Jaazi: Another request!
Disclaimer: I don't own it.
Summary: The school musical has cast Bakura and Ryou the leading roles!
Musical
"But…but…I can't do this!" Ryou groaned, letting his head fall onto the desk harshly. Bakura winced in sympathy. It was homeroom and Ryou had just come in time before the second bell rang. Bakura was astonished Ryou had been that close to being late since Ryou made it a point to arrive early to everything.
"Aw, don't do that Ryou! You'll hurt your pretty head," Bakura said playfully. Ryou felt his face tinge pink but quickly hid it behind his long, pale hair.
"Don't say things like that, Bakura," Ryou mumbled. Bakura pouted humorously.
"You're so cruel! My heart is surely wounded by your sharp words!" Bakura cried dramatically.
"You really shouldn't say such things. Someone might take you seriously," Ryou grumbled. Bakura avoided Ryou's eyes.
"Me? Serious? Never!" Bakura grinned, "Anyhoodles, what's got you so worked up?" he asked hopping onto the desktop nearest to Ryou.
Ryou mumbled something before slipping a sheet of paper in Bakura's direction. Bakura scanned the sheet. It was a list of names. Two different columns; the first column had Ryou's name on it and directly across from it in the other column read Christine. Bakura gave Ryou a puzzled glance.
"Did you take that personality match-up thing? I told you not to; it's stupid. Who the hell's this Christine chick?" Bakura asked petulantly. Ryou rolled his eyes.
"Bakura. Look at the top of the page," Ryou said. Bakura did. It read Phantom of the Opera: Spring Musical. Bakura fell into a coughing fit (also known as ill-disguised laughter). Ryou glowered weakly.
"It's not funny!"
"Yeah it is! You got the main girl role! Ryou, you're going to be playing a girl!" Bakura laughed, "How the hell did this happen? I mean, I know you're girly looking and all but, shit, you've got the worst case of stage fright I've ever seen!"
"I know! I was trying to help Serenity for the tryouts but she couldn't get the notes right s-so I sang it first to show her how it was supposed to sound only with lower notes and all," Ryou rambled nervously.
Bakura nodded in understanding. Although Ryou didn't believe it, he had the voice of an angel. Okay, so Bakura's opinion may be a tad biased since he considered everything Ryou did or said heavenly but other people thought so too; he knew this first hand because he overheard Devlin and Mariku discussing whether or not Ryou's beautiful singing voice would sound half as wonderful in bed. He then, of course, beat them both into a bloody pulp. Not that he never wondered the same thing…
"The Drama teacher overheard me, I guess, and she was struck with the brilliant idea to have an all male cast like Shakespeare's time but how she got that I'll never know because The Phantom of the Opera isn't Shakespearean at all and even if it was it'd be--" Ryou's rambles were stopped when Bakura placed his hand over Ryou's mouth. Ryou immediately stilled, eyes wide.
"Breathe, Ryou, breathe. Wow, you've got a good set of lungs on you if you could talk for that long and not die from lack of oxygen. No wonder the teach decided to pick you for the part. Didn't I always tell you your voice is that of an angel's?" Bakura teased. Ryou removed Bakura's hand.
"Lies, all lies. You people are all delusional," Ryou pouted. Bakura conked Ryou on the head. Ryou flinched and rubbed his head moodily. "What was that for?"
"For being an idiot. Moving on, isn't this play all romance-y and crap?" Bakura asked bluntly.
"Yes, Bakura. The Phantom falls in love with Christine but Christine is in love with Raoul, remember? Amane used to tell us the story all the time," Ryou explained before sighing. "I've always loved this story."
Bakura's eyes narrowed darkly, scanning the list again. "Devlin," Bakura hissed. Ryou blinked.
"What? Oh, yes, Devlin is Raoul," Ryou said absently. Bakura sneered at the name. Ryou continued. "But the teacher hasn't found anyone good enough to play the part of the Phantom. Most of the play revolves around him. You should try out; goodness knows you're dramatic enough," Ryou joked.
Bakura's eyes sparked. Now there's an idea…
Apparently, the drama teacher agreed. She had rushed out any other candidates once she heard Bakura sing.
"I didn't mean it seriously!" Ryou cried out after school on their way home.
"But didn't you hear her? I was born to be the Phantom!" Bakura said arrogantly, "I think you're just nervous about our make-out scene."
"N-no! Why should I be? It's only a kiss between friends, right?" Ryou replied. Bakura's smug attitude dampened. His shoulders slumped.
"Yeah, just friends," Bakura said softly.
The rest of the walk home was surprisingly quiet.
The first rehearsal was a disaster. Ryou was terrified, even with the lack of audience. Most of the other actors were doing fine. Hell, even Yugi, who had the part of Meg, wasn't as nervous as Ryou. Thankfully, Bakura intervened before Ryou could have a complete nervous breakdown. Bakura grinned widely to the drama teacher.
"Hey, Teach! I gotta talk to Ryou for a sec, alright? I'll get him to sing better than ever!" Bakura cried charmingly. The teacher, who was completely won over by her star, conceded happily.
"Very well, Phantom. See if you can get our dear Christine to perform her best," she suddenly sighed, "Oh, this is just like the actual storyline. You two were made for this part!"
"I like to think so," Bakura agreed amiably, dragging Ryou offstage. Once they were safely in a close off area away from spectator he turned to Ryou. "What's up?"
Ryou let out a strangled whimper. "Bakura, I can't do this! I can't sing especially not with others watching! This is a nightmare! This is more your thing than mine anyway!" Ryou leaned onto Bakura, "'Kura," he whined softly.
Bakura paused. Ryou hadn't used that nickname since elementary school. Bakura petted Ryou's hair, something he knew had a very soothing effect on both of them. After Ryou calmed down, Bakura decided it was time to talk.
"But you sing in front of me all the time. How's this any different?"
"Because you're all weird and different," Ryou said shortly. Bakura blinked.
"Okay, well, I certainly feel special now."
"Like your ego needs more compliments."
"Good thing my ego's so big, because otherwise that really would've hurt. But hear me out for a sec. Just sing to me, forget everyone else and concentrate on me. Pretend we're at your place, just you and me hanging out. Alright?" Ryou nodded weakly "Good. Now, let's go grace the world with our stunning presence."
Ryou smiled feebly at Bakura's exuberance as he proceeded to drag them both back onstage.
"All set?" the teacher asked. Bakura nodded an affirmitive. "Good! Go on, go on! Let us hear the Phantom and Christine sing!" the drama teacher said gleefully. Ryou's gaze flickered nervously from face to face. Bakura, seeing this, grabbed his chin and turned Ryou's face towards him. 'Look at me' Bakura mouthed. Ryou relaxed and kept his gaze on Bakura.
"In sleep he sang to me. In dreams he came. That voice which calls to me and speaks my name. And do I dream again? For now I find the Phantom of the Opera is there, inside my mind." Ryou's voice rang clear and true. It took the students' breath away. The teacher was in shock.
"Sing once again with me, our strange duet! My power over you, grows stronger yet. And though you turn from me, to glance behind, the Phantom of the Opera is here, inside your mind!" Bakura's voice boomed.
Any doubts the teacher had about Ryou vanished. He might not be the greatest of actors but his voice with Bakura's combined was astounding. The song proceeded without any hesitation; it was almost like the world around the pair had melted away...
As the weeks went by, rehearsals improved, actors fell into their characters much more easily and the story flowed smoothly. The kissing scenes were practiced but the drama teacher allowed them the choice of a small peck on the lips versus the more involved kissing the scenes required. The first time Raoul (Devlin) and Christine (Ryou) shared a kiss, one of the heavier objects on stage came remarkably close to decapitating Devlin. Curiously, Bakura wasn't anywhere to be seen at the time.
In the scene in which the Phantom seduced Christine, the two actors nailed the part down their first time. Bakura played the seduction remarkably well and Ryou acted the part of entranced damsel admirably. Bakura's low, soothing voice made "Music of the Night" all the more romantic. Bakura himself sang with an astounding amount of emotion and the affectionate touches seemed almost real. The pain and betrayal he depicted in the masquerade scene was awe inspiring. And the jealousy he portrayed towards Raoul was almost tangible! The drama teacher was convinced that Bakura was born to act.
Ryou's acting could use some work though. He had a great voice but he lacked the emotion Bakura had. Christine was supposed to be enamored with Raoul. While Devlin did a grand show of his love, Ryou was skittish and held back. His scenes with Devlin always lacked the feeling that became abundant in his scenes with Bakura. Again he was always skittish when it came to the kissing with either Devlin or Bakura but the willingness of the other two more than made up for it, though both kept the kisses chaste and short.
It was a good thing Ryou's "Angel of Music" piece sounded so well, though his "All I Ask of You" needed some work. But, oh, how the drama teacher loved the Phantom/Christine interaction. Bakura and Ryou worked so well together.
On the whole, however, it was all well and good. The drama teacher couldn't wait till their show that night.
The musical was going through wonderfully. It was nearing the end and the audience was at the edge of their seats with anticipation. Even the drama teacher was biting her nails in expectation. These were the most important scenes of the musical. No matter how well played the rest of the musical was done, if the finale was messed up, the entire musical would be considered a failure.
"Pitiful creature of darkness. What kind of life have you known? God give me courage to show you, you are not alone!" Ryou sang loudly, voice trembling with feeling.
Ryou leant in, just like in rehearsals, for a quick kiss but what happened next wasn't rehearsed. As soon as Ryou's lips touched Bakura's, Bakura wrapped his arms around Ryou's waist and pulled him close, pressing his lips against Ryou's more firmly than ever before. So surprised was Ryou, that Bakura managed to shyly slip his tongue through Ryou's parted lips. The kiss that continued was desperate and needy. A few tears trickled down Bakura's cheek as he clutched onto Ryou for as long as possible.
The drama teacher gasped. This was the best acting they had done since the first rehearsal! Never before had those two played the part with such feeling! Truly, these two were the greatest actors of the musical. Bakura broke the kiss grudgingly and pushed the dazed and flushed Ryou away gently.
The musical ended soon afterwards with roaring applause and teary eyes from an adoring audience. The group of student actors stepped out to bow, all smiles and laughter. Including Bakura. Ryou, however, only smiled halfheartedly giving Bakura's smiling face furtive and confused glances. As the crowd began to leave and the actors started to remove their costumes and makeup to get home, Ryou tugged on Bakura's sleeve nervously. Bakura gave him a cocky grin that just made Ryou flush even more than he already was.
"Um, Bakura, about the, well, the thing onstage…" Ryou stammered. Bakura's eyes shifted to the side so that he wasn't looking directly at Ryou. His face was tinted faintly.
"The kiss?" Bakura asked softly. Ryou nodded an affirmative. Bakura shrugged. "What about it?"
"I…it's just that…well, you've never done that at all before even in the rehearsals," Ryou said shyly. Bakura was acting strangely. He wasn't usually this somber, Ryou thought.
"Let's play a quick game of pretend, okay?" Bakura suddenly said cheerfully. "I'll be the Phantom again and you pretend to be Christine again. Now, pretend that things happened differently. The Phantom really, really liked Christine for the longest time except he knew that Christine wouldn't like him back. Instead, the Phantom decided to be Christine's best friend and nothing more.
"He decided that he cared for Christine too much to tell her and would do anything to make her happy. He became her guardian and made sure nothing and no one ever hurt her. Then the chance came a play where he could pretend to be Christine's lover. He decided not to take advantage of Christine and just pretend it was no big deal. He was able to hold her and kiss her but he didn't do it much because he knew Christine was uncomfortable. The last performance of the play meant that he could never hold and kiss Christine ever again and no matter how hard to he tried he couldn't help but have just that one kiss, that one most special kiss. It was to be his last one after all.
"Christine is now confused and wants to know why the Phantom kissed her like that. The Phantom is very scared now because he knows that he blew his chances with Christine. Now he wouldn't even be able to be Christine's friend," Bakura's voice wavered and he wouldn't look Ryou in the eye.
"And d-does the Phantom really feel that way for Christine?" Ryou asked quietly. Bakura flinched.
"Yes, the Phantom truly cares for Christine more than he's ever cared for anyone else," Bakura answered hesitantly. Bakura attempted a grin, "He even puts up with Christine's older sister Meg who is very annoying and, in his personal opinion, takes up too much of Christine's time."
"Amane's not that bad, Bakura," Ryou laughed softly. Bakura flinched again.
"Hey, I-I never said anything about Amane. We're playing pretend, remember?" Bakura didn't quite manage to pull off a good-natured laugh. Ryou's soft hands reached to brush Bakura's face.
"I think Christine would be incredibly happy to know that the Phantom cared for her that much. She would happily receive and return the Phantom's feelings. She'd also gladly agree to go out to see a play and eat dinner with the Phantom," Ryou smiled. Bakura's eyes widened. A grin slowly appeared on his lips.
"The Phantom would like to know if Christine would like to go catch a movie and dinner with the Phantom."
"Christine would love to," Ryou replied.
"And the annoying Meg would like to say that it's about time. Also, she'd like to say that she's been waiting fro the past twenty minutes outside to take Christine home," Amane said cheerfully walking up to the two of them. She tugged Bakura's ear harshly. "That's for calling me annoying. I expect to have Ryou home no later than half past eleven, since it's obvious I won't be giving him a ride home at the moment." With that, Amane left, muttering to himself about how dense guys were, especially when it came to feelings and stuff.
Bakura felt deliriously happy. Amane just gave her consent, which was a good thing because Bakura doubted Ryou would've gone against Amane's wishes, whatever they may be.
"I like your version of Phantom of the Opera much better," Ryou said happily.
"Yeah, me too, Ryou," Bakura said. He kissed Ryou's lips shyly.
And that was the first kiss Bakura and Ryou shared, their roles as Phantom and Christine shed so that they can truly be together as themselves.
Jaazi: Ergh, again, not the greatest but I tried. This was a request from Anime WarriorSky. Sorry if it's not exactly what you were expecting; I hope it was good enough anyway?
KK: Now we must be off to work on another request and a couple of updates!
Damian: Any reviews would be greatly appreciated.