Not my normal, but I had to get this story out of my head.
Title: Chance at a New Life
Ship: Yugi Mutou/Yami Yugi | Atem
Summary: Before Atem passes through the gates into the afterlife, Yugi shares a memory he’s been keeping that changes everything. Post-canon.
A/N: This story wouldn’t leave my brain after I did a complete rewatch a few years ago. Don’t think about the bloodline too hard. They’re cute together.
“Pharaoh, you know the time we battled in Duelist Kingdom and you couldn’t read my thoughts?” Yugi asked, fidgeting with the chain around his neck.
“I need to speak with Joey, Tristan, and Téa..” he said, looking away.
“Without me listening in,” I said, swallowing the hurt I felt.
“Y-Yes. It’s nothing bad. I just…” he stammered.
“It’s okay, Yugi,” I smiled. “That can be done. You’ll tell me when you’re ready.”
“What's this about, Yugi?” Joey asked. “You’re acting nervous.”
“Yeah, Yug, what’s up?” Tristan added.
“I…I think I like someone…” Yugi stammered, kicking a rock down the street.
“That's awesome!” Joey and Tristan exclaimed.
“Who is she?” Tristan asked, wrapping an arm around Yugi’s shoulders. Working his jaw, the younger boy looked away.
“I don’t think the person is a ‘she,’ guys,” Téa said.
Both of the boys looked towards their friend. “Okay, who is he then?” Joey corrected.
Relaxing, Yugi asked, “You mean…you don’t care that I might be into a guy?”
“Well, no,” Joey shrugged. “All that matters is that he likes you back.”
“Yeah, man. That’s all that matters.” Tristan grinned, “So, who is he?”
“Yugi may not want to tell us. That’s kinda private,” Téa frowned.
“Right,” the older boys said.
“No, I want to tell you. I just don’t know how it would work,” Yugi said, rubbing the back of his head.
Joey’s head tilted, “Why wouldn’t it work?”
“Because it’s The Pharoah,” Yugi whispered, looking down.
“You share the same body. Have you ever seen him?” Téa asked.
“Sort of,” Yugi paused, choosing his words. “When we talk, I can see him in a mirror. I’ve also seen him in pictures that were taken during duels,” he passed. “How did none of you guys realize that it wasn’t exactly me dueling?”
“Uuuhhh,” Joey and Tristan scratched their heads. “About that…”
Rolling her eyes, Téa continued the conversation, “What makes you like him?”
“How strong he is. How safe I feel with him by my side. He’s mysterious. He’s helped me gain confidence in myself. I just…since we share the same body…I don’t know how that would work and I know his soul needs to rest. That’s the whole reason we’re trying to help him find his memories. I just…I’ve fallen for him over the past few years. Then you also get into the technicalities that we’re related…”
“There's 5,000 years of blood differences and you didn’t grow up together. I think that’s okay,” Tristan pointed out.
The implications of the memory hit me harder than any duel monster could. That’s what Yugi didn’t want to share with me that day. He feels the same way. Knowing this, I can’t look back or I’ll never leave. Walking into the light, I gave my friends a final thumbs up before the doors between our worlds closed. Forever.
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