Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Echo In My Mind ❯ Chapter 2

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“Blah.” = Speaking out loud in Japanese.

 

-“Blah.”- = Speaking out loud in Egyptian Arabic.

 

`Blah' = Song lyrics, only sung out loud if quoted as either of the above.

 

~Blah~ = Past conversations (memory).

 

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`And you,

Bring me to my knees
Again
All the times,
When I could beg you please
In vain
All the times,
That I felt insecure
For you
And I leave
My burdens at the door'

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Damn his luck.

 

“Honestly, how much longer is this going to take?!” Bakura's question fell on deaf ears, the officers in charge of the roadblock hardly giving the wild-haired man a glance. Apparently the near venomous tone in his voice didn't affect everyone.

 

He had left the apartment at least an hour ago, and now, due to some idiot's fucked up driving skills, Bakura was caught behind a long stream of traffic. Vehicle after vehicle were parked one behind the other, yellow caution tape and orange warning cones set up along the divisions, a flare or two burning a florescent red every few feet. Stupid drivers, just because they had crashed into one another, it didn't mean -he- had to be punished by being holed up in his car this whole damn time.

 

“Oh… For the love of Re…” Bakura popped the steering wheel in the middle, his honk jagged and meaningless among the barrage of everyone else's. He wasn't agitated for the sole fact he was caught in traffic, it sucked ass, yes, but he normally wouldn't have minded the chance to snooze except…

 

It was Yami he was worried about.

 

His younger lover wasn't used to Bakura not calling when expected, last time the taller had accidentally forgotten to phone he had come home to a deathly pale, trembling, sobbing mess who could barely recall his own name.

 

And it didn't help that Yami tended to revert to babbling in a foreign language when he was having one of his break downs, making the boy all the harder to comfort.

 

`But I'm on the outside
And I'm looking in
I can see through you
See your true colors'

 

The lyrics were barely noticeable among the throng of sounds, Bakura sighing in defeat as he rested his head back and shut his eyes, fiddling with the volume knob until the song became more audible, soothing away the impending headache from his thoughts and ruckus outside.

 

`'Cause inside you're ugly
You're ugly like me
I can see through you
See to the real you'

 

He may have nodded off a moment or two, a slight crease in his brow the only sign he wasn't resting easily, Bakura allowing a faint scowl to slip free when a quite annoying tapping sound insisted on rousing him from his short nap. When the sound grew noticeably louder and more forceful, not to mention it was occurring just beside his ear, Bakura grunted and flitted his mahogany eyes open a sliver with a frown. “…What the hell…?...”

 

Long, dark fingers were curled and rapping against the glass of Bakura's window, although the pale man's eyes were hardly looking at them, much more busy racking up and down the leather-wrapped waist and legs currently at eyelevel instead. Suddenly Bakura didn't mind being disturbed from his rest… well; he had to take a peek at the other's face at least… Boyfriend or not, no one said he wasn't allowed to sightsee.

 

“Can I help you?” After lowering his window, Bakura cocked his head out the open space to blink up questioningly, eyes widening a moment, but in a very appreciative manner.

 

He could tell even from this vantage point that the other was taller than himself, perhaps not by much, but then again, perhaps that wild spray of fine-gold hair was deceiving him. The almost deadly looking arsenal of spiked up hair the figured sported was intriguing, to say the least, and it highlighted the caramel deep tan, only a shade darker than Yami's, quite nicely. Gold bands adorned his arms and neck, matched by a pair of odd looking earrings, and if Bakura had to guess, the piercings that made faint wrinkles in the other's black muscle shirt.

 

“…Well, moving your car would be a good start.”

 

Ah, and he had a delicious purr of an accent as well, which worked wonderfully with the deep and nearly unnerving voice. But damn it that he couldn't quite see his face, the sunlight was at an awkward angle and the stranger wore a pair of sunglasses.

 

“…The hell are you babbling about?” Bakura snorted, hot or not, this person couldn't just tell him what to do. Although while he was rolling his eyes, the paler of the two was quick to notice that the tape and cones were gone, and a series of cops were directing the at least sluggishly moving traffic around. “Oh…”

 

“Yeah…” The stranger sounded more amused than anyone else would have taken it, hands placing themselves on slender hips and tapping idly. “So, if you could move your vehicle, I really need to get my motorcycle across the street.”

 

“…Whatever.” It came out more acidly than he intended, he was quickly remembering the reason he had wanted to get the hell out of traffic earlier, and Bakura had always had a hard time not misplacing his worry and aggravation. “Just back the fuck off and I'll go.”

 

There was a pause from the one standing, his light tone dropping suddenly. “Sir, if you could step out of your vehicle.” The stranger had taken a step back now, his tone hardening a sliver in authority as he placed a hand just behind him as though ready to reach for something attached to his belt were he to be refused threateningly, other hand fishing out something shiny from his front pocket to flash the corner of it at Bakura.

 

Oh shit.

 

Bakura's eyes widened and he quickly raised his hands, licking his dry lips and cursing the hell out of himself. “I… hey, I didn't know you were a cop. I'm sorry, um… officer, sir…” Kicking himself mentally, Bakura eased out of his car slowly and turned around compliantly, keeping his hands on the roof of the car as instructed, and then voluntarily bumping his forehead on it repeatedly, muttering quietly as the cop slid his hands over him in a check, and then pulled away, although Bakura failed to catch the lingering look-over he was given.

 

“Is there a problem over here?”

 

Oh great, now he'd have two cops to deal with, and this second one was much taller and built to kill. Bakura groaned and straightened himself when the first cop told him he could relax now, sighing and blinking in confusion when a sheepish grin spread it self across the first officer's face.

 

“Oh, no, everything's fine, Oni-sama. I was just…”

 

“Mariku, what did you… Oh for Re's sake!”

 

“I just wanted to see what it was like…”

 

“You're not a cop! You are going to get me reprimanded all because you can't behave yourself! And impersonating an officer's against the law, Mariku. I wish you would act your age.”

 

The conversation slipped into a different language then, Bakura blinking in utter confusion as the two bickered back and forth, the foreign words sounding much like what Yami would mutter to himself when anxiety stricken. Although this train of thought made him suddenly realized how much of his time was being wasted away, and he growled, keeping his tone in check seeing as how at least one of the men before him was a true officer. “Does this mean I can go? I really have to head home, or get to a phone.”

 

The two quieted when the taller stated something rather harshly in closing, ending the discussion even though it hardly appeared as though it had truly been over. “I apologize for this mishap and for occupying your time, you're free to go.” The tall officer gave a slight nod of his head toward Bakura and a final, sharp frown to his brother before turning on his heels to continue directing traffic down the street.

 

“Gods, Rishid needs to get laid, or something…” Mariku, as Bakura now knew his name to be, snorted and then tossed a grin towards the paler, dipping his head down a bit so his sunglasses rode down the bridge of his nose enough to reveal his eyes, the brilliant violet color enthralling Bakura even as frustrated as he felt over all of this. “Oh, and I am sorry about pulling that on you, but I couldn't just pass up the opportunity to pat you down…”

 

Bakura blinked at the saucy grin he was given, but as flattered as he was to have Mariku flirting with him, because honest to Re he couldn't envision anyone else he'd like to hit on him on any given day, Bakura frowned firmly, jerking his head in the direction he needed to go. “Like I said, I have to get home-”

 

“You can't.” Mahogany eyes narrowed threateningly, but Mariku simply smirked and chuckled faintly with a shrug. “What? The roads heading that way are still blocked, traffic's only allowed if it's outbound.” Smiling smugly, the taller crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against Bakura's car calmly, droning out a purr as he faintly tipped his hip in the owner's direction. “So, until you can go back… I just moved here recently to join my brother…” Mariku trailed off, giving amply suggestion for the other to jump in, quirking a brow when Bakura merely swore to himself and got his keys out. “…and I really don't know anyone…”

 

He wanted to gawk at the fact he was basically being ignored, the paler fingering his hair rather than falling for the obviously laid out bait, and grabbing the door's handle, Mariku stopping Bakura from getting in the car by shifting and firmly leaning against the driver's side door. “Look, I guess it works different here in Nihon, but I'm hitting on you, and don't give me any crap about you being straight, because no man is straight around me, I'm everyone's type, and you're obviously not an idiot, so why the hell aren't you inviting me for a look around town?”

 

There was a moment of silence between them, the taller testily raising a brow before Bakura finally rolled his eyes and made a flicking motion with his hand to instruct the other to get away from him. “Because, `Mr. Fantastic', I need to find a fucking phone before my -boyfriend-, who for your information I love and wouldn't cheat on, hurts himself.”

 

Mariku raised his brow again, this time in interest as he cocked his head and looked Bakura over again. “…What's his name… and why the hell would he hurt himself?”

 

“That's none of your business; now get the hell away from me before I call your brother over here to bitch at you again.” The paler growled, almost possessively, but the frustration was nearly overwhelming now and he had the urge to shove the other away, but figured Mariku could easily take him down considering the size difference between them. Bakura could handle himself in nearly any situation, but the Mariku had more muscle than him along with the air of not needing to think twice before breaking a man's neck… and Bakura knew how to pick his fights.

 

Laughter filled the air, by now traffic was streaming at a decent pace around them, and Mariku seemed either not to notice or simply not care as he shook his head and pulled out the same shiny object from earlier out of his pocket, and held it out teasingly toward Bakura. “Alright, if I can't have his name, then how about yours?... As well as your phone number?” A nearly lethal grin curved his lips, enjoying the desperate look Bakura was giving the revealed cell phone despite the paler also growling at the suggestion. “You're going to have a hell of a time finding a payphone here, nearly all the stores are closed too. So unless you want to sit around and wait for the road to open, I suggest you let me call your boytoy for you…”

 

“Bastard. You're a manipulative jackass, you know.”

 

“So I've been told…” Mariku smiled, flicking the phone open without breaking his eye contact with the other, and poising his thumb over the numbers expectantly.

 

Knowing he'd rather not risk holding off much longer, Bakura glowered and snorted out a breath as he crossed his arms and grudgingly leaned against his car as well. “…Bakura…” He tried to mutter it under his breath as best he could, then reciting the apartment's number right after to keep the other from asking him to repeat himself.

 

“…Mm, Ba-Kura…” He let the name roll off his tongue, savoring the foreign name with a purr as he grinned and saved the number, then dialing it with a nod. “So… how do you and your boyfriend feel about threesomes?”

 

“You are -not- going near him, so back the fuck off-”

 

“Ah, you two haven't even screwed on your own, I get it.” Mariku didn't even blink at the choked out surprise from the other, merely rolling a shoulder as he listened to the third ring. “Don't worry; I'm sure you'll convince him eventually. He a virgin though? They tend to be harder to entice, but I can give you a few pointers… Unless you're one too? Because then I'll have to insist on joining you both.”

 

Bakura all but sputtered, frowning heatedly at that infuriating smirk, and trying to snag the phone away from the other. “Screw you! Just give me the damn phone; you're going to fucking scare him if you keep-”

 

Snickering as he managed to keep the cell phone out of the pale man's reach, Mariku held a finger up against the other's lips, effectively cutting him off when he heard the definable sound of the phone being picked up.

 

A flurry of thoughts battered his skull, Bakura not knowing quite what to do to the tanned digit pressed against his still slightly parted mouth, but his brain slowly churned back to the present the moment he realized Mariku was speaking into the phone now, the paler watching the taller speak, and not liking the vaguely troubled look he gave Bakura in return.

 

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`All the times
That I felt like this won't end
It's for you
And I taste
What I could never have
Was from you
All the times
That I've tried
My intentions,
Full of pride
But I waste
More time than anyone'

 

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~Wake up, Filth.~

 

A jump in his heart conflicted with itself, the twisted strings of devotion and terror entangling with one another to form a gnarled knot of anticipation and worry in his chest.

 

~How many fucking times have I told you the same damn thing?!~

 

The track of icy sweat began just beside his brow, lacing his jaw line, and sending a chill along his spine when the cold bead raced across his neck.

 

~Worthless, little whore…~

 

Tears prickled his eyes, reddening the whites even while shut, several streaming free while the rest were held back by will, some clinging to long, feathery lashes in dread.

 

~You're mine, damn it!~

 

A submissive whimper escaped him, slender arms wrapping about his torso as his head bowed, a murmur of agreement passing his lips, body aching with memorable pain.

 

~You made me hurt you…~

 

Another helpless sound of acknowledgement, fingers gripping his shirt as a slow, methodical rock unconsciously rippled his body in an effort to numb the verbal and physical strikes that had passed.

 

~I love you, Habibi…~

 

Quivering lips tugged into a faint smile, he took it as truth, knew it was a promise …because his lover would never lie, never ever!

 

~It won't happen again…~

 

…He said that last time too… But he hadn't lied, just… forgotten his promise…

 

~Just do as I tell you…~

 

“…H-hai…” his voice struggled, sluggish and drowsy, trembling and weak compared to the finely tuned purr of his lover's hiss.

 

~Don't leave this damn house again…~

 

A phantom kiss to his once-bruised lips, ghosting fingers through his wild array of spikes as his lover's words coiled darkly across his mind.

 

~And I'll love you forever~

 

That's all he really wanted, all he dared asked for… and as the voice echoed farther away, he found himself reaching out for it, needing it, craving it. Shaky hands grasped at nothing but air before him though, scarlet eyes blinking away the remnants of his tears in confusion as he awoke.

 

“…Ishie?...”

 

It took several moments of listening to his own nervous voice diminish in the other wise empty apartment before Yami remembered where he was and what had occurred.

 

How embarrassing.

 

Lowering his eyes, the teen sat up and grasped the edge of the counter above him, standing on trembling legs and muttering self-demeaning curses at himself as he fought to balance for a moment.

 

“Idiot, panicking over nothing… just wait until Bakura hears about this. Oh yes, he'll be proud of you then! I wouldn't be surprised if he rescheduled your appointment to tonight…”

 

His belittling tone strengthened him with enough frustration to get him to hobble toward the kitchen table, taking a seat, and nestling his head amongst the crook of his folded arms. Yami's mind slowly began to whirl into critical thoughts, the scarlet-eyed youth tracing backwards through his earlier activities to try and pinpoint what had set off his attack this time. Certainly he hadn't liked Bakura's departure, but that alone wouldn't have been enough to cause one of Yami's episodes. So what had-

 

The sharp ring of the telephone scattered his thoughts, tri-colored hair quivering in after shock from the quick snap of Yami's head when he lifted it to attention, eyes widening considerably in dread.

 

If he had passed out, he may have missed Bakura's calls!

 

“Damn you…” Yami groaned to himself, he'd have to make this up to Bakura somehow were he to have worried the other more than he ever meant to. Shakily slipping out of the chair, he glanced a moment at the clock and swore more heatedly as he noted that it had been well over two hours since Bakura had left, shutting his eyes regretfully when the voice message indicator blinked away at him as well.

 

Yami ran fingers through his mess of spiky locks, other hand firmly planted along the wall to support his still emotionally drained body, which oddly enough fatigued him physically more than he liked. Finally rounding the corner, he nimbly picked the phone up after at least the sixth drawn out ring, hoping Bakura wouldn't be in hysterics.

 

“Moshi mo-”

 

“Oi!”

 

Scarlet eyes widened and he froze on the spot, a hint of fright behind the obvious signs of being startled. He hadn't been certain the caller would be Bakura, but Yami had most definitely not been prepared for a complete stranger's voice to greet him, and so enthusiastically as well.

 

“…Um, you still there?”

 

The voice had a heavier accent than Yami's own, although it gave the mystery caller an added quality of familiarity, which aided in keeping the scarlet-eyed youth from overreacting at the moment, although a twinge of horror quivered deeply within himself all the same.

 

“Mm, oi… Ba-Kura, I think I frightened him.”

 

Yami blinked wildly then, his boyfriend was with this other man? Why hadn't Bakura simply used the phone himself? Was he mad at the younger for not answering earlier? What if this was his cruel way of breaking up with Yami after all the burdening misery he had brought upon Bakura? Having his new, surely mentally stable, lover call to mock Yami into an oblivion of heartbreak?

 

Tears welled up in Yami's eyes, rendering his vision blurry and distant as he felt the phone slip from his grasp slightly, the earpiece pressing gently below his ear.

 

Bakura didn't love him any more…

 

He had called and called, but because of the younger's stupid anxiety…

 

Yami was always more vulnerable after an attack, his mind choosing to fabricate an infinitely long tapestry of lies and nightmares, all of which seemed all too real and crushing to offer the effort necessary to see them as false on his own.

 

-“… No… Akeifa… I… I'm s-sorry…”-

 

The quivering voice broke off into a barely stifled sob, Yami screwing his eyes shut as a wall of past emotions and betrayals threatened to mangle his mind and soul once more. The boy hardly noticed the switch of voices on the other end, dropping the phone with a clatter, and slumping to the ground pathetically. His slender legs were drawn toward himself until knees pressed against his chest, Yami shuddering violently and openly crying his heartache.

 

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`All the times
That I've cried
All this wasted,
It's all inside
And I feel
All this pain
Stuffed it down
It's back again
And I lie
Here in bed
All alone,
I can't mend

But I feel
Tomorrow will be OK'

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