[fic+art] Theme 023 "Tea Set", for 100_wangsts {遊☆戯☆王: 'Atemu'/Yuugi; PG-14}
Hello again! I'm on a posting rampage today, but it stops with this one. ;]
And now I have nothing more witty to say, so here, enjoy. ^^ (At least more than what Yuugi will. *cackles*)
Written for 100_wangsts. This is theme 023.
Genre: Romance
Rating: PG-14
Pairings: ‘Atemu’/Yuugi
Story Type: Drabble/one-shot
Summary: The cold water was becoming less and less effective with each passing day, and soon he would need to look for a new way to make him stay alert. Luckily for him he’s found it...and hopefully it’ll work out in the end.
Disclaimer: Yuugiou’s not mine. However, I did spend 20 minutes doing the fanart that goes along with this, so I copyright that. (frowns)
Spoilers: AU.
Warnings: Female Yuugi (maid!Yuugi - so, genderbending) and business-man!Yami...err, ‘Atemu’, in this case. I’m really sorry, Yuugi! T.T
Notes: Oh, and prompt only inspired our dear Yuugi’s role. (coughs) No tea sets here!
-----
“Welcome home, Master Atemu.”
“Mmhmm.” He gave a tired yawn.
“Rough day at work, sir?”
“Yuugi, please.”
“...Atemu.”
“That’s better.” He handed the briefcase to the patiently waiting Yuugi, slipping out of his jacket and toeing off his shiny, black shoes all at the same time. Work had been exhausting with his boss breathing down his neck about pressing deadlines, and apparently he was now in charge of a new project he didn’t even know about until this afternoon, and it was due next week. Exactly why he wasn’t told earlier he would never know, but these ‘accidental slips of the mind’ of his boss were starting to eat away at his nerves. One of these days he was going to give him a piece of his own mind. But until then...
He sighed, nodded at Yuugi, who silently returned the briefcase and followed obediently after her Master up the stairs. She cast a worried look at the slightly hunched back; clearly Master Atemu was working overtime and wearing himself out more than he would admit. She bit her bottom lip, wondering if there was anything she could do to make him feel better.
Atemu opened the door to his bedroom, a room too ridiculously large for a single person. He let his attaché case fall to the ground, ignoring the thump, and turned to make his way to the adjoining bathroom. Yuugi waited dutifully by the door, hiding a chuckle as she heard the unmistakable running of water, the splashes, and the curses that rebounded off the wall after a bang on the marble counter.
She managed to keep a straight face by the time Atemu walked out, and she was happy to see the lingering traces of his scowl almost disappearing.
“Would you like to have dinner now, Master Atemu?”
He glanced at her before nodding once. “That would be good, thank you.”
Yuugi bowed, then padded down the stairs. Atemu stared after her, watching as the ribbon on the back that tied the straps together bounce slightly with each step. Only when he could no longer see Yuugi’s form did he turn back to the mirror in his room. He saw someone he almost didn’t recognize: there were dark circles under his eyes, his irises like unripe twin cherries, and even his hair was drooping. His posture was not the prideful stance he once had - in fact, work and stress had begun to bore down on him, and he grimaced that he was so quickly succumbing to the strain. Luckily there was no visible greying of his hair, or otherwise he would...do something drastic. None of the colour treatments available at salons were going to give him back this natural tri-coloured look, no matter how long and hard he would have to look.
He rubbed his face, willing the tiredness to leave his face alone. He did not want wrinkles at the age of thirty-five. The cold water was becoming less and less effective with each passing day, and soon he would need to look for a new way to make him stay alert.
Atemu walked down the stairs slowly, stopping by the kitchen and saw Yuugi busy at the stove. She had always insisted that she prepare his meals by herself, not allowing anyone else to do it. And he was glad for it; Yuugi somehow knew what he liked best, which food would cheer him up if the day was bad, and - she was an excellent cook, he wasn’t about to argue with that.
He hummed appreciatively as he caught a whiff of what he was about to eat.
Yuugi turned at the sound, offering a shy smile (which Atemu returned, causing a small blush on the other’s face). “Your dinner’s ready, Master Atemu,” she said softly.
He nodded and took a seat at the ridiculously long dining table. Yuugi placed the plate in front of him. It wasn’t the full-blown five-course meal he knew Yuugi was capable of doing, and he was thankful - he was too tired to sit it through tonight.
The house was quiet, except for the occasional cling-clang in the kitchen. Atemu grinned around his fork; Yuugi needed to occupy her time when she didn’t have to look after his demands. She wasn’t the type to simply stand around to wait for instructions, other than the times when she needed to make sure he didn’t fall asleep in the middle of the hallway. He placed down his fork and dabbed his lips lightly with the napkin.
As if right on cue, Yuugi appeared beside him and whisked everything away. Atemu stood up and followed her.
“Master Atemu, you really should get some rest.”
He blinked, wondering how she knew he was behind her. He had made sure he was as silent as possible...
“I don’t feel tired right now.” He stood behind her as she prepared to wash his plate.
She spared him a half-glare before turning back to the task at hand. “Master Atemu, you are a horrible liar. Look at your eyes! They give you away instantly.”
“But I’m not,” he insisted to the back of Yuugi’s head. He placed a hand on her shoulder and felt her stiffen a bit. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” he quickly retracted his hand.
“Do not...apologize. You are the master, Master Atemu,” she said quietly, eyes burning holes into the sink. Her hands fisted, and she willed herself to calm down. “I’m sorry for my reaction.”
“Yuugi...”
“Master Atemu, you should really get some rest.”
He stayed silent, pondering. Yuugi’s tenseness did not escape his observations, and he entertained the idea that perhaps she was less nervous than she acted. Deciding that he had nothing to lose - after all, Yuugi did not hold grudges overnight and it was close to nine already - he edged even closer to invade her personal space.
Her back was awfully straight, even when he pushed her against the sink.
“Master Atemu-!” She exclaimed softly, feeling one of his hands caressing her cheek. Her hands flew up to grip his arm - to stop it, to keep it there? - but her left hand was intercepted by a larger one. Atemu chuckled lightly, bringing her covered hand to his own cheeks, sighing as he felt the warmth permeating his clothes everywhere. He planted a butterfly kiss to the side of her neck, enjoying the gasp of surprise that followed it.
“Master Atemu,” she tried again, tugging at his right wrist. “Stop, this isn’t right, you’re the master of the house, and I’m just-”
He growled and nipped. She yelped at the change.
“Sorry,” he murmured, his lips ghosting over the small bite. He continued to massage the spot, noticing that after the initial shock she had resumed her struggling. “Yuugi,” he sighed, lifting his head slightly out of the crook of her neck. “Please.”
She stopped, looking at him out of the corner of her eyes, silently judging his tone and body language. Atemu was clearly worn-out - he shouldn’t have the energy to be so...playful - did he even know what he was doing? She didn’t want to be his - play-thing or toy he would discard after he grew tired of her - but to carry it a step further would cause problems. Problems that she didn’t want to ever face under this roof. She stole another glance and caught the desperation and sincerity quietly beseeching her to accept his request.
Atemu smiled as Yuugi relaxed somewhat in his embrace. This would be a more effective method to get him to stay awake after work than the cold water...if he could get Yuugi used to it.
- Owari -
Story Word Count: 1,280
And now, le fanart! The overall planning/draft is here, and a 'lighter' (also clearer) picture-taken-version is here. ^_^
Authoress Notes: The authoress is currently unavailable as she is being hunted down by one of (the now male) Motou Yuugi. Please leave your message after the beep.
Beep.