Warnings: Rated T for mild suggestive themes, yaoi, self-harm, and (*gasp!*) underage drinking… sort of. Maybe some language.

A/N: OhMyGodAGiantRock here, back after some time trying to readjust my brain and really settle on a project. I've got something else in the works too, but I've hit a roadblock with it. Decided to throw this out there in the meantime.

A special thank you to Deck Divination for helping me get this piece out! I appreciate the various suggestions, and I hope the final piece turned out ok. And to anyone gracing my story with their time, feedback and/or constructive criticism is always welcome.

~I am in no way trying to make light of a serious situation such as suicide, so please, don't take it that way. This is just meaningless fiction.~

Now then, disclaimers aside, shall we?

"Me, I'm rusted and weathered
Barely holding together
I'm covered with skin that peels
And it just won't heal
The sun shines and I can't avoid the light
I think I'm holding on to life too tight
Ashes to ashes and dust to dust
Sometimes I feel like giving up"

~Creed, Weathered

It had been a few years since Yugi and his friends sent the pharaoh Atem into the afterlife, and Seto's world had calmed since. He was able to focus solely on his work and his brother, without so many distractions and dangers. There was certainly still the occasional kidnapper trying to take Mokuba hostage or madman coming after Seto for revenge, but for the most part, life became simpler. However, though Seto would rarely admit to even himself, he knew it somehow felt colder now as well. He chalked it up to having his last opportunity to regain his Duel Monsters championship title taken from him, but he sometimes wondered if there wasn't more to it than that. Yes, his title had meant a lot to him - or at least to his ego. But perhaps it also had to do with those twerps. Seto didn't feel like he had changed much himself. He was still a hard working and cold CEO, intimidating to any who crossed him. He seldom thought about the group of teenagers he had grown to know so well, but he sometimes wondered what became of them. He hadn't encountered Yugi or his group of friends since that day. He had watched a few of the tournament duels Yugi participated in (sometimes even spotting a few of his friends on the sidelines), as he was still recognized as the King of Games. But Seto knew he would never challenge Yugi again, even though it meant retiring from the game he loved so much. He couldn't bring himself to care if the world ever saw him as champion again if he himself didn't feel like he had truly beaten the King of Games, when he knew the man he'd truly seen as the King of Games was gone for good.

Seto Kaiba sighed, both from fatigue as well as contentedness, as he sat back in the seat of his long black limo. It was rush hour on Thursday evening, and he was finally ready for a long past-due vacation. Work wasn't something he exactly took pleasure in, rather it was something he had to do - for himself as well as for his little brother - and he took satisfaction in his accomplishments. That was enough for him, but there were times when the load grew too heavy and rest became non-existent that he knew he had to walk away; if even for a weekend. Seto had made plans to spend the next three days at one of his neglected vacation homes. The location he chose was a cabin peacefully tucked away in the mountains. It was Seto's favorite, though Mokuba wasn't nearly as fond of it, often mistaking the peaceful serenity of the mountains as 'boring'. Seto understood Mokuba's childish desires to stay in a city setting or on the beach for the long weekend, and allowed his younger brother - not quite so young, these days - to take a separate vacation. He would take a small group of peers, given that Isono, and the housekeepers, would chaperone.

Mokuba had flown on a private jet with his companions to their beach house earlier that afternoon, leaving Seto to himself, finishing work for the week. The brothers agreed that they would contact each other by phone once per night, but Mokuba was to arrive at the cabin Sunday morning to spend the last day of their vacations with Seto at their house in the mountains.

Two entire days to myself in a silent house, with no need to worry about goals, deadlines or rivals. All of that can wait until Monday. Seto thought to himself, eagerly anticipating the time to come. I can finally catch up on my reading; perhaps I'll even brush up on my piano skills. When Mokuba arrives on Sunday we could play a few games together. Maybe he'll want to go swimming?

Seto glanced out the tinted window of his limousine with a hint of impatience, bored cerulean eyes hardly taking in what they were seeing. His mind was elsewhere. The limo, which had been crawling at an excruciatingly slow pace already, now came to a stop behind a long line of backed-up traffic.

"Just great," Seto snarled under his breath. Patience may be a virtue, but it had never been one of his.

Now trying to find something out the window to distract him from his impatience, Seto was hit by a strong sense of unwelcome nostalgia when he finally took in his surroundings. From where the limousine stood frozen in place, Seto had a clear view of the Domino City harbor, of the dock in particular.

The scene was dusted with a thick crowd of city patrons going about their various business, but during the time Seto's Battle City Tournament overtook his hometown there had been none. None, that is, but his rival and the teenager's own best friend, forced into a duel-to-the-death against one another. Seto had been outraged to find his tournament being used, and in such a twisted way. It wasn't as though the man had been unfamiliar with the concept of forcing his opponent's hand, but Seto was used to being the one to do the forcing.

He shook his head in hopes of derailing his train of thought. As his chestnut locks fell back into place, Seto's eyes caught a glimpse of familiar tri-colored hair moving quickly through the crowd.

Has Yugi really grown so much? No… Seto thought, watching the figure, who looked determined as ever, weaving in and out of the crowd. I saw him duel on television no more than a month ago. He had grown, but he still looked like a squirt. Then… This couldn't be… There's no way! Could it…? Seto's thoughts trailed off as he watched the man, a small ray of what he could only relate to as hope rising in his chest.

The man had broken through the mob of people and stepped onto the very dock he'd once been forced to fight against Jounouchi for both of their lives. Seto's eyes continued to watch him, having noticed that his determined stance had faded. He stepped out of his limousine, ignoring the confused inquiries of his driver as he brushed by, walking briskly in the direction of where the former great Pharaoh of Egypt now stood.

Having my own body, I expected life to go on as it had when I shared a vessel with my hikari. But nothing had prepared me for the struggles I now face. Having been so caught up in figuring out my past, I had failed to realize previously how little of an impact I may have had during the day-to-day lives of my friends. Yugi has work in his grandfather's game shop. Anzu has gone to New York to follow her dream of dancing. Jounouchi has become a construction worker to help his father pay rent, and Honda is attending community college. I don't even have Duel Monsters anymore, my title belonging to Yugi and my rival having retired.

Egypt is, of course, no longer as I knew it, and is no place for me to return to in this time. I realize my friends may have missed me enough to perform the ritual in my tomb several weeks ago, but if only they had known to just let me be! At peace, there was nothing left for me to accomplish; nothing else that needed me to wake from my slumber. There are no challenges; no threats; no danger! There is nothing left for me in this world. If only Yugi could see that.

What is the point? Certainly Yugi is cheerful enough about having me around, but sitting around his home with no purpose is going to drive me mad! My thoughts often roam free, and rarely into welcome territories. How could I be expected to live a normal life after all I have lived through and accomplished? After becoming king of Egypt, my whole life had been planned out by fate. Now I find I am left in an empty shell, with no purpose or reason for being. The King in a game of chess, with no board beneath me on which to play.

I have far too many uncomfortable thoughts roaming through my head, and I feel determined to make them stop, one way or another. It is a complex list of problems that torment me, but I know the solution is simple.

Atem sighed deeply, stopping his feet from walking as he reached the edge of the dock. He slipped a small envelope out of his pocket. He opened it and pulled a single piece of white paper from it, eyeing it. He was unaware of his surroundings as his eyes scanned the words he had written himself, and had re-read half a dozen times already.

My friends,

I am sorry to have to part with you once more. However, I am only sorry because I know this will cause you grief, and I do not wish such pain upon those I care about.

But you do not understand.

My purpose was fulfilled. I have no more reason for being in this world, yet you have brought me back. I realize that you have missed me, as I have missed you. But we said our farewells once before. You should have moved on and forgotten me. I have no place here.

Do you wish me to feel tormented so? Certainly not, I know. I realize I am loved by you, my friends, and I love you in return. But I wish to rest, and I am determined to let it be so.

I hope you, as well, will do this for me.

~Atem

Atem folded the paper once more and placed it back inside the envelope, sealing it this time. He knew his looks would get him recognized, even if his body became mangled. Somebody would be able to deliver the note to Yugi somehow; he had no doubt. He took a deep breath to build his resolve, and let it out slowly. After removing the cartouche Anzu had given him from around his neck, he set the envelope onto the wooden platform beneath his feet and placed the silver pendant over it to keep it from blowing away.

Atem stopped to reflect on the last time he'd been here. He'd been in a duel against Malik, who'd used Jounouchi as a puppet in his cruel game. Both Yugi and Jounouchi had been in very real danger of losing their lives that day, and Anzu hadn't been in a very good place either.

If he hadn't had so much weight piled onto his own shoulders back then, he wouldn't have minded if the worst had happened, so long as it only happened to him. No need for my dear friends to become collateral damage, he thought darkly.

Atem had felt, through his mental connection with Yugi, how cold the rushing water had been when he had been plunged into the deep blue; how the forces of nature begged to swallow up his tiny form, until he was nothing. To Yugi, it had been terrifying, and Atem sympathized for his young friend's fear. But as he recalled the sensation that had passed between their minds Atem felt intoxicated, overwhelmed by the desire for those waves to wash over him like the manifestation of the relief he sought.

Atem took another deep breath, trying to steady his beating heart. Yes, he knew his friends loved him. They loved him for his company, his advice, his comfort. But they didn't really care about him, did they? That was impossible, or they never would have done this to him. Their love was selfish.

Determination returned to his features. He had one shot at this. If he failed, and Yugi learned of his intentions, he knew he would not be allowed a second chance. He could not afford to lose, for the sake of his sanity.

He began to rush forward, over the edge of the dock and toward the icy water beneath it.

The man stood still, several yards in front of Seto. The CEO remained silent, watching him as he placed an envelope on the ground with such care. Something was off about his behavior; Seto would not have left his limo if he didn't believe that was the case. It didn't appear that he was simply reminiscing, nor did Seto believe the harbor could hold anything but bitter memories for the man before him.

Seto stepped forward cautiously, watching from behind, not wishing to announce his presence. Other people rushed past, hardly giving either man a second glance. The cars were still backed up behind him.

Seto wondered how long he could afford to stand idly by and watch this man's suspicious behavior before taking action. That question was answered as he saw Atem lift his black boot suddenly and move, readying himself to dart into the water. Seto, not stopping to think, lunged forward to close the distance before grabbing hold of Atem's wrist. With a rough yank, Seto pulled the man back onto the dock. He kept his hand on Atem's wrist and wrapped his free arm tightly around his chest holding him still, pressed up against himself. Despite Atem's struggles to free himself, he found he was unable to move.

"What do you think you're trying to do, you idiot?!" Seto's deep voice resounded in the man's ear, still behind him, breathing heavy. The sound of his voice made Atem turn his head to face him.

"Kaiba?" His eyes grew wide. He hadn't seen, or even heard, much of Kaiba since his return. He was unsure Seto had even known he had been brought back.

"Who else?" Seto spoke roughly in response.

"Let go of me." He tried to shake himself free again, his heart pumping from adrenaline and panic. This time Seto dropped his arm from around Atem's chest and released his grip, allowing him to turn around fully, panting from this ordeal.

"You didn't answer my question." Atem glared at Seto. He had lost his chance. Typical of Kaiba to stand in my way of an important task, Atem scoffed.

"I don't have to answer to you, Kaiba." Atem let his anger seep into his voice.

Seto chuckled coldly before responding. "You sound like me."

"What the hell is your point?" Seto said nothing, but simply crossed his arms and stared back at the man, studying him. Atem grew impatient, shouting at the CEO further. "Will you get on with it so I can get back to my business?"

"Now you definitely sound like me." Without further hesitation, Seto reached forward and clamped his fingers like a vice around Atem's wrist once more before turning around. He raised one hand in the air briefly to flag down his driver. The limo was parked on the side of the road not many yards beyond the two men. The driver, having seen the action, put the car in gear and pulled up beside them.

Seto pulled on Atem's wrist, but he refused his move his feet. The chauffeur seemed to take the hesitation as a sign to put the car in park and get out to open the passenger door for his boss and his companion, which he did. Atem glared at the man in his black suit and polished shoes holding the door open for him. Why he felt such anger toward the situation, he was unsure, but he couldn't deny that the emotion was there, and very powerful.

"I'm not going anywhere with you, Kaiba."

"Look, pharaoh, or whatever it is that your lame little friends are calling you these days. I've been mourning my shot at that championship title you took from me ever since the day you handed me my first defeat. Yugi took my last chance to duel you, and then you disappeared. Now that I know you're alive, like hell I'm going to just let you off yourself in the middle of Domino city while I look the other way."

"You're still going on about that damned duel? Let it go, Kaiba! I heard you've retired. Don't have the guts to face Yugi for the title? You should know it isn't mine anymore."

"It doesn't matter what the world thinks. I know you're the one who defeated me. Dueling Yugi isn't enough for me, title or not."

"Just give it a rest." Atem said quietly. "And anyway, I'm no longer Pharaoh."

"What am I to call you, then?"

"My name. Atem." He tugged the arm Seto gripped, and when that didn't work, he used his free hand to attempt prying Seto's vice-like fingers off of his wrist, to no avail.

"I'm not letting you go until you agree to come with me." Seto increased his grip, though not trying to hurt the smaller. He knew he was the stronger of the two, and he was not afraid to prove it.

"I already told you that I'm not going anywhere with you."

"What's the matter? You think I bite?" He smirked. "Coming with me can't be much worse than what you had planned here." Seto lightly gestured to the end he'd just saved his rival from.

Atem sighed, still unable to free himself from Seto's grip.

"You're not going to give up, are you Kaiba?"

"Do I ever?" Atem clenched his teeth and shook his head slightly, his eyes now downcast. Seto dropped his wrist, and the former pharaoh rubbed the red marks his slender fingers had left. Seto stepped aside gesturing to the open door of his limousine. Atem glared at him for a moment, but seeing Seto's hard stare made him let out another sigh. He knew Kaiba was the stronger male, and if he tried to take off, he doubted he could outrun the CEO either. After turning back quickly to retrieve his cartouche and envelope, he pushed past the brunette and slid into the limo, exasperated. Seto followed suit and the chauffeur closed the door.

"Care to tell me what the hell that was back there?" Seto asked once they were settled in and had been on the road a few moments.

"No," was all Atem had responded with as he stared grimly out the window. He chose to sit as far from Seto as the car would allow, arms hugged loosely around himself.

"Figures." He paused for a bit, watching the former king. "What's with the envelope?"

Atem froze, caught off guard. "None of your business," he replied coldly. He crammed the crumpled paper back into the pocket of his leather jeans.

Fine, if that's how you're going to be… Seto thought to himself, growing frustrated. This was not Atem's usual attitude toward him. He let his thoughts about the situation wander while silence filled the air between them. Had he really just interrupted a suicide attempt? If that was so, there was a good chance the letter in Atem's pocket was a note of farewell.

"Where are we going?" Atem broke the silence, disrupting Seto's thoughts.

Seto didn't answer right away. For a moment, he contemplated taking him to Yugi's game shop, but somehow he had a feeling that might not help the situation. As long as Atem was still a danger to himself, he decided he couldn't let the man out of his sight. He would contemplate later why it was he felt so certain of that.

"We're going into the mountains." Atem gave him an incredulous look. Clearly the answer Seto gave was far from anything he'd expected. "I'm taking a short vacation at a home I own there. And you're coming with me."

Atem raised an eyebrow at this, but did not respond directly. What could he do now that he was already in the car, anyway? Of course, he could always try to jump out, and possibly get killed in the process. Not that he minded that outcome, but the chances of Seto allowing that to happen seemed slim.

"Where is Mokuba?" Atem asked in a low voice. The boy was nearly always at Seto's heels. So why wasn't he here while Seto rode off into the mountains?

"He's taking a separate vacation elsewhere."

"By himself?"

"Don't be ridiculous. Isono is with him." Atem still appeared confused, so he continued explaining. "Mokuba isn't fond of our house in the mountains. He finds it boring. He also thought I could use a few quiet days to myself, but it seems that I'll be using my time to baby-sit you instead."

"I didn't ask you to do that. If I'm such a burden, why don't you just take me home?"

"So you can try to kill yourself again? Not a chance. And I never said you're a burden." Atem looked directly into cerulean blue eyes and, for the first time since the two had met, those eyes looked back at him with a subtle softness. It would have been difficult to even detect had Atem not been so accustomed to see the hard glare chiseled into his features.

"The letter in your pocket is a suicide note, isn't it?" Seto asked quietly, not looking at Atem directly. He registered what seemed to be a small nod before Atem turned to face the window again. "Can I see it?" He wasn't exactly sure why he had asked. The question had made Atem shift in his seat uncomfortably, but he didn't respond. Seto almost wished he hadn't asked, but his curiosity was strong. What could possibly have him so upset that he's decided he can't live anymore? I can list off a dozen reasons to justify myself taking the easy way out, but what the hell does he have to cry about?

There was little else spoken during the journey before it seemed that Atem had drifted off with his head leaning against the car window. Seto detected his breathing deepen and determined he was likely unconscious. He rolled his eyes and reached into his pocket for his cell phone to contact Mokuba. Not wanting to wake the man sleeping next to him with a phone conversation, he slid the phone's keyboard open to compose a text instead.

"Mokuba, plans have changed. I won't be staying at the house alone. I'll call you later tonight with details. I ran into someone unexpected."

Seto let the phone rest in his lap and less than a minute later it silently flashed a blue light with his brother's reply.

"Dare I ask? I take it you won't want me coming over on Sunday after all and… interrupting?"

Typical teenager. Seto growled under his breath at his brother's misinterpretation and typed out a fast response.

"Get your mind out of the gutter. Yes, I still want to see you on Sunday. I'll explain over the phone when I get to the house. Enjoying your freedom?"

The sun had begun to set and the tinted windows drowned out much of what was left of the sunlight. A dim blue glow lit up the interior of the car once more.

"I thought you would be there by now. I guess you were at work later than you expected? And yes, I'm having fun. My friends want to go swimming tonight when the sun goes down completely."

"I left work early enough but I was stopped along the way. And be careful."

"I will. Isono's here to play lifeguard, and we're not that far from the city if anything did happen."

"Ah, an uncertified substitute lifeguard, several miles from a hospital. That makes me feel much better."

"We have first aid supplies, and the chopper if we need it. You need to chill out, bro. You're on vacation, after all!"

Seto glanced over to the figure sleeping next to him. Chill out. Vacation. How restful would this weekend end up being after all? He picked his phone up again and replied.

"Whatever. Call me immediately if anything does happen. I already gave that instruction to Isono, so there should be no excuse to not have me notified in the case of an emergency."

"Nii-sama, would you feel better if we didn't go swimming at night?"

"I would feel better if you had come with me. After all, why oughtn't I worry about you? Enjoy yourself, but don't be reckless. I'll call you in an hour or so. Keep your phone nearby."

"K, Seto. Talk to you later."

Once again Seto had the urge to roll his eyes. His brother was vice president of the world's most prestigious gaming corporation, yet he could act so immature. No matter, Seto mused. At least he can enjoy himself. I'm stuck taking care of sleeping beauty. He watched the tri-colored male, contemplating how his entire weekend just got trampled. Yes, he had told Atem he was not a burden. But that didn't mean his presence wasn't going to change any of Seto's plans for the weekend.