Chapter Eleven:

Seto watched as Atemu pushed open the right door that lead into his suite of rooms. His eyes were burning as they stared at him, emotion swirling within them. He backed into the room, silent and watchful, waiting for Seto to respond.

Seto glanced over his shoulder, down the hallway. There was no one present. He looked back at Atemu, who was still standing just inside the doorway. As he looked back at him, Atemu turned away, walking into the room out of sight, leaving the door open. Seto swallowed again and stepped forward, passing through the doorway and shutting it.

Atemu had walked across the lush sitting room and settled himself on the couch before the fire. Seto walked across the room to him. Every step seemed weighted, seemed to take more effort than it should, and he wondered at the depth of nervousness he was experiencing.

He sat down beside Atemu, looking into the fire rather than at him. Atemu was doing the same, sitting bolt upright on the cushion, hands on his thighs. Silence fell between them and Seto shifted uncomfortably, bunching the material of his trousers in his hands, eyes wandering around the room. It was grandiose and beautiful and cold.

At last he made himself look at Atemu. The new King was still looking into the fire, his face pensive, downcast. But as Seto gazed upon him, he turned his head. Seto froze, looking into the bright scarlet eyes. Atemu's face gave away nothing of what he was thinking, and Seto wasn't sure why he had called him into his room. Surely, he wasn't…

Atemu reached up and cupped the back of his head, pulling him down. Seto didn't resist, and their lips met. The kiss was very soft, almost demure. Seto didn't try to deepen it, only kissing Atemu with the lightest of touches, and when they finally drew apart, Atemu smiled, eyes heavy-lidded and expression tender. Seto stared into his face for a long moment, then leaned forward when Atemu did. They kissed again, still soft and gentle, not without passion. Seto reached up when they broke apart again and brushed Atemu's long blond bangs behind his ear, the tips of his fingers tracing across his skin. Atemu closed his eyes, enjoying, and Seto leaned in while he was vulnerable and kissed him again. Atemu sighed in pleasure.

Seto broke the kiss and brushed his lips across Atemu's cheek. Atemu opened his eyes and looked up at him. Seto reached up, cupping his face between his hands. Atemu stared up at him, then reached up and pulled his hands from his face. Holding both, he stood. Seto slowly stood with him. Atemu released his hands and turned away, walking towards his bedroom. Seto stood and watched him, heart stuttering in his chest. He could just walk out, end this, before it went bad, as he knew it would. How could it not?

When Seto passed through the doorway into the bedroom, Atemu was standing at the foot of his bed, waiting for him. Seto wondered if he was imagining the look of nervousness on the King's face.

Seto slowly closed the door to the bedroom, though the door to the suite's sitting room was shut. He walked across the room, reaching up to cup his face in his hands again. He bent his head, taking his mouth in a kiss. Atemu immediately kissed him back, hands coming up to rest on Seto's arms. He parted his lips and Seto responded the unspoken request to slip his tongue inside. Atemu moaned, and a shiver ran up Seto's spine. He let go of his face and wrapped his arms around him, pulling him flush against him. He felt so good in his arms, pressed close to him.

Seto pulled away and moved his mouth down to his neck, kissing his way down. Atemu arched, letting his head fall back. His arms were crossed now over Seto's, hands gripping his shoulders backward, hugging him close. Seto lifted his head briefly to view his face, seeing his head tipped back, eyes closed. He looked so beautiful, and so absorbed in the moment. Seto smiled, rubbing his hand lightly along his back over his clothes. Atemu opened his eyes, then drew himself from his embrace. He moved and sat down on the edge of his bed. Seto sat beside him, and they came together in another kiss, laying down on their sides on the bed, making out, unhurried.

Atemu finally drew away and crawled further up onto the bed. He lay propped up on his elbows, looking down the length of his body at Seto. His red cape was apparently digging into his throat, but he was ignoring it. Seto was propped on his own elbow for a moment, looking him over. Atemu smiled and tilted his head slightly. That was all the invitation Seto needed. He moved, rolling over onto all fours, and crawled slowly up Atemu's body. Atemu remained on his elbows, meeting his kiss. Seto lay against him, keeping the bulk of his weight on his forearm, his other hand sinking into Atemu's thick hair, their legs tangled together.

At last, Atemu began to lay down. Seto went with him, still kissing him, then raised himself on his forearm again, hand going to the clasp holding the cape around Atemu's throat. He unsnapped it one-handed, relieving his throat of the pressure. The cape spread out on the bed below him. Seto flicked his eyes to his, then began undoing the buttons to his red jacket, undoing the gold belt. He pushed the jacket open where it joined the cape beneath him. Seto then scooted down a little. He put his hand against Atemu's side at the waistband of his pants, glancing up at him again. Atemu was merely watching him, waiting, neither encouraging nor discouraging.

Seto pushed his shirt up, untucking it from his pants, baring his stomach. He bent his head, pressing feathery kisses along the bared abdominals. He gradually pushed the tunic upward, following it with his lips. Atemu trembled under him.

The shirt was finally pushed up as far as it would go. Atemu sat up a little, reaching down to grasp the hem himself, raising it up and taking it off. He dropped it over the side of the bed, leaving his torso bare to Seto's eyes as he resumed his propped-on-elbows posture. He watched as Seto leaned forward, pressing a brief kiss to his lips before working his way down his neck. He kissed a path down his chest and stomach to the waistband of his trousers, where he paused again. He looked up, and Atemu was merely watching again.

He was leaving everything up to Seto.

Seto worked the fastenings to his trousers, suppressing a moan when he saw the tent in his undergarments. He got up on his haunches and Atemu pushed his hips upward, allowing Seto to take his pants down as far as possible. Seto got his boots off, and his socks, and then the trousers, leaving Atemu wearing only in his thin white underpants. The bulge of his erection was clear.

Seto sat up, hands going to his own clothing. Atemu lay back against the sheets, watching with heavily-lidded eyes, as Seto worked all the buttons loose and removed his jacket, vest, and shirt. He pulled off his undershirt, leaving his own chest bare. Not caring to draw this out anymore, he rolled off of Atemu's legs and got his trousers and boots off, shoving the whole lot of the clothing unceremoniously off the bed, leaving himself in his own underpants, equal to Atemu.

He turned back to the King, rolling back atop him. Atemu returned his kiss, linking his arms around Seto's neck. He shivered as Seto ran his fingers along his torso, teeth lightly biting Seto's bottom lip. Seto licked his, then moved down to his neck. He drew his fingers along Atemu's ribs, scooted down to kiss his stomach, then finally glanced up.

"Perhaps in the bathroom," Atemu said.

Seto nodded and slipped from the bed. He crossed the room and entered the bathroom. He pulled the chain to turn on the light, and glanced around. There was a small collection of bottles on the dresser by the wash basin. Seto walked over and examined them, finding one of lotion that would suffice. He picked it up and returned to the bedroom. Atemu was still waiting for him in bed… and he had removed his underpants.

Seto paused in mid-step at that view. Atemu noticed and smirked mischievously. He was lounging on the bed with his head on the pillow, one arm resting on his stomach and the other against the mattress, waiting on him. His erection stood proud against his stomach, hard and clearly aching for attention. Seto's own throbbed in sympathy.

Completing his journey back to the bed, Seto paused at the edge, setting the bottle on the nightstand beside it. He gripped the waistband of his pants and took them down, stepping out of them and straightening up. Atemu's eyes traveled southward and Seto smiled at the darkening of them and the slight intake of breath.

Though his own nervousness remained, Atemu's reaction gave Seto more of his confidence back. He crawled up into bed, bending down to kiss Atemu before grabbing the bottle of lotion again. He unscrewed the lid and poured some of the slick substance onto his hand. He glanced at Atemu, who looked back at him intently for a moment, his face contemplative. Then he nodded and shifted position, spreading his legs. Seto moved between them, running his other hand along one. Atemu smiled and closed his eyes. Seto reached down and eased one finger inside. Atemu arched a little, but made no sound.

He made little reaction to all three fingers, but when Seto finally decided he'd prepared him as fully as he could, had slicked his erection and moved into place, Atemu's face scrunched up when he began to slide inside him. Regretting it, Seto curled over him, forearms on either side of Atemu's head as he braced himself, and he bent to kiss his cheek, whispering an apology. He slid in all the way and stopped, feeling Atemu trembling under him, feeling his inner muscles flexing against him as he struggled to relax, heard his quiet breathing as he tried to fight down whatever pain he was experiencing. Seto held perfectly still, lightly kissing his temple and murmuring another apology.

"It's fine," Atemu breathed, not opening his eyes.

Seto kissed him gently. Atemu kissed him back, wrapping his arms around his neck again. His fingers dug into Seto's hair, and his legs hooked around his waist. Seto took the unspoken hint and began to thrust, moaning at the tightness. Atemu made a similar noise, his arms tightening around his neck. Seto broke the kiss, repositioning himself for better movement. Atemu cried out, arching against him. Seto groaned in response, kissing Atemu's cheek, jaw, the corner of his mouth. Atemu panted heavily, eyes still closed, but when he opened them a moment later, they were blazing. Seto stared into his eyes, watching the pleasure raising in them, feeling him squirming against him. The involuntary tightening of his muscles nearly threw Seto over the edge, but he held on, determined to make Atemu come first.

He reached down, grasping Atemu's erection. The half-strangled yell he received made him smile and he stroked quickly, rubbing the sensitive tip with his thumb. Atemu's voice went up a bit, his back arched, head thrown back, his hands pressing into Seto's shoulders. Seto nibbled at his ear, groaning as he felt Atemu's inner muscles tightening still further, his squirming grinding against him, his cock throbbing in his hand. His moan seemed to be too much for Atemu. The King came with a cry. Seto gasped, then came himself, spilling his seed within him.

Seto withdrew and rolled off, collapsing on his back beside him. Atemu's arm was beneath his neck, but neither of them moved; they just lay there, catching their breaths. Seto calmed down slowly, his body tingling with afterglow. Sated, he looked up at the ceiling, thoughts swirling. Now that they were finished, what would Atemu think?

Seto turned his head to look at him. Atemu had his eyes closed, his face relaxed, his breathing deep and even, but Seto didn't think he was asleep. Indeed, as if he felt the weight of a gaze upon him, Atemu opened his eyes, then turned his face to Seto. They stared at each other a moment, then Atemu smiled crookedly and leaned forward to peck Seto's lips. Then he took back his arm, turned over on his side, and pulled the covers up to his shoulders. Seto lay on his back beside him, watching his skin flicker in the firelight.

They'd made love. He'd been contemplating just never seeing Atemu again, and instead they'd gone farther than ever. Farther than they probably should have. What was going to happen now?

Seto studied Atemu's back again, then turned his head the other way and finally closed his eyes. He drifted off, wondering what the morrow would bring for the both them.

...

Seto was awakened by the sound of piano music. He blinked blurrily, looking around. He was still in Atemu's bed at the palace, but Atemu was not. Sure he knew where the music was coming from, Seto sat up. He climbed out of bed and grabbed his trousers from the floor. He put them on, then padded barefoot and bare-chested in search of the sound. Out in the sitting area, he looked around by the aid of the fireplace's dying light, and saw the piano in the corner.

Atemu sat on the bench, almost shrouded in darkness, playing the soft melody. He also wore only his pants, the air cool in the room, but tolerable.

Atemu didn't react to Seto's presence. He might not even realize Seto was there. He continued to play, the music a different piece from the one Seto had heard before. It was slow, gnetle, meditative. It lacked the undertone of cold fury.

Seto stood and listened a moment, then walked out into the room and to the piano. He turned and sat on the bench beside Atemu, facing backward to the piano. Atemu didn't pause. Seto sat beside him in silence, hands on the bench, head down-turned, studying the carpet below him while he listened. The piece went on, filled with thought and sadness, slow and sweet. But abruptly, with a jingle of the keys, the melody seemed to register surprise, a pause, and then contentment. The song seemed suddenly, if not happy, then more cheerful than before. It ended with a final, low-key satisfaction, the note hanging in the air before fading away.

Silence fell in the room. Atemu's hands slid from the keys to his lap. He didn't look at Seto, eyes on the piano. Seto didn't look at him either, still looking at the floor between his feet.

"Do you like it?" Atemu asked softly.

"Yes." And then, because that didn't seem adequate, "It was beautiful."

Atemu turned his head to look at him. Seto followed suit. Atemu's night-dark eyes met his, and Seto saw no regret in them. Atemu studied his face, then smiled faintly. Seto leaned sideways and kissed him. Atemu kissed him back willingly, lips soft against his.

They parted.

"I didn't mean to wake you," Atemu murmured.

"It's no problem."

Atemu placed his hands back on the keys. Seto closed his eyes, listening to the second melody. This was undoubtedly a lullaby, so soft and pleasant and soothing that Seto felt transported from the room, floating on the sound as if on fluffy clouds, or rocked in a boat on gently swelling waves. The lullaby drifted across the scale, Atemu's hands playing skillfully, lightly over the keys. Seto lost track of everything but the music, and when it finally ended with another trailing note, he opened his eyes.

Atemu was sitting and watching him. He was smiling a little, clearly pleased Seto had enjoyed the song. He stood, sliding out from behind the bench, then briefly rested his hand on Seto's shoulder before heading back inside. Recognizing it for the invitation it was, Seto stood and followed him back to bed. He crawled beneath the covers and this time Atemu lay facing him. They drifted off together, content and comfortable.

...

When Seto woke again, it was to wan winter daylight and the delicious scents of breakfast. The King was gone again and the smells of food were coming from the sitting room.

Seto got out of bed and washed up in the bathroom before dressing and joining Atemu in the living room. Wearing a dressing gown, Atemu sat at a dinette. On the table before him lay a spread of breakfast foods: eggs, bangers and mash, kippers, kedgeree, toast and marmalade, and coffee.

"Join me," he said.

Unsure whether it was a request or an order, Seto sat across from him. There were two cups and two plates and two sets of silverware. Seto wondered if the kitchen staff wondered about that.

Seto served himself from the dishes and began to eat. He wasn't sure what to say, which seemed to be a common occurrence with Atemu. Atemu didn't seem concerned. He ate in silence himself, focused on his food. But at last he raised his gaze to Seto.

"I had one of the guards tell your driver that you-and some other guests-were staying over for the occasion and sent him on to the inn."

Seto had forgotten entirely about his driver. He might also have not thought to include that other guests were staying to take focus of seeming favor of himself. He wasn't sure when Atemu had done this, but it was good that he had.

"I'm sorry to hurry you along, Seto," Atemu said eventually, "but I must get ready. There are parliamentary meetings to attend."

Seto nodded in understanding. He needed to go as well. Mokuba would be worried about him. Seto had not been intending to stay the night at the palace.

Atemu's eyes flicked up to his, as if he had heard his thoughts. They held gazes for a moment, then Seto leaned down and kissed him. Atemu smiled when he straightened again. "Safe journey home."

Seto smiled back briefly and left the King's chamber. There was no one in the common hall or on the stairs. Down on the ground floor, a few people smiled and bowed respectfully, but no one really paid attention to him. He didn't see Yuugi or Katsuya.

At home, he told Mokuba the same story that Atemu had told the driver. Mokuba believed it, as he knew he would. Atemu's story seemed plausible, and had been quick, clever, and devious. When he'd told Seto, he'd smiled mischievously, the same smirk he'd had as Prince. And it had been clear to Seto, in that instant, that the rascal with the flashing red eyes was not completely gone in this new day.

tbc…

A/N: Updating again. I hope you can forgive me!