[fic] Delivery person - Yugioh, 'Atemu'xYugi, general/angst, G, theme 048 (100_chances)
Theme: 048- Delivery person; for 100_chances
Author: Chey (duelist_gurl163)
Genre: General/angst
Rating: G
Pairings: 'Atemu'xYugi
Archive: Here
Warnings: AU
Spoilers: None.
Summary: Everything was supposed to be fine, and if only he could just ignore those things called emotions, maybe he could convince himself that everything was.
Disclaimer: Yugioh still belongs to Takahashi.
---
Every year, pausing on the corner, he went through the same roller coaster of emotions. Hope, fear, guilt…they looped through his head a few times, each following the next in a cycle, until he forced himself around the corner and looked up at the outside dining area of the small restaurant. His heart pounded in excitement, betraying his desire to not feel anything.
And, as every year, he was there. Sipping a glass of iced tea, perusing the newspaper. Looking relaxed, looking…great. As always.
Yugi put on a smile and walked over. “Hey Atemu.”
He looked up and beamed. “Yugi!” He stood, holding out his hand. Yugi took it for a moment, smiling up at him, a real smile this time, one that spread uncontrollably across his lips at the mere sight of Atemu looking happy to see him.
“How have you been?” Atemu asked as they sat down.
“Not bad. How about you?”
“Busy, mostly,” Atemu said.
“So work’s been good?”
“Definitely.”
“Tell me about the most exciting job,” Yugi said, his standard first ice-breaker question whenever he saw Atemu.
Atemu looked thoughtful. “Well, about nine months ago I was delivering some gems from one king to another, payment for something I think, and was attacked by a band of robbers. I managed to subdue them, keep them alive to turn them in for the bounty, and still get the payment to its destination on time. Next thing you know, every high-up government official wants me to carry out their shady deals. Much better pay, and I get to travel more, but there are downsides to being so busy. Of course, I still made room to make it here. Some things are more important than a job.” He smiled.
“You were attacked?” Yugi finally asked, his mouth dry.
“By nine people.” Atemu nodded. Yugi didn't miss the note of pride in his voice. “It wasn't easy, believe me, but the bounty really came in handy and the reputation isn’t so bad either. Which reminds me…” He reached under the table and picked up a flat package, covered in gift wrap. “Happy birthday!”
Yugi was still concerned about the fact that Atemu’s lifestyle was attracting dangerous criminals. The delivery person job came with an element of danger, Yugi had to accept that, but robbers? But Atemu seemed so pleased about getting him a gift that Yugi put his concern aside for a moment.
“Oh Atemu…you know you don’t have to get me presents. Most delivery people have a partner who helps them make money and get jobs, you’re supporting yourself. You should use that money for food or ammunition.”
“Nonsense, your birthday deserves a gift. And for your information, I didn’t actually buy this one. Now open it.”
Peeling back the wrapper, Yugi found a wooden box that rattled. It was full of small carved pieces of wood and the box lid had intricate designs on the inside, inlaid with colourful stones.
“It’s beautiful,” he said, tracing one of the grooves.
“It’s a game from a tribe in the west,” Atemu explained. “They were caught in a horrible sickness awhile back and there was one medicine woman in the north who they thought could help. There was another tribe they were warring with between them, so I had to get her there safely. We made it and she was able to save a lot of people. Their leader kept trying to give me gifts, so I finally accepted this. I knew you would like it. I’m not entirely sure how it’s played, but I'm sure your grandfather will know about it."
Yugi bit his lip. “Atemu…thank you.”
“Hey…” Atemu peered at him worriedly. “It’s nothing to cry over. I thought this would make you happy, why are you crying?”
He wiped his eyes. “No, I know. I just…it means a lot to me. You know, that…you think of me while you’re gone and stuff. Thank you though, I love it.”
He took a deep breath. He needed a less emotional topic. Luckily the waiter intervened, coming by to take their lunch orders. When he left, Atemu smiled and propped his arms on the table. “So enough about my job. Come on, tell me what’s been up while I’ve been gone.”
As they ate and chatted, Yugi’s thoughts drifted to the past. For as long as he had known him, Atemu had always had an insatiable wanderlust. He talked all the time about becoming a delivery person. Yugi was proud of him when he finally got his license. And things were fine until Atemu began bringing up the idea of becoming internationally registered. The pay was greater and there would be more jobs, but they’d be more dangerous and time consuming.
It was his dream, Yugi didn’t want to stand in the way of that, but he also couldn’t pack up his life to traipse around the world with him. So when Atemu walked into the living room one morning in tears, Yugi wasn’t surprised or angry. He’d known the split was coming. He wished him luck and told him to come back and visit. And Atemu had done so faithfully, every year on Yugi’s birthday. It was obvious that the drifter’s life suited him. He always seemed healthy and strong. But even now, six years later, his eyes were tinted by the same sadness they held the day he left. Yugi found it easier to pretend like he didn’t notice.
But he did. Of course he did.
And today, as always, Yugi kept waiting for the question to come, but Atemu didn’t even hint at it. The absence of it made Yugi a jittery wreck. He’d steeled himself for the question. He wanted to see if another year’s worth of ‘getting ready’ was enough. But three hours later Atemu just stretched and said, “It’s been great seeing you again, Yugi. I wish I could stay longer, but I have to be going. Have to catch a train to the port before the ship leaves without me, because the next one isn’t leaving for two weeks.”
Yugi stared at him. That was it? He couldn’t stop himself, he had to say something. “Atemu…wait. You haven’t made your offer yet.”
“Offer?”
“Every year you ask me if I’ve changed my mind and want to be your partner.”
Atemu looked down. “It didn’t seem appropriate.”
“Why not?”
He took a deep breath. “It’s been six years and I thought…six years is a long time, you know? I don’t want to be that person who guilt trips you for the rest of your life. So I though it’s probably time I stopped jokingly making offers that we both know aren’t jokes.”
Yugi bit his lip. This wasn’t how this talk was supposed to go. Atemu’s eyes weren’t supposed to be so deep, his voice wasn’t supposed to be so heartbreaking. “Y-yeah…I guess that’s true.”
Atemu was watching him quietly. Yugi couldn’t meet his eyes.
Six years.
So why did it feel like it had only been yesterday? Why did it still hurt? It was a question he knew that Atemu had never asked himself. Atemu had said from the beginning that he loved him, knew all along that it was Yugi or nobody. It was Yugi who had made the attempts to move on and date and be normal. That was the right thing to do. He was doing the right thing, so why…
The silence had gotten to be too much. “Alright,” Atemu said quietly. “Well…I’ll see you next year then? Unless I get a job that brings me around this way.”
Yugi nodded. “I’ll see you then. Stop by any time.”
“I’ll try to write you letters more often.” Atemu reached out and embraced him. Yugi hugged him back, blinking and fighting back the lump in his throat.
“Yeah, I would like to hear from you more,” he said.
Atemu pecked his cheek; a habit he had picked up from the westerners. It was a chaste, friendly kiss, but one that made Yugi’s heart leap anyway. Then he pulled away. “Bye Yugi. Take care.”
“B-be careful. Bye…”
Atemu flung his bag over his shoulder, waved one last time, and turned to go.
Yugi watched as he walked away. He would no longer make jokes about Yugi taking off to be a delivery person with him. Maybe now he’d stop pining. Those years before, Yugi had thought he would do anything to hear that Atemu had moved on and stopped hurting over him. Now, the fact that Atemu had acknowledged that it was foolish to keep hoping might be a step in that direction. Maybe now he’d move on and open himself to the idea of finding someone else. It was what Yugi had always wanted…
So why didn’t he feel happy?
He turned to go back home. Back to his monotonous life. Back to an empty house. Back to marking off the days until he could stand on that corner again, arguing with himself over what was real and what was ‘right,’ all to hide from the emotions he didn’t want to feel.
X - X - X
Notes: The Delivery Person job was taken from the Stray Cat bonus manga from the Black Cat manga series. The idea being that the delivery person takes on assignments to “deliver” things, often dangerous or unusual, and is paid upon completion. I set this one in the Black Cat world, which is not the same geographically or technologically (air travel not being mainstream, for one) as our world.
Happy St. Patrick's Day! I'm not wearing any green at all. xD But I have a green jacket I can wear, so that works!
Author: Chey (duelist_gurl163)
Genre: General/angst
Rating: G
Pairings: 'Atemu'xYugi
Archive: Here
Warnings: AU
Spoilers: None.
Summary: Everything was supposed to be fine, and if only he could just ignore those things called emotions, maybe he could convince himself that everything was.
Disclaimer: Yugioh still belongs to Takahashi.
---
Every year, pausing on the corner, he went through the same roller coaster of emotions. Hope, fear, guilt…they looped through his head a few times, each following the next in a cycle, until he forced himself around the corner and looked up at the outside dining area of the small restaurant. His heart pounded in excitement, betraying his desire to not feel anything.
And, as every year, he was there. Sipping a glass of iced tea, perusing the newspaper. Looking relaxed, looking…great. As always.
Yugi put on a smile and walked over. “Hey Atemu.”
He looked up and beamed. “Yugi!” He stood, holding out his hand. Yugi took it for a moment, smiling up at him, a real smile this time, one that spread uncontrollably across his lips at the mere sight of Atemu looking happy to see him.
“How have you been?” Atemu asked as they sat down.
“Not bad. How about you?”
“Busy, mostly,” Atemu said.
“So work’s been good?”
“Definitely.”
“Tell me about the most exciting job,” Yugi said, his standard first ice-breaker question whenever he saw Atemu.
Atemu looked thoughtful. “Well, about nine months ago I was delivering some gems from one king to another, payment for something I think, and was attacked by a band of robbers. I managed to subdue them, keep them alive to turn them in for the bounty, and still get the payment to its destination on time. Next thing you know, every high-up government official wants me to carry out their shady deals. Much better pay, and I get to travel more, but there are downsides to being so busy. Of course, I still made room to make it here. Some things are more important than a job.” He smiled.
“You were attacked?” Yugi finally asked, his mouth dry.
“By nine people.” Atemu nodded. Yugi didn't miss the note of pride in his voice. “It wasn't easy, believe me, but the bounty really came in handy and the reputation isn’t so bad either. Which reminds me…” He reached under the table and picked up a flat package, covered in gift wrap. “Happy birthday!”
Yugi was still concerned about the fact that Atemu’s lifestyle was attracting dangerous criminals. The delivery person job came with an element of danger, Yugi had to accept that, but robbers? But Atemu seemed so pleased about getting him a gift that Yugi put his concern aside for a moment.
“Oh Atemu…you know you don’t have to get me presents. Most delivery people have a partner who helps them make money and get jobs, you’re supporting yourself. You should use that money for food or ammunition.”
“Nonsense, your birthday deserves a gift. And for your information, I didn’t actually buy this one. Now open it.”
Peeling back the wrapper, Yugi found a wooden box that rattled. It was full of small carved pieces of wood and the box lid had intricate designs on the inside, inlaid with colourful stones.
“It’s beautiful,” he said, tracing one of the grooves.
“It’s a game from a tribe in the west,” Atemu explained. “They were caught in a horrible sickness awhile back and there was one medicine woman in the north who they thought could help. There was another tribe they were warring with between them, so I had to get her there safely. We made it and she was able to save a lot of people. Their leader kept trying to give me gifts, so I finally accepted this. I knew you would like it. I’m not entirely sure how it’s played, but I'm sure your grandfather will know about it."
Yugi bit his lip. “Atemu…thank you.”
“Hey…” Atemu peered at him worriedly. “It’s nothing to cry over. I thought this would make you happy, why are you crying?”
He wiped his eyes. “No, I know. I just…it means a lot to me. You know, that…you think of me while you’re gone and stuff. Thank you though, I love it.”
He took a deep breath. He needed a less emotional topic. Luckily the waiter intervened, coming by to take their lunch orders. When he left, Atemu smiled and propped his arms on the table. “So enough about my job. Come on, tell me what’s been up while I’ve been gone.”
As they ate and chatted, Yugi’s thoughts drifted to the past. For as long as he had known him, Atemu had always had an insatiable wanderlust. He talked all the time about becoming a delivery person. Yugi was proud of him when he finally got his license. And things were fine until Atemu began bringing up the idea of becoming internationally registered. The pay was greater and there would be more jobs, but they’d be more dangerous and time consuming.
It was his dream, Yugi didn’t want to stand in the way of that, but he also couldn’t pack up his life to traipse around the world with him. So when Atemu walked into the living room one morning in tears, Yugi wasn’t surprised or angry. He’d known the split was coming. He wished him luck and told him to come back and visit. And Atemu had done so faithfully, every year on Yugi’s birthday. It was obvious that the drifter’s life suited him. He always seemed healthy and strong. But even now, six years later, his eyes were tinted by the same sadness they held the day he left. Yugi found it easier to pretend like he didn’t notice.
But he did. Of course he did.
And today, as always, Yugi kept waiting for the question to come, but Atemu didn’t even hint at it. The absence of it made Yugi a jittery wreck. He’d steeled himself for the question. He wanted to see if another year’s worth of ‘getting ready’ was enough. But three hours later Atemu just stretched and said, “It’s been great seeing you again, Yugi. I wish I could stay longer, but I have to be going. Have to catch a train to the port before the ship leaves without me, because the next one isn’t leaving for two weeks.”
Yugi stared at him. That was it? He couldn’t stop himself, he had to say something. “Atemu…wait. You haven’t made your offer yet.”
“Offer?”
“Every year you ask me if I’ve changed my mind and want to be your partner.”
Atemu looked down. “It didn’t seem appropriate.”
“Why not?”
He took a deep breath. “It’s been six years and I thought…six years is a long time, you know? I don’t want to be that person who guilt trips you for the rest of your life. So I though it’s probably time I stopped jokingly making offers that we both know aren’t jokes.”
Yugi bit his lip. This wasn’t how this talk was supposed to go. Atemu’s eyes weren’t supposed to be so deep, his voice wasn’t supposed to be so heartbreaking. “Y-yeah…I guess that’s true.”
Atemu was watching him quietly. Yugi couldn’t meet his eyes.
Six years.
So why did it feel like it had only been yesterday? Why did it still hurt? It was a question he knew that Atemu had never asked himself. Atemu had said from the beginning that he loved him, knew all along that it was Yugi or nobody. It was Yugi who had made the attempts to move on and date and be normal. That was the right thing to do. He was doing the right thing, so why…
The silence had gotten to be too much. “Alright,” Atemu said quietly. “Well…I’ll see you next year then? Unless I get a job that brings me around this way.”
Yugi nodded. “I’ll see you then. Stop by any time.”
“I’ll try to write you letters more often.” Atemu reached out and embraced him. Yugi hugged him back, blinking and fighting back the lump in his throat.
“Yeah, I would like to hear from you more,” he said.
Atemu pecked his cheek; a habit he had picked up from the westerners. It was a chaste, friendly kiss, but one that made Yugi’s heart leap anyway. Then he pulled away. “Bye Yugi. Take care.”
“B-be careful. Bye…”
Atemu flung his bag over his shoulder, waved one last time, and turned to go.
Yugi watched as he walked away. He would no longer make jokes about Yugi taking off to be a delivery person with him. Maybe now he’d stop pining. Those years before, Yugi had thought he would do anything to hear that Atemu had moved on and stopped hurting over him. Now, the fact that Atemu had acknowledged that it was foolish to keep hoping might be a step in that direction. Maybe now he’d move on and open himself to the idea of finding someone else. It was what Yugi had always wanted…
So why didn’t he feel happy?
He turned to go back home. Back to his monotonous life. Back to an empty house. Back to marking off the days until he could stand on that corner again, arguing with himself over what was real and what was ‘right,’ all to hide from the emotions he didn’t want to feel.
X - X - X
Notes: The Delivery Person job was taken from the Stray Cat bonus manga from the Black Cat manga series. The idea being that the delivery person takes on assignments to “deliver” things, often dangerous or unusual, and is paid upon completion. I set this one in the Black Cat world, which is not the same geographically or technologically (air travel not being mainstream, for one) as our world.
Happy St. Patrick's Day! I'm not wearing any green at all. xD But I have a green jacket I can wear, so that works!