Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Return To Paradise ❯ The Death of An Artist ( Chapter 30 )

WARNING: FLASHBACKS OF NCS NATURE (brief, but there).

 

The Death of an Artist

 

Robbie bounced the little girl gently on his knee. The baby girl giggled and smiled up at Robbie as she bounced up and down.

“Who's daddy little girl? Who is she?” Robbie asked, leaning in to kiss the baby's cheek.

The baby reached for Robbie's curly, black hair and tried to grab a handful as he kissed her. Her tiny fingers gripped onto the hair, but she couldn't hold on as Robbie pulled his head back.

“Are you trying to grab daddy's hair? Daddy needs that. Daddy doesn't want to go bald by the age of twenty, little muffin.”

“Robbie!” Daniel called from the kitchen. “Go tell Aten dinner is ready.”

Robbie picked up the baby and carried her. “Sure thing! Let's go wake your other daddy, muffin-girl. He has to be done sleeping by now.”

As Robbie climbed the steps, he thought about his sleeping husband. Aten had slept all day after his return from his walk. He hadn't even left the room to go to the bathroom.

The teen prayed he wouldn't have to clean dirty bedsheets again.

It wasn't Aten's fault, he tried to tell himself.

Aten was dying and his body was losing control of its functions. He tried to see it from that perspective, rather than blaming Aten himself for messing the bed.

Aten knocked on the door softly when he heard light moaning in the room.

“Aten?” Robbie opened the door a crack to look inside. The teen was laying on his side, his side rising and falling taking sharp breaths. “Aten? Are you okay?”

The teen in the bed panted, the breaths sounding congested and difficult to manage. Robbie turned on the light and sat beside Aten, who was facing him. Aten looked up, his face pale and covered in sweat.

“Aten? What's wrong?”

Tears rolled from Aten's eyes. “Robbie….”

Robbie reached out and began to caress Aten's cheek. The Egyptian shifted closer to Robbie. “It's okay, Aten….don't be afraid.”

More tears rolled down Aten's cheek. “Dying….hurts. Make it stop….please.”

Robbie bit his lip as he struggled to hold back his tears. “I know, Aten. I'm sorry.”

Aten's eyes wandered to the baby girl in Robbie's arm. “Heaven….”

The baby looked at Aten without a smile.

Aten reached out and took the little girl's hand. “Be good for your daddy, Heaven.”

Robbie's thumb traced the contours of Aten's left ear. “Dad said that dinner is ready, Aten. Will you be eating with us tonight?”

Aten shook his head. “No. I'm not hungry. I just want to stay here tonight. My head and chest are killing me.”

“What about if I bring you up some water? I don't want you to get dehydrated.”

Aten took a sharp breath. “Okay.”

“Do you need to use the bathroom?”

Aten shook his head. “No.”

“I'll get you some water downstairs and I'll bring my dinner up here.”

“You don't have to do that.”

Robbie caressed Aten's cheek with his thumb. “I want to be here for you. You relax and I'll be back in a few minutes.”

Robbie and Heaven left the room. Aten took sharp breaths as he looked through the window beside the bed. Thick, heavy clouds were drifting over Domino, blocking out the stars and the moon.

Aten closed his eyes as every organ inside him seemed to throb.

//It will all be over soon, Aten.//

Aten cleared his throat from the congestion filling his lungs. /I think so, yami./

//Do you think we will just drop dead? Or will we suffocate from our own fluids?//

Aten winced as his chest began to burn. /I don't know. I don't want to suffocate./

//I don't think we have a choice in the matter.//

Aten began to twitch, sending tiny convulsions through his body. His eyes focused on the sky above. /I can't see the stars./

//You don't need to see them. You'll be a part of them soon enough.//

Robbie walked through the door with a plate of food and two cups. “Mom's gonna feed Heaven for me. Let's get you sitting up, Aten.”

Robbie helped Aten roll onto his back. He propped pillows behind Aten to help him sit up. Robbie sat beside Aten and held the cup in his hands. “Drink slowly.”

The Egyptian weakly sipped the water. Robbie watched his husband sip slowly before removing the cup.

“Not too much at once. I don't want you to choke.”

Aten reached out and took Robbie's hand. He opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. The Egyptian swallowed more water and took two sharp breaths.

“Thank you for caring for me, Robbie.”

“Hey, that's my job. When I married you, I married you in sickness and in health. So come on, have some more water.”

Aten sipped a little more water slowly and pulled back. “No more.”

Robbie put the cup on the side table and grabbed his plate of food. He sat beside Aten and began to eat. “What are your plans for tomorrow?”

Aten yawned and closed his eyes. “Painting. I only have a few more things to do on the one I'm painting now.”

“It's looking good. You've been working your ass off on that painting lately.”

Aten smiled at the praise. “I have to finish it. My show is coming up on Friday and I want it to be completed.”

Robbie chewed his food and swallowed, knowing deep down that Aten wouldn't see his art show. “Is Joey going to the show this time?”

“I don't think so. Uncle Joey looked very ill when I saw him.”

Robbie sighed. “I hope he gets better soon.”

Aten reached out his arm and touched Robbie's leg. “Robbie, if Joey can have my liver, tell Uncle Seto that he can have it.”

Robbie stopped chewing and looked over at his husband. He swallowed his food and raised an eyebrow. “Serious?”

Aten nodded. “If we are a match, tell him that he can have my liver. He's my uncle and he's always been there for me.” Aten smiled. “Remember when we went to the aquarium?”

Robbie nodded. “That was fun…except when that freaky Anzu came in there. That ruined it all.”

Aten chuckled. “That was a fun time. If I can help him, I want to do it.”

“Okay, Aten. I will tell Seto, then.”

Aten rubbed Robbie's leg as his body started to quiver again.

Robbie put his plate on the table nearby and held Aten's hand. “Aten, stay with me.”

Zira had told him to expect this as Aten's nervous system slowed. Robbie kissed Aten's hand and prayed in his mind.

The phone rang downstairs as Aten began to cough.

“Robbie, is Aten awake? It's Aria on the phone!”

Robbie ran downstairs for the phone and took it from his mother. “Aria?”

[Hi, Robbie, is Aten okay?]

“He's not doing too well at the moment.”

[I know. I can feel it. Can I speak to him?]

“Let me see. Hold on.” Robbie climbed the steps and walked into the room. Aten's convulsions had stopped, but exhaustion was written prominently on Aten's demeanor.

“Aten, Aria's on the phone for you. Do you want to talk to her?”

Aten opened his eyes and reached out for the phone. “Can I talk to her alone, Robbie?”

Robbie nodded and grabbed his food and drink. He walked out of the room and down the stairs.

“Aria?”

[Aten? How are you feeling?]

“Aria…I'm tired…I'm tired of fighting.”

[Aten……] the girl's voice was heavy with concern and pity for her dying brother.

“I'm sorry I won't get the chance to see your new baby. I hope it's healthy.”

[I wish there was something I could do for you, Aten. It makes me so angry that I can't do anything.]

“Aria, don't be angry. Take care of Rhett….and…..umm…I forget who else you live with.”

Aria bit her lip, nervously. It wasn't like Aten to forget his family members. Her brother must have been in bad shape. [Umi and Kai.]

“That's it. Umi and Kai. Aria, I need to ask you a favor.”

[Anything, brother.]

“If Robbie wishes to marry again and you know someone who he would love, then could you see to it that they meet? Robbie says he doesn't want to marry again, but Robbie might want to marry again someday.”

[Most of my friends are girls, Aten. I can't think of anyone that Robbie would like.]

“That's only if Robbie finds someone you know. I want Robbie happy.”

[If I know them, I'll do my best, Aten.]

“Sister, I love you.”

[I love you, too, Aten. I always will.]

Aten took a sharp breath and coughed. Aria heard her brother struggling for breath as she felt her own chest begin to sting. Aria winced as she felt a sharp pain in her head. `That's odd,' she thought.

“Aria, I'm sorry about all the mean things I have ever said to you.”

[Aten, I know you didn't mean it. If anything, I'm sorry for all the nasty things I have ever said to you. I was the worst of us. I should never have said that I didn't need you. I did need you. You are my brother and you always will be.]

“The only thing I regret….is not being able to be there when Yami threatens you. I wish I could be there to protect you. That makes me very upset.”

[I can take care of myself, Aten, when it comes to the pharaoh. I won't let him come near my family.]

Aten smiled as he leaned against his pillows. “I know you won't. You are very strong. I know that baby will have a good mother.”

[I'm not perfect, Aten. I still don't know if this baby is Umi's. If this baby isn't Umi's, I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm still feeling the urge to visit Seto, but I can't do that. I know what will happen if I go to KaibaCorp and see him. I just know what will happen and I can't let that happen again!]

“Umi will understand.”

[I don't know that for sure, Aten. When he found out about Keith and I, he was upset, but he did stick with me. Could he really forgive me for sleeping with Seto?]

“Umi is a great guy, Aria. A relationship is nothing without trust.” A smile crossed the Egyptian's face. “Besides, if you really love someone, you'll forgive them…no matter how badly they've hurt you.” Aten looked at the door where Robbie had left.

Aria sighed on the phone. [I guess you're right. I mean, I forgave my father for mistreating my mom…I mean, our mom.]

Aten chuckled. “Yes, our mom.”

Aria was silent for a moment. [Aten, can you forgive me?]

Aten looked up at the cloudy sky through the window. “I always will. You're my sister and I love you. Why wouldn't I forgive you?”

Aria sniffled. [I've been a bad sister.]

“You have not been a bad sister. We're siblings. Brothers and sisters do have their fights. It doesn't mean that I hate you.”

Aria began crying through the phone. [I'm sorry, Aten. It must be these damn hormones.]

“No, you're upset. That's understandable.” Aten felt the pain in his head throb again. “Aria, I have to let you go. My head is hurting again.”

[Okay, Aten. I'll talk to you later.]

Aten smiled. “Goodbye, big sister.”

[Goodbye, little brother.]

Aten turned off the phone and tried to stand up, but his body was difficult to move. “Robbie! Little help!”

“Coming, Aten!” Robbie rushed to Aten's room as quickly as he could. “What is it?”

Aten tried to sit up, but had difficulty moving his muscles. “Can you help me? I need to get cleaned.”

“You're having a really hard time moving, Aten. I don't think you could make it into the tub.”

Aten fell back against the pillows holding him up and he sighed with exhaustion. “I think you're right.” Aten rubbed his head as he began to wheeze. Robbie looked at his husband laying on the bed and shook his head.

`He looks so tired and worn,' Robbie thought. `He sounds really congested, but there's nothing I can do. Even the painkillers don't seem to be working for him. Aten's in a lot of pain and I can't do anything for him.'

“I can give you a sponge bath. That might be a little easier on you. I doubt that once we get you in the bathtub, I'll be able to pull you out. Dad will have to come up here and get you out again. It was hard enough for you to get into the tub the last time.”

Aten nodded. “I think you're right, Robbie.”

“Just relax and I'll be right back.”

 

Aten's POV

I leaned against the pillows waiting for Robbie. Looking up at the sky, the clouds continue to hover overhead. I wish the stars would come out.

I would like to see them….one last time.

Despite the efforts of my medication, the pain in my chest continues as it has all day. The discomfort is constant.

Everything just burns.

The head aches. The body burns.

I try to do my best to keep my sister from feeling the effects of my headache. It's not an easy task.

The barriers have been holding, but there's going to be a point to where I can't keep the mental shields up.

She'll feel something when everything collapses.

I wonder if she'll feel my death.

If we can feel each other's pain, it is very possible she will feel me die.

At least I had a chance to make peace with her.

Now I can't seem to even stand up on my own power. Painting tomorrow is going to be a challenge, but I know what I have to do.

All I can seem to do tonight is just lay here in the bed and do nothing.

I'm too tired to do much else.

After two hours of painting, I'm drained of all energy and I have to come here and lay down.

The stiffness, my fatigue, and my breathing problems have anchored me here. Now the pain is just shooting flames all over.

Robbie, I'm trying to be strong for you….but….I seem to be losing the battle.

 

Normal POV

 

Robbie returned with a bucket and a cloth. “Okay, Aten, I managed to get this together.”

The teen carried the bucket into the room and saw his lover crying into his hands.

“Aten?” Robbie put the bucket on the ground and limped over to the bed. “Aten?”

The Egyptian reached out and pulled Robbie against him. Aten sobbed into Robbie's shoulder, his body shaking and trembling.

The light-skinned boy shivered at the sudden sensation of Aten's cold, chilled skin pressing up against him. Robbie wrapped his arm around his husband and let the Egyptian cry.

 

Robbie's POV

 

What can I say?

What can I possibly say that will help him? I can't DO anything for him.

He might not say it, but I know why he's crying.

Death.

I know he's been very tired. He eats nothing, drinks nothing, he's weak when he does move. It's almost a miracle he can hold a paintbrush in his hand.

Now he can't even get up to bathe himself.

That's got to hurt his dignity a little bit, at least.

I pet his hair with one hand as he held me close to his body. I ran my other hand along his heavily scarred back. You could still see `MINE' carved into him as if it was done just yesterday.

Poor Aten.

The doctors gave him a week. There's only three more days left.

How much longer will it take him?

He's suffered so much already.

I….I think I'm ready to let him go to spare him more discomfort.

If you love someone, you hate to see them suffer.

I don't want Aten to suffer anymore.

 

Normal POV

Robbie continued to hold Aten until the Egyptian leaned against Robbie, limp. Robbie helped Aten lean against the pillows and watched the Egyptian's head lean to one side, his chest rising and falling sharply.

“Aten, it's okay. Just relax and I'll get you cleaned up for bed.”

Robbie stood up to get the bucket when Aten took his hand.

“Sit down.”

Robbie sat down and looked Aten in the eyes. “What is it, beautiful?”

Aten took a deep breath. “Tomorrow I want to do some painting, but I'm……having trouble moving.”

Robbie nodded. “I know. I was hoping a warm bath might help, but I don't think it would work.”

“I want to paint….can you help me tomorrow in the Studio?”

“Help you? With what?”

Aten's cold hand began to chill Robbie. “Opening my paint cans…washing my brushes. I might need your help to steady my hand because it's shaking too much for me to do the job I need to do.”

Robbie nodded. “I can give you a hand.”

Aten smiled at his spouse. “Could we watch the sunrise tomorrow before we begin painting? I'd like to do that.”

“Sure thing. We'll get up and watch it. That is, if we can see it. It's been cloudy for days now.”

The Egyptian nodded. “I don't think that's going to go away for a while.”

“I hope it does. I'm sick of clouds. Well, Aten, let me get you ready for a nice rubdown.”

Robbie unbuttoned Aten's shirt and removed it carefully. Aten's ribs were still red; a bruise had formed where Aten had been struck.

“I hope Eric gets what is coming to him.”

Aten nodded. “He will get back tenfold what he's given to me, Robbie. I wouldn't worry.”

Robbie sat the bucket by the bedside and began to dip it into the warm water. Robbie rinsed the sponge and began rubbing it across Aten's shoulders and his chest. He watched as the tan skin sparkled and glistened with the beads of water. The drops of water slid down Aten's mocha-colored skin, curving over the Egyptian's ribs.

Robbie lathered up the soap and watched as the suds clung to Aten's body.

“Thank you for taking care of me, Robbie. I wish I could get into the bath and do this.”

Robbie smiled at his lover. “Don't worry about it. You just relax. Here, before you relax, let me get your back. Lean forward.”

Robbie helped Aten lean forward. He washed Aten's back and dried it quickly so the teen wouldn't get a chill. Aten leaned back and yawned.

“I'm so tired, Robbie.”

Robbie nodded. “I know you are, Aten,” he whispered. “I know you are.”

“Thirsty.”

Robbie gave Aten a sip of water from the cup on the table. He set the cup on the table and pulled the covers off of Aten. “I have to wash your other half.” Robbie helped Aten slip the pajama bottoms off carefully.

“Do you want to do this part?” Robbie asked, handing Aten the sudsy sponge.

“Yeah, I won't be able to get my feet, though.”

Robbie wrinkled his nose. “I have to wash your stinky feet and you get to wash all the good parts? That's so unfair.”

The teens laughed.

“Well, if you want to, I wouldn't dream of taking the joy away from you,” Aten said, offering the sponge.

“That is completely up to you, beautiful,” Robbie said, holding his hands up in the air.

Aten handed the sponge to Robbie. “Can you do it? I'm very tired.”

Robbie took the sponge slowly and washed Aten's stomach, making the teen moan on the bed.

“Robbie, that feels very good.”

“Well, it feels good to be clean.”

Aten closed his eyes as the sponge drifted below to his genitals. Robbie watched as the suds covered the limp member and slowly slid down to Aten's thighs.

Robbie washed Aten's legs and then returned to the limp organ between Aten's legs. “I want to make sure this is clean,” Robbie said with a grin.

Aten snickered and looked down. “I think it's clean. It's not THAT dirty. I keep that extra clean.”

Robbie smiled back. “I know. I just figured this would help you relax a bit.”

“Don't get me wrong, it feels good.” Aten grabbed the towel and began to dry himself. “That feels so much better, Robbie. Thank you.”

Robbie smiled and nodded. “My pleasure.”

Aten yawned and released the towel. “Robbie…I think I'm going to fall asleep on you here.”

“Let me get your pills before you drift off. Hold on.”

Robbie limped out of the room with his cane. Aten laid on the bed and looked at the Scepter of Ra laying on the bureau.

 

*****Aten's Dream*****

 

Yami gripped his hair tightly and pulled back. Aten looked up into the menacing purple eyes above him. His entire body ached and trembled.

He had lost the battle.

He was defeated.

Beside him, Aria laid on the ground, groaning in pain. Her stomach was large with pregnancy and it sounded as if she was screaming with labor pains.

“What should I do with you, son of a traitor?”

Aten shivered in fear as Yami held a dagger and pointed the tip at his throat. “Please….don't kill me.”

“Why should I spare you? You are guilty of High Treason, Aten Ishtar. There is only one punishment that will suit your crime: Execution.”

Aten's eyes widened. “Don't….please.”

“Consider yourself lucky this is the only death you will have to suffer!”

The pharaoh raked the blade across the teen's throat, cutting into the flesh and severing the windpipe and tendons.

Yami dropped the teen and watched the boy convulse and bleed heavily. Aten struggled for breath through the severed throat.

Aten's blood flowed freely as he felt his consciousness drifting away into death.

He laid on the ground, twitching as his throat bled. He watched the pharaoh cut Aria's throat as he heard a baby's cry and the High Priest's pleas to spare her life.

`Aria…………'

 

****End Dream*****

 

“Aten? Aten, wake up, you have to take your medicine before you go to sleep for the night.”

Aten's eyes opened quickly and saw Robbie standing in front of him with a handful of medicine.

The Egyptian rolled over and swallowed the pills and the water.

“Thank you, Robbie,” Aten said.

Robbie smiled down at him and cupped Aten's cheek in his hands. “You're sweating a lot. Are you hot?”

Aten shook his head. “No, bad dream.”

“Oh, well, it's over now, Aten. I'm going to tuck Heaven into bed and I'll join you here.”

Robbie kissed his husband on the cheek and limped out of the room.

Aten looked at the scepter nearby. `How many more deaths will I need to suffer besides this one?'

**********************

Odion woke up and rubbed his eyes. He yawned as he saw morning light coming in through the window.

Isis was sitting by the window. A white candle was sitting in front of her, unlit.

“Isis? Is it morning?”

Isis turned to Odion. “It's not just morning, it is THE morning, Odion.”

“The prophecy?”

Isis watched as the sunlight crept through the windows. “This is the morning that could possibly change the coarse of mortal history and the Order of the Shadow Realm.”

“Do you think he will go through with it?”

Isis looked down. “I hope he doesn't, Odion.” The woman shot a glance over to Odion. “I would like to think he would not go through with it. However, I do not think that Marik will allow his son to rest in peace.”

Odion stood up and stood next to the Egyptian woman. “What are we to do?”

“If Marik should choose to ignore our warnings, it would be wise for us to be able to fight the Yami of Vengeance.” Isis looked up at the sky as the sun began to rise above the horizon. “It is time, Little Aten. Time for your pain to recede into eternal repose.” Isis lit the white candle with a tiny flame. “May Ra take you home.”

 

**********************

Aten woke the next morning and saw Robbie sleeping next to him. The Egyptian smiled as his lover breathed quietly in his sleep, his fingers twitching and his eyelids fluttering.

Aten looked up and saw the sun shining above. The day was clear with a few clouds hovering overhead.

The Egyptian slowly sat on the edge of the bed, watching Robbie sleep as he rubbed his own stiff back.

The throbbing in his head had begun.

He stood up, almost falling back onto the bed as the room began to spin.

`I have to do this. I have to finish my painting today.'

Aten stood up slowly, using Robbie's cane to hold himself up. He steadied himself and replaced the cane beside the bed.

Aten slowly walked towards the bathroom rubbing his back. His muscles and his bones felt very stiff and sore.

After the bathroom, he walked downstairs and saw Miranda and Daniel in the kitchen.

“Good morning,” Aten greeted them.

“Morning, Aten. Feeling any better today?”

Aten reached for his medicine. “My head is just throbbing. I can't wait for these migraines to leave.”

“Your painkillers aren't helping?” Daniel asked.

“No, I wish they were. If they don't help today, I'm calling Zira and asking him to prescribe me more powerful ones.” Aten saw the room spinning again and sat down quickly. “Dad, could you please get me some water?”

Daniel went to the refrigerator to get cold water for the teen.

Miranda sat beside Aten. She reached out and began to rub his back.

The Egyptian teen let out a contented moan of pleasure. “Mom, that feels soooo good…Don't stop.”

Miranda smiled and continued to rub the teen's bare back lightly. “You feel so tight.”

Aten snickered. “That's what my father used to tell Malik.”

Miranda immediately stopped rubbing Aten's back and broke into laughter, her face turning red. “That is just……wrong.”

Daniel handed Aten the glass and shook his head. “Aten, you didn't fall far from your father's tree. You're both perverted.”

Aten smiled. “Of course! I'm the fruit of my father's seed, you know.”

“Like father, like son,” Daniel said.

Aten swallowed his pills with the water and chuckled. “I could have said something a lot worse. I could have said something about Robbie and I.”

Daniel held out his hand to the teen. “Not required, Aten. I don't need that mental picture in the morning while I'm having my coffee.”

“I'll behave myself.”

“What are you going to do today, Aten?”

Aten yawned. “I have to paint and I promised to give something to Yugi. When I'm finished my painting, I'll see if I'm well enough to walk over to the Game Shop.”

Aten heard Heaven crying upstairs. “I should go take care of her before Robbie wakes up. Robbie was up with me late last night. I wanted to watch the sunrise with him, but I guess we both slept through it.”

Daniel sipped his coffee. “Tomorrow's another day, Aten.”

“Danny's right, Aten. You can watch it with Robbie tomorrow morning.”

The Egyptian nodded and stood up. “I guess you're right.”

He left the room and walked up the stairs, holding the right side of his head. The pain was increasing, sending waves of discomfort through his whole body.

As he climbed the stairs, he noticed his ankles were swelling. His chest continued to sound congested.

When he arrived in Heaven's room, he picked the baby girl up. He changed her diaper and sat on the rocking chair.

The baby girl looked into Aten's eyes and reached up to touch his face curiously. Aten smiled and kissed her fingers that touched his mouth. “Cute little fingers you have there, baby girl.”

The baby continued to touch Aten's mouth and cheek.

“Aten?”

The Egyptian looked up and saw Robbie standing in front of him. “Good morning, sleepyhead.”

“I'm sorry I slept through the sunrise. We can watch it tomorrow. I promise.”

“We were up late last night. I understand.”

Robbie stood beside his husband and smiled down at the baby. “You took care of her?”

“I changed her diaper and I'm just holding her now.”

Robbie caressed Heaven's head and leaned down. He kissed the baby on the cheek and smiled over at his lover. “I love you, Aten.”

Robbie planted a tender kiss on Aten's lips. Aten moaned into the kiss as Robbie's tongue slipped through his lips. Aten caressed Robbie's cheek as his partner deepened the kiss.

The baby watched the two teen boys kiss, reaching up to touch Robbie's cheek.

Robbie pulled back from the kiss slowly. “How are you getting around?”

“I'm doing okay. I should begin painting, though. I have a little more left to do.”

“Okay, you do that and I'll feed Heaven breakfast. I'll join you in the Studio shortly.”

Aten nodded and smiled up at Robbie. “Robbie? I really love you.”

Robbie kissed Aten on the lips again. “I know, baby.”

Aten carried the baby downstairs and disappeared into the Studio. The Egyptian lit the candles on his altar. The black candle stood in the middle of the table. Robbie knew when to light it; Aten had reminded him the night before of his wishes regarding the Black Candle.

He began to burn incense and uncovered his painting. “Just a little more and it will all be finished.”

Aten picked up his paintbrush and winced at the pain throbbing in his head. The world almost spun out of control as he stood in front of the canvas.

“I have to finish this...no matter what.”

The Egyptian tried to focus on his work as his lungs wheezed, struggling for air. Sweat began to form on his forehead.

He began to sing quietly to himself a song that he had heard Bakura sing a long time ago. It was a song honoring Osiris and a prayer for a peaceful death. Bakura had taught him much of the Common Egyptian speech. The prayers, ballads, and ceremonies of the poor of Egypt were Bakura's expertise. His father had taught him the Royal Tongue, the Egyptian language of the Aristocrats and Nobility.

Aten smiled when he thought of the two yamis. Father Bakura always treated him with kindness, even when he was not his child. His own father provided for the family, taking the role of bread-winner. Both he and his sister were loved by the family, regardless who had fathered which child.

He began to paint, placing white above in the sky, mixing some light gray for a shadow effect.

Bakura was there to protect Aten from bad dreams as much as his own father. There were a few pictures of himself as a baby sleeping on Bakura's flat stomach. The yami was laying on the couch, his arm hanging off the seat. Baby Aten was soundly napping on the white-haired yami's stomach, sucking his thumb.

The Egyptian remembered trembling in the arms of his father after a particularly bad nightmare involving devils and demons. He was sobbing in his father's arms as Marik walked downstairs. His father walked as long as was necessary to quiet the little child, reassuring him that he was safe.

The door to the Studio opened and Robbie limped inside. “Heaven ate her breakfast and now she's playing with her toys and watching some creepy kids show.”

Aten chuckled. “All kids shows are creepy. Which one is she watching?”

“Something about Friends and Gardens. I'm not really sure. Mom's watching it with her.” Robbie sat on the green couch with a book. “Your painting is coming along well.”

“Thank you. It needs something else…”

Robbie opened his book. “If you need me, just call me over.”

Aten smiled. “Okay.”

Aten continued to paint as he felt his heart begin to pound in his tight chest. His head felt as if it was ablaze.

A flash of a memory sparked inside his mind from his wedding.

 

****Flashback***

“Aten Bakari Ishtar Ibn Marik, do you take Robert Allen Morgan to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold…in sickness and in health…for richer or poorer….until death do you part?”

Aten smiled faintly. “I do.”

“Robert Allen Morgan, do you take Aten Bakari Ishtar Ibn Marik as your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold in sickness and in health…for richer or poorer…until death do you part?”

Robbie smiled. “I do.”

“You may now kiss the groom,” the priest said taking a step back.

Aten and Robbie stepped towards each other. Robbie reached out and stroked Aten's cheek.

“Baby,” Robbie whispered.

“Robbie….”

“I love you,” the two boys whispered quietly to the other.

Aten and Robbie pressed their lips together slowly. They held each other's hands as they kissed. Aten allowed Robbie's tongue entrance between his lips.

Miranda sniffled as she watched Robbie kiss his new husband. She brought out a handful of tissues. “My Robbie…..”

*** End Flashback***

 

Aten shook his head. `What's going on?'

He took a deep breath and continued working. His mind wandered quickly to his family. He thought of his father. His brain continued to throb as he stood unsteadily on his feet. He looked over at Robbie, who was too involved in his book to notice Aten swaying on his feet.

 

*****Flashback*****

Marik fell to his knees during his duel with Aten. The pharaoh had told Aten about Marik's mistreatment of Ryou and Malik. Aten was out for vengeance against his father.

“Aten, if I knew that my relationship with your mother and Malik would have been, I never would have done what I did. I've tried to be a good father to you. I provided all that I could to make certain you were loved and cared for. I tried my best to make certain that you had the best of everything.”

Aten bit his lip. `I have to attack…..'

“Aten, you are the most important thing in my life. I never wanted to lose you. It was a piece of my past that I have tried so hard to bury. And yet….I failed to bury it completely. It haunts my dreams and my memories. I tried to make it better, but I know there is nothing I can do to give back your mother and Malik their innocence.” Marik looked up at his son. “Aten, you are my son. I've always known you were something special to me. No father could have ever had a son who was so perfect.”

“I'm not perfect….I'm tainted.”

“Not to me, you aren't. You are my son. My pride, my joy, my legacy. You are my greatest accomplishment, Aten Bakari Ishtar. Would I have done things differently? Yes. Will I hold this against you? No. You are right to feel how you do. But you have to know, Aten, that I love your mother very much. I want to cast out memories of what I used to be….the monster I was. I want to bury my past and set it ablaze. But, Aten, I would never hurt you. To me, you are not tainted.” Marik stood up and walked past his trap cards.

Aten felt a pair of hands grip his arms.

“Aten Bakari, look up at me.”

Aten kept his eyes focused on the ground. “I can't……”

Marik tipped his son's head up. “I would never….ever…want to hurt you, my child. I love you and your mother so much, Aten….And I love Malik with every breath I have. I wouldn't trade any of you for anything.”

Aten's bottom lip trembled. “You…do you mean that, daddy?”

Marik nodded. “I meant every word, Aten.”

Aten lowered his head and a sob came out of him.

Marik held Aten close to him and pet his hair. “My boy…..please forgive me.”

“Daddy…..”

Aten wrapped his arms around Marik and hugged him tightly. He sobbed loudly as his father's arms wrapped around him. The father gave his son a gentle kiss on the cheek. “My boy, I love you so much.”

****End Flashback****

 

The Egyptian's chest began to feel tight. The congestion in his lungs made him begin to wheeze more. Aten gripped onto the canvas for support, trying desperately to make the brushstrokes count.

Aten's breath came in short, sharp, desperate gasps.

`Ra…I can't breathe…'

 

****Flashback*****

Aten looked up at Hayden below him. Aten swallowed the substance in his mouth, gagging at its salty taste. His body trembled as Charlie grabbed his hair and pulled back, exposing the boy's throat.

“Let me taste my nephew….”

Charlie pulled the twelve-year-old into a deep kiss, clutching onto the long white and blond hair. Aten's body shuddered at the filthy kiss.

“Aten!! I'm so sorry!” Hayden pleaded from the bed, his arms and legs chained to the bed posts.

Vinnie grabbed the back of Aten's neck and slammed the boy's head on Hayden's stomach. “Now, ride him, cowboy!”

****End Flashback****

 

Aten winced as a phantom pain shot up his spine. He deeply regretted what Hayden had been forced to do to him.

`Will Hayden be waiting for me where I'm going? He was innocent. Though, I can't say I'm so innocent. I can't help but wonder if Ra welcomed Hayden Home.'

The Winged Dragon of Ra had shown Aten mercy before. The duel monster knew its master's son and had vowed to protect him since his birth.

 

 

***Flashback***

Ra nodded and lowered its head to Aten. The little boy was trembling and bleeding onto the Shadow Realm ground. `MINE' had just been sliced into the child's back and now the child was transforming into a duel monster by The Unfaithful Guardian's magic.

As the little boy cried and trembled from fear and shock, the Winged Dragon of Ra exhibited nothing but affection and tender care for the injured child.

“You are going home to my master, little one,” the dragon said, rubbing his muzzle against the child's body.
Aten raised a hand and gently rubbed the dragon's cheek. “Tankoo, Wa.”
The angel put the child on his back. Aten let out a shriek as his bloodied, sliced back touched the cold ground.

***End Flashback***

 

Aten's breaths came in small inhalations as he looked over at Robbie. The teen was leaning against the couch quietly.

Aten winced as the pain in his chest flared. `I….I can't keep the barriers between Aria and I closed anymore…..'

 

*****Flashback****

 

Aria glared at her little brother. “I don't need you, Aten! I can take care of myself!”

“You will need me someday, Aria!”

“No I won't! I don't need you!” the yami girl snarled at Aten.

*****End Flashback****

 

The room began to spin around Aten as he struggled for breath. He gripped the canvas, watching Robbie intently.

Robbie raised his head. “Aten? Are you okay?”

Aten didn't hear anything as he stared at Robbie, who seemed to glow with a light he had never seen before.

“Robbie,” the teen wheezed through congested lungs. “Forgive me….”

His vision began to cloud. He had not heard Robbie say his name.

He felt the great pain in his head suddenly disappear as he felt something snap.

“Aten? What's wrong?”

The Egyptian shook his head. Aten took a final gasp of breath. “I can't…..”

*****Flashback****

 

Aten looked beside him and saw his mother staring back at him with teary eyes. Blood trickled down from the corner of his mother's mouth. His white hair covered the pillow as he started to whimper.

Aten tugged to free his arms from his grandfather's grasp.

“Please, don't! He's only a baby!” Ryou cried out in pain.

Aten's bottom lip trembled as Steven kissed the little boy's neck.

“Aten's going to behave for his grandfather, isn't he?”

Aten closed his eyes and his body began to tremble.

“He knows what happens when he says no to his grandfather.”

Aten whimpered as he felt his grandfather's hand slide down his quaking little body.

****End Flashback***

 

“Robbie…...I'm…….sorry.”

Robbie watched Aten drop the can of paint and the paintbrush in his hands. Aten's eyes rolled into the back of his head as he started to fall.

“ATEN! OH MY GOD!” Robbie called out in horror as he threw his book to the side.

Aten fell onto the ground, still. A slight trickle of blood came from the right side of Aten's mouth.

“MOM, DAD, CALL 911! ATEN'S DOWN!”

Robbie limped quickly to Aten's body. Robbie kneeled beside his fallen husband and cradled Aten's upper body in his arms. He felt Aten's neck for a pulse.

No pulse.

Robbie looked into Aten's eyes, which appeared vacant. He stared wide-eyed in disbelief into the staring eyes of his husband.

Robbie clenched his eyes shut tightly and sobbed. “Aten, wake up….please.”

Miranda ran into the room, the phone in her hand. “How is he, Robbie?”

Robbie held Aten's body close against him and let out a sorrow-filled wail. He held Aten close against him, petting Aten's hair and kissing the Egyptian's forehead repeatedly.

“Does he have a pulse?” Daniel asked, running into the room.

Robbie looked up at his parents through glassy ice-blue eyes. He shook his head sadly as the blood from the corner of Aten's mouth dripped off his chin and onto the dead boy's shirt. Froth mixed with blood on Aten's lips.

“Aten's dead.”

 

Updates: 12/15