Sorry this took so long; I basically hit the actual plot and didn't know what to do lmao. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter Warnings: Uncanny valley/Monster (Ryou fully shifted), possession, discussion of death/grief

-----

It was the perfect day to go to the local pumpkin patch. Yugi beamed, the sun warm on his face, in the middle of his partners and hands linked as they walked.

"If we find one big enough," Ryou said, "we should absolutely make a creepy Cinderella's carriage. No one on the block would have anything like it."

No one in the city, Malik corrected with a small snort.

Ryou hummed in agreement. The path they were walking along shifted from concrete to trodden earth and orange leaves shielded them from the unseasonable heat. Varying sizes of pumpkins lined their way like a tiny hedge maze. Yugi blinked but the confusion faded to the back of his mind in an instant.

"I could make the creepy Cinderella and horses out of foam," Ryou decided. "I just need a model."

I could dress up as her, Malik offered.

"Yes!" Yugi grinned. "You would be an amazing zombie Cinderella."

"Demon," Ryou decided. "Demon Cinderella and zombie horses. Oh, and a rotting pumpkin."

Yugi wrinkled his nose. "Why rotting? Why not just paint it to look like it's rotting?"

"The smell can't be replicated with paint," Ryou protested.

Yugi couldn't help but laugh at that. "If you say so. I don't think you'll find a giant rotting pumpkin here though-"

Malik tapped Yugi's shoulder and pointed ahead of them. Like that one?

A few feet ahead, the pumpkin fence ended. Sat in front of a giant oak tree was a pumpkin twice Yugi's size with mouldy patches and greying skin.

Ryou pulled his hand free, running up to it. "It's perfect!"

Yugi tried to swallow. The air seemed colder. "Ryou, be careful."

"Of what?" Malik asked. His voice sounded distorted.

Wait, why was he speaking? Again, the confusion faded, but unease still crept into Yugi's body.

"I don't know." Yugi shook his head. "Something feels off."

"Yugi, Malik, come look!" Ryou called.

Malik's head jerked up at the call and he smiled. "Coming!"

Yugi pursed his lips but followed Malik towards the pumpkin.

Ryou was grinning and beckoned them around to the back. "Look, there's already a door carved out!"

Yugi frowned. Sure enough, there was the door - intricately carved from the pumpkin with such attention to detail that it looked real. Almost too real. Pumpkin carving really was getting competitive these days. "Who carved it?"

"No idea," Ryou breathed, "but it's perfect."

It truly was - the door was a gorgeous rounded shape reminiscent of old fairytales with an iron bar window and latch, though it was too dark to see inside. The wood was chipped and peeling, and stones lining the door were covered in moss. Wait, stones and real wood? Wasn't it carved from pumpkin?

Yugi reached out to touch the door but a rumble above him made him stop. Rain began to drip from the thundering sky.

"We should wait out the storm inside," Ryou suggested.

Malik nodded in agreement. "Good idea." He gestured to the door. "You first, Yugi."

Yugi looked up. Malik was smiling. "I- I don't think this is a good idea." He took a step back, but Ryou caught him and guided him back to the door.

"Come on," Ryou urged. "It's too far to run home! It's perfectly safe!" He was smiling too. His eyes were bright- why were they bright? Ryou's eyes were never bright.

Yugi dug in his heels, but the ground was already wet, and the mud did nothing to slow his journey.

"Ryou, stop!" He protested, but his boyfriend either ignored him or somehow didn't hear him. Malik reached out and pushed the door open. It was pitch black inside. Yugi grabbed Malik's arm. "I don't want to go in there!"

Malik was still smiling. Yugi met his gaze and froze. Malik's eyes had turned red, and seemed to swim as though his irises were pools of blood.

Malik's smile grew. Sorry, little Yugi. It didn't sound like Malik speaking. In fact, it didn't even sound. The words seemed to bypass Yugi's ears, spoken directly into his mind. Do not worry. This will hurt them more than it will you.

Ryou gave him a hard shove, and Yugi screamed as he tumbled into the pumpkin. He braced himself to hit the floor, hard, but instead, he fell, deeper and deeper, until the light from the doorway faded away.

The darkness around Yugi was tight, oppressive, as he sank. He grit his teeth and tried to kick himself up towards the surface, but the air pulsed with a sick amusement, and he only sank faster. His ribs ached, his lungs burned.

You will not win.

Yugi looked around for the voice, but it was too dark. He blinked a few times to make sure his eyes were open, but it was almost brighter behind his eyelids than his surrounding area. "Who are you?" He called.

It does not matter, the 'voice' replied. The seer is mine, and you will not take him from me.

Yugi's hands balled into fists. "What do you want with Malik?" A chuckle filled his mind. "You won't hurt him! We won't let you!"

Oh, it is not the seer who will be harmed.

The voice still didn't sound, and yet it appeared closer to Yugi than before. Yugi twisted, but nothing appeared behind him. He fell faster now, thick and freezing wind whipping his cheeks.

If it were not for you- The voice paused. Well, I suppose none of what is to come would occur. I suppose I should thank you, at least. Perhaps I shall leave you and your unseelie. You may just get to see the next stage of your world before it crumbles.

Yugi's stomach turned. "What do you mean? What did I do?"

The seer warned you. You should have paid more attention. Something seemed to fade out of the murky darkness, approaching Yugi steadily as though walking on a platform, maintaining his level even as Yugi dropped further, further, and the pressure around him grew. You should have left your friend in peace. You should never have pulled him from the fields.

"What does Atem have to do with this?" Yugi had to yell over the roaring of wind in his ears, but the voice did not have to change its volume.

What does Atem have to do with this? Red flashed in front of him, rich and glowing irises with blacker than black pupils, as though a pool of blood had consumed a dying star. The same as you do. It drew Yugi closer, and his throat seized. You were both nothing... but an opportunity.

The pressure around Yugi squeezed, and he choked on nothing, clawed and kicked at nothing, stared past those eyes at nothing, tried to breathe, but nothing-

Light bloomed beneath him.

The voice hissed. Yugi blinked, and the eyes were gone. His fall slowed as the beam of light hit him, and he floated down. The deeper he went, the warmer it got, the brighter the darkness seemed to be, until he was carefully set in a cosy living room. One he knew all too well, covered with beanbags and cushions, posters of Duel Monsters and photos of their friends, a fire roaring in the hearth. After the funeral, all of that had been packed away and passed out to various people in their friend group - a few things to keep memories close.

In front of the fire, his back turned to Yugi, stood a young man with rich black and magenta dreadlocks.

Yugi's heart ached. "Atem?"

Atem turned and smiled at Yugi. He looked tired. "Gods, you're here. I was worried."

Yugi looked up, but instead of the blistering darkness, a white ceiling covered them. "What was that? What's going on?"

"Something invaded your dream," Atem replied. He walked closer to Yugi. The firelight behind him gave him a gentle glow. "It's been trying for days, but it's stronger now."

Any relief that Yugi felt at the knowledge that it was a dream was replaced by a cold flush. "What is it?"

Atem shook his head. "I don't know. I was worried I wouldn't get to you in time, but-" He shook his head again and grabbed Yugi's hands. "Listen to me. This is important." He held Yugi's gaze. "Whatever that thing is, it's using Malik. I don't know for what, but I do know that it's strong, and evil. Darkness incarnate. You need to keep him safe."

"How?" Yugi breathed. "I- I don't have powers-"

"You'll find away." Atem's gaze softened a touch. "You always find a way."

"Atem, please." Yugi gripped his hands. Atem felt so real, but the room around them was fading. "I need to know more."

"I know." Atem pulled Yugi closer, wrapping his arms tightly around the smaller man. "I'm sorry I can't be of more help. Watch over Malik and Ryou. Keep each other safe."

Yugi clung to Atem, fingers digging into the plush sweater he wore. "I will."

Atem squeezed him and pulled back. "Whatever you do, don't-"

-----

Yugi's eyes snapped open to the shrill ring of an alarm clock. Ryou grumbled and buried his head deeper into the pillow. "Turn it off..."

"Sorry." Yugi reached over Malik to silence his phone. His shifting woke Malik, albeit in a more gentle way than the alarm had roused Yugi.

Malik slowly opened his eyes and smiled at Yugi, but it quickly melted into a frown. What's wrong?

Yugi shook his head. "Nothing."

You're shaking. Malik pushed himself up in the bed to carefully wrap his arms around Yugi.

Yugi blinked and glanced at his hands. They trembled under his gaze, and he forced himself to take a few deep breaths until they slowly stilled. "Just a bad dream."

Ryou shifted and peeked out at them from beneath the blankets. "Nightmare?" His voice was still thick with sleep. "What about?"

"I-" Yugi frowned. "I don't remember." Something to do with pumpkins and... red eyes? Red-Eyes Black Dragon?

Malik hummed and rubbed gentle circles into Yugi's back as the terror from the dream slowly faded. Are you okay?

Yugi nodded, slowly relaxing into his arms. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine." He shook his head. "Sorry for worrying you."

"It's okay." Ryou smiled and wrapped an arm around Yugi's middle. "We've got you."

Malik nodded in agreement. Yugi smiled, but as much as he wanted to stay in their embrace, a glance at the clock told him he didn't have the luxury. "I need to get to work."

Malik followed his gaze and grimaced. Me too.

Ryou hummed and pulled his arm back under the covers. "Okay, have a good day at work." He let his eyes slip closed again. "I'm gonna sleep more."

"Okay, enjoy your day off." Yugi smiled and pressed a kiss to the top of Ryou's head. He reluctantly followed Malik out of bed. While Malik showered, Yugi made coffee, and by the time they were both ready, Ryou was snoring softly again.

Yugi made sure the door was locked behind him as he and Malik stepped outside, and something gnawed at his chest. He caught Malik's hand. "Hey." He waited until Malik looked back at him. "Text me when you get to work?"

Malik chuckled. I'm not going to get mugged again.

"I'm serious," Yugi insisted, and the mirth faded from Malik's eyes. "Please."

Okay. Malik nodded. I'll text when I'm there. He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Yugi's lips. See you later.

Yugi nodded, forcing a small smile. He was being silly. "Thank you. Have a good day, okay?"

Malik hesitated but returned the smile. You too.

Yugi did his best to ignore the nervous energy clinging to his limbs as they turned away from each other, walking to work in opposite directions. Everything was fine.

It was just a bad dream.

-----

Yugi glanced at his phone for what felt like the dozenth time in as many minutes.

"Looking at your phone isn't going to make him text you back faster," Ryou murmured, but he was no better, chewing his lip as he ignored the tea he'd made an hour previously.

Yugi huffed and lowered his phone. "He hasn't even read it yet."

He left his phone on the couch and stood up, staring outside. Clouds were gathering overhead, dark and heavy, and a shiver ran through Yugi's body. In any other circumstances, it would make the perfect setting for a Halloween evening.

"It's only been a few hours," Ryou placated. "Maybe he forgot to plug his phone in."

Yugi hummed. Since his dream a few nights earlier, he'd been more on edge, but even on nights Malik went home, he always texted to let them know he got back safe. They'd each gotten a text when Malik left that morning to go to work, and he was due to stay home that night, but even with work, Malik hadn't gone hours without texting them before, and it was two hours after he was due to finish up.

"Something's not right," he decided.

Ryou stood up and wandered over to Yugi to wrap his arms around his partner from behind. "It could be nothing."

Yugi shook his head, turning to look up at Ryou. "It's not." He glanced back at his phone. "I don't know how, but something is happening, and I can feel it."

Ryou took a slow breath. "Alright. Let's go."

Yugi blinked. "Really?"

Ryou nodded, passing Yugi his phone before pocketing his own. "He lives above the shop. Worst case scenario, we come off a little paranoid."

Yugi nodded, but his throat was tight. There could definitely be some worse scenarios. Still, he managed to smile at Ryou as they slipped outside and locked up. "Thank you for this."

"Of course." Ryou laced his fingers with Yugi's and gave his hand a squeeze. "Besides, I'm concerned too."

Yugi nodded, but urgency still thrummed in his veins, and even when they hailed a taxi to save on time, his leg jogged the entire ride to the shop. When they got there, sure enough, both Malik's shop and the surrounding ones had closed up for the night. Ryou stepped out of the cab, eyes narrowed at the building as though it was a personal affront while Yugi paid their fare.

"Do you sense anything?" Yugi asked when the cab drove away.

Ryou shook his head and reached back to tie his hair into a ponytail.

"That's... good, right?"

"No." Ryou's eyes flashed black. "I can't sense anything. It's like there's a cloak over the entire building."

Yugi swallowed and glanced at the side door that led from the street to a flight of stairs, up above the shop. The lights upstairs were all off too, though it was beginning to get dark. "Has that ever happened before?"

"Not to me." Ryou frowned and stepped up to the front door, trying it. It opened without issue. His frown only deepened and he stepped past the door frame. "It's still all blocked. Maybe you should wait here-"

"Not a chance." Yugi slipped past Ryou towards the stairs.

Ryou huffed and shut the door, following Yugi up the stairs as fast as they could while being quiet. "Yugi, you're human, and we don't know-"

"Exactly, we don't. You're both my boyfriends and I'm not about to let either of you get hurt because I was too scared." They reached the top of the stairs and Yugi tried the door to Malik's apartment. Locked.

"Give me a minute." Ryou knelt at the door and his fingers extended into long, black claws. He pressed one against the lock, whispering with his eyes closed, and then stood and pushed open the door.

The room was dark. Ryou stepped in first.

Lights flashed in the corners of the room and Yugi rushed to turn off the alarm. Malik had given them the code in case of an emergency, but they hadn't been in his apartment before, so it took a minute to locate by the door. Once the flashing stopped, Ryou flicked on the light.

Yugi held his breath.

The cushions on the couch had been torn open, stuffing lying all across the destroyed room. One of the lights flickered, casting shadows over the broken chairs piled onto the table like a modern pyre, and all of the clocks were on different times.

Yugi cautiously stepped over a patch of broken glass, looking around. Beyond the empty, open plan living room and kitchen, the flat had a few doors; one was hanging on one hinge, leading to a bathroom with a broken mirror.

The other was closed.

"I'm going to open it."

Yugi looked back at Ryou. He had fully shifted: his skin was marble white and scelera black. Razor sharp black claws extended in a gradient from his hands and his hair floated around him like ragged bandages. When he spoke again, Yugi noticed the sharp teeth poking out from black lips.

"You can come, but stay behind me."

Yugi nodded, following as Ryou crept down the hall. "Can you sense anything?"

"Almost," Ryou hissed. "There's something big inside."

Ryou's fingers curled around the doorknob to Malik's bedroom, and he flung it open before pressing himself and Yugi against the wall.

Yugi didn't even see what attacked them, but he felt the icy mass of darkness shoot by him, ruffling his hair before it slammed into the wall. When he opened his eyes, it was dented and the paint was cracked.

I wasn't expecting visitors.

A cold chill ran up Yugi's spine. He didn't hear a thing, but the words were in his head as though spoken nonetheless. Ryou's eyes widened, and Yugi pushed him back to glance inside. Malik sat cross-legged on the floor, back to them and facing the window. Around him, plastic and wooden debris littered the room. Not a solitary piece of undamaged furniture or decoration remained.

"Who are you?" Ryou whispered.

Malik's head turned without the rest of his body, and Yugi pulled Ryou out of the way of another blast of solid darkness.

You know who I am.

"You're not Malik!" Yugi shouted. His back hit the wall before he even processed that Malik's body had moved.

Yugi grunted in pain and looked up. Malik's pupils were bleeding red, slowly enveloping his irises. A pained smile bared his teeth as his hand, manicured acrylics ripped from his fingers, closed around Yugi's throat.

No. I'm better.

----- 

I hope you liked! Please review/vote and I'll try and get the final chapter up soon!