Flambés and Failed Attempts

Ishizu hurriedly moved through the house, making sure that everything was perfect for the party she had been convinced to throw that night. Though she was the official organizer and hostess, she wasn't entirely sure who was coming anymore. Her half-brother Odion was originally in charge of distributing invitations, but as soon as their youngest brother Marik had found out they were having a party, he had taken over. They would be lucky if the house was intact in the morning.

Marik hummed Christmas carols to himself as he put the finishing touches on the decorations. Taking a quick look around to make sure his siblings weren't watching him, he stuffed a small sprig of mistletoe into his pocket before going to put out food. After all, who knew where the night would lead?

An hour or so later and the party was in full swing. Bakura, Marik's so called insane best friend, had arrived, his twin brother Ryou in tow. Even Yugi and his group had decided to come, to Marik's surprise. Odion had insisted he invite them, but he never expected them to actually show up. Even Seto and Mokuba Kaiba had decided to show themselves!

Bakura grinned when his eyes met Marik's, a devilish light shining in them.

"Up for a bit of fun?" Bakura asked.

Marik laughed. "When am I not?"

By ten o'clock that night, the rest of the party guests, Ishizu and Odion included, were outside waiting for the fire department to show up after Marik and Bakura had decided that the cake Ishizu had baked for dessert would be better flambéed.

"Bakura!" Ryou called, scowling as his twin ignored him in favor of laughing at the firefighters as they put out the flaming cake. "Bakura!"

"Yes, Ryou?" A voice purred into his ear. Ryou jumped; how did he not notice Marik beside him?

"If I could just get my brother's attention, we would be going home," Ryou replied tersely, not at all in the mood to joke around.

"But Ryou, the fun's just getting started," Marik said, grinning as he moved a bit closer to the younger white-haired boy.

"Marik, what are you—mmmph!"

The Egyptian had pulled the mistletoe sprig out of his pocket and yanked Ryou in for a kiss. Ryou stood there for a few moments, shocked, before he snapped out of it and stamped on Marik's shoe as hard as he could.

"Ouch! Ryou, wait!" Marik yelped, but it was too late. His long-time secret crush had stormed away down the street in the direction of his home.

Bakura chuckled as Marik nursed his injured foot. The Egyptian would never learn…

This is the first fanfic I wrote for Yu-Gi-Oh. Constructive criticism is appreciated.

Thanks!