Adult-FanFiction.org : Yu-Gi-OH

Mistaken Assumptions	By : tavia454 Category: Yu-Gi-Oh > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 17844 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh, I make no money off this story! Bummer!

Chapter List
- 18
- 19
- 20
A small chap for you before the
holidays. Hope everyone has a good time! I'm going to be busy as
hell, but since I already have most of my Christmas fic typed up and
ready to go, I'll post that one for you. Sorry guys, no more updates
on this one until this season is over. I have enough angst to deal
with in RL, I don't need to create it. (grins) But I will be trying
to put in the chapter lines that fanfic has so graciously taken out.

And one reader
response...Roupie: (wags finger with a grin) Uh-uh, I warned everyone
in the beginning that I was going to be taking liberties with
history. (laughs) This is just where my mind wanted to wander to, so
that explains why I'm mixing clothing from different time periods.
Good try though. Had me wondering if I actually posted that warning.
And lead me to realize that fanfic had taken out all my chapter
markers. So (bows) thank you very much! I never would have realized
it without that.

Hope you all enjoy...but I
don't think we're done with the angst.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Atemu awoke with a start,
squinting as he searched the room for what had ripped him so suddenly
from his peaceful slumber. His breath hitched when the skin on his
back tightened up painfully, but he gave no voice to his discomfort
as he continued to scan the depths of the shadowed room for the
reason he had been jolted from sleep – the darkness itself
mocking his efforts, refusing to give up its secrets.

What
had – ?

“...please...don't
leave...don't...hate me...” Yugi shifted in his sleep, drawing
the Pharaoh's immediate attention as he mumbled urgently beneath his
breath, seeming to be caught in the grip of an intense nightmare, his
fists clenching and unclenching agitatedly in the fabric of Atemu's
vest. “...I...love you...”

Scarlet eyes softened as Atemu
realized that the boy's barely coherent murmurs were the cause of his
rapid exit from the world of dreams. “Shh, little one. I am
right here beside you.” He whispered softly. “As I always
shall be...”

The instant the words left his
mouth Yugi's restless shifting ceased and he settled down against
Atemu with a sigh. The sight of his little love's sleep softened
features brought a rare smile to Atemu's face and he brushed a stray
lock of blonde hair out of the boy's closed eyes. Yugi scrunched up
his nose at the gesture and then returned to dreamland with a
wordless murmur.

Atemu's heart swelled with
pride at the sight. The little one had fought valiantly during their
quarrel. He truly had, but Atemu was ever so glad to have the boy
back in his arms. He was never going to let go again. If he had to
lock the boy away, then so be it...The Pharaoh frowned deeply at the
possessive direction his thoughts were taking. No, he wouldn't do
that to his little one, never again. Yugi was free to do as he
pleased. It was not for him to impose limitations on such a spirited
creature.

Oh gods, he loved this
beautiful, feisty little prince...no, king, he amended silently. His
consort, his Yugi. And for the first time ever, the Pharaoh Atemu,
ruler of the black lands, he of the two crowns was perfectly content
to lie there and listen to the soft sounds of his lover's peaceful
slumber. He leaned in and brushed a tender kiss over Yugi's brow, but
the boy only cooed, oblivious in his deep, contented sleep.

“I
take it you think you have won this war?” A weary voice
inquired from the darkness.

Atemu's startled gaze shot
toward what he had, not moments ago, perceived to be merely an empty
chair beside the bed, only to find Yugi's grandfather staring back at
him with a startling intensity. Immediately the hair on the back of
his neck stood at attention, his brows drawing together in a frown.
How did the old man get into the chamber? The door was barred from
the inside – he had made sure of it.

Realization dawned and the
Pharaoh gave a silent thanks to his gods that his young consort had
not made it past him and into the unidentified room during the course
of their confrontation. “What do you mean this is not yet over?
He is here, with me, is he not?” He demanded in a low voice so
as to not wake his sleeping lover.

“I
know my grandson, Pharaoh, this is not yet over between the two of
you.” The old man reiterated softly.

“How
you found your way into this chamber I know not, but you can see
yourself – ” Atemu started, not caring what the elderly
man thought of his manners, especially after their last
confrontation. Anyways, it was too early to indulge in meaningless
conversation, particularly while his little one was attempting to get
some much needed rest.

But
Solomon cut him off with a grunt of displeasure. “ – you
impressed me with your honor and courage yesterday, both in your
admission of guilt and your acceptance of my authority. That
is
the only reason you are lying here, in this chamber, with Yugi by
your side, rather than sleeping on the cold, hard ground somewhere
between our home and yours. Know this young Pharaoh – while
you are in this palace you are my responsibility – ”

Atemu opened his mouth to
dispute the old man's remark, but once again Solomon cut him off,
this time before he could so much as utter a sound. “I am not
here to quarrel with you. I merely wish for you to understand that
unless you have secured Yugi's forgiveness – which I doubt
has happened in such a short period of time, that this is not yet
over between the two of you.”

Atemu's mouth shut with an
audible click as he mulled over the other's words. Did the old man
truly know what he was speaking of? Was this merely the calm before
the storm? Yes, he knew the boy was willful and stubborn. He had been
there that day the Hyksos king was hanging by his fingertips from the
window, glaring at him as he pleaded his friend's case. But past that
point the younger royal had always seemed quiet and uncertain, always
willing to let him take the lead.

Solomon gave him a knowing
smirk, as though reading his thoughts. “If you truly knew my
grandson, then you would know exactly what I am speaking of, Pharaoh.
But something tells me that you caught him in a moment of weakness
and did not allow him adequate time to recover.”

The old man shifted absently in
his seat, choosing his words with care. “Yugi is a very
headstrong young man, Pharaoh Atemu. If given sufficient reason to
fight he will dig in and not back down, simply for pride's sake. I
bring this up in order to let you know that not only is he well aware
of his friends' hardships at the hands of your men, but that he is
back at home, where he feels most comfortable. I want assurance that
you will not force him to bow to your wishes against his will.”

Atemu leveled a fiery glare at
the older man, hissing. “'Tis not my intention to cause him
grief, I – ”

But Solomon cut him off again,
determined to have his say before fading into the background to wait
and watch as the two of them fought it out amongst themselves. “
– No, what you are here for is to serve his every whim. Your
status is no higher than that of the next palace servant, Pharaoh
Atemu. And you shall act your part whilst you are outside of these
chambers, as a penance for your past actions. But I cannot control
what happens inside these walls and I wish for assurance that you
will treat Yugi with the respect that he deserves.”

Atemu lowered his head back
onto the pillow, his steady gaze never leaving that of the elderly
advisor's. So, if he surmised correctly, the old man was telling him
that he would not interfere in their relationship as long as he had
no cause. He glanced down at his sleeping consort, a soft smile
overtaking his features momentarily, before he met the other's gaze
head on.

“I
am not here to hurt him.” He reiterated. “I merely wish
to mend the bonds between us that I had torn so carelessly. Were it
possible to take back my actions of that day I would do so in a
heartbeat, old man. Yugi is my world, my light, my everything.”

Solomon watched the young man
for a moment, taking in the regret that was visible in the Pharaoh's
distinctive eyes. In the end he sighed. “Yugi means the world
to me, Pharaoh Atemu. He has ever since the first time I held him in
my arms as a small babe. But he has not been even remotely happy
since I took him from Egypt. Therefore put my faith in you and my
brothers, and pray that I am not making a mistake by allowing you
this chance to quell his objections to your hasty union. Do not
disappoint me, young man.”

Atemu swallowed nervously. The
old man had just given his permission to make amends with Yugi, as
well as giving him fair warning of the obstacles he might be facing.
It was more that he could have hoped for. But this lingering doubt
that he might face trouble from Yugi himself...oh gods, he could not
bear to be parted from his little one again.

Swallowing thickly Atemu
whispered. “He has nothing to fear from my presence, within
these chambers as well as in public. There is much I must mend, but
regardless I shall not force my will upon him in order for it to be
done.”

Solomon nodded, satisfied with
the answer. “On a separate note, I have taken the liberty of
relinquishing the men who know of your presence into the command of
your soldiers. I do not wish for anyone other than us to know that
you are here. I am not looking to cause an incident of international
standing if someone were to make use of that knowledge and kidnap you
or Yugi in order to gain control over Egypt.”

Atemu's head shot up and he
gave the old man an appraising look, one eyebrow lifted into his
hair-line. “What makes you think that my presence would cause
an international upset?”

“Hyksos
is a small country, your Highness. And we are still on the brink of a
revolt. All is not right here, even with the help of your soldiers.”
Solomon admitted softly. “The less people who are aware of your
presence the better.”

Atemu nodded, suddenly
concerned. If that was the case then perhaps they were all safer back
in his homeland where he had numerous safeguards set up against such
threats, and he said as much to the old man, watching the myriad of
expressions cross his features in the early light. Concern, distrust,
resignation, they all warred for dominance in the elderly man's eyes,
and Atemu began to think there was more to this threat than just the
intuition of one cantankerous old man.

Finally, drawing a weary
breath, Solomon spoke. “I will not cart Yugi back to Egypt
merely for my peace of mind. He has been through enough, it must be
his decision. I do, however, caution you to keep your eyes and ears
open while you are in residence. There is much not to trust. And I do
realize that your time is limited, so you had better make good use of
it.”

“Unfortunately
so.” Atemu gave an understanding nod. “But I will do what
I must before I return. In the meantime I shall inform my men upon
Re's emergence to keep watch.” After a moment of silence the
Egyptian monarch glanced around to find that it was still rather dark
out and the thought struck him as odd considering Siamun's habits.
And their eerie similarities. “Should you not be abed old man?
'Tis still early.”

Solomon chuckled softly as he
rose from the chair. “I shall sleep when I am dead, Pharaoh.
For now I have my boys to watch over. And I figured I would wake you
once I had made my rounds. I know Malik will be fine, I have seen the
two of them for myself. And Jou has met his match in your priest,
Pharaoh Atemu. It is Ryou and Yugi that I worry about.”

Atemu shifted up onto his
elbow, trying hard not to disturb the little one still sleeping
peacefully beside him. “Ryou and Bakura, you mean? Do you not
think they are a match then?”

“It's
not that...not that at all.” The old man sighed as he crossed
the chamber. “But rather that Ryou will do anything to avoid
confrontation. I worry that, for as good as he is at protecting
himself, he will give in to your Bakura's designs without a protest
merely to avoid a fight. They were not doing so well when I happened
to peek in at them. But that is for you to deal with now. I have done
what needed to be done. I will be on hand if you happen to have
questions.”

Having said what he needed to
the elderly man shuffled out of the chamber, turning back only once
to give a forceful nod before gently closing the door behind him.

Once Solomon had finally quit
the room Atemu brushed a stray lock of hair out of Yugi's face,
contemplating the elderly man's advice. As much as he didn't want to
acknowledge the fact that their issues had not been resolved, he knew
that he needed to be ready just in case the prediction came to pass.

What he truly wanted to do was
wake the younger royal with soft kisses and gentle caresses, to watch
him open his eyes, eyes filled with a longing for something only he
could give. But for now he would settle for this small bit of needed
contact, and be grateful for the time spent watching his little one
sleep.

And watch he did, until Re's
rays began to seep into the chamber, giving life to the shadowed
objects around them. After a while the boy's eyelashes began to
flutter and Atemu's heart began to hammer in his chest. His little
one was waking. What would happen when Yugi realized whose arms were
wrapped around him? Would he stay, or would he flee? Fearful of the
answer the almighty Egyptian Pharaoh awaited Yugi's awakening, unable
to draw even the smallest breath.

Yugi blinked a couple of times,
letting loose a small yawn behind his hand as he blearily took in his
surroundings. He hadn't had such a decent night's sleep in so long,
and he was almost used to waking up with an empty hole in his heart
and the pressures of the day to come weighing down upon his
shoulders. What had made such a difference in his sleep pattern?

After wiping the remains of
sleep out of his eyes the Hyksos monarch raised his head and glanced
around, only to freeze as he caught sight of vivid scarlet eyes
peering down at him. He looked down, horror dawning on his features
as he spied the slender, dusky arm that held him so gently. His
features tightened considerably and he glared back up at the one who
dared invade his privacy, masking his questions behind a stormy
expression.

Oh
gods...he didn't?! Or did I...?

“You!”
He accused, launching himself out of his captor's grasp. Having not
thought his plan through to the end the younger monarch let out a
yelp as he tumbled from the warm bed and onto the floor head first.

Damn
it! That hurt!
Yugi thought, rubbing the newly forming knot on his head. But he
still shot to his feet as soon as the first movement was sighted from
the area where he had last seen his captor. How could he have let his
guard down so easily? Memories of the night before assailed him and
Yugi gave an outraged gasp.

Oh
gods I am so sorry...Yugi
cringed at the memory of Atemu's words. Had he really spoken them at
all or was it just wishful thinking?
I love you...little one...I am sorry...Sure
he was.

“Yugi?”
Atemu questioned, peering over the edge of the bed. “Are you
alright, little one?”

“Stay
away from me!” Yugi shakily commanded, backing up when the
Pharaoh slid out of the bed to put his feet on the floor, humiliated
at the prospect of having to face the one that had witnessed his
complete breakdown of the day before. “Just stay away from
me....And I am not your little
one,
Pharaoh!”

Atemu held out a hand, almost
pleadingly. “Yugi, please, listen to me – ” Damn
it, this was not what he wanted. He had made a grievous error in
allowing the boy to fall asleep before their problems were completely
settled. He had so hoped just to woo Yugi back into his arms with a
couple of truthful words and passionate kisses. But, as he faced the
younger royal's enraged gaze head on, Atemu knew that the old man's
words would, indeed, come to pass.

“NO!
Leave me alone!” Yugi's furious voice rang out through the
chamber causing the younger monarch to wince at the volume in which
he had spoken. Frustrated, he ran a hand through his hair, staring at
the man that he thought he had loved. He couldn't do this. But he
couldn't exactly run out of the room either, he had other
obligations. This was his space the Pharaoh was trespassing on. “Just
leave, Pharaoh.”

Atemu regretfully pulled his
hand back, fidgeting slightly beneath the other's angry gaze, wishing
there was a way to convince the younger royal to hear him out. “If
you would only let me – ”

“Let
you what, Pharaoh? Let you lure me into trusting you again like the
naive fool I am? Yeah, that sounds like a plan.” Yugi laughed
bitterly, almost proud of how well he was able to mask the ache in
his heart. “I don't think so, Pharaoh. Whatever punishment my
grandfather handed down to you and your cronies I hereby dismiss. You
are free to go. Good day.”

As soon as he was finished
speaking Yugi carefully edged his way around his former captor,
intent on escaping the chamber before he lost what was left of his
composure, cursing his traitorous heart as it attempted to flee his
chest at the sight of his former lover's crestfallen expression.

But Atemu had other thoughts as
he reached out to catch his attention. As his hand grazed the fabric
of Yugi's robes the younger of the two jumped out of his grasp,
adopting a fighting stance even as he trembled uncontrollably. “Don't
touch me!” He hissed.

Atemu dropped his hand,
realizing his mistake only after witnessing the fear that crossed his
lover's features. “Yugi please...I mean you no harm – ”

“Really?”
Yugi arched a skeptical brow, folding his arms over his chest
obstinately even as he fought to keep the fear of his opponent at
bay. How far could he push the Egyptian monarch before the man
snapped and he paid the price again? He needed to get out of this
room, but he couldn't let that comment go without saying his piece. “
– just as you meant me no harm the last time?”

“'Tis
the truth!” Atemu held a hand to his chest imploringly.
“Please! Can we not just sit and discuss this...let me explain
– ”

“I
have nothing left to say to you, Pharaoh.” Yugi gave a
disdainful sniff even as he ruthlessly stomped on the warmth that
spread when his formidable lover refused to let him go without having
his say.

It was bad enough that he
wanted to crawl into the man's lap and let him soothe away the fears
that he had caused. If he wasn't able to escape his former lover's
presence soon Yugi feared that he might just forsake what was left of
his pride and crumble into the other's embrace. And that was just not
acceptable. What kind of a leader gave in to such poisonous
temptation?

“Yugi...I
need you. Come back home with me. I truly regret what I have done –
” Atemu's pride demanded that he try one more time to convince
the little one of the truth before giving in to the idea that he
would have to stay in Hyksos – with all their troubles –
to earn his lover's trust. “ Just one more chance...please
little one. I promise – ”

“What?!”
Yugi shrieked, horrified, waving his hands around in frustration.
“Did you not just hear what I said? I'm not going anywhere with
you! I hate you!!”

Scarlet
eyes narrowed in determination, and Atemu folded his hands over his
chest to ease the hurt that his young lover's words caused. “Very
well then, if you are so intent on staying than I shall stay too.
I'll not leave the premises without you by my side.”

“Wha
– ?!” Yugi pinned him with an icy glare that he had not
known the boy capable of. “That's...oh no! I don't think so,
Pharaoh.”

Behind that glower Yugi
trembled fiercely. That solution was completely unacceptable. Not
only would it give the Pharaoh time to overcome his objections –
as he well knew the other could do – it also left the proud
Egyptian monarch vulnerable to the threat of someone accosting him
when they found out who he truly was. Oh gods, what was he going to
do? He needed to get away from his pursuer so that he could think.

“If
you stay then I am staying as well.” Atemu huffed stubbornly.
“You will just have to adjust to my presence around the palace,
for if you attempt to remove me I shall only find another way to
return.”

Yugi's mouth hung open at that
threat, working out different scenarios in his mind. If the Pharaoh
meant that then he had to worry over an attempted kidnapping each and
every time he sent the other away. His temper started to boil over as
he contemplated the stupidity of that stubborn statement.

It wasn't that he truly cared
if the Pharaoh got himself kidnapped, but he really didn't want to be
the cause of it. He had enough to worry about without the threat of
other countries coming after him for letting the obstinate Egyptian
monarch get himself captured by the outlaws that roamed his land. For
a moment Yugi debated his few options. And there really were few.
Send the Pharaoh away and risk the wrath of the High Council or
suffer with his presence until he could come up with another
solution.

“Fine!
Far be it for me to care what you do with your life. Just leave me
out of it.” He finally snapped, stalking across the chamber and
snatching a fresh set of clothing from where his servants had hung it
the night before. He had enough to do without worrying over his new
guest.
Perhaps if he ignored this newest nuisance he would go away. The
Pharaoh would get bored eventually – if he was able to keep
himself together long enough. Right?

When it became clear that the
Pharaoh had nothing to say on that point Yugi wandered out into the
antechamber for his cloak and headed towards the interior door,
glancing back to see that his former lover had not moved from his
place beside the desk. “Do you mind? I have other things to
worry about.”

“Than
do so. I shall not stop you.” Atemu replied with a casual
shrug.

When his tormentor refused to
budge from the chamber, merely settling himself into straightening up
the piles of papyrus on the desk Yugi gave a sullen glare. “That
was an invitation to see yourself out of my private chambers,
Pharaoh.”

“My
name is Atemu, little one. You have long ago been given permission to
use it.” Atemu gritted his teeth in frustration, shuffling
through the papyrus on the desk as a means of distraction so that he
didn't give in to the urge to pull the boy to him and smother his
objections with kisses. What was it going to take to get through to
his little lover? The boy wouldn't even let him explain – not
that the explanation absolved him of his wrongs – but it was
vital in order for them to move on.

At
that statement Yugi threw his hands up in the air, nearly losing his
grip on the garments in his arms. “I know that!! And you know
that you revoked that privilege
as
well, did you not?! Gah! Whatever! I am not in the mood for this.
Just go.”

Atemu blinked at him in
confusion. “I was not aware that I ever rescinded that
right...when did I – ?”

At the look of utter confusion
that crossed his tormentor's features Yugi put a hand to his
forehead, the clothing in his hands falling to the floor, forgotten.
Gods, that lost expression just made the other even more irresistible
– if that were even possible.

Perhaps the Pharaoh didn't
remember, he was rather drunk that night, after all. Then again, this
could just be another tactic to trick him. The younger royal heaved a
forlorn sigh, shaking his head. “It doesn't matter. Not
anymore...just...” Another sigh. “Don't let the door hit
you on your way out...”

To which he was completely
ignored and after momentarily watching as the other continued to idly
shift the paperwork around Yugi threw his hands up in the air again,
snatching up his clothing that he had dropped in his astonishment and
stalking around the chamber in search of the rest of his royal mask
– that he had almost forgotten due to their confrontation.
“Fine, just ignore what I have to say. How typical of you, your
Highness.”

“You
know what? We are not going to do this right now.” Atemu sighed
in irritation, not quite ready to give up on getting through to his
little one, but willing to let the boy have his lead. He left off on
his mission to create order amongst the piles of papers and trailed
behind Yugi through the chamber and out into the antechamber, pausing
to snatch at the crown that had carelessly been tossed to the floor
at some point and time the day before.

He followed Yugi's heavy steps
back into the bedchamber with it in his grasp, barring the door
behind him, which called to Yugi's attention the fact that he had not
done so first – preferably with his tormentor on the other
side of it. “I am willing to wait until you are ready to listen
to reason.”

“Listen
to reason?!” Yugi whirled around, facing Atemu as he backed
into what appeared to be a large bathing chamber with a pool of water
sunk into the floor, more than ready to slide the door shut on his
handsome face. “What makes you think that I am not capable of
listening to reason? The only time I don't listen is when someone is
spouting nonsense, such as you have been since I've known you. Leave
me be, Pharaoh. I no longer need, nor want, your presence in my
life.”

“This
is enough, little one.” Atemu gritted his teeth against Yugi's
verbal assault, catching the side of the door before the other could
close it on him. The young king was working himself up into a fine
rage this morning and he would not stand for it. Having decided that
he had had enough Atemu snatched the boy to him and began pulling at
his clothing.

“Let
me go!” Yugi struggled furiously, realizing belatedly that he
had pushed his former lover past his endurance, just as he had feared
would happen. He fought hard even as he was stripped of the remainder
of his garments, attempting to shield himself from the other's view.
“What are you doing?! I don't want this! Let me go!”

“You
need to cool off!” Atemu snapped, divesting Yugi of what little
he had left to cover his modesty. Once he had systematically stripped
the boy bare he gave a small push with his hand, causing the furious
Hyksos royal to trip backwards and land in the pool with a gigantic
splash. “Get ready. We shall continue this discussion later.”

“Ooh,
you...you...I hate you!” Yugi came up spitting and sputtering,
launching a spray of water in his tormentor's direction. “Drop
dead, Pharaoh!”

Atemu merely raised a delicate
brow at the other's choice of words, ducking away as a wave of water
soaked his outfit. Deliberately he began to strip himself of the
ridiculous, foreign clothing, taunting the boy by flaunting himself.
“You hate me? Do you truly, little one? Or are you merely angry
with me for my wrongs against you? I am sorry, little one...I never
meant to hurt – ”

“I
am not your
little one, Pharaoh.” Yugi huffed, turning away as the other
began to reveal his stunning form.

He
didn't want to see that, he didn't. Just knowing that his former
lover was standing only feet from him was enough to raise his
temperature. He knew what those hands could do, he remembered the
other moving above him, within him and the memories nearly brought
him to his knees. His eyes closed in a silent plea. Please...go
away...

Atemu folded the remains of his
clothes and set them aside, hopping into the warm waters gracefully.
He grinned when the little one jumped, sensing his presence in the
water, but the boy did not turn in his direction, preferring to
pretend he didn't exist. “Come little one, 'tis time for you to
wash up.”

Yugi sniffed disdainfully at
his words, wading through the waist deep waters to get away from him,
but Atemu was faster as he parted the water with a graceful stroke,
swimming over to where his stubborn little lover was currently having
his temper tantrum.

He grabbed a hold of Yugi's arm
gently, pulling the boy back to him, only for Yugi's hand to connect
with the side of his face. Stunned, he dropped the other's arm and
brought a hand to the red-hand print, Yugi's eyes widening in horror
as he realized what he had just done.

Oh gods, he was going to be
responsible for an international incident himself! That was not what
he meant to do. “I-I...oh gods...uh...I didn't...” Yugi
trailed off at the thunderous expression his former lover leveled at
him. Oh gods, he was just asking for it wasn't he?

Atemu tasted the blood from the
cut that had been reopened with that blow, his hand coming up to rest
against the patch of heat that was created when the boy's hand
connected with his face. He understood all too well that it was the
fear that had caused his little one to react with violence. If he had
not pushed so hard this never would have happened. Now he was hurt
and the younger royal was trembling fiercely before him, awaiting his
reaction.

Turning his head to the side
Atemu sighed. “Why do we not call a truce for the moment, lit
– your Highness? We are both far too involved to see to a
compromise.”

Yugi swallowed thickly, nodding
even as he backed away, out of the other's reach. “That is
fine...just...I...” He sighed again. “Just...don't...I
can't deal with this...why can't you just leave me alone?!”

“You
are still afraid. Why?” Atemu turned back to question the
younger royal, refusing to answer the question for fear of another
quarrel when they were both so emotionally charged. “You have
no cause to fear me, I give you my word.”

“I-I
am not scared of you, Pharaoh...” Yugi stuttered, giving his
tormentor a wide berth even as he spoke the lie.

“You
are not afraid?” Atemu murmured, reaching out he gently
encircled the boy's wrist in his hand, drawing him in once again,
this time with little resistance on Yugi's part. “If you are
not afraid why does your heart beat so in your chest? Why do you
tremble so when I touch you?” Suddenly afraid of how strong the
urge was just to pull the boy up against him and seduce him into
compliance Atemu stepped away and wandered towards the oils at the
side of the pool. “Come, it is time to wash.”

Shivering, Yugi allowed himself
to be towed along in the Pharaoh's wake, uncertain of how to act,
what to say. But when his former captor made to wash him Yugi
snatched the cloth out of the other's hands. “I can do it
myself. I'm not helpless, Pharaoh.”

Atemu merely nodded at him.
“Very well then.” And he too proceeded to wash away the
remnants of his first disastrous day in Hyksos, taking care not to
rub too hard at the bruises on his face and chest. Working on his
back presented some problems as well, but he swallowed the pain and
brushed the oiled cloth up against the tender welts, refusing to give
in to the urge to scream.

When they had finished Atemu
turned to pull himself out of the pool, oblivious to the incredulous
stare that followed him to where one of the servants had already laid
out drying cloths for them, as well as a new set of clothing for him
for the day – the same type as those he had worn earlier he
noted wryly.

“What
happened to you?” Yugi gaped as he caught sight of the angry
red welts marring the Pharaoh's back. “Who would do that?”

Yugi already knew about the
bruises on his captor's face, he had seen them clearly the day before
and didn't consider them any of his concern. It didn't matter to him
who the Pharaoh got into a fight with...well, it did, and he was
dying to ask after them, but it wasn't his place. If the Pharaoh
wanted to talk about them, then he would have acknowledged them. But
this, this was different. Someone in the palace had taken it upon
themselves to punish the Egyptian monarch against his will for
something.

Oh gods, his even being here
was going to cause an international disturbance! Trying, and failing,
to temper his panic at the sight of those wounds Yugi waited for an
answer to his question. Hadn't he specifically ordered for the
Egyptians not to be touched? Who dared disobey a direct order from
him...and the answer came quickly on the heels of the question. His
grandfather.

Atemu turned to look back at
the boy. “They are nothing of consequence, little one. Do not
trouble yourself over this. 'Tis nothing I did not deserve, and
nothing I cannot handle. Come, you have meetings this morning.”

When Yugi seemed to be lost in
thought, unable to move, Atemu reached over and pulled the boy from
the waters. That seemed to get him moving. “Hey! What do you
think you're – ”

Atemu looked him straight in
the eyes. “Meetings, remember?”

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Mistaken Assumptions