A/N: Vasedshipping for Aqua Girl 007. Mana/Atem. There is not enough of this shipping, though in my eyes, it's canon. Anyways, I watched Evil Dead & lost track of how many arms were lost. Shit. Italics are flashbacks. We know this by now.

Chapter Don't Worry Bout It: Vaseshipping

The whisper of clothes falling to the floor is so silent, it's nearly impossible to hear over his heartbeat in her ears. She doesn't know when they went from being best friends to being... Whatever it is they are now, but she doesn't mind. He'd been too late to claim her as his own, thanks to Mahad, but he'd keep her close.

"Until the day I die." he swears again as his lips descend on her neck once more. She whimpers and lifts her leg to wrap around his waist as his hands search out her hips. Calloused thumbs rub soothing circles while softer lips suck harshly. Her eyes slide shut as he presses himself into her.

"So, you're marrying him?" Atem's voice is incredulous. Mana crosses her arms over her chest, eyes narrowed.

"What choice have you left me, Atem? You can't just haul off and marry an apprentice." she snaps. Her voice is cold, but it's masking hurt. She wants Atem to shake his head, to stand and tell her she's wrong. He doesn't give a damn what they say, she's wrong. He loves her. That's all that matters.

"I know that." he returns, standing and flapping his arms. "What do you want me to do, Mana? Leave my kingdom? To whom, exactly?"

He stares at her, waiting for the answer he knows she won't provide. Her eyes slant to the side and the first tear falls. He immediately steps from his throne, of course, and hugs her close as more follow. "I'm sorry."

For what? She wonders. Falling in love with the wrong woman? For yelling? For being unable to fix this Ra damned situation?

"So am I."

" What are you thinking about, Mana?" Atem's breath ghosts over her lower stomach and a moan is pulled from her.

"Nothing, Prince."

She wraps both legs around his neck, eyes closing as he delivers the first lick to her womanhood. She claws the wall beside her head, hips rolling up and down, his name on her lips. She whines as he stands and turns her to face the wall. He lifts one of her legs up and slips inside of her wet heat, drawing a long shudder from her. She doesn't know why he doesn't face her sometimes. Maybe it's because he knows he has to go back to his chambers later and face Isis.

"Mana, you know it's because I have to." he tries again to reason. "You married Mahad, I dealt with it."

Mana stares at him. "Deal with it? You're telling me to deal with it, when Egypt will be expecting an heir, which means-"

Her sobs cut her off, while Atem just looks like a cross between livid and confused.

"I'm sorry, only you can sleep with your spouse?" he snaps, hands on his hips. Mana twirls away from the window to glare.

"Fuck you, Atem! Mahad has never even touched me! I send him to the harem! He's never thought of me as more than a sister. He did it... He did it because he thought it would help me. He thought perhaps this was just a crush. I don't know. I don't know!"

And Atem is quiet after that, though she knows it changes nothing. His lips at her neck, they change nothing. His whispered, "I love you" changes nothing.

Because he will still go to Isis. He will still be expected to deliver a prince unto Egypt.

Mana throws her head back onto his shoulder, breath slightly hitched. Her leg had begun to cramp long ago, but she kept her mouth shut. She'll enjoy this. No telling when they'll meet again.

His breath is hot in her ear and it sends shivers down her body. "Atem..." she moans as his hands move together, one on her breast, one rubbing her clit. His tongue traces idle patterns on her shoulder, in between his whispers of, "I love you."

You'd better, she thinks, especially since...

"What?"

Mahad stares at her. Mana is shaking, quivering. "Please don't make me repeat it, Mahad. Please."

She nearly falls, but he catches her like he always does. Her head hangs low in despair and shame.

"I can't-"

"Don't say it." Mahad cuts her off. His eyes are filled with worry, not just for her. "I'll help. I am... I am your husband."

That was the first time Mana kissed him.

"Ah... Ah... Atem...!" Her body trembles and quivers, lips swollen from being bitten. "I'm..."

She releases with a shudder, right before Atem, who never lets himself come first. She thinks it's sweet, that he's out for her pleasure. He gently turns her to face him, pulling out while he does. His lips are soothing and she begins to cry.

"Mana?! Did I hurt you?"

Mana shakes her head. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'll... I'll.. I'm sorry, Atem."

He looks at her. "Mana...?"

"They're going to know it's not yours!"

Mahad brushes a hand down her back. "They cannot prove it. It could look like you."

Mana buries her face in his chest as he pulls her closer. It is not abnormal for her to seek comfort in his warmth when she is upset. It's second nature, a childhood habit.

"I'm so sorry."

Mahad kisses her forehead. "I know, Mana."

Her hands move to her stomach. "I didn't mean to! I drank what you gave me every time!"(1)

Atem yanks back, realization slapping him in the face. "You... You're..."

Mana cries harder. "Pregnant."

"Egypt will have it's son!"

Everyone in the kingdom celebrates as Isis, now swollen in the midsection, beams from her place beside Atem. A son. Mahad confirmed it.

A son, like her own. Mahad confirmed it.

"Don't worry." he whispers. Mana scoffs.

"Don't worry. Don't worry? Such bullshit! Tell me they won't notice the resemblence, Mahad! You know they will! And then what? A life in the harem for me? Death? What?"

Her breath is short and panicked. Mahad's arms are strong around her waist.

"I'll let none of those things happen."

And as though he is the father, his hands drop to her stomach, rubbing lovingly.

Atem blows out air. "I just thought-"

"No."

He sinks to the floor before her. "You know I cannot claim it."

Mana sniffs. "I know." she snaps. "Just as you will never claim me."

A cry echoes through the hallway, sharp and high-pitched. Atem immediately swivels his head towards the noise.

"Sounds like your son wants you." Mana growls, standing. He looks helpless beneathe her.

"Please don't do this." he whispers. "I'll figure something out. Give me time."

Mana narrows her eyes. "I've given you over fourteen years, Atem! I'm done giving you time!"

His arm catches her ankle as she turns to leave. "I love you..."

Mana bites her lip. "I love you too, Atem. But sometimes, it isn't enough."

Atem doesn't stop her as she leaves and returns to her chambers, where Mahad already waits with open arms. Of course she allows herself to cry over him then, out of his sight, and the tears only increase when the crying in the hall stops, meaning he has his child.

"Sh... It's better this way..."

Mana curls up in his lap. "Then why does it hurt so much?" She swallows.

Mahad sighs and rubs her stomach softly, where a light kick can be felt in return. "Because, Mana. The right decisions are never the easiest."

Mana is silent, though her hands rest atop his, rubbing slowly. A sigh falls from her lips as she rests her head against Mahad's shoulder. "I'm sorry." he murmurs.

For what? she muses. Marrying a girl who had to learn to love you? For playing father to a child that isn't yours? For not knowing how to make this situation hurt any less?

"So am I."

A/N: SHIIITTT I NEED TO STOP PROCRASTINATING. I'M SO BEHIND. I CANNOT DEAL. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THE FUCK IS NEXT BUT IT'S YAOI. I THINK IT'S CANDLESHIPPING. OKAY? OKAY.

Review, please. Or my head will explode.

~Nightingale.