AN 2018: Hello, all. It's so wonderful to see you. I've been thinking about this story a lot lately. I started it in 2006 when I was 16 and finished it in 2012 when I was 23. I am now 29 and thought I'd go back and finally correct all my typos and missing words/sentences and maybe give some insightful reflections on what I remember about my life when I was writing this originally. I'm not sure how often writers revisit their own work (or only work in my case), and I thought it would be fun. I will leave most of the AN's unedited in all their glorious cringe.. So enjoy!

AN: Well, hello there.. Welcome to.. This story thing.. It's my first Seto x Ryou story. I did have two Ryou x Bakura stories before, but then I deleted them.. I don't quite remember why... But, oh well. I have nothing witty to say, so... Here you go... Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own anyone, which I'm sure everyone knows.. Unless you're stupid.

"Get out," a rather irate Bakura growled at Ryou.

"Where am I supposed to go? It's midnight..." Ryou whined quietly, then added, "and it's storming!"

"Not my problem!" Bakura said sharply and glared at him. "And don't whine like a little girl."

Ryou's eyes widened.

"S-sorry, I didn't m-mean to..." Ryou averted his eyes and studied his shoes. "Can't I just go to my room? I promise I won't come out or make any noise.."

"No," Bakura growled then smiled sadistically. "We may be needing that room.."

Ryou peeked over his yami's shoulder to see Merik relaxing on the couch, watching the two of them intently. Ryou had just noticed the sort of sad look on Merik's face when he was suddenly grabbed by Bakura and thrown roughly against the wall.

"Are you going to disobey me?" Bakura berated the smaller boy, now collapsed on the floor.

"N-no, never," Ryou responded softly.

"Then why aren't you gone yet?" Bakura snarled as he loomed over Ryou. When the boy didn't move the larger fair-haired teen grabbed him roughly by the arms and pulled him up. He dragged him over to the front door and released him gruffly. "Now, why don't you go for a nice long walk?" With that Bakura opened the door and pushed Ryou into the cold, dark night.

The smaller pale teen sighed as the door slammed and locked behind him.

"You could have at least let me get some better clothes," Ryou muttered looking at his already damp t-shirt and jeans. No use bitching about it, I guess...

He wrapped his arms tightly around himself and slowly headed out into the storm. He walked his usual route to the park; the place he usually went when his yami kicked him out. Pain suddenly shot up through his back, where he had been thrown against the wall, reminding him of how rough Bakura had been with him. Bruises were also beginning to form on his arms where he had been grabbed. He's never that mean to me when Merik's over... Maybe Bakura's mad at him... Ryou thought, slightly confused by his yami's behavior. Shit.. I hope they're not separating... Ryou had always liked it when his yami's lover came over. Though he was kicked out most of the time he enjoyed his brief period of freedom. Still, sometimes Merik had invited Ryou to stay to watch a movie, play a board game, or just get drunk. He enjoyed the time he spent with both of them. They were fun to hang out with, albeit a little demented and perverted, but still fun. Ryou also liked seeing Bakura happy with someone. Takes his thoughts off kicking my ass for no reason. Ryou thought gravely, but smiled despite himself. Another thought soon wiped away that smile. I really hope they don't break up.. But maybe he just wanted to start a fight with Merik just for the makeup sex... Ryou chuckled to himself. I wouldn't put it past him... He suddenly gasped and shivered when the wind picked up violently, blowing the biting cold wind against his lightly clothed body. Damned Bakura... He thought bitterly and pressed his way into the driving storm. If I die it's his fault..

Ryou was abruptly pulled from his thoughts by a car suddenly slowing and pulling up next to him.

Great.. He thought dismally. A cop... Or maybe I'm going to get kidnapped and raped..

He stopped in his tracks and languidly turned his head towards the car stopped beside him, seeing it was not really a car, but a limo.

Who do I know with a limo? He thought, but his question was soon answered when the window rolled down to reveal two cold, piercing blue eyes that could only belong to...

"Hello, Kaiba," Ryou said, trying to sound cheerful and nonchalant, which proved difficult through chattering teeth.

"What are you doing out here, Bakura?" The dark-haired CEO asked coldly, ignoring Ryou's greeting.

"W-walking," Ryou replied innocently.

"I can see that," Seto snapped. "But it's midnight... And storming."

Ryou smiled to himself and tilted his head up towards the sky.

"I can see that," Ryou stated softly. Then shocked at his audacity, turned to Seto. "I'm s-sorry. I didn't m-mean to be rude... I don't know what got into me..."

Seto glared at him silently. Ryou bowed his head, his wet hair plastered to his face. The door to the limo opened.

"Quit your sniveling and get in," Seto said coldly.

Ryou lifted his head and stood staring in disbelief.

"I don't have all day," Seto snapped impatiently.

Ryou started slightly at the harshness of his voice then climbed into the limo, closing the door behind him.

Seto sat staring out of the opposite window silently, not acknowledging the other boy. After a while he glanced over at Ryou, who was sitting staring at his hands in his lap. He was shivering slightly. Seto folded his arms and glared at him.

That's what he gets for going out in the rain. He thought bitterly.

"Where do you live?" Seto's steely voice cut through the silence.

The sudden question startled Ryou, for more than one reason.

"No... You can't take me back there!" Ryou was panicked. He didn't want to go back and suffer the wrath of his yami. Especially since he was in such a bad mood.

Seto was taken aback by Ryou's clear distress at having to go home.

What could cause the most soft spoken boy in the world to get so worked up? Seto thought. Oh, well... I don't care...

"Then where do you want to be dropped off?"

"I d-don't have anywhere else t-to go," He whispered as tears began to well up in his deep brown eyes. "Drop me off in the park, please," he choked out.

What is this kid's problem? He's really starting to annoy me.

"I can't do that," Seto said firmly.

Ryou looked up to meet Seto's cold glare.

"But why not? That's where I asked to go," Ryou pleaded.

"If you catch pneumonia and die then it'll be my fault. You're going home." Seto stated and turned back to the window.

"Please," Ryou couldn't hold back his tears. "Please, don't take me there. I have nowhere else to go, so please, just let me go to the park."

Seto lost his temper and turned to the boy.

"Shut up and quit crying," the usually calm CEO yelled at the smaller boy. "You're really starting to piss me off."

Ryou sat quietly, staring at his hands. He wished he was back out in the rain. The attitude of the older boy was even colder than the storm.

"S-sorry," Ryou muttered, wiping away the tears sliding down his cheeks.

In all honesty, Seto hadn't mean to scare the boy as much as he had. Watching Ryou cry to himself and knowing he caused it made Seto sick to his stomach, but he didn't quite know why.

"Whatever," Seto sighed. "You'll stay with me, then I'll take you home tomorrow. On one condition that is..." Seto couldn't believe what he had just said, but it was too late to take it back.

Ryou was shocked by his proposal and couldn't even open his mouth to respond.

"You'll have to entertain Mokuba," Kaiba went on. "Keep him out of my hair. I have a lot of work to do before I leave tomorrow."

Ryou nodded slowly and Seto turned back to the window.

Ungrateful little brat, Seto thought cruelly. Can't even say thank you. If he had only looked at Ryou he would have been ashamed by the grateful smile the boy wore on his tear-stained face.

AN: Okay, hope that was nice... Or whatever.. I'm tired.. I've been typing for 2 hours 'cause my friend distracted me.. *Cough* The more reviews I get, the faster I update... So, see ya in the next chapter.

AN 2018: Oh man. The days of being on AOL Instant Messenger all day and leaving angsty/deep away messages in weird fonts and colors. Good times. See you in the next one!