Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh
Atemu sighed as he disembarked from his horse. He patted the horses flank fondly before he handed the reigns off to a stable hand and made his way back inside. He was absolutely exhausted from his long trip and he had hardly stopped the night prior because he wanted to be home sooner rather than later. Yami ending up on bedrest really worried him and he wanted to be close by.
Atemu had hardly made his way inside when he was met by Priest Seth. Atemu inclined his head in acknowledgement. He would take a report from Seth later, right now he just wanted to see Yami and verify with his own two eyes that Yami was okay.
"Pharaoh, let the gods be praised for you safe return." Priest Seth said once he had reached Atemu. Atemu nodded once more.
"Yes, the gods have indeed been very gracious and for that I am thankful. I will go over the results of my trip once I have seen my God Chosen. I have missed him the month I have been away." Atemu said.
Priest Seth narrowed his eyes slightly, "Allow me to accompany you, my Pharaoh." Priest Seth said.
Atemu nodded. There was no help in Seth walking with him and to be frankly honest it would cause more of a headache if Atemu had told Seth he couldn't accompany him. "Of course." Atemu said.
They made decent time walking down the corridor. Atemu vaguely entertained the idea of sending Seth away and crawling in bed beside Yami, holding him close and just taking a nap before he held his council meeting later today.
"So, what did you learn from Trahesle?" Seth asked.
Atemu gave Seth a look, "I will go over what I learned while in Trahesle once I hold my council meeting. Not before." Atemu said.
Seth shrugged before he pushed open the door to Atemu's room. Atemu rose a questioning brow at Seth's behavior. That was not acceptable. He should have knocked. What if Yami wasn't decent?
Seth turned and appeared for freeze for a second before he yelled, "What in the name of the gods is going on in here?"
Atemu pushed Seth slightly to the side wondering what in the world Seth was shouting about. The sight he briefly saw was Yugi and Yami kissing although they quickly jumped apart. Atemu felt his blood run cold at the sight, a sight that he had seen once almost a year ago. He had truly believed he and Yami were past this and that they had finally begun to build something together. Hell, they were expecting a child together. They were going to be a family. He felt like he was going to be sick.
"Atemu, I can explain." Yami whispered, although over the silence that had descended everyone in the room could clearly hear what Yami said.
Atemu however did not reply. Seth however, had no such hesitation, "You traitorous, blasphemous snake! Guards, get in here and drag these two vermin to the dungeons!" Seth growled.
This drew Atemu from his stupor. He lightly rested his hand on Seth's arm, "Seth, see reason. My God Chosen is confined on bedrest you will not be placing him in the dungeons." Atemu said, his voice even.
Seth turned his glare onto Atemu, "Are you saying you did not witness his crime against the gods? He should die for what he did." Seth growled.
Atemu nodded once, "Yes Priest Seth, I witnessed the crime that was committed. I am not excusing it nor will I be letting either party get away with it. What I am merely saying is that as of this moment Yami is my god chosen and despite his crime still carrying my child. And I will NOT have him placed in the dungeons." Atemu said.
"And what of the other guilty party? Will you stop me from having him dragged to the dungeons?" Seth challenged.
Atemu shook his head, "No, I will not. The only reason Yami is not joining him is because of his condition. Otherwise that is where both would be going." Atemu said firmly.
"Atemu." Yami whispered.
Seth rounded right on Yami, "You dare to address him after what you've done." Seth growled.
"Seth that is enough. Escort Yugi down to the dungeons with the guards." Atemu ordered.
"And what of your God Chosen?" Seth hissed, spitting Yami's title as if it was poison. By this point the guards Seth had summoned had arrived. Atemu nodded his head towards Yugi, who had kept his head bowed in shame since Seth's exclamation.
"Take Yugi down to the dungeons. He is charged with at this time two counts of blasphemy. As well as adultery. Other possible charges will be added. Trial will be tomorrow at noon." Atemu said, he paused briefly before he waved his hand, "Take him away."
The guards each grabbed one of Yugi's arms and dragged him from the room. Yugi for his part did not struggle nor did Yami say anything to protest. Priest Seth shot one other glare in Yami's direction before sweeping from the room. This left just Atemu and Yami behind and the silence was deafening.
Atemu stepped into the room before firmly pushing the door closed behind him with a snap of his wrist. Yami jumped slightly at the loud sound of the door slamming shut.
Yami swallowed briefly before he spoke, "Atemu, I can explain."
Atemu did not reply right away since he wanted to take his time to gather his thoughts. The last time this had happened he had lost his temper with Yami and given everything he really didn't want to lose his temper like that again.
"The only possible explanation that you could offer that would absolve you of wrongdoing would be if Yugi forced you to kiss him. That isn't an outlandish claim since I already know he did so once before. I saw him kiss you while you were asleep before I left. Other than that there is not really much of an explanation that you could offer for what happened." Atemu said.
That kiss Atemu had witnessed before he left was why Yugi was facing two counts. If he had left well enough alone Atemu would have let that one go but now after this he wasn't.
Yami however seemed completely surprised by what Atemu had said. "I'm waiting Yami." Atemu said. If Atemu was being perfectly honest with himself he was giving Yami a lot more leeway than he was technically owed. Technically he should just decide the matter when he held court and not discuss it with Yami at all.
"Yugi said that he wanted to conduct an experiment to prove that what had been between Yugi and I was truly in the past." Yami said evenly.
Atemu sighed internally, that was not what he wanted to hear at all. Instead of absolving Yami of wrongdoing he outright admitted to taking part. "That does not help you Yami." Atemu said flatly.
Yami locked eyes with Atemu, "Yugi and me finally, permanently putting us in the past doesn't help. I would have thought you would have been pleased to hear that Atemu." Yami said.
Atemu groaned, "As personally happy I am that you have decided that you are not interested in Yugi, legally speaking that does not matter." Atemu said, "You both broke the law. And I am required to hold you accountable for those actions."
This time it was Yami's turn to sigh, "So, what happens now?" Yami didn't want to admit it but he was scared. His life was also literally in Atemu's hands.
"You will stand trial. In three days. Yugi will be tried tomorrow and you two days later. Based on what Yugi tells me in his trial will determine exactly what I charge you with. Now, if you will excuse me I'm going to go to my study to think. You are under no circumstances to leave this room since as of this moment you are under house arrest." Atemu said before he turned and headed to his study.
Atemu had hardly set foot in the room when there was a harsh knock on the door. "Enter." Atemu replied. Seth opened the door and walked in with a bow before he took a seat.
"Perhaps I should tell you about some rumors that were going around with the servants while you were away of some other impropriety. After all there are other counts to be added." Priest Seth said
Atemu nodded. "Please." Atemu said. He may not have truly wanted to know but as a man held responsible for upholding the law of the land he absolutely needed to know what had happened. Sadly however, the more he leaned the less he was able to see a way out of this for Yami. He neither wanted to see Yami executed nor to see him banished which are the typical fates for these crimes depending on their severity.
"The servants informed me of witnessing the two fooling around in bed. Now, I will admit the servants did say the two were fully clothed and did not personally witness any illegal interactions the scene implied such things were going on but none specifically were witnessed. There was a kiss that your gardener reported to me. I already confronted your…the traitor about those two events and was told that nothing of the sort was going on. Clearly that was a lie." Priest Seth said.
Atemu nodded once more. This was certainly going from bad to worth. However, he was saved from replying by another knock on the door. "Enter." Atemu said.
The door opened and this time revealed his head guard Hasan, "My Pharaoh." Hasan said with a bow.
"What is it Hasan?" Atemu asked.
"The blasphemer is begging for an audience with you now. He claims that he must confess his actions to you and does not wish to wait for his trial. Said that he wishes for justice to be done swiftly." Hasan said.
"He does realize that my temper has not yet abated and that I would be hearing his confession and case with a great deal more anger in my heart than would allow for a fair trial. It was why his trial was being put off until tomorrow." Atemu said.
Hasan nodded, "The prisoner said he is aware but he still wishes to proceed." Hasan said.
Atemu glanced at Priest Seth briefly who nodded before Atemu rose to his feet, "Very well, if that is his wish I will honor him with swift justice. Have him brought to the throne room and I will hold his trial now." Atemu said.
Atemu made his way to the throne and took his place upon the throne. His priests taking up their positions to his left and write. And his advisor, an elderly man named Shimon took his place up just behind and to the left of Atemu's throne.
"As I am sure you have been made aware we will be holding a trial of a blasphemer. As it stands one count of adultery and two counts of blasphemy is the charge. More charges may yet be added. The prisoner has requested swift justice so he will be tried now instead of tomorrow at noon as was my original intention and he is aware that by hastening his trial he will likely receive a harsher punishment." Atemu explained to his gathered council.
The council nodded. Atemu sat up a little bit straighter in his throne before he loudly declared, "Bring in the prisoner."
The large stone doors opened revealing two guards leading a shackled Yugi into the room. Yugi had his head down as he was forced to walk as quickly as the shackles allowed. The chink of the shackles could be heard echoing around the silent throne room. The guards came to a stop a few feet in front of the priest before they forced Yugi down to his knees.
"You are charged Yugi Motou with two counts of blasphemy and one count of adultery. How do you plead?" Shimon read out.
Yugi swallowed thickly before he lifted his gaze from the floor for the first time since he had been led from the room and locked his gaze with Atemu's. "I plead guilty. But before you sentence me I just ask that you hear my story." Yugi said.
Atemu nodded his head, "Very well. I will hear you story, but by your own words you may very well condemn yourself. Choose those words carefully." Atemu said.
Yugi took a deep breath before he began to speak, knowing that this could very well be the last time he ever spoke again. "I have committed far greater wrongs than what I have been charged with. I fell in love with a man who was not meant to be mine. The Pharaoh's God Chosen only ever felt friendship for me however I wanted more than his was willing to give. When Pharaoh graciously invited me into his home I accepted because I knew I would have an opportunity to take advantage of Pharaoh's God Chosen without, I thought any one being the wiser. It started when the night I arrived I snuck into Pharaoh's room and kissed Pharaoh's God Chosen while he slept. I was jealous of the strong relationship that Pharaoh and his God Chosen had and I was determined to make Yami mine. When we were playing in the gardens, I pinned his God Chosen beneath me and I kissed him against his will. His God Chosen pushed me away but I wanted more. Yami left the garden to go bath and change. I intended to sneak into his room while he was changing and try again however I saw Priest Seth head inside so I bided my time in my own room until I heard him leave. Once Priest Seth was gone I entered the Pharaoh and Yami's room. It was there I found Pharaoh's god chosen naked and unconscious on the ground. I turned him over onto his back and allowed my gaze and then my hands to wander where I had no right to touch. I again pressed my lips to his. This time no one could stop me. However, when I finally broke the kiss Pharaoh's god chosen still hadn't responded and even though I wanted more I didn't want it when I couldn't look into his eyes. So, with one final kiss to his unresponsive body I got to my feet and went to find help. Earlier today because I knew Pharaoh was supposed to return tomorrow I knew was my last chance to have Pharaohs God Chosen. I tricked him into allowing me to kiss him by telling him that if he allowed me to kiss him I would stop forcing myself on him and move on to someone else. Pharaohs God Chosen was adamant that he loved Pharaoh and did not want to kiss me however I would not relent and he gave in only under the condition that I would give my word and no longer try and take advantage of him. He also made it very clear that the kiss would be quick, chaste and that he loved Pharaoh very much and this was not something he wanted to do. I wouldn't take no for an answer and he knew it." Yugi said.
Yugi knew that it was probably wrong for him to exaggerate. The kiss that was witnessed earlier he did not force on Yami. And he may have implied his finding the unconscious Yami was a lot worse than what he had actually done. He had kissed him and even touched him but it was more curiosity than malicious intent. But he also knew that Yami and him would not be in this mess if he hadn't have pushed so hard. Yami had made it perfectly clear the two were in the past and that that was where it needed to stay. It wasn't fair that Yami would have to pay for something that Yugi had pressured him into. So, he pleaded for quick justice and exaggerated so Yami would be allowed to go free. Yami was his best friend and the first person he had ever loved. The least he could for Yami was this.
Atemu however was shocked by what Yugi had said. According to Yami the kiss had been an experiment that Yugi wanted to do to prove they were through. Is there a chance Yugi lied to Yami to coerce him into agreeing? Yami also had never said his side of the kiss, whereas Yugi volunteered information about the kiss Seth mentioned the gardener had witnessed. The question was, was Yugi telling the truth? He really had nothing to gain by lying…or did he? Was there a chance that Yugi was lying to spare Yami? Or was he truly confessing to the crimes that he had committed. Atemu himself had witnessed Yugi sneaking into their room before he left. Yami knew nothing about that. Yugi also addressed what had happened in the gardens. Yami would also have no knowledge of what happened while he was unconscious.
Atemu leaned forward slightly on the throne fixing Yugi with a hard look, if even half of what Yugi said was true…Atemu couldn't even finish the thought. "I will give you one final chance to modify your statement before I pass judgement. I would think carefully if I were you." Atemu said sharply.
Yugi stared Atemu straight in the eye. "There is nothing for me to think about. I have been told that confession is good for the soul, so that is exactly what I have done. Confessed my crimes." Yugi said firmly.
Atemu sat back on the throne truly lost in thought. Technically speaking for the crimes Yugi described he should be sentenced to death. However, in good conscious could Atemu do that when he couldn't be certain Yugi was not just lying to protect Yami? Atemu had to admit when Yugi mentioned finding Yami unconscious and what had claimed to have done Atemu had wanted to cut Yugi's head off himself right here in the throne room. That alone condemned him in Atemu's mind. But here he was hesitating in what should be almost a clear cut case.
Atemu sighed. The answer was clear. He knew what he needed to do. "You have admitted to your crimes and although I will say I do not believe everything that you have said is the truth I can without a doubt state that you have clearly committed a crime against the gods. And so for that reason I will sentence to you exile from Domino. You are never to under any circumstances set foot or contact anyone in this kingdom ever again, for if you do you will be hunted down and executed on sight. So, let it be written so let it be done. Guards drag this filth to the border and leave him there." Atemu said.
The guards bowed in acknowledgement before they reached down and grabbed Yugi by the arms and dragged him from the room. Yugi neither protested nor struggled.
Once Yugi was gone from the room Seth immediately rounded on Atemu, "You have gone soft Pharaoh. That blasphemers head should be rolling around on the floor." Seth said firmly.
Atemu sighed, "That may be your opinion Seth, however I stand by the sentence that I delivered. Now, if you would excuse me there are some other matters I need to be attending to. I will hold a council meeting tomorrow to discuss what I learned on my trip. Until then I wish to be left alone. So, unless there is an emergency do not disturb me." Atemu said firmly before he strode out of the room without waiting for a response.
Atemu walked the halls aimlessly for a while as he tried to gather his thoughts. Given what Yugi admitted Yami was practically cleared of any and all wrongdoing. Yugi took full responsibility for everything that had happened. Which meant now he had a reason to not put Yami through a trial. The chance to not put his pregnant god chosen through the stress of a trial and both him and Yami through that public shame was very tempting. The problem is Atemu wasn't as certain that Yami was completely innocent, or at least not as innocent as Yugi was claiming he was.
He had to find out. With that thought in mind Atemu made his way back to his and Yami's shared room. He began to push the door open to hear the sound of sobbing. Atemu didn't know why but he paused in the doorway because through the sound of sobbing he could also make out words.
"I'm so sorry Little One. I'm so sorry the gods cursed you with a, mother I guess, that is so screwed up. Your father loves us both very much and I love him. But I was stupid. I did something I shouldn't have. I knew it was wrong to let Yugi kiss me. I knew I didn't love him like that anymore. I told him that we were in the past. But when Yugi said that he needed this to finally be able to put this behind him I went along with it. Yugi was my friend and I really didn't want him hung up on me forever. I wanted him to be happy like I am with your daddy. And now because of that the both of us have probably lost your daddy forever." Yami said before he just dissolved into tears.
Atemu pushed the door open the rest of the way and walked inside before closing the door behind him. He walked over to the edge of the bed and sat down. Yami snapped his head up and quickly wiped his tears, "Ate…I mean Pharaoh, what can I do for you?" Yami asked.
Atemu sighed, "I want to ask you something, and I want you to be completely honest with me. Can you do this?" Atemu asked. There was one thing that could possibly corroborate at least part of Yugi's story. If Atemu could corroborate part of it then he would not have Yami brought to trial and he would let Yugi's statement be the final say on the matter.
Yami nodded, "Yes Atemu. I will not lie to you." Yami said.
Atemu sighed, "Tell me about what happened in the gardens." Atemu said.
Yami's eyes widened slightly before he glanced down at the bed. Atemu placed his hand under Yami's chin and tilted it back up so he was looking Yami square in the eye.
Yami just stared at Atemu for a moment before he spoke, "Yugi and I were playing in the gardens. We were playing tag and I was it. I was chasing him around and I got close enough where I was finally able to catch him so I dove forward to tackle him, only he and I ended up in the coy pond. Yugi surprised me by flipping the two of us over so I was the one in the water. He then kissed me Atemu. I told him we really shouldn't have done that and then I asked him to let me up. Yugi said something about liking the way I looked under him, that I looked very kissable. Then I got up and went inside and bathed…I ended up getting into a fight with Seth and blacked out once I got out of the bath so I never got around to changing into clean clothes." Yami said.
Atemu nodded. Yami's account matched Yugi's perfectly of what had happened in the garden.
"Very well then. As soon as Isis clears you you will once again be able to leave the room." Atemu said.
Yami lowered his head, "Yeah, I kind of figured that. You certainly won't want me in here anymore." Yami said.
Atemu shook his head, "No, I didn't say that. I was just saying I know how stir crazy you must be going so once you are medically cleared you will be free to move about again. You will still be staying the nights in here." Atemu said. He almost added, unless you don't want to but then thought better of it.
Yami glanced back up at Atemu, "But what about the trial?" Yami asked.
This time Atemu did allow a small smile to creep onto his face, "After Yugi's trial which was about an hour ago was concluded I determined you are innocent of any wrongdoing and therefore cleared of the charges that could have been brought against you. Yugi has already been sentenced for the crimes he admitted to committing and his sentence has been carried out." Atemu said.
Yami winced, "And what was his sentence?" Yami mumbled. He had a bad feeling that he really didn't want to know.
Atemu sighed, "Yugi was banished from the kingdom. Since Yugi did not wish to allow the gods of this land to dictate his love life I thought it would be only fitting to send him to other lands where people can lose whom they choose. I have a feeling he might have lied or at least stretched the truth to spare you but I can't prove what he lied about. So, even though what he stated warranted death I banished him under the condition that if he ever returns he would be executed." Atemu said. To him, that was justice.
Yami shyly glanced back up at Atemu, "And what about the two of us? Where do we stand?" Yami asked.
Atemu tried to give Yami a stern look but he really couldn't keep the stern gaze for long, "You and I are going to become parents. And I was hoping you would be willing to consider finally marrying me." Atemu said.
Yami smiled before he leaned forward and lightly captured Atemu's lips with his own. Relief flooded him when he felt Atemu kiss him back in return. Once the kiss broke and Yami saw a genuine smile light Atemu's face Yami responded, "And in case there is any misunderstanding my answer is yes. I would love to marry you. If you'll have me that is."
Atemu reached out and pulled Yami into his arms, "I intend to have you for the rest of my days. And may the gods be willing that that would be long enough for us to see our grandchildren grow." Atemu said.
Yami smiled, "That sounds wonderful to me." Yami said.
The two then snuggled together in bed just enjoying each other's presence. Yami however had something that he wanted to ask, "Say Atemu, what did you learn on your trip?" Yami asked.
Atemu smiled, "I learned that in the last fifty years there have been 16 instances of names of god chosen's being changed by priests. In each instance the names of both parties were actually not destined for anyone. Sometimes the priests decided that was a cruel fate so connected individuals together so they would not be alone. A priest here in the capital had noticed two names being changed. The names changed were Ryou and Yugi. Both of them actually had no god chosen's. The priests in question will be disciplined for their actions by misrepresenting the will of the gods." Atemu said.
Yami nodded, "So, what does that mean if Yugi did not have a god chosen at all?" Yami asked.
Atemu sighed, "Perhaps it just means the one who is meant for them resides outside the kingdom of Domino. We can both hope Yugi meets him or her wherever his future leads him." Atemu said.
Yami hugged Atemu tighter, "I would be happy with that. And thank you Atemu, for giving him that chance." Yami said.
Atemu just chuckled, "I just did what I thought was just. Nothing more than that. Now, enough of this heavy talk I have really missed you this past month." Atemu said.
Yami smiled at Atemu, lightly cupping his face before pressing his lips to Atemu's this time much more firmly than he had before. Once the kiss broke Yami whispered, "I really missed you too Atemu. I love you." Yami said.
And this time he truly meant it.