It get's a little happier I promise. Or at least not as heartbreaking. Not yet anyways.

In the hour it took for Marik to drive out to his sisters, Ryou hardly calmed down. He was pale, pale, and sickly. His wide brown eyes were swimming in tears constantly. He had curled up almost into a ball, and just rocked back and forth on the seat. Marik recognized the signs. He had felt the same way, and still did almost constantly. There was also this evil part of him that liked seeing the boy suffer so much, to see him pining for something he had lost so horrifically. Then he bit it back remembering how much he had wanted someone to comfort him.

He turned down the road Ishizu lived on, trying to work out his feelings. But he was to torn by his own grief and by the blubbering mass in his car, to think properly. He parked the car, somewhat horribly before wondering how to get Ryou into the apartment. He opened the door of the car, and was surprised by the fact that Ryou could stand however shakily. Marik gave him a little push to get him to walk (talking didn't seem to have much effect on the boy) before unlocking the door, and leading him down the hallway to Ishizu's. After making sure the boy was sitting on the couch; he cleared the spare room of all sharp or dangerous objects. Marik placed a stack of clothes that were not drenched in blood on the bed before shepherding Ryou into the room and closing the door.

Marik dug in his pocket for the Mirage Counselling business card (forgetting that Ryou and Bakura owned it) and dialled the number.

"Good afternoon Mirage Counselling, how may I assist you?"

"I would like to set up two appointments with a grief counsellor."

"We currently do not know the current location of Ryou out primary grief counsellor, and the person who would normally take his place died earlier this morning."

'I have Ryou, I-I'm a a a friend of his." They didn't really know each other but it didn't seem to matter too much.

"Oh thank-god, this place had been in chaos trying to find him. Then we heard about Bakura and oh dear. How is he?"

"How do you think? Not well, awful, terrible, horrible give me a few more nouns."

"Ah easy there I was just asking, call us when you know if he's coming back anytime soon." The secretary hung up before Marik could respond.

The blond placed his ear against the door to the spare room; he could hear the faint shaky breath of the brown eyed boy. He didn't know what to do, really. He remembered wanting to be alone, but not wanting to be by himself at the same time, he remembered not really knowing what reality was, and what was just dreaming. In the end he walked away from the door and went to sit on the balcony. He stayed in the sun feeling it warm him, calm him down. He stayed there keeping his mind clear as best he could. He felt better knowing someone was in the other room, even if it wasn't Malik and that person was an emotional wreck. He knew he would have to go back sometime but for now he was happy just not feeling, not thinking, hardly being; taking just enough oxygen to stay alive. He was so focused, so calm that he didn't notice Ryou join him on the balcony. He was a little shocked to say the least when he opened his eyes; because he had the feeling he wasn't alone. The boy had changed, and washed his face. His eyes were a little glassy but no longer red.

"Hey." Marik sat up and leaned forward.

"Hey, ahh who are you?" Ryou asked.

"Marik Ishtar, I saw what happened earlier and thought I could help."

"Thanks, but I think maybe I should go home. I shouldn't be here."

Marik realized what was going on. Ryou was so overcome with grief he didn't quite remember what happened. Which meant Marik would have to tell him. Shit.

"Do you remember what happened earlier today?"

"Just parts of it. But I know something happened and I know it wasn't good."

Marik slid over to sit beside Ryou, ready to drive the steel knife of reality through his heart. It was twisted and sick he knew. It was wrong and Marik knew it. Ryou looked at Marik, obviously trusting him, obviously needing him.

"Bakura is dead."

...

...

...

...

...

Marik looked around in surprise. He wasn't sure what to do. If he should tell the boy he was right. Or lie and tell him he was wrong. But then Ryou placed his head in Marik's lap and lay down. Marik though about getting up, leaving the boy to his misery. Marik also liked the fact he was needed again, and wanted again. Ryou didn't know about his past, and what happened with Malik so he couldn't understand the turmoil he was putting Marik through right now. It was like cheating on Malik with someone else's partner. So it felt wrong, but it also felt really, really right, almost perfect. It would be if Marik hadn't basically kidnapped Ryou, after Bakura died.

Marik reached out and placed a hand on the other boys head. He ruffled his hair a little bit, and smiled a sad little smile. The brown eyed boy turned over so that he was looking up at Marik. His eyes widened and he sat up. He ran his hand through his hair and took a deep breath.

"I need to go home, I just. I just lost my husband."

"Calm down a little, I was just trying to help."

"You don't know me; why the bloody hell would you help me?"

"Six weeks ago, I lost Malik. He and I had been together for six years. I saw the accident and thought you might need someone."

"You were right in thinking I needed someone, but please I think it would be a lot better if I was home. I need to make some funeral arrangements."

"For someone who was an emotional wreck forty minutes ago you're really calm now."

"I'm a grief counsellor; I've had so much practice helping other people that I can help myself. I'd like to help you if you'd let me."

"Let's get you home."

"Running isn't going to help. It's just going to hurt more and more."

"Get in the car." Marik opened the door and waited for Ryou to walk out.

"You know I'm right, which is the sad part of this. You're so afraid to seem weak, or venerable that you would rather put off everyone who has the ability to make your life just a little easier."

"What are you doing in my head?" Marik was shocked and a little appalled. He had never felt more violated.

"I'll get in the car now."

See not so bad.

xo-Fayre