Pharaoh and the Thief

Disclaimer: I own nothing, sadly.
Warning: Foul language?
Author’s Note: Here it is, the chapter you’ve all been waiting for! I hope it meets your expectations. It’s kind of short, but I think it’s pretty decent. I decided to post a little early since my day will be so full tomorrow. On a sidenote, I wrote a little oneshot about Seth when he walked in on Bakura and Atem in the last...or was it two chapters ago? Anyway, it’s kind of OOC for the story, but I think I’ll post it within the next week, so keep a look out for it!

Also, lots of love to my reviewers because you guys are what makes this story so much fun for me.

Chapter 8

When Atem returned to Bakura’s room, he found the thief standing once again at the window, gazing out at the gardens. The sunlight filtered softly around him, making his white hair shine. A smile graced Atem’s lips as he watched his lover for a moment before going to wrap his arms around his waist.

“Miss me?” Atem asked softly as he kissed Bakura’s neck.

Bakura unconsciously leaned into the embrace, pain clenching his heart at Atem’s words. Not yet...

“Of course,” Bakura answered, turning around to face Atem and leaning his forehead against the other man’s. The arms around his waist pulled him closer, pressing his body against Atem’s.

A small moan escaped Bakura’s lips and Atem grinned at him like a besotted girl.

“Eager one, aren’t we?” Bakura asked as he crushed his lips to Atem’s, invading his mouth with his tongue in feral passion.

Any answer Atem had was silenced by Bakura’s kiss, and when he finally pulled away, Atem was left too breathless and lightheaded to respond at all. Not that he minded.

They stood there, catching their breath and staring at each other for several minutes before Bakura’s serious voice broke the silence.

“I’m almost healed,” he said, his eyes flashing downward.

“I know, it’s amazing how fast you heal,” Atem said, studying the thief’s face.

Bakura looked up. “I’ll be going back to the dungeons soon, won’t I?” he inquired quietly.

Oh, Atem thought, that’s what this is about.

He brought one of his hands from Bakura’s waist and cupped his face with it, his thumb rubbing softly across the faded bruise. He brushed his lips gently against Bakura’s before answering.

“Seth has talked to the courts, and they have decided that since you tried to return the necklace, they will pardon you with a warning.”

Bakura looked startled and Atem laughed softly.

“Disappointed?” he joked.

“No,” Bakura said. “Just surprised.”

This means, Bakura thought as Atem’s lips descended on his again, I don’t have to leave anymore. I could stay here.

With the last thought, Bakura kissed Atem back with renewed passion, pushing them back until they both collapsed on the bed.

Bakura was practically giddy with happiness. He didn’t have to leave! He could forget his cursed former life and start a new one with Atem at the palace.

Those last thoughts caused Bakura to freeze in his kiss and Atem glanced at him questioningly.

The Pharaoh, Bakura thought with disgust. Why must he ruin everything?

Bakura sat up and Atem followed, looking worried.

“Are you okay?” he asked, but Bakura ignored him as he continued his internal argument.

Can I really leave this chance at a new life for revenge and death? Can I leave him? Bakura finally looked at Atem and saw the worry in his violet eyes.

No, I can’t. Bakura smiled at Atem, who still looked confused.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Bakura said as he finally felt the weight of his family and Kul Elna and revenge being lifted as he left them behind him.

Atem was slightly taken aback as Bakura kissed him again, not like the passion filled ones before, but soft and tender and loving.

“I want to stay here with you,” Bakura whispered, kissing Atem’s jaw line, brimming with happiness.

“I want you to stay too,” Atem responded, twisting his fingers in Bakura’s soft hair and pulling him close.

Just then, the door flew open, slamming sharply against the wall. Both men looked up with a start and Bakura heard Atem sigh.

“Akhenden, please,” Atem began.

“My Pharaoh,” he said, sweeping into a low bow. “I just heard the news of this convict’s involvement with you, and I must offer my opinion on the matter. I just don’t think it is fitting for a Pharaoh to socialize with his kind. He is surely only trying to worm his way out of a prison sentence. Which he seems to have done.”

Atem was about to respond when he felt Bakura tense in his arms. He glanced at his lover and was surprised to be met with flashing red eyes.

“Pharaoh?” Bakura growled.

“I’m sorry,” Atem whispered. “I was going to tell you, I just wanted it to be the right time.”

He lifted a hand to brush the hair from Bakura’s face, but the thief flinched away at his touch.

“You are the Pharaoh?” Bakura asked in an estranged voice. “Of Egypt?”

Atem only nodded, confused by Bakura’ sudden viciousness.

Bakura stood up and backed away. “I’m sorry,” Atem pleaded. “I didn’t think it would be that big of a deal-”

“Not a big deal?” Bakura hissed, eyes flashing dangerously.

“Like I said, my Pharaoh,” Akhenden’s icy voice permeated the room. “Scoundrels like that can not be expected to behave like respectable individuals. This whole thing was no more than a mere infatuation on your part, I’m sure. It can easily be rectified.”

“Shut up,” Atem said angrily, turning on his priest. “I don’t want to hear anymore of your derogatory babble. You are out of place, priest.”

Akhenden looked shocked. He quickly regained his composure, bowing low to the pharaoh. “I apologize.”

At that moment, Seth came flying into the room, “I’m sorry Atem, I tried...”

He trailed off as he caught his breathe, gasping in the doorway.

“It’s okay Seth,” Atem said, sounding tired. “Can you both please excuse us for the time being?”

Both priests bowed to their pharaoh, Seth casting a nervous gaze between Atem, still sitting on the bed, and Bakura raging in the corner, but said nothing. Akhenden merely glared at Bakura and turned, sweeping out of the room after Seth.

Atem rubbed his temples and turned back to face Bakura, who had pressed himself in the corner. “I didn’t want you to find out that way,” he said quietly. Bakura only glared at him.

Atem stood up and began to make his way over to Bakura’s corner when the other man growled, “Don’t come near me.”

Hurt flashed through Atem’s eyes. “I don’t understand, why are you acting this way? What have I done?”

Bakura’s eyes widened, then he lunged out of his corner to stand menacingly in front of the smaller man. “What have you done?” he hissed, advancing on him.

Atem backed away, feeling frightened of the white-haired thief for the first time since he had known him.

“You destroyed my life!” Bakura spat at him. “You destroyed everything!”

Atem didn’t know what to say, but stood there, shaking his head as Bakura’s anger mounted. “I didn’t-”

“Don’t lie to me,” Bakura interrupted with a dangerous growl. “Don’t you fucking lie to me.”

Before Atem could react, Bakura leapt on him, hands closing around his throat as he finally snapped. They both fell with a crash into a table, landing on the floor amidst broken glass and shattered wood. Bakura straddled Atem, his hands wrapped bruisingly around the Pharaoh’s neck, fully intent on watching the life forced from his body.

Bakura glared down at his most hated enemy with crazed red eyes. Atem’s hands scrabbling to tear Bakura’s from around his throat, his violet eyes wide.

Atem’s eyes pleaded with Bakura and the thief’s grasp loosened involuntarily.

As Atem stared up at him with hurt and betrayal, Bakura released Atem’s throat in shock. Suddenly the door was thrown open again as Akhenden charged in screaming something about assassination and the clatter of guards was heard in the distance.

Bakura stayed where he was transfixed by the pharaoh’s expression which reminded him so much of his own after his village had been burned and his family killed.

Suddenly, he was roughly shoved off of Atem and snapped back to his senses. Without a backward glance, he clamored to the window and leapt out, scrambling down the wall to land on the soft grass below. He ran to the palace wall and gracefully scaled it, fleeing into the city.