There is an OC coming in from this chapter onwards, and I apologise in advance if I've ended up making a complete Mary Sue. OCs never were my strong point.
"…Family emergency, I'm afraid. I'm sorry, Taro. Just until he's back on his feet, and then I promise I'll make the hours up somehow."
"Alright, Ryou. Don't worry, I'll organise some cover for you. Will you be alright?"
"Yes, everything will be fine. Please don't worry. I'll keep you updated on the situation."
"Take care of yourself, kid. See you again soon."
"Thanks, Taro. Bye now."
Ryou put his phone away and sighed, relieved. He was sure he would be able to leave Bakura to his own devices in a week or so, but for now, he was too vulnerable and quite possibly a danger to himself, barely understanding how anything in the house worked. Ryou knew he would pick it all up quickly though, and wasn't too worried. He had brought Bakura home two nights ago, and Yugi had taken Atem.
Bakura had been rather quiet since leaving the hospital. Some things he remembered (like Ryou's games consoles and his Monster World room), and others he was confused by (the kettle for one, having somehow burned his hand on it at least once). Smatterings of Japanese were returning to him now also, as they discovered when he accidentally kicked the coffee table and swore loudly, but for the most part he simply watched Ryou, drinking in his every move, relearning everything he had lost. Currently he sat on the far end of the sofa with his head resting on his hand, eyes trained firmly on the paused screen of the video game Ryou had been playing before calling Taro. As Ryou picked up the controller again and resumed, a wry smile turned the corners of his mouth up, clearly enjoying the gameplay. "I'm going to be here with you a little longer," Ryou told him, "just till I trust you enough to be left on your own."
"I'm not a child, hikari," Bakura muttered, scowling.
"You've come back in the body of your sixteen-year-old self, and I am nowsix years older than you; you're indeed a child and you've lost a significant chunk of your memories, so I'm taking charge of you and your welfare no matter what you say, Kura." Ryou didn't look at his yami, but his voice was firm, absolute. "It won't be for long. I'm sure you'll be back to your foul-mouthed, kleptomaniac, bloodthirsty self soon enough."
"Sounds good to me," Bakura smirked. He fell silent again, content to watch Ryou play. Eventually he grew bored and dropped his head down, closing his eyes until sleep overtook him. He sleeps a lot, Ryou thought as he looked over briefly. Maybe it's helping him remember. I guess it doesn't harm him to let him rest.
The sound of a motorbike pulling up outside piqued his attention, and he tilted his head slightly to see out of the window. Marik? He didn't say he was coming by. Wonder what's up…
He put his controller aside and got up carefully so as not to wake Bakura, crossing the room and slipping out to open the front door as Marik approached, removing his helmet and shaking out his long golden hair. "Hi, Marik!" Ryou grinned. "I wasn't expecting you today." His eyes raked up and down Marik's completely motorbike-inappropriate outfit of loose white t-shirt and black jeans. "You really should wear leathers, you know…especially at the speed you drive."
Marik wrinkled his nose. "Absolutely not."
"You're bloody hopeless. In you go, but be quiet! Kura's sleeping."
The Egyptian held a finger to his lips and winked, slipping past Ryou with a swish of his slim hips. Ryou closed the door softly and crept back into the house, past a still snoozing Bakura, and to the kitchen where he found Marik peering round the door. "He's gorgeous, isn't he?" he murmured, eyes on Bakura. "Just look at him…he suits having a tan for sure."
"Are you eyeing up my yami, Marik?" laughed Ryou as he flicked the kettle on.
"Who wouldn't? He's a beauty. Anyway…how has he been? Are you coping?"
"Mm. It's been…different…but things are okay. He's very quiet, but I think he's just taking everything in. There's a lot he doesn't remember."
"Does he remember me?"
"He's asked about you once or twice. We'll just have to see when he wakes up." He made coffee, milky and sweet for himself, black and bitter for Marik. "How long can you stay?"
"A few hours." Marik sipped his coffee, swinging his legs absent-mindedly from his perch atop the counter. "I have an evening lecture, and then I'm working till stupid o'clock. Just thought I'd drop by and see how Kura was holding up. Have you heard from Yugi?"
Ryou shook his head. "Merel texted me yesterday, but Yugi probably has his hands full with making sure Atem doesn't kill himself on all the household appliances."
"I'd forgotten about Merel. I wonder how she's taken to their new house guest."
Merel Jansen was Yugi's girlfriend, a quiet Dutch girl three years his junior. They met at a games convention two years prior, and had been together since. They had moved in together six months ago and seemed relatively happy. "I can't see her being too put out," Ryou shrugged. "She likes looking after people. Still though, it'll be a bit of an upheaval." As Ryou set his cup down on the counter next to Marik, the taller male hooked a leg around his waist playfully, tugging him closer. "Excuse me," Ryou laughed. "What gives?"
"Nothing, really." Marik settled his hands on Ryou's hips and leaned in, nudging their noses together as his fingers slid ever so slightly under the bottom of his shirt. Ryou shivered, aware of the scars marring his skin, but Marik's touch was gentle as he traced the silvery ridges. "You're just irresistible."
"You wanted to be all over Kura a minute ago."
"You can share me," Marik winked suggestively.
"Come off it."
""Come" being the operative word."
"Can you even go a single day without trying to get into my pants?"
"If I did, you'd wonder what was wrong with me."
Ryou couldn't help but laugh at their position. "What the hell even are we, Marik?"
"Hmmm...whatever you want us to be." Before Ryou could even blush, he continued, "Look, all this...I know you brush it off as nothing, but I...I just can't help it, you know? My head's been all over the place ever since Bakura came back." He scratched his head, as if to illustrate his point. "Can I confess something to you?"
"Of course."
Marik's lavender eyes darted to the side, spying the still sleeping Bakura. "We, uh...during Battle City, before the first duel of the finals...you never remembered anything when Kura took over your body, but I had you on lockdown as well, just in case-"
"Marik, quit stuttering and get to the point."
"Alright, alright! Me and Kura fucked!" Now it was Marik's turn to blush, as Ryou stared at him with wide eyes. "I swear, it wasn't supposed to happen, but it just did. I've no explanation for it. I'm sorry."
Ryou averted his eyes. "So you've had both of us."
"Yep."
"I, um...don't really know what to say, Marik."
"Are you upset with me?"
"Should I be?"
Marik's voice was a fearful whisper. "I know you love him too."
Ryou pulled away sharply. Has Yugi said something to him? He snatched up his cup and turned his back, clutching it in trembling hands. Marik spoke again, "When I embedded some of my consciousness into you four years ago, I felt it. I felt the emotions that you gave off. Despite everything he did to you, I could tell you loved him. Afterwards, I...I felt so awful for using you the way I did, the way Kura did. That's why...that's why I latched onto you when I moved here, Ryou...I wanted to make it up to you, be your friend."
Ryou snorted bitterly. "I'm just a replacement for him."
"No, not at all."
"Don't lie, Marik. It makes sense now. You've only been flirting with me because you couldn't have Kura." His voice was rising now. Why am I so angry? "I made a mistake in letting myself open up to you that night. I tried so hard to act like everything was normal afterwards, but I just kept getting reeled in, again and again. All this flirting? I might just have been lapping it up! But that's easy to do when you're as alone as I've been."
"Ryou," Marik urged, "please, keep your voice down."
"Why bother? You only came here for him anyway."
"Ryou! Stop it!"
"It's alright. I'm used to being used now."
"I said stop it!" Marik's voice trembled and broke. Ryou turned around to see his friend pressing a hand firmly over his mouth, anguished tears spilling onto his cheeks. "Please…" Marik sobbed, "don't say such things…please…"
Oh god, I made him cry. I never wanted to see him cry again. A twist of guilt pained Ryou's heart, each sniff and sob sending icy knives through him. He took a step forward, meaning to comfort Marik, but anger took over again. I need to just…get away and think for a while.
"Stay here with Kura," he muttered. "Just…for an hour or so."
"W-What?"
But Ryou was already leaving the kitchen. A few seconds later, Marik heard the front door slam.
There was only one person that was going to understand Ryou's predicament, even a little. Before he knew it, he was pulling the car up to a detached house on the outskirts of the city.
Yugi had moved out of his grandfather's game shop around the time he opened the arcade, opting for somewhere unassuming and modest in the hopes that he would go a little more undetected, though his fame made it difficult. Ryou had visited a handful of times to play games with him and knew the place well.
After a few brief knocks, Merel opened the door. She was only slightly taller than Yugi, and shared his taste for dark clothing, clad in a floor-length black maxi dress, her wrists adorned with numerous black and silver bracelets. She gazed at Ryou from beneath a thick fringe of fluttering eyelashes, and he had to admit, despite his preferences, that she was a very beautiful young woman. Yugi really is punching above his weight with this one.
"Hi there, Ryou," she smiled, flicking her wavy, vibrant cerise hair over her shoulder. "We weren't expecting anybody today."
"I'm sorry, Merel," he replied softly. "I just needed to see Yugi, if he's around."
"Don't apologise! Come in, I'll put some tea on." Merel held the door open wider, allowing Ryou to slip inside. "Yugi!" she called up the stairs. "You've got company!"
A few seconds later, Yugi's head popped over the top of the mezzanine level, where Ryou knew he kept his expansive games collection. "Oh! Ryou! I'll be down in a moment, hold on."
"I'll be in the sitting room," Ryou smiled. Merel gave him a thumbs-up and a nod, before turning on her heel to head towards the kitchen. Making himself comfortable in the armchair he usually commandeered during his visits, Ryou allowed himself to relax a little since leaving the house. I hope I didn't freak Marik out too much. I do feel bad now.
Yugi wandered in at that moment, looking tired but cheerful, hands in his pockets. "Hey," he grinned, dropping down into the armchair opposite. "How are things? I didn't expect to see you without Bakura."
Ryou clenched his jaw. "He's with Marik. That's kind of the reason I'm here."
"Oh?"
"Where's Yami- ah, I mean, Atem?"
"He's sleeping. He sleeps a lot…does Bakura do the same thing?"
"Yeah, he does."
"Hmmm…odd. I guess we can just leave them to it though, it won't hurt them." Yugi pulled his legs up and regarded Ryou with his large, dark eyes. "Tell me what's wrong. You look agitated."
The white-haired young man tried not to drag his explanation on, but emotions got the better of him, and soon he was bursting out with every little detail, leaving nothing to chance. Yugi just listened, thumb in his mouth thoughtfully. Merel reappeared just as he was finishing his tirade, and she looked surprised to see the usually mild Ryou visibly upset, but she said nothing, simply handed him a mug of tea with a sympathetic expression. "Oh, Merel," Yugi piped up, "could you please check on Atem for me? He was still sleeping, last I checked."
A flicker of hardness crossed her face, but she nodded and left the room, brushing her hand over Yugi's as she went. Yugi sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Having Atem with us has been difficult."
"Why?" Ryou asked.
"Merel, she…I think she feels a little threatened by the thought of someone competing for my attention. Not that he's knowingly competing at all, but he's walked into her life and suddenly needs me in a way she doesn't. She must be overwhelmed, and I don't really blame her. I'll be sure to make it up to her later…but anyway, you don't need to be burdened with my problems, you came here to talk about you. And I don't think I've ever seen you this upset before."
"I don't know what made me do it," Ryou moaned. "He didn't deserve to be yelled at like that. I've probably traumatised the poor guy."
"I still can't believe you slept with him. You're not joking with me?"
"No…sorry I never told you till now."
"It's alright. I don't need to be privy to your sex life," Yugi chuckled. "I can see how this could be awkward now though. You've all been messing around with each other, and now it's out in the open, you're confused…and a tad jealous, if I may suggest."
"Jealous?"
"Why wouldn't you be? I can see now that you've been in love with Bakura for some time. With Marik's revelation, you're probably wondering how he can be so affectionate to you without seeing Bakura in you. Am I right?"
"Damn, Yugi…you should be a psychologist or something."
The shorter man laughed heartily. "I prefer my games too much. No, I just want to help you, Ryou." He leaned forward, interlacing his fingers. "What do you want?"
"I…I don't know."
"Well, it's obvious you're very lonely. Don't you feel like Marik might be offering you the chance to cast off that loneliness? He's done it once before…wouldn't you like that to be a more permanent fixture in your life? I've seen the way he acts around you. He adores you. Whatever feelings he has for Bakura, they're nothing compared to the love he showers you with."
Ryou pondered this as he sipped his tea. I…I do like Marik. A lot. He's sweet, and kind, and nothing like the sadistic boy he used to be. I just…can't forget what I had with Kura. It's so hard. Soft footsteps broke his train of thought, and he looked up to see Atem trailing in, looking ruffled from sleep. "Hi, Atem," he smiled.
"Ryou," he smiled back. "Good to see you."
"Likewise. How are you feeling?"
"I'm…improving. Thank you for asking."
Always so polite. Ryou watched with mild amusement as Yugi immediately jumped up and offered Atem his seat, which he took with a murmur of thanks. Yugi perched himself on the arm and leaned in close, smiling fondly at his yami. I don't think I'm the only one with conflicted feelings here.
By the time Ryou returned home, Bakura was awake, as he could tell from the murmured conversation from the kitchen in a language he didn't understand. Tossing his car keys haphazardly, he closed the front door and made his way to the kitchen, finding Bakura sitting at the table, Marik still perched on the counter. His eyes were red and sore-looking, his once elegant layer of kohl smudged, but his voice was steady as he spoke softly in Middle Egyptian to Bakura, who nodded, eyes averted. "Hi," Ryou said quietly, standing somewhat awkwardly in the doorway. "Sorry I took off like that."
Marik fixed his eyes on Ryou. "Have you calmed down?"
"Yes."
"Can we talk now?"
"Sure."
Bakura looked between Marik and Ryou blankly, then sighed and heaved himself up, slipping around Ryou to sit back in the living room. "Sorry, Kura," Ryou called after him in English. "I'll speak to you afterwards."
"Whatever," he growled.
Ryou chuckled, shaking his head. Marik blinked at him, an eyebrow raised questioningly. "I told him we'd chat after we're done," Ryou explained.
"Ah."
"The amount of people you took control of, I'm surprised you never picked up English from one of them."
"Maybe I should learn it."
"How many languages can you speak, anyway?"
"Erm..." Marik held up his hands, counting his fingers. "Egyptian Arabic, Middle Egyptian, Afrikaans, Farsi, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, Urdu, Hindi, Thai, Portuguese...oh yeah, Spanish and German." He shrugged. "I travelled a lot with the Ghouls."
"That's impressive."
"Thank you."
"Anyway..." Ryou held his arms out expectantly. "Come here." A wide smile lit up Marik's tanned face, and he jumped off the counter, practically running into Ryou's arms. Ryou didn't embrace him fully, knowing Marik's reservations about having his back touched, but he rested one hand on his shoulder, the other on his very lower back where there were no scars. Marik sighed, snuggling in close and burying his head in Ryou's hair. "Mm...what's brought this on?" he asked softly.
"I want to apologise properly," Ryou replied. "I've had some time to mull everything over, and I've realised I was being selfish. I wanted Kura to myself and couldn't handle the thought that you'd had him too."
"I never meant to upset you," Marik whispered.
"I know, Marik."
Marik pulled back, eyes shimmering with tears that smudged his kohl further. "I meant what I said. It doesn't matter that you look like him. I want you. Both of you. And that's been difficult for me to accept. And I can't stand to hurt you any more than I previously have. Words can cut so much deeper than a knife to your shoulder ever could."
"Marik..." Ryou gently wiped the Egyptian's cheeks. "I was a fool. I was jealous. Knowing my body was used for so much...gods, Marik, I'm so sorry...that's all in the past now, so let's forget it and-"
He would have continued speaking, but Marik's lips were on his own now, insistent and brimming with adoration. All coherent thought was lost to Ryou as he tangled his hands in Marik's hair and crushed their bodies together, panting every time their mouths disconnected.
"I...oh gods- ah! Don't stop..."
Marik's hands were everywhere, skimming over Ryou's shoulders and down his back, tracing round scarred hips and sliding up his shirt, relishing the feel of his heated skin under his fingers. Ryou couldn't help but moan with delight.
"Can you fucking not!" Bakura shouted from the living room. Ryou broke away from Marik with a giggle, but Marik silenced him with another kiss, hands busy unbuttoning Ryou's shirt and loosing another moan from him. His eyes fluttered closed, unable to concentrate on anything but Marik. "Oh, for fucks' sake," Bakura growled. Ryou looked up to see him leaning in the doorway, surveying the pair with raised eyebrows. "Not that I'm not enjoying the show, but you're making me feel a little left out here."
"Sorry, Kura," Ryou laughed, shoving Marik away as he quickly translated for him.
"I did say you could share me," Marik winked. He murmured a short phrase to Bakura, who gave a low grunt in response. "Mm...he's as irresistible as you, Ryou," Marik whispered. With one quick movement, he pressed a deep, lingering kiss to Bakura's lips.
Oh! Um...wow. But Ryou found no flare of jealousy as he watched the scene. Bakura jerked back after a moment with a surprised expression. His brows knitted together in a scowl, regarding the smirking Marik, who wiped his lower lip slowly with his thumb. "I daresay, Ryou, that this is the first time I've ever seen him speechless."
"Kura?" Ryou asked quietly. "You alright?"
"...Well...this certainly brings back memories."
Marik's mouth opened in an 'O' of shock, but before he could exclaim about Bakura switching to Japanese, Bakura had yanked him back in, crushing their mouths together for a brief moment before pushing him away. "I'm going to try and figure out your shower, hikari. Try not to fuck each other senseless while I'm gone."
"Sod off." Ryou rolled his eyes. Bakura stuck his tongue out and retreated upstairs, leaving Marik to gawk at him, insensate. "Well, uh...that was unexpected," Ryou said.
"You're telling me," Marik replied, touching his fingers to his lips. He burst into laughter, scratching the back of his head. "I should probably head off, Ryou. I don't want to be late for my lecture."
"Sure thing."
"We've, uh, got a lot to think about now, huh?"
Ryou laughed. "Only because you wanted to make out with both of us."
"Well, you're welcome to make out with Kura all you like."
"I need your permission?"
"Of course, honey," he winked. "I am the possessive type, after all."
"Duly noted."
Marik smiled gently, amused at their banter. Picking up his motorcycle helmet from the table, he wedged it under his arm and slung his jacket over his shoulder with his free hand. "Sorry to have been a bother today, Ryou. I'll text you later when I have a break at work."
"Oh, that's quite alright, Marik," Ryou trilled. "You could never be a bother to me."
Marik giggled and murmured a phrase in Arabic under his breath before switching back to Japanese. "Ah, habibi, you're so cute. Alright, I'll see you around." He blew a kiss in Ryou's direction and sauntered out, the front door closing with a snap a few seconds later.
This has been, um…an interesting day, to say the least, Ryou thought to himself, before a loud curse rang out from upstairs and he sighed. Surely even a 3,000-year-old tomb robber can figure out a simple shower dial.
He trailed upstairs and poked his head round the bathroom door, noting that Bakura hadn't bothered to lock it. Steam billowed from behind the shower curtain along with a few more choice curses. "Kura, what on earth are you doing?" Ryou asked. "Do you need help?"
"No!" he growled. "A stupid box won't get the better of me – fuck, fuck, fuck! That's hot!" Bakura jumped out, rubbing his shoulders with a sour expression.
"Well, at least you've got your tongue back, and in Japanese too, no less!" Ryou grinned. "Here, let me cool it down for…oh, um…" He averted his eyes quickly, his brain only just recognising the sight before him; a dripping wet, completely naked Bakura, hair plastered to his head and an amused smirk on his face as his eyes followed Ryou's. "S-Sorry, Kura, um…I'll just…"
"Stare if you want to, hikari. It's nothing you haven't seen before."
"What is it with hot guys trying to get into my pants these days?" Ryou muttered, reaching a hand round the shower curtain and fiddling with the dial. The spray of water quickly cooled to a more acceptable temperature. "There you go. Now get back in and stop trying to seduce me."
Bakura chuckled, pushing his wet fringe out of his eyes. "I thought Marik said we could share."
"Don't listen to him, he's just a horny bastard."
"And you're just the patron saint of virginity, aren't you?"
Ryou bit his tongue before he could retort. He's goading me. Typical Kura. No, if he wants me, he has to work for it. I've had enough of my body being used for someone else's gain. He shrugged and turned his back, making for the door. "You of all people would know. Now get back in the shower, I've cooled it down for you." Bakura gave a grunt and stepped back in, leaving Ryou to head back downstairs. Sitting in front of his Monster World board, he pressed his fingers to his temples, mind raging with confusion. What on earth are we getting ourselves into?
There was only one thing that would take his mind off it all. Reaching for his laptop, he began to write a new game campaign.
