((This fic is based on a conversation a friend of mine and I had, where we realized that Marik probably never got to celebrate Halloween growing up.))
"So, your host was telling me about this holiday that happens at the end of October," Marik said.
Bakura looked at Marik over the top of his book before raising his eyebrow questioningly. "Oh, really, you talked with him?"
"Uh-huh," Marik said idly, more focused on twirling his blond bangs than looking at the person next to him on the couch."I just want to make sure I fully understand this whole 'Hall-o-ween' thing. Ryou was talking really fast," he continued, complete with air quotes.
"Yeah, Ryou does enjoy Halloween a little too much, in my opinion," Bakura nodded, also only paying partial attention. "Yeah, sure, walk me through what he tried to explain to you."
"Okay, so, on October 31, in the evening," Marik began, letting go of the stand of hair to gesture fully with his hands, "People, well, usually children, dress up as either scary things or a character they really like.."
"Uh-huh," Bakura nodded absentmindedly.
"-Which, by the way, is just a nice way of saying 'cosplay,'" Marik continued, "Anyway, the kids cosplay. Then, they go door-to-door in their cosplay, knocking on people's doors, and then they demand candy? Am I right?"
"So far," Bakura nodded again.
"But the craziest thing to me is, people except these small children to demand the candy, so they go out and buy some for the express purpose of appeasing them!"
"Well, when you say it like that, it does sound a little silly," Bakura acknowledged with a wave of his hand, "But people have been doing this for years, its not really that foreign of a concept."
"Bakura, I literally grew up living under a rock. Sandstone, to be exact. EVERYTHING is a foreign concept," Marik said with the most serious of looks on his face.
Bakura paused for a second to consider what his partner-in-crime had just said. "... Good point," was the only reply he could muster.
Marik nodded his head to accept Bakura's statement before continuing, "I'm not dissing it, I just find it kind of funny. But it's definitely not the weirdest thing I've heard of..." Marik trailed off. He zoned out for a second, staring off into the distance, before shuddering and coming back to reality. "I actually want to do it."
"Do what?" Bakura asked, interest finally peaked.
"I wanna do Halloween! I want free candy, dangit! I mean, who doesn't like free candy? Monsters, that's who," Marik said with a curt nod of his head. His mind was made up.
Bakura chuckled, "Well, first of all, the candy-collecting act is called 'trick-or-treating.' Halloween is the name of the day. Secondly, you're just a tad bit old to be trick-or-treating. The oldest you can be without getting funny looks or restraining orders is 14, and even then, THAT'S a stretch."
Marik sunk down temporarily in the couch in defeat. "Aw..." he mumbled under his breath. He was quiet for a whole 3 seconds before springing up again. "Wait, then why the heck does Ryou gets so excited?"
"-Because there's more to Halloween than the candy, Marik. There's also the whole 'scaring-the-crap-out-of-everyone' aspect. And Ryou likes to throw a great big Halloween party with creepy food and spooky lighting to scare people. In fact, he invited us this year." Bakura explained.
Marik's whole face lit up. "Really, he does that?" Marik asked in awe. "Because that sounds really cool!"
"Yeah, well, it's all fun and games until everyone gets too creeped out by the lights flickering and the house creaking to really enjoy themselves," Bakura huffed.
"-But do we get to wear costumes?" Marik asked, nudging Bakura with his elbow.
"...Yes..." Bakura said at length, giving Marik a concerned sideways glance.
"-And do we get to eat sugary food?" Marik asked, ignoring the look Bakura was giving him.
"There will be enough sugar to fuel a small child for 3 days straight," Bakura nodded, concern and fear growing evident on his face.
"Then it's settled! We will go to Ryou's Halloween party, and then afterward we will take candy from children!" Marik exclaimed, hopping off the couch, "Because we have to do at least one evil thing a week to be considered villains on this show."
"Oh, joy," Bakura said in the most deadpan voice he could produce. Frankly, it was endearing to see Marik get so excited about something he had missed out on growing up. When he caught himself smiling, however, he deepened his frown. "You've gone soft, Florence," he thought to himself, "And yet, you are strangely okay with it."