Hello everyone!
I'm back with another story. This one I had fun writing, it's the sequel to a fic I wrote back in April which was called When He Loved Me.
Anyways, I'm gonna get on with the fic, I hope you all enjoy it. The chapters are a little shorter than I normally do. I write on Word and usually go about 11 pages but these chapters are about 5-6 pages long. I wanted to try something different for this fic since it's smaller.
4 years had passed since Prince Atem fell in love with Heba.
4 years had passed since the couple decided to elope and travel the world with each other.
4 years had passed since Yami's heart broke, thanks to his brother.
4 years had passed since Yami gave up waiting.
Life in the palace had not changed since Crown Prince Atem had left with his lover Heba to elope together. No one knew where they left to and no one had heard from them since then.
Life was bustling in the palace, the servants attended to their duties for the day.
At the moment, the King and Queen were sitting in one of the lounges, a chessboard in front of them. The couple were always playing chess with each other when they weren't attending to their duties, the Queen always ended up winning.
"Are you sure about that move dear?" the Queen asked with a smile. Queen Amara, was a woman in her early 50's with pale skin, long black hair that flowed down her back, her eyes reflecting the colour of rubies. She was wearing a simple white dress with gold detailing on the skirt, a gold necklace around her neck, gold earrings in her ears, and gold bracelets on her wrists. Atop her head sat a simple golden headband with a golden flower on the side.
She used to live across the seas in Japan as the only daughter to her father before she met her husband and they fell in love. Marrying only 2 years later and having their first son 2 years after, then their second son 8 years later.
"More than certain," the King answered, returning his wife's smile. King Aknamkanon, a man in his late 50's with tanned skin, hair identical to his son's, and violet eyes. He wore black pants, a purple blouse, and a dark brown vest.
"I believe I have won again," Amara answered as she moved her piece into the final position. "Checkmate."
"So you have," Aknamkanon answered with a soft chuckle. "I can never win against you, my dear."
"You never learn," Amara said as they started to put the pieces back in place. "Does he Yami?"
A figure sitting at the black piano in the corner of the small room turned to his mother with a smile.
"Never."
"I'll get it one day," Aknamkanon answered as the game started once more.
"Yami, why don't you place that piece that Mahad has been helping you with?" Amara asked as she moved her first piece into play. "I do love that one."
"As you wish," Yami answered turning back to the piano. He had picked up learning the instrument after his brother left. It helped him cope with his absence and what had happened before. Mahad, a member of his father's Royal Court, had helped him learn when he wasn't attending to his duties.
(A/N: If you want to listen during this part of the story, the song is the theme song to Howl's Moving Castle (I love that one), I listened to a piano cover which you can find on the YouTube channel The Blue Notes Piano Tutorials)
Halfway through the game, one of the maids walked in and headed over to Amara, a letter in hand.
"Apologies for the interruption Your Majesty but this just arrived for you," the maid said handing the letter to the Queen.
"Thank you Mai," Amara answered with a smile.
Mai had been at the palace for as long as Yami can remember. She was a few years older than he was but the two got along pretty well.
"Will you be needing anything, Your Majesty?" Mai asked as Amara opened the envelope.
"No Mai, that will be all," Amara answered as she pulled out the letter and started reading it. Mai bowed and left, back to her duties.
"What does it say?" Aknamkanon asked his wife as her eyes widened. "Who is it from?"
"It's from Atem," Amara answered with tears in her eyes. Yami's fingers faltered and he messed up a few of the notes as he heard his brother's name.
"What does he say?" Aknamkanon asked. It had been four years since they had last seen or heard from their eldest son. Since he and Heba eloped and left the kingdom.
"He's coming home," Amara answered. "With Heba."
Yami froze.
His fingers stopped playing and the room had turned deadly silent.
A few days later, Yami's cousin Seto had returned from his trip with his husband Joey, who was also Yami's best friend.
"So, what's this we hear about Atem coming back?" Joey asked.
"Is it true?" Seto asked as the group walked down to the gardens.
"It is," Yami said with a soft nod. "We got his letter a few days ago, he and Heba are coming back."
"Well, that explains why everyone's setting up for a party," Joey said as a few maids rushed past with decorations in their arms.
"Yes, Mother wants to throw them a party to welcome them back," Yami said with a sigh. "She's excited about them returning, as is Father."
"And how are you taking it?" Seto asked. He remembered how miserable Yami was thanks to Atem and how he was when Atem left. It destroyed Yami.
"I'm happy they're coming back," Yami said with a soft smile before it disappeared into a frown once more. "But…"
"You're scared of what's going to happen between you and Atem," Joey finished.
"Yeah," Yami said with a nod. "It may have been four years ago but it still hurts."
The next morning, a ship sailed into the harbour and docked. The same ship that Prince Atem and his husband Heba sailed away on four years ago.
"It's good to be back home," Atem said with a smile. Turning to his husband who nodded. Heba may not have been born here but he did live here for some time before he and Atem returned to Heba's home to stay with his family.
"What do you think of it Yugi?" Heba asked turning to someone who looked similar to Heba but with pale skin instead of tanned skin. This was Heba's twin brother, Yugi.
"No wonder you moved here, it's beautiful," Yugi said with a smile.
"Your Highness," a voice called out from the dock. Atem turned and smiled seeing Mahad, one of his father's court members.
"Mahad, it has been a while," Atem said heading off the ship and greeting the man in a hug.
"Too long Your Highness," Mahad replied with a smile. "Your parents await your arrival at the palace."
"Let's not keep them waiting any longer than they already have," Heba said linking his and Atem's arms together.
"Right," Atem said turning to Mahad who nodded and started leading the group to the carriage which would take them back to the palace.
As soon as they entered the throne room, Atem was immediately brought into a hug from his mother.
"Nice to see you to Mother," Atem said with a wince, he had forgotten how tight his mother's hugs were.
"Welcome home Atem," Amara said with a smile. "And welcome back Heba, it's good to see you again."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Heba said with a smile. "It's good to be back home."
"And who is this with you?" Aknamkanon asked turning his attention to Yugi.
"This is my twin brother Yugi," Heba explained turning to Yugi. "My parents thought it would benefit him if he were to accompany me and Atem back to Egypt."
"I see, well, welcome to Egypt Yugi," Amara said with a smile. "I hope you enjoy your stay with us."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Yugi said with a smile.
"Where's Yami?" Atem asked, suddenly noticing his younger brother wasn't present. Amara and Aknamkanon tensed before they shook it off.
"I believe Yami was out with Seto and Joey," Aknamkanon said with a soft smile. "I don't believe they have returned yet."
"I see," Atem said with a nod.
"Well, we'll let you get settled in before the ball this evening," Amara said with a smile. "Your room has been prepared for you and Heba and we'll have the guest room set up for Yugi as well."
That evening, Yami entered the ballroom and the crowd cheered at his entrance. He could never get past people having their eyes on him, he hated being in the spotlight. He joined up with Joey and Seto, along with Bakura and Marik who were with their husbands Ryou and Malik.
After Joey had gotten Yami out of his depression, he had introduced him to Bakura and Marik. The pair got along with the Prince surprisingly and they became fast friends. Two years later they met Ryou and Malik and before everyone knew it Bakura and Ryou were getting married followed by Marik and Malik.
"Presenting Prince Atem and his husband Heba Motou," the chamberlain announced, the crowd cheering as Atem and Heba entered the ballroom. Amara and Aknamkanon greeting them with a smile and a hug.
"Thank you all for coming tonight," Aknamkanon announced to the crowd. "Please enjoy the celebration."
The crowd cheered once more and music began, the crowd beginning to dance.
Heba turned to see Yugi staring at someone. More importantly, he was staring at Yami. The Prince doing everything in his power to avoid Atem.
"If you want to go say "hi" to him, you can you know," Heba said with a smirk at Yugi turned to him with bright red cheeks.
"I-I don't-" Yugi started to say before Heba grabbed his arm and excused himself from Atem and dragged his brother over to where Yami was standing with his group of friends.
"Yami," Heba called out as he approached the Prince. Yugi flinched hearing Heba call out the Prince's name without his title. Yami turned and his eyes widened slightly seeing Heba standing behind him.
"Heba," Yami greeted with a nod of his head. The others took this as a cue to excuse the trio and went onto the dance floor. "What can I help you with?"
"I'd like to introduce you to someone who came back with me and Atem," Heba said with a smile, not missing how Yami flinched softly hearing his brother's name. "This is my brother, Yugi Motou."
"It's wonderful to meet you, Your Highness," Yugi said with a bow, his cheeks burning.
"And you as well," Yami said with a small smile. "I hope you enjoy your stay here."
"Thank you," Yugi said with a bow. Yami heard someone call Heba's name and turned, his body freezing seeing his brother was making his way over to him. "Please, excuse me," Yami said with a bow of his head and turning and walking away.
Just as Atem joined with Heba and Yugi.
"What was that about?" Atem asked, not missing how fast Yami was to leave.
"I'm not sure," Heba said still looking at the direction Yami had left in. Though, he had a guess of why Yami had left so urgently.
And it had to do with 4 years ago.