Another update! Thanks sooo much to all reviewers, I can't believe I've got over 50! I am eternally grateful XD I hope you enjoy this update! - Jem
To guest reviewer Sam: Thanks so much for your kind words! Good to know you like the long chapters, I always worry about people getting bored but otherwise the story would take forever to tell. I'm so pleased you're enjoying my work, both this and Thievery Amongst the Ancients. Please, review away! I appreciate all your comments ^_^
The next three weeks passed in cold hard silence.
Marik slipped into a numb shell, retreating into himself to the point where it was hard to get more than three monosyllabic words out of him at a time. Ryou watched worriedly as his friend buried himself, throwing himself into schoolwork and not leaving time to think about anything else. Well what would be the point? Marik would often say when he caught himself remembering, caught himself dreaming. I can never go back. The best I can do now is move forwards.
But why was that so hard to do?
Bakura wasn't much better. Ryou had returned – hesitantly – to the flat the Monday morning after everything had exploded, finding the furniture destroyed and a sobbing Bakura in the corner. Needless to say he had called in sick that day, put Bakura to bed and tidied up. He moved back in that night and was relieved that his brother didn't kick him out again, crimson eyes regarding him lifelessly from the bed sheets when Ryou had insisted on staying.
Ryou, of course, still spent a lot of time at the Ishtar house. Every day after school he would walk back with his silent Egyptian companion, looking forward to the time he would spend with Melvin – he was a little amused to think that life was at its most normal when he was around his boyfriend now.
It was at one such occasion - three weeks after the incident with his father – that Ryou found himself curled up in Melvin's lap in his room, cuddled happily into his chest. The small teen sighed as Melvin kissed his neck quietly, and he mumbled "I'm getting seriously worried about Marik, you know."
"This will all blow over soon," Melvin shrugged. "He won't be able to stay away from Bakura for long."
"That's just it," Ryou leaned up to meet his eyes, brown eyes clouded with worry. "It's been three weeks – I was positive they'd be back together by now! But Marik seems to have no intention of going back to the flat, and Bakura is far too proud to come here..."
Melvin shook his head. "Sooner or later one of them will cave – they both want to be together, they're just too stupid to work it out for themselves."
"I know," Ryou muttered into his chest, hands gripping at his shoulders. "I just get tired of playing matchmaker, you know? Never mind that neither of them will talk to me!"
"They won't?" Melvin tilted his head quizzically. "Why?"
"You, mostly!" Ryou laughed. "Marik is depressed and really uncomfortable with the idea of us being together, and 'Kura is absolutely livid with us both at the moment. Never mind that he still hasn't forgiven me for going to see...d-dad...at the hotel."
Melvin growled softly, holding Ryou tighter. "I knew that was a bad idea."
Ryou stayed silent for a moment, chewing at his lip before speaking. "I...I know it was...but I just w-wanted to see him again! I missed him s-so much..."
"I know, little one," Melvin rocked him gently, cradling him safely in his arms. "I know what it's like to lose your family – I thought I'd lost mine, remember?"
"But you found them again!" Ryou wailed. "My d-dad wants nothing to do with me now...why does he h-hate me, Melvin? W-what am I doing wrong?"
Melvin growled threateningly. "You are doing nothing wrong. Your dad is an old-timer who can't accept you for you are – it's his problem, not yours."
Ryou sniffed loudly. "I wish I could believe that..."
"Ryou," Melvin tilted his head up with one finger, forcing him to meet his gaze. "Is it your fault your gay?"
"W-well, no..."
"Do you regret being with me?"
Ryou's eyes widened. "O-of course not!"
"Well then," Melvin drew him close again. "It's his problem, not yours."
Ryou sat in silence for a few more moments before breaking into a smile, leaning up and pressing a soft kiss to Melvin's forehead. "Thank you."
Melvin was shocked when he felt his cheeks darkening – definitely a new experience, but one becoming more common the longer he spent with Ryou – before grinning widely. "No problem, little one."
Ryou settled back into his chest with a smile. "I'm still worried about 'Kura and Marik – someone just needs to knock their heads together. They won't listen to me though ..."
Melvin caught his hopeful look and rolled his eyes. "I don't think I'd be able to help them very much, Ry."
"But you could at least try..."
Melvin grinned widely. "Somehow, I doubt they're any happier with me than they are with you right now. Plus, I'm not exactly known for my diplomacy, remember? That's your department."
Ryou looked at him sternly. "I still think you should try. Talk to Marik at least – he's your brother, that should be simple enough."
"He hasn't said more than five words to me since he found out about us."
"All the more reason to try!" Ryou fixed him with a glare, brown eyes serious. "I want you to talk to him."
"But he'll only get all whiny..."
"Talk to him!" Ryou was edging close to yelling now. "Tomorrow, it's a Sunday so you'll have all day!"
Melvin took one more look at those flashing brown eyes before giving in. "Alright, alright! Just don't start yelling – you're scary when you yell."
Ryou looked at him with one eyebrow raised. "Melvin, look at me. I'm about as unthreatening as they come."
"Not when you yell!" Melvin shook his head slightly. "You get this really scary flash in your eyes, it's weird..."
Ryou laughed lightly, cuddling up to him again. "Sure, whatever. Just talk to Marik tomorrow, and I'll try talking to 'Kura. Maybe at least one of us will get them to see sense."
Marik woke up the next morning to empty sheets and a cold heart.
It was stupid, he knew, but he still couldn't rid himself of the dream that he would wake up to find himself once more in Bakura's arms. But there's no point in thinking like that, Marik rolled over angrily, furious with himself for still being depressed about this. He never loved me, and he's long gone. Marik burrowed back under the covers, determined to stay in bed – it was a Sunday, so not like he had anything else to do.
Unfortunately, his family had other ideas.
Odion was the first to visit, coming in at the start of the day. "Marik, Ishizu's making breakfast. You want some?"
"Ngh."
"Marik, you have to lift your head out of the pillows if you want me to understand you."
A brief flash of blonde appeared, accompanied by hazy violet. "No."
Odion sighed, perching on the edge of the bed. "Marik, you can't hide away forever."
Marik burrowed back under the bed sheets to escape Odion's smart black gaze, but the older Egyptian merely pulled them away to reveal his puffy face. "Marik, come on. You should come downstairs for a bit."
"Don't want to."
Odion brushed some hair away from his brother's face so he could meet his eyes. "I said I'd hurt Bakura if he ever hurt you, back when you first got together."
Marik turned his face away, softly fingering the bruise – now turning greenish – on his chin. Odion's brow creased when he spotted it. "He should never have done that to you."
"He was mad," Marik sniffed. "With good reason. His whole world just fell apart-"
"Are you seriously defending him?"
Marik's face creased into a frown. "NO!"
Odion smiled slightly. "I don't know...if you're defending him maybe you've forgiven him..."
"I will never forgive him." Marik's voice was quiet but the words were enunciated perfectly. Odion shook his head with a small smile.
"Don't say words you'll have to eat later, brother." He grinned at Marik's confused look, raising a hand. "I know right now you probably mean them, but give it time – you may well change your tune yet."
Marik blinked as he watched his elder brother step out of the room, pausing in thought for a moment before rolling back around and hiding under the covers once more.
Melvin came next.
Marik was more than a little disgruntled about this one – he had several reasons for not wanting to see his eldest sibling. His relationship with Ryou was perhaps the most obvious, but Melvin was also the only one who truly understood what had gone on that day in the flat, and Marik really didn't want to deal with having to think about that. They had told Ishizu and Odion as little as possible – Marik wasn't even sure they were aware of Melvin and Ryou being together, but at that point in time he couldn't really care less. It was with a groan that he allowed Melvin to sit on his bed.
Melvin eyed him a little nervously. "Um...hi."
Marik rolled his eyes. "Ryou asked you to talk to me, didn't he?"
Melvin looked a little sheepish and Marik breathed out huffily. "Just get it over with so we can get him off our backs."
"No arguments from me," Melvin flashed a grin. "Why are you staying in bed all day?"
"Why the hell do you think?" Marik rolled to pin him with a furious glare, face appearing fully out from under the covers.
Melvin's eyes hardened when he saw the bruise still apparent on Marik's jaw. "I should kill him for doing that to you."
"Actually," Marik hissed, "We should be the ones killing you."
"Why?" Melvin lifted a brow. "For being with someone who makes me happy?"
"But how long before you go all psycho on him?" Marik's violet eyes were hard. "You're going to hurt him one day."
"I'd never hurt Ry," Melvin waved him away calmly. "Besides, he knows how to control me. Anyway, when are you going to grow up and go talk to Bakura?"
Marik flinched at the name, ignoring the question. "Ryou has never seen you really mad. You'll scare him if nothing else."
"Ryou knows me," Melvin insisted. "And this isn't about us anyway..."
"Everything's about you now."
"...So stop avoiding my questions. When are you going to talk to Bakura?"
Marik tried to bury himself again but Melvin grabbed the sheets, throwing them off the bed. Marik sat up, eyes flashing furiously. "Give those back right now!"
"Nope," Melvin was grinning evilly as he pushed Marik back onto the bed. "Not until you answer."
"I don't need to answer to you!"
"Yes, but you're both being ridiculous and it's hurting Ryou." Melvin fixed him with a glare. "So get over yourself and go talk to him."
Marik flopped backwards, closing his eyes. "He hasn't come to see me. He probably doesn't even think about me anymore."
"That's a load of crap," Melvin rolled his eyes. "Gods, I forgot how childish you can be!"
Marik lifted a brow, opening one eye. "That's really rich coming from you, you know."
"Yeah, I know," Melvin waved him away. "But you're still acting like a baby. Just grow up and go talk to him."
"I don't want to!"
"That's a load of crap and we both know it." Melvin grinned widely at him. "So get over yourself." With that the tall Egyptian strode out of the room.
Marik sat up, eyes hard. He scrambled for his sheets, pulling them back onto the bed in a haphazard pile and burying himself once more. "I'm still not talking to him!" sounded the muffled roar. Melvin, out in the corridor, merely rolled his eyes before heading down the stairs.
Ishizu was the last. She knocked politely on his door as evening wore on, taking his muffled groan as acceptance of her presence and stepping calmly into the room, only half-surprised to find him still in his night-clothes and buried under his blankets. She sighed, stepping forwards. "This has to stop, brother. It's been three weeks."
Marik just burrowed down further. "Don't remind me."
Ishizu shook her head. "You have to talk to him. Whatever went on between the two of you can't have been that bad."
"It was." Marik's voice was hollow when he met her gaze. "It really honestly was."
"He loves you too much to really harm you."
"He never loved me," Marik looked dejectedly into his sisters deep blue eyes. "It's finished."
To his surprise, Ishizu smiled slightly. "Where did you get that idea from?"
"Eh?"
Ishizu laughed at him a little, eyes sparkling. "Of course he loves you. And you love him. You're both just far too stubborn to admit it."
Marik didn't let her words sink past the wall he had built in his mind. "No, don't say that sis. And why do you care anyway? I thought you'd be the one person happy about this!"
"I could never be happy with you in this state," Ishizu advised. "And I've seen the way Bakura looks at you. Be in no doubt as to his affections."
"But..." Marik shook his head, squashing the vain hope that rose at her words. "He hasn't come round, has he? Can't care that much..."
"You haven't gone round to his either," Ishizu reminded him gently. "And you're both far too stubborn for your own good. One of you just needs to swallow your pride and speak to the other."
Marik looked away, fingering his jaw. "Last time I spoke to him, I didn't come away too well."
Ishizu's eyes clouded. "He'd never dare do that to you again. And I'm sure he regrets it."
"So why doesn't he apologise?" Marik's voice was tiny as he curled into a ball. "Why am I always the one reaching out to him? Why can't he come to me just this once?" His voice broke and he buried his head, hiding behind his blonde locks.
Ishizu regarded him for a moment longer, realising that he was right. That good-for-nothing teenager had better just suck it up and get over here. She reached out one soft hand to stroke his hair away from his face. "I'll get Odion to bring you up some dinner. Stay in here all you like."
Marik blinked at her in surprise. "...Seriously? You're giving me permission to mope?"
"Mope away," she half-smiled. "But don't expect it to last too long."
He stared quizzically after her as she shut the door, eventually shrugging off her words and curling back under his sheets.
Ishizu paused outside his door, one hand resting lightly on the wooden frame. Bakura better watch what's coming to him. I'm going to have a word.
Bakura was, at that moment, crashed on the newly-fixed sofa, staring blankly at some programme on the TV and blatantly ignoring all his brother's efforts to draw him into conversation. Ryou sighed in frustration as he washed up their dinner-plates. "'Kura, you're going to have to talk to me at some point you know." He dried his hands and strode into the living room, standing determinedly in front of his brother with his hands on his hips. "Don't you think this has gone on long enough?"
Bakura carried on staring blankly at the TV, despite the fact that Ryou was now directly in his line of sight. The smaller teen huffed, exasperated as he sat down in the armchair across from his brother. "You can't ignore me forever, 'Kura."
His brother gave him a look as if to say 'watch me' before turning back to the TV.
At that, Ryou snapped. He said the one word he knew was bound to get his attention. "Marik."
As expected, Bakura stiffened immediately, eyes snapping round to meet Ryou's gaze. The younger teen was a little startled at the depths of emotion in his crimson eyes, but he pushed it away quickly. "You have got to sort this out."
Bakura looked away, and finally spoke. His voice echoed, as if hidden in the depths of him. "He doesn't want to see me."
"You're wrong," Ryou admonished. "You don't see him every day..."
Bakura pinned him with a glare again. "He shouldn't want to see me."
"Of course he does!" Ryou shook his head at his brother. "He misses you like crazy and he desperately wants to talk to you, if you'd just swallow your pride and get round there..."
Bakura shook his head, panic rising in his expression. "I can't! I can't face him..."
"Why not?" Ryou tilted his head. "You both want to be together again..."
"But I hit him, Ry." Bakura's voice was dead, void of all emotion. "I hit him."
"And that was very stupid of you," Ryou nodded. "But it isn't irreparable. Go talk to him."
Bakura buried his face in his hands. "How can I possibly face him again?"
Ryou looked at his brother's shaking form, nibbling on his lower lip. "But...you always face up to your problems. That's what I've always admired about you..."
He trailed off at Bakura's expression as the older teen lowered his hands. "Don't think that, Ry. I've been running from my problems for about as long as I can remember – hell, I even brought us to America to get away from them..."
Ryou flinched. "That was different. That was to escape the memories..."
"Yes, that's what I told you, isn't it?" Bakura's voice was hollow again – Ryou flinched at his words. "No Ry, I was running...but my problems caught up with me all the same."
Ryou stared at him. "What are you saying, 'Kura?"
"Doesn't matter." And just like that he was closed again, eyes fixed back on the TV screen.
"No," Ryou stood up, leaning over him. "That came from somewhere – what were you saying? I have a feeling it wasn't about Marik anymore..."
Even that name didn't draw a response out of his brother, so in the end Ryou just threw his hands in the air and stalked out of the house, heading back to the Ishtar residence to see if his boyfriend had been any more successful with Marik.
Melvin was sat in the kitchen, watching Odion cook with wide eyes when Ryou entered. Melvin immediately grabbed his hand and pulled him into the chair next to him, ignoring his startled gasp. "Hush. Odion's doing something magic to make it taste better."
Odion snorted. "Ignore him Ryou, it's just spices..."
"Don't tell me!" Melvin whined. "I don't want to spoil the surprise!"
Ryou rolled his eyes. "Just how long have you been eating Odion's cooking, Melvin? I doubt he could surprise you now."
"But he always does something magic with it to make it taste good. I don't want to jinx it."
Ryou sighed loudly, rolling his eyes. Odion turned to him with twinkling eyes, regarding their clasped hands with interest. They hadn't exactly come out about their relationship, mostly to avoid Ishizu's inevitable reaction, but Odion had his suspicions.
Ishizu appeared in the kitchen with a determined look on her face. "Odion, would you mind setting some dinner aside to bring up to Marik? Melvin, you can take it...oh, hello Ryou."
Ryou smiled at her, quickly pulling his hand away from Melvin's. "Hello Ishizu. I can take it up to Marik if you'd like...?"
"That would be wonderful," she smiled at him. "How's your brother doing?"
Ryou's face fell. "Um, not too good to be honest. He just sits in the living room all day, I can barely get him to talk to me..."
She nodded once. "Much like Marik then. Are you here for the evening?"
"If that's alright," he laughed a little nervously. "Marik and I really need to get going on our project, we've only got a week of school left before the holidays."
Ishizu smiled. "Of course – don't worry Ryou, you're always welcome here."
"Too right," Melvin muttered, lips close to Ryou's ear. The younger teen smiled.
The meal passed pleasantly and Ryou hastened upstairs when they were done, bringing up a tray for Marik along with their school books. Ishizu rose fluidly. "I've got to go and speak to someone – Melvin, help Odion with the washing please?"
"But..." Melvin looked longingly after Ryou as Ishizu left the room. Odion laughed, tossing him a towel.
"Come on, you can dry – go play with your boyfriend later."
"That's so unfair," Melvin grumbled, words registering slowly. His head suddenly snapped up, eyes meeting Odion's laughing gaze. "Wait, what? What did you say?"
"Oh Melvin," Odion laughed at him. "You've never been any good at hiding emotion. I am a little surprised though – Ryou's rather young, isn't he?"
Melvin glowered. "Doesn't matter."
"Of course not," Odion agreed mildly, smile still tugging at his lips. "Just, hold off on Ishizu finding out – she's only now coming to terms with Marik and Bakura."
"If they ever get their act together," Melvin cackled.
"Oh I'm sure they will," Odion grinned wickedly. "Someone will bash their heads together eventually."
Upstairs, Ryou knocked cautiously on Marik's wooden door. His muffled voice sounded through the frame, sounding faintly angry. "Whoever the hell is trying to talk to me now, please go away! You've all tried talking to me today already, pleeeease leave me alone for once?"
Ryou laughed slightly. "Um, sorry Marik, but I actually haven't tried yet today..."
There was a muffled groan. "Urgh, Gods is everyone on my case?! Fine Ry, come in but please make it quick!"
Ryou entered, stopping in surprise when he saw Marik's dishevelled appearance. The usually fashion-conscious teen looked a mess – his hair was sticking up in random directions and his face was puffy and dark from where he'd been buried under the covers. He was still in his nightclothes, but they were rumpled and spoiled. He blinked blearily as Ryou advanced with the tray. "Um, Marik...how long have you spent in bed?"
"I haven't got out of it since Friday evening," he grumbled with a yawn.
Ryou shook his head disapprovingly. "It can't be good for you."
Marik fixed him with a pointed stare. "I don't think you're the best judge of what isn't good for people."
"If you're referring to Melvin," Ryou responded calmly, perching on the edge of the bed, "You couldn't be more wrong. We're both good for each other."
Marik sent him a disbelieving look. "I can see how you're good for him. But what in the name of all the Gods does he do for you?"
Ryou smiled slightly. "Thought you didn't approve?"
"I don't!" Marik glared at him. "For one, I thought you had better taste."
"Marik!" Ryou's smile turned into a glare. "Melvin's your brother!"
"So?" Marik spotted the tray and dragged it towards him, devouring the food quickly. "You should still have better taste."
Ryou shook his head, choosing to drop the subject. "More importantly, we've got to finish this project. Have you got around to asking Ishizu what she knows about the Pharaoh's court yet?"
Marik flopped back on the bed, groaning loudly. "No! The only times she's been in here are to ask me about...you know..."
"Bakura," Ryou finished for him. "Marik, seriously, when are you going to sort this out?"
"I don't have to sort anything out," he hissed.
Ryou sighed. "'Kura's a mess, you know. He's just been staring at the TV for days on end, he hasn't been to work at all so he's probably lost his job..."
Marik turned away. "I don't want to hear it, Ry."
"But you could solve this!" Ryou stared at him imploringly. "If you just spoke to him..."
"What's to talk about?" Marik's voice was broken. "He won't want to hear from me anyway. I...I shouted some horrible things at him..."
Ryou shook his head. "And he hit you. Don't you think that's punishment enough, for you both? You still love him, right?"
Marik squirmed. "Don't make me say that when I know it isn't reciprocated."
Ryou's jaw fell open. "Of course it is!"
Marik remained silent.
Ryou stared. "Marik...Marik, you don't really think that, do you? 'Kura's in pieces! He actually can't function without you around, I swear he needs you more than he'll ever admit. Please, Marik, you can be mad at him but don't ever think he was lying to you?"
Marik shook his head. "I don't want to talk about it anymore."
Ryou's eyes hardened. "Marik. I'll think you'll recall that after I first got you together I warned you not to hurt him?"
Marik blinked up at him. "Um...yeah, you did say that, didn't you..."
"So why won't you keep your promise?" Ryou leaned forwards sincerely. "It's fine for you to be angry with him, but could you please at least talk to him? Just so you both know where you stand?"
Marik stared at him. "He...he won't want to talk to me..."
"Marik," Ryou met his gaze sternly. "I'm asking you as a friend: don't hurt my brother any more. At least give him the chance to apologise, if nothing else."
Marik looked away, setting aside his tray and picking up a textbook. "I'll think about it. We need to get this project sorted, don't we?" He flicked through random pages, eyes skimming the text without really taking any of it in.
Ryou just sighed and picked up his notes. Down to you now, 'Kura. I've done what I can.
Bakura sat slumped in front of the TV, eyes blank as he stared mindlessly at the screen. He didn't allow himself to think; didn't allow himself to remember. The programme was some cookery show, absolutely fine until it started talking about spices and all Bakura could think about was how Marik used to bug him about learning to cook from Odion...but that was a dangerous thought. Bakura pushed it away.
He settled deeper into the sofa, flicking through the different channels until eventually he just turned the thing off and sat staring at the wall, brows knitted together. The silence suited him, in way – suited the way he saw life now. I'm alone, just like dad wants me – even Ryou's buggered off to God-knows-where. May as well get used to it, I guess.
The buzzer sounded at that moment and Bakura growled, sinking deeper into the cushions and ignoring it determinedly. It kept ringing however, and he growled angrily, standing up and grabbing the receiver off the wall before slamming it straight back down again without even listening to who it was. That should shut them up. Satisfied he stalked back to the sofa, but no sooner had he sat down when the buzzer sounded again. God, can't that idiot take a hint? Furiously he strode over once more, grabbing the stupid thing and growling "Leave me the fuck alone, alright?" He was about to slam it straight back down until that voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Hello, Bakura."
He actually staggered back slightly, receiver clattering away from his ear. Recovering he picked it up again and muttered "Ishizu. Didn't expect to hear you. I don't need another ear-bashing though, ok?"
"Good, because I'm not here to give you one," Ishizu answered primly. "Would you please let me up?"
"Ugh, fine, just don't stay too long." He pressed the buzzer without another word, returning to the living room and collapsing on the sofa again. Ishizu entered a few moments later, taking a long look at him before crossing to the armchair and sitting back. "You look terrible."
"Thanks," he growled. "You don't look so good yourself."
She half-smiled. "Still just as pleasant as ever."
He closed his eyes with a grunt, allowing his head to drop into his hands. "What do you want, Ishizu? Cos in case you couldn't tell I'm really not up to entertaining company at the moment."
"This shouldn't take too long." Ishizu regarded him, ice-blue eyes calm. "I just wish to know why you've broken my brother's heart."
Bakura's eyes flew open and he fixed her with a glare. "You said you weren't going to have a go."
"I'm not," she raised a hand. "I assure you, I have no problem with what you do with your life. My brother, however, is extremely upset, and I think he deserves to know why. He won't come here to ask you himself, so I am here on his behalf."
Bakura glowered for a moment longer before closing his eyes again. Hesitantly, he asked "Did...did he...ask you to come?"
Ishizu watched him carefully as she said "No," not missing the slight tensing of his muscles, the disappointed slant to his mouth. "He doesn't know I'm here. But I think we deserve answers, don't you?"
"You don't deserve anything from me."
Ishizu shook her head. "You're wrong about that. Look at it this way Bakura – I'm not leaving until you tell me why you won't see Marik. And don't threaten me either, because by the looks of you I doubt you could force me out of here right now. Are you even eating?"
Bakura shrugged noncommittally. "Ryou forces food down my throat every once in a while."
Ishizu frowned. "Seems you're not bearing up too well either. So, come on – why won't you see my brother?"
Bakura sighed loudly. "He's better off away from me."
"No," Ishizu shook her head, "He isn't. I hate to admit it, believe me I do, but he needs you right now. So why won't you go to him?"
Bakura glared. "Did you know I hit him? I figured you'd want me as far away as possible."
"I did know that," she said quietly. "But he's forgiven you. Which makes me think you had good reason."
Bakura blinked. "He's...forgiven me? What? Why?"
Ishizu shrugged, small smile at her lips. "That's what I'm here to find out. So I think we can start with that – why did you hit him?"
Bakura looked down. "I...was really wound up."
"...That's it?" Ishizu's frown turned faintly disapproving.
Bakura closed his eyes. "Not exactly. My dad showed up..."
Ishizu lifted a brow. "Your dad? Isn't he in England?"
"I wish!" Bakura threw back his head, whacking it on the back of the sofa. "The long and short of it is that he hates me because I'm gay; needless to say he wasn't best pleased when he found out about Marik. I went to see him a few weeks ago, but he put me in hospital. Melvin was with me – you might remember?"
Ishizu's jaw dropped slightly. "...Yes...so he came here?"
Bakura grunted. "Spouting his usual rubbish about how everything's my fault. Except he's right, about some of it at least...I'm not exactly pure of heart."
Ishizu nodded slowly. "So, your dad was here. That explains why you were so wound up I suppose, but why take it out on Marik?"
Bakura coughed. "I kicked my dad out, but Marik had heard too much. He screamed at me that for all he knew my dad was right, and I did kill my mum and sister..."
"Wh-what?"
Bakura cursed. "I didn't mean to say that."
Ishizu stared at him. "M-Marik said that?"
Bakura nodded once. "My dad had been spouting it at him."
"But..." Ishizu tilted her head, still shocked. "I mean, you didn't, did you? Kill your family, I mean?"
Bakura looked down, refusing to meet her eyes.
Ishizu gasped, hands flying to her mouth. "I...I think you'd better tell me everything."
Bakura buried his face in his hands. His voice, when he spoke, was terrifyingly hollow. "I'm not sure I can."
"You must!" Ishizu commanded. "Tell me all, now."
Bakura squeezed his eyes shut. "No one knows this, Ishizu. Not even Ryou. So I swear, if you tell anyone..."
"I know," Ishizu waved him away. "But you have to tell someone. Talk to me."
Bakura's eyes fluttered open, meeting her gaze harshly. "It started when dad first found out about my sexuality, two years ago. I was seventeen...
"He caught me with a guy in my bedroom – I'm sure you can imagine what we were doing. He completely flipped, screamed at me that I was a curse, a sinner, and I would bring danger to the whole family. I argued back, of course, and he walked out that evening. Didn't even say anything to mum, just left, and she never saw him again. I kept my mouth shut – I didn't need them all blaming me, though I knew it was my fault. In a way I was relieved...after he screamed at me like that, I wanted nothing more than to have him out of my life forever...
"Only, he didn't leave me alone. Or he did, for a few months – until I finished school. I started job hunting, but I kept meeting problems – no one would accept me. Eventually I got tired of it and just started stealing, it was easier than working anyway, but one of the shops I broke into had a picture of me taped to the counter, with a note saying 'don't serve'. Needless to say it was from my father – he'd been actively working to stop me getting a job. I didn't tell anyone, but I stopped searching after that. I knew he was dogging my steps.
"He didn't leave it there though – he started coming back to the house when he knew mum was working and Ryou and Amane were at school. He would spout rubbish about me being a curse, and how I was going to seriously hurt my family one day. I told him where to stuff it, of course, but he kept coming back. Eventually I faked a robbery to get mum to change the locks, so at least he couldn't get in any more. But he still followed me – he'd watch the house for whenever I went stealing and try to interrupt, threatening to call the police. I said if he ever did I'd tell them he was stalking me, so he never quite went that far. Eventually though, I snapped...
"It happened the month before we moved here. I'd gone out during the day to rob a house I knew would be empty, I'd been staking it out for a while. Dad must have been watching me, because when I left with all my stolen goods he was waiting. I ran, of course, I didn't want to have to put up with his crap but he followed, shouting things after me. We had a blazing row and I ran to get away from him, but I ran straight out into the road, I didn't even look...a car was coming towards me...it swerved, missed me but crashed into the side of the road, was in flames in seconds. I didn't even look back, to see if they were ok...I just ran and ran...
"I got home about an hour later to find Ryou on the phone, absolutely distraught. The hospital were calling, saying mum and Amane had been caught in a car accident...my stomach dropped. I drove us straight there but we were too late for mum. Amane held on for four days but she died too, in the end. And that's when the police started investigating, and they soon discovered from a few eyewitnesses that a pale teenager had run out in the road, making the car swerve, before disappearing without looking back. They never traced him, though. I didn't care – I had all the proof I needed.
"I took my chance, of course; I took Ryou and got us out of there. I had to get away from my dad, and my house, and the memories...and of course the police, because I hadn't been that careful and I was sure they'd trace it back to me eventually. I fled before they could. Came here for a fresh start, and for a while there I could forget. Ryou was happy, I was happy, I think Marik was happy too, God knows why. But dad had to show up and ruin everything, like he always does, though I suppose I can't really blame him – I did kill his wife and daughter, after all..."
Ishizu interrupted him there, struggling to take in all he had said. "No, you didn't. You didn't – it was an accident..."
He fixed her with a dangerous glare. "An accident I was responsible for. I'm not saying I meant to kill them because quite obviously I didn't, but it is my fault they're dead. Don't patronise me, Ishizu."
She snapped her mouth shut angrily. "Fine, so that all explains why you were so wound up when your dad showed up again – but I'll ask once more, what has this got to do with Marik?"
"Didn't you hear a word I said?" Bakura leaned forwards threateningly. "I'm a curse. He's safer away from me."
"Not from what I see," Ishizu responded coolly.
"Then you must be blind."
Ishizu shook her head, eyes flashing. "So you're just going to give in to your father now? Just give him everything he wants, served on a silver platter? Because that's what you're doing by giving up!"
Bakura growled. "Don't you dare meddle in issues you don't understand."
"Oh, I understand perfectly!" She stood up, staring him down. "You took your anger out on my little brother when he has done nothing wrong!"
Bakura flinched, looking away. "He's better off without me."
A stinging slap resounded through the room. Bakura clutched his cheek, shocked.
Ishizu's face was dark and dangerous. "I pray to the Gods that that knocked some sense into you. Stop being such a baby! Yes, you have an awful father but I can assure you that you don't have a monopoly on that."
Bakura blinked. "I..."
"So just get over yourself. Don't you think Marik has enough on his plate, without having to deal with your crap as well? Gods only know how he stands you!"
"But..."
"So you," she pointed at him threateningly. "Get your sorry ass over to my brother and apologise. Tell him everything. And don't you dare leave it too long, or I'll be after your blood." Without another word she turned on her heel and stalked out of the flat, slamming the door loudly behind her.
Bakura remained frozen on the sofa, one hand clutching his red cheek, eyes staring blankly at the wall. God, she's right...I tried to ignore my problems by pushing them away, but in reality I just forced them onto everyone else. Especially Marik...I swear, I was trying to keep him safe but all I really did was expose him to more danger. And then I hit him, to top it all off! I have got some serious apologising to do...
Slowly, carefully, Bakura got to his feet, wandering into his bedroom and collapsing, once again trying to ignore Marik's side of the bed. It remained untouched, exactly the way he had left it three weeks ago. I have to talk to him, to apologise if nothing else. He deserves an explanation, Ishizu's right. I hit him, for crying out loud! I've got to explain that...but how am I even going to get him to talk to me? I've got a lot of grovelling to do.
Angrily, Bakura turned and shoved his face into a pillow, pummelling the mattress with his fists. The whole situation was just such a mess! Turning his face to the side his gaze fell upon Marik's small pile of birthday presents, lovingly displayed on the desk – he had wanted to watch them as he fell asleep, so he could remember the first time he really enjoyed his birthday, or so Bakura recalled. Eyes roving over the camera, magazine and now out-of-date train tickets, an idea slowly began to form. It would take time, and a lot of organization...and it would be a whole lot of bother that he wasn't sure he could afford...but it might just be the only way to get Marik back.
Despite himself, Bakura smiled that night as he drifted off to sleep.
I can't help but feel this chapter is rather disappointing, so sorry about that :/ I shall update with the next one as soon as I can, but certainly not until tomorrow because I'm going to actually try sleeping tonight :P Actually, as it's my mum's birthday tomorrow you might have to wait until the day after for the next chapter, apologies! :P Thanks for reading, and I hope you liked it - Jem
