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

Thoughts

"Speech"

Chapter 13

Atem glanced at Mana as the trio made their way back to the palace. His father hadn't said a word since his little speech. Mana exchanged worried looks with him and shook her head. No, now was not the best time to ask what this was about. Usually if the king had a reason he speaks it, and not in riddles like that. But whatever the reason, it worried Atem.

The city came into view and Atem breathed. He slowed his horse and stopped. Mana stopped as well and looked at him. Atem shook his head and motioned for her to continue. Mana obeyed, but a little reluctantly. Atem didn't care. Right now he needed to think alone.

He had feelings for Yugi, and he knew Yugi felt something for him, but what he was going to do about that he had no idea. He kissed him and ran, and then Yugi was told he was now Atem's slave. Then they confessed their love for each other. Atem groaned. A lot has happened in the past few years to the fifteen-year-olds, and now all of it was jumbling and swirling around in his head. Atem sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He decided he'll confront Yugi when he gets back. So with the possibility of an awkward conversation happening in the very near future, Atem urged his horse forward and made his descent into town.

Yugi slumped down into his favourite chair in the entire library. He was bored and Atem and Mana were no where in sight. Master Shimon agreed to teach Yugi again, seems the old man missed his bright disciple. Yugi looked out the window and sighed. He finished his lessons an hour ago and now he didn't know what to do. He closed and relaxed into the chair. Atem where are you?

"Ahem." Yugi opened his eyes and saw Mistress Akila, hand-in-hand with her daughter Eshe. Akila smiled. "Excuse me. You're Yugi right? Tsarina's child?" Yugi slowly nodded. Akila smiled in relief. She held out a clump of clay. "Do you mind? Eshe wanted a doll but you and your mother were the only people I knew ever capable of making them look like people."

Yugi smiled and took the clay. He went out to the courtyard and sat down. Akila and Eshe followed. "So Eshe," Yugi decided to make conversation while he worked. "How old are you?" Eshe giggled and hid her face behind her mother and peeked around her. Then she held up three fingers. Yugi smiled. "Wow, you're a big girl aren't you," he said sweetly. Akila smiled own at her daughter. Yugi looked at them and briefly remembered his relationship with his own mother. He looked down at the clay form in his hands. Then he got a brilliant idea.

Forty-five minutes later, Yugi handed over two female dolls to little Eshe, with a word gratitude from Akila. Eshe giggled and immediately ran off to play with them. Akila rolled her eyes at her daughter and smiled. She frowned though as she turned to Yugi.

"Those two figures looked familiar. Who are they meant to represent," she asked. Yugi smiled tenderly up at her.

"Well, they were two best friends, and if Eshe is anything like my friends and I when we were younger, than I have no doubt she'll keep them together, perhaps even as best friends," he whispered.

Akila nodded. "But that doesn't answer my question," she responded. Yugi looked back at where Eshe disappeared and began walking away.

"The Queen and my mother," he replied, so quietly Akila almost didn't hear him, and Yugi, too, disappeared. Akila watched the spot where he went to and sighed. Then she smiled and scurried after her daughter. At least people remembered.

Atem looked up when someone entered his room. He smiled when he saw it was Yugi. "Yugi, where were you," he asked light-heartedly. Yugi smiled.

"I went to see Master Shimon and my classes are being continued," Yugi answered. "Then Mistress Akila asked me to make some dolls for Eshe. How was your day?"

Atem rolled his eyes and sighed. He slumped down onto his bed. "My father took Mana and I on a little trip. It was weird. But I don't want to talk about that now. Umm… Yugi? I, uh, want to know something." Atem didn't know exactly how to begin. But it made him feel better when Yugi sat on the bed next to him and took his hand in his and kissed it.

"What do you wish to know, milord," Yugi asked. Atem looked at him and breathed. It was no wonder he fell for this boy. Any who laid eyes on him probably wanted him, but to know him was a pleasure only few knew, and Atem knew it.

"Do you- Do you love me?" There he said it, now he had to wait for Yugi's response. He felt a light squeeze to his hand he looked up and into amethyst. His breath hitched as he recognized what lay in those depths. Love.

"Of course I do. Do you doubt that," Yugi asked with a little laugh. Atem was about to protest that he didn't, but he then realized Yugi knew and that the question was rhetorical.

"Good," Atem stated. "I love you too. Don't ever doubt that okay?" Atem stared into Yugi's eyes and Yugi's hand came up to Atem's face and cupped it. He lightly kissed the prince's lips and looked at him.

"I won't," he whispered. Atem smiled.

"Thank you," he breathed before kissing Yugi. Their eyes closed and Yugi's arms wrapped around Atem's neck, pulling himself onto the Egyptian's lap. Atem slid his hand from Yugi's waist to his back and pulled him closer, then tangled his fingers in his lover's hair. They breathed between the small breaks between kisses. After a few minutes Atem ran his tongue along Yugi's bottom lip and Yugi complied. He opened his mouth and Atem slid his tongue in, taking in the taste of Yugi's mouth, and memorizing every bump and curve. He playfully battled with Yugi's own tongue and allowed his double to give him the same treatment.

They parted for breath after and attacked each other's mouths again. It was nearly time for dinner when they stopped, Yugi having to end it because Atem didn't want to. It was good that they stopped, because it was at that moment Isis peeked in. Not that they were fooling anyone. Well, maybe Mana, but she was catching on…

Isis smiled at them. "The king is asking for us to join him for dinner. And that includes you as well Yugi," she said before he could say anything. She smiled again and they joined her, talking until they reached the royal dining room, saved for important and special occasions.

Aknamkanon glanced up when the trio walked in. He smiled and the rest of those present looked up. Atem and Yugi exchanged glances. What was going on? Mana, Kisara, Seto, Mahad were sitting at the end of the table along with Dalila. Isis took a seat beside Mahad and he gave her quick peck on the cheek. Atem looked at Yugi once again and took a seat on the right of his father. Yugi followed him, and took note of who was there. Many nobles from around the palace, Mistresses Akila and Eshe (Akila's husband died a few months after Eshe was born due to an illness), Master Bomani, the representatives from four of the surrounding kingdoms and of adjacent Noble households, the king's personal guard, Master Shimon and others of the Holy Court.

Yugi sat down in the empty chair between Atem and Mana. He glanced at Mana who shook her head. No, she didn't know what was going on either. Pharaoh Aknamkanon stood up after Yugi seated himself.

"Welcome all of you. Many of you are probably wondering why you're here," he looked at the trio beside him, "and some of you already know," his gaze turned to Isis, "but we are here to celebrate my son's sixteenth birthday, among other things that can wait."

Atem's eyes grew wide and he looked Yugi and Mana, who looked just as shocked. The trio looked across the table to their friends. Yep, they didn't realize Atem's birthday snuck up on them so fast. Yugi took Atem's hand and squeezed and mouthed "Happy Birthday". Atem smiled. The applause that sounded barely reached the prince's ears. How could he forget that his birthday was today? Why didn't father say anything today? Then again, how did everyone else forget?

"Atem?" Atem started at the voice. Yugi was looking at him worriedly. Atem smiled.

"I'm fine Yugi, just a little flabbergasted," he replied under his breath. Yugi smiled and nodded. He squeezed Atem's hand again and let go. Atem almost protested but he wasn't sure how well that would go over with his father. The idea of his son, the heir to the throne, in a relationship with a servant, and one who was of the same sex.

The dinner was lively and cheerful, and went quickly, but when Atem was to go to bed, the Pharaoh summoned him to the throne room. Atem obeyed, but he dragged Yugi with him. Yugi mouthed "Help Me" to the rest of the group as Atem towed him along.

"Atem, do you remember these men," Aknamkanon asked of his son. Atem looked at the representatives and nodded, indicating that yes, he did recognize them. "Good. They are here because of the fact you turned sixteen." Atem looked at his father curiously and glanced at Yugi to see if he understood what Aknamkanon meant. Judging by his facial expression, Yugi knew what he meant quite well. But Atem didn't.

"What do you mean Father," Atem asked. The Pharaoh smiled.

"They are here to discuss future brides." Atem gasped and Yugi kept in the sound of shock that accompanied the pain of his heart.

"Future brides, Father?" Atem didn't know why they had to talk about this now. Next time he'll let Yugi go. He regretted bringing him here. Atem glanced at him and winced. Yugi closed off again which meant he was in turmoil and pain on the inside but didn't want help from anyone.

"Yes, might as well go through it now, don't you think," Aknamkanon asked while keeping an eye on how many times his son looked at his servant. There was something going on, and now he was more certain of it as he watched Yugi's expression change to nothing. The subject bothered the boy, his son as well, but it needed to be done. He wasn't going to live forever.

Atem looked his father straight in the eyes and spoke seriously. "Father, can we do this tomorrow or some other time please?" Atem then turned to the delegates. "I'll tell you now, do not pick your choices based on appearance alone. Character, how they treat their people, what they would do to protect even the lowliest peasant. These are qualities I would prefer in a wife. Now I bid you goodnight." Once Atem finished what he was saying, he left without looking back.

"Well," one man said. "That went well." Aknamkanon sighed and ran a hand over his face. What was wrong with that boy?

"He missed a few qualities." Aknamkanon searched the room for the speaker and he found Yugi standing where Atem left him, still as loud and emotional as a stone pillar.

"Yugi, what are you still doing here," Pharaoh asked him. Yugi looked up.

"To be honest Highness, I have no idea why I was brought here in the first place." Yugi turned his gaze back down to the floor. "But when you search for a wife who will become queen of this land, there are more qualities that will narrow down the candidates. If I may," Yugi asked of Aknamkanon. The Pharaoh nodded. Yugi took a breath.

"Besides wanting a person who loves the people, Atem prefers someone who knows the people, someone who will sacrifice themselves for them without a second thought. They need to be kind, charitable, acting, loving, strong, faithful, and helpful. What shouldn't be there is greed, too firm rich tastes in case of bad times, not a complainer. If Atem's wife has a problem she should talk to him about it, not bottle it up until it nearly kills her, nor should she whine to him about it. She can't be disgusted or refuse immediately without cause when a beggar comes up to her asking for a few coins to pay for food. She-" Yugi looked up at his king who held up his hand to stop him.

Aknamkanon looked at Yugi sternly. "Is this where his allowance goes to so quickly?" Yugi nodded. Aknamkanon shrugged. "Hm. Continue."

Yugi suppressed a smile. "Atem can't have a wife who can't run or ride a horse, or continue on during hard times, like in the event of his death. Someone is still needed to run the kingdom should that happen. He needs someone who can think on their own but still able to follow orders. And lastly and most importantly, Atem needs someone to talk to and to love him and treat like a human being instead of a king, because Atem is, after all, a human who is as fragile as anyone."

"Anyone but you," Aknamkanon muttered. Yugi glanced at him and frowned slightly. If he wasn't watching, Aknamkanon may have missed it. Wow. Tsarina wasn't kidding when she said her kid has good ears. The king stopped thinking of Yugi's mother. When he thought of Tsarina, he ended up thinking of Anippe.

Aknamkanon cleared his throat and everyone looked at him. "I think that's enough for today, don't you agree," he asked the delegates. They all nodded and bowed before retreating. The only people left were him, Yugi and the guards.

"Yugi, walk with me," Aknamkanon said. Yugi bowed and followed.

"You heard me didn't you," he asked when they were in the hallway. Yugi nodded. "Do understand why I said what I did?" Another nod. "Do you also realize that has to change?" A small, slow nod followed. "Really?" Nod. "Good. Now, tell me, if you please, what is going on between you and my son?"

Yugi froze as he was asked this question. Aknamkanon glanced back at him and asked, "Well?"

Yugi bit his lip and decided nothing could make his day worse. "I don't know exactly. The day he officially had me as his slave he told me he loved me. I don't know what to think anymore, but I do know the thought of Atem being someone else hurts me beyond anything, and yet it hurts more when I realize that it must come to pass."

Yugi looked at Atem's father. Many considered him to be scary when looking up at him, but Yugi only saw him as really tall.

"And I do know that I'll love Atem for the rest of my life, and if I have to help him marry someone else, then I will. I've always put their happiness before mine, you know this to be true according to the conversation you and my mother had the day of Grandmother's funeral, and you know I'll do whatever I can to make sure they stay happy."

Yugi took a deep breath and felt a hand rest on his shoulder. He looked at the hand and then at his king.

"It's alright Yugi," Aknamkanon whispered. "I just wanted to know." Yugi nodded but continued.

"But since you know this you also know that for me to be as fragile as normal people is not an option I often have. Yes it has caused me problems before, but I can't talk to anyone about my problems as much as I want to because it could hurt them and I don't them to hurt, nor leave me for it which would result in me getting hurt. I apologize if I spoke too bluntly or harshly or out of line at all, Sire," Yugi said with a bow and turned around.

"You're safe with your words as well, young one. You are amazing for what you've become at such a young age," Aknamkanon whispered at the boy's retreating back. The fact that Yugi faltered in his steps was the only clue Aknamkanon had to tell him Yugi heard every word.