Mahad was trying his hardest to pay attention to Isis but his mind was far away. He kept sneaking glances over at the pharaoh's table, watching Seto and Atem wrapped up in conversation. A jealous fury welled up inside of him and he knew he was being irrational. It wasn't as if Seto had the same sort of feelings for Atem that he did, but it didn't matter. This man had swept in and was preparing to take the position that Mahad had waited all his life for.

"Mahad? Are you listening to me?"

"Oh, yes Isis, I'm listening." Mahad was startled out of his thoughts and saw Isis looking quizzically at him. He looked over her shoulder and noticed Atem and his father leaving.

What are you doing? Pull yourself together.

"I'm not feeling so well. I think I'm going to leave now. My apologies, Isis." Mahad stood and walked through the same door the prince had passed through moments ago.

Since when did he let his emotions get the best of him? He always kept them in check, or irrationality such as this would take over, and that was something he simply didn't have time for. He cleared his mind, determined to speak with the prince in a calm, collected manner. He caught sight of Atem's violet cape as the prince turned down a nearby corridor. Mahad ran to catch up; he placed a hand on the prince's shoulder and Atem wheeled around.

"Mahad! I didn't realize you were behind me."

"I am sorry for startling you, my prince, but I felt the need to speak with you about this night's ceremony." The magician's nerves were getting to him, but he maintained a perfectly straight countenance.

"I am not surprised. I thought you would want to discuss things after what my father decided to announce," Atem said as he leaned up against the wall. The tone of his voice suggested that he was not happy with the outcome either, giving hope to Mahad. "This was not my decision, Mahad. My father came up with it on his own and I had little opportunity to protest."

"My prince, I know that it isn't my place question the pharaoh's decision, but I just always assumed that I would be the one serving at your right hand. Long ago I swore my life to you. How will I be able to fully protect you when someone else is by your side? You won't…need me." He hadn't meant for the last sentence to come out, but there it was, in the open. This wasn't just about being able to serve his prince. It was about being needed by the man that he loved. He wanted Atem to rely on him, not someone else. Mahad sighed, hoping the prince did not catch the double meaning of his words.

Atem grabbed Mahad's hand; the magician's heart skipped a beat. "Mahad, I will always need you." He said, looking directly into those gray eyes. The prince picked up on some unknown emotion behind them that he had never seen in his friend before. Embarrassment? No not quite that. It was something else.

"But my prince? What about Seto?" Mahad began to protest. His face was getting hot and he wanted to escape, but at the same time he didn't want to break away from the prince's touch.

"My father is right. Seto will make a fine guardian. Maybe he will prove himself and take his place by my side, but even if that happens, I will always need you to be there with me. You have done more for me than any person in the world and I'm not going to forget that," Atem firmly stated. He hadn't yet let go of the magician's hand.

Mahad had heard exactly what he needed. Atem was not going to toss him aside for Seto. He looked at his prince and a small smile spread across his face. The urge to kiss Atem was overwhelming. They were alone in this hallway; Atem was pushed back against the wall, holding his hand. It was the perfect opportunity. Mahad put his other hand on the side on the prince's face and stroked his cheek. Atem looked a little shocked, but he didn't move away. Mahad didn't know what he was doing anymore. All he could think about were Atem's lips as all logic and propriety had slipped from his mind. "My prince, I…" He leaned in slightly. "I…need to be going now." He backed away, ripping his hand out of Atem's, and walked off without a word. Atem stood against the wall, stunned. Mahad didn't look back. He couldn't. Tears started to well up in his eyes that he didn't bother to wipe away. He was so consumed in his thoughts he did not notice the blue and white clad figure hidden in shadow at the end of the corridor.

Morning came swiftly and Seto was to meet with the other guardians to discuss the protection of the kingdom as well as learn how to properly wield his millennium item. He took his millennium rod and headed off to the meeting, but his mind was elsewhere. He knew he could easily learn to wield the power of the item; that was not a problem for him. The real task was capturing the prince's attention. There was something about Atem that brought out a fiercely competitive spirit in Seto; he was willing to go the extra mile win this little game that started between them.

Stepping into the meeting his eyes immediately fell on Mahad. He smirked and sat down right beside the magician. Mahad looked tired and his eyes were puffy. Had he been up all night crying? Seto laughed inwardly. This man was weak; he would take his place with ease. Mahad looked over at him out of the corner of his eye. Seto could see a mixture of hatred and uncertainty in his eyes, though his face remained stoic. Seto decided to make the first move.

"Master Mahad, is it? I've heard so much about you. I'm Seto," he said to the magician with a sarcastic sort of politeness.

"I know who you are Master Seto. We were all at yesterday's ceremony," Mahad responded coldly. Mahad may have been an emotional wreck at the moment, but Seto could see that he could hold himself together very well. It would take something very personal to crack the magician.

Just then the prince entered the room. Atem had come to personally oversee the security planning at the suggestion of his father, who felt it best he familiarize himself with the duties he would be performing as pharaoh. However, Seto knew Atem most likely had an ulterior motive for attending. He glanced over at the prince and smiled beautifully at him. Atem gave him a hard look and walked over to sit beside Shadah, obviously trying to show Seto that he could care less about him. Seto saw right through it of course.

The meeting commenced and Isis was the first one to speak, suggesting they should focus on the rising threat of a group of renegade thieves who had been causing significant problems in the surrounding villages. Seto sat quietly and listened, but he was paying far more attention to the prince's body language. Atem seemed to be studying Mahad with an expression of mixed confusion and concern. Every so often he would turn to glance over to Seto, as if he was worried the guardian was watching him watch Mahad. Seto would always be there to meet his gaze and Atem would shift uncomfortably. He would turn his eyes back to Isis, but they always wandered back to either Seto or Mahad. Seto was highly amused. He turned to look at Mahad and noticed that he was averting Atem's eyes at all costs. He was staring at Isis so intently that he was barely taking time to blink. Finally, as Isis concluded her report, Mahad spoke up.

"I believe it is time that Master Seto be instructed in the ways of the millennium items." He stood and motioned for Seto to join him in the front of the room. Mahad looked coldly at Seto and he gave the magician a slight grin in return. "Wielding a millennium item is a very serious responsibility, Master Seto."

"I am serious about all of my work, Master Mahad." Seto said arrogantly.

Mahad scoffed to himself and continued. "As guardian of the millennium rod, it is your duty to seal the Ka into the stone tablet. This is an extremely important task, as these spirit monsters will be summoned by us to defend the pharaoh and the kingdom. Controlling powerful spirits is essential. Do you think you're up for it, Master Seto?"

Mahad was playing with him now, and he couldn't resist playing along. "As you recall, Master Mahad, I scored higher on my tests than anyone in the history of this court. I could probably even defeat you in a duel, given the chance." Seto was satisfied as he noticed Mahad's fists clench.

"That's enough for today I think," Atem interrupted. He did not look pleased. "I need to speak with Master Seto alone. You are all dismissed."

The guardians filed out of the room, last of all Mahad. He glared at Seto on the way out the door. Atem turned to face the guardian once they were alone. There was anger in his eyes.

"What do you think you are doing, Seto? Your arrogance will not earn you favor in this court," he warned.

"I was simply stating the truth, my prince; I did score better than Master Mahad. I know that I am better suited to stand by your side."

"If you continue to harass my friend, you will never get that position." Atem moved closer to Seto, challenging him. He may have been a whole head shorter than the guardian, but he was just as intimidating.

Seto stepped closer to the prince until they were only a few inches apart. "Friend, hmm? In my experience, friends don't cozy up to each other secretly in the dark when they think no one is watching."

Atem gasped, his heart stopping at Seto's words. "Y-you saw that?" Seto merely crossed his arms over his chest and gave Atem a smug look as his answer. "That was not what you think Seto. We were simply discussing something important. It was nothing."

"I think not, my prince. I think your little magician has taken quite the liking to you. You've either been too blind to see it or are in utter denial. I didn't realize when I would be competing with Mahad for this position that he would play so unfairly."

"M-Mahad? No…no you're wrong Seto," Atem stuttered. Of course he knew Seto was right. He had only had suspicions before, but after last night, it could no longer be denied. Hearing it out loud made it so real; it made it something that he would finally have to confront. Worst of all, someone found out, and not just someone, Seto. Atem tried hard to maintain his composure, but he was failing.

Seto put a hand on Atem's shoulder. The prince tried to shrug it off, but Seto squeezed, holding Atem in his place. He leaned in and whispered in Atem's ear, "I told you, Atem, I will do ANYTHING to prove to you that I am the one who should be at your side."

Seto's breath in his ear and the way he said his name made Atem's whole body tremble. He closed his eyes, trying to quiet his racing heart, but his efforts were in vain. Suddenly he was being picked up and pushed against the wall. He tried to escape but the guardian's hold was too strong. Seto's lips crushed against his. Atem turned his head, but Seto grabbed his chin, pulling his face back toward him. The prince slowly dropped all resistance as he realized how good it felt to be in Seto's arms, how amazing he tasted. He wrapped his legs around Seto's waist and pushed off his headdress, running his fingers through his soft brown hair. Seto's mouth moved from Atem's lips to his jaw line, then down to his neck, burning a trail down his skin. The prince's mind was reeling. He had never felt anything so incredible or so intense. Just as suddenly as it began, however, everything stopped. Seto put him down and headed for the door.

"What was that? You're just going to leave now?" Atem asked breathily.

"Yes. I just wanted to give you a taste of what I can offer you, my prince. It wouldn't be right for Mahad to have an unfair advantage over me now would it?" He smiled and walked out the door.

Atem stood alone, more confused than he had ever been in his life.

I want to thank everyone who has reviewed so far! It's been amazingly helpful :) Keep the reviews coming ! This is my first fic and I really appreciate the input ;)