Summary: Ryou is being abused, his friends figure it out thanks to a song and they hope they can get to hi be for his brother hurts him anymore.

Pairings: Malik X Ryou, Seto X Jou, Honda X Otogi, slight Yami X Mai

Warnings: Abuse, OOC-ness, AU

If I owned Yu-Gi-Oh, my life would be brilliant and Jou would wear the dog suit more often but I don't so this is just a random story inspired by

Under the Stairs by The Birthday Massacre

So I sadly don't own the song either.

"Hey Ryou, what are you doing over the winter holidays?" Yugi whispered his friend so they wouldn't get caught by their teacher.

"Should I tell him the truth and face the wrath of my brother?"Ryou shrugged. "I'm not sure yet." Yugi frowned "Well, you could always come to my house anytime!" the tri-coloured hair boy grinned.

"I wish I could stay with you Yugi all the time, to get away from Bakura, but I can't"

"I'll try my best Yugi" Ryou smiled weakly. They finished their conversation and paid attention to their teacher again.

After class ended, Ryou was at his locker. "Ryou!" he turned to see Malik running towards him. Ryou smiled, Malik was his best friend and secret crush, but he'd never tell anyone, he'd never have a chance with the beautiful Egyptian.

"Hey Malik." Ryou closed his locker. Malik was leaning against the wall, holding up a CD. "Here's your CD back." the British boy blinked, them remembered he lent Malik one of his CDs. "Oh yeah, so you liked Birthday Massacre then?" The blonde gave him back the CD "Yeah, they're good. I really liked 'Under the Stairs' it's a really sad song." Ryou looked down.

"Really sad, really sad that it happens to me! One day I will end up dead under there."

Malik frowned. "Something wrong?" the white haired boy shook his head "I'm fine Malik." The Egyptian smiled. "Are you going to Yugi's Christmas party next week?" Ryou thought for a second. "I might if I'm not busy." The blonde pouted adorably and got on his knees "Please, please, please!" he begged. Ryou laughed. "Okay, okay, I'll go, just get off the bloody floor!" Malik grinned "Works every time. Are you heading to lunch now?" The white haired boy nodded, Malik took his hand with a smile and lead him to the cafeteria.

They sat with all their friends and even Kaiba joined them, he had been a permanent fixture to the group since he started dating Jou. Everyone was chatting happily about their holidays, Ryou didn't join in though, he took out his discman and listened to the CD Malik gave him back. He switched to his favourite song, the one Malik liked too. He started thinking about his brother when the lyrics were sung.

You know you're too young for your age

I feel kind of sorry for you

'Mom and Dad died when I was real young, and Bakura took care of me since he was twelve. He was too young to take on such a responsibility, I feel bad I ruined his childhood'

Cause it's such a shame

You won't be laughing when I'm dead

'But, that doesn't give him a reason to beat me black and blue. He's a sadist, he likes watching me in pain. He laughs when I bleed and even more when I beg him to stop'

Under stairs and no one cares I'm dead

And that is where I'll wait for you

'And when he's sick of torturing me he locks me under the stairs. Every night I fear I'll die and I pray for some one to save me, some beautiful Egyptian boy'

Nothing here has changed

Maybe you should go and find

Someone else to blame

Cause you are gonna be sorry when I'm dead

'It'll never change. Every night, the same routine. He'll get caught soon enough, when I get the courage to say something, he better have a good story to back up his motive. But what if I don't? What if one day he'll kill me? He better be upset when I die.

Under stairs and no one cares I'm dead

And that is where I'll wait for you

Ryou didn't notice he was crying until he noticed everyone's worried faces staring at him. He turned off his discman. "Is there something wrong guys?" He asked, not noticing his voice cracking.

"Ryou, you're crying." Yami stated. Crying? Ryou lifted his hand to his cheek to find it wet. He really was crying. "Oh, it must be just this song I was listening to" He looked down, embarrassed more embarrassed he didn't tell the truth.

Jou put his arm around the smaller boy. "Ah, no worries buddy, Seto cries anytime he hears that girly song from Titanic." The blonde grinned. Kaiba looked up alarmed "I do not, Mutt!" He glared at his boyfriend.

"And it's not often I find Otogi listening to Evanescence, crying his eyes out" Honda smiled. Otogi blushed crimson "Honda! You promised you'd keep it secret!" The black hair boy whined.

Ryou felt better and everyone seemed to have forgotten that he cried over a song. But it was another chance gone to get away from his brother take he didn't take it.

There, chapter one is down.

NO FLAMES!

They make me very sad! And I don't like being sad.

The characters ages are:

24- Bakura

18- Seto, Honda, Yami, Mai

17- Malik, Jou, Anzu

16- Ryou, Otogi, Yugi