Chapter Text
Bakura shuffled and examined his deck, then did that again, and again. This was the only distraction Bakura had from his own thoughts as he sat in his room on the blimp waiting for the first duel to be announced. Usually, being alone with his thoughts didn't bother him. He always liked an opportunity to ponder his plans and refocus his efforts.
Sometimes, refocusing on his plans was necessary. Minor distractions were inevitable in the modern day, especially with a teenager as a host. Not that he minded much; some of the distractions were fun.
This particular distraction was completely unlike any he’d ever had, though. All those other distractions could be easily dealt with. But this one, Bakura realized, was something different. It was becoming a real problem.
He was sure Malik’s intention was to be distracting. There must have been a reason he wore so much expensive jewelry and such tight pants and such a revealing shirt that showed off his toned midriff. Malik liked attention.
And sadly, Bakura couldn't seem to resist giving it to him.
But it wasn't just Malik's looks that he found interesting. There was a certain determination within Malik that drew Bakura in. Seeing the passion and ferocity Malik had in his eyes when he spoke of his goals felt like looking into a mirror.
Bakura didn’t even know much about the guy, yet he felt as if he did, in a way. They had the same goals, and he’d felt lucky to meet someone who understood his hatred for the Pharaoh and his need for vengeance.
But maybe he'd been mistaken to feel lucky.
Being distracted by his partner’s looks was one thing, even if he wasn't used to feeling so attracted to a person. But the real problem lay in what all this distraction had ended up causing. First he'd had to prove his loyalty to Malik by stabbing himself in the arm as part of a plot to gain the trust of Yugi and his friends. That had landed him in the hospital for a while. Bakura had thought that was all he'd have to do. But then Malik had come to him in the hospital and changed the plan. Malik had demanded that he enter the Battle City tournament, which would require winning six locator cards.
As Bakura thought about it now, he had to wonder why he’d agreed to Malik's demands. He’d already held up his end of their bargain by stabbing himself, while Malik hadn't held up his own end by giving him the Rod in exchange like he'd promised. Yet Malik had the gall to demand more work from Bakura, despite his injured state. Bakura had every reason to say no. But the next thing he knew, he was tearing the IV out of his arm and heading off to do just what Malik had asked of him.
Bakura really couldn’t believe he'd let himself get like this. He had followed Malik’s commands without a second thought. None of the things he was doing regarding his plans with Malik truly helped him in the grand scheme of things. It seemed he was no closer to being given the Rod now than he had been at the start.
He wondered why he was even doing all of this when it didn’t help him at all. It was embarrassing, really, that he'd allowed Malik to be in control of their partnership from the beginning and had just gone along with everything Malik told him to do. He didn't understand why he was so inclined to allow Malik to boss him around like this. It wasn't like him at all. Normally, he would never let anyone tell him what to do.
But there was nothing he could do about it now. He was in the tournament. And for some reason, he didn't want to break his partnership with Malik, despite the fact that it had yet to benefit him in the least.
Just then, there was a knock on his door. Bakura was already sure that it would be the subject of his thoughts on the other side. He sighed and went to go let his partner into the room.
The very second Bakura slid open the door to reveal Malik, the friendly Namu smile on Malik’s face dropped into a more devious smirk.
Malik stepped into the room without waiting for Bakura to step aside. Bakura rolled his eyes and shut the door behind him.
“So I found out how they’re going to determine the duels,” Malik said as he turned to face Bakura. “It looks like they’re using a machine filled with balls that have our numbers on them.”
Bakura snorted. “Is that your only reason for bothering me?”
Unphased, Malik shook his head and placed a hand on his own hip. Bakura scanned his partner’s body briefly to search for any sign of the Millennium Rod. As expected, Malik didn’t seem to have it on him.
Of course, Bakura’s gaze lingered a tad too long on Malik’s exposed midriff. As quickly as he could, Bakura returned his gaze to Malik’s eyes. Unfortunately, holding his gaze on those beautiful lavender eyes wasn’t any better. Any resistance Bakura possessed just died whenever their eyes met.
“No, don’t be ridiculous,” Malik replied, his eyes fixed on Bakura. “There are a few things we didn’t get to discuss before.”
Malik glanced over at Bakura’s duel disk, which was sitting on the nearby table. Next to the duel disk were his cards, which were fanned out across the table's surface.
“I wanted to know what kind of deck you were running,” Malik went on.
It was true that they hadn't had the chance to talk about these sorts of details yet. Bakura collected his cards and slipped them back into the duel disk’s deck slot.
“I have an occult deck,” Bakura explained. “My host put it together, but I had some of my own ideas. With this deck, I can ensure that my opponent will lose life points while I gain those lost life points. Then, even if my rarest monster is sent to the graveyard, I can play an incredible field spell because of that. But the best part is that I’ll be able to end the duel within five turns of drawing one of my magic cards.”
“That sounds very risky,” Malik remarked.
Bakura shrugged his shoulders in a casual manner. “That may be, but taking risks can be necessary. I didn’t exactly get this far by playing it safe.”
Malik chuckled and his eyes gleamed wickedly. He stepped closer to Bakura, just barely within reach. “Well, I could say the same thing about myself.”
“I can’t say that surprises me,” Bakura said with a smirk. He glanced at Malik’s duel disk as a thought occurred to him. “Speaking of risks, what deck are you even running? I can’t imagine how you would explain to those idiots why their new friend Namu has an Egyptian god card.”
“You can’t seriously think I would do that.” Malik huffed and rolled his eyes. “The Winged Dragon of Ra is in another deck that I brought with me. This one is just to keep up the Namu facade if I have to.”
Letting out a laugh, Bakura crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall. “Considering how well your plans have gone so far? I’m not sure I would’ve put it past you.”
“Hey, I have the morons fooled into thinking I'm Namu, don't I?” Malik said. “We're both entered into the tournament, aren't we? I'd say things are going fine. Just win your duels and don't fail me.”
Pursing his lips, Bakura huffed and looked away. “I haven’t failed you yet, have I? I’ve now held up my end of the bargain twice by doing exactly what you asked me to do. You, on the other hand, have yet to hold up your own end of the deal. So don't think you can tell me not to fail when I’ve given you no reason to fret.”
“Don't worry about my end of the bargain.” Malik looked down, casually adjusting one of his golden arm bands. “If you continue to perform as you have been, I'm sure this partnership will be beneficial for both of us.”
“I certainly hope so, because I have yet to benefit even in the slightest, and my patience is really growing thin,” Bakura muttered as he faced his partner again.
“You know I can't give you the Rod yet. I still need it.” Malik gave him a predatory look and stepped a little closer. “But maybe I can give you something else I'm sure you'd be interested in.”
Scoffing at such a notion, Bakura shook his head. “And what, pray tell, would that be? Unless you’re presenting the Millennium Puzzle to me on a silver platter, I can’t imagine.”
Malik smirked. “Do you think I don't notice the way you look at me?”
The blunt statement caught Bakura off guard and made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. Embarrassment settled in, and his gut coiled with discomfort. He hadn't realized Malik had noticed his staring. Bakura averted his gaze in an attempt to regain himself and stood away from the wall. Even without looking at Malik, Bakura could feel those lavender eyes on him.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Bakura managed to say.
“It's cute how flustered you're getting,” Malik teased, sounding more amused than derisive. “You're blushing.”
Unfortunately, Bakura didn’t even need to touch his cheeks to know that they were heated. Malik teasing him in such a way wasn’t helping matters. He attempted to shuffle off to one side and kept his gaze on the floor. When Malik’s shoes appeared in his line of vision, Bakura swallowed. Instinct made him look up and he was met by Malik’s intense gaze. Looking at his partner was a mistake. Seeing Malik’s striking features was only making his dilemma worse. But Bakura couldn’t look away.
Bakura let out an annoyed snarl and started to back away. “Don’t think so highly of yourself. I'm not flustered.”
“Don't worry. I like it.” Suddenly, Malik moved forward, and in an instant he had Bakura pushed up against the wall. He pressed his body against Bakura’s to hold him in place. All the while, Malik’s hands slowly crept along Bakura’s arms. “Are you telling me you wouldn't enjoy it if I kissed you right now?”
Usually, Bakura’s instinctive response when trapped was to fight back. But in this instance, he didn't want to. His attraction to Malik had totally consumed him. Malik’s words sunk in and the truth filled Bakura’s mind. He knew he would enjoy it if Malik kissed him.
His heart raced and strange sensations filled his stomach. Somehow, his legs hadn’t collapsed from underneath him yet. Malik’s hands grasped Bakura’s wrists and raised them up on the wall on either side of his head.
Bakura's breathing was ragged, and he couldn’t even muster up the will to turn his head away.
“Answer the question,” Malik said, giving Bakura a hungry stare.
“No,” Bakura uttered as he attempted to keep his voice steady. Malik's stare was doing things to him and he couldn’t let it show. “I wouldn’t.”
Malik leaned down to brush his nose against Bakura's neck. “Then I won't,” Malik whispered.
A shiver went through Bakura at the contact. Malik’s warm breath ghosted over his flesh as Malik's nose brushed his neck again. Without thinking, Bakura leaned his head into the contact and he heard Malik chuckle.
“So you think that you can just...compensate me with your body?” Bakura rasped as a tremble coursed through him.
“You know, you should feel privileged. I don't offer this kind of thing to just anyone,” Malik purred. “Hell, I've never even offered a partnership to anyone before you. But you...I'm impressed by your drive, and by what you've accomplished so far. I thought you might be a little too good to be one of my minions.”
Bakura couldn’t respond. The sensual tone of Malik’s voice had him weak in the knees and wanting to hear more of it. Trying to convince himself that Malik didn't really mean the things he was saying proved to be futile. Having his accomplishments acknowledged in such a way sent an odd sensation through him.
It took a while for Bakura to find his voice. It didn’t sound as steady as he’d hoped. “If our deal had involved becoming your minion to command, I wouldn’t have agreed to it.”
“I know,” Malik said, voice low. He released one of Bakura’s hands. After doing so, Malik carded his own hand through Bakura’s hair gently. “And I'm glad of it. It's...refreshing to finally meet someone who is worthy of being my equal. You're smart and powerful and competent, and you're obviously not the least bit intimidated by me.”
“Of course I'm not.” Bakura scoffed. With his hand now freed, he had no idea what to do with it and let it fall limp at his side. Malik’s fingers carding through his hair felt a little too good, and he had to resist leaning his head into Malik’s hand. “You think I'd be intimidated by a brat like you?”
Malik hummed in approval, his hand still running through Bakura’s hair lightly. “See? This is what I like about you. Most people would be groveling by now. Or begging for mercy.”
Not doubting that notion, Bakura chuckled. “I suppose I could say the same thing about you. Most would see how dangerous I can be and fear me for it. Not that it’s unjustified, mind you. But you stood up to me without so much as a flinch. I do respect that.”
“I'm glad you know a good thing when you see it.” Malik pressed a little closer to him and released Bakura’s other hand. He snaked an arm around Bakura’s waist, hand resting on the small of his back. “As I said before, I'm sure we can be beneficial to each other. We do have the same goals.”
With both his hands now free, Bakura’s fingers shook, aching to find purchase. He wanted to touch Malik, but his mind swam with uncertainty. Instead, he forced himself to respond to what Malik had said.
“I admit, it is good to have someone around who shares my hatred for the damn pharaoh and understands my goals of revenge,” Bakura said. He kept his voice calm and closed his eyes briefly to recenter himself. “Before this, I'd always worked alone. I'd never found anyone I could trust to help me with my plans.”
“Then it seems like you agree with me about the benefits of this partnership,” Malik said, tightening his arm around Bakura's waist. “And you know, there's another way this partnership can be beneficial to both of us.” Malik rolled his hips a little and leaned down to nose at Bakura's neck again. “At least, if you stop pretending you don't want this.”
Feeling his stomach flip, Bakura squirmed involuntarily and had to bite his lip to keep from making a noise. It was getting increasingly difficult for him to stay still and quiet. He swallowed hard, attempting to rack his mind for a response. He’d been relieved at the shift in topic, but now it was back to this. Malik didn't even need to use the Rod to be able to see right through him, and he hated it. It was hard to think when Malik was touching him like this. He liked it way too much.
Bakura’s gaze drifted down to Malik’s lips. They were dark, plump, and very inviting. Malik’s grin widened as he seemed to notice where Bakura was looking.
Bakura scoffed and shook his head. “What makes you think I’m pretending?”
“Honestly, Bakura, what's the point of resisting something you so clearly want?” Malik asked. The hand he had on Bakura’s back started to move in slow circles. His fingers occasionally kneaded his flesh through his shirt. “Are you really so opposed to having a little fun?”
“I've never—” Bakura started, then bit his tongue and looked away in embarrassment. He hadn't meant to say that. But he realized now that was why he was hesitant. He'd never done anything like this, and the whole situation made him nervous. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd been nervous about anything, but Malik made him feel a lot of things he'd never felt before.
“I've never, either,” Malik admitted smoothly. “A lot of people have been attracted to me, but you're the first one I've found...worthy.”
Admittedly, Bakura couldn’t believe that Malik was inexperienced. Malik seemed to know exactly what he was doing. Then again, Bakura found no trace of irony or deception within Malik’s features. The more he thought about it, the more it made sense. Malik clearly had standards for many things, so of course he would apply those standards to physical encounters.
The thought of being seen as attractive and worthy of Malik’s desires was having an effect on him. It filled Bakura with the kinds of thoughts and sensations he wasn’t used to. He couldn’t even place them if he tried. All Bakura knew was how incredible it felt to be so wanted.
Trembling, Bakura raised his unstable hands, unable to hold them back. After deliberating, his hands finally found purchase on Malik’s shoulders. His fingers dug into the fabric of his hoodie, clenching tightly.
Though he wouldn’t admit it, Bakura knew Malik was right. There was no real point in denying himself this. With the attraction being mutual and Bakura feeling curious to explore this, there was no reason to hold back.
Finally, Bakura decided to just go for it before he could talk himself out of it. In a low, quiet voice, he said, “Just kiss me already.”
Malik's response was instant. He leaned forwards and their lips met. Bakura felt as though his entire body had frozen. A kiss was one of the strangest sensations he’d ever felt. Malik’s lips were warm and had an odd wetness to them. Maybe he wore balm like Ryou did sometimes.
Every bit of his body seemed to react to the kiss in ways Bakura hadn’t realized were possible. His stomach was either wanting to burst or flop around. His legs were jelly and his knees buckled. His heart was racing so hard he could swear it was audible. His cheeks were burning. Jolts of a sensation Bakura couldn’t describe were running through his veins and up his spine. Feelings were overtaking him like they never had before. Thankfully, it didn’t take long for his body to relax and become accustomed to the overwhelming stimulation.
Malik’s lips moved and pressed against his own slowly. Bakura’s hands clutched at Malik’s shoulders tightly before they loosened. He felt one of Malik’s hands creep up underneath his striped shirt and caress the bare skin of his back. The warmth of Malik’s hand touching his skin nearly made Bakura jump. This touch was so foreign, and had it been anyone else, Bakura would have fought it. But from Malik, he enjoyed it.
Although he had no idea how any of this worked, Bakura did his best to follow Malik’s example. His lips gingerly pressed back into Malik’s, and Malik responded in kind. For a few moments their kisses were slow, almost sensual. They kissed again and again, and then Malik slid his tongue into Bakura's mouth. Bakura was losing his inhibitions as he became more enraptured by this intimacy with Malik, and he welcomed the deepening of the kiss. Bakura slipped his own tongue into Malik's mouth in return.
Bakura's arms tightened around Malik's shoulders, and he pressed his body in closer. Malik clutched onto him, and his kisses gradually became more aggressive. They kissed each other deeply, clinging onto each other, and Bakura couldn't stop himself from moaning into Malik's mouth. He would have been embarrassed about the sound escaping him if Malik hadn't moaned as well right then.
But just when things were really starting to heat up between them, they were both jarred out of their shared reverie by a booming voice coming from the speaker system.
Malik pulled back immediately. “Damn it.”
“Fuck,” Bakura said under his breath.
The voice coming over the loudspeaker was announcing that the duelists should come to the main hall.
Bakura stole a glance at the console on the wall near the bed. The screen next to the speaker displayed one of Kaiba’s security guards facing the camera as he made the announcement. Bakura exhaled, thinking back to what Malik had said earlier about how the duels were going to be randomized. There was no telling when either of them would duel, let alone who their opponents would be.
Figuring it was a better idea to play it safe, Bakura sobered himself and stood away from the wall. Once he managed to regain movement in his legs, Bakura went to retrieve his duel disk.
“We can pick up where we left off later,” Malik said, giving Bakura a lustful look.
“Yes, once I finish my first duel. Maybe I’ll even get to duel the Pharaoh,” Bakura said with a smirk. “I'll make sure I succeed where you failed.”
Malik's eyes flashed. He looked more turned on than angry at the jab. He grabbed Bakura by his collar. “Gods, I wish we had more time right now. I would fuck you so hard.”
For a moment, Bakura was speechless. Knowing Malik wanted him in that way made feelings of curiosity, excitement, and arousal surge through him. At the same time, he couldn’t help noticing that Malik’s wording implied that Malik would be the one fucking him. The idea of being the bottom between the two of them had him reeling as his mind flooded with the shameful ramifications that it would come with.
There was no doubt in his mind that Malik would view him as weak and pathetic if he actually allowed Malik to fuck him. When he'd first been alive, that was how everyone had thought of men who let another man penetrate them. Even the gods themselves thought that way, based on stories he'd heard about Set.
It was bad enough that he'd been letting Malik boss him around since they'd met—he certainly wasn't going to submit to him sexually on top of that.
Bakura snarled and shoved Malik away from him. “That is not going to happen. If anyone is going to get fucked in this arrangement, it will be you.”
Malik scoffed, looking almost offended. “You can't possibly think I'm a bottom.”
Bakura smirked. “We'll see about that.”
“It's never going to happen.” Malik's look turned sultry again. “But you know, if you’re not interested in bottoming either, there are plenty of other things we can do that we'd both enjoy.”
“Maybe so,” Bakura agreed. “But I think we have more important things to worry about right now.”
“You’re right,” Malik said as he headed toward the door. “Knowing those idiots, I don’t think they’ll be too suspicious about Ryou and their new friend Namu showing up together. Especially if we tell them that we just got carried away chatting about…strategies.”
Letting out a chuckle, Bakura followed Malik and they left the cabin together. “Well, it only makes sense since Ryou is so grateful that you saved his life.”
“Indeed. So they’re going to think we've become friends.” Malik smirked. “By the way, don’t worry if you do end up dueling the Pharaoh. I’ll be inside of your mind to give you any advice you’re going to need. I think you know as well as I do that the Pharaoh isn’t an easy opponent to defeat, so you’ll have to play your cards carefully.”
Grimacing, Bakura groaned and looked away. “Don’t be ridiculous. I won’t need your help. I can handle myself just fine.”
“I didn’t say otherwise, did I? Don’t think of it as an insult to your skills. I’m just going to help you. You’re my partner, Bakura.” As he said the word partner, Malik's tone took on a more low, sensual note, and he placed a hand on the small of Bakura’s back.
Bakura felt a shiver run up his spine, but he managed to keep his stride. He avoided his partner’s gaze and huffed. “Just don’t get in my way.”