My first Thiefshipping fanfic! I absolutely adore the pairing, so this is what I think should happen after the actual story ends. I've made it as cannon as possible, although Marik's kinda OOC in this prolouge (He's kinda drunk though so I'll blame it on that ) He'll be in character for the first chapter though, promise^^.
Anyway, gonna give some warnings here; the story contains not only thefshipping, but also puzzleshipping and xenoshipping (Rishid/OdionXIshizu) I might add more pairings, but those are the three certain ones.

Anyhow, enjoy the story and please review!^^

"Now I've been told not to hold any more speeches at formal events, due to the little, uh, 'incident' at out last gathering-"

Snickers and sighs and a facepalm or two echoed through the ballroom as everyone recalled the 'incident' the previous year that the tanned young man was referring to.

"-Again, I apologize for my behaviour that night but would still like to remind you all that one; I was wasted beyond your wildest imagination, and two; I was telling the truth and nothing but the truth. Your sister truly has a formidable ass, Jonou," the rude egyptian grinned and sent said sister a playful wink. The sister, Shizuka, merely giggled, knowing fully well that the man was only doing so for the sole purpouse of pissing her brother off. And since her brother was pretty damn dense, it worked. Every. Single. Time. In fact, Jounochi looked ready to murder Marik on the spot.

Marik Ishtar chuckled to himself as a few outbursts of laughter were heard, and the rest tried their best to hold it in, before continiuing;

"But, it's not everyday your siblings get married! To eachother no less – oh, stop looking at me like that, sis, it was just a joke! Although it felt a little strange to me at first since I have always seen Rishid as my brother as much as you as my sister, Ishizu, I honestly couldn't be happier for the two of you!" the egyptian, whose eyes up to now had been locked on the newwed couple, now turned to the rest of the room and raised his glass for everyone to see.

"So now, before I spoil the moment with my buzz, how about a toast for the happy couple, hm, people? C'mon drink up, I don't wanna be the only guy here with a hangover tomorrow!" More snickering was heard as everyone raised their glasses and called out as one man;

"Kampai!"

Marik was grinning from ear to ear when he sat down again. From the corner of his eye he saw Honda walk off along with Ryou to get the music started, as they'd just finnished dinner. Now the real party was about to begin, right after the first waltz.

And there would be booze.

And loud dance music.

And more booze.

Marik had most likely had a few drinks too many already, but what the heck who cares? He had all weekend to sober up. Besides, this was the wedding of his big sister and his guardian and best friend! He should enjoy himself, damnit! To everyone's great surprise, Marik was actually rather pleased with this turn of events.

After all, the two people in his world who really, truly deserved the best companion possible, the two people he cherrished the most, had found eachother. Why shouldn't he be pleased?
He wasn't going to lie; he had been shocked when they'd told him. But it was, really, all for the best. Besides, now he and Rishid were finally honest to God brothers; it was on freaking paper now, damnit! Brothers in law, yes, but still.

Oh, if only his father could see them now... Haha, he'd be absolutely furious!

And this way, he would never have to worry about some bitch taking Rishid away from him, nor some jackass thinking he could just waltz in there and steal his lovely sister right before his very eyes. They would always be together; they would always be family. Marik grinned even wider as he thought this and contently sank down a few inches in his chair.

Yup, life was pretty fucking sweet.

Music played, and Marik watched almost in awe as Rishid got up from his chair and offered his hand to a slightly flustered Ishizu who bashfully accepted it. Normally, Marik would've thought this to be pretty damn cheesy. Hell, he should be thinking it! But he didn't. It was just... perfect. Beautiful.

He smiled softly at the two as they moved out to the dancefloor, eyes only for eachother. Others soon followed suit, and within a minute the floor was full of dancing couples. Well, couples and couples, but still. He caught a glimpse of Jonouchi dancing with Shizuka-chan somewhere, but they soon disappeared into the crowd again. He was also absolutely certain he had seen Mokuba taking Anzu for a swing. It looked absolutely ridiculous, seeing as Mokuba was pretty damn short even for his age, but kinda cute at the same time. Good, the kid needed to learn how to have some fun. Or else he might end up like that stuck-up bastard brother of his who seemed to have Marik's old millenium rod up his ass 24-7. Who also, by the way, hadn't actually bothered to show up today. The nerve of that guy...

Honestly, it had been too long since they'd all come together like this. Screw Kaiba, he couldn't care less about that guy, but the rest...

Well, let's just say a lot of things had happened since Battle City. They'd all gotten pretty close since the Pharaoh's last stand in the memory world. Especially Yugi and Marik, to everyone's (not to mention Marik's) great surprise. Really, the egyptian had never once thought that the host of his former enemy would be such a... facinating person.

Speak of the devil, Marik thought as he spotted his pointy-haired friend. The short boy was currently leaning against the wall next to the ballroom's double-doors, a sad, somewhat nolstagic smile on his face as he observed the dancing couples. Marik felt his heart sink. He should've known the wedding would have this effect on the poor boy. He rose from his seat and walked over to his friend, who didn't seem to notice him until he spoke up;

"Is everything alright, Yugi?"

The king of games let out a startled gasp before quikly turning to face the egyptian. At the sight of Marik he mustered a tiny smile.

"Sorry Marik, guess I spaced out a little. Everything's fine, really..."

Marik raised an eyebrow which clearly stated; No, it's not, you're lying – it's plain as day. Yugi sighed in defeat.

"Yes, that was a lie, sorry Marik-kun. It's the same as it always is... I just..."

He couldn't seem to find the words as he stared down on his feet with sad, violet eyes.

"Miss him...?" Marik suggested helpfully. Yugi stood perfectly still for a moment then nodded. Marik let out a soft sigh.

He had been right.

After all, it's only natural to miss the person you love. Marik placed his hand carefully on Yugi's shoulder and asked softly:

"Do you want to go outside for a moment?" Another nod.

"Good. Let's go then."

Marik gently led Yugi out through the doors, past the hallway and out in the hotel's courtyard. He had to admit, having the party after the cermony at this hotel was a good idea.

It's official; my sister is a genious.

The egyptian smiled faintly as he looked up at the clear nightsky. It was a calm night, with a full silvermoon accompanying the glittering stars above. It was simply perfect for...

"Hey, Yugi, mind if I smoke?" Yugi chuckled at the question.

"When have I ever stopped you from smoking your death-sticks, Marik-kun?" Marik grinned.

"Good point, there Yugi-kun."

The egyptian began searching his pockets for the package of cigarettes he knew he had on him. He just couldn't remember which pocket. Gah, this bloody tuxedo he was wearing seriously had too many damn pockets!

"Gotcha!" he exclaimed in triumpf as he finally fished the pack out of the inner-pocket of his jacket. Yugi giggled a little at his childish behaviour. As Marik lit his cigarette he heard Yugi say in a sing-song voice:

"Those things will kill ya~" and the tanned young man growled back his usual:

"I don't caaaare~" in faked annoyance. Yugi just smiled at him. Marik smiled back. They had had that 'conversation' so many times now.

"Feeling better now?" the egyptian asked quietly.

Yugi nodded.

"Yeah. It was just... with all the flowers ad hearts and stuff... all that lovey-dovey was a bit too much for me, that's all," he whispered weakly. Marik understood perfectly. Seeing Ishizu with Rishid, it made even him a bit envious of the two. And he hadn't even fallen in love at all before, and certainly didn't have anyone special to him.

Someone he couldn't see. Ever again.

Not like Yugi.

Yugi hadn't told anyone else about his feelings for his yami. Only Marik. Not even the spirit himself knew. After the pharaoh, Atem, had returned to the afterlife, Marik and Yugi had begun calling eachother on a regular basis. Sure, the bills went skyhigh, but it was worth it.

Marik hated to admit it, but... ever since his return to Egypt efter Battle City he had felt... empty. Without purpouse. Hatred and vengance had been pretty much all he ever knew. And to simply start over again, just like that... even with Rishid and Ishizu there supporting him, it had been difficult.
And he still held a grudge against the Pharaoh, even though he knew it was wrong of him to blame the spirit, he simply couldn't help it. Even after his departure, the grudge remained. The darkness inside of him refused to fade. The anger was still there, just below the surface. Botteling up. Ready to explode any second.

Yugi changed that.

At first, he had thought the phonecalls from the boy were simply annoying. But eventually, he began to look forward to them; began to open up to the other, and slowly but surely... the darkness faded. It wasn't even being repressed, it was being erased.

It was... a miracle. The boy had preformed a smaller miracle, just like that. He had done what no one else seemed capable of. The boy had healed him, body and soul. And it was about that time Marik begun to actually want to know things about Yugi.

So he started calling back. Yugi was thrilled, and that alone made Marik happy as well. Eventually, Yugi became more like family. A brother. And it was obvious that Yugi felt the same way, as he once had a slip of tounge and accidentally called Marik 'nii-san'. Marik had laughed, and Yugi had been oh so embarassed.

It was shortly after that he had found out Yugi's greatest secret. That was, his infatuation with the spirit of the millenium puzzle. He had called in the middle of the night, voice cracking and trying to suffocate occasional sobs.

"Yugi...? Why are you calling at this hour? You know our time is different..."

"I-I'm sorry I just – I needed to talk to somebody...!"

"Yugi are you- are you crying?"

"N-No, I'm not! I was just... so lonely...Grandpa's away and I started thinking about... well..."

"...Well? What were you thinking of, Yugi?"

"... The other me..."

"Oh... Well, that's only natural I guess, you were really close the two of you, weren't you?"

"..."

"Yugi?"

"M-Marik... C-can you keep a -s-secret?"

"Of course! What type of guy do you take me for? Okay, so I've brainwashed a few people here and there but hey, no hard feelings, right?"

"Hehe...No, no hard feelings. Thank you I-I needed... that."

"Anytime. So what is it? This secret of yours?"

"Well, you see..."

And then, Yugi had told him everything. How much he truly did miss the spirit, and his reason for missing him so badly.

Because he loved him. Deeply.

And Marik understood. For some reason he just did, despite having no experience what so ever with love himself.
The moment Yugi and he hung up that night, Marik went off to get tickets to the next flight to Japan. What kind of brother would he be if he didn't? Rishid would have done it for him.

So now he would do it for Yugi.

... Although he had to admit the face of absolute shock on the boy's face when he opened the door the next evening and saw his 'nii-san' standing there had been a huge bonus.

In the end, Marik had stayed in Domino City. At first he used to crash at Yugi's place, but soon convinced Ishizu to fix him his own apartment, which she reluctantly agreed to. Eventually she bacame so sick of worry for her baby brother that she too, along with Rishid, moved all the way back from Egypt to Japan. And Marik... he now had absolutely everything he wanted.

He really couldn't believe how much of a lucky bastard he was sometimes.

That's why it stung so badly when he saw the pain and loss in Yugi's large, violet eyes. If anyone deserved to be happy, it was him.

And definetly not Marik.

Even now, after two whole years, he's still so very much in love with you, pharaoh. If you only knew...

He couldn't bring himself to resent the Pharaoh no more. Not after hearing the way Yugi spoke of him. Not after knowing everything the two of them had been through together. It was... simply impossible.

"I know it was for the best, Marik," Yugi's voice cut through his thoughts like a knife.

"And I know that we did the right thing, we set his spirit free. But... it's like there's a piece of me missing. A piece that disappeared with him. And I-I ... I never even had the guts to tell him how I felt!" Marik felt his eyes widen in shock, Yugi hadn't had one of his breakdowns in a long time now. Not since that night on the phone. Tears were running down his cheeks, and his breaths were ragged.

Damn... I should've seen this comming!

"I'm such-such a damn coward! I could've at least-" He didn't get to finnsih his sentance however, as Marik had pulled him into a tight hug. Yugi merely sobbed meekly, clingning to his friend's jacket like his life depended on it.

"Shh... Yugi, what would Atem say if he saw you like this? Don't cry..." Marik coed, sounding suspiciously much like a mother as he gently rocked the shorter boy back and fourth in his arms. How long they stayed like that, neither would remember afterwards. Marik could hear the real music starting in the ballroom, but it didn't matter anymore. He wasn't in the partying mood. And Yugi came first, after all.

"Sorry..."

Marik smiled warmly at the weeping boy.

"For what? It's not like you've done anything wrong..." He felt Yugi's grip on his jacket loosen, and slowly the boy pulled away from him, drying his tears with the back of his hand. Neither said anything for the longest time, until Yugi finally spoke up:
"Marik?"

"Yes?" Marik watched the boy bit his lip before asking:

"Marik, do you get the feeling that there's... someone watching us?" The egyptian raised an eyebrow. That had not been the question he had expected.

"What makes you think that?" Yugi took a quick look over his shoulder before giving him his awnser.

"Well... it might just be me being paranoid, but I just have a feeling there's someone sending me... erm..." Marik crossed his arms and moved his weight to his hip. Yugi could draw this out forever, he knew by experience.

"Sending you...?" he pushed. Yugi actually let out a small chuckle. Marik's eyes widened slightly, surprised by the boy's sudden moodswing.

"Well... I felt like someone's glaring a hole in my back. Got any stalkers I should know about, Marik-kun?" Yugi winked playfully. At first, Marik just stood there dumbfounded, his brain not really interprenting the statement in fully.

Must be the booze kicking in, Marik observed.

But once it sank in he couldn't contain himself. He bursted out laughing, laughing so hard he almost couldn't stand straight. Yugi was quick to join in, and soon they had to hold on to one another not to fall to the ground.
After several minutes, a now heavily heaving Marik panted:

"Yugi... we... are pretty fucking drunk... aren't we?" Yugi giggled.

"Nope! Just... a little messed up in the head... I think." Marik grinned. True.

He was just happy for Yugi right now. Sure, laughing like an idiot was a lot easier when you're a little tipsy but still, there was much more to it than that.

"You know, Yugi... You're absolutely right! We're not nearly wasted enough for a friday night weddingparty! Let's go back inside and play a drinking game I just came up with! It's called 'Take a sip everytime Anzu mentions friendship'! We'll be drunk off our asses in twenty minutes, tops!" Yugi giggled again.

"But Marik, if we do that we'll die from alcohol poisoning before midnight."

"Hm, good point."

Yugi thought for a good few minutes before his face lit up, like he'd had an epiphany.

"How about... we take a sip..." Marik leaned in so he could hear the other better. "Yeees...?" Yugi looked Marik straight in the eye, his face dead serious.

"... everytime someone does something that might imply that they are Marik-kun's stalker."

Silence.

Crickets playing.

Then howling laughter filled the nightair once again, as the two boys staggered back into the ballroom to join their friends in one of their drinking games.

Blissfully ignorant of the pair of dark eyes observing them from afar.