Dark Roses

Disclaimer - Nope, don't own them yet. I'm working on it.

Author's Notes - Another chapter, and I'm posting early. Why? Because I'm being terribly evil and Bakura's been holding a damn knife to me throat to write here lately. Some muse, eh? But I love him, so he get's away with. Anyway, preparations have begun for Ashida's arrival . . . but first, they have to break the news to Malik. Will he take it well? Or will he slide back into what he was? Guess you'll just have to read to find out!

Chapter 15 – Need


“Shit,” Bakura growled, staring at Seto in shock where the brunette stood near Yami’s fireplace. He had just finished telling them all his news . . . both what he had been up to for the past few weeks and the newest development. Luckily, Malik had gone to his room to play catch up on his school work as soon as they’d gotten home, so he wasn’t with them as Seto revealed that his father was coming to Japan. “This will fuck things up considerably.”

“We knew it would happen eventually, Bakura,” Yami said from his own spot in one of the black leather chairs. “Problem is, what do we do about it? We can’t force Malik back into hiding . . . we just got him out of the mansion today. He’d be taking a huge step backward in his progress toward dealing with what was done to him. I don’t want to see that happen, and I know none of you do either.” He looked around at all of them to affirm that statement, getting quiet ‘yes’s’ and nods in response. “So, any ideas?”

“He’s going to have diplomatic immunity, so we are rather limited in our options,” Seto murmured. “If he does come to Domino, we’re fucked. Malik is still his son, by law. All he has to do is prove it, and the government will have to turn Malik over to him.”

“Over my dead body,” Marik growled from his place near the windows.

“Hold on . . . Malik said his father made sure there was no legal documentation to prove that he was his son, right? So how we he prove it?” Bakura pointed out.

“Blood tests,” Yami murmured. “DNA testing would prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Malik was related to him. And what’s worse is Malik has no legal rights here in Japan. He’s still a foreigner, not a citizen. That would make it ten times harder to fight. Even if Ashida can’t prove that Malik’s his son, the government will deport him back to Egypt. And then his father will have him, with no protection to stand in the way at all.”

“That part I can take care of . . . it’s already in the works,” Seto said. “My lawyers are working on the paperwork to have him granted citizen status. Claiming his birth certificate’s were lost in a fire is easy. They can dance through all those loopholes in the law.”
“At least that’s taken care of then,” Ryou said from where he was cuddled up beside Bakura on the couch.

“But it still doesn’t take care of his father permanently,” Yugi pointed out from the floor beside Yami’s knee. “That’s the biggest problem, isn’t it?” Yami nodded.

“Yes. Ashida isn’t about to give up his moneymaker, and that’s what Malik is for him. I’m sure he’s already hurting financially with the amount of time Malik’s been gone.” Seto snorted.

“He’s more than hurting, Yami,” the brunette replied. “He’s flat broke. He’s calling in markers right and left at the moment, from what my sources tell me. He’s desperate to get Malik back, at any cost.” He sighed. “Other than what I’ve already set into motion, I don’t know what we can do. I can’t get any evidence on what he did, and if he does anything while he’s here, his diplomatic immunity will save his ass anyway.”

“This is fucked up,” Bakura snarled, standing abruptly to pace. “There has to be something we can do! I’m not about to sit back and let that asshole get hold of Malik again!”

“None of us are, Bakura, so calm down,” Yami murmured. They all jumped when Marik spoke again.

“What if we could get evidence? Get his own confession, or something more, on videotape and recorder? Maybe even before a few witnesses?” They all looked toward the blonde in confusion, wondering where he was going with his thoughts.

“We can’t prosecute by law . . . I already had that looked into. The diplomatic immunity would protect him here in Japan, and I’m sure the Egyptian government would cover anything we tried there. Ashida Ishtar is one of their top government officials . . . it wouldn’t exactly look good for them if he was prosecuted on charges of prostitution and neglect of his own son, one he never even admitted he had,” Seto replied. Marik shook his head, violet eyes dark as he turned from the window to look at all of them.

“Than we don’t take it to the law,” he said firmly. “We take it to the press. The media would have a field day with this. They would have no choice BUT to prosecute him at that point, and he would be ruined even if he did somehow get off. His life would be destroyed . . . like he tried to destroy Malik’s.” Yami nodded slowly, his eyes thoughtful.

“It would work,” he said. “But how would we go about getting that kind of evidence? He’s not going to let his guard down around someone he doesn’t know.” Marik sighed, shifting uneasily.

“Leave that to me,” he said quietly. “I’ll deal with that part of it myself. Just make sure there is somewhere where we can get the video and recording.” He shook his head. “Someone has to tell Malik.”

“But . . .” Yugi began, only to stop as Yami lay a hand on his head.

“He’s right, Yugi,” Yami said. “Malik has to know what’s going on, or we lose his trust. That’s important. And he’ll need to be on guard. We may not get the warning we need that his father is coming to Domino before he shows up. He’ll need to keep his own eyes out . . . both for advance members of his father’s traveling entourage and his father. He needs to know.”

“I’ll tell him,” Marik murmured. “But not right now. Let him get that school work he brought home with him done and at least enjoy his evening.” The others nodded in understanding. Malik’s carefully built world was about to come crashing down around him again, and none of them had the heart to break it to him any earlier than they absolutely had to. Letting him have at least a little more time to enjoy what he’d gained was the least they could do.


*-------*-------*-------*-------*


It was not with a light step that Marik walked back to Malik’s bedroom that night. Malik had joined them for dinner and a movie before returning back to his room for his schoolwork, and they had all tried to enjoy it as much as possible for his sake. That hadn’t kept him from noticing that something was bothering them, though, and he’d looked somewhat concerned when no one would answer his questions with anything other than ‘no, everything’s fine. Why do you ask?’.

Now, he had to break the news to the teenager, and he was not looking forward to it. How would Marik react? Would he withdraw back into his shell?

That thought hurt so much it actually caused him to pause in his steps and lean against the wall for a moment to regain his bearings. Gods, but he didn’t want to do this. He didn’t want to lose Malik. Things had been going so well . . . they’d come so far in the past two weeks, and he’d begun to hope that maybe Malik felt towards him what he felt toward Malik. This was going to destroy all of that, he just knew it.

Finally he got himself back together, and continued down the hallway until he came to Malik’s door. Knocking on it gently, he heard the soft call for him to enter, hesitating momentarily before stepping inside and closing the door gently behind him.

“Malik,” he began, and paused when those lavender eyes turned to look at him, their gaze steady. Gods, how he wished he could just walk out right now and not say anything! But they owed it to Malik to let him know the danger that was heading this way. It would only be worse if he found out later.

“Finally decided to tell me what it is that was bothering all of you this evening?” Malik asked, standing slowly. Something didn’t feel right . . . hadn’t felt right since they’d come home to find Seto in the living room, waiting for them. And they’d refused to tell him what it was, which made him wonder if it was something about him. But what could they have possibly found out about him that he hadn’t already told them?

Marik sighed, shaking his head as he sank onto the bed, hiding dark violet eyes behind platinum blonde bangs as he steeled himself for the worst thing he had ever done.

“Your father is on his way to Japan, Malik,” he said finally. “Supposedly on some diplomatic mission.” There was silence . . . a silence so still you could have heard a pin drop against the thick carpeting. It seemed to stretch into eternity, and Marik finally looked up, meeting wide, frightened lavender eyes in a face that had gone deathly pale beneath it’s bronzed complexion.

“He’s coming here?” he whispered. Marik shook his head.

“We don’t know if he’s coming to Domino, but he’s definitely coming to Japan. Seto’s planted a spy in his entourage, so we’ll know ahead of time . . . but we thought you should be warned, in case he does come here.”

“I knew this was too good to last,” Malik said softly, and moved for his closet. Marik stood up when he came out with the bag his things had been brought in.

“Malik, what are you doing?” he asked. Malik shrugged, but didn’t look up from what he was doing, which was stuffing clothing into the bag haphazardly.

“I can’t stay here if he’s on his way. I can’t do that to you all. I . . . I care about you all too much to bring that kind of misery into your lives. I’ve got to leave.” He froze when Marik grabbed the bag out of his hand, pitching toward the bed before turning the shivering blonde toward him, tilting the face up gently until the lavender eyes met his own.

“Do you really think we would let you go?” he asked quietly. “You’re one of us now, Malik . . . a part of us. Our friend. We’ll handle whatever he throws at us . . . we’re not letting him take you back to that. I promise.”

“I don’t want any of you to get hurt,” Malik whispered, as tears began to glide down his face. “You’ve all been so great . . .” Marik smiled sadly, brushing his thumb through the glittering tracks gently as he cupped the delicate face in his hand, caressing him lightly.

“We can handle ourselves, Malik . . . we’ll handle him. We’ve already got some plans set up . . . he’s not getting you again. Trust us, please.” He enfolded Malik in a warm hug as the boy sobbed and broke down, cradling him gently against his body as he rubbed his hand over the shuddering back in what he hoped was a soothing manner. “We’ll protect you . . . I’ll protect you. I love you.” He stiffened as he realized what he’d said, mentally smacking himself for letting his tongue loose. That was just what Malik needed right now . . . him pushing the emotional envelope.

The body against him stilled, and he prepared himself for the worst as Malik stepped back and away from him, the lavender eyes staring up at him in shock.

“Say that again?” he whispered. Marik sighed, closing his eyes. It was no use denying now.

“I love you, Malik. I’ve fallen in love with you.” There, he’d said it. He turned to walk from the room, hoping he’d said enough to at least get Malik to stay . . . and grunted as he was suddenly tackled, landing in a tangle of limbs on the bed with Malik atop him. He stared up at the lavender-eyed demon in shock, wondering what in the world was going on . . . before he found himself on the receiving end of a desperate, passionate kiss.

“I love you too,” Malik whispered, and violet eyes shot open to stare up into lavender in disbelief. “I . . . didn’t know how to tell you. These last two weeks have been the best time of my life, spending time with you. But I . . . wasn’t sure you felt the same way, so I didn’t say anything.” He moved suddenly, rising off of Marik to sit near his headboard, his knees drawn up to his chest in a defensive gesture as he continued to speak. Marik was still trying to get past the ‘I love you too.’

“I know . . . that I have a lot of problems that still need to be dealt with. You said you have your own demons, so I know you understand. I’m comfortable around you, far more than I am around the others. I like them, they’re all great . . . but it’s you I’m drawn to. I want to be near you, all the time. I . . . I think that’s what love is.”

Marik finally managed to roll over, rising to his hands and knees so that he could stalk up the bed like a prowling cat, violet holding lavender in a solemn gaze as he tugged the lithe legs down, until he could sit straddling the smaller blonde.

Lavender eyes closed as bronzed hands cupped his face gently, Malik laying a gentle kiss on those upturned lips before breaking away and smiling.

“I feel the same way about you,” he whispered. “Please, stay. Let us protect you, Malik. Now that I’ve found you, I don’t want to lose you. Stay with us . . . with me.” He sighed as the blonde beneath him nodded hesitantly, agreeing to his request.

As much as he wanted right now to stay, it was late in the evening, and they had school tomorrow. Malik looked simply exhausted, and he still had school work to catch up on, and Marik didn’t want to put anymore strain on his love than he had to. He shifted off the long legs, sliding to the edge of the bed to stand.

“You should get some rest, Malik,” he murmured, slowly rising . . . only to find a hand on his arm stopping him from going anywhere.

“Stay with me tonight?” Malik asked quietly, lavender meeting violet as Marik turned to look at him in confusion. “I . . . want to wake up beside you. I’ve dreamed about it for weeks now . . . I want to feel you holding me while I sleep. Please?”

Marik couldn’t say no, not to the love and desperation swimming in those beautiful eyes. So, with a silent nod, he shucked out of his pants, leaving his boxers and t-shirt on as he slid under the covers. Malik quickly did the same, sighing as he slid beneath the cool sheets and cuddled up next to Marik. He squeaked slightly when Marik drew him closer, pillowing his head on the firm chest while wrapping an arm around him, holding him against the long, lithe body until he relaxed again. Within moments, he was asleep, a soft smile curving his lips as he fell into dreams.

Violet eyes smiled down at the already sleeping teenager before Marik hugged him gently and lay a tender kiss to the top of his head. Who would have ever thought he would find solace for his soul in the presence of someone more battered by the world then he had been?

Sleep soon gathered him into her arms alongside the sleeping Malik, and he fell into happily, his own smile gracing his features as he rested with the boy he had come to love.


*------*-------*-------*------*


Ryou peaked around the door, gesturing for the others behind him to be quiet as he peered into the room and smiled before pulling back out and shutting it quietly.

“Well?” Yugi asked impatiently from Yami’s arms, amethyst eyes glittereing. Ryou smiled wider, shaking his head slightly as he returned to his own lover’s arms with a sigh.

“They’re both asleep,” he murmured. “It looks like we won’t be needed to keep Malik company anymore. A shame . . . I liked sleeping with him.” Bakura knocked him lightly on the head, and he grinned up at his pale love. “But I have missed sleeping in our bed every night, so I suppose I’ll just have to make do with you.”

“Make do?” Bakura asked incredulously with a mock growl. “I’ll show you ‘make do’.” He picked Ryou up quickly, slinging the smaller youth over one shoulder before striding down to his bedroom and kicking open the door, disappearing into the room with a quiet thud as the door closed behind them.

“Honestly, he can be such a Neanderthal sometimes,” Yami said, shaking his head, but his crimson eyes were laughing as he looked back at Yugi. “Time for bed, little one. Since you’re not needed here tonight, I get you all to myself.”

“Yami, must you make cracks about my height!?” Yugi whined, and then squeaked as Yami picked him up. “Now who’s the Neanderthal!?” he taunted. Yami chuckled.

“Just because he’s a primitive being doesn’t mean he didn’t have a good idea.”