The Akefia family had always been one of the most important, hence powerful, noble families of Tenjoukai. The Akefia lands neighbored the capital and were twice as big, yet a few families lived there (compared to the rest of the kingdom) since it was farming land. The best quality crops and livestock came from there.

Bakura remembers growing up in the heart of that land. Their manor was mostly surrounded by forest, but the farms were still quite close. Bakura and Ryo were used to running around the farms, coexist with the animals and plants, and hiding from their parents.

Their relationship with their parents was… rocky, especially for Bakura who, unlike his brother, was not passive at all.

When Bakura was 14 he ran away.

He was tired of living with who he described to be 'toxic and corrupted greedy pigs', so he sneaked in a wagon of corps that was going to be taken to the capital for selling. He remembers feeling free while exploring the castle town alone for the first time, he remembers not being afraid when a group of thugs threatened him to get his money and he remembers the Khemetian boy that stepped in to defend him once he had been picked up by his collar; that's how he met Marik. Marik took him to his family hotel where they became friends, he dared say those were some of the happiest days of his life. But that made his parents angry, they wouldn't let him go that easily. Before he knew what was happening, his father's soldiers were breaking into the hotel and dragging him out back home; they even got money out of that, promising the Ishtar's that they wouldn't accuse them of kidnapping their son if they paid them a good amount of money. He remembers seeing Ryo cry like never before once he was home, and he remembers the fading bruises he had.

He never tried to run away after that (but he kept in contact with Marik).

It had taken half a month for them to finally arrive to the Khemetian palace in Karnak. Atem's home.

Yugi had been sweating like never before. Atem had warned him that Khemer was hotter than Tenjoukai, but he hadn't expected for it to be that much hotter. He had already been victim of at least two heat strokes.

It had been a month since their arrival to the Palace and Yugi dared say that he just might finally be getting used to the Khemetian weather. It did help that he was now also wearing Khemetian clothes, which were a lot more fresher than Tenjoukains. Although he also had needed to get use to them, since Khemetian clothing was much more… revealing, he would say.

He had also met former Pharaoh Aknamkanon. The old man had been unable to get out of bed, he was almost blind and deaf, and his body couldn't stop shaking; but he had still welcomed Yugi warmly.

Atem was busy most day almost everyday, but Yugi was never alone, Sai and Magi were with him, and so where Karim, Shada, Mahad, his apprentice Mana, Mahad's wife Isis, Atem's cousin Seto, Seto's brother Mokuba and Atem's father. They introduced and educated Yugi, Magi and Sai to Khemetian life, and they were more than grateful.

He was currently outside with Atem in one of the Palace gardens, a servant blowing them with a fan. Atem had taken the time to spend quality time with Yugi daily.

"And I win" said Yugi, smiling cockily.

"You learn too fast" half complained Atem "You only learnt to play senet this week, it's not fair" he pouted.

Yugi snickered "I've had everyone teach me while you worked"

"I see" Atem stood up and stretched "How about a sparring session?" He smiled, he stretched a hand out to Yugi.

"Not right now thank you, I don't feel like feeding your ego" he joked.

"Oh come on," whined Atem "I don't have much ego left after being beated repeatedly" he laughed.

"Oh well. Just this time," Yugi stood up and took Atem's hand.

Atem didn't let go of his hand until they were at the sparring arena.

"Fuck them!" cursed Bakura.

He flipped the table, throwing to the floor everything on it. He sobbed.

"FUCK THEM" he repeated, storming out of his room.

Once he felt that he couldn't contain his tears anymore he sprinted through his manor out to the forest nearby.

"FUCK THEM" he kicked a tree and cursed again and again.

"Bakura?" called Ryo softly "Are you okay?"

"No," he croaked "I'm not. I'm angry, I'm frustrated," he vented "I want to punch someone, preferably father." he rested on the trunk "Fuck them," he hissed "You shouldn't have to marry Marik. It should be me."

Ryo didn't reply. He drew circles on his brother's back as he cried.

"You know?" muttered Ryo "I wouldn't be angry, if you decided to elope"

"You idiot. I can't leave you here with them; and you're too chicken hearted to leave too" he huffed "The invitations have already been sent anyway"

"Well, they might not be the best, but they are our parents"

"Greedy pigs, that's what they are" grumbled Bakura. Ryo didn't say anything to that and let Bakura grumble to himself. He straightened once he stopped, his face lightened as if he had an idea "I'm writing a letter to Marik" he announced as he dragged Ryo back into the manor.

"I'll take Magi and Sai with me," said Yugi "You can come if you want. I understand if you can't"

"How long will you be gone?" asked Atem, snuggling Yugi on the sofa.

"A month?" mused Yugi "It takes half a month to get there, I'll stay for a couple of days, and it will take another two weeks on the journey back. I will be back in time for our wedding." Atem hummed in response "Two months," he reflected "Two months for our official Khemetian wedding."

"We're officially married in Tenjoukai," muttered Atem into Yugi's hair with a smile "And in two months we'll be officially married here"

Yugi chuckled "We will" he got comfortable in Atem's arms "Is it weird that I'm… looking forward to it?"

"No. I'm excited too." he planted a kiss on Yugi's head "I'll eagerly wait for you"

The twins grimaced at the reflection. In their opinion, the outfit made him look like a ghost. It was a classic white, bride kimono with an uchikake, but instead of a hat, it had a veil that completely covered his features. Too much white didn't look amazing in albinos.

Both turned when they heard a knock on the door.

"My Lord Ryo, it's time," a maid said.

The mentioned sighed and left the room, ignoring his brother leaving through a window. He inhaled deeply once he was at the doors, Marik waiting for him.

Marik smiled at him timidly "You ready?"

He didn't reply, only gave a gentle squeezy to his tanned hand.

The doors opened, and he didn't mutter a word as both walked down the aisle. He felt like he lacked air.

Marik cradled his face. He lifted the veil, uncovering his lips to kiss him and covering with his hand the long scar on his cheek. Don't let them know, don't let them know. Just let me enjoy this moment. His heart was about to explode, its thundering beats deafening him as his beloved sweetly caressed his cheek with his thumb. Not only because he was marrying Marik, but because he was doing it against his parent's wishes, disguised as Ryo, while he ran somewhere else. They would find out eventually, but it better be once they couldn't do anything about it. Don't think about it, he told himself. But he couldn't not think about it; even as he tried to turn off all his senses other than the feeling of Marik's lips on his own - he cursed. He cursed his parents. He cursed his gods. He cursed life itself. This should have been his moment. He should have been enjoying it, not worrying over being found out while they could undo everything.

He couldn't be happy at that moment, but he wanted to. Oh how much he wanted to. His hands shook at how tightly he clenched them, and his eyes crinkled as he forced back frustrated tears. All he wanted to do was cry, but that would be a weakness he could not bear at the moment. To cry now would be-

His thoughts screeched to a halt when he saw his beloved smile.

For once in his life, everything was quiet. Marik's eyes reflected the dim lights at the altar, but more importantly, it reflected the peaceful future he had always wanted. A life without strife nor pain, a life filled with warmth and love.

A sob escaped him without his knowing. Before he realized it, Marik was already wiping away his tears, smiling as he did his best to be careful to not reveal his scar. It was too much. All of this was too much. However, if doing this was the only way to be with him, then he would do this a thousand times more.

His heart finally calmed down a bit once the ceremony was over.

Marik and him were alone in another room. He was breathing heavily, not letting go of Marik's hand.

"It's over," said Marik, smiling but just as agitated as him.

What happened finally dawned on him as Marik took off his veil. And he laughed, both men cracked up and hugged.

"We're married," gasped Bakura. He grabbed Marik's face and kissed him, both still laughing. "I was so fucking scared." He kissed Marik's face over and over again.

Both froze when they heard the door creak open.

They let go of each other and slowly walked to the door as if it were a cornered wild animal. With his hand on the knob, Marik shared a preoccupied look with his now husband. He pulled the door almost aggressively and both almost relaxed when they saw who was there.

Yugi gaped at them once he noticed that it was not Ryo.

"Holy-!" Bakura covered the Prince's mouth as fast as possible, while Marik dragged him into the room and closed the door. Yugi took Bakura's hand off of his mouth "Explanation. Now." he demanded.

"It was Ryo's idea," replied Bakura instantly, his hands raised as if surrendering. Yugi raised a brow, not really believing him. "Partly his idea," amended Bakura then. "I'm sure you know we really didn't want to do this," Yugi nodded. "Of course we couldn't just accept my parent's stupid ass decision. So we decided to change places, it was all thanks to the veil in all honesty, so it was I who married Marik"

Yugi nodded in understanding. "So where's Ryo?"

"Eloping with Otogi," responded Marik.

Yugi gaped.

"Our parents are going to disown us once they find out, but is not like we care about that," shrugged Bakura.

"I always knew that you're insane," confessed Yugi.

Bakura frowned.

"A little, yes," Marik nodded in agreement, and Bakura gave his husband a glare of betrayal.

"So what now?" asked Yugi.

"Now we run away," said Marik gleefully, his hand on Bakura's. "Rishid is waiting for us." He dragged Bakura to the window, and opened it before they stepped outside.

"If anyone asks, you couldn't find us," said Bakura.

"That will just cause panic," complained Yugi. "And when everyone discovers what happened, they will all assume I was in on it!"

"You already have enough bad reputation," mussed Bakura.

Yugi nodded.

"We could make it more dramatic," said Marik from the window.

Bakura smiled wickedly, and Yugi seemed (absolutely was) worried.

Yugi groaned into his hands while Katsuya and Mai laughed their asses off.

Of course those two idiots would do something like that. OF COURSE they would take the risk of showing off.

The place was mayhem. People were shocked, Bakura's mother had fainted, and his father was screaming profanities. Just a few were laughing; some nervously and some unashamedly (like Katsuya and Mai).

Yugi didn't want to count himself as either.

He would like to reiterate that he had nothing to do with it and that he had not known - which was partially a lie. He had known they were going to do something stupid (because they're Marik and Bakura), he just didn't know what.

It had been when they were bidding farewell to the newlyweds.

Everyone congratulated them as they walked to their awaiting carriage (with Rishid as their driver - something that should have raised a few red flags). Neither said a word, just walked together with linked arms.

Marik opened the carriage door for Bakura. One step in, and Bakura stopped looked back to everyone, raised a hand…

And took off his veil.

All hell was set loose that instant.

Bakura immediately dragged Marik into the carriage as it started moving, Rishid making the horses run as fast as possible.

Everyone could hear their manic laughter as they rode off.

Bakura's mother was on the floor, a couple of maids tending to her. His father was pacing, cursing, and ordering people to go after them. But really, what could he do?

Others were looking for Ryo like crazy, but he was nowhere to be seen. And of course he wasn't there.

Yugi rubbed his temples. He was done with everything. He looked up and found Bakura's father glaring down at him. Oh gods he whined mentally.

"You knew about this, didn't you?" he asked, glaring at Yugi with his grayish green eyes, both hands on his hips.

"No. I didn't," he said, firm.

Bakura's father didn't believe him.

"Don't lie to me, boy. I know how close you are to those rascals, there's absolutely no way they wouldn't tell you," he sneered.

"The most they told me about this was their complains," Yugi hissed back. "So no. I didn't know."

"Even if they didn't explicitly told you," he said with a disbelieving tone "You suspected something!".

"You were going to force your son to marrying his brother's lover, and you didn't suspect anything?" he raised his brows, facking surprise.

"You cursed bastard!" He lifted Yugi from the collar of his hanfu.

The response was instant.

Katsuya (who had been with Mai checking on Lady Akefia) had his sword to the noble's throat, glaring holes into his face. Mai had twisted the man's hands and freed her younger brother, now safe in her arms. And other guards surrounded the man with their swords pointed at him, Sai's sword at the back of the noble's neck.

"You dare raise a hand against your Prince?" growled Katsuya. Akefia didn't reply, but he seemed more annoyed than anything.

"If you're found disrespecting my brother again, you will be ripped off of your title and be publicly declared an enemy of the crown," threatened Mai. That seemed to scare the man.

Katsuya and the guards slowly put down their swords, Sai and Katsuya being the last ones to do so. Akefia stiffly marched away.

"Are you alright Yug?" asked Katsuya while Mai and Sai looked Yugi over for any kind of injury.

"I'm fine, don't worry," he said. Although to be honest, he was a little shaken. Bakura's family had never been one he would consider to be able to act that way against someone of the Royal family. "Let's just go. I don't want to be late to my own wedding," he joked.

His siblings chuckled.

'Your second wedding,' commented Sai smiling.

"So young and already a second wedding," mussed Katsuya "You better be marrying the same guy," he joked.

"Don't worry, I will." chuckled Yugi.