thejuliawhitewrites

[thejuliawhitewrites]

Excerpt from 'The Great Wasp Debacle' on AO3

Kaiba was on the phone with the exterminator first thing the next morning. That was something he never thought he’d be doing, curled up on the shag rug in front of his fireplace, naked as the day he was born with naught but a thin sheet to protect any modesty he might have had left, his husband asleep on his chest, while he spoke to man about killing wasps. He was so comfortable that he didn’t want to leave the gentle warmth of the studio flat. It would be easy to schedule the man to come later in the week so they could have an excuse to spend a few more nights there. There were no pressing projects, he could easily take a day off and spend it trying the suspension ties Atem had been too nervous to try the night before. 

He cast his eyes over the mess they left. Too many coils of rope were left tangled and strewn all over the floor. The backdrop was half pulled down and two lights had been knocked over. Not to mention their clothing had been scattered to the four winds. He frowned when he saw his trousers spinning on the ceiling fan. How in the world did they get there? 

[thejuliawhitewrites]

SO EXCITE!!!

FAM!!! I have a Patreon now! I'm so excited! Thank you all so much for your support of my work and my livelihood. I couldn't do any of this without you~ Thank you!! patreon.com/VitaVarino

[thejuliawhitewrites]

Excerpt from "Mine, All Mine" on AO3

There was a ritual that Atem did before every single match. Not of the religious variety, but his own: preparations he made before having to step out in front of a crowd and be The Pharaoh once again. Ear plugs went in first to dampen the noise while he waited in the dark vomitorium. Then he’d roll his shoulders, dig his feet into the carpet, even a little finger tapping exercise to even his breathing and calm his racing heart. But every micro movement reminded him of the rope around his body and the beads in his ass as pleasure-pain coursed through his veins. He realized quickly there would be no relaxing before this duel. He was pent up, frustrated, and wanted this over and done with so he could go home and be rewarded.

Not even the sound of thousands chanting his moniker while his usual introduction played could put a smile on his face. But he did get an idea - if his husband was going for shock value to show the world who belonged to who, then Atem could at the very least make sure the audience was rightfully shocked when the time came. He shrugged his cape down over the front of his body, getting it closed seconds before the wandering spotlights landed on him. Forcing a smirk to his face, he strode out with confidence, head held high, and relished in the muttering amongst the cheering and chanting. Just as some were wondering what he could possibly be hiding, he reached his designated position on the field and tossed his cape back with his usual dramatic flourish. 

The silence that fell over the crowd was deafening. Even though Atem could barely see anyone through the bright stage lights, he could only guess at the number of jaws that had just hit the floor. A beat passed. Then two. When the sound returned, it was the roar of a crowd going absolutely feral. Atem preened under their screams while his eyes raked over vip boxes that lined the outside edge of the arena before he spotted Kaiba in the front row, next to Yugi. He was thrilled to see that Kaiba was still half dressed, sleeves rolled up, buttons undone, vest open, with arms and legs crossed and his superior nose in the air despite looking so tousled. Atem blew him a kiss, and winked.

[thejuliawhitewrites]

Excerpt from 'The King Cometh' Chapter 20

"Do you remember the last time we were all up here?" Yusei asked as his eyes scanned the desert while he still could.

"It was the morning after my coronation. I'll never forget it," Atem answered with a soft smile. He planted both hands on the parapet and let out a contented sigh. 

"Everyone was still asleep and we three idiots were on the roof," Jaden grinned. "The sun was barely up but the three of us sure were.”

"I don't think I went to sleep, to be honest," Yusei chuckled. “Maybe a twenty-minute power nap, but not sleep.”

"I know I didn't," Atem said with a nod and a blush. He’d spent the night making love to Seto after they’d escaped the festivities and spoke their vow. Best night of no sleep ever.

“I got a couple hours sleep, but I’m pretty sure I was still drunk when I woke up,” Jaden recalled, wincing a little at the memory. “Jehu had the worst hangover; I’d never seen him act like such a baby before.”

“I didn’t see Alto at all the next day, he was being such a pain in the ass about his hangover,” Yusei laughed. “Egyptian wine knocked all of us the fuck out. There was not a single Atlantean who was okay the day after your coronation.” 

“Well, I mean, that’s what you get for never partying as hard as we did,” Atem teased, sticking out his tongue for good measure. 

“Ain’t no party like an Egyptian party because an Egyptian party don’t stop until everyone is black-out drunk and passed out on the floor,” Jaden sang, giving both men a cheeky grin. They all shared a really good laugh.

~*~

I can't tell you how happy I am to finally post this drawing. I finished it months ago but I wasn't able to put it up until now. But we're here, chapter 20 is finally up and the end is in sight. The worst part of this was redrawing all the Atlantean's tattoos. When I designed them, I thought they looked sick. When I redrew them I hated myself LMAO! But I think this came out really well. I absolutely learned a lot since I finished this so maybe one day I'll redo it. But for now, it is done~

[thejuliawhitewrites]

Excerpt from "What is a King to Fate?" - Haou's Tattoos

“What’s the catch? Jehu asked, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.

Haou sucked his teeth and rocked back on his feet. “You have to get tattoos of servitude.” 

~“No fucking way!”~ Jehu cried, tossing the clothes on the ground. ~“Absolutely not! I refuse to bar myself from my afterlife by sullying my body with tattoos. You are not worth it!”~

~“I’m tattooed! Does that make me sullied?!”~ Haou spat, glaring daggers at his companion. He had no idea what caused this sudden drastic shift in his attitude but Haou was ready to curtail it.

~“The gods teach that a clean body means a clean soul and marring your skin damages your soul,”~ Jehu explained through gritted teeth. He didn’t think he would have to teach his future king the basics of his religion. He’d assumed, obviously wrongly, that Haou already knew them. ~“So, yes, to answer your question, all these. . . things all over your body have irreparable scared your soul. I hope pretty decorations were worth it.”~

~“Decorations?! Everyone single one of my tattoos honor the gods!” Haou stripped off his belts, tabards, tunic, and bracers, letting the fabric heap on the floor by his feet. His tattoos were full on display, the gold ink glistening in the afternoon light. He pointed to the triangles around his eye first. “These mark me as a member of the royal family! A sunburst because the day I was born the sun was so bright that it was blinding and the priests thought it a sign of prosperity.” Next he pointed to the sun that encased his left shoulder and it’s rays the zigzagged across his chest and back. “This is a holy symbol of Arim, our sun god. Kido has this tattooed over his heart because he’s the crown prince. On my left shoulder is asking the goddess to strengthen me when I weaken. The rays are her support holding me up when I fail.” He then pointed to the orange octagon on his right forearm. “This! This is my sacred pact with my brother. That my strength is his and his is mine whenever we need it! And these!” He pointed to now two victory bands across his left bicep, the second one being brand new. “These are for the victories you’re proudest of or were significant in your life. They’re usually used for military victories but I’m not allowed to go to war so these are my victories that I made happen. Finally. . .” He kicked his leg up on the table to more easily show off the angled bands and triangles around his calf. “The princes of Atlantis have had these for thousands of years because where we walk, our people follow. It’s a reminder to us not to falter in our duties because we aren’t just responsible for ourselves but everyone in the kingdom.” He let his foot fall back on the ground and caught Jehu’s gaze. “The gods teach us that our bodies are temples and that we are to ink onto it’s walls that which we hold most sacred. Now tell me again how I’m sullied.”

Jehu swallowed and averted his eyes, ashamed. He’d never thought to ask about Haou’s tattoos. When he’d come to this land and saw that everyone was tattooed, he’d assumed them as low class as he’d been taught that tattooed people are. Never in his wildest dreams had he thought that each line on their bodies had such a deeply religious meaning. Never in his life had he thought that there was another religion beside his own. What a fool he’d been. He had so much to learn about the world. 

When Jehu didn’t respond, Haou pulled his tunic back over his head. “The tattoos of servitude only sound bad. Alto has them, the ones around his neck and on his hands. They are a sacred pact between a liege and those he trusts the most. Between you and me. The neck bands mean your voice is my voice, the triangles on the hands mean your hands are my hands. Your words and your actions hold the same power as mine do because, symbolically, I move through you. Now if you don’t want them, I won’t make you. I’ll fight for you not to get them if that’s what you really want.”

“You trust me?” Jehu sneered, knowing damn well he’d done nothing to endear any trust between them.

“Only about as far as I can throw you,” Haou sneered right back. “You’re nasty, brash, and arrogant. An absolute monstrosity.” Then a sly smile came to his lips as he said, “And wouldn’t it be great if those courtiers you insult think your words are coming from me?” 

An idea dawned on Jehu so suddenly that he couldn’t keep it contained. “You hate this place as much as I do.”

It wasn’t a question. It didn't need to be. Haou knew he was right. Atlantis was his home, but it hardly felt welcoming with the people who talked about him behind his back and a family who usually ignored him. The happiest he’d been was over the last month with Jehu at his side, even if they did take constant pot shots at each other. He had someone who cared even if all he cared about was a mutually assured destruction.

[thejuliawhitewrites]

An excerpt from "What's a King to Fate?": Kido's Coronation

There were two immutable facts to Kido's life. First, that one day he would be king. Second, if he was to be king, his father would first have to die.

No one thought that a cough would be what killed High King Halim. It was persistent, yes, but came with no other symptoms or ill effects. The man was in rugged health otherwise so the cough was mostly ignored. Until it couldn't be. He stubbornly held on until Kido's 16th winter had passed, until he was a man who could fully take his throne. After battling his illness for three long years, Kido watched his father deteriorate in three short months.

Egypt had been contacted the second the king's health took a turn for the worst and they arrived just in time. Kido couldn't bring himself to leave his vigil by his father's bedside to meet them at the docks. He didn't even know they had arrived until Atem was at his side saying prayers for Halim's health. His cousin's presence reminded him that he wasn't alone in his anguish. One day Atem would also know the pain of having to watch his father die and then take his throne.

The High King passed away with the rising dawn. Now it was time to crown the next one.

Until the day he died, Kido would never admit that he ran away. He just. . . Needed space. He had to get away from all the well wishes and sympathies and questions and answers and preparations and madness. So he packed a sunship late one evening after most of the city had gone to bed and set off. He'd expected to least get to a nearby island before anyone even noticed he was missing. He hadn't expected Alto to sail out on a windsurfer and stop him after only a few short hours. They slid back into port before the sun came up, the only people there to greet them being Iz'zi and Raven. No one said a word as they returned to the palace for a few short hours of sleep.

Two things happened the night before the coronation. First, Kido and Iz'zi were married in a private ceremony in the temple witnessed only by family and close friends. The marriage of the future king should have been something celebrated by the entire kingdom, but Kido insisted on privacy for this ceremony as the next day would be filled with all the proper pomp and circumstance. Their rings, a dark metal band with a glowing orange stone, were a gift from Jehu on behalf of Dark World to celebrate the wedding and coronation. Kido's sat on his right hand while Iz'zi's sat on her left. They were sprinkled with water, blessings were given, they spoke their vows, and they were married. A peasant's ceremony, quick and easy, the last thing Kido could do as a man before he became a king.

The second thing that happened was Kido was locked in the throne room all night in profound meditation. He was to contemplate what it meant to sit in the throne before him and rule his people. The gods were to give him divine insight into his reign. And they did. As he sat there somewhere between the waking world and the world of dreams, he saw prosperity and a bright future for his people. The sight of a sprawling, shining city was addicting. He would do whatever he could to make the future a reality.

When he opened the doors to the throne room the next morning, he never expected to see Atem and Haou fall onto the floor in front of him. They both jolted awake in a second and scrambled to their feet with identical, sheepish smiles.

"Where you out here all night?" Kido asked, looking between his cousin and his brother and feeling his heart swell.

"We didn't want you to be alone!" Haou cheered, a bright but sleepy smile on his face.

"We're with you always, Cousin," Atem nodded, his emotions a bit more under control than Kido's wild child of a brother.

"Thank you. Both of you." Kido pulled them both into a hug, taking whatever strength they were willing to give him. He would need all of it for what was about to happen.

~*~

Most of the streets of Atlantis were not wide enough for any large processions. Once they lost the continent and were reduced to an island city, they expanded as much as they could, leaving the streets only wide enough to walk two abreast between stalls and carts. There was one street, however, that was left wide. It snaked all around the city an that was the path used for royal funerals and coronations since the continent sunk.

It was down that road that the funerary procession started off. Halim's body in it's coffin was paraded down the streets for the people to say their final goodbyes to their beloved king. Behind his coffin carried by the designated mourners were Kido and Haou, the brothers and their tears side by side. Behind them were the priests and scribes, followed by more mourners to round off the procession. The people cried and wailed as they passed, littering the street with white lotus blossoms to be trampled by the procession.

Once at the docks, the coffin was brought onto one of the galleons, which was then boarded by the priests and the royal family. Their friends, certain noble citizens, and the Egyptians all boarded a menagerie of flotillas before the whole funerary fleet set sail into the ocean. It didn't take long to get into deep enough waters for the funeral and they were still well in sight of the city for the citizens to watch. Kido could barely hear the words of the priests over the blood rushing through his ears. His eyes were glued on the coffin as he said his own silent goodbyes to his father. All too soon the time came to load the coffin onto the sled. He and Haou took up their positions on either side. With the priest's signal, they both heaved up on the sled as hard as they could. The coffin lurched and slid into the ocean. The priests spoke the final blessings and it sank and just like that it was over. They sailed back to shore and proceeded with the second part of the ceremony: the coronation.

Water flowed freely through the city in fountains and waterfalls, but no where was more sacred than by the cliffside where a large waterfall fed right into the ocean, where the freshwater from the waterfall mingled with the salt water of the ocean. It was there that they traveled next, The royal family and guests all on the beach while the citizens crowded in wherever they could find. In a small alcove in the cliffside, Kido and Iz'zi were changed out of their royal blues and into white, the dress of a servant class, as they were about to become servants to their kingdom.

The mood of the day picked up significantly when they emerged, hand in hand, from the alcove. The people cheered as they stepped into the pool on the fresh water side together and stood before another priest. Silence descended when the priest began speaking in the ancient tongue only used during such significant ceremonies. As such, Kido only understood about half of what the priest was saying. He spent more time sailing than studying, after all. But he'd gone over this ceremony enough times that he could follow along. First it was entreaties to the gods to keep and protect the new king and queen. Then prayers for strength and wisdom. Then Haou and Atem stepped forward, offering themselves help guide and protect, anointing Kido and Iz'zi with blessed oils just as Akhenaden and Akhnomkanen had done for Halim at his coronation.

Then it was time. Once again hand in hand, Kido and Iz'zi bowed their heads and stepped under the waterfall. Water rushed over them, soaking them to he bone as the priest shouted more prayers. They could barely hear with the water rushing around them. What they did hear were the cheers of their people and knew it was time. He squeezed her hand. She squeezed back.

Stepping out of the waterfall on the salt water side to the cheers of their people was the new High King and his High Queen.

They stepped back onto the banks smiling and waving as warm, dry cloaks were placed around their shoulders, blue for Kido and red for Iz'zi. In a second they were surrounded by their friends and family who offered heart congratulations. There was still so much still to do. Royal appointments needed to be made, people needed to be knighted, Iz'zi needed to receive the facial tattoos that would mark her as the queen, and a huge feast to celebrate. But that was for later. Right now he wanted to burn this feeling into his mind and never forget it. This is what he had been born to do and he was determined to be the best king Atlantis had ever seen.

[thejuliawhitewrites]

Going to jump right in here showing off character designs from my story The King Cometh which you can read here on AO3. And yes, it is a YuGiOh fanfiction.

AO3 Summary:

"Kaiba Corp is hosting a transatlantic tournament onboard a brand new cruise liner and everyone's coming, including a few faces that almost no one expected to see. It was supposed to be a normal tournament with no magic or nonsense to get in the way.

So, naturally, magic and nonsense need to get in the way.

4 years post DSoD, all our heroes are adults and somehow they still act like children."

I'm so very proud of this story and these designs. The story itself was bouncing around in my head since Bonds Beyond Time came out in theaters and I'm so glad I waited this long to put it to paper. My writing has evolved a lot since that time and I just didn't have the skill to write the story the way I wanted or the support network to finish it until now. 10 chapters are up on AO3 at the time of this writing but I have 18 written in my doc. The whole premise was that I thought Yusei was robbed being the only main character (at that point) who didn't have a royal past life so I made him one.

And here he is, the Atlantean High King Kido with (most) of his court. His wife, Iz'zi, his best friend and captain of the guard Alto, his little brother and the future Supreme King of Dark World Haou and his right hand man, Jehu. I'm going to be posting all of these character designs separately soon so you can enjoy all the little details with some ficlettes attached.

So much world building went into this story and these drawings, from the color of their clothes to the religious meaning behind all of their tattoos to which countries they trade with and what to how they wage war. And, of course, the language. Kido, Iz'zi, and Alto's names and titles are all in Atlantean while Haou and Jehu's are in Darkish (the language of Dark World).

I have so much more to say, but I'm going to save it for each individual post. See you next time!