Chapter 13 (Santana – Smooth)

Seto watched the two servants go before turning back to Atemu. "Why do you need to see Captain Joseph?"

Atemu's eyes flashed red for a moment before he lowered his gaze. "Whoever did this to my little angel should be rightfully punished, don't you think? I need Captain Joseph to conduct a full investigation into the guards. Whoever is responsible for this…this…." Speech seemed to fail him as he searched for a word that could adequately describe what had been done to Yugi. A single tear traced its path down his face as Atemu turned once more to his little angel on the bed.

Seto watched the tear fall with shock and some small amount of alarm. 'He hasn't even spoken to him yet and already he cares so much about that little concubine, it's nothing short of a wonder. But if I know Atemu, he'll rip the kingdom to shreds if he has to. I cannot let him loose his head over this.'

"Atemu, pull yourself together!" Seto said rather harshly, his tone belied by the way used a corner of his sleeve to wipe the tear from Atemu's face. "Captain Joseph will find the guilty men, I will make sure your 'little angel' is properly healed, and all of this will be all sorted out in time for the Pharaoh's Kiss ceremony." His voice softened. "Relax."

Atemu took a deep breath and smiled. "I suppose that's for all the times I've told you to relax, isn't it?"

"Partly." Seto smiled, relieved that his leader had regained his composure. He heard the clink of sandals on the stone floor outside and stepped away from Atemu as Captain Joseph entered the room.

Captain Joseph was still dressed in his full ceremonial robes, complete with gold jewelry and billowing blue and white cape. He swept into the room quickly and kneeled at the pharaoh's feet, the cape spreading out behind him and slowly settling. "You asked to see me, pharaoh."

Atemu sighed. "Rise, Joseph." He said. "It's too late for all this formality and you don't need to, besides. I need to discuss the misbehavior of some of your guards."

Captain Joseph stood, but kept his head down. "I apologize, my pharaoh. I've taken the previous guard into custody and appointed, as you requested, my most honest and trustworthy general and his troops in their place. His name is General Taylor. He is new to the royal guard, but he has won many honors for daring rescues and brave deeds in support of women and children. He will deal kindly with them. I cannot tell you how sorry I am that this has happened."

Pharaoh Atemu smiled. "I trust your judgment, and I'm sure I will be pleased with the changes made in the guard. I must go down to see General Taylor and the women tomorrow morning to sort out this mess. Calm down, Joseph. Kontar and his ancestors have been commanding the guards in that section of the palace for years. This is a reflection of my negligence and Kontar's cruelty. You have nothing to be ashamed of."

Captain Joseph smiled and raised his head, although he still would not meet his pharaoh's eyes. "Thank you, my pharaoh."

"I told you, my name is Atemu," he said. Then he smiled sadly. "We're all having trouble relaxing right now, aren't we?"

Even Captain Joseph had to smile at this. Seto noticed this and was looking at Joseph with a strange gleam in his eyes.

"I suggest you get some sleep, Atemu. You'll need it," said Seto. "If you have no objections, I'd like to ask Captain Joseph to escort me to my chambers and help with the preparations for your angel's medicine."

Atemu smiled. "Of course, Seto. I'll see you tomorrow afternoon." With a wave of his hand, the pharaoh formally dismissed his captain of the guard and high priest before turning to prepare for bed.

***

Seto smiled as Joseph followed him towards his study. He had intended to spend the night working on the potion, but when he saw Joseph smile he just couldn't resist the temptation of spending some time with him.

Joseph, for his part, was confused. Sure Seto was always kind to him, even asking him repeatedly to call him by his first name, but Seto was also fiercely independent and very powerful. He definitely didn't need an escort to his room, 'So why did he ask me to accompany him?'

"You picked a replacement for Kontar very quickly, Joseph." Seto said, startling Joseph out of his musings.

"Yes, Priest. General Taylor is my most trusted general, and I think he'll enjoy working with the concubines. As I told the pharaoh, he is known for his valor with women and children." Joseph replied.

"I'm sure Atemu will be pleased," Seto said "But what about you? Just as Taylor is your most trusted general, you are Atemu's trusted captain. He wants you to be happy, but you turn down everything he gives you."

Joseph was flustered. "I – I don't know what you mean, priest – "

"There! That's just it. I've told you many times to call me Seto, but you never have, let alone call Atemu by his given name. He has been nothing but kindness and patience with you, and you continue to treat him and I like vengeful gods."

"It isn't right, he's the pharaoh. And you outrank me."

"So what!" Seto all but screamed. He paused for a breath and continued, more calmly this time. "Joseph he may be the pharaoh but he is still human. And I may be a priest but I'm not some mad curse-slinger waiting to bring you down. After all these years that you've been with the court, we still know so little about you. I know you've had the Pharaoh's Kiss. Atemu gave you his permission to call him friend. Why won't you?"

Joseph was silent, fidgeting while his eyes darted around the corridor as if looking for a distraction. "I'm so much further below you than you could realize. My family is…not rich."

Seto sighed. "Joseph you weren't chosen for your breeding. Noble blood and peasant blood both flow red. You were chosen for your skills, both as a soldier and a commander. In this, you outrank me."

Joseph seemed dumbstruck. The idea that he could be worthy to talk freely with the pharaoh of all Egypt and his high priest was entirely new to him. But there was another reason….

"I…you…it's just…" Joseph stopped and collected his thoughts. "That is true, but…"

"Yes?" Seto prompted.

"There are other reasons. Reasons I'd care not to discuss right now."

"Then, for now, just call me by my name." Seto said. "You don't have to do the same with Atemu, if you don't want to, but can you try with me?"

"Err…I…I don't know. It still isn't right…"

Seto gave an exasperated sigh. "Do I have to invent a 'Priest's Kiss' ceremony to satisfy you?" Seto's eyes suddenly gleamed and a smirk grew on his face as his next idea surprised even him. He reached out and tilted Joseph's face up to look him in the eyes.

"Call me as you will, call me friend. You have the liberty to use the name you have heard." With that he leaned forward and kissed Joseph's forehead.

Joseph froze, eyes wide open and barely daring to breathe. He didn't move even as Seto stepped back and smiled at him softly.

"Will that do?" he asked.

Joseph blinked rapidly and let some of the tension leave him. 'He…he just kissed me. He didn't have to do that, even as a joke! Maybe…maybe….'

Joseph realized that Seto was still staring at him and quickly averted his eyes. "I…That's very generous of you…Seto."

Seto smiled and continued walking to his study, Joseph walking by his side.