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Learning to Live Again
Chapter Ten
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Lavender blinked, "What do you mean he left?" Marik exclaimed upon returning home and finding that his reason for returning was gone.
Isis raised an irritated eyebrow. "He left, as in he's not here. He went to Domino in search of Ryou." She revealed as she continued to load the washing machine with clothes.
Marik was heartbroken, "Why would he leave like that? I was coming back." He insisted.
She had been mad – having to watch her baby brother mope around in a confused daze since his other had gone – and she'd wanted to stay mad, but Marik sounded so lost that she found it hard to continue carrying her anger. Besides, it wasn't Marik's fault. She glared at the silent tomb robber, who at least had the decency to look ashamed by his actions.
Sighing, she stopped loading the clothes and turned away from the thief and back to Marik, "Did you tell him that? Did you ever say that you were coming back?" She asked gently, "You know Malik always assumes the worst when something happens."
Marik bit his lip, "I don't think so…" He thought back.
Isis sighed, "Marik, look at the situation. He," She pointed to Bakura, "shows up and you immediately leave with him. What's Malik going to think?"
The former spirit frowned, "But I just told him that I'm in love with him!" He growled, and then realized what exactly had come out of his mouth. He'd been unsure of Isis' reaction to his feelings toward her baby brother. He'd learned that she was somewhat protective of the youngest Ishtar sibling. "I mean-"
Isis only rolled her eyes, "I know what you mean. I'm not blind. I know how much you love my brother. I've gotten used to the idea. But that still doesn't change the fact that you left with the tomb robber without explaining yourself first. Why did you leave anyway?"
Marik closed his eyes, "He didn't say anything back." He mumbled, "After I told him that I loved him, he didn't say anything back. We were talking about being normal and what that means for most people…and Malik's always wanted to just fit in…what he described as normal…I didn't fit."
Isis sighed, "Of course my brother loves you back. Even Rishid could see that. And he was describing what other people thought was normal. Not what Malik thought."
The Egyptian made a whining noise in the back of his throat. "I screwed up." He hissed to himself, angry that he'd led Malik to believe that he'd been abandoned. But then… "Wait, you said he was going to Japan. I'll catch up to him." He insisted.
The older woman smiled to herself, "Good. And explain everything to him and bring him home."
Marik and the tomb robber were on the soonest flight to Japan that they could catch. When Bakura expressed the guilt he felt for taking Marik with him, the Egyptian had laughed, realizing just how much the thief had changed. The plane ride was uneventful as both were anxious to find their lighter halves. They spoke of trivial things, speaking only to pass the time.
Once on the ground again, Bakura called Ryou from a pay phone to let the boy know that he was coming home. But there was no answer, and the tomb robber grew slightly apprehensive. Worried now, the two took a train to Domino.
Marik would never forget what happened upon their arrival.
There was a strange car in Ryou's driveway, though perhaps – they'd thought – Ryou's father had come home in a rental. Bakura entered the house first and was confused to find everything different. The welcome mat that they'd always leave their shoes on was gone, and replaced by a hideous green thing. The entrance halls, which had been lined with family pictures was bare except for the expensive looking rip off of some flowers and fields.
And the place smelled like perfume.
"What the fuck is going on?" Bakura yelled angrily, waiting for Ryou to appear and explain.
But Ryou didn't appear. Instead a woman, wearing silk and pearls that used to belong to Ryou's mother, came out of the living room to investigate. Her eyes grew wide at the sight of Bakura – as if she was seeing a ghost.
Marik snorted, she was, but she probably didn't know it.
The woman then grew angry, "I told you to get lost! This is my house now you little twerp. My brother would want his baby sister to be taken care of now that he's gone." She snarled, blocking any further entrance.
Bakura stood his ground, determined to find out what had happened and where Ryou was. "Your brother?" He growled, having not seen this woman before.
She rolled her eyes and made a scoffing sound, "Yes, my brother. Your father. You always were such an airhead Ryou. It's amazing you lasted this long without a babysitter."
Marik almost choked on the air he was breathing, as the room seemed to grow colder. Ryou's aunt didn't seem to notice as she prattled on.
"Your father left no will, so now that he's gone, his siblings have decided to split everything between us. Why should such a beautiful house belong to a nutcase like you? Are you still hearing voices in your head?" She sneered, "I told you when I got here that if I ever see you again I'd have you thrown into an asylum."
Bakura growled lowly, "I see that you think I'm Ryou Bakura. Sorry to disappoint you ma'am, but I'm the voice inside his head. What the fuck did you do with my Hikari?" He roared, shocking her into silence as she finally realized that danger had stepped into 'her' home.
The thief didn't like the silence. "Marik, go outside and don't come in until I come get you. Now that you're mortal, I don't know how the Shadow Realm will effect you."
The Egyptian didn't have to be told twice and he quickly left the house, the door slamming shut on it's own.
Soft lavender stared down at his well-wrinkled hands as Marik spoke. "We searched for you every day. We even asked Seto Kaiba for help…we'd almost given up but then you guys just walked right into our lives again, at that small café."
The younger Egyptian looked at the shower curtain, as if he could see his other half. "Why didn't you approach us then?" He whispered softly, emotions unstable. He felt guilty for treating Marik like he had – for thinking all the things he'd thought since the other had left.
"Shock, I suppose. At first we both thought we were hallucinating and didn't want to mention it to the other. You'd left before Bakura finally said something and we realized that it really was you." Marik explained, "We followed you, but lost you when you turned into the cemetery."
Malik smiled softly, "Yeah…Ryou wanted to visit his family. Somebody even paid for his father's tombstone…though we're not sure whom. Ryou likes to…go there sometimes."
Marik chuckled, "Bakura knew Ryou would approve of it."
The younger blinked, and then pulled back the shower curtain just slightly. "Bakura bought that headstone?" He was surprised.
The former yami only nodded, then shrugged, "Are you about done? I'm sure Ryou would love a turn. It would probably help warm him from the inside." Marik suggested.
Marik had left to give Malik some privacy. He'd just finished drying off when there was a soft knock on the door and Ryou entered carrying clothes. He smiled shyly, seeing Malik's state of undress and held up the clothes, "They let us borrow them though they'll probably be a little big." He said quietly, closing the door.
Malik nodded, "Which one's are Marik's?" He asked and Ryou handed him a pair of grey sweatpants and a matching hoodie. It wasn't that Malik would have felt awkward about wearing the ex-tomb robber's clothes – well, maybe a little – but he felt the need to have Marik close to him, even just his scent.
As he changed Ryou filled the tub with water. "Will you stay?" He asked when Malik had finished.
The Egyptian smiled, "Of course." They had some things they needed to talk about and in the bathroom there was at least privacy.
The room was quiet for a little while as Ryou enjoyed the hot water and the fact that he was clean. He wasn't coughing as much either, not that he was warm. Malik was content to just watch his friend, but eventually he took a breath. "Marik explained everything." He began, making Ryou look at him. "They…they never stopped looking for us." He still felt bad for accusing Marik of abandoning him, though he had yet to voice an apology.
"Hmm." Ryou nodded, the warmth from the water making him drowsy. "I woke up while you and Marik were in here and Bakura let me know what had happened."
Malik smiled, "Did he tell you who bought that headstone for your father?" He knew the simple stone was important to Ryou because he'd never gotten to say goodbye and the stone was at least a physical object that he could touch or talk to.
Ryou's eyes narrowed in thought, "No, that didn't really come into the conversation. Who did?"
"He did."
"Bakura bought it?" Ryou seemed surprised.
Malik nodded, "Marik told me. Bakura knew you'd approve of it." He said, then realized something, "It's sad that they were here all along."
Ryou agreed, "I'd say that the last two years have been a waste, but I can't." The snowy haired boy yawned.
Malik scoffed, "Starving to death, freezing to death, having to avoid assholes that either wanted to rape one of us or kick our asses – none of that was a waste?"
Ryou giggled softly, "Oh, those things were. But the time with you wasn't."
Malik had been about to reply when Ryou's words sunk in. "Oh…I'm glad you were there too." He whispered.
Ryou only reached his hand out and Malik took a hold of it, locking their fingers. Ryou grinned to himself but the grin faded when he realized that Malik was nibbling his bottom lip – a thing he got yelled at for doing. He snickered gently as he placed a finger against those lips to stop any further abuse. "Something on your mind?" He wondered.
Malik sighed, looking away from him for a moment. Eventually lavender met deep brown, "If you want to stay here, I won't object."
Ryou shook his head, "That's assuming they want us here." He tilted his head.
The Egyptian raised an eyebrow, "I think it's obvious that they do. They wouldn't have spent all this time searching for us if they didn't."
"True." Ryou agreed. "But I won't do anything you don't want to do."
Malik laughed softly as he used his hand not locked with Ryou's to cup the boy's cheek so he could kiss the other's lips. "I don't know…I've grown fond of the idea of being able to take a bath whenever I wanted to."
Come four o'clock Ryou was still reluctant to go to work, and Malik could easily see that Bakura was reluctant to let the sick boy go – but the former thief remained quiet as not to interfere, and the two left so Ryou wouldn't be late.
Malik sat on the large couch as he'd waved goodbye, slightly exhausted from the tour of the house he'd insisted on. Now he was content to just sit where he was.
The two former spirits had acquired a beautiful home. It was a simple house; the basement had been turned into a recreation room (though Malik hadn't gone down to see it yet), there were four bedrooms (two of which were guest rooms, one being occupied now) and three bathrooms on the main floor, a kitchen, a small living room (where Malik was now) and a dining room. Everything was brightly lit; the walls were a soft beige and the wooden tile floor looked as if it had just been polished.
It was a little hard to believe that it was his yami's home.
The room he was in now was filled with pictures, and Malik took the chance to look at the images scattered around the room in various frames of all shapes and sizes. There were quite a few candid photos, as it seemed Marik liked taking pictures of Bakura while he was sleeping, and Bakura seemed to get him back by snapping Marik's image stuffing his face.
There were a few pictures of the two of them together, the closeness between the two was quite obvious and Malik found that he wasn't jealous at all. Rather, he found the pictures sweet.
Marik was just entering the room, carrying a plate and a glass of water as a light snack for Malik since they'd be waiting to eat with Ryou, when Malik spied one image on a small tanned table beside the couch. "You're married?" He was unable to mask the surprise from his voice.
The former spirit winced as Malik picked the image up. He'd been nervous about his other finding out. He hadn't wanted to hurt the boy anymore…but the other didn't look hurt as he studied the picture of the two. "Technically…"
"How long?" Malik looked at him.
Marik surprised Malik by blushing slightly as he mentally calculated. "Um…almost six months? Sorry I…" He began, but was unsure of where to go from there.
"Why are you sorry?" The youngest boy shook his head, "I'm happy for you, Marik. You and Bakura both." He said sincerely, and then sighed. "I…I should have waited for you and I'm sorry I didn't."
Marik tilted his head slightly, "You had no way of knowing that I was coming back."
Malik shrugged, "But I should have known."
Handing Malik the plate, Marik smiled, "Let's not dwell on it now. Eat; if you want to wait for Ryou, you'll need something to tide you over. Don't force yourself, though." He warned.
Malik took the plate and quietly nibbled on the sandwich, "Do you have a ring?" He asked.
Realizing that Malik really wasn't upset about it, Marik wrapped a hand around the gold chain he had begun to wear around his neck, withdrawing it from his shirt and with it, a simple gold band.
He placed the chain and the ring in Malik's palm.
The ring was pure gold, except a thin line of silver cutting the band in half at the middle. On the inside the message 'Keeper of my shattered heart' had been engraved.
"It's beautiful." Malik smiled, thinking that the message – which was clearly from Bakura – seemed to fit the two darker personalities. "Why aren't you wearing it?" He handed it back.
Marik shrugged, taking the ring from the chain and replacing the chain back around his neck. "We weren't sure how you'd react…" He replied, placing the ring back on his naked finger. He'd felt weird not wearing it.
That ring belongs there, Malik decided, his eyes roaming around the room at all the pictures again. "How are Isis and Rishid?"
Marik grinned, "They've missed you. In fact, they'll be here in a few days."
Lavender widened in excitement, "Really? I've missed them so much!" He giggled happily, finally able to relax. "Anything new with them?" He wondered.
The spiky haired blonde smiled, "Well, they're in Egypt at the moment. Isis is currently overseeing a new exhibit and Rishid went with her as a sort of vacation." He snickered, "She still loves her museums." He seemed to think of something, "How do you feel about your sister dating?" He asked. Isis may have been protective toward Malik, but that said nothing of the over protectiveness Malik had been toward Isis.
The younger boy grew suspicious. "Does he make her happy?" The yami nodded, and the light shrugged, "I really don't have a say about her life. As long as she's happy, then it doesn't matter to me." Then he glared, "She's not seeing the pharaoh, is she?" He growled, causing Marik to laugh.
"Heh. As if I'd ever let her date that pompous prick. A reincarnated priestess would happen to find love in a reincarnated priest."
Malik blinked, "Seto Kaiba? Is he good to her?"
"She has him wrapped around her little finger." Marik promised.
"Good." The mortal nodded, then yawned, "Um…would you mind if I took a nap?" He wondered sleepily.
Marik stood up, "Not at all, you're still healing. Would you rather stay here or sleep in the bedroom?"
Malik's cheeks darkened slightly, "Where will you be?" He asked softly, causing Marik to smile.
"I could be anywhere you wanted me to be." He promised and for a moment they were both silent, letting the words and the truth behind the words sink in.
"Here?" The lighter half wondered finally. The sofa was quite comfortable, and he'd been cooped up in the bedroom since they'd gotten there.
The older blonde chuckled softly, "Alright, let me just get you a blanket." He left for a moment but soon returned with a large quilt and as he wrapped it around the injured boy, Malik could distinctly smell both Marik and Bakura on the material…it was comforting.
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