Okay- there's a tad bit of OOC-ness on Ryou's end- but I figure he'd be a little more... fluffy now that he's not constantly pummeled on by Bakura. So- he's alright, I think. ^_~. Replies!:

CHIBI-CHAN: Yeah- denial. I think he's just gotten used to the hetero- thing getting enforced so the openness was never there when he grew up, ya know? Probably why he's having a hard time admitting to anything!

HYATT INMSONMIA: Waiting for me to update? NE?! [laughs]

YAMI BAKURA KIA: [giggles] Bakura-chan with a kendo sword? [dances around] but it reminds me of Chu Chu from Utena, ya know? When he dresses up like Saiyonji and stuff! Hehehehehehe!

SOLITARE: I thought the lemon on my site was... weak. I didn't like it [sniff]

GLASSCAT: [imagines Jounouchi's words] "I don't know- I got knocked out- and when I got up, my ass really hurt..." [falls over]

FIREDRAGON97: ^_~. Yup- a "phase" JUST ADMIT IT!

RENEE THE RABID SQUIRREL: tsk tsk- Bakura is just holdin' out for the drama ((of all things -_-.))- he's so damn angsty on purpose!

RYOUBAKURAFAN013: Ah... Bakura domesticated? That'll be the day! I think he's a bit mean in this chapter... well- not mean- but he keeps his anti- Yami ways. A little. ^_^. But yeah- I agree about the Bakura and Malik thing while Jounouchi has no one... poor guy [sniffle] Ack- EXPECT reviews? I'm expecting someone to say my writing sucks! I really don't like how I write- some of my friends say I use to many big words altogether- it's more like a "wtf?!" type of moment- and the bathroom scene was a little strange for me to write- I had seen something like that before... I hate to steal scenes- but I really don't remember where it's from so no credit! [laughs all evilly] Well- actually- I don't even think it was a YGO fic... And are you saying that Bakura is being extreme?! NANI? He's always been somewhat- extreme... [shrug] oh well! Ah- action? Well- it's almost there. A couple more chapters and I think I'm gonna end this fic... there's really no place it CAN go besides the three getting together. BUT- I think I can come up with a bit more if it ends sorta... funky.

NONAME: O.o Bakura giving Jou a hickey is awesome? Hmph- I GUUUUEEEESSSSS.....! [laughs] And Malik colors his hair? AND plays with a stuffed bunny? SUGOOOOIIIII! [giggles] HONTO KAWAII! [glomps on him and throws Bakura some Tylenol]

ANIMEGIRL: Exactly! Who WOULDN'T like to have Ryou and Bakura chase after him/her? Grr... what's with Jounouchi? [pout]

Okay- general note: Um... is there even A general note? I don't think so.... [laughs] Happy reading! Oh! And I don't necessarily have Yuugi and Yami together in... yeah. I've been thinking of a Yami/Yuugi fic so it can finally all string together, but it's in the works.

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'...': thoughts /.../: hikari //...//: yami

Just Let Me Be in Love: A Hikari

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Bakura had been acting strange- that's what he'd really noticed. It was indescribable, but he knew somewhere deep down that there was something hidden in his other half. But who was he to criticize? He was keeping his feelings about Jounouchi a secret...

But that single night when the images of the blond had passed into his soul room- he THOUGHT he understood. And Bakura was making love to him- his other half sharing pleasure that way- while both could envision a single blond- had made him cringe in ecstasy inside. The feeling left him unbelievably hungry- much more than he wanted to admit.

And now Jounouchi was avoiding him... it was obvious in how once glance anyone paying attention could tell. And it hurt. Ryou couldn't stand how the blonde's running hurt him so much- and as much as he would have wanted to remain unaffected- it was pathetic to think otherwise.

//Ryou?// Bakura whispered from the Millennium Ring, the silver haired hikari slinging his backpack over his shoulder.

/Bakura?/ The teenager was making his way to the school's exit.

//Wait a minute.//

/Huh?/ Ryou stepped out of the way for a group of giggling girls.

//Stay where you are.//

"Ryou!" A voice called from the end of the hall- it was Yuugi who had Honda and Yami following behind. The three males looked ready to go home. "We were wondering if you wanted to come to the game shop today- we're getting a new shipment of cards this afternoon."

"I don't kn-"

//Go with them.// Bakura whispered- and Ryou's thoughts instantly went to Jounouchi.

"What about Joey?" Ryou almost stammered out, causing a reaction of a few surprised faces. Honda shrugged, Yuugi lifted a brow, and Yami gave him a familiar steady gaze.

//I hate it when he looks at you that way.//

/Ne? Why?/

//It's like he's trying to figure us out all the time. What you think isn't any of his concern.// Bakura was snapping and Ryou's instinct called for an assessment of where they were- the hall was empty except for the four- but it was instantly five; his guess was correct.

"New cards?" Ryou smiled, trying to distract the glaring yamis. Although they had grown "civil" in some respect, there was always resentment.

"Uh- yeah!" Yuugi chimed in, taking the cue from the other hikari.

"C'mon, Bakura." Ryou took his lover's hand, breaking the two threatening looks. "We can strengthen our deck a little better."

"Hmph." And the group left, Ryou's feeling of sadness creeping back to whatever happened to the person who kept avoiding them.

~*~*~

//You like that wet look, ne?// Bakura took a drink from his mug of black coffee as the door to the game shop swung open, allowing a soaking blond to enter.

/Hai.../ The hikari subconsciously whispered, his thin fingers gripping the mug of hot chocolate he held even tighter.

"I came as soon as....." Jounouchi trailed off, fingers running through his soaking blond hair- until his gaze fell atop the two silver haired Bakuras. He shook his head, smiling at the other males. "I came as soon as Honda called. New cards? I'm HERE!"

He took his jacket off at the door, casting a sideways glance at Ryou and Bakura as he passed them. Ryou was sitting atop one of the glass display cases, Bakura leaning against it, next to his hikari.

/I miss him./ Ryou's chocolate eyes followed the teenager, sighing.

//I know.// Bakura took another nonchalant drink from his dark tonic.

/You-/ Ryou snapped out of his momentary lapse, looking down at Bakura- who was smirking.

//I know, koibito// The hikari's lips spread into a bright smile. He set his drink down besides him- right before flinging his arms around his other half.

"Ryou!" Bakura gasped in surprise, suddenly trying to push the boy away once he because EXTREMELY aware of the starring looks from the group.

//Not now!// The hikari complied, pulling away, kissing Bakura on his forehead.

"That's just great, Ryou." Bakura spoke sarcastically, almost an effort to have the others believe his disgust in the hikari's affection. It seemed to work for the most part, but Yami and Jounouchi gave the two blank expressions.

"Aibou." Yami frowned, Yuugi looking up from the binder of Duel Monster cards he was showing Honda. "I'm going to get a towel and some dry clothes for Jounouchi. We don't want him to freeze to death."

"Ah- it's a'right-" Joey sighed.

"No- don't worry about it." Yuugi smiled, chasing after Yami who had disappeared into the next room. "MATTE, YAMI!"

The small game shop was instantly silent- Honda humming softly to himself as he flipped a page of card filled card slots. Ryou and Bakura were starring at a single spot on the ground. Anyone who may have entered the game shop right then would have felt extremely frantic- the two distant looks on their faces had an eerie and hypnotic effect to them.

A ringing made Jounouchi jump- Honda's cell phone going off. "Moshi moshi. Home? Right now? But I'm at the- alright. See ya in a few. Ja." He hung up the phone, frowning. "Mom wants me home for my grandparents." He quickly gathered his things and headed for the door. "Tell Yami and Yuugi I said hi- oh- and don't forget to tell them I want the Bubonic Vermin card." Ryou smiled and gave a small wave as Honda turned and ran out to face the raining sky.

"Jou?" Yuugi came back in. "Yami put some stuff for you in the bathroom. Take a shower and bring us your clothes so we can wash them."

"Oh- thanks man." The teenager soon left, Yami coming back.

"What happened to Honda?" Yuugi hoped up onto a stool behind the main display case.

"His mom called him home." Ryou took a drink from his almost forgotten hot chocolate. "He wants the Bubonic Vermin card."

"Okay." Yuugi made a note on a steno pad nearby.

A sudden burst of lightning surprised the two hikaris- and two seconds later, the lights went out.

"Ah, fuck....." Bakura muttered.

"AAAHHHH!" And then there was a thump from the bathroom upstairs. Jounouchi fell. "WHAT THE FUCK?!" At this both yamis snickered, the hikari's frowning in the direction of their other halves who they forgot couldn't see them.

~*~*~

"Oh that was an excellent shower." Jounouchi muttered as he made his way through the Motou's dark house, fixing his bangs.

"Are you alright?" Yuugi asked, holding a flashlight pointing at the ground, walking up to his friend.

"Yah- I guess." The blond frowned. "But you guys want me to wear..."

"It looks good on you, Jounouchi!" Yuugi seemed to instantly transform into his yami, causing the blond to jump back in surprise. Yami laughed, turning to lead him back to the game shop. "It suits you well.

~*~*~

/Yami...../ Ryou whispered through their mind link when the two other men walked into the shop.

//Ryou.....// Bakura's eye seemed to be glued onto the same spot- he liked his lips unknowingly.

/Can I...?/ It was like he was whining.

"Ah, Jounouchi- you're missing this!" Yuugi giggled, undoing the buckle of his chocker. Yami took it, fastening it around the teenager's neck.

//In time.// Bakura regained some of his composure, fingers going through his hair- almost in a grooming manner.

"Don't you think this is a bit excessive?" Jounouchi scratched his head, looking down at his clothing. Shinny leather- reflecting red; leather pants, tight form fitting black shirt- and buckles- EVERYWHERE. Not in the same spots as those on Yuugi and Yami's clothing- but several along his upper right leg and upper arms. He wore pyramid studded, thick bracelets as well.

"No- besides, I've always wanted to see you like this." Yuugi laughed. "What do you guys think?" The three turned to the Bakuras who were still starring at the teenager- similar blank expressions on their faces.

Bakura seemed to drift back into reality- Yami was giving them that look again. "What are you starring at, Pharaoh?" He snapped- the two Motou's looking away and trying to act as if nothing had happened.

But Jounouchi's eyes were still trained on the yami and hikari- and Ryou could see the teenager's cheeks turned pink.

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Reviews would be- NICE! ^_~. No update till I get 60! And it's nice to have all those readers from "Left of the Middle" drop me a note- thanks you guys!