This is it!

Well here we are, the very end of our journey. It's kinda sad actually, but it's also very warm. I hope that many of you will re-read this and see just how far we've all come (we meaning you and the characters, and maybe me as well if you bother to read these author's notes).

This ending is one that I hope you'll all agree is the best option.

I honestly always had this ending in mind, but I nearly strayed from it several times due to the moods I was in when I was writing it. I actually had drafted out, in note form, an entirely different ending with Atem leaving for Egypt and Yugi staying behind. That ending would have concluded a break up, a 'what might have been' dream before returning to reality. I also had a deviant path in which, after about a year or three, Mai invited the two men to her twin's birthday celebration and they tried to see if there were any old sparks still shining, having kept in touch via emails and all that - but this being the first time they see each other in person again. It still seems like the most realistic ending, and I was dancing between having them part as friends or reconnect. From the chapter 9-10 point in the story, and their character and relationship development, I probably would have had them leave as friends since there was only really physical attraction and causal time spent together.

Which is why I'm glad that I chose not to peruse that ending!

One, I loved writing about Atem's family too much, they're all so fun to put into a modern setting, each with their own past and cultural quirks.

Two, I'm a sucker for happy endings. Realistic happy endings are the best, which is kinda why I hate on some good old romance genre movies, just because they're too fanciful. This I hope will be a lot more grounded.

You will have Thema and her plan to thank for this ending. She's a crafty lady, you'll all love her even more once you've finished this chapter, and everything comes to a close without actually being a 'The end' forever.

Don't misinterpreted that! I'm not planning on sequels. This story was purely a story about healing, sexual appeal & attraction, and finally relationship attachment.

I'm going to miss reading your comments, so so so so so so so much! Aida, s2Teennovelist, Kearitona Sjachraelgil, Ocena Strex, Aqua girl 007, yugixyamiyaoilover, FoxStrider, Mana's Madness and Deka-Chan560 especially!

You know who you are and you're awesome!

Top Reviews!

Aida:
Yeah, the start of the last chapter was me trying to hint at something naughty gong on - you dirty minded audience :P - but then it turns into something completely innocent ... well innocent in the sexual category, can't say that Mana's got entirely good intentions. I wanted to build on Atem some more and I thought that the best way would be photographs because I recently looked at some old ones with my aunt and we rediscovered so many memoires. I think that Mana had a bit too much fun making Atem embarrassed, but I think that those embarrassments reveal even more what kind of person Atem was. I know that the modern Atem seems so perfect, it's only because he has perfected so many masks, it'll take a while for his reserved nature to take a back seat. I think that Yugi and Atem are naturally introverted, based on the Manga, since they speak to each other in their minds and not aloud. So even though Yugi is friendly he's a bit of an inward thinker while flourishing off the energy of others, he's the type who can deal with being alone just fine, and deal with people just as well. Atem's a little more cautious, only showing what he wants to be shown, so he'd easily forget that there's some things that people may want to know. But I'm also still telling the story from the perspective of Yugi for the most part, so the audience discovers things as he does, that's why these things are just appearing now. On the topic of the Doves, I think that the household works well even with a cat, they can't take chances of the cat hunting the birds but that's the only issue. Mahad can spend time with his 'girls' (yes they're all girl doves still, hee) and Isis can have quiet time with her cat. The Arabic argument irritated me so much, I hate that the format has changed because I wanted it spelt out and not in bold, but I can't help that anymore. But yes, Yugi making a point about being left out shows that he can stand up to these two. Yeah, Atem saying that he 'wants this to work' is proof that he's set on keeping Yugi for himself. I think he reached that point on the plane journey, but now he's openly saying it. But yes, it's still early days and as such they're still dancing around a few issues, no one wants to be the one to assume or bring up those more serious matters before the other does. You've got a good point, Atem's more into this because he had no previous issues, but Yugi's got to relearn all that and so even though it's his 'once in a lifetime' he's cautious about it, but not cautious enough to let it pass him by. They're a pragmatic couple, testing what works and working with what doesn't, I know that writing makes the timeline a little easier to forget, but their quality time together shows that there's potential. They're not a couple yet, I don't see them as a couple yet, they're almost there, just working past the first dates stage. I really like Kisara, in the anime and manga she isn't really given much character development and she's picked on for being different. She's a meek and passive character, but I have no doubt that if someone tries to hurt her Seth they'll have awoken a dragon. I think that Kisara is Yugi's reality check, she's another person who sees things as he sees them, so he really connects with her. I see you've raised another good point, Yugi's not quite treating Atem as an equal in this setting, he's just intimidated, with a bit more bonding time he'll be able to treat him normally. You are correct, if they do become official Yugi will have his confidence back in how he treats Atem in this setting. I've loved reading your every review, please do so again!

s2Teennovelist:
I'll be super sad to kiss this story goodbye too, it's been a real joy! I agree that it's a clear thing that Atem and Yugi are well on their way to being boyfriends officially, just a matter of how they do it. I was aiming for the story ending just as they were going steady, this story was about them getting together, not really exploring their relationship if or when they became official. Hee, yup, Atem had braids as a teenager, trying to look a bit tougher with that crimson hair of his, I think Yugi couldn't believe what he was seeing ... I think Mana got more kicks out of the photo show than I did! I agree with you on the model thing, Thema's no size zero or woman with F sized boobs, she's had three kids and has X amount of resorts to worry about on top of that, and she travels a lot, she won't have a perfect body. She'll have curves which are a little too curvy, I think if Atem had a third sibling then she'd have never gotten her figure back, I was kind to her in that regard. I wanted Yugi to discover more about Atem, and since the audience discovers things as he does we get to see more of Atem's past too. Can't see Atem as a street fighter? Well he wasn't that active, just enough to get a taste and feel a bit of danger - just trying to link it back to his Pharaoh life since he was almost assassinated in one of the episodes, but in the modern day there's not that much danger. Yeah, if Yugi tried to pick an actual fight with Atem then he would have been flattened. Glad you see that Yugi's not fully settled into the relationship stage yet, it was a rush, but it wasn't forced, and they're really connecting but there's hesitating doubts over how the other sees their relationship. I wanted to bring back the concern to thrown the readers in a little bit of doubt over if they'll actually end up together, Yugi may not be ready even after all this. He may even ask for a 'time out' to recover before getting back on the dating ladder. But mostly because I didn't want their relationship to seem perfect, because it's not. There are issues and they do fit together like peas in a pod, but that's life. Atem and Mana's argument irritated me so much because of the format change, I really, honestly, hate how it looks now, but at least the content is there. You've hit the nail on the head, Atem wants this to work, but he isn't being selfish about it. And I think that Yugi's getting better at handling him, he knows that he can trick or bribe secrets out of Atem if he's alone. Yeah, Mana and Kisara are polar opposites, Kisara's a little bit meek but kind, and Mana can make anywhere in the world her comfort zone and anyone in the world her friend. I think that Julian knows what's going on, dogs aren't stupid, I think they're actually smarter than us five out of six times. The heat theme was the best ting I could think of to remind everyone that this is a desert, Yugi and Kisara can hardly stand it, while their counterparts and Mana fit in perfectly. It's also true that the culture will make them feel a little overwhelmed or out of the loop, the bowing thing still isn't a thing in Egypt as far as I'm aware, I just wanted the royalty theme to be a bit more enforced. Kisara and Yugi really connect over how new and different everything is, if I could get away with it I'd have another three filler dedicated to the characters we haven't fully explored yet, I think Yugi will really love Kisara, if nothing else he'll be protective of her and treat her like a sister. I think that Yugi sees Kisara as a Princess because of her looks and also because of her established relationship with Seth (it's more than obvious, and they've got a kid on the way!) who is a royal, therefore Kisara's a royal too in his eyes. I think it's likely she thinks the same of Yugi, I bet she admires his confidence in new situations and approves of his closeness with Atem. The bathing suit scene was a pun of 'can't keep it in your pants' and 'caught with your trousers down' which was running through my head as I was writing this. Yeah, Yeah, I know I've been teasing you all with what Thema has in store for our poor, poor couple. You'll fine out now, it's the turning point and the changing point for this chapter. I hope that the ending will be as realistic as I've built it up to be - oh god! Please review again! I've enjoyed your comments so much, even when your broke the word limit - it made me smile that you had that much to say about my work. Thanks so much! Hope you like my future projects!

Kearitona Sjachraelgil:
Yeah boating buddy! Let's drift. Yeah, knowledge is power, and Atem may have forgotten that there are a few things that Yugi doesn't know about him. Yeah, I think that id John and Atem met in the same room Atem would have John running the opposite direction with his tail between his legs, and Atem won't have even lifted a finger! Mana's got not filter when she's talking, you can't blame her, what she thinks she says. It's similar with Thema, they don't understand subtleties. I think that Aknamkanon has to have the patience of saint to deal with the pair of them. You are right, Yugi's probably in love with Atem but he's not sure if he's ready since he's still got a few ghosts following him around, and Atem's not willing to push him since he values Yugi too much. They're really starting to act coupley now aren't they? Yugi reading Atem so well and Atem sharing inside jokes with him. I was kinda reluctant to show Atem's temper with Mana, because it's a sibling thing to blow up at your brother or sister, but I didn't really like it all the same. I think your analogy tally is about five and counting, nice job! I liked reading all of them! See you in the review section for the last time (nuu! It's the end of the river now, time to disband onto the docks of Fin) Hope to see you in my future project review sections! Byes!

Yugi slouched at the bar and waved a hand at his face, out of breath and too hot in the afternoon sun. He panted slightly and blew his wet bangs out of his eyes, Mild my ass! He thought, a smiling Mana giggling at him in his head. The lukewarm pool hadn't helped him cool down at all, he was considering ducking inside to cool off, although he really didn't want to.

A soft thud sounded behind him.

He blinked and looked over his shoulder to see a young muslim girl with her head in a fawn coloured hijab to match her uniform, she was not the same bar tender from earlier, so more time must have passed than he thought if it was enough for a shift change. She was quite pretty in face, as the hijab covered her hair and ears. She smiled when he met her eyes, and she nodded at the glass she had put before her.

It was filled with water and ice.

Yugi blinked stupidly for a moment before smiling, touched that a complete stranger would do something so considerate for him. He smiled at her and put his hands together as if in prayer and bowed slightly at her, hoping she'd understand the gesture if not his words. "Thank you, merci."

She shook her head with a small shrug, but smiled anyway and went back to polishing some gathered glasses.

She understood.

Yugi smiled and took a long draught of the water, it was very cold. He sighed to himself and made a mental note to give this girl a tip the next time he had his wallet on him.

He spun on his chair back to the open to see what everyone else was doing.

Atem, Mahad, Mana and Aknamkanon were playing with a ball in the pool, a aquatic version of volleyball. Atem and Aknamkanon were playing against Mana and Mahad. Mana wore a blue and pink swimming costume with an odd skirt around the edges which made her look a bit like a jellyfish when she went swimming, but also acted as a skirt for modesty when she was out of water. Mana threw herself at the ball mostly and cheered whenever they scored a point against Atem and their Father. Mahad had black swimming trousers with two purple stripes, he used his height to his advantage and was a powerful player due to his long arms.

Atem was being strategic while managing to joke and have fun at the same time, compettitive but entertaining, he and Mana exchanged taunts while Mahad called out advice for him to grow taller to be a better player. He was still evenly matching them though. Aknamkanon was similar to Atem, and his impressive height made up for Atem's lack of it, he wore swimming trunks of dark green. Without a shirt he had chest hair, but it only made him appear more powerful.

Seth was sitting with Kisara, who had dozed off in the heat, reading a book with reading glasses. Yugi smirked a little, Seth probably looked at computers a lot and read a lot of documents, it made sense that his eyes would need some help. He had dark blue swimming shorts on, with a linin jacket hanging open to cover himself from the sun a little bit.

Kisara had a white bikini on, but had sipped on a baggy white T-shirt later in the day when she began to get tired. Yugi suspected that it was Seth's. She wore sunglasses and Thema had paced her sunhat on her as she slept to protect her eyes. She slept with her hands folded on her stomach, and Seth had a protective, yet supportive arm around her. Yugi thought they were a cute couple, he could almost see their little babe fitting into their cuddle. He couldn't decide if the child would have the Mother's white hair or the Father's brown, the same for skin colour, however he could already tell that it would be a welcome addition.

Aknadin had shuffled off to his room once an earlier waterfight had started, he had sat at the bar and occasionally grunted whenever someone spoke to him, but otherwise was content to be isolated. However, Yugi spotted him lingering by his window, watching Seth and Kisara, a few times, but otherwise he was going off doing his own thing.

No one minded, but Yugi smiled to himself; the old man was keeping an eye on them from a distance.

Isis was keeping score for now, team Mahad and Mana versus Aknamkanon and Atem. She was heard patiently calling out to end the pool game's arguments and was near constantly dodging the ball that kept flying at her. Julian sat beside her, barking and trying to catch the ball, with a mouth not wide enough, whenever it made it's way too close to him. He also jumped into the water a lot, but always returned to sitting by Isis and watching attentively.

Isis patted his sopping fur now and then, at ease with his peresence, and smiling at the game she was witnessing. She had a black swimming costume with a low back, revealing a lot of evenly tanned skin. Her hair was loose and was slick down her back, yet when it was dry it had tumbled in a beautiful black sheet of gloss and shine. She had swam earlier with the others, she was a strong swimer, she swam like a mermaid. Mahad, though taller, had trouble keeping up with her. She twisted and turned through the water like an otter, with the barest of movements, and with the speed of a dolphin.

She had a genuine smile on her face, one not of quiet sincereity like previously, but of barely contained joy, when she and Mahad were playing in the water. Yugi wondered they often swam together. She seemed really at home in the water, even if she was taking a break now, it wouldn't be for too much longer.

Thema and Mana had chatted most of the afternoon, and when Mana went to instigate the ball game Thema had popped inside to chase up her brother in law, maybe to invite him back or to give him a drink. But she was now reemerging from the hotel, a towel wrapped around her shoulders as she was only dressed in the same black swimming costume from Mana's earlier photos, it was only decorated with a bow. She had a pair of large sunglasses on her face and her normal red lipstick, it must have been waterproof as it hadn't budged though she had been underwater a few times.

She approached the bar and sighed as she took a seat beside Yugi "What a lovely day, reminds me of my beloved France," she smiled, accepting an icy cider from the bar girl.

Yugi smlied "Do you miss France a lot?" he asked, their base was in Ciro so she was a few countries and a continent from home.

Thema smiled slightly, if the sunglasses weren't hiding her eyes Yugi was sure they would have been fondly distant. "Sometimes, I miss the language, I miss the greenary, I miss my lovely parents' house and I miss my chickens and their fresh eggs for breakfast," she sighed wistfully and absently rotated her wrist to stir the liquid over the ice in her glass. She smiled at Yugi when he looked down, feeling bad for her. Her blue eyes warmed with his kind sympathy "But you shouldn't worry about me, I have the people who mean most to me by my side, and they're who I really miss. I find myself missing how people light up a room, rather than just the room," she explained kindly.

Yugi smiled at her "I see, I guess I have that too, even though I haven't lived in many places," he admitted, thinking of his first family home which he barely remembered, then the game shop he moved into at a young age and stayed in until he finished his education. He'd studied in Tokyo with Joey, Serentiy living next door, and had taken them back to Domino with him because he introduced his friend-with-rivialing-tendancies Seto Kaiba to Joey and they couldn't leave each other alone after that. Joey moved in with Seto and Serentiy went back to the USA.

He sometimes stayed with friends for a week or holiday max before returning to the game shop, Domino was his home. His first apartment had been in Domino, with John, but he hadn't regretted it at the time so it was still a fondly remembered place for the most part. Then he had stayed with Mai most recently. He didn't consider himself homeless exactly, his Grandfather would welcome him home, and sooner or later he'd have to go back to Domino to offically clean up the aftermath to his hasty escape. His appartment still needed to be sold in signature, or at least his name needed to be taken off it, he had already stopped paying the bills. But it was true that he didn't really live anywhere at the moment, but Domino was his safe spot, he'd go there.

Thema smiled as Yugi came out of his thoughts and finished his icy drink. She hummed "It must be the same for you, Yugi," she said sympathetically.

Yugi glanced at her "Eh?"

Thema smiled kindly "You are even further from home," she reminded him "Language, weather, your Japanese customs, you don't miss them?"

Yugi shook his head after brief consideration. He hadn't been away from home long enough to miss many things "This feels like a holiday for me, so I'm enjoying something new. But it is a very unexpected holiday," he smiled down at his melting ice as he recalled the decision to get on that plane.

Thema pulled her sunglasses off "Vraiment? Mon Atem n'a pas vous invitons ici à notre rencontre?" (Really? My Atem didn't invite you here to meet us?) she asked, sounding perplexed. Yugi suspected that she thought Atem had made a big invitation of it all and Yugi accepted happily.

Yugi chuckled and shook his head "Non, rien comme ça" (No, nothing like that) he wore a fond smile without realising it. "Atem helped me when I met him, even though he's a jerk he really was what I needed to get back on my feet, and we got really close." He tried to explain without going into the same detail he had when he had first had tea with her, he also didn't want to discuss John, or Atem's advances – though Thema probably was already aware.

Thema looked interested, escpecially when Yugi called Atem a 'Jerk'. She tilted her head as a sign for Yugi to keep going.

Yugi continued after a sip of his drink "But he had to leave for this reuion and I was planning to stay behind with my cousin and her new babies."

Thema made a soft sound of adoration, possibly without realising it, and tucked a hair behind her ear. "Je vois, alors comment êtes tu arrivé ici?" (I see, so how did you end up here?) she mused, resting a hand against her cheek "Je pense qu'il ya une bonne histoire derrière elle," (I think there's a good story behind it) she hinted, a playful poke at the dark secrets and things Yugi refused to say.

Yugi blushed a little "N-not really," he protested, ignorng how Thema lightly prodded at his arm as if to get him to spill his inner thoughts. He focused on his drink and said "He left me a spare ticket which he gave to my cousin to give to me if I changed my mind about … moving on," he mumbled at last.

Thema let out a small squeal "How romantic of him, though he needs a few more lessons," she smiled deviously before reverting back to her normal façade and leaning forwards again "Did my boy sweap you off your feet?"

Yugi's face deadpanned instantly "And into his freaking bed," he hissed too low for her to hear before speaking up again. "When my cousin spoke to me about Atem I realised I didn't want it to end, and when I saw the ticket I knew it was his way of saying he wasn't ready either," he smiled again "So I packed and left before my cousin could kick me out."

Thema burst into peals of laughter "Mon, mon, je aime le son de votre cousin," (My, my, I like the sound of your cousin) she got control over her voice again and patted his shoulder "Et puis vous nous rencontré, oui?" (And then you met us, yes?)

Yugi rubbed at the back of his head slightly "En fait ... Je étais tellement concentré sur l'obtention à l'aéroport le temps, je ne savais pas que je serais vous rencontre tu jusqu'à ce que nous eu pris son envol," (Actually … I was so focused on getting to the airport on time I didn't realise I would be meeting you until we had taken off) he sighed and slumped slightly "Atem se moquaient de moi," (Atem laughed at me) he confided.

Thema patted his arm again "Je vais lui dire hors pour tu," (I'll tell him off for you) she promised and snapped her fingers for a refill, the bar girl instantly serving her, displaying yet another reason why Yugi saw her as some red headed, golded hearted, iron fished Queen; that exchange had been that of a servant and a royal.

Yugi smiled and drained the last of his drink, finally feeling a little cooler.

"Mana dit moi vous êtes un photographe, est ce droit?" (Mana told me you are a photographer, is that right?) she brought up out of the comfortable silence suddenly.

Yugi glanced at Thema, who was wearing an interesting expression, calculating and inviting. Yugi felt a little worried, remembering that, for all her motherly mannerisms and generous friendship, she was a powerful woman. A Queen in her own right who was leagues ahead of Yugi in almost every aspect of life, and she wasn't ashamed of using all that distance at her disposal.

Yugi couldn't help but stutter slightly "Y-Yeah, I started it as a hobby, and used it a little in the magazine I worked for, but I mostly take them for myself," he explained.

Thema's interest increased "They were good enough to be used in magazines? What kinds of pictures are they?" she asked, taking her new drink with an offhanded thanks to the girl serving her.

Yugi thought briefly "Scenery mostly. Festivals, snapshots of things I found interesting or significant to the story experience. I do it a little with people, but only with family or those I know because it feels strange and invasive to take pictures of strangers and use them." He recalled all the family photos he had taken, and smiled to himself, wishing he had the foresight to bring a few to show.

Thema nodded "Ont été vos histoires souvent choisis?" (Were your stories often chosen?)

Yugi modestly nodded "Oui, quelques-uns. Le patron était gentil avec moi et m'a donné une chance d'avoir mon propre espace, et je ai fait sûr de ne pas la gaspiller. Les lecteurs apparemment ont bien répondu, et il a toujours donné mon travail Regardons un supplément de plus depuis," (Yes, quite a few. The boss was kind to me and gave me a chance to have my own space, and I made sure not to waste it. The readers apparently responded well and he always gave my work an extra look) he smiled, still proud that he had somehow been good enough for something so daunting, and that people liked to read his material, his thoughts.

Thema's calculating expression came back "Je vois. Serez tu écrivez au sujet de votre séjour ici? Je aimerais tu lire vos pensées," (I see. Will you be writing about your stay here? I'd love you read your thoughts) she smiled.

Yugi nodded before realising "Je ai quitter mon emploi, en fait ... quand je ai quitté Domino. Mais je aimerais, je pense que tout le monde devrait savoir ce qu'ils vont l'expérience ici, il vaut chaque centime," (I quit my job, actually … when I left Domino. But I'd love to, I think everyone should know what they'll experience here, it's worth every penny) he assured her.

Thema chuckled "Quelles ont été vos pièces préférées de vos vacances?" (What were your favourite parts of your holiday?) she asked, generously ordering him another ice drink when her critical eye saw that his glass was empty.

Yugi shook his head a little "Où dois-je commencer?" (Where do I begin?) he laughed. Everything from the people he met, the language, the heat, the building, the food and the location had taken his breath away. He couldn't imagine having to pick one particular part to chose as his favourite!

Thema just beamed a honeyed smile.

Yugi glanced down at his hands and twisted his fingers together a little "The rooms are all beautiful, you can't look anywhere without being reminded that you're somewhere special, it's very easy for me to relax. It all feels very safe, a bit like a palace," he blushed a little when Thema giggled. "I think the meal yesterday with all of you was my favourite part, and the pool parties we've had, you've made me feel so included even though I'm new."

Thema's face softened and she reached across to squeeze his restless fingers "Nothing less for you. If you belong to Atem, you belong to our family," she smiled.

Yugi smiled, slightly shyly, back.

He wasn't sure if he was Atem's, or if Atem was his. But it was a nice thought.

Thema sipped at her drink "Anything else?" she asked.

Yugi nodded eagerly "I've enjoyed all the food here, I could write a book just about all these new tastes, I've never really had Arabic style food before," Thema smiled extra widely at that one. "It's easy to find your way around, but it's intersting too, so it makes you explore the entire hotel. Although I don't really get along with the heat, there's always been places to cool down, and the staff you have are all really friendly. And I've liked having Julian with us," he added.

Thema hummed "Il est une partie de notre famille," (He is a part of our family) she shrugged lightly "Il ne se sentirait pas droit à l'avoir laissé de côté, Atem lui a eu comme son ombre pour une si longue période," (It wouldn't feel right to have him left out, Atem has had him as his shadow for such a long time) she chuckled to herself. She turned back to him "Tu êtes genre Yugi, mais être honnête, y at-il améliorations que nous pourrions faire? Ou quelque chose vous trouvé va pas ici, ce est tellement difficile d'obtenir des opinions honnêtes de personnes que vous posez directement," (You are kind Yugi, but be honest, and are there any improvements we could make? Or anything you found wrong here, it's so hard to get honest opinions from people you ask directly) she sighed, sounding mildly frustrated.

Yugi sympathised slightly, with both parties. He was a bit nervous of her so wanted to tell her that everything was perfect like he asumed she wanted to hear, it wasn't a lie that everything was wonderful, but clearly she was also looking for genuine ways to improve the experience at her establishments, but she was doing so on ungeniune comments, so she got no where.

Yugi remembered a few finicity somethings that had bothered him. He gripped his new drink, he nodded at the bar girl again, reminding himself that he needed to tip her, and prepared to speak. He organised his thoughts a little before answering "Il y avait quelques petites choses que je ai remarqué," (There were a few little things that I noticed) he began.

Thema turned to him.

Yugi wished she would look away, all her attention on him made his palms sweaty, it was worse than being judged for being Atem's 'date' to meet the family. He cleared his throat "I found the staff bowing to you Sennens a little intimidating. And it would be nice to have some fresh water in the hotel rooms, the water from the tap tastes a little weird, and I couldn't find a cup one morning … it was only a little thing. A-and maybe a bin in the bathroom and by the bed," he blushed badly at the last one. Half of it was out of slight concern for women who where on their periods, no bin meant an awkardness of stepping to the public areas to bin any tolitories, but the other half was because a convient bin by the bed would be better for couples in the afterglow – bin the condom quickly to avoid getting out of bed or leaving it to get messy. Not that he and Atem used them anymore …

Thema blinked and put a hand to her chin with an intensely thoughtful expression "Oui, ce serait rendre les choses un peu mieux," (Right, that would make things a little better) she said wonderously, her eyes wide with the ideas. Simple, but those little, simple things could make a customer a little grumpy, embarrassed or uncomfortable if they weren't dealt with. "Mettre un flacon éventuelle d'eau et peut-être une bouilloire dans les chambres, ce serait une bonne idée, ne peut pas faire trop de l'eau du robinet, mais ce est une amélioration, le personnel peut les remplir de temps en temps. Et les bacs, pourquoi ne ai-je pas pensé?" (Putting an optional flask of water and maybe a kettle in the rooms would be a good idea, can't do too much about the tap water but it's an improvement, the staff can refill them occasionally. And the bins, why didn't I think of that?) she sounded a little excited towards the end, her eyes lighting up.

She turned to Yugi and hugged him suddenly "Tu es parfait!" (You're perfect!)

Yugi nearly fell out of his seat "Huh?" he exclaimed, half upsetting his icy drink down his chest. "Ah! Cold!" he yelped.

Thema let him go, still laughing gleefully "Oh, désolé Yugi. Je suis tellement excitée!" (Oh, sorry Yugi. I'm just so excited) she explained, handing him the towel she was using to shield her shoulders from the sun so he could warm up from the icy splash.

"Maman! Êtes-vous taquiner Yugi nouveau?" (Mum! Are you teasing Yugi again?) Both Thema and Yugi looked up at the voice to see Atem and Aknamkanon approaching. Aknamkanon had a towel around his shoulders but Atem hadn't bothered, his chest was bare and glistining with the water droplets of the pool.

Yugi tried not to stare.

The water droplets falling from his shirtless body looked very attractive, Atem's lean muscles were on show and the slightly predatory stalk in his walk hinted at the danger of getting in his path.

Thema smiled merrily as Yugi let Atem curl a possessive arm around him. Yugi handed him the towel since he was wet and said "I'm fine, we were just talking. But …" he looked at Thema who was still smilling as if she had won a prize.

Aknamkanon put a hand on his wife's shoulder "Avez-vous lui demandé encore?" (Have you asked him yet?) he asked with a patient smile.

Thema waved a hand slightly "Je étais sur le point de," (I was just about to) she answered.

Atem's arm tensed around Yugi "Que faites-vous pour?" (What are you up to?) he asked lowly, pausing in patting his face and shoulders dry to ask. Yugi would have elbowed him for sounding so agressive, but he was too bewildered to make any comments.

Thema pouted slightly at her son "Ce est rien de mauvais," (It's nothing bad) she insisted, whining slightly at her son's instant suspicions.

Aknamkanon smiled reasuringly "Écoutez-la sortir, Atem, elle ne va pas être embarrassant cette fois," (Hear her out, Atem, she's not going to be embarrassing this time) he promised.

Atem merely raised an eyebrow and accepted the flavoured shot that the bar girl offered him. He stayed silent, which Yugi assumed was his way of not protesting.

Thema took Aknamkanon's hand and beamed at Yugi "Nous voulons que vous travaillez pour nous." (We want you to work for us)

Both Atem and Yugi froze at her statement.

"What?" Atem asked flatly.

"What!" Yugi repeated after he remembered how words worked.

Thema chuckled and let Aknamkanon explain as she sipped her drink "We've had an idea for a while, to have our advertisements feature citiques of experiances in our hotels, but from the perspective of a customer and not a hotel agent."

Thema nodded "There were a few people we considered, but their comments were exactly the same as our advertising agencies. Their materials were too ambiguous and unattached to be of any use. Ce était comme la lecture d'un dictionnaire!" (It was like reading a dictonary!) she exclaimed in the end in her native tongue, sounding frustrated.

She send a fond smile over the courtyard "Then we tried Kisara's idea to have customers submit reviews an accounts of their holidays, but that also had problems," she sighed.

Aknamkanon nodded "It was a good idea, but the reviews we got were too many and vague to be useful. So we decided that we needed a small team to experience our hotels, people who could give details and ciritisms from a consistent perspective, about the things that matter, like the food and appearance of our establishments, but also give the view from a customer's perspective."

Thema continued "It was a hackstack and needle job," she said, phrasing it wrong but getting her point across "But I think that you could be one of those needles, eh Yugi?" she smiled.

Yugi blinked "R-really?"

Thema nodded "Your photography shows that you have good eyes, and you only photograph what is important, or significant to you, no? That is the customer experience, but professional," she raised a finger as if counting off "Then you had expert comments on our food yesterday, and you have been in media industry before, yes? So you have knowledge of how to write and how to make things easy to read, true?" she had three fingers raised now "But you are not a professional critic, which is what we look for, and you were not afraid to tell me that some items of comfort were lacking in the hotel," she clapped her hands together "Tu êtes idéal," (You are ideal) she sang, still bubbling under the surface.

Her husband nodded "Yes. If you are interested we'd like to offer you a job to work for us, reporting on the hotel experience and having your material featured in our advertisements," he explained.

Yugi felt a little overwhelmed "I … I …"

Thema reached out and put her hands on his shoulders, one was a little colder than the other as it had been previously wrapped around an icy drink "No need to answer now, please have some time to think," she insisted, sitting back as if to give Yugi space. "Ce sera un emploi bien rémunéré, et nous fournirons le coût de Voyage aux emplacements, et les chambres où vous restera," (It will be a well paid job, and we will provide the cost of travel to the locations, and the rooms where you will stay) she finished her cider with a satisfied sigh.

Aknamkanon examined his drink absently "She's right, that will be provided. You would stay the average amount of days a typical customer would stay, and we'll have recommended activities for you to try and you would have to give a review for the advertisements and report of anything lacking to us. Also photos perhaps, al of what you experianced," he smiled kindly "We think that you are trustworthy of giving your honest opinions, and that will help us a lot. So, please consider."

Yugi nodded, slightly distracted.

"Atem, nous arrêter que ce regardez, ce ne est pas votre décision si je demande Yugi ou pas," (Atem, stop giving us that look, it is not your decision if I ask Yugi this or not) Thema scolded, standing up and taking her husbands hand. Yugi looked over his shoulder and saw, as she said, Atem was wearing a disaproving expression which crested on anger or annoyance.

Yugi frowned at him and elbowed his stomach, maybe a little harder than he meant to as Atem grunted and winced, and shook his head at him "She's right. It's not your decision."

Atem rubbed at his stomach and nodded, still frowining "Je souhaite que tu me aviez dit, Mère," (I wish you had told me, Mother) he muttered.

Thema crossed her arms and tutted "Si que je ai fait tu avez essayé de me arrêter," (If I did you would have tried to stop me) she sighed. She linked her arm with her husbands and smiled at the pair "Nous allons vous parler et pensez à ce sujet, venez chère, nous allons montrer aux enfants qui est le patron," (We'll let you talk and think about it, come on dear, let's show the children who's boss) she chuckled, leading the taller, broader man back towards the pool.

The husband laughed deeply and scooped his wife into his arm as they neared the pool. Thema screamed slightly "Aknam!" she gasped. He just smiled and jumped into the pool, Thema with him. She squealed again, but laughed as soon as they surfaced.

Mana and Mahad laughed at them too. Mana was playing water-fetch with Julian and Isis had been floating in the deeper end with Mahad, she smiled very widely and reached for the beach ball, already guessing that this was what they where here for. Within seconds the entire pool party were involved in hitting a ball above the water.

Yugi smiled "That looks fun," he commented.

Atem grunted and sat on the now vaccant chair.

Yugi felt his irritation rise "What's your problem?" he demanded, from what he could see, Atem had been grumpy for no reason.

Atem huffed and pulled his drink closer to him "She just can't stop meddling," he sighed.

Yugi raised an eyebrow "I hardly think that asking if I'm interested in a job, which I do need to get eventually, is meddling," he protested, also reminding Atem that he wasn't going to be drifting between jobs forever. That he wasn't going to depend on Atem forever, it just wasn't the way things worked, and Yugi would eventually put his foot down and make a change.

Atem smirked humorlessly, looking at Yugi as if he was endearingly naïve. "She's got an ulterior motive to this, you know," he said in a matter of fact manner.

Yugi waited with an impatient tap of his fingers on the wood of the bar.

Atem smiled reluctantly and spoke "She wants to keep an eye on us, or you spesifically. Make sure that we progress, or whatever she desires our relationship to be," he frowned and finished his alocholic beverage quickly "If my date ever got approval Mother would find a way to investigate them further. It never ended well."

Yugi glanced at Thema and gave Atem a weak, but reasuring smile "I think you're overthinking this," he murmured. "So what if she wants to make sure I'm 'the one' for you?" he looked at his hands, feeling a little embarrassed at his bold words "I've got nothing to hide."

Atem smiled and laid a gentle hand on his back "I know. I just wish I could have warned you beforehand, if I had known what she was up to I would have asked her to not, or asked someone else to ask you, I don't want you to feel pressured into saying 'yes'."

Yugi shook his head "She hasn't pressured me. She gave me the option."

Atem chuckled and pulled Yugi closer to him briefly "Of course she did, but that's not what I mean," he assured him.

Yugi looked up at him, having found a comfortable spot on his shoulder "Explain," he invited quietly. Half leaning off a bar stool wasn't as uncomfortable as you'd think, Atem made it oddly comfortable.

Atem pondered for a second "She doesn't force you to say anything, but her presence makes it difficult for people to refuse her wishes. They're … scared of her. It's not her fault but she does make some people anxious, and so they agree with her even if they secretly disagree," he rubbed absently at Yugi's back as he spoke.

Yugi smiled to himself "I understand that. I get those feelings when I'm alone with her, she's a bit intimidating, but underneath she's very welcoming and nice," he closed his eyes as Atem kept rubbing at his spine, if he was a cat he'd be a purring mess. Luckily he could still think around the tingling, lingering and light fingertip strokes. He had to assure Atem that he could hold his own "But I can speak my mind to her, it's not easy sometimes, but I know it's best. It's not that big a problem, Atem," he turned his head to plant a kiss on his shoulder "You're just overthinking, and over-posessive," he felt his lips part in humour again as he wove his fingers through Atem's.

Atem shifted slightly to look at him "Don't you mean overprotective?" he asked, Yugi felt his rumbling voice through his body as well as in his ears.

Yugi shook his head "No. It's only protective when there's something to guard me from, there's nothing dangerous here, idiot," he laughed slighlty towards the end.

Atem chuckled and grinned "You'd be surprised," his smile was handsome and easy once again.

Yugi sighed "I am going to think about it," he warned him.

Atem's smile dropped a little but he nodded "Don't decide too fast," he warned before a ball hit the two of them in the back.

"Ow!"

"Hey!" they both snapped, looking over their shoulders and nearly bumping heads.

The bar girl shot them all disaproving looks and moved the glasses below the bar table to prevent them from getting knocked over.

Mana was waving next to Mahad "Yugi! Atem! Come play!" she called, bouncing precariously on the wet floor beside the pool.

Yugi glanced at the beach ball, sitting innocently a few feet away, and felt a smirk rise to his lips. He glanced at Atem who was wearing a similar look. Yugi hopped off his stool and kicked the ball back to Mana, "Shall we?" he asked, holding a hand out to Atem.

Atem's smirk was enough to wipe out any normal competition, so confident and determined. It was as if the game was already decided. Yugi recognised the glint in his eyes, having seen it in the mirror and in the eyes of his closest friends whenever a contest was started. Atem took Yugi's hand and let himself get pulled to his feet, at his full height his body shifted into a competing stance "Let's go. Tu êtes en difficulté maintenant, Mana!" (You're in trouble now Mana!) he shouted.

Mana cackled and bombed into the water with only a squeal as her reply.

Atem and Yugi braced to follow her but a long tan arm stopped them. Mahad grinned and pulled Isis to his side "Pas assez de joueurs de l'équipe Shorties," (Not enough team players Shorties) he scolded.

Isis was smiling, but the same glint was visible in her eyes. Yugi sized her up and knew she would be a fight, there were too many unknown qualities about her for Isis to be taken lightly. Plus her prowess in the water was a force to be reconed with.

Atem and Yugi exchanged a glance, wondering who they could ask to be their third player.

"I'll join their team," Seth called out, Kisara now awake and reading the book in the chair that Seth was leaving. He paused only long enough to kiss her cheek, she smiled but didn't move her eyes from the pages.

Isis held the ball and tossed it at him, and he grinned "Let's show these bigshots who's boss, hey Shorties?"

Yugi and Atem symultaniously pushed him into the pool, starting a round of cheers and laughter that lasted nearly five minutes before everyone jumped in to join him.

Later, Yugi was toweling off his hair, watching the last of the sun dissapear below the horizon. The horizon of city scape and a glittering river with an empty no mans land stretching in between. It looked like a painting. A classic landscape with not a soul in sight, but more than enough alternative sights to be seen.

He stood by the balcony window as he admired the view, absently thinking that, if he already had Thema's job offer he would have so many positive things to say about the location alone and how the building seemed to capture every single view. They were breathtaking and worthy of daydreaming to.

Atem stepped out of the bathroom and saw Yugi still standing by the windows. Yugi heard him enter and broke his personal daydream just long enough to smile at him "Hey," he greeted.

Atem was partly dressed, his boxer shorts were on and the towel carelessly thrown over one shoulder, leaving his glistening skin on show. Muscled chest, defined biceps, elegant hands, toned legs and thighs. Yugi brought his eyes back to his face, not ashamed of being caught looking, it wasn't like they were shy now. Atem waited until he had his attention, then he smiled, his normally handsome one that made Yugi's stomach lightly flip. "Hey," he returned "Still here?" he asked, moving into the room and pulling the towel over his head to get at his hair, he thought Yugi would have gotten into bed already.

Yugi nodded absently "Just thinking," he answered.

"About?" Atem asked, pausing to hear him clearly.

Yugi turned back to the window "You know what," he muttered. "Your book tour and, what your Mother said."

He heard Atem sigh behind him, he quickly squashed the urge to turn and snap at him. He turned his irritation away to go back to thinking about Thema's offer: It was better than he could have ever hoped for, easy but detailed work, he'd get to travel to many places, he wouldn't have to learn new skills, except maybe a few language phrases, and he'd never be too far from Atem's life.

He leaned against the door frame and exhaled deeply, the glass before him steamed up briefly, before just as rapidly vanishing.

The offer was almost too good to be true.

Of course it wasn't all that simple. Just having contact with Atem's parents didn't mean Atem himself. He'd be leaving for his book tour in a few days, and Yugi knew it was time for him to go home to Japan and fix things in Domino. He felt ready to exorcize those ghosts from his hometown. He'd left it too long, any longer and there wouldn't be any point going back. If he left it any longer then Domino would become a place of haunting rather than his beloved hometown. He'd leave to go back, and Atem would leave to start his tour.

Within a few days Atem and he would face another choice; together, long distance, or separate?

All had problems and issues. Long distance would be strained, to separate sounded most sensible but would be very hard for the both of them, or at least for Yugi. He pulled his arms up across his chest and linked them at his elbows loosely. Together would be … nice, but Yugi daren't invite himself along with Atem's tour.

That would be invasive, and assuming too much since he didn't dare try and sit down and talk about their relationship status. He had responsibilities to clean up his break up. But he was also afraid of the answer, afraid of Atem's answer, and worried that there wasn't enough between them to conjure up an answer to their relationship status anyway …

But if he had that job he'd at least have a chance of seeing him frequently. He had no doubt that Atem would use every opportunity to be in the same neighbourhood as he was – if he still retained his interest. He needed the money the job offered, not urgently, but sooner rather than later to start earning again. Finally, it was a chance in a lifetime, so why not go for it?

Yugi frowned a little and absently rubbed at his elbow: He knew why he was hesitating.

He wasn't used to having ideas sprung at him, he liked to plan ahead and this was very much out of the blue for him. It would be a big change and would impact everything about his lifestyle so far, which, he kept reminding himself, was still in the process of being fixed and sorted. He technically didn't have a home to go back to, his Grandfather would love his company for an extended stay but it wouldn't be a home of his own.

But the biggest reason why he was dragging his feet was because he didn't want Atem to be uncomfortable, or god forbid, angry with his decision.

It was an issue that didn't really concern Atem, it would affect Yugi mostly, but it was still the biggest problem. He, irrationally, didn't want Atem to be angry around him. Somehow the most insignificant and irrelevant thing was the biggest obstacle.

Yugi sighed again, stuck.

He really wanted this chance. But not at the cost of Atem.

Yugi felt his heart drop slighlty at that realisation. He weakly ran a hand across his eyes, as if to disspell a mist. Had he just weighed up Atem against this job and … Atem won?

Yugi's heart jumped unevenly and he placed a hand against his chest, feeling a little unstable. He felt as if the floor had been taken out from under him and he was weightless. He licked his lips and fought the urge to turn around, just encase those wine-crimson eyes were watching him.

The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end and his heart continued to beat strongly. The reason …

He swallowed and turned his eyes to the horizon where the sun had just ducked under, he began to search for stars instead. It was still a little bright for them, but they would appear soon.

Warm arms suddenly curled around his body.

Yugi hummed happily as they linked over his stomach, and leaned back into the strong chest, letting his own arms cross to hold Atem back. He closed his eyes and relaxed, today had been full of activity and surprises, he felt weary beyond belief. He could have happily stayed this way for an hour or more, just standing and basking in Atem's warmth.

He smiled to himself and felt Atem's jaw muscles move, his head resting by Yugi's, telling Yugi that he was smiling too.

Yugi was just about to ask him what he was thinking when Atem inhaled deeply behind him.

"I love you."

Yugi gasped, his heart leapt into his throat.

Nervously, hesitantly, he turned to meet Atem's eyes.

They were so gentle. As was his tender smile.

One hand absently covered Yugi's and squeezed, "I don't want you to leave me, Yugi. Join me on my tour, and come home with me," he whispered.

Yugi wasn't sure if he was breathing.

Some pressure had built in his chest, making him want to cry, he could almost feel the tears, but unmistakeble joy was singing just as loudly. All he could do was blink albiet stupidly, and slighlty mesmerized by Atem's eyes as his whispered confession reached through every aspect of his being, and all his layers, and warmly touched his heart.

Atem smiled, seeing Yugi realing in shock, and turned his head slightly to kiss the vulnerable hollow under Yugi's ear.

Yugi shivered and broke from his trance. He turned in his arms, his hand rose to cup Atem's face, he couldn't help but caress those high cheekbones as he felt a sappy smile cross his face.

"Yes."

It had been that simple.

All those issues, all those problems, he could face them, they had been resolved, all because of three words, and a one word reply.

Their lips met in a passionate kiss, Atem's hands holding Yugi flush against him with no escape, while Yugi stepped closer and held Atem's head to prevent the kiss from ending. Their lips danced in their familiar way, Yugi tasted Atem on his tongue, felt his large and warm hands holding him securely and his gorgeous body flexing unconsiously against his own.

Tears fell down Yugi's cheeks but he only noticed them when they broke the kiss to breathe, still smiling.

Atem smiled at him, his eyes kind and patient, he kissed his cheeks, tilting Yugi's head up with his elegant hands for better access.

Yugi closed his eyes and just let them fall "I'm so happy," he murmured wonderously, not caring that his voice hitched; he felt like he was about to burst!

Atem smiled and kissed him deeply again "So am I," he whispered. He pulled Yugi's hand to his chest, Yugi stared quietly when he felt his racing heart. Atem's hand tightened over his fingers, pressing his palm closer to his chest "It feels like it will burst," he chuckled and pulled Yugi closer again.

Yugi smiled and wrapped his arms around him. He felt the same. His tears hadn't stopped and he didn't care to stop them, Atem wasn't stopping him or judging him, he felt safe enough to cry with him. Atem's arms squeezed him closer, Yugi smiled and just rested his head against Atem's chest and listened to his racing heart.

Atem stroked his hair and whispered "Are there any conditions?"

Yugi didn't move "Conditions?" he parroted.

Atem chuckled again "In exchange for coming with me," he clarified. "I know it won't be easy for you, again," he sighed slightly, regretting that he was asking so much of Yugi "So I will help you do what you want, or must, in return," he offered.

Yugi paused for thought and pulled back a little "Hmm, two conditions," he said at last. Atem waited with a curious expression. Yugi absently raised a hand to his face again, letting the tips of his fingers play through Atem's hair, Atem's eyes half closed with the tender treatment. Yugi's lips turned upwards in response. "Let me go back to Japan to fix things properly," he began, Atem was already nodding. Yugi smiled wider and then raised a slight bit of challenge in his voice "And let me take that job."

Atem didn't hesitate to kiss him "Done," he growled against Yugi's lips.

Yugi kissed boldy back, moaning when Atem toppled the both of them onto the bed. The mattress bounced them slightly as the tangled pair settled, a mess of tangled arms and tangled lips. Yugi at once hooked a leg around Atem's waist and tugged at his slightly damp hair, urging him to move above him.

Atem groaned back and rocked their hips together expertly, knowing Yugi's body perfectly and he knew his reaction; Yugi groaned wantonly and arched back. Atem smirked and used Yugi's moment of weakness to gain access to his mouth. Yugi fought back, but Atem had taken too much ground, his tongue curling in his mouth to press all the areas which made him swoon.

Yugi broke the kiss after the need to breathe overpowered the pleasure of kissing. He pushed at Atem's shoulders and the man hovered over him, watching with attentive eyes. He was searching him for answers, for cues for what to do next. Yugi licked his lips and took the lead, he shimmied down under Atem slightly to kiss across his collarbone "No objections?" he whispered as their night of seduction began.

Atem hissed slightly, Yugi's thumbs circling his nipples with whispering touches until they hardened. He wove one hand through Yugi's hair and supported his neck as he continued to nip, kiss and bite at his darker skin. "To what?" he murumred deeply.

"My conditions," he answered, his hands mapping out Atem's taunt stomach muscles as he spoke.

Atem chuckled once and slowly reduced his support of Yugi's head till it tilted backwards. Yugi's ministrations paused and Atem looked down to meet his eyes, wanting to show he meant it "None. It's your decision, and," he smirked slightly "I think your first few assignments will be in the same hotels I'll be staying at for my tour," he purred, lowering himself until his lips found Yugi's ear, his tongue erotically teasing the sensitive lobe between his teeth.

Yugi laughed and shivered as he bared his neck to Atem, "Thank god for your Mother's meddling," he answered breathlessly.

Atem huffed and kissed his lips again "Go home first," he spoke between kisses, their unhelpful urges to smile making kissing a brief experience, but neither cared. Atem stroked Yugi's cheek with his thumb "Go home, set everything right, take as much time as you need," he pressed their foreheads together, his eyes turning serious for his next words "Then come back to me."

Yugi grinned too and looped his arms around Atem's neck "I will, yes, I will," he moaned as Atem kissed down his neck and across his bare shoulders, his hands sliding through Atem's hair.

Atem pulled back and caressed Yugi's face with both rough yet gentle palms "You're stunning, Mon Amour, Ana baħibbak," (My love, I love you) they pressed lips gently once more before Atem turned his attention back to Yugi's body, kissing, biting, licking and nuzzling down his chest and naval as if seducing him for the first time all over again.

Yugi gasped helplessly as Atem worked him into a carnal, heated daze. Atem's fingers slipped into the waistband of his shorts and pulled them down. Yugi's hands fisted in his hair as his body reacted, his heart sang, and his chest and eyes filled with emotion.

He waited in eager anticipation as this handsome, sexy, infuriating and wonderful man laid claim once again to all that Yugi was; his body, his mind, his heart. "Je t'aime, Atem," he whispered at last. He felt Atem's full lips smile against his skin.

"Yugi …" he whispered blissfully as the last of the sunlight surrendered its hold to the summer night.

"Je t'aime …"

There we have it!

The end!

Although, I don't really see it as an ending, since I've ended it but hinted at more in the after-chapters, like this was just the set up to something more. It's up to your imaginations where they go and what they do now, I've not had any ideas or plans for a squeal. I've kicked a few ideas around but decided that it was time to move onto other things.

It's a bit of a shame since I've enjoyed making the Sennen family, and I'd like to explore their world a bit more, but that wouldn't contribute to the story of Yugi or Atem so this is all I have to offer at the moment. (Maybe I'll have a few side one shots from random Sennen's perspectives, all centring around Atem and Yugi's relationship of course, but exploring their own characters too)

You can say if you'd like to see or read those, but it all depends on if I'm inspired by it or not.

But onto other things!

How many of you love Thema right now?

She was first interested when Yugi was first introduced to her - she likes to have her family contribute or busy, and when she approved of Yugi she considered him family - but her real plotting began after Yugi started making all those intelligent comments about the food. Then when Mana told her about his experience with photography and media she had to offer him the chance. Plus she won't hesitate to use Yugi's position to keep tabs on Atem and Yugi, that's one thing Atem has right, but mostly it's innocent intentions - MOSTLY, she's a sly and manipulative woman who can find shit out if she wants to, just like Atem. I see those two as most similar, even if Atem's a little more reserved than she is.

So when Yugi says yes to her offer in the un-chapters, Atem and Yugi will have at least five months out of Atem's six month book tour - leaving one for Yugi to sort his home problems out - to spend together and get to know each other even more. If they don't get sick of each other by the end of all that concentrated time together then I think they'll practically be a married couple. They're mature and sensible young men, they'll find the balance between alone time and together time. They're both serious about this now, so they'll work something out.

I have no doubt that Yugi's going to enjoy his job and get closer to the Sennens as he works.

Oh, and for those who don't know French Yugi was saying "I love you" to Atem in one of his native languages back there. I think that's really special. Same for Atem saying it in Japanese for Yugi.

Also, no idea if women and girls are allowed to be bartenders in Egypt - cultural differences, and some countries aren't yet as forward thinking as others - but I think that Thema, being European, will bring her western ways with her and she's a forwards thinking woman so she'll heir who she wants for whichever position she wants, and won't let the popular culture stop her.

Meh, what's written is written.

Also what do you all think about the confession? Too soon? Too sudden? Too simple? Or just right?

Thanks for coming on this journey with me everyone, it's been great, and I've read back on it recently and realised that over the course of this story my live has changed too. So there's a lot of good memories pinned to this story, and unfortunately a few bad ones too.

However, give me and The Summer of Seduction one last hurrah by giving me a long review, comment as much as you like on my writing, the lemons, the limes, the characters, my oc, the confession, the aftermath and any random author comments that you spent the time glancing over. What's your favourite part? What's your favourite chapter? Fav character? Least fav character? I'm looking forwards to some feedback, and see you in the next project!