yugi looked up, feeling surprised, and yet not at all surprised, to see the man was lying on Ryou up by the ceiling. Why hadn't he looked up towards the ceiling more closely when he had first woken up? Shaking his head to get rid of any lingering fuzzy feelings, Yugi got to his feet, and was grateful that Atem was there to keep him standing. Ryou lowered down to the floor, and Akefia hopped off. Taking a deep breath, Yugi looked Akefia in the eyes.
"I'm sorry." Yugi whispered.
But then his throat constricted as Yugi forced himself to keep the sudden flow of tears back. The whole kingdom had almost been destroyed because he had a selfish desire to remain at his new station in life, at the cost of keeping two other people prisoners for eternity. And it had almost destroyed them all. The tears flowed over, and Yugi pressed his hands to his eyes to try and stem the stream of wetness, his shoulders shaking.
"Aye, Pipsqueak, stop crying." Akefia sounded really uncomfortable. "I'm no good with the mushy stuff."
That comment quickly earned him a smack upside the head from Ryou. Akefia rubbed his head, and sighed before he pulled the younger male close to hug him. That was enough to startle Yugi out of crying, mostly. Akefia was definitely not the most affectionate person in the world, so this probably a once in a lifetime deal.
"I'm sorry." Yugi mumbled again.
"We both said things we regretted." Akefia admitted. "You needed to know everything was going to be okay, and I was a bit too pushy and selfish with what I wanted… I'm sorry."
"I forgive you." Yugi managed to say without stuttering in shock that the Thief King had apologized.
"And Ryou and I forgive you." Akefia confirmed.
The genie gave Yugi a squeeze before he let the teenager go, and stepped back. Atem came forward and wrapped his arms around Yugi, who returned the hug before pulling away and looking around. Atem was shocked at first, but quickly guessed who Yugi was looking for.
"Timaeus, Critias, and Hermos went to help Mahad, who is once again the Head of Security." Atem explained. "The guards were left in shambles once Dartz's hypnotism was gone, and they've been helping him reevaluate everyone. They should be back pretty soon."
Yugi nodded, his mind half focused on Atem's word. The other half of his mind was on the fact that he still had a promise to keep to Akefia and Ryou. And another smaller part, that was growing larger by the second, was worried that he would be banished from Egypt, (or outright killed!), for his lies and the danger he had put everyone in.
"I guess… Joey and I should go for now." Yugi whispered sadly. "Neither of us life-threatening injuries, so there's reason to stay here anymore."
"You haven't been ordered to leave!" Atem protested.
"Has Pharaoh Aknamkanon said we could stay?" Yugi asked sadly.
"No." Atem admitted. "But he hasn't ordered that you are to immediately go either."
"Can I take that risk?" Yugi questioned quietly.
"Oh, Ra curse that stupid law." Atem growled and pulled Yugi back into his arms again. "This isn't fair. I love you, whether you're a Prince or not."
Akefia sighed and glanced over at Ryou. The carpet nodded, knowing what the genie was thinking. It meant that they would have to wait for their freedom, but it would be bearable as long as they were together. Tapping Yugi on his shoulder, Akefia waited until the teen looked at him, Atem's arms dropping to his sides, and placed the lamp in his hands.
"It's not a problem, Midget." Akefia said gruffly, doing his best to hide how he really felt. "You've still got one wish to use. Just say the magic words, and everyone will forget what happened when Dartz had control of my lamp."
Yugi was outright shocked. After everything that had just happened, he had figured that Akefia would be demanding that he kept the promise he had made back at the oasis before his first wish. What had made Akefia change his mind? And was Ryou okay with this?
"Akefia, what about your freedom?" Yugi asked after he found his tongue again. "And Ryou's?"
"Hey, it's only an eternity of servitude." Akefia replied, but his face grew sour as he said the words before the look softened and he pushed the boy back into the prince's arms. "This is love. Shrimp, you are never, and I mean never, going to be able to find another guy, or girl, like Atem, in a million years. Believe me, I know, I've looked. I've had the time to look."
Yugi looked down at the brass lamp in his hands. Akefia was right, he could make everyone forget his lies, what Dartz had done… but that would just be another lie, and he had no idea how to explain his father and Joey's parents if he did go that route. And a broken promise could never be mended again. He had already not kept his word to the enslaved genie once and just look at the mess that had caused. Besides, he was certain that he wouldn't be able to live with himself if he did make that wish. Looking back up to Atem, Yugi made his decision.
"Atem, I do love you… but I have to stop pretending to be something I'm not." Yugi whispered. "I have to stop lying."
"I understand." Atem whispered sadly.
The two looked into each other's eyes, as if wanting to memorize how the other looked. Yugi took a deep breath and pulled away. He knew that he was doing the right thing, but it was at the, (highly probable), price of never being able to see Atem again, and that made it feel like his heart was being ripped out of his chest and trampled on by a caravan of 100,000 camels.
"Akefia, I wish the freedom of yourself and Ryou." Yugi said quickly, before he changed his mind and said something stupid instead.
"One mind-wipe coming up." Akefia sighed as he worked up his magic, as if he hadn't heard a word Yugi had said, and then paused. "Wait, what?"
"Akefia, Ryou… you're free!" Yugi smiled.
Yugi held up the lamp as it began to glow and was lifted out of his hands by magic. Akefia and Ryou were picked up off the ground by magic, the poor genie ended up being flipped upside down as the magic rushed around the two. Bright light glowed and flashed, and the bronze shackles fell off Akefia's wrists. A brighter light came from Ryou, and a boy appeared with a carpet around his shoulders. He looked much like Akefia, but there were some noticeable differences, like the difference between Yugi and Atem. Ryou had pale skin, softer facial feature, a less muscular body frame, and his white hair was longer and looked better cared for.
The lamp glowed one last time before it fell uselessly to the ground, clattering around until it stopped under one of the beds. It was ignored since everyone had their eyes on the two albinos. Akefia stared at his doppelganger, and the teenager stared back, keeping the carpet wrapped tightly around his body. The two looked at each other for the longest time, and then Akefia ran over and pulled the boy into a tight hug. The boy hugged the older one back, and they both held on firmly. It had been too long since they had been able to truly hold each other.
"You're okay." Akefia whispered.
"Of course I am." Ryou replied.
Keeping a tight hold on Ryou, Akefia turned and picked up his old brass lamp. He looked at the metal object as if it hadn't quite sunken in that Ryou and himself were no longer prisoners to the magic that had tied them to the lamp in the first place. The man took a deep breath as his mind continued to process what had just happened.
"We're free… we're free. Is this for real?" Akefia whispered, and then pressed the lamp into Yugi's hands. "Quick, quick, quick! Wish for something outrageous. Say 'I want the Great Wall of China.' Wish for the Great Wall of China. Try that!"
Yugi looked at Atem, Joey, Seth, and Ryou, who were just as baffled as he was. Since he figured he didn't have anything to lose, Yugi decided to humor the ex-genie.
"I wish for the Great Wall of China?" Yugi said, and the statement sound like a question.
"You can't have it!" Akefia shouted in Yugi's face before he started laughing hysterically and he let go off Ryou so he could bounce around like he had eaten too much sugar. "Oh, does that feel good! I'm free! I'm free at last!"
"And I'm as naked as a newborn puppy over here!" Ryou yelled unashamed, while the other four people in the room averted their eyes from the carpet clad young man. "Are you going to get me some clothing to wear or what?"
"But I like you naked and ready for me." Akefia pouted.
Everyone chocked on air. First at what Akefia had just said, and second because the infamous Thief King… was pouting! Actually pouting! And there were witnesses to the event! This moment in time was forever carved into their memories, because there would be passionate denials from Akefia if it was ever brought up again.
"If you don't get me some decent clothing in the next 5 seconds, you won't be getting any of me for another 10 years!" Ryou threatened, his eyes darkening to the point he looked scarily like his lover.
Akefia quickly raced over to a nearby table that had some blankets and spare clothes on top of it. Selecting a shendyt and top, the man ran back over to Ryou and pushed him behind a changing curtain. Ryou stepped out in the white clothes, apparently satisfied with his skin-tight-but-decent-enough outfit for him to and run over to the man. Ryou grabbed him and pulled him into a kiss, tongue and all. The two only pulled apart when lack of air became an issue.
"Now that's a kiss." Akefia growled and pulled Ryou into another one.
Yugi averted his eyes, feeling like he was watching a private moment that he really shouldn't have been looking at. What would it be that Joey would call him… a Peeping Tom? Whatever that was.
"We're going to hit the road." Akefia announced once he pulled away from Ryou again. "Off to see the world! We're-"
Akefia paused in his exuberant cheering as he looked to Yugi, who was now watching the two free males with a happy and yet sad expression on his face. The ex-genie found himself swallowing, hard, as Yugi glanced at the ground and then back up to the Thief King and his lover again. Yugi was going to miss the older man's sarcastic wit and the younger's comforting ways.
"Akefia, Ryou, I'm…" Yugi took a deep breath and continued. "I'm going to miss you two. I hope you'll stay safe and don't meet anymore talking murals."
Akefia sighed and nodded his head. The young man in front of him just had a way of growing on you and worming his way into your heart. That was why he had offered to let Yugi use his last wish so he could stay with Atem without any interference, figuring that maybe Atem would wish them free.
"Me too, Yugi." Akefia admitted, using the teen's real name as he placed his hands on Yugi's shoulders. "And no matter what any stuck-up noble says, you'll always be a prince to me."
Akefia pulled Yugi into a gentle hug, surprising the boy at the second hug from the Thief King in less than 10 minutes, but it was happily returned. Ryou joined the two, and they held the embrace for a few more seconds before pulling apart, smiles and sniffly noses all around. But Akefia denied it, and still denies it to this day. It was at that moment that Pharaoh Aknamkanon, who had heard everything since Yugi had apologized to Akefia, stepped into the healing chambers with the rest of the Sacred Court, startling the young man.
"You've certainly proven your worth as far as I'm concerned, young Yugi." Aknamkanon said. "It's just that law that's the problem."
"Father?" Atem asked in confusion.
The Crown Prince had truly believed that his father had come to the healing chambers to escort/kick Yugi and Joey out of the palace, despite letting them recover from their injuries from the battle with Dartz. Atem felt his heart pick up the pace as his hope rose. Part of him tried to squash down that optimism, but it was quickly overwhelmed by the hope that was growing by the second. It sounded like Aknamkanon meant… did he really mean?
"Well, am I Pharaoh or am I Pharaoh?" Aknamkanon asked with a touch of humor dancing in his eyes. "The Sacred Court and I have already discussed this matter at great length for the past few days and have made the appropriate changes to the required laws. From this day forth, Egypt's prince or princess shall marry whomever they deem is worthy."
Atem's face lit up in a huge grin as he realized that his father had changed the Ancient Marriage Law, for him! Even if Yugi really wasn't an actual Prince of Japan, there was nothing standing in his way, or in the way of any future royal of Egypt, from being able to marry the one that they loved. Everyone else grinned as they understood what the Crown Prince had figured out. Atem laughed with joy and turned to Yugi.
"Him!" Atem proclaimed.
Yugi was grinning as well and ran the short distance that was between them. Atem scooped Yugi off his feet and swung him around in a circle, their joy spilling forth as laughter, before setting him back on his feet. Laughter fading, they held each other close as their foreheads touch. It truly was a dream come true.
"I choose you, Yugi." Atem whispered.
"You can call me Little One." Yugi replied with a laugh before glaring at everyone else. "And no one else has the right to call me that."
"Whatever you say, Pipsqueak." Akefia grinned.
Yugi groaned, but realized that it was the best he was going to get, and accepted it. A cough came from behind the Sacred Court, and they parted to reveal several sheepish looking palace guards. Pegasus, Alister, Valon, and Raphael slowly walked forward and stopped a few feet away from Yugi and Joey.
"We wished to apologize for the way we acted towards you two over the last 10 years." Valon said.
"Wasn't that was because of Dartz and his Orichalcos?" Yugi asked.
"Dartz only got us under his thrall 7 years ago." Pegasus clarified. "Our actions the 3 prior years, well… that's all on us."
"You know, punishments for stealing and other things on the streets became harsher about 5 years ago." Joey hummed in thought.
"That was when Dartz became the Head of Security." Aknamkanon confirmed. "It was shortly after the first time he successfully used the Orichalcos on me."
"But that doesn't excuse us for not helping you after the plague." Raphael continued explaining. "Pharaoh Aknamkanon ordered for any and all orphans from the plague to be brought to the palace so they could be adopted by willing families. Those that weren't would be given a place to live in the palace and a job with wages once they were old enough."
"You two were purposely left out because of your skin color." Alister admitted.
"So there is no chance that Dartz didn't play a role?" Yugi asked.
"Dartz was a new arrival to the court shortly before the plague." Pegasus thought hard. "I think he may have mentioned tending to our own people first and foremost… but I don't know if he used the Orichalcos at the time. He may have, though I am not certain."
"He probably started with the common guards before moving on to those with higher positions." Atem pointed out.
"Then why were none of the Sacred Court affected?" Joey asked.
"Maybe the Millennium Items protected us?" Mahad offered.
"That doesn't explain me." Aknamkanon pointed out.
"Maybe Dartz had to focus his energy on overriding the Millennium Puzzle." Yugi shrugged. "Or maybe he started to influence you while you weren't wearing it, to build up an 'immunity' against its magic."
"Both are plausible." Aknamkanon agreed. "Isis, please look into the past with the Millennium Necklace and glean what you can."
"I hear and obey." Isis bowed.
Aknamkanon then cleared his throat, his gaze pointedly looking at Akefia and Ryou, who were standing around and fidgeting nervously. Yugi was honestly surprised that Akefia was still there, that he hadn't taken the distraction of Dartz's other crimes, alleged or not, to grab Ryou and high tail it out of the palace as quickly as he could.
"I do seem to recall a certain Thief King causing quite some a bit of havoc a little over a decade ago." Aknamkanon stated.
"Yes." Akefia admitted.
"However, there did seem to be a bizarre pattern to your work." Aknamkanon admitted, making Akefia's eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "You only stole from people who had too much and didn't aid the poor or the sick, those who said it would be better for the commoners to die."
"You solved it." Akefia was in awe that the man had figured out what his thieving pattern.
"I will not ask that you return the stolen items, because I am certain they are long gone to provide food and medicine for those who needed it, or stolen by others within the past decade." Aknamkanon declared. "Though I will ask that you remove your signature mark."
"What mark?" Atem asked.
"The Thief King Was Here!" Yugi and Joey chorus, knowing what the Pharaoh was talking about, the writings on the walls of the homes Akefia had hit still hadn't come off in over 10 years.
"Aw." Akefia pouted, but nodded in agreement. "That's it?"
"You two have been trapped in as your respective genie or carpet as prisoners for the last… 10 years, I believe you said?" Aknamkanon asked, prompting nods from Ryou and Akefia. "You've already served jail time, as odd as a jail that it was, and unless you begin to thieve unnecessarily, I see no reason for you two to be punished further."
"So… say please may I steal this and state an excellent reason why?" Akefia asked.
"Yes." Aknamkanon nodded, willing to compromise.
"I can work with that." Akefia nodded.
"Hey, do you have magic anymore?" Joey asked, asking an important question.
Akefia hummed in thought. He focused his concentration between his hands. After a few moments, a small ball of light glowed between them, and he threw the ball at Yugi. The teen yelped and threw up his arms, but it was pretty much useless as the ball of magic hit him and split into ribbons of magic that shimmered over his body, and changed his Greek tunic into his Prince Yugi outfit again.
The tunic split into 2 pieces at Yugi's waist, the top part changing into the white colored silk sleeveless shirt, and the bottom becoming the white silk pants that fell to his ankles. On top of this was an amethyst colored kimono, (which was still a touch more on the feminine side), sleeves coming to mid-lower arms and lengthwise down came to mid-calf, and was held in place by a crimson belt that was trimmed with gold ribbon. Medium sized amethyst stud earrings were in his earlobes, and elaborately decorated sandals decked his feet. A crown with the symbol of the Japanese Royal Family, an ocean wave with a swimming koi fish, rested on his forehead. But this time, his hair was left free to flutter in the breeze.
Yugi gently touched his clothes and laughed softly while Akefia flexed his fingers as he hummed. While his magical capabilities weren't as strong as they were when he was a genie, he could still pack a pretty strong punch if needed, though he would have to practice so the ability would stay strong.
A lion growled before Akefia yelped as he was tackled by Marik in his lion form. The large savannah kitty began to lick Akefia, making the man protest the treatment. There were snickers hidden behind hands while Ryou and Malik simply laughed at the sight of Akefia getting a tongue bath from Marik. Akefia huffed before succeeding in bopping Marik on the nose, making the cat back off.
"Why did I even miss your slobbery self?" Akefia grumbled as he pushed himself off the floor and attempted to wipe off the lion drool.
"You know each other?" Atem asked in surprise.
"We grew up in the same village, though the last time I saw kitty-boy, he was a loud mouthed 6 year old who wanted to be a palace guard, and he apparently worked hard enough for it to happen." Akefia explained, and dodge another pounce. "I can't take getting sat on by your 450 pound ass again!"
Marik growled, and chased Akefia out of the healing chambers, Malik running after and shouting at Marik to not hurt the ex-genie… too much… Ryou sighed and followed, shaking his head as he went. Timaeus, Critias, and Hermos entered the room, nodding to Ryou as they went. Timaeus crossed the room in large strides once he saw that his son was awake, and swept him into a hug.
"Thank goodness." Timaeus sighed.
Yugi leaned into his father's hug with a smile on his face. This was nice. Timaeus eventually pulled back, and looked Atem in the eye.
"If you make my son cry, I will not hesitate to rip you to shreds." Timaeus said seriously.
"Father!" Yugi wailed, and blushed, while everyone else laughed.
Except Atem. Atem paled, and nodded his head as fast as he could. He had seen what Timaeus could do as a dragon, and did not want to experience the same.
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A month later, everything was ready for the wedding. Timaeus still tormented Atem about treating Yugi right every opportunity he got, but stopped when the teen began to lose sleep over the topic. The royal family of Japan arrived a week before the wedding so they could get the chance to get to know Yugi. And Yugi finally heard the story of how his parent had met.
34 years ago, Sugoroku's then wife, Chiyo, gave birth to twins. The firstborn was a son, Maso, and the second child was a daughter, Miyuki. When the children were 16 years old, a caravan from Greece arrived too trade. Miyuki fell in love with one of the Lords travelling with the caravan, a young man named Timaeus, and Sugoroku granted his blessing for their union. However, his wife did not feel the same. Chiyo had been working in secret to marry Miyuki off to the son of the Chinese Emperor, but those plans fell through when Sugoroku gave Miyuki permission to marry Timaeus.
Shortly after the Emperor gave his blessings to his daughter and her new fiancé, the man fell horrifically ill. Chiyo assumed the role of regent, where she offered an ultimatum to her daughter while her husband lay helpless to stop her: she would marry the Chinese Prince, or marry the Greek Lord and be disowned and banished from our home. Miyuki chose love and was cast out by Chiyo. Not very long after, Maso discovered that his father had been poisoned by his mother, and had her jailed until the Emperor had recovered, and Chiyo received the same fate she gave her daughter, she was disowned and banished from Japan.
But by then it was too late. The Greek caravan was long gone, and Miyuki with it. For 18 years, they had not heard from Miyuki. And then one day, a surge of foreign magic raced through the palace, and undid the disownment. The family tree of the Royal Family was changed by this magic to show that she had married Timaeus, and that they had a child, a son, 16 years ago, but the boy's name was unknown. They were able to track the magic to an oasis in Egypt, and were preparing for the journey there when Timaeus arrived with the invitation to the wedding.
The day of the wedding, Yugi didn't get to see Atem until the wedding ceremony, but considering how well Atem looked (and how well he looked, based on Atem's reaction), it was worth it. Timaeus got one last dig at Atem, and only a timely intervention from Critias and Hermos saved the Shifter from his son's wrath. Neither Atem nor Yugi really remembered the ceremony, only having eyes for each other, until loud cheers brought them out of their kissing stupor.
Outside, multiple fireworks began to burst with flashes of bright colors, announcing that Crown Prince Atem was finally married. And then began the feast. Akefia, Marik, Marcus ended up doing something that had Ryou, Malik, and Selene chasing after them angrily, and they knocked Joey into Seth, and the pair ended up kissing! Yugi and Atem managed to slip away to a balcony of with no one else there as Critias and Hermos began to grill Seth. Atem brought Yugi's lips to his and kissed his new husband again. It was such a thrill to be able to call Yugi his husband.
At the thought of the many years to come, Atem softly began to sing, and Yugi joined him.
Atem: A whole new world,
Yugi: A whole new life,
Both: For you and me!
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THE END
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