And now, fluff. This is just a nice breather from main story stuff just to let our married couple slide back into the role of parents. It's not easy raising a normal child, never mind one that's magically inclined. Leave any prompts in the comment section.
A Family Reunited

Marik yawned as he patrolled the tomb for the night. Though he had accepted his role as a tombkeeper, he still found this part of the job dreadfully boring. Still, it was his turn, and at the very least, Ishizu was making his favorite meal for dinner. As he reached the entrance, he noticed something: a dark form slumped on the ground. Caught off guard, he raised his lantern up.
"Who's there?"
A groan came from the unconscious figure as they slowly sat up. Marik blinked, realizing this intruder was a child given their small stature. The black cloak around them was far too large, the hood practically engulfing their head and making it next to impossible to make out any discernible features. However, eventually they turned around and Marik did spot a pair of large, frightened (E/C) eyes under the hood. The boy gasped, backing away. Seeing how frightened he was, Marik knelt down, setting the lantern down next to him.
"Easy, little one. It's all right."
The boy fidgeted, still a bit jumpy. "W-where am I? What happened to the nice woman?"
Marik scratched his cheek with a nervous smile. "You're...not supposed to be down here, little one. You're not in trouble though. Did you lose your mother and father?"
The boy froze before nodding. "Uncle said they were gone. I went to look for them, but I got lost. Then the nice woman said I had to wait for them and that I should sleep."
That didn't exactly answer any of Marik's questions, but the sound of the boy's stomach growling made him smile as he extended a hand. "Why don't we don't we get you something to eat and then maybe find your parents? Does that sound good, little one?"
The boy looked at his hand, unsure, but eventually he nodded and took it. Taking the lantern in his other hand, Marik led the boy towards the living quarters. The little one glanced up at him a few times, seemingly gathering the courage to ask a question.
"Do you have a name, little one?" Marik asked, trying to reassure him.
The boy glanced down. "Baba says I need to be careful when others ask my name. He says it could be dangerous."
"Well, your baba isn't wrong, but it would help my family and I to know your name so we can find your parents." The boy squeezed his hand. "If it helps, my name is Marik."
"...Kathan. My name is Kathan."
Marik smiled and nodded as the two then began to smell a very pleasant aroma from the dining area. Odion was setting the table as Ishizu handled dinner. Marik stepped inside first, Kathan standing shyly behind him.
"Sister, Odion, we have a guest."
Odion blinked in surprise. "Master Marik, who is this?"
Kathan flinched, but the older boy placed a hand on his head. "This is Kathan. I don't know how he got down here, but I think he got lost from the village. I'm hoping we can find his parents."
Odion nodded before kneeling down to the boy's eye level to make him a bit more comfortable. "Greetings then, Kathan."
"H-hello." The boy greeted back as Ishizu joined them.
"Brother, did I hear you say guest?"
Before Marik could answer, Kathan suddenly bolt from behind him, launching at the girl.
"Isis!" He shouted, wrapping his arms around her waist.
The burst of speed caused the hood to fall from Kathan's head, and both males' eyes went wide as they saw practically a small clone of the Pharaoh clinging to Ishizu, who, to her credit, kept a cool head and gently looked down at the boy.
"I apologize, little one, but I am not who you think I am."
The boy looked up at her, confused. "What do you mean, Isis? Didn't uncle send you to find me?"
"I'm afraid the one you speak of is not here. My name is Ishizu. However, I believe we can help you find your parents."
"Really!?" The boy's face lit up. "You know where mama and baba have gone?!"
"Yes." She answered, picking up the boy. "Though I'm afraid you'll have to wait a few days first."
"Sister, Isis is the name of your previous life, is not?" Marik asked. "Does that mean this boy is-?"
"Marik, we need to get into contact with the Wayfarers."

(Present)

Marik finished recounting what had happened as (Y/N) held her son close.
"He just...appeared?"
"How is that possible?" Yami asked, just as confused as she was.
Marik shook his head. "We couldn't explain it. Kathan couldn't even explain it. All he told us was that a kind woman told him he needed to wait to find you and sleep."
"A woman..." Yami said before looking at his son. "Kathan, sa? What do you remember about this woman?"
"She was really nice." The boy answered. "She said she'd help me because we were family, and I knew I could trust her cause she looked and sounded a lot like mama."
"Eden." (Y/N) realized. "She must have done something. That's how she had those memories and my idol."
"Oh, the idol." Kathan recalled. "I had it with me, and your bracelet, but I think I lost them. I'm sorry, mama."
"It's all right, hayati." She assured him, kissing his forehead. "The nice woman returned them both."
"She did? That means she kept her promise to help me find you!"
"She did indeed, and we're very grateful she did." (Y/N) then muttered under breath. "Though a bit more warning would've been just as appreciated, Eden."
Yami let out a nervous chuckle before turning to the Ishtar siblings. "We can't even begin to express how grateful we are to the three of you for watching him and bringing him to us. We're in your debt."
"It was us who were in your debt, my Pharaoh." Ishizu reminded. "And Prince Kathan was a joy to have."
"Ishizu's really good at cooking." Kathan recounted. "And Marik and Odion played a lot of games with me!"
"Well, it certainly sounds like you had fun, hayati." (Y/N) said. "Ishizu, Marik, please at least allow me to extend an invitation. You must be exhausted after your trip."
"We're quite fine, your highness." Marik assured. "Besides which, we have a plane to catch. It wouldn't be fair to Odion to leave him alone for long."
"If you're certain, but do not hesitate to reach out if you are in need."
"We will keep that in mind, your highness." Ishizu then smiled at the child. "Prince Kathan, you are safe now. It was an honor, my prince."
Marik smiled, a bit more mischievously. "Try not to wander off again. Be good for your parents, and try to improve your Senet skills for our next match."
The boy giggled. "I will! Bye Marik, bye Ishizu!"
The two siblings nodded as the Pharaoh and queen gave their thanks and farewells. When the small family was left alone, the two parents looked at each other.
"So, how do we go about explaining this to everyone?" Yami asked as (Y/N) sighed.
"We have until we get there to figure that out."
"Mama, baba?" The pair looked down at their son. "I'm a bit confused."
"What's wrong, sa?" Yami asked.
"Ishizu, Marik, and Odion said this wasn't our time, this place is the future. But, how did we get here?"
Yami and (Y/N) bit the inside of their cheeks. How willing were they to explain that rather than disappearing that night, they both had died in their own sacrifices to save their kingdom? Considering how old he was, that was best left for another day
"Kathan, we have told you about how special my bracelet and baba's puzzle are, correct?"
He nodded, batting at the Millennium Puzzle like a kitten. "Mhm. You said they're both magic and really powerful. And we have to keep them safe!"
"That's right." Yami confirmed. "Well, you could say that the puzzle and the bracelet brought us here because this time needs our help."
"I'm also guessing the bracelet may have sent you here as well to keep you safe." (Y/N) added as their son looked down.
"Can they send us home?"
"We hope so." Yami reassured. "For now, there are a few people we'd like you to meet."
"Who?"
"Special people. You could say our family is much bigger now. You have a lot more aunts and uncles now."
Kathan's eyes went starry. "Really!?"
Yami chuckled, ruffling his hair. "Indeed. Come on, let's go introduce you."
As the little family made their way up the road, Yami and (Y/N) discussed things quietly as Kathan at every little thing that passed.
"So Kathan had the bracelet and...somehow that brought him to Eden, who put him to sleep all this time? I thought only Eden's incarnations could use it."
"Kathan is a special case, Shagngu. Eden didn't get to have children, so maybe she could have overlooked direct blood."
Rain then appeared beside them. "Not to mention, Kathan is also your son, Yami, and that gives him blood ties to the Millennium Puzzle too. Maybe this is how it manifested."
Kathan tilted his head. "Mama, baba, who is that?"
"Who, hayati?" (Y/N) asked.
"The girl you're talking to. She looks more like you than the nice lady!"
They all stopped in shock.
"He can see me!?" Rain shouted.
"Why wouldn't I be able to see you?"
"Yugi?" Yami called, his counterpart appearing beside him. "Kathan, can you see him too?"
The boy nodded, making Yugi rub his head. "Well this just keeps getting more and more confusing."
"At least it proves his ties to both items." (Y/N) said, placing Kathan down and having Yugi and Rain stand in front of him. "Kathan, these are Yugi and Rain. They are precious friends to your father and I."
"Really."
"Like a brother and sister to us." Yami explained. "You see, hayati, your mother and I are...sharing bodies with them for the time being. Sometime, mama and I will be there and other times, it will be Yugi and Rain. However, regardless, we'll always be nearby. Do you understand?"
The boy looked slightly puzzled, but nodded weakly. "Um...I think? But, I still understand how this happened. Mama told me to hide in my room...and then you were both gone. When I asked uncle Seto where you were, he told me I couldn't see you anymore, so I went to look for you, and then I met that nice lady. Why would uncle Seto lie to me?"
"He didn't lie, hayati." (Y/N) corrected. "We'll tell you what happened one day, but for now, we're together, and that's all that matters."
Kathan simply hugged both their waist, though did catch a disappointed pout on his face. Still, neither of them felt like further traumatizing their son, so the former pharaoh simply picked him up and continued on.

(Timeskip)

Everyone was kinda on guard when it was (Y/N), not Rain, called them all into the (massive) living room.
"I want to start this by saying there is no world ending threat this time." Everyone took a sigh of relief. "However, given how shocking this new development is, I do want ask that you all try to remain calm."
"This outta be good." Joey mumbled to Tristan and Tea before being elbowed by their female friend.
"(Y/N), what is this...all...?" Carter's question trailed off as Yami brought in Kathan.
Everyone stared in complete shock at the little clone the Pharaoh was carrying. Kathan hid his face in his father's neck, prompting Yami to give him a reassuring pat on the back.
"It's all right. They're our family now."
Hesitantly, the little boy peaked one (E/C) out to look at them, making Tea have to bite down on her to keep from squealing. Tristan was the first to ask the obvious question.
"Ugh, Pharaoh? (Y/N)? Is...is that who I think it is?"
(Y/N) nodded. "Everyone, this is our son, Kathan."
"Well, I'll be!" Joey shouted, being the first to step up. "He's like a little mini you, Pharaoh!"
"Joey, you're scaring him!" Tea said, pulling the blonde back by the ear as Carter stepped forward.
"It's all right, your highness, you're safe here."
"No need to be shy, youngin'." Solomon added. "As your mother said, we're all family here."
Kathan looked up at his father, who nodded and put on the ground. The prince immediately ran behind him and peaked out at the new faces. (Y/N) knelt beside her son and began pointing out each individual.
"Kathan, these are your grandfathers Carter and Solomon, your uncles Joey and Tristan, and your aunt Tea."
"H-hello..." He greeted softly.
"Nice to finally meet ya, kid." Joey greeted. "Your folks sure missed ya."
"Oh, he's too cute, you guys." Tea said. "Kathan, if you need anything, you just ask."
He nodded, a bit more confident as (Y/N) stood up.
"Okay, now all that's missing is Soren, Mokuba and-,"
The door to the room opened as Soren ushered in the Kaiba brothers. Kathan perked up immediately.
"Uncle Seto!"
"Woah!" (Y/N) scooped up her son as he tried to run towards the now confused older Kaiba. "No, no, hayati, he's not that Uncle Seto."
"But, but he looks just like him!"
"Sa, do you remember how Ishizu wasn't the same as Isis?" Yami asked. "He is also like that."
"Oh." The boy responded as Seto just stared.
"Why...is there a tiny version of you, with Rain's eyes."
(Y/N) rolled her eyes as she adjusted Kathan in her arms. "Seto, Mokuba, Soren, our son Kathan."
"Greetings, Prince Kathan." Soren responded with a bow, immediately adapting to the situation.
Mokuba in contrast ran up to them with a smile. "Woah! He's really your kid! And he's still a kid! How did he get here?"
"Yeah, how did he get here, you two?" Tea asked.
"Well, the Ishtars actually brought him here." Yami explained. "Beyond that, Kathan apparently somehow connected Eden, who kept him asleep all this time, before sending him to the Ishtars...and that is all we gleam thus far."
"Quite frankly, I do not care." (Y/N) admitted. "Kathan is safe and with us, and that is all that matters."
Tristan shrugged. "Fair enough."
Seto really had no words for this situation and just kept staring at the little boy. Kathan looked back at him and waved. For anyone else, the brunette would've probably ignored them, but unconsciously and stiffly, he gave a small wave back, which made the small prince beam. Yami, seeing the whole thing, smirked.
"Still think he isn't really?"
"Shut up."
"While I am happy for your three, you do realize now we're going to find a way to accommodate Kathan." Carter interrupted.
"Not to mention find a way to get back home." Solomon added, making the teens all a bit nervous.
"Right..." Joey trailed off. "Where would we start with that?"
Just then, Kathan's belly rumbled, causing him to blush as everyone looked at him.
(Y/N) chuckled, smiling at him. "How about we start with breakfast?"

Nightmares and Hugs

Thanks to calling in a few favors from government Wayfarers, eventually, Carter was able to have papers foraged to make Kathan officially a distant relative of the Muto family, along with a passport. With that, they were able to smuggle the young prince into Domino City. During the following weeks, the arrangement to have Kathan rotate sleeping between the Muto and (L/N) houses was working well enough as the little prince got to spend time with both his parents. Given that Carter's house was bigger and Kathan had his own room as opposed to Yugi giving up his, most of the week nights were spent with his mother, but Yugi was always a good sport about giving up his room for Kathan given how happy Yami was to be spending time with his son. The former Pharaoh was an especially attentive father who clearly adored his son, spending most of his time teaching his son how to play the various games around the shop and helping him adjust to this strange new world. Yugi could hardly believe how easily Yami slipped back into the role of father, and he often teased his partner about how soft he was for Kathan. He and Rain had actually discussed how Yami and (Y/N) likely in the past, especially Yami, couldn't be as openly affectionate in public with their son or even each other given the cultural norms, so they could actually enjoy being normal parents in the modern day.
Well, as normal as a couple in their circumstances could be anyways.
Tonight was one of those nights where Kathan was with the Muto family, so Yugi was snoring away on the couch as a rain storm pounded outside, grateful tomorrow was not a school day.
"Yugi."
The star haired male shot awake hearing the small voice. Even in the dark, he could make out Kathan's bright (E/C) eyes.
"Wha-? Kathan?" He said blearily. "It's the middle of the night. What are you doing up?"
The boy said nothing, shifting uncomfortably. Yugi blinked, his eyes adjusting to the dark just enough to notice how puffy the prince's eyes were.
"Did you have a nightmare?" Kathan nodded. "Do you want your dad?" Another nod. "Okay, give me a second, buddy."
Yugi reached for his puzzle on the coffee table and Yami immediately took over.
"Hayati?"
At that moment, there was a flash of lightning and a crash of thunder, making Kathan leap like a rabbit straight into his father's arms. Yami hugged Kathan as he shook, rubbing circles into his back.
"It's okay. The storm can't hurt us here. You're safe. Baba's here."
Kathan wrapped his arms around his father's neck. "You and mama left again."
Yami felt his heart crack. "Is that what your nightmare was about?"
The boy nodded sleepily. "I couldn't find you and I was all alone...then he chased me. He said I was next."
"Who told you that?"
"The Thief King."
Yami just added that to the ever growing list of reasons for him to find a way strangle the Thief King without hurting Bakura before kissing his son's head.
"Kathan, your mother and I aren't going anywhere, and the Thief King can't touch you. I won't let him. I promise, you're safe." His words seemed to put the young prince at ease as he quickly wrapped them both in a blanket. "Come on, it's late. We should both get some sleep."
Kathan curled up on his father's chest. "Good night, baba."
"Good night, Kathan."
The next morning, Solomon was the one to greet Rain at the door.
"Hey, grandpa Solomon. Are Yugi and Kathan up yet?"
The old man chuckled. "Oh, I didn't have the heart to bother them."
Confused, the older Muto led her upstairs, showing the usually stoic Yami snoozing away with his son curled happily on top of him. Rain had to bite back the squeal in her throat as (Y/N) appeared, looking at the two happily.
"Aw, my boys."
"This is so cute!" Rain then turned to Solomon. "Please tell me you got a picture."
The old man held up a camera. "I'm no rookie."
Both girls laughed as Solomon left to open the shop. The former queen then took over, walking over and brushing her fingers through her husband's hair.
Yami groaned, opening his eyes. "(Y/N)?"
"Good morning." She greeted. "You two look cozy."
He sighed, readjusting the boy in his arms. "He had a nightmare last night. I figured he'd feel safer."
(Y/N) frown, brushing her son's hair. Like his father, he groaned as he opened his eyes.
"Mama?"
"There's my little prince." She kissed his forehead. "I heard you had a nightmare."
He nodded. "Mhm, it's okay. Baba protected me."
"I can see that. He's very good at that." The boy yawned. "Go back to sleep, sa."
Kathan held out a hand. "Stay with us?"
Both parents smiled softly as (Y/N) carefully climbed in as Yami readjusted his grip to allow Kathan to cuddle close to both of them. The little prince didn't last long as (Y/N) pulled the blanket back over them as the two parents watched this little bundle of joy, Yami especially wondering how fortunate he was to get to hold his entire world in his arms.

Corny? Yes, and I regret none of it. Like I said, we're gonna do a few free chapters before hitting Bonds Beyond Time. Feel free to leave some prompts in the comments or on the message boards!