Disclaimer: Yuugiou (Yu-Gi-Oh!, Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters) is the property of Takahashi Kazuki and respective publishers, including Shueisha, Studio Gallop, Nihon Ad Systems, Toei Animation, 4Kids, and others. I would never claim to own it or attempt to make money off of it- just think of this as a written, free doujinshi and hopefully we'll get along fine ;)
Notes: Written for third prompt, Love, of the Livejournal community YGO Drabble.
Vocabulary: O-shishou-sama is a respectful term for master/teacher, while Ouji means prince. Akhet (Axt) is the is the first season of the ancient Egyptian calendar, marked by the flooding of the Nile.
Start the Floods
It hasn't escaped Mahaado's notice that Ouji is always more…forceful at this time of year. It may not yet be his duty to ensure the river's annual inundation, but he clearly feels the drive to be making something happen in the weeks before Akhet begins.
Normally Mahaado is prepared, but not this year. After all, this is the first year that the broaching of such a subject can truly be considered appropriate.
"She's become a lovely young woman, hasn't she?" Ouji asks quietly, and Mahaado can feel his urge to lecture Mana on which ponds may not be swum in falling apart. Her legs have grown long.
"Go on, Mahaado," Ouji urges. "It isn't as if you have to propose to her this year…though, hmm, that does bring up the question of how a marriage contract would be arranged…" Ouji may have fallen into his own musings for a moment, but Mahaado doesn't find it any easier to escape his suggestions.
It's difficult to protest effectively when Ouji is right, after all. He and Mana always have possessed this kind of bond, and while it has changed since she became his apprentice officially, it hasn't changed in shape enough to affect this. Or, if it has, it has only strengthened it.
"O-shishou-sama?" Mana has come up beside him without his noticing, and as he turns to her, Mahaado reminds himself to be more aware. He guards both the artifact around his neck and Ouji's life- he can't afford to be unaware at any moment. "What's Ouji talking to himself about? He seems very determined…is it politics again?"
"Yes. Nothing we need to concern ourselves with."
Apparently Ouji isn't so far gone, for he chokes on his laughter.
Mahaado begins to wonder how Ouji can expect this to ever be a courtship between two people, when always he is there as well, watching and nudging. When he poses this question one day, he surprises a blush out of Ouji.
Ouji regains his composure quickly, smiling up at Mahaado and linking an arm through his, even as his face remains slightly flushed. "You and Mana are my closest friends- I only want to see the two of you happy."
"Your happiness seems rather wrapped up in our own, Ouji."
"Yes, well…that is…"
As Mahaado considers it, he begins to see something of the shape of this bond. There has never been any clear room for separation between the three of them, after all. Each one is bonded as heavily to one as to the other… Even if it is not the floodwaters yet, Ouji does have a talent for helping along these beginnings.
"I understand, Ouji," he says simply. That is all that needs saying- this isn't a bond which requires words.