Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! Booooo.

Warning: Sexual situations, like, right away. In the first scene, even. Yeah…

-Every Step-
Chapter One

The sunlight filtering through the open archway that connected the room to the vast balcony outside was as beautiful as it was bright, and the sleeping Yuugi's eyes fluttered open in response. With a yawn, he automatically moved to sit up, but a touch caused him to pause just as he was resting on his elbows.

Momentarily confused, Yuugi looked over and his brow furrowed. "Atemu?" he asked, his voice quiet from all of the sleeping he'd just done. "What are you still doing here? Shouldn't you have left by now?" He knew Atemu had a lot of things he needed to get done today and was under the impression that he was supposed to have left just as the sun began to rise.

The Great Pharaoh Atemu merely smiled and ran his hand comfortingly through Yuugi's hair. "I was going to leave earlier, but you just looked so cute," Atemu teased, gently grabbing Yuugi by the arm and pulling him to Atemu's side. "How could I possibly leave you here by yourself when you were making such a tantalizing face in your sleep?"

Yuugi blushed at Atemu's words. "But…" Yuugi protested, his voice trailing off. He thought Atemu had some important matters he had to attend to today. Nothing would get done if he just sat there with Yuugi all day.

"Hush," Atemu commanded, placing a quick kiss on Yuugi's lips to emphasize the word. "There's nothing more important than you."

Yuugi felt flattered, though he tried to hide it. From his understanding, Atemu really did need to leave and do other things.

"Besides," Atemu continued before Yuugi could say anything, "there are others who can take care of such matters. After your wonderful performance last night, I'm still not entirely satisfied…" Atemu rolled so that Yuugi was on his back and Atemu was hovering over him, their faces inches apart.

Against his better judgment, Yuugi felt himself melting into the embrace. "Ate—" he began, though he was quickly cut off by a pair of lips covering his own. Yuugi couldn't help it; he moaned.

Atemu pulled away, looking entirely pleased with himself. Yuugi could only stare, dazed. What was it that he'd been trying to convince Atemu of again?

It probably doesn't matter, was Yuugi's last coherent thought as he wrapped his legs around Atemu's waist.

Atemu smiled, instantly grinding against Yuugi as he littered his chest with kisses. He always loved the noises Yuugi made as they were making love.

"Yuugi," he practically purred, lightly licking one of Yuugi's nipples and reveling the slight shout he let out. "I love you, little one."

Yuugi shook, almost unable to take both Atemu's words and ministrations at the same time. "L-love you, too," he replied, burying his hands into Atemu's hair.

When Atemu was satisfied with the marks littering Yuugi's chest, he briefly pulled away and reached to grab the oil sitting next to where they were laying. After dipping his fingers in it, he reached behind Yuugi and lightly probed at his entrance. His fingers danced teasingly across Yuugi's skin, and just when Yuugi thought he couldn't take it anymore Atemu inserted his finger, trying to get Yuugi as slick as he could.

After he was satisfied, Atemu positioned himself and thrust into Yuugi, letting out a small groan as warmth and tightness surrounded his member. He could never get over how fucking good it felt to be joined with Yuugi, like they were meant to be like this.

Yuugi also enjoyed the feeling of completion. It was times like this that he felt close to Atemu, and he loved it. Loved everything—this closeness, Atemu. He loved Atemu so much.

Yuugi pushed forward a bit, gently urging Atemu on, and Atemu was all too happy to comply. He started slowly, drawing out his thrusts and taking in Yuugi's flushed face and euphoric expression. Soon, however, overwhelming tension began to pool in his stomach and Atemu wanted more.

Atemu flipped Yuugi onto his stomach before harshly thrusting back into him. Yuugi jumped a little, but sighed happily all the same. Atemu's thrusts were now much faster, and it was all Yuugi could do to meet them with his own backwards jerks.

Though a little shaky, Atemu moved a single hand down to help jerk Yuugi off in time with his thrusts, and Yuugi reciprocated by moaning and pushing himself harder onto Atemu's length.

At the pace they were going, it wasn't long before they climaxed. Under his hand, Atemu could feel Yuugi's abs spasm and contract and knew he was only seconds away.

Yuugi came with a loud cry, the stimulation against his prostate finally too much to bear.

Atemu pulled out at the very last moment, the tension pooling around the bottom of his stomach expelling in a snap as he also came and was overtaken with pleasure.

Both were breathing hard as the pleasure finally started to fade. Atemu fell into the pillows beside Yuugi, and Yuugi immediately cuddled up to him. Atemu wrapped his arms around Yuugi in response.

Gently stroking Yuugi's cheek, Atemu whispered, "I love you."

Yuugi smiled in response and nodded his head into Atemu's stomach. "I love you, too," he replied sincerely. And though he wasn't very tired, with the constant motions of Atemu stroking his hair and cheek Yuugi soon found his eyes drooping.

"We'll stay together—just like this—forever, won't we, Yuugi?" Atemu said, gently tracing the outline of Yuugi's nose.

Yuugi felt butterflies fluttering around his stomach at Atemu's words. They almost sounded too good to be true, but… "Of course," he replied.

Atemu seemed satisfied with this, as he didn't say anything else.

And slowly, in the comfort of Atemu's arms, Yuugi drifted back to sleep.

When Yuugi woke up again, he was a little disappointed to notice he was alone. His hand automatically reached for the spot that Atemu had been, only to find the spot cold. Oh, well. He'd known Atemu was busy, after all. It was better that he was off attending to other matters.

Yuugi glanced out the giant archway and noticed the sun seemed to be at its highest. Had he really slept so long? It felt like it had only just been morning.

Yuugi's stomach rumbled in response and he realized embarrassedly that, yes, it had been that long. He stood and moved to go and get himself cleaned off in the bath. With the dried sweat and semen sticking to his skin, he felt more than a little disgusting.

When he was satisfied with his appearance, Yuugi left the room and made his way down the long corridors to where he knew the kitchen to be. Along the way the various servants he passed would bow lowly before scurrying on their way, and it never ceased to make Yuugi feel awkward and uncomfortable.

Yuugi himself wasn't royalty—quite the contrary, in fact, as he was born a commoner. In the past, he would never have even dreamed that he'd one day be where he currently was, but against all odds he had met and fallen in mutual love with the Pharaoh. To say he wasn't used to the treatment he was now given would be an understatement, but he knew no one meant any harm by it. Besides, if he wanted to stay with Atemu he knew he would have to learn to deal with it.

With one final turn he was in the corridor just outside the kitchen. Yuugi headed inside, intending to find date fruit or perhaps some chickpeas to munch on before heading on his way. However, he was stopped as soon as he entered by the sight of Atemu lounging against a wall, absentmindedly eating some grapes.

Yuugi paused. "Pharaoh? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be elsewhere?" Yuugi asked, confused.

Atemu, who was abruptly snapped from his musings by the sound of Yuugi's voice, looked up and smiled at Yuugi in greeting. "There you are, Yuugi!" Atemu said. "I had a feeling you would be here soon, so I decided to take a break and get some lunch. Grape?" he offered, kindly holding out the fruit to Yuugi.

Yuugi accepted the grape, but his brow furrowed in worry. "I thought you were going to be busy today, Atemu," he said, popping the grape into his mouth. Man, he was hungry.

Atemu chuckled. "It seems today all you're doing is trying to get rid of me!" he exclaimed teasingly.

Yuugi immediately shook his head. "No, no! You have it all wrong!" he insisted. He never wanted Atemu to go away! "It's just… I thought…" Yuugi trailed off, biting his lip in worry.

Atemu placed the rest of the grapes on a nearby table before stepping forward and embracing Yuugi. "Yuugi," he said, "you have nothing to worry about. My subjects can wait, because as for now all I want to do is be with you. Besides, even a pharaoh needs to eat."

Against his wishes, a blush made its way onto Yuugi's face. "S-stop saying things like that!" he protested gently. "I know you're busy…"

Atemu kissed him on the forehead. "I am never too busy for you."

And just like that, the worry between them dissipated. Atemu motioned for Yuugi to sit, and they both settled themselves at a small table. Atemu scooted his chair so that he was right next to Yuugi, much to Yuugi's happiness.

"I've already set out some chickpeas for you," Atemu said, sliding a bowl of the aforementioned vegetable in front of Yuugi and watching with delight as Yuugi's eyes lit up. "I know how much you like them."

"Thank you, Atemu!" Yuugi exclaimed happily. Not one to waste time when it came to food he liked, he eagerly began to munch on them.

Atemu smiled, pleased with Yuugi's happiness. He took a few bites of his grapes before leaning in close to the side of Yuugi's head. Yuugi, too distracted by the chickpeas, didn't notice until Atemu lightly blew on his ear. Yuugi jumped.

Atemu laughed softly to himself. "You're so cute," he said, sounding as if he could hardly believe it. He nuzzled Yuugi's cheek. "So, since I got you those chickpeas, what are you going to do for me?" he asked slyly.

Yuugi shook his head, but he was smiling. "What is it you want?"

Atemu seemed to take a moment to ponder this, but Yuugi wasn't fooled. He knew Atemu had something in mind, he always did.

Finally, Atemu grinned and said, "Feed me?" He held out the rest of the grapes.

Yuugi rolled his eyes, but accepted the grapes all the same. He did as Atemu requested and brought one of the grapes to Atemu's mouth, who deftly grabbed it with his lips before chewing and swallowing.

Yuugi barely held back his laughter. "You're like a little kid, needing me to do this for you," he teased.

"Mm… Quiet, you, and feed me," Atemu said, playfully bringing his face even closer to Yuugi's.

This time, Yuugi really did laugh as he held up another grape.

It went on like this for a while, both of them teasing and joking with each other as they ate. Yuugi couldn't help but wonder at how easy it was, just sitting there and being with Atemu. Unbeknownst to Yuugi, Atemu was secretly thinking the same thing.

Finally, Atemu stood.

"I'll see you later, Yuugi," Atemu said, giving Yuugi's hand a gentle squeeze before he strode down the corridors in the direction of his throne room. Yuugi watched him go, completely content. He really didn't know what he'd done to deserve Atemu, but he was thankful.

A skip in his step, Yuugi headed off in the direction of the gardens. The palace, albeit beautiful, didn't provide much of interest for Yuugi to do. Whenever Yuugi tried to do anything even mildly productive, Atemu tended to scold him and tell him that he needn't strain or stress himself. It was extremely frustrating, but he knew Atemu was only worried about him. Unfortunately, this meant he was limited to lounging around, admiring scenery, and playing games. He was especially good at games.

He was just about to turn a corner, wondering to himself if perhaps Atemu would be okay with it if he went to visit his friend Jonouchi in town again, when the sound of people talking caused him to pause.

Yuugi immediately recognized the voice of Seth, one of Atemu's high priests, and automatically started backing up. Seth sounded angry, and Yuugi didn't want to eavesdrop. He was just about to turn around and take another hallway, when…

"—hardly believe the nerve of the pharaoh! This is the second high judgment he's missed today alone!"

Yuugi paused, unable to help himself. Just what had Priest Seth said?

"Now, Priest Seth, calm yourself…"

Yuugi's eyes widened. That was Shimon's voice. Seth was talking to Shimon?

"No, I won't calm myself! This is an outrage!" Seth replied angrily. From the echoing footsteps, Yuugi could tell he was pacing. "The Pharaoh has important duties he must attend to, and by blowing them off like this, he risks endangering the citizens of both Upper and Lower Egypt! We just had to postpone the trial of a dangerous thief because of him! It's a disgrace!"

Yuugi felt his heart clench. But… Atemu had said…

"Priest Seth…" Shimon said, voice sad.

"It's all because of that Ra forsaken commoner the Pharaoh is obsessed with!" Seth all but screamed.

Yuugi flinched, guilt eating viciously at his insides. It was his fault? That was right… He was the one who was distracting Atemu. If it weren't for him, Atemu would be attending to his duties as he normally would.

And Shimon's sudden silence confirmed it. Lately Yuugi had taken to thinking of Shimon like he would a grandfather, and if even he agreed with what Seth was saying… Then it was true.

Yuugi's heart broke, and he ran.

A/N: That's it for the first chapter. =) In this story I think the length of each chapter is going to vary somewhat, just depending on wherever I decide a good stopping point to be. But even so, this one was kind of short. Hm…

Anyway, I hope you liked it! I tried to show a lot of Atemu and Yuugi's very dependent relationship so that Atemu and Yuugi's actions in later chapters are easier to understand. I'm not entirely sure I accomplished it, but I tried.

In either the next chapter or the one after that you guys will learn more about how Yuugi and Atemu's relationship came to be, so please forgive me for any confusion right now.

Thank you very much for reading!

~Riuolo