Atem woke the next morning, a headache splitting his vision in two. Swallowing thickly, he looked to his bedmate...and his throat closed painfully. He knew it wouldn't be Yugi, but his mind...his evil, disgusting, traitorous mind, made him hope for a moment. It was predawn, but even in that darkness, Seto's body could not be confused with Yugi's.
Atem then swallowed guiltily. He was sitting there, being upset, while his best friend lay in the bed with him. His best friend, whom was in love with him, yet set those feelings aside to be everything Atem needed...a sounding board, a sympathetic ear, his right hand man. Sighing, Atem got up slowly. Slipping out quietly, he went to Isis to get some herbs, then slipped into his room to take a bath.
That was the wrong thing to do, as some of Yugi's items were still there. Going into the bathroom, Atem drew a bath, then sat in it, letting the tears flow freely. He missed his Yugi. He didn't know what he was going to do.
After several minutes...at least a half hour, Atem's mind started healing from the hangover and started compartmentalizing what had happened and what he needed to do. Nothing was more important than Egypt. He would have to rule Egypt better. And...he would have to take Zorc out. It was Zorc's fault that his world went to shit. He may not be able to get Yugi back, but he could take out the reason he lost him.
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Zorc and Akeifa were strolling through the shadows, Zorc's snake Siana slithering beside him in the predawn. Looking over the palace again, Zorc pointed out weaknesses, Akeifa nodding in assent. Nothing was said, but nothing had to be in this decidedly strange relationship. Akeifa and Zorc had been together...eight years...Akeifa counted in his mind. Zorc unquestionably saved the bunny brothers from a life in the streets. Akeifa cut his eyes to Zorc when Zorc wasn't looking and sighed quietly. He had no idea if he was "in love" with Zorc...nothing could be categorized that easily with Zorc. However, he was Zorc's...that much he knew. He had no idea if Zorc had any emotions towards him besides possession. However, he and his brothers were safe, the sex was great, and they had a comfortable, stable life in the odd little dysfunctional family they had. Sure, he got punished sometimes, but was it really punishment if he liked it? He wouldn't risk the peace they had for anything. If it wasn't broke, why fix it, right?
Zorc motioned his head to their home. Akeifa nodded in assent and followed quietly, wondering how long it would take Yami to finish his mission.
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Yami looked at Yugi. Yugi smiled up at him sweetly. Yami was looking seriously at Yugi. "What, Yami?" He asked, lifting his head. They were still curled up in the house hours later, just enjoying being together.
Sighing, Yami stood, helping Yugi up. "I have to go home, Yugi. But I don't want you to come with me. If you come with me, Zorc will think he's won and will attack Atem. I don't want to destroy Atem, because I know how much he means to you. But I've got to figure something out. I don't give a flying sandcat about Zorc...but I care about the rest of my family there. Akeifa, Bakura, Ryou, and Marik. If I come back saying that I am aborting my mission because I fell in love with you, Zorc will kill me. And he probably can. Having just found you, I'd rather not lose you." Smiling gently, he kissed Yugi's nose.
Yugi looked up, eyes worried. "You're right that I don't want anything bad to happen to 'Temmie. But I don't want anything bad to happen to our family, either." Yami smiled at Yugi's acceptance of his family so easily. Just another reason he loved this angel. "We need to figure out a way to defeat Zorc. Unfortunately, I only know one person who can help with that, and he would like to kill me on sight."
Yami bristled. "Then I will kill him. No one will hurt my Aibou." Yami's eyes were going dark.
"Yami, stop." Yugi commanded gently. "It's Seto. He's loved Atem for years...ever since I was in the picture. I can only assume that he wants to kill me now that I have hurt Atem so badly."
Yami calmed down a bit, nodding his head in understanding. "Perhaps, in a day or two, I can go and speak to Seto. Let me go get you some food to keep you here. I want you to stay here, and stay safe. This is my house, Zorc does not know of it. I will come check on you, but promise me you will not leave, Aibou."
Yugi nodded in agreement. Yami smiled, kissing Yugi's forehead, and left for market, bringing back way too much food. "I didn't know exactly what you would like." Yami grinned sheepishly.
Yugi smiled. "It's perfect." Kissing Yami he smiled. "You better go." Yami nodded regretfully, leaving through the window. Sitting down on the bed, Yugi went through the bag, putting up the food and smiling as a couple of reading scrolls and a couple of games were in the bag, to help Yugi pass the time. Yugi smiled. "You're perfect." He whispered, thinking of Yami and smiling.
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Malik woke with a start. Looking around, he remembered he was in Ryou's room, and he was going to get to see Marik early in the morning. Ryou had arranged it with Thief. Shaking his head to clear the cobwebs, he looked around. Ryou was asleep in his bed after they had a brief argument about how Malik wouldn't be sleeping so he didn't need a bed and Ryou was much softer and more fragile and needed to sleep.
Malik smiled softly. Ryou was so cute, like a delicate doll. He had always had a soft spot for Ryou...Ryou was so calming in comparison to Malik's life. But he knew...well, up until last night he knew, that Marik was interested in Ryou, so he had put any attraction in the back of his mind. Now...however...Marik was with Bakura, so heh...free game since Marik never technically told Malik he liked Ryou, nor had he ever dated Ryou.
Crawling up the bed, Malik lay down facing Ryou, who was sleeping on his side in just sleeping pants. Watching Ryou's face as he slept, Malik couldn't help himself. He leaned down...and tickled Ryou on the sides with his fingers. Giggling Ryou gasped, waking up, trying to protect his sides from Malik's fingers. "Mal...Malik...stop! Please!" Ryou squeaked out from giggles.
Finally, when Ryou's face was red and he was out of breath from giggling, Malik quit. As Ryou caught his breath, he smiled up at Malik. He had known Malik ever since he became friends with Marik. He always felt safe with Malik, probably because he knew how protective of his brother Malik was. Perhaps that was why he wasn't scared earlier when Malik "kidnapped" him. Sighing after catching his breath, he grinned up at Malik. "It's good to see you again, Malik."
Malik scrunched his eyebrows in confusion. "It's only been a couple of hours."
Ryou giggled. "No, I mean it's nice to see the Malik I grew up with. The crazy, funny one."
Malik smiled, a slight manic glint in his eyes. "Yep, I'm crazy." Actually looking serious for a moment, he looked seriously at Ryou. "Promise that my brother will be okay?"
Ryou smiled up at Malik. Taking Malik's hand, he put it over his chest. "Feel that? With all that I am, with every beat of my heart, I promise Marik will be okay. He is my dearest friend, I won't let anything happen to him."
Malik nodded. "I believe you." Leaning down, he gently kissed Ryou's lips. "Gotta go, Zorc is on his way back. Oh, by the way...when I come back, I want a date with you." Grinning maniacally, he slipped out, escaping the hideout moments before Zorc and Akeifa came back in. Ryou sat, his hand to his lips, a small smile gracing his features.
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Bakura sat awake, looking at Marik, who was curled in a ball sleeping next to him. Yep, Marik was cute and Bakura was keeping him. Bakura had already moved all of Marik's items into Bakura's room. He didn't know if he was ready for this little bronze bundle, but he didn't really have a choice now. What was said about him was true. He was loyal. He didn't really fuck around...there was a level of commitment, even subconsciously, before he shared his bed with anyone. Which means he should have known he liked the Tombkeeper when they fucked in the bathroom. But his dick was in control then, so Bakura hadn't had time to analyze. Looking down at Marik, he kissed Marik's temple and swore, with all of his being, that Marik would be kept safe, or Bakura would die trying.
