Bakura was not in the hideout with Mahes. He was off stealing...well, something. He hadn't offered Mahes much in the way of explanation.
It had been years since the last time Bakura had gone off on his own to steal. Perhaps he had avoided doing so because Mahes had made it quite clear, way back when they were children, that he didn't appreciate it.
But this time, Bakura had been quite insistent about going on his own. It was obvious that Bakura hadn't been in the mood to answer questions. And Mahes hadn't been in the mood to argue. At least Bakura had shown the courtesy of telling Mahes that he was going. He figured he could ask his questions when Bakura got back.
Of course, Mahes had no idea when Bakura would be back. He supposed that, if Bakura had known himself, he would have told him.
And Bakura had been gone for what seemed to Mahes to be a very long time, though it was probably only a few days. Mahes tried not to worry, and failed quite spectacularly in this endeavor.
For the first time in a long time, he actually thought about what it would be like if Bakura wasn't with him anymore. He no longer needed Bakura to help him with the basics of survival- he had been living outside of normal society for long enough now that he would be able to keep himself alive on his own.
But Bakura was the only friend he had in the world. And over the years, Bakura had come to mean more and more to him. He had no trouble admitting these things to himself- but he hadn't actually thought about these things before, in such clear terms. He supposed it must have always been in the back of his mind. But only in the depth of his worry that something had happened to Bakura- a worry he hadn't had to deal with in many years- did the profound closeness he felt with Bakura truly come to the forefront of his thoughts.
As the days dragged on, he feared for his partner more and more, wondering what was keeping him for so long, and whether he would return to him alive and whole.
He wondered if the gods listened to the prayers of thieves.
A few minutes later, he had cause to believe that they did.
"Miss me?" Bakura's tone was casual, with a touch of sarcasm. He was standing in the doorway, and he had a bag over his shoulder.
"Bakura!" Mahes shouted gleefully. Mahes threw himself at the other teen, almost knocking him over. As Bakura struggled to stay upright, Mahes impulsively leaned in and quickly kissed Bakura on the lips.
"Oh, Ra!" Bakura yelled, shoving Mahes away. "What are you doing?"
"I was just worried," Mahes said, shrugging. Mahes had the decency to blush a bit, but seemed otherwise unperturbed at Bakura's reaction.
"Don't tell me you didn't think I was coming back?" said Bakura, apparently preferring to ignore what had just happened and continue the conversation instead.
Reminded of the times in the past when he and Bakura had been reunited after a separation, Mahes suddenly realized that he knew exactly the right response to Bakura's question. "Where have you been, partner? Tell me the tales of your adventures."
Bakura smiled a bit at hearing the familiar words. "Here, I'll show you what I made off with," he said, as he unshouldered the bag. He opened it to show Mahes its contents.
Mahes peered inside, then stepped back with a gasp. "That- that stuff isn't from any market!"
"You're right," Bakura admitted. "I robbed a tomb." There was an obvious hint of pride in his voice.
"What?" exclaimed Mahes.
"I just thought," said Bakura, with an air of importance, "that it was time I started robbing tombs."
"But why?" asked Mahes. "We don't need expensive treasures from tombs. We can steal everything we need to survive from the markets."
"It's not about survival," said Bakura. "I'm becoming a better thief every day, but if I want to become truly great, I've got to learn to pull off much bigger heists. And doing it is the only way to learn."
"What's so important about becoming a great thief?" asked Mahes.
"You know my purpose in life. If I'm to avenge my people, I need to learn to rob tombs. Some of the most well-guarded tombs will have magical items that could help me in my quest. And eventually, I must become a good enough thief to steal the Millennium items, as I've always planned. To accomplish that, I may need to be the greatest thief in all the land. And I think I will be."
"But...robbing tombs is so dangerous..." said Mahes, trailing off, a look of fear on his face.
"Danger is part of the life of a thief," said Bakura. "I thought you'd know that by now."
Mahes said nothing. He knew Bakura well by now, and he could tell when there was no use in arguing with him. And it's not as if he could ask him to give up on his promise to free the souls of his people...
Then Mahes thought of something. "So why did you want to go alone?"
"You didn't need to be involved," said Bakura flatly.
"So, you didn't want me around while you were stealing from a tomb? You didn't think I could handle it?" Mahes was obviously offended. "Don't you trust my thieving abilities yet? After I've spent all these years stealing things right beside you?"
"It's not that I don't trust your abilities!" Bakura exclaimed.
"Oh?" said Mahes, disbelieving. "Then what is it?"
"Look what happened to me when I almost got caught trying to steal from a market," Bakura said angrily, pointing at the fading scar underneath his eye. "And remember what almost happened to you on your first try at stealing from a market? And robbing tombs is far more dangerous than lifting stuff from vendors! If you mess up while trying to rob a tomb, then..." Bakura stopped, seeming unable to finish.
Mahes nodded, slowly understanding what Bakura really meant, but was unwilling to say. Bakura had already lost everyone else in his life. If Mahes was killed while trying to help him steal...
"Anyways," said Bakura, "I started out small. With a smaller tomb of a lower-ranking person- those are the easiest to get into, and the least guarded. For a while, I'll be sticking to that. And I won't be doing it too often...at first. But eventually, I'll be moving on to bigger things. And I won't have you throwing a fit every time I come back from a robbery."
"You won't have it?" Mahes said with some indignance.
Bakura rolled his eyes. "You know what I mean. Just...don't make this harder than it has to be. You're going to have to get used to the idea that I'll be away robbing tombs sometimes."
Resigned, Mahes nodded again. "Alright, then," he said, in seeming acceptance.
But Mahes's sleep was troubled that night. And Bakura knew it, because Mahes continually flailed and grasped for him, as if checking to make sure he was still there.
After being woken up for about the tenth time, Bakura finally lost his temper. "Will you STOP that!" he yelled.
Mahes shot up in bed, startled at having been awakened.
"What?" Mahes asked, confused. "Stop what?"
"Every time I'm just drifting off to sleep, you reach out and grab me and wake me up!"
"I-I didn't know," said Mahes. "I must have been dreaming..."
"Having nightmares, is more like it," said Bakura.
"I'm sorry, Bakura...I just...I don't want you off doing things that will get you killed!" Vulnerable in the moment just after waking from his dark dreams, Mahes sounded near tears.
"I thought we'd already been through this," Bakura said with exasperation, as he laced his fingers behind his own head.
"I know, Bakura," said Mahes. "I'd never stop you from fulfilling your life's goal. But I worry..."
"I'll be safe. I have powers at my disposal that you can't even imagine," said Bakura.
"Like what?" asked Mahes, seeming to calm slightly as he came fully awake.
"Time enough to explain that later," said Bakura mysteriously. "Just trust me. Can't you do that by now?"
Mahes sighed and laid back down next to him. His body language was the only answer that Bakura got.
Finally, Bakura said, "Diabound." The word echoed in the stillness of the room.
"What?" asked Mahes.
"Diabound. It's my ka. It...protects me."
"We all have ka, Bakura," said Mahes.
"Yes, but...my ka is not only my own. It's strengthened by every spirit from every person from my village who was murdered. All those who want to help me get revenge for what was done to us."
"I did notice that your ka seemed stronger than normal, back when I first met you," said Mahes. "But what you're talking about...the power must be immense."
"It is," said Bakura. "And the power has grown as I've aged. And when I get angry or feel threatened...well, it's how I knocked out the guards when I robbed the tomb."
"I see," said Mahes. "Well, that makes me feel-"
Bakura interrupted him. "I would never direct it at someone...someone I didn't want to-"
"I know," Mahes said, cutting him off. "I was going to say that it makes me feel better. Knowing you have that protection."
"Oh," said Bakura. "Of course." He winced a little at his mistaken assumption, but Mahes couldn't see his expression in the dark.
After several moments of silence, Bakura's body started to relax, and Mahes finally spoke again. "So, if you're going to be stealing riches from tombs...what use will I be to you? The petty thievery I'm capable of will be worthless in comparison to the silver and gold that you'll be stealing, when you eventually move on to the bigger tombs."
Bakura laughed softly, grateful that Mahes seemed to be displaying some kind of acceptance about his inevitable life path.
"Well, Mahes, you've always been useless," said Bakura. But his tone was teasing, not antagonistic, and Mahes recognized this.
"Useless, am I?" asked Mahes with good-natured humor, shifting just a little closer to Bakura.
"Ah, yes...I've had to take care of you and teach you everything since day one."
"But I've always been good for warmth at night, haven't I?" asked Mahes coyly. "Couldn't get that all by yourself..."
"We-ell, I suppose that's true."
"Are you cold tonight?" Mahes asked.
"A little," Bakura admitted, almost regretting the words as soon as they were out of his mouth.
"Then I'll keep you warm," Mahes said quietly, drawing his arms up around Bakura and pulling him nearer.
Bakura's first instinct was to push Mahes away. But why should that be? This was normal, right? They always slept close to each other at night, to conserve body heat. Besides, he didn't really want to move away from the bodily contact. And it truly was cold that night...
Sensing no resistance to the physical intimacy from Bakura, Mahes tightened his arms around his partner. They were very close now, and their faces were only inches apart. And then Mahes leaned in and brushed his lips against Bakura's, just for an instant.
"Warm now?" asked Mahes under his breath, giving Bakura one more soft, brief kiss.
"Yes..." whispered Bakura, as his eyes fluttered closed.
Bakura was lightheaded now, and he felt too lost in the moment to even think of protesting. There was almost no conscious thought in his action as he slipped his arms around Mahes.
By the time Bakura could actually begin to wonder what the hell was happening and where this was going, Mahes had buried his face into Bakura's chest. Bakura opened his eyes to see that Mahes was already peacefully asleep, secure in Bakura's arms.
Bakura sighed. Whatever had just happened, it wouldn't do any good to worry about it that night. Bakura closed his eyes again, and for the moment, he cleared his mind of thoughts, and just enjoyed the warmth of his partner's body until sleep took him as well.
AN: I hope it wasn't too weird to skip ahead several years...but I felt I'd totally fleshed out the relationship between Bakura and Mahes as children, and I needed to age them up in order for things to progress any further. Nothing of particular interest happened in the intervening years. Anyways, thanks so much to everyone who is still sticking with this story, please review and let me know what you think!
You guys want a lemon? Well, you're getting one, whether you like it or not. Either next chapter or the chapter after that; I haven't decided yet.