Later that morning, Bakura had settled down in front of the TV and Marik had joined him on the couch, putting distance between them. He wasn't particularly interested in the TV show, but he didn't quite know what to do with himself.

He really wanted to start another card game and win the bet this time. But he wasn't sure how to approach the whole thing, and so he sat quietly, fidgeting and fiddling with worn ends of the couch.

Finally, after lunch, Marik looked at Bakura and arched his eyebrows.

"So? Card game?"

"Are we betting again?" asked Bakura, giving Marik a salacious look.

Marik shrugged and looked down at the table, drawing aimless patterns on its worn wooden surface with his fingers. "If you want."

Bakura laughed. "Are you that eager to suck me off again?"

Marik snapped his head up, clenching his fists without realizing it. "I'm not going to lose this time," he said through gritted teeth.

"If you say so," said Bakura.

Marik suddenly turned and got something out of the refrigerator.

"Here," Marik said, sliding the half-full bottle of Jack over to Bakura. "Do you want a drink?"

"At one in the afternoon?"

"What do you care?" asked Marik. "It's not like you work or anything."

"I guess that's true," said Bakura. "So are you going to have any?"

"No, I do work. Besides, I'm not in the mood right now," said Marik. "I was just offering it to you."

"Marik...are you trying to get me drunk because you think I'll be more likely to lose if I'm plastered and you're not?"

"Well, if you're so great, you should be able to beat me even if you're drunk," said Marik.

This was apparently the correct tactic for Marik to take. Bakura grabbed the bottle and took a drink.

"Marik, you are going to feel really stupid when you still lose despite your lame little plan."

Marik said nothing to that, and they each drew five cards and started dueling. This time, Marik was hypersensitive about his every move and thought about his strategy thoroughly before laying down a single card. Every time Bakura drew a card or made a move, he took a shot of Jack, downing shot after shot while Marik remained sober. By the middle of the game, Bakura was already so hammered that he found it hard to concentrate. He blinked at his cards several times as if testing his vision and frowned as though he couldn't figure out what to do next.

As their duel progressed, Marik's smile widened and Bakura's frown deepened. Bakura was losing, and very badly at that. After each monster Marik destroyed, Bakura swore under his breath or sighed or growled to himself. Marik could hardly sympathize since that had happened to him so many times.

Finally, after Marik wrote a giant zero on Bakura's score sheet, Bakura suddenly threw his cards down on the table and stood up abruptly.

"I can't believe this," he snapped. "I can't believe I lost to you."

Marik started putting away their cards. "Does this mean you're not going to hold up your end of the deal?"

"Of course I will," Bakura scoffed. "I'm not backing out now. Just-" he looked tired suddenly. "Give me a few hours. I feel like I'm about to pass out."

Bakura really did look tired. In his attempt to prove that he could still win the duel while being drunk out of his mind, he'd really had one too many shots. The least Marik could do was give him time to recover. Besides, Bakura had allowed Marik to fulfill his bargain in the morning, so it was only fair that Marik give him the same consideration.

"Alright, fair enough," Marik replied.

Marik hadn't even finished his sentence before Bakura crashed on the living room couch and was dead to the world.

Four hours later, Marik was cooking dinner in the kitchen when Bakura reappeared, looking fresher and livelier than before. In fact, it surprised Marik to find a curious gleam in his eye.

"Did you enjoy your nap?" Marik asked while turning the heat down on the stove.

"I did," was all Bakura said as he approached Marik.

"Good," Marik said shortly. "I'm almost done with dinner, so you're just in time-"

When Marik turned, he found himself face to face with Bakura. A small smile played at the edge of his lips.

"So," he started. "I promised I'd give you that blowjob."

Marik flushed at Bakura's directness.

"Right. Well, I guess it can wait until after dinner."

Bakura drew closer to him.

"I think now is as good a time as any."

Marik locked gazes with Bakura. Something fiery rushed to the bottom of his stomach as Bakura eyed him.

"Okay," he finally said. "If you want to."

Marik couldn't even process what happened next. Bakura's hands were on his pants one second and the next, he'd yanked down both his pants and his boxers and was taking out his dick. Bakura lowered himself to the floor, where he kneeled on the threadbare rug beside the sink.

Marik gasped once Bakura's mouth was around him and he'd started sucking without a moment's notice. Bakura swirled his tongue around every part of Marik's skin. He took him in completely, wrapping his fingers around the base with one hand and clutching Marik's pants with the other. He moved his mouth with just the right amount of pressure and speed, not giving Marik a single moment to adjust to wave after wave of pleasure.

Leaning against the counter top, Marik gripped the edges so hard it was painful, as though afraid he'd just fall in a mess on the floor if he didn't hold on to something. It was all he could do not to throw his head back and moan and just let Bakura do whatever he wanted with his body.

Instead, Marik just grasped the counter top and watched Bakura intently.

He observed the hard edge in Bakura's face and his wild, white hair. Marik reflected on the fact that he didn't look like Ryou. Even though he had the same brown eyes and white hair, Marik had brought him back in that distinctly Bakura form, with his spiky, untamed hair and a certain meanness in his face that Ryou had never had. This was how Marik had seen Bakura when he'd inhabited his mind during Battle City, and he'd subconsciously brought him back looking the same way.

That thought, and the constant slide and slip of Bakura's tongue on his flesh caused Marik to suddenly throw his head back, finally allowing Bakura full reign over his reactions. Bakura's pace increased. He was now doing ungodly things to the tip of his cock. Marik's breath came in short huffs as his blood rushed fast and his heart beat quickly.

Bakura felt rather than saw Marik's reaction and smiled. He'd simply done what had felt right, and was pleased to see that that's all it had taken to reduce Marik to a half-moaning mess. He wasn't even bothered at all with giving the blowjob, even though he'd never done this before. He'd been angry about losing the duel, briefly, but after waking up from his nap, he'd simply marched into the kitchen with a calm and clear mind, bent on fulfilling his promise.

And he was glad to see that he was fulfilling it well.

After a particularly smooth stroke and slippery swirl of his tongue, Marik suddenly groaned and Bakura felt something shoot into his mouth. He looked up and saw the dazed expression on Marik's face.

Bakura let go immediately and stepped back, and then spit out the come directly onto the rug they were standing on.

"Why-" Marik started, still catching his breath. "Why did you spit on my carpet? The sink is right there."

"Well, you didn't give me a warning," Bakura replied.

Marik glared but said nothing as he slipped his boxers and pants back on as Bakura watched him.

"What?" Marik said, wondering why Bakura was giving him a smug look.

"You look like you enjoyed that."

Marik blushed. "Well- it wasn't bad."

"Right," Bakura laughed. "I guess it's not hard to do it right if you're not scared about it."

Marik remembered his own experience earlier that morning with giving a blowjob. He had to admit that Bakura had been very efficient about the whole thing. He hadn't even batted an eye at the idea of what he'd had to do. And he'd done it...very well.

Finally, not quite meaning it, Marik just said, "Shut up," and went back to cooking dinner.

The next day was Sunday, and it passed by uneventfully until after dinner, when there was a knock at the door.

At the sound of the knock, Marik practically leaped up from his chair.

"Bakura!" he hissed. "Go into my room and stay there until I tell you to come out!"

"What? Why?"

"Because that's probably my sister! Just go!"

Bakura shrugged and got up. Marik shifted on his feet as Bakura seemed to take his time sauntering back to the bedroom. The knocking came again.

Once Bakura was out of sight, Marik opened the door, silently praying that Bakura would know enough to keep quiet and to stay put.

"Marik! How are you?" said Ishizu, as she stood on the door step.

"I'm fine! Come in! How are you?"

Marik spoke too quickly and loudly, and Ishizu clearly noticed it, giving him a curious look as she walked into the apartment and took a seat at the table.

"Are you alright, Marik? You seem...nervous."

"No, no, I'm not, I'm..." Marik paused for a moment as he had an idea. "Actually, yes, I'm sort of nervous about the tournament."

Marik shut the door and went to sit down at the table across from Ishizu. He reminded himself to breathe. This was just a normal visit from his sister. She often came over to make small talk and see how he was doing. There was nothing to worry about. No reason why she would suspect anything.

"Tournament?" asked Ishizu.

"Yes, I entered the Duel Monsters tournament. The one that just started recently."

"That's wonderful, Marik," said Ishizu, smiling. "Yes, I believe I heard about that tournament. I'm so glad you're finally getting out and doing something besides going to work and school."

Marik gave her a strained smile. "Yes, it will be...interesting."

"So, have you begun dueling yet?"

"I...yes," said Marik, wishing that he'd never brought this topic up at all. Now he was going to have to lie. "I've already won one Token. And of course, they give you one when you sign up, so now I have two."

"It sounds as if you're already doing well," said Ishizu. "Try not to be so nervous."

"Thanks, I'll try," said Marik, feeling a surge of guilt.

Ishizu smiled serenely at him, and Marik groped for something else to say. Talking to his sister wasn't normally awkward like this. He hoped she didn't notice anything terribly amiss, and that she'd just chalk it up to his explanation of being nervous about the tournament. Marik shifted in his seat.

"How have you been?" he finally said.

"I've been fine," Ishizu said. "I have something to ask you, though."

"Yes?" Marik said, swallowing hard. She couldn't be suspicious, could she?

"I was wondering if you'd be able to work a double shift this week," Ishizu said.

The feeling of relief that washed over Marik took all of his attention for a moment. Then he comprehended what Ishizu had said.

"A double shift? All week?"

"Yes, I'm afraid the man who normally works second shift at the gift shop has suddenly taken ill," Ishizu said. "Don't worry, he's going to be fine. But he'll be unable to come back to work until next week."

"Well, I..." Marik started. "I'm kind of busy with this tournament, and everything..."

He really didn't want to work an extra shift at his hated job. He had enough to do already. Besides, it would mean leaving Bakura alone in the house for sixteen hours a day all week. He really couldn't tell Ishizu any of that, though.

"I know, Marik, but it would make such a good impression on everyone at the museum if you would agree to do this," said Ishizu. "And I know you could use the money."

Marik drummed his fingers on the table. What Ishizu had said was true. He could use the money. And he did want to make a good impression on people. Wasn't that the entire reason he was doing all of this in the first place, with the tournament? So that people would respect him? It would look bad if he refused to cover the extra shift for a sick coworker because of his own selfish reasons.

"Alright, I can do it," Marik said, attempting to sound cheerful.

"Thank you, Marik. I'm sure everyone at the museum will appreciate it."

Marik had his doubts about that, but he smiled and nodded anyway.

Marik normally enjoyed his sister's visits, but trying to keep himself composed was becoming more torturous by the minute. He needed to find a way to end this that wouldn't seem strange. Finally he thought of something.

"Ishizu, I know we usually visit for longer, but if I'm going to be working so much next week, I think I need to rest up."

"Of course, Marik. I understand. Thank you again," Ishizu said, getting up from her seat.

Marik went to the door and opened it for her.

"I'll see you later," Marik said.

Ishizu waved as she headed out the door and down the stairs. Marik shut the door and breathed a sigh of relief.

When Marik was sure it was safe, he called Bakura.

"Alright, she's gone!"

Bakura was back in the kitchen in an instant.

"Why were you talking to your sister in that stupid fake voice that you used in Battle City when you were pretending to be Namu?" asked Bakura.

"Oh, I...that's just how I've talked to everybody since I became good," explained Marik.

"So you talk in a fake voice all the time? To everybody?" asked Bakura incredulously.

"Well, everyone but you," said Marik.

"You're kind of a loser, you know that?" Bakura laughed.

"Oh, shut up, Bakura," snapped Marik. "Anyway, what were you doing? Listening to our whole conversation?"

Bakura shrugged. "What else did I have to do?"

"Then I suppose you know I'll be working sixteen hours a day every day this week," Marik said.

"Yes, that's just great," said Bakura. "What the hell am I supposed to do all day?"

"I don't know, steal some more Tokens for me? Watch TV? Use the computer?" Marik suggested. "Hell, it's not my job to entertain you."

Bakura looked like he was about make another incendiary comment, but Marik cut him off before he could get a word out.

"Look, I can't deal with this right now," said Marik. "I'm going to take a shower and then go to bed."

"It's eight o'clock!"

"Yeah, well, I have a busy week ahead of me," Marik said irritably.

Marik walked out of the room, leaving Bakura standing by himself in the kitchen.

AN: Thanks for reading! Reviews are loved very much!