The club was booming: music pounding through the speakers, bodies gyrating to the rhythm, drinks being ordered at the bar nonstop. This was Duke's favorite place to be on a Saturday night, where you could meet an incredible variety of people. He'd come alone, hoping to find someone to take home while he was there. He had been off of the dance floor for a couple songs, catching his breath as he leaned against the wall and watched the entrance as more people entered. One in particular caught his eye: a tanned young man with fair hair and lilac eyes. He stood out from the crowd like a sore thumb. He looked a little overwhelmed, but mostly he looked lost. Duke pushed away from the wall and slipped through the crowd with the ease and speed of quicksilver until he was at the youth's side, putting a well-tones arm around his thin shoulders and guiding him out of the suffocating press of bodies, dropping his arm from his shoulder as soon as they were free of it.

"Hi there, stranger," he greeted with a wink. "Can I buy you a drink?" The youth blushed and nodded, much to Duke's pleasure. He led him to the bar and ordered two shots of tequila, leaning back against it as they waited for their drinks. "What's your name?" The stranger followed suit, leaning against the bar next to Duke.

"My name is Marik," he answered, his words accented and his voice musical. "What's your name?"

"Duke." He gazed at Marik with his emerald green eyes. "You're from out of town, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"Where are you from?"

"Egypt."

"Have you ever been to a club before?"

"Never."

"Then I'm going to teach you how to have fun."

Two shots of tequila later, a flushed Duke was dragging a tipsy Marik onto the dance floor. He pulled the Egyptian against his body and began to grind against him in tune to the wildly blasting electro music. Marik seemed perplexed by the style of dancing and the music, so Duke put his hands on Marik's hips and guided his movements until he seemed to get a hang of it. Marik put his arms around Duke's neck as they let the alcohol carry them to the stars. As the tempo slowed and the tune changed, their dancing became even more sensual.

"What kind of dance is this?" Marik asked in a low, dusky voice.

"Blues," Duke answered in a close whisper, his lips brushing across his partner's ear with a light, feathery touch. He actually did know his stuff when it came to dancing, which definitely had its perks. Duke rocked his hips against Mariks' as he pressed his palm firmly against Marik's lower back and held him close. The tanned teen's cheeks were flushed as he stared up into Duke's face.

"I want… I mean, can we…" he stammered, then bit his bottom lip uncertainly. Duke chuckled softly and leaned in, stealing a kiss from the exotic angel in his arms. Marik looked surprised when Duke pulled away from him, but he also looked incredibly pleased; that's probably why he leaned in for another kiss.

Twenty minutes later, they were in Duke's car on the way to his apartment. Usually, Duke would have done it in the backseat, but when he found out that it was Marik's first time, he knew he had to do right by him. He parked with one hand, his other still rubbing Marik's thigh tenderly. The fair-haired teen had had the time to start to have doubts during the drive, and if he could have thought more clearly, he probably would have given in to them. But in truth, he wanted this, so when Duke opened the car door for him and held out a hand to help him out of the car, he took it and went inside with him.


Marik wanted to stay the night, he really did, but he knew that he needed to go. Still, it was hard to leave when it was so comfortable sleeping with Duke at his back, an arm around his waist. He'd promised Odion that he would be back by morning. He'd promised. Marik pulled the blankets up closer around his shoulders, not wanting to leave this bubble of pleasure he'd found for himself. It was almost enough to make him change his mind. Almost enough to make him change his plans and stay with Duke instead of seeking revenge through world domination.

He scolded himself mentally as he pushed away the sheets and sat up, sliding his legs over the edge of the bed. This was a one night stand. It meant nothing to the other man, right? He stood and began to gather his clothes, regretting that he'd gone out that night at all. It had been a bad idea. He should have known better than to get his heart involved in anything.

Once dressed, he looked back at Duke one last time. His sleeping face was peaceful, handsome, and Marik couldn't resist giving his cheek one last kiss before he snuck out of the apartment, leaving before it was even 5 a.m.

Duke was disappointed to awake and find that Marik had left without so much as a goodbye or a note.

"What a pity, I really liked him," he muttered to himself as he made his morning coffee.


Author Notes: I would love to see fanart of these two dancing, because I think it would be super adorable. :3 You can request a one-shot in the reviews or by voting in the poll on my profile, and I'll see what I can do! :) Please review!