Part Three

Solomon's eyes went wide at the setup as Bakura and Ryou carefully unpacked and put the game on the Moto's dining room table. "Oho, Ryou! This is beautiful and the details!" He picked up one of the buildings carefully and examined it. "You've got a real talent for this. I would be happy to put you in contact with someone to sponsor you." He put the piece back down.

"That would be helpful," Ryou said. Now that Solomon had mentioned it, maybe he could sell his games to Kaiba. Yes, Kaiba was more interested in technology to advance games, but perhaps Bakura and he could persuade Kaiba to have a classic games department. Since my games are original and unique, Kaiba might just jump at the chance to see something no one else has.

Ryou put the last piece in place before turning to Bakura as Solomon left and gave him a smirk that Bakura returned. "Thanks for helping," he said darkly.

"Not a problem. I enjoyed it." He put his arms around Ryou's waist before leaning forward and kissing him.

There was a loud gasp and Joey's voice saying, "Oh my God!" The two darks separated to see their friends staring with a mix of reactions. Joey showed disgust, Tea and Tristan seemed stunned, Atem's face was blank, and Yugi's held understanding and happiness. He had suspected that Ryou harbored secret feelings for Bakura; a feeling he had for Atem and confessed to. He was happy Ryou finally told Bakura.

He led the gang down the stairs and said, "How long have you been together?"

"A few weeks," Ryou admitted, his voice back to his innocent tone and his cheeks burned red.

"I was about to tell him I love him, but Ryou beat me to it." Bakura bared an evil grin at Ryou. "It's the first time I don't mind being beaten to something first."

"I don't get it," Joey said, shaking his head. "Why Bakura, Ryou?"

"He completes me," Ryou replied. "I wondered why at first but then realized that we possess something the other lacks. Bakura has no innocence but I do and I have no darkness but Bakura does."

Yugi nodded. "Yes, that makes sense. It's like with Atem and me. We have similar qualities but I have some qualities that Atem doesn't and vice versa." He smiled at the pharaoh behind him before saying, "Now, how about we start the game?" He hurried over to the board to admire the artwork and eager to learn a new game.

"Bakura," Ryou said a few hours later as they carried the game home. "I was thinking of presenting our game to Kaiba. He might be interested."

"I don't know. He strikes me as the technology type."

"He strikes me that way too but we may be able to convince him to sponsor us, especially if we guarantee him exclusive rights. I'm sure he would love the idea of producing something no other company could; maybe even begin a classic games division."

"Hmm. Let's drop the boxes off at home and then we can see Kaiba."

"I'll bring the papers of the game as well as ones I'm currently developing."

Bakura nodded and thought, And I'll wear the Ring to insure that Kaiba agrees to our idea.

Kaiba eyed the papers of the completed game and then the blueprints of the other game ideas before shifting his gaze to the white-haired boys. "These are impressive," he said at last. "But why show these to me?"

"I was thinking that we could work together in selling them to the public," Ryou said. "We would split the money evenly and I would deal only with you. Think, Kaiba: Only Kaiba Corp would have access to the source and could revive the interest in classic games."

Kaiba had to admit that Ryou provided some interesting points, however…"I deal in technology when it comes to games, Ryou. I don't see classic tabletop games making a comeback."

Bakura then leaned across the desk, silently activating the Ring. "You should re-think your decision, Kaiba. If you revive tabletop games, people are sure to try it out and if they like it, they may desire new and unique varieties. Ryou and I would provide that for your company."

Kaiba's eyes went blank as Bakura used the Ring to influence his mind while he talked. His eyes came back into focus and Bakura stood straight. The brunette looked down at the papers again and then at Ryou. "All right. I'll do it. Let me copy the papers of the completed one and you'll be free to leave." He rose from his desk and left the office.

Ryou looked at the doors and then Bakura. "You used the Ring to convince him, didn't you?"

Bakura nodded. "Kaiba is a stubborn man and I figured we would need an edge on our side."

"I'm not complaining," Ryou said. "Remember: I'm dark like you. I will do whatever is necessary to achieve our goals."

"I remember and I like having you dark. You are more confident and not afraid to speak your mind."

Ryou gave a loving smirk. He too enjoyed being dark and could not go back to how he was. And I can't go back. My dark side has been unleashed and bottling it is impossible.

Kaiba put the papers on the copier and thought of Ryou as he made the copies. The young man seemed different now; more confident and certain of himself. I never thought Ryou could be less shy and quiet. Perhaps, Bakura is rubbing off on him. That is possible. Yugi was quiet and shy but thanks to Atem, he has grown confident. Kaiba finished the copies and headed back to his office. He could have had someone else copy the papers for him, but felt it better for him to do it in order to show Ryou he was interested in a partnership with him. Plus, Kaiba couldn't be sure an employee wouldn't try to steal the papers to enrich himself. I trust myself when dealing with new partners.

Ryou held the papers, smiling, as Bakura and he left Kaiba Corp. When Kaiba returned, he gave the originals back and scheduled for them to meet with him another day to discuss, draw up, and sign a contract to cement their partnership. It was clear that Bakura's influence was still strong and between the two of them, the world could be theirs if they really focused on it. But, Ryou was just happy with being successful at his games and being an expert thief like his boyfriend.

He dwelled on his finances. By stealing his supplies more, he saved more money to devote to other expenses like utility bills. I could save more if we steal food, particularly if we do so while we are shopping.

"What are you thinking, Ryou?" Bakura asked softly.

"I'm thinking of other things we could steal, like food for example."

Bakura's eyes glittered evilly. "Yes. We need food to live and it's silly to have to pay for it."

"My thoughts exactly. So let's write up a grocery list and figure out which ones to steal."

Hours later, Ryou and Bakura were in the stores, checking for security measures while tucking items into their pockets and jackets. They paid for items that were too big or bulky to hide on them. They left the store and, once at home, both laughed in dark triumph. Ryou chortled as they removed their stolen food and put them away. "Oh, it is easy to steal and very satisfying."

"I've always told you that and you never understood," Bakura said as he put cans away.

"True, but now I understand."

The darker shade of Ryou's eyes filled Bakura with immense satisfaction. He had offered the Ring to Ryou to turn him dark and Ryou accepted it. He was now dark like Bakura and loved being so. I wonder what heights we could reach together. I myself see us getting married and running a successful career while indulging in our dark impulses and theft plans. Speaking of plans, our theft of our video games still needs to happen. It could be a matter of days or weeks, but we'll successfully steal them.