[YGO Fic] Chibi For A Day - Part Fourty Seven
※ Part Fourty Seven: Enter: Grandpa!
※ Warnings - None - just remember that this is the unrevised version.
※ Disclaimer - I obviously don't own it.
After the bath the chibis were dried off and dressed. By that time it was almost suppertime and they could all smell whatever was cooking from upstairs. Duke carefully grabbed Amira and followed everyone down the stairs.
They found everyone in the living room sitting on the floor. Joey and Yugi were having a friendly duel while Tristan, Tea, Mai and Isis were just talking about stuff that was more than a little boring to chibis. Isis was dividing her attention between the conversation and the small chibi in front of her, playing with a small black and white kitten.
“Bakura has a pet too.” Duke explained when everyone had looked up and spotted the rabbit. “It had been hiding in his hair.”
“Just like Pet-Penew in Yugi’s hair.” Tea smiled.
“Her name is Amira.” Duke shrugged as he and Mokuba joined the adults. “We’ll have to find a place to keep her until we can get a cage.” He said.
“Amira?” Isis smiled, “Sweet.” It was a little hard to picture the tomb robber ever naming a pet. Then again it was even harder to imagine the tomb robber ever owning a pet. “What did you name your kitty sweetheart?” She wondered as Marik looked up at her.
“Um...” Marik began, a little embarrassed. He’d found a name but thought everyone would laugh. “Happy.” He said softly, avoiding everyone but the kitten.
Isis only smiled, “I like that name.” She said, trying to make the chibi feel better.
Malik watched his sister and his yami. He was still mad at Marik for ruining the entire day. He had been looking forward to going into the haunted houses and to see one of the clowns get knives thrown at him by his sister, but because they had to look for the other chibi they hadn’t had time. That and when hearing that Marik was lost, Malik had gotten scared that he’d never see the other boy again. When he’d finally been found, Marik had seemed so happy…
Ignoring the other Egyptian completely, Malik ran over to Isis and jumped into her arms. “Sista!” He giggled as she caught him, hugging him close.
Marik got the feeling he was no longer welcome, so he moved over to Joey, the kitten following him. The rest of the chibis joined the group, Seto sitting in Mokuba’s lap, Yami sitting in Yugi’s lap and Ryou and Yami Bakura plopping down in Duke’s lap, being careful of Amira.
“I’m hungwy!” Yami said as he looked up at Yugi, the other chibis voicing their complaints.
“It’ll just be a few more minutes!” The small boy promised, “There won’t be enough room at the table, but if you guys promise to try to keep clean, we can all eat out here.”
“Promise!” They all yelled at the same time, then giggled at each other.
Yugi shook his head in amusement as he heard the front door open, silencing everyone.
“Yugi? I’m home!”
Yugi’s eyes went wide. “G-Grandpa?”
“Yes, I’m home, you don’t have to act so surprised to see me you know.” Solomon Motou entered the room, blinking in surprise at all his visitors. “Well, hello everyone!”
Yami blinked then grinned as he recognized the old man. Jumping from Yugi’s lap he giggled and ran toward him, “Simon!”
The old man caught the child and picked him up. Both Grandpa and Yami studied the other. After a moment of silence, Grandpa turned to Yugi, “Grandson, what did you do to the pharaoh?”
“Not Simon.” Yami pouted.
Yugi sighed, “It’s a long story Grandpa.” He muttered. (Yeah! Forty seven chapters worth so far!)
Smelling the air, Grandpa brought Yami to his chest so the child wasn’t dangling in midair. “Well, I see supper’s almost ready. Let’s have a bite to eat, then we’ll talk.” He patted Yami’s back and disappeared into the kitchen.
***
Laughter echoed through the Motou house, loudest in the kitchen. “Oh my!” Solomon Motou chuckled to himself after the tale had been told. “I wish I could have witnessed everything myself.” He wiped a tear from his eye.
“It hasn’t been all fun!” Yugi insisted.
“Yeah!” Joey looked up, “I had to wake up beside a naked Tristan!”
“Well Yami Bakura took me to the bathroom!” Tristan shuttered.
“Joey changed me!” Tea blushed.
“Yami and Bakura got kicked off a bus when it was raining when Malik and Marik were chibified! And they had Ryou, Marik and Malik with them.” Yugi reminded.
“Eviw biwds!” Yami Bakura shivered as he sat beside a plate of food he and Ryou were sharing on the floor.
“Eviw wady!” Ryou whined softly.
“Malik destroyed a priceless dinosaur.” Isis mentioned.
“Marik blew the power to an entire city block.” Joey ruffled Marik’s hair tenderly.
“Yami cut my hair!” Mokuba pouted only to cause Seto to giggle.
“Ryou hit me over the head with a mallet because I apparently made Marik cry!” Duke recalled.
Ryou looked up at him, “Meany head.” He stuck his tongue out playfully.
Solomon only smiled, “Yes, but with all children, there are always times that aren’t so good. Sometimes they’re blessings in disguise.”
Duke blinked from his own position on the floor, “Yeah…if it weren’t for Marik and Malik causing that disruption in band class, I probably wouldn’t have been involved in any of this.” He said, and then smiled as he hugged Ryou and reached over the short distance to the other chibi and he kissed Yami Bakura’s head, causing the quiet chibi to giggle softly, “And I wouldn’t trade this for anything.”
“I get to spend time with my brother again!” Mokuba grinned widely. “When he’s not being so serious and grouchy.”
“Yes! Me too.” Isis smiled as she tickled Malik under his chin.
“I get to see what Yami was like as a child and Bakura was able to confess his feelings to Ryou and I think Ryou’s second…and third childhoods have been more happy and a lot less lonely.” Yugi glanced at the two chibis as Ryou and Yami Bakura tore a baked bun between them to share.
“Ah yes,” Solomon seemed to remember something, “I meant to ask,” He turned to his grandson, “You said that the spell was supposed to turn one person into a child for twenty four hours at a time. Clearly there are six children and all but one has been for more than twenty four hours.”
Yugi nodded, “When Ryou first turned, Yami and Yami Bakura snuck out and took him to a park. Yami told me that they met up with Malik and ended up at his place when it started to rain. Marik wanted to know which spell had turned Ryou into a child so, not thinking, I guess Yami recited the spell just as lightning hit Malik’s house and blew the power. Static created by the lightning changed the spell so it would effect those who were present differently…at least that’s what Yami said.” He shrugged sheepishly.
“What if they never turn back?” Mokuba suddenly mentioned, causing fear to strike Yugi in the heart. He loved his chibi Yami, but he wanted his older Yami back too.
“I suppose we’d have to make the best of it.” Isis said as she handed her baby brother his glass of milk. “I realize that some are effected deeply by this change, but if it becomes reality there is really nothing we can do.”
Duke noticed Yugi sigh and slightly look away from the group. “At least they’ll grow up with happy memories.”
Joey snorted at the thought, “Most of them maybe.” He got up, taking Marik with him, “I think we’re done, excuse us.” He muttered as he left the room.
Solomon looked confused, but Yugi’s expression told him he’d be filled in later.
Supper didn’t last long and soon Yami, Yami Bakura and Ryou were playing in the living room, Duke and Mai playing with them. Tristan and Tea had left and Isis, Yugi and Mokuba were talking with Mr. Motou in the kitchen. Joey was giving Marik a bath so that left Seto and Malik on their own.
Slightly bored, the two of them had found everyone’s school bags in Yugi’s room. They’d gone through Yugi’s and Mokuba’s and found nothing interesting. They had been rooting through the mess Joey called ‘organization’ for a few minutes when they were about to give up. Malik picked up a book for a book report that was supposed to have been done about a month ago, when something fell into his lap. Picking the folded piece of paper, he took it to Seto. “What’s this?” he wondered as he handed the note over and sat down.
Seto took the paper and read the name, “It’s a note to Joey. Wet’s weat it!” The older boy giggled as he unfolded it.
“Wead it out woud?” Malik wondered.
“Suwe.” Seto smiled and began to read.
“Dear Joey, normally I wouldn’t stoop to this level, I wouldn’t act like a love-sick school girl writing a note to my crush and hiding it in his locker in between classes…but I am…minus the school girl phrase of course.
I know I’m not an emotional person but you make me want to smile. Something you may do or something you may say makes my lips twitch.
I apologize for offending you. Don’t get me wrong - you’re still a mutt. But you’re my mutt…at least; I hope you want to be.
I’m falling for you Joseph Wheeler.
All my love,
Seto Kaiba”
Malik blinked and looked at his friend, “We’we not su’posed to be widdle, awe we?”
Seto shook his head, “No, I tink we’we su’posed to be big, wike evewyone ewse.” He sighed as he folded the note back up and placed it within the pages of the book wordlessly. He crawled onto the bed and lay down with his head on the pillow.
Malik followed him and rested beside him. They were silent for a little while before the Egyptian spoke up. “I wememba’ you bein’ big. I wememba’ ‘Ami, Batuwa and Wyou bein’ big too. ‘Ugi and Joey was widdle too.” He sighed, “What if I neva’ gwow up?” He worried softly.
Seto grinned and wrapped his arms around his friend, “I’ww stiww be youw fwiend! Even if I’m gwowed up.” He said as he turned on his side to face Malik.
“Pwomise?” Malik questioned, a little comforted by the idea.
“Pwomise.” Seto nodded and hugged the other boy lightly. On impulse the brunette gently kissed a tanned nose, causing that nose to wrinkle and Malik to giggle. They were quiet for a long time until Seto broke it. “Do you wove Maywik?”
Meanwhile in the bathroom Joey was helping Marik get clean. Who knew (or wanted to know) what had been in the water at the log ride. Marik hadn’t said a word, but the silence wasn’t uncomfortable, though Joey could tell that the little boy was depressed about something.
Gently Joey combed his fingers through Marik’s wet hair. “What’s up kiddo?” he got down on his knees and leaned on the side of the tub to get more comfortable and he had a feeling that Marik felt better when someone was at his own level.
Dark lavender eyes looked up from the soapy water, “Wiww I be a chibi foweva?” He wondered softly.
Joey sighed, not about to lie, “I don’t know.” He confessed.
Marik seemed to deflate a little. “Oh.” He whispered, “Wiww I stay wit’ ‘Ugi?”
“Why would you live with Yugi?” Joey wondered.
The Egyptian shrugged, “Isis woves Mawik, not me. She fowgets I’m thewe and Mawik doesn’t wove me. Duke wiww take cawe of Wyou and Batuwa. I just thought…” Marik sighed and shook his head, “Sowwy, I fowgot that ‘Ami is wiving wit’ ‘Ugi.” He muttered as he hid his face, “Nobody wants me.” He whispered through his fingers.
Joey gently lifted Marik’s chin and stared the child in the eye, “Don’t ever say that again!” He said sternly, “I want you and I love you! I don’t care if Isis wants you to live with her, I’ll talk to her about you living with me.” He said softly.
“But Seto-” Marik started but stopped when Joey placed a finger against his lips.
“I don’t live with Seto, and even if I ever do, he’d have to accept you too.” Joey vowed.
Marik’s bottom lip trembled slightly as he lifted his arms up; Joey smiled and pulled the child out of the tub and into his arms. Burying his face in Joey’s shoulder, Marik relaxed. “I wove you too Joey.” He whispered.
***
“Weww?” Seto looked at Malik with curiosity.
“I…” Malik blinked, then shrugged and looked away, “I…don’t know…” He began, “I mean, I wove him, he’th my bwotha…but I wove him mowe then that.” The little boy explained in confusion.
Seto understood more than his friend, “You have a cwush on him.” He giggled, “Wike Wyou has on Batuwa, and Yami has on Yugi!”
Malik narrowed his eyebrows, “I gueth…” he sighed.
“Why did you get mad and hit him?” Seto wondered as he recalled the broken chibi at the exhibition. Marik’s world revolved around the lighter half, even Seto could see that.
Malik shrugged, “I don’t know…he wanted to be wit’ Joey mowe den me. And den he wath happy that evewyone wath wowwied.” He glanced away, “I didn’t mean to hit him…I got mad and it happened.”
Seto smiled gently, “But you’ve been wit’ me. And Joey was wight, you fowgot that Maywik could heaw us and I did too! He’ww a’ways be youw yami and I think Joey is somet’ing wike my hikawi.”
“You is wight. I need ta say sowwy to Maywik.” Malik stated and got up with Seto following. Together they left the room and went to the guest room. The door was closed so Malik knocked softly.
It took a minute but the door was opened and Joey knelt down to talk to them. The blonde adult was slightly surprised to find the two there. “What can I do for you two?” He wondered quietly.
“I wanna see my ‘ami!” Malik insisted, really wanting to apologize.
Joey sighed, “Kiddo, I just got Marik to sleep. Can you talk to him in the morning?” He ran a hand through his hair. Getting Marik to finally fall asleep had not been fun.
Malik looked disappointed but he didn’t want to disturb Marik, “Otay.” He nodded.
After Joey had shut the door the two boys went down the stairs to find the others getting ready for bed.
Isis came over to Malik and picked him up, hugging him. “I’m leaving now baby.” She kissed his forehead.
“Come back?” Malik mumbled, wrapping his arms around her neck.
Smiling, she nodded, “Of course! I promise to come back, sleep tight, okay?”
“Tay.” Malik nodded.
Meanwhile Seto was watching the others.
“Seto, can you hold Ryou please?” Yugi said, plunking the 99% sleeping child into the small boy’s arms.
“Yugi, are you sure? I can sleep down here.” Solomon shook his head.
“Don’t be silly Grandpa!” Yugi grinned as he helped Duke unfold the couch. “Ryou wants Duke to stay, Bakura wants to sleep with Ryou and Yami wants to sleep with Bakura and I. The couch will be big enough.”
Duke nodded in agreement. “Seto and Malik will sleep with Mokuba in Yugi’s room while Joey stays with Marik in the guest room.”
Solomon sighed, “Well, since you boys have everything settled, I’ll be going to bed. Sleep well boys.”
“Night Grandpa.” Yugi called after him.
It took a little time but soon everyone was settled and the chibis were all asleep.
With Yami and Yami Bakura snuggled together with a small Magician of Black Chaos plushie between them, and Ryou laying across Duke’s chest with his Change of Heart plushie the two older boys relaxed.
“Do you think they’ll be normal tomorrow?” Yugi yawned.
“Guess we’ll hafta wait and see.” Duke shrugged as he ran his fingers through Ryou’s hair.
Upstairs while everyone slept on a small boy crawled out of bed. After grabbing a stuffed animal he had hid under his pillow, he snuck out of the room and scampered to the guest room.
Without knocking (for fear of waking the occupants) he opened the door and entered.
“Oh!” Seto uttered in surprise as he found Joey awake and reading while Marik used the older boy as a bed. “I didn’t…”
Joey looked over as the boy approached. They were both silent, then Seto held the stuffed Scapegoat out. “I…I won these fow you.” He explained softly as Joey gently took them, “I wead the note I gave you too. Sowwy.” The little boy muttered.
Joey smiled passed his surprised and ruffled Seto’s hair. “Don’t worry about it Set. We’ll talk in the morning when everything will be over.” He promised.
“Otay.” Seto grinned, beaming with happiness, “Night Jo-Jo!” The little boy waved as he raced out of the room, wanting morning to come.
Chuckling to himself Joey turned off the light and touched the stuffed animal beside him, “Night Set.”
※ Warnings - None - just remember that this is the unrevised version.
※ Disclaimer - I obviously don't own it.
After the bath the chibis were dried off and dressed. By that time it was almost suppertime and they could all smell whatever was cooking from upstairs. Duke carefully grabbed Amira and followed everyone down the stairs.
They found everyone in the living room sitting on the floor. Joey and Yugi were having a friendly duel while Tristan, Tea, Mai and Isis were just talking about stuff that was more than a little boring to chibis. Isis was dividing her attention between the conversation and the small chibi in front of her, playing with a small black and white kitten.
“Bakura has a pet too.” Duke explained when everyone had looked up and spotted the rabbit. “It had been hiding in his hair.”
“Just like Pet-Penew in Yugi’s hair.” Tea smiled.
“Her name is Amira.” Duke shrugged as he and Mokuba joined the adults. “We’ll have to find a place to keep her until we can get a cage.” He said.
“Amira?” Isis smiled, “Sweet.” It was a little hard to picture the tomb robber ever naming a pet. Then again it was even harder to imagine the tomb robber ever owning a pet. “What did you name your kitty sweetheart?” She wondered as Marik looked up at her.
“Um...” Marik began, a little embarrassed. He’d found a name but thought everyone would laugh. “Happy.” He said softly, avoiding everyone but the kitten.
Isis only smiled, “I like that name.” She said, trying to make the chibi feel better.
Malik watched his sister and his yami. He was still mad at Marik for ruining the entire day. He had been looking forward to going into the haunted houses and to see one of the clowns get knives thrown at him by his sister, but because they had to look for the other chibi they hadn’t had time. That and when hearing that Marik was lost, Malik had gotten scared that he’d never see the other boy again. When he’d finally been found, Marik had seemed so happy…
Ignoring the other Egyptian completely, Malik ran over to Isis and jumped into her arms. “Sista!” He giggled as she caught him, hugging him close.
Marik got the feeling he was no longer welcome, so he moved over to Joey, the kitten following him. The rest of the chibis joined the group, Seto sitting in Mokuba’s lap, Yami sitting in Yugi’s lap and Ryou and Yami Bakura plopping down in Duke’s lap, being careful of Amira.
“I’m hungwy!” Yami said as he looked up at Yugi, the other chibis voicing their complaints.
“It’ll just be a few more minutes!” The small boy promised, “There won’t be enough room at the table, but if you guys promise to try to keep clean, we can all eat out here.”
“Promise!” They all yelled at the same time, then giggled at each other.
Yugi shook his head in amusement as he heard the front door open, silencing everyone.
“Yugi? I’m home!”
Yugi’s eyes went wide. “G-Grandpa?”
“Yes, I’m home, you don’t have to act so surprised to see me you know.” Solomon Motou entered the room, blinking in surprise at all his visitors. “Well, hello everyone!”
Yami blinked then grinned as he recognized the old man. Jumping from Yugi’s lap he giggled and ran toward him, “Simon!”
The old man caught the child and picked him up. Both Grandpa and Yami studied the other. After a moment of silence, Grandpa turned to Yugi, “Grandson, what did you do to the pharaoh?”
“Not Simon.” Yami pouted.
Yugi sighed, “It’s a long story Grandpa.” He muttered. (Yeah! Forty seven chapters worth so far!)
Smelling the air, Grandpa brought Yami to his chest so the child wasn’t dangling in midair. “Well, I see supper’s almost ready. Let’s have a bite to eat, then we’ll talk.” He patted Yami’s back and disappeared into the kitchen.
***
Laughter echoed through the Motou house, loudest in the kitchen. “Oh my!” Solomon Motou chuckled to himself after the tale had been told. “I wish I could have witnessed everything myself.” He wiped a tear from his eye.
“It hasn’t been all fun!” Yugi insisted.
“Yeah!” Joey looked up, “I had to wake up beside a naked Tristan!”
“Well Yami Bakura took me to the bathroom!” Tristan shuttered.
“Joey changed me!” Tea blushed.
“Yami and Bakura got kicked off a bus when it was raining when Malik and Marik were chibified! And they had Ryou, Marik and Malik with them.” Yugi reminded.
“Eviw biwds!” Yami Bakura shivered as he sat beside a plate of food he and Ryou were sharing on the floor.
“Eviw wady!” Ryou whined softly.
“Malik destroyed a priceless dinosaur.” Isis mentioned.
“Marik blew the power to an entire city block.” Joey ruffled Marik’s hair tenderly.
“Yami cut my hair!” Mokuba pouted only to cause Seto to giggle.
“Ryou hit me over the head with a mallet because I apparently made Marik cry!” Duke recalled.
Ryou looked up at him, “Meany head.” He stuck his tongue out playfully.
Solomon only smiled, “Yes, but with all children, there are always times that aren’t so good. Sometimes they’re blessings in disguise.”
Duke blinked from his own position on the floor, “Yeah…if it weren’t for Marik and Malik causing that disruption in band class, I probably wouldn’t have been involved in any of this.” He said, and then smiled as he hugged Ryou and reached over the short distance to the other chibi and he kissed Yami Bakura’s head, causing the quiet chibi to giggle softly, “And I wouldn’t trade this for anything.”
“I get to spend time with my brother again!” Mokuba grinned widely. “When he’s not being so serious and grouchy.”
“Yes! Me too.” Isis smiled as she tickled Malik under his chin.
“I get to see what Yami was like as a child and Bakura was able to confess his feelings to Ryou and I think Ryou’s second…and third childhoods have been more happy and a lot less lonely.” Yugi glanced at the two chibis as Ryou and Yami Bakura tore a baked bun between them to share.
“Ah yes,” Solomon seemed to remember something, “I meant to ask,” He turned to his grandson, “You said that the spell was supposed to turn one person into a child for twenty four hours at a time. Clearly there are six children and all but one has been for more than twenty four hours.”
Yugi nodded, “When Ryou first turned, Yami and Yami Bakura snuck out and took him to a park. Yami told me that they met up with Malik and ended up at his place when it started to rain. Marik wanted to know which spell had turned Ryou into a child so, not thinking, I guess Yami recited the spell just as lightning hit Malik’s house and blew the power. Static created by the lightning changed the spell so it would effect those who were present differently…at least that’s what Yami said.” He shrugged sheepishly.
“What if they never turn back?” Mokuba suddenly mentioned, causing fear to strike Yugi in the heart. He loved his chibi Yami, but he wanted his older Yami back too.
“I suppose we’d have to make the best of it.” Isis said as she handed her baby brother his glass of milk. “I realize that some are effected deeply by this change, but if it becomes reality there is really nothing we can do.”
Duke noticed Yugi sigh and slightly look away from the group. “At least they’ll grow up with happy memories.”
Joey snorted at the thought, “Most of them maybe.” He got up, taking Marik with him, “I think we’re done, excuse us.” He muttered as he left the room.
Solomon looked confused, but Yugi’s expression told him he’d be filled in later.
Supper didn’t last long and soon Yami, Yami Bakura and Ryou were playing in the living room, Duke and Mai playing with them. Tristan and Tea had left and Isis, Yugi and Mokuba were talking with Mr. Motou in the kitchen. Joey was giving Marik a bath so that left Seto and Malik on their own.
Slightly bored, the two of them had found everyone’s school bags in Yugi’s room. They’d gone through Yugi’s and Mokuba’s and found nothing interesting. They had been rooting through the mess Joey called ‘organization’ for a few minutes when they were about to give up. Malik picked up a book for a book report that was supposed to have been done about a month ago, when something fell into his lap. Picking the folded piece of paper, he took it to Seto. “What’s this?” he wondered as he handed the note over and sat down.
Seto took the paper and read the name, “It’s a note to Joey. Wet’s weat it!” The older boy giggled as he unfolded it.
“Wead it out woud?” Malik wondered.
“Suwe.” Seto smiled and began to read.
“Dear Joey, normally I wouldn’t stoop to this level, I wouldn’t act like a love-sick school girl writing a note to my crush and hiding it in his locker in between classes…but I am…minus the school girl phrase of course.
I know I’m not an emotional person but you make me want to smile. Something you may do or something you may say makes my lips twitch.
I apologize for offending you. Don’t get me wrong - you’re still a mutt. But you’re my mutt…at least; I hope you want to be.
I’m falling for you Joseph Wheeler.
All my love,
Seto Kaiba”
Malik blinked and looked at his friend, “We’we not su’posed to be widdle, awe we?”
Seto shook his head, “No, I tink we’we su’posed to be big, wike evewyone ewse.” He sighed as he folded the note back up and placed it within the pages of the book wordlessly. He crawled onto the bed and lay down with his head on the pillow.
Malik followed him and rested beside him. They were silent for a little while before the Egyptian spoke up. “I wememba’ you bein’ big. I wememba’ ‘Ami, Batuwa and Wyou bein’ big too. ‘Ugi and Joey was widdle too.” He sighed, “What if I neva’ gwow up?” He worried softly.
Seto grinned and wrapped his arms around his friend, “I’ww stiww be youw fwiend! Even if I’m gwowed up.” He said as he turned on his side to face Malik.
“Pwomise?” Malik questioned, a little comforted by the idea.
“Pwomise.” Seto nodded and hugged the other boy lightly. On impulse the brunette gently kissed a tanned nose, causing that nose to wrinkle and Malik to giggle. They were quiet for a long time until Seto broke it. “Do you wove Maywik?”
Meanwhile in the bathroom Joey was helping Marik get clean. Who knew (or wanted to know) what had been in the water at the log ride. Marik hadn’t said a word, but the silence wasn’t uncomfortable, though Joey could tell that the little boy was depressed about something.
Gently Joey combed his fingers through Marik’s wet hair. “What’s up kiddo?” he got down on his knees and leaned on the side of the tub to get more comfortable and he had a feeling that Marik felt better when someone was at his own level.
Dark lavender eyes looked up from the soapy water, “Wiww I be a chibi foweva?” He wondered softly.
Joey sighed, not about to lie, “I don’t know.” He confessed.
Marik seemed to deflate a little. “Oh.” He whispered, “Wiww I stay wit’ ‘Ugi?”
“Why would you live with Yugi?” Joey wondered.
The Egyptian shrugged, “Isis woves Mawik, not me. She fowgets I’m thewe and Mawik doesn’t wove me. Duke wiww take cawe of Wyou and Batuwa. I just thought…” Marik sighed and shook his head, “Sowwy, I fowgot that ‘Ami is wiving wit’ ‘Ugi.” He muttered as he hid his face, “Nobody wants me.” He whispered through his fingers.
Joey gently lifted Marik’s chin and stared the child in the eye, “Don’t ever say that again!” He said sternly, “I want you and I love you! I don’t care if Isis wants you to live with her, I’ll talk to her about you living with me.” He said softly.
“But Seto-” Marik started but stopped when Joey placed a finger against his lips.
“I don’t live with Seto, and even if I ever do, he’d have to accept you too.” Joey vowed.
Marik’s bottom lip trembled slightly as he lifted his arms up; Joey smiled and pulled the child out of the tub and into his arms. Burying his face in Joey’s shoulder, Marik relaxed. “I wove you too Joey.” He whispered.
***
“Weww?” Seto looked at Malik with curiosity.
“I…” Malik blinked, then shrugged and looked away, “I…don’t know…” He began, “I mean, I wove him, he’th my bwotha…but I wove him mowe then that.” The little boy explained in confusion.
Seto understood more than his friend, “You have a cwush on him.” He giggled, “Wike Wyou has on Batuwa, and Yami has on Yugi!”
Malik narrowed his eyebrows, “I gueth…” he sighed.
“Why did you get mad and hit him?” Seto wondered as he recalled the broken chibi at the exhibition. Marik’s world revolved around the lighter half, even Seto could see that.
Malik shrugged, “I don’t know…he wanted to be wit’ Joey mowe den me. And den he wath happy that evewyone wath wowwied.” He glanced away, “I didn’t mean to hit him…I got mad and it happened.”
Seto smiled gently, “But you’ve been wit’ me. And Joey was wight, you fowgot that Maywik could heaw us and I did too! He’ww a’ways be youw yami and I think Joey is somet’ing wike my hikawi.”
“You is wight. I need ta say sowwy to Maywik.” Malik stated and got up with Seto following. Together they left the room and went to the guest room. The door was closed so Malik knocked softly.
It took a minute but the door was opened and Joey knelt down to talk to them. The blonde adult was slightly surprised to find the two there. “What can I do for you two?” He wondered quietly.
“I wanna see my ‘ami!” Malik insisted, really wanting to apologize.
Joey sighed, “Kiddo, I just got Marik to sleep. Can you talk to him in the morning?” He ran a hand through his hair. Getting Marik to finally fall asleep had not been fun.
Malik looked disappointed but he didn’t want to disturb Marik, “Otay.” He nodded.
After Joey had shut the door the two boys went down the stairs to find the others getting ready for bed.
Isis came over to Malik and picked him up, hugging him. “I’m leaving now baby.” She kissed his forehead.
“Come back?” Malik mumbled, wrapping his arms around her neck.
Smiling, she nodded, “Of course! I promise to come back, sleep tight, okay?”
“Tay.” Malik nodded.
Meanwhile Seto was watching the others.
“Seto, can you hold Ryou please?” Yugi said, plunking the 99% sleeping child into the small boy’s arms.
“Yugi, are you sure? I can sleep down here.” Solomon shook his head.
“Don’t be silly Grandpa!” Yugi grinned as he helped Duke unfold the couch. “Ryou wants Duke to stay, Bakura wants to sleep with Ryou and Yami wants to sleep with Bakura and I. The couch will be big enough.”
Duke nodded in agreement. “Seto and Malik will sleep with Mokuba in Yugi’s room while Joey stays with Marik in the guest room.”
Solomon sighed, “Well, since you boys have everything settled, I’ll be going to bed. Sleep well boys.”
“Night Grandpa.” Yugi called after him.
It took a little time but soon everyone was settled and the chibis were all asleep.
With Yami and Yami Bakura snuggled together with a small Magician of Black Chaos plushie between them, and Ryou laying across Duke’s chest with his Change of Heart plushie the two older boys relaxed.
“Do you think they’ll be normal tomorrow?” Yugi yawned.
“Guess we’ll hafta wait and see.” Duke shrugged as he ran his fingers through Ryou’s hair.
Upstairs while everyone slept on a small boy crawled out of bed. After grabbing a stuffed animal he had hid under his pillow, he snuck out of the room and scampered to the guest room.
Without knocking (for fear of waking the occupants) he opened the door and entered.
“Oh!” Seto uttered in surprise as he found Joey awake and reading while Marik used the older boy as a bed. “I didn’t…”
Joey looked over as the boy approached. They were both silent, then Seto held the stuffed Scapegoat out. “I…I won these fow you.” He explained softly as Joey gently took them, “I wead the note I gave you too. Sowwy.” The little boy muttered.
Joey smiled passed his surprised and ruffled Seto’s hair. “Don’t worry about it Set. We’ll talk in the morning when everything will be over.” He promised.
“Otay.” Seto grinned, beaming with happiness, “Night Jo-Jo!” The little boy waved as he raced out of the room, wanting morning to come.
Chuckling to himself Joey turned off the light and touched the stuffed animal beside him, “Night Set.”