Disclaimer: I don't even watch the bloody show anymore. The manga's a million times better. Then again, the show's probably better uncut anyway…I don't own the characters.
Yoru: It's late.
Kuronue: Oh, she looked at the clock and sees 12:52 AM.
Yoru: (blinks) Didn't the underwear gnomes come at midnight?
Kuronue: Oh God. You're exhausted.
Yoru: I get to sleep in tomorrow. But the gnomes will have stolen my…
Kuronue: On to the fic. Now.
Ryuoji was going to go insane.
Prince Mariku was trying to make up for being cruel, Ryuoji knew. But when would he stop trying?
He was doing the cooking, cleaning, packing, everything that needed doing. He was very good at cooking, but the rest…
"Prince Mariku, if you're coming, come faster," he snapped. Mariku growled at him.
"Why don't you go slower?" he snapped back. Ryuoji sighed and took the pack from the Prince.
"Hey!"
"Now keep up." Ryuoji shouldered the pack and kept walking. Mariku stole up beside him.
"Ryuoji, why are you still letting me travel with you if I annoy you so much?"
"I can't just leave you to let them find you. I saw as well as you felt what they were doing to you." Out of the corner of his eye, Ryuoji saw Mariku shiver slightly. There must have been more than what Ryuoji had seen.
"I do appreciate this. Whenever I get back home, I'll make sure…"
"That I stay invisible. No reward, no hospitality, I take you home and leave you there."
"Will you come visit?" Mariku's eyes met Ryuoji's in a plaintive plea.
"I thought you hated me and my kind."
"You saved me. It's kind of hard to hate you, even if you are a complete prick." Mariku smiled and reached into the pack for the water. Ryuoji sighed, watching his charge. As much as he hated to admit it to himself, he could see why a lustful creature like Bakura had desired Mariku. The boy was infernally attractive. Now that they had stopped and Mariku had bathed, his hair was silky and shiny. His eyes were bright and his healing skin was vibrant. Ryuoji found himself wishing that he were an elf, just so he would have a chance with the beautiful Prince.
He guessed that Mariku's personality wasn't truly ingratiating. As the elf had spent more time with Ryuoji, he had become less servile and more companionable. Ryuoji couldn't honestly say that the boy really bothered him anymore, and the fact was driving him crazy.
"Ryuoji?" Mariku cocked his head, "Are we going?"
"Yes. Of course. I'm sorry." Ryuoji looked away. He was just lonely and Mariku was the first company he'd had in at least a year. He was not falling for his young charge. There was no possibility.
Ryuoji, as he often did lately, watched Mariku sleep. They were within two days of the palace, and then he would never lay eyes on the Prince again. So he watched now.
Mariku was beautiful; there was no doubt about that. In all honesty, Ryuoji did want him badly. But there was no future in wanting someone he could never have. So he looked away when Mariku turned those eyes on him. He grabbed Mariku's shirt when he tripped instead of that small, soft-looking hand. He refused when Mariku asked him to pull his hair back into a ponytail for him. He did everything he could to keep from wanting the Elvin Prince.
It wasn't working. He wanted Mariku badly, probably even more since he was forcing himself not to touch him. Mariku said something quietly in his sleep. Ryuoji leaned closer to make it out, and to his surprise overbalanced.
He landed almost on top of Mariku, managing to catch himself before actually collapsing on the sleeping Elf. But somehow, his lips landed gently on the Prince's own.
He pulled away instantly, but the Prince didn't stir. Ryuoji touched his lips; he could still feel Mariku's soft ones. Looking down, he realized that he was close enough for another one if he was careful…
Instead, he let his lips brush Mariku's cheek softly, and then he went to get more wood for the fire.
The next morning, Mariku woke up before Ryuoji did and made breakfast. Ryuoji was awakened by the smell of meat cooking over the fire.
"Good morning!" Mariku greeted him cheerfully. Ryuoji felt his face turning a little red.
"Good morning. How did you sleep?" He held his breath. Mariku shrugged.
"I think I'm getting used to the ground. I did have a weird dream, though. You kissed me."
"Strange. Don't expect it to come true."
"Well, no." Mariku turned away. Ryuoji thought he saw a flash of disappointment; no, he was imagining it for his own benefit. Mariku was only intent on getting home.
"How did they kidnap you, anyway?" he asked as they ate. Mariku hesitated for a moment.
"I was out on a scout mission. We were well away from the castle and somehow I got separated from them. Someone knocked me out from behind and the next thing I knew I was tied to a pole in the middle of a demon camp." Mariku shuddered, "They beat me almost constantly. Every time I turned around one of them was hitting or kicking me. And then Bakura…"
"Stop there. Thinking about that creature is unnecessary."
"Sorry." Mariku doused the fire and stood, stretching. Ryuoji silently packed, trying not to watch Mariku's every move.
He couldn't help it.
