A/N : Hi people ! How's it going ?
Ok so this is a fic where the action takes place in Ancient Egypt (duh like you didn't know, it's in the summary...). I know, I know, there's already a million of Yu-Gi-Oh fics like that, but what can I do about it ? It's a popular subject, I suppose. And well, I just had this idea in mind and I wanted to write it, so that's what I did. Sorry if you've already seen or wrote something similar, it was really not intentional. If there's one thing I don't do, it's copying someone else's work. And anyway each writer has their own style so my fic is bound to be somewhat different.
Ok, so this story is gonna be a bit AU. Not a lot mind you, there's the same characters and all, but it only has some resemblance to the series. On the most part, the plot is coming right out of my crazy imagination !
Disclaimer : Do you seriously think I own Yu-Gi-Oh ? Come on... Well maybe in my dreams...
WARNINGS : This is a YAOI fic. MaleXmale relationship. Keep it in mind and if you don't like, don't read. No flames.
There's also some OOCness I suppose, it's for you to decide. I couldn't help it.
Pairings : Set/Atemu (well it's like a Seto/Yami story, except it's in the past... I'm sure you'd guessed that already...)
Well now, let's go on with the fic !
.: Despite everything :.
by cherry fantasy
"Follow your heart as long as you live"
- Ptah-hotep, vizier of the king Djedkarê Isési
Chapter one : Forbidden love
Rê-Horakhty was already high in the sky when the Pharaoh entered the throne room, a young servant girl following him exactly ten steps behind. The Pharaoh's space was sacred, and whoever stepped into it without being allowed first would suffer a severe punishment. The girl knew that and she was being extra careful to keep an acceptable distance between her and her king. She was aware, like everyone else, that their present Pharaoh had a very generous and forgiving nature, but those were divine laws after all, and she wasn't about to push her luck by breaking them.
Aside for the many guards standing quietly along the four walls of the room, seven persons were waiting for the Pharaoh. Everybody knew them too. Six of them were the High Priests chosen and specially trained to assist and protect the king. Shada, Karim, Akunadin, Isis, Mahado and Set were their names, revered and respected all over Egypt. The only one higher than them was the Pharaoh himself. Each of them held one of the famous millennium items, although the most powerful was worn by the Pharaoh.
The seventh person was Shimon, the king's personal advisor. He was old but very wise, and the Pharaoh would often turn to him for advices. At the moment the old man was just listening to the Priests talking, himself staying silent.
When the young king entered the room, dressed in white silk and precious golden jewellery, with his purple cape waving gracefully behind him, everyone stopped talking all at once and bowed respectfully. Then Akunadin, the eldest of the Priests, greeted :
"Hello to you, my Pharaoh. As you can see, we were just waiting for you"
Akunadin was not only the Pharaoh's uncle (the previous king being his brother), but he also was Set's father, thus making Set and the present Pharaoh cousins. Although Akunadin and his son were royalty, they had been asked to become High Priests too, since their abilities with magic were indeed remarkable. Both had accepted the role with honour.
The Priests and Shimon still had their heads bowed, silently looking at the ground. After all, it was forbidden to look at the Pharaoh in the eyes without permission ; this one just passed them and climbed the steps to his throne. Then he sat and said with a rich voice :
"Would you please stop staring at your feet and look at me ? I don't mean to be conceited but I'm fairly certain that I'm much more interesting than the floor"
They looked up at him, a bit stunned... until they saw the playful smirk dancing on his lips. They rolled their eyes and couldn't repress a smile ; no matter how high his position was placing him, their Pharaoh was still just a child of barely 16 years old. It was so easy to forget, with how much older than his age he could act and sound sometimes, but it was still a fact. He was just a boy who had been entrusted with the responsibility of ruling a whole country because his father had died and gave him his crown. And although he was brilliant and probably the best king to have ruled Egypt so far, it was still a lot for his young shoulders. Knowing that, his Priests had vowed to always assist him the best they could. They were very fond of the boy and could sincerely admit that they weren't protecting him just because of his royal status.
Rapidly, they took in his appearance ; Atemu, for that was his given name (although it was known by very few), was indubitably unique. No matter how many times you looked at him (if you did had the chance to look at him), you just couldn't help being mesmerized by his slightly exotic beauty : he was a bit short in height, but his body was lean and well-built, his lithe muscles just the right size under his perfectly tanned skin. Every moves he made seemed to possess a natural grace and his voice was deep and rich. His hair was a wonder in itself : spiky black locks tipped with red and mixed with some blond strands were standing up proudly on his head, while some other golden bangs were framing his youthful face. On another it could've looked weird but on him it fitted perfectly. But what was most striking was his eyes : lightly almond-shaped and underlined with black kohl, they were a bright crimson, the same color as the rising sun. Once you looked at those eyes, it was hard to turn away...
After that short observation, their eyes came back to his smirking mouth. While in public or during important meetings, Atemu was always acting with much dignity, in fact he was doing it so well and with such ease that it was almost putting all the other nobles' mannerism to shame. But in private, like now, the young Pharaoh was more relaxed and also a bit more reckless. They didn't mind though, in fact they rather liked this side of him. It was somewhat endearing and much better than if he had been a cruel and emotionless king.
Taking a step forward, Mahado broke the silence and said with a smile in his voice :
"No offence my Pharaoh, but I doubt that was something very appropriate to say. You know full well that nobody, including us, has the right to look at you directly without your consent. It's the law"
Atemu just sighed and answered :
"I know, I know. But I thought I had told you to forget those kind of laws when we're in private. There's no need for such formalities between us"
Set snorted and said with a smirk :
"With that attitude of yours, I sometimes wonder how it is you manage to rule the country so well"
Among all the High Priests, if not all the palace's inhabitants, Set was the only one who could address the Pharaoh with such familiarity without being thrown in the dungeons or sentenced to death. The others weren't sure why, but they had let it slide, assuming that it was because the two were cousins and almost the same age, Set being only two years older. Atemu didn't know a lot of people his age beside his cousin, and it was the same thing for Set, so one could say it was only natural for them to act more friendly toward each other.
Their train of thoughts was interrupted by the Pharaoh's soft answer to his cousin :
"I don't know, Set. Maybe because I look farther than what I can see"
That silenced them and they observed him in wonder. It was one of those moments when he would just say something and seem so much wiser than all of them reunited. It was moments like this that reminded them just why he was such a good ruler despite his age.
"So, what's the first matter today ?" he suddenly asked with a more professional tone.
And just like that they were all back to business, listing to the Pharaoh the most recent problems that needed his attention. All except Set, who was staring at his king with a strange look in his beautiful blue eyes. But no one noticed...
o0o
The Pharaoh was slammed against the wall as his assailant took his wrists in one hand and brought them over his head so that he couldn't escape. Then another hand sneaked around his thin waist and pressed his body against the one of his attacker, while his mouth was captured in a bruising kiss.
When he was finally allowed to breathe, Atemu whispered between his pants :
"Wait... not here Set... What if someone sees us...?"
Set released his wrists and looked down at him with longing, his other arm still around the shorter man's waist. He didn't seem that willing to stop their present activities, but he too knew that this wasn't really the best place for it... At the moment there was no one in this hallway but it would not stay like that eternally...
Seeing Set distracted, the Pharaoh skilfully escaped his grasp and took his hand. Then he started dragging him across the empty hallway while saying :
"Come on, my chambers are just at the next corner..."
They were there in no time, although to them it seemed like an eternity. Once they were inside the Pharaoh's chambers, where they knew no one would dare to enter, they practically threw themselves at each other ; Atemu had just closed the door that Set was already all over him, kissing him senseless while taking off his heavy jewellery and tossing his purple cape aside, not caring where the articles would land. He stopped just long enough to whisper with a lust-filled voice :
"By Râ, Atemu, I missed you so much..."
Then he lowered his head and kissed him again. Atemu inwardly smiled and kissed back hungrily while his hands were busy depriving Set of his own clothing, leaving them both in a not-so-dressed state. Not that they minded...
"Don't involve Râ in this..." Atemu said between kisses, "We're in enough trouble as it is..."
Set just smirked and scooped him up in his arms unceremoniously, then he walked to the large bed and dropped Atemu on it. But before the Pharaoh could even make a sound, Set had already straddled him and joined their mouths together once again. His hands flew everywhere they could reach on his lover's body, and the moans of pleasure that escaped the young king's throat were almost enough to drive him mad with desire. He felt Atemu pass his arms around his neck to bring him closer, deepening their kiss to an impossible degree. Set slid his tongue in the Pharaoh's mouth, relishing the sweet taste of the warm cavern. But when Atemu passed his legs around his waist and arched against him, that's when Set reached his point of no return...
He just prayed that nobody would hear them scream...
o0o
When Atemu woke up, the room was plunged in the dark, meaning that Nout had already put on her night garments. Everything was silent except for a light breathing beside him.
The Pharaoh turned around in his lover's hold and stared at him tenderly. Set looked so peaceful when he slept... Unable to resist, Atemu raised his hand and caressed his Priest's cheek lightly, before moving it up and passing his fingers through soft chestnut hair... He too had missed his Priest greatly. He'd been so busy lately that he hadn't been able to meet with Set during a whole week. That was at the verge of what he could endure...
Set and him were having a secret relationship since about five months. In fact, as far as he could remember, Atemu had always liked Set, but back then he would've never dared to hope that his feelings were mutual. He hadn't even known if Set liked men to start with, and even if he did that didn't mean he would like him. So Atemu had stopped his thoughts right then and there, not wanting to suffer unnecessarily.
But then one day, not long after Atemu's father had died (the young prince was 15 at the time), Set had come to see him in his private garden and had asked him if he was alright. Atemu remembered that before that day he had never heard Set speak with such a gentle voice, nor seen such a caring expression on his face. And that's what had made Atemu break down ; up until then he had put up a brave front for everyone, keeping his sadness and his fears inside like the great Pharaoh he was supposed to become, but when Set had asked him so nicely how he was, he'd reached his limits. Pharaoh or not, he was still just a young boy who had lost his father (his mother had died when he was just 3), and it hurt. It just hurt and he had felt so lost...
He could still see himself weep against Set's chest, while the older boy held him and passed a soothing hand in his back. Then, somehow, they'd kissed. Who had initiated it, they couldn't recall, but they had kissed. And it had felt so good... It was then that they'd known their respective feelings were indeed mutual, and that whatever it was, it was very strong. Atemu had been so relieved to see that Set liked him that way too...
His relief had been short-lived though. He and Set had realized that they couldn't be together. It wasn't because they were both men ; those kind of things weren't really frowned upon. No, it was because of exactly who they were : High Priest and Pharaoh. That was an impossible combination. Especially Atemu, who was requested to take a wife and give an heir to his throne.
They'd both been crushed when they had realized that. But they had tried. They had placed their duty before their own happiness and for a while, they actually thought it would work. But then, it had become more and more difficult... Because Set was one of Atemu's High Priests, they were seeing each other very often and were almost always together during the day... Being in each other's presence like that, even if there was other people with them, had quickly turned into pure torture. So close, so very close, without being able to touch...
Set had snapped first ; it was to be expected. One day, he had sneaked into Atemu's chambers and waited for him. When this one had arrived, Set had just grabbed him by the waist and kissed him like his life depended on it. Not even trying to push him away, his own senses clouded with longing, Atemu had answered his kiss just as fervently. Soon after they were in the bed and the inevitable had happened.
"No more, Atemu" Set had said afterwards while they were cuddling in the Pharaoh's bed. "I want no more of this Hell we've forced upon each other. I can't stand it anymore. No matter what people will say, I need you too much"
"Me too" Atemu had answered, holding his Priest closer. Then he had whispered : "Let's keep this a secret..."
They knew it wasn't the wisest choice. They knew they weren't suppose to do that. They knew it was risky, and that they'd get caught eventually. But they couldn't help it. They'd had a taste of each other and now they couldn't stay sane without it...
Atemu blinked, coming back to the present. Five months had passed since then. What he was feeling for Set hadn't diminished, in fact it had just grown stronger and stronger with each passing days... It was far beyond simple sex and lust, it was so much deeper... And Atemu thought he knew what it was : he had... fallen in love with Set...
"A kiss for your thoughts" a deep voice suddenly said above him.
Atemu jumped and looked up at his formerly sleeping lover, now wide awake and wearing a little grin on his face.
"Set ! Don't scare me like that !" he admonished with a frown.
Too late he realized that his voice was trembling, along with the rest of his body. Set of course saw it immediately. His grin vanished and he propped himself up on his elbow, staring at the young king with concern.
"What's wrong ?" he asked softly.
Atemu opened his mouth to answer but found out that he couldn't ; there was a knot in his throat and his vision was becoming blurry...
When the tears started to fall, that's when Set started to get really worried. Atemu never cried ; the only times Set could remember seeing him cry was when his father had died and when they'd learned that they couldn't be together. But that was in the past, and they'd been so happy lately, so why was Atemu crying now...?
Set didn't know, but one thing he knew was that he hated to see the young Pharaoh cry. It was tearing at something deep inside of him, hurting like being stabbed in the heart and he just couldn't stand the sight of those tears.
He moved closer to Atemu and gently cradled his shaking form in his arms. Kissing his tears away he asked again almost pleadingly :
"Please Atemu, just tell me what's wrong..."
"Set...Set..." the other started between his sobs, "I... I think... that... Oh Râ..."
Atemu was now clinging to him so hard it almost hurt, but Set paid no attention to it and just whispered soothingly :
"Shhh... it's Ok... I'm here... shhh... don't cry..."
He dropped a feather light kiss on his mouth, then on his cheeks again to wipe the tears away, then on his nose, his forehead, his brow, everywhere on Atemu's face until the boy finally calmed down under his loving touch. He waited patiently, one hand caressing the young king's face and the other still around his shoulders, holding him close.
Atemu's tears stopped but he was still hiccupping slightly. He pressed his face against Set's shoulder and finally said :
"Set, I... I think that I love you..."
The Priest froze, forgetting how to breathe ; had he just heard what he hoped he'd heard...?
"You... love me ?" he asked just to be sure.
The Pharaoh nodded. Set stared at him for a moment, a warm feeling spreading through his body. Then, very softly, he smiled and said :
"That's great, because I think I love you too..."
But strangely, that revelation only seemed to bring more tears in Atemu's eyes. Set gently took his chin between his fingers and raised his head so that he could look at him in the eyes. Then he asked :
"What's the matter, Atemu ? Aren't you happy that I love you back ?"
"Oh yes... yes I am..." the boy king answered with a smile, hugging him fiercely.
"Then what's the problem ?"
Atemu moved away a little and stared at him, before retorting a bit weakly :
"That, Set, that's the problem. What if we get caught now ? What if they find out and decide to force us apart ? What will we do ? I can't let you go now that I know what it is that I feel for you ! Even less if you feel the same for me ! I'll... I'll die if they take you away from me now..."
He was crying again, although softly and silently this time, holding on to Set for dear life. This one looked at him sadly... Sure, he hadn't thought of it that way. He neither wouldn't be able to let Atemu go now... Not that he was sure he would've been able to before... But now, the feeling was so much stronger...
"It's Ok love, we'll manage..." he whispered while stroking the Pharaoh's hair. "We'll find something, you'll see..."
And as he and Atemu started to slowly drift back to sleep, Set hoped against all odds that he was right.
A/N : Yeah I know, it was sappy. But come on it was touching too ! This fic is a bit angsty and all but there will be an happy ending. (I don't mind reading dramatic endings but I'm terrible at writing them)
So, do you like it so far ? Please review, it'll make my day ! See you next chapter !