The 'plan' was still in its early stages of development, but Malik was certain it would work perfectly - he had, after all, done all the hard work himself. Though, right now, Malik wanted to see Diabound and set things straight with him, if there was, indeed, something wrong. So, he was making his way up the last flight of stairs to the Thief King's apartment, running his fingers through his hair with a heavy sigh. Things just didn't seem to be getting any easier, despite Malik's efforts to keep himself out of the thief's business.

Diabound, meanwhile, was stretched across his couch, one hand tucked behind his head while he used the other to pet the cat draped across his chest, fondling him behind the ears. He was bored and starting to realize how...alone the apartment felt without Malik around so much anymore. Even his plans for robbing the Domino Museum seemed dull and could wait for later. He sighed, frowning to himself. "What the hell is wrong with me...?" he asked his cat, who merely stretched and yawned in response.

Malik rubbed his arm, feeling unusually awkward - strangely so - for being the one to come around first, this time. Forcing himself to knock before he lost the guts to, Malik shifted his weight uneasily, feeling almost sick to his stomach.

Diabound blinked, slowly sitting up and nudging his cat off of him. He pushed the armband up on his arm a bit, wondering who could be visiting at this hour. Heading to the door, he opened it, something inside him twisting a little at the sight of Malik. "...hey..."

Malik was sorely tempted to allow his eyes to drift downward, but he forced himself to keep them on Diabound's. "... Hey," he answered unsurely, once again fidgeting a bit. "I just..."

Diabound hesitated a moment, sensing that Malik's awkwardness was as bad as his own. "You want to come in...?" he interrupted. He stepped back a bit to let the other in.

Malik hesitated as well, before sighing inwardly and moving into Diabound's apartment. He glanced up for a moment, refraining from saying anything too soon. "How've you been?" he asked after a while, a little lost for words.

"Fine, I guess..." Closing the door, Diabound turned to Malik, running a hand through his hair. His cat, meanwhile, wove around Malik's legs, purring. "And you?"

"Yeah, fine." Malik looked down at his feet, before reaching to pick the kitten up gently. "Got a name yet?" he wondered, speaking more to the feline than Diabound as he stroked its chin.

"Nothing's really stuck," Diabound said, stepping a bit closer. The cat purred louder, rubbing his head into Malik's hand.

"Maybe he should remain nameless, like the pharaoh was." Malik tipped the kitten's chin up, gazing into its eyes curiously.

Diabound hid a flinch at the mention of the pharaoh, watching as his kitten made a soft mewing noise, gazing back at Malik. "Maybe..."

Malik turned his eyes from the kitten's to Diabound's, holding the kitten tighter. "I guess I should get straight to the point," he sighed.

Diabound sighed, nodding. "I'm listening."

"I wasn't avoiding you." Malik set the kitten down on the floor carefully, stroking it once more before he straightened, his expression contorted into one of inner conflict.

Diabound folded his arms, glancing down at his kitten for a moment before meeting Malik's eyes. "Then where have you been? You've been acting like I did something wrong, but for the life of me I have no idea what it is."

"I was just out." Malik shifted uneasily beneath Diabound's eyes, his hair shadowing his own. "I wasn't mad at you or anything."

Diabound hesitated a moment before he stepped closer. "Malik...I know there's something else." Reaching up, he paused for a just a second before brushing the bangs from Malik's face. "What's going on?"

Malik started a bit at the touch, glancing up with anxious eyes. "I promise there's nothing," he tried to say confidently, though his tone was shaky. If he couldn't convince himself, what were the chances Diabound would believe him?

Diabound's tone grew a bit more insistent. "Malik, I'm not stupid. I know when things are going on behind my back." Leaning in, he pressed his lips to Malik's temple. "You know I hate being lied to."

Malik hesitated, feeling his resolve weaken beneath Diabound's persistence of the subject. "I'm not lying," he mumbled, fisting Diabound's shirt in a hand in an attempt to contain his feeling of guilt.

Diabound gently wrapped his arms around Malik's neck, sighing. "...does it have to do with the other Malik...?"

Malik shook his head quickly, sighing heavily. "I haven't seen him in a long time," he responded tersely.

Diabound slowly stroked Malik's hair, hiding his relief at that. "Then what...?"

"I spent some time with his 'darker half', is all." Malik was unsure of how Diabound would perceive that.

Diabound chuckled weakly, closing his eyes. "If he's anything like yours...well...I guess they're both insane, huh?"

Malik nodded slightly, not wanting to push either of them further. "I guess so... he's not as bad, but he can be irritating."

"So why did you spend time with him?"

Malik shrugged lightly. "I wanted to see what his business here was."

"And...?" Diabound threaded his fingers through Malik's hair, not sure where this was going.

"It's nothing you need to worry about."

"I still want to know about it..." Diabound pulled back a little, gazing at Malik.

Malik looked back at Diabound, his expression firm. "I don't want to talk about it," he said resolutely.

Diabound sighed, running a hand through his hair again. "Fine, fine." Pulling away, he moved to flop back on the couch, patting the space beside him for Malik. "Just so long as you're not sleeping with him."

Malik moved over, kneeling on the couch carefully as he managed a faint smirk. "He's the same in bed as I am. It's not exciting."

"...I really don't want to know how you know that." Diabound eyed Malik with an arched eyebrow, before shaking his head.

"I wasn't planning on sharing," Malik responded coolly, settling on his stomach.

Diabound gazed at Malik for a moment before petting his hair lightly. "...I missed having you around."

"I'm sure it was undeniably tragic." Malik gazed back at Diabound, wondering if he'd actually been missed. Probably not.

Diabound tugged on Malik's hair a bit, eyeing him. "Hey, I'm being serious here."

Malik winced, closing an eye. "So am I, and I know for a fact it's highly unlikely for my presence to be missed."

Diabound paused a moment, before getting up and pushing Malik onto his back. "Well, you were." Straddling Malik's stomach, he gazed down at him.

Malik tilted his head, a little perplexed at the sudden move. "As I said, highly unlikely," he stated.

"Well, guess the odds are against you." He leaned in, kissing Malik lightly for a moment. "Because it happened."

Malik snorted lightly. "I don't believe in fate, as you may recall," he responded wryly, shifting.

"I don't recall mentioning fate," Diabound said with a small smirk, brushing his lips over Malik's cheek.

"Odds, fate, destiny: all the same camel shit." Malik gazed at Diabound through thick lashes, unable to keep himself from entangling his fingers in thick silvery locks.

"Gee, you don't sound bitter at all," Diabound murmured, smirking broadly. He planted gentle kisses around Malik's lips, watching him.

Malik closed his eyes with a barely audible murmur of contentment. "Oddly enough, it's hard to be bitter when I have a sex-fiend lying on top of me."

Diabound smirked wider, tongue trailing over Malik's lips lightly. "Oh? Mm, I'll have to remember that, later on..." He purred gently, locking eyes with the other.

Malik kept his lips pressed together firmly, eyes intently focused on Diabound's, spelling out an expression of determination.

Diabound touched Malik's chin lightly, gazing at him. "Mm, so you didn't miss me at all, did you," he said, brushing the hair from Malik's face.

Malik shook his head, pouting a bit as he leaned into the touch subconsciously. "Nooo..."

"Not one little bit," he breathed, smirking faintly. Leaning in, he brushed their lips together again.

Malik hesitated for a moment, wary of Diabound's trickery and whether or not to respond. Though, after a moment, his body got the better of him and he returned the kiss.

Slowly deepening the kiss, Diabound realized just how much he'd missed the feel of Malik's lips against his own. "Mm..." Running his hands through Malik's hair, he kissed him near-feverently.

An involuntary moan escaped Malik as he parted his lips with a shiver and wrapped his arms around Diabound's neck. He was beginning to feel better already, knowing things were all right between them - even just for now.

Diabound raided Malik's mouth even more desperately than usual, trying to find the assurance that there really was nothing wrong. His tongue slid against Malik's hungrily, trying to taste him fully.

Malik pulled back for a much-needed breath of air, swallowing his lust down. "I think I believe you now," he all but panted, "and you're right."

"Right?" Diabound breathed, gazing at Malik a bit hazily.

"You missed me," was Malik's fairly breathless answer.

Diabound smirked faintly, nearly bordering on a smile. "Damn right I did. This place is too quiet without you romping around the halls, yelling at the cat." Kissing Malik's forehead again, he chuckled softly.

Malik rolled his eyes with a light snort, having regained his breath again. "You'd better not be leaving me with this," he sulked.

Diabound arched an eyebrow, grinning wickedly as he shifted his hips back and rocked against Malik. "Leaving you with what?"

Malik bit back a gasp, glaring daggers up at his antagonist. "You know perfectly well," he hissed between his clenched teeth, eye twitching.

Diabound laughed softly, continuing to rock slowly as he pressed a kiss to Malik's nose, unable to keep his hands off of him. "Maybe I do. The question is...will you make it worth my while?"

"Depends." Malik's glare faltered under the agonizing pleasure, his vision becoming bleary. "Name it, whatever it is."

Diabound leaned in, sucking at Malik's lip lightly for a moment. "Tell me the truth: did you miss me, too?" Grinning a little, he lightened the pressure on Malik's hips a bit.

It was his pride or his hard-on: a choice which Malik found difficult to make. Sulking noticeably, he answered, "Yes. What of it?" He arched up a bit, pouting at the loss.

Diabound didn't respond, merely grinning a bit wider and kissing Malik bruisingly again, grinding his hips against Malik's once more.

Malik moaned loudly at the simultaneous actions, pressing back up against Diabound and responding to the kiss fiercely as he could.

Diabound groaned as he rocked and moved against Malik needfully, pushing at his clothes, yet unwilling to break the kiss in order to get them off. "Mmn...!"

Malik managed to undo all the buttons on Diabound's shirt, fairly tearing it off in his desperation. After a moment, he forced himself to pull away for a breath, heated eyes fixed on Diabound's. "Bedroom. Now."

"Can't argue with that," Diabound breathed sharply, swiftly scrambling to his feet and tossing his shirt aside in the process. Because he knew, if he didn't, Malik would no doubt complain later, he hoisted Malik up into his arms, guiding him so Malik's legs were about his waist, the contact making him shudder. "Fuck, I need you, beautiful..."

Malik dug his nails into Diabound's shoulders, holding onto him tightly and shivering as he felt their bodies pressing together. "We need to stop having sex at intervals so few and far between," he breathed.

"I couldn't agree more," Diabound nearly panted, carrying Malik to the bedroom quickly, their hips shifting together. "I can't stand being apart from you for so long."

"Me, either." Malik pressed kisses hard enough to bruise against Diabound's neck, shivering again. "Aaa, Diabound..."

Diabound moaned shakily, finally reaching the bed and pushing Malik into it, pulling off his shirt. "Gods, Malik," he whispered, kissing and nipping at the other's chest hungrily.

Malik purred, chest arching up as he slipped his hands into Diabound's hair and stroked it. "Mmm, Dia..." His tanned cheeks were stained with a dark flush, skin dampening with sweat.

Deftly undoing Malik's pants, Diabound continued his ministrations, teasing a nipple as he glanced up at Malik. Seeing the other so pleasured, Diabound felt the blood rush downwards in quite a hurry, and he moaned gently against Malik's skin.

Malik shivered and whimpered for more, the vibrations of Diabound's moan pleasant against his skin. Fingers tangled through the other's layered hair, Malik emitted a quiet moan, arching up with fervor once again.

Yanking down Malik's pants and boxers in one motion, Diabound's mouth slid downwards, sucking at his skin with an almost worshipful touch. Reaching the pinnacle of Malik's pleasure, he kissed the sensitive skin lightly, smirking.

A sharp breath was drawn in, Malik's fingers moving to dig into the bedsheets instead as he bit his lip lightly, looking apprehensive. He whimpered quietly at the teasing, giving Diabound's hair a light tug with his free hand. "Don't tease."

"If you insist," Diabound whispered before taking Malik completely into his mouth in one motion, smirking to himself. Starting up a gentle pleasure, he moaned against Malik.

Malik's eyes widened, and he arched up right away, gasping at the abrupt onslaught of pleasure he was being forced to endure. He couldn't hold back a moan, fingers entangling in Diabound's hair once more. "Diabound...!"

Diabound shuddered, Malik's cry sending a spike of arousal through him and encouraging him to suck harder, moaning gently.

Malik shivered, chills running down his spine continuously as he became a slave to the feelings overtaking his body. Back arching, skin and hair damp with perspiration, he cried out again.

Abruptly pulling his lips from Malik's length again, knowing it would tease him mercilessly, Diabound grinned and licked his lips, reaching for some lube. "You're beautiful..."

Malik shivered at the cool air exposed to his heat, a little more than disappointed at the loss. "I really hate you," he accused breathlessly, locking his thighs together to insulate heat.

Diabound smirked, slicking his fingers. "Oh? Well, then, I guess you don't want this..." He allowed his fingertips to graze over Malik's length as he grinned.

Malik groaned, his resolve weakening once again. "You can't just do that." He tossed his head back, knowing any effort was useless. He was trapped.

Diabound chuckled, gently easing Malik's thighs apart. "Can't I? Can I do this?" Teasing Malik's entrance with his fingertips, he thrust one finger in slowly.

Malik's flush darkened, his eyes locked with Diabound's as he felt his body heat continue to rise. "Well, you're doing it now, so, obviously," he near-squeaked.

Diabound grinned, leaning in to lick at Malik's cheek as he continued to prepare him. "Mm, missed you," he whispered.

Malik tried to snort, arching into Diabound's touch with sulking noise. "We've established that," he mumbled, voice lust-roughened.

Diabound smirked, kissing him again. "Just thought I'd reiterate." Fingers thrusting deeper, he took his time preparing Malik, wanting to be more gentle than he usually was.

"Mmm..." Malik's eyes drifted shut, his flush fading on his tanned skin as he pressed his lips together, reluctant to make any noises that would prove Diabound right - so far, he was failing.

Diabound grazed his lips over Malik's gently, continuing until he finally deemed Malik ready. Pulling his hand away again, he smirked. "Ready for me?" he whispered against Malik's skin.

Malik pressed a lazy kiss to Diabound's lips, smirking back at him faintly. "I think so," he murmured in answer, running a hand through Diabound's hair.

Diabound's smirk widened a bit as he moved to press against Malik's entrance gently. "Good," he breathed, never shifting his eyes from Malik's as he started to push into him.

Malik's eyes stayed focused on Diabound's in turn; he breathed sharply at the contact, shifting his hips a bit as his eyes took on a darker shade of lavender. "D-Diabound..."

Diabound shivered, stroking Malik's cheek and hair as he continued to ease into the other. "Nn, beautiful..." he panted, breath growing heavy.

Malik arched up with a strained mewl, gasping at the feeling of utmost completion as he breathed Diabound's name once more on barely a breath. His nails raked down Diabound's back, creating deep marks where they passed on the other's skin.

Diabound groaned at the feel of Malik's heat engulfing him and Malik's nails dragging down his back. "God, Malik," he moaned breathily, holding him tightly as he shifted a bit. He felt utterly complete with Malik, as he felt with no one else, and he never wanted to let go.

Malik groaned as well, clawing at Diabound's back desperately as he buried his head on the other's shoulder, unwilling to admit anything could possibly be wrong between them when a moment like this felt so perfect.

Diabound shivered and groaned again, fingers pressing into Malik's skin as he slowly began to move. For a fleeting instant, Diabound was sure he didn't want anything else in the world but to have this feeling forever - this feeling of oneness, of knowing Malik was his and his alone...of belonging.

Malik made a soft noise, once again arching up into the body that seemed made to fit his own and his nails scraped down to Diabound's hips, pulling them closer. He couldn't help but wonder in the back of his mind if this would last, if this would change anything; though, he had a sinking feeling they'd be fighting again before the day was out.

Diabound kissed any of Malik's skin that he could reach, thrusting deeper and harder into Malik at the encouragement. Silently, he prayed to any god he may or may not still have still believed in that Malik wouldn't be taken from him again, that he'd never have to lose this now that he'd found it. Something about Malik made him feel like he was...home. He didn't want to lose that feeling as he had before; he refused to lose it.

Malik moaned Diabound's name over and over, slipping deeper into the blissful pleasure. Why he only felt this way when they were as intimate as this, he didn't know, but he knew one thing: he'd become addicted. His cries and the crescent-shaped marks carved into Diabound's skin were evidence of the sheer pleasure and fulfilment Diabound gave him; he may have been the last thing Malik expected to care about.

Diabound's moans began to escalate as his motions became deep and rhythmic, one hand fisting in Malik's hair. He'd never expected to fall so deeply in...in something with Malik. He wouldn't go as far as to call it love, because love was something he didn't do, but...The taste of Malik on his lips and the feel of their complete connection left him reeling in unfamiliar emotions.

Malik couldn't hold back any longer; he didn't want to hold back any longer. When it became too much, and he felt himself nearing the edge of ecstasy, he leaned up, whispering words he'd never say under normal circumstances into Diabound's ear. Then, as the last word left his lips, his nails dug in sharply once more, and he reached his long-awaited release, losing himself over the edge and tightening around Diabound without so much as a warning.

Diabound faltered, Malik's words causing his heart to stop for the briefest of moments - just long enough for him to feel Malik finish hard beneath him. He cried out as his own release was triggered, holding onto Malik tightly as pleasure rocked through his body, Malik's words repeating themselves in his head.

Malik breathed raggedly, unable to believe he'd uttered words he had vowed never to say again - not after his father's death. Staring blankly over Diabound's shoulder at the wall and breathing heavily, Malik tried to swallow a nervous lump down. Perhaps, Diabound had forgotten what he'd said in the heat of the moment...

Easing free of Malik, Diabound slumped beside him, still holding him tight. Malik's whispered words were shaking him to his very core, and the words to return the expressed feelings were resting on the tip of his tongue. He buried his head against Malik's neck, silent and uncertain.

Malik paused for a moment, stroking Diabound's hair slowly and breathing in the other's scent. "... I meant it, you know," he mumbled after a few moments of mental banter.

"I know," Diabound whispered after a moment, closing his eyes under Malik's touch. He was silent for an extended second before he leaned in, pressing his lips to Malik's ear. "...And I feel the same way," he breathed, letting his pride, past, and everything else fall away for this one instant.

Malik's heart raced in his chest, so fast that he thought it would be heard a mile away. The fingers in Diabound's hair curled tightly, and he took a deep breath in, secretly hoping it was true. "Are you...?" After a moment, however, he lost his nerve and pulled away abruptly, looking guilty. "I have to go," he muttered, looking away as he slid off the bed.

Diabound tensed as Malik drew away, fingers curling into fists at the loss of Malik. "Malik, wait," he said once the mild shock wore off. There was no way Malik could get away with just...leaving after what he'd admitted. He grabbed for Malik's hand, trying to halt him.

As soon as he felt a secure grip on his wrist, Malik found himself unable to pull away. Chest tightening almost painfully, he turned to face Diabound slowly, trying to keep the most indifferent expression on his face as possible. "What for?" he asked stiffly.

Diabound moved closer to Malik, trying hard not to appear as pleading as he felt. "...because you just...why the hell are you leaving after what we just...?"

Malik stiffened, standing up straighter as Diabound moved closer, his eyes locked firmly on the other's. "Because we just... didn't," he shrugged nonchalantly. "And I don't."

Diabound's grip tightened just a little. "You don't...?" he said, voice tightening a little. What the hell had he just confessed for, then? "Then why did you say...?"

"It's called the heat of the moment, Diabound." Malik glanced away, unable to maintain eye-contact whilst he was so blatantly lying. Why was he lying, anyway? What problems would that solve, but cause more denial?

Diabound frowned deeply, moving to tilt Malik's chin to him. "Malik," he murmured, gazing at him intently. "I get the feeling you wouldn't say something like that just because of the 'heat of the moment.'"

Malik forced himself to gaze evenly back at Diabound, hiding his guilt behind his narrowed eyes. "And what would you know, huh? You're just a thief who ended up here because of the pathetic thing people call fate, and I'm... I'm just your toy." He pulled himself from Diabound's grip, moving so he was on the other side of the bed, watching Diabound reproachfully.

Diabound watched Malik move, his gut twisting sharply at his words. He gazed at Malik in disbelief, fighting to keep his voice steady. "So that's it, huh? All this time, all these fights and resolves, and I'm just some thief? You honestly think that...that you're just some toy to me?"

Malik's nails cut into his palms as he made a fist of his own, frustrated with how hard it was becoming to express himself. "Pretty much," he answered smoothly, feigning apathy.

Diabound's expression darkened, and he scowled. "Good to know how high your opinion of me is."

"And it's good to know I was just a fling," Malik sneered in response, his lip curling unpleasantly. If it was a fight Diabound wanted, he had no qualms about bringing it full force.

Diabound growled, stalking around the bed towards Malik. "Malik," he hissed, "I never said you were a fling. Just because you suddenly have no emotions doesn't mean that..." He trailed off, unable to finish.

Lavender eyes widened in unexpected surprise. "Shut up." Malik moved away from Diabound's approach, clenching his hands into fists once more and feeling blood pooling in the crescent-shaped wounds left by his nails. "I never said anything about my opinion of you, either," he countered edgily.

"You said you loved me, Malik," Diabound said, unable to keep up his angry tone as his voice slipped into defeat. "And for an instant, I actually..."

"Yeah, and you were stupid enough to believe it. Heard it all before, Diabound."

Diabound hesitated a moment before moving closer in one motion, lips pressing against Malik's almost desperately for an instant. "I still feel the same way," he whispered, sighing.

Malik stared at Diabound for a moment, dubious, but then he forced himself to tear his eyes away and look at the floor instead. "It doesn't exist," he muttered, trying to ignore the cursed thumping in his chest that reminded him he was still alive and very much human.

Diabound gently rested a hand on Malik's head, stroking his hair, before he rested his head against Malik's. "Maybe not, but I still feel...something. Like I never want to be apart from you, fighting with you...I just..." He trailed off, knowing he was sounding stupid.

Malik breathed in sharply, indulging in the touch for a moment, before he forced himself to push Diabound away a bit. "No, Diabound, don't..." he almost pleaded, biting his lip. "Maybe we should just... end it right here."

"Why?" Diabound asked, almost pleading himself as he gazed at Malik. "I just don't understand why...what did I do? Why the hell do you suddenly hate me so much?"

"You didn't do anything, damnit. It's... it's not you. It's me." Malik inwardly flinched, knowing that was the oldest one in the book when it came to relationships - but, the thing was, it was true in this instance.

"...Malik, I don't understand..." He moved closer, gazing at Malik. "Can't we work this out?"

Malik didn't back away this time, standing his ground and watching silently. If they were to work it out, what would happen when everything fucked up the next time? There wouldn't be any grace for him if Malik did what he was known for doing.

Diabound moved closer again, brushing the bangs from Malik's face. "Malik, listen to me. Somehow, at some point, without me even realizing it...I fell into...whatever this feeling is with you. I don't want to let this go and spend the rest of my time wondering what could have happened. I just want to work this out...”

Malik tilted his head slightly, gazing up at Diabound with the faintest trace of sadness in his eyes. "Why would you want to bother with me?" he mumbled, "There's no way I could be anything to you.”

"Malik, if you weren't anything to me, I wouldn't have lasted this long." He brushed a thumb under Malik's eye, kissing his forehead. "If you weren't anything to me, I wouldn't get jealous so easily when I see you with someone else..."

Malik sighed resignedly, looking down once more as his fingers absentmindedly stroked Diabound's chest. "I can't offer you much," he said quietly, after a few moments, "and I can't promise you anything."

"I know," Diabound murmured softly, fingers threading through Malik's hair gently. "I can't offer you much either...nor promise that I won't do stupid things."

"Do you think we could live with that?" Malik whispered, before pressing his lips together firmly for a moment. "I really do care about you..."

Diabound's eyes revealed a hint of a smile, and he leaned in to plant a soft kiss to Malik's lips. "We won't know until we try..."

Malik paused for a moment, before inching a tiny bit closer, almost hesitantly. "Does this mean we're exclusive...?" he wondered, his tone light.

Gently brushing Malik's hair back, he gazed at him. "Can we be...? Even with the other Malik and..."

Malik's chest tightened again, and he frowned a little, yanking Diabound closer. "Don't even mention them," he warned in a mutter.

Diabound paused a moment before a small smirk crossed his features. "If you insist." He leaned in, kissing Malik again. "Then...let's be exclusive."

Malik responded to the kiss before Diabound spoke again, stroking the other's chest once again. "I like the sound of it," he murmured; "No one can touch you but me..."

Diabound smirked a bit wider, drawing Malik in closer. "And no one can touch you but me..." One hand wandered down Malik's back, tracing his spine slowly.

Malik arched beneath the touch, purring softly and digging his nails lightly into Diabound's skin. "I suppose that makes us even..." he concluded breathily.

Diabound leaned in a bit, their lips a breath away as he smirked. "Looks like." He gently brushed Malik's hair back, gazing at him. "So, what should our first act as an exclusive couple be?"

"We do shows?" Malik smirked up at Diabound lazily, teasingly. "I want people to pay if they're going to see it - I'm not cheap," he grinned.

Diabound chuckled. "Hell, to see the two of us must cost a small fortune. I mean, look at us." He grinned, unable to resist stealing another kiss.

"Seconded, and thirded," Malik murmured against Diabound's lips, giving the other a searing kiss of his own. "But that rules out the majority of this town, you do realize?"

Diabound chuckled softly, licking his own lips quickly. "Narrows down the crowd quite a bit. I think it's just as well. No one should get to see this," his hand slid a bit lower, "but me."

Malik smirked faintly, wondering where the destination of Diabound's hand was, though he only asked cheekily, "Can you afford it, Mr. Bakura?"

Diabound smirked broadly, stealing another kiss. "Well, I may not be able to pay in money, but I can always pay in...other ways." His hand dipped down, caressing Malik's backside. "...and, you know, we've been standing here naked for quite some time."

Malik drew in a sharp breath, features contorted into a faint smirk. "You just made it painfully obvious," he teased, "and as I said, I only take cold, hard cash."

"Oh?" Diabound grinned, kissing Malik hotly for a moment. "You won't even make an exception for some hot, hard fucking...?" he breathed against Malik's lips, squeezing his backside playfully.

A shiver ran down Malik's spine, his skin rising in goosebumps as his tongue darted out to run along Diabound's lower lip sensually. "I suppose that depends on how hard you can get," he murmured teasingly.

Diabound swallowed lightly, gazing at Malik heatedly. "Oh, I assure you, I can get plenty hard," he breathed before he pulled Malik's head in order to capture his lips hungrily.

"Mm..." Malik's hands slid up to Diabound's shoulders, and he pushed himself up a bit in order to deepen the kiss. His nails dug in and he dragged them downward, creating marks in Diabound's shoulder blades.

Diabound groaned softly into the kiss, the contact only furthering his need to touch and feel Malik once more. He intensified the kiss, emotions overflowing within him despite his attempts not to get carried away by them.

Malik's hands roamed down a finely-muscled torso, his own lust stirring to life once more, despite the fact they're just reconciled. Moaning half-desperately into the other's warm mouth, Malik drew Diabound impossibly closer and pressed against him heatedly.

Diabound felt himself losing to the frantic motions between them, and he held Malik tightly, tongue pushing into Malik's mouth in a hungry attempt for more.

Malik withdrew from the searing kiss, panting and breathing heavily as his mouth slid along Diabound's skin, dropping kisses along his jawline. "Gods," he murmured hoarsely, "I hate what you do to me."

Diabound pressed closer, shivering, his hands stroking Malik's skin slowly. "I know what you mean," he breathed. "I hate how you make me feel so damn weak, and yet still needing you more and more."

"It's the curse of beauty. You're a drug, whether you like it or not, and, well... if there's a cure, I don't want it." With that, Malik bit down abruptly on the junction between neck and shoulder, making a decorative mark on Diabound's skin.

Diabound felt something flutter in his chest at Malik's words before he pushed it down again, moaning breathily at the bite. He leaned in to suck and nip at Malik's neck, leaving a mark of his own on Malik's darkened skin. "I never want to be cured of you..."

Malik shivered, moaning quietly against Diabound's skin as he slipped a hand downward, fingers curling around the other's arousal. "I swear, if I don't get you, soon..."

Diabound gasped softly, pushing into Malik's hand at the contact. "You'll what?" he whispered, smirking faintly as he licked at Malik's ear.

"I'll make you regret it," Malik breathed into Diabound's ear teasingly, before gripping and abruptly stroking the other hard.

Diabound groaned sharply at the contact, knees weakening as pleasure coursed through him. "F-fuck, Malik..."

Malik smirked wickedly despite his own arousal, pushing Diabound back toward the bed with his free hand. He leaned up to kiss Diabound hungrily, wantonly, his fingers building up a steady rhythm.

Diabound moved willingly, kissing Malik back almost desperately as he found himself thrusting into Malik's hand, unable to contain himself. He felt like there was something inside him only Malik could activate, and it was currently running full force.

Once he had Diabound lying on the bed, Malik carefully moved over him, straddling his hips and stroking vigorously. He pulled from the kiss, looking dazed and smirking lazily at the same time. "Mm, Diabound," he near-moaned, finding the other's submission to him quite... enjoyable.

Diabound felt flushed and heated and the contact, gazing up at Malik a bit dazedly. "Fuck, Malik..." he moaned breathily. He paused a moment before adding, more seriously, "...you realize this doesn't mean you're on top, you know."

Malik smirked down at Diabound, kissing his nose affectionately. "What, you don't think I'd make a drop-dead sexy seme?" he pouted, lower lip jutting out childishly. "Personally, I think I would," he considered, changing his pattern somewhat and stroking slowly.

Diabound wrinkled his nose a bit at the kiss, gazing up at Malik for a moment before he exhaled softly, eyes slipping shut. "You'd make a drop-dead sexy seme, beautiful," he consented. "But..."

Malik quirked an eyebrow, growing rather turned-on at the sight before him as he continued his slow, rigorous strokes. "But...?" he trailed off, stroking a thigh with his free hand. "But what?"

Diabound shivered, biting back a soft moan at the escalating pleasure of Malik's touches. "But...I've..." He waved his hand vaguely in an attempt to avoid saying it. "I've never..."

"Oh." Instead of remarking something snarky as he usually would, Malik offered a small smile and brushed Diabound's hair back off his face. "I understand, then." He didn't cease his hand's motions, pressing down hard for a moment.

Diabound leaned into the gentle touch of Malik's hand, gazing at him questioningly for a moment, before he groaned deeply at the sudden pressure lower down. "A-and if you keep doing that, we might never get beyond this..."

Malik paused, smirking and stroking Diabound's cheek instead as he leaned in. "I didn't think you wanted to," he murmured teasingly.

Diabound shivered, gazing up at Malik. "You know what I mean," he said with a half-scowl. "I want to be inside you, making you scream..." He reached down to stroke Malik's backside gently, licking his lips as he gazed at Malik heatedly.

"O-oh." Malik leaned back into the touch, turning a light scarlet. "Gods, I love it when you say that," he breathed, shivering in guilty pleasure and digging his fingernails into the bedspread.

A grin crept across Diabound face as he tugged Malik closer. "You like it when I tell you," he moved to press his lips to Malik's ear, whispering, "how I'm going to fuck you into the mattress, making you moan and scream my name?"

As if on cue, the aroused Egyptian moaned quietly, blood rushing downwards in a hurry as he shivered. "Oh, gods, Diabound," he near-panted, struggling for his breath.

Diabound felt his own arousal spike with Malik's, the blonde's pleasure sparking his own as he moved to push Malik back into the bed, straddling him. "How I'm going to make you beg for me, need me, crave me?" he continued to whisper into Malik's ear as his own hand coiled around Malik's length, stroking hard.

Malik cried Diabound's name softly, arching up into the other and clawing at his back with a hand, the other winding its way into silvery locks. "Ohhh, gods... Dia...!"

Diabound had to hold back his own moan, Malik's reaction only prompting him further that he couldn't hold back too much longer. "You're all mine, beautiful," he breathed, continuing to stroke slow and hard.

"I always will be," Malik half-panted breathlessly, groaning his feeling of bliss as a leg found its way around Diabound's hip, drawing him closer.

Diabound inhaled sharply as the pull caused his arousal to brush against Malik's, sending tingling pleasure down his spine. He removed his hand quickly, only to rock his hips against Malik's, moaning heavily. "L-lube," he managed between pants. "Where'd it...?"

Malik, in turn, exhaled quickly, returning the pressure with fevor as he tightened the grip with his leg. "Forget about it," he breathed raspily, "I don't need it."

"Don't be stupid," Diabound muttered harshly between ragged breaths. "You won't be able to walk in the morning otherwise..."

Malik looked the picture of complete dishevelledness, gazing up at Diabound through blurred vision. "You say it as though I care. Just... oh, screw it."

"I plan to." Diabound kissed Malik hotly for a moment or two before he found the earlier-abandoned lube, lips traveling down Malik's neck hungrily as he slicked his fingers.

Malik's sharp nails sank into Diabound's shoulder, head tilting backwards as he breathed Diabound’s name shakily. "Dia, ah," he murmured, closing his eyes.

Diabound shuddered, the nails in his back eliciting a sharp groan as his fingers probed deeper, anxious. "Gods, Malik..." he breathed, leaning in to suck and bite the other's neck.

Malik gave a strangled mewling noise, chest arching into Diabound's as his nails raked down the other's back, creating waterfall-like marks in their wake. His heart was racing at this point, skin glistening with sweat and damp to the touch.

Diabound felt arousal spike through him at the noises Malik was making, and he found himself unable to contain it anymore. He pulled his hand free, slicked himself messily, and moved over Malik more. He caught the other's eyes for a moment, pressing a tender kiss to the other's forehead before he began to ease into Malik.

Blonde tendrils plastered to his forehead, Malik tilted his head back against the pillow again, tying to withhold a groan. "F-fuck, Diabound..." he near-panted, gripping the other's shoulders tightly.

Diabound was already breathing harshly as he felt Malik's heat engulf him once more, sending his mind reeling. "Gods, beautiful, only you can do this to me," he whispered against the other's skin, fisting the sheets tightly.

Malik shivered, pleasant chills gliding across his skin in anticipation as he chewed on his lower lip lightly for a moment, before swallowing his pride and breathing, "I love you." He half-expected Diabound to glare at him in disgust, or somesuch, but it was the truth - Malik didn't lie.

Diabound paused, unable to keep the pure surprise from flickering over his features at Malik's words. He felt as though his heart had stopped in his chest, waiting for him to make a coherent response. At long last, a soft smirk crossed his features, and he pressed his lips to Malik's lightly. "Love you, too," he whispered against the other's lips, knowing in an instant that it was true - somewhere, deep down, he'd found himself loving Malik for some time now.

Malik had been growing anxious at Diabound’s silence, but found his nervousness ebbing away to make room for the warm, fluttery feeling building up in his chest. Was this what it felt like, what his other self had been speaking about? ‘Love’? Unable to gather any sort of words to express himself, Malik stared at Diabound for several moments, before he hesitantly slid a hand to the back of Diabound’s neck. “I want you,” he breathed, before pressing their lips together again.

Diabound fell into the kiss hungrily, hips slowly easing his length deeper into Malik. "I need you," he whispered against the other's lips for the brief flicker of time that they parted before diving back into the kiss again.

Malik moaned softly, encouraging Diabound deeper without so much as a word as his hands roamed down the other’s back, exploring curiously. Deepening the kiss, he parted his lips and purred softly, allowing an array of different emotions to overtake his mind.

Diabound's tongue slid into Malik's mouth quickly, tasting him fully as he began a gentle pace of thrusts to ease deeper into the other. He moaned as well, shivering in the sheer sensation of the moment.

A small moan developed in Malik's throat, fingers tangling through Diabound's hair as he matched the other's rhythm, thrust for thrust. "Mmm..." He could feel damp skin sliding against his own, which only heightened his pleasure.

Diabound felt his breath coming sharply, and he pulled from the kiss in order to pant heavily, thrusting deeper and harder. He felt their bodies slide and move together as one, his hands gripping whatever of Malik they could to keep them together, keep them complete like this.

"Diabound..." Malik's voice was scarcely audible, body pressing up into Diabound's and fitting all the rights places, as though they were made to mould together. His hands caressed any part of Diabound's skin they could reach, and he was uncaring when his sweat-soaked hair fell into his eyes.

Diabound held Malik close to him, moving deep in him as he moaned breathily. "Gods, Malik," he whispered, brushing the hair from Malik's face in one motion. He felt as if his emotions were spilling over the edge, nearly overwhelming him after being absent for so long.

A moan that had been withheld for some time now escaped Malik, nails digging in at that instant as he plunged over the edge of completion. "Diabound...!" What he saw was a flash of silver and gold, a blinding white light; what he felt was the strongest sentiment he had felt in a long time, triggering his release.

Diabound cried out sharply as Malik tightened around him, sending his vision reeling into black momentarily as he, too, found his release deep inside Malik. He clung to the other tightly as he rode out the waves of pleasure, left reeling and panting in its wake. "F-fuck...Malik..."

Malik panted into Diabound's hair, arms wound around the other's neck as he stroked Diabound's back absently. He still fought for his breath, breathing, "That was the best we've had in a long time..."

Diabound slipped out of Malik without drawing from the embrace, holding Malik close to him. "Yeah," he whispered, head nestled against Malik's neck. He could feel the other's heartbeat as his fingertips traced Malik's chest, and he allowed a small smile to cross his lips, hidden against Malik's skin.

Malik purred softly, enjoying the light touch and Diabound being so close to him. Stroking the other’s hair lightly, Malik rested his head atop Diabound’s, able to smell him, feel him – his taste was still lingering on Malik’s lips. “I wish we could stay like this forever,” he sighed. “It’s… nice.”

"Mm," Diabound agreed, fingers sliding down Malik's side gently. "It is nice." He pressed a soft kiss to Malik's neck, relaxing under the hand in his hair. "Love you," he breathed, the words feeling strange but not unpleasant in his mouth.

Malik gave a soft, content sigh in turn, lips pressing a chaste kiss to Diabound's temple. "You, too, thief," he murmured teasingly, tightening his grip on said thief a little.

Diabound tightened his own grip a bit in return, pressed close to the other. He felt warmer, safer...happier than he had in a long time, and he didn't want to let go.

Malik skilfully managed to reach the blanket, which was fairly scrunched up, due to their activities. Giving it a tug upwards, Malik shifted so he could kiss Diabound lightly, too, before settling against him.

Diabound held Malik close to him, their combined warmth causing a drowsiness to settle in on him. Distantly, he thought he felt a weight land on his feet, and he glanced downwards, smirking a little at the sight of his cat that was contently settling there. "Looks like we're not alone..."

Malik raised an eyebrow at the cat, who seemed to have wonderful timing. "Here, kitty," he half-cooed, petting Diabound's chest lightly to attract the kitten's attention. "Ah, he's so cute."

Diabound chuckled. "You seem to change your opinion of him awfully quick," he teased, watching as the kitten perked up and sauntered over, purring.

"The last time I wanted him in a doggy bag to go was a while ago," Malik retorted, before smiling as the kitten came closer. "Has he got a name yet? He really does need one." He stroked the kitten behind his ears.

The kitten settled down, purring and nuzzling into Malik's touch. "Mm, nope, he's still nameless," Diabound said, watching the action with a warm expression. "Maybe you should name him. I'm terrible at it."

Malik ran his hand along the kitten's back, before shifting over a bit and making room between himself and Diabound for the feline to sit if he wished. "Well," he started slowly, "does he have any quirks?"

The kitten moved to settle between them as offered, lying on its back in expectation of a belly rub. "Yeah, he takes all my things and seems to mope when you're not around."

Malik laughed, grinning as he poked the kitten's stomach, before stroking as silently asked. "At least he doesn't wangst like the wankers on livejournal," he teased.

Diabound laughed, pressing a kiss to Malik's nose lightly. "Mmhmm." He watched the kitten's paws twitch in the air contently, and he smiled.

Malik, amused with the kitten’s antics, crinkled his nose and toyed with one of the tiny paws. "I think he needs a name that means something," he mused.

Diabound chuckled, reaching over to tickle the kitten's belly gently. "Maybe something Egyptian..." The kitten batted at Malik's fingers, purring.

"He steals all your things, huh?" Malik paused for a moment, using a finger to rival the kitten's batting. "What's the Egyptian word for 'thief'?"

"Hrm..." Diabound thought for a moment. "Itja? Think that was it." He smirked a bit. "It's been a few millenia."

Malik grinned at Diabound, pointing a finger at the kitten's forehead and declaring, "I dub you Itja, the great kitten-thief who steals from the Thief King himself."

Diabound laughed as the kitten tilted his head and licked at Malik's finger. "That's a pretty hefty title, there," he said, grinning. "But it looks like you've got two thieves after your affections now."

Malik rolled his eyes, stroking Diabound's chest with his free hand. "There's no competition," he shot back with a smirk. "You're the one who's good in bed."

Diabound smirked broadly, tucking Malik's hair back a bit. "Good. I don't want there to be any competition. You're mine completely, beautiful."

"And here I was, thinking possessiveness was a sin." Malik smirked lightly, pretending to focus all his attention on the kitten.

Diabound leaned in to whisper in Malik's ear, "Then I must be a terrible sinner, because I want to possess you and have you in every way possible." He grinned, tongue darting out to lick Malik's ear lightly.

Malik smirked, shivering and tilting his head in response. "Haven't you committed enough sins, past life and present?" he wondered, "Because you might just be on your way to hell."

"I don't believe in hell," he whispered, smirking. "I just believe that, if this between us is wrong, screw whatever's right."

"I hate how I'm obligated to agree with you."

Diabound chuckled, kissing Malik softly. "I'm dragging you down with me, beautiful." He closed his eyes briefly, a soft expression crossing his features for a moment. "We've come from pretty messed up places, haven't we?"

"Yeah. Me, from an underground prison, and you, from three thousand years in the past." Malik gazed at Diabound, seeing not only external scars and, for the first time, seeing the internal ones that linked them.

Diabound leaned in, grazing their lips together lightly. "I want to be with you, Malik," he breathed softly. "The last time I felt like this, I went crazy when I lost it. I don't want that to happen with us."

Malik traced the scar on Diabound's cheek with a finger, gazing at him almost curiously. "Who was it...? What happened?" He didn't know why he wanted to find out, but something intrigued him.

Diabound smirked weakly, reaching up to touch the hand on his cheek lightly. "When I was six, my family and friends died in a massacre. Guess the King of Thieves was born that day. I went mad with the need for justice and redemption..."

Malik's eyes softened, lips pressing a gentle kiss to Diabound's forehead. "I'm sorry... I wondered what caused you to act the way you do, but..." He paused, searching Diabound's eyes. "That was a long time ago."

Diabound gazed at Malik for a moment before the faintest of smiles crossed his face. "I know," he whispered. "I have a new family, now." He glanced down at the kitten who was stretched out, dozing, before kissing Malik's cheek lightly.

Malik’s eyes followed Diabound's gaze, the corner of his lip quirking upward. "I guess I have a new family, too, then. A kitten, a thief, and an ex-psychopath. Who would have thought?"

Diabound arched an eyebrow, smirking faintly. "Ex-psychopath, huh?" He tugged on Malik's bangs lightly.

Malik gave a slight nod, a half-amused expression on his features. "I was the homicidal leader of an entire organization of elite duelists," he mused. "Go figure." He grinned.

"And I was the homicidal leader of an entire band of thieves. Guess we have a lot in common." Diabound smirked, kissing Malik lightly, before a yawn bubbled up in his throat. He settled down on the bed again, petting the dozing kitten. "I think we have a lot to talk about, beautiful."

Malik moved as close as he could, resting his head on Diabound's chest, stroking both the kitten and the other's chest as he felt himself being lulled into sleep by the sound of Diabound's heartbeat. "If we can fit sex in between the chats, I'm happy," he mumbled.

Diabound chuckled softly, closing his eyes. "Sounds like a plan," he whispered, gently stroking Malik's hair. "Go to sleep, beautiful."

"'Night, Dia," Malik murmured, warm and content with Itja and Diabound. Maybe this was his new family, and if he had anything to do with it, they wouldn't have to go through what himself and Diabound had already been through. With that thought in mind, the Egyptian drifted off into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.