Thanks for reviewing! I was notified that Malik's B-Day passed! Yep, I didn't know that. I'm probably one of the only people that don't know b-days of the YGO cast. Either way... Happy belated Birthday Malik!

On a more somber note, there are thoughts of suicide in this chapter. You've been warned.

Chapter 3: In Too Deep

"Wow..." Malik gasped, looking Bakura up and down.

They had both agreed that it was best to change out of their soaked clothes and into some dry ones. Thankfully, there were garments for every kind of person imaginable within the dresser so one could easily find something to suit them.

Bakura wore a plain black long-sleeved shirt and trim jeans, and at least three belts hung around his waist.

"Like what you see?" Bakura asked, the corners of his mouth turning up.

Malik simply glowered. "Why must you turn everything I say into some sort of suggestive comment?"

Shrugging, he said, "I don't know. With you, it's fun."

Bizarrely, that was true. Being around Malik just made him feel free- something he hadn't felt in a long time. He hadn't had this much "fun" with anyone for a while. In fact, he couldn't remember the last time he had.

"At any rate, how do I look?" the blonde asked.

"Cute."

"Huh?!" Malik stammered, a crimson blush making itself ever-present on his face.

"You obviously aren't from around here, are you?" Bakura asked, cocking a brow.

Malik had dressed himself in a plain white shirt with long silky sleeves that hung to his wrists and over that was a mauve vest, with a small white rose upon it. It all wouldn't have been that bad were Malik not wearing a long purple skirt to complete it.

'I can't believe I'm living with a cross-dressing girly-boy,' the demon thought, shaking his head. Though, he had to admit, Malik looked hot in a skirt.

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" Malik demanded.

"Did I say anything was wrong?"

Malik narrowed his gaze. "You didn't have to."

"You're wearing women's clothing."

"Are you SERIOUS?!"

"Yep."

Malik was quite flustered at this point. In Heaven, everything they wore was floor-length and gown-like. That's just how angels dressed.

Sometimes... Earth could be quite confusing. Thankfully he had this human to help him.

"Well," he said hesitantly, "Why don't you pick out what I should wear...?"

Bakura shrugged, secretly liking this idea A LOT. "Very well. First, lose the shirt and vest."

Malik sighed, and unbuttoned the vest, then shook off the shirt along with it onto the floor. Malik's upper frame was slender yet slightly built and that mysterious bronze color tinted his skin and almost shined.

Bakura rummaged through the dresser drawer and finally pulled out two articles of clothing. First he handed Malik the shirt, a deep lavender, almost black, that he slipped on immediately. Next were the pants, khaki, that he slipped on next, loosing the skirt shortly after.

Stepping back, Bakura admired the masterpiece that he had helped to create.

Malik was now clothed in the dark-hued shirt that was sleeveless and cut slightly short, and the pants that were snug at the waist but baggy around the legs.

No matter how good he looked, Malik felt horrible. He had never worn pants before and they clung strangely to his knees and were slightly uncomfortable. He much more preferred the skirt.

"Hm," Bakura mused silently, "What do you say we go out for this evening?"

Malik seemed like just the person he wanted to spend his solitary day with on Earth.

And strangely, Malik felt the same.

"I'd really like that."

Jounouchi nearly bumped into Malik and Bakura as they exited the apartment.

"Whoa there," he said, stepping aside. "Oh... it's you two from the church."

Bakura visibly glared. "Yes... the church..."

Great. Now he was being associated with that dump.

Malik bowed, a sheepish grin on his face. "Please excuse my friend." He turned a warning glance on the ivory-haired demon, "He's forgotten his manners."

"Who said we were friends?" Bakura asked, blinking.

There it was! The f-word! How did he manage to run into it on earth!?

"...Aren't we?"

The look on Malik's face was truly precious. It was a mixture of hope and anxiety.

And crap, Bakura had to give in.

"Yes," he sighed. "Of course we are." At least he could tell the kid what he wanted to hear, right?

"Friends?" Jounouchi said, somewhat doubtful. "I thought you two were... together..."

All of them blinked this time.

"We are together," Malik said simply, then his face reddened. OH... together... "But only as friends!"

Bakura wanted to throw up. Who used the f-word that much?!

"Just check'n," Jounouchi said, winking, "Because you two really act like something more."

That was all he said before waving and leaving.

And of course, Malik and Bakura were in shock.

Jounouchi couldn't help but smile to himself. People together and happy had that effect on him. Maybe it was because it was the way he wished he could be. His last few relationships had ended horribly, and somehow it always ended up being HIS fault. He was always blamed for "caring too much" and "not being able to let go", but... when you care about someone... how can you care too much?

Slowly, the smile faded into a small frown. Could his life be any worse? He had moved out of his father's house about two months ago to try to finish up high school on his own, but it ended up being a bad idea. All he wanted was to show his father that he could live life on his own; that he could amount to something. Now, he was barely getting along on the paycheck that barely covered his food, apartment, and clothing expenses.

To top that off, he was single and not lovin' it.

Opening the door to his apartment room, he walked inside and threw his book bag down, shrugging his jacket onto the floor. There was a message on his answering machine, probably from Yugi, so he'd certainly have to call him back later.

But first, it was definitely time for a warm shower.

After a few minutes he had stripped and was feeling the warm droplets skimming over the lines and curves of his body. He ran his fingers through his silky hair and reach down to find the shampoo, but instead he grasped ahold of a razor.

Raising an eyebrow he mumbled "That's just... great."

At this exact moment in time, in Hell, Kaiba was watching the scene with acute fascination. Surely the idiot wasn't really thinking of killing himself.

For a moment he eyed the small object, his gaze narrowed. How easy would it be to just draw the thin blade across his wrist?

NO! He couldn't think like that! He was a happy person, or at least that's how he portrayed himself; though, he lived a depressing life, couldn't tell his friends his real feelings, and couldn't hold a relationship for more than two weeks. Suddenly the razor in his hand was feeling better and better to hold.

Kaiba, on the other hand, was growing slightly nervous. Any second now, Jounouchi would put the razor down and finish showering. Right? He'd seen the blonde contemplate death before, in more ways than one, but this was the first time he actually stopped to really contemplate it. He was now at the point of yelling 'put it down!' but that would be absurd.

Humans and demons don't mix well.

Still... Kaiba had been toying with this kid's life ever since he was a child. Making him suffer, but never too horribly, gave him this small sense of fulfillment. NO ONE messed with Jounouchi but Kaiba. It was an ownership thing. In a way, the brunette liked to think that he belonged to him. Sure, at first he did it to be mean; he didn't like the blonde at all and thought him to be nothing but an imbecilic bastard, but then... as the years passed and Jounouchi started to grow into a very handsome young man... well, Kaiba's opinion of him changed, whether he liked it or not. He sort of developed this 'liking' for him.

Who wouldn't like a kind, pure of heart blonde?

There's danger that comes from a "minute too late"...

Surely the prophecy wasn't speaking of Jounouchi though...

Suddenly Kaiba's breath caught. "One who shows kindness and pureness of heart," he repeated, a sentence from the foretelling.

Jounouchi bit his lip and lowered the blade to his wrist... surprised as hell when the doorbell rang. He shut off the water and wrapped a towel around his waist, not even bothering to dry himself, and rushed to the door.

Hopefully it would be Yugi and he'd tell him of his stupid thoughts and what he almost did.

Opening the door proved to be another story. Now standing before him, probably a head taller and standing out in the setting was a tall brunette man with burning sapphire eyes.

"...Can I help you?" he asked, still shocked by the visitor.

"What's that?" Kaiba inquired, eyes immediately darting to his wrist.

Jounouchi blinked and looked at his arm almost squeaking in surprise. Blood was trickling in a small line from a cut on his wrist. He must've nicked himself with the razor when the doorbell rang.

"Oh... I was making supper and cut myself," he lied.

Kaiba looked skeptical. "While dripping wet and dressed in only a towel? I don't think so."

Without hesitation he grabbed the surprised blonde and dragged him into the apartment.

Of course, this didn't settle well with Jounouchi. "Hey, hey! Who do you think you are? This is my apartment!"

"Listen mutt," Kaiba glared, "I'm here to help you so shut up."

Sitting down on the couch, he yanked the blonde beside him taking ahold of his wrist. Then, with kindness not expected from a demon such as he, he pulled out a cloth and began to gently wipe away the blood until none remained.

"Are you one of the neighbors I didn't know about?" Jounouchi questioned.

Kaiba placed the cloth in his pocket and sighed. What on earth had he gotten himself into? Literally... WHAT on FREAKING EARTH!? All of a sudden the reality of everything hit him. He had just come to earth for a stupid HUMAN, when he wouldn't even lift a finger for another demon.

"Um," Jounouchi swallowed hard this time, "Hello?"

Kaiba still had ahold of his hand and it was somewhat awkward. In truth, Kaiba couldn't care less. Humans really worried too much over insignificant little things like that.

Or maybe it was just that demons cared too less.

Releasing the blonde's hand, he stood facing away from him and prepared to leave, but Jounouchi, without really thinking, grasped onto his arm and stopped him.

"Wait," he said, almost pleadingly. "Who are you?"

Without looking him in the face or even turning, he answer simply, "Kaiba."

"Well I'm-"

"Jounouchi. Yes, I know."

Okay. Now the blonde was even more shocked. "How do you know who I am? And how did you know, I mean, why did you come here?" he beseeched.

Kaiba was becoming ill at ease with Jounouchi's questioning. He wasn't really sure how to explain this...

"I just..." he turned, for the first time meeting his gaze, "Had a feeling that you needed my help."

"A... feeling?"

Jounouchi was getting very confused. Too many thoughts at once. First, he's about to kill himself, then, some guy shows up at his door, patches him up, then prepares to just walk out the door?

"I don't understand..."

"What is there to understand?" Kaiba asked, growing impatient.

Idly, Jounouchi realized that a phone was ringing and his wrist stung a little. The chill in the air was made ever-present as he realized he was still only wearing a towel. He still couldn't fit it all together. Kaiba. Phone. Cold. Wrist. Kaiba...

He went to take a step forward and that was the last thing he remembered before the world went dark.

"It's the evening already?" Malik mused in silent wonder, walking back into the apartment room with Bakura in tow.

"Time flies," Bakura said, stretching and yawning.

Damn. That was another bad thing about being on earth. Both angels and demons were affected by humane needs... like sleep and food. Thank god neither of them had gotten hungry yet.

Nonetheless... Malik was kind of tired.

"Hey Bakura," he asked thoughtfully. "Am I... a nice person?"

Bakura fell silent for a moment. "Yes... Why?"

"Well, I just wanted to know," he said, avoiding his gaze. In truth, he wanted to know how good of a human he was. How weird did that sound? Yet, it was true, and for some inexplicable reason, he wanted to be good by Bakura's standards.

"How about me?" Bakura asked, face serious. "Was I okay?"

Malik nodded. "Perfect, well, good I mean. You actually toned down your wide span of vocabulary."

Bakura smirked. "And you actually aren't a hard-ass underneath all those layers of Grade-A asshole."

Malik's smile hyper-morphed into a scowl. "How dare you!"

He turned to storm off but Bakura caught him around the waist, turning him around to face him.

How strange. Their faces were inches apart. Close enough to kiss.

Bakura pulled back quickly, holding his hands behind his back as a safety precaution. His fingers were almost itching to touch the boy. Malik just stared at him as if wondering what he had to say.

"Sorry," the demon blurted out.

"For what?"

"Gah! Nothing!" he yelled, grabbing his own hair and turning away from the blonde.

Crap it! He was NOT starting to like this kid! He had a few hours before he had promised to return to hell where he was doomed to spend eternity. Lust. Lust. Lust. He repeated that word over and over in his head. That's all it had to be... all it could be. Sure, he wanted to kiss the kid, and god those lips...

He bit his thumbnail and turned slightly, facing the confused angel. Pretty eyes, pretty skin, pretty face. And no! His fingers were itching again.

Thrusting his hands in his pockets he focused his gaze on the solitary window in the small residence. Outside, the sun was just beginning to descend behind the far-off mountains.

"Would you like to watch the sun set with me?" he asked, without really thinking.

Malik was shocked for a moment, feeling butterflies in his stomach. He waited a few moments for some kind of snide retort from the ivory-haired demon... but when none came, he was relieved.

Still, something unnerved him. Rarely did he get butterflies in his stomach around anyone. In fact, the last time he had was when he had a small crush on Yami (everyone seemed to at one time in their 'life'). Convincing himself that it was just anxiety, he decided to answer the question instead of standing there like a fool.

"Of course."

They walked silently and took a seat on the couch that sat before the single window and watched as the sun made it's slow descent. It was beautiful. Or, maybe it was more correct to say that Malik was. The sun's fading rays bounced off his skin and hair almost illuminating it, but Bakura was torn from his thoughts as he noticed the blonde's repeated yawns.

"You know..." he said slowly. "You can lean on me... if you want..."

Malik turned a questioning glance on him but for a moment, then smiled appreciatively.

"That's very kind of you."

Scootching over slightly, he leaned onto Bakura's side, and the demon moved his arm so that it came around to rest on the angel's side. Both of them had a hard time keeping their eyes open after that, and soon both were fast asleep.

Regardless of what either thought, they were both getting in too deep.

--

Morning came... and the two remained as they were, still sleeping, though their positions had changed. Bakura was now almost fully on the couch and Malik had slipped down so his head rested in the ivory-haired demon's lap. It was an oddly suggestive, yet strangely peaceful scene.

Both had broken their rule. They were supposed to have both left before the sun even rose again, but it was now almost reaching noon.

Which meant one thing:

A particular choir angel and most wicked demon were soon going to arrive on earth to retrieve their friends and bring them home, and the last thing they expected... was to meet.

---TBC---

I was re-reading this chapter and I realized that Kaiba is practically watching Jou shower. Ah well, I would too. The next chapter is the one I've been dying to write. Thanks for reading. Please review.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

AmethystRoze