AN: Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to Maaaalik, happy birthday to you :)

Angstshipping! :D

―――――――――――

Malik awoke, panting, from his nightmare. He sat up, his body soaked in a cold sweat. He swallowed, then winced as is hurt his dry throat.

"It was just a dream." He told himself firmly. "Only a dream."

He closed his eyes tightly, trying to block out the images that flashed through his mind, trying to forget the memories that haunted him even now.

Malik's yami had finally disappeared after his duel with the pharaoh, but he hadn't been able to forget everything that had happened: he had killed his own father, tried to kill Yugi, sent dozens of people to the Shadow Realm…and he couldn't forgive himself for that.

Ryou had tried, on several occasions, to convince Malik that his yami's actions weren't his fault, and Malik knew that he was right, really. But some part of him hadn't accepted that fact, and that part of him made him feel guilty every moment of every day for what he'd done.

He groaned loudly, holding his head in his hands. He glanced at the clock through his fingers. It was only 2:07. Malik knew he wouldn't be able to get back to sleep, so he got out of bed, slipping on a jacket, and reached for his phone.

―――――――――

Ryou's phone beeped loudly, waking him. He sat up, rubbing he eyes sleepily. A yawn escaped his lips as he got out of bed and fetched his phone from on top of the old wooden desk in the corner.

He flipped up his phone to check his messages. He only had one. From Malik.

He read the text, frowning.

Had the dream again. Can't sleep, sorry if I woke you. Malik x

Ryou read the message twice, then sent a quick reply. He lay back on his bed, the frown still in place.

"Oh Malik" he sighed.

―――――――――

Malik had gotten changed quickly, putting on his warmest jacket and thickest boots. His phone was safely in his pocket, but he'd turned it off, wanting to be entirely alone for a while.

He stepped out of the house into the cold, silent street, shivering slightly as he looked up at the moon. It was almost full.

"Creepy" Malik muttered under his breath, through slightly chattering teeth. He set off to nowhere in particular, letting he feet carry him wherever they wanted to.

The blonde's breath was visible in front of his face, and his boots only just kept their grip on the ice that coated the floor – a show of how cold it was. Malik didn't care though; the cold air was refreshing, even if it was numbing his toes, and he needed to get away from the world for a bit.

―――――――――

Ryou sat in bed, staring at his phone. Why hadn't Malik replied yet? He glanced at the clock for the 14th time. It was 2:43. Had Malik fallen asleep again? Ryou doubted it – he never known Malik fall asleep after one of his nightmares. He frowned again. He was probably worrying for no reason, but that wasn't going to stop him.

―――――――――

Malik stopped abruptly when he realised that there were no more buildings around him. He looked around warily, aware that this wasn't the best time of night to be wandering around alone, even worse if he was lost. But he wasn't lost, he realised with a smile. He knew exactly where he was.

Letting out a breathe he didn't realise he'd been holding, Malik carried on walking through the winter's night, but with a destination in mind this time. His lips curved into a smile as he stepped from the pavement onto frosty grass. After weaving in and out of several trees, he reached a clearing, where he sat down on the edge of a small lake. The seemingly black water was still, undisturbed, with a streak on moonlight reflected in its surface. (1)

Malik sighed contentedly, rolling onto his back with his hands behind his head. Oddly enough, the ice and snow didn't seem to have touched this place. He closed his eyes, thinking of the first time he'd come here.

―――――――――

"Here we are, Malik." Ryou said, turning to him.

"Whoa it's…kinda pretty actually." He admitted, kneeling down and running his hand through the cool water.

"Hey, Ryou?" Malik said absent-mindedly as Ryou came and sat next to him.

"Yeah?"

"You know how you showed me this place…well it's sort of like a gift, right? And I want to give you a gift back."

"Malik, wha- ?" he was silenced as soft lips pressed to his, both tender and firm. The sensation that Ryou felt then was indescribable, but somehow he knew that it was love. (2)

―――――――――

Later that morning, Ishizu pushed open her brother's door, carrying several birthday presents. (3)

"Happy birthday Ma-" she stopped, mid-sentence. The room was empty.

Ishizu frowned, putting the presents down on the empty bed.

"Odion!?" she called worriedly, walking back out the room. "Have you seen Malik? He's not in his room."

Odion frowned. "No, I haven't seen him this morning. Have you checked the bathroom?"

The two of them searched the house desperately, searching for their younger brother. Once certain that he wasn't in the house, Ishizu tried ringing his mobile, only to get voicemail straight away.

"His phone's turned off." She said to Odion grimly. She quickly dialled Ryou's number, and to her relief she got an answer after the third ring.

"Hello?"

Ishizu quickly explained the situation, asking hopefully if Malik was with Ryou. He said that he wasn't, and told her that he would go out and search for him. After a quick conversation with Odion, it was decided that both he and Ryou would go and search for Malik separately, while Ishizu stayed at home and rang everyone she thought Malik might be with. It didn't seem very likely that Malik would have gone to a friend's house first thing in the morning on his birthday, especially without telling anyone, but it was worth a try.

―――――――――

"Malik?" Ryou called as he ran through the trees and into the clearing. He looked around frantically, and at first thought that nobody was there. His heart sank…but then he realised he'd been wrong. There was someone there, lying on the ground. Someone with blonde hair and a tan…

"Malik!?" he cried, running over to him.

Ryou grabbed his lover's shoulders, shaking him fiercely. Malik opened one eye lazily.

"Ryou…what're you doing here?"

The albino let out a sigh of relief, his whole body relaxing.

"Ryou?" Malik asked worriedly, sitting up.

"What were you doing here?" Ryou asked, exasperated. "Ishizu got up this morning and you weren't there! Your phone was turned off, nobody knew were you were…Odion and I have been out looking for you for almost an hour!"

Malik blinking, not expecting that. "Sorry Ryou, I-"

"Ishizu? It's Ryou. I found Malik. He's fine. Don't worry." There was a pause as Ishizu said something at the other end of the phone. "Okay, we'll be back soon. Bye."

He ended the call, turning back to Malik.

"Ryou I didn't mean for-"

"Shut up" Ryou muttered, leaning close to Malik. "You're okay, that's all that matters."

Ryou pushed his lover onto his back, climbing on top of him and kissing him gently. Malik smiled playfully, kissing back, harder.

"You know this probably isn't the time" he muttered, pulling away from the Ryou.

"Malik, I was worried about you, I was terrified I'd lost you! I thought I'd never see you again. Never kiss you…"

Ryou's lips brushed Malik's.

"Happy Birthday" he whispered.

Malik blinked, surprised - he'd completely forgotten it was his birthday. Not that it mattered, as long as he was with Ryou.

'Besides,' he thought, smirking 'this was probably the best present I've ever had…'

―――――――――

AN: Was that a bit of a lame ending? Ah well, it was cute :)

Sorry if this story seems a bit rushed :/ I might re-write it when I have the time.

(1) To anyone who's read my apprenticeshipping chapter in AZ of Yugioh Shippings, I have an obsession with lakes, I know xD

(2) Hmm, I have no idea why Malik's flashback is in Ryou's POV, but ah well, just go with it ;)

(3) It IS later that morning, I haven't gone mad :) It was just after 2am when Malik woke up :)

Please review if you liked it, or even if you didn't :D

Happy Birthday Malik!!