Chapter 2

::Long Nights::

"Is there not something that you need to take care of? I'm good here by myself." The maid smiled at him happily, a look of annoyance in the depths of her eyes. Now that he looked at it, her smile was a little tight lipped and her shoulders a little tense. Tut smiled at her apologetically before leaving the room where the vases lay broken on the floor. He closed the door behind him and sighed. It was just something else that he managed to mess up.Looking up he started down the hall, innocently looking around for something else to do.

Walking by the training room, he heard someone humming quietly. Interested he entered, carefully avoiding the sparring matches taking place to reach the armory where the source of the voice sat cleaning weapons. As Tut approached they looked up, momentarily pausing the song. Tut smiled kindly and looked down at what he was doing while he watched him in confusion.

"Your majesty, what are you doing here?" Their voice held surprise but Tut's attention was on the sword that he was in the process of cleaning. Tut looked up at him for a brief moment before he looked back down at the sword. With a simple gesture he motioned towards it and he lifted it for him to see. "...I thought you didn't like weapons your highness?"

"I don't really...do you need any help?" Tut looked up at their face expectantly and they hesitated before nodding. Tut smiled joyfully before waiting for instructions. So long as it would keep him occupied he didn't mind doing it.

"Well...you can put away the weapons I've already cleaned. They go back in the armory in their respected positions." They looked back down at the sword before running the polishing rag over its surface. Tut stood and watched him for a while, intrigued by how someone could look so at peace while doing something so simple. How could anyone could be that relaxed around weapons? "Are you going to start soon because I could always give you something else to do."

"O-oh, right...sorry..." His smile was small and slightly embarrassed before he looked at the row of weapons leaned up against the wall, sparkling in the light of the room. Walking over, Tut took a hold of one of the swords and attempted to lift it. He stumbled back a little, sword swinging around.

"Woah! Watch what you're doing! Do you need help?" The guard stood up, backing away from him as he steadied himself. Tut looked at him with large brown eyes before smiling.

"Its fine...I got it now." Tut turned and left the room, hands gripping the handle tightly so as to not drop it. He stayed along the wall as he made his way to the armory since he didn't want any of the other people seeing him completely embarrass himself by not being able to hold such a simple sword. Once he got in the armory he saw all of the racks, most of them were empty. Entering further he looked at the shape of the holders on each one, trying to figure out where the swords went. "Where do you belong..." Brown eyes caught sight of another sword just like the one in his hands and headed over, hanging it on the desired hooks. Stepping back he smiled triumphantly before turning to leave the room, dusting his hands with his success.

Not even two steps out of the room there was a small clatter followed by numerous clanks and clashes. Tut flinched, freezing in mid-step. The guard who had asked him of the small task came running out of the room he was in to skid to a stop behind him, facing the armory. There was complete silence and Tut slowly turned around, looking at the guard's back as he dropped the weapon in his grasp. They turned to face Tut with controlled rage before attempting to smile.

"...sorry...?" Tut gave them a small smile but it slowly melted away as the other man sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. Tut had learned that members of his palace did that when something bothered them...it normally occurred before he was kicked out of the room. His shoulders drooped a bit as he held his hands behind his back, looking down at the floor between his feet.

"I know that your bodyguard is out on another mission right now, but is there not something that needs your attention?"

"Well, I thought that I would help clean up the-" He was interrupted halfway through and he closed his mouth as the other man started to speak.

"Other then helping out around the castle?" Their voice was icy and there was a small bite to the words as they escaped his lips. Tut looked up at them before shrugging his shoulders.

"...yeah. Sure. There's always something for me to do. I was just...trying to help out." Tut put on fake smile to conceal his sorrow as he closed his eyes.

"The best thing that you can do my liege is to be our leader."

Tut didn't say anything but after a moment of silence he opened them to see that the guard was still waiting for him to leave. "I guess I'll be going...now..." He turned on his heel and left the room with his head held high. He didn't want his people to know that something like that hurt him...he was strong...

His feet brought him back to his chambers and as he closed the door behind him he let out a frustrated sigh. Reaching up he grabbed a hold of his headdress, dragging it down his face as he leaned back against the door. He always managed to mess things up... Why did he have to be such a klutz...? He slowly started to go over to his bed, dragging his feet the whole way. When he reached his destination he climbed up and flopped back, leaving the headdress at the end of the bed.

That's right...Sphinx was gone...he had no idea when he was going to return...he had been sent on a special mission for some purple monkey to get a sacred jewel or something. He hadn't really been listening so it was hard to say. But what he did know was that Sphinx was gone and that he was lonely.

The door to his chambers opened and he sat up, looking at the door expectantly. A row of maids entered with dusters and buckets in hand. Against his will he let out a long sigh, dropping back onto the bed. He wouldn't be back yet...he just left that morning...

Amidst all of the chatter going on around him he managed to doze off. Sphinx had somehow managed to sneak into his mind even when he wasn't there. The way that he watched him when he was in a meeting or simply during his free time, the way he always found an excuse to touch him or hold him...the way that his tail clung to him in desperation whenever they cuddled. How he was always by his side...

"Your majesty..."

Sphinx smirked at him, eyes dark and full of passion.

"Your majesty."

The muscles within his view rolled with each movement that the demigod made, power running through the veins just beneath his skin. His lips moved as he looked down at him, teeth gleaming as he spoke. There was a softness in his eyes that had never been there before. Those lips moved but nothing came out. Only silence.

"Your majesty!"

Tut jumped and sat up, startling the maid that stood at the end of the bed. He looked around him quickly before looking back at her. He moved to take a deep breath but realized that his heart was pounding too fast for him to do so at the moment. Brown eyes looked at the maid in question before trying to smile.

"Y-yes...?" His throat was parched. Why was it so dry? "What is it?" He reached up and touched his throat, clearing it with a small cough.

"...its lunchtime your majesty...I thought you might like something to eat..." She held out a plate that had a variety of different foods laid out for his choosing. He rubbed the back of his neck before patting the bed beside him. She obliged by placing the plate down there before bowing and walking away.

Brown eyes looked around him to see the maids still hard at work scrubbing the floors and dusting the vases as well as the cabinets. They moved down to the plate and he plucked a grape off of the vine before popping it into his mouth. The sweet juices filled his mouth and he smiled, closing his eyes at the burst of flavor on his taste buds. He chewed it and swallowed before grabbing another one and doing the same.

Sphinx had always commented on the way he ate. That no matter what he ate, he could always tell what it tasted like by the pharaoh's expression. He normally made those smart remarks right beside his ear, breath quietly carrying the words past it to send a shiver down his spine. His lashes lifted slowly to see that it was only him and the maids in the room. He closed them again, thinking of all the jokes that he had cracked about the smaller man's weight. He normally always found a way to make him laugh even though he was making fun of him...

Tut's body slowly fell back to lie on the bed, eyes gazing at the ceiling high above him. A lonely sigh passed his lips and he stretched. Sphinx had never left his side since he had become his bodyguard, even if Nefertiti told him to shoo. It was weird now that he wasn't there to talk with or sit with...

A small twinge of sorrow touched his heart and he sat up abruptly, knocking some of the plates contents onto the bed.

Lonely?

Sad?

Why on earth was he feeling these things? He was just a bodyguard! There was no need to feel lonely! He was nothing more than a companion that was able to protect him. There wasn't anything special about that. Just because he saved him from a lifetime of death doesn't mean that he was anything more then that. He was a friend. A really good friend. Good company for a lonely king... a trustworthy companion...

...

But...there wasn't anything to do...Sphinx could always manage to find something to do even on the hottest days...they would work with his inability to fight...sometimes all they did was sit on the balcony and watch the sky shift while staying out of the heat of the sun. Sphinx was always there...

"I don't need him!"

He reached up and slapped himself, the sound of smacking skin echoing in the room. He didn't need Sphinx around. He was just as capable of having a good time without him as he did when he was around. As his hand slid down his face he saw that all the eyes in the room were focused on him. His lips attempted to curve in a smile but they didn't quite hide the intense feeling of embarrassment that he was feeling. At the continued feeling of all eyes on his he quickly slid from his bed, taking his headdress with him. When he stood facing them all he cleared his throat before motioning for them to go back to work. A few did as he asked before he left the room as quick as he could without making it seem like he was in a hurry.

As the doors closed behind him he let out a long, defeated sigh. He really needed to get his mind off of things...off of him...

He started walking in any direction, no destination in mind but needing the time to clear his head. After who knows how long he wound up standing in front of one of the open windows that faced the Southern entrance to the city. He sighed before leaning out to feel the breeze move across his face. Looking down brown eyes caught sight of a ledge that went along the building below the window and climbed out. As he sat on the window sill he looked around at the bustling city that lay below him. Slowly, carefully he lowered a foot to test the outcropping before slipping down onto it. It was a nice spot in the shade of the building.

There was laughter from below and he craned his neck to look over the ledge. A family walked down the crowded street, holding hands as the youngest sang with a smile. Tut looked around them and every person, unintentionally looking for a certain demigod that was nowhere to be found. He sighed before sitting back against the wall. He pulled his knees up and rested his arms on them as he watched the sand shift in the desert on the horizon. Sphinx would be returning from the port just a few miles out in that direction.

SKIP

"My liege...it is time for dinner." Tut lifted his head and blinked a few times, rubbing his eyes as he looked at the darkened sky. He squinted slightly and saw small dots of light. Looking around he saw one of his servants leaning out of the window near him. They had a worried look on their face. It got into a more panicked expression as Tut stood up, stretching all of his cramped limbs. He hadn't even noticed that he had fallen asleep. Turning to the window the serf helped him back inside and walked with him to the dining room. "Are you feeling alright? You don't usually sleep outside of your bedroom..."

"I'm fine. No need to worry about me...thank you for waking me." He entered the room and Nefertiti stood and rushed over, pulling him into a back breaking hug. "Dear...I can't...breathe..." Tut looked at the table and all of the food that lay prepared, simply waiting to be eaten. She backed off, apologizing as she pulled him over to his chair. He took the seat and she pushed it in to the point that he couldn't breathe without touching the table.

"I was worried about you. But now that you're here, we can talk."

After she said that Tut basically tuned her out as he used his fork to move the food around on his plate. For some odd reason Tut couldn't find his appetite and ended up simply playing with his food. Leaning on his hand he sighed. She was talking about one of her maids and her situation that involved the love of her life. Then it turned to what happened in the market when she went shopping today. His eyes were slowly closing but the slight sound of a door somewhere in the palace made him sit up attentively. He looked around the room and saw one of the maids walk into the room with a pitcher full of milk. A sigh of disappointment escaped him.

"So, I was thinking that for our wedding we should–...use..." Nefertiti's words slowly died out and Tut looked up at her with curious eyes. She was looking somewhere behind him. A frown graced her thin lips and she fell silent. Tut leaned over and placed a hand over hers in a comforting gesture.

"Nefertiti...what's wrong?"

"I believe that she is disconcerted by my return Master." The silky voice that came from beside him made him turn immediately to look at who stood there. Brown eyes moved up from the clawed hand at his side to his muscular biceps, up his neck to look at the painted face and the hazel eyes that watched him heatedly. There was silence before Tut smiled and removed his hand from Nefertiti's.

"Sphinx!" Tut basically leaped from his chair and onto his bodyguard who caught his flying body while staying rooted to the spot. He squeezed him tightly and closed his eyes as he breathed in the others scent along with the heat of the desert. Two hands gently touched his sides, remaining there as he leaned down near Tut's ear.

"I see someone missed me." As he spoke the words, a rush of hot air moved past his ear, making the room seem like a cold, empty space. Tut realized what he was doing and shoved him off, backing off rather quickly. Sphinx released him the moment he pushed away and watched with amusement as he brushed off his robe and cleared his throat. Tut could feel the blood in his cheeks and silently willed himself to relax before looking back into those hazel eyes.

"I...we're glad to have you back...have you eaten?" Tut looked at him expectantly but Sphinx looked away from his gaze for a split second before politely declining.

"Its been a tiring day...I think I'll rest for now. Thank you for your concern." Sphinx looked him over before touching his shoulder. Turning he started to walk away and Tut's eyes were drawn to the bare skin of his back. There were small scratches along his sides and across the expanse of his back. Looking further he caught a glimpse of a wound on his tail. His eyes shot back up to the back of his head but there was no sign of any kind of pain. When he looked closer he saw a slight tenseness in his shoulders and felt the need to go to him. The moment passed him by when Nefertiti asked him to sit back down.

"He's not a god. He wouldn't be able to kill anything without that sword that the mighty Osiris gave him. He even gets wounded in the simplest battle. He's an arrogant bastard if you ask me." She stabbed one of the leaves of lettuce with her fork viciously before eating it. Tut looked at her before looking at his food. While she continued to ramble on about Sphinx he wolfed down his food. The moment he was done he stood and excused himself. Nefertiti watched in silence as he hurriedly left the room, basically running back to his own chambers. Something was wrong with Sphinx. Even if he didn't say it, he would never admit to something like that, he knew. Tut knew what being hurt looked like. What it felt like. He knew the symptoms of it and everything.

He burst into his room and the body on the bed froze as he entered. Sphinx was in the motion of licking a wound on his arm before chuckling, looking up at the ceiling. Tut entered and shut the door behind him, quietly watching as he turned to face him. "I was hoping you would take your time."

"W-well..."

Sphinx let out a sigh and took the bandages laid out on the bed with his uninjured arm. Holding the end with his teeth he twisted the material so that it wrapped around his wrist. He continued to move up his arm towards a large gash that went up to his elbow. As the bandage wrapped around a small portion of it, he flinched, teeth tightening their hold on the material in his mouth.

"I...noticed that you were acting differently." Brown eyes watched him flinch every time it touched the open wound. He had never actually see the demigod in pain but it looked like a nasty wound. It looked like it hurt. Sphinx's tail was flapping around behind him each time that he touched the wounded skin. Tut started towards the bed that Sphinx sat in the center of."...let me help." He got onto the bed and gently took the wrap from Sphinx. "Have you put medicine on it yet?" Brown eyes looked at hazel ones with concern and the painted face nodded. Tut nodded quietly in response and took the wrap from Sphinx before re-wrapping it carefully. It was a large jagged line that went from his wrist to his inner elbow.

"Thank you..." Sphinx looked at the now bandaged arm with approval. He jumped when Tut grabbed a hold of the twitching tail behind him. The thin hand grabbed it close to the base causing Sphinx to let out a low growl and Tut looked at him in question to see hazel eyes concealed by dark eyelids. "What are you doing?" There was a bite to his voice and Tut hesitated before replying. His body had grown tense.

"Th-there's a cut on your tail...is there not? I just want to bandage it..." When Tut looked down at the tail within his grasp Sphinx moved away, pulling his tail out of his grip. Tut looked at him as he took the tail in his own hands and applied lotion to the objecting victim. It took some time but Sphinx managed to wrap it up. After it was bandaged and thrown back onto the bed Sphinx looked at the Pharaoh lazily.

"The medication is right there...I can't quite reach my back." He motioned to the small bottle in front of his skinny legs with his chin. Tut took a hold of it before crawling over to where he sat patiently, waiting for him to get behind him. Tut dipped his fingers in the cool concoction before gently smoothing it over the small scratches that littered his sides and arms. As his fingers followed the path of one of the longer wounds they ran into the material that criss-crossed his back. With his free hand he lifted it slightly and tried to slip his fingers under.

"Is it in the way?" Sphinx looked over his shoulder to come face to face with a longer, younger one and Tut paused before looking down at what his hands were doing. He closed his eyes, hitting his head lightly against his shoulder as he responded.

"No...its fine...I'll manage." Tut pulled at it with all of his strength before biting his lip as he strained his shoulders and with a final pull it started to come loose. He grinned to himself before realizing Sphinx bending forward and somehow removing the complex wraps from his body. When he sat back up Tut watched as muscles rolled beneath his skin as he straightened his back, rolling his shoulders and cracking his neck. Tut's hands didn't move any from where they had been hovering above his skin.

"Well? Does that help any?" Sphinx tilted his head back to see Tut simply sitting there as if he weren't able to think at all. Grinning slyly he leaned in closer until his warm nose lightly brushed Tut's thinner one, making him jump. Sphinx chuckled lightly before turning back around. "Keep it up. I know I have a lot of scratches back there."

"R-right..." Tut slowly dragged his gel covered fingers across the large scratch on his back before attending to all of the smaller ones. He slowly made his way around his body to his chest. Tut looked at the face of its owner to see him sitting there, arms stretched back behind him with eyes barely even open. Hazel eyes moved over the Kings' face and Tut immediately went back to work. As his fingers moved up, his body was forced to move closer until he was holding himself up over the demigod's lap. Thin fingers dipped into the container of cream before coming back out to smear the odorless mixture over a small cut on his cheek. As the pads of his fingers lifted from the warm skin, big brown eyes looked down into the hazel ones beneath him. His body froze and he simply stared into those beautiful depths before arms snaked their way around his waist.

"I was thinking about you..." Sphinx pulled him closer, resting his hands on top of one another on Tut's lower back. The Pharaoh startled and placed his hands on the broad shoulders available to him, pushing himself back if only to create a little distance. Sphinx looked up at him and Tut had to look at the serpent on his helmet so as to not look into his eyes.

"R-really? Well...the feeling wasn't mutual..." Tut could feel his own legs giving out beneath him, threatening to drop him right into the other's lap. There was something different about being this close to him...he didn't know how it was different, only that it was.

Tut looked down to see Sphinx smirk. He deliberately slowed his movements as he leaned in and nuzzled Tut's neck. He took in a deep breath and Tut swallowed loudly. A minuscule shiver went down his back and melted the bones in his legs into jelly. He securely held onto Sphinx's shoulders well enough that it didn't seem as if his legs had just given out beneath him. Though by the small movement of the skin against his neck he could tell that he had noticed the small shift in weight. He licked a drop of sweat that was making its way down his neck before tilting his head to look up at his helpless victim.

"Uh-huh...I don't believe you Tut..." The muscles in his arms thickened as he used his strength to pull his prey in closer and hold them still. Tut attempted to push him back but his boney arms barely even fazed the other man.

"D-don't call me th-that...you're—too close Sphinx..." Tut reached up and placed his hands on the helmet that rested in the nook between his neck and shoulder. Thin fingers pushed at it and tried to get it away from his neck. It didn't do much and Sphinx grunted before nudging it away with his head. Tut felt something poke his neck and tried to pull his body away. "What are you do-ing?" There was a small shock of pain as teeth took a hold of the base of his neck. When Tut tried to pull away the hold tightened, drawing a small amount of blood. Tut felt something run through his body but pushed it aside as he fought for his freedom. It didn't do much since his arms were twigs and his body was held so close there wasn't any possible way to insert anything like a limb between them.

Sphinx held for a few seconds, no more then five before pulling back. He looked at Tut as he immediately covered it with his hand. Brown eyes held small tears in their corners as he looked at Sphinx with slight shock and a hint of uncertainty. Sphinx leaned back slightly, pulling Tut down with him to rest on his elbows. He smirked, showing a small canine.

"You didn't mind being close before." Sphinx caught the small look of guilt before he turned his head away. "The truth is...I think that you missed me...I believe we should do a little something about that...mutual feeling...don't you agree?" Sphinx leaned in with each phrase, breathing the 'mutual' against trembling lips. Tut looked into his eyes with fear but also with something else. Looking at himself in those hazel eyes he didn't even know.

Sphinx closed the small distance between their lips and kissed him lightly. Tut didn't quite know how to respond but he didn't need to think about that because before long his lips were slowly making their way down his neck, tongue lapping gently at the bite marks left behind. Tut couldn't do anything but lift his head slightly so he had more room and moved his body closer. His arms wrapped around Sphinx's neck and held tightly as he moved over his skin.

"I'm glad you didn't wear a robe today Tut otherwise I think I'd tear it to shreds..." Teeth nipped softly at one of Tut's bare nipples and his body jerked, legs shaking uncontrollably. His body leaned on Sphinx for complete support after that.

"Sh-shut it..." Tut closed his eyes and attempted to regain the scattered thoughts that were jumbled inside his head. The rough, cat-like tongue distracted him as it swirled teasingly around one of the pink nubs, earning a low sound from its owner. "Wh-what are you doing...?" His breath was still uneven and Tut hated the way that his voice shook with uncertainty and need. Sphinx didn't answer, merely moved to the other side. Tut gripped at his head helplessly as his body grew warmer and warmer. He felt as if he were in the desert in the middle of the day with the sun striking him with its most powerful rays of heat.

They somehow ended up sprawled out near the pillows, Sphinx over him like a lion on a carcass. Tut could feel his heart thundering in his chest and wondered momentarily if Sphinx could hear it. Something warm caressed his genital and pleasure shot up his body, making him cry out. Sphinx licked the quivering lips beneath him as his hand started to move slowly over the sensitive area. Tut looked at him through his lashes as he could barely keep his eyes open. The shocks of pleasure continued to shoot up his body with every movement of the predator above him and each touch of his lips against his heated skin.

Before long he felt something rip through his body, making him bite down on his hand to keep himself from crying out. Tut barely had enough time to catch his breath before Sphinx rubbed a finger across the tip, smearing the small amount of liquid onto his fingers. With a small push of his shoulder, one of Tut's legs were slowly pushed up towards his torso. Tut looked at him weakly, mind trying to comprehend the situation that he was in. When a finger lightly probed his entrance he jerked up, pushing at Sphinx weakly.

"S-stop...!" Tut pushed at him continuously but nothing got his attention. He fell back, his own back shaking in pain. He tried to kick him off, but as soon as he lifted his leg, his finger slid in further, earning a low moan of pain. He looked beside him with teary eyes, and caught sight of a book sitting on the corner of the night stand. "Sphinx...p-please...stop!" Tut's helpless cries shook with his body and fell on deaf ears. Sphinx licked the tip of his member and Tut shivered. There was a quiet moment of rustling before something thumped against Sphinx's head.

Sphinx nuzzled his thigh and kissed the open skin, trying to ease the discomfort. Tut hit him with the book again with weak arms before dropping it, body losing its self-control. Tut closed his eyes and gripped the blanket as he pushed his finger in a little further. A soft sob escaped and Tut tried to keep the tears from falling but a few of them managed to sneak past his tightly closed lids. Sphinx looked up at him and Tut looked into his eyes, he stared right back. Their brown depths were full of pain and distrust. They held the betrayal that someone had just crushed his heart.

"What are you..." Sphinx paused in everything he was doing to reach up with his free hand and brush his claws against the pale, quivering flesh of his cheek. His eyes were curious as they looked into the small, trembling face beneath him. Everything in his voice was sincere with a hint of need. "Tut...?"

"It...it feels w-weird...please...stop..." Tut closed his eyes as a shiver passed through him. There was a part of him that was enjoying this and it scared the Pharaoh to death. "You're –going too fast...its too much...and...there isn't anything here..." A long hand placed itself on the bare chest above him, fingers splaying over the small expanse above his heart. Tut opened his eyes to look up at him. Sphinx's lower body was tucked in against him and Tut could feel the warmth of it against the backs of his thighs. The throbbing heat that was present due to what was going on. Those hazel eyes watched him heatedly and Tut could tell he was using all of his power to hold himself back. At that he closed his eyes and turned away, opening his mouth to say what he had been thinking. What had been on his mind ever since the whole scenario started. Just as he was about to speak the wistful thought passed through his conscience

Please don't be mad...

"I don't think...we shouldn't be doing this Sphinx...really...I mean...its supposed to happen between those who love each other and...well, we don't really have that deep of a...connection..." Tut couldn't look at him. There was no way he could deal with the dejected look that he would have on his face. Tut knew how much he wanted this...he could feel how much he wanted it...but there wasn't any way for them to do it without hurting him more. Slowly, the finger inside him was carefully pulled out so as to not hurt him further before the weight over him was slowly lifted. Tut reached down and pulled the base of his skirt down to his knees as he pulled them together. His eyes cracked themselves open to see Sphinx step off the bed, eyes downcast and shoulders slumped. He bowed at the end of the bed, voice quietly reaching his ears.

"I am sorry to have assumed...I will leave you then my king..." He stood up, eyes still nowhere near where Tut was and as Sphinx made his way to the door Tut found himself sitting up to watch him. His tail was hanging low and slightly curled around his inner thigh and his steps were deathly silent, nails not even lightly scratching the tile.

The door shut ominously behind him as he left, leaving Tut in the drowning silence of his room.

SKIP

It was past noon, he could tell by the weather. He could hear the soft humming from someone in the garden and entered quietly, not wanting to distract them from their duties. His eyes moved across the luscious garden before landing on a woman who sat on one of the benches by herself. He made his way over and sat down beside her, giving her a friendly smile when her attention was drawn to him. She smiled back before scooting closer.

"What is it Tut? You look...different...are you getting enough sleep?" Her green eyes glistened with concern and she managed to lean in closer. He avoided her gaze at all costs, even standing up to evade her probing look. She looked up at him with concern. "Are you alright? Really? Tut, you can tell me if something is bothering you."

"No, you're right...I just need a little more sleep..." He stretched with a fake yawn as he chided himself for being so cowardly. Looking back at her he noticed her eyes watching him. With a careful smile he was just about to excuse himself, thinking it was stupid for even thinking of the idea when she asked it for him.

"What do you want to ask me?"

He knew there was a reason she was his first choice. He sighed before plopping back down on the bench, slouching forward as if in pain. She sat down beside him and wrapped a comforting arm around his small shoulders. She leaned forward a little and Tut looked at her for a moment before looking away.

"What do you think about Sphinx?" He looked back at her with big, brown eyes and she took a short intake of breath as she leaned back, huffing slightly. Her lips were pursed in an unpleasant way.

"You already know what I think Tut. He is an arrogant son of Anubis and a ruthless brute no less. He has no feelings and doesn't care about what happens to those around him. He is quick to assume and makes rash decisions that normally lead to other, larger problems. He thinks he's all that but-"

"No...I mean...despite everything that you've seen and heard about him...what's your honest opinion?" Tut looked at the fountain before them with uncertainty. He really didn't know what to think anymore. Honestly he was lost in his emotions.

"...did he do something to you?" Her voice was threatening and he looked at her with closed eyes, waving his hands at her persistently as he quickly spoke.

"N-no, of course not...I just...I don't think he's fit to be my body..guard...anymore..." As he spoke he opened his eyes and realized that it was really what he thought. His gaze averted itself back to the relaxing flow of the water. Its path was never twisted, it lived a simple, easy life simply filtering through pipes to happily fall back into the same pool of water where it belonged. He wished life was that simple as he rested his elbow on his knee, sitting his chin on the heel of his hand.

"Well, as a person who doesn't really know him that well, I think that..." She paused momentarily before sighing, a small mumbled expression falling from her lips. "I hate to be saying this...he's a... good guy he just...he can't determine what is truly right unless the directions are laid out before him. Otherwise he has no way of knowing." She shrugged by the sound of her dress shifting before he felt eyes burning into the back of his skull. He barely even noticed it in the small world of his mind.

"But...what if he did something that was maybe meant as one thing, but was interpreted as the opposite?" He sighed in confusion, staring at his reflection in the glistening surface. A crystal green gaze was caught in the sparkling water, skepticism gleaming in their depths with a suspicion of something else going on. He sat up straight, looking at her with wide, doe eyes. "Hypothetically, of course..."

Her eyes narrowed before she looked down at her nails, answering in a monotone voice. "Well...I think that if he did something it was just one of the many stupid and impulsive choices that he makes, the animal, and he might have meant well but just doesn't know what to do. He doesn't know what is the best course of action in 'that' situation. And that my dear, is why I don't trust him enough to like him." She finished it up with a short scoff, eyes sparkling as she turned the gems on her fiancee.

"Oh...well, thank you for the advice...I have...training now..." He got up slowly, looking at the beautiful stones that decorated the garden. He started to walk away when his wrist was grabbed lightly. Turning his head slightly he watched her green flats approach him to stand at his side.

"Tut..." Her eyes looked at him, green eyes full of the concern of a loved one. "Just...be careful around him...you never know what he's thinking..." The hold that she had on his wrist moved down as she thread her fingers with his own, squeezing lightly as he looked back at her. He smiled reassuringly, bending down ever so slightly to brush his lips against her cheeks. With that, he pulled his hand away, walking out of the luscious garden and back into the dull halls of the palace. He smiled at the servants that he passed, acting like nothing had happened. And as far as everyone else knew, nothing had actually happened.

As he entered the training room, Sphinx was waiting on one of the mats, flipping a small rock from knuckle to knuckle. When Tut approached he threw it up, snatching it as his eyes made contact with the brown eyes of his trainee. Tut gave him a small smile as he got up off the mat, handing him the large, beautifully curved wood that was his bow.

"We're working with your archery today." Sphinx gave it to him in a way that their hands were nowhere near touching. Tut was thankful for it. He didn't want to have anything weird happen between them...he didn't want to encourage any of his 'rash, impulsive' choices that led to something that neither really needed at the moment.

"What about my arrows?" He avoided eye contact, looking over his shoulder or looking at the darkened spot that was his nose. There was a pause in his response before he reached behind him, pulling something out from a pocket or something.

"...here." As his fingers opened to reveal his palm Tut saw the another skinny twig resting on its surface. Tut looked at it for a moment in disbelief before reaching out and plucking it off of the warm palm. The pads of his fingers brushed against the warm skin and his mind immediately shot back to the night before and the way that those same, hot hands had given him unimaginable pleasure. The stick fell from his grasp as his heart stopped before beating faster then before.

"S-sorry..." Tut couldn't hide the small blush that touched his cheeks as Sphinx chuckled before bending over to get it, a small smile on his lips. Tut dropped down and picked it up just as his fingers were nearing the thin piece of wood. Tut remained crouched near the floor for a small amount of time and watched as the clawed fingers slowly retreated back to his palm as he stood. Tut looked up at him as he moved back, seeing his eyes watching him closely. There was pure confusion mixing in with the greenish tint that surrounded his pupil as he watched the other man below him. Tut looked away and stood up, holding the stick with his bow in one hand.

"...Alright...so, get into position. Your target is over there..." Sphinx pointed past Tut's face to the other side of the room where there was a Chihuahua carved and painted on a wooden post, a large target painted in the center of its body. Tut looked at it, leaning towards it to be sure that he was really seeing what he thought he saw. When the Chihuahua didn't disappear he looked back at his trainer to see him watching the creature with narrowed eyes.

"What? A Chihuahua? But why on earth would I-"

"It's your target. You are going to shoot it with the stick and, sooner or later, an arrow." He looked at the Pharaoh and Tut looked back at the dog across the room, motioning towards it with his bow, an astonished look on his face.

"B-but why a Chihuahua? I know they're annoying but they aren't that bad..." He looked back at his trainer, lip pouted out with big eyes to accompany it. Sphinx raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest as he shifted his weight onto the right side of his body.

"Really? Try fighting a wild mummified one. They're ravenous little monsters. Relentless too..." His gaze looked back at the target across the room and Tut followed his gaze, looking at the cute looking dog with the target. They stood there for a while before Tut slid one foot back, shoulders slumping in defeat as he raised his arms, getting into position.

"Is this right?" Tut looked at the Chihuahua that lay slightly to the left of his hand that held the bow. Sphinx circled him, examining his stance closely before touching his elbow.

"You need to raise your arm a bit for better balance...here..." Sphinx moved to be behind him, standing with his chest against the Pharaoh's back as he lifted the scrawny arm with his own while his head rested right above his shoulder as if he were doing it himself. Tut could only feel the heat of his body and could barely even see the target through the sudden haze. His mind was starting to drop into the pits of frantic hysteria as he thought about what could easily happen if he did anything to encourage him.

"Okay. Got it!" He rapidly brought his arm up and pulled the twig back, elbow colliding with Sphinx's face as the stick went soaring across the room. Tut managed to open his eyes after something landed harshly behind him. The first thing he saw was the target and the stick protruding from one of the red rings. He smiled to himself. "Hey...hey look! I actually hit it! Sphinx, you gotta see this! See what I did? Sphinx..."He looked beside him to see that his trainer was absent from his position. "Sphinx?" He heard a small groan and turned around to see Sphinx lying on the ground, holding his nose. His head was tilted back slightly as he spoke.

"Uh-huh...just...wait for the blood to stop first..." Sphinx sat up slightly, moving his nose a little before flinching, looking down it as he touched it. Hazel eyes rolled before he closed his eyes, sighing as he relaxed. Tut stood there, merely watching with wide, uncertain eyes.

"..." Tut looked down at him hesitantly. He wanted to help, to apologize, but he was afraid of provoking him into taking his thanks in another manner. He didn't want anything else to happen between them that would widen the gap that was starting to appear between them. Sphinx looked up at him, narrowing his eyes slightly in question.

"Aren't you going to apologize? Whatever happened to the humbleness that you were famous for? Jeez...I guess not everything it able to be brought back to life..." Sphinx let out a startled sound as the bow collided with his head, making him flinch before looking back up at Tut, holding the helmet as it rung in his ears. "Ow! What was that for?"

He glared up at the skinny man standing before him to see brown eyes on the brink of tears. His brows were furrowed as he tried to glare but it didn't have as much of an effect with the tears in their corners. He felt something stab him in the heart before he opened his mouth, pausing before he spoke. "...sorry...I..."

Tut looked away, looking at the tiles on the floor beside him instead of at the demigod on the floor in front of him. He really didn't want to think of it and yet those words brought up all of the unhappy memories. The way he had been trapped in the castle of Uruk. How he had been unable to feel anything. How he had been dead. He held back the tears easily, used to doing so since he was brought back. He thought that he had gotten over it...guess he was wrong.

There was silence between them as the tension in the room grew with each passing minute, thoughts being sorted out in both heads as they thought about everything. After a time Sphinx sat up, speaking quietly in a hopeful voice as he searched Tut's face for some kind of reaction

"Well...it looks like you hit it...how about we try again...?" Sphinx was looking at him expectantly when Tut looked back at him. Tut looked at him for a brief moment before closing his eyes and weakly gave an excuse.

"I...don't feel well..." Tut turned rather quickly and left before Sphinx had much time to react. As he was walking away Sphinx called out to him, making him stop in the doorway. Looking over his shoulder Tut saw Sphinx standing, in the motion of coming after him, arm lifted slightly in protest to his leaving. Tut could feel something in him pulling at his train of thought, trying to turn it around. He looked away, hand on the doorframe as his voice shook. "Sphinx...I... I can't..."He left that room as if he were on fire, needing to distance himself from the demigod before he made a stupid decision. As he moved down the hall he could feel guilt heavy over his heart when he entered the garden. Not seeing anyone around he climbed up the ladder, knocking it over so it fell into the bushes along the wall.

Backing up he curled up into the corner beside the large statue, holding his head in his hands. He didn't have any idea of what he was doing. Was he hiding from Sphinx or was he trying to hide from himself? Either way, he knew that he couldn't hide for long. It was useless but he needed to do something. At the moment, he would do just about anything to divert his thoughts.

What do I do...?

He was completely and utterly lost within himself and it didn't help that his emotions were in turmoil. His thoughts were chaotic and it was about to drive him over the edge. He wanted to do the right thing but he didn't know what that was. Why was he running away? Because that was what he did. He was a coward...that's all he would ever be...

There were tears in his eyes and he wiped at them in agitation, not wanting to acknowledge his hurting heart.

He had just lost his best friend...what had he done?

Over the next couple of hours he listened as everyone ran around the castle searching for him. He didn't answer and he didn't attempt to let them know that their king was alright. He wasn't...and he didn't want anyone to know how weak he was. He didn't want his people to see him this weak and this emotional. He didn't want to be found. After the sun had set he was holding himself in attempt to warm up his body from the cool night and he was falling asleep.

He was so weak...

"...everyone's worried you know..." Sphinx's voice was quiet and Tut sniffed, curling up more as his stomach growled. He hid his face in the arms he had crossed over his knees even though it did nothing but make him feel even worse.

He was cold...

"I know..." Why was he even here...? Hadn't he hurt him earlier? There had been hurt in his eyes...confusion...but even so, why did he still care?

"Are you going to come down? I...brought you some food..." It sounded like he was straining to speak and Tut lifted his head, sniffing lightly to smell something fresh and warm floating up over the ledge.

"...what is it?"

"Uhm...its some kind of melon...nut thing...the maids said that you like them..." There was a somewhat curious note in his voice and Tut laughed lightly, shaking his head. He had always been like that with food...

"You and food...jeez..." He found himself feeling better every moment that he spent talking with him. Tut shook his head lightly at his own thoughts and the pure idiocy that came along with them.

"Yeah...I guess..." He chuckled softly before silence fell over them again in the hush of the garden. "...do you want it?" Sphinx was quiet, almost like if he said the wrong thing something might happen. Tut barely even whispered his agreement when there was the small sound of movement before a hand appeared on the ledge. A small plate appeared over it and Tut hesitated before crawling over and taking the fruit from his hand. He peeked over the edge to see how he was even up there to see Sphinx holding himself up with one arm, other holding the empty plate. Hazel eyes were aimed at the bush below him and Tut quietly moved back, thanking him. The moment that he was away from the ledge, Sphinx dropped back down.

As Tut bit into the fruit he smiled as the juices washed over his taste buds, satisfying his hunger more and more with every bite. The feeling of being full was quietly interrupted as Sphinx started to speak. His normally confident voice was unsteady as he spoke and Tut looked up, almost expecting to see his look of apprehension staring back at him.

"I...I'm sorry if I did something...wrong..."

"Sphinx..." Tut hit the back of his head lightly on the wall behind him, organizing his thoughts as memories of the talk with Nefertiti arose as he spoke. How he didn't know what was right or wrong unless it was made perfectly clear to him. He sighed before taking a deep breath, closing his eyes when words started to escape his lips. "You didn't really...do anything...its...its me who should be sorry..."

Sphinx responded with silence and Tut felt like he had just encouraged something that he didn't intentionally want.

"I...I can't do this now...I need to...ugh, I don't know..." His voice must have conveyed his annoyance because he heard Sphinx move ever so slightly. It seemed like every sound was enhanced in the quiet of the night, including his breathing. His frustration was growing and he was tired. It must have been the reason for his anxiety. He reached up and grabbed at what little hair he had on his head beneath the headdress and pulled, letting out a few grunts of annoyance. Why on earth was he acting so strange? He was overtired...that had to be what it was.

"You should at least come down...it's going to be a long day tomorrow and you need to be awake for all of your meetings." Sphinx sounded more like himself as he spoke and Tut silently cursed him for being able to compose himself so easily.

"Yeah…I guess you're right…" He sighed, sagging back against the wall as he gave up on trying to argue with himself. It got tiring after a while. He took a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes, knowing that he would fall asleep should he keep his mind in the dark for too long. He saw clawed feel and going up he saw leg guards before passing over the crossed belt to see the familiar twitch in stomach muscles as he looked at them. When he met the hazel eyes of the body's owner he jumped at the sudden appearance. He hadn't even heard him move. Sphinx chuckled lightly, smiling down on him as he bent down, scooping up the thin body of his king.

"A little delayed wasn't it? I guess you're pretty tired." Sphinx shifted him a little before walking over to the edge. "It's okay though….we have time…" As he jumped down, Tut wrapped his arms around Sphinx's neck, holding on for dear life before they landed on the floor of the garden. His eyes were wide with adrenaline and Sphinx smiled down at him before walking through the entrance to the garden, going down the empty halls. It took Tut a moment to comprehend what Sphinx had said.

"Wha…? Sphinx…I'm getting married in a week…" He looked up with large, confused eyes to see the demigod's gaze focused ahead of them. Tut's mind was tired, he didn't want to try and figure out the complex puzzles of the demigods thoughts. He really just wanted him to explain everything…he just wanted him to be…his friend…

"Go to sleep. Don't worry." Sphinx bent his head down to rub his chin against the top of Tut's head in reassurance. Tut let out an annoyed sigh, tiredly glaring at the demigod above him. He slowly closed his eyes, body moving closer to the heat of the other's body on its own. He drifted off to sleep rather quickly after that, sighing lightly against the muscles of the chest he lay against.

Sphinx leaned down and lightly kissed the bare forehead as his king drifted off to the land of dreams. Once he was asleep he looked at him for a brief moment before looking back at the empty halls that he was walking down. His face held the countenance of someone who always got what they wanted without question, but there was a small flicker of uncertainty in the hazel depths as he entered the kings' chambers, closing the door with his foot so that it barely even made a sound.

SKIP

Tut awoke slowly, the warmth around him making him awake in a daze. He managed to open them enough to realize that he was in his room, on his own bed to be exact. A small sigh escaped his lips and he wiggled slightly, wanting more of the warm blanket around him. As he moved there was a soft groan and he looked down to see Sphinx curled up around him, fast asleep. His eyes moved over him slowly, taking in his relaxed face and the steady breathing of a predator down to the tail that lazily flicked behind him. For once it wasn't actually clinging to his leg…it was weird. He felt slightly lonely…Those brown eyes looked back up to Sphinx's face and the thick arm that was bent under it to serve as a pillow, the other draped over his body in a protective manner. Tut had a moment of worry as he thought about how he was the one that he needed protection from. It fluttered away as he moved a little closer, wrapping him up in the warmth of his embrace. He couldn't help but smile and snuggle closer, closing his eyes to go back to sleep. He hadn't felt this safe in a while….

"Have a good sleep?" Her voice seemed to pierce both of their minds as Sphinx's eyes snapped open and a low growl escaped before he pulled Tut closer. Confused, brown eyes looked up to see Nefertiti standing beside the bed on Sphinx's side. He opened his mouth to speak when suddenly Sphinx's eyes widened and he was pulled back.

"…?" Tut watched in shock as he realized that she had a hold of his tail as he landed on the floor beside the bed. Sphinx was hissing at her before he lifted his legs and kicked her away. She stumbled back at the force, falling as Sphinx turned toward her, slightly crouched in a defensive position.

"How dare you!" The words were harsh and ended when his teeth snapped together. Looking down from the back of his head, Tut noticed how he held his tail gently, tenderly as if it were the most fragile thing in the world. It had to be for him because it was connected to his spine, each nerve that was a part of his back was also a part of his tail. It had to have been excruciatingly painful to have it yanked like some vegetable from the ground. Sphinx stood above her as he spoke. "I don't care whether you're his wife to be or not, but seriously, pull my tail one more time and your people will be mummifying your mutilated body."

"Sphinx!" Tut sat up on the bed, yelling across the room to grab the attention of the creature approaching his fiancé.

"Silence." His eyes were cold and menacing as he looked back over his shoulder, baring his teeth as if he were a cornered animal. Tut was taken aback and stared at him with wide eyes, shock evident in their wide depths. Sphinx looked at Tut, eyes softening slightly before he looked away, growling at Nefertiti before he stalked past her to the door. There were a few guards standing in the doorway, complete shock written all over their faces. When Sphinx looked at them, they eagerly moved out of his way.

Tut looked after him in confusion. He blinked once and he was gone. He looked over to where Nefertiti was yelling at the guards as they helped her up. Those eyes looked down at the bed that his hand was resting on. The warmth of his body was still in the mattress. Tut sighed. Sphinx was an animal, he knew that but he never thought that he would do something like that. He didn't know that he could act that way…especially around him. He looked back down the hall that he had disappeared from with worry on his mind. He had never done that before. Something had to be bothering him in order for him to act that way.

There was something wrong with him…and Tut had the feeling that it was all his own fault.