Much Too Hot

written by Atsuko-chan

Disclaimer; I don't Yuugiou. O

Author's Note; To celebrate summer. :O Or something like that. Er, keeping with the Japanese names. D8 To the best of my ability. Which isn't that great.

Malik leaned against the taxi cab window, his violet eyes focusing on the strange sight in front of him. Now, what was it Bakura had called this? A swimming pool?

"Oh, this will be exciting!" Bakura Ryou clapped his hands together, watching for Malik's reaction. "Aren't you looking forward to it?"

Malik bit his lip. The truth was he wasn't looking forward to it. He'd never been 'swimming' before and...

His gaze shifted to the bathing suit Bakura had bought him. It wasn't that he minded showing off his body (he wasn't nearly as conservative as his dark side)... but his back was another story.

Bakura noticed Malik's uneasiness and flashed him an encouraging smile. "Don't worry! Once you get in, no one will pay attention to--"

"The odd design burned into my skin?" Malik snickered, cutting him off. "They'll notice." Then a thought occured to Malik: hadn't Bakura been unconscious at the time... "You didn't know about my back, did you?" Well, fuck.

Bakura shook his head, his eyes widening considerably. "No... no, is something wrong with it?"

"... No." Malik let out a loud huff and collapsed back against the seat. "Forget I said anything."

Although curious, Bakura didn't want to pry. "A... ah, sure... sure thing!"

Malik watched as the taxi pulled into the parking lot. He grabbed both his bathing suit and the towel Bakura had given him (might as well get this over with). Bakura did the same, leading the Egyptian to the pool.

"We change in there," Bakura explained, pointing just ahead of him. "Malik, if you're uncomfortable..." He shifted nervously on his feet.

"I'll be fine." Malik gave an annoyed sigh, following Bakura to the changing area. Hell, he'd survived letting the damn pharaoh read his back, what were a few complete strangers seeing it?

Without waiting for Bakura, Malik slid his shirt over his head (no use prolonging the torture). He turned, having heard a small gasp from Bakura.

"Don't marvel over it," he snapped, giving the Japanese boy a cold glance.

"I'm sorry!" Bakura bowed his head in apology, although he'd still failed to take his eyes off Malik's back.

Malik rolled his eyes. "It's not that big a deal..."

"What happened?" Realizing that question had been rude, Bakura clamped a hand over his mouth. "Oh dear! I'm sorry. That wasn't my place to ask--"

"No, it wasn't. So drop it." Malik turned away, hoping Bakura would take the hint and shut up.

That plan didn't exactly work. "Mmm... it's quite attractive."

Malik turned back around, his eyes widening. Oh hell... "So the spirit decided to join us." No use appearing bothered.

"Well, technically, 'the spirit' decided to take Bakura's place." Yami no Bakura gave the Egyptian a seductive smirk.

Looking him over, Malik shook his head, scoffing, "Disgusting."

"This body is a bit too pale for my taste... I prefer Egyptian skin."

Malik shot him a glare. "Not what I meant!"

Yami no Bakura chuckled. "I don't see why you're so worried. You don't have anything I want anymore."

Malik twitched. So the thief king was taunting him now?

"Nothing to say?" Yami no Bakura snickered, shaking his head. "I'm disappointed. You're always so full of annoying little things to say." He slid his shirt over his head revealing a (surprisingly) well-toned chest (a bit pale, nonetheless...).

"Uh..."

Bakura took a step towards him. "Speechless?"

"No." Malik moved backwards, uncomfortable. "Look, I told Bakura I'd go swimming or whatever with him, not you."

Yami no Bakura pouted. "Why? Is he better than me?"

Malik gave the yami a confused glance. "He... he's no... I..."

Again Yami no Bakura laughed. "Kid, can you even swim?"

Hesitating, Malik finally answered, "No." After all, he figured he should tell the truth there before Yami no Bakura shoved him into the pool.

"Then I'll teach you."

"What?" Malik wore a surprised expression. He hadn't been expecting that.

"Just what I said. Come on. Put on the swim suit."

Malik stared at him. "What about you?"

"Too light weight. I'm used to swimming fully dressed."

"Back in Egypt," Malik murmured.

"Yeah, that's right." Yami no Bakura cocked his head to the side. "You homesick?"

Malik quickly shook his head. "No, I was just thinking..." He glanced at Yami no Bakura. "Do you ever miss it?"

"I don't remember much about it," Yami no Bakura replied honestly. "I remember being a thief and... I remember messing around in the Nile." He winked at the other boy.

Malik let out a small sigh. He didn't want to reply to that one. Changing into his swimsuit, he muttered, "This feels awkward."

Yami no Bakura chuckled. "You look..." He fumbled for the correct word. "Cute."

"Cute?" Malik cocked an eyebrow.

"Yeah, cute." Yami no Bakura grinned at him. "Had you a better personality, I might go for you."

:"Nothing's wrong with my personality!"

"Are you saying I should go for you?"

Malik's cheeks turned a light shade of pink. "No!"

Yami no Bakura leaned forward giving Malik a quick kiss on the cheek. "Grab your towel, cutie." The darkness held a defiant look in his eyes, much like the one he used when taunting the pharaoh.

Malik grabbed his towel, stomping past Yami no Bakura. He (much like the pharaoh) didn't enjoy the thief's games.

Yami no Bakura chuckled, following Malik out to the pool area. While it was a warm day, the heat didn't bother him (or Bakura for that matter -- wait, who the hell wore skin tight jeans in the summer!).

Malik set his towel down on the rail, moving to the edge of the pool. He dipped his big toe in the water, blinking. Well, that was cold...

Beside him, Yami no Bakura jumped in, landing in the waist deep water. "Coming?"

"In a minute!" Malik snapped, staring at the water. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

Yami no Bakura waded over, grabbing Malik's hand and pulling him into the water. With a shriek, Malik fell forward into the pool.

"Eek!" Malik let out a squeal. "It's cold--"

He stopped, feeling Yami no Bakura wrap his arms around his waist. "Still cold?"

Malik's blush returned, this time much darker. "...N.. no."

Yami no Bakura pulled him backwards. "I can't teach you to swim in shallow water."

"You can't expect to hold onto me in deep water!" Malik shot back.

"I've done more than just hold onto a person in deep water," the thief king boasted. "Now, trust me..."

Malik whimpered as yami no Bakura pulled him into deeper water, his grasp tightening.

"Shit, kid," Yami no Bakura murmured. "Relax. Kick your legs a little bit."

Malik obeyed.

"Now let go of me."

Malik shook his head.

"You're not making this easy."

"Changed my mind. I don't want to learn to swim."

Yami no Bakura chuckled. "Want me to hold you like this forever?"

"Yes." Well, that was blunt.

Yami no Bakura looked down at Malik, his eyes wide with shock. That was certainly unexpected. "I was just joking..."

"I wasn't," Malik replied matter-of-factly.

"... Ye... yeah." Yami no Bakura was silent for a moment. "What's with the sudden change of attitude?" He was doing his best to change the subject.

"I don't think I've ever seen you nervous." Malik gave him a satisfied smirk.

Not quite the change of topic Yami no Bakura was looking for. "First time for everything," he muttered.

"... Yup, sure is." Malik pressed his lips against Yami no Bakura's, pulling back a second after. "First time for everything..."

Yami no Bakura didn't speak.

Malik winked, his smirk never leaving his face. "Am I still cute?"

"Insanely."

Owari!