Once Around

Saiai Tokoya: Chapter three...works for me!

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Disclaimer:

Ryou: I think I should do it for her, since she’s bouncing off the walls right now…literally. Sai doesn’t own Yu-Gi-Oh! Or a male strip club for that matter.

Saiai Tokoya: But I do own this naked Ryou poster ::flashes poster for all to see::

Ryou: O.O where did you get that?

Saiai Tokoya: hehehe, Malik and Kei gave it to me as an early Christmas gift. Now, on with the fic! I COMMAND IT!

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A rainfall of water poured onto Malik as he turned the brass knob of his shower. He turned the hot all the way, while only turning the cold just a tad. He loved the heat, it had just enough sting that could make anyone forget whatever was bothering them, which is just what Malik had wanted. He was living in a run down studio apartment. Time had taken its toll on his ‘precious’ car, which no longer worked due to an overheated engine. No cable, no phone. If someone wanted to get in contact with him, they had to come see him. He never told anyone where he lived in fear of what they’d think about him. So no body came to see him. He was always alone. He was having troubles at his other job, where he feared he might possibly get fired. The list of problems just didn’t seem to end.

Malik’s slender figure slide down the tiled wall, and into the ceramic tub. The shower water continued to pour onto him as if the scorching drops were whipping at him. But he liked it that way. He sighed deeply, arching his back so the water hit him perfectly on his torso. Not only did he enjoy the heat, but it also helped him sleep. He couldn’t fall asleep tonight though. Tonight was his night. He worked a good week at the Dungeons of the Dark. His first couple of days he just toured with Madam Kei, watching how things worked, but tonight was different. Madam Kei and Malik decided to start off slow, and work his way up. He was going to be one of the many waiters. Just like that boy he admire so much. A grin came to those lips as the thought of that beautiful body came to his mind. He closed his eyes, trying to capture that one and only image of him. He hadn’t seen much of Ryou since than. Nor Bakura. He hadn’t even seen Bakura at all. All he had was a name, he didn’t even know what Bakura’s purpose at the Dungeons of the Dark. He shook his head, not liking any thought of Bakura at all. Malik’s body relaxed when Ryou came to mind once more. Slowly, ever so slowly, he began to drift off. Drifting off into a dream that would never be.

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Those two, tired legs ran as fast as they were able. ‘What a day to be late. ‘Damn shower…damn dream…damn…damn it all!’ He looked no more than a blur of blonde as he ran through alley ways, and other random short cuts trying his best to make it on time. Five minutes. He came to a street crossing, the light just turning to the blinking yellow hand.

“Shit!” Malik hesitated, but he refused to screw this up. He sprinted forward just as a car was coming. He quickly leapt up, landing on the hood of the car, and jumped off. The car screeched to a halt.

“You little shit, watch it!” the car’s owner screamed out to him.

“Kura, I know who that is. That’s the new guy.” the passenger stated. Bakura flicked his cigarette out the opened window.

“Hmm, really? Interesting…” Bakura soon became aware of honking cars behind him.

“Eh fuck all of you!” he revved the car’s engine, leaving dark skid marks behind as he drove off.

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Kei tapped her foot impatiently. She was hoping Malik would come a few minutes early to show him his outfit. Thirty seconds left. ‘Where is he. If he’s not here soon I’ll…’ she turned her head when she heard the back door slam shut. Malik ran into the break room, running right past Kei as he punched in seconds before hitting eight o’one. Kei lifted an amused eyebrow as she took short steps over to him. She leaned her elbow up against the wall, as she stared at him. A look a pure amusement was drawn all over her face. She was definitely impressed by him.

“Well congratulations, you made it on time. I was getting worried.”

“S-sorry.”

“No need, here ya go,” Kei handed Malik a small bag, “that will be your costume, dear. I had Sai make it especially for you.” Malik looked down at the bag in slight fear of what it could be. He untied the knot, and slowly pulled it open. He reached in pulling out each piece of his costume one buy one. A black satin apron, with maroon fringe, black fishnet stockings, a black choker with a garnet gem hanging from it, a black thong, velvet black platforms that strapped at the ankle, and black fishnet gauntlets with the same maroon fringe as the apron. The last piece he took out as a black little maid’s hat. He blinked at this strange costume, but he then realized it somewhat matched the outfit his little vision of loveliness wore.

“I’m…uh gonna be wearing this,” Malik gulped. He always wore shirt that revealed his belly, and heck sometimes in the summer said screw it to the shirt completely. But this involved him showing the most skin in public besides his beach trunks. Something about it made it a little embarrassing. It could possibly be the fact his rear was exposed for all to see, and the fridge was definitely flamboyant even if it was a darker color. The outfit did have a dark, gothic feel to it which made it seem better than nothing. At least it wasn’t cliché like a cowboy outfit, or some blank pants and a bow tie.

“Uh huh, yours and yours alone and it’s going to look perfect on you. But I got you alil something.” Kei walked over to a table which held a small black, velvet purse. She unzipped it and pulled out a little black box. She walked back with a big smile on her face, as she handed it to him.

“What’s this?” he looked at the box inquisitively.

“Well, I noticed you were partial to gold jewelry,” Kei reached up and held one of Malik’s dangly golden earring in her hand gently. Malik continued to look at Kei like what she was saying didn’t make any sense.

“Why don’t you open it, silly?” Which he did. Inside the box, laying on a soft purple velvet cushion, laid four golden bangle bracelets, and a golden armband, with a small circle shaped garnet.

“For me?” Malik was in complete shock. He barely knew this woman and she was buying him these kind of gifts. Now he was more nervous than before about starting his work. If he screwed up once, he could never consider himself worthy enough to wear such nice gifts.

“Yes you. Now go get change so I can just oogle you!” Kei pointed over to a door behind her. Malik took a deep breathe. This was it, there was no way in hell he could turn back now. He closed the door behind him, and slowly slipped off his clothes. He avoided looking into the large, antique full body mirror that stood against the wall behind him. The room’s surroundings didn’t do much to help ease his ferociously pounding heart. It was a small dressing room. Dark violet carpeting which felt as soft as the most genuine velvet. Walls were painted a rich deep yellow color that the sun itself would envy. There were a couple of vanities, making one think more than one person would share this room as they changed. A closet door was to his right, probably where the others hung their costumes or clothes. The room was decently clean. There was a line a shoes and boots by the door. This caused Malik to grin a little. ‘I guess Miss Kei is a neat freak.’ A good amount of make up was scattered all over the vanities’ table top.

Malik slipped on the jewelry kindly given to him from Kei. He then slowly turned. He was afraid to see his reflection. Mortified. He had reduced himself to this. His poor dead mother and father must be crying in their grave knowing their son was wearing such an outfit about to use it as eye candy for customers. He saw his reflection, and his recent thoughts had vanished. The black material, the maroon fringe. It was perfect. His tan skin was accented well along the fishnet. And the golden jewelry. He was just an absolute vision to behold. But something was still missing. Something that could just make him even more ravishing than now. He eyed the make up once more. He picked up a black eyeliner pencil. He brought the point to his eye. Gently he slid the make up pencil over the edge of his eyelid, and then down onto his cheek a bit. He did the same to the other eye. This added a touch of goth and mystique. Those lilac eyes sparkled with such a dark elegance. He looked classy and seductively sexy all in one. He glided his finger along the open jar of lip gloss and softly applied it to his ecru lips. He gazed to the mirror for what seemed forever. Damn did he look good. For an outfit that would have humiliated any other man, he pulled it all together pretty well. Even if he messed up tonight, at least he’d look good doing it.

“Malik get your cute butt out here. You’ve been in there for fifteen minutes!” Malik was startled from his gaze by Kei’s voice. Was he really ready?

There was a knock on the break room door. Kei peeked over her shoulder as the door opened to reveal it was her friend.

“Hey Sai, what brings you here?”

“A past out husband on the couch after an hour of watching wrestling, that’s all.” Kei laughed at her friend’s joke. She knew that Sai loved her husband even though she was at the club frequently.

“I need some action and it’s obvious I ain’t getting it at home.

“I see,” she lifted an eyebrow at her pervy friend.

“And I wanted to see how blondie looked in that outfit I made and get my pay for it.” Kei cringed. The two had been friends forever and she actually expected money for her services.

“How much?”

“Sixty bucks.”

“What? You made an apron, a maid’s hat, and gauntlets.”

“And picked up all the other accessories.” Sai stated matter of factly.

“So?”

“Kei I bought the finest silk out there and since black silk is popular it’s even more expensive. Plus sewing silk is rather hard, it takes time and skill…”

“Which you don’t have I assume?”
“Ouch Kei…very ouch…”

“Alright, alright, sixty it is than!” that was when the dressing room door opened. There stood Malik, the stunning vision that he was. Kei looked on as Sai’s mouth hung open with a trickle of drool on the edge of her lip.

“Malik, you look absolutely amazing. Right, Sai?” Sai only nodded dumbly. Malik blushed.

“Please, you don’t have too…”
“What? I’m serious!” Kei gave a reassuring smile as she walked over to him and handed him a tray.

“You’re still nervous though aren’t you?” Malik only nodded as he rolled the tray between his hands. Kei placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Calm yourself. Remember everything I told you. Stick to new customers, stay away from the regulars, they’ll expect things I don’t think your ready for. And all you have to do is tell the name of the drink to Raphael and he’ll do the rest. And don‘t get nervous if a customer gets fresh, someone is always watching.” Kei opened the door for Malik, and he heard the faint hum of the techno music that blared out in the club. Malik’s heart skipped a beat, and his breathing hitched up.

“You’ll do fine!” Malik nodded as he made his way down the hall. He looked at a piece of paper Kei must have taped to the tray, and read it aloud to himself.

“You’ll be catering tables twenty through thirty five.” Malik’s eyes widen. ‘That’s a lot of tables!’ He looked over his shoulder back to the break room, and than to the door ahead of him. The steady rhythm of music that played behind that door got louder with every step. His heartbeat almost matched that rhythm. He reached out to push the door, but his shaking hand halted. ‘I can do this.’ With that, he pushed open that door.

The club was as wild as ever. The place was packed like it usually was. The dance floor was filled as the soft blues and scorching red lights flickered over their bodies. Malik looked around for his tables, spotting some familiar faces. He saw the one named Duke sitting on top of a table, taking down a gentleman’s order. This man with long white tresses had a very sophisticated look to him. Why was he in such a place, doing such things as running his hand along Duke’s leg? He then saw Yami, straddled in someone’s lap. That someone being Mr. Kaiba. For some reason, he hated that man. Maybe it was that fact he lured Yami away from his lover, at least that’s what he thought. He couldn’t quite put a finger on it, but he hoped he never had to deal with him.

Finally finding his tables, and seeing some impatient people sitting in them, he quickly trotted over, but his eyes caught a hold of someone. Jou was sitting on a table surrounded by young girls, but his attention was not with them. His cold gaze was focused on Yami and Kaiba. Malik agreed on one thing with himself. This wasn’t the place to fall in love, but that look in Jou’s eyes. He looked so angry and hurt. Could just be jealousy, or maybe he just wants Kaiba’s money.Who knows? He couldn’t tell what went through any of these people’s minds. His eyes darted over when he heard someone shout.

“Hey, can we get some service. We’ve been sitting here for fifteen minutes!” Malik tried to search for words. But nothing seemed to come. He quickly went over to them, breathing heavily. The three men at the table starred at him. Malik’s heart raced and his mind panicked. Finally, an ounce of courage and the words to say came to him.

“Well hello there,” a rather sexy grin came to his glossed lips, “what can I get you boys to start off with?”

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Saiai Tokoya: Well, that’s chapter three. The cursed number!

Malik: You are one crazy S.O.B. you know that?

Saiai Tokoya: Why, yes I do, but is it that obvious?

Bakura: For the love of Ra, go to sleep. You’re starting to scare me…and that’s my job

Saiai Tokoya: ::giggles:: Alright, I’ll go to sleep if I get some nice reviews, help me break the curse!

Malik and Bakura: ::pushes her into bed::

Saiai Tokoya: Oooo, are you gonna join me?

Malik and Bakura: NO!

Saiai Tokoya: Are you gonna sleep with each other?

Malik and Bakura: N--…well maybe…

Saiai Tokoya: Tell me a bed time story, a really raunchy one.

Malik and Bakura: GO TO SLEEP!

Saiai Tokoya: ::peeks from under the covers with a Ryou plushie:: REVIEW!