synthneon | YGO PSL | ❝ i forget why i stay, and wonder if they'd notice if i slipped away. ❞

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YGO PSL | ❝ i forget why i stay, and wonder if they'd notice if i slipped away. ❞

			RAIN
		

( for once a post not continued from a meme!! we just continuing this hurt/comfort train down the way to hell. )

[ It was almost strange coming back home to Japan. It wasn't as if he had gotten used to being in America or their customs (or food - the size of the portions). More of it had to do with routine and getting back to normal day-to-day life. School work, tests, helping in the game shop. There were no tournaments, no life threatening situations. Strange is the word he guesses he'd put to it all if he had to find one. Somehow he had gotten used to the duels, the stakes, the adventure. Everything else is just... mundane.

That isn't the only issue, even though he'd like to point it to being the only one.

As the days go on and life returns to normal? The reality of time just becomes more apparent to him. Each day brings graduation closer. Graduation means the next step in their lives... and that means everyone will be going their separate ways. Usually Yugi can look past that. He can enjoy the time he has with everyone, but, it must be the combination of everything this particularly rainy autumn day. Graduation, what he'll do after school, and what he should do as the keeper of the Millennium Puzzle versus what he wants.

Autumn... graduation is in March. He'll be nineteen afterwards. It'll have been three years since he solved the Millennium Puzzle and woke the spirit that resides in it. Only three years. It feels like a lifetime, but, one he's glad to have had. A lifetime that he can't help but feel is going to be ending sooner rather than later despite what everyone around him says.

He knows everyone has noticed how quiet he has been the last few days. Atem still has been rather distant from everyone since they arrived back home. Yugi has decided not to bother his other self with what is going on in his head. Oh, he's sure Atem has sensed it and has even figured it out, but, he's still contending with his own issues left over from Dartz. Yugi doesn't plan to complicate that more with his own emotional battles. He'll have to rely on just himself if Atem ever leaves anyways...

Yugi steps into the entrance way of the school to grab his shoes. That is when he notices Anzu standing outside underneath the cover of the entryway. He looks down - making sure that she doesn't notice him - before trying to make the mental leaps on how to avoid her inevitable questions if he has been alright. He doesn't want to think about it. As far as he can tell, she has chosen which one of the two she likes, and he can't blame her for that. He knows she isn't going to take I'm fine as an answer too much longer. He doesn't want to think about how she'll be leaving shortly after graduation to study abroad - just like she has always wanted to.

Everyone has someplace and somewhere they plan to go but him. Even his other self has a destined path that moves him forward. Maybe all Yugi is meant to do is make sure each of them go where they're supposed to go. That might be his role in all of it. What is the point of all of it then? He finally makes the friends he wants and then has to see them all leave him behind?

He sighs and pushes down his frustration. It'll just bring more unwanted attention to himself. Especially from the spirit of the Pharaoh who is most likely worried but hasn't addressed it all.

Yugi closes the locker door and stares at the ground for a moment. With a sidelong glance at Anzu outside, he turns his back to the front doors. He supposes what he is about to ask is highly uncharacteristic, but, he's probably entitled to some alone time in his own soul room after everything.

'Other Me?' He gently calls out in their shared link. Part of him hates to ask this because it must seem spineless to a person that commanded armies and controlled a kingdom. 'Can you do me a favor?' ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ In all honesty, there's nothing that Atem would like more: to be able to return to where he and Yugi used to be, a place they came to with such ease. And what's more, he'd like to be able to spend time with Yugi and his friends just like they used to do. Of course it was different, because Atem wasn't actually physically present, but he still feels as though he knows Yugi's friends well enough to call them his own as well.

It might take some time, but he hopes to be able to return to how things used to be.

He also smiles at Umbra in thanks, knowing that the dark-colored animal can see him just as clearly as Yugi can. But it seems as though Umbra's look is something more than just asking for acknowledgment for bringing Lunafreya's pastries to them. When Yugi looks back inside the box, Atem watches, wondering what else might be contained inside.

He's surprised to see the notebook that Yugi pulls out, and even more surprised when he holds it out to him. For just a moment, he hesitates, not reaching out for it, because he doesn't want Lunafreya's gift, if that's what it is, to slip through his hands and land on the floor. But he also hesitates because if he's understanding her intent, even without seeing what she's written on the book's pages, he doesn't want to become a distraction to her or her duties.

So to buy himself some time, he just asks: ] Is it really?

[ A nod. ] There's a note for you from Luna in it.

[ Yugi pushes himself up and gently places it on the desk. He knows it'll be unopened and unread until Atem takes the time to look at it. Still, he felt the physical gesture would mean more than him just saying it. His phone buzzes and he pulls it out of pocket. ]

＼(＾▽＾*) I'll see you then.
We can talk about where to meet up and what to do tomorrow.
See you in the morning, Yugi. Good night.
ε-(´・｀)

[ There's a small smile on his face as he wishes Anzu good night in return. Then, he looks back up at Atem. ]

Anzu and I are going to hang out on Sunday. Although, I don't know what we're going to do.

[ This time he promises not to swap places with his other self. He knows that Atem has been wanting him to spend time with Anzu on his own. There is this hope that somehow, he and Anzu will fall in love with each other. The thing is? He already loves her. He just knows somewhere inside him that it won't be more than a fondness between childhood friends.

Umbra gives a deep gruff again before standing up. Then, he goes and sits by the end of the bed and curls up. His amber eyes are still on the pair, but, he seemingly won't be leaving any time soon. ]

[ As Yugi already guessed, Atem merely looks at the book where his partner placed it, torn between wanting to pick it up and read what's inside and waiting to do so. But waiting for what? Of course he knows that simply exchanging words with Lunafreya won't negatively impact Yugi or his chances with Anzu, but he can't help but feel that the two of them placed a wall between them. They did so with mutual agreement, even if it was something neither of them liked, and it's that wall that's contributing to his overall hesitation now.

He's already seen the effects of what happens when people get close to him, and how those ripples are widespread and in all honesty, completely terrifying. Both Yugi and Lunafreya have had terrible things happen to them, largely because of their associations with him. Oh, Gentiana said that it was inevitable for Lunafreya as the Oracle, but part of him still believes that he was at fault.

For the moment, though, he decides to stop that train of thought before it can progress too far. He knows what happens when he lets his thoughts run away from him, and he's already on shaky ground as it is. He's come a long way in terms of recovering from the whole ordeal with Dartz, but he also knows that it wouldn't take very much to send him back into a spiral once again. That's what he'd like to avoid, if possible.

So he focuses back on his partner and on the plans he's made with Anzu. ]

I'm glad, Yugi. I hope that whatever the two of you end up doing, you both have a good time.

[ The smile he gives him then is wide and very clearly genuine. He only wants the best for his partner, and he sincerely hopes that with enough time together, perhaps Yugi and Anzu will finally realize how they feel about each other. ]

You should get some rest so that you're able to enjoy yourself tomorrow. [ Of course, if Yugi says he wants to stay up for a little while longer, and if he still wants his company, Atem will remain. It's the little moments with just the two of them that have come to mean a lot to him, and that's only been accentuated by their separation, even if it was temporary. ]

You've been waiting a long time for this.

[ At one point he would have thought it was a playful tag-back for Yugi setting them up on a date. Now, though, he knows that Atem wants to see them together. Yugi frowns and looks back at the red leather book. He knows that they've both agreed that Atem will request time to spend time with Lunafreya, and his other self never goes back on his word, but... ]

You should read what Luna wrote you. When I go to sleep.

[ He won't be taking 'no' for an answer.

He finally pulls his socks off and starts getting ready for bed. Not that sleep is going to come easily to him. He'd rather stay up and continue speaking with his other self. They haven't really just spent time together like this in a long time. ]

...how do you feel about dueling again, Other Me?

Well, yes, but not as long as you have. [ And of course, it's highly possible that nothing will change between Anzu and Yugi, but Atem still fervently hopes that this time, the two of them might finally come together.

As for Lunafreya, he misses her and wishes he could be with her, so he already knows he'll read what she wrote as soon as he can. But neither will he be rushing Yugi off before he's ready. He also wants to spend time with his partner and just talk with him about whatever comes to both of their minds.

The question that Yugi asks is one that's been in the back of his mind, but he also doesn't have a clear answer for it just yet. ]

I suppose, in a way, I can't imagine us not dueling again.

[ It's what they've done together for so long, but it seems like every time they take part in a tournament, something more than they could have anticipated happens. It makes for an exciting time, that much is true, but with that excitement often comes consequences, and Atem's not certain he wants to face those consequences, any more than he's certain he wants to put Yugi in that position. ]

What do you think about it, Yugi?

[ Yugi forces a smile out so he doesn't look as nervous as he feels. He really doubts this will turn out the way that his other self wishes it will. Maybe he's wrong... but he just expects it to be a friend-date. Regardless of inclinations of feelings, though, Yugi does know that he and Anzu need time to catch up. She probably has a lot on her mind that she's been worried about since their time against Dartz and the Orichalcos Leviathan God.

He sits on the bed, then, lays backwards on it. His eyes go up to the ceiling as he thinks about that. ]

I never really wanted to do tournaments. It wasn't until Pegasus roped us into Duelist Kingdom, and then you could get the God Cards for your memories from Battle City... [ he frowns slightly. ] Would I want to duel competitively just to be competitive?

[ He looks over at Atem. If there is something Atem ever wants to do? Then he'll do it and make sure it happens. No matter what it is. He pauses then. ]

If there was a tournament you wanted to enter, Other Me, I would. I... don't want to duel competitively if it's not the two of us doing it.

[ Of course Atem knows that he can't manipulate every situation, and he certainly can't make anything happen on this date, but he wishes that he could. If it was in his power to cause attraction to form and sparks to fly between Anzu and Yugi, he'd do it without hesitation. But perhaps all the two of them need is time to talk together and maybe attraction will develop on his own. He fervently hopes so, anyway.

He watches as Yugi lies back down on the bed, expression shifting into something more pensive as he listens to his partner. ]

Well, if you no longer wish to, then you know I won't ask you to. The two of us will just have to find something else that we can do together.

[ Never mind that he knows that might prove difficult, perhaps even impossible. But if Yugi no longer wishes to duel competitively, the last thing he intends is to force him, especially since he doesn't really feel that same drive to participate in tournaments either.

As Yugi pointed out, the only reason they did join Duelist Kingdom and Battle City was because there were outside reasons for it. It wasn't something they did by choice. But he realizes that he has the same opinion that Yugi does. ]

But yes, as you said, if a tournament comes up that interests you, I don't mind doing it together. [ That's the only way he wants to do things, at least as far as dueling is concerned. ]

[ For the first time in a few days, Yugi gives one of his genuine smiles. There has been a small part of him that has worried that their bond was irreversibly damaged because of the Seal of Orichalcos. Luna and Gentiana helped to get them to talk as they normally would. Still, he couldn't help but feel that he may never be as close to his other self as they were beforehand. He always feels as if he has to run after Atem to catch up to him. This wasn't that. Yugi was afraid that Atem would want nothing more to do with them. That he would just lock himself away in his soul room and never talk to him or anyone ever again.

Hearing his other self say together though... Yugi can't help but smile. ]

Together. [ He nods to confirm it. ] We'll just have to keep our eyes out for it. Otherwise, there's plenty of other games. It doesn't even have to be games.

[ The night they spent looking up things about Ancient Egypt... those are the sorts of things he wants to keep doing. Things that will make it so Atem can have a wide arrange of memories in case they can never get his back--even if they do get his memories back. Yugi wants Atem to be able to look at his time with all of them with a smile, even if there have been earth shattering moments.

Sleep does tug at the corners of his mind, but, Yugi doesn't want to sleep just yet. ]

Has there been anything you want to do or to go and see?

[ Seeing Yugi smile like that does something to Atem that he wasn't expecting: it makes him feel relieved and as though some of the worry and concern he's been carrying with him has lessened. It's still there with him, but he was also afraid that things would never be the same between them again. They might still be somewhat strained, but now he feels like there's a chance that they'll be able to recover from everything that happened because of what he's done. ]

You know, now that you mention it, I would like to experience other games besides Duel Monsters. [ It's what they're most familiar with, but he knows there must be other games out there. Of course he's seen games such as the one that Duke designed, but he still feels like there's other things out there that they could learn.

And then he pauses, because there is something he'd like to spend a little more time on, if Yugi's willing. ]

We spent a little time looking up history on your computer. [ Their progress there was interrupted, and in the aftermath of everything, resuming that was the farthest thing from his mind, but now that some of the dust seems to be settling, he wants to ask for that again. ]

Would you mind doing that again? [ Of course, there's some things that he knows, but it has been a long time for him and some of the details have become a bit faded over the years. He knows that he might not recall anything about himself or his life from such a search, but that's not all that can be found. ]

There's plenty of other games. We have board games downstairs in the shop, or there's video games. Most people tend to play those outside of card games now. Though, there's card games that are from out of Japan that I haven't really looked into. Then again, technically, Duel Monsters does come from America...

[ Yugi trails off with a bit of an embarrassed smile. It's easy to get him talking about games to the point he can never stop talking about them. It would be a matter of finding what kind of game his other self would like.

Then, he has an idea at the request from Atem. One he'll be keeping to himself until the time is right. It'll be a surprise that he'll need to research on his own too...

He sits up. ]

I wouldn't mind at all. What is it you want to look into?

[ He mentally makes note of all the options that Yugi's laid out for him. Of course, he enjoys the game of Duel Monsters, but he figures that it's time he learned a little about the other games out there in the world. To some extent, that particular game has had a shadow cast over it; shadows eventually disperse, so he's not worried about that, but part of him wants to learn a new game that he can play with Yugi just for fun. It might not be possible, but then again, they might find a way to manage it.

And of course, Yugi's enthusiasm for games of all kinds doesn't bother Atem at all. In fact, it makes him happy to see it. ]

If it's not too much trouble, Yugi- [ He pauses then, clearing his throat once. ] I'd like to learn how to play all of them: board games, video games, even another card game. Would you have the time for something like that?

Of course I have time for it.

[ He'd make any time that his other self might need. It doesn't matter if its with him, or Lunafreya, or even if Atem wanted to be alone. He'd find a way to make it happen. Yugi pushes himself off the bed and moves the box of treats from the floor onto the desk beside the red leather notebook. Then, he moves to the bedroom door with every intention of showing Atem what his Grandpa keeps in the storage room of the shop.

His dark mood still hangs in the back of his mind, but, he can focus on something else right now. He figures he'll take his time with Anzu in the morning in stride. For now? He wants to find a way to make his other self happy. Especially since it feels like continuing to talk about Lunafreya is a bit of a closed door. ]

[ Then, in spite of himself, Atem lets out an amused chuckle. ] Yugi, you know I didn't mean you had to show me right now. It's late, and you should be sleeping.

[ Of course, they both know that they wouldn't trade these nighttime talks for anything in the world, but too often, it seems as though he keeps Yugi awake late into the evening, although he's never heard his partner complain.

Still, he gets to his feet as well and moves after Yugi, knowing that once his partner has made up his mind, it's hard to get him to change it. ]

It'll give you something to think about tomorrow while I'm busy.

[ He looks back at his other self with a small knowing smile. Left on his own, Atem would doubtlessly wander the maze of the Puzzle. He'll probably even fall back into thinking about things that Yugi would consider solved. Except, it's rather obvious that the trauma from dealing with Dartz left more of an impact than what they faced in either Duelist Kingdom or Battle City.

Atem couldn't even look at what it was Lunafreya wrote him while he's not in control of Yugi's body. So, at the very least, looking at the other games in the shop might work as something else to keep the spirit's mind busy. It most likely won't work. Though, Yugi feels its worth a shot anyways.

The bedroom door opens and he quietly walks down the stairs, peaking around the corner to see if his mother or Grandpa are around. With the coast clear, he sets off to the storage room of the shop. There's more in here collecting dust than anything. Its saddening, but, the modern gaming scene doesn't see much worth in a lot of the older ways. Maybe that's something to consider trying to bring back after high school.

Yugi closes the door to the storage room and nods to his other self. ]

Have a look around and see if anything catches your eye.

All right, if you're sure.

[ He's used to his methods of passing the time. Not that time really means a lot to him, but he's grown accustomed to keeping an eye on it, because he generally knows when Yugi wakes up and when he's ready to go to sleep. But when he's inside the Puzzle, time really doesn't have a whole lot of significance. He's begun doing things like counting the number of times he's completed walking up an entire staircase and gone down it again, or how many steps are on a certain set of stairs.

And as Yugi already surmised, when he's not doing that, his mind does tend to travel back to thornier issues that he still believes he has to rectify, even if his partner would disagree.

As for Lunafreya, he intends to read what she wrote him, but not right now. Perhaps he will later, when the chance presents itself. For now, he wants to see what they might find in the storage room. The amount of dust in the room also makes Atem sad, but he supposes it only makes sense. The old ways are often replaced by the new, and that's just the way things seem to work.

He sees a variety of board games on the shelves, and all of them look intriguing, but he's decided that he wants to learn and hopefully master one before moving on to another. He points to the first one that leaps out at him, a shogi board and its pieces. ]

What do you know about this one?

[ It won't take much for either of them to master a game. Yugi will still say that Atem is better at any game they'd pick up. Not that he doubts his own ability in games or being able to understand them. He just knows that Atem can find strategies faster. Though, he does tend to overlook the human element sometimes. In Yugi's mind, that is why the both of them together make the person that holds the title of Duel King.

Yugi turns to look at the game that his other self picked. ]

Shogi. [ He can't help but smile. Of course the Pharaoh would find the one game about war and strategy. Though, he isn't sure if Atem is fully aware of the English equivilent so... ] There are two players. Each one has twenty pieces. One piece for both players is known as the King. The goal is to checkmate the other's King. You can capture each others pieces but also get them back.

It's a long game sometimes. [ Yugi scratches the side of his neck. ] The last one I saw Grandpa play was almost two hours.

[ Atem would certainly agree with Yugi there; he's learned a lot from him about how to be kind to people and how to remember that while he might be a displaced spirit, he was also human at one point. It's still easy for him to forget, but Yugi's taught him a lot of lessons about how to act and behave, and he does his best to remember what he's learned.

He listens as Yugi explains how shogi is played, and he finds himself feeling intrigued already. ]

I suppose that we shouldn't attempt starting it until we both have time, then.

[ Meaning that regardless of how interested he might be, he doesn't intend to keep Yugi up late because of a game. Never mind that it won't have been the first time, but he's aware that Yugi needs his sleep. ]

I'm sure that your grandfather is quite the skilled player. [ He can't help but think that both Yugi and his grandfather are the types of people who could easily learn any game that caught their eye. They just have the right kind of sharp instincts required for such things. ]

Next weekend? It gives us a week to look into the game more.

[ He smiles brightly at Atem. The two of them together make the Duel King - the King of Games - so what better way to learn a game than together? They have different approaches to their styles of victory. As he sees it? They can only be at their peak if they've learned from one another and woven their strengths and weaknesses together.

The only way to do that is to constantly test one another. Learn from one another. Tell each other what it is they can't say outside of how they play. ]

I guess we'll need a proxy again...

[ Yugi stops short. He won't bring Lunafreya up again or talking with her. Instead, he smiles up at his other self. ]

Grandpa hadn't played games in a long time. Maybe we should challenge him?

Next weekend is all right with me. [ It isn't as though he has any pressing demands or deadlines that need to be met. As such, he does his best to be respectful of Yugi's time whenever possible.

He even manages a smile in return, something that still feels foreign to him, almost as though he'd forgotten how to do that simple action. What he wants more than anything is to find a way for them to be as close as they once were: brothers and partners and best friends.

And if he's being completely honest, he considers dueling Yugi or playing opposite him (in normal circumstances, not ones orchestrated by necessity or evil forces) an absolute privilege and honor. It is still for fun, of course, but he still thinks of it that way. ]

I suppose we will. Do you think he would be willing or even interested in such a thing?

[ He respects Yugi's grandfather very much: perhaps even moreso than he does Yugi, simply because of the man's age. And he doesn't consider his own age in that because clearly, age and experience are two different things. ]

[ Despite his attempt at self-composure, Yugi practically beams at the plans set. He'd love to spend more time with his other self outside of just when they need to duel or talking about the day-to-day events. He hasn't forgotten about researching more of Egypt as well. If Atem isn't ready to retrieve his memories... then maybe this is how he can feel as if he's still fulfilling his duty as holder of the Millennium Puzzle. Being able to take care of someone shows in many different forms.

He has to wonder if it would be rude to ask for Gentiana's help again. Something tells him that the ancient duel monster wouldn't mind. She seemed to enjoy the duel she stood in as proxy for. Or, he thinks she did. It's hard to really understand what she is feeling. Still, he supposes he can reach out to Lunafreya and ask. Even if it oddly feels like it's stepping over some sort of boundary. Well, he'll ask later in the week. The morning should remain focused on Anzu as much as possible given she reached out to him. ]

I think he'd be more interested in playing against you. [ Yugi admits it a little sheepishly. ] He's played loads of games with me ... but never you. Once we're better at the game we should ask.

[ It really does lighten Atem's own spirits to see Yugi smiling like that. As far as he's concerned, his partner deserves all the happiness in the world, and if he can help bring him even a litle bit of that, then there's very little that he wouldn't do for him. Yugi's always been adamant that as the keeper of the Puzzle, he has to take care of the spirit inside said Puzzle, but Atem also believes that that goes both ways. He has to take care of his partner as well, and he believes he hasn't done a very good job of that thus far. ]

But that's hardly fun for you, Yugi. He should play a match with both of us, if only to make it fair and to involve us both.

[ But then his smile returns, perhaps even wider than before. ]

To play against your grandfather would be the biggest honor, as is playing against you.

[ He doesn't want there to be any doubt in Yugi's mind: any opportunity that he gives him to engage with either his grandfather (something he hasn't done yet) or Yugi (always a privilege) is something he considers very special and values as such. ]

I suppose we'll need the help of Gentiana once more. I wonder if Luna will enjoy watching such a thing again. [ She might enjoy it more than she did their last one, at least. Something about that seemed to upset her, but perhaps he was reading too much into it. Part of him doubts that, however. ]

Well...

[ Yugi looks back at the shogi set sitting on the shelf. It takes a moment to find the words and put them in the right place. He may not be reeling from his own emotional state like his partner. That doesn't mean the feelings have banished entirely. Speaking with Anzu in the morning may help, but, he's not sure it will. There's a lot in life he's uncertain about now. ]

I found the Millennium Puzzle on one of these shelves.

[ He glances around, moving around the set of shelves until he finds the exact one. Supplies take up the place where the solid gold box once sat, but, Yugi knows which one it is. His hand raises and he rests it on the shelf.

He spent weeks... months... trying to figure out how to get it out of the storage room without his Grandpa noticing. Eventually his Grandpa did figure it out and made it a game to see if Yugi could solve it. Of course it worked. Now, though, there's a sudden realization of how many people have been tied to the Millennium Puzzle... just so he could solve it and help the spirit who might as well truly be his other self. ]

Luna said that her grandpa met mine because he was investigating the Shadow Games, remember? [ He wonders then if her grandmother ever saw the golden box. If so... wouldn't that make Lunafreya the third Oracle to have some sort of connection to it? ] Grandpa ended up keeping it from hers, and then he kept it hidden until I found it here. After all that time... Grandpa would probably want to really see the person inside the Puzzle.

[ And, it seems like the only way for people to really know Atem is to play him in a game.

Yugi finally looks up at his other self. ]

Luna really didn't like watching our duel. [ He frowns slightly. He wonders if it's just her natural dislike of the game or if there is more to it. ] We haven't been able to spend any time with her since we came home. I know she's busy with everything she has to do with being the Oracle, and her duties in England, but...

[ It just feels like she's put distance between herself and them. She texts now and again, and the pastries and leather notebook upstairs would imply that she wants to spend time with them. Why doesn't she? ]

Maybe Gentiana standing in for us will help bring us all back together.

[ For his part, Atem remains where he is, but he watches Yugi's movements carefully and closely, as though he might miss something important if he looks away for even one second. ]

Yes, I remember you mentioning that to me once. [ Clearly this room and these shelves hold a special meaning to Yugi, and because of that, they're important to Atem as well. If Yugi hadn't been so curious about that solid gold box, and so determined to sneak it out of the room, let alone so determined to solve the Puzzle, they might have never met. And that's a thought that Atem doesn't even want to think about. ]

Well, then, I suppose that it's time that we give him that chance, if you're certain that's what he'd want.

[ Perhaps if he weren't only a spirit residing in a mystical item, they might have more of a chance to meet him in other settings, but there's very little use in wishing for what doesn't seem possible at this time. His connection to the Puzzle can't be dislodged, so yes, in that sense, playing against him in a game or a duel is the only way for others to get to know him. ]

You're right, she didn't. [ There's a part of him that feels some measure of guilt or regret about that, even though he knows she'd tell him not to feel that way if she knew about his feelings. ] I would like to see her. [ He can admit that and be honest about it. ]

But as you said, she is the Oracle, and as such, she must be very busy. I wouldn't want to distract her.

[ At Yugi's words, Atem draws his arms in until they're crossed in front of him. ]

I suppose there's no harm in asking if she'd be willing. [ It may or may not be on purpose that he doesn't comment on the last part of Yugi's sentence. Of course seeing them all come back together is something he wants, but he won't force Luna into it either. ]

Grandpa didn't seem surprised at all when we met Luna for the first time. He already knew you were in the Puzzle--or at least thought something was. He may want to just talk to you, or the both of us, if it's not a game.

[ Of course, Yugi is just guessing based off of what he's observed of his grandpa. He puts up a good face, but, Yugi's learned to see how the older man watches him. It's glances out of the corner of his eye -- waiting to see if its Yugi or Atem he'll be talking to. He wonders if it was like that ever since he solved the Puzzle, or if Battle City really did give light to certain things. He'll ask his grandpa regardless though. There's no reason to hide the fact Atem is with him if everyone already knows.

He smiles just a bit at his other's self admittance. It's been hard for them to talk like this together - let alone getting him to talk about things he might want. Yugi knows its a process, but, he wonders how much he bears the responsibility for it all. Maybe that's something else to talk with Anzu about in the morning. She cares about both of them too.

There's a small sigh as he looks up at the ceiling. Well, at least his other self will admit to somethings now. It feels like there's a wall being put up slowly, even if Yugi isn't the one doing it. ]

I'll ask her tomorrow after I get back from hanging out with Anzu. [ He knows that if he didn't focus on Anzu, Atem would never let him hear the end of it. So, he forces a smile, and lowers his hand from the shelf. ] Which means I'll need to head to bed.

[ He'd mention again that he'd want Atem to look at the notebook when he's asleep if it weren't for how his other self crosses his arms. It seems like it might just be best to put the topic at rest for now. He'll focus on his meeting with Anzu in the morning and go from there.

He does grab the shogi box before leaving the room and heading back upstairs to his room. It sits on the desk next to the notebook, and he's careful not to disturb the sleeping Umbra on the floor at the foot of the bed. The Puzzle hangs on the bed post (as always) and Yugi wishes Atem goodnight--even though he knows the Pharaoh won't be "sleeping." ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

YGO PSL | ❝ i forget why i stay, and wonder if they'd notice if i slipped away. ❞

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no one asked, cozy mood music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9ee_Ez6tFk

aw yis mood music. it's very cozy

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/wraps this up to move onto the next :3