This is, as warned in the summary, AU. If you're a newb, that means Alternate Universe. This basically means I wanted to make characters OOC and have them all wherever I wanted them so I could exploit them. And if you disagree with OOC-ness…keep reading and I'll make you agree with it. No guarantees. If it still makes you retch after reading this, then just skip over that button at the bottom and go find something that actually interests you.
:) All right, here we go! My second attempt at Malik/Shizuka!
Warning: Course language and suggestive themes. Read on with caution.
Bitter Cold Chill- Prologue
Malik took one last drag from the cigarette before smashing its remains in the copper-plated tray beside him. He stood, dust swirling around his feet.
"I expect it by midnight." He growled out, his eyes narrowing.
"Of course."
Malik left the man there and returned to the city streets, ignoring the looks of caution and fear tossed his way by passersby and other hoodlums. He had no time to wonder what was possibly going through their minds when they saw him, and he simply didn't give a damn. The streets were his. They were just lucky he was letting them walk on them.
"Malik!" A voice hissed from the shadowed entrance of an alley.
Malik carelessly looked around before slipping into the alleyway. The young boy facing him held up a golden chain, its untarnished features contrasting with the boy's filthy hands.
"I found this."
Malik stuck another cigarette up to his lips and searched through his pockets for a lighter. The boy, aiming to please, quickly whipped one out of his own pocket to offer to Malik. Malik eyed it warily, but jutted his chin out for the boy to light the end of his cigarette. Once the familiar haze of nicotine and smoke settled in his lungs, he took the chain from the boy.
"Good work."
The boy's face lit up at the compliment and he watched eagerly as Malik pocketed the chain.
"Malik? Can I…can I go to the shelter and get some food?"
Malik blinked, his face open and blank.
"You mean you haven't been?"
He shook his head quickly.
"I wanted to get that to you first."
Malik considered the boy carefully, picking apart each of his features, from his ratty blonde hair to his shaded brown eyes.
"How old are you, kid?"
"Fifteen."
Malik pulled the cigarette from his lips and clenched his jaw tightly.
"No need for a shelter. Come with me. My sister'll clean you up and feed you."
"S-sister?" The boy stuttered, stumbling after Malik as he left the alley.
Malik didn't bother answering and led the boy to his sister's house, hoping to high heaven that she was still awake. When he rang the doorbell, it only took a second for the door to open. His sister, Isis, blinked down at him, wondering if it was safe for her to communicate with him.
"Can we come in?"
"That depends. By 'we' do you mean you and one other person, or you and your gang?"
"One other person who needs your love and care. Not to mention a good meal."
"You're going soft, Malik." Isis murmured.
Malik snorted and brushed past her inside the house. The boy met Isis' gaze and gulped, wary under the older woman's ice blue gaze.
"Come on in, honey. I'll make you something to eat."
"His name's Ryou."
Malik looked up from where he was examining the golden chain. Isis stood with her arms crossed over her chest and her hip leaned against the doorway.
"I guess you got him cleaned up and fed."
"Yes. That poor boy. What'd you do to his family to make him so reverent of you?"
Malik chuckled and put the chain away. He stood, towering over Isis by three or four inches, and ran stiff fingers through his ragged blonde hair.
"You know that's not my game, Isis."
"No. Coercing kids into petty theft and drug dealing is your game. Am I right?"
His eyes hardened as he stared down at her in disbelief.
"You honestly think I want kids in my gang? They're too young and too naïve to really be a part of everything."
"Uh-huh. Put out that damn cigarette before you send your brother into anaphylactic shock."
"Don't change the subject," he muttered, snuffing out his cigarette, "I'm serious about the kids. I've only seen that kid once before. I didn't even know how old he was."
"Well, he might as well build a shrine to you. The kid's practically in love with you. Not sure why. There's not much to love about you anymore."
"What? You don't like the guns and the motorcycles anymore?"
"I don't like you anymore, Malik Ishtar. What happened to my little brother? The one that used to make me flower wreaths for my hair?"
He shrugged offhandedly and reached for his cigarettes subconsciously. Isis grabbed his wrist and fixed him with a hard glare.
"Your brother, Malik. Don't you dare light up in this house."
He sucked in a breath through his teeth, hissing softly.
"I'm sorry, Isis, but…"
"Don't tell me my little brother 'grew up'. When I picture 'grown up', I think of a college degree and a nice suit to wear to work. Look at you, Malik. Where are you living this week? The whorehouse down the road? Or some druggie's cardboard box?"
Malik tensed. He'd heard this speech before. In fact, he'd heard it just two weeks before when he'd arrived with another teenaged boy. In all honesty, he didn't know why all those kids were trying to work for him. They were kind of annoying and a liability to his reputation as the top gang leader in town. He'd always had a soft spot for the younger wanna-be gangsters, though only his sister knew that about him.
"I'm staying with an acquaintance."
Isis scoffed and rolled her eyes towards the ceiling.
"Of course. An acquaintance. Because my brother can't afford to have friends."
He smirked, knowing that what he was going to say next would probably get him kicked out of the house.
"Now you're catching on!"
Isis shot him a very flat stare and pointed towards the front door.
"Out. I'll keep Ryou over night and make sure he gets a good breakfast."
Malik, in order to annoy her further, placed a chaste kiss on her cheek before stepping around her.
"I'll be around tomorrow morning to talk to the kid. Don't let him go until I get here."
"Good night, Malik."
"What, no 'I love you'?"
"What's the point in lying?"
"Harsh words. No, no. I'll be fine. No need to console me in my obvious grief."
She gave him a rather rude hand gesture, which made him grin.
"Good night, Isis."
She didn't respond and he let himself out. A cigarette was hanging from his lips the second the bitter night air touched his skin.
Well, that's it for now! More information about Malik's past, and about why Ryou is idolizing him, will be explained in further chapters! Tell me what you think so far!
Also, this fic is very lightly based on the songs 'Luckie St.' by Cartel and 'Webs We Weave' by Escape the Fate. You'll find out why later. :) Although the many references to smoking is an obvious sign.
CFB