Mahes woke up and trained, and when the sun grew too hot for training outside with his ka, he studied magic. There was hardly a moment when Mahes didn't have a papyrus scroll in his hand- as he ate bread, as he drank beer, as Bakari paced the cave and complained that Mahes studied more than a priest in a temple.
Bakari dragged him to the oasis every few days, and Mahes always went because he enjoyed both the cool feeling of water on his skin and the burning feeling of Bakari's hands on his cock while they sat on a sandbar and kissed. However, except for their trips to the oasis and market, Mahes stayed home. When the thief took Minkah out after dusk, Mahes studied by firelight.
He knew these nights Bakari was either casing or robbing a tomb. Mahes always worried, always imagined Bakari being pierced by a tomb-keeper's spear, or triggering a trap, or getting so lost in the maze of stone and dead ends that not even Diabound could find a way out. Nevertheless, Bakari always returned with the dawn.
It was one such moment. Mahes knelt by the fire, grinding coriander powder from the whole seeds he harvested from the parsley plants that grew near the oasis, and he noticed a sudden shadow slip into view. Mahes gathered his energy, on the verge of summoning Shedu, but then he realized it was Bakari grinning down at him.
"Asshole!" Mahes cursed. "You're lucky I didn't attack you!"
"You're just pissed that the tomb thief was quiet enough to sneak up on the tomb guard."
"I wouldn't call myself that anymore." Mahes stood up, stretching out his robe-clad arm. "Take it."
"Is it a scorpion?" Bakari reached out his hand.
"It's a present." Mahes dropped a pendant into Bakari's palm. "It will protect you."
Bakari grinned at the charm for a moment before reaching into his scarlet robe and pulling out a thin scroll sealed with a small, dried dab of melted gold.
"I have a present for you as well."
"Is it a spell?"
"I think so. I've never seen one sealed with gold before, so it must be important."
"Thank you, Bakari. I know you wanted me to help you rob tombs, so I appreciate you letting me study magic instead." Mahes took the scroll and slipped it into his own robe's pocket.
Bakari roared with laughter. "Listen to you! All that reading's making you too cultured. I used to have to fight you for any small show of gratitude. Now you're almost eloquent about it. Where did that brat from the tombs go?"
"Shut up and be happy that I said thank you instead of making a fuss."
"Hey." Bakari stepped close and laced his fingers with Mahes's. "I never said I wasn't happy."
Bakari started to lean forward. Then his eyes grew wide and he tried to pull away when he realized he was showing too much emotion. It was too late, however. He already had his hands tied up with Mahes's, and Mahes pulled Bakari a little closer, squeezing their hands and dabbing his tongue against Bakari's lips. Bakari couldn't refuse; he opened his mouth and tasted Mahes in return. Mahes pressed forward as they kissed. Bakari stepped backwards until he felt the cave wall against his back. With a quick push, Mahes slammed Bakari's hands over head, pinning them against the cave wall. The thief sighed, closed his eyes, and melted against the wall as Mahes deepened their kisses. He could feel the whisper of Mahes's robes against his chest and cursed the gods that they couldn't press closer without irritating Mahes' skin.
Their lips grew slicker with each kiss. Mahes dropped his hands down so he could cup Bakari's face, and Bakari ran his thumbs up and down Mahes's wrists, seeking every touchable bit of skin.
"I'm happy, too," Mahes whispered.
"I-I should get some sleep. I'll be back out tonight and-"
"Wait, before you go to sleep, come outside with me. I'm getting really good with Shedu's powers."
"Okay." Bakari nodded and followed Mahes down the mountainside and to their training grounds.
"Think you could help me out?" Mahes asked.
"Sure, what do you need me to do?"
"Oh, nothing too difficult for someone of your talents, I'm sure." Mahes wore a mocking smile that lit up the color of his eyes. "All you have to do is- find me."
He disappeared with the words. Bakari stood, blinking. He realized Mahes must be standing in Shedu's aura like they'd done the day the guards passed them by. Bakari walked forward. He searched the desert, looking for anything that might have given away Mahes's location- a sound, a shadow, the smell of tomb-stolen perfume- but saw nothing but desert, heard nothing but the wind, and smelled only his skin warming in the sunlight and the dust clinging to his feet.
"Bakari! Over here!" Mahes waved from beside a boulder.
Bakari kicked up dust as he jogged towards Mahes, but his image shimmered and vanished before Bakari's eyes- a mirage, not the real Mahes.
"Nice trick," Bakari snorted, trying to sound unimpressed.
He heard laughter from behind him and turned. Three Maheses stood and laughed at him, each with the same smirk on their beautiful faces.
"Okay, fuck this." Bakari brought out Diabound.
He didn't really have a plan. Diabound hid in shadows and phased through walls. Neither of those talents were really what Bakari needed to find an illusionist. But, as luck would have it, the moment Diabound appeared, Shedu grew too excited and leaped on top of Bakari's ka. They both crashed to the dirt together, nuzzling and smothering each other with affection.
"Shedu, what are you doing! I wasn't done teasing Bakari yet!" He gave Bakari an apologetic look. "I really have gotten better. I realized that Shedu can bend light and manipulate the image of anything in his aura."
"You've done well," Bakari confessed. "You have a lot more control over Shedu than the last time we trained together."
An odd expression settled over Mahes's face. "Bakari?"
"Yeah?"
"They're our souls. Our ka. The ka is part of one's soul."
"Yeah?" Bakura repeated, but this time his pitch was higher and the word was much more of a question than before.
"Well … look at them." Mahes gestured as they continued to rub their noses together and swish their tails in excitement.
Bakari's face flared up. He pulled Diabound back and started storming back to the cave.
"Bakari? Where are you going?" Mahes called after him, following him.
"To bed! I already told you I need to go out again tonight."
"Don't you dare run away from me!"
"I'm not running away," Bakari growled. "I just don't have time to-"
Shedu was still out, and Mahes used him to fly ahead of Bakari and block his retreat. Mahes un-summoned his ka and stood staring at Bakari.
"Do you mind?" Bakari scowled.
"Bakari." Mahes drew close, raising his hands to cup Bakari's face.
"Don't." Bakari stepped back, refusing to look Mahes in the eyes.
"Why not?"
"I have to stay focused on my vengeance." Bakari balled his hands into fists. "I don't have time for Diabound to frolic with Shedu."
"Then let's go to sleep- together."
Bakari remained silent. His gaze finally shifted to Mahes. "Only if you take off your robes while we sleep."
Mahes gave a reflexive tug to the sleeve of his robe. "I suppose I could. You've seen me before."
He grabbed Bakari's hand and pulled him the rest of the way up the trail and into their cave. Inside, Mahes pulled the lavender robes up over his head, dropped them onto the sleeping mat, and stood near the firelight so that Bakari could look at him. Bakari stood close and ghosted his fingers down the scars on Mahes's stomach.
"I understand why you prefer the robes, but I like moments like these when I simply get to touch you."
"I never could understand how you can touch me without being disgusted by all the scars," Mahes admitted, staring away from Bakari.
"Because you're beautiful- that's how- and that hasn't changed since the first time I saw you." Bakari spoke with a tone of finality that warned Mahes not to challenge him because his mind wouldn't be changed on the matter. He brushed the hair out of Mahes's face so he could stare at him while his fingers continued to graze Mahes's wound-tangled skin as if it were treasure.
It overwhelmed Mahes. He pushed the scarlet robe off of Bakari's shoulders and tore the shenti away from his waist. Mahes pressed their chests together, gently so as to not hurt. Bakari's gaze grew hazy and unfocused as they sank down to the sleeping mat together.
"This is why you're bad for me," Bakari muttered between slow, passionate kisses. "I should be resting."
"You'll rest much better by the time I'm done with you." Mahes reached between Bakari's legs and massaged Bakari's balls.
Bakari grunted, then moaned, raising his right leg awkwardly into the air to give Mahes better access to everything he had. Mahes's hand wandered up and gripped Bakari's shaft.
"Mahes." Bakari bucked into his partner's grip as he clawed at the cloth beneath them.
"So?" Mahes slowed down his strokes until Bakari was gritting his teeth in an attempt not to beg. "Did you want to sleep? I can stop, or I can keep distracting you. Whichever you'd prefer."
"Don't stop." Bakari's voice was dangerously close to a whimper as he continued to hitch into Mahes' fist.
Mahes dragged his lips across Bakari's brown chest. He flicked his tongue when he reached Bakari's nipple, his hand moving faster. Bakari swelled in his hand, growing hot and twitching as his orgasm drew close. Mahes moved up to his throat, biting and then sucking.
Then he trailed his lips back down Bakari's body, slowing his strokes again, making Bakari wait until his lips reached his cock and encased the dripping head. He started gradually, swallowing Bakari's erection inch by inch, and then he set a leisurely pace as he began to move his mouth up and down, his hand following. He kept things slow until Bakari was shaking and panting and unconsciously gripping his shoulders hard enough to hurt, and then finally Mahes sped up, setting a quick rhythm as he licked and sucked and squeezed the base with his hand, and it was just a minute later that Bakari's fingers and toes all curled as he came.
Bakari took a moment to catch his breath, and then grabbed Mahes's erection in order to return the favor.
Mahes gasped at the warm, rough feel of Bakari's palm against his aroused cock. Mahes forgot about his physical pain and discomfort as Bakari lavished Mahes's body with caresses all while giving firm, even strokes to his erection. Mahes sighed, relaxing in Bakari's hold and trusting Bakari to continue making Mahes feel as wonderful as he always did.
He pressed their mouths together. Their kisses were clumsy and a little savage as they moved against each other, but Mahes wanted to be moaning against Bakari's lips when he came. The feeling of their lips pressed together helped Mahes's pleasure climb, and a few minutes later he did just as he wanted, coming and moaning against Bakari's lips. They stayed close together, until the stiffness crept back into Mahes's skin. Bakari got up, found cloth, and cleaned them both up before settling next to him and locking their fingers together.
Bakari woke at dusk and dressed. He ate a quick meal of bread and beer and then prepared to leave for the tomb he'd cased the night before.
"I'm going with you," Mahes said, back in his robes and drinking his own jar of beer.
"Mahes-" Bakari frowned. "You know what I'm going to do."
"Rob a tomb. Yes, I know. Haven't you figured out that I'm not stupid? I said I'm going."
"You're the one that insisted you stop robbing tombs, and if you're not going to help me steal, then you need to stay home."
Mahes's jaw clenched. "Look, idiot, I'm offering to help you, okay?"
"I told you it was alright. Shedu can help keep our home concealed from guards and other thieves, and your healing magic will be useful if I ever get hurt fighting other tomb guardians. You're pulling your weight even without helping me rob tombs at night."
"I've been thinking a lot, as I study, as I train. I decided that my tragedy- my father's insanity, the wounds he inflicted, never seeing the sun as a child- happened because the pharaohs want tomb guardians watching over their tombs even hundreds of years after they die. And for what? So they can be rich in this world and the next? Why do they need gold in the Field of Reeds?"
Bakari blinked, surprised by Mahes's words.
"Maybe I won't go with you every time." Mahes toyed with the hem of his sleeve. "But I think I should go with you at least one more time. If for no other reason than to see how well I can handle Shedu in a real situation instead of alone while training."
"Let's go, then." Bakari grinned, happy for the extra help. "Just don't set off any traps this time."
"Last time was your fault." Mahes followed Bakari out of the cave and to the place where they stabled Minkah.
They rode to the tomb, arguing about who was to blame the entire time. Not that it really mattered anymore, but Mahes loved how riled he could make Bakari with a few simple words. When they drew close to the tomb, however, they both quieted and rode in silence
There were four armed guards at the entrance. It shocked Mahes to see how grand a tomb Bakari had chosen to rob on his own.
Without being told what to do, Mahes brought Shedu out, surrounding them with a golden glow. They left Minkah behind and walked past the guards as if they were pharaohs themselves, returning to their tomb to enjoy the treasures left within.
"I'm glad you were here," Bakari said after it was safe to talk. "Diabound can hide in the shadows, but Shedu's concealing powers are better for this, and you know I'd always rather sneak past guards than fight them."
"Is there a reason you chose this tomb? Surely there are easier ones?"
"I need the practice. Soon it'll be time for me to face the Pharaoh, but before I do I plan on breaking into his father's tomb."
"Why? For a specific treasure?"
"For the royal corpse itself. My family's been defiled. Their bodies are trapped within the gold of the Millennium Items." Bakari clenched his teeth, every muscle taut with emotion. "I have to show him what that feels like. To see a loved one desecrated."
"It's okay." Mahes rested a hand on Bakari's shoulder, hoping to calm him down so he didn't set off a trap while distracted. "I understand."
"It's still not enough. One corpse isn't enough…" Bakari exhaled and went down the corridor again. "But it's the best I can do, and it'll be enough once I get the Items back."
"Bakari...you know I'll help any way I can."
"Thanks, Mahes. You're the only one I trust enough to have my back."
Mahes ducked his head at the compliment. "I'm not worried. I know the strength of your ka, and I'm confident that you can win."
"That means a lot to me."
They stopped speaking. This time Mahes allowed Bakari to lead without mocking him. If they found themselves in a dark chamber, Mahes used Shedu's light. If they found a dead end, Bakari used Diabound to open up a secret passage. Mahes had to admit that they worked well together when they didn't argue. At the end of their journey was the treasure room, filled with more gold and riches than a hundred people could use in their lifetime.
Mahes still left the god statues and holy relics alone, but he no longer felt any shame in taking the gold.
They rode away from the tomb draped in treasure. Both laughed at the stars as the cool air pushed their hair away from their faces. Loaded with treasure as they were, Minkah wasn't going nearly fast enough for Mahes.
"I have an idea!" He shouted so that Bakari could hear him over the wind.
"What is it?"
"I'm sure Minkah doesn't want all this weight on his back. Let's race our ka home and give our poor horse a break."
Bakari grinned. Diabound appeared and scooped Bakari into his hands. Mahes was ready for him to cheat, and Shedu followed close behind. With themselves and their bags of loot with their ka, Minkah was able to dash across the sand at a quicker pace, but he still fell behind them as the two ka pushed forward.
The sky paled to gray, and by the time they reached the valley light peeked over the mountain tops. The morning was cool and the ground lit up in sheets of golden light and black shadow. Mahes and Shedu won and he called out in celebration. He felt like Ra riding a chariot of fire.
"Dammit!" Bakari swore, but his face lit up with a smile. "I better back track and make sure Minkah is still on the path."
"Need help?" Mahes asked, sliding off of Shedu's back and calling his ka back, exhausted from using him to break into the tomb and then race home.
"He shouldn't be too far behind. Get breakfast ready?"
"No problem." Mahes winked before walking up the trail and to their cave.
Once inside he bathed with oils as he used to before Bakari started taking him to the oasis. He kept his robes off, but left the golden bracelets and anklets around his wrists and ankles. Mahes wove chains of gold and lapis lazuli into his hair and wore a thin chain around his stomach- too thin to irritate any of the scars.
Next he built up the fire and tied back the vines covering the entrance to their cave, trying to bring in as much light as possible to shine off of the gold laying against Mahes's skin. By the time Bakari returned, Mahes was smirking and waiting for him, naked except for the gold glittering against his body.
"Oh…" Bakari stammered, mouth slack from a mixture of surprise and interest.
"Well, you said get breakfast ready." Mahes rested one hand on a marred and mangled hip. "I'm ready."