Chapter Four

Yugi's other friends were waiting for them at the theater, but Atem barely noticed. He was in sensory paradise. The movie theater offered a cacophony of sounds - conversations, the electronic bleeps and roars of the video games along one wall, the rapid-fire rattle of popping corn - and a smorgasbord of textures, sights, and scents. He enjoyed them all, even the eye-searing pattern on the carpet underfoot, which threatened to make his eyes cross if his gaze lingered too long. But the most intriguing sensation was the enticing, mouthwatering aroma that hung in air. Hot and buttery, the tantalizing scent had him ordering the largest size of popcorn the concession stand had to offer.

"Those long legs of yours must be hollow," Téa said, watching Atem purchase a jumbo tub of buttered popcorn, a huge soda, and six boxes of various candies. "I think even Joey is impressed."

"You bet I am. For such a skinny guy, it looks like he can really pack it away," Joey agreed. He only had four boxes of candy in his own stack. Standing next to him and balancing a bucket of popcorn, Tristan elbowed him in the ribs. "Hey! I'm just sayin'."

Atem shrugged and added a box of chocolate-covered almonds to his haul. "I enjoy sampling new tastes."

"And you've never tasted Sugar Babies?" Joey exaggerated grimace reflected his horror. "You poor, deprived soul. Have you been stuck in low-carb hell for the last decade?"

"Something like that." Leaning over, Atem inhaled the delicious smell wafting up from his popcorn. He had never dreamed of food like this when he was mortal and, in all the years since, he hadn't spent enough time in the physical world to sample such things. He wanted to savor every moment of this opportunity. It could be another century or more before he had the chance to experience the world as one of the truly living. In the time given to him, he was going to taste and touch and smell everything he could.

In the darkened theater, he sank comfortably into the plush seat beside Yugi. His master's friends took seats on Yugi's other side, Joey and Tristan pretending to fight over who would take the seat next to Téa. While she settled them with cuffs to their ears, Yugi leaned closer to Atem and whispered, "Have you ever been to a movie theater before?"

The clean scent of Yugi's hair distracted Atem for a moment. "Hm?"

"Movies," Yugi repeated. "Have you been to one before?"

"No."

Atem knew about motion pictures, in the same distant way he knew about most things in the modern world. The dream state that held him when he was not serving his masters fed him images and implanted the understanding of them in his mind, but such knowledge was ephemeral and without depth. There was a world of difference between knowing what an airplane was and flying in one.

"Well, this one's supposed to be a classic," Yugi said, keeping his voice down so as not to disturb the other movie patrons. "It's from the thirties, so it's in black and white, and -"

Only partially listening to Yugi's explanation of the film, Atem sampled his popcorn, savoring the crunch. Mm. Buttery. Perhaps a bit too much salt…

On the other side of Yugi, Joey and Tristan were conducting a whispered argument - for a certain value of the word "whisper", anyway - the subject of which seemed to be whether or not Atem and Yugi were going to watch the movie or, in Joey's words, "make out like a pair of rabid weasels." Without turning his head, Atem cut his eyes at Yugi. Even in the low lighting, it was possible to see that Yugi's face was blushing so hotly he was almost glowing. Yugi sank a few inches into his seat, one hand coming up to cover his eyes. Clearly, he had heard the argument, too.

The lights went down completely, Tea smacked the arguing duo into submission, and the movie screen lit up with the first few frames of the movie. Atem indulged in a lazy smirk and focused his concentration on the movie.

As Yugi had said, the film was in black and white. On the screen, a kneeling, naked woman held up a pair of incense burners as if offering them to the audience. Tasteful lighting kept the image to a "general audience" rating. Orchestral music swelled and the title appeared on the screen: Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile. The title disappeared and the camera focused on a luxurious room where a dark-haired woman reclined on a leopard-skin couch. Servants, dressed in floating white draperies, flitted around the woman, garbing her in jewels and sumptuous fabrics. A girl wearing nothing but a short skirt and strategically placed bead necklaces bent over the woman and offered her a goblet of wine.

Atem sat frozen in his seat. The scene shifted, moving outdoors. The camera panned, locating a procession and following it as it wound its way across a stretch of sand toward a building that looked a bit like a temple. Women in strange, cat-like costumes cavorted beside men leading camels decked out in bells and tassels. Men with shaved heads twirled flaming batons and breathed fire at the edges of the procession. Only the familiar pyramids in the background bore any resemblance to the land of Atem's birth.

This movie was supposed to take place in Egypt? Atem frowned. What was this? His memories might have faded over the millennia, but he was sure his homeland had never been like this.

It had been more like…

The improbable procession gave way to sands churned up in the aftermath of battle. The broken bodies of men and chariot horses lay scattered around a tall central figure whose bloodied khopesh flashed in the burning sunlight. Beside the taller figure, a man who resembled Atem, though his hair was black and hung straight to his shoulders, fought just as fiercely despite the bleeding wounds marring his arms, chest, and legs. Attackers closed around the two men. A spear sliced through the air and buried itself in the taller figure's torso. The sword fell from his hand and he crumpled to the ground. The Atem on the screen screamed in denial, but one of the enemy soldiers bashed him in the back of the head with a mace and he collapsed onto the body of his fallen protector.

Beside him, Yugi murmured, "I don't remember that scene being in this movie…"

The scene shifted again, the desert giving way to a walled citadel. Heart shuddering in his chest, Atem watched the soldiers gather the semi-conscious prince on the screen and drag him into a dark room lit only by the torch one of the soldiers carried. Clad only in the short kilt he had worn into battle, Atem shivered. Across the room, a light flared, temporarily blinding him. When his vision cleared, he blinked at the person the light had revealed.

Dressed in elaborate and colorful woolen robes, the Hittite woman approached Atem where he hung in the cruel grip of his guards. She dug a be-ringed hand into his hair and forced his neck back at a painful angle. "Such a handsome one you have brought to me," she said, directing her words at the soldiers. "You have done well."

He tried to jerk his head away, but her fingers dug into his scalp. "Who are you?" he demanded. "Do you know who I am?"

"You are Atememheb, he who is Son of the Pharaoh's Body, Falcon in the Nest, heir to the throne of Egypt."

"Then, when my father slaughters you all for what you have dared, you will know why you die."

She laughed. "You think Pharaoh will avenge your death, little prince?"

So, they were going to kill him. His stomach clenched, but nothing of his sudden fear showed on his face. The woman studied his face for a moment longer, then released him. She moved away, leaving him in the hands of her guards.

"Swear your loyalty to me, turn your face against your father. Grant me the power to conquer the Two Lands, and I will spare your life."

"Never!" Atem spat his defiance at the woman. "If that is why you brought me here, you are doomed to disappointment. I will not betray my king."

"So brave. So foolish." At her signal, the guards shoved Atem to his knees. "Here is your choice, brave fool. Let us see what you make of it."

The sound of footsteps crossing the stone floor made Atem turn his head. The sight that met his eyes made his heart constrict in his chest. "Mahaad - You live!"

"But for how much longer?" The cold smirk on the woman's lips sent a chill through Atem's heart. Mahaad stood between two hulking guards, his clothing in tatters, his skin marked by the evidence of battle. "Tell me, Prince of Egypt, would you give your life for this man? I have chosen him as an offering to the storm god. If you take his place on the sacrificial altar, I will spare his life."

Atem stared at Mahaad. He had known Mahaad all his life. The two of them had grown to manhood together - raised together in the Great House, educated together, trained together. They were friends, closer than brothers. When Mahaad fell in the desert, Atem believed Mahaad had given his life to protect him.

Mahaad's eyes met his. "My prince…"

"Spare him," Atem said. Forgive me, Father. I cannot let the brother of my heart die in my place. "Kill me - let him go."

"Oh, such a noble heart beats within your breast. I wonder if your friend is as noble?" She smiled at Mahaad. "Tell me… Who should I kill, Egyptian? You - or your prince?"

"Him." Mahaad's voice was harsh in the close room. It drowned out even the pounding of Atem's blood in his ears. "Take him, not me!"

Heart breaking, Atem stared at the man he had trusted above all others. "Mahaad…"

A gesture from the woman had the guards turning and escorting Mahaad from the chamber. Her laughter rang in Atem's ears, though it barely registered. The shock of his friend's betrayal held him paralyzed. He only noticed the new presence in the room when the newcomer spoke.

"You have had your fun, Taduheba." The new arrival was a man, dressed in Hittite clothing, his long white hair flowing loosely around his shoulders. "Now it is my turn."

A single word fell from Atem's lips. "…Bakura."

-o0o-

Fingers bit into Atem's arm, shaking him, startling him back to the present - to the movie theater, thousands of years from the scene unfolding on the screen. Mind struggling to adjust to the sudden jump in time, Atem blinked at Yugi, who scowled at him.

"You're doing that, aren't you?" Yugi hissed, leaning close. "Stop messing with the movie. Put it back the way it's supposed to be!"

From Yugi's other side, a voice that sounded a lot like Joey's said, "Hey, doesn't the actor playin' that prince guy look kinda like Atem?"

A chorus of irritated shushes erupted all around them.

Atem ignored them all. He couldn't bear to witness any more of his past, but he couldn't trust his subconscious not to put more of it up on the movie screen if he stayed in the theater. Shoving himself to his feet, he knocked over his popcorn. It crunched beneath his shoes as he stumbled to the aisle. He didn't stop until he reached the lobby and found a water fountain attached to one wall. He bent over the fountain and splashed cool water onto his face, all the while willing his rapid heartbeat and ragged breathing to return to normal. He wasn't aware Yugi had followed him until his master made his presence known by thumping Atem on the arm.

"Are you happy now?" Yugi growled. "I distinctly remember asking you not use your magic in public. But, no, you've got to be weird - first with the perpetual pizza, and then rewriting the movie just to amuse yourself!"

Atem turned his head toward Yugi - and all the anger drained from Yugi's face as if someone had pulled a stopper. His eyes widened. "That guy in the movie didn't just look like you… The captured prince… That was you, wasn't it?"

Straightening, Atem shoved a hand through his hair. He needed a drink - or twelve. Not caring that he was, once again, violating his master's "no public magic" rule, he summoned a clay beer jar, broke the mud seal, and downed the familiar brew in a single gulp. He tossed the empty container over his shoulder, where it promptly vanished before hitting the floor, and swiped a trembling hand over his mouth.

"Forgive me." Atem avoided his master's gaze, focusing his own on a point about a foot over Yugi's head - and several thousand years in the past. "Altering the film was… unintentional. The setting, however inaccurate, reminded me of home, and I-" He gestured helplessly. "The memories overwhelmed me."

For a long moment, Yugi was silent. Then he huffed out a sigh, deflating a bit as the last of his exasperation drained out of him with the exhalation. "I'm sorry I yelled at you."

In a spontaneous gesture, Yugi reached up and pressed his hand against Atem's cheek. It was a gesture meant to comfort, but an electric jolt passed between them at the contact. Atem's gaze fixed on Yugi, all thoughts of the past wiped from his mind.

-o0o-

Atem's distraction vanished and his gaze turned sharp and focused - on Yugi, who felt his mouth go dry beneath that hawk-like stare. He yanked his hand away from Atem's face and licked his own lips.

"What…" Yugi squeaked. He cleared his throat before trying again. "What did she do to you? That woman… she threatened to kill you." Yugi paused as his thoughts caught up with his mouth. He grimaced. "Well, obviously she didn't kill you. I mean, you're here, aren't you? But…you're here. So, she must've done something to you. Right?"

"There you guys are!" Téa called, hurrying over to them. "Why did you run out like that? I mean, I know there was something freaky going on with the movie - we think they got a reel from another movie mixed in with this one - but that's no reason to take off."

"Atem isn't feeling well." Yugi interrupted, not wanting to linger too long on the subject of Atem's flashback-on-film. "I think the long, er, journey is catching up with him. Will you be okay if I take him home now?"

Téa's gaze darted between them. She studied Atem's haggard expression for a second before nodding. "Sure. I'll get a cab home."

"Thanks, Téa. Tell Joey and Tristan I'm sorry for running out on you guys, but-"

"Hey, it's not like Atem got sick on purpose." Téa smiled. "We'll be fine. You get this guy home and take care of him." She gave Atem's arm a friendly pat. "Get some rest and feel better soon, okay?"

"Yes." Atem's voice was far from its usual velvety self. It sounded hoarse and gruff, choked with some unnameable emotion. He cleared his throat. "I will. Thank you."

Not knowing what else to do, Yugi waved good-bye to Téa, took Atem's hand, and led him from the theater.

-o0o-

The drive back to Yugi's place passed in a tense, charged silence. Yugi was on edge, almost painfully aware of the strange, magnetic attraction pulling him toward the genie. He wondered if he seemed as exotic to Atem as the genie did to him. Maybe that alluring difference explained Atem's appeal. Yugi hand never felt such a powerful pull toward another person, and the unexpected attraction was throwing him off-balance. He was already dating someone, for crying out loud! True, that relationship hadn't progressed much beyond casual dating, but Yugi felt uneasy about reacting so intensely to someone who wasn't Seto.

Several times, he started to say something just to break the taut silence. But he could see Atem's rigid posture, back ramrod straight in the seat and hands clenched on his thighs. Atem stared out the window, his reflection revealing an expression set in a stiff, emotionless mask. Somehow, Yugi didn't think Atem was in the mood for small talk.

He turned the car into his driveway and shut off the lights and engine. For a time, he simply sat there, listening to the tick of the cooling engine and the cicadas chirring in the bushes. Through the open windows of the car, a humid breeze brought with it the hint of honeysuckle and fresh-cut grass. Here, on the outskirts of town, the sky held a sprinkling of stars despite the light-pollution on the horizon. Neither occupant of the little car made a move to get out.

Finally, Yugi slid his hands from the steering wheel and eased around in his seat until he faced the genie. "So," he said, his voice as gentle and encouraging as he could make it. "What happened next?"

For a moment, it seemed the genie wouldn't answer. He looked as tense as a tightly wound spring, and Yugi didn't think it would take much to make the genie go "sproing." Obviously, the flashback had upset Atem, but Yugi sensed more than memory alone troubled the genie. The new awareness between them hadn't lessened on the ride home. If anything, it seemed to be growing. Yugi squirmed in his seat.

In a voice roughened by emotion, Atem said, "The one man I thought would never betray me left me to die in his stead. But, rather than kill me, my captor chose to curse me. What more do you need to know?"

The pain in Atem's voice made Yugi's chest constrict in sympathy. His hands twitched with the urge to reach out to Atem, to offer comfort. "I'm sorry."

"Your sympathy is misplaced." Atem moved, shifting to face Yugi. His expression was cold. "It happened thousands of years ago. I should be well over it by now."

"Obviously, you aren't." Yugi wrapped his arms around himself, giving in to the urge to hug someone, even if it wasn't Atem. Despite the summer night, a chill raced through him. It suddenly occurred to him that the smallest movement would bring their bodies into contact. The heat of the genie's body danced across Yugi's skin, prickling the fine hairs on his bare arms. He suppressed a shiver and, when he raised his eyes to look at Atem, he found the other man staring at his parted lips.

"It is… strange." Atem's voice was husky and hushed. He swayed minutely closer, seemingly unaware of the motion. "Outside of dreams, I have not thought of Mahaad in centuries."

Yugi swallowed, finding it hard to breathe. "Did you… love him?"

Atem's bitter laughter shattered the moment. He sat back, eyes gone cold and hard. "Love? The greatest deceit of all, a grand illusion to tempt the unwary. Self-interest is the only reality. It will always conquer the lie that is love."

"You can't really believe that-"

"I do."

"Well, I don't!"

"Then I congratulate you, master. Your powers of self-delusion are greater than mine. Perhaps once you have experienced, first-hand, the conflict between self-interest and the illusion of love, you will understand."

Yugi, his eyes wide and stricken, withdrew to his side of the car. "I've been in love. Maybe it wasn't a soaring, all-consuming passion, but it was real." And it had hurt like hell when it ended. Surely an illusion wouldn't have caused so much pain. "It was real…"

Atem shrugged. "I didn't say you have never loved, merely that your 'love' has not been tested against self-interest."

"Maybe." Yugi curled into himself, just a little. In a small voice, speaking more to himself than to his companion, he said, "But I wouldn't have sacrificed you to save myself."

The genie gave an inelegant snort. "Idealism. And naiveté. With all due respect, Master Mutou, you are young - and until you have actually faced such a choice, you cannot know what you would do."

Yugi opened his mouth to protest, but Atem cut him off. "The instinct for self-preservation is a strong one. I did not want to die that day, and I cannot fault Mahaad for choosing to save himself. Can you really condemn him for wanting to live?"

At the expense of a friend's life? You bet Yugi could condemn such a choice! "Then why didn't you choose to save your own life over his?"

"I was a fool."

"No!" Yugi brushed tentative fingers over the back of Atem's hand where it rested on the seat between them. "I think you were brave and noble. You made the only choice you could make."

"As did Mahaad."

Since he hadn't been shoved away, Yugi stroked Atem's hand again. It trembled beneath his feather-light touch. "If you have to believe that in order to forgive him, then I understand… and I admire that generosity. Despite your friend's betrayal, you've forgiven him and made his actions seem logical and acceptable to you. Most men couldn't do that."

"Most men do not have millennia in which to work it out." Atem glanced at Yugi from beneath tumbled bangs. "I do not deserve your admiration."

"Okay, who are you and what did you do with my surly genie?" Yugi made his tone light, hoping to tease Atem from his melancholy mood. He poked a finger in the genie's ribs. "And don't try to make me believe it took thousands of years for you to forgive him, either, because I won't."

For several seconds, Atem just stared at Yugi, an unreadable expression darkening his eyes. Finally, Atem blinked. "Your leg pains you."

With a sigh, Yugi allowed the subject change, only then becoming aware that he had been absently massaging the muscles of his thigh with his other hand. "A little. I'll need to soak it in a hot bath and get some sleep."

Yugi wondered if he could sleep. He had a feeling he'd spend the night with his mind churning over thoughts of wishes and betrayals and sometimes-surly genies. Shaking his head, Yugi hefted his cane from its place on the floorboards and reached for the door handle.

A soft "alakazam" - and Yugi's fingers closed on thin air. Reeling, he dropped his cane with a clatter and fetched up against the faded wallpaper of the hall outside his bedroom. Heart racing, he panted, "I think… I still need… a little more warning… before beam out, Mr. Scott."

"Speak English, master, I implore you." For once, Atem sounded more amused than annoyed.

Something nudged Yugi's hand. Looking down, he found his cane hovering in the air beside him, waiting for him to grasp it. Instinctively, he clutched at the handle. When he looked back up, he found Atem smiling at him.

"Thanks," Yugi breathed, helpless before that soft, dazzling smile. It melted his every resistant urge into a puddle of submission. Desperate to distract himself, he blurted out the first thing that came to his floundering mind. "Did you put the car in the garage?"

"Alakazam," Atem said, by way of reply. His smile widened, turning languid and seductive without even trying. He bowed low, as graceful as always, though this time it held no resentment or mockery. "Your car is in its garage, my master, and your abode is secured for the night."

Before Yugi could formulate a response, he heard water running in the bathroom. The fragrance of sandalwood and myrrh floated down the hallway. It appeared that Atem was preparing him that hot bath. A mischievous grin stole across Yugi's face. "You know, I think I could get used to having you around."

"I think I could get used to being around," came the quiet reply.

Atem was so close now that Yugi could feel the heat of his body, even through their clothes. Startled, Yugi took a hasty side-step, angling toward the bathroom and the beckoning scent of bath oil. Why did the bath suddenly seem miles away, rather than just across the hall?

"Um. Well. I… I think I'll have that bath and head off to bed, now. So, I guess you'll be going back to the puzzle for the night-" Yugi broke off at the strange look on Atem's face. "What?"

"What are you babbling about now?" Atem folded his arms over his chest and scowled at Yugi.

"Uh…" Yugi ducked his head. He had the feeling all those years of watching I Dream of Jeannie on TV Land had led him astray. "Don't you sleep inside the puzzle?"

"Do I look as if I would fit inside the puzzle?" Atem spread his arms wide, then folded them again, the scowl deepening. "What's going through that head of yours? Do you imagine that there's a tiny bedroom inside the puzzle, with a miniature bed for me?"

"Um… No?"

"You do!" Atem shook his head. "The puzzle is merely a key to summon me from my dream-state. When I'm not in the service of a master, I reside in… I suppose it's another, non-physical dimension, created by the curse. It's a dark realm, filled with nothing but shadows of the real world and my own memories. Thankfully, I will not return there until I've granted your wishes."

"Oh." Yugi could hear the revulsion in the genie's voice when he spoke of this "shadow realm." He got the impression it was worse than Atem was saying. "Okay. Well… In that case, the sofa downstairs folds out into a bed. You can sleep there."

"No."

"Huh?"

Atem frowned. "I explained the rule to you before. I must remain within reach of the sound of your voice at all times."

"But- Look, it's not like I'm going to make a wish in my sleep, or wake up with a sudden wish emergency. And, if I did, I could just come downstairs-"

"I do not make the rules." Atem gazed at Yugi with a stoic lack of expression. "I only do as I must - obey them."

Yugi blinked at him. Peachy. For the first time, he regretted turning the guestroom into a study. He glanced around the hallway. "Well, you can't sleep out here in the hall, and I don't know what else-"

"It is simple, master." Atem arched a regal eyebrow. "I will, of course, be spending the night in your room. With you."