Sorry this chap was late! Work has been kicking my ass the last few days, and I had an epiphany with other writing.

**Fans of my Flying Castle Series or who have been waiting for it, please see the note on my profile page

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Dedications: To my fans, followers, and reviewers! Thank you all so much! You keep me going!

As always, read, review, reply, comment, ask questions, make theories and enjoy!

Chapter XVIII: Mornings

Yugi woke to the smell of lotus blossoms and the loud repetition of his name. He groaned and tried to bury himself deeper in his leopard fur blanket and the soft silks of his headrest, but the echo was persistent.

"Yugi? Are you awake?" Timaeus called from the inner, balancing a tray of food in one hand, like he had done every morning that week since he'd been named Yugi's guardian.

He found him curled up in his bed like a cat in a nest, wall silks drawn to block out the morning. Unwillingly, Yugi rose from the sheets With a groan. His hair was a tasseled mess from sleep and laziness dulled his eyes. Timaeus stood humbly in the doorway, waiting for permission with a humorous smile plastered on his face. "Come," He said fighting down a chuckle. "Time to get up."

"I don't want to," Yugi groaned and plopped back down on the mattress.

With a pleased sigh, Timaeus set the tray down at the foot of the bed and shook his head. "I thought you were an early riser?" he teased.

"Only when I want to be," Yugi challenged back.

With a smile, Timaeus shook his head. "You can't sleep all day."

"I can try," his response was a lazy mumble and tried to hide in his cozy little nest.

"Then at least have breakfast," Timaeus tempted, moving the tray to his lap. With a deep whiff, Yugi inhaled the salty tang of fish and the baked aroma of gozmose, honey-sweetened bread, and the buzz of grape wine and…was that?

"I bought pomegranates," Timaeus bribed, and Yugi could hear the temptation radiating on his face. "I know they're your favorite." He split one open and handed it to him.

A lazy hand moved to grab it but Timaeus pulled it away. "Ah-ah," he stood taking the tray with him and waved his forefinger patronizingly. "You have to get up first."

Yugi rose to his knees and glared at him. "That was cruel."

"No," Timaeus said taking a bite of the fruits, and licking his lips. "Cruel would be if I ate this whole meal without you." He strolled out of the bedchamber and into the main hall.

Yugi pulled himself out of bed and dragged himself to the joint dress room. He replaced his light shenti for a new shendyt and an elaborate belt. Gasping at his horrid reflection in the mirror, he shook his head and tamed his wild hair with a vigorous combing.

He found Timaeus in the sitting room, pouring two goblets of wine. His armor and mantle but the sabatons hugging his ankles were gone, and his under-armor was new, and the color of quicksilver and trimmed on the elbows and sides with green. It clung to him like a second skin and did nothing to hide his corded muscles, but a teal and silver kilt kept his midsection a secret. Yugi shivered. Timaeus looked up and met his gaze: emerald and red-slit pearl, bright and blazing, with a twinkle of mischief.

His gaze smoothly slid from Yugi's face, down his neck and chest, to his legs and feet then rose once more to meet Yugi's eyes. He smiled. "You look lovely," he complimented. "No jewelry?" he asked, noticing Yugi's bare arms and collar.

Yugi tilted his head, determined to hide his blush. "I don't have much finery," he admitted simply. "I'm not very fond of wearing things for decorative purposes."

"Ah," Timaeus nodded, standing by a gold lion-shaped chair he'd yet to sit in. "Then what are you fond of wearing?" he asked curiously.

Not wanting to be a bad host, Yugi took one of the chairs and motioned for the other to sit. He filled his plate with pomegranates and goose, while Timaeus took the fish and lathered a piece of bread with green fig paste.

"In public," he began, "You wear heirlooms and gold, things to show off your status, your history, your pride and ancestry. It's a display of power and strength, nothing more." His tone was flat and he stuffed a handful of pomegranate seeds in his mouth and licked his lips demonically, capturing stray drops of juice. "But in private, in the company of those who you have no need to impress, they're cold and meaningless. They say nothing about you and less about your family's greatness. In private, things you wear should have real value. A meaning. I don't have anything like that."

He waited for ridicule. "That's quite an astute observation for one so young," Timaeus agreed, and Yugi's eyes darted up. "By that logic, we hardly own anything for ourselves." He continued cutting into the fish and taking large bites. "It makes sense that the ones we do own should be memorable in some way."

Yugi gave the tiniest of smiles at the praise.

"Curious," Timaeus said after a sip of wine. "You don't have such items? I assume you'd wear them if you did."

Yugi turned his head. "No, I do not."

Timaeus looked saddened. "Nothing from your mother or your father?"

"Nothing worth keeping," Yugi said, then added. "I have much more personal mementoes." He smirked when Timaeus interest peaked.

"Is your name one such memento?"

Yugi shot up. "Why do you ask?" There was a warning in his tone.

Timaeus exposed his palms, still smiling. "I meant its meaning. U-ja-la," he pronounced every syllable with a roguish husk. "I believe that means to shine, correct?"

"It does," Yugi said flatly, determined to remain unreadable.

"Your parents must've loved you dearly to give you such a meaningful name. Though I am curious how you get your nickname from it. Unless Yugi is your name shortened to the first syllable."

The words were too polite for a retort, and too honest, giving Yugi the opportunity to decline it. Sighing, Yugi relented. "It's a combination actually, when I was a child I was called their habibi Ujalah. It is a combination of those two names, but reversed."

"Ah," Timaeus perked up, understanding immediately. "Habibi being a term of fierce endearment. I was right then."

"No, you weren't," Yugi teased sipping his wine and smirked when Timaeus' expression dropped for a second from shock. "Yes, my nickname is of familial meaning, but now I only allow those who've proven themselves to be a friend the honor of using it."

Timaeus' smile became a wide curl. "Thank you."

Yugi nearly choked on his next sip. "Pardon me?" he demanded unable to fathom why the man looked so smug.

Timaeus' smiled widened. "You just admitted you consider me a friend."

It was a miracle of Yugi's will that he did not blush. He'd forgotten that he had said that. Unwilling to forfeit their game just yet, Yugi spun to face him and said. "Now I have a few questions for you."

Timaeus smiled, and finished his fish. "Ask me anything little one." He split open a pomegranate by twisting it in half and picked out the seeds one by one and popped them into his mouth.

"What does your name mean?" Yugi interrogated.

"My name? Well," he explained humble and boasting at once. "Comes from the Greek word Timaios meaning honor."

Yugi couldn't stop himself from smiling. "How appropriate."

"Indeed, and I do my best to live up to it," Timaeus bragged, humbly. "Any other questions, little one?"

"Just one," he said with too much innocence. "Have I provided you with any new information about my sibling's evil plot to invade Egypt?" he said purely as a jest, but the gravity in his eyes and smirk was a complete replica of the same smirk Timaeus had given him when he mockingly accused him of trying to learn Atlantis' military secrets. That, when he spun to face his charge, surprised Timaeus most.

"I'm not as naïve as I look, Timaeus," Yugi said his name like a scold. "I know your 'kindness' the last few days has been an attempt to win my favor. Bringing me meals, asking about my life, playing off my dismissals, you're not as manipulative as you think." He leaned back in his chair, smirking.

Timaeus blinked his expression priceless then the cat smiled and bowed, recognizing a worthy opponent. "How very observant of you, Yugi," he praised and even had the gall to clap his hands. "But I'm afraid the reason is wrong, I was not trying to be manipulative. I was and have been nothing but honest and earnest in my conversations with you. I've found the best way to learn a person's secrets is to earn them, as you said, through openness and honestly."

Yugi snorted a laugh and shook his head slowly. Honest the man certainly was, but open? That was another story.

"So, have I convinced you that I am part of my siblings evil plot to overthrow Egypt?" his words were mocking and full of sarcasm as he finished his wine.

"No little one I don't believe you are in anyway involved in their plot." Timaeus shook his head, setting the empty pomegranate shell on his plate. "You are no more than an innocent bystander, but it does intrigue me why they'd exhaust all their efforts on you."

"Why don't you ask them yourself?" Yugi shrugged like it was an obvious answer.

"I would, had I not been banned from negotiations," Timaeus grumbled with a twitch in his smile.

Yugi swallowed prematurely. He'd forgotten about that. "I'm sorry," he said then shot up when Timaeus snorted.

"I'm not," he said. "Negotiations bore me to tears." He rose from his seat. "Besides, I wouldn't want to talk either if I was faced with my conqueror."

Yugi set the glass down and pushed his empty plate aside. The servants would get it later. He slipped on a pair of lovely white sandals made of oxen leather, and grabbed a light capelet for his shoulders.

"Where are you off to?" Timaeus asked stacking their used dishes as the boy strode past.

"To explore the town," Yugi said with a shrug. "I've not been in Djanet since I was a child and she has grown much since then."

"Then allow me to accompany you," Timaeus swooped to his side, with a swift bow.

Yugi shook his head, and too quickly said. "I'll be fine, I-"

Timaeus waved his hand, cutting off any protest. "As your Guardian, I insist on it," he said definitely but gently. "I'm afraid I don't trust the people of Djanet enough to ensure your safety will be well kept."

Yugi rolled his eyes and quickened his pace, but Timaeus marched dutifully behind him. "You sound too much like Pas," he mumbled. "I doubt the Divine Servants have allies this far North and if they do, they would not dare strike me in the open."

"I cannot take that risk," Timaeus said sternly. "And neither can your brother, but I'd insist even if they didn't have enemies. I have not been in Djanet long enough to trust your city."

Yugi stopped at that, causing Timaeus to stumble to keep from hitting him. The glare on his face was dismissive and accusing. "These people are my people; you should learn to trust them."

Timaeus bowed his head respectfully but his gaze was no less defiant. "I trust you, little one. But your faith alone is not enough. Trust is a privilege, it cannot be given because they've earned it from someone else, nor can it be expected for the same reason. If they have earned your trust, all the better, but now they must earn mine."

Yugi tried to find a hole in the argument, and growled when he could not. "And what of your people? How could you rule Locri if you do not trust them?"

Timaeus frowned at that, and then smirked. "I, little one, was given Locri, yes, but I had to earn my peoples love and trust, as well as their respect, just as they had to earn mine, and we are a stronger nation because of it."

Yugi did not expect the answer, and had no response for it.

"Come?" Timaeus rose and took the lead. "Do you still wish to explore?" He offered Yugi a hand. This time, however, Yugi did not hesitate. With a grin that promised retribution, he took Timaeus hand: their game continuing, and his opponent growing ever more intriguing.

Probably the shortest chapter so far. But the style of this is Less is more and it ended where I wanted it too so it worked for me ^^

Hope you all enjoyed finally seeing some interaction between Timaeus and Yugi ^^ Just wait, there will be more.

I LOVE reading your theories about the priests and about Timaeus' past. Some of you are VERY close, others, I'm curious to see what your thinking, either way its so much fun for me! Just wait, more hints to come!

Next Time: Timaeus and Yugi take a trip to town and find an unexpected surprise