Malik sighed as he walked down the white hallways of Uno Hospital for the umpteenth time. It was already proving to be another stressful day - the second one in a row - as judged by the trouble he'd had while he'd been making his way to the hospital. He'd almost crashed his motorbike when some idiot ran a red light, the parking lot of the hospital was rather full, and he'd gotten quite an odd stare from the lady working the front desk. After all, when Malik Ishtar was looking for the room that Malik Ishtar was staying in, it was just a little bit suspicious to those who didn't know of the other-selves fiasco.

But, he'd managed to get the room number, and was now currently making his way toward the room that his other self was in. After checking at the slip of paper he'd been given, he looked at the door he was standing in front of to make sure it was the right one; he raised his fist and knocked on it.

Mariku, who was recovering from the rigorous sex session between himself and Diabound, was quickly roused by the sound of knocking. Slipping from Diabound's grasp, he silently made his way over to the door, retrieving his discarded sling on the way there. Mariku's jeans, which had been tossed aside during the activities earlier on, were near the door, and he pulled them on. Wondering who it could be and feeling in a much better mood after seeing his boyfriend, Mariku opened the door, making a shushing noise to whoever it was.

Malik was prepared to give his other self a big cheerful greeting, but as soon as he was shushed, he thought against it. "... Hey, other me," he said quietly, giving him a small wave instead. He wondered why he had to be quiet - it was the middle of the day - but he didn't question it, as he'd likely find out soon enough.

Mariku blinked when he saw Malik, before a small grin worked its way onto his face. "Hey," he whispered back, before, opening the door a little wider and gesturing behind him. "Diabound's asleep," he said in a hushed voice. "I didn't think you'd want him awake." Mariku smirked.

Malik leaned to the side a bit to peek into the room, then promptly tensed up and straightened himself when he saw the other occupant. "...er, right," he muttered nervously. Using that same hushed voice, he asked, "... How've you been holding up?"

"I'm living." Mariku gazed at Diabound for a moment, regretting have left the warm arms of the other, but Malik was here, and that prompted him to stay. Closing the door behind him with a quiet click, Mariku smirked faintly. "How about you? I heard you didn't feel so well when you found out it was the brat." He slid his arm into the sling, turning around as if to ask Malik to knot it for him.

"... Gods, I was pissed," Malik replied, reaching up to knot the sling. "I didn't like Mokuba before all of this shit started happening; now I can't even hear the kid's name without foaming at the mouth." He gave Mariku's back a gentle pat, letting him know he was done knotting the sling. "I don't care if he didn't realize he was doing it. Whether he was aware of it or not, he hurt a lot of people I care about."

Mariku turned to face Malik again, the look on his face sombre. "You, too, huh." He sighed heavily, a hand held over his left side, where he had been marked by 'Shadow'. "I thought I was mad when I heard he attacked Rishid - then I heard he attacked you, and when I found out about Diabound…" Mariku glanced over his shoulder at the door, as though to make sure Diabound was still there, still with him. Then he looked at Malik again, eyes shadowed by his bangs. "I had a plan for vengeance, but…"

"...but it's kinda hard to carry it out when you're stuck in the hospital, huh," Malik said, his expression mirroring Mariku's. He eyed his other self for a few moments, as if he were assessing Mariku's injuries; however, he couldn't see the full extent of them. "How badly did he get you...?"

"Not so bad." Mariku chuckled wryly, moving some of his arm-bands aside to display the almost healed cut on his lower left arm, and the one higher up on his right. Both were now thin, white lines against his bronzed skin, but still an irritating reminder of the brat's insolence. "I got him far worse," Mariku mused. "I stabbed him in the gut, and in the back, not to mention all those cuts to his chest."

Malik smirked a little. "We've both been through much worse," he said, a slight joking tone in his voice - though the event he was referring to was definitely not a laughing matter. "... Seems like the gut was a popular spot," he observed, changing the subject. "I got him there too. When he attacked Isis, she aimed a bit... lower, if you know what I mean."

Mariku raised an eyebrow slightly at the first comment, but it was forgotten when Malik mentioned where Isis had aimed. He couldn't help a snicker, flicking his hair back from his eyes. "At least our sister has common sense," Mariku grinned. "I thought she only had visions and destiny rubbish in her head, all this time."

"Yeah, that's what I thought too, for a while," Malik said, rolling his eyes. "Every once in a while, she'll surprise you, though." Malik was quiet for a moment after that, as if he were contemplating what to say next. For some reason, words weren't really coming to him today.

Mariku leaned against the door to his room, folding his arms with a raised eyebrow. "Do I really have to lure you into a verbal frenzy, other me?" He grinned, "Or I could just tell you about tonight. It was amazing. I tell you, Diabound possesses the most talented mouth known to mankind. Perhaps he's a god? A god of sex. Wearing a kilt. ... Mm."

Malik blinked, quirking an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you two had sex in the hospital bed." Not even he would consider going that route.

"... Not just there..." Mariku grinned wolfishly, licking his lips suggestively. "And, then, there was a while back, when I used some ice cubes to tease him. Do you know how hot he is when he begs?"

Just hearing his other self talk about sex reminded Malik of how much he wasn't getting. Not that he partcularly minded, but... "No, no I don't," he said, resisting the urge to pout.

Mariku smirked broadly, enjoying watching Malik squirm. Just for the pure amusement of it, he continued in a low purr, "I managed to get him to bottom for me, too. So damned tight. You don't know what you're missing out on, other me."

This time, Malik didn't hold back the pout. "Other meeeeee..." he trilled, uncomfortably shifting back-and-forth on his feet. Mariku was obviously doing this on purpose. So cruel.

Mariku smirked faintly, stopping only when Malik began pouting like that. "It's not all… fucking like rabbits, for us, you know." He paused, eyes lowering for a moment. The last time they had seen each other, Mariku had been reluctant to share anything of his 'love' life with Malik, but he found he wanted to.

"... Really?" Malik asked, somewhat intrigued. Was it possible that his other self was actually in love? He never thought he'd see the day... The last time they'd gotten on this subject, Mariku was almost bitter about the fact that he and Diabound were now considered exclusive. Rather interesting, that.

If it were anyone else he was admitting this to, Mariku would have strangled them and dismembered them so evidence couldn't be used against him - but this was Malik. Cheeks tinting a faint pink, Mariku muttered, "Yeah." Then, he looked up again, half-expecting to be criticized for it.

Malik simply grinned. "That's... good, other me," he said sincerely. It was actually somewhat surprising to think that his other self had developed some sort of feelings for the thief, but he was rather happy for Mariku.

It took a moment; Mariku blinked, before mirroring the grin himself and Malik were known for. "Thanks, other me." He pushed off of the door, moving toward his other self. "That... means a lot to me."

"What did you think I was going to say?" Malik asked as Mariku stepped closer to him. "I wouldn't criticize you for it - not only would it be hypocritical of me, but... you're my other self, I wouldn't do that to you anyway." This reminded him a lot of the last discussion they'd had, except that had been the other way around. Still smiling, he continued. "... I'm happy for you."

A small, extremely rare smile flitted across Mariku's features. But, as quickly as it appeared, it was gone, and the smirk was back in place. "I get the feeling I'm finally going to settle down and no longer in denial." Mariku raised an eyebrow at Malik, nudging him in the ribs lightly. "What about you, huh?"

For a split second, the tiniest hint of sadness could be seen in Malik's eyes, and his smile faltered slightly. "... Things are fine," he said after a moment of contemplation. "Ryou's still a little uncomfortable with the whole thing, so... we're just taking things slowly. I don't wanna push him or anything." The fact that he was out with Bakura also weighed heavily on Malik, but he said nothing about it.

Mariku frowned lightly, touching Malik's shoulder. "If I know me - which I do - you must be at least a little jealous. You're possessive like I am, too. Is it because he's off with that pretentious incarnate?"

Malik sighed a little, knowing he should've seen this coming. Mariku was his other self, after all; it was quite easy for them to detect each other's emotions. Malik reached up and idly toyed with an earring, averting his eyes. "... Yeah," he said quietly. "It's only fair, though. I mean, Ryou and I had that time up in the mountains, he should be able to have some time alone with his yami too..."

Mariku could easily empathize with Malik; the entire Yami-Diabound ordeal had had his head reeling for days on end with jealousy, though Malik's was probably far more mild than Mariku's. "You know what? I find the idea of those two together completely narcissistic, if it makes you feel better." Mariku paused. "Not that you and I didn't have our share of that, of course, but we weren't an item."

Malik simply nodded - he couldn't help but agree with Mariku, to an extent. Malik knew Ryou's reasons for feeling the way he did about Bakura, and he respected that, but it didn't change the fact that it hurt to think about it. It hurt whenever Ryou talked about Bakura when he was with Malik, but he didn't dare say anything about it, not even to his other self - he would feel extremely selfish if he did so.

Mariku sighed, before draping an arm around Malik's shoulder. "Feel like getting some fresh air?" he questioned. "It might take your mind off of things." Mariku had never been good at offering anyone comfort (not that he'd ever really cared to, either), but the downcast expression on his other self's face was… sort of depressing.

Malik looked up at Mariku, a small smile on his face. "If you're up to it, then sure." He felt a little silly; he'd originally gone up to the hospital to see his other self, only to go a tangent about his own problems. So much for not feeling selfish.

"Anything to get you whining and pouting at me again." Mariku smirked faintly, gently pulling Malik toward the exit, further down the hall. "What do you feel like doing?"

Malik crossed his arms, biting his lip in thought. He was half-tempted to pout at Mariku again for his comment about it, but he decided against it - he wasn't going to let his other self win that easily. "You hungry at all? 'Cause hospital food is complete crap."

Mariku gave a slight nod, a disgusted expression on his face. "All I've had to eat is crap, in that case," he said sardonically, rolling his eyes. Mariku pushed the door open with a small wince, trying to mask his still sore shoulder. "... Rrgh. Damnit."

"I'll get that," Malik said, moving forward to push the door further open. While Mariku had tried to cover up the fact that his shoulder was still sore, Malik could tell he was still having some trouble.

"Thanks," Mariku muttered, cheeks slightly flushed with embarrassment as he stepped out into the warm sunlight and welcoming it to wash over his body. He sighed, glancing at Malik for a moment. "I should be better by now."

"The doctors at this hospital like being assholes," Malik said, looking over at Mariku. "They're probably just keeping you until your wounds heal up, to make sure they don't get... messed up somehow."

"They're better." Mariku shifted his weight on his feet uneasily, rubbing his slashed shoulder. "I had sex, for the love of the gods, and I'm absolutely fine."

Malik raised an eyebrow, but decided not to comment. "You ever think of using the Rod to manipulate them into releasing you? 'Cause I did that a lot when Ryou wanted to get out of the hospital, and it worked like a charm."

Mariku threw his hands up in exasperation, rolling his eyes. "You don't think I would have already? I don't exactly have it on me right now; I remember dropping it before I passed out. Must still be at Diabound's place." He frowned slightly, wondering if he should mention Ra.

"... Oh." Malik blinked. "Um. Right." He glanced around somewhat nervously for a few moments, before deciding to change the subject. "Anything you particularly feel like eating?"

"Koshari, yes, but I doubt they have it here." Mariku sighed, rubbing his temple with his fingers. "I just cannot win, lately." He didn't seem to notice Malik's nervousness about the topic of the Rod, but that was probably because he was still heavily drugged.

"Well, you win some, and then you lose some." Malik glanced down both sides of the sidewalk, then looked over at his other self again, rubbing the back of his neck. "I can't remember what all's around here to eat, even though I probably should. I guess we pick a direction and start walking, see what we happen across..."

Mariku shrugged, having no reason to object, instead turning and picking a direction, himself - too bad for Malik, he thought, smirking. "Come on, then. No use in being slow," he called over his shoulder teasingly.

Malik blinked before turning and walking in the direction that Mariku had started in, soon falling into step alongside his other self. "...was gonna pick this direction anyway," he muttered.

"You probably have a terrible sense of direction, other me." Mariku looked from side to side as different shops and the like came into view, his eye caught by a flashing sign. "... You like sushi?"

"... I don't think I've had it," Malik admitted, scratching his head. "Is that the stuff with the rice and the fish wrapped in seaweed?"

Mariku nodded, grabbing Malik's hand and moving to drag him into a sushi parlour. "I don't think I'll ever adjust to Japanese lifestyle, but the food is brilliant."

"Oh, I agree with you," Malik said as he was dragged. "I've had a lot of Japanese food before. Just not sushi."

"I prefer to eat whatever's around the house, really." Mariku slid into a booth, gesturing for Malik to take the one opposite him. People around them were giving them strange looks - Mariku simply glared, and it was enough to make them avert their stares.

Malik blinked as sat in the booth across from Mariku. He'd been oblivious to the stares they'd gotten, so he just shrugged and dismissed it as Mariku glared at the other patrons. "So, uh..." Well, that was weird. For once, he couldn't think of anything to talk about.

Mariku relented with his death glares, settling in his seat and propping his head in a hand. "How's it going with the woman, then?" he asked, eyeing the menu beneath his arm.

Malik picked up the menu and thumbed through it, glancing over its contents. "...we went over that already," he said, looking over the top of the menu at his other self. Maybe the pain meds that Mariku was on were affecting his memory somehow. "Back in the hallway. What, did you want details or something?"

"Well, yes. Naturally." Mariku arched an eyebrow, giving his other self 'the look'. He picked snatched the menu off Malik, grinning at him before scanning it himself for something half-edible. "I'm that nosy about your sex life, other me - or do you actually have one?"

"Not anymore," Malik said, pouting a little. "Ryou's barely even comfortable with making out at this point. But I told him I'd wait until he was ready, so..." He looked down at the table, idly picking at a piece of formica that had started flaking off of the tabletop. "And Yami's not around - not like he'd have sex with me anyway, but still."

"… Just fuck the thief and get it over with, already." Mariku rolled his eyes, poking Malik's nose from across the table. "The sexual tension between you two is going to make you pop a vein, one day. And forget about the damned pharaoh."

Malik blinked and crossed his eyes as his nose was poked. He batted Mariku's hand away, shaking his head. "Rival-sex doesn't work, other me. Not when you're both in love with the same person." Malik was starting to get a little curious about the continued suggestions to seduce Bakura.

Mariku snorted at the 'in love' part, idly toying with his armbands instead as he eyed Malik. "Actually, it does, and you'd know that, if you paid more attention." He flicked his bangs from his eyes, smirking beneath them. "But, since you are the brainless version of myself, I understand."

"... I'll just stick to my hand for now, thanks." Malik rested his elbows on the table in front of him, his chin cupped in one hand. Of course, going solo wasn't near as satisfying as actual sex was, but he'd take what he could get; it would do for now. Maybe.

Mariku had different ideas. "You're stupid if you don't take a chance when you see it," he said bluntly, pointing out what was the obvious to him. Mariku honestly couldn't see why Malik had to be such a prude when it came to that mindless thief.

Malik snorted. "Let's pretend this was some parallel universe where I actually wanted to fuck him," he said somewhat bitterly. "Chances are, he'd rather kill me than have sex with me." Mariku just didn't understand how it was - which was ironic, because he should. It was the same reason why Malik refused to screw Diabound.

"Are you completely sure? It's not as though you live inside his head, or somesuch." Mariku shrugged. "You two were on 'tentative good terms', I believe, and he probably tolerates you more than you give yourself credit for."

"'Being on good terms' and 'fucking each other's brains out' are two different things, other me."

"I never said anything about 'fucking each other's brains out'. That's reserved for people like Diabound and myself. There's nothing wrong with a good screw, which you both clearly need."

Malik eyed his other self across the table. "... Why are you so intent on the idea of me having sex with Bakura? Aside from your mun's Thiefshipping fetish." He smirked. "You wanna watch, or something?"

Mariku leaned across the table, so his face was closer to his other self's, his own expression mirroring Malik's. "Listen carefully. When you get horny, I get horny. And when I get horny, you get horny. If both of us are getting laid, then there isn't a problem - but when I'm half-dead in the hospital, and you're making out with your girlfriend, I get the short end of the sex stick. And my mun has nothing to do with it, except her warped fantasies."

"... Using that logic, I should be popping boners every other night," Malik said, quirking an eyebrow. "With how much you and Diabound have sex, and all."

"I haven't gotten any since this morning." This much was clear by the way in which Mariku's fingers were twitching. "So let's just say I'm good at hiding it."

Malik leaned back in the booth and crossed his arms, still smirking. He was surprised that people hadn't started fleeing yet - they were talking rather loud, after all. "Oh, poor other me. He hasn't gotten laid in six hours. Gods, you sound like how I used to."

"Sad, isn't it? I'm wallowing in self-pity and itching for some ass a la thief."

"Yeah, that is pretty sad." Malik was quiet after that, for lack of anything else to say - which was rather good timing, as someone approached their table, waiting to take their orders. Malik blinked, then looked down at the menu again. "Uh... I don't know what to get."

Mariku snickered, before tugging the menu off of Malik and searching it once more. "Hn. Green salad and a glass of water for me." He fairly threw the menu back at Malik, smirking for the sheer amusement of it.

Malik pouted again as he fumbled with the menu for a second. "... A glass of water and a fruit salad," he said after a few moments, setting the menu back on the table.

Mariku laughed as the waiter sidled off, looking quite alarmed. "You're such a fruit, other me," he grinned, leaning over and flicking Malik's nose. "Figures."

"So what does that say about you?" Malik asked, wrinkling his nose up. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes at Mariku's maturity or lack thereof.

"I'm more of a salad person, myself." Mariku smirked. "You're just into the more... 'gay' things in life."

"Well, I can't argue with that," Malik said, smirking. "Would you believe me if I said I just like fruit better than veggies?"