moonlightshine | Closed to thetombkeeper

Closed to thetombkeeper

[Usagi wasn't sure how they all decided to take a quick trip to Domino, but she was happy for it. She would get to see the place where Marik made a name for himself. Be able to explore a new city, and over all make more memories with her friends. The girls decided to go with them as well, which made it easier when it came to getting transportation and hotel rooms. Plus, going as a group and not on a date made it easier to convince her parents.

Leaving their hotel room, she turned to Marik, gauging his expression. She had a feeling he might be nervous being back in a place that was both good and bad. They could take things at his pace. If he wanted to show her around, or if they wanted to explore, that was fine. Either way, she would be happy as long as they got to spend time together.]

The girls said we could meet up with them later in the day. I know Ami-chan wanted to visit a museum or two, and Mina-chan wanted to do shopping...

[Usagi told her boyfriend, her hand easily slipping into his, hoping it would help calm any nerves.]

I'm curious to what you'd like to do. We could wander the city, or stay at the hotel and enjoy a relaxing day.

[Heck, they could make a game of pointing out how many 'KaibaCorp' symbols or buildings were around if he wanted.]

We can do whatever you'd like, Marik-kun.

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[Bakura was somewhat of a concern of his. That would be something he'd have to take care of himself without getting Usagi involved - later though. There were more important matters to deal with, such as finally being open with his girlfriend.

If only it were a date. He seems a bit uncomfortable but doesn't want to give Usagi the impression that any of this is her fault. Having someone say "hey, we need to talk" and leaving it at that is never a good move to pull.]

I was hoping to... talk to you. About Battle City. I need to tell you everything that happened.

[He pauses. Usagi may note his use of "need" rather than "want."]

If you'd rather not discuss something so... dark, I understand.

[Usagi was able to note of the difference. He needed to talk to her about Battle City. It brought her back to the hotel room in Domino, where he held her and told her they would talk about it soon. That day had some.

She reached for his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. ]

No, no. We can talk about it. After school today, we can talk at your place?

[Since it would be more private than talking about it on school grounds or at the arcade. ]

I want to know what happened.

[He's thankful for the gesture, returning the squeeze and relaxing a bit.]

Yeah. I was thinking later tonight. You could stay at my place if it gets too late. That's... if you're comfortable doing so after... hearing everything.

[Marik frowns. He'd understand if she didn't want to stay after what he'd be telling her.]

Marik-kun…

[Usagi took his hand and brought it to the side of her face. She pressed a kiss into his palm, hoping it would soothe both of them. The topic would be a heavy one for the night. ]

I can stay the night—just, take things slowly. And we don’t need to go through everything tonight.

I know…it’s a difficult topic, but I know you’re not the same person as you were before. It’ll be okay.

[Marik's eyes look empty again. They have looked that way off and on since they returned to Tokyo. There are moments where the shine returns but the majority of the time, they're more dull than before the trip.

The kiss brings a bit of color to his cheeks and, while still anxious, it does help sooth him.

He swallows and nods.]

Thank you, Usagi...

[An awkward shift in topics but...]

Did you... want me to walk you home?

Edited 2023-02-22 01:44 (UTC)

[Concern shone in her blue eyes as she stared into Marik’s lavender eyes. It felt like he was keeping something from her. Or, he was reverting into himself? It was almost as though he had taken a step back. His eyes didn’t hold the shine they used too.

Maybe…maybe she was seeing things? Maybe he was stressed? He was going to share a dark side of his history with her. It would make anyone anxious. ]

No, it’s okay. I can meet you at your place later tonight.

[She pressed another kiss into his palm. ]

Will you be okay?

[Yugi would be able to explain why that was to a certain extent, not that it would likely come up. Bakura already warned her what it meant though.

Marik steps a bit closer and leans over to press a kiss to her forehead.]

I'll deal. I always do. I'll see you tonight.

[Not the most reassuring answer but she deserves the truth. Marik takes his leave and heads back to his place to prepare for tonight.

Once home and awaiting Usagi's arrival, the tomb keeper paces in the living room, doing one last run through how he's going to word things in his story. He's fully expecting the worse - not because he doesn't believe she loves him but rather because... he doesn't deserve her love. He has changed a decent amount, yes, but is it enough to keep her? Maybe she would be better off without him...

When Usagi arrives, he rushes over to the door and unlocks it for her, stepping aside to let her in offering a small smile.]

Make yourself at home.

[ Bakura had warned her what it meant. He gave her some insight to how Marik react, but could she take his words at face value? It wasn’t like Marik had come into contact with dark magic. She would’ve sensed it.

But, it was still concerning. She would have to talk to Luna about it another time.

It’s a few hours from when she last saw Marik. No longer in her school uniform, but in casual wear and a small bag slung over her shoulder. Already it felt somewhat tense between them. ]

Hey, [Usagi greeted with a soft smile, stepping inside and taking off her shoes. Her bag was set off to the side. It wasn’t needed for the moment. ]

I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long. [ She had to freshen up, pack some clothes and inform her parents where she was going so…that took a while. ]

Do you want me to sit or…? [ It was a heavy topic they were about to touch upon and she was going to follow his lead. ]

[Marik closed the door behind her and walked over to the couch, looking between it and Usagi for a moment.]

No, you never do. I'm sorry I've probably made you anxious by bringing that up earlier...

[He rubs the back of his neck as he himself sits down.]

Whatever you're comfortable with.

[However or wherever she settles on, Marik takes a deep breath and begins his story.]

I've told you about my duty as a tomb keeper and how... the trauma I went through created my darker half.

What I didn't tell you... was that my bitterness made it so that I thought I should have the unnamed Pharaoh's powers. That... I could use those powers... to rule the world.

[Saying it outloud makes it sound so... childish. It's embarrassing. He goes on to tell her about the Egyptian God Cards and their power, how that combined with them and the Puzzle, he would have unlimited dark powers.

He had only been able to retrieve two of the three cards. Ishizu ended up giving the remaining one to Kaiba and suggested he start a tournament so that he could get the God Cards instead. It would draw out Marik and his Rare Hunters, his secret religious sect and counterfeiting business. That he performed tests on the counterfeit God cards which ended up in many of his cultists dying.

Marik continues, telling her he hacked the system to get himself and his Hunters entered into the tournament. That he mind controlled some of them with the Millennium Rod to Duel Yugi while using them as a puppet.

He kidnapped and mind controlled both Teá and Joey, almost getting them killed but Yugi was able to save them in the end. How when he finally arrived in Domino and bumped into Bakura, the two agreeing to work together so Bakura could get all of the items and Marik getting the power and God Cards. That they fooled Yugi and his crew, Marik going by the name "Namu" and that Odion would be acting as him instead.

How he almost had Odion killed, forcing him to use a counterfeit God Card against a Duel with Joey, thus bringing down the wraith of Ra and blasting his brother with divine thunder.

He pauses there, in case she wants to ask anything as well as letting the information sink in.]

[Usagi took a seat on his couch. Her skirt rode up a little, but she had leggings on underneath. She tucked on leg under her as she sat and listened as Marik told his tale. He was…more complicated than she realized. His past was darker than she thought…

People died because of him.

He was consumed by bitterness and a need for power—to rewrite things. To do as he wanted . Wasn’t that what happened with Beryl? She was bitter, and longed for power and gave into temptation. She became the evil they faced in their past life and this one.

He could’ve been something more abhorrent, but he didn’t. He had been stopped—by fate, by Yugi, all of the above.

Still, it was a lot for her to take in. Her heart ached, and she could feel tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. ]

…keep going. [She whispered, bowing her head a little. There were questions but…there was more he needed or wanted to tell her. ]

[He bites his lip, wanting to comfort her but... she's good told him to keep going.

So Marik tells her that when he underwent the ritual as a child, Odion carved his face in both an attempt to make up for failing his brother as well as keeping his darker side sealed. With the older Ishtar now unconscious from the Duel, Yami Marik was able to emerge... and kick Marik from his own body.

He goes on, telling her of how he tried to get the attention of Ishizu, begging her to help him to get his body back. How he possessed Teá to try and kill Yami because if he couldn't get his body back, then it would be better without either of them around. About how he teamed up with Bakura again and semi-possesed his host so he wouldn't lose his soul entirely. How they fought against Yami but that only wound up getting Bakura banished temporarily to the Shadow Realm and handing over the Ring to him. Marik himself would go to possess Teá again to warn Ishizu that Yami would be coming to kill Odion.

The rest is spotty after that. He vaguely recalls the Shadow Games Yami played, how he tormented Joey and Mai, almost ripping their souls from their bodies and casting them into the Shadow Realm to suffer for eternity in a nightmare. His presence grew weaker and weaker. At the finals, Yami pulls Marik to him and uses him as a bargaining chip during his Duel with the Pharaoh. Marik told them to destroy Yami, not to worry about saving him... but Ishizu was the one to come forward and beg the Pharaoh to save Marik's body so the good part of him could regain control.

In the end, he was saved, Yami was ripped from his body and banished to the Shadow Realm, and... everyone forgave him for all the terrible things he did. Like none of it ever happened. He surrendered the God Cards and Millennium Items to Yugi and showed him the carving on his back, the one remaining hint to rediscovering who he once was.]

And that's... what happened in Battle City.

[There are obvious details he's skipped over. She doesn't need to know exactly what the Shadow Games consisted of. Or how angry he is at himself for just rolling over and giving up like the servant dog he is.

Marik sits in silence, waiting to hear Usagi's thoughts on the matter or for her to just leave.]

[Usagi continued to sit and listen with an open heart. She tried to be strong, to not let her tears stain her cheeks but as he continued to tell her more and more of what happened. The horrors he endured and the pain he inflicted upon others…

It broke her heart.

She shifted in her seat, opting to hug her knee to her chest. She could only imagine the hurt and anger he experienced as a child, wanting to rewrite his destiny. How that anger and bitterness continued to grow well into his childhood, even with Orion there. Part of her wondered why he didn’t stop—could he not? Was he blinded by his own goals so much?

He’s not the same person. she told herself. He had shown her a kinder, more gentler side. He had a second chance now…he wasn’t going to waste it.]

…do you regret what happened? [She found herself asking in a soft, almost small voice.

And damnit, where was she when all of this was happening in Domino? Did it take place while they were battling the Dark Kingdom? When it felt like the world would be swallowed up in darkness and their past would repeat itself?]

Edited 2023-02-22 15:03 (UTC)

[It kills him to see her like this and not be able to do anything to make her feel better, especially because he's the one causing it.

He's grateful she hasn't run away but when she asks him that question, he almost wishes she had. Marik stands up and takes a few steps forward, folding his arms over his chest as he faces away from her. He replays the events through his head again, assessing where things went wrong and what he would change if he could.

In the end, if those things hadn't of happened like they did, he would have never met Usagi. There was no point in lying to her. Not now, at least. She deserves the truth - even if it's something she won't likely want to hear from him.]

I regret messing up and accidentally allowing him to take control. ... But overall, no. I don't.

[Marik doesn’t regret it. He doesn’t regret anything he’s done. He regrets messing up, but that was it. Usagi felt her heart stop then and found more tears coming down her face.

Her lower lip was trembling as she held back a sob. Her heart broke for him and for what he endured—but he didn’t care about the pain he caused? The lives that were lost? Could she be with someone who cared so little.]

I…I should go.

[Before she turned into a crying mess. Before she said something she might regret.

If he didn’t care about what he did wrong, what did that say about their future together?]

[Marik tenses up, his hold on himself tightening as he hears Usagi's quiet sounds of distress. He wants nothing more than to turn around and hold her, tell her everything will be alright. That even despite what he did, he's a different person now. He swallows, ignoring the creeping darkness wanting to wash over him.

He shouldn't say it. Shouldn't use what happened to guilt her. To tell her that he's fine with how things happened because it made it so they met. That she could be a guiding light for him.

He could persuade her. It was what he was good at. Manipulating people into doing his bidding. It's why he handled the Millennium Rod so well. He was a natural at it.

He glances over his shoulder at her, his eyes somehow more dull than they were before and his tone of voice is soft.]

... I'm sorry I hurt you.

[I’m sorry I hurt you.

Usagi felt her heart break for a second time that night. Marik warned her it would be a heavy discussion, but she wasn’t prepared for it. Yes, he did horrible things. He didn’t regret them, but…he wasn’t the same person.

He wouldn’t have apologized to her if he still wanted power. If he still yearned to rule the world.

Holding back her sob, she moved off the couch to hug her boyfriend from behind. Her face pressed into his back, his blank tank top catching her tears as she held onto him. No, she couldn’t walk away. He had a dark past but he was different—

He doesn’t regret what he did.

Could she really look past that? ]

M-Marik. [Breathe. She couldn’t speak probably if she was sobbing. ] I know…I know you’re not like that anymore. But why don’t you regret it?

You could’ve died! You could’ve died and I wouldn’t have met you….[He should care about that much at least. Or so Usagi hoped. ]

[The air from his lung suddenly vanishes and he finds himself feeling lightheaded for a moment as it sinks in what's happening. Usagi's holding him. Even after she said she should leave. His eyes widen and he at a loss for words.

Why doesn't he regret it? Marik grits his teeth, trembling slightly as he tries to formulate a way to tell her honestly but also won't paint him in too bad of a light.]

I did what I thought I deserved. I-

[... He can't help but smile. So Usagi's mind went to the same place. She voiced it before him. He places a hand on top of her arm.

Yes. He can do this. Just be genuine and honest with her...]

If I hadn't of done all of that, I wouldn't have wound up where I am today. I wouldn't have you. I'd be rotting away in Egypt, having never gotten to explore the outside world. My soul would still be split in two. I don't need to fear him hurting you.

I may not regret my actions but... that doesn't mean I'm not learning from them.

[Marik was learning from his actions. He may not regret them, but he was learning from them and becoming a better person. If he was still the same person as before…she would’ve seen him as an enemy. She wouldn’t have gotten to know his sweeter side. She wouldn’t have been able to create so many wonderful memories with him.

Usagi continued to press her face into his back, letting the tears fall down her face. Unknowingly, her light reacted, reaching out to Marik to try and soothe both of them. ]

I know you’re not the same person as before… [She murmured into his back, continuing to hold onto him as though he might suddenly fade away if she let go. ]

I know you’re learning and growing—becoming the person you were meant to be. I’m….I’m sorry we didn’t meet earlier. [Ahh, there it was. The part of her that felt guilty for not doing anything.

Sailor Moon, champion of justice. Able to save the world, but unable to save someone so precious. ]

M-maybe if we had…things would’ve been different. [No one would’ve had to die or be tortured…

Finally, her crying died down just long enough for her to weakly say:] I would never want to lose you.

[The fact that she's seen the light to his eyes and was the cause for it shows that he's begun to change, no matter how much he thinks he's still mostly the same. His eyes had been dull since undergoing the Ritual. It took 6 years, everything that had happened, and meeting Usagi for him to properly begin to heal.

It's like a warm blanket wrapping around him when she bathes him in her light. Whatever darkness was pulling at his corners retreats back deep into his soul and Marik actively relaxes in her embrace.

If they had met earlier, what would things have been like? Would he have essentially just been like another youma to her? Could she have separated his darker half from his soul like the Pharaoh had? Ultimately the questions weren't important as it was impossible to know how things would have played out.]

You don't need to apologize, Usagi. It was my battle to face.

[The hand resting on her arm tightens slightly in a reassuring manner before he shifts to allow himself to turn around and face her, wrapping his arms around his girlfriend to pull her close.]

You'll never lose me. I'm here to stay. I promise.

[Usagi felt Marik shift, turning around to face her and return the embrace. Her tears had stopped for the moment. He wouldn’t need to worry about the front part of his shirt getting wet. She opted to Burt her face in his chest, holding onto him as his words washed over her.

She wouldn’t lose him. Their hearts were connected. She could feel that in her soul. They wouldn’t stray from each other…

The past could not be changed, but they could shape their future to be a happy one.

When Usagi felt she had control of her emotions, she pulled slightly away from her boyfriend to look up into his lavender eyes. No doubt hers were red from crying so much. ]

I promise, you won’t lose me either. [It was a promise she wouldn’t break. He would always have her. She brought one hand up to gently caress his cheek. ]

Thank you…for telling me, Marik-kun.

[Marik gently clutches the back of her head as he holds her, not caring if she got his shirt wet or not. She was emotional, which was very understandable in this situation, and he didn't mind that one bit.

He didn't want to lose her. He knew the scenario Nemesis had played out had been false. She would never leave him... This just proved it. The gods had forgiven him. They had to have if Usagi was his gift for reforming his soul.

Marik nuzzles her hand almost desperately, relieved things were okay between them. That she wasn't angry at all the things he had done and understood he wanted to better himself, even if the answer he gave wasn't exactly what she would have wanted to hear.]

I'm sorry it was... as dark as it was. I know that was a lot to take in...

Thank you... for giving me a chance. And for staying with me.

[He turns his head to kiss her hand.]

You're the best thing to ever happen to me. You really are... I'll do anything to make you happy...

Being with you makes me happy.

[The words came out softly, with her thumb lightly caressing his lower lip. He didn’t need to give her anything or do anything except spend time with her. Being able to create memories with him, that’s what truly mattered to Usagi. ]

I know it was hard to talk about…but there’s nothing to apologize for. It was something that had to be discussed at some point.

[And better that she heard it from him than someone else.

Usagi brought her hand down in favor of standing on her top toes and pressing her forehead to his. ]

You know I’m here for you, no matter what. As your girlfriend, friend and partner…a shoulder to lean on, or someone to talk to. I don’t want you to feel like you can’t talk to me.

[She didn’t want him to feel like he could only cling to darkness and shadows. He could bathe in her light and find peace with her, if that’s what he truly wanted. ]

…can I still stay the night?

[He shudders slightly from both her words and the brush to his lips.]

Usagi... I can't thank you enough...

[There's only two secrets he has now: Yami having killed his father and taking Nemesis's power.

When she leans upwards to press their foreheads together, he smiles warmly and gives Usagi an eskimo kiss.

He absolutely wants to bathe in her light, in her presence. Feel her against him, breathe in her scent.

To heal his soul.]

Of course... I'd really like that...

[There was a soft, but tired smile on Usagi’s face. The eskimo kiss was welcomed, but she ended up leaning in a bit more to softly place a sweet kiss to his lips. She could stay the night, that was the plan anyway. Luna already knew she was going to Marik’s place and not to worry.

As the kiss came to its natural end, she placed another one to his forehead. ]

Okay…I’ll stay. And maybe, I’ll be the big spoon this time. [Cuddle against him, holding him and protecting him from the darkness that lingered. She was more than happy to do it. ]

Should we go to your room? [It wouldn’t take her long to change, and after crying so much, she needed to cuddle with him for a long while. ]

[He's not sure why but the kiss catches him off guard, causing him to melt into it. Usagi can feel him tremble slightly. A part of him thinks he still doesn't deserve this.]

That s-sounds wonderful...

[Like, really wonderful. Marik feels like it could even be enough to cast out Nemesis's power, not that it's been an issue yet... It's a failsafe, that's all. Nothing to worry about...

He pulls back slightly, moving his hands down to take a hold of Usagi's.]

Mnn. Yeah... Want me to grab your bag?

Closed to thetombkeeper

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