Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of the characters (unless otherwise stated) Kazuki Takahashi does, nor do I make any money from these stories.

24

As Atemu lay slightly panting next to Yugi he decided there was nothing better than make up sex, he turned to look at his lover who was lying quietly with his eyes closed, he rolled onto his side and propped himself up with his elbow his head resting on his hand "Are you alright habibi?"

Yugi opened his eyes and turned his head to look at Atemu "Yes I'm fine why?"

Atemu smiled "It's just that you're rather quiet."

"I've been thinking about your father."

"Oh, why?

"Didn't you notice how stressed he seemed in the throne room?"

"Yes I did, what about it?"

Yugi sighed, it seemed as if Atemu needed another lesson. "Atemu what have we just done?"

Atemu grinned at him and lightly ran a finger down Yugi's bare chest "I just made love to you."

"Why?" Yugi asked as he shivered at the light touch

Atemu's grin faded "Partly because of what we heard in the throne room but mostly to make up for my snapping at you earlier." Atemu sighed, "You didn't deserve it."

Yugi smiled "Forget about earlier I've already forgiven you for that."

"Then what?" Atemu asked confused

"Why did what happened in the throne room make you want to try and make me a permanent part of the bed?"

Atemu sat up and sighed, "I needed a distraction, something to take my mind off this whole 'baby broker' business." At Yugi's silence Atemu turned to him "I'm sorry Yugi I didn't mean it to sound like that I just…" he turned back and rested his forehead on his knees.

He jumped when he felt Yugi's hand on his arm "I'm not angry, I needed it as well, but tell me Atemu what does your father do? He's the one who had to deal with the sentencing and everything, this whole thing can't have been easy for him."

With his head still resting on his knees he turned to look at Yugi as he realised where this conversation was heading "I should go to him huh?"

"Yes, you should."

Atemu gave Yugi a kiss before getting out of bed, after a quick wash he got dressed "Are you coming Yugi?"

Yugi shook his head "No this is your time with your father, I'll wait here."

As Atemu walked down the corridor to his father's chambers he thought about what Yugi had said, now and earlier, and he was right, his father had no one he could turn to, no one he could use as a distraction, whether it be for sex or just to talk of lighter things. Atemu suddenly felt guilty, he knew his father worked hard making things better for the people and sometimes got a little stressed out and not once had he been there for him, yet when he was troubled or unhappy his father had always made time for him.

Atemu knocked lightly on his father's door and he heard a deep sigh "Enter!" Aknamkanon's voice called out.

Atemu opened the door and walked in "Hello father."

"Oh Atemu it's you, for a minute I thought it was one of my council members, is everything alright?"

"Yes father everything's fine why?"

The elder man smiled "Well, usually you only come to see me when you're troubled."

"Not this time father I thought I'd come and see if you wanted a game of Senet."

"Why? Tired of Yugi always beating you?" he grinned then he looked round "Where is Yugi anyway?"

Atemu walked over and sat opposite his father "He stayed in our rooms."

Then it clicked, he smiled to himself he now knew Atemu was here because of Yugi.

Atemu looked at him "Truthfully father Yugi told me to come."

"Why?" the pharaoh asked curious

Blushing Atemu told his father of the conversation they'd had after they'd been 'intimate'. "As I walked here I realised he was right, father we don't do a lot together anymore."

Aknamkanon nodded "Well my son I have a kingdom to run and you, you have Yugi now."

"I know that but it shouldn't mean we can't put at least one evening aside to spend time together just as father and son and not as pharaoh and crown prince."

Aknamkanon was about to ask Atemu if this was also Yugi's idea but one look told him this idea was entirely Atemu's.

"You know son I think I'd like that."

Atemu grinned as he set out the Senet board.

It was quite late when Atemu returned to the rooms he shared with Yugi, he walked in quietly hoping to surprise him but he found Yugi curled up fast asleep in bed, he smiled and changed into his night ware and after climbing into bed he gently pulled Yugi to him "I'm sorry habibi I didn't realise it was so late." He whispered, he kissed Yugi's forehead then drifted off to sleep.

The following morning Atemu was telling Yugi about the evening he'd spent with his father "You know Yugi, I'd forgotten how much fun I had with my father."

Yugi smiled "I'm glad to hear that Atemu, will you be doing it again soon?"

"Yes we will be doing it often from now on."

Yugi stood up and wrapped his arms round Atemu's neck. "Good, I'm glad."

A knock on the door announced that the servant had arrived with their breakfast. "Enter!" Atemu said, the girl walked in and bowed "Just place it on the side over there and you may leave." The girl did as she was told and left.

Yugi and Atemu sat at the table and talked as they ate "What are you doing today Yugi?"

"Oh Shimon wants to go over some of the rules with me."

Atemu creased his brow "Rules? What rules? You are no servant."

Yugi smiled "No Atemu, he wants to make sure I know the rules of being an item bearer."

Atemu snorted "Well he can't exactly fire you can he? You were chosen by Ma'at herself."

Yugi chuckled "That may be true but it wouldn't hurt to know them so I don't make a fool of myself in front of any visiting dignitaries." He grinned at his lover "I wouldn't want to embarrass the pharaoh now would I?"

Atemu chuckled "No I don't suppose father would be very happy if that happened."

Yugi sighed, "I'd better go and bathe before I have to meet Shimon."

"Want a hand Yugi?" Atemu said seductively

"Oh no, Yugi said walking backwards and shaking his hands in front of him, if you got in with me I'd never meet Shimon."

"But Yugi." Atemu tried again

"No Atemu, your father would kill me."

"Fine." Atemu pouted

Giggling Yugi walked up to him and poked him on the nose "I'll make it up to you tonight I promise."

"You'd better." Atemu said before grabbing Yugi by the hips and kissing him deeply. Reluctantly Atemu let Yugi go so he could freshen up.

He was lying on the bed reading one of the scrolls Yugi had been given to memorize when a knock sounded on the door.

"Enter!" Atemu called, the door opened and a servant walked in

"Excuse me prince Atemu but the pharaoh wishes to see you and master Yugi in the councils' room."

Atemu sighed, "Alright, tell my father we'll be right there."

The girl bowed and left the room.

Atemu got up off the bed and walked into the bathing chambers

"Yugi?"

"What is it Atemu?" Yugi asked

''My father and the council wishes to see us in the councils' room."

"Did they say why?"

''No the servant didn't say."

"Okay let me finish here and I'll be right out."

"Don't be too long, we don't want to keep my father waiting."

"Why don't you go on ahead and I'll meet you there when I'm finished here."

Atemu thought about it "No it's alright Yugi I'll wait."

Yugi chuckled as Atemu went back into the bedchamber.

After drying himself Yugi dressed in his robes as befitting the keeper of the scales. Although the pharaoh didn't mind what Yugi wore any other time he always insisted on the proper attire in the councils' room and the throne room.

When he was ready and after Atemu had given him a deep passionate kiss they made their way to the councils' room, when they reached the door they could hear the pharaoh arguing with the council, it left Atemu feeling uneasy.

He opened the door and the room fell silent when they walked in

"You wanted to see us father?" he asked

"Yes Atemu, Yugi come in the council have something they wish to say."

Neither Atemu nor Yugi missed the resentment in his voice.

Atemu and Yugi sat opposite the dour members of the pharaoh's council and waited.

"Prince Atemu, it has been decided that the time has come for you to think about marriage."

"What! Why?" Atemu said angrily "I have no desire to marry anyone other than Yugi!"

The council's leader Jahi looked at the two young men "Be that as it may but marrying Yugi will not produce an heir for Egypt."

Still angry Atemu stood up "Jahi we went through this before Yugi even arrived!" He yelled, "I will not marry a Ra forsaken female nor will I ever have sex with one so just forget about it!"

"Atemu." Yugi's soft voice broke through his anger It's okay, I'll leave and then…" Yugi bowed his head as his tears fell.

Atemu got on his knees and gently lifted Yugi's head, wiping away Yugi's tears he spoke tenderly, "It's going to be okay Yugi, you do not have to leave." He turned back to the council "I will not marry and that is final!"

Jahi stood up "Either marry or forfeit Yugi's life!" he said angrily

This time the pharaoh stepped in. "That is enough Jahi you do not threaten one of the item bearers!"

"Pharaoh, it is for the good of Egypt!"

"I have already told my son and Yugi that they will not be made to part, I will not change my mind!" he growled

"Even if it costs the boy his life?" Jahi said

"You dare threaten one chosen by the goddess Ma'at herself?" the pharaoh asked.

The elderly council member waved him off "It matters not who chose him, the point is he cannot bear children."

"Can't one of the harem girls have the child for him?" Yugi asked quietly

"He would still have to marry her Yugi." Aknamkanon said softly

"I see." Yugi stood up "If you will excuse me." Before anyone could say anything Yugi left the room and took off running down the corridor back to his and Atemu's rooms.

Atemu looked at the councilmen, now Yugi was out of the room there was nothing holding him back, the shadows started to form, they slowly rose turning the air in the room cold as he spoke, he spoke slowly his voice full of malice, "I swear by all things holy if anything, and I mean anything happens to Yugi you will suffer Jahi and painfully!"

Atemu turned and walked out of the room. Aknamkanon looked at his council "For what you have done this day I will never forgive you." He walked to the door but before leaving and without turning he said "Prepare to be replaced starting with you Jahi." The ten members of his council looked at Pharaoh Aknamkanon wide-eyed in shock.