Title: Joyous Day

Pairing: Scandalshipping/SethxAtemu

Season Six. Round Seven.

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!


This should be one of the happiest days of his life.

But it wasn't.

Crown prince Atemu sat miserably on his wooden chair, staring at himself in the mirror as the three present servants tended to him.

Kohl was applied to his eyes; different oils with exotic scents were rubbed on to his skin. Precious silks and other garments were draped on to him, making him look exquisite. Expensive golden jewelry was slipped onto his ankles, wrists and neck.

He looked like a Pharaoh. A god.

Atemu had thought that this ceremony and coronation would be wonderful, but he made him think it all through.

It wouldn't be wonderful. Not with Seth still loving him like he did.

His shoulders began to hunch over, and Atemu did his best not to slouch completely over. He watched with half lidded eyes as his cape was put on over the collar plate, his crown signifying that he was the prince of Egypt being the finishing touch.

Atemu straightened a bit, noticing out of the corner of his eye that the three servants were bowing, leaving him to himself until Isis came. He listened for the shutting of the door, relaxing when he heard the soft whoosh.

It wasn't fair. He realized that now.

But obviously Seth didn't. Or, on second thought, he probably did, but chose to ignore it.

Sadly, Atemu knew that something as big as this couldn't be ignored.

Walking over to his open balcony, he pushed open the translucent curtains, instantly feeling the sandy and warm breeze from the desert hit his decorated face. Setting both hands on the railing, the prince leaned over, watching Ra slowly creep up on the city, banishing the dusk away.

It wasn't rare that Atemu wished he wasn't a prince. Or even someone of royalty. He constantly prayed that he was a commoner; such things such as these wouldn't be a problem.

Thoughts soon drifted off the city, to the events that would be happening in a few hours. Many ceremonies before the actual coronation would take place, such as temple prayers and the giving of gifts and so much more.

It would be a long, agonizing day.

And without a comfort he knew he shouldn't have.

Atemu suddenly sniffed, feeling two droplets of wetness on his face. He bit his lip, wiping them away, sinking to his knees, his arms still resting on the railing. This couldn't be happening...

Without warning, a hand was on his shoulder, and the prince jumped to his feet, reaching for the dagger attached to his belt. But when he saw who it was, he made his actions sluggish, and then come to a complete stop. He turned back around, not wanting to face the other dressed in gold, blue and white garbs.

'Go away...please.'

That hand was on his shoulder again, and reluctantly, Atemu was turned around, keeping his gaze down, feeling tears well up in his crimson eyes again.

"Atemu?" Seth asked him concerned, looking down at him. "Why is it that you cry? This should be a happy day."

'Don't do this...don't do this to me.'

Atemu stayed silent, not wanting to answer, knowing that he'd only hurt himself.

Even though he had his gaze down at his feet, Atemu could still tell that Seth was lowering himself down to his size, wanting to get a better view of his face. He felt fingers on his face, wiping his tears away.

"Seth..." Atemu choked out, his breath shuddering. "Please..."

"Shh..." Seth soothed, taking his chin in his hand and raising it so that their eyes met. Watery crimson with warm blue. Seth's hand extended out from his chin, cupping his cheek, his thumb caressing the delicate skin.

"You're kohl's running," Seth started, giving his love a reassuring smile, but Atemu did not return it. Still maintaining his smile, Seth continued, "I'll help you." His hands left the prince's face, and took limp ones into his own, bringing them in between their bodies as he leaned forward, kissing Atemu's face softly, accidentally getting some kohl on his lips.

He drew back, seeing a faint smile on Atemu's features. A small hand came to his lips, carefully brushing the powder off.

Giving Atemu a proper kiss, Seth slowly stood up, breaking the connection before leading the silent prince back into the main room, sitting him down on the bed. He left the smaller there, and then went to retrieve the bottle of kohl from the desk only a few feet away.

Kneeling before his pharaoh-to-be, Seth uncorked the bottle, dipping two of his fingers into it, picking up a bit of powder. He made the move to start reapplying the liner, but his wrist was caught.

"Please don't do this Seth," Atemu breathed with a stagger, his deep voice wavering, "I can't take it."

Seth was a bit confused, but had an idea of what his love was talking about. He asked anyway, wanting to make sure. "Can't take what, my prince?"

His wrist was let go of, and Seth frowned as he watched Atemu's face become miserable looking again. He shook his fingers to get rid of the collected powder.

"We...we can't keep this up," Atemu started, avoiding eye contact. "Not when I'm pharaoh...it is not allowed."

The priest raised a brow. "Because you'll be pharaoh and I your high priest?" He knew the real answer, but knew it would be best if Atemu said it.

"No!" the prince immediately retaliated, but then scrunched back as he realized how loud he just was. "Because...because we're cousins."

Seth smiled softly, letting his fingers trace down Atemu's arms in an effort to sooth the distraught prince. He knew that this was true, that Atemu wasn't allowed to have affairs like such as a pharaoh, not even as a prince, but that had been easy to hide. He could see where Atemu was coming from though. Someone would definitely notice their bond once he was pharaoh.

"And...and that's not all of it."

Seth's fingers stopped for a moment at the unexpected statement. He let his hands drift down to the smaller's thighs, rubbing them through the silk kilt. "Go on," he said indifferently, curious to see what the other had to add.

Atemu was quite for a while, and Seth for a moment thought that the prince had thought his second statement to be unimportant. But then Atemu resumed slowly.

"As pharaoh...I need to have an heir. So that means I'll need a...wife by my side. Possibly more if need be according to Isis."

Seth had listened carefully, silently seeing how this would be an issue as well. If they were caught doing anything, there could be many major problems concerning the relationship Atemu would have with his wife. No wonder he was so miserable on this joyous day.

Atemu stiffened when he felt Seth cup his face with two hands, bringing their foreheads together. He closed his eyes, not wanting to stare into those comforting blue ones.

"We can still be together, Atemu. We've gotten this far hiding what we share already..." Seth tried, but Atemu shook his head in negate, tears starting up again.

"No, no we can't, Seth. Not anymore...we-I can't..." Atemu blubbered, wanting to get as far away from his cousin as possible, but the taller held him steady.

"Yes we can," Seth started, but Atemu cut him off.

Atemu shook his head more, tears running down his tanned face more than ever. "No, Seth, we can't. Do you have any idea what would happen to you?" he said, his voice watery. "The council will punish you, and you would be persecuted with a crime against the pharaoh. You could be killed." He bit his lip, not wanting to say anymore as he buried his messy face in his hands. "Why can't you understand...?" he mumbled, not able to resist the urge to stop speaking to his lover.

Seth was a little taken aback by the statements, but he shook the words off, settling himself on the bed next to his saddened Atemu. An arm slunk around the prince, pulling them close together as he rested his chin on his cousin's shoulder, not minding the hard collar plate.

"Yes, Atemu, I understand the risks," the priest said in a hushed tone. "But I'd like to let you know that I'd die for you as a cousin...and more importantly, a lover." He left it as that, letting Atemu absorb his words.

The two stayed silent for some time, the only sounds being of the awakening city out yonder and the gentle breeze wafting through. Then, suddenly, Atemu pushed himself out of Seth's grasp, grabbing the bottle of kohl still on the floor, going over to his mirror to reapply his make up.

Seth remained on the bed, lightly watching Atemu tend to himself, making himself look presentable again, masking up the evidence of his tears. When he was done, he smoothed out his clothes, making sure they looked perfect for the day to come.

Still, no words were passed between the two, and Seth could help but curl his toes at the suspension. Suddenly, a knock was on the door, Isis' soft voice making it through, requesting that Atemu come now.

Atemu replied loud enough that he was coming, then turned back to look at Seth sadly. He breathed through his nose, then through his mouth, a pressure building up in his chest.

He loved Seth so much...so, so much. But he had to let him go, he just had to.

"I love you," he whispered, sure that his cousin didn't hear him he was so quiet. With one last look, he turned and left Seth sitting on his bed, ready to face what the day held for him.