"...S-Seto you look awful." Isis observed as the two walked towards the main throne from the Priest's bedroom. Her hand raised slowly to her mouth as her eyes glanced over each of the Priest's new wounds and bruises.
Large dark purple circles were present underneath his already drooping bloodshot eyes. His bottom lip was cut open in several places, dried blood from the early morning was washed away; though it hadn't stopped fresh blood from forming as he talked. Scrapes and bruises were also easily visible on his knees and shins. The final mark left by the Pharaoh that morning, was a small black and blue mark the size of a quarter; present in the nook between his jaw and neck. "I-I had no idea he would do this to you…" She whispered; her fingers gently touching the Millennium necklace around her neck.
The Priest's eyes widened at her comment, he quickly pulled her into one of the side rooms of the hallway and whispered nervously.

"I-Isis, what are you talking about?" He deflected. The young female smiled at the Priest, her fingers slowly sliding across the necklaces golden surface.

"…Seto," she giggled slightly. "It's no secret to me how you got those marks."
The Priest slowly leaned against the cold stone wall behind him; gently tapping the back of his head on one of the stones. He quietly whispered: "O-Oh god…"

"Is that how our Pharaoh made you react last night?" She teased; the Priest's face turning several shades of red and pink in response.

"Y-You can't tell anyone Isis, if…" The Priest slowly began shaking at the thought; his arms crossed in front of his chest, with his hands tightly gripping his shoulders. "…If any one of the other council members found out I-I…"

"Seto, calm down…" She reassured; her hand gently touching the Priest's shoulder. "...I've known about your relationship with the Pharaoh far before you yourself knew…I've always kept this information to myself, there's no reason for you to fret so much."

'…S-Since before I…?' The Priest thought as he slowly calmed himself down. '…She's kept this secret for years?' The professional face and tone of voice returned as he turned to properly respond to the young woman. "…T-Thank you…Isis..." He said through a breath of relief.
She smiled sweetly in response; gently guiding the still nervous Priest through the hallway leading to the main throne room.
As they entered the large, nearly empty room; the Priest looked in front of him. Atem was sitting at his throne leaning into one hand. His eyes were closed and the feint sound of snoring could be heard.

"W-What is planned for today?" He asked nervously, attempting to return to the normal schedule he followed day-to-day. Isis appeared slightly uneasy as she spoke, responding to the Priest's question:
"…Shimon has prepared a meeting for the Pharaoh…" Isis glanced over the Priest's shoulder. "Though I do not believe the Pharaoh knows about it."

'…A meeting the Pharaoh doesn't know about…?' Seto thought to himself; suddenly getting a terrible feeling in the pit of his stomach.

"What type of meeting is it?" Seto asked. Isis looked over several papers before arranging them in the correct order; she could see the Priest was slightly perturbed.

"I have a small inkling as to the subject...Though Shimon did not tell anyone about this "event" until this morning's meeting…The one you and the Pharaoh missed…" She stated, a small giggle escaping her lips as she began taking her leave. "I'm sure it's nothing to fret over…" She began, he next statement a quiet whisper: "The Pharaoh wouldn't allow anything, or anyone to take your place."

The Priest ignored Isis' comments as he looked around the throne room for Shimon. Something about this meeting didn't sit right with him…It wasn't long before his bloodshot eyes found the short older man at one of the side opening's to the throne; working at a small table. He let out a deep breath to calm his nerves as he approached the man; his slightly scraped hand gently touched the older man's shoulder.

"Shimon?" He asked. In response, the older man turned around; adjusting his attention from the papers in his hands to the Priest's dull-colored eyes.
"Yes, Seto?" Shimon responded rather curtly; his eyes were glancing towards the Priest, though it seemed rather obvious his focus was somewhere else.

"…What is this meeting Isis was telling me about?" He said in a slightly aggressive tone. He had always been protective over Atem, which was nothing new...So the sudden aggression in his voice shouldn't have come as a surprise to Shimon.
"…A meeting?" He paused. "…Do you mean the meeting I discussed this morning, for the Pharaoh?"
"Yes." The Priest could feel Shimon was toying with him; gaging his reaction…As if he was trying to figure out certain suspicions.

"Oh…The Pharaoh is meeting with several high-ranking daughters from other Kingdoms this evening. Thankfully, he finally agreed to meet with them this morning." Shimon explained; his focus returning to the papers in his hands.
"The meeting…This morning?" Seto questioned.
"Yes, the meeting you missed." He began. "The Pharaoh and I had a discussion this morning. He and I are highly displeased with you and your recent behaviors."

"My…R-Recent behaviors…?" Seto could feel his voice grow irritated. It faltered as he spoke; knowing for a fact that Shimon was lying through his teeth. "…Shimon," The Priest began, attempting to calm his voice. "The Pharaoh was not at the meeting this morning. How could he possibly agree to a meeting with girls from other Kingdoms, let alone have a discussion with you regarding me?!" The Priest slammed his hand against the small table that Shimon was working on; it shook underneath the pressure of his fist. His voice was raised, higher than it had ever been before. It didn't take Seto long to realize what he had just done.

'I-I…Lost my composure about the Pharaoh…About Atem meeting with those girls…B-But…It was justified…He is mine, and mine alone. He does not need a woman to satisfy him. He has me.'

"…You're getting awfully worked up over something so trivial, Seto. Is there something you're not telling the Court? Or maybe, perhaps the Pharaoh?" Shimon leaned in closer to the Priest; staring at him intently...His eyes slowly moving from the Priest's lips, to the mark on his neck.

"Don't be ridiculous. You're only making assumptions you wish were true." The Priest snapped.

"Yes…" Shimon began; returning to his original position. His eyes, however, continued to stare at the marks on the Priest's body. "Because I want both you and the Pharaoh to ruin the sake – and the reputation – of the Kingdom by being romantically involved with a family member." He stated sarcastically.
Seto could feel his blood boil beneath his skin as he brought his tightly closed fists to his side. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the table of papers he had neglected to attend to the past few days. Realizing this conversation could only end negatively, he began to walk towards the table on the other side of the room.

"Just don't mention any of this to Atem." Seto scolded underneath his breath. "…He doesn't need to be bothered with such trivial matters."
Almost as a last act to try and get a rise out of the Priest, Shimon added silently so only Seto could hear: "…You really shouldn't be addressing the Pharaoh so casually…"

The Priest ignored the last comment he made; too busy scolding himself in his own mind to fully pay attention to what Shimon had said.

I-I can't believe…I lost my temper…And around Atem too.
Granted…

Seto peered over his shoulder as he reached the table.

He's still asleep…But…Shimon won't let that outburst leave his mind…I've more than likely proved his suspicions…

Slowly the Priest began organizing the papers in front of him, stealing casual glances at his Pharaoh and Shimon. It was only after several glances and a few minutes later that the Pharaoh had been awoken by Shimon. Seto watched Atem intently, his Pharaoh's expression changing from tired to extremely irate as Shimon continued to speak.
He could hear the conversation between them; though it seemed everyone in the kingdom could with the way Atem had been speaking.

"My Pharaoh, several high-ranking daughters from the neighboring Kingdoms are visiting today; they're excited to meet with you." Shimon began.

"Excuse me?" Atem asked; the anger in his voice rising.

"I took the liberty, as your advisor; to call upon some of the finest, most high-ranking young women within the kingdom and country…I've just received notice that they have arrived, and are eagerly waiting to meet you for a chance to be queen of this Kingdom." The older man paused for a moment; seemingly taking in the expression on Atem's face. "Many of their father's have accompanied them as well…So I am afraid turning them away will not be a good idea – if you wish to uphold relations with these kingdoms and states." Shimon; maintaining his imitated elegance explained the situation in almost full detail, and made sure to have preparations in place beforehand, so the Pharaoh could not turn away the young women or the meetings in general.

"…If I cannot turn away these meetings – which I should add you arranged without my permission, Shimon…" Atem's voice emerged in a low growl; full of anger. "…Then I want to have a Court member with me during these meetings. To ensure nothing…Out of hand happens."

"My Pharaoh," Shimon began, slightly offended. "I was not going to leave you in a room alone with these women…Please, you must have more faith in me than that! I was going to-."

"No." Atem interrupted, nearly scolding the much older man with only his tone of voice. The Pharaoh's hand directed towards the Priest, his index finger curled in a 'come here' motion. "…Seto. Come here." The Priest looked over at the call of his name, sighing a breath of relief as he walked next to the throne and bowed in respect.

"My Pharaoh?"

"…There is no need to go into details. But it seems I was arranged into a meeting I cannot get out of." Atem explained briefly. "It is one I am not comfortable with going to alone, or with Shimon…Considering the circumstances." The Pharaoh's eyes glared towards Shimon; looking down on him with authority. Atem's fingers slightly brushed the Priest's exposed shoulder as his eyes focused on Seto. "…You are to accompany me to this particular, and all other, formal meetings. Is that understood?"

Seto nodded in agreement; nothing more. "Yes, Pharaoh."

"…B-But Pharaoh…Seto is-!" Shimon protested, but Atem held a hand up; immediately dismissing the older man's concerns.

"Shimon." Atem ordered, his voice growing louder and much more authoritative as he stood angrily from the throne. Despite the anger not being directed toward him, the Priest flinched at his tone; having never heard his Pharaoh so angry. "Seto. Is. Fine. The only thing I wish to hear from you is what time these meetings are and where they are. Seto will accompany me, and will be the only Court member present. I will explain to the women and fathers that you were not able to make this meeting. And Seto is capable of protecting…And serving me in any way possible."

The Priest swallowed a lump that had formed in his throat as he assumed what Atem was implying. As much as had wanted to, he couldn't control the slight blush that appeared over his cheeks in response.

D-Did he hear the argument earlier…? Seto pondered as Atem continued to talk over the Court member; not allowing him another word unless asked.

"When is this meeting and where is it?" He asked authoritatively.

"…T-The meeting is in the l-luxury meeting room…" Shimon nervously said. It was obvious to the Priest and Pharaoh that he hadn't wanted to continue with the details; though he did not have a choice. "T-The father's will not be accompanying you while you are in this room…It was supposed to be…You and the women in the meeting room, with I and the father's outside of the room…" Atem raised his hand again.

"Let me…Get one thing clear…" He growled through gritted teeth. "Earlier you mentioned that you wouldn't be leaving me alone during these meetings…But in truth, you were planning to?"

"A-Ah…P-Pharaoh I…Only thought you might want a bit of alone time with…These very beautiful women…" Shimon stuttered, nearly incoherently. "…I-I only had your best interest in mind."

Seto felt his blood boil at the thought. How could Shimon, the pharaoh's advisor, be so thoughtless in terms of the Pharaoh's safety? Atem was much more slender than most men; he was height-deficient and much less muscular than any other man on the council…Depending on the amount of women and their stature, it wouldn't be farfetched to assume the possibility the he could be overpowered.

"Shimon!" The Priest yelled; shaking in anger. "How could you possibly-?!"

"Seto. Stop. Now." Atem ordered. Seto had opened his mouth to protest, but his silence was interrupted by the Pharaoh's overpowering voice once again. "I will handle this…"

The Pharaoh paused for a moment, his attention directing towards Shimon once again. "…This goes without saying, but I feel for you, Shimon, I need to be more than clear…Seto will be physically with me, at all times." The Pharaoh paid no heed to what Shimon had said earlier regarding the meeting room and he wasn't about to pay attention to anything Shimon had wanted to say in regards to the Priest; he quickly reiterated his question from before: "What time is this meeting?"

"The meeting is to start soon…I…Can show you and the Priest to the room now. I-I will lead the women and their father's there once they arrive…" Shimon paused nervously. "…I will also handle the father's questions regarding why there will be two men in the room with their daughters…A-As an apology, my Pharaoh." He bowed in respect.

Atem in response, curtly said:
"…See to it that you do just that, and only that while you are outside the room."

The Pharaoh took Seto by the hand and directed Shimon to show the two where the luxury meeting room was located. Several minutes of walking through hallways led them towards the main chambers where guests arrived. Off to the side, there were numerous archways that led to other rooms; though only one had a thick, red velvet curtain hanging in the front.
As Shimon pulled back the curtain, the two men could see that this room was gold in color and filled with artwork of previous Pharaoh's. Red and purple pillows lined around the room; matching the fabric of the curtains that hung on the walls. A long dark wooden table sat in the middle with smaller pillows acting as the seats for guests attending the meetings.

"Here we are…" Shimon lead the two men into the room and quickly left without a word; obviously not waiting to hear the Pharaoh's impression of the room. Reluctantly, the Pharaoh and Priest sat down on the matching pillows at the front of the table.

"…H-Honestly, what does he expect you to do with these…Women during this meeting…In this type of room?!" Seto asked angrily; his self-control no longer holding the ability to keep tight-lipped. The Pharaoh stared at him in amusement; smirking as he took Seto's hand in his. He brought it to his lips and gently kissed as Seto's cheeks flushed with red.
The Priest allowed the affectionate contact; secretly wishing for it to escalate into a situation similar to the morning before.

'…Maybe if Shimon walked in on that…He'd realize his actions are fruitless…'

"Are you jealous?" Atem mused.

"O-Of course I'm jealous..." The Priest admitted. "I don't know what these…I don't know what these women are planning to do to you; what they would have done to you if I wouldn't have been here…And I can't stop it! N-Nothing like this has ever happened before…I never had to…Fight for you like this."

The Pharaoh smiled gently, using the hand he was holding to pull the Priest into his arms. With his free hand, he tilted Seto's chin up to look at him.

"Seto, you don't have to fight for me…This was something Shimon set up, not something I agreed to." Atem stated firmly; his voice still slightly angry as he remembered that Shimon had organized this without his permission. "Besides…I'm already yours. Which is why I'm not stressing out about this entire situation."

Seto's face grew redder as he swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. Reluctantly, he pulled himself away from Atem and sat up in a formal stance.

"…T-The last thing we need is Shimon to walk in on…You holding me in your arms." He muttered nervously; failing to hide the fact that that is exactly what he wanted.

"Mm…You're right." The Pharaoh began; a smirk crossing his lips. "Maybe he should walk in on something more…Explicit?" Atem pulled on Seto's hand again; causing the Priest's body to press against his Pharaoh's…Easily giving Atem the ability to gently push Seto on to the pillow covered ground. He straddled The Priest's waist as held his wrists to the floor.

"W-What are you doing…?! I-I was serious…You don't want to reveal us like this do you…?!"

Atem smirked as he leaned in towards Seto's ear; seductively whispering:
"I…Have absolutely no intention of meeting those girls. I don't care about them and I don't care how people see us…As long as we're together."

"B-But…" Seto protested.

"…Don't worry I'll keep the robes on. We don't have to get that explicit." Atem moved his left hand and pulled Seto's robe from his shoulders, he pulled it just below the points of his hip bones, moving the cloth so that the his Priest was covered, but still 'accessible'. "…Besides…I want to be the only person to see you that exposed."

"E-Eh…You said you wouldn't…" Seto's voice was already weak at Atem's touch as the Pharaoh began gently sliding his fingers up his Priest's chest; touching every possible inch of his torso.

"Based on your voice…I don't even need to put my mouth on you, my hands are enough…" He said seductively – teasingly. "…Still though…" Atem's voice became hushed; his eyes fogging over. "…I want to feel inside you."

"A-A…Tem…" Seto moaned his name. "W-We can't…T-They'll…" The Pharaoh continued to simply – but slowly – move his hands up and down his Priest's sides…His waist beginning to mimic his hands as he carefully pushed himself inside. "S-St…Stop…" Seto moved his arms across his face like he had done the night before; hiding his now watering eyes from view.
Atem leaned forward again; increasing the speed of his thrusts.

"You know…" He huffed. "If you keep moaning as loud as you are, they'll all hear you before they even get to the door."

"I-I'm not…M-Moaning…" He stuttered as heavy breaths escaped his lips. "I-I'm…"

"…I think you are…S-Should I make you moan louder…?" Atem threatened seductively; lifting the Priest's waist so he was able to delve deeper…In addition, the Pharaoh leaned to kiss his Priest's collarbone, gently sucking on the spot. He felt Seto shiver with pleasure below him.

Footsteps could be heard walking through the hallways; the Priest's eyes widening in response as he began to hear voices draw closer towards the curtain.

"A-Atem…" Seto huffed. "They're…C-Coming."

"Oh?" The Pharaoh mused; a smirk curling over his lips. "…I'd say you're the one who's…"

"P-Pharaoh! E-Enough of that…!" The Priest interrupted as he quickly sat up, his face a terrified expression at the realization they may be caught in this position. "I-If we're caught…I'll…L-Lose you…" Atem's smirk slowly turned into a comforting smile.

"Seto…" The Pharaoh began as he moved his hand to the middle of the Priest's pulsing chest; gently pushing Seto back into his previous position. "…I think it's about time they learn about us, don't you think?"

He leaned in and gently kissed the Priest on the lips so he couldn't speak, his tongue slowly slipping in between Seto's mouth to further reassure he wouldn't be making any sounds. The Pharaoh maintained the slow thrusts of his waist as his right hand reached upwards to entwine his fingers with the Priest's. His left remained fixated on Seto's hips…Leaving no doubt as to what exactly was going on beneath their robes.
As the Pharaoh heard the curtain swish open, he deepened his kiss; his tongue becoming slightly exposed as the Priest's heavy breathing entered the air…A response to his Pharaoh's quickening, albeit short, thrusts.

'…I'm not leaving anything to his imagination…' The Pharaoh thought. 'He will understand that no one can – or will – take my Priest from me…'

The curtains behind them swished shut as Atem's lips completely parted from his Priest's; further filling the air of the room with the short, uneven, and rushed breaths that were now escaping from the Priest's lungs.

"…N-Now that he is taken care of…I can further take care of you..." Atem whispered seductively; his own breaths emerging just as uneven and rushed as his thrusts pushed deeper.

"A-Ah…Hah…A-Atem…" The Priest moaned his Pharaoh's name; Atem, in response, placed a loving and deep kiss on the Seto's lips – causing them both to jerk forward and shake in pleasure like they had that morning…Once again in unison; in sync.
Seto moved his arms in front of his face as Atem released his hand; blocking from view what he knew was building up behind his eyes. His body, much to his dismay, continued to convulse as tears slowly slid down his cheeks.

'…I-I didn't want this…' He thought; the tears increasing in numbers. '…N-Now he's…Now I...I-I'll…'
His thoughts grew incoherent as the negative emotions within him swirled. '…I-I'll lose him…'

"…Seto?" The Priest's mind refused to clear as he heard his Pharaoh say his name. He could feel Atem's breath blow softly on his face; indicating the Pharaoh was over-top him once again. "…What's wrong?"

Every ounce of worry Seto heard within Atem's voice resulted in sharp stabs of pain in his chest; making it hard for the Priest to produce the words that he knew his Pharaoh so desperately needed to hear.

"…T-They…Found out…" He began; his voice getting cut off by the sobs that were now escaping his open lips. "…I-I'll lose you…They'll take you away from me…"

"…W-Why…Would you think…?" Atem whispered, his own voice breaking at the realization and feeling of the pain his other half was currently suffering through.

"O-Our relationship…Is wrong…" The Pharaoh flinched at the words as a sharp pain shot through his veins. Seto continued to talk through his frantic breaths: "…Our relationship doesn't benefit the k-kingdom…And…I-I don't benefit you…"

"…Do you really feel that way; that our relationship is wrong…That you do not benefit me, in any way, shape, or form…?" Atem began, whispering softly. He removed the obstacles that had been blocking his cousin's face from view. The once bright blue eyes he loved so much were now faded and dull…In pain. "…Well, Seto?"

"Nngh…" Another sob attempted to escape the Priest's lips. Realizing he couldn't speak a single word while his Pharaoh looked at him directly in the vulnerable state he was currently in…He slowly shook his head back and forth as a response.

Atem leaned down and pulled Seto close; calming the sobs that still pierced through his Priest's lips. The Pharaoh's lips lightly grazing his cousin's ears and – in the softest voice he could speak – whispered: "…There is no one...And nothing…That could ever take me away from you…" He paused; wiping the remaining tears from Seto's cheeks. "…No matter what happens…No matter what they do or what they say, Seto…I will always stay with you."