Chapter Thirteen

"No…way."

"Ingenious, isn't it?" Bakura asked, smirking as he leaned against a stairway.

Malik blew more bangs out of his eyes, which were widening at his surroundings. "You're kidding me, aren't you, Baku?"

"No, I'm not," Bakura smiled, cocking an eyebrow. "I thought you'd be pleased."

Malik flashed him a sinister, mischievous look. "And what if the Pharaoh finds us here?"

"What, doing this?" asked Bakura innocently as he swiftly trapped Malik against the stone walls, the bulge beneath his pants slipping pass Malik's forcefully. Malik moaned, an obvious smirk on his face.

"I think the Pharaoh will be pissed."

"If we don't piss first," Bakura smirked, his lips passing Malik's, "if you get my meaning."

"Baku!" Malik exclaimed indignantly. "How is it that you can turn anything into an innuendo!" Nevertheless, Malik slipped his fingers up Bakura's chest under his shirt, kneading in a rather playing manner. Bakura moaned, tongue slipping out of the corner of his mouth.

"I'm…ambitious, that way?" Bakura tried, smirking. He gave Malik a sardonic look. "You're no better yourself, you know -AH!" Suddenly, without realizing, Malik had managed to slip his fingers against Bakura's privates, causing the yami to shudder and twist at the jolt of pleasure.

"You were saying?" Malik asked teasingly. "I'm getting pretty bored with being on the bottom, you know."

Bakura scowled, hating the fact that Malik had caused him to react in such a way. But he couldn't blame himself, though. It was Malik, after all. Sexy, cute, adorable, mischievous Malik. Hard to ignore.

"Aww, does Malik want to be a little stronger?" Bakura teased, leaning in. Laughing, Malik crushed their lips together, his tongue dominating first as it twisted and curled around the thief's. Bakura instantly tried to regain control, but through the distraction, Malik had thrusted Bakura onto the ground, and was ontop of him in an instant. Bakura, however, was putting up a hell of a fight. He squirmed and kicked and twisted, and…

…bucked.

Both of them hissed into the kiss as length met length. Smirking, Bakura slid his hands inwards towards Malik's inner thighs, kneading and slipping them upwards until his fingers met Malik's arousal through his pants. Smirking still, Bakura then began to massage right where the length ended, causing Malik to break the kiss and gasp in surprise.

"Bakura!"

"Gods, now I know where Marik gets his horniness from," the bandit laughed, as he increased the pressure on Malik's privates. "This ought to teach you that I'm in control when these things happen, Malik."

"You're just as bad as Marik is!" Malik moaned indignantly, arching his back as Bakura outlined his length through his pants. "Bakura!"

"Yes, Malik?" asked Bakura toyingly. "Ready to surrender?" Pointedly, he pressed hard against Malik's arousal, causing the hikari above to pant and squirm, despite the determined look on Malik's face.

Smirking and panting, Malik looked back down, a sneaky glint in his eyes as he pressed his palms on Bakura's chest. Swiftly he ran his hands down the sides of Bakura's torso, slipping under the shirt and trailing back upwards to the thief's chest, playing with the sensitive spots on there. Bakura gasped, seething, as he pressed harder against Malik's arousal, competing with the light for more pleasure.

Laughing, Malik leaned in; his limp bangs sweeping pass Bakura's eyes.

"No."

Bakura smirked. "I like it when you're rebellious."

Within a matter of seconds, Malik's pants were discarded, as well as Bakura's shirt. Within a matter of minutes, neither of them was in their attire any longer, and was taking in each other's heat.

"I'll break down your defenses first," Malik smirked, running his fingers up and down Bakura's neck.

The thief smirked. "I'm more dirtier than you are, Malik."

"I gathered," Malik replied, instantly leaning down to seal his lips on Bakura's neck. He lapped against the milky skin first, smirking when Bakura began to shudder, as he ran his tanned fingers up and down Bakura's sides. However, Bakura had plans of his own that clearly did make him a lot dirtier than Malik.

He had slipped his fingers pass Malik's arousal, sending the light above him into a pleasurable frenzy. However, he felt Malik smirk into his neck, before the Egyptian slipped downwards.

Length slipped past length again, and this time both of them hissed and reared back. Malik, upon arching, managed to drag his length up Bakura's, causing both of them to shudder again. Both of them were biting their lips, an internal struggle to not scream their lovers' name.

Panting, Bakura gasped for more breath as his senses overloaded with intimate passion. Instincts yearning for more, Bakura bucked upwards, causing the light above him to gasp sharply. Malik pressed his hands down on Bakura's hips to control the thief from bucking again, and swiftly maneuvered his length to forcefully slip pass Bakura's.

The thief gasped again, nails scratching against the floor as he desperately tried his best to control the jolts of pleasure that were sending his senses erratic. Malik's grip on him was weak though, and the thief managed to swiftly arch back, driving Malik crazy with his attempts.

Upon instinct, Bakura licked his fingers and swiftly dragged them down Malik's length.

Malik gasped sharply, eyes widening at the unfamiliar cold feel against his length, before Bakura swiftly turned them around, so that Malik was on his back. Bakura's fingers than began to play themselves on Malik's length, sending Malik's senses whirling into intimate passion beyond imagination.

Taking his chance, Bakura kissed his shaking lover passionately on the lips, allowing the Keeper to regain energy.

"Say it, Malik," Bakura whispered. "Say my name and I will make you mine."

Malik gritted his teeth, gasping for breath as Bakura trailed his tongue down his jaw.

"Say it Malik…" Bakura whispered again. "I love you so much, Malik. Tell me you want to be mine and I will give you everything I have to offer!"

One final slip of the thief's arousal was all it took.


Somewhere else in the same soul room…

"Did you hear something, Yami?" Yugi asked, blinking. Yami blinked also, eyes narrowing suspiciously as he looked around in his maze like soul room.

"I thought I heard someone call out 'Bakura…'" Yugi mused, wiping sweat off his forehead.

Shrugging, Yami returned to his present 'game'. He smiled down at his beautiful aibou, crimson eyes deepening with desire.

"I don't think it's anything," Yami said softly. "Now…where were we?"

"You were about to enter …"

"Oh yes."


Sighing wistfully, Malik huddled closer to his lover, wrapping his arms around Bakura's chest.

"No matter how many times we do it," he yawned, "it always feels new every time."

"Trust me, I know," Bakura smirked, kissing the Keeper on the forehead. His normally cold brown eyes had softened to a desirable adoration during their lovemaking. "You're so beautiful, it's so hard to resist."

"You are too," Malik smiled, kissing Bakura softly on the lips. For once, Bakura did not speed things up, and instead, returned the kiss passionately.

"I can just imagine the pharaoh's reaction if he ever finds us like this."

Malik smirked. "I can't believe you actually transferred a piece of our souls in his Puzzle…"

Bakura smirked. "Anything for you, Malik."

Malik smiled, leaning his head on Bakura's collarbone. "It's so wonderful," Malik breathed serenely, "for you to be here with me…next to me…it almost makes me wish I could stay here forever."

"You don't have to," Bakura said softly, equally sincere. He looked at the Keeper in his arms. "I promise you, Malik, I will bring us back to the living world. You and I will be together forever, despite the sacrifices it takes."

"You still think you can destroy Marik?" Malik asked. "But Ryou…"

"Forget my hikari for a moment, Malik," admonished Bakura softly. "I want to destroy Marik with everything I have. I wish him nothing but ill will and torment, and I will go all the lengths to do it for you." He kissed Malik's lips softly. "I love you."

Malik smiled, returning the kiss. He liked the softer side of Bakura. In truth, it was a rare side, but a soft side none-of-the-less, that made Malik smile and yearn to be in Bakura's arms.

As though reading his mind, the tomb raider drew his arms around the Egyptian.

"Comfortable?"

"Mn hmn," Malik murmured, nuzzling into Bakura's chest. "I love you, Baku."

"I love you too, Malik."


The next time Malik awoke, Bakura was still fast asleep. Yawning, Malik sat up, a little surprised to see that the thief was not disturbed by Malik's ascend. The Keeper smirked. Well then, this simply proved that Malik DID tire Bakura out.

Stretching, Malik got up, grabbing his pants and slipping them on. When Bakura still did not stir, Malik decided to take a look around the maze. The door to the Pharaoh's memory had to be around somewhere…

Sighing, Malik began his search. As he looked back, he saw Bakura's sleeping figure in the darkness of the Shadows. The thief's face was softened and innocent in his sleep. Malik smiled to himself. If only Bakura was more like that when he was awake.

Thinking about Bakura's sleeping face reminded Malik considerably of Ryou. The Keeper frowned. He hadn't had much chance to talk to Ryou; perhaps if he did, Ryou would give in and allow Bakura to destroy Yami no Malik. It was certainly a possibility. And since Bakura's abuse didn't change Ryou's mind, perhaps Malik could use the tactic of reasoning with his friend. He doubted Ryou really cared for Yami no Malik anyways. Who would?

Sitting down upon a old, crumbling staircase, Malik frowned deep in concentration, focusing his energy on finding his link with Ryou. When he had controlled Ryou the last time, he had left an essence of him inside; this could prove useful if he needed to talk to Ryou secretly.

After a few minutes' worth of straining and concentrating, Malik managed to finally break through the soul room of the Puzzle, and connect with that of Ryou's. He looked around, smiling softly to himself at Ryou's practical, soft atmosphere of his soul room. His walls were pastel shades of blue and white, and on ivory desks were monster world pieces and half-finished wooden dolls. Oak drawers and shelves lined the room, spilled with paper and homework, books and paint. Malik turned around and stared at the door. It was an oak door also, with beautiful furnishings carved into it, its design as though homemade. Malik leaned in further, examining the door with its heavenly rich finish. He outlined the carvings.

Yes. It was homemade. No doubt Ryou himself had carved these divine etches into his door.

Malik looked around, craning for some signs as to the outside world. He didn't dare open the door to the soul room unless Ryou was asleep, lest drawing attention to the Keeper. Frowning once again with concentration, Malik focused hard on listening to the sounds that Ryou was listening to, sharing Ryou's ears. He could not see from Ryou's eyes, in case Marik was around.

What he heard startled him out of his trance and he literally fell back onto Ryou's soul room bed.

"Marik….! No, not now! Marik…!"

"Aww, but you're so irresistible, little Ryou! Come on, just for me?"

"But Marik…."

"No one's here to see us. Come on. Do it for me?"

"Marik, I …..aaaahhhhhhh!"

There was a silence, and Malik could actually hear Ryou's heavy breathing, his moans of pleasures. And, uncharacteristically, Malik turned apple red.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?"

Another gasp.

"No….no it wasn't, Mariku."

Malik, if possible, turned into a deeper, darker shade of red.

Moans of pleasures and gasps of passion filled Ryou's soul room, and Malik simply sat there, eyes wide, every second his face turning a deeper shade of crimson.

Sufficiently, Malik shut his audio link off, in hopes that his face would not combust when Ryou was finally done.


After what seemed like hours, Malik gathered up the nerve to try again. He prodded gently against the audio link, hoping that this time it was not going to be filled with passionate cries and moans of longing.

"Did I hurt you, Ryou?" came Marik's voice, rather concerned. "You seem so tired."

"Just a little bit," Ryou admitted. "You really did tire me out, Mariku."

Malik could almost hear the smile in Ryou's voice.

"You won't let anything happen to me, will you, Marik?"

"How many times have we had this conversation?" Marik asked, his voice exasperated. Frowning, Malik realized that Marik's voice was slightly different. Slightly more…human? "Of course I'm not going to, Ryou. Bakura's gone. I'm not going to let anything happen to you."

"I know," Ryou whispered. "I just…I really don't want to be alone without you."

"You never will," Marik admonished softly. "Now come on, go to sleep. If you keep on asking me the same question over and over again, I swear to Ra I'm going to turn into a softie."

Ryou giggled. "Sometimes it's nice to have you so soft…"

Malik could almost see the smirk on Marik's lips. "But you like me rough, don't you, Ryou? Like this?"

Suddenly, Ryou jerked back with a cry of pleasure.

"Marrriiiikkkkk…!."

Marik laughed.

"I love you, Ryou."

Ryou smiled.

"I love you too, Marik."

This time, Malik turned pale.


Malik waited for yet another few hours, before he finally felt safe enough to communicate with his friend. Hesitantly, he opened the door of Ryou's soul room, and looked out to the swirling masses of purple, blue and black.

Closing his eyes, Malik summoned for the other Light's presence, calling for Ryou's soul. Within a matter of minutes, Ryou's soul had appeared on his bed, snuggling close and looking quite happy. Sighing, Malik gently prodded at Ryou's form, until the paler Light awakened.

"Malik?" Ryou uttered out, blinking his wide eyes. "Malik? Is that you?"

"Yes," Malik nodded, sitting on the bed as Ryou fought to sit up. Malik frowned as Ryou winced. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Ryou assured, checking under his shirt for his injury. "It's just Bakura's bruise…"

Malik frowned. "He didn't hurt you too bad, did he?"

Ryou shook his head. "Nope. Well, Marik took care of most of it…"

Malik's eyes widened so large, you could recall them to be like lavender saucers. "Marik took care of you?"
Ryou blinked, before his own eyes grew large. Sheepishly, he hunched a bit, curling into himself timidly. "Umn…yeah."

Malik leaned forward, analyzing Ryou's chocolate orbs. "You're not kidding me? You're not pulling on my leg?"

Ryou frowned also. "Why would I do that?"

The Keeper's frown grew even deeper. "Because it's MARIK, Ryou. He doesn't care for anyone. He doesn't care for anyone but himself. "

The paler boy's frown also grew deeper as well. "Malik…" Averting his gaze, Ryou frowned at the bed sheets, his lips forming into an unmistakable-

"-Ryou. You're pouting."

"I am not!" Ryou said indignantly. He huffed, staring back up at Malik, with a serious look in his eyes. "Malik…do you…do you really want to kill Marik?"

The Egyptian boy sighed, turning away, focusing his eyes on any object the room withheld. Just as long as it distracted him from the pained look in Ryou's eyes.

"Ryou," Malik said softly. "Let me ask you this first. Do you love Marik?"
Ryou's frown softened a little bit, but his lips were still locked in a suspicious pout.

"Do you, Ryou?"

Ryou bowed his head, his white bangs shielding his face from view, as he fiddled absently with the bed sheets.

"Yes."

Malik looked back up, staring at Ryou with an apprehensive look in his eyes. "Ryou. You're really not joking? Marik didn't scare you into saying it, did he? Because whatever Marik did to you, Ryou, Bakura and I will promise to help you. You don't have to be afraid to admit your true feelings to us."

Ryou sighed, his face falling into a placid expression.

"I'm not lying, Malik," Ryou whispered softly. He looked up, chocolate eyes glistening with tears. "I know it's wrong to love Marik. I know it is, because of how he is and how he's treated you. But Malik, can't we give him a second chance? Can't we?"

"Give him a second chance?" Malik repeated. "You're kidding me! He almost killed me, Ryou! Do you think he deserves a second chance for that?"

Shoulders slumping, Ryou curled up instinctively, staring with fake interest at his feet.

"Ryou." Malik forced his voice to be softer. "Come on, Ryou. He tried to kill me. He killed my father. He almost killed Rishid! How can he be forgiven for that?"

There was a tense silence, before Ryou answered. When he did, his voice was quiet, sad, regretful.

"Bakura almost killed me," he whispered. "Many times. And every time he did, I forgave him." Ryou sadly tugged at his shirt, revealing a rather nasty purple bruise that had formed over his ribs. "And Marik…Marik helped me afterwards. He saw this, and he tried to wash it and heal it." Ryou looked back at the ground, avoiding Malik's gaze. "Everyone deserves a second chance, Malik. Don't they?"

These words withered Malik's protest into silence, as the Egyptian raked his eyes over Ryou's lithe little form.

"But…" Malik tried, his voice coming out rather raspy. "Ryou…at least Bakura cares for you! I mean, I know he's really rough and he can be evil sometimes, but Ryou, at least he didn't try to kill you! He cares!"

Ryou gave the bed a sad look.

"I know he means well," he said delicately.

Biting his lip, Malik scratched the back of his head worriedly, quite unsure as how to rebuttal Ryou's point.

"Well…look," Malik tried again, "Bakura's not as bad as you think. After Marik's gone, I promise Bakura will be better. I promise. He'll no longer have to worry about Marik, and he can focus more on caring over you! And I'll be there to help both of you!"

"Malik," Ryou said gently, "I know you mean well. I never thought Bakura was bad. But Malik, you can't force yourself to believe that Bakura will be nicer to me after Marik is gone. He might, but Malik…" Ryou trailed off, looking into his companion's eyes, "…he'll have you to think about everyday."

Malik sighed heavily, giving Ryou a fretful glance, before raising his legs to perch his feet on the bed.

"I just wish I can give Marik the second chance he deserves," Ryou explained, giving Malik a sad smile. "I know…I know you and Bakura will be very happy together. Bakura never cared this much for anyone else."

"He cares for you!" Malik said automatically. Ryou gave a far sadder smile. To Malik, it seemed so sad, so mourning, that it was almost bitter.

"I'm sure he does," Ryou said quietly.

Immediately, Malik felt guilty. He couldn't bear to look at Ryou any longer. So instead, he raked his gaze along that of the soul room of his companions.

On the ivory table, was an unfinished wooden figure. Malik squinted a bit, trying his best to see the object. It seemed to be a small miniature of a person, with a muscular build and spiky hair…

…and next to the unfinished figurine, was a rose.

"Oh," Ryou said quietly, more to himself. He quickly got off the bed, wincing at his bruise as he picked up the figurine, smiling brightly as he did so. "I should finish this soon…"

Malik frowned. His heart almost wrenched in despair at Ryou's beaming smile as the lighter hikari began to stroke the miniature with affection.

"Do you think Marik will like this?" Ryou asked, giving Malik such a hopeful look that Malik did not have the heart to say no.

"I'm…I'm sure he would…it looks like..," Malik felt his throat constrict. He mentally slapped himself, as more guilt swept his insides. He didn't think Ryou would be too pleased to know that Bakura had made himself an exact same copy…except with needles in the most painful of anatomies in place.

"Looks like what?" Ryou prompted, eyes wide and curious.

"Looks like…looks really nice," Malik said lamely. "I'm sure Marik would like it," Malik said weakly, lying through his teeth.

Ryou gave him such a happy smile that Malik longed to bury his face into a pillow and never look up again.

"I hope so!" Ryou said, smiling fondly. "I mean…I haven't gotten anything for him yet, I mean…he's done so much for me already…"

"He…has?" Malik said, his face barely resisting the urge to crumple up in disgust.

"Yes!" Ryou assured, nodding his head. He picked up the rose from the ivory desk, and sniffed at it happily. "He gave me this…"

Malik blinked, eyes widening. "Really?"
"Yeah," Ryou said, pleased that Malik had a different expression than that of contempt.

However, it was short lived when Malik suddenly frowned.

"What else did he do for you?"

Ryou gave his friend a small smile. "I can barely even count!"

Malik's eyelashes fluttered as he blinked repeatedly in disbelief.

"Example?"

"He…nursed my wounds," Ryou said, thinking back, "the ones on my back, anyways…he saved me from falling off the blimp, he cared for me when I fainted, he never left my side when I was sick, he got me this rose, he tried to make me feel better…"

"…how did he try to make you feel better?" Malik prodded.

At this, Ryou turned into a furious shade of pink, giving Malik a sheepish smile.

"Umn…."

Malik's eyes widened. "And you…you actually …"

"I gave myself willingly!" Ryou explained hastily. "I did, I really did, he didn't make me do anything I didn't want…!"

"Ryou…" Malik sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Are you sure Marik's not controlling you or anything?"

Ryou frowned, shaking his head. "No. Don't think so. Why would he anyways?"

Malik shrugged, but looked back up at Ryou's glistening eyes. He sighed again, this time to himself, before giving Ryou a small smile.

"You…you really care for him, Ryou?" asked Malik.

Ryou nodded. "I do."

Sighing again, Malik stood up, before he laid a hand on Ryou's shoulder. Ryou blinked up at him curiously. Malik couldn't help but inwardly chuckle. Ryou had always acted differently towards him. To Bakura, he was quiet, weak, hesitant. To Marik, well, supposedly, he was in love. To Malik, however, Ryou was a lot more practical, a lot more understanding, and a lot more bold. Malik suspected this would've been the Ryou before Bakura broke him entirely.

"Well…" Malik started. "I guess…if you really do care for him…Ryou, I want the best for you. You know that, right?"

"Of course I do, Malik," Ryou said, smiling.

Malik gave his comrade a smile of his own. "Well…if staying with Marik will make you happy, then I guess…"

He stopped, noticing the sad look in Ryou's eyes. And he knew exactly what was Ryou thinking that was making the snowy-haired Light to feel guilty.

Malik took a step closer, locking a firm gaze with Ryou's chocolate orbs.

"I won't hurt Marik," Malik said firmly. "I'll try my best to persuade Bakura to do so either. But Ryou, you can't help it if Bakura still wants to kill Marik. It's in his nature."

"I know…"

Malik gave his friend a small smile.

"Ryou…I promise I will do all that I can to stop Bakura from killing Marik. I know you've had so many things taken away from you in your life, and I don't want to be the one who takes Marik away."

Ryou nodded, smiling with tears in his eyes. "Malik…thank you so much."

Malik took both Ryou's hands into his. "No problem."

The Egyptian boy blinked when he felt a fine trembling in his hands. He looked down at Ryou's pale, porcelain hands inquiringly, before suddenly his friend had leapt into the air and brought him tight into a hug.

"Oh Malik, thank you…" Ryou blubbered, stuffing his face into Malik's chest. Malik blinked hesitantly for a moment, before patting Ryou's back.

"It's….it's okay…?"

Ryou made a small sniffing noise. "I know how much Bakura means to you, Malik. I really do. I really don't want to be the one to break you two apart." Sniffing again, Ryou released his embrace, staring into Malik's eyes. "Malik…if Bakura ever comes back, Marik is sure to try to kill him. You have no idea how much Marik hates Bakura."

"I can guess," Malik said dryly. Ryou smiled.

"But Malik…oh, Malik, I really wish this can end up happily," Ryou breathed. "But if both Bakura and Marik hate each other so much that they want to kill each other-"

"-well," Malik sighed, giving Ryou a sad look. "One of us has to make sacrifices, then."

"No," Ryou said, shaking his head firmly. "I'll talk to Marik. I'll try to see if I can stop him from killing Bakura. I can't bear to see you suffering because of me."

"I wouldn't be-"

"You would," Ryou insisted. "Bakura loves you, Malik. I know he does! Even though, despite all the pain he's put me though, I can't help but care for him, Malik! I know he loves you! I know he does! And I know he loves you back!" Ryou gave his friend a sad smile. "I promise I'll try to persuade Marik otherwise. I'm sure I could."

For once, throughout the entire conversation, Malik's eyes lit up in hope.

"Do you really think you can, Ryou?" Malik asked, truly concerned. "Marik's hard to persuade, he might be even worse than Bakura…"

"He won't hurt me," Ryou said, nodding. "He hasn't hurt me since he's met me. Never. Never intentionally, anyways. Bakura's done more in a week than my entire time with Marik. He won't hurt me."

"You sure?" Malik asked worriedly.

"Bakura loves you," Ryou whispered. "And since he does, he will never hurt you, Malik. And Marik loves me."

Malik blinked.

"He does, Malik. Marik loves me. And he will never hurt me."

Slowly, Malik nodded. Both of the Lights gave each other a bright smile, before engulfing each other in a brotherly, tight hug.

"Thank you so much, Malik."

"Thanks, Ryou."


Finally updated. No, this won't be like, Malik x Ryou either. I like that pairing in terms of shonen-ai not yaoi. So they're having a brotherly relationship here. Which is great! Light against Dark! Woohoo!

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