disclaimers: Noppies, not minesy

warnings: boy x boy love

Chapter ~ Love is the Fire in Which We Burn

Lapis watched Bakura and Malik like a hawk, eyes taking in the flushed cheeks of her brother whenever Malik would venture a little too close or the way Malik's bronzed flesh tinged pink when Bakura spoke to him. Lapis was forced to keep her smirk neutral. Bakura preached against love and that it was evil, something not for him. Apparently, he was wrong on his heresey. Yes, Bakura was definitely falling for Malik. Bakura was excellent at hiding emotions he knew such as anger, fear, and joy but hiding love? Inconcievable.

Lapis crossed the room, handing Bakura and Malik a haversack with food for their journey. The woman regarded Bakura with a stern expression. "I want you back home by rotation. Is that clear Bakura? You will not be spending another rotation off galavanting."

Bakura rolled his eyes, shoulding the pack. "Sure Lapis. Besides, you want the chance to pester and fatten Malik. Isn't that right, dear?" He grinned ferally, leering at his sister. Lapis huffed, folding her arms in front of her chest. "We have to be going. I'll try to come home by rotation, alright? Happy?"

"Very much. Malik, keep Bakura in your sights at all times. He has a tendency to stray from the original task." Meaning the Tomb of Amohsis.

Malik smiled softly. "I promise Lapis. Thank you."

"O-kay!" Bakura broke up the too tender moment by slinging his arm across Malik's shoulders. "Sis, we'll probably return with Mehi. Ra knows he wants to see you again." He kissed the smoothe cheek, letting his face drop the mask. "Miss you Lapis."

"I'll miss you too Bakura. Good luck and be careful!" she yelled as the pair exited the tavern. She busied herself with wiping down the counter of the bar, sniffling. She feared for Bakura's safety everytime he went on raids.

~ ~ ~

The morning sun shone without any signs of disappearing behind the sparse, fluffy white clouds. Bakura glanced at his companion, frowning. Malik shifted the bag to the other shoulder for the tenth time since they had left Lapis's tavern. Bakura rolled his eyes, breaking the starkingly oppressive silence. "Give me that khered," Bakura held out his hand in quiet demanding.

Malik shook his head. "I won't become any stronger if I dont carry my weight, so to speak."

That answer surprised Bakura. He narrowed his eyes. "And just how long do you think you're going to be traveling with me? Months? Years?" Malik flushed, staring at the sand beneath his feet. "Believe me, you'll want to leave as soon as you can."

"But why?!" Malik protested, voice full of passion. Bakura was taken aback by the vehemency in the other's tone. "I owe you for saving my life and that indebts me to you until I die. Its one of the old codes taught to me by my mother before she died."

"Ah, so the only reason you want to remain is so you can fulfill your mandate?"

"Well....I'd..I'd like to get to know you better. We are friends, aren't we?" Bakura nodded. Malik smiled, throwing his arms around Bakura. He immediately went rigid at the feeling of another pressed so firmly against his body. How long had it been since he had been held? Held somebody? Much too long. Bakura hesitantly brought his arms to encircle the slender waist of his friend. He was forced to supress the moan. Malik fit perfectly, not too tall nor too short.

Bakura withdrew first, much to Malik's disappointment. "We need to hurry to my acquaintances before noon. He may have already thought I was going to come since I skipped out on him yesterday." Insert guilty visage from Malik. "The little bastard's dangerous, I want you to stay behind me or next to me at all times while we're in his presence."

"O.okay Bakura but why is he dangerous?"

"Because, once he sees something beautiful, he generally makes it his rule to obtain that beauty." Malik's face scrunched into an adorably confused pout. Bakura sighed. How Malik retained the innocence after been alone for five cycles was amazing. Bakura decided to explain what he meant. "Malik, its no lie that your beautiful." Both boys cheeks flushed from the compliment. "And Mehi will see that too."

"Oh...OH!" Malik eyes grew insanely round. "You mean, he might try and do what those men tried to do?"

"Thats exactly what I mean. If Mehi thinks your taken, then he won't bother with you. Especially if your taken by me."

"So, this means that you want us to pretend to be together?"

"If that doesn't bother you?"

"No," Malik said a bit hastily, causing Bakura to raise a brow.

"Good."

* ~ *

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Next chapter: Malik and Bakura pretend to be lovers in Mehi's presence but...is it just a little too convincing? ^_~