AN: The references I make to Bakura's voice are referencing his Japanese voice. I think it's really sexy. And, also, I'd like to apologize in advance for the awkward sentences, abuse of italics, and crappy writing in general. I'm sorry it's so short! Thanks to everyone who reviewed the prologue and to Freddie Mercury for giving me inspiration at completely inappropriate times! ^_^

Chapter One: Fascination (In Which There is Sexual Tension)

"What do you want?" a glaring Malik Ishtar asked.

The automatic door to his room closed with a whizz.

"If the others see us together, they might expect something."

Bakura kept his usual sharp expression, but underneath the cold and calculating eyes, he was grinning like the maniac he was.

"Come here," he said, trying to lower his landlord's voice, "I want to see them."

The Egyptian boy growled, thinking the question to be dirty, "What the fuck do you want to see?" and fought to keep his voice low. "I'm not here to play games." he warned.

"H-heh... your scars. On your back." Malik looked like he was about to interrupt, but the other quickly cut in with "-Yes, I know about them. And I want to see them."

The youngest Ishtar raised his eyebrows at this and scoffed, turning his head. "Huh! Not until you hold up your end of the bargain!" He whipped his head back around, purple eyes narrowed. "Why do you want to see them, anyway? It's not like you'll be able to read them."

"Maybe not," (this was a lie) "but perhaps they... fascinate me." there was a dangerous hint in his voice.

Malik turned his back again. "I'm tired of this nonsense. Leave me to prepare for the duel tomorrow."

The pale spirit lifted his shirt over his head, exposing his handsome upper body.

The youngest Ishtar stopped in his tracks, suddenly angry. "I told you to-"

The thief also pulled out a knife.

It was when Malik turned around, furious, that he noticed it, and willed himself to calm down: the gorgeous chest and stomach were marred, striped with pink and red...

Too straight to have been anything other than blatant self-injury.

This very secretly piqued his interest.

The manipulative teen chose his words carefully, but let there be no mistake- his tone did not waver as he stared at the spirit before him.

"Punishing your host, I see?"

"... Not always. My landlord knows better than to defy me."

A sadistic smirk,

"Now come here, Malik Ishtar..."

a heavy pause,

"show me all of the tortures that you secretly lavish."

AN: HAHAHA, I LEFT YOU ON A CLIFFHANGER. TAKE THAT, THIEFSHIPPING COMMUNITY. WHO IS TOP NOW? Don't worry, what comes next is on the way. *shot* Also, sorry again for... this fic's existence. XD Please let me know if there are any errors, and I'd love to hear all the feedback you have to offer! ^_^