A/N Hello once again fellow fanfic readers. I'm your hosting writer, Sir Lofty. The following story is my first Deathshipping Fic (with mentions of Prideshipping) which I am writing for and dedicating to, sitabethel. sitabethel is one of my all-time favorite authors on this site. If you love any pairing having to do with Marik, Ryou or their crazy yamis, then I strongly recommend you go to sitabethel's profile, the stories are amazing. And as for the following story please note that when I say Marik, I mean Yami Marik (who is ooc –sorry), and the yamis and hikaris are brothers. Now without futher ramblings, I give you…

I'll Make It Better

The alarm went off with a troublesome buzzing that echoed loudly through the silent room, a pale slender arm slid across the space between the bed and night table. After two failed attempts at shutting off the device, the alarm finally quieted. A mess of long snow white hair poked out of the blue comforter, revealing an eighteen-year old boy with large brown eyes and soft round features. The boy sat up slowly and rubbed his head. There was a dull ache in the back of his skull and he felt dizzy, but the worst of it was his throat. It felt as though he'd swallowed a flaming cactus. The boy slumped forward and let out a sigh. There was no doubt about it… Ryou Bakura was sick. But that was the expected price to pay when one gives into the pleas of a charming Egyptian, rather than taking a cab home.

"I shouldn't have let Marik walk me home" he said, or rather whispered silently. Ryou's eyes went wide, his sore throat had given him laryngitis. Brilliant! The white haired teen flopped onto his back unceremoniously, which only proved to worsen the dizziness he felt. Cursing his lenient nature, (and weakness for that sexy smirk of his boyfriend's) once again, Ryou turned onto his side and reached for his cell phone. After taking a moment to allow the room to settle around him, Ryou then proceeded to text his friend Yuugi.

[I'm not going to be able to make it to school today. I was wondering if you could pick up my homework for me –Ryou]

The boy closed his eyes when he finished and was nearly asleep when his phone buzzed with his friend's response.

[Sure I can get your work, but why aren't you coming to school? Is everything alright? -Yuugi]

Ryou moved to type on his phone again.

[No, everything is fine. I just have a cold. I apologize for the inconvenience, I know you're busy enough on your own. So thank you. –Ryou]

The phone vibrated again.

[It's really no problem Ryou. Well I have to get to class, I'll be there around 2 –Yuugi]

Ryou tossed his phone weakly to the night table and attempted to go back to sleep. But over two hours later he was still lying in his bed, wide awake, throat on fire, head now throbbing. And despite his exhaustion he just couldn't manage to fall asleep. He heard a knock at the door and furrowed his light brows in confusion. Yuugi wouldn't be here yet. He sat up slowly, his confusion deepened when he heard the front door opening.

[Scene Change]

A tall lanky man walked down the snow covered streets and adjusted his coat. Despite living in Japan for a number of years now, he still wasn't used to the snow. His Egyptian blood pretty much demanded he be in a warmer climate. He nearly sighed in relief when he saw the apartment building he was looking for. Once inside he removed his hood, allowing his wild platinum blond hair to fly around into its usual crazy disarray. The spiky haired blond took an elevator up to the next floor and walked down to the first door on the left. He knocked a couple of times, out of habit, but smiled at this when he remembered that no one was going to answer.

Marik Ishtar opened the door and looked around the apartment. Even though Bakura had given him the keys to his place some time ago, he still hadn't seen it. After all, Bakura didn't live here anymore. There was no reason for him to be here, that is there wasn't until he met Bakura's brother. His boyfriend of 5 months, Ryou. His thief of a best friend had brought the beautiful boy along with him to a club they frequented one night and Marik had been immediately smitten. How could he not be? Ryou was easily the most gorgeous being he'd ever layed eyes on. He looked like Bakura, but then he didn't.

Sure they had the same white hair, same pale skin, but Ryou was softer, rounder, cuter. And truth be told, he never really felt attracted to his crazy roommate. He knew Bakura was hot, but he just wasn't Marik's type. Bakura was a best friend, not a fuck buddy. The bashful and timid demeanor of Ryou was much more his speed. He found the shy politeness to be absolutely endearing and almost instantly began pursuing him. Not even three weeks later the cute angel boy had finally accepted his relentless offers and went out with him.

As to why he was here now? Well after walking Ryou home on Friday night and being denied to coming into his house, Marik was just genuinely curious about what kind of place his little lover lived in. He was distracted from his thoughts when he seen the very boy he had just been thinking about, standing in the front of the hall, brown eyes wide, pale cheeks dusted in pink. "Ryou? I didn't know you were home. Sorry if I scared you, Bakura gave me a set of keys." He explained cooly, hoping that Ryou wasn't mad at him. Marik shifted uneasily when the boy didn't answer and was about to leave, when he noticed the way Ryou was leaning up against the wall. And how his skin had taken on a slightly paler shade of white.

"Hey Ryou, are you okay?" The boy nodded and forced a smile. Marik frowned "really? You don't look okay," he waved a hand toward himself "c'mere" Ryou stood straight up and took a couple steps but regretted doing so when he reeled with dizziness and fell forward. Marik quickly moved to catch him, his lilac irises displaying panic and concern. "Ryou?"

The younger boy sat up "(I'm fine, just a bit dizzy)" he tried to say, but ended up mouthing it.

Marik raised a blond brow, "Huh? Oh, never mind come on" the tanned man said as he put an arm under Ryou's knees and lifted him. The teen clenched his eyes, blocking out the spinning world around him. Marik walked down the hallway, hoping to find his boyfriend's room.

"Which one?" he asked when he encountered the two doors at the end of the hallway. Ryou opened his large brown eyes and pointed to the left. The blond nudged the partially closed door open and walked to the left corner of the room where a simple bed with blue blankets sat unmade. Gently he laid Ryou down. The pale boy pointed to the phone on his night table, Marik confused as all hell, handed it to him. And just as he was about to question him Ryou handed it back to him. He read the texts written along the phone, which was apparently a conversation that he'd had with his friend Yuugi earlier.

"So… you got a cold?" Ryou rubbed his eyes and nodded weakly. Marik allowed himself a sigh of relief. He was totally freaked out when Ryou had collapsed like that… but still. Ryou had a cold, Ryou was sick, so sick that he couldn't really stand. Marik was concerned, he couldn't just leave the poor sweet boy to suffer on his own. No definitely not. He pocketed the phone and sat on the bed next to his lover.

Ryou flinched when Marik's large hands, cold from the weather outside touched his forehead. "Well at least you don't have a fever"

Ryou shot him a confused smile. "(What are you still doing here?)" he asked silently.

Marik cocked his head "Hmm? Did you lose your voice?"

When the younger nodded, Marik let out a frustrated breath. This was going to be more difficult than he thought, couldn't let the little bunny know that though. "It's okay Ryou. I'm going to take care of you." Marik said with as soft a voice he could manage "I'll make it better" The only problem was that he had no idea how he was going to do that.

He paced back and forth through the living room, he had come out here after watching Ryou try to sleep for an hour. He saw that Ryou was uncomfortable, he had to do something, but what? How did one deal with colds. He wasn't one to get sick very often and when he did he usually slept it off. He seemed to remember his younger brother getting sick a lot when they were kids, but Ishizu always handled it. Marik sighed, he needed help. He pulled out his phone and dialed Yami's cell number. Usually he would call Bakura about something like this, but it was ten in the morning and Marik really didn't feel like listening to a grumpy hung over Bakura gripe. The phone rung twice before a deep voice answered "Hello?"

"Hey Yami, I need your help with something"

"I'm not bailing you and Bakura out of jail again, I already told you that."

Marik laughed "Oh don't worry it's nothing like that."

"Well what is it then- hnnn…ah"

Marik frowned. "Everything okay Yami?"

"Huh? Oh yeah, what did you need my help with, ahhh"

The tanned man's light purple eyes widened considerably. Was Yami moaning? "Uhh Yami?"

"What? Hey! Stop it!"

"Where are you?"

"Seto's"

"I take it that's also who's horniness you're fighting off?" Marik said with an eye roll

"Shut up!" the crimson eyed man shot back "will you just tell me what you want?"

The blond smirked, Yami always got so impatient when he was needy. "Look I'm here at Ryou's and he's got a cold, I just wanted to know what I could do to help him."

"A cold? What kind of cold?"

"Well he can't speak, so…"

"Oh laryngitis, you could probably just –Mmmm, haaaah Seto!"

"Uhh, do I wanna know?"

"No… ugh, look I gotta go Marik, just give Ryou some tea or something!"

The connection was cut as Yami hung up. Marik shook his head, if those two weren't arguing, they were fucking. He stood up and took off his jacket, Yami had said tea, that he could do, he only hoped it would help.

[Scene Change]

Ryou turned to bury his head in his pillow. The dizziness had subsided a bit, but his headache was gradually getting worse. He opened one eye to glance at his clock. Marik had left the room a long time ago, when he had closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep. Perhaps he'd gone home. He knew it was selfish, but he hoped not. It had been so lonely since Bakura had moved out and being sick made him want his boyfriend around even more. No one would ever guess it on first glance but Marik was actually very sweet and occasionally romantic. Finding that out had surprised Ryou, especially since he had thought the only reason the Egyptian had even taken an interest in him was to get into his pants.

Ryou smiled, despite being best friends with his crazy older brother he was a good guy. His attention was turned to the door when it opened to reveal his tan, wild haired boyfriend carrying a steaming blue mug. Warm relief spread through him, Marik was still here.

"Hey, Ryou" he said quietly "sorry I left. I was having a rather interesting conversation with Yami." He smiled and sat in the chair next to his bed. "I made you some tea. Can you sit up?"

The younger nodded and moved up slowly. Marik handed him the warm cup, which Ryou accepted with a polite smile, mouthing "(Thank you)" He took a sip.

"Does it taste alright?" the other asked, a hint of anxiousness in his voice.

Ryou nodded, Marik sighed in relief. Though in truth, it didn't taste very good at all, much too bitter. But the gesture was so kind, and the warm liquid felt soothing to his aching throat, that he didn't really care. After sitting quietly as Ryou drank his tea, Marik broke the silence.

"So, were you just gonna stay here by yourself til' you got better?"

The boy shrugged and supplied a nod. The twenty-two year old gave a dramatic sigh. "That's not right! You know what, next time you're sick I want you to call me. It's not like I have anything more important to do, and besides…" he cracked a guilty smile "this is kind of my fault anyway." The brown eyed teen opened his mouth in protest, Marik stopped him "Don't even look at me like that Ryou. There's no way in hell you would have gotten sick if you hadn't been walking around in the first place." He put his large dark hand over Ryou's pale smaller one and laced their fingers together. "I'm sorry Ryou."

Ryou shook his head and raised the hand Marik had over his own to his lips and pressed a small kiss against it. "(It's okay)" he mouthed.

Marik snickered and rolled his eyes "Yeah, why don't you just try getting some sleep, kay'?" Ryou nodded, handed the cup back to Marik, and laid back down. After about ten minutes he finally drifted off into a much needed sleep, still holding onto Marik's hand.

The tall Egyptian smiled as Ryou's breath evened out. He gently slid hid hand out of Ryou's and left. A couple hours later he was laying on the couch out in the living room, listening to music on his I-pod. He was humming along to Reincarnate by Motionless in White when his phone went off. He hit pause and checked his phone, it was a text from Bakura.

[Where in the flaming fuck are you? –Bakura]

Marik laughed and texted back.

[Keep your pants on Bakura. I'm at Ryou's place. –Marik]

[I'm not wearing pants idiot. And isn't he at school? –Bakura]

[No, he didn't go. He's sick, I'm taking care of him –Marik]

[That's stupid –Bakura]

[Oh, you're just jealous because I'm taking care of Ryou's cold instead of your hangover –Marik]

[Fuck off –Bakura]

[What did you want anyway? –Marik]

[To see where you were –Bakura]

[Damn you sound like a bitch. Just go back to sleep Kura. –Marik]

[Whatever, but you better not be screwing my brother! –Bakura]

[Like you care –Marik]

[Hell yeah I care. I don't want you getting laid while I suffer –Bakura]

[Shut up and go to sleep asshole –Marik]

When his phone didn't go off again he stood and went to go check on Ryou. He was surprised to see the boy standing in the kitchen, leaning his head against the fridge. "What the heck are you doing up Ryou?" tired brown eyes to look up at him guiltily. Marik stiffened, he was such a sap for those eyes. He sighed for the billionth time that day "Come on let's just get you back to bed." The sick teen pointed behind him. "The freezer?"

Ryou nodded and Marik quirked an eyebrow "Alright I'll take care of it, but first things first." He walked over to him and swept his pale boyfriend into his arms bridal style. "Back to bed" Ryou struggled to get out of his grip as much as he could and since he was frail enough without being sick it didn't amount to much. "Hey cut that out bunny!" Marik teased, Ryou rolled his eyes at the nickname. "Look I already told you I'd take care of it. He went into the bedroom and set the silent albino onto the bed. "be back in a bit" Ryou sighed and gave an amused smile.

Marik walked back to the kitchen and opened the freezer. "What did he want? Meat? Vegetables? Does he want to make lunch?!" he shook his head of wild hair and shut the freezer. There were times when he just did not understand the odd British boy. Maybe he could have Ryou write down what he meant. Just as he went to look for a paper he heard a knock at the door. Marik opened it and looked down at the small teen with familiarly outrageous hair that could only mean one thing. "Hey, you're Yami's brother huh?"

The boy nodded "I'm Yuugi, who are you?"

"I'm Ryou's boyfriend, and a friend of your brother's" he replied moving aside to let Yuugi in.

"Oh, you're Marik? Ryou talks about you all the time." He looked around "Where is he?"

"His bedroom, you wanna see him?"

"No, I don't think I should bother him. I just came to drop off his work." He said setting a small stack of papers on the kitchen table. "So how's he doing?"

The blond crossed his arms "Well he slept for a couple hours, but to be honest I don't really know." He sighed "I ask things, he nods, but he might be lying to me so that I don't worry."

Yuugi smiled "Yeah, Ryou always seems to put everyone before himself, but sometimes," he rolled his eyes "I wish he'd be a little selfish."

Marik nodded knowingly "Me too."

"So what kind of medicine has he been taking?"

Lilac eyes widened exponentially "Uh, I'm not sure if he took anything before I got here, but I didn't see him take any while I was."

Yuugi looked at him thoughtfully "Hmm, you should at least get him to take some asprin, he usually gets bad headaches when he's sick, and a fever"

The taller furrowed his brows "I didn't know that." He growled in frustration. "I'm no good at this sort of thing."

Yuugi giggled "You not good at taking care of people?"

"No, I can take care of Bakura or Yami when they get a hangover. It's sick people I can't handle. I mean what the hell was all of that shit with the freezer?"

Yuggi cocked his head to the side "Freezer?"

"Yeah, Ryou was pointing at it a little while ago."

The short eighteen year old walked over to the freezer and began searching through it "Aha!" he exclaimed after a while. "I found it! I think this must have been what he meant." The young gamer pulled out a box of cherry flavored popsicles.

"You sure?"

Yuugi nodded "Yes I know if I were sick I'd totally go for the popsicles."

Marik took the box from him "Aw well thanks Yuugi, man I don't know how you can be related to Yami."

Yuugi chuckled "I guess it's like how Ryou and Bakura are brothers."

Marik laughed loudly "Yeah, you're so right!"

Yuugi went to the door "Well I have to go pick up my brother, make sure to tell Ryou that I'll get his work again tomorrow if he's still not well."

Marik nodded as the boy left. He grabbed a cup of water, the bottle of asprin he found in the bathroom, and one of the cherry flavored popsicles.

"Hey Ryou, you awake?" he called into the boy's room. Ryou looked and sat up.

When Ryou had had taken his medication and eaten the frozen treat he smiled and kissed Marik's tanned cheek. "I love you" Ryou whispered hoarsely.

Marik smiled widely he sounded terrible, but he could speak again! "I love you too bunny, now get some more sleep."

Ryou tugged on his arm "Stay?"

Marik nodded and crawled into the bed. Ryou snuggled in closely. "Ugh, I'm dizzy again."

"Don't worry, I'll make it better."

A/N Yay it's finally done! Sorry sitabethel, I hoped you liked it. And that goes all of my other dear readers as well, please leave all of your questions, comments, concerns, complaints and or compliments in the reviews. Remember flames are accepted and will be used to fuel the furnace in which I forge better fanfics.

Shits and Giggles -Lofty