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

[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.

[obeytherod]

[Excellent...Malik silently congratulated himself on a job well done as Ryou seemed to teeter into agreement.

Those last two words...they send a look of shock that flashing across Malik's features, however brief. Ryou had the gall go give him a condition?! Keh keh....KYAHAHA!

Did he really think he had that sort of power over him?! Malik was being kind by even giving him a choice! He wasn't the one in a corner here...no.

Everything was going along just how he wanted!]

And what is that?

[fluffydeathdealer]

Loyalty has its limits. The other night... you tried to get me to take something belonging to someone else. I won't commit crimes for you.

No matter what.

[obeytherod]

... [Was that it? Ryou had the chance to ask for anything...and that was it?]

Hmhmhm...okay, Ryou. I can promise you that much.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Then it's a promise!

[That was all he was worried about. His hiding of the things that went on with Henry and the others wasn't betrayal, and he trusted most of the people here to keep Malik in line if he tried to hurt them, anyway.]

[obeytherod]

...Yes. It is.

[Malik leans over, grabbing another cream puff to shove into his mouth. This had all worked out better than expected...]

Now, you can have the next few hours to work. I'm going to go take a shower.

[Getting up from his seat, he walks out of the kitchen and down the short hall to the bathroom.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Well, Ryou doesn't mind having peace to work on this sort of thing. He'll get right to work on the evil lair!

In the back of his mind, the spirit of the ring wishes he had spirit popcorn.]

warning for...compromising positions?!

[obeytherod]

[The Spirit wouldn't even have had time to make popcorn, with how quickly it all happened.

Back in the bathroom, Malik had stripped himself of his shirt, shoes, and jewelry, which of course only left his pants and the Rod. The shower had already been running for a few minutes, the water hot enough to make the air in the bathroom a bit steamy.

Allowing the warm air to cling to his skin, Malik reaches down, unbuttoning the front of his belt and pushing his pants down his thighs.

Or at least he starts to. As soon as the Rod loses contact with the clothes immediately pressed against his skin, Malik collapses to the floor. If there was any small mercy, it's that on the way down he knocked over a few towels from the rack, padding his head and probably sparing himself a concussion.

...But then, maybe Malik would have preferred a concussion to the unfortunately compromising position his unconscious body had fallen into. Face-down in a pile of towels, his pants pulled down nearly to his knees, with his underwear clad butt in the air.]