I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! Only Reynard is mine.

Chapter One- The Happy News

Duos lunged toward Illusion Magician, its sword swinging downward. It met up with the staff of its opponent. The two monsters pushed back and forth trying to gain the advantage and their struggle was reflected in their masters below them.

Seto and Mahad pushed against each other with every ounce of concentration but the former was a bit distracted. His blue eyes were fixed on Mahad's brown ones and he saw a depth of determination and focus that he admired in the older man. Those two qualities he admired grew until a few weeks ago it had blossomed into love. He had wished to confess it and did so in fact. He had marched up to Mahad in the privacy of Mahad's chambers and stated his feelings firmly and confidently.

Mahad had blinked before a smile came to his face which had given Seto hope. "Seto, I am flattered that you had the confidence to tell me this. I also love you and had been thinking of how to phrase it."

"Well, you don't need to anymore."

Seto gave a slight shudder as he was brought back to the present and he looked up to see his monster's sword being forced up and Illusion Magician's staff tip at Duos' throat.

"Your concentration flagged," Mahad commented. "That's unlike you."

"I was just remembering when we got together."

"Ah." He recalled his monster, allowing Seto to do the same. "That was a wonderful day and I had thought it was going to be a normal day."

"I knew the day would be important as I had planned to confess. The thing was you were so busy, I had no time to talk to you until nightfall."

Mahad chuckled. "Yes, I was indeed busy. I ran patrol drills, did a city search for criminals, designed new tomb layouts and traps, and taught my students. A full but satisfying day."

"I noticed you haven't had such days since our confessions."

"True. I want to spend time with you. I want to get to know you more. I also think we should tell the pharaoh about us."

Seto nodded. "Yes. It's best if we tell him rather than someone seeing us kiss and telling the pharaoh soon after."

"I think telling him at tomorrow's meeting would be best so that everyone will know at once."

"Perfect." Seto gave Mahad a quick kiss on the cheek. "We'll duel another time and I'll win next time." He flashed a smirk and Mahad smiled back.

Seto is a strong person, no doubt of that, Mahad thought as he headed for the archives. He inspires me to improve and get stronger. Our dueling styles are different but that is wat makes us a great team. I provide the defense through my magic and traps, giving Seto the opportunity to attack. My monster is a gentle spirit but can attack to protect itself. Seto's monster is of a more aggressive nature. Their natures are determined by our own natures as well as our hearts. I can't see either of our natures changing as I like my monster the way it is and I like the way I am as does Seto.

Seto paced through his Spirit temple, his eyes roving over his collection of monsters. He called on them in order to strengthen them through meditation and training via duels with the other court members. He felt that all of his monsters needed to be equally strong so that he would win every battle no matter the situation.

He knew Mahad favored his personal monster and he understood the attachment, but what if he encountered a monster who was resistant to magic, what then? Well, then he would need a monster to counter that. Of course, if it's a team battle, I would jump in to protect Illusion Magician as it is tied to Mahad's soul. If one goes, so does the other. I refuse to let anything happen to Mahad if I can prevent it.

Seto turned his thoughts to tomorrow's meeting. There were going to be a lot of things on the agenda. The usual reports of the kingdom and a diplomat was scheduled to arrive later that day and the preparations to honor his arrival would take some time. But after that would be the perfect time to announce his relationship with Mahad.

"The city is secure and peaceful," Mahad reported as he knelt before Atem the next morning. The meeting had just been opened and, as was routine, Mahad began the kingdom reports. The magician kept a calm poise though he longed to announce his love for Seto. He restrained himself as he knew such news was minor compared to the other items on the agenda. Our announcement will come last.

"Seto, the stone tablets?" Atem asked as Mahad returned to his place.

Seto came forward and knelt. "The recent tablets have been properly stored and new blank ones have been made and are ready to be used."

"Excellent. Isis," Atem said as Seto stepped away and Isis came forward. "Have any visions come to you lately?"

"Yes, my pharaoh. The kingdom's immediate future is a bright, happy one. However, a murky vision also appeared to me and it concerns one of us."

The others shared uneasy looks before Atem asked in a reluctant tone, "Who is it?"

"It is Mahad. I have seen an event that will be both terrible and yet not entirely unpleasant. This vision will occur later today."

"Today?" Aknadin spoke up. "When did this vision occur?"

"Last night before going to sleep. There was no time to report it until now."

"It is all right," Mahad said. "At least I have been forewarned. Hopefully it will not disrupt the diplomat's visit."

"Which brings us to the next item on the agenda," Atem said as Isis stepped back. "The diplomat comes to us from a far-flung kingdom and will bring us gifts from his native land. We, of course, will provide him with gifts from our land. There will be a celebration to properly welcome him and when he departs, it will hopefully be as an ally."

"Indeed," Siamun said. "We could use allies should we find ourselves in trouble and need help."

Atem nodded. "Siamun, I leave the feast and its preparations to you."

"Yes, pharaoh."

"Now, if there is nothing else…" He trailed off as he looked at his court.

Mahad and Seto exchanged quick looks before both came forward and knelt. "We have news, my pharaoh," Seto said.

"What news?" Atem asked, intrigued. Seto and Mahad, to his knowledge, got along well enough. They supported each other in practice team duels as well as Millennium Trials, but that was it. When it came to interaction outside of those, the two of them had no interaction.

"A few weeks ago, Seto came to my chambers and boldly stated that he was in love with me," Mahad said.

Atem blinked at the news. "He did? And how did you respond?" He had a feeling he knew the answer but wanted to hear it.

"I returned his sentiments. We have qualities that the other admires and that admiration grew into love. We are happy and felt we needed to tell lest someone sees us being intimate and informs you before we could."

"I am pleased that you chose to tell me and I am happy for you. It's clear that your love for one another has not distracted you from your duties and I expect you to continue to provide that same level of dedication."

"Of course, my pharaoh," both men said.

"Good. Meeting adjourned."

The court began to disperse, looks of understanding given to Mahad and Seto. Isis smiled at both. She had spied them being rather friendly and suspected they were in love. She chose not to say anything as she was sure that they would eventually speak of it. I only hope that my vision concerning Mahad does not come to pass.