A/N: Written by Akiko Kuro Ookami and CapicornKitty1975. Edited by myself. I have permission to upload to FFN on behalf of the Authors.
Chapter 3
Akefia was at the studio early the next morning, blocking a scene. He couldn't sleep for some reason. Shaking his head, he concentrated on the script.
Atem arrived on time. He didn't want to be late. His date hadn't been great last night. It ended on a sour note of having to let her down, saying she wasn't his type. He eyed Akefia out of the corner of his eye. He did know he wanted him, but doubted his plan had worked. Part of his undercover job is to grow close and personal with the director.
Akefia looked up at hearing someone enter. Nodding at Atem, he went back to work on the script.
Atem wasted some time reading over stuff while waiting for the other people to arrive. He didn't know what to say to Akefia; especially when he seemed to be focused on his script.
"Did you have a good time with Anzu last night?" Akefia tried to make conversation, giving up on concentrating, since the object of his distraction was here.
"It was decent enough," he shrugged. "She's definitely not my type, but I'd thought at least give one night a try."
Akefia nodded. "Well, there are other fish in the sea. Isn't that what they say now a days?" Akefia muttered thoughtfully.
"I think so, yeah," confirmed Atem.
Akefia nodded thoughtfully again. About then, others started coming in, and Akefia was distracted by a set designer with blonde hair and honey eyes who came up, talking to him.
Atem noticed the designer, deciding to focus on re-reading his lines while Akefia tended to his business.
Soon enough work started and Atem was busy with the other actors working on blocking a scene. At the end of the day, Akefia told them to have Pages 1 through 60 memorized for the next day.
Atem nodded dutifully, knowing he'd be able to do that easily. He had done what had been asked of him so far. He didn't mind the other people here, but his eyes were for Akefia of course. Who wouldn't be attracted to someone like that?
As the people left, Anzu walked up and smiled at Atem. "Why don't you go up and talk to him? It's obvious you are attracted to him." She smiled again, patting him on the shoulder once more before rushing to catch up with a group of girls.
Atem nodded, steeling his courage before going over to Akefia, "Want to go grab a drink with me?"
Akefia looked up, eyes guarded. "Sure. Did you need help with some lines?" He was attracted to this man, but he was not about to let history repeat itself.
"Uh, sure," shrugged Atem, guessing that'd be the only way to reel him in.
"Ok, then. Hey, Joey...drop those papers off at Malik's bar once you are done with them." The honey eyed blonde nodded in agreement. Akefia looked at Atem. "Let's go." He smiled
"Right," agreed Atem leading the way out of the studio.
Akefia didn't say much as they headed to the bar. He was fighting with his inner demons. He had been in love once before...it turned out that the person he was love with was just a plant for another Studio to get information on his and steal some scripts stories and ideas. Akefia had worked hard to build Thief King Productions, it was his baby, it was what he knew he wanted to do since when he was a kid. When that person came in and stole everything from him, he had to rebuild from the beginning. He promised himself that would never happen again.
Although Atem isn't after stealing what belongs from Akefia. What he's after is to become close and personal with him to eventually tag and bag him for the jail cell. He needed to build trust before then. What better way to do that than having a few drinks, going over lines, and other stuff? There's no telling what may happen between them. Besides, Atem hasn't loved before due to his job coming first before anything else.
Akefia opened the door for Atem. Finding a table in the back, he motioned Atem over, nodding at Malik.
Atem sat down across from the whitette, glancing over at Malik, wondering if the blonde and Akefia knew each other, "Whisky."
"Coming right up," Malik gave a mock salute before fixing the drinks for the two, setting them down, giving Akefia a smirk before leaving. "You two have fun."
Akefia scowled at Malik, then turned his attention to the tricolored sex god near him. "So, what did you need help with?"
"Well, this love scene thing. Do I really have to do it with a girl?" asked Atem bluntly.
Akefia raised an eyebrow. "Yes. You have to do it with a girl. Anzu is the actress, the script is written."
"Ah, ok," noded Atem, taking a swig of his glass of whiskey.
"Have you ever acted before?" Akefia inquired, studying the attractive male.
"A few times or so," shrugged Atem, staring back at him.
"What drew you to this picture?" Akefia took another sip.
"I thought it would be fun," admitted Atem, knowing he'd need to play his cards carefully to ensure he's not suspected of lying or anything. "Bakura also recommended you."
"If you are a friend of Bakura, I need to be very wary of you." Akefia cracked a small smile.
"Good," smirked Atem in response.
"So, how do you know my brother?" Akefia asked, waving a menu at Malik.
"He's my roommate," replied Atem as Malik took it to make the food for them. "He, my little brother, and I live together."
Akefia nodded. "Never mentioned you." Akefia stated, finishing his drink.
"He probably didn't think it was necessary," said Atem stiffly as Malik gave them their food before going off to refill other customer's drinks within the bar.
"What, offended you aren't the center of my brother's world? Trust me, you don't want to be. It's better if he doesn't talk about you." He offered some sushi to Atem as he took a bite.
"He probably doesn't talk about me because he already is obsessed with his boyfriend," pointed out Atem, accepting the offer as he popped it into his mouth.
"Another one, huh?" Akefia shook his head.
"Yep," confirmed Atem, grabbing another piece of sushi to eat. "He goes through them like a rabbit. I wonder if he'll ever settle for just one, you know?"
Akefia shrugged. "He's got shit in his background, ya know?" His voice was sad.
"Yeah, I know," Atem gave a wry smile. "Don't we all in some way?"
Akefia shrugged. "Perhaps. So..." Dragging himself from this dangerous talk, he cleared his throat. "What lines do you need help with?"
"Hmm," murmured Atem thoughtfully, bringing out his script to look at it quickly before meeting Akefia's gaze. "Before the kissing part."
"Alright." About then a large group came in, boisterous. It seems some game had just been won and they were celebrating. Akefia sighed. "Let's go back to the studio, you can't hear in here."
"Sounds good with me," agreed Atem, getting up, giving Malik some money to pay for the food and drinks before the two departed for the studio.
Akefia took Atem into his office, shutting the door. "Now, what are you having problems with?" Akefia leaned against the desk, looking over the script.
"The part before the kissing scene," Atem reminded him. "I'm trying to figure out how to put the right emotion into it."
"Well, you don't trust her, but you're attracted to her. Here." He skimmed the script. "Kelvin, what's wrong?" Akefia asked, reading the script.
"I'm afraid that I can't stay for long," replied Atem, reading his lines. "I will be expected back soon."
Akefia walked up, putting a hand on Atem's arm at the elbow. "Then stop wasting time."
"Very well then. I won't," he promised, noticing their lips were mere inches apart.
Akefia ran a hand up to Atem's neck, pulling him closer. "What do you want?" Akefia breathed, lips bumping Atem's as he spoke.
"You," he blurted out, giving in to his impulse even though it is part of the script as he leaned in to kiss Akefia, placing his hands on the other man's hips.
Akefia moaned low in his throat, wrapping his other arm around Atem's waist and pulling the shorter man to him as he kissed hungrily back.
The two continued to kiss for several moments until they both needed to breathe. Atem's face is flushed, hoping he had done a good job although he wanted to kiss Akefia for a little while now since he is attracted towards him.
Akefia's face was flushed too. Clearing his throat, he scratched the back of his neck. "Um, th...that was good. Use that emotion." Akefia looked up at Atem hungrily.
Atem looked back with the same look directed at Akefia, "Good to know. So, what happens now?"
"Well..." Akefia grabbed Atem and slammed him against the wall. "Fuck it." Akefia whispered, kissing him hungrily again.
Wrapping his arms around him, Atem kissed back heatedly. He pressed against him. He hadn't expected this, but he definitely liked it. He wondered how far it would go.
Akefia broke free and started kissing and nipping at Atem's neck.
Atem moaned, tilting his head back to give him even more room to move around on. It felt amazing to have Akefia's lips on his skin.
Akefia grabbed Atem's hips, pulling him against the larger male as he kept kissing him. He was kneading Atem's hips as he worked up, kissing Atem's lips again.
Atem moaned into the kiss, moving his hands to run through Akefia's white locks which felt soft to the touch. He leaned into the other male's hands, knowing he wanted this and him.
Akefia pulled back, eyes hooded. He couldn't get involved, not again, no matter how much he wanted this man. "S...sorry, Atem. Hope that helped with your lines." He turned from Atem, going over and leaning on his desk.
"Yes, more than you'll know," he said softly, looking at Akefia with a longing look before leaving the office, figuring he'd best head back home to check in and see how Yugi's doing although he still felt his lips tingling, thinking perhaps another time they'd be able to do it.
()()()()()()()()()()
Back at the bar, Malik had been busy catering to customers. Smirking lightly, he noticed a dark blonde haired male sitting by himself. He moved over, tapping a finger on his shoulder.
"Need a refill?" he asked, looking him up and down as he clearly liked what he saw.
"Yea, I guess. Do ya know Akefia wit' Thief King Productions?" The blonde asked. Joey had been waiting for Akefia to give him those papers.
"He's an old friend. I see he wasn't lying about employing some sexy men," smirked Malik, pouring more beer into Joey's glass. "He just left a few minutes ago with one of his actors."
Joey blew his bangs out of his face. "Damnit, he wanted dese papers." Joey shook his head, smacking a folder. He was pretty dense, so the compliment went over his head. Normally he was easy going, but he was nervous. His sister was coming into town, and he wanted her safe, so until she was with him, he was a nervous wreck.
"Well, here's some good news, hun. I swiped his wallet. So, 'Kefia will most likely come back soon," assured Malik, noticing how nervous the other blonde seemed to be. "You can stay here until he comes back if you want."
Joey smiled up. "Tanks. Sorry, jes' waitin' on my sister, so I'm a bit jumpy." He took another swig of his beer.
"It's ok," assured Malik, glancing around to notice the other few people at this time were content which meant he could chat with the blonde for a bit.
"Is 'Keifa gon' call da cops on ya?" Joey asked warily.
Malik rolled his eyes at him, "Considering my younger brother Marik has been here and he's a cop, yeah not likely, but thanks for your concern."
"A cop, 'eh? Well dat's good." Joey took a swig. He thought the bartender was cute, but kinda crazy. "But, uh, don't cha worry dat ya might serve some underage kids an' den your brother'll arrest ya boss?"
Malik scoffed, "I own and run this joint. If kids came in here...well, I have a method to scare them off... It makes sure they don't come here again, but some have tried to sneak in. I only serve people over the age of eighteen. Besides, this place has a brothel upstairs. The bar is just this portion here while private rooms are up above. So, it's a crazy mix of booze and sex."
Joey blushed. "Oh, uh...a'ight." He thought the blonde insane. But fun.
"Yep, just some crazy fun," laughed Malik. "I do have some people I employed for the upper portion that work down here too. Just a few women and men. Ya know, that way either sexual preference is satisfied."
Joey blushed a more furious red. "Oh...uh, yea." Joey had tried going out with women. It didn't do anything for him. However, he couldn't even think of going out with men or he'd be beaten. His old man bloodied his eye for saying that a guy was cute.
"Though between you and me I prefer men," said Malik, being serious for a moment before returning to his normal craziness. "So, if you're worried about going out with someone there's always here to have a nice fuck or get to know someone without the hassle of others finding out. You know the saying about what happens behind doors stays there, right? Welp, that's definite motto here."
"Uh..yea, well...I can't. My ole man is...old school, an' not da good kind. I got da shit knocked outta me for sayin' a guy was cute. So, even if I was dat way, which I don' tink I am, I can't tink about it anyway." Joey looked down, scratching the back of his neck.
"Hmph, well that's stupid," said Malik bluntly. "You like what you like. You could try, I don't know, leaving?"
Joey looked up at Malik smiling ruefully. "Yea, but dat takes money I don' have, 'specially wit' my sister comin'. She is havin' an operation, so she has to live wit' someone, and she won' be able to work for a' least six months. I don' like leavin' her wit my dad, but I know he won' hurt her, and if he drinks, she knows to hide." Joey shrugged, finishing off his beer with troubled eyes.
"Hmm, well think on this then. If you want to stand up to him and be with someone you like you're welcome to stay at my home. I'm only here at my work place during the nights," he offered. "Wait until after your sister's operation to decide. I only live with my sister, Isis. She'd be able to help. I mean I would think she'd say yes after I explained things to her..."
Joey looked up at him. "Dat's awful nice, but you don' know me. How ya know I'm not a thief or nuttin'?"
"You work for Akefia," he said simply. "Besides, if you do steal from me I'll deal with you like I did the rest."
His expression then darkened with his crazed eyes, "I chased them down and either stabbed or other means... Sorry, I don't want to scare you off, but I'm insane. I thought you deserved a fair warning."
Malik's expression then returned to normal, "Anyways, you're welcome here anytime you feel like getting away from the troubles of life."
Joey paled slightly. "Uh...if ya so crazy, why would I feel safe wit' my sister wit' ya?"
Malik scowled, "My sister is normal unlike me. Heh, well I only hunt down and torment those who steal from me if it's something important or of value. If it were something I had no use for or thought is invaluable then I wouldn't care. That happens sometimes..."
"Well, tanks, den..." Joey felt this guy was telling the truth. He trusted his intuition; it worked well with his dad. "If I did decide to stay wit' ya, I'd have to pay ya some rent, or 'lectric, or sumptin'...but dat'd still be cheaper dan rentin' out an apartment and supportin' two people on one sal'ry."
"Nope, I don't want money from you," he replied, thinking of what would work best, a sly smile on his lips. "There are other ways to pay me back than that. Besides, I can help you with the employment issue if you want to work here, but not upstairs. The brothel job material isn't for everyone and you don't seem the type. It pays well either way..."
"Well, yea...I can bartend. I ain't never met a stranger!" Joey smiled big, missing the sly smile...as stated, Joey could be dense sometimes. About then Akefia came in.
"Damnit, Mal...give me back my wallet!"
"Nope, this gent has papers for you," smirked Malik, giving Joey a seductive smile before running off, holding Akefia's wallet in hand. "Gotta catch me first!"
"Damnit!" Akefia turned to Joey. "Sorry, Jo."
Joey shrugged. "It's okay. Here." Putting some money on the table, Joey headed out after Akefia stalked off after Malik.
()()()()()()()()()()
Yugi grabbed his back pack. He had multiple runs today. putting some fruit in his backpack along with a ham sandwich and a bottle of water, he headed out.
After the first couple, his last would be Yami. The guy felt jittery, can't believing he had to do that last time which sent him back to using it. So, this time he's here to pick up Seth's and his own order. He cursed under his breath, knowing he'll probably lose his job for this in the end.
Yugi walked up. "Seth's again. Money." Yugi held his hand out, the package in his other hand.
"Yep, my order too so you're getting two payments from me this time," grinned Yami, pulling out two envelopes before handing them over to get the good stuff.
Yugi frowned, not taking the second envelope. "Hey, you don't have to do it anymore. I trust you." For some reason, he didn't want to think of the cop as a user.
"Um, well to tell you the truth, I used to be a user before I joined the force," sweat dropped Yami, feeling a little ashamed of himself, pocketing the second payment and Seth's package. "So, uh, maybe I should go then..."
"Fuck." Yugi swore, feeling horrible. "Why didn't you tell me? Now it's my damn fault I got you hooked." Yugi looked miserable.
"No, it's not. It would eventually happen anyways since I do live with Seth. It was only a matter of time," Yami tried to comfort him, giving a sad smile.
"Fuck." Yugi frowned. "Come with me."
"Ok," he hesitantly agreed, following Yugi.
Yugi took him back to his house. "Look, I don't like druggies. I want to help you. Hopefully, with you just starting, I can help you. Here is some methadone. Don't ask where I got it. Just take one now." Yugi's voice brooked no argument.
"Oh," Yami accepted the tablet hesitantly, taking it dry, looking around the makeshift home.
Yugi shifted uncomfortably. "Yea, well...here." Yugi held out the envelope. "Give me the heroin back. I'm not giving you heroin. I'll deliver it personally to Seth. But not you. You actually like what you do, I don't want you throwing it down the drain."
Yami gave a small smile, "Thanks, Yugi."
He then gave over the package of heroin to the shorter male. He guessed he'd wait here until Yugi returned or something.
Yugi got to the door and turned around. "You coming? I can't leave you here."
"Oh, right," nodded Yami, blushing lightly as he followed after Yugi.
Yugi walked next to him through the streets. "You off today or something?" He eyed the crimson man, shaking off his attraction as cops were a definite "no no".
"Yeah, pretty much for a while," admitted Yami, not feeling like he could admit right now he had blown it when reporting to chief earlier because if he were caught using again he'd be off the force, but he hadn't been caught although someone had given the chief a tip about it, leaving him unemployed.
"Well, thanks." Yugi said as he knocked twice, then three times on Seth's door, then sliding the package through the mail slot, before turning and leaving. He smiled at Yami.
Yami didn't hear anything except the door unlocking. With the heel of Seth's boot he pushed a box of Yami's stuff out. Yami knit his brows, wondering what caused this to happen.
"Why are you kicking me out?" asked Yami suspiciously, knowing Seth could be an ass sometimes.
"I don't want to be a burden on you anymore," sniffed the brunette indignantly, noticing Yugi there which caused him from not saying the real reason.
"So, why am I leaving and not you?" prompted Yami, glaring lightly at his cousin.
"Because I said so," replied Seth before closing the door in his face.
Yami sighed, "Well, this is just peachy... Hmph, now where to go? Maybe I can ask Mal' or find somewhere to stay."
Yugi frowned, sighing. "Look, I can let you stay with me for tonight. But you have to stay in the bedroom. First thing tomorrow, you gotta find a place. I can't have a cop living with me."
"You don't have to worry about the cop thing," is all he'd say about it, following Yugi back to where they came from, still troubled by what's occurred.
"So, why'd he kick you out?" Yugi asked, after verifying that Bakura still wasn't home. He ushered Yami into a bedroom and shut the door. "You can have the mattress." Yugi said. "Don't leave here. I'll go get you some food." And he was gone.
Yugi came back with some water, some fruit, and two sandwiches. "Sorry, I didn't wait for an answer. Have to be careful with timing."
"It's fine. Thanks for housing me for the night," smiled Yami, accepting the water as he sat cross legged on the bed, taking a gulp, swallowing before he answered Yugi's question. "Chief laid me off. Someone saw me using. The chief had told me if I used again I would be kicked off, but I've done it before without him noticing thanks to Seth. The reason why Seth was acting like that is because he can be a total ass sometimes."
Yugi handed him some fruit and a sandwich. "Well, laid off is better than fired." He said, after some thought, taking a bite of his sandwich.
"Yeah, but Gozaburo will make sure other police forces know so as not to hire me," he said dryly, taking a bite out of the fruit, swallowing it before finishing it off then took a bite out of the sandwich Yugi had offered him.
Yugi frowned. "I'm really sorry. I'll find you a job, I promise. I'll make it right." Yugi swore.
Yami gave him a soft smile, putting down the food to give him a hug, "Thanks, but I knew it'd catch up to me eventually. It's not your fault."
Yami then let go of him. He went back to eating the sandwich. He didn't want Yugi to feel bad about it. Yami had known this would occur eventually one way or another.
"Yea, but if I wouldn't have made you take a hit, you may not have." Yugi gnawed his lower lip, sighing heavily.
"Heh, I'm not proud of admitting it, you know. Besides, I'd been taking one of Seth's needles every once in a while. So, eventually I'd be caught on my own undoing," he smiled wryly. "It's not your fault, Yugi. It's mine."
Yugi looked up, amethyst eyes sad. He set down his food and hugged him again, tightly. "I'm still really sorry." Sighing heavily, he nodded in determination. "Well, you can stay here as long as you need then, if you're not a cop." About then, he heard the door open. "Let's go meet Bakura."
At said moment, Bakura was walking in. He texted Marik. "You coming over?"
Marik texted back, "Yeah, I'll be there in a few minutes."
"Hey, Bakura, this is my friend Yami...he's gonna stay with us for a while." Bakura looked up and grunted.
"Fine shrimp...but if anything is fuckin' gone, it comes out of your hide. And he's gotta make his own fuckin' way. I ain't fuckin' paying for a freeloader."
"I'll make sure I do," promised Yami, feeling a little awkward.
Just then, there could be a knock at the door before Marik walked in. The awkward feeling increased at seeing his partner there. The blonde immediately went to Bakura, giving the appearance nothing's wrong even though he feels awkward too.
"Hi," waved Marik at the two, pointing at Bakura. "I'm this fluffer's pet or whatever you'd call it really."
"Yugi. Bakura's roommate." Yugi smiled at Marik. "This is Yami...my friend." Yugi stuttered out, now knowing how to explain Yami's appearance.
Bakura snaked an arm around Marik's waist. "Yea, pet...that's a good description." He smirked, kissing Marik's neck.
Marik pouted, "But I'm a good pet, 'Kura."
Yami sweat dropped, "Hey."
Bakura smirked. "I'll be ready after I take a piss." Bakura headed into the bathroom.
This left the three alone in the living room while Bakura left for a little while. Marik wondered how long it'd take for Bakura to take a piss. He decided to count the minutes in his head.
Yugi looked between the two, noticing the tension. "You two ex lovers or something?"
"Between Yami and I?" asked Marik.
"Nope, ex-partners on the force," said Yami quietly, uncertain if Bakura knew about it or not. "Well, we worked together, but that's it."
"I'm sorry what happened," said Marik, placing a hand on Yami's shoulder. "To be fair, it wasn't me who ratted you out even though I knew about your problem."
"I know about yours too, Ishtar," glared Yami.
Marik rolled his eyes, "Whatever, Sennen. As long as no one knows about it that's all I care about."
Yugi shook his head. "Well, problems just fit in around here, so...whatever." Yugi shrugged. "C'mon, Yami, let's go back to the bedroom, we can play cards or something."
"Ok, sounds good," agreed Yami, wanting to be away from there as he retreated with Yugi into the bedroom.