This chapter's a little short but I had to end it where it ends. ^_^
Comments to reviews at the end of chapter.
- - -
Tis The Season
Warnings: Christmas angst. AU. No character death. Can't I even make a character sick without everyone thinking I'm gonna off him in the next chapter? Then again, Baku's still sick. Maybe I will off him just to please so many of you. ^_^
Pairings: You'll just have to wait and see.
/ thoughts /
*italics*
- - -
Chapter Six
Duke sighed with depression as he stared at the empty desk behind him. That desk had been empty for two days, its usual occupant missing for the same length of time. Duke had tried everywhere he could think of but he'd all but given up on trying to find his best friend.
Two days ago, after the dinner disaster, Malik had left wordlessly and that had been the last anyone had ever seen of him. He hadn't even told Duke where he was going! Rishid had no idea and Malik had left his cell phone on his dresser. At least he'd had his wallet with him and that he had his credit card. The only real reason Duke had ever gotten to sleep the night before was because he knew that Malik could take care of himself.
From beyond Malik's abandoned desk, Duke realized he was being watched. He looked up into the amber eyes of one Joseph Wheeler. The same Joseph Wheeler that had started this entire mess and the same Joseph Wheeler who Duke was no longer speaking to. Duke narrowed his eyes as he turned away, but not before he caught a glimpse at the hurt look crossing Joey's face.
Normally Duke would have felt guilty for treating his friend as such, but what Joey had done was inconsiderate and just plain cruel. Of course he knew his anger wasn't going to help him any and he sighed to himself to relax. Ms. Mitsu had been speaking to the class and he realized that he had no idea what she was talking about. Looking back at the teacher he noticed she was still talking, but for one moment, her eyes focused on him and smiled in sympathy. Duke had explained to her what had happened, leaving out the part of why Malik left.
The rest of the day was relatively easy. He only had Joey in that one class so Duke didn't have to go out of his way to avoid the blonde. Mai, however, was in three of his classes and she was not impressed at his attitude, even though she understood his anger.
"You have to forgive him." Mai concluded as the two partnered up in science class for a lab. She had placed her binder by the Bunsen burner and her pretty purple eyes were regarding him intensely.
Duke wouldn't look though and he busied himself with plugging in the blasted machine. "You didn't see the look on Bakura's face. Or Ryou's for that matter! And Malik. . .after the two left, fuck Mai!" He finally growled in frustration as he looked at her. "You know how Malik never let's anything get to him? He plays pompous and arrogant?"
Mai nodded, "Of course," She rolled her eyes, "He's royalty."
"Yeah well," Duke crossed his arms in a slight pout, "He'd been stripped of his title. He wasn't playing anymore, he was being himself and that left him to weakness! He let it get to him - he had no choice!" He muttered to himself.
"Wanna explain to me a little more hun?" Mai spoke softly, seeing how upset their conversation was making Duke. "What couldn't Malik choose?"
Duke sighed, letting out the pent-up energy. "Malik had met Bakura being himself, not our pharaoh, not our god, *himself*. That's something neither you nor Joey have ever seen but he let a complete stranger see him. When Joey brought up what he'd called Ryou and Bakura, Malik couldn't hide behind his defense the way he normally does because for a few moments it didn't exist." He explained - or tried to. "We'd talked before hand and Malik agreed that he'd be himself, and he was true to his word. Now he's hurt somewhere and I don't know how to find him!"
Mai placed a calming hand on Duke's shoulder and gently squeezed it. She noticed how he trembled and she chuckled to herself as she shook her head. "I've never been able to understand your need to protect Malik, even though he doesn't need it, until now. You love him." She stated as she ran her fingers through his long black hair.
Duke raised a dark eyebrow. "Of course I love him! He's my best friend."
Mai only shook her head. "That's not what I mean. You're *in* love with him!" She grinned, okay with the idea. Duke had actually been with Malik before Mai was, and she had shared Duke for so long that there were no hard feelings.
Duke blinked at the proclamation then snorted, "Please." He muttered, "I'm in love with you! How can I be in love with Malik?" He rolled his eyes at the idea.
Mai only smiled softly and shook her head, "The same way you can be friends with two people. The same way you can love both your parents. Duke, it's so obvious now that I think about it. Can't you see it?"
"No." Duke mumbled a little too hastily.
Mai only giggled, "I think you do. It's okay to admit it. I don't mind at all and I doubt Malik will."
Duke's green eyes suddenly widened, "No! You can't tell Malik." Mai was surprised at the fear in his voice.
"Why not?" Mai looked confused, titling her head slightly as her hair fell over her shoulder. "It might do him some good to know that someone cares about him." She pointed out.
Duke only shook his head, "Malik knows I care. But I don't think claiming to have fallen in love with him will be anything he'll welcome. He trusts me, Mai, as his friend and that's all I want to be - his friend." He blinked, "Okay, so a friend with benefits, but you get the idea."
Mai thought about this and sighed, "I suppose you're right. I wouldn't want my best friend saying he or she was in love with me either."
"Ahem." A voice interrupted from behind them, causing both teens to jump. Mr. Hiroshi stood behind the two students and he did not look pleased to have them talking in his class. "This is science class, not drama class. Now shut up and start your lab."
"Yes sir." The two mumbled and began their lab until the teacher walked away again. When they knew that he was out of hearing range, they looked at each other and began to laugh. After that they weren't able to talk because the lab was due at the end of the class, but the grins remained.
After school Duke had gone to his locker and was putting his books away, wanting to get to the orphanage as soon as he could. He had been kind of neglecting his two adopted brothers because of the entire Malik situation, but he wanted to make it up to them. He closed his locker and began to turn only to stop in his tracks. Duke glared, "Hello Joseph." He muttered unhappily.
Joey sighed, "Look Duke, how many times do I hafta apologize! I was wrong, I'm sorry! As soon as I find Malik I'll apologize to him too." He looked heartbroken and Duke felt himself give a little.
/It's not right for me to be angry with Joey, that's Malik's job. Joey's still my friend; I shouldn't be doing this to him./ Duke decided slowly. "Alright Joey, I'm sorry for acting like a jackass." Duke mumbled then smiled, "You going to the orphanage?" He wondered.
Joey's face broke out into that familiar grin, "Yeah! Wanna walk together?"
"Yeah." Duke nodded and the two of them left the school side by side. The walk was filled with talk of the day - just like normal. Duke told Joey about how him and Mai had practically blown up the science lab because of their project and Joey told Duke about how him and Tristan Taylor had traumatized the drama class that afternoon with their antics. Conversation was light and they both decided to avoid some uncomfortable topics. Until Joey's curiosity got the better of him.
"Have you heard from Malik at all?" Joey wondered softly, not wanting to upset Duke again.
The black-haired teen shook his head sadly, "No. . .and it's not Mak's thing to just run away like he did." He sighed, "I'm worried, but I know Malik can take care of himself, right?" He looked at Joey, as if to have someone confirm his thoughts.
Joey saw this, "Oh right! Mak's tough and he probably had some cash on him." The blonde nodded.
"He had his credit card." Duke voiced.
Joey laughed, "Well then, Malik's probably in the biggest most expensive penthouse sweet in the fanciest of hotels around here and he's probably livin' it up knowing that we're worried about him." It was a lie, and they both knew, but Duke understood that Joey was just trying to make him feel better. He appreciated that.
Again conversation became light and it continued to stay that way until they reached the orphanage. Once inside, the two teens separated, promising to meet at about suppertime so they could walk home together. A new woman sitting behind the desk told Joey that Seto and his brothers' were in the game room and that Yugi and Yami were in their bedroom. While Joey went into the game room, Duke made his way up the stairs to the brothers' room.
Knocking softly, Duke waited to be let in. When the door opened he looked down at a grinning Yugi. "Duke!" Yugi giggled as the small boy launched himself into the teen's arms. Duke laughed and picked the small boy up, hugging him tightly as he let himself in. "We missed you! There's only three days until Christmas and we were worried!" Yugi declared as Duke set him down beside Yami, who was sitting on the floor. Yugi's dueling deck was out and it looked as though the two of them had been in the middle of a match.
"I missed you guys too, sorry for not coming by sooner." Duke began as he sat down, "Had to make sure Malik was okay."
"And is he?" Yami wondered, looking at Duke.
The dark-haired teen shook his head, "I don't know. I haven't been able to find him."
"He's missing too?" Yugi titled his head as he sat in Duke's lap.
"Too?" Duke questioned, confused.
Yami nodded, "Bakura and Ryou are missing as well. Linda was gone when we got back from supper two days ago but she came back for about an hour before bed. We haven't seen her since and nobody will tell us anything."
Duke felt his heart drop as he heard the news. /Malik, what have you done?/
- - -
NOTES:
I had a note but I forgot what it was.
COMMENTS:
ShadowSpirit - I have been waiting oh so patiently for that Marik/Joey fic and I haven't seen an update for The Pain You Gave Me, but I'll read it as soon as I can now that I know it's been updated.
Shanii - I was writing chapter seven and I was inspired to write a fic about the time before this. Like when Malik first came to Canada and why and blah, blah, blah, I'm sure that if I do write it, you'll learn all about Marik and what he's really like ^_^ and I'm afraid I can't promise any lemons. I hate writing the bloody things.
Monkey Muffin - was that a hint to hurry up and kill Amane? =^.^=
Kaira-chan - I wondered if you knew Yami's real name. Should have known though, ne? ^_^ No, Malik hasn't revealed his other reason behind acting like a jackass, so don't worry. You'll know when he reveals it.
Person6 - Good, I wanted Malik to sound disturbed. 'Cause he is. ^_^. And I'm afraid I write angst more often than anything else. Maybe one day I'll write something not angsty.
Kyrene - Yep! Malik puts up a defense (in other words he uses his 'pharaoh' personality) to protect himself from anyone getting close. You'll find out the other reason and why soon.
To everyone who doesn't want me to kill Bakura:
WHY?! *sniffles* I've never killed him before! And I could scratch two characters off my 'hit' list this Christmas alone! *snickers*
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Bottom of Form
Comments to reviews at the end of chapter.
- - -
Tis The Season
Warnings: Christmas angst. AU. No character death. Can't I even make a character sick without everyone thinking I'm gonna off him in the next chapter? Then again, Baku's still sick. Maybe I will off him just to please so many of you. ^_^
Pairings: You'll just have to wait and see.
/ thoughts /
*italics*
- - -
Chapter Six
Duke sighed with depression as he stared at the empty desk behind him. That desk had been empty for two days, its usual occupant missing for the same length of time. Duke had tried everywhere he could think of but he'd all but given up on trying to find his best friend.
Two days ago, after the dinner disaster, Malik had left wordlessly and that had been the last anyone had ever seen of him. He hadn't even told Duke where he was going! Rishid had no idea and Malik had left his cell phone on his dresser. At least he'd had his wallet with him and that he had his credit card. The only real reason Duke had ever gotten to sleep the night before was because he knew that Malik could take care of himself.
From beyond Malik's abandoned desk, Duke realized he was being watched. He looked up into the amber eyes of one Joseph Wheeler. The same Joseph Wheeler that had started this entire mess and the same Joseph Wheeler who Duke was no longer speaking to. Duke narrowed his eyes as he turned away, but not before he caught a glimpse at the hurt look crossing Joey's face.
Normally Duke would have felt guilty for treating his friend as such, but what Joey had done was inconsiderate and just plain cruel. Of course he knew his anger wasn't going to help him any and he sighed to himself to relax. Ms. Mitsu had been speaking to the class and he realized that he had no idea what she was talking about. Looking back at the teacher he noticed she was still talking, but for one moment, her eyes focused on him and smiled in sympathy. Duke had explained to her what had happened, leaving out the part of why Malik left.
The rest of the day was relatively easy. He only had Joey in that one class so Duke didn't have to go out of his way to avoid the blonde. Mai, however, was in three of his classes and she was not impressed at his attitude, even though she understood his anger.
"You have to forgive him." Mai concluded as the two partnered up in science class for a lab. She had placed her binder by the Bunsen burner and her pretty purple eyes were regarding him intensely.
Duke wouldn't look though and he busied himself with plugging in the blasted machine. "You didn't see the look on Bakura's face. Or Ryou's for that matter! And Malik. . .after the two left, fuck Mai!" He finally growled in frustration as he looked at her. "You know how Malik never let's anything get to him? He plays pompous and arrogant?"
Mai nodded, "Of course," She rolled her eyes, "He's royalty."
"Yeah well," Duke crossed his arms in a slight pout, "He'd been stripped of his title. He wasn't playing anymore, he was being himself and that left him to weakness! He let it get to him - he had no choice!" He muttered to himself.
"Wanna explain to me a little more hun?" Mai spoke softly, seeing how upset their conversation was making Duke. "What couldn't Malik choose?"
Duke sighed, letting out the pent-up energy. "Malik had met Bakura being himself, not our pharaoh, not our god, *himself*. That's something neither you nor Joey have ever seen but he let a complete stranger see him. When Joey brought up what he'd called Ryou and Bakura, Malik couldn't hide behind his defense the way he normally does because for a few moments it didn't exist." He explained - or tried to. "We'd talked before hand and Malik agreed that he'd be himself, and he was true to his word. Now he's hurt somewhere and I don't know how to find him!"
Mai placed a calming hand on Duke's shoulder and gently squeezed it. She noticed how he trembled and she chuckled to herself as she shook her head. "I've never been able to understand your need to protect Malik, even though he doesn't need it, until now. You love him." She stated as she ran her fingers through his long black hair.
Duke raised a dark eyebrow. "Of course I love him! He's my best friend."
Mai only shook her head. "That's not what I mean. You're *in* love with him!" She grinned, okay with the idea. Duke had actually been with Malik before Mai was, and she had shared Duke for so long that there were no hard feelings.
Duke blinked at the proclamation then snorted, "Please." He muttered, "I'm in love with you! How can I be in love with Malik?" He rolled his eyes at the idea.
Mai only smiled softly and shook her head, "The same way you can be friends with two people. The same way you can love both your parents. Duke, it's so obvious now that I think about it. Can't you see it?"
"No." Duke mumbled a little too hastily.
Mai only giggled, "I think you do. It's okay to admit it. I don't mind at all and I doubt Malik will."
Duke's green eyes suddenly widened, "No! You can't tell Malik." Mai was surprised at the fear in his voice.
"Why not?" Mai looked confused, titling her head slightly as her hair fell over her shoulder. "It might do him some good to know that someone cares about him." She pointed out.
Duke only shook his head, "Malik knows I care. But I don't think claiming to have fallen in love with him will be anything he'll welcome. He trusts me, Mai, as his friend and that's all I want to be - his friend." He blinked, "Okay, so a friend with benefits, but you get the idea."
Mai thought about this and sighed, "I suppose you're right. I wouldn't want my best friend saying he or she was in love with me either."
"Ahem." A voice interrupted from behind them, causing both teens to jump. Mr. Hiroshi stood behind the two students and he did not look pleased to have them talking in his class. "This is science class, not drama class. Now shut up and start your lab."
"Yes sir." The two mumbled and began their lab until the teacher walked away again. When they knew that he was out of hearing range, they looked at each other and began to laugh. After that they weren't able to talk because the lab was due at the end of the class, but the grins remained.
After school Duke had gone to his locker and was putting his books away, wanting to get to the orphanage as soon as he could. He had been kind of neglecting his two adopted brothers because of the entire Malik situation, but he wanted to make it up to them. He closed his locker and began to turn only to stop in his tracks. Duke glared, "Hello Joseph." He muttered unhappily.
Joey sighed, "Look Duke, how many times do I hafta apologize! I was wrong, I'm sorry! As soon as I find Malik I'll apologize to him too." He looked heartbroken and Duke felt himself give a little.
/It's not right for me to be angry with Joey, that's Malik's job. Joey's still my friend; I shouldn't be doing this to him./ Duke decided slowly. "Alright Joey, I'm sorry for acting like a jackass." Duke mumbled then smiled, "You going to the orphanage?" He wondered.
Joey's face broke out into that familiar grin, "Yeah! Wanna walk together?"
"Yeah." Duke nodded and the two of them left the school side by side. The walk was filled with talk of the day - just like normal. Duke told Joey about how him and Mai had practically blown up the science lab because of their project and Joey told Duke about how him and Tristan Taylor had traumatized the drama class that afternoon with their antics. Conversation was light and they both decided to avoid some uncomfortable topics. Until Joey's curiosity got the better of him.
"Have you heard from Malik at all?" Joey wondered softly, not wanting to upset Duke again.
The black-haired teen shook his head sadly, "No. . .and it's not Mak's thing to just run away like he did." He sighed, "I'm worried, but I know Malik can take care of himself, right?" He looked at Joey, as if to have someone confirm his thoughts.
Joey saw this, "Oh right! Mak's tough and he probably had some cash on him." The blonde nodded.
"He had his credit card." Duke voiced.
Joey laughed, "Well then, Malik's probably in the biggest most expensive penthouse sweet in the fanciest of hotels around here and he's probably livin' it up knowing that we're worried about him." It was a lie, and they both knew, but Duke understood that Joey was just trying to make him feel better. He appreciated that.
Again conversation became light and it continued to stay that way until they reached the orphanage. Once inside, the two teens separated, promising to meet at about suppertime so they could walk home together. A new woman sitting behind the desk told Joey that Seto and his brothers' were in the game room and that Yugi and Yami were in their bedroom. While Joey went into the game room, Duke made his way up the stairs to the brothers' room.
Knocking softly, Duke waited to be let in. When the door opened he looked down at a grinning Yugi. "Duke!" Yugi giggled as the small boy launched himself into the teen's arms. Duke laughed and picked the small boy up, hugging him tightly as he let himself in. "We missed you! There's only three days until Christmas and we were worried!" Yugi declared as Duke set him down beside Yami, who was sitting on the floor. Yugi's dueling deck was out and it looked as though the two of them had been in the middle of a match.
"I missed you guys too, sorry for not coming by sooner." Duke began as he sat down, "Had to make sure Malik was okay."
"And is he?" Yami wondered, looking at Duke.
The dark-haired teen shook his head, "I don't know. I haven't been able to find him."
"He's missing too?" Yugi titled his head as he sat in Duke's lap.
"Too?" Duke questioned, confused.
Yami nodded, "Bakura and Ryou are missing as well. Linda was gone when we got back from supper two days ago but she came back for about an hour before bed. We haven't seen her since and nobody will tell us anything."
Duke felt his heart drop as he heard the news. /Malik, what have you done?/
- - -
NOTES:
I had a note but I forgot what it was.
COMMENTS:
ShadowSpirit - I have been waiting oh so patiently for that Marik/Joey fic and I haven't seen an update for The Pain You Gave Me, but I'll read it as soon as I can now that I know it's been updated.
Shanii - I was writing chapter seven and I was inspired to write a fic about the time before this. Like when Malik first came to Canada and why and blah, blah, blah, I'm sure that if I do write it, you'll learn all about Marik and what he's really like ^_^ and I'm afraid I can't promise any lemons. I hate writing the bloody things.
Monkey Muffin - was that a hint to hurry up and kill Amane? =^.^=
Kaira-chan - I wondered if you knew Yami's real name. Should have known though, ne? ^_^ No, Malik hasn't revealed his other reason behind acting like a jackass, so don't worry. You'll know when he reveals it.
Person6 - Good, I wanted Malik to sound disturbed. 'Cause he is. ^_^. And I'm afraid I write angst more often than anything else. Maybe one day I'll write something not angsty.
Kyrene - Yep! Malik puts up a defense (in other words he uses his 'pharaoh' personality) to protect himself from anyone getting close. You'll find out the other reason and why soon.
To everyone who doesn't want me to kill Bakura:
WHY?! *sniffles* I've never killed him before! And I could scratch two characters off my 'hit' list this Christmas alone! *snickers*
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