Warning: Lemon. Like, right away. Is it necessary? No. But do I want to write one? Yes. So a lemon we shall have.

Every Step

-Epilogue-

"Yuugi…" Atemu mumbled against Yuugi's bare shoulder, saying the name like a prayer. His hands began to wander, seeming to worship the body underneath him. One of his roaming hands abruptly cupped his partner's ass, pushing his hips forward and grinding their erections together. Both men let out a hiss of pleasure.

Yuugi's grip around Atemu's body tightened at the pleasure he felt, and he snaked his arms upward and ran a desperate hand through his partner's hair, clutching him tightly. He looked up at Atemu through dazed eyes. He never failed to have this effect on him.

An oiled finger began to probe Yuugi's entrance, causing him to arch his back in pleasure. The background of the Pharaoh's room was slowly fading from Yuugi's mind, he was so caught up in Atemu's movements. It felt like they were the only two in the world, and from the look on his face Yuugi knew Atemu felt the same.

A light mewl escaped Yuugi's mouth as Atemu began to bite and nibble at the juncture between Yuugi's neck and shoulder. Yuugi wondered absently if it would leave a mark, not that he would be surprised if it did. It would merely join the myriad of other possessive, claiming marks his Pharaoh had left on his body.

Yuugi's breath hitched as he felt the familiar feeling of Atemu's member at his oiled entrance. "Atemu…" he breathed, his heart threatening to overflow with happiness. He had missed this so much.

Atemu stared down at him, arms positioned on either side of Yuugi's head. It was obvious that he was struggling to control himself, desperate to be reunited with Yuugi's tight heat. But after all they had been through, Atemu didn't dare do anything to hurt the precious light underneath him. He had done so many terrible things, so much that he deeply regretted. He would take proper care of Yuugi now, do anything to make it up to him. Yuugi was his. His.

Seeming to notice Atemu's hesitation, Yuugi squeezed his arms around his Pharaoh and buried his face into his neck, the familiar gesture a silent consent that passed between them.

With that, Atemu could wait no longer. He buried himself into his partner, causing both parties to shudder at the feeling of completeness. It seemed to touch their very souls, intertwining them in a familiar, timeless dance.

A shudder wracked Atemu's powerful frame. Yuugi was still so tight, even after all of the times they had been together. He knew he'd never get tired of the feeling. He started to thrust, deep and fast, and saw stars.

Yuugi's body was ravaged. There were no part of his body that didn't go unkissed, unembraced, unmarked, and he loved it. It had been too long. Too long.

"Mine," Atemu mumbled against his skin, licking it in apology after having gave it a particularly harsh bite. Yuugi was his, just as he was Yuugi's.

With a final, harsh slam against his prostate, Yuugi was pushed over the edge. He released with a cry, his semen coating his stomach.

Feeling Yuugi tighten impossibly around him was all it took for Atemu to reach his breaking point. Gripping his partner's hips harshly, he released his load deep inside him, coating him, claiming him.

With a final shudder, Atemu exited Yuugi and collapsed on the bed beside him. He pulled him close. Their foreheads touched together, their breathing began to synch, as they looked into each other's eyes. Finally, Yuugi made a move and closed the small distance between them to pull Atemu into a deep kiss.

For a while they stayed like that, enjoying the afterglow and the feeling of being together and whole again. Each had done things they regretted, but they had found forgiveness in each other. As long as they were together, they knew they could face any obstacle that came their way.

Finally, Atemu broke the silence. "Sleep, little one," he said, gently rubbing Yuugi's back. "You have a busy day tomorrow."

As if on cue, Yuugi yawned. "So do you," he responded, voice sleepy.

Atemu smiled gently and nodded, but said no more. Instead, he continued to rub Yuugi's back, and it wasn't long before the soothing sensation lulled Yuugi to sleep.

The bright Egyptian sun stirred Yuugi from his sleep, its familiar greeting like a warm embrace to his rested body. He sat up and stretched, enjoying the feeling of being well. It had been several weeks since Atemu and Yami's souls had been reunited and while he was almost completely healed from the injuries he had sustained, it had been rough there for a while. Not that he complained. Rather, he couldn't complain now that he had the true Atemu back.

Just thinking about it made Yuugi smile. He looked to his right at Atemu's side of their bed, finding it empty. This wasn't a surprise. Atemu had been busy lately trying to right everything that had happened while he was under the darkness' control. It was a lot of work, but Atemu didn't seem daunted. In fact, when Yuugi asked him, he had said that it was his responsibility.

Yuugi began to get ready, anticipating the day to come. Jonouchi had promised to visit him today, and then tonight he had plans to tour the palace gardens with Atemu.

Yuugi had just put on his last golden bracelet when he heard his name being called. He walked over to his balcony and looked down to see Jonouchi smiling and waving his arms at him. Behind him stood Priest Seth, his arms crossed and his expression unamused. It was increasingly rare to see one without the other and though Jonouchi denied it, Yuugi could tell something was up with them.

Yuugi waved back. "I'll be right there!" he yelled. He turned on his heels and exited the room. The guards outside his door bowed lowly in respect, and he smiled at them in response before taking off down the hall. It was strange to think of the time when he had been scared of them, when they had been ordered to lock him away.

"Jonouchi!" Yuugi greeted happily when he finally reached his friend. He hugged him in greeting, and Jonouchi ruffled his hair in response. They both missed the way Priest Seth's hands tightened.

"You ready for today?" Jonouchi asked.

Yuugi nodded. "I am!" he responded. They were both going to the part of town that Yuugi had hid in when he was on the run from Atemu, the one that the Pharaoh had ordered to be burned. It had left a lot of people injured and homeless, and Yuugi had insisted on being a part of the recovery effort. He wanted to do what he could to make things right. Though Atemu had been against it at first, he had relented when he had seen Yuugi's determination.

Yuugi, Jonouchi, and Priest Seth traveled by camel to their destination, bringing with them supplies and food for the villagers. Priest Seth was there to guard them, but Yuugi secretly suspected that he had volunteered for the job when he noticed the looks he was sending Jonouchi.

The trio spent much of the day handing out food and supplies to the villagers, as well as helping out wherever they could. It was when Yuugi was trying (and failing) to help a group of children cook some fish that a flash of white hair caught his attention.

He wasn't at all surprised to see Ryou's smiling face walking past him, but he was glad that he looked well. Last time he had seen Ryou had been under much more stressful circumstances, and Yuugi had been worried about him. Ryou waved at him before the tanned arm of the Thief King pulled him inside a building.

Finally, as the sun started to set over the horizon, the three made their way back to the Pharaoh's palace. Though Yuugi had been happy to spend time with Jonouchi, he was ready to get back and be with Atemu. After what had happened, it made him strangely anxious to be away from him for so long. He had learned that his disappearance had been the opening for the darkness to split Atemu's soul into two pieces, after all.

When they finally reached the palace, Yuugi said his goodbyes to Jonouchi and dismounted his camel with the help of a few guards. He could feel someone's eyes on him, so he looked towards the grand entrance to the palace. His breath caught in his throat when he spotted Atemu staring intently at him. He smiled shyly and waved at his Pharaoh.

Before he knew it, Atemu had closed the distance between them and swept Yuugi into his arms. "I missed you," he murmured into his ear.

Yuugi wrapped his arms around Atemu. "I missed you, too," he responded.

Finally, Atemu took a step back, but seemingly reluctant to give up all contact with Yuugi, he lightly laced their fingers together.

"Don't be silly, little one. We'll always be together, if you'll have me."

Yuugi tightened his grip on Atemu's hands, and in the smile that his Pharaoh gave him Yuugi could see Yami in him. It happened often. They were the same person, after all—two different sides to the same coin.

"Let's go, little one," Atemu said. Yuugi nodded, excited for them to spend time together. Atemu gently tugged him and they began to walk towards the palace gardens.

And with every step they took, they drew closer together.

It had been hard. Yuugi had wanted to give up when he thought the Atemu he knew was gone. But so many good people had supported him, and he had never been truly alone. And now, as he looked at Atemu, he allowed himself to wonder if this was what true happiness felt like. It wasn't perfect, but it felt like his heart was going to explode every time he looked at Atemu and well, he'd take it.

And with every step they took, their hearts began to beat in synchrony.

For his part, Atemu's head had never felt clearer. The past events were more or less a blur to him, but when he was told what he had done he felt a deep sense of shame. He had allowed himself to be consumed by the darkness, had made only a token effort to fight it. The appeal of it, coupled with his hidden desire to completely monopolize Yuugi, had been too much to resist. He knew he didn't deserve forgiveness for the crimes he had committed, but somehow Yuugi had done just that. He had a heart of gold, which was one of the many things Atemu loved about him. He knew he would spend the rest of his life working to make it up to Yuugi as well as his kingdom.

And with every step they took, they walked towards their uncertain future.

Together.

A/N: Wow! I can't believe it's finally done. Sorry for the corniness, I couldn't resist. This has been one crazy ride. Can you believe it took me four and a half years to finish this story? Man, I am like the worst writer ever. At least I finished it. It's strange to think about where I was in life when I started this compared to where I am now. So much has changed, but also a lot has stayed the same.

Anyways, thanks for sticking with me until the end! I love each and every one of you. You're all amazing and fabulous, just in case you hadn't heard that today. I hope you liked my story. Stay tuned for the next one! It's called Dark Revival, and hopefully it won't take me as long to finish. ;) Here's the summary:

An evil group with dreams of power revive Yami, but it goes wrong. Immediately, Yami unhesitatingly kills them all and goes to seek out his aibou. He isn't about to be separated from Yuugi ever again. Yami/Yuugi. Puzzleshipping.

Man, it seems I can't write anything but a dark Atemu/Yami. Oh, well. I also might write a SasuNaru fanfiction (hhnnnggggg I love them), but I gotta be careful about doing too much at once. I'm so lazy.

Goodbye for now, everyone!