Chapter Text
The first thing Yugi thought when he was landing in Montana was that the sky really did look bigger out there. The shades of blue, pink, orange and red as the sun dipped behind the northern Rocky Mountains were so vibrant his eyes squinted halfway shut, but at the same time they strained to see as much as they possibly could. He was nearly pressing his forehead against the window when he felt a hand run between his shoulder blades, landing at the small of his back.
Yugi flicked his eyes over his shoulder at Atem, who sat smiling next to him with the glassy eyes of someone who had just been in a deep sleep. Which, moments ago, he had been. The guy could sleep anywhere - his hood had been pulled up over his head with the drawstrings cinched tightly. His chin had been dipped to his chest and Yugi had contemplated taking a picture of him when Joey, Mai and Tristan, across the aisle, had prompted Yugi to look out the window during their final descent.
“That’s very adorable.” Atem whispered, leaning over and resting his chin on Yugi’s shoulder.
“What is?”
“You, looking out the window.”
“Everything I do is ‘adorable.’”
Atem made a face and looked affronted. “Of course it is.”
“Yesterday, I was emptying the dishwasher and it was ‘adorable.’”
“Because it was adorable.”
“You know, someday I’ll actually do something that warrants being called adorable and it’s going to fall on deaf ears.” Yugi teased. He leaned back in his seat as the plane shifted downwards and Atem looked at him with that self-amused look that Yugi called a mix of confidence and incredulity.
It was hard to believe that just a few months ago, he had some of the worst and best moments of his life rolled all into one. A large block of time that felt like waking up from a nightmare and landing right into a fever dream that turned out to be real. His grandfather leaving this world had all but crushed him, and the last thing he had expected was Atem making a grand entrance back into his life after five years of silence. It had angered him, but also enthralled him - and then, in the dark corner of that club, Atem had dared to put his heart into Yugi’s hands and had changed everything.
Since then, Atem had been living out of a perpetual suitcase at Yugi’s apartment, traveling back and forth between Seattle and Montana to retrieve more and more of his possessions while they figured out their new normal. Or, the version of normal that Yugi had come to wake up to every morning, with Atem opposite him in his bed, wondering if it was simply too good to be true. Atem had long been employed by Kaiba Corporation, something which Yugi found highly amusing, and was fortunate enough to be completely remote. They settled into a routine of working, asking each other a million questions over dinner, and making up for lost time each night with some of the hottest sex Yugi had ever had.
Several weeks ago, Yugi had finally plucked up enough courage and simply asked Atem when he was just going to move back, expecting some sort of argument. The way Atem spoke about Montana was like hearing him speak about the other half of his heart, like it was this lonely place he had escaped to and ended up finding paradise. When Atem casually said whenever you want me to, Yugi was actually shocked it had been that easy - but that was before his one condition. That he and Yugi would spend part of the summer in Montana, and help him pack the rest of his belongings. That was also when the rest of his friends inserted themselves upon their farewell tour, and Yugi was too polite to say no. Plans were made, moving vans hired, tickets were purchased and campgrounds were booked.
When the small plane finally touched down at Bozeman Airport, the group made their way towards baggage claim with all the pomp and circumstance that came with being at the very start of a trip. They were perhaps the loudest group at the small airport, with Joey and Tristan arguing over who would get to drive the rental car. Mai offered no interruptions as the self proclaimed “passenger princess.”
“It’s another hour almost to Big Sky.” Atem lectured. “Perhaps I should drive? Montana roads are dark - you never know what might happen to walk across your path when the sun sets.”
“Come on, Atem, you’re acting like this is the beginning of a scary movie.” Tristan joked, heaving his heavy pack over his shoulders. Behind him, Joey was trembling under the weight of both his and Mai’s. One was significantly larger than the other.
“Montana is beautiful, but it’s full of legends and lore. The silver-haired woman, the people of the Pryor Mountains… The locals take them very seriously.” Atem responded with the air of someone who also believed every one of those legends. “I have learned to respect the magic in this place.”
Yugi watched Atem pick up both his and Yugi’s packs, slinging them casually over each shoulder as though he did this everyday. It was, without question, a turn-on, and Yugi looked away from him to avoid having his face flush crimson.
“Atem also knows the way to his own house.” Mai said matter-of-factly. Joey looked at her like she was revealing a secret, one which he was dramatically taking in every word of.
“Mai does have a point.” Joey agreed, nodding his head vigorously. Tristan rolled his eyes at him.
Despite Joey being in charge of booking the rental car, they were able to pick it up quickly and without any issues, surprising everyone. Yugi laughed as Tristan and Joey argued about which model was superior and climbed into the passenger seat of the midsize, unassuming black SUV. Atem slid into the driver’s side and Yugi drank in the sight of him unashamedly, watching him adjust mirrors and his seat while the arguments continued behind them. Atem’s eyes flicked towards him, a question in his face.
“Nothing.” Yugi sighed, feeling the swooping sensation behind his stomach whenever Atem’s eyes roved over him. “Let’s go.”
Atem drove carefully, but with the confidence of someone who had made the trip before. It was nearly 10PM by the time they left the airport, so while the roads were indeed dark, Yugi could just make out the ominous and oppressive shadows of the nearby mountain range towering over them. Through the sunroof of the car, Yugi could see more stars than he had ever remembered seeing before. Atem pointed out invisible landmarks here and there as they drove steadily through the winding, empty roads, promising grandeur upon daybreak.
After nearly forty-five minutes of driving, the car had quieted down aside from the low volume of Tristan’s playlist vibrating through the speakers. Yugi was struggling to keep his eyes open when suddenly, Atem slammed on the brakes and flung his arm out to keep Yugi from launching forward.
In the middle of the road stood a large black bear, its eyes reflecting the glow of the headlights with a spooky sort of shimmering that only made the point of its snout appear that much longer. Without the headlights, the bear would be nearly invisible as it stared directly back at them. Yugi took a small breath in and looked over at Atem, whose eyes were wide.
“Is everyone okay?” Atem asked without taking his eyes off the bear. Yugi nodded and wrapped a hand around Atem’s arm, which was still across Yugi, giving it a slight squeeze for reassurance.
“Jeez Atem, crazy reflexes dude.” Tristan whistled at him. “You weren’t joking.”
Atem didn’t reply, nor did he move his arm away from Yugi as the bear looked back at them. Yugi suddenly felt his stomach drop, but not in the fun way, not like when Atem looked at him while he was sliding across their pillows. In the way that made him want to look behind him, and the hair on the back of his neck stood up.
“Atem, if I didn’t know any better I’d think that bear was looking right at you.” Mai said cautiously.
As if that was some type of sign, the bear looked away from the car and continued across the road, disappearing into the obsidian darkness outside the view of the headlights. Atem let out a breath and let his arm come to rest in Yugi’s lap before he stepped gently on the gas and they lurched forward. Yugi looked over at him, taking in his pinched eyes and slight frown, and ran his hand along Atem’s arm.
Are you okay? He asked wordlessly.
Atem looked back and gave him a slight smile. I’m okay.
“Aw yeah, my first bear!” Joey exclaimed, his neck craned back behind them, twisting in his seat.
The mood instantly lightened, they continued, rounding a gentle bend in the road and finally coming upon the lights of the main road that took them directly through the center of Big Sky. Yugi’s eyes took in the closed sign on a small market, a medical office, and one still lit building that looked warm and inviting.
“What’s that?” Yugi pointed as they drove by. Atem looked out the passenger side window and his face turned up into a smile.
“It’s my friend Catherine’s place. The Basin. I’ll take you tomorrow.” Atem said, then pointing out a lone street light flickering about a mile up the road. “My driveway.”
Yugi’s stomach flipped without warning, and suddenly he felt nervous. As though he was an intruder, looking in like an unwelcome observer of Atem’s second life. The one he had lived without Yugi. Over the last few months, there was no doubt in Yugi’s mind that Atem was more than committed to him, loved him even, but his insecurity struck at the most inopportune times. In the middle of a particularly boring meeting at work, one time while stuck in traffic. Once, in the middle of the night, Yugi woke suddenly, clinging to Atem so tightly he actually left a red palm-shaped mark around his forearm. That had initiated both a very long and uncomfortable conversation about Yugi’s insecurity, Atem’s lack of resolved guilt, and ended with them in the shower together. He still wasn’t convinced they solved all their problems that evening.
Atem slowly turned left into the long driveway where Yugi could just make out the shape of a small house lit by a warm orange porch light. It was plain and unassuming, but there were traces of Atem if he looked closely enough as they approached - a row of wild lilies lined the front porch and a pitch black front door. Yugi couldn’t help but laugh to himself about that one.
”Welcome to Big Sky.” Atem parked and flung open the door, immediately letting cool air into the car.
The group took turns stumbling out from the car while Joey and Tristan gingerly opened the trunk, half-heartedly attempting to stop the pile of bags that had been shoved haphazardly from spilling out the second it opened. Mai’s bag rolled off the top of the pile into Joey’s waiting arms, where he staggered under its weight, and earned himself a laugh.
Atem hurried away and opened the front door, flipping on lights that flooded the path towards the house and suddenly, the eerie stillness and silence that made Yugi feel unsettled was replaced by the warmth radiating from being with his friends, and from Atem’s home. The shadow of his insecurity was replaced by excitement, and he shouldered his bag as he stepped through the front door.
Immediately upon entering, the scent of lilies overwhelmed him, and Yugi breathed deeply. It was the scent he associated with Atem - the last thing he smelled at night, and the first thing he woke up to every morning they were together. It made his skin tingle, and he looked over at Atem who was staring at him with all the expectation of someone looking for approval. The front door opened into a small entrance way with a cushioned storage bench and a mirror hanging in the hall that led directly into a kitchen. Looking beyond the small table in the center, a large, black sectional sofa sat in the carpeted living room, a television hanging over a real wood-burning fireplace.
Tristan and Joey had already invited themselves inside, making themselves at home in Atem’s living room while Mai was rifling through the kitchen, commenting on his taste in silverware. Atem, Yugi noticed, was stifling a yawn as he thanked Mai sheepishly.
“I’ll show you upstairs. I have two other rooms but uh… sorry, Tristan, one is an office.” Atem rubbed the back of his head, turning around a corner and making his way up a hidden set of stairs behind the living room wall.
“I’m not picky, dude.” Tristan led the group up the shadowy hallway as Yugi glanced at the art hanging on the walls. Most were black and white photographs of what he guessed was simply Montana: a side by side piece of the same area of a jagged mountain range, only one was covered in a thick blanket of snow, while the next towered next to an alpine meadow dotted with wildflowers. Another photograph of a split waterfall, another of a dripping rock wall with a creeping vine of curled thorns snaking their way towards the ground. Yugi felt his skin ripple and something thrum inside him, like he had been given a static shock.
Yugi stood on the landing, staring at the photographs and heard the shuffling of doors closing, water running as someone finished up in the bathroom before there was silence. A shadow was thrown across the photograph in front of him and he turned to see Atem leaning against the stair’s handrail, his arms crossed and a soft smile on his face.
“Bed?” Atem asked quietly, raising his eyebrows.
Yugi hoisted his bag higher up on his shoulder and continued up the stairs, following Atem to the open door at the end of the hallway, feeling like this was still all surreal. Atem lit a lamp on his bedside table as Yugi bolted into the adjoining bathroom, bag and all, shutting the door behind him quickly. He needed a moment to catch his breath as he stared in the mirror. The lily scent was overwhelming here, and there were signs of Atem’s life alone everywhere. A single toothbrush standing in a cup by the sink, a single towel hanging on the rack. It brought back the feeling of unease, like he was an unwanted outsider looking in on Atem’s secret life. Yugi quickly splashed his face, undressed down to his boxers before taking a breath to settle himself, and opened the door.
Atem was already lying in bed, his eyes half open and that same sleepy adorable look he had on the plane decorated his face. Yugi stood in the doorway and stared back at him, suddenly feeling quite warm and self conscious, hugging his arms to his chest. Atem shook his head incredulously at him.
“Come here.” Atem whispered, one finger crooking at him, beckoning him over.
Yugi sighed and crossed the room, peeling back the sheets where Atem reached over and pulled him close to his chest. Yugi pressed his face into the nook of his shoulder, breathing in his lily scent.
“What’s wrong?” Atem said cautiously, his hand casually running up and down Yugi’s spine. Yugi was sure he intended it to be soothing, but it only made Yugi’s stomach roil with desire.
“Nothing.” Yugi responded too quickly. Atem snorted back a laugh. “Okay, fine. I don’t know. I feel weird.”
“You feel weird.”
“You answered my statement with a statement.”
Atem pulled back and brought his hand to the side of Yugi’s face, his thumb trailing a path over his cheekbones and across his lips. He closed his eyes and savored Atem’s touch.
“Well, help me out here.” Atem teased. “Why do you ‘feel weird?’”
“It’s stupid.” Yugi blurted out, his cheeks burning a deep scarlet. “This whole thing would be easier if we could still hear each other's thoughts.”
“Well, I for one, am glad you’re not in my head all the time.” Atem teased. His smirk heralded that he was about to say something unhinged. “That way you can continuously give me -”
“Atem.” Yugi interrupted, shocked but trying not to laugh.
“Okay, okay.” Atem laughed, his breath rushing across Yugi’s ear. “Indulge me, then.”
“Okay.” Yugi sighed and bolstered his resolve. He was going to get it out one way or another. “I feel… weird. Like I walked in on something I wasn’t supposed to see, like I’m not supposed to be here.”
Atem stilled his thumb on Yugi’s bottom lip and furrowed his brow. “What do you mean?”
“I just mean that… You spent five whole years here without me. Something kept you here, away from me. And maybe I wasn’t supposed to come. Maybe this place was just supposed to be yours without me.”
Atem smiled a sad, melancholy smile at him before he leaned in and gently pressed his lips onto Yugi’s forehead. Then the tip of his nose, followed by a feather light kiss on his lips. “Nothing you did, or ever could do, kept me away from you. It was my foolish decision, and I will spend the rest of my days in this timeline, in this existence with you, atoning for it.”
”You can’t think like that, either, Atem.” Yugi said, bringing his own hand to Atem’s face, gripping his chin lightly.
“How many times will we have this conversation, do you think?” Atem joked. “By the end of the week, this house will be empty and we will be making our way back to Seattle to move beyond all of it. Bringing you here is just the first step of that, I promise you, Yugi.”
Yugi responded by silently staring back at him. They looked at each other for a long time before Atem softened, once more pulling Yugi close to him and resting his chin on the top of Yugi’s head.
“My love, let's enjoy the time we have been given.” Atem’s words were slurring, and Yugi smiled at that, feeling enough sense of ease to close his eyes and lean into Atem’s touch. ”I promise, I’ll make it worth it.”
“Is that a challenge, pharaoh?” Yugi teased.
Suddenly, they were both wide awake.