The next morning, Ryou woke up with Bakura's top half draped over him. Ryou leaned up a bit so he could kiss the side of Bakura's head. Bakura stirred, sucking in a heavy breath and turning to look at Ryou.

"Morning," he muttered.

"Good morning," Ryou whispered, as if speaking loudly might drive the sunlight away from their bedroom window.

He laced his fingers with Bakura's, and he felt fingers running through his hair. Ryou turned and smiled at Marik, who smiled back.

"You know, that stupid game really was the best birthday present Yugi could have gotten me. Look at what's happened because of it."

Marik's smile widened. "I don't know, is Bakura worth all this trouble?"

Ryou laughed. "Don't listen to him, Bakura, you're worth 1,000 fetch quests."

"That's either the most romantic thing I've ever heard, or the most insulting thing I've ever heard- I can't decide." Bakura closed his eyes again, sighing and trying to go back to sleep.

Ryou tapped his shoulder. "I have to get up and shower before the others get here."

"No."

"I'm going to have to agree with Bakura just this once." Marik slung himself on top of Bakura, adding weight to Ryou.

Ryou laughed again. He couldn't stop smiling or laughing; he was so happy. Ryou lay back in bed, sighing and savoring the weight of Marik and Bakura on top of him. The sunlight slicing into the room through the window made the dust glow, and even that was beautiful.

"I guess ten more minutes wouldn't hurt."

It turned into 45 extra minutes and Ryou ended up answering the door with a towel wrapped around his waist and his hair in a messy bun because he hadn't had time to wash it. It was Jonouchi, Yugi, Atem, and Anzu.

"Sorry guys, I'm running late this morning. Come inside and I'll get breakfast ready."

They all looked groggy. Jonouchi kept rubbing his eyes. Atem yawned, and Yugi leaned against his shoulder. Ryou was about to ask if they'd slept well, but then he heard yelling and fighting from the kitchen. Ryou glanced at the door leading to the kitchen.

"There's probably coffee if you're brave enough to go get it. I better hurry up and change before they trash my kitchen."

Ryou threw on the first clothes he found, jeans and a t-shirt that he thought was probably Bakura's because Ryou didn't remember owning it. He raced back to the kitchen to check the damage. Almost everyone crowded around the table, including Honda, and drank coffee. Bakura sat on the counter next to the coffee pot as he brewed another pot. His short legs swung and his heels smacked the wooden panelling every few swings.

"Bakura, ass off the counter," Ryou scolded.

"Hey, that's mine." Bakura frowned at the shirt instead of moving off the counter.

Ryou looked down and back up. "It was in my drawer."

"Uh, yeah, where else was I going to put all those clothes Marik made me buy?"

"Why didn't you just take a drawer for yourself? You can't just mix all our clothes together and expect me not to grab stuff by accident."

"I just did what I always do. We never had two bodies before, so it was never a problem."

"Wait." Anzu set her coffee cup on the table, turning so she could look at Bakura. "You just implied that you used to help Ryou with the laundry."

Bakura scratched the back of his head. "So what's for breakfast?"

"Oh my god, Bakura you did help Ryou with his laundry, didn't you?" Anzu grinned at him.

"I always paid yadonoshi rent one way or another."

"Is that what you were doing last night?" Marik smirked behind his coffee cup.

"How come you never helped with chores!" Yugi scolded Atem.

He looked sheepish. "Um, sorry aibou…"

"Oh, like spoiled rotten Mr. King ever had to do common work before." Bakura scoffed, hopping off the counter and grabbing the new pot of coffee.

He poured a fresh cup for Ryou first, and then he refilled Marik's cup, only then did he go around the table to top off the other's drinks. He emptied the pot just before he reached Atem and grinned.

"Ooops, looks like I ran out."

"I'm not useless." Atem stood to his feet, snatching the coffee pot handle from Bakura's hand.

"You keep away from my coffee maker." Bakura scowled.

"It can't be that hard." Atem jutted his chin out, proud and regal. Then he stopped and stared at the coffee pot as if it were a monster with ten heads and he wasn't sure which one to attack first.

"Seriously?" Bakura shouted, rolling his eyes into his head and pulling out the trap for the used grounds so he could dump it and add a fresh filter.

He didn't say he was showing Atem how to do it, but Ryou noticed Bakura was going slower than normal, and muttering little directions (like how many spoonfuls of ground coffee beans to add) as if he were speaking to himself.

Ryou wondered if they'd somehow scripted this moment in the game. Did drunk them think it was hilarious to roll dice for coffee? How the hell would they even roll for that?


All they had to do was reach Kaiba Corp headquarters.

They walked together as a group, everyone except Bakura who they'd left sprawled on Ryou's sofa bragging about how he'd spend the morning napping and playing Skyrim. As they started walking, a group of highschoolers blocked their path. Ryou recognized their old high school uniforms. It might have been nostalgic, if Ryou had any good memories from high school, but he really didn't.

"Sorry y'all, this is a toll road."

"Ryou, couldn't you write better dialogue than that?" Jonouchi complained.

"Not drunk and on the fly." Ryou frowned. He was pretty sure he'd ripped the line off of the thugs in Skyrim, so it was technically a homage and Jonouchi could kiss his ass.

"You little punks." Honda spat onto the concrete. "You better leave us alone and rush off to school."

Ryou's hair was already in a bun, which helped when a brass-knuckled fist swung in his direction. He ducked and headbutted the kid in the stomach. Ryou was pretty sure he was supposed to be casting spells of some sort, but uppercutting the kid in the jaw and then shoving him to the concrete below felt more satisfying.

They didn't hurt the kids too much, hell, they were just high schoolers. After what amounted to a mild brawl, Marik used smoke bombs and they ran off during the confusion. Although, not until after they confiscated a few choice weapons from their attackers. They really shouldn't have things like brass knuckles anyway, so Ryou figured they were doing a community service by looting them.

"Have we leveled up yet?" Jonouchi scowled.

"Press triangle and find out," Honda joked.

"Next time we need to play a nicer game with less fighting." Yugi shook his head.

Yugi must have had a similar request as they'd played the tabletop version of the game, because they ended up helping a shop owner fix their store sign, bought food for a hungry looking dog (Honda's quest, of course), and then helped an eight-year-old tape flyers down the street for their lost lucky baseball cap. By the time they reached Kaiba HQ, Ryou was already tired.

"Sorry, we can't allow you past this point." A security guard stopped them well before they reached the doors.

"It's very important that with speak with Mr. Kaiba," Anzu said in her politest voice.

"Sorry, Ma'am. We have specific orders not to allow Yugi Mouto or any of his consorts near the building."

"Look you blockheads, we're trying to help Kaiba out here!" Jonouchi shouted.

Atem placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, Jonouchi. We knew this wouldn't work."

"But there's no reason for that stupid jerk to boycott us like this!"

"Unless we drunk called him too," Ryou muttered.

He'd been thinking about it during all their sidequests. They should have at least been able to get into the building, or make an appointment, or even speak with Kaiba after mentioning Atem's return. Seto Kaiba was nothing if not obsessed when it came to his rival, so for them to be completely blacklisted as they were- they would have had to provoke it somehow.

"Ouch, would we do that?" Yugi asked.

"You guys called me," Marik said.

"Think we were trying to get him to play?" Yugi asked again.

"Probably." Ryou nodded, then gestured away from the guards. "Come on, if we fight them, they'll just call the cops, and arguing won't give us any XP. Let's go back to my apartment."

"This is so disappointing." Honda shoved his hands into his pockets.

"And unnecessary," Anzu agreed. "If Kaiba's in real danger we can't waste time like this."

"He's only in as much trouble as we put him in," Marik said. "Since we speak with him eventually, that means he'll be fine until then."

"It's still frustrating." Atem had his arms crossed over his chest, visibly annoyed by their current circumstances.

"Well, at least we're going to learn how to summon our ka. That should be fun," Ryou said, trying to cheer everyone up.

"Yeah, it will be interesting to see what kind of spirit we each have." Anzu nodded.

Yugi sighed. "Although, Bakura said I wouldn't be able to without the god cards."

"What does he know? Try anyway, aibou."

Yugi grinned. "You're right. Why not?"

"You guys have fun." Jonouchi waved. "Come on, Honda, let's go."

"Go? Where are you going?" Yugi asked.

"Well, we can't summon, so it's better we train somewhere else."

"Where?" Anzu asked, her expression suspicious.

Honda grinned. "You're thinking of that place, aren't you?'

Jonouchi nodded.

"Where?" Anzu insisted.

"Just one of our old stomping grounds near the high school."

"You two better not get into any trouble like you used to."

"Relax, Anzu, we're not punk kids anymore," Honda said.

"Yeah! Don't worry!" Jonouchi said.

"It's hard not to worry about you two."

Yugi laugh. "She has a point."

As an example of his maturity, Jonouchi stuck out his tongue and crossed his eyes before he and Honda disappeared. Ryou shook his head.

"So, back to your place?" Marik asked.

"Yes, I think that's the best course of action."

"We've just walked in a circle all day long." Atem pouted, arms still crossed over his body.

"But look at all the people we helped." Yugi grinned, genuinely happy.

"Those high school kids this morning could have hurt someone," Anzu agreed. "And that poor dog really did look hungry."

Ryou wanted to mention that those quests were generated by them on Ryou's birthday, but who knows? It's not like the dog or store owner came into existence just for the convenience of the game, right? At least, Ryou hoped … it wasn't like he could prove it one way or the other.

Inside the apartment, Bakura sat in the kitchen, wrapping his wrist in bandages.

"Bakura! what happened?" Ryou rushed to him, checking his wrist for cuts or bruises.

"It's just a sprain. I'm fine."

"What did you do?"

"We got attacked." Bakura glanced at Marik and the others watching them, then turned back to Ryou. "They … appeared? Like, from thin air. I had to do a back flip to dodge three assholes wielding khopeshes- who the fuck uses those these days?"

"Uh, RPG?" Ryou winced, gently massaging Bakura's wrist as an apology. "At least we didn't give them guns?"

"Yeah, thanks for that. Next time role better on dexterity so I don't sprain my wrist."

"But you managed to fight them off, right?" Yugi asked, his eyes wide.

Bakura used his free hand to gesture around the kitchen. "No Yugi, they're still here. We're having tea and biscuits and talking about kittens. Come and join us."

"Okay, smart ass," Atem snapped. "But what happened? Did they run away? There aren't any bodies lying around or even signs of struggle."

"Pfffft, they didn't have time to struggle. Diabound disintegrated those fucks. I even got that guy with the dog Ka. You're right Ryou, he was a total bitch."

"Right?"

"Ryou!" Yugi shouted.

"Yes?" He jerked his head to the side.

"I told you not to kill him and you did anyway!"

"What the fuck? Yugi, I killed him, don't yell at my hos-er, Ryou."

"You put that into the game on purpose," Yugi continued scolding Ryou. "I said you shouldn't kill him, so you just used Bakura as a pawn to do it for you!"

"I …" Ryou didn't finish the sentence at first.

Then he realized Yugi was right. That's exactly what Ryou had done. He didn't feel bad about killing Rahal. Ryou had thought they were playing a harmless game at the time, so it wouldn't have been a moral issue to him. But he felt horrible about using Bakura, even accidentally. After what Zorc had done to him … Ryou felt sick inside.

"Bakura, I-"

"Hell no!" Bakura snapped. "You don't get to take credit for something I did."

"But I really do hate the repeating weak-ass boss trope. I probably-"

"Knew it was something I'd do anyway and used that to your advantage." Bakura leaned forward, holding Ryou's cheeks despite his bandaged hand. "Dammit, I know what you're thinking, and it's not the same thing."

Ryou tried to slump his head but Bakura held it up, forcing their faces a little closer together.

"It's not the same thing, Ryou." And the soft, gentle way Bakura said it the second time both hurt Ryou's chest, and convinced him that Bakura was being serious instead of masking his emotions like he normally would.

"Okay."

"You still shouldn't have killed him at all." Yugi sat down next to them, propping his chin against the table top.

"Maybe it's for the best, aibou," said Atem, "Rahal can't hurt anyone now."

"I agree with Atem." Marik nodded, arms crossed over his chest. "He wasn't very strong, but he was still dangerous. It's better he's out of the way so we can focus on the real enemy."

"But according to Ryou's notes, that's Zorc." Anzu sat down next to Yugi.

"We summon Zorc." Marik took the chair next to Bakura and Ryou.

There was an empty chair left, but Atem chose to stand behind Yugi instead.

Marik continued, "But someone has to be acting as puppet master to all this, besides the game."

"The final boss that ends up turning into the ultimate monster." Ryou glanced over his shoulder to look at Marik.

Marik nodded. "Precisely."

"It has to be someone tied to Kaiba Corp," Atem said.

"Especially if they're using his warehouses and potentially trying to kill him," Yugi said. "Although, that doesn't narrow it down much. Kaiba always has someone trying to take over his company. I don't know how he stands it."

"I'm glad Jonouchi isn't here for this conversation." A wry smile played on Anzu's lips. "He loves to overreact whenever Kaiba's name is mentioned."

"In any case, finding out who's behind this is important, but I think our priority for today is learning how to summon our ka. Random battles have just been upgraded to wizards that can teleport even into our homes. I doubt a bag of marbles and a dagger will protect us in future fights."

"Can you still show everyone with your hand hurt?" Yugi asked, honest concern showing in his expression.

Bakura laughed, raising his hand. "This? This is nothing. Besides, summoning a ka takes focus and concentration. Marik is going to be a way bigger handicap than any physical injury."

"Oh? Distract you, do I? Is it because I'm beautiful?"

"It's because you can't keep your mouth shut."

"You weren't complaining about my wide-open mouth the other night."

"That's because it was sucking my dick."

"Do you morons have no self-restraint?" Anzu stood up, a hand on her hip. "Let's start level grinding. You both can get off on your own arguments when the rest of us go home."

"Well, you heard the lady." Atem smirked, going into the living room with Anzu following behind him.


"When did she get so sassy?" Bakura asked.

Yugi snorted before answering, "Anzu? She's always been that way. You've just never paid any attention before."

"Not exactly going to learn the personalities of the cattle intended for slaughter."

"What about now?"

"Shut up and let's move the furniture against the walls so we have more room."

"That means you're practically family." Marik laughed as he started to move an end table.

"I got it." Ryou grabbed the table and carried it away before Marik could touch it.

"Ryou, I don't want to have the discussion again." Marik frowned.

"Then you should go stand by Bakura and make sure he doesn't get into trouble."

"That's really unfair, Ryou. You gave him the hardest job possible." Anzu winked, helping Atem and Yugi move the couch against the wall.

Bakura wasn't sure what was going on, but he knew Ryou never did anything by chance. He walked up to Marik, wrapping his arms around Marik. He wanted to rest his chin on Marik's shoulder, but Marik was too tall.

"I'm really pissed off that you're taller than me," Bakura whispered against Marik's back.

"Not my problem." Marik's tone sounded annoyed, but Bakura felt Marik relaxing into his hold.

"It wasn't so bad before … when I shared a body with Ryou, but now it's ridiculous."

Marik sighed as the last of his tension melted away. "I like it though."

"We need candles, help me get them?"

"Whatever. You and Ryou are ridiculous." Marik turned and followed Bakura to fetch the candles from a utility closet.

When he reached the closet, Bakura braced himself in the doorway and pressed his feet against each side so he could climb up to the top.

"For heaven's sake, Bakura. I'm not helpless, just let me do it."

"Who said you were helpless? I'm the one having to do parkour just to reach the top shelf." Bakura jumped down and stepped back. "Be my fucking guest."

Marik gave him a suspicious glare, and then reached up on his toes in order to grab the first two candles. Marik winced, gritted his teeth, and held his breath until he lowered his arm back down and passed the two candles to Bakura.

"Wait." Bakura set the candles on the floor, looking at Marik. "Is that why Ryou didn't want you moving the furniture? Because you're hurting?"

"I'm not hurting," Marik grumbled. "I've lived this way over half my life. I don't need coddling."

"Kay, I'm going to go back into the living room real quick kick the Pharaohs ass." Bakura turned, but Marik grabbed his arm.

"What the fuck, Bakura? Why are you picking a fight with him this time?"

"Because," Bakura growled, spinning and staring up at Marik's face. "It's his fucking memories carved into your back."

"Last I checked, you both were dead and trapped in Items when that tradition started."

"So?"

"So, this has nothing to do with either of you, stay out of it."

"If it affects you, it's my business, too."

"It's not like you just learned that I had scars."

"But I didn't know how much pain you were in." Bakura ground his teeth, ready to shove Marik's hand off of his arm so he could march into the living room and cold cock Atem right in the jaw.

"How could you not know?" Marik narrowed his eyes, his brow a mess of angry wrinkles.

"How could I? You never showed any pain- ever!" Bakura flung his arms up in the air in a helpless gesture, freeing himself of Marik's hold in the process. "You were a malevolent, golden god back in Battle City."

"That was an act, but I'm flattered that you fell for it." Marik laughed, but it sounded rueful. He pushed a strip of hair behind his ear.

Bakura frowned. "What about in bed?"

"I haven't had a problem yet." Marik looked away, his complexion the slightest bit darker around his cheeks from a blush. "I'm too distracted to really think about it."

"The back rub," Bakura said, more to himself than to Marik, "and last night he wiped down your back. I'm a fucking idiot for not noticing."

"But you're my fucking idiot if that's any consolation."

"Wait here, don't do anything until I come back."

"I told you, Atem isn't-"

"Trust me, Marik. I'll be right back."

Bakura jogged to the kitchen, grabbing a chair and bringing it back to the closet.

"See?" he asked Marik. "We're both stubborn idiots. We should have done this from the beginning."

"At least I'm your stubborn idiot." Marik grinned.

They stepped up on the chair together, each grabbing half of the candles. Bakura still had to reach up, but Marik was tall enough to grab his share without reaching over his head, and Bakura noticed he didn't wince or hold his breath when he reached out instead of up.

Back on the ground, Bakura passed his half into Marik's arms. "Take these to the living room and I'll put up the chair."

"Hey Bakura?"

"Yeah?"

Marik leaned forward and kissed him, tugging on Bakura's bottom lip as he pulled away. Now Bakura was flushed as he picked up the chair and took it back to the kitchen.