Title: Unveiled

Pairing: MalikxHonda/Bananashipping

Season Eight. Round Eight.

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!

What would you of all people want from me?

It's not like I play a very important role here; I shouldn't be your concern.

Yet I am.

"You seem rather…out of the picture."

I am. I won't lie to myself. I know that I'm only just the "tough guy" that steps in to help when it comes to physical matters. I don't strategize or think things through like everyone else.

I don't like to be down on myself, but I'm only in the background, cheering for my friends. Sure, that means that I'm supportive and all, but…

Everyone says that my and Anzu's cheering helps. But are they just saying that? Just because we're not really doing anything…not dueling.

"Does it make you angry?"

What? Being a third wheel? Keh.

It makes me sad, not angry. I could never be angry at my friends, not after all they've done for me. I can only drown in my own daemons when I'm alone, allowed to think of what I really am to them.

My friends would never betray or leave me. They care that much. They'll even let me duel every once in a while, despite the fact that I'm horrible at it – but never when it comes to something serious. No, dueling is left to Yuugi and Jounouchi.

"What are you smiling for, then?"

My room's darkened and windowless, but I can see your figure by the closed door. Your hair stands out easily enough.

Why do you care so much?

You move forward, and for once I don't freak out as you come to sit next to me on my bed. It's the real Marik, not your crazed alter-ego me and my friends have had the misfortune of contacting. But that doesn't mean I trust you.

I can see that your eyes are still menacing toward me, that you haven't gone all nice on me. And that confuses me further.

"You seem lonely."

Unconsciously I turn away from you, making it clear that you've struck a nerve. My hands wring against one another as I feel that all too familiar stab of pain spread though my chest.

I am lonely. There's no denying it.

But how could you…?

"Heh, it's clear as day, you know."

Despite the fact that Jounouchi and I are especially close since we've been there for each other for longer than I can remember, I have to admit that it's never be a closed deal. We've always had our differences and family issues, but I think we really started to drift when Jou became friends with Yuugi.

Not to say that I hate Yuugi or am jealous of him. I was able to accept his friendly nature easily enough and I consider him a good friend. Anzu…well, I admire her own strengths, but we've never been close-knitted, either.

Why do I have to tell you anything, anyway?

I freeze when I feel something probing my mind, and I pull away when a hand touches my shoulder.

What are you -?

"You and I are alike, you know."

I shuffle to my feet, not wanting to hear a lecture that everyone seems to have on their mind. Everyone's alike, aren't they? I keep hearing that during the duels, the conversations that I'm not supposed to hear between rivals…

"Hm. You seem angry."

Well what gives you the right to start questioning me anyway? I'm not important enough for you; I shouldn't be of an interest to you. I can only see myself being a puppet in your hands, like Anzu and Jounouchi were.

I want to leave, but I know that you understand. It frightens me, you calling me out on such a thing that is unmistakably true. The urge to storm out and find one of my friends – Yuugi, preferably – and get you away from me is strong.

But that doesn't happen and I just stand there in the dark, aware of your sneering gaze. Again I tense when I feel your hand on my shoulder but I don't brush it away. I finally remember that you hold the Millennium Rod, but I don't think you're using on me.

"You're right, you know. See what you're doing to yourself? Indulge yourself."

Indulge myself? In what? His attention? I can tell that this has taken a sharp turn, one that I'm not sure I want to explore.

"Hm, you're not as brainless as you look."

I do nothing at the insult, only stand there, taking it in. The attention he's giving me so willingly.

But why? I try to understand, but…

"So I was right all along. You are lonely, and it's only now just sinking in."

His mouth is next to my ear, and I shiver at the hot breath. There's suddenly an arm wrapping around my chest in an awkward embrace, and under normal circumstances, I would've pushed away. But in the privacy of my room…

I feel shame as I realize that I truly am alone in a sense. His touch and words of truth are suddenly overwhelming me in ways I cannot comprehend. I feel rooted to the spot, unable to react.

A hand caresses my face lightly, and I find myself staring into lavender eyes that are smirking at me.

What's your motive…breaking me down like this?

And then you're gone without another word. I unexpectedly feel like everything's closing in around me and I'm suffocating. I know I'm missing your presence, as evil as it is, and your touch.

Your attention.

I plop backward, trying to figure out what all this was about. I wipe away wetness from my eyes though, somehow knowing exactly what all this was for.

No wonder no one likes you.

A/N: I realized that in all my stories, Honda's never happy. But I like this, Honda's self-exploration, even though some part of me was a little scatter-brained while writing it. Hope someone enjoys it. Thanks for reading!