I do not own YuGiOh or anything related to it.
~This is my first fanfic, so feel free to bash the crap out of it!~
The rain drummed on the window of the little apartment. Bakura dozed in and out of sleep as lightning lit up the night sky and thunder rumbled in the distance. It was nights like these when vague thoughts drifted through his head, but he never really had a train of thought that mattered or even made sense. He just enjoyed listening to the storm and thinking without thinking.
"'Kura?" came a tentative voice from the doorway. He rolled over to see Marik standing there, shirtless but wrapped in a blanket.
"What the bloody hell do you want, Marik? I was sleeping," Bakura grumbled, though this was a lie, and he was secretly happy to see his 'partner in crime'.
"I can't sleep," came the Egyptian's reply as he wrapped the blanket closer around himself. "I'm hungry."
"And what in Ra's name compelled you to wake me up for that," the Spirit of the Ring snapped, though he already knew the answer. Having grown up in the tomb, Marik wasn't used to rain, and he would never admit it, but he was afraid of the thunder.
"Will you make me popcorn?" Marik asked. Bakura knew that Marik was just making an excuse to have his company, so he grunted and got out of bed, making his way to the kitchen as Marik followed him like a sad puppy.
As the corn popped and crackled, Bakura sighed and leaned against the counter. Marik stood huddled in his blanket, trembling as a loud crack of thunder ripped through the night.
Bakura smiled at his partner with a soft look in his eyes. "You're cold, Marik," he said, reaching out and caressing the goosebumps on his bare arm, leaving more goosebumps in the wake of his pale fingers. Marik nodded, a bit surprised but mostly pleased that the Spirit was comforting him. He wouldn't have wanted anyone else to be there for him now. Bakura was special, and he was the only person Marik really trusted.
Bakura slipped his hand into Marik's, tugging him back towards his bedroom. The blanket slipped off the tan shoulders, forgotten in the kitchen with the popcorn.
Marik curled up on Bakura's soft bed as Bakura sat on the edge watching his partner's short breaths and fluttering eyelids. He smiled to himself, letting the tender feelings wash over him. He laid down next to him, wrapping his arms around his waist, pulling him close and burying his face in the soft blonde hair. He stroked his bare chest and shoulders with his pale fingertips, caressing the cool, tan skin as he nuzzled his face into Marik's neck. The Egyptian's breathing became deeper, and his tense muscles relaxed.
"I will always protect you," Bakura whispered, "and I will never let anything happen to you." Marik turned his head and touched his cheek to Bakura's.
"Stay with me," he whispered.
"Always."