Weren't You the Queen, And I Your King (Mythship × Yuugi AU)

[puzzleshounen]

CW: Incest

[The Ceremonial Duel...

The day Yuugi and the Pharaoh were to part. Atem returned home to the Afterlife, and Yuugi... was left to continue living.

He was a stronger person now, really! Losing a part of him that was always there for three straight years? It was fine. It was what Atem wanted, so it was fine.

He said forever.

But he just wanted to go home.

It was fine.

It was fine.

Yuugi couldn't bring himself to return home with the others... and so here he was, sitting in the Ishtars' guest room, trying not to let them see him crying in bed with his face buried in the pillow.

It was fine.

It was fine.

Everything was fine.

The Ishtars were so good to him: Marik was a ball of life and energy, and Ishizu... she made him feel safe. Comforted.

That was why he couldn't let them see him cry. They couldn't let them see just how much the Pharaoh's passing had affected him.

He promised.

He promised him...a lot of things. Atem spoke kindly and told Yuugi he was all he needed. He talked about what they'd do together when he got his memories back: where they'd go, what they'd do...

How he loved him.

How he never wanted to be without him...

Was...

Was that a lie...?]

Comments

[puzzleshounen]

Ah...

[Wipe your eyes, Yuugi. Don't let them see. Don't let them know.

You're okay. You're okay.

Yuugi took a deep breath. Focused.]

Better, thank you!

[A lie. Fake it til you make it.]

Hold on... let me get...

[He opens the door, and he smiles. He's wearing his favorite white pajama set, and when he's like this, he looks so much more vulnerable.

He truly was cursed with a burden too young...]

There. Ah...hi, Miss Ishizu.

[itisdestiny]

[She frowns, the telltale signs of tears in Yuugi's eyes are visible and she knows that quite well from when Marik was younger.]

Please, there is no need for formalities.

[Ishizu places a hand on his shoulder.]

And... you do not need to hide the truth. You are here to recover, to work through your troubles. We do not think less of you if you show weakness.

[puzzleshounen]

I...

[Being strong, huh...

Is that... the way people see it? He supposed he was trying to be strong; if he kept it in, nobody would worry. Ishizu and Marik were finally free from their burden: it wasn't fair for him to feel pain like this.

Think about how they feel...]

...know. I'm not trying to be strong. I just...

[Her hand is warm on his shoulder; it reminds him of the truly important things.]

Just got something in my eye, that's all.

[itisdestiny]

Yuugi...

[The hand that was on his shoulder moves up to cup his cheek.]

Know that we are here for you. Atem may not be here... but you are not alone.

[puzzleshounen]

[...um.

This was... she was a bit close, wasn't she? Ishizu has always been a little touchy with him since he came here, and it never failed to make his stomach flutter.

...

What? He was a growing boy, and Ishizu was beautiful.

His cheeks redden and he averts his eyes.]


I...I kn-know. I know I am.

[Was he, though? The person who was his other half, the one who swore he loved him and would rather vanish than be torn apart...

He left.

He left without even fighting. He gets his name, and then he...he...

Yuugi doesn't even realize that he's crying again.]

[itisdestiny]

[Poor Yuugi. He's been burdened with such big things that no child should have up deal with.

Upon seeing him begin to cry again, she bites her bottom lip, hesitating a moment before pulling him into a gentle embrace.]

It is alright. We are here for you...

[puzzleshounen]

[That embrace...it's so warm.

As her arms wrap around him, something in Yuugi's chest caves. She smells so good, her voice is so gentle and kind.

She always had this sisterly air around her, sure, but Yuugi never saw that more tender side until he came here. He never saw Ishizu, the soft-hearted woman who cared for her family and eased their hurts...

With a soft sob, Yuugi began to cry in earnest in Ishizu's arms.]

[itisdestiny]

[She tightens her hold a bit, gently rubbing his back, remaining silent for a few moments, eventually speaking softly to him.]

It is okay, Yuugi... Cry as much as you need. You are safe here...

[puzzleshounen]

I...! I...!

[The tears wouldn't stop. He couldn't stop them...!]

He...! He told me...th-that he loved me...

[And words fell from his lips that he never told a single soul...

As his own soul felt like it was ripped in two.]

[itisdestiny]

[What a beautiful and cruel thing to tell him. Ishizu frowns.]

I am certain he did but... he is not of this time. He needed to move on to the afterlife, so his soul may be reborn.

[puzzleshounen]

I know...! I know, but...

He...

[He sniffles. Tries to hold back his more frustrated emotions but it's so hard.

It's...!]

He told me...th-that he didn't need his memories...if he had me.

I know he needed to go, but...I...

Why does it hurt so much...?

[itisdestiny]

[There's a thoughtful hum. Atem is... not eloquent with his words. But it needed to happen. He was a part of a soul that needed to move on so he could be reborn. So that Yuugi could become whole.]

Because you lost part of your soul. You lost your best friend and partner.

It will hurt... for quite some time, I am sorry to say.

[puzzleshounen]

Best friend...huh...?

[Do bffs make out in their soul rooms? Asking for a friend.]

I...we were a bit, ah...more... than that.

[itisdestiny]

But a partner must also be your best friend. Or else there is nothing but failure to a relationship.

[She doesn't seem phased by the fact that Yuugi and Atem were involved.]

[puzzleshounen]

That's... that's true...

[Ishizu was so wise.]

You... probably know that from experience, huh?

[itisdestiny]

In a sense.

[Her heart has only belonged to one person prior to meeting Yuugi...]

I am sorry you are hurting from this though.

[puzzleshounen]

S-sorry...

[He smiles, sheepish. The first real smile he's made all day.]

That was rude of me. I just thought, since you're so pretty, that you've... you know.

[Osiris, swallow him.]

A-and don't worry about me! As you said, it'll...hurt for a while. But I'll get better.

[itisdestiny]

[Seeing him smile makes her smile in return. Even if it's just a bit, he's on the road to recovery...

But his compliment makes her blush slightly. Yuugi himself is incredibly charming and a brave one boy...]

Ah, thank you, Yuugi... It is flattering to hear you say that...

[A pause and a sheepish smile.]

I am glad to see you smiling again.

1/2

[puzzleshounen]

[Oh, that's...

Welp, that's a blush.]

F-flattering...? R-really...? It's not...weird?

2/3 oops Yuugi is really awkward help

[puzzleshounen]

Well, you make it really easy to smile--

[Give him a second.]

3/3

[puzzleshounen]

[Yeeeeeep, there's the blush and the awkward flail as his brain finally keeps up with his mouth.]

W-wait, that was...!! I...!!

[itisdestiny]

[Ishizu blinks.]

Why would it be weird?

[Oh... She makes it easy to smile...

Ishizu's cheeks flush darker and she moves his hands to rest on Yuugi's shoulders rather than a full embrace.]

Yuugi...

[puzzleshounen]

[Words.

He was going to say those. But then Ishizu put her hands on his shoulders, his mind freezes.

His face is warm, his heart is racing...]

I...shizu...?

[He speaks in a soft, hushed whisper.]

[itisdestiny]

[... Does she do something? He was just mourning over the loss of Atem moments ago. Doing something now feels... in poor taste.

The Egyptian woman leans over and places a soft kiss to Yuugi's cheek. That should be simply enough to convey her message and allow him to decide for himself what he wants.]

... We should do something today. Perhaps Marik can take us out on his bike?

[puzzleshounen]

[Ah...

That was...a kiss. She kissed him. On the cheek.

Yuugi's fingers brush the spot...

And he shyly, so shyly, kiss her cheek right back.]

Going out with you two... sounds nice.

I haven't really gone out much since I've been here, have I...?