I must have been sitting in the police station for a good thirty minutes or so before someone finally walked through the door.
"I'm here for Yami Bakura."
"Right this way, sir."
I listened as the officer unlocked the cell with his keys. "Alright, you're free to go."
I let out a deep and tired sigh. "Dammit, Ryo, what took you so long!"
"Sorry I'm late. I was at the store when Ryo called me."
My ears twitched a little. Maybe they were deceiving me for what I just heard. I removed my hands from my face and looked up. Though my vision was still a little blurry, all it took was a glimpse of blonde hair before I realized who it was; Marik motherfucking Ishtar.
"You gotta be kidding me!", I frowned. "He sent you?"
"Hey, I could leave your ass here, it doesn't make me none!"
As much as I hated this Egyptian blonde, I had no choice but to go with him if I was ever going to leave this damn place. I stood to my feet, almost falling back down until Marik caught me in his arms. He lifted me up slowly in order to help me walk more stably.
"Don't touch me!", I snarled. "I can walk without your help!"
"Suit yourself."
I staggered outside to his car and got in the passenger's seat. He started the ignition and music began to play.
"Turn down the fucking radio!", I hollered clenching my already pounding head.
He turned the radio off and I began to relax in the seat. I allowed my mind to think for a minute. What was with this kid? One moment he's asking me out, and the next he's bailing me out of jail. And if he's not stalking me, he always shows up in some odd little coincidence. I sighed and closed my eyes. Unable to stay awake any longer, I allowed myself to fall asleep.
Before I realized it, it was morning. I opened my eyes blinded a little by the light seeping in through the curtains. Wait, curtains? I don't have curtains! I quickly sat up, rubbing my head which was still riding on the last effects of my hangover from last night. What the hell happened?
"Well, you're finally up!"
I turned my head to the side as I saw Marik stretching in a chair and letting out a big yawn.
"Where am I?"
"At my house. You passed out last night when I picked you up at the police station. I literally had to drag your ass in here! You weigh a ton for someone so skinny!"
I attempted to get up, only to fall back down on the sofa I realized I was laying on. My stomach was in knots and my head, oh god, my head! I felt dizzy and really hot. Marik got up and walked towards me. He placed his hand on my forehead. "Looks like you're running a fever."
"Fever? Oh please, I never get sick!"
"With all that alcohol in your system, I'm surprised you still have any brain cells left! Anyway, you should stay here and rest for a while."
"What about work?"
"What, the museum? Its ok, Ryo covered for you last night."
I sighed in relief before asking, "What about you?"
Marik blinked a couple of times before pointing to himself. "Me?"
"Well, duh, who the bloody hell else could I be talking about!"
"Well, I took the day off today. Someone has to take care of your ass!"
I sighed in frustration. I got pulled over for drunk driving, rescued by an annoying brat, and now, today of all days, I'm sick with a fever! My life is hell.
"Hey, do you need anything? You know like, something from your apartment you want me to go get?"
"Yeah, get me a beer!"
"No more alcohol for you, mister! You need to cut back and rest!"
"Could I at least get some coffee?"
"No. Now get some sleep. I'm going to the store to get you some soup and medicine."
Before I could protest, Marik grabbed his keys and walked out. I heard him start his car outside before speeding off. Once again, I sighed. I remained lying down for a good fifteen or so minutes until I got up slowly to look for the bathroom. After relieving myself, I grabbed a bar of soap and washed my hands. It had a very fruity scent to it. Afterwards, I decide to explore this house a little. Obviously, it was much bigger than my apartment. I walked into the bedroom. It was pretty nice, there was a large bed, lilac curtains draped over the windows, and a large dresser littered with accessories. I brisked my hand over the dresser and stopped when I saw a photo album. I decided to sneak a peek at it.
I sat on the bed as I flipped through the album. There were a few family pictures, some events, and... is that me? I stared at a picture of me standing in front of an exhibit at the museum. It looked like I was having another one of my bad days.
"Yep, this kid's definitely a stalker!"
I closed the album and placed it back on the dresser. Then I heard the front door open. I walked back into the living room.
"Oh, you're up!", Marik said as he carried a bag of groceries to the kitchen.
I followed him to the kitchen and leaned on the counter.
"I hope you like chicken soup."
"Thats fine.", I responded.
He set the cans of chicken soup down on the counter followed by a box of broth. "Oh, by the way, Ryo will be coming by later to check on you."
"Ok."
"In the meantime, here, take these." He handed me a box of Tylenol which I happily accepted. Then he made his way back to the stove.
Something was definitely off about him today. He wasn't as annoying as he usually was and instead of being obsessed with me, he was actually treating me like a normal person. I wasn't sure if I should be worried or relieved. He just stood there cooking on the stove and acting like I was just another house guest. It kind of irritated me.
"Hey, aren't you going to ask me out like you always do?"
"Why? Do you want me to?", he turned around smirking.
"Wipe that ridiculous smirk off your face! You already know my answer!"
"Then why did you ask?"
"Just curious.", I shrugged.
Marik held up a bowl and filled it with soup. Then he placed it on the table. "Here, eat up."
I sat down and took a sip of the soup. It was so damn good! I could feel it sending a warm tingle through my body as I swallowed. And it was seasoned perfectly; not too spicy, not too mild. How the hell did he put this together using just canned soup?
"Well, how do you like it?"
"Its alright.", I lied.
"Good. Make sure you eat every ounce of it! You need to regain your strength."
Yeah, yeah..." I was too busy being a smartass and not trying to compliment him that I forgot to blow the second spoonful. Man, that burned! Luckily he didn't see it.
Soon after I finished my bowl of soup, I plopped down on the sofa in front of the tv. Marik was sitting on the other end with his legs crossed, just flipping through channels. Eventually, he paused and turned his attention towards me.
"So, I take it you enjoyed the soup?"
"Sure."
"Just sure? You don't have to act so badass all the time, I saw you getting a second bowl!", he teased.
"Um, I-I was hungry!", I quickly turned my head away and realized I was blushing. It was a weird feeling, but Marik didn't seem to notice with his attention turned back to the television. Wait, why the hell was I blushing? I have nothing to be ashamed about. Maybe its just my fever sneaking back up on me.
But it wasn't just my head that started to feel hot, my whole body was. I bit the tip of my finger. My stomach felt all fluffy and for whatever reason, I just wanted to look at the Egyptian blonde next to me. Was I... falling for him? Ha, yeah right! I'd have to be really wasted for that to happen! I chuckled and crossed my legs, trying to focus on the tv. I couldn't wait to get back to my apartment. Suddenly, a knock came upon the front door. Marik got up to answer it and I waited curiously to see who it was.
"Hello!", Ryo greeted as he walked through the door carrying a couple of bags.
"Hello!", Marik greeted back.
"Ryo set the bags down and asked, "Now where's that white-haired knucklehead?"
"Over here.", I waved.
"Bakura, you owe me big time for yesterday!"
"Yeah, yeah."
"Anyway, how are you feeling?"
"I'd feel better if I had a can of beer."
"Good, because I've got some bad news."
"Oh please, all news is bad news.", I sighed.
"I passed by your apartment today and you have an eviction notice!"
I almost fell off of the sofa. "What?"
"Didn't you pay the rent?"
"No, he squandered it all on booze!", Marik said from the kitchen.
"Bakura," Ryo sighed, "What am I going to do with you? We don't get paid until next month, so you're going to need a place to stay."
"I'll just stay with you! Problem solved!"
"You know thats not possible! I stay in the dorms at college, and since you're not a college student..."
"He can stay with me.", Marik added.
"Hell no!", I snapped. "I'd rather stay..."
"Stay where? You don't have any where else to go! And your car is still at the impound lot, so thats out!"
"He does a have point, Bakura.", Ryo nodded.
I rubbed my forehead, trying to think of where else I could stay, but it was hopeless. I was broke, homeless, didn't have a car, I barely have a decent job, and to top it off, I don't have a drop of liquor. I really had no other choice.
"Fine," I groaned, "I'll stay here."
"Yes!", Marik cheered under his breath.
"But only until I get back on my feet again." I was hoping that would kill the blonde's spirits, but he continued to smile, content with the fact that I was staying with him. I sighed in frustration at the dilemma I was in. Could it get any worse?
"Then its settled. You'll be staying with Marik, but don't think you're excused from work!"
"Yeah, yeah.", I groaned.
"Oh, and I bought some clothes from your apartment.", Ryo pointed to the bags he brought in earlier. "Alright, I'm off! Have fun you two!", he winked.
"Whats that supposed to mean?" But he was already out the door before I could get a response. I leaned back on the sofa and stared at the ceiling. Before I could think about how much my life sucked, I felt warm arms wrap around me. I looked down into eyes of purple and frowned. "Get off!"
"You know you like the thought of being here with me!", Marik smiled.
My nerves snapped and I pushed Marik off of me before making my way to the bathroom. "I'm going to take a shower!"
"Oh sure, just help yourself to my stuff!", Marik mocked playfully.
I ignored him and closed the door. For whatever reason, my heart was pounding, I felt hot, and a mental image of him appeared in my mind. What the hell was going on? I know I'm not high, because I don't do that shit! I shook my head and turned on the shower. Oh yeah, I'm going to need another drink real soon!
