Seth was sitting at the computer, again, as Atem finished making his calls to the credit card companies.

The pharaoh sighed and leaned back on the couch after he hung up the phone. "Gods, that was annoying." he muttered. He didn't expect any sympathy from Seth on the matter though.

"I bet it was. At least now no one can spend all of our hard-earned cash, however." yeah. reallyhard-earned.

"You won the lottery Seth, it's not like you really worked for it." He closed his eyes feeling miserable.

"It's nie to have it, though." He looked back at him. "What's wrong?"

"I guess." He allowed his hand to fall off the couch and just lay there limpy. "I'm bored. Let's do something."

"What do you want to do?"

"Get out of the hotel?"

"All right." Ew, that meant he had to put clothes on.

"There's alot to do out there. More then just sitting here looking at your computer." For some reason Seth always parked in front of the computer was getting to be annoying to Atem. "You're not going to do that in Hawaii are you?

"I wouldn't do it now if I had something to do," Seth said. "If there's somthing to do there, no, I won't."

Atem rolled his eyes. "There's lots to do here you jsut don't want to go out because it means enteracting with people and you hate people. Maybe vacations shouldn't be something we should try to do from now on..." he got up and went into the bedroom to change.

Maybe Atem was right. He was certainly right that Seth hated people. Seth silently shut down hte computer and went intohte bedroom to get dressed. "I don't see why you like people."

"As pharaoh it was my duty to be the speaker for the gods to the people. It's not that I really like people I just feel the need to interact with them I guess. Besides...it's rather nice having friends you can talk to about thing." he shrugged and slipped out of the clothes he was in for somethng else.

"I don't see why." He grabbed a pair oftight jeans anda teeshirt.

"Just like you don't see the point in being happy for yourself." he muttered darkly...he was starting to have that sinking feeling...another arguement was going to break out and he didn't want that.

"Exactly like that."

"You should want to be happy." he whispered as he finished dressing.

"Why?" Seth said in frustration. "Atem, let me put it bluntly. "I. Don't. Understand. The things you're saying make absolutely no sense to me."

Atem paused and turned to look at Seth. "You don't understand?" he could hardly believe that. "What do you not understand?" He'd be more then willing to try to explain anything to the other if it would end their arguement before it even began this time around.

"Everything. Why I should want friends. Why I should want to be happy. Why I should want people to understand me, or like me. Your entire arguemnt. You say these things like it should be obvious, but it isn't, and then youet frustrated because I'm arguing. Maybe it's obvious to you and everyoen else, but not to me."

"Well, if you had told me before that you didn't understand anything I wouldn't have assumed and then we wouldn't have fought to begin with." he said in frustration.

"I don't know why you assumed I did. I don't think everyone else takes those as a given." He ran his hand thorugh his hair, straightening it.

The pharaoh blinked. "Actually, making friends for most people is natural as is being happy and having fun." he could hardly believe that Seth had no concept at all. 

"You're saying that like being happy and having fun comes naturally to people."

"It does..." he frowned. How was he going to explain all of this. "The other night you seemed really happy..."

"Believe it or not, Atem, those were extremely strange circumstances. I don't recall ever having felt like that before. it rather disturbed me."

"I like you being happy though. Happy for yourself and not because I'm happy." he said as he looked at himself in the mirror. "I'll have to teach you how to be happy for yourself. I find it amazing that you really do have little emotions. Or maybe it's more that you've locked them away."

"No, I haven't locked them away, I truly am a cold, unemotional bastard. Or are we going ot assume that I'm a pathetic repressed person again, despite hte fact that I don't mind how I am now?"

Damn..."I can't believe that you truely are cold and unemotional." He closed his eyes. "If you were you wouldn't have these moments of happiness that I have seen nor would you enjoy sex in the manner that you do."

"Sex is pleasurable. A waste of time, but it feels good to do. It's a luxury I actually do let myself have... And it's something to do. And that actually sounds even colder than I meant it to. As for being happy... It feels nice ot know that i pleased you and made you happy. I suppose that's what makes me happy."

Atem lowered his head. This wasn't going well. Maybe he didn't understand Seth as much as he thought. "You're just in as much denial as Mahaado is."

"Denial of what?" he asked. "I can see where Mahaado is coming from. I dont' believe in repressing myself as strongly as he does, but he also apparently has more to repress, if he has to fight himself so hard. This has never been a fight for me. This is how I am."

"You do have emotions, I've seen them." He looked over at him. "You love me, that's an emotion."

"Yes," Seth said simply. "And I know I love you because I want to make you happy, and give you everything you want and deserve. And yet you don't want to accept that from me."

Well, at least he admitted to some emotion. "And in reverse I want to make you happy and give you the things you want and deserve." He rubbed his forehead and sat down on the bed. He didn't know what else to say. It was pointless to argue with Seth it seemed. "Do you love me for being me or do you only love me for the reasons you mentioned."

"I don't have any reasons to love you...I just do." He frowned. "I'm sorry for this. You really didn't know this about me, did you? You thoughtthat one day I'd just decide I'd had enough of living by myself and pour all of my hidden emotions over you?" The idea was odd... The idea that someone actually thought he was capable of having those kinds of emotions was odd. Atem had a lot more faith in him than he had in himself. He didn't have amny failings, but his inability to feel was probably one ofthem.

"I knew you were cold and calculating. But, you never were in bed. It seems that at night you have a different side or something." he sighed defeated. "I just want you to love me enough to open up to me. To see me as someone you can trust..."

"I do trust you, Atem. I thought you knew that."

"Do you?"

"More than anyone else."

He smiled a little. But he was silent, he didn't know what he should say. He wanted Seth to be a bit more friendly to people...maybe not be so standoffish...he was probably being foolish. Perhaps, he should just be happy with what he had and just accept it.

Seth sighed slightly. "I'm sorry about this. You deserve someone with emotions."

Atem sat up and grabbed his hand. "I want you."

Seth squeezed his hand. "That's very foolish of you... You want me to be that way, don't you? Happy, open, and trusting?"

"My heart belongs to you, Seth. I can't bare to be parted from you...us being together is the will of the gods." He smiled a little and nodded. "I would like you to try. I'll help you all that I can."

Atem wanted him ot be happy and open. he idn't know how to do that. Normally, he would try to figure it out on his own, but that went directly against what Atem wanted, didn't it? "...You'll have ot help me."

"I'll help you all that I can." He smiled a little and twirled the ring around seth's finger. "That's what I'm here for."

"I thought you were here for sex," Seth said quite seriously.

"..." he looked at Seth with a frown. "No..."

Seth's lips twitched upward a little.

"It's not about the sex, Seth." He said as he looked down. Maybe they did spend a little too much time doing that though...maybe Seth didn't like it as much as Atem thought he did.

"I know that. I was joking."

Atem arched an eyebrow. "You could've fooled me." He smiled a little then. "Are we finished with this argument? Have we come to an agreeable decision?" He didn't want to waste anymore time fighting.

"I suppose." He'd try and learn to have emotions, because that was what Atem wanted. He frowned a little as he realized something. "Does this also mean I'll have to endure other people?"

"I'd rather have you have emotions first so you can really enjoy everything and apprecate it more." He smiled a little. "but, yes, eventually....you'll have to endure other people."

Seth didn't say 'people suck,' but it did cross his mind. "Do we still have time to go anywhere befoer your show?"

He looked at his watch and nodded. "I think so, why?"

"Just wondering. I was hoping this... discussion... hadn't lasted too long."

"Are you still going to buy me a ring too or have I been too demanding and annoying that I no longer deserve one?"

"I'm goingot get you a ring," Seth assured him. "And whatever else you want."

"You really don't have to buy me things, Seth. Knowing that you really do love me is more then enough." He said with a smile. "Come on I saw a few places last night that I wanted to look at for rings."

"Allright. Let's go." Seth squeezed his hand, then handed Atem the leather jacket he'd bought for him and grabbed his own parka to keep warm.

Atem took the coat and put it on. Then he grabbed up Seth's hand and pulled him out the door and to the elevator.

Seth made sure he had the key and his money and walked with him, pullinghet coat tight in anticipation of hte temperature. "Dowe need Sakura ot translate for us?" he asked.

"No, I found a few places with Japanese owners." he grinned a little. He pulled him into the elevator and wrapped his arms about him gently.

Seth leaned in his arms without otherwise reacting. emotions. Bah. he didn't want to. he liked... well, no, not really. but he didn't mind himself how he was. he doubted getting emotional would make him like himself more. "That's lucky. I'm sure sakura's probably getting tired of us."

"You think she's tired of us? I don't think she is." he chuckled a little. "Her and I talked last night. We crossed paths...she's a very charming girl. Very bright."

"I suppose this would be out while you were avoiding me."

"I was not avoiding you. I actually, kind of thought you'd come after me." he shrugged. "But, yes..."

"If I had come after you we would have fought in the street."

"At first yes...but not later." He walked out of the elevator and out the door.

"I was waiting for you to come back. I didn't leave in case you did return tofind it empty. You dont' have a key."

He didn't speak as he headed for their first destination, it was a small little jewelery shop that Atem had looked in the window of and had conversed with the owned with a little. He walked in and smiled a little as he looked around.

Seth stayed with Atem, rubbing his thumb over the undersideof his own ring. "What do you want?" he asked him, looking down to him. "There's a lot to choose from."

He looked over at Seth and smiled. "I want you to pick it out for me." the owner smiled at them and said he'd be with them in a moment.

"I don't..." Choose a ring for Atem...? He wouldnt' get hte perfect one...

"Please?" He looked up at him. "We might want to look various places before any decisions are made though. Unless....you find the perfect one here."

"I don't think I'll find the perfect ring for you... I don't know what you want..." He would feel much more comfortable with just paying for whatever Atem wanted. He supposed Atem wanted him to choose, though, so he would...

"I have faith in your, love." He gave him a brillant smile as he walked away and started to look at a few other pieces of jewelery.

Seth didn't have any faith whatsoever in himself when it came ot pleasing other people. He said nothing, though, deciding to watch Atm mostly and see what he looked interested in.

Atem intentionally stayed away from the rings knowing that Seth would be looking for that to happen. This was a bit of a test...

"If you wantot find a ring, Atem, I think we'll probably have to go look atthem at some point," Seth pointed out, still at Atem's side.

He looked away frowning a bit. "Alright."

...Atem whadn't actually been expecting him to go look at them and choose on, alone, with no input rom Atem whatsoever, was he?

"Come on we should probably get going anyway." He tugged on his arm.

Seth went his, obeyinghte tugging.

He shivered when he stepped out of the place and he pulled his coat closer.

"Where to now?" Seth asked from behind his fur-lined hood, which was protecting his face. "But I don't really see teh point of going to these shops if we're not even going ot look at rings... You aren't expecting me to good find you a ring on my own, are you?"

"Well, I got you your ring without your input...so yes I am expecting you to find it on your own." he turned and looked at him. "As to where to go now...we can either look at more shops...we could take a carraige ride. We're still too early to go to the show."

Seth was just about paralyzed. Atem knew he was going ot fail horribly at this, right? He'd rather Atem just tell him what he wanted so that he wouldn't disappoint him. "Carriage..." he said. if he was going ot have ot do it alone he'd rather Atem not be there with him...

"Yeah, like a chariot but not really." he said with a smile. Then he nodded up ahead at the line of them, people were getting into them and looking excited about it. "It looks fun..."

Again with that F-word. "All right."Atem wantedto do it, so they'd do it. It wasn't as though he had a better plan that didn't involve going back and sitting at teh computer.

He pulled seth along and looked at him a little, a frown pulling at his lips but he looked away before the other could see it. He didn't want to say anything at all. He talked with the carriage guy slowly, trying to use his limited English and then he smiled a little as he opened the door for them. "Come on." He got in and then pulled Seth in with him. He sat there and looked around...it was something different and he liked that

Seth silently wrapped his arm around Atem, warding off hte chill and holding him close. This was mildly odd, but not that bad..  Not a car, at any rate, which he appreciated. he tried notto think abotu rings. Stupid rings. This was fine, though, for hte moment, if cold...

Atem leaned against Seth a little and closed his eyes as the carraige started to move. It was a nice feeling to the pharaoh, reminded him a bit of home...though he rather liked chariots better -they were faster...and more dangerous.

Seth held Atem comfortably, looking around and controlling a shiver from the cold breeze as they started to move. it felt like a waste of time, to him, to be doing this, because he actually wasn't doing anything... He was jus sitting here as a carriage pulled them nowhere in particular. And apparently wasting time was supposed to be fun. He enjoyed spending time with Atem, he just wishedthey could be doing something...

Atem smiled a little as they rode along, it was nice to get out and just be with Seth. He looked up at him though and frowned a little then he sighed and was silent. He was pretty sure that Seth saw this as boring...he had no idea that all Atem really wanted was to go out and have fun now that he didn't have duty to worry about. "Do you like this?" he asked softly

"I like being with you," Seth said evasively. he wasa little uneasy, just wishing he could do something...

"You hate it don't you?" he said matter-of-factly

"I wish we were doing something," Seth admitted.

"We are. We're relaxing."

"...Relaxing."

"Don't know how to relax either?"

"That's what I do when I sleep."

"well, there are other times to relax as well. That's what vacations are about. Kicking back and enjoying things and going places you've not been before."

"I've never been on a vacation." You guessed it: waste of time. "if you want an answer, yes, relaxing is just as foreign to me."

"Well, just put everything out of your mind. Focus just on us, sitting here enjoying the ride. We have no pressing matters nothing we really have to do." he sighed a little. "Relaxing was very important to me in the past, not that I got to do it that often...relaxing helps you refocus your attentions for other things."

"I don't need to refocus..." Seth said, but he sighed slightly. Another thing he would have to do... He settled against the wall more firmly and tried ot make his muscles relax. Mind was another story.

"Refocusing is what you do when you sleep." He shrugged. "We can get out of you want since you see it as pointless anyway." he was getting fed up with Seth putting a damper on everything.

"I'd rather stay, Seth said.

Atem moved away from Seth then and just watched the trees and people go by in silence.

Seth sighed slightly as Atem drew away. Damn it, he had promised himhewould try, and her e he was driving him away... Great way to start off an engagement, Seth. Make your lover hate you. He sighed slightly again and strengthened his resolve to actually do as he said and make Atem happy, and moved forward to wrap his armsaround him lightly from behind, resting his forehead on the back ofhis shoulder. "I do really enjoy being alonelike this with you..." he tried.

Atem was watching the snow ladened trees go by and he sighed -he wasn't going to be taking another vacation for a while if all they were going to do was sit around, they could do that well enough at home without spending money. He felt Seth's arms around him and heard what he said and a faint smile cross his lips. He didn't say anything though nor did he turn his attention to the other.

Well, Seth had't really thought it would be that easy to get Atem to forgive him. He squeezed hims unobtrusively as he tried ot think of what to say. Words weren't always he forte. Or, really, ever his forte. "...It might be nice to relax moer often..." he finally allowed, though it made him feel very strange and a little uncomfortable to say that. he couldn't just drop everything and do... nothing. Could he? ...yes, for Atem he coul.d

"You're just saying that because you know it's what I want to hear." He said curtly but he didn't break the embrace.

He didn't want to cause any more arguments today... "I just want to be alone with you and not have to worry about anything else. That counts, right?"

Atem didn't really believe him. "Why this sudden change of heart?"

"Does it really matter?"

He sighed...no it probably didn't but Atem was sure this wasn't going to last. "I guess not."

"I'm sorry," Seth said. "I aid I'd try and then I just drive you away..."

Atem didn't know if he should accept the apology or not, part of him wondered when another explosive fight would break out. He was starting to have regretted having proposed since it clearly hadn't made the other as happy as he said. He was silent and looked back at the trees.

Seth sighed once more. He had really and truly messed this up, hadn't he? He let him go finaly, since he was apparently just making Atem uncomfortable. "Does the time I spend online bother you,truly?" he asked, watching him from the opposite corner.

"Only when we're supposed to be enjoying one another's company and the euphoric moment of engagement." he said bitterly

"I thought you were busy or had something better to attend to... like your hangover. Minewas killing me... that's halfthe reason I was such an asshole... I didn't want to bother you."

"I didn't have a hangover..." he admitted

"...Oh. Howdid you manage that?"

"The hot shower..."

"Oh. I... did." A horrible one. "I think that alcohol and I do not mix..."

"I suppose not."

"I'm sorry for arguingwith you like that."

The carraige ride ended and miraculasly stopped right outside the theatre they were going to for the show. It was early but that didn't really matter. Atem got out of the carraige and offered a hand to Seth to help him. He still didn't accept the apology

Seth noticed that. he silently took the hand and stepped down, and stuffed hishands into his pockets, huddling down inside of his coat to try and stay warm. He wasn't sure if the weather or Atem was more frigid...

He looked at his watch. "We have about an hour before the show. Want anything to eat before?" he asked

"I suppose that would be nice," he said from inside his hood."

He looked over at him and then he put his arm through Seth's, slipping his hand into his pocket to hold his hand.

Seth looked at him and squeezed his hand gratefully, He started down the street, toward... nothing in particular.

There was a small bakery/cafe at the end of the street and Atem lead the other there. The second they were inside though he slipped his hand from the other and looked at the menu. "I think soup sounds good."

"All right..." Seth said, hands hold clenched into fists inside his pockets as he sat down, ostenisbly against the cold but really to try and holdonto the feelingofAtem holding his.

Atem ordered the soups and then sat down with Seth waiting for their number to be called. "I got you the samething, I hope that ws ok."

Seth nodded. "It looked edibleinthe picture..."

"I guess." he replied....talking with Seth was becoming painful now. He looked down and sighed. "I accept your apology." he said and then he heard their number being called and he got up to get their food

Seth wasn't surewhether to be relieved or not... It sounded likeAtem was accepting it only out of duty now, and the fact that he had to forgive him. he accepted his soup quietly with his eyes on the table.

"You want a soda?" he asked after he set down their soups. He frowned a little.

Seth shook his head. "No, I'm fine..."

"Alright." He sat down and started to eat his soup. It was warm and pretty good. He watched Seth though.

Seth mostly toyed with it, though it was fairly okay, and he did eat some ofit because he knew Atem had been concerned about him not eat while he was caeing forhte various ill people. He just hated having Atem angry with him. He wasn't going to apologizeagain, though, because it would be annoying, and hedidn't want to say something like that without really having anything new to add...

"Please, eat, love. You're just picking at the food..." he looked up at him concerned. "I said I accepted your apology and I do, if that's what has you all silent now." He took his hands and held them. "I love you to much to stay angry with you for long. I'f I'm being standoffish I'm sorry...it'll take a while for me to get over the hurt feelings ok?"

And amazingly, that made him feel even worse. "I shouldn't have caused you any hurt feelings." He tried to pull his hands back. "I don't deserve your foriveness until you're over them... I'll hurt as long as you do."

He wanted to say something in return but he couldn't think of anything so he looked back down at his soup suddenly not hungry.

Seth swished the soup around more but couldn't really bring hismelf ot eat any more of it. How could he fix what he'd done ot Atem...?

He looked at his watch. "We should go back. Are you finished?"

seeth nodde silently and stood up, offering Atem a hand up.

Atem blinked a little confused but he took the hand. "Ready?"

He nodded again. "Yes."

He squeezed Atem's hand a little, but loosened his grip so that he could easily let go if hewanted to.

He held his hand and lead him out of the cafe. He walked slowly back towards the theatre. He moved a little closer to the other.

Seth gratefully let him come closer, squeezing his hand. Hopefully things would beall right by tonight...

Atem watched their feet as they walked, he was touched that Seth wanted to hurt as long as he did but it wasn't really fair. He squeezed his hand a little though as they made it back to the theatre. People had started to gather and Atem slipped through the mass of people pulling Seth with him and into the warmth of the theatre. He gave their tickets to the woman and then he paused looking around the interior of the theatre. It was nice, warm colors...and not too gaudy.

Seth was mostly happy about the fact that it was warm in there, never mind the colors. He took his hood off and pulledhim gently toward a row of seats.

They made their way to their seats which were in the front row. The nice usher showed them where to go and Atem nodded a bit. Once seated he turned and looked at Seth. "Well....here we are."

Seth nodded, still holding Atem's hand. "We never got to watch that movie..."

"I know. I'm sorry." He whispered and kept looking around. This place was interesting lots of strange places to look at and people to see and stuff.

"No, I meant that as an apology..." He was looking mostly at his feet.

"It's okay." he frowned a bit and turned Seth's face towards him. "Stop it love..." then he leaned in and kissed him gently.

Seth hesitated, then kissed him back. He wasn't precisely sure was he was supposed to be stopping...

Atem pulled out of the kiss and just smiled at him a little and then the show started.

Seth looked at him, then settled back in his seat, still holding his hand.

Aaaaand of course the show was in English. Which Seth didn't speak. And aside from the visual things, while the audience was laughing, he really didn't get it. He'd have to learn English... Sigh. Annoyance.

Poor Seth, Atem at least while not perfect at the language actually did grasp a bit more then he thought. Maybe they gods had been nice enough to have taught him English as well without his knowledge but he looked over at Seth from the corner of his eye and frowned a little. He felt bad...he smiled and laughed at something then....

Seth sighed in annoyance. it was more annoying than funny, at least since he couln't understand it. He leaned over and kissed Atem lightly, squeezing his hand, then spoke in his ear. "I'm going to the bathroom... I'll be back soon."

Atem frowned and nodded. He moved a bit so Seth could leave.

Seth nodded andlet him go, tugging his coat around him and slipping out ofhte seat.

And of course he didn't go to the bathroom. Heleft the theater entirely.

Atem went back to watching the show but after a while he noticed that Seth didn't return. Once intermission hit and they were allowed to stretch the pharaoh got up and wandered around the entire theatre and didn't find his wayward priest and automatically jumped to two conclusions. 1. Seth had thought this was a waste of time and had gone back to the hotel. This idea really pissed him off more then anything especially after everything Seth had said beofre. or 2. Atem had been too hard on him and had driven him away. That option made him upset...and he lowered his head as he went back into the theatre. Through the entire second act he flipped back and forth from being mad as hell and being far more upset and hurt then he had been before.

Seth was nowhere near the teater, really. he has made his way to the nearest jewelry stoeand was agonizing over rigns. it took him far, far longer than he'd planned before he decided on a slim gold ring with three diamonds, but in which he switched outhte ones on either end for a small ruby and sapphire respectively. He hurried back after he was done, holding hte ring tightly in one hand inits box, but when he got there people were alreaqdy coming out. He hoped Atem hadn't left...

Atem actually was sitting there still in his seat, he had lost the entire second act to his thoughts. He blinked when and usher poked him. "Show's over." they said to him and he nodded and rose. He looked at the empty seat next to him and sighed. He shoved his hands into his pockets and started to walk towards the doors.

Seth met him just inside hte outer doors and caught him by his upper arms, since he didn't seem to see him there. "Atem..." he sad.

Atem looked up at him and his eyes narrowed automatically. "That was a long time to be in the bathroom, what did you get flushed down the toilet or something? Or did you just decide this was a waste of your time and that you didn't want to humor me..."

Seth blinked. That was what Atem thought. "No,that wasn't it..."

"You missed the entire show. If you didn't want to stay you could've just told me and we could've left!" He pushed his arms off him and then left the building.

Seth followedafter him. "Atem, wait, that wasn't it.I just thought that before we left for Hawaii tonight..."

"I don't want to go to Hawaii." He kept walking.

"What? Why?" Seth was still following about two steps behind.

"I just want to go home before things can get even worse."

Seth frowned and reached out to catch Atem's arm in one hand. "Please, stop..." he aaid. "I thought thingswere getting better."

He turned and looked at him. "Well, you totally fucked that up by leaving!" He pulled his arm away.

Seth caught his hand again before he could get too angryand just teleport home alone or something. He pressed the ring box into his hand and said nothing.

He looked at the box and blinked. "What's this?"

"That's where I went. I got your ring... Look at it. We can exchange it for something you actually want..."

The ring...? He blinked his anger dissolving a little. He looked at the box and then opened it. He smiled a little and pulled out to look at it. He looked at the stones and his smile grew a little more then he looked up at Seth. "You picked it out yourself? The stones too...?" he wondered if there was any meaning behind the stones he had chosen

Seth nodded silently, still wary.

He smiled a little more. "Why'd you pick stones?"

"...To represent us..." Seth told him. "As you wrote on the inside of mine... Two hearts intertwined, two souls as one, love eternal..."

He looked back down at the ring and then smiled a little more, his anger totally banished now. He pulled Seth down for a gentle kiss.

Seth kissed him back, a little anxious still, and pressed again him. "You like it then?" he asked, holding his upper arms.

He looked up at him and nodded. "Yes, very much." He looked at it and then pressed it into Seth's hand. "Want to put it on my finger?"

"I just wanted to make sure you likedit first..." seth took it back and slipped it on Atem's finger, lacing their ring-bearing hands together and lookedat them between them,liking how nice the rings looked that close together.

Atem smiled, his heart racing as Seth put the ring on him. It was such a nice feeling, somehow having a ring on his own finger made it all the more real...he hadn't gotten one in the past after all. The smile on his lips brightened, extending to his eyes as he looked up at Seth. "Perfect." he uttered before he eyes fell back to look at the rings

Seth squeezed his hand, thering box going back in his pocket. "I love you..." he murmured, and leaneddown, turninghis head up to kiss him deeply. This was as right as when Atem had proposed...

Atem smiled and was about to return the statement to the other when he felt Seth's finger under his chin he blinked a little as he looked up into those saphire eyes and his heart fluttered. He returned the kiss just as deeply opening his mouth to the other if he wished to delve even deeper.

Seth didn't hesitate to tkae the opportunity given him, exploring gently and enticing atem to return it. It would lways be like this, he hoped. Even when they fought - and they would fight, Seth being who and how he was - they would still love each other, and it would always be al right... "Can we still go to Hawai'i now...?" He asked quietly with a small smile as it ended.

And Atem did explore his mouth gently, lightly fighting with his tongue but then giving up and allowing him to win. When the kiss was broken his opened his eyes slowly. "Yes..." he said softly.

"And stay there... and relax... and finally gohome and enjoy ourselves..." Seth ran his hand through Atem's hair before turning his face into it for a moment. "Soundslike... fun."

''fun...'' his voice trailed off. It would be nice to have fun and be alone with him. ''perfect.'' he said softly as he ran his hand along seth's back

Seth made an effort to relax and smiled a little. "What time is it?" he asked.

He looked at his watch. ''we have a good 4 hours.'' he smiled up at him. ''enough time to see just how much more romantic you can be''

"Or enough time to go back and pack and inform Sakura that she's comingwith us, if she wants..." Seth said evasively. "I think I used my romance quota for the week..." He was amazed Atem had liked the ring... he didn't want to push it because he knew he'd screw it up.

He turned around and looked up at the other. Gods, he wanted Seth to do more. "I don't think you've used up your quota." he whispered. It was clear that he was totally enamoured with what his lover had done. "You couldn't possibily mess anything up now, beloved."

So he had a free pass to fail miserably. That was nice. "We should still robably go tell Sakura so that she can decide if she wants to ome, and get ready to leave if she does," he said. "And then maybe go out for a real meal, instead of picking at soup in a little shop...?" That was romantic, right?

"Alright." he surrendered as he looked back down at his ring, now it was his turn to be totally enthralled by it and Seth having given it to him. He hadn't thought it would mean all that much coming from him since he had been the one to want one but somehow...it was even more special since Seth alone picked it out. "The ring is wonderful." he said with a smile.

"You don't have to like it just because i got it..." Seth said, shifting a little uncomfortably. "Like I said. We can hange it out for one you want..."

He looked at him and smiled. "I love it. You picked a perfect one." He pulled him down for another kiss.

seh kissed him back, relaxing. Atem eally did like it. Perfect... Now, which way was the hotel?

"I'm never going to take it off." He whispered as he brushed his thumb over it. He smiled a little more, it was perfect. Atem blinked and looked about. "Should we get a taxi?"

"No," Seth said firmly, toying with his own ring. no cars. Cars made Seh ill. "It wasn't very far, was it?"

"I'm not sure." stood there thinking a bit trying to remember how he had made it back before.

Just then Sakura popped up behind them. "Hello, boys."

Seth jumped, startled. "...Hi..." he told her.

Atem smiled a little. "Hello, care to help us find the hotel again?" then he looked at Seth and nudged him since she was here he might as well ask if she wanted to come with them to Hawaii.

Seth had to ask? That wasn't fair... Fine. "And we have further job opportunities to discuss."

"Of course I'll take you guys back." then she looked at Seth. "Yes?"

"Would you liek to contnue being our translator? We're going to Hawai'i later tonight."

Her eyes grew wide as he spoke. "Hawaii.....?" she stammered. ".....you want me to come too? You guys have a private jet or something? Or is it that you jsut have that much money to pick girls off the street and take them palces?"

"Orivate jet?" Seth said, mildly surprised. "No, we don't have one... though it might be more convenient just to get one. That's a good idea..."

Atem grinned a little, he agreed it would be a good idea especially if they planned on traveling alot or something.

Sakura grinned a little. "Ya might wanna think about one." She winked at Seth. She stood there thinking. "How much time do I have to decide?"

"Around three hours."

"Damn." she bit her lower lip. "I'm not sure if that's enough time...."

seth should probably have apologized, but like normal he didn't really feel like it. "We'll pay for you to come back here when we return to Japan," he said. "Unless you'd rather come with us and stay as our translator permanently; we seem to travel a bit." And, since he couldnt' read, he needed a translator for written things anyway.

Atem was amazed at just how nice Seth was being. Seeing him doign this for Sakura made him even more sure that somewhere deep inside Seth was a nicer guy...or maybe that he had the potential to change. He grabbed up Seth;s hand and held it tightly. "We'd like you to come along with us, Sakura, you've been a wonderful help to us."

Sakura looked at the two of them. They were adorable even if Seth was clearly given to some kind of weird bi-polar issues...she could ignore that. "Well...I'll go back home and make my decision. I have things there I need and people to say bye to if I decide to come with you. If I'm not back at the hotel in the alloted time...I decided to stay here. Okay?"

"All right," Seth said with a slight nod, and squeezed Atem's hand absently. Actually, hefigured it might be nice to try and walk back o the hotel, since there would be a way to find it even if they couldn't get there... they could call a cab if nthing else... and he could try and make up to Atem the ride he'd spoiled earlier.

She smiled. "All you have to do is go to the end of this block and turn left...then you'll be on the street the Posh is on. I'm sure you two can find it from there. It's a nice little walk. Think you can handle it without me?"

"Yes, we can," Seth said. "Thank you."

"Alrighty!" She bowed to them and ran off.

Atem looked up at Seth and smiled a little. "Come on."

Seth agreeably came on, following after him.

Atem looked down at his ring with a smile. He didn't have anything to say he was too caught up in his own emotions to relly think about much but the ring on his finger. A carraige passed them as they walked...which seemed to be heading in the direction they were going.

Seth kept hol of Atem's hand, and watched the carriage, deciding to flag it down. Of course, he then had ot look at Atem, because he had absoltuely no understanding ofhte English language.

Atem blinked out of his happy place and looked at Seth with a confused look then he saw the carraige. "Oh..." he talked with the man and as it turned out it did have a stop at the Posh hotel, however it wasn't the first stop but the end. It would take about an hour for the total ride. He relayed all that information to Seth...well as much of it as he understood.

Seth nodded and handed over as much money as he had seen Atem give over last time, helping Atem in. Hopefully Atem could actually enjoy his ride this time...

Atem blinked a little, Seth was being romantic even if he was trying to make up for the failed first ride -the pharaoh still thought it was romantic. He sat back and watched the people and trees once more waiting for Seth to make any moves he wished.

Which, of course, Seth being Seth, were really nonexistent. He tgged Atem closer and wrapped hisarms around him to keep them both warm and just watched him.

Atem cuddle close to him and rested his head on Seth's chest. He looked at his ring once more. "I love you..."

Seth comfortably held him close. "I love you too..."

"You know you could totally come on to me and I'd be totally turned on, love." he whispered...he smirked a little wondering what Seth would think.

"I'm not sure what you mean by that," Seth said blankly.

He chuckled softly. "Too bad." He closed his eyes half way and watched the sights go by with little interest to them.

Seth contentedly played with some of Atem's hair, completely disinterested in the ride.

"He closed his eyes and then smirked a little to himself. Then he moved and laid down with his head in Seth's lap and he looked up at him with a smile. "This is better."

seth blinked, then ran his hand through Atem's hair. He was cold now, br. "All right," he said.

Atem smiled a little and then pulled him down for a kiss.

seth kissed him back. all right, so this was pleasant. And it was much nicer to have Atem al gooey than pissed off at him.

Then Atem broke the kiss. "Now, I want you to initiate the kiss with me, love..." he smiled up at him trying to teach him how to "come on" to the other.

"I've kissed you before," Seth said defensively, feeling pressured all at once. Like when Atem wanted him ot choose a ring for him, while he was still there but not going to help.

"I know you have...so what's stopping you from doing it again?"

"That factthat you want me to... I dont' perform well under pressure."

"I always thought you liked the pressure."

"I don't likebeing tested..."

"It's not a test." He whispered. then he let it drop just looking up at the other with a smile. It was a nice view at least to his mind.

seth toyed with his hair still, watching him a little absently, unconscious of being watched.

He rolled over a little and placed his hand on Seth's knee lightly as he looked at the ring. things were perfect.....though he wasn't sure how long it would last....he hoped forever but he knew not to think that now since the last perfect moment had come to a hault eventaully.

Seth grabbed his hand and squeezed gently, pulling Atem back up again fully in his lap to rest his chin on his shoulder, wrapping his arms around  him again.,

Atem blinked and then looked at him confused. "What's this for?"he wrapped his arms about him lightly and smiled a little.

"I'm cold," Seth said, giving an excuse, because he wanted to touch him.

"Is that all?" he frowned a little

"And I wanted to?"

He smiled a little. "Well, if you just wanted to you could've jsut said that, you know."

"I don't think my reasons matter all that much," Seth sai easily. "Since you like it."

"The reasons do matter though." He brushed his hand over his cheek lightly. Then the carraige stopped and the phraohn blinked. They were back at the hotel...it had felt like a rather short hour and he sighed a little. He jumped out and then offered his hand to Seth

Seth took his hand and got down. "It's enough that I do it," he said, and wrapped his arms around him again as they went inside.

Atem frowned inwardly and just cuddled closer to him. "I guess we should get packed up and then wait for sakura to come back...and then check out." And then off to Hawaii where he hoped seth would have fun.

Seth nodded. holding Atem close as they got into the elevator. "Is tonight better than lastnight?"

"Yes." He whispered.

Seth smiled a little. "Not that that's hard, but I'm glad..."

The pharaoh didn't say anything about the truth of that statement. And once the elevator opened he went to the door of the room and waited since Sethw as the one with the key

Seth opened the door for him and pulled him inside, holding his hand.

"I guess I'll get us packed up and ready to go." He said as he slipped his hand from Seth;s and went into the bedroom to do just as he said.

Seth followed him, pausing in the doorway. "Atem? What's wrong?" He thought he'd been doing good...

He blinked and turned to look at him with a smile. "Nothing, I just want to get everything taken care of so we didn't have to rush or anything."

"All right," Seth said, following him in. "I thought you were unhappy with me." He came in to take the clothes fro the closet and held him pack.

"There's no way I could be unhappy with you right now, love." He smiled at him and started to pack the clothes away  as they were handed too him.

Seth tried ot convince himself he was being paranoid and handed him the clothes. "I hope Sakura comes with us..." he said idly.

He continued to pack. "I'm sure she will." He looked over at him. "You're being awefully nice to her, you know. It's nice to see."

"She's useful to us... We need a translator, right? And she's been kind to us..."

"We don't really need a translator in Hawaii though." he remarked as he finished putting all the clothes away.

"They stil speak English..."

"Yes, but there's a large contengent of Japanese in their population."

"I didn't know that."

He only smiled a little as he sat down on the bed. "though I guess it'll be nice to have her there to help if anything should happen. I still think it's kind of you to ask hr to come along."

"I assume you don't mind, then." He leaned against the wall, feeling as uncomfortable as he did when Kisara acucsed him of being a good person.

"No I don't."

"All right then. Her coming back to japan with us is probably too much though, isn't it?"

"No." he leaned back on the bed nad closed his eyes stretching out.

"No?"

"If you want her to come along back with us, I have no problems with it. But, the decision would be up to her."

"But you don't even like Mahaado, Seth-chan, or Kisara staying with us."

"We can afford to get her an apartment and fund her till she can find a job." he whispered

"all right... so, I'll offer her to come backwith us." Seth watched Atem without moving, wondering if smething wasactually wrong. But he was probably just paranoid...

"If that's what you want. I don't mind."  he rolled over on his side then and sighed a little. "I'm tired..."

"Do you want to sleep until Sakura gets back, or it's time to go?"

"No, I'm just going to lay here and relax a bit I think. That's going to be a long flight...and in all honestly I'm not really too fond of airplanes." He didn't mention that fact before but it really made him nervous to be in the air, flying in some machine.

"Do you want to teleport usthere instead?" Seth asked in all seriousness.

"Three people? At that distance? I'd pass out for days if I tried." he sighed a little.

Seth shrugged, he didn't know how much power it would take. "I suppose you'll have to sleep on the flight then..." he came over and unzipped his coat finally, stretching out on his stomach beside Atem.

"I wish I could." He muttered. "I'll be awake the entire time wondering if we're going to die or something."

"We're not going to die," Seth assured him. he sighed after a moment and rested his head on Atem's chest. "I'd summon a dragon to fly us out of there..."

He felt the weight on his chest and opened his eyes his fingers toying with Seth's hair lightly. "You'd really do that huh?"

"Of course I would.I don't like dying..."

"...And I don't want you to die, either."

He smiled a little. "Well, at least I don't have to worry about that I guess. But, I still hate flying."

"If you hate flying I suppose we probably shouldn't travel anymore." He closed his eyes. "I'll be happy to stay in Japan a while...'

"I like to travel though."

"I don't think we can do that without you teleporting us, or flying... Or taking boats, I guess, which would take absoltuely forever..."

"I'd juat have to get over my fear of flying." he shrugged a little. "Personally...I'd be happy never to go back to japan.'

Seth blinked, which required him to open his eyes. "Where do you want to stay, then?" he asked.

"I don't know. Egypt? Hawaii maybe?" He sighed a little and stroked Seth's hair gently.

Seth liked Atem playing with his hair... it made him relax. He closed his eyes again. "If you want to, say the word and we will..."

He ran his fingers lightly thorugh those locks and he closed his eyes. "I know...." He grabbed up Seth's left hand and held it gently brushing his fingers over the ring. "Would you hate me if I decided I wanted to go back to Egypt and stay?"

Seth smiled a little, reminded of his ring. "No, I wouldn't hate you. wherever you wanto go, we'll go, and we'll stay as long as you want.

It's not as though you'll be separating me from my friends or anything..." Although it would be strange to suddenly be haf a world away from Kisara and Mahaado, and he would probably miss them. A little.

"Would you like to go back to Egypt for a while? After Hawaii?" He asked softly as he looked at the ring on his finger. "You know....I'd like to have the wedding in Egypt....or maybe go there for the honeymoon..."

"All right... having the wedding in egyt sounds great. You realize that this means that if anyone else is to come we'll probably have to bring hem ourselves... Or, more likely, that no one will come."

He toyed with Atem's hand. "It's up to you... If you want to visit after we leave Hawaii I'll rememebr to get the tickets."

"I guess we can think more about the wedding later." He ran his fingers over Seth's hand lightly. "AS to Egypt after Hawaii...I geuss we should wait and see."

"All right. Wherever you want ot go, we'll go. Just say so."

"Alright." He lifted Seth's hand to his lips nad kissed it gently

Seth's fingers closed around Atem's lightly. "I thought you just wanted to lie here..."

"I do." he whispered.

Seth raised his head to look at him, wondering why he was whispering. he soundedlike he was exhausted, or in some extreme emotional pain...

He looked at him and smiled. "What's wrong?"

"That's what I wanted to know... You sound..." He didn't know what to say, so he shook his head. "Nevermind."

"I sound what?" he asked

"In pain. Or something."

"No." he smiled. "Just tired I think." he brushed his fingers through Seth's hair once more.

The door of the hotel room opened. "Hey! Are you guys here?" It was Sakura of course

"Yes," Seth called, voice muffled inAtem's chest.

"Okay. I'm gonna go pack up the rest of my stuff. I'm coming with you!" She didn't bother them at all figuring they wanted alone time

Atem smiled a little and continued to brush his fingers through Seth's hair. "Why did you think I was in pain or something?"

"The whispering," Seth said, ignoring Sakura. "I should be usedto it, I suppose, you do it enough. But it makes me think something's wrong. I'm used ot you sounding confident and in control, not whispering."

"I'm fine really. I'm just tired." he started to kiss Seth's fingers once more. "Don't worry I'll be confident and controlling once more -once I've gotten sufficiant sleep."

Seth resisted sayig that if he hadn't stayed out till fourthe other night he would probably not be tired now. Likewise, Seth would not be tired now. "Will you sleep tinight?"

"I'll sleep once we get to Hawaii. I hope."

"You hope?" Seth asked. "There shouldn't be anything keeping you awake..."

"Well, it might be really pretty and I won't want to waste my time sleeping." he looked at him. "I'll sleep when we get there if you do though."

"Yes, I'll sleep," Seth said. "I'm tired myself."

"Okay." he went back to stroking his hair lightly.

Sakura then came into the room. "You two ready?"

"Yes," Seth said, slowly extracting his head as he sat up. "We're packed."

Atem smiled a little and nodded. "Yeah, I guess we should go and check out and then get to the airport." he frowned  a bit...he didn't want to fly.

Seth slid off teh bed, sipping his coat again and grabbing their bag, then ofering Atem' a hand up and handing hte key over to Sakura to check them out.

Atem took his hand and smiled a little as they all left the room. It was sad to be leaving but Atem was happy too...he hoped that Hawaii would not become a place where the two fo them would argue at..

Sakura took the keys and once they made it to the lobby she checked them out handing over the money to the man. Then she got them a cab to the airport.

Seth scowled at the car as he put the bag in and reluctantly got in, making sure he was in the middle between the other two and sliding far down so that he wouldn't have to look outhte windows.

Sakura raised an eyebrow at him.

"He doesn't like cars." Atem offered.

Sakura frowned. "I'm sorry."

Seth said nothing, scowling a little bit and waiting for them to go.

The cab drove off in that special taxi driver way complete with curses and eratic driving habits. Atem wrapped his arm around Seth and just held him

Seth felt exactly as though he were going to throw up. Closing his eyes and squishing together with Atem helped that a bit, though, so that was what he did, trying to ignore it,

He wrapped his arms tighter around Seth adn narrowed his eyes on the cab driver. "Can you drive more normal you fool." he said to him an English. The cabbie just snorted at him and drove faster

Seth startedmuttering something that turned out to be a prayer in ancient egyptian.

"I'm sorry." he whipsered to Seth and held him. Soon they made it to the airport and Atem moved out of the car and lifted Seth into his arms. "Are you going to be alirhgt?"

"Yes, I'll be all right..." Seth said, perfectly content to let Atem hold him for the moment, making his heartbeat and breathing calm down a bit, since that had ended up with a half panic attack. "We're going ot walk around hawai'i, though..."

He held him tightly, protectively and glared at the cabbie as he speed off once all their stuff was out. "Yes, we'll walk."

"I don't think they'll let you carry me ontohte plane..." Seth pointed out. "But we should try..."

"I'm not putting you down." he said confidently. He continued to walk through the airport, Sakura trailing behind them. "Do we have the tickets?"

Seth squirmedto rest his head on Atem's shoulder, displaying the tickets he fished from his pocket.

"Alright." He handed them over to Sakura so she could help them find the right terminal. Several people gawked at them and point and Atem narrowed his eyes at all of them which made people scatter

Seth was oblivious to that. he was fine by now, but he liked having Atem hold him. In a few hours they'd be sleeping in Hawaii...

They made it to the terminal and the plane was just starting to board. Atem carried Seth through ignoring anyone who tried to stop him. He didn't put Seth down until he placed him in his seat and sat down beside him.

Seth sighed a little when Atem was forced to release him. "I think I will get a private jet..." he mused. "We can use that to fly places, if you like traveling."

"It would be nice." He whispered. He sat down and then took Seth's hand and held it tightly. "Are you alirght now?"

"Yes," Seth assured him. "I'm fine. have been for a while, actually."

"You just wanted me to carry you around huh?"

"Yes."

He smiled a little. "I'll do it more often from now on then."

Seth smiled a little back. "You should. Although I imagine it looks funny."

"I don't care if it looks funny or not."

Seth's smiled twitched a little. "I suppose you don't. I like it, though. How are yo so strong? I've seen you shove Bitey..."

He thought a moment and then smiled. "Godly strength? Obelisk lends me his strength when I need it."

"I knew they hadn't abandoned you."

"It does seem that I'm back in their good graces." He smiled. "If only I had an item I could focus things better."

"Don't you still have mahaadio's Ankh?" Seth asked

"The ankh doesn't do anything for me." he smiled a little and kissed Seth's hand. "we've had this discussion love..."

"Not as such. I just mentioned that you had it and you mentioned that it wasn't increasing your power; I didn't realize that you meant it didn't work at all for you."

"Well, I can use it, but it doesn't augment my powers or increase anything. Only the Puzzle really helps."

"I'll talk to Mahaado abotu giving you the Puzzle they retrieved from Marik," he said.

He shook his head. "That belongs to Yuugi. I wouldn't dream of asking him for it."

"Yuugi would want you to have it."

He chuckled a little. "I'm not going to ask him for it. If he wishes to give it to me of his own free will..." He frowned as the plane started to take off. His hands gripped the armrests then and hew as silent.

Seth rested his head on Atem's shoulder and held onto one of his hands. "It'll be fine," he said. "Promise.you should try to sleep... I will if you sdo."

He looked over at him and smiled. "Alright...I'll sleep."

He nodded, and raised his hand to close Atem's eye.

The pharaoh chuckled at the action. "Bedtime already?"

"We're flying, and we have nothing better to do... I guess we could keep talking, if you're not tired."

"Mmmm, how about talk till we fall asleep?" He asked as he rested his head against Seth's lightly.

Sakura was already passed out on the other side of them

Seth nodded. "About what?"

He ran over the list of people he wasn't allowed ot talk abotu with Atem, which seemed ot be most of hte people they both knew.

"I don't know. Anything. Did you really enjoy New Years eve?" he asked

Seth nodded. "I did. Why wouldn't I? it was wonderful... You were beautifully romantic. I'm sorry I can't be that way for you."

"You're romantic in your own way, love." he whsipered. "I love the ring you got me. It's perfect."

"hank you..." Seth said, opening his eyes to look downat their hands. "I'mreally not romantic; I tend to bring those sorts of situations to an abrupt halt. But I'll try."

Atem turned a little and titled Seth's chin up, then he leaned in and kissed him gently.

Seth kissed him back. Still perfect...

He pulled back and brushed his fingers over seth's cheek lightly. "I do love you."

He smiled a little, looking up at him. "I love you too." He squeezed hishand, then brought his hand up and kissed Atem's ring. "You're mine now..." he said with a sudden quiet fierceness. "You knwo that, right?"

Atem smiled a little he thought it was rather romantic for Seth to kiss his ring. Then he blinked a little and the smiled widened. "Am I know?"

"Yes," Seth said seriously. "As much as I am yours. And if you abuse that, you'll lose me forever."

He caressed his face lightly. "You have nothing to worry about. I won't abuse it. You better not either."

"I never would," Seth told him. "If I did, I wouldn't have to worry about losing you. I would hate myself so much I would probably kill myself for betraying you like that..."

That was a rather romantic notion if not a little morbid. "I belong to you body, heart and soul, love."

"Good." Seth kissed his ring again, then let their hands lay down again.

He smiled a bit more and gave his hand a squeeze. "I'd never betray you...I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I did either." He yawned then

"Good," he repeated, all businesslike. "Now you go to sleep; you're yawning."

"Yes, consort." he closed his eyes and leaned his head against Seth lightly and he feel asleep instantly

Seth smiled a little at the title, and closed his eyes, eventually falling asleep as well.