Jono paced hectically around the room he had been confined to. Amna had said that bastard would be here soon! And all he knew was that the sun was moving closer and closer to the horizon and that Pharaoh still wasn't here.

Jono buried his fingers in his hair; holding the sides of his head tightly, "God! Isn't it enough that he's forcing me to give up my freedom! Does he have to drive me fucking mad too!" he snarled. He dropped his hands back to his sides while letting out another frustrated sound.

He hated being stuck here, even if it had only been a few hours. No matter how elegant and lavish the room was it still felt like a cage to him. And although these golden trinkets were lovely to look at they felt a whole lot more like chains and shackles.

Jono huffed for the eightieth time. He had been fuming and pacing around this room for hours and he was finally beginning to tire himself out. "This is my own damn fault," Jono groaned pressing his back up against the wall that the head of the bed was against. He slid down to the floor and buried his head in his hands, allowing himself momentary comfort by wrapping himself up in a ball.

"If I had just run a little faster that stupid horse never would have caught up to me. And that Priest never would have found out about my dragon, and I never would have come here!" he groaned.

He just wanted to go home...well..home was to say the dangerous streets which weren't all that welcoming in the first place. But he still didn't want to be here that was for sure. Jono tugged his legs up to his chest and buried his head in his arms. He was beginning to ponder what the point was in living if he wasn't free.

If he was going to be forced to stay cooped up in this room, in this dumb Palace, he would surely go mad. That or his dragon would go insane...either one. Jono closed his eyes when he remembered his dragon, he supposed that living in a cage was better than living without his dragon.

Suddenly he heard soft footsteps break the silence in the room; he picked his head up and listened carefully.

Atem pushed the silky curtain aside as he entered his room feeling rather tired from the days events. He had wanted to get here and see Jono sooner, but there had been so much work to get done that he had gotten held up. He looked around the room and blinked when he realized that Jono was nowhere to be found.

"..Jono? Where are you little one?" he asked curiously walking further into the room; closer to the bed. He jumped slightly when the blonde uncurled himself and stood up from the other side of the bed, but quickly calmed himself. Atem smiled, "There you are," he said. Jono stared at the man with a look of hesitation and irritation.

"Come little one, I have much that I need to discuss with you," he informed sitting down on the bed. Jono remained completely still and stared at the bed as if it was a foreign entity. Atem observed the defiant look etched on the younger boys face and smiled, "Come now Jono, it doesn't bite," he teased.

Jono didn't say anything though he merely took a step backwards away from the side of the bed. Atem blinked a few times, "How strange," he mused suddenly. "A few hours ago you were screaming like someone was choking you, and now it is as if you've gone mute."

Jono fixed the older boy with an angered glare, but still didn't open his mouth to spit out any profanities. Atem chuckled softly, "Fine then, I understand if you're angry at me," he said passively.

Jono's lip pulled back into a snarl, "Angry doesn't even begin to cover it," he growled out.

Atem only continued to smile, "I realize you must hate me very much at the moment, but you have to understand I had only good intentions for you," he assured comfortingly.

"How the hell is this helping me!" Jono snapped at him feeling his temper rise. "What the hell were your intentions! To keep me locked up in this damn Palace like a beast in a cage!" he shouted furiously. Atem didn't even flinch at the others outburst, reminding Jono of how Amna had reacted to his temper previously.

"Now Jono, please do stop yelling. There is no need to get so worked up," he assured softly. Jono wasn't sure why, but there was something in the boys tone that just...vexed him.

"NO NEED!" he shouted clenching his fists together at his sides. "MY FREEDOM JUST GOT COMPLETELY TAKEN AWAY AND YOU'RE TELLING ME NOT TO GET WORKED UP!" he screamed at him hoping that somehow if he just screamed louder that this would all just magically fix itself.

Atem sat completely still and watched the younger boy calmly, "You can shout at me all you want, if it makes you feel better," he said gently. That was the problem! None of this was making Jono feel any better! He hated that this damn Pharaoh was being so..so calm! That he was acting so collected while he was a wild animal!

And not only was he being calm but he was actually telling him that he was okay with him shouting at him. That wasn't what Jono wanted! That wasn't the point of yelling at someone! The point was for them to get just as angry as you were!

That dumb Priest seemed to get it so why didn't this guy.

"Your situation is not going to change, Jono." Atem stated suddenly. The baritone voice caused Jono to pause during his rant and stare at the spiky haired teen. Amethyst eyes stared straight back at him, "No matter how much you scream."

Jono stared at him; red faced and panting for air. He already knew that...so why did hearing it out loud make everything different? His body shook faintly as he caught his breath, Atem silently watched the younger boy.

"Did Amna speak with you?" he asked suddenly earning the young blondes attention once more. Jono, who had now calmed himself, looked away from the egyptian, "What's it matter to you," he grunted out.

"Well...I was hoping she would be able to help ease you into this," he admitted with a touch of disappointment in his words, obviously because he could see now that that had not occurred as he had hoped.

Jono rolled his eyes and scoffed, "Ease into what? Slavery?"

Atem frowned at the reply though, "I would have hoped that she had told you I do not believe in slaves," he asserted firmly, sitting up straighter as if to affirm his standpoint on the subject. Jono huffed crossing his arms again, "Oh don't worry she told me," he assured sarcastically.

"You do not believe me?" Atem queried knowingly.

"Why should I?" Jono argued glaring at the older boy. "I don't care what you brainwashed her to think, but there is no difference between a servant and a slave." he stated confidently.

"If that is what you think... your views are very clouded then, little dragon." Atem voiced almost pityingly. Jono widened his eyes when he caught the last two words of the boys sentence and immediately bristled. "W-What did you just call me!"

Atem blinked, "Little dragon?" he repeated.

"Y-You-..I-I...Damn it! I have a name got it!" he yelled at him flushing in embarrassment. Atem laughed amusedly, "How cute, you're blushing."

"Don't call me cute either!" he demanded frustratedly. "I'm sorry little one, but truly you are quite adorable," he said sincerely. "Perhaps the cutest boy I've ever seen," he noted affectionately. Jono felt his cheeks flushing to a dark red causing him to growl at the other.

"Quit it!"

"I'm sorry little one." Atem apologized. He cleared his throat softly and straightened his posture once more,"What I was really hoping to discuss with you is what Amna had told you," he informed evenly.

"What's there to discuss? She talks about you like you're her hero or something," he said distastefully. Truly this man must be awful if he was actually convincing these poor people that what he was doing was a good thing.

"Is that so hard to believe?" Atem wondered aloud.

Jono looked at him incredulously, "Of course it is!" he snapped in disbelief. "She shouldn't be grateful to you! She should despise you or at least fear you! Not respect and support you!" he argued. "You've brainwashed these people to make them think being a slave is a good thing!" he snarled furiously.

Atem frowned, his amethyst eyes suddenly darkening in a more serious and foreboding way. The sudden shift in demeanor as well as the added look of ominousness made Jono fall deathly silent and want to curl back up into a ball.

"That is quite enough." he castigated standing up from his seat on the bed and walked up to the vermillion eyed child, who seemed to lose all animosity upon hearing the tone of the egyptians voice. Jono took a step back; trying to distance himself from the man that he just realized could probably beat the crap out of him if he wanted to. Not to mention the same man who now technically 'owned' him and could do whatever he damn well pleased with him.

Perhaps he should have realized that fact earlier before he had metaphorically spat in his face.

"I will not listen to this nonsense about brainwashing anymore," Atem said in a low voice that made Jono shudder and take another step backwards. His ruby eyes grew smaller as the violet eyed boy advanced toward him, "And I will certainly not listen to you calling yourself, Amna, or anyone else a slave," he said in a deadly tone.

Jono gulped; biting back a whimper when he felt his back hit the wall. He shivered and stared fearfully at the tri-color haired boy walking up to him. He found himself trying to back up further against the wall, if that was even possible. His heart hammered loudly against his chest when the taller boy stood directly in front of him, his darkened purple eyes boring down into his own.

His own eyes grew wide and terrified when he saw the Pharaoh raise his hand. Ruby eyes grew frantic and darted toward the threatening appendage; Jono let out a panicked whimper and flinched, shutting his eyes tightly, preparing for the painful blow.

...

Nothing ever came though. Jono remained frozen stiff; back pressed against the wall, body tensed and trembling, features pinched fearful, and eyes shut tightly. Waiting for the familiar sensation of a hand or a fist colliding with his jaw or the side of his face.

Jono was, to say frankly; surprised when instead of a fist he felt something touch his hair.

"Be at ease, Jono," a soft baritone voice soothed causing Jono to open his eyes and look up at the Pharaoh. He noticed instantly that the dark expression was no longer present on the older teens face, and that it had been replaced by a calm and passive one. The second thing he noticed was that the hand that the taller blonde had raised before was now outstretched, and resting on top of his head.

Tanned finger gently rubbed the young egyptians hair in a calming manor, "Amna should have told you; I would never harm any of you like that. I do not believe in harsh punishment." he reassured keeping his voice low and calm.

Jono stared at the other, his eyes subtly conveying his shock. He wasn't sure why, but he couldn't help but find the mans voice to be...strangely..soothing.

"I, unlike other Masters, use alternative methods of punishment that aren't nearly as cruel," Atem murmured. Jono blinked up at the king, unable to help but feel a little curious about what those methods were.

Violet eyes gazed down softly at the golden haired blonde,"That Jono, is difference between a slave and a servant." Atem stated removing his hand from the others head. Jono gently raised a slender brow when he heard this, and creased his brow in confusion; finding himself unable to figure out how the egyptians statement made sense.

Atem straightened once more though and placed a hand on the young blondes shoulder gently ushering him over to the bed, "Please come and sit Jono," he entreated. Jono tensed apprehensively, but allowed the gentle push to take place and sit him down.

Though he did sit on the very edge of the bed, still uncomfortable with the thought of sitting there. Atem sat down as well, but put a bit of distance between them, which Jono was grateful for.

"I know you're very angry and confused right now," Atem whispered softly staring at his hands which were resting neatly on his lap. "But I truly do hope that in time you will be happy here," he said sincerely. Jono eyed the Pharaoh suspiciously.

He didn't know what to make of this man. He scared him, he angered him, he confused him, he...intrigued him.

But he didn't make any sense to him.

Every word he spoke was from a language Jono couldn't speak. Every fact he stated was based on a logic Jono couldn't comprehend. Every truth and promise he spoke of translated into a muddled mess of lies and deceit. And every gesture he made conveying love and gentle concern made Jono see flashes of blood and cruel hostility.

"How can you say that..." Jono asked in a wounded tone that confirmed a feeling of disgust. Atem looked at the golden haired boy in surprise, his brows furrowing perplexedly, "What do you mean? What did I say?" he asked truly concerned as to what he had said that had offended the boy so much.

He watched the teen stand up abruptly from his seat and swiftly turn to face him; staring at him with disbelieving eyes. Eyes that had seen the true hurtful nature of people from a very young age, ones that had born the brunt of humanity's cruelty and suffered through the horrendous effects of their lies and brutality.

"How can you say something so false.." he hissed at him. His red eyes glinted furiously and narrowed toward the older man, while his brow creased, exposing specs of pain and fear hidden in his outraged stare.

Atem frowned and his eyes saddened, "Jono I say nothing false," he defended lamentably.

"You're lying!" Jono shouted at him. "Everyone lies and you're no different!" He argued clenching his fists and gritting his teeth together. He was offended and disgusted that this..this monster had the audacity to torment him like this and then lie to his face. "You don't want me to be happy, you want to break me just like everyone else here! You want to take away my freedom, and take away my spirit! That's what you want!" he screamed accusingly.

Atem stared at him wide eyed, but for the most part hid the extent of his reaction. He was shocked that the boy actually thought him capable of such cruelties. Just hearing those awful accusations made Atem's blood curdle and his heart burn with a new found pain. This pain was because Atem knew that only someone who had experienced something truly barbaric and inhumane could make accusations like those.

Atem sighed gently; however, hiding his inner worry from the blonde. There was no use in trying to calm Jono down at this point, it seemed everything he said only made the boy angry. That was to be expected, he supposed though; but it didn't make anything any easier that was for sure.

"Jono," he breathed out tiredly; closing his eyes. The spiky haired Pharaoh slowly rose to his feet and sent a weary glance toward the huffing egyptian, who had once more stopped ranting.

"If you are too angry to speak with me, I understand. But I am very tired, if you will not attempt to listen then I will not bother to try to speak with you." he explained softly. Jono stared at the tri-color haired teenager as he walked silently past him and disappeared behind the dark purple curtain on the other side of the room.

Jono stared intently at the curtain until the violet eyed teenager returned; holding a cushion and a white cover in his arms. Jono's chest heaved gently as he caught his breath, while he stared perplexedly at the boy walking over to him.

"I would invite you to stay in my bed, but I do not think you are very fond of that idea," the blonde said knowingly. He walked up to Jono and held out the items, looking at him expectantly.

"Huh?" Jono asked softly looking at the lump of covers in the boys arms and then back at his face before he tentatively opened his own arms and took the items from him. Atem stared down at him with a caring but clearly exhausted look haunting his features, "You may set up wherever you like to sleep," he breathed out politely wearing a gentle smile. "If during the night you grow uncomfortable, you are more than welcome to join me on the bed." he added offhandedly.

Jono found himself just staring at the elder with his mouth agape as if he wanted to say something. He watched Atem walk over to a large table like structure that was across from the bed and stand before it. He observed silently as he methodically began removing the ornate pieces of jewelry from his person.

Jono looked away from the man and back at the pile of linens still resting in his arms. He innerly shook himself and did a quick analysis of the room, trying to decide what a good spot would be to set up. Immediately, the balcony caught his eye and appealed to him; he walked over to it and knelt down and began laying out the materials in order to make a makeshift bed.

Atem removed the golden crown like band from his head and reverently placed it on the table. He stole a glance at the young blonde behind him, "You know I wouldn't recommend that spot," he warned. The sonorous voice caused Jono to look back at the older boy with a guarded look, "Why is that?" he questioned skeptically.

"Well, at night it will get cold and I doubt that you will be very warm if you sleep over there."

Jono huffed and closed his eyes, turning away from the Pharaoh again, "I'm used to it." he declared stiffly. He smoothed out the sheet absentmindedly, "I haven't slept in a room in years, at least if I sleep over here...it will feel more natural."

"Oh...I see." Atem replied softly while removing his dark indigo cape. "Well, if it is to your liking than I will not object."

Jono sent a soft glare over his shoulder; not because he was mad per say just confused really. Masters were supposed to treat their slaves like crap, they didn't care about what they needed or wanted. All they cared about was what they wanted.

Atem finally turned away from the table and toward Jono, causing the young blonde to widen his eyes and hurriedly look away from the Pharaoh. Atem smiled softly at the reaction and walked over to stand behind the younger boy while gently resting his hand on top of his silky golden locks again.

Jono felt his entire body tense when he felt the others touch, and found himself once more baffled when the hand began rubbing his hair gently. Jono tentatively glanced up at the spiky haired teenager only to find his amethyst eyes pointed forward.

Jono followed his gaze curiously to find it pointed toward the skyline. The red sun was just beginning to set behind the horizon causing a red glow to settle over the land. He heard a soft wistful sigh pass the older blondes lips and the warm hand slowly left his head.

"Goodnight, Jono."

Jono blinked confusedly and looked over to see the teen walk to the other side of the bed and settle underneath the dark scarlet covers adorning it. Jono raised a slender brow once more and let out a soft questioning sound, before turning his attention back to his own bed.

He let out a sigh, he was tired, especially after all that had occurred today. He laid down and pulled his own off-white cover over his body and closed his eyes letting out a soft breath. He wasn't sure exactly what the older egyptian was planning to do with him or to him, but he was sure that tomorrow he would find out. However, he supposed that tonight he would relax and enjoy the last ounces of actual freedom he still had before they were taken away.

He knew that as soon as the sun rose the next morning he would truly become the Pharaoh's slave. But tonight he was still Jono, keeper of the black dragon. Jono let out a pleased sigh when he thought that and allowed himself to drift off into sweet oblivion.

Atem opened his eyes once he heard the younger boys breathing even out finally signifying that the blonde had fallen asleep. Atem carefully slipped out of bed and walked back to the crimson eyed teen. He silently knelt down behind him and ran his fingers through the others silky golden locks. His own amethyst orbs observed in fascination at how the various reds and pinks and purples of the sky danced over the child's complexion.

Illuminating his delicate features.

The bright oranges reflected off his lightly tanned skin and the fervent reds set his entire person aglow. The gentle pinks flickered over his flushed lips and the dark shadow that had begun to creep over the land highlighted every shimmer of his golden hair. He tenderly brushed away the youths bangs from his face before leaning down and pressing a ghost like kiss to his forehead.

"I truly do hope that I will be able to make you happy, little dragon," he whispered fleetingly.

TBC

Hey what's up y'all! Well I had this finished on christmas as a back up christmas present just in case I didn't finish something better. Well obviously i finished something else and this was just sitting here so I figured I should post it. Lol well yeah it's not very popular...kinda saw that coming but once more Oh well. There has to be someone who wants to read this