Alex wasn't sure if he would define his and Imhotep's relationship as being loving. After all, the first thing Imhotep did was kidnap him from his parents and uncle- and the strange Arab he really didn't know. Could love stem from kidnapping? If Alex ever bothered to find a therapist they would probably tell him no. That this was just Stockholm Syndrome, nothing more. But then, sometimes at the very end of the night when Imhotep would smile at him. That smile just did something to the Englishman. Something that kept Alex tied to Imhotep and his bed.

be Told

Truth be told, Imhotep hadn't expected to fall for the O'Connell boy. After Anck-Su-Namun betrayed him Imhotep had been planning to let himself fall into the Underworld. Instead, the young blonde he'd kidnapped and taken halfway across the world had bolted through the crumbling temple to grab his wrists.

"Come on! I know you're stronger than this!" Alexander had grunted, his face scrunched up with stress. His small form, which had more of his Mother's smallness then his Father's muscle, struggled visibly to keep Imhotep from falling.

"Alexander," the long dead Priest murmured "I apologize for all I've done to harm you."

Before anyone could come to Alex's aid, Imhotep smiled at his young charge.

His treasure, if only they had more time. If only Imhotep hadn't been so focused on what he wanted when the Gods had gifted him with a treasure beyond measure.

, What?

Alex really couldn't blame the disbelieving look on the other's face. Really, who wouldn't? Alex had just told him he was actually a long dead Ancient Egyptian Priest who had godly given cosmic powers. That being said, of course Alex really couldn't explain how Imhotep could be reborn when he'd only died a handful of years ago- again.

"Mr. O'Connell, you do realize you sound like a madman?"

Alex groaned, running a hand through his blonde hair. He really needed to cut his hair soon. How did he even explain this?

He just knew the man was Imhotep, no one looked at Alex like that. No one spoke Ancient Egyptian like him.

At one point, Alex even considered calling his parents to talk to - the name that Imhotep had now. Which was just a little bit funny considering Uncle Jonathon's 'special' friend Ardeth Bey.

Instead, Alex decided that if Imhotep didn't remember maybe it was for the best. Wouldn't the world be safer without a thousand +year mummy hell bent on world domination? He was going to tell Imhotep that he was leaving- headed to China for new adventures. When he'd arrived at 's residence, a group of red-dressed men were barging through every door. It was the same group of priests that haunted Alex's young adulthood.

They had somehow gotten tied down, a ring of candles and incense burning as they chanted. The book of the Dead not far from the man Alex assumed was the head Priest

Utilizing the training from both his parents, Alex began to fight them off but it was too late.

A dark shadow that rose from somewhere Alex knew not, it swarmed around them all before slamming downward into Imhotep.

Alex was tackled by the priest's followers. There were just one too many for the young Adventurer to fight off. Three of them- one of them looking suspiciously similar to the one who had watched him as a young teen- forced Alex to kneel in front of Imhotep who was unsteadily rising to his feet.
"My Lord-!" the Head Priest greeted in Ancient Egyptian. Imhotep looked at him, barley hidden contempt on his face before he looked away at Alex.

"Why are you treating my consort so poorly?" His voice was leveled, Alex knew without a doubt the man-mummy?- was holding back a tidal wave of anger.
Immediately the three holding Alex down released him. Two of them pulled Alex to his feet, the young blonde pulling out of their grip with a glare.
He looked back at Imhotep, "Do you remember me, now?"

The once-mummy stepped forward, their eyes locked.
When Alexander was younger, the look of Imhotep would have frightened him terribly. Now? He felt something terrible and beautiful all at once.

One of Imhotep's hands rose to gently cup Alex's face.
"How could I ever forget you, my treasure?"

For thousands of years as he was forced to live an undeath in his Sarcophagus all Imhotep wanted was his revenge and his love: Anck-Su-Namun. Now? Now as he gazed down at the slumbering teenager Imhotep had to admit things had changed. The way the light of the setting sun shone against Alexander's hair made it look like molten gold. Under closed lids, his eyes darted around from his dreams. They had stopped to make camp for the night, he and the other's sleeping under the stairs at Alex's insistence. The once-Mummy had seen the look in his follower's eyes that they felt cramped by the train too so he had acquiesced to the young man's request. After eating, the young man had essentially fallen asleep by the fire. It was odd, how certain he was that his Father would save him. How loyal the boy was. Watching Alexander sleep, the subtle rise and fall of his chest he wondered what it would be look to have a lover that loyal to him. This new reincarnation of his old lover was different. She would stray, of that Imhotep had no doubt.

But the fire in this boy, the loyalty? He would be a perfect companion for Imhotep. Looking up at the stars, still so very visible despite the destruction men had rained on the Earth, the Priest came to a decision.

In three days, they would reach the Oasis of the Scorpion King. When that happened, when he gained the powers of Anubis with his own Imhotep would rid himself of the deceitful reincarnation. Then, once the world was Imhotep's he would focus on gaining the heart of his young prize.

No one called him Alexander. Everyone just called him Alex. It was like his Mom-no one called her Evelyn, they all called her Evy. Or Mrs. O'Connell. Alex didn't like being called Alexander, it made him feel old. Not to mention, it just sounded wrong. It was like he was someone out of one of the digs his Mother had taken him too.

Then he'd gotten kidnapped. It hadn't taken long for Alex to get sick of being called 'Little One' by Imhotep. He'd finally snapped after the first day of traveling.

"My name is Alex-not little one!"
The followers as looked at the teen like he was insane for speaking so disrespectfully to their Lord.

Imhotep simply smirked "Well, Alexander I do apologize." His voice dripping with sarcasm.
Alex had groaned, dropping his head against the wall in temporary defeat.