[YGO Fic] Chibi For A Day - Part Fourty One
※ Part Fourty One: Fight and Fun
※ Warnings - None - just remember that this is the unrevised version.
※ Disclaimer - I obviously don't own it.
Sleepy lavender eyes opened and blinked the blurriness away. Yawning softly, the small chibi carefully wriggled out from between the two bodies he’d been sleeping beside all night. Seeing that Yugi was even still asleep, it was obviously early.
Really needing to pee, Malik fled the room and ran toward the bathroom at the end of the hall. After doing his business he left the bathroom and began the trek back to Yugi’s grandfather’s room. Only he never made it there.
Blinking as another chibi came up from down the stairs, Malik titled his head. “Who awe you?” He wondered, as it was still slightly dark in the hallway.
The other chibi jumped, not having noticed him. Quickly turning, the other chibi stared at him.
“I’m Seto.” The other chibi stated softly, tilting his head as he looked at the blonde chibi curiously. “Who awe you?” He wondered.
“I’m Mawik.” The Egyptian chibi offered, “Whewe wewe you goin’?” He wondered, remembering that Seto had been just coming up the stairs.
With this question, the taller chibi looked down at the floor. “Thewe’s a guy downstaiws and he yelled at me when he woked up. I onwy wanted to know whewe my bwotha was.” He shrugged sadly.
Malik tilted his head as he watched the other. “Dat’s Joey…he’th funny. My ‘ami wikes him a wot though.” He shrugged, unable to understand how Marik’s mind was working. (If it was working at all…) “Who’th youw bwotha?”
“Mokey.” The chibi sniffled, “I dun know where he is though.” Seto rubbed at his eyes as he sobbed softly to himself. He and his brother were always together, but now he was in a strange house, with even stranger people and he was alone!
Malik didn’t like seeing Seto cry and he gently took the other boy’s hand, knowing who this ‘Mokey’ was. “You mean Mokuba, wight?” He asked, getting the other’s attention.
“Yeah!” Seto nodded, wiping his tears away with the back of his hand. “Do you know whewe he is?”
Malik grinned and nodded, “He sweeping in ‘Ugi’th woom now dat Wyou an’ Batuwa awe sweeping wit’ ‘Ugi an’ ‘Ami.” He began to lead Seto toward Yugi’s room. “See?” The smaller chibi spoke as the door was opened, revealing the black-haired figure asleep on the bed.
“Mokey!” Seto declared, loud enough to wake the slumbering Kaiba.
“Big brother?” Mokuba sat up sleepily as Seto crawled on the bed and flung himself into Mokuba’s arms. Blinking in surprise Mokuba chuckled, realizing what had happened, “Or maybe I should say little brother…” He hugged Seto back.
“I missed you and I didn’t know whewe you went.” Seto explained, seeming to not realize that his little brother seemed to be older than him and much bigger.
Mokuba laughed, “Well, you found me. But how’d you do that?” He wondered and Seto grinned and pointed to the door where Malik still stood. Mokuba grinned at the small chibi as he hugged his brother, “Thanks Malik!”
Malik smiled in returned, “Wewcome!” He said then turned to leave.
“Wait!” Seto suddenly called out, making Malik and Mokuba look at him. The chibi couldn’t help but blush at the sudden attention, but he’d never had friends before…except Mokuba. Nobody had ever been nice to him before and this other chibi had. “You could…stay hewe if you want.” Seto invited and for a moment he was afraid Malik would say no.
Malik - who’d been around Marik long enough to know when someone was afraid of abandonment - only smiled and nodded as he raced toward the bed and jumped up. The Egyptian poked Seto in greeting and Seto poked him back. It soon turned into a tickle war that was only stopped when they were getting too loud.
“The other’s are still asleep.” Mokuba insisted as he tucked both of the boys in. “And I don’t want to deal with grumpy chibis.”
“Otay.” Malik yawned, still tired anyway.
“Otay bwotha’.” Seto also agreed and the two of them settled down next to Mokuba. As the older boy watched the two chibis fell asleep again and he couldn’t help but smile at the innocence that was his brother. He shook his head in amusement, then settled down between the two. Today was going to be interesting.
Of course, later that day it was an understatement, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Yugi had been dragged into the kitchen that morning by four extremely hungry chibis all wanting pancakes with truck loads of whipped cream on them. They found Joey already sitting at the table, pouting at nothing in particular. Duke sat with him and Yugi tilted his head in confusion when he woke up enough to wonder why Duke was there so early.
Easily seeing the question in Yugi’s eyes, Duke shrugged, “Joey called and said he needed to talk. So here I am.”
Yugi looked at his best friend, “What’s up Joey?” He wondered.
Joey groaned, “Seto’s been turned into a chibi and he doesn’t even remember me!” He whined loudly, causing most of the chibis to giggle. Marik didn’t find it all that amusing as his favourite adult was having a problem. He quickly scampered over to Joey and held out his arms when the older blonde looked down at him.
Joey, having gotten used to an affectionate Marik, scooped the chibi up and cradled him for comfort.
Suddenly slightly depressed himself, Yugi blinked and looked at Joey.
Joey blinked back and looked at Yugi.
Together they both sighed.
“Okay, nobody died! No need to act so depressed!” Duke shook his head at the two as he picked up Ryou and set him in his lap.
“But Seto’s…” Joey began but then stopped.
“And Yami’s still…” Yugi muttered.
Yami sniffled from his spot beside Yami Bakura. “’Ugi no wove ‘Ami no mowe?” He wondered softly. Yugi hadn’t looked very happy at finding him that morning.
Yugi sighed and knelt down next to the two chibis and held out his arms to Yami. “No Yami, I do love you. I just miss the old you.” He said the last part mostly to himself as the chibi quickly climbed into his arms.
“That’s all well and good for you!” Joey pouted as he played with Marik’s hair, “But Seto…he’d rather be with Mokuba then with me!”
Duke raised an eyebrow. “Mokuba is Seto’s brother Joey, and now that Seto’s a chibi…which is highly amazing, not to mention amusing, Mokuba’s what he probably remembers most.”
“But still.” Joey groaned as he hugged Marik lightly. “I remembered him and I was an infant!” He pointed out, “Yugi remembered Yami, Yami remembered Yugi, Ryou remembered Bakura and Bakura even remembered Ryou! Seto isn’t even that young!” His pout grew deeper.
Duke rolled his eyes, “They’re also connected.” He shook his head, “Think about it Wheeler, Yugi and Ryou are the other halves of Yami and Bakura and Kaiba and Mokuba are brothers. He’ll remember you when everything’s back to normal, and this way maybe you can figure out what he was like as a child.”
“And you were only a baby Joey, you probably didn’t really know who Seto was.” Yugi pointed out, though Joey would never believe that. He’d known who Seto was, he couldn’t remember much of his time as a chibi, but he could remember Seto.
“Maywik!” A voice suddenly cried out and everyone looked up at the entrance to find Mokuba leading in a chibi Malik and a chibi Seto.
It was the last one that kind of surprised everyone.
Seeing his hikari, Marik climbed out of Joey’s lap and scampered over to the other boy. Let’s face facts here, Marik may have gotten attached to the big puppy dog, but his hikari would always come first.
Marik pouted as he met up with his other, “You wewe gone when we waked up.” He stuck out his bottom lip.
Malik giggled and poked Marik’s lip, causing the other chibi to smile, “I had to go to da bafwoom.” The Egyptian chibi explained, “And I found Theto!”
Marik blinked and got a good look at the chibi slightly hiding behind his shorter other. “Hi.” He said, not sure about this new chibi that seemed to be able to steal his hikari from him.
Seto looked back at Marik, curious about this…interesting looking little boy. “Hewwo.”
Marik glared suddenly, realizing that the two were holding hands, “Mawik’s my haitawi!” He growled, afraid that Malik would leave him alone.
Seto’s eyes widened at the same time Malik’s did and while Seto moved toward Mokuba, Malik began to fume. “NO!” The little boy yelled loudly, startling everyone into silence. Marik had even shrunk away from him in surprise.
Malik glared back at his other, “I’m not youws! Theto’s my fwiend! I can be his fwiend and yours at the same time, but I don’t wanna be now!” He spat, unable to believe that Marik could be so selfish. He’d never been taught that and it was so mean to Seto! With that Malik turned to his new friend and grinned, “Wanna go pway?” He wondered.
Seto looked at Malik unsure, then glanced at Marik. “O-okay.” He said, and took Malik’s offered hand. The two left the room.
Nobody said anything for a long time as they watched the small child standing motionlessly in the middle of the room. Only Mokuba could see the heartbroken look within the small chibi’s tear filled eyes.
Clenching his small hands and biting his bottom lip to stop it from quivering, Marik slowly left the room and disappeared from sight.
“Wow…” Duke was the first to break the long silence. “You think someone should go after him?” He wondered, looking at the others. But everyone (well, the adults anyway) weren’t sure if that was the best thing…Marik was practically a stranger to them.
Joey finally got up. The small boy had come to him when he needed comfort and no force was going to stop him from comforting the little boy when he needed it. “I’ll be back in a while. Don’t worry about anything.” He smiled to Yugi and Duke as he left the room.
Upon seeing that the living room was empty, Joey began his trek up the stairs. From the top step he could here the familiar laugher of Malik and the unfamiliar, yet somehow familiar laugher of Seto coming from Yugi’s room where most of the toys were kept for the chibis to play with. Knowing Marik wouldn’t be with them, for there were only two voices coming from the room, Joey tried Mr. Motou’s room. Finding it empty he finally opened the door to the guestroom.
At first he couldn’t see anything and was about to close the door and check the bathroom when a light sniff caught his attention. Quietly he crept into the room and once he reached the center he could hear a light murmuring sound coming from the closet. Carefully, he opened the door.
In the very back and darkest corner, Marik sat on the floor, speaking in a tongue Joey didn’t understand to a stuffed D. Human. Realizing that he’d been found, Marik stopped talking and was silent though he continued to look at the toy.
Joey sighed to himself and got down on his knees and crawled into the closet too and shut the door. There was hardly any light but from under the door there came a bit. “Marik?” The blonde finally spoke up, “Are you okay?” He wondered, wanting to reach for the chibi, but not quite sure if it was the right time.
“Uh huh.” Came the reply as Marik forced himself to sound happy. “I’m otay. I…was…just…tewwing D. Human a stowey.” He explained.
Joey stretched out across the floor of the closet, it was surprisingly a large closet for a guestroom but he wasn’t about to complain, “What kind of story?” He wondered.
Marik was hesitant for a moment, and though Joey couldn’t see him, he could imagine the child nibbling on his bottom lip and still fidgeting with the toy. “We had nightmawes wast night.” The Egyptian explained softly, “Mawik dreamed of his daddy huwting him wif’ a knife.” He said.
“And what did you dream about?” Joey wondered and this time Marik was silent for a long time. “Marik? You can tell me, I promise not to tell anyone else.”
“I didn’t teww Mawik I had a nightmawe too. He is…was my hitawi…I’m supposed to pwotect him.” The child whispered.
“I promise I won’t tell Malik either.” Joey vowed, “You know you can trust me kiddo.”
Marik took a shaky breath. “I dweamed that Mawik weft me…and I was awone and I didn’t know where I was!” He sniffled suddenly and his voice cracked, “It…it was dawk and I couldn’t see noffing…” He whimpered to himself.
“Don’t worry about it now.” Joey began, “It was only a dream, and-”
“No it wasn’t.” Marik interrupted through the darkness. “He did weave me. He doesn’t wike me anymowe.”
Joey couldn’t take it anymore. “That’s not true Marik!” He said as he scooped the chibi up and cradled the smaller form to his chest, running his hand through the soft locks of what he knew to be blonde hair and he hugged the boy. “Malik loves you! You’re his other half!”
Unable to hold anything in now, Marik sobbed softly, “But he said he didn’t want to be my fwiend no mowe.” He sniffled.
Joey sighed as he rested his cheek against the top of Marik’s head, letting the boy bury his face within Joey’s shirt. “He didn’t mean it, Malik was only upset. Malik will always love you.” Joey snorted to himself, “I think you and I both need to learn to share more. I was feeling like Seto hated me because the first thing he asked was about his brother this morning.”
Marik gasped at that, “Seto woves you! Youw neva’ mean ta him wike I’m mean ta Mawik.” He muttered softly.
“You weren’t mean to Malik, you always tried to protect him when it counted.” Joey chuckled slightly as he kissed the top of Marik’s head. He found the action to be surprising, but right too. They sat in silence for a few moments, and then Joey moved, “How about you and I let Seto and Malik spend time together while you and I spend time together. Maybe that way we won’t be being selfish.”
Marik didn’t like the idea of staying away from his hikari, but Malik had made it perfectly clear that that was what the mortal boy wanted so he nodded his head in agreement. “Otay. Tanks Joey.” He whispered.
“No problem, Marik.” Joey replied.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Yugi, Duke and Mokuba had started breakfast as soon as Joey had left to find Marik. With Yami, Yami Bakura and Ryou busy watching cartoons and playing in the living room the meal was done pretty quick.
“I’ll go get the others.” Yugi said then left the room and going up the stairs. He followed the light laughter coming from his own room. Knocking quietly, he opened the door and peeked in. Malik and Seto were in the middle of the room, dueling on the floor.
“Hi!” Seto smiled, “I’m teaching Mawik how to pway. Is okay?” He wondered softly, both looking at Yugi expectantly. “We wewe bein’ caweful.”
Yugi only smiled, “That’s okay. I just wanted to tell you that breakfast is ready. We’re going to figure out what we’re going to do together today too.” He explained, “You guys go downstairs and Duke and Mokuba will get you something to eat.”
“Yay!” The two cheered together and both jumped up. Seto grabbed Malik’s hand before the two ran out of the room and down the stairs, laughing as they went.
Yugi left his room soon after and knocked on the guestroom door since it was the only door closed. He didn’t receive an answer, but quietly looked in. Joey was sitting cross-legged on the bed, leaning back against the headboard. In his lap sat Marik and D. Human and they were both looking at a book. It took Yugi a moment to realize that Joey was actually reading the book, even though what Joey was saying wasn’t actually the story.
Yugi doubted Marik would be that enthralled by an upside down version of War and Peace.
It took a moment for them to notice the audience and they both turned to look at Yugi. Yugi smiled softly, “Breakfast is ready. And we’ll plan today’s activities. Duke mentioned something about an exhibition actually.”
Joey nodded as he closed the book then set it on the bed. “Sounds good.” He plucked Marik up and got off the bed. “You hungry?” He looked down at the small boy.
“A widdle.” Marik admitted, though he was not looking forward to eating with the others. Or more specifically one other chibi.
Joey seemed to understand and he smiled encouragingly, “Well, let’s get something, then we’ll all figure out what we want to do today. I don’t know about you, but that exhibition sure sounds fun to me!” He said as he followed Yugi down the stairs.
Marik wasn’t quite sure what an exhibition was.
※ Warnings - None - just remember that this is the unrevised version.
※ Disclaimer - I obviously don't own it.
Sleepy lavender eyes opened and blinked the blurriness away. Yawning softly, the small chibi carefully wriggled out from between the two bodies he’d been sleeping beside all night. Seeing that Yugi was even still asleep, it was obviously early.
Really needing to pee, Malik fled the room and ran toward the bathroom at the end of the hall. After doing his business he left the bathroom and began the trek back to Yugi’s grandfather’s room. Only he never made it there.
Blinking as another chibi came up from down the stairs, Malik titled his head. “Who awe you?” He wondered, as it was still slightly dark in the hallway.
The other chibi jumped, not having noticed him. Quickly turning, the other chibi stared at him.
“I’m Seto.” The other chibi stated softly, tilting his head as he looked at the blonde chibi curiously. “Who awe you?” He wondered.
“I’m Mawik.” The Egyptian chibi offered, “Whewe wewe you goin’?” He wondered, remembering that Seto had been just coming up the stairs.
With this question, the taller chibi looked down at the floor. “Thewe’s a guy downstaiws and he yelled at me when he woked up. I onwy wanted to know whewe my bwotha was.” He shrugged sadly.
Malik tilted his head as he watched the other. “Dat’s Joey…he’th funny. My ‘ami wikes him a wot though.” He shrugged, unable to understand how Marik’s mind was working. (If it was working at all…) “Who’th youw bwotha?”
“Mokey.” The chibi sniffled, “I dun know where he is though.” Seto rubbed at his eyes as he sobbed softly to himself. He and his brother were always together, but now he was in a strange house, with even stranger people and he was alone!
Malik didn’t like seeing Seto cry and he gently took the other boy’s hand, knowing who this ‘Mokey’ was. “You mean Mokuba, wight?” He asked, getting the other’s attention.
“Yeah!” Seto nodded, wiping his tears away with the back of his hand. “Do you know whewe he is?”
Malik grinned and nodded, “He sweeping in ‘Ugi’th woom now dat Wyou an’ Batuwa awe sweeping wit’ ‘Ugi an’ ‘Ami.” He began to lead Seto toward Yugi’s room. “See?” The smaller chibi spoke as the door was opened, revealing the black-haired figure asleep on the bed.
“Mokey!” Seto declared, loud enough to wake the slumbering Kaiba.
“Big brother?” Mokuba sat up sleepily as Seto crawled on the bed and flung himself into Mokuba’s arms. Blinking in surprise Mokuba chuckled, realizing what had happened, “Or maybe I should say little brother…” He hugged Seto back.
“I missed you and I didn’t know whewe you went.” Seto explained, seeming to not realize that his little brother seemed to be older than him and much bigger.
Mokuba laughed, “Well, you found me. But how’d you do that?” He wondered and Seto grinned and pointed to the door where Malik still stood. Mokuba grinned at the small chibi as he hugged his brother, “Thanks Malik!”
Malik smiled in returned, “Wewcome!” He said then turned to leave.
“Wait!” Seto suddenly called out, making Malik and Mokuba look at him. The chibi couldn’t help but blush at the sudden attention, but he’d never had friends before…except Mokuba. Nobody had ever been nice to him before and this other chibi had. “You could…stay hewe if you want.” Seto invited and for a moment he was afraid Malik would say no.
Malik - who’d been around Marik long enough to know when someone was afraid of abandonment - only smiled and nodded as he raced toward the bed and jumped up. The Egyptian poked Seto in greeting and Seto poked him back. It soon turned into a tickle war that was only stopped when they were getting too loud.
“The other’s are still asleep.” Mokuba insisted as he tucked both of the boys in. “And I don’t want to deal with grumpy chibis.”
“Otay.” Malik yawned, still tired anyway.
“Otay bwotha’.” Seto also agreed and the two of them settled down next to Mokuba. As the older boy watched the two chibis fell asleep again and he couldn’t help but smile at the innocence that was his brother. He shook his head in amusement, then settled down between the two. Today was going to be interesting.
Of course, later that day it was an understatement, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Yugi had been dragged into the kitchen that morning by four extremely hungry chibis all wanting pancakes with truck loads of whipped cream on them. They found Joey already sitting at the table, pouting at nothing in particular. Duke sat with him and Yugi tilted his head in confusion when he woke up enough to wonder why Duke was there so early.
Easily seeing the question in Yugi’s eyes, Duke shrugged, “Joey called and said he needed to talk. So here I am.”
Yugi looked at his best friend, “What’s up Joey?” He wondered.
Joey groaned, “Seto’s been turned into a chibi and he doesn’t even remember me!” He whined loudly, causing most of the chibis to giggle. Marik didn’t find it all that amusing as his favourite adult was having a problem. He quickly scampered over to Joey and held out his arms when the older blonde looked down at him.
Joey, having gotten used to an affectionate Marik, scooped the chibi up and cradled him for comfort.
Suddenly slightly depressed himself, Yugi blinked and looked at Joey.
Joey blinked back and looked at Yugi.
Together they both sighed.
“Okay, nobody died! No need to act so depressed!” Duke shook his head at the two as he picked up Ryou and set him in his lap.
“But Seto’s…” Joey began but then stopped.
“And Yami’s still…” Yugi muttered.
Yami sniffled from his spot beside Yami Bakura. “’Ugi no wove ‘Ami no mowe?” He wondered softly. Yugi hadn’t looked very happy at finding him that morning.
Yugi sighed and knelt down next to the two chibis and held out his arms to Yami. “No Yami, I do love you. I just miss the old you.” He said the last part mostly to himself as the chibi quickly climbed into his arms.
“That’s all well and good for you!” Joey pouted as he played with Marik’s hair, “But Seto…he’d rather be with Mokuba then with me!”
Duke raised an eyebrow. “Mokuba is Seto’s brother Joey, and now that Seto’s a chibi…which is highly amazing, not to mention amusing, Mokuba’s what he probably remembers most.”
“But still.” Joey groaned as he hugged Marik lightly. “I remembered him and I was an infant!” He pointed out, “Yugi remembered Yami, Yami remembered Yugi, Ryou remembered Bakura and Bakura even remembered Ryou! Seto isn’t even that young!” His pout grew deeper.
Duke rolled his eyes, “They’re also connected.” He shook his head, “Think about it Wheeler, Yugi and Ryou are the other halves of Yami and Bakura and Kaiba and Mokuba are brothers. He’ll remember you when everything’s back to normal, and this way maybe you can figure out what he was like as a child.”
“And you were only a baby Joey, you probably didn’t really know who Seto was.” Yugi pointed out, though Joey would never believe that. He’d known who Seto was, he couldn’t remember much of his time as a chibi, but he could remember Seto.
“Maywik!” A voice suddenly cried out and everyone looked up at the entrance to find Mokuba leading in a chibi Malik and a chibi Seto.
It was the last one that kind of surprised everyone.
Seeing his hikari, Marik climbed out of Joey’s lap and scampered over to the other boy. Let’s face facts here, Marik may have gotten attached to the big puppy dog, but his hikari would always come first.
Marik pouted as he met up with his other, “You wewe gone when we waked up.” He stuck out his bottom lip.
Malik giggled and poked Marik’s lip, causing the other chibi to smile, “I had to go to da bafwoom.” The Egyptian chibi explained, “And I found Theto!”
Marik blinked and got a good look at the chibi slightly hiding behind his shorter other. “Hi.” He said, not sure about this new chibi that seemed to be able to steal his hikari from him.
Seto looked back at Marik, curious about this…interesting looking little boy. “Hewwo.”
Marik glared suddenly, realizing that the two were holding hands, “Mawik’s my haitawi!” He growled, afraid that Malik would leave him alone.
Seto’s eyes widened at the same time Malik’s did and while Seto moved toward Mokuba, Malik began to fume. “NO!” The little boy yelled loudly, startling everyone into silence. Marik had even shrunk away from him in surprise.
Malik glared back at his other, “I’m not youws! Theto’s my fwiend! I can be his fwiend and yours at the same time, but I don’t wanna be now!” He spat, unable to believe that Marik could be so selfish. He’d never been taught that and it was so mean to Seto! With that Malik turned to his new friend and grinned, “Wanna go pway?” He wondered.
Seto looked at Malik unsure, then glanced at Marik. “O-okay.” He said, and took Malik’s offered hand. The two left the room.
Nobody said anything for a long time as they watched the small child standing motionlessly in the middle of the room. Only Mokuba could see the heartbroken look within the small chibi’s tear filled eyes.
Clenching his small hands and biting his bottom lip to stop it from quivering, Marik slowly left the room and disappeared from sight.
“Wow…” Duke was the first to break the long silence. “You think someone should go after him?” He wondered, looking at the others. But everyone (well, the adults anyway) weren’t sure if that was the best thing…Marik was practically a stranger to them.
Joey finally got up. The small boy had come to him when he needed comfort and no force was going to stop him from comforting the little boy when he needed it. “I’ll be back in a while. Don’t worry about anything.” He smiled to Yugi and Duke as he left the room.
Upon seeing that the living room was empty, Joey began his trek up the stairs. From the top step he could here the familiar laugher of Malik and the unfamiliar, yet somehow familiar laugher of Seto coming from Yugi’s room where most of the toys were kept for the chibis to play with. Knowing Marik wouldn’t be with them, for there were only two voices coming from the room, Joey tried Mr. Motou’s room. Finding it empty he finally opened the door to the guestroom.
At first he couldn’t see anything and was about to close the door and check the bathroom when a light sniff caught his attention. Quietly he crept into the room and once he reached the center he could hear a light murmuring sound coming from the closet. Carefully, he opened the door.
In the very back and darkest corner, Marik sat on the floor, speaking in a tongue Joey didn’t understand to a stuffed D. Human. Realizing that he’d been found, Marik stopped talking and was silent though he continued to look at the toy.
Joey sighed to himself and got down on his knees and crawled into the closet too and shut the door. There was hardly any light but from under the door there came a bit. “Marik?” The blonde finally spoke up, “Are you okay?” He wondered, wanting to reach for the chibi, but not quite sure if it was the right time.
“Uh huh.” Came the reply as Marik forced himself to sound happy. “I’m otay. I…was…just…tewwing D. Human a stowey.” He explained.
Joey stretched out across the floor of the closet, it was surprisingly a large closet for a guestroom but he wasn’t about to complain, “What kind of story?” He wondered.
Marik was hesitant for a moment, and though Joey couldn’t see him, he could imagine the child nibbling on his bottom lip and still fidgeting with the toy. “We had nightmawes wast night.” The Egyptian explained softly, “Mawik dreamed of his daddy huwting him wif’ a knife.” He said.
“And what did you dream about?” Joey wondered and this time Marik was silent for a long time. “Marik? You can tell me, I promise not to tell anyone else.”
“I didn’t teww Mawik I had a nightmawe too. He is…was my hitawi…I’m supposed to pwotect him.” The child whispered.
“I promise I won’t tell Malik either.” Joey vowed, “You know you can trust me kiddo.”
Marik took a shaky breath. “I dweamed that Mawik weft me…and I was awone and I didn’t know where I was!” He sniffled suddenly and his voice cracked, “It…it was dawk and I couldn’t see noffing…” He whimpered to himself.
“Don’t worry about it now.” Joey began, “It was only a dream, and-”
“No it wasn’t.” Marik interrupted through the darkness. “He did weave me. He doesn’t wike me anymowe.”
Joey couldn’t take it anymore. “That’s not true Marik!” He said as he scooped the chibi up and cradled the smaller form to his chest, running his hand through the soft locks of what he knew to be blonde hair and he hugged the boy. “Malik loves you! You’re his other half!”
Unable to hold anything in now, Marik sobbed softly, “But he said he didn’t want to be my fwiend no mowe.” He sniffled.
Joey sighed as he rested his cheek against the top of Marik’s head, letting the boy bury his face within Joey’s shirt. “He didn’t mean it, Malik was only upset. Malik will always love you.” Joey snorted to himself, “I think you and I both need to learn to share more. I was feeling like Seto hated me because the first thing he asked was about his brother this morning.”
Marik gasped at that, “Seto woves you! Youw neva’ mean ta him wike I’m mean ta Mawik.” He muttered softly.
“You weren’t mean to Malik, you always tried to protect him when it counted.” Joey chuckled slightly as he kissed the top of Marik’s head. He found the action to be surprising, but right too. They sat in silence for a few moments, and then Joey moved, “How about you and I let Seto and Malik spend time together while you and I spend time together. Maybe that way we won’t be being selfish.”
Marik didn’t like the idea of staying away from his hikari, but Malik had made it perfectly clear that that was what the mortal boy wanted so he nodded his head in agreement. “Otay. Tanks Joey.” He whispered.
“No problem, Marik.” Joey replied.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Yugi, Duke and Mokuba had started breakfast as soon as Joey had left to find Marik. With Yami, Yami Bakura and Ryou busy watching cartoons and playing in the living room the meal was done pretty quick.
“I’ll go get the others.” Yugi said then left the room and going up the stairs. He followed the light laughter coming from his own room. Knocking quietly, he opened the door and peeked in. Malik and Seto were in the middle of the room, dueling on the floor.
“Hi!” Seto smiled, “I’m teaching Mawik how to pway. Is okay?” He wondered softly, both looking at Yugi expectantly. “We wewe bein’ caweful.”
Yugi only smiled, “That’s okay. I just wanted to tell you that breakfast is ready. We’re going to figure out what we’re going to do together today too.” He explained, “You guys go downstairs and Duke and Mokuba will get you something to eat.”
“Yay!” The two cheered together and both jumped up. Seto grabbed Malik’s hand before the two ran out of the room and down the stairs, laughing as they went.
Yugi left his room soon after and knocked on the guestroom door since it was the only door closed. He didn’t receive an answer, but quietly looked in. Joey was sitting cross-legged on the bed, leaning back against the headboard. In his lap sat Marik and D. Human and they were both looking at a book. It took Yugi a moment to realize that Joey was actually reading the book, even though what Joey was saying wasn’t actually the story.
Yugi doubted Marik would be that enthralled by an upside down version of War and Peace.
It took a moment for them to notice the audience and they both turned to look at Yugi. Yugi smiled softly, “Breakfast is ready. And we’ll plan today’s activities. Duke mentioned something about an exhibition actually.”
Joey nodded as he closed the book then set it on the bed. “Sounds good.” He plucked Marik up and got off the bed. “You hungry?” He looked down at the small boy.
“A widdle.” Marik admitted, though he was not looking forward to eating with the others. Or more specifically one other chibi.
Joey seemed to understand and he smiled encouragingly, “Well, let’s get something, then we’ll all figure out what we want to do today. I don’t know about you, but that exhibition sure sounds fun to me!” He said as he followed Yugi down the stairs.
Marik wasn’t quite sure what an exhibition was.