Chapter 18: Reassurance

Mahaad matched his stride to account for the Pharaoh's shorter legs. They walked down the deserted corridor in silence. The Pharaoh seemed to have a specific destination in mind. Given his king's pensive mood, Mahaad knew better than to attempt to engage him in conversation. The Pharaoh would speak when he was ready, and not before. The shorter teen held a regal bearing as he approached their Ancient Runes classroom. He opened the door and strode inside. Once Mahaad crossed the threshold he closed the door softly behind him.

Mahaad was still tense, his body shaky from the remaining adrenaline in his veins. His senses were sharper than normal the familiar scent of papyrus scrolls in the room rooted him. The Pharaoh took a seat at the front of the room in Ishizu's chair. Mahaad remained standing a respectful distance away.

"Please, Mahaad. Take a seat."

Mahaad sank into his usual seat among the front row. The door to the magician's right opened and Ishizu stepped into the room, still dressed in her cream colored robes, the Millennium Necklace displayed proudly around her neck. Her smile faded to a more subdued expression. "Greetings, my king. Mahaad," her soft melodic voice carrying throughout the room.

"Ishizu."

"Lady Ishtar."

"Can I get you anything?" She asked as she approached them.

"No, thank you for your concern Ishizu," the Pharaoh replied.

She inclined her head and began to withdraw to give them privacy.

"Wait," the Pharaoh called. "Give me a phial of Nefertiri's Balm." Both men waited in silence until her footsteps announced her return. She extended a small glass bottle toward the two men. To her surprise the Pharaoh plucked it from her hand. As she withdrew Yugi phased out of the Puzzle, similarly dressed in his black Hogwarts robes.

"Tell me, what is on your mind," the Pharaoh probed gently, as he broke the seal on the phial. Mahaad stared at his king's feet under the desk.

"I'm confused. Why doesn't Hermione understand?" Mahaad asked, his voice husky. The Pharaoh took a seat opposite Mahaad, the smell of lotus drew near.

"That is a very complex matter, I'm afraid." The Pharaoh reached out and raised Mahaad's head so Mahaad met his gaze. The Pharaoh then removed his finger and reached up to Mahaad's simple black headdress. Mahaad was aware of the pounding in his chest, as his king carefully removed the band and the cloth underneath it, setting them on the table between them.

Mahaad resisted the impulse to snatch the items from the table. He felt exposed with his hair uncovered. The room felt colder. The Pharaoh smiled softly as he swept a long curtain of Mahaad's hair to the side, the loose strands tickling Mahaad's neck, sending a chill down his spine. The Pharaoh tucked the hair behind his ear. The Pharaoh dipped his finger in the ointment.

"My king, you needn't do this…"

The Pharaoh's smile grew wider. The Pharaoh gently turned Mahaad's head so he could get a better look at the bruise. It was an angry shade of purple. The cool paste initially stung slightly against his cheek. His king rubbed the cool ointment into Mahaad's skin with his thumb, gently moving in slow circles. Mahaad closed his eyes, focusing his attention on the warm, soothing touch.

When the Pharaoh finished his ministrations, he wiped the remaining ointment against his other palm and rubbed his hands together.

Mahaad slowly reached out and grasped his king's hand with his own. He drew his hand toward him as the Pharaoh tilted his head to the side, watching him. Mahaad pressed his lips to his king's hand before relaxing his grip.

"Mahaad," Yugi broke the silence. "Would you join Yami and I in the Puzzle please?"

"As you wish."

A moment later Mahaad found himself standing in the Puzzle's soul corridor. "Come into my room," the Pharaoh invited. Yugi gestured for Mahaad to precede him. Mahaad entered the room and quickly knelt, while the Pharaoh sat cross legged on his bed, and Yugi took a seat on the floor beside Mahaad.

"Mahaad, I know this must be very hard for you." The Priest nodded, acknowledging the truth of his younger Master's words. Mahaad noticed his masters exchange a glance out of the corner of his eye.

"Mahaad, there are times when I have a hard time fulling grasping the nuances of the bond you share with Yami." Mahaad turned his head toward Yugi, giving his younger master his attention and gave him a concerned look.

"It should go without saying that I don't think of you any less because I don't fully understand the depth of your bond. The friendship you and I share is also very deep and strong, just in a different way. I have Yami's memories of his time in Egypt and I draw on those to help me understand you better." Yugi laid a reassuring hand on the taller man's shoulder.

"For example, when you said, 'Yami gives you the very air you breathe' Hermione would think that you are exaggerating. But I know this was a common phrase used to address the Pharaoh, usually by foreign…dignitaries and other nobles."

Mahaad gave Yugi a ghost of a smile.

"And Mahaad, I expect you to come to us when issues like this arise," the Pharaoh said.

"Yes, my king. Please pardon me. I didn't think I needed help with this."

The Pharaoh leaned forward. "I will speak with Hermione on your behalf."

Mahaad's head snapped up. "N-no, my king. That won't be necessary. Hermione will likely be angry with you for some time."

The Pharaoh smirked at him. "I can handle it. Obviously, it is your choice if you court her or not. But I want her to have a better understanding of our past. You shouldn't lose a friend because of this."

Mahaad gaped at him, nonplussed. After several seconds, he realized he was staring and blushed. "My king, you needn't do this…" Mahaad sputtered in alarm.

"I know. But I want to. Now, how about—"

"—we play a game?" Yugi and Yami finished together.

The Pharaoh crossed the room and grabbed his Mehen board from off a shelf of games. "Yugi hasn't played this one before. Will you help me teach him?" The sincerity in the ruler's tone, brought a smile to Mahaad's face.

"Of course, my Prince."

Yami raised an eyebrow, and Mahaad felt his cheeks warm, as his king began setting up the board.

Author's Notes:

Thanks for reading!

Review Responses:

Fireking492: Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it! I really like the complexity of Mahaad and Atem's relationship. I think it would be really hard for someone to come to the modern world and adjust to our modern worldview. Thank you for your long review. You feedback really motivates me to write more.

Banshee Queen Lydia: I am glad this confrontation was worth the wait. Yes, I think the road ahead will be difficult for both of them. I think these differences in their worldview fundamentally impact them. Thank you for your long review. Your response inspires me to keep writing. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter!

Jackie Mueller: That's a good question. I have a more detailed outline for where I think this story will go, and a rougher outline for where I think Year 7 will go, but that could change.