A thread for me and my love! ;3

It had been a month since the duel between Yugi and Atem, and everything seemed to be returning to normal. The school year for Yugi, Téa, Joey and Tristan had ended, bringing with it the summer that they had all looked forward to. Yet, the summer seemed boring without their former companion with them. True, they knew that Atem belonged in the Afterlife, but they still missed him.

In spite of all of this, Yugi had finally built up the courage to admit his feelings and ask Téa out. To his surprise, she accepted, and they had been dating for the past two weeks. Two other friends of theirs had also been fortunate in their respective love lives. Tristan had begun dating their classmate Miho Nosaka, and Seto Kaiba began seeing Joey's younger sister Serenity, much to Joey's displeasure and Seto's happiness, both at finding someone and Joey's obvious discomfort. However, little did the group know, their world was about to change once again.

In the middle of the city, a figure lay motionless on the ground. Upon further inspection, we see that it is Atem himself. Opening his eyes slowly, the man stood, groaning softly in discomfort. Taking a moment, to clear his vision, he walked from the alley, surveying his surroundings. "I'm…. back? What in the name of Ra?" Atem then noticed that all of the people that passed were giving him very strange looks. Noticing that he was still wearing his tunic and jewelry from Egypt, he sighed. "This won't do. I suppose I could try and find Yugi and see if I could borrow some money. In fact, that's not a bad idea." Keeping to the shadows to avoid attracting too much attention, he made his way to Yugi's grandfather's game shop.

The day had been nearly unbearabley bright since twelve, Marik shading his eyes with his lightly tan arm, staring up at the clouds in the sky. He lay in the grass in front of the game shop next to Yugi, Tea, Joey, Miho, and Tristan, enjoying an afternoon in the company of his new... "Friends". He was more their aquintance than anything else, but he didn't mind. Anyone he could possibly call a friend had been a rare thing in his life, so he took what he could get. He felt he was lucky that they spoke to him at all after what had happened only a month ago when the darker side took control.

Marik listened to the others chat, his mind drifting from what that cloud looked like to how Bakura might be to the dark Pharaoh Yugi had once held inside of him. Slowly Marik sat, feeling a little chill run down his spine on the simmering hot day. Watching the Pharaoh duel had been something one would only see from a former king of Egypt, the card combinations, the monsters, the entire match had set Marik ablaze to learn more about this Atem, but he had been sent back into the afterlife just after the final duel between him and Yugi. It had been a dissapointing month to say the least until he felt a shadow fall over his back, sheilding him from the sun. As he turned his head, his soft violet eyes widened in surprise and his mouth fell open, "Pharaoh?"

Smiling, his grin widened as the others turned to see what the cause was for Marik's outburst. As his gaze fell on his former host, Atem laughed softly as Yugi srung up and launched himself into the former Pharaoh's arms. "Pharaoh! But-but how, I.. I mean what.." Chuckling, Atem smiled down at the young man. "Calm yourself, Yugi. To be honest, I don't know what i'm doing here. All I remember was the vision of my mother and father and all of my friends from Egypt standing before me, then another doorway appeared and suddenly, I was back in this world. But it is wonderful to see you all again." He nodded to each of his friends.

As his gaze fell on Marik, he nodded in greeting. "Nice to see you again, Marik. Though I thought you'd be back in Cairo with Ishizu and Odion? Are you here visiting?" Taking in the vision of Marik, Atem could not help but notice the way his tan skin seemed to glow in the midday sun. "Speaking of which, how are your brother and sister? Well, I hope." Stepping toward Marik, Atem shook the younger man's hand, his hand grasping Marik's forearm as Marik did the same to his own in a friendly grip.

Marik watched Yugi's excitement, giving a little smile at how innocent the little duelist could be. He stood in the background, not wanting to interfere with the reunion of friends and at that moment he seriously did consider the Pharaoh's words. Why was he here? What was he doing in the company of Yugi and his friends when he should be with his siblings? He didn't have an answer in his own mind, but he threw one out for Atem, not bothering to make it sound like a real reason or not, "Wanted to spend some time with them." He gestured toward Yugi and his friends, knowing that was a partially true statement once he had said it. He did not refuse the Pharaoh's greeting, even bowing his head slightly, though that was mostly to cover the soft blush under his soft tan skin, "They are well. Pharaoh, I... I'm sorry about... Everything. Everything that happened during the tournament, it... It wasn't me."

Marik cursed and kicked himself mentally, telling himself to shut up. Why was he babbling in front of Atem, the former king of Egypt? Why was he apologizing? He kept his head bowed, waiting until Atem released his arm to loosen his grip, then taking a step back, his thoughts rushing around in his head, 'What on earth was that!? I was babling like a scolded toddler!! I don't understand, why do I want to talk to him so badly? He wasn't THAT impressive! Well, yes... Yes he was, but... But that's not the point!!!'. Marik felt as if his mind had been turned onto overdrive trying to process many things at once as he stared down at the boots on his feet, suddenly finding them very interesting to look at.

Smiling, Atem placed a comforting hand on the former tomb keeper's shoulder. "Don't worry, my friend. I know that it wasn't you doing those things and I forgave you long ago. But now that your dark side has been driven from you, you may begin to start anew if you wish." Giving the man's shoulder a gentle squeeze, he turned to Yugi. "Yugi? Would it be possible to borrow some money? These clothes don't exactly suit me in this time." He said with an amused chuckle. Nodding excitedly, Yugi ran into the game shop, calling for his grandfather.

Returning a few moments later, Yugi handed Atem Solomon's credit card. "Here you go. I trust you know the way to the shopping district?" With a nod, Atem thanked Yugi and turned, walking back toward town. "I'll be back shortly." He called out over his shoulder. Entering the city, he made his way through the shopping district, looking for some interesting clothing shops.

Marik looked between the Pharaoh and Yugi, then made his decission. Patting Yugi on the head he explained he'd be back later, that he was helping Pharaoh carry things if he needed. He ran after Atem, catching up to him at the first clothing store and sticking close, "I figured you would need someone to help you carry things." Marik looked up at him, violet eyes bright and shimmering even out of the sunlight. Atem had said friend. He had never heard the others use that word and mean him, so he immediately felt compelled to follow the man that had called him friend. He had probably only meant it as a term to signify someone he had met once or twice, but Marik didn't care. That word just seeped into him and made him feel wanted.

All smiles and helping hands and hints, Marik stood close to the Pharaoh in the store, clothes racks pressing against his spine sometimes, and sometimes he had enough room to hold his arms out and spin. Constantly they were forced together by the racks of clothes, only to move into an open area where Marik would instantly feel that lonliness of having no one at his side.

Smiling to himself at the handsome man's antics, he sifted through the clothing racks. 'Wait.. Handsome?! Where in the name of Ra did that come from?!'. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Atem continued his search, finally settling on a pair of dark blue jeans and a purposefully torn, tight fitting sleeveless black tank top that looked like he had been slashed across the stomach diagonally by a massive animal, finishing with a pair of black combat boots that gave him a few inches, taking him from about 6 foot 2 to about 6 foot 4.

Taking the items, he quickly located a changing room and stepped inside, beginning to undress and pull on his selection, the jeans hugged his toned legs while not being too tight and the tank top hugged his toned, tan torso nicely, showing his well muscled stomach in some areas and revealing nicely developed arms. Lacing the boots, he stepped out of the changing room to guage Marik's reaction.

Marik had watched him pick, nodding when he was asked his opinion. Earlier he didn't shut up, now he didn't speak. Once the Pharaoh had his new clothes Marik sat in one of the chairs provided outside the dressing room. It seemed to take Atem forever to change, but Marik realized it had been worth it when the slightly older male walked out of the changing room and sort of modeled the clothing.

Marik literally stopped breathing, his shining violet eyes widened by the tight shirt and form-fitting jeans. After a moment he realized he was staring and shook his head, turning away to hide the blush, not able to look at the Pharaoh after his staring episode, "You look great. M-modern, I mean..." He stood with his back to the Pharaoh now, hips cocked to one side in a way, arms crossed and the purple shirt that he wore showing over the space of his tattooed lower back.

Slightly surprised by the young man's actions, Atem wanted to ask what was troubling him, but decided to wait until Marik felt comfortable enough to tell him. Instead, he smiled as he walked up to the counter to pay for the items, deciding to leave the new outfit on as he handed the tags from the shirt and jeans as well as the box for the boots to the woman at the register before handing her Solomon's card and thanking her as he and Marik left the shop. Feeling somewhat hungry, he turned to Marik. "Would you like something to eat? I'll buy."

Marik pushed away the butterflies and followed the Pharaoh to the counter, standing close as he paid and stuck by his side as they walked out. The question was a simple one, but he didn't have a simple answer. More or less, he answered a question with a question, "We can do whatever you want. Do you want me to go eat with you somewhere?" He looked up, the sun hitting his face at an angle as the sun began to lower in the sky, touching the tops of the buildings.

The way the sun hit him he looked like he was glowing once again, that tan skin working for him with the bright days. His eyes shimmered a dark lavender now in the slowly setting sun, his hands on his hips as he waited for Atem to give him an answer, though he hadn't really given one either.

Nodding, Atem smiled. "I'd like that, if you wouldn't mind of course." Receiving a slight nod, Atem led Marik to one of his favorite outdoor restaurants. Arriving a few minutes later, they were quickly led to a table. As they looked over the menus, Atem could not help but occasionally glace up at the man across from him. The feelings he was currently experiencing were hard to describe. He'd known that he'd been attracted to men for quite a long time, but could he be falling for Marik? He was not sure, and to be honest, was somewhat afraid to find out.

Marik stayed close, just like before, only really seperating from Atem when they sat across the table from each other. He stared down at his menu, willing himself not to look up and meet the Pharaoh's eyes, knowing that would start some kind of talk that would be awkward. He didn't know what his orientation was, never really having much contact with people other than his brother and sister and he found neither of them attractive to him in a more than sibling way. He was a little deprived and starved for relationships he would admit, but he had no idea what it was that was making his stomach feel fluttery and make him blabber on at one point and be perfectly quiet and shy another. It was odd, like something else controlling his body when he was with Atem and through all the thinking he found himself staring over his menu at the man, feeling the butterflies stirring in his belly again.

Smiling at his friend, he turned as the waitress arrived to place their order. After ordering their food, Atem turned back to Marik, clearing his throat. "So, what have you been up to since the tournament? Nothing too uneventful, I hope." He said with a slight chuckle. Making eye contact with Marik, Atem suddenly found his soft violet eyes captivating, somehow. He wanted desperately to look away to prevent things from being more awkward, but found that he couldn't. It was like his eyes were refusing to do what his brain was telling them to do.

Marik ordered a steak, nearly raw, his taste for meat being like his darker half's. He met Atem's eyes and nearly melted, speaking softly, "Terribly uneventful... It's boring around here now..." Marik felt his body move, leaning forward slightly and placing his arms on the table despite the fact that he demanded his body move away from Atem. His mind was far too full to deal with the messy business of intimacy, but his body refused to obey, only wanting to move closer and closer, "So..."

With the awkward word Marik was able to snap his body back into reality now that the beat of conversation was gone. He mangaed to break away from Atem's hypnotic gaze, leaning back against his chair and crossing his arms and legs, tilting his head back to stare up instead, knowing he wouldn't think about any sort of... intimate thoughts with Atem in them.

Atem's breath caught in his throat as he saw Marik begin to move closer, silently praying to every God above that he wouldn't pull back, he was slightly disappointed when the other man did. Atem had also ordered a steak, only medium-rare. As the food arrived, Atem looked down at his plate, gazing up at Marik through his lashes, making a point to slowly lick his lips. Atem was a kind, cheerful person, but some part of his being loved trying to unravel the man before him.

As Marik raised his head and moved close to the table once again, he caught the sight of Atem barely looking up, licking his lips, the image making his pants become just a tiny bit tight and uncomfortable all of a sudden.. He felt his breathing get a little more shallow as he tried to concentrate on his food, then a thought hit him. Two can play this game.

He knew Atem was doing it on purpose, it was obvious. Painfully obvious. Marik hid his intentions inside, playing off his actions as if it were normal hoping that the things he did would tease Atem as much as Atem was teasing him. He cut a piece of the steak and popped it into his mouth, the tiniest little moan slipping past his lips and though it was small, he knew Atem would hear it. A drip of juice ran from the corner of his mouth from the pink and bloody steak, this little unintention giving him even more to work with. He used his finger to wipe it off, then ran tongue up the length of his finger and sucked the juice from it, making sure that Atem could hear the noise it made when his finger slipped from between his lips.

Hearing the soft moan, combined with the subtle actions, Atem clenched his jaw, suppressing the urge to growl as he commanded his eyes to stop trying to roll back into his head. Deciding that two could play this little game, he cut a piece from his own steak, popping it into his mouth as his brain went numb from the deliciousness, causing a low, appreciative growl to rumble in his chest as he tilted his head back slightly. "Mmm..." A bit of the juices and blood from the steak dripped from the corner of his mouth as he looked at Marik with a devilish smirk on his face.

Marik almost whimpered, the image of Atem's blood covered mouth forever in his mind. He didn't have much experience with intimate situations, but he knew how to get someone hot and bothered. He reached across the table and caught one of the drips on his finger, sucking it clean as he had done the other before. With a little more of a bold look in his eyes he leaned forward, fingers catching under Atem's chin to pull him close as Marik slowly used his tongue to clean away the blood and sauce, pulling back and staring at Atem with a vicious, hungry look before he went back to his steak, eating slowly and purposfully in front of Atem.

He had scared himself a little, the licking clean of Atem's mouth a little far from his usual range of teases. He normally never touched his victem and they never touched him, just the looks, the little things he did. For him, this was off his charts and usually his victems were women. This was a man, one that could overpower him if he so chose and take what he wanted, but still Marik played into the game, not wanting to lost a second time to the ravashing man before him. The thing that made him think the most was that once again, obvious fact. Atem was a man, male, just like he was, then a great feeling overcame him; the feeling of stupidity. The answer had been there all along and Marik was just realizing why he had stayed behind and why he was out to dinner with the Pharaoh, teasing him in sexual ways. Gender never mattered to him. Love was not held back by the bars of gender and he finally realized why he never left Yugi's group after Atem was sent back. He had be in love with the great king of Egypt and was once again falling in love with the man all over again.

Marik never let any of these realizations show on his face, but he did eat slightly faster, not worrying about the game at that point. When he finished he sat still, staring down at his plate and never looking back up at Atem for the rest of the dinner.

Smiling in realization, Atem continued to eat in silence. Finishing his food some time later, Atem was content to wait for Marik to finish. Once he had, Atem called for the bill, smiling at the waitress as she brought it over and pulling out the borrowed credit card, thanking the waitress as she left.

When she returned a moment later, Atem thanked her again as he took back the card, the two leaving the restaurant and heading back to the game shop. As they arrived, the sky had grown dark and the stars appeared. Flopping onto his back on the soft grass, Atem beckoned for Marik to join him. "Have you ever gazed at the stars? It all seems so vast. Makes one seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things. I've always wondered. Are we truly alone in this universe? Is there some other intelligent life looking back at us? So many questions..."

Marik had followed him closely, doing as he did and laying back in the grass by the game shop, a soft blush touching his cheeks, still able to take Atem's lips on his tongue. At the pharaoh's words, Marik felt as if he shrank, staring into the massive sea of black and blue. He felt no bigger than an ant staring up at those stars, though he wasn't concerned much about that, what he was concerned about was what he was going to do. He wanted to let Atem know his decission, his real reason for staying behind while his siblings went to Cairo.

Subconsciously he brushed his hand over the grass, feeling the sprigs brushing against his palm and sighing, enjoying the feeling. Suddenly the surface beneath his hand was not longer grass, but skin, Atem's hand. He sat up quickly, blushing and holding his hand against his chest, "Atem, I... I had fun tonight. Dinner was nice..." He stood, nerves running through him so bad that it paralyzed him and he remained standing in that one spot, "I should... Get home. It's late..." He still couldn't make his feet work, his body not wanting him to leave what acted as a comfort to it.

Nodding reluctantly, Atem stood. "Yes, you're probably right. And yes, dinner was nice." Smiling, he shook Marik's hand again. "Goodnight, my friend." Leaning over, he lightly brushed his lips against the younger man's cheek before turning and walking into the game shop, heading up to the guest bedroom. Sighing as he pulled off his shirt, his stomach muscles rippling, he gently stepped from his pants, crawling into bed and closing his eyes, his dreams filled with images of the tan, blond former tomb keeper.

He was frozen once again by the kiss on the cheek, but when Atem finally went inside he began to walk, then faster, into a jog, then running, his legs working to take him down his street, not located in the best part of the city. He always moved quickly through his streets, but tonight it was a dead run. Hopefully it didn't alert anyone the he was coming, after all, his steps were very quiet. He had almost made it to his front door when he felt a rough hand against his back, shoving him face first against the door.

"Well, lookie here... A pretty kitty..."

All Marik could hear was the horrible voice of the man that had him shoved against the door, all he could smell was the alcohol on his breath. He only felt the man's body press his harder against the wood and felt a sharp tip pressed against his throat. Marik swallowed, trying to be still, his keys halfway hanging out of the door, "What do you want?" Marik didn't hear anything after that but the sound of his own screaming, the sharp tip carving down his arm. No one would hear him. Police wouldn't be called. That area of the city was nearly taken over by warehouses, so he had few neighbors to rely on to begin with.
Marik's screaming was swallowed up in the tall building and the traffic beyond them.


The next morning the sun was covered slightly in clouds, leaving it a warm, but not blinding day. Everyone had assembled in front of the game shop, Yugi, Tea, Tristen, Joey, Miho, Serenity, and even Kaiba. The group had intended to all get out of the city for the day and hit the woods for a camping trip.
Yugi looked around at everyone, noting that Atem had joined them, but one was missing.
"Has anyone seen Marik?"

Atem frowned at his friend and former host's question, looking around. "No, I haven't." At the other's voicing in the affirmation that they hadn't seen him either, Atem began to feel uneasy. Somehow, he knew something was wrong. Looking to the others, he spoke quickly. "I'm going to look for him. I'll be back soon."

Turning, he sped off in the direction that he'd seen Marik leave the night before, silently praying to Ra that he would be alright. Walking into the part of town that was known for it's dangerousness, Atem looked through the streets untill he saw the pale form of a blond haired man laying in the street. "Sir! Are you alright?" Running to the man's side, his breath stopped as he realized who it was.

"Ra, please, no..."

Kneeling, he gently turned Marik onto his back, finally noticing just how pale the young man was, lying in a pool of his own blood. Looking around, Atem saw no one to help. Looking down at the boy, Atem gently scooped him into his arms and stood, carrying him back to the game shop. As he came into view of the others, they all frantically ran to Atem's side.

"Don't worry, guys. He's alive. He just needs help right now." Carrying Marik into the shop, Atem walked into his room, lightly laying Marik on the bed. "Okay, Yugi, I need you to get a medical kit. We need to close the wounds quickly." Nodding, Yugi ran to get the supplies, returning moments later. Opening the box, Atem pulled out the antiseptic pads and tore open the package lightly wiping the wounds.

Throwing them away, he pulled out the sutures, carefully closing the major wounds and tying the thread off, silently thanking the Gods that he'd decided to read those books on medical procedure. Sitting back, Atem sighed. "He should be alright. He just needs rest and time." Nodding, the others left to give them some privacy. Brushing Marik's hair from his face, Atem smiled gently as he whispered. "Thank Ra you're alright..." Leaning down, Atem lightly brushed his lips against the unconscious male's forehead before standing to go take a quick shower.

At first all he could feel was a stinging in his arm, the bruises on his body not nearly as bad as that first wound. He raised his hand slowly and ran his fingers along what had been an open cut that had run from his shoulder to the inner hollow of his elbow. Marik felt stitching under his fingers, groaning at the tenderness of the skin around them. For a while all he could do was feel, becoming aware of his surroundings slowly, from the bed beneath him to the nightstand beside it and the items set there.

Eventually he regained his hearing, then smell and taste, hearing water in a shower and smelling something oddly familiar on the pillows his head resting upon. He couldn't be in a hospital, no one would be using the shower. He sat up, waiting for his sight to come and the fuzzy feeling in his head to go, squeezing the blankets beneath him. When sight returned he hissed at the bright ceiling light, raising his hand to cover his eyes until he got used to it.

He saw that he was in the spare bedroom of the game shop, a med kit open beside the bed and bloody antiseptic pads in the garbage. He moved to the end of the bed and stood, peeking around the cracked bathroom door to try and figure out who had brought him here after he blacked out in the street. He noticed the clothes that Atem had been wearing the day before and he blushed violently, covering his mouth and stepping back, tripping and falling on his rear. He cried out, body already aching and rear feeling even more sore, like it was bruised from... He looked down, thinking for a moment. What had happened to him last night?

He barely remembered little bits and pieces fromt he time he was gashed open to the time he spent pulling his clothes back on and trying to crawl to the hospital. His clothes... Marik looked down, seeing that he had blood and dirt smeared on them, the top clasp of his shirt totally torn off and suddenly the image hit him. He grabbed his head and hissed in pain, tears immediatly filling his eyes, and praying his cry hadn't alerted the Pharaoh. He didn't want to be seen this way, body broken, tears streaking his face.