Another update, finally, and I am SO SORRY it's taken so long! There are several long and complicated reasons why this update took forever (nothing too bad, though) but I won't go into them here. All you need to know is: I'm back and armed with an update schedule! However, because I (stupidly) started another story, this one will be updated once a week again, every THURSDAY. So look out for an update every week! ^_^ A couple of people have been asking how long this story will be, and I'm still not positive, but I'm over half way through. It might reach thirty chapters? I'm really not sure haha.

Thanks to CursiveBlade13 for helping me structure this chapter, it took so long to start flowing hehe. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this update, now that it's finally here! – Jem

Marik threw the book down onto the desk with a low groan, his hands fisting in his hair. He almost wanted to scream in frustration. No matter how hard he tried, his mind would not stay on the history of Monet and the French Impressionist movement; the images in the book floated through his skull, never substantial enough to stick in his mind, always just drifting out of his reach. He knew he was going to fail this exam.

And the two white-haired idiots in his flat were the reason why.

When Marik was supposed to be studying over the winter break, he had ended up playing peacemaker more often than not. Bakura and Ryou living together had proven just as difficult as Marik had feared. For the first couple of days, the arguments had been so bad that the reception team would come up and tell them to keep it down, but one snarl from a livid Bakura had been enough to send them back with their metaphorical tails between their legs. Ryou, despite Marik's first impressions, turned out to have just an explosive temper as his brother. They hissed poisonous insults at each other faster than Marik could keep up with, and in the end Marik had simply forbidden to be in one room at the same time. Ryou, unlike Bakura, could cook for himself, so the younger Touzoku took to eating at different times to Marik and Bakura, leaving for school before they were up in the mornings and returning when they were both out at college, resorting to spending his evenings locked away in his room. Marik felt a bit bad about how lonely Ryou's life was, but Bakura was his top priority. And Marik simply could not deal with the constant arguments.

Bakura was the worst to deal with. Even having Ryou in the same flat, despite not mixing with him much, has seemed to push Bakura out of balance, throwing him out of control. His wicked temper and violent temperament showed up far more often, although he rarely hurt Marik anymore, instead tending to take his anger out on various pieces of furniture. Another kitchen cupboard had been broken, adding to Marik's damage, and various walls had gained dents. Marik would calm him down as much as he could, but Ryou's presence never left, so the problem was never resolved.

One of these days, I am going to have to make them talk to each other, Marik promised himself, turning back to his textbook with a sigh. He had taken to doing all his studying at college; it meant he got home later, but work was pretty much impossible in the flat. If Bakura wasn't yelling or punching furniture, he was seducing Marik, taking out his overload of emotions in other ways. Marik smiled a little at that.

The university had opened its doors for the spring two days ago, and both Bakura and Marik had found themselves busier this term than last. As a result, they had had less time together, something that made Marik a little frustrated. Of course, having Ryou around made things more difficult anyway.

Marik sighed loudly. No matter how he strived to keep his thoughts away from the two pale siblings he shared his home with, Marik could never keep his mind off them for long. He had even more reason to be worried then, though – it was the first day that the two of them would be at home together, alone. Bakura had a free day from college, and so when Ryou got home from school the two of them would be trapped together, without Marik there to act as mediator.

Marik dreaded to think what he could be returning home to.

If he ever got there, that was. With a sigh, he pulled the textbook back towards him and attempted to focus his mind back on French Impressionists, but his thoughts kept slipping away, back to the flat and its two pale occupants. Marik wondered vaguely whether Bakura would even bother talking to his brother. He might just go straight to his bedroom, avoiding Ryou entirely, although Marik knew that he would have to make them both sit down and have an actual civil conversation eventually. The situation, as it stood, was absolutely ridiculous.

With a small sigh, Marik considered just packing in his studying for the day – it was gone six, after all – but he knew that he hadn't really got anything done. His marks would definitely slide down if this was all he could manage, never mind that they hadn't been very high to begin with.

With a low sigh, Marik snapped the textbook shut, giving up on his studying for the moment. He would probably fail the exam anyway, no matter how much cramming he did now, but it wasn't like it counted for anything; first year at uni was basically a free year, seeing as none of the work they did actually counted towards the qualification. Deciding that he'd had more than enough for today, and his stomach making itself known, Marik quickly dived under the desk to grab his bag again, packing away his textbook and notepad. Beforehand, Marik would have always borrowed notes off Yami, but now, knowing what he did about Bakura's family, Marik really wasn't comfortable around Yami at all.

So, when Marik sat up, his features sank immediately when he saw two of his least favourite people in the world enter the library. A sickeningly familiar brunette head swung into view, followed by spiky locks that stuck up stupid.

Marik cursed under his breath.

They, of course, saw him.

"Marik!" Feet pattered all the way across the library as Tea ran up to him, her bag flying off her shoulders. Her blue eyes were lit with misplaced concern and Marik couldn't help but roll his eyes, flicking his gaze left and right as he searched for some form of escape.

"We've been so worried about you!" Tea's voice was tinged with overprotective concern that instantly made Marik cringe. "How was your Christmas break? Did Bakura treat you ok?"

Marik didn't bother responding, allowing his irritation to show plainly on his face.

Tea ignored him. "What about his brother? Is he ok? We heard through Yugi that he's staying with you now, so Bakura can't be as bad as you made him out to be..."

"Oh, he is." Marik didn't even bother looking at Tea as he kept looking for an escape route. Yami was edging ever closer, and Marik really didn't want to have to deal with him any more...

Tea pursed her lips. "Well, at least he hasn't kicked Ryou out. Yami was so worried about what we would do..."

"It didn't happen." Yami's clear, deep voice sounded through the library as he walked over to them, laying a casual hand about Tea's shoulders. "Ryou's fine. That's the end of it."

Tea smiled up at him, but Marik couldn't stop himself from cutting in. This was the first time he had been so close to Yami since Bakura told him about the fire, and given the opportunity to study Yami's features, Marik just could not believe that this seemingly calm teenager could have killed three people. Sure, it was an accident, and he was just a kid, but still...

Yami caught Marik's searching gaze and sent him a quizzical one in return. "Something the matter, Marik?"

"Oh, no." Marik kept his tone deliberately sweet. "It's just, you know, with Bakura and Ryou under one roof things can get a little tiring."

Yami's lips twitched. "I can imagine."

"Yeah." Marik deliberately needled, watching Yami's face closely. "They're always arguing about their past."

Yami remained impassive, but Tea questioned further, her blue eyes confused. "They argue about it? I don't understand why."

"Neither did I," Marik shrugged, still scrutinising Yami. "But then Bakura told me who Ryou thinks started the fire."

Yami's face flickered.

Tea gasped, her features dropping into an expression of open shock. "Ryou knows who started it? I thought the police never found out!"

"It was never conclusive." Yami's voice was quiet, laced with something that Marik couldn't quite place.

Marik continued to gaze at him, violet eyes hard as agates. "Lucky for whoever did it, then."

"I wouldn't say that." Yami's voice was dark and stern. He met Marik's gaze, flicked a look at Tea, and, almost imperceptibly, shook his head.

Marik wanted to spit at him.

"I've got to go." Marik abruptly turned, snatching up his bag and slinging it over his shoulders. He ignored Tea's questioning looks, pushing past the two of them in a bid to get to the exit.

Tea ran after him. "But, Marik! We wanted to share notes with you on the exam next week, I'm totally freaking out about it..."

"You'll be fine." Marik shook her off, sending Yami a hard stare. "I'm sure your boyfriend will help you."

"As I'm sure your boyfriend will help you." Yami's voice remained quiet, but Tea instantly squealed.

She turned back to Marik, fingers tightening on his arm as she beamed up at him. "Oh, have you and Bakura finally got together? That is such good news!"

Marik snarled, shaking her off. He neither confirmed nor denied her question, despite her constant pleas, instead turning to leave the building. Marik was sure to shoot one last angry comment Yami's way, though, wanting the pale student to be in no doubt as to Marik's opinion of him. "At least I can trust Bakura to be honest about what he's done, unlike the person who started that fire."

Marik thought, with a vicious sense of satisfaction, that he saw Yami wince just as he left the building.

...

The walk back home was long and cold for Marik. He had managed to forget his waterproof jacket – something Bakura had insisted he buy – and so Marik was getting soaked through in the drizzly mist. He shook his sodden blond hair out of his eyes as he strode through the streets, shivering, his arms wrapped tightly around his torso. Marik found himself hoping that Ryou and Bakura would have got over whatever argument they were having now, so that Bakura would be free to hug Marik when he got in, to help warm him up. After laughing at him for a good ten minutes, anyway.

Marik shivered, hugging himself tighter, until he felt a buzz in his pocket. Flicking out his phone, Marik irritably wiped off the screen before turning it on and seeing that he had a text from Kek. Marik arched a brow. He hadn't heard from his cousin at all over the winter holidays, presumably because Kek had been out on those 'jobs' he and Bakura were supposed to be doing for Kaiba. Marik read the text, a little surprised.

'Hey cousin, I have no food, I'm coming to steal yours tonight. I'll be there at seven.'

Marik rolled his eyes, checking his watch. It was already six-thirty. With a low growl, Marik pocketed his phone and continued down the street, thankfully reaching his building quickly. He slipped straight into the lift, not bothering with the stairs when he was this cold and tired, and stepped out on the top floor. Marik reached into his pocket for his key, approaching his door, but he drew to a halt when he heard raised voices.

Bakura and Ryou were arguing, again.

With a low sigh, Marik fitted his key in the lock and turned the handle, easily swinging the door open. As expected, he was met with Bakura and Ryou stood in the kitchen, facing each other with identical expressions of mutual hatred etched into their expressions. Ryou's hands were curled up into fists by his sides, some remnants of his dinner placed neatly in the sink, and Bakura stood over him, threateningly close, with that familiar lazy smirk over his lips. Marik felt his heart race.

"This isn't something for you to concern yourself with," Bakura explained, his voice dark and smooth.

Ryou, by contrast, seemed much more wound up, his voice a lot higher than his brother's. "Of course it is! If you're stealing again..."

"It is no concern of yours." Bakura's voice took on a black tone and he edged a step closer, forcing Ryou's back into the counter.

Ryou glared defiantly up at him, his brown eyes, so like Bakura's, narrowed into slits of hatred. "I don't want you feeding me by unlawful means."

"So get Marik to buy your food," Bakura shrugged, nonchalant. "I mean, he uses my money anyway, but if it would help your misplaced sense of morals then – "

"My misplaced morals?" Ryou laughed at that; actually laughed, although the sound was bitter and certainly not full of joy. "You are in no position to talk to me about morals."

Bakura's nostrils went white.

Marik took that as a danger sign and quickly stepped in, making his presence known with a small cough. Ryou instantly jumped, his eyes going wide, but Bakura merely looked around and flicked a bored hand at him, apparently disinterested, although Marik knew better by the burning of his dark eyes. "Go wait in the bedroom. I'll come use you in a minute."

"I'm not your fucking pleasure slave." Marik walked into the kitchen, his mouth a thin line as he regarded the two brothers.

Bakura arched a brow. "Could have fooled me."

Ryou glanced between them before edging away from the counter, his brows furrowed a little. "I'm going to my room. You two do whatever you want."

"No way." Marik shook his head, grabbing Ryou's arm as he went past and spinning him back around to face his brother. Marik stared between them, lips pursed and brow furrowed in thought; he wanted them to have a civil conversation, but somehow, he doubted very much that that would happen. Especially with the dangerous glare Bakura was sending him.

With a reluctant sigh, Marik released Ryou's arm again. "I just wanted to let you both know that my cousin is visiting us in ... about twenty minutes' time." Marik groaned when he checked his watch. "He wants food, so I'm going to cook."

Bakura rolled his eyes and Ryou merely looked small, so Marik largely ignored them both in favour of turning to the hob and fishing out ingredients from the cupboards; they were all his now, with Ryou only taking up one small little cupboard in the corner. The younger Touzoku proved much easier to live with than his older brother.

Pale arms wrapped around Marik's waist as he stood at the hob, a slender chin resting on his shoulder. Cool breath blew into his ear, still managing to send shivers down Marik's spine. "Why is your damned cousin coming over?"

"He said he has no food," Marik shrugged, leaning back into Bakura's touch a little as he flicked on the hob, waiting for it to heat up. "Wants to mooch off us."

"He's a bastard." Bakura, despite his words, rested his head in Marik's hair, keeping them pressed close together as he watched Marik cook. Marik smiled slightly, enjoying the warmth of Bakura at his back; he couldn't help his mind straying back to his early days in this flat, when Bakura yelled at him for using his cooking stuff and ordered him to replace it immediately. Marik never had, but here they were. Somehow, Marik thought he had paid off his debts in other ways.

"I was hoping we'd get some alone time," Bakura murmured. His fingers trailed around the front of Marik's waist, playing with his belt as he ghosted along his exposed midriff, lightly caressing his skin.

Marik held in a moan, instead turning his head to find Bakura's lips with his own. His eyes slid closed as he lost himself in Bakura's touches, the warmth that spread through his veins comforting and familiar. Bakura smiled, deepening the kiss, his tongue tracking down Marik's whilst he pressed them close together, sharing warmth. Marik mewled a little, turning his head to get closer, but Bakura drew back with a small chuckle. Meeting Marik's disgruntled eyes, all Bakura had to do was nod at the hob. "I think you're burning dinner."

"What?" Marik blinked, coming out of his daze, before examining the contents of the pan. "Oh, hell! Bakura, stop distracting me!"

Bakura laughed loudly, jumping up to sit on the counter by the hob, his legs dangling beside Marik's waist. "What? Can't handle it?"

"Not when I'm fucking cooking." Marik swatted at him, attempting to salvage the food. "I need enough for Kek, too, remember!"

Bakura rolled his eyes, scoffing quietly. "That's exactly what I mean. We never get time with just us anymore, now that little shit has moved in."

"Don't talk about Ryou like that," Marik scolded absentmindedly.

Bakura kicked his side. "I'll talk about him however I like."

"You are such a child." Marik shook his head, managing to dish out three plates. Kek had yet to arrive, however, so Marik shoved the three of them in the oven before turning to Bakura, who was still seated on the counter. Marik smiled up at him, sliding closer between Bakura's legs, placing tanned hands on pale hips. "What was that you were saying about never getting alone time?"

"I guess we could make up for it now." Bakura smirked down at Marik, tightening his legs about Marik's waist as he drew the Egyptian towards him. Marik smiled, lifting his head up to meet Bakura's lips eagerly, kissing him deeply as he ran his fingers up to tangle in white locks. Bakura obediently moved closer, pulling Marik up to meet him. Pale hands ran down Marik's back, finding their way up under his hoody, and Marik shuddered in delight when white fingers found his scars. Bakura traced the patterns almost casually, knowing all the spots that brought Marik the most pleasure, until Marik was little more than a puddle of happiness held up only by Bakura's strong arms.

Bakura pulled back for just long enough to speak. "Doesn't take much to make you breathless, does it, Ishtar?"

"Mmm, shut up," Marik hissed, tugging Bakura's face closer once more, "And don't stop touching my scars."

Bakura acquiesced happily enough, kissing Marik once more as Marik's arms wound tightly around his neck.

This was how Kek found them when he entered through the unlocked door and made straight for the kitchen.

"Gods, guys, not in front of me, please!"

Marik groaned. He attempted to keep Bakura close to him, but Kek was across the room in seconds and he pulled Marik away from Bakura none-too-gently. Marik grumbled and complained, tugging himself out of Kek's strong grip and spinning to fix him with a petulant glare, hands on hips. "Hey! I was enjoying myself!"

"Sure looked like it." Kek's grin was wide. "But I'm starving and I'm not eating anything you cooked on that worksurface."

Marik flicked a finger at him before wandering over to the oven. "We didn't fuck in here, bastard."

"More's the pity." Bakura chuckled, earning a whack from Marik. He rolled his eyes and jumped catlike off the counter, making his way to the table. Marik recovered the plates from the oven, setting them down on the table, where they all tucked in. Kek finished first, devouring his food like a man who hadn't eaten in months.

Marik quirked a brow. "What the hell was that? You trying to destroy my kitchen?"

"My kitchen," Bakura intercepted with a dangerous growl.

Marik ignored him.

Kek smirked down at his cousin, leaning back in his seat with his legs kicked out in front of him, stifling a yawn. "Been a while since I've eaten."

"I don't even want to know what you've been doing," Marik muttered, continuing with his meal.

Bakura, however, laid down his fork, fixing Kek with a keen glare. "You haven't been watching the house Kaiba put us on to, have you? Because that one is mine."

"Hey, we have to get rid of the company," Kek shrugged, nonchalant. "I'm helping out. I say we should just sneak in one night and snap all their necks."

"Not happening," Marik ordered.

Bakura arched a brow. "And so, the wise one hath spoken. No violence must we incur on the innocents of this house."

Marik threw a fork at him.

Bakura dodged with a snicker before turning back to Kek. "Fine, you can watch that house, but no touching the Items. Got it?"

"Sure," Kek shrugged. "I don't even know what the fuck they are. They're all yours."

Bakura nodded, appearing satisfied, and tucked back into his food.

Marik, however, turned a quizzical stare on Bakura. He never had found out exactly what was so special to Bakura about these 'Items' Kaiba had told him about. Marik resolved to get it out of him later, using whatever means necessary.

Bakura caught his look and quirked a brow, amused. "I think your mind is in the gutter."

Despite himself, Marik flushed. He turned to his now-empty plate, biting down on the inside of his cheek as he determinedly refused to meet Bakura's gaze, instead staring steadfastly at the tabletop.

Bakura chuckled, turning to Kek. "If you'd like to get the hell out of my apartment now, I think your cousin and I would like some time alone."

"Gladly." Kek shook his head, climbing to his feet, but just as he was turning to the kitchen door there was a muffled squeak.

Kek went still.

"Someone is watching us."

"Hmm?" As soon as Kek had stood, Bakura reached over and pulled Marik into his lap and was now proceeding to attach his earlobe with his teeth, producing the most delicious groans from the younger Egyptian.

Kek ignored them, stalking quietly to the door. "Someone's been listening to us."

He got no response as Marik and Bakura remained focused on each other. Cursing under his breath, Kek shot stealthily over to the kitchen door, peeking through the small glass window. He caught a flash of white, a hint of brown...

There.

Without further thought, Kek slammed the door open and plunged out a hand, plucking a small form out of the corridor and hoisting it high into the air. There was another squeak, louder this time, followed by several muffled bangs and a harsh cry. "Get off me!"

"You were fucking eavesdropping!" Kek slammed the small form into the back of the kitchen door, lifting it fully off the ground as he leered closer. Long white hair soon swam into view, wide brown eyes staring out of a pale face, hair much softer than Bakura's hanging down his shoulders.

"I was not!" The small form kicked, trying to escape Kek's strong grip.

Kek snarled and slammed him back into the wall. "Who the fuck are you? What are you doing here?"

"I could – ow! – ask you the same thing!" The small white-haired boy kicked out from the wall, glaring at Kek with harsh brown eyes. "I live here!"

Kek stopped short.

Raucous laughter sounded from within the kitchen as Bakura eyed the small scene, Marik still firmly ensconced on his lap. Pale arms were tight around Marik's torso as Bakura's dark chuckles reverberated around the kitchen, black amusement lighting up every feature of his face.

Marik attempted to get up twice before falling back in Bakura's lap, rolling his eyes. "Kek, meet Ryou. Bakura's brother."

Kek looked a little surprised, turning back to the small form he still held trapped against the kitchen door. "Ryou?"

"That's me." Ryou coughed, kicking again as he attempted to get free. "Will you please put me down now?"

Kek just grinned before removing his hands. Ryou crumpled to the floor.

"Ouch!" Ryou hissed, clambering to his feet again as he glared up at Kek, who had joined Bakura in raucous laughter. Despite himself, Marik couldn't stop a small snicker from escaping his own lips.

Ryou sighed loudly at them all. "I just came to get a drink. But whatever – I'll come back later, when you've all grown up."

Bakura just sneered, watching him out of the room with brown eyes narrowed into slits.

...

After Kek had gone, Marik and Bakura retreated to their bedroom. Their clothes didn't stay on for long. Bakura lay on his back with his legs spread wide, Marik crouched between them, both of them panting and moaning with each one of Marik's thrusts. Marik's nails dug into Bakura's hips, his head dropping down onto Bakura's chest as he felt heat pooling in his gut, breaths getting quicker and quicker as he panted. Bakura kept his eyes trained right on Marik's face, taking in his every feature as he slowly stroked himself, timing it with Marik's thrusts. They finished within the same second, both riding out the high with low groans of pleasure before Marik collapsed down on top of Bakura, spent.

Bakura chuckled a little breathlessly, slowly lifting a hand to brush back the strands of gold from Marik's forehead. "You're getting better at that."

"Asshole." Marik whacked Bakura's chest as he pulled out, tugging the covers over both of them as he fell back down, laying his head on Bakura's shoulder. "I always have been good."

"I wouldn't say that," Bakura murmured teasingly into Marik's ear, fingers running down to trace his scars again.

Marik arched a brow, glaring at him. "If I'm that bad, why do you let me top so often?"

Bakura shoved him lightly before returning to his gentle touches.

Marik smiled, drawing lazy patterns against Bakura's chest as they curled together beneath the sheets, sharing heat in the freezing January night. Marik felt pleasantly warm, comforted beyond belief, his eyes soon sliding closed. He rolled a little, happy when he felt Bakura's arms tight around him. Sleep was not far off. However, something tugged at the back of Marik's mind, something he vaguely remembered as being important...

"I wanted to ask you something..." Marik mumbled, his voice hazy and thick with sleep.

Bakura regarded him with cool brown eyes, his own limbs heavy. "Ask me in the morning."

"It was important..."

"Later, Marik." Bakura closed his eyes and lifted Marik up his chest, planting a slow, soft kiss on his lips. "Don't spoil the moment."

"Moment," Marik scoffed tiredly. "You and I don't have moments."

"Call it what you will." Bakura closed his eyes again, resting his head on the pillows as he cradled Marik on his chest.

Marik looked down at him, watching as he drifted into sleep. Marik pursed his lips, his hands lightly stroking across Bakura's features before he leaned down to brush their mouths together once more, kissing deeply, before sinking deep into the world of dreams for himself.

So, the deathshipping can finally happen! I had no idea it would take this long to get Kek and Ryou in a room together haha. ^_^ This is technically out early Friday morning my time, but ... well, it's still Thursday in some parts of the world, so I'm going to pretend that it isn't late. It's also a bit shorter than my normal chapter lengths, but I wanted to post SOMETHING to let you all know I was back. XD Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed, even though I made you wait for ages for this chapter! - Jem