EGYPTIAN WHEELIES

[obeytherod]

[Malik had found something while looking through the East Wing. Just what that "something" was becomes apparent when an engine roars to life, and the skid of tires on tiled flooring echoes through the halls.

Sure...sure, he could just walk his new bike outside...but where was the fun in that?! This wasn't an ATV, and it likely wasn't going to fair well in the spotty terrain outdoors...

So he's just going to take a few smooth-riding laps in the halls before he goes to test it outside.

When somebody gets in his way, he rears the bike back onto one wheel, skidding a few feet on the floor before the front tire slams back down and he comes to a stop.]

What, are you trying to get yourself killed?

Comments

And because decisions are hard...

[fluffydeathdealer]

GAAAAH!

[This? This is Ryou sitting on his ass in front of Malik, wide-eyed and shocked.]

O-oy! Why are you riding that indoors?!

so then this actually happened the next day

[obeytherod]

... [Blowing off some steam, really. But he was glad to see it was Ryou he'd almost literally ran into; he had some things to discuss with the boy.]

Nevermind that. Get on!

[fluffydeathdealer]

Eh?! Me?!

[After a slight hesitation, he gets up and approaches. Is it really safe to ride a motorcycle in this condition? Even holding onto Malik will be difficult.]

[obeytherod]

No, the other Ryou. Yes, you!

[Malik scoots forward a bit, turning his head to glance at the small stretch of seat behind him.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Un. I'm coming.

[Obediently, he settles on behind him, albeit with some obvious reluctance. It isn't the bike that's worrying him so much as Malik's obvious lack of safety concern and unnerving attitude.]

[obeytherod]

[Malik doesn't even bother to give Ryou a helmet, because they're going straight back to the dorm. He parks the motorcycle right out front, shutting down the engine.]

...Now get off and go inside. Keh keh. I'll explain then.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[GAH WHAT IS THIS TOTAL LACK OF SAFETY. MALIK WHY DO YOU HAVE NO CONCEPT OF SAFE DRIVING? DO YOU EVEN HAVE A LICENCE?

Ryou nods slowly, slipping off and heading into the apartment. As ways to travel go, it wasn't too bad, actually, even with the discomfort of his injuries. But he could have done with a little more safety... Really, Malik!]

Shall I grab some snacks, or is this a serious talk?

[obeytherod]

[Talk to the Rod, Ryou.

Malik hops off the bike himself and rolls it right into the dorm. He didn't want anybody to try and steal it, after all.]

...Go ahead. It's serious, but I think you'll enjoy it. [For once, even with his usual confidence, Malik was sounding less blatantly ill-willed than usual.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Curiously, he goes to get some cake and cream puffs, laying the slices and desserts on a plate and setting it on the table for Malik to help himself. Taking a slice of strawberry sponge cake, he sits down and waits for Malik to get to the point.]

Did something happen?

[gdi Malik stop making more cleaning work for him]

[obeytherod]

[Malik takes a seat across from Ryou, his bandaged hand immediately reaching for a cream puff to pop into his mouth.

He eats that before even bothering to answer Ryou.]

Keheh, yes. I have a proposition for you, Ryou-kun.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Wait, what the hell? Malik being polite is strange at best. Disturbing at worst.]

What is it? It must be important for you to make so much of it as this.

[obeytherod]

[...It was really hard to get to the point with these cream puffs distracting him.

Malik has to practically tear himself away.]

How would you like a few more hours outside of the Ring every day?

[fluffydeathdealer]

...eh? Really?! I get to be awake more?

[Wait. Wait, wait, wait a minute.]

...what's the catch?

[He's just going to grab one or two of them himself to make sure he gets to have some. :(]

[obeytherod]

[Kehkeh...it was almost cute, his reaction.

Malik casually props his chin up in his hand. "What's the catch"...Ryou wasn't so naive after all, was he?]

You have to stay in the dorm and work on that Monster World set you promised me.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Is that all? Hehe, I'll be glad to! I was expecting something worse.

[Like stealing from Kaiba. He won't ever forget that joke, Malik!]

[obeytherod]

[Well, that was easy. Malik leans back and crosses his arms, a soft smile gracing his features.

...That quickly evolves into an almost vicious grin.]

Good~ Now, I had something else to tell you...

[fluffydeathdealer]

...eh?

[That sudden change... was a little unnerving. Malik slips in an instant from pleased to malicious, and he isn't sure how to respond.]

What is it? Did I forget to put the leftovers in the fridge?

[obeytherod]

...No.

[Malik just dismisses that stupid question and instead holds out his bandaged hand.]

I bet you're wondering where you got that cut...right?

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Ryou nods, looking at his own hand ruefully before looking at Malik's. Malik's was bandaged too... Did the two of them pick up something sharp together? Maybe something broke?]

I was curious... why do you have a wound too?

[obeytherod]

[Malik looks down at his hand, running a finger over the bandages where he knew the deep cut laid just beneath.]

Me and Bakura made an oath of loyalty to each other. And since we used your body...you're not exempt!

[fluffydeathdealer]

...

[Wait, they what-?!]

Ehhh?! W-wait, you can't include me in an oath I never took!

[obeytherod]

No...? [It's less a question, and more a word of challenge. He dares Ryou to resist.]

It would benefit you too, you know.

[He was still more interested in Ryou's body as a host than anything...but Malik had other reasons for offering this.

It was security, for onw. Bakura wouldn't betray him...but Ryou could still mess things up.]

Hmhmhm...do you refuse to accept it because you feel left out for being there in body, but not in spirit...? I can do it again, if that will make you happy.

[fluffydeathdealer]

How would it benefit me?

[Ryou's voice was quietly challenging in turn, his rare stubbornness flaring up.]

How would it benefit you?

What was it you said the other night? That I was weak enough to lose control of my body, right? Why would you find it beneficial to swear loyalty with someone as 'weak' as me?

I'm not part of whatever you two are up to.

[obeytherod]

Tch... [Stubborn indeed! It was surprising. Malik smiled, but it was one of irritation.]

Because as long as Bakura stays in your body, I have no choice but to be loyal to it. I can't betray, murder, or abandon you...while he uses that body.

[He narrows his eyes confidently. Malik knew exactly what he was trying to do here.] And it's really not fair for me to be loyal to you, and not have the same in return, don't you think?

Bakura is family to me now. I'm not interested in his excess baggage if it doesn't feel the same.

[Also...he kind of liked having somebody so submissive around. It was a nice balance to Bakura, for those often times he was annoyed at him.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

I... wouldn't do any of those things anyway.

[Ryou's voice is quiet as he mulls it over. Malik was doing this out of some fear he'd wander off and spill their secrets? Thinking about it, Malik didn't know about Henry and the training he was undertaking. If he'd figured that out... Henry had said those two had hurt his friends, so maybe he was worried about him turning their secrets over to Henry?

But... The other part hurt. 'Excess baggage'... His fingers tensed against the fabric of his jeans.]

I don't want anything to do with the spirit... or with the Ring. But I know it won't leave me alone for long, even now. If the other me was so unkind as to take an oath like that using my body... I guess I don't have any choice but to agree with it.

Within reason.