Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Redemption ❯ Mixed Liasons ( Chapter 18 )

AN:

Yes, finally back to a chapter which has a point. I know the last one was just dealing with the what must happen or there are too many plotholes, but I promise this one has important points to make. And there is fluff. So hopefully after the utter dearth of reviews for last chapter this one will bring us back on track once more. Please people Read and review!!!!

 

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Bakura ploughed through his Saturday night shift, watching the clock constantly. The arrangements for Sunday did not end with his now set date with Ryou; rather they started at three am after his shift. There was a certain daemon that he had arranged to catch up with. When the end of his shift arrived Yami was ready and waiting for him outside and grinning with anticipation. Bakura couldn't help but smirk in return.

 

“Its good to see you Yami.”

 

“And you. I believe today sees you free of the parasite.”

 

Bakura frowned slightly. For some reason it did not sit right with him that Yami refer to Seto so, especially after the last couple of days. True the two were bitter enemies and Yami had more reason than anyone to hate Seto, but still.

 

“Seto is safely settled at Joey's, yes.”

 

It didn't take a genius to sense the coolness in Bakura's tone. Yami knew that there would be a reason for it, but also knew that now was not the time to ask.

 

“Come on, lets get something to drink.” He shrugged off Bakura's change in attitude quickly.

 

Bakura shook his head. “Most of Domino has shut down by now, and the rest will either be in the middle of closing or too loud.” He flicked his head back to indicate the club he had just left. Yes such an environment would be way too noisy.

 

Yami shrugged once more. “My place then.”

 

It was actually only a minute or two's walk to the new apartment. As they got inside Yami quickly headed to the kitchen and grabbed two beers from the fridge while Bakura lit up a cigarette. Yami looked on in faint disapproval.

 

“What?” Bakura shrugged. “Its not like they are going to fucking kill me.” He stated dryly.

 

“Does Ryou know?” Yami asked with a sigh.

 

“No, and to be honest it wouldn't matter if he dud. It's not a habit, just a wind down when stressed.” And since meeting Ryou he had smoked a whole lot less to tell the truth.

 

Yami chuckled. “Living with Seto will do that to you I'm sure.”

 

Bakura smirked. “It has been one hell of an experience I assure you. I've been wondering about him though; he's an odd one. I thought that I knew him, but he really fucking threw me a curveball the other day.”

 

“How so?” Yami asked curious.

 

“Well after you three had your little showdown in the portal he really hasn't been the same. Fuck me I actually caught him pouting at one point.”

 

Yami almost choked on his beer as he started to laugh. “You've got to be kidding me.” Bakura sniggered and shook his head, Yami erupting into laughter.

 

“And that's not even half of it. I know that it had been a couple of days and we had been getting along like a house on fire if you add gasoline to the flames if you get my meaning, but the sulking really had me wigged out. I wondered if it was something to do with Gabriel at first.”

 

“Well the fucker hates getting talked down to.”

 

“Then it dawned on me how quickly he backed down when Marik mentioned knowing his secret. By the way, you wouldn't happen to know what the Hell that's about would you?”

 

“Not a clue.” Yami shrugged. “You guess is as good as mine on that one pal.”

 

“Well like the bloody idiot I am, because I am irritated out of my skull I barrel in there and ask about it. Firstly I was stunned because he answered me at all, though all I got out of him was `my position is not an easy one' or words to that effect.”

 

Yami snorted derisively. “Figure the pretentious prick.”

 

Bakura ignored him. “So I press him and bugger me if he doesn't storm out in a temper. I was worried out of my fucking mind knowing how unaccustomed to earth he is, but he eventually turns up about two hours later. What really got me was that he'd actually been crying.”

 

Silence fell between them as Yami looked at him disbelievingly for a long moment before starting to snigger loudly. “For a second you had me there. Good one Bakura!”

 

Bakura on the other hand did not find it funny, his eyes narrowing, their crimson hue deepening to mahogany. “Are you calling me a liar Yami Wingsbane?” He asked acidly.

 

Yami physically flinched, instantly quiet and sober as Bakura used the name that had been coined for him during the Battle of the Heavens.

 

“It was not my intention Bakura Halfangel.” He shot back, his tone equally venomous.

 

He was extremely unimpressed with the usage of his derogatory nickname given to him so long ago in the past. It brought back a number of memories. During the Battle of the Heavens that a number of angels earned names to go along with their given ones. Akeifa had been named Gentleblade as when he fought he did all he could to minimise the harm he had to cause to his opponents. He had received the name Wingsbane, as he had maimed and destroyed many an angels wings in battle. Fortunately there was no lasting harm for there are few weapons that can truly harm an immortal angel, but that had not stopped the battle from being brutal. It was obviously at this time that Marik became known as the Adversary and Seto the Avenger, though that was not the only name that Seto had earned for himself.

 

The Sword of Righteousness which Seto wields is one of the few weapons that can truly hurt angelkind, and was not the first weapon he had wielded in battle. No his weaponry had been much like the others, that was until God decided to put an end to things. On that last fateful day of the Battle of the Heavens God had armed Seto with the Sword and the battle came to a very abrupt end when Seto joined it. In moments Seto had felled the angel in front of Yami, leaving all horrified as they saw Kisara die. Unlike humans an angel's soul did not continue on in Heaven, they had nowhere to go, Kisara's soul was lost in the ether forever, denied entry into any realm and forced to wander between dimensions. Kisara had been a gentle soul, a lot like Akeifa in many ways, and it was a huge loss to the Heavens.

 

In the sudden stillness that came with her death Yami found he was the only one that could move, and in his shocked rage attacked Seto. With eyes like chips of ice Seto had quickly disarmed him and run him through. It was only Marik's quick surrender which had saved Yami's life. Yami however, would never forget the searing agony as the blue flame threatened to burn him up from the inside. He knew he had screamed, the sound burned in his memory. As it was the wound had taken many days and a lot of care to heal, and it was that which had delayed the day of judgement for them all, and he still bore the scars from that day. It was Kisara's death, and his own brush with mortality which had earned Seto his other name; the Angelslayer. No one had dared ever say it to his face, though he could not be ignorant of it, but this was the reason that he was feared by all of Heaven and Hell. Well, almost all.

 

Many had never forgiven Seto for taking Kisara's life. Amongst the Fallen there had been much bitterness when they realised the Lord had sanctioned, and in probability ordered the use of such deadly force, a move to force Marik's hand to end things. The Lord did not like to lose, but it had shaken even the good Lord himself. Perhaps that was why when the day of judgement came and his enemy knelt before him defeated he had granted Marik that which they had fought for, that Kisara had died for.

 

Yami found that Bakura's sudden dig at the past disturbed him, but it marked the strength of his feeling in the matter. Yami rubbed idly at the scar which sat just to the right of his naval, and felt a corresponding twinge in its mate just to the right of his spine. He felt a sudden spike of pain as he remembered how Seto had run him through with the entire length of the blade, the hilt pressed against his stomach. He swallowed hard, the pain leaving as quickly as it had come. He had not had his flaming scythe in those days, it was in fact forged by him later in the fires of Hell with Marik's help. He would have given Seto a taste of his own medicine if he had, he thought to himself. The scythe was another of the weapons capable of bringing lasting harm or even death to an angel or daemon.

 

His eyes flashed dangerously as he looked at Bakura. He did not like to be reminded about his brush with death. Bakura nodded in understanding. Yami had gotten his point and would not question what he said, and he was never to mention their past like this again.

 

“So the bastard actually cried. Who would have thought he would have had it in him?” He asked with bitter sarcasm.

 

Bakura rolled his eyes and ignored Yami's attitude. “It was strange to see him like that Yami, almost disturbing. We all have a picture of him in our minds, but I am beginning to wonder if any of us truly know him. I know I have no room to talk after all these millennia, and you have been in Hell with Marik and Akeifa, but still. Does anyone even in Heaven actually know him Yami?”

 

Yami shrugged. “Maybe they don't but who gives a shit? Who the fuck would want to? You said yourself how hard he is to live with.”

 

Bakura couldn't help but chuckle at that. “Oh that he was and I can only hope that Joey has better luck with him. Though from what I saw earlier there is a good chance that will work out.”

 

“Really?” Yami's curiosity got the better of him and he started to calm down.

 

“Seto's slipping, his emotions are starting to show, yesterday particularly.”

 

“He actually has emotions?” Yami sniggered at little. “Well this is going to be a riot then.”

 

“Either he doesn't want to control them anymore, or his control is slipping out of his grasp. Since he's been on earth I've seen him angry, upset, I've seen enjoyment and by the way has a weakness for pancakes and tea.”

 

Yami chuckled, his good mood returning.

 

“Oh yes, this afternoon he really slipped, he forgot himself and nearly fucking smiled.”

 

Yami was agog. “No fucking way! Shit is the world about to end?”

 

Bakura sniggered. “I know, I could hardly bloody believe it myself, he managed to hide most of it but not all. And he offered to help Joey earlier.”

 

“He's actually deigning to work with a human?”

 

“Apparently. I know I drummed it into him about being polite and such, but it was beyond any expectations. Though its clear he connect with Joey on some level. True that it is not on the surface, they could be not be more different there.”

 

“Too damn right. Its in his aura, the loyalty and devotion I'm guessing.”

 

Bakura nodded. “I know you and Marik were hoping to use Joey to see how much you could make the icy exterior crack but I think he's already part way there.”

 

“A piece of fucking genius that was too.”

 

Bakura chuckled. “You can thank Ryou, all his idea apparently. I found it hard to believe but fuck me that one is full of surprises.”

 

Yami chuckled. “He's done wonders for you. I've never seen you so settled since you were off exploring with Akeifa.”

 

Bakura smiled remembering happy times. He still got that little stab in his heart, but the guilt and sadness no longer pained him like they used to. They would always be there but he was learning to live with them.

 

“Well there is hope for me yet it seems.”

 

“There always was hope Bakura, you just lost your way a little.”

 

“And ten millennia or so is supposed to be a little.” He teased. “I'd hate to be totally fucking lost then.”

 

Yami laughed with him. The two moved to more comfy quarters in Yami's lounge. Now the air was cleared between them they had a lot to talk about and not much time. Bakura did have a date later that evening after all, but for now the two caught up, talking on the past - well the bits that weren't painful for them, the present, those they knew and missed, and on the future.

 

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Malik rolled over, nestling into the warm body of his lover. He smiled, beginning to trace random patterns lazily across Marik's naked back as the broader of the two lay on his front. Marik hummed softly in approval turning his head so that he could see Malik. There was a wistful look in those young lavender eyes and he could tell there was something on the youth's mind.

 

“What is it?” He asked softly as propped himself up on his elbows.

 

Malik smiled broadly. “Its nothing.” He reassured him.

 

“It has to be something or you wouldn't be looking at me like that.” Marik responded seriously.

 

Malik chuckled softly. “Its enough that you asked, trust me.”

 

Marik frowned slightly at the cryptic response then suddenly realised what was on his lover's mind. With a soft sigh he rolled onto his side and pulled Malik into his arms, nuzzling into the soft spice-scented platinum locks. Malik smiled softly pressing himself into the warm body of his partner, his arm tight around Marik's waist. Marik closed his eyes, loving the feel of Malik pressed against him, there was just something with this youth that made the simple pleasure of bare skin in skin an absolute joy. He wondered if he would ever tire of holding him, of breathing in his scent of… Fuck! He'd fallen hard, fallen losing his heart, one he didn't know he could ever feel like this, to the youth in his arms. That brought him to the matter in hand. With a gentle hand he raised Malik's face to meet his, claiming Malik's soft lips in a deep and tender kiss. Malik murmured in pleasure at this soft affection. As they broke apart Marik stroked the human's cheek softly with his thumb.

 

“I know we don't see as much of each other as we both would like.” He began.

 

“Oh I don't know.” Malik grinned, his eyes raking over his lover's body lasciviously.

 

Marik chuckled. “Yes, well rest assured there is more to this in my mind than just me bedding you.”

 

Malik smirked. “Really, I thought that was all we had done so far.” He teased,

 

“Oh for fuck's sake!” Marik couldn't help but grin though. “I really am no good at this.” Too fucking right, he'd never tried to declare his feelings for anyone before. “Its just between work, my responsibilities and…”

 

Malik quickly quieted him by pressing his finger to Marik's lips. “I know.” He murmured softly, grateful for the reassurance.

 

While he knew it was still early days for the two of them, his doubts still plagues him, and to have Marik express his feelings, or at least try, was enough to put his mind at ease. Marik chuckled.

 

“It doesn't fucking help that you look good enough to eat.”

 

“Hmm you've taken a few bites already.” Malik sniggered. “So its all my fault we end up fucking is it?” He teased.

 

Marik just grinned in reply, taking the opportunity to grope at Malik's taught ass. As he pressed his body firmly into Malik's he nodded in affirmation. Malik sighed and rolled his eyes in mock resignation.

 

“Its hard looking this good you know.”

 

Marik chuckled. “Oh yes, very hard. There is always a price to pay.”

 

Malik's smirk softened as he thought about things. While he was happy with what he had, he was curious by nature and once the question sprung into his mind he just had to have an answer.

 

“This job of yours, just what is it that you do?”

 

Marik groaned inwardly but took care not to let it show in his expression. “Its hard to explain.” He said truthfully. “You could say that my work is humanitarian in nature.” Okay, so it was in definition, but it was also stretching that definition by some way.

 

“So you help people?” Malik asked.

 

“In a manner of speaking.” He was being evasive, but what was he supposed to say? “Its complicated at best, nigh on impossible at times, but the job has its perks.”

 

Malik raised his eyebrows suggestively. “Oh yes?”

 

Marik sniggered. “Yes, if I hadn't been dealing with things in the neighbourhood I would never have run into you, and had the ride of my fucking life.” He purred.

 

“Hmm.” Malik sighed as Marik nuzzled into his neck. “I like the sound of those perks.”

 

“I'll bet you do.” Marik murmured as he nibbled at the sweet spot on his lover's neck.

 

Malik closed his eyes and groaned as Marik worked at the already marked skin. “How is you always know exactly what I want, even when I don't know it yet?” he asked breathlessly.

 

Marik chuckled darkly. “It's a gift.” He answered cryptically.

 

Well it was the truth, it was amongst his powers of seduction to know exactly what his partner wanted, but he knew what he wanted too. Right now he wanted Malik to be a slave to his touch, to be his and his alone. He had no idea where this sudden possessiveness came from but gave in to it, already resigned to making this relationship with Malik work for as long as he could. Grabbing handfuls of spiky hair Malik pulled him in for a deep kiss, plundering the depths of his lover's mouth with his tongue. Marik willingly gave up control, his hand caressing the flat plain of Malik's stomach, loving the way the youth made him feel when he gave up control. Eventually they broke apart, the need for air compelling. Marik grinned as he ran his fingers through Malik's platinum locks.

 

“Hmm, when did you get so addictive?” He murmured softly.

 

Malik chuckled. “About the time you walked into my life I should think. No one else has found me to be.” He said in all honesty.

 

Yes, that was where the insecurities had begun. He'd never had any trouble attracting others, his exotic colouring and toned physique had always drawn hungry looks and admirers. In the past he'd bedded quite a few of these, too many probably. The problem had been that none of them seemed to want anything more than a roll or two between the sheets. While Malik knew that he wasn't ready for deep commitment, he still wanted more than just something that casual and off hand. It had been others inability to see him as anything other than a pretty face and a good fuck that had started the doubts in the first place. He had begun to believe that he would always be alone, and with every encounter the more lonely and empty he felt. Well up until recently that was. Yes his doubts still reared their ugly heads, but the way that Marik complimented him - even if it was a little odd at times, the way Marik treated him, they were enough to keep the doubts at bay.

 

He had known from the very beginning that Marik was different. Hell even in the midst of their most wild coupling Marik made him feel secure in a bizarre way. It was this that made him crave Marik and his company even more, but this sudden dependency scared him a little. Just what did it mean? As his eyes met Marik's he put the worrying question aside. He wanted to enjoy this for as long as he could.

 

“You seem a little lost in thought lover.” Marik observed softly.

 

“I know, Ishizu would be checking that I'm not sick right about now.” He chuckled. “Just thinking about the past and such, nothing to worry about.” He assured him.

 

Marik frowned a little. “They were all fools.” He muttered darkly. “How anyone could not see your worth, they would have to be fucking blind.” He growled.

 

Malik blushed. He had a tendency to do that round Marik, it had something to do with the things he said, and he had a knack for saying the right thing at the right time, though sometimes in an odd way. Marik grinned.

 

“You know you look so fucking hot when you blush like that.” He purred,

 

Malik couldn't help himself and giggled. Oh fuck, he sounded like a girl right about now, but it seemed to leap right out of him. Marik nodded in satisfaction; he had successfully distracted his lover from the dark thoughts that were on his mind, and he had been telling the truth anyway. There was nothing he liked to see more than Malik flushed, his eyes half closed with lust and his lips parted and panting for breath in the throes of passion. Hell yes that was a fucking gorgeous image that he'd had the privilege of seeing on more than one occasion. But now was not the time for such things.

 

He rolled onto his back pulling Malik with him so that he nestled tight into his side. The air in the room was cool against their naked skin and after a little shiver Malik gave in and drew up the covers over them, then he smiled suddenly.

 

“What?” Marik asked curious now.

 

“Malik chuckled. “I was thinking about Ryou. I am so going to have to talk to Joey about betting on when he and Bakura actually get it together in the bedroom.”

 

Marik sniggered. And there it was, the kid was so like him in so many ways and this was one of them. In fact he already had such a bet running with Yami already, much to Akeifa's chagrin. He said it was unseemly.

 

“Oh yes, and why's that?” He asked with interest.

 

“Just the way the two of them seemed together when we went to meet Seto today. Certainly Ryou seems to be opening up around Bakura, gaining confidence. It's good to see after he's been messed around so much.”

 

Marik smiled softly. “Bakura's a good man. He'll take good care of Ryou I assure you.” He stated sincerely, he knew his friend well enough to know that Bakura would tread very carefully, he had no desire to see anyone hurt because of him again, Seto had made sure of that.

 

“I know.” Malik smiled softly. “That much is obvious and if he didn't, he'd have me, Joey and Yugi to deal with.”

 

“But tell me, what did you think to Seto?” Okay, so he was curious now to say the least.

 

Malik thought for a moment. “Tall.” He replied with a smirk.

 

Marik sniggered. “You don't say.”

 

Malik chuckled, pleased to have made his lover laugh. “He's quiet, even aloof, but he seemed okay. He's no party animal that's for sure, but time will tell.”

 

“That it will.” Marik agreed with a grin. “I wish Joey the best of luck, I have a feeling that he's in for a rocky ride with that one.”

 

“Well hopefully they will get on better than Seto did with Bakura. By the sounds of it the two of them were about ready to kill each other, or so Ryou say at any rate.”

 

“They have a history those two.”

 

“I'd guessed.” And by the sound of it so do you.” Malik teased, poking him gently.

 

“You could say that. But that is water under the bridge and all in the past I know how to handle Seto should the need arise, so I don't let him worry me.”

 

“No, that's my job.” Malik replied with a grin.

 

“Hmm. In more ways than one my gorgeous one.” Marik muttered as Malik ran his finger teasingly up the inside of his thigh.

 

Malik sniggered. “Don't pretend that you don't enjoy it.” He purred as he nuzzled into Marik's soft neck.

 

“You know I fucking love it, so stop fishing for compliments.” Marik teased.

 

Malik pouted exaggeratedly feigning hurt, which in turn only made Marik laugh at him and draw him in for a tender kiss. He smiled softly as he skimmed his thumb over Malik's bottom lip. His smile broadened as Malik suddenly yawned.

 

“Have I been tiring you out?” He asked cheekily.

 

“You know damn well that you have.” Malik groused. “Though I'm not actually complaining.”

 

“No, I think you were merely screaming.” Marik sniggered.

 

Malik whacked him on the arm none too lightly for that. “That's all your fault, you drive me fucking crazy.”

 

“And you me lover, and you me.” Marik crooned softly.

 

Malik yawned again, trying hard to stave off tiredness.

 

“Come on, you need your sleep, make yourself comfortable.” Marik encouraged him softly.

 

“I am comfortable.” Malik grumbled sleepily.

 

Indeed he was, tucked in tight into Marik's side with his head nestled into his broad shoulder he had one leg hooked possessively over his lover and his hand rested over Marik's strong heart. He felt like he could stay like this forever and be happy.

 

“How long can you stay?” he asked quietly.

 

“Not too long.” Marik sighed. “Early morning at best.”

 

“So you won't be here when I wake up?” Malik couldn't help but sound disappointed.

 

“Well that would depend on when you wake up.” Marik chuckled. “If you can't move your lazy ass then no I won't be here.” He chuckled, lightening the suddenly serious mood.

 

“Not lazy, my ass is pretty.” Malik grumbled.

 

“That it is lover.” Marik agreed, nuzzling into Mali's soft hair.

 

Malik had intended to talk more but he lost the battle with sleep, sinking completely into his lover's warmth. Marik sighed, smiling softly at the human sleeping against him. Yes he would stay for as long as he could, for both their sakes.

 

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AN:

See, fluff. And the whole back story gig is important. Especially to me. I am known for being a meanie and so far this plot has not been very mean, well at least not for a good few chapters at least and I need my fix. Oh and finally I got to kill someone off. That does have a point in the future by the way but you shall see later. Right little rant over. Guys…. Please read and review I miss my pretty little reviews!!!