Chapter 2: The Prince's Request
Our King passed away. The palace is completely silent except for the sounds of sorrow and mourning. Atem is in his private chambers. I sit outside his door way and wait to be let in. "Atemu, are you alright?" Stupid question to ask, I know, but I don't really know what else to say. There is only silence from the other side of the concrete wall. I sigh and reach for the doorknob, realizing it was never locked all this time. I walk in to find the Prince lying on his bed. His entire body is shaking and convulsing. His face is buried deep in his pillow. I bite my lip and sit close to him. I can now hear Atem's muffled sobs and the small hiccups that escape his mouth. Gently I caress his back in attempt to calm him.
"C-Close the door."
"What?" I try to understand his mumbled sentence.
He rolls onto his side and covers his face with his hands. "Please, close my door. I don't want to be seen in my current state."
I quickly stand and rush to the doorway. "Ok. It's shut."
Atem punches a fist into the headboard of his bed. "Oh, Mana…" He chokes out. His normally confident eyes are bloodshot and filled with water. I embrace him as his shoulders tremble.
"It's going to be alright, Atem." I stroke his back as he soaks my blouse with tears.
"I can't stop crying…"
I hold him tight. "Who said you had to?" His body is burning up and I can feel the sweat through the back of his shirt. He must have a temperature.
"B-B-Bu—"
"Just let it out. Cry until you feel better. Cry until there's no more tears left to spill." I whisper into his soft, smooth hair. It smells of sweet lavender and honey. Atem says nothing but sobs harder.
"He's gone, Mana." He says after a while. His voice is hoarse and scratchy. My heart aches to see know how much pain he is in. "He taught me so much." He smiles for a second while sitting up and adjusting his clothes. They are wrinkled and wet. Tear tracks dirty his flushed cheeks and neck. I don't remember ever seeing him so disheveled.
"Yes. He was a good father and ruler as well." I smile sadly as my own tears fall from my eyes. I can no longer hold them back. Atemu raises his hand to my face and delicately wipes away my tears.
"He was a great father and a wonderful man. He made me everything I am today and taught me all I know…" He envelops me in a hug; his body so warm and his breathing hot, shaky, and ragged. I can feel his throat as he swallows, more like gulps down air. His sobs are deep and heavy. I pull him closer as my own tears soak his shoulders. "I miss him." Atem says in a small, almost frightened voice. I merely nod my head into his forearm unable to speak, choked by my falling tears. We stay together like this until it is night and sunlight no longer fills the room. I blink and sit up slowly while looking around. I smile at Atem who has fallen asleep and is now laying next to me his arms tight around my waist. He looks like a fallen angel. His skin is flawless, although his cheeks are slightly tinted with dried tears and kohl lines. I lie back down and simply stare at him. He is silent and peaceful in his deep slumber. Occasionally Atem's plump lips part and a small snore escapes his mouth. I smile again. He is so cute. Absent mindedly, I brush his bangs. I notice how long and curly his eyelashes are like that of a doll. If there was ever such a thing as perfection, Prince Atemu was definitely it.
Slowly his gorgeous crimson eyes flutter open and I pull back my hand to watch him wake. He blinks drowsily and lets out a slight moan. He sits up and rubs his face before looking at me. He smiles. "Sorry about falling asleep, Mana." I smile back and get into a sitting position as well.
"It's fine. You were tired. "I say through a yawn.
Atem laughs and then covers his mouth with a hand. He yawns rather loudly and I can't help but giggle. He is so handsome I want to melt.
He lets his hand fall to his side and our meets. "Excuse me." his lips curl into a shy smile.
"Don't worry about it. You're allowed to yawn. I already did it." I shake my head with a laugh. "I just haven't heard you yawn in a while."
"Haha, well, I like to keep proper and polite in front of people."
"So you're comfortable around me?"
He blinks, flashes his white teeth and stretches his long arms over his head. "Yes." He yawns again. "I am most comfortable when with you, Mana."
Heat rushes to my face. I knew it! Maybe he does like me that way…
"I am so tired and my head feels like someone's hacking into it with an axe." His alluring voice sounds groggy. I smile.
"You want me to go then, so you can rest?" I begin to crawl off the bed. Atemu grabs my hand though and I turn back to face him.
"Would you mind staying with me for tonight?"
My face goes scarlet and my lips quiver. "Uhhh…"
"If you'd feel uneasy or uncomfortable, you can decline. I just don't really want to be alone right now…"
"OK." I nod. "I'm here for you."
He sighs in relief; his cheeks a bright pink. "Thank you very much." His eyes keep focus on mine until he yawns for a third time.
"Geesh, you sound really sleepy."
He shrugs and lays his head on a beige pillow. "I guess I am." Atem then gives me a cute half smile. I return it and lay down too. "Aren't you tired?" he asks. As if on cue I feel a yawn coming on. I pull up the luxurious covers. They're smooth and soft. Smooth like cashmere but much richer and more elegant. My body lifts in relief and relaxation. I am so very comfortable that I do not ever wish to move from where I am.
"I am a little tired, yeah." I yawn and snuggle deep into the down feathered pillow. Atem chuckles and removes his clunky gold jewelry.
"Are you going to sleep with all that on?"
I look down at my attire and slowly undue my gold plated belt. "May I go change?"
He nods and rises. "Good idea. I shall do the same." I gingerly leave my warm sanctuary and walk into the washroom. I close the velvet drape and strip out of my day clothes. I smooth my long tunic over my thighs so that my bottom and crotch are fully covered. I smile and blush while gazing into the tall, glass mirror. There's some thing sexy and appealing about my current state. I stare at my small curves and perky breasts. I turn around and look over my shoulder to examine my butt. It's round and a little wider then I remember. Hmmm has it always stuck out that much? Now feeling self-conscious, I reach for the wine curtains and re-enter the Prince's chamber. I shriek at the sight of Atem's half-naked body. I shut my eyes and stumble backwards. "
"Oh Ra! I am so sorry Atem!"
"It's fine Mana." He doesn't sound embarrassed or anything. I hesitantly open my eyes. He's blushing lightly and his eyebrow is raised.
"B-But you have no top on…" My body burns as I stare at his perfect, golden stomach. He laughs though and pulls a sky blue tunic over his bare, masculine chest. I never noticed how broad his shoulders were before now. I blink and quickly look away. I feel funny and strange. My stomach twists and knots itself. I can't make out the feeling, but for some reason I want to crawl all over him…
"Are you alright?"
I snap back to reality and rub the back of my head sheepishly. "Yes! Sorry!" I grin awkwardly. "I was just a little…" I pause as he raises another eyebrow. "Surprised." I finish.
Atem laughs heartily and pulls back the sheets and quilt. "You are so…" he fluffs the pillows. "And forgive me for saying so, but strange! Haha."
I smile and laugh. "Yes, yes I know. I am a lunatic!" I flop onto his large bed and stretch out. "I can't help it. I was born this way."
"Haha, and what way exactly is that, Mana?" He puts his hands on his hips and smirks. "I wouldn't go as far as lunatic. That's a little too extreme, even for you!" he thinks for a minute. "You're just different."
I pout and roll onto my belly. "You say that like it's a bad thing." I look up at him as he sits next to me and folds his legs under him. His thighs are a bit thick, feminine, and long.
"I never said that Mana." He keeps a serious, sincere face. "I think difference is beauty." The candles that light the room playfully glow about his lips and eyes. "Being different is very beautiful."