"Are you afraid of dying?"

Bakura's eyes flashed, his head snapping to attention. They were lounging in the middle of an abandoned cabin, perched in one of the only dry spots in the room. The rain poured in through a large hole in the roof, threatening their small fire.

"Why?" he asked disdainfully. "Are you?"

Marik shrugged, staring into the flames. "I mean, we've both escaped it, more than once. It inches closer every day. And now that you're not eternally bound to the ring—"

"Go fuck yourself." Marik watched him closely as he turned away, staring into the flames.

"It's okay to be, you know" He crawled over to his side, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "It's normal."

Bakura ignored him, his eyes following the fire. "There's nothing normal about us," he said finally. "You know that." The rain drummed through the silence between them, as Marik picked up a shard of glass and started scratching a pattern into the scarred stone of the hearth until Bakura spoke again.

"Why the sudden interest?"

The chunk of glass went into the fire, purple eyes watching it keenly. "Isn't it human nature to wonder what happens in the life beyond this one?" he mused. "And to fear death, even if just a little?"

Bakura sniffed. He grabbed another branch from their pile and threw it on the fire. "I've been running from death since I was six years old," he said darkly. "I won't stop running, not while I still have reasons to stay."

Marik scooted a little closer. "You think it would really be that bad?"

Bakura smirked humorlessly. "Do you remember nothing of the gods?" he asked. "The judgement that awaits us both?"

He shrugged again, gaze drifting to the darkened sky that peaked in through the ceiling. "Maybe it's not like that," he said. "After all, humans aren't exactly fantastic at discerning the will of the gods, are they?" He frowned, shivering a little. "Aren't we living proof of that?"

Bakura finally turned to him, hesitating for a moment before taking off his coat and wrapping it around Marik's shoulders.

The young man smiled up at him, leaning against his arm. The fire crackled weakly as they sat together in thought.

"Bakura?" Marik asked finally. "If I die first, promise me one thing."

Bakura snorted. "The ring will give out before that can happen, you know."

Marik swatted his side. "Just listen, will you?" He frowned at the ground, taking Bakura's hand. "If you outlive me, don't let them put me back underground. I don't want to go back, when I can never escape it."He met Bakura's gaze, his eyes burning in the firelight. "Promise me."

Bakura pressed his lips to the bronze skin, closing his eyes. "You'd be willing to trust the promise of a thief?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Marik returned the kiss, his lips brushing Bakura's. "I have this far, haven't I?"