Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Thoughts

"Speech"

Chapter 16

"Yugi, what were you and my father doing last night?" It was the next morning and Atem sprawled across his bed, watching as the smaller boy cleaned the room. Not bothering to ask if he wants help or to tell him to take a break. Yugi paused in his work and looked up at his lover.

"Pardon," he asked. Atem rolled his eyes.

"I asked what you and father were doing last night," the prince repeated, a small smile slowly creeping up at Yugi's lack of attention.

"Oh," Yugi said. "Um, we went for a ride. He had some things he needed to tell me, that's all. Why," he asked. Atem shrugged.

"Curious. Am I not allowed to wonder where my lover has gone?"

Yugi smiled, his eyes closed. "I guess you can." He opened his eyes. "Atem, do you really love me," he asked, his amethyst allowing no humour to seep through, letting Atem know the seriousness of the question. Atem sighed and got off his bed. This wasn't the first time Yugi asked that question. They've been together for a while and yet Yugi still found it hard to believe he was good enough for Atem. He walked over to where Yugi stood, grabbed his shoulders and looked him straight in the eye.

"Yes, I do Yugi. I always will," Atem whispered and placed his lips on Yugi's. Their eyes closed and Yugi wrapped his arms around Atem's neck and pulled himself closer while Atem placed his hands on the lower half of Yugi's back. Atem ran his tongue across Yugi's lips and the latter opened his mouth, giving Atem full access. The kiss deepened and lasted several minutes before an 'ahem' made them break apart. There stood Mana, a barely-there smile on her face.

"Was I interrupting something," she asked, her smile growing wider. Yugi hid his slowly reddening face in Atem's chest, and the prince looked down at his "twin" and smiled.

"What is it you want Mana," Atem asked. Mana shrugged, and shook her head. She opened the door wider and there stood Aknamkanon. He smiled.

"Boys, will you be kind enough to join us in the council room," the king asked. Yugi nodded while Atem just glared at Mana. In response, Mana stuck out her tongue and hopped away. Aknamkanon smiled gently and followed. Atem rolled his eyes and sighed. Yugi looked at him and smiled.

"You know Atem, I think we should be going," the younger of the two whispered. Atem sighed again and nodded.

"So nice of you to come at last, Prince Atem," Master Aknadin greeted icily, ignoring Yugi completely. Atem flopped down into the chair beside his father, beckoned Yugi to do the same. Yugi looked uncertainly at the delegates, then at Aknadin, and finally at the Pharaoh, before sitting down beside his lover.

"What is the reasoning behind this meeting," Atem asked rather rudely. Yugi glanced at him, worry etched on his face. Atem paid no heed to his expression. He would rather be in his room with Yugi, doing some not-so-innocent things.

Aknadin glared at his nephew and both his brother and son cleared their throats to silence any remark that was ready to spill from his mouth. Aknadin pasted on a strained smile. "It's to discuss you're future bride," he said as politely as he could.

Atem glanced at Yugi who slyly shrugged. He didn't know it was about this. Atem looked back at his father. "That's what this is about? But I don't know any of these girls. The only female I know that would a marriage prospect is Mana."

"What is your point, prince," Aknadin growled. Atem glared.

"My point, uncle, is that since my great-great-great-great-great grandfather was Pharaoh, the first wife of the Pharaoh was to be a love-match. There is a reason why there are hardly any second or third wives throughout or history. I will not break tradition and marry someone I don't love, especially if I don't know who they are," Atem stated. He heard a small gasp behind him and he looked at Yugi. Yugi smiled sadly.

"That's what this is about," Yugi told him. "To choose your best match from the options and then discuss your plans after."

"What plans," Atem asked, frowning. Yugi gave him another smile.

"The plans on how you're going to spend time with her in order to woo her and yourself."

Atem froze. Seriously? They weren't going to even ask him if he already found someone? Because the answer to that one was yes, and the person he loves is sitting right next to him. Atem glared at everyone at the table.

"No."

Everyone stared right back at the prince after that singular left his mouth. Aknamkanon coughed.

"What did you just say," he asked his heir.

Atem looked at him. "You heard me. I said no. I will not marry someone I don't know, even if I took the time to get to know her. There is no way. Besides, I already love someone and would marry him if he'd have me," Atem finished. Gasps were heard throughout the room. Prince Atem marry a male? How scandalous! Atem growled at all the shocked faces, and looked at every single one. And noticed Mana wasn't surprised, nor was Mahad, Isis, Kisara, or Seto. But that isn't a big shocker. Though, the fact his father wasn't reacting negatively made Atem worry. He doesn't already know does he? If he does, how? Atem looked at Yugi who smiled apologetically. Seriously? You told him? Atem looked back at his father who nodded.

"I think we all agree when I say this meeting is finished," he stated flatly. No one moved or spoke and Atem took it as no objections, grabbed Yugi's hand and left.

Everyone sat there for a minute before anyone spoke. "Well," Aknamkanon breathed. "Took him long enough, don't you think," he whispered, looking at the children. Mana smiled and nodded.

Atem dragged Yugi through the corridors until they reached their chambers. Yugi sat down on the bed and waited for Atem to speak.

"You told my father," he asked softly, in way that told Yugi he wasn't mad. But Yugi still bit his lip as he nodded. Atem sighed. "When?"

Yugi looked up at him. "When you left me alone after dragging me to that first meeting. He talked to me afterwards, asking what my relationship with you was. I didn't tell him specifics, but I'm sure he's not an idiot." Atem smiled. Yugi looked at the floor. "Did I do something wrong in telling him," he asked in a small voice.

Atem shook his head and quickly sat down, wrapping his arms around Yugi. "No, no love, you didn't do anything wrong. I just wanted to know. It makes me feel a lot better knowing he's not entirely against it," he added. Yugi smiled and leaned into the hug. "Yugi?"

"Yeah?"

"Did you mean it when you said you loved me?" Yugi moved his head so he could see Atem. He sat up and placed his hands on his lover's face, in order to make him look at him. Atem's ruby gaze met his amethyst one and Yugi could see the uncertainty in his eyes and smiled at his foolishness.

"Yes, Atem, I did. Why," Yugi asked softly. Atem stood up and started pacing.

"I just wanted to know, to make sure," he replied. Yugi raised an eyebrow. Atem stopped and stared at Yugi, his eyes serious.

"Make sure? Atem, what do you mean? What are you doing," he asked quickly and hesitantly at the same, as Atem smiled and knelt in front of him. Atem took his hand and took a breath.

"Uh, well, the talks about my future bride, as you know from my outburst earlier, were making me irritated, and made me really realize that I don't want to marry anyone…but you. So Yugi, will you spend the rest of your life by my side?"

Yugi froze. Am I dreaming? Is Atem really asking me to marry him? Amidst his thoughts. Yugi had enough control to numbly nod his head.

"Really," came the whisper which drew Yugi away from his thoughts. Atem continued to stare at him and Yugi smiled, tears coming to his eyes. He nodded again.

"Yes. I would be more than happy to," he whispered. Atem's smile grew bigger and he sat up from his position on the floor. Tears broke free and trailed down faces, and Atem grabbed Yugi and kissed him. Yugi wrapped his arms around Atem's neck and deepened the kiss. Unbeknownst to them, Mana stood in the doorway. She smiled at the couple and left.