Title: The Yuugi and Bakura Soap Opera
Authors: Mayhem and Fran
Rating: R
Category: Drama, Angst, Romance, ect.
Pairings: Any combinations of Y's and B's you can mange. [execpt YB/Y Give it time. *laughs*]
Summary: Yami Yuugi and Bakura talk, leading to fluffiness and Yami Bakura is not entertained. Intrestingness insues.
Warnings: Attempted suicide, somewhat non-con molestation [no rape] Rampant plot devices.
Notes: Mayhem and I were bored, see...
This started as random YY/B fluff, and just kinda... got out of hand after that. :) First sections are kinda.. choppy cause we were using chatroomformat for a while andthen went back and edited into story form. We're not being overly serious here so there's probally a few places where you'll beable to tell one of us went 'Oo! Oo! Let's do THIS!' and suddenly the action changed. *Grins*
And the mini bit of chat format is left in the top sorta like a 'and this is how it all started...'
Enjoy. :)
Oh yeah, and lemme know if ya want the random OC outtakes that go with some parts. They amuse :)
Mayhem: Poor Bakura. *pats his fluffy head* Everyone wants you, is that it? ^^;;
Bakura: ^^;; *hides*
Mayhem: And you don't know why they want you or what they'll do if they get you... *sympathetic smile*
Yami Yuugi : As if it's everyone else's fault. *tsks lightly*
Mayhem: Yeah, everyone wants to blame someone else. But really... I mean, it's all his fault. *points at Bakura*
Bakura blinked. "Boku no sei?" [My fault?]
Yami Yuugi nodded. "Yes, however unintentional it may be... I mean, it isn't as if you could control it," he smirked.
Bakura looked down, seeming shamed though not sure why.
"See? You don't even have to try and you've reduced..." Yami Yuugi paused to think. "Well, everyone, to piddling piles of mush."
Bakura blinked again "I have...?"
Yami Yuugi pretended to think again. "Well, let's see..." He began ticking off names on his fingers, silently. "Yes. Everyone."
"I don't understand... what am I even doing?" Bakura asked, voice confused.
Yami Yuugi gulped "Well, that's part of it. You don't know and I suppose that's attractive."
Bakura blinked again. "Attractive...? How is not knowing what's going on attractive? I just-- don't understand why everything's so complicated... " He gave a long sigh.
Yami Yuugi bit his lip. "It's called being naive," he spoke as if he were talking to a small child, smiling reassuringly. "Some people think that's attractive."
"I'm not naive," Bakura scowled slightly. "I'm just..." He fidgeted slightly. "Not that experienced..."
"Ah-huh." Yami Yuugi crossed his arms over his chest and quirked an elegant eyebrow. "Is that so?"
Bakura blushed slightly and nodded.
"See? That's what I'm talking about," the shorter boy grinned exasperatedly. "And you don't even know how attractive that makes you."
"Gomen..." Bakura didn't look up.
Yami Yuugi rubbed his forehead. "No, don't be sorry. There's no reason to be sorry. Really." He looked at the other boy through his fingers. "Is there something extremely fascinating about the ground, Bakura?" He grinned in amusement.
"Not really," the paler boy said, looking embarrassed as he rubbed back of neck with a small laugh.
"Then why are you staring at it?" Yami Yuugi reached out and put one finger on Bakura's chin, lifting his head so he could look the white-haired boy in the eye. "There."
Bakura looked up with slightly unsure eyes and tried to smile, unsure what Yami Yuugi wanted from him.
"Always looking at the ground, all that hair hiding your face... no one would ever know how nice looking you are," the boy with tricolored hair tsked softly. "No more staring contests with the dirt, okay?"
Bakura gave a small smile. "Gomen, I just.. I get nervous," he admitted with embarrassment.
"There is no reason to be nervous. I'm not threatening, am I?" Yami Yuugi paused. "I try not to be."
"N--no... not really," the paler boy faltered slightly.
"Not really? Does that mean, 'I'm being nice, you scare me to death.' or does that mean, 'You aren't really threatening.'?"
Bakura hesitated. "A bit of both...?"
Yami Yuugi chuckled warmly. "That's understandable. It comes with the territory. You know, the whole 'Pharaoh' deal."
Bakura put a hand over his chest where the Ring was hidden under his shirt, eyes lowering as he nodded slightly.
Yami Yuugi caught Bakura's chin again. "Hey, none of that. Remember? And you don't have to treat me like I'm a Pharaoh. I'm just... another person. As much as I can be..."
"You're the king of games... and..." the paler boy hesitated. "I always just feel awkward around you," he confessed. "It's like you look at me and all you see is the Ring..."
Yami Yuugi hesitated. "No, that's not true. It may seem like it, but I promise you, it's not. I have a fear for you because of its presence, yes, but I most certainly see the person behind the Ring. And you don't have to feel awkward around me."
Bakura nodded slightly. "I'm sorry I can't keep him from trying to hurt everyone. I don't like having to have everyone be afraid of me or wary of me, but it's can't really be helped." He gave a depressed sigh.
"It's all right, Bakura," Yami Yuugi said in a comforting tone. "I'm sorry you have to live like this in the first place. I promise to do my best to help you in whatever way I can."
Bakura gave a small smile. "It's okay, I'm used to it... At least everyone's still here..."
Yami Yuugi returned his smile, a sad light behind his eyes. "You shouldn't have to be 'used' to anything. But you're right. Everyone is still here."
Bakura smiled sadly. "I never did thank you properly for fighting him," he said softly.
"It was the right thing to do. You don't have to thank me."
"I'm almost surprised he's letting me talk to you." The paler boy gave a small embarrassed laugh.
"It isn't fair of him to dictate who you speak with and who you don't," Yami Yuugi said with a slight edge in his voice. "That should be your choice - and yours alone."
"He doesn't really... he just... gets twitchy when you're around," Bakura smiled.
Yami Yuugi chuckled lightly. "Twitchy? Well, I suppose I do give him just a little bit of a reason to be that way..."
Bakura was quiet a long moment. "Yuugi-kun aware of things when you're in control..?" he asked, voice curious.
Yami Yuugi paused, looking at the pale-haired boy. "Why do you ask?"
Bakura looked vaguely nervous. "Just-- just curious," he smiled.
"Oh. Well, it depends. Most of the time, yes. There are times when he isn't, but not often," Yami Yuugi commented, watching the other boy's reactions.
"Sou..." Bakura nodded slightly to himself with a small sigh.
"Why is it that you ask, Bakura?" Yami Yuugi pressed, watching the other boy closely, taking note of every movement he made.
"Just wondering," Bakura smiled as if nothing's wrong. "So what other games do you play besides Duel Monsters?"
Yami Yuugi looked torn, not knowing whether to press the subject further or not. Finally, he decided to leave it alone for now. "I play any game I'm challenged to play. That's sort of the expectation."
"So you don't really have a favorite? You just play because you're expected to?"
"I don't really have a favorite, no. And as for playing because I'm expected to - I do that, but I also enjoy playing. Games are a mental exercise for me. My mind has been rather dormant over the past few millennia," the shorter boy grinned wryly.
Bakura gave a small smile.
"Games happen to be the way I choose to 'reenergize' my mind." Yami Yuugi shrugged softly. "But I am expected to play."
"I've always loved games. The characters in Monster World were always my best friends even before I got the Ring," Bakura smiled sadly.
"Games do often provide an escape from reality. When reality is harsh," Yami Yuugi lowered his voice. "When reality is difficult."
Bakura nodded in agreement. "When Amane and Kaasan..." he trailed off, looking embarrassed. "Gomen."
"Amane?"
Bakura hesitated a moment, looking down. "Boku no imouto [my younger sister]"
"Your... sister?" Yami Yuugi paused, seeming unsure of what to say, of how to comfort the younger one. "And your mother as well?"
The paler boy nodded slightly, eyes sad. "After the crash, games were all I had," he said softly.
Yami Yuugi nodded, wishing for some way to comfort the other boy and fidgeted helplessly. "I'm sorry. I can't remember my family," he sighed.
Bakura grimaced. "Aa, gomen. I didn't mean to..." he trailed off. "I always say the wrong things," he lamented.
"No, no. It's not the wrong thing to say. That's an example of me, running my mouth," Yami Yuugi said loosely, making an attempt to lighten the situation, giving a gesture that seemed to say 'It's okay.'
Bakura gave a small smile. "It's not your fault."
"Eh, it is my fault. I shouldn't have said that," Yami Yuugi paused, looking at the other boy. "You have a very nice smile. You should smile more."
Bakura blushed slightly, smiling looking embarrassed.
"And you don't have to look so embarrassed about it," the shorter boy pointed out, putting his weight on one side and eyeing Bakura appraisingly.
"Gomen, I just--" the paler boy gave a small embarrassed laugh. "You'd think I'd be used to compliments because of my 'fan club' but..." he smiled softly.
"AND," Yami Yuugi added, using a mock-condescending tone. " You don't have to apologize so often. There's no reason to be sorry for looking nice."
Bakura blushed. "Gome--" he caught himself and gave another small embarrassed laugh.
"See? Very nice..." Yami Yuugi trailed off for a second, catching himself before he finished whatever he was about to say.
The paler boy blushed more, looking shy.
Yami Yuugi nodded in confirmation of his own thoughts, taking a step closer causing the other boy to blink slightly and look up at him through his bangs.
The shorter boy took a deep breath, fighting with himself as he watched Bakura carefully. "Bakura... " He started to say something but stopped, shaking his head. "Never mind," he finished awkwardly.
The paler boy blinked in confusion and looked at Yami Yuugi in question.
The other boy mimicked Bakura and began blinking rapidly, almost as if he was looking for something to say, or looking for an escape. "It's nothing, really... I was just..." the confidence in his posture was decreasing as he became more and more nervous, acting incredibly out of character.
"Just what...?" Bakura asked, voice concerned and curious.
Yami Yuugi vaguely waved it off. "Just a slightly senile old guy being an idiot," he said, his language mimicking his stance. "You should be careful around me. Whenever I'm not dueling or in some sort of life-threatening situation I tend to ramble senselessly."
"You're not senile, old or an idiot," Bakura smiled. "And I don't mind if you ramble. It's nice just listening." He hesitated a moment. "You... you have a nice voice. Like Yuugi-kun, but more..." he hesitated again, searching for the words before blushing slightly. "It's different," he finished lamely.
Yami Yuugi chuckled warmly. "You are too kind. But I am slightly senile. And I am old. Much older than you."
"You're not senile because you don't have memories. It isn't your fault," Bakura insisted.
"Oh really?" The former pharaoh looked amused, both at the statement and at Bakura's adamant reaction.
The paler boy blushed slightly and nodded. "You're... you're just amnesiac!" he insisted.
Yami Yuugi laughed out loud at the statement. "That's true. I'm just insanely forgetful, right?"
"If you were that forgetful you'd never be any good at Duel Monsters," Bakura pointed out.
"Ah. That's true. Maybe I just have a one track mind," Yami Yuugi grinned.
Bakura smiled. "Two track. Dueling and Yuugi-kun."
Yami Yuugi made blank face. "See? I am forgetful." He gave a smile to show he was kidding. "Yes, two-track. Currently. There's room in my head for more."
Bakura smiled again. "Room for more games?" he teased lightly.
"Yuugi is not a game," Yami Yuugi pointed out. "But yes, I suppose. Maybe other things. I don't exactly get out much, per se."
"Mm," Bakura nodded. "I only see you whenever there's a dueling tournament," he smiled, then paused, looking up as if just realizing something. "That's right! You shouldn't be out now at all, there's no duel!" he exclaimed with an innocent smile.
"You are correct. You don't miss anything, do you?" Yami Yuugi asked in a coy tone. "If any challenge is presented me, I will accept it," he said, tone turning mysterious.
Bakura laughed lightly. "I couldn't duel you." His smile turned briefly sad before brightening again. "You'd beat me easy, and besides, my deck's in all disarray from the last time I got new cards."
Yami Yuugi smiled kindly. "Eh, being the near-creator of a game will automatically increase your odds of winning, with the added bonus of being 'King of Games'... I understand. As for you specifically, I know you are a good duelist."
Bakura shook his head. "I'm not really. I don't get to duel very often and I haven't had any practice."
"Then you should chalk your skill up to natural ability, shouldn't you?"
Bakura gave a sad smile. "You've never see me dueling, Yuugi-san..."
"Then we'll chalk that up to my astounding intuition," the other boy winked.
Bakura gave a small tentative smile. "Besides, it's better that I play single player games anyway. It's safer for everyone."
"I wish that you had no reason to say that. I understand why you say it, but I still wish you didn't have to."
The paler boy smiled sadly. "It's okay. I don't mind it. I never was any good at duel monsters anyway," he said with a small self-depreciating laugh.
"But you seclude yourself. You shouldn't do that. It's lonely," Yami Yuugi's smile echoed Bakura's sadness, a note of understanding in his voice. "And you have too kind a heart, to sincere a soul to hide all the time."
Bakura blushed slightly, eyes and smile still sad. "If it keeps everyone safe, I don't mind," he said softly. "I'm used to being alone."
"That's not fair to you though, no matter how used to it you are. You shouldn't have to be alone. And besides, don't you trust us? Certainly myself, at the very least, to protect those I care about from whatever 'threat' the presence within you provides?"
Bakura hesitated a moment. "I trust you and everyone, but..." He placed a hand over where the Ring rested under his shirt, looking down slightly.
Yami Yuugi sighed. "I understand. Forgive my outburst, I just can't stand to see you being upset... for whatever reason."
The pale haired boy gave a small smile. "That's because you have a good heart."
"Some people might disagree with that statement, and quite vehemently I'm sure," Yami Yuugi smiled back.
Bakura gave a small laugh, nodding.
"Being in my position, you make a lot of enemies," Yami Yuugi shrugs, waving it off.
"But you also make a lot of allies and friends," the paler boy said with a small sad smile. "I sometimes envy Yuugi-kun for having you," he admitted softly.
"Bakura... " Yami Yuugi trailed off, almost reaching for the other boy, but stopping. "I'm sorry," he said softly.
Bakura smiled sadly. "It's not your fault."
"Ultimately, it is my fault. Or at least, I blame myself."
The paler boy shook his head slightly. "You shouldn't."
"We do a lot of things we shouldn't, Bakura," Yami Yuugi said pointedly. "We all make mistakes and we regret them, bitterly at times. My mistakes were unfortunate enough to follow me for these many thousands of years to the present."
"How do you know they were mistakes?" Bakura pointed out with a smile.
"I view them as such. Some of them brought about consequences for the better, but most of them I see in a harsh light now, their repercussions more vast than I can imagine."
"But you don't know. Maybe whatever caused you to do what you did saved the world or at least those who were important to you? How do you even know you did them? You don't have your memories..."
"I see it in those around me. Others, who are not so unfortunate as to have forgotten. At least not entirely. I often wonder what I would do if I had all of my memories. I might go insane." Yami Yuugi chuckled softly. "All the time that's passed..."
"It has to be hard... knowing everyone you once knew passed away long ago," Bakura said, eyes sympathetic.
"But if I can't remember them... how can it hurt so much? Like a void..." The spirit stopped almost abruptly. "I'm babbling again."
Bakura was quiet a long moment. "It's like how I don't remember my mother much... I can't recall how she looked, I can't remember the sound of her voice... but it still hurts that she's gone. Amane too..."
"I'm sorry... I suppose we're in the same boat in that respect. It's nice to think of having something in common."
The paler boy smiled softly and nodded.
"Two such unlikely people as ourselves, it is rather amazing." Yami Yuugi shifted his weight again.
Bakura smiled once more, nodding again. "We are unique," he laughed softly.
Yami Yuugi smiled back, encouraged to see the other boy looking happier.
"And we do have a lot in common," Bakura mused with a smile.
"A love for games, a similar situation regarding our families... I would have never guessed, Bakura," Yami Yuugi said with a reassuring grin.
The paler boy smile shyly. "I-- I've been watching you a lot," he admitted with embarrassment. "And not just your dueling..."
Yami Yuugi blinked, slightly surprised. "You have?"
Bakura blushed slightly. "Un," he nodded, looking embarrassed.
"There's no reason to be embarrassed," Yami Yuugi said, fidgeting slightly. "It's a nice compliment. I wasn't expecting it, that's all."
"I-- I've just always admired you," the paler boy blushed again, looking down at his hands. "You-- You and Yuugi-kun were the first to really..." He hesitated a moment, voice unsure. "Even after everything, you were willing to give me a chance," he smiled softly, eyes wistful.
"Hey, chin up, okay?" Yami Yuugi said in a warning tone. "I'm flattered that you'd say that, Bakura. But what Yuugi and I did for you was nothing to praise us for, it was the right thing, and therefore, something that I should have done. Besides, everyone, always, deserves a second chance," he smiled comfortingly.
The paler boy's smile grew slightly sad.
Yami Yuugi near grimaced, mentally berating himself. "But, it wasn't as if I didn't want to..." he trailed off meaningfully.
Bakura looked up slightly. "Gomen, it's just... the silly little hopeless romantic part of me," he laughed, embarrassed. "Dreaming of the day when someone will come and make everything different and hoping that maybe..." he trailed off, as if realizing what he was about to say and blushed, looking down again.
Yami Yuugi took the other boy's chin in his hand, lifting it so he can look Bakura's eyes. "Dreaming for a better life, for things to change? There's nothing hopeless about that."
Bakura smiled softly at the touch, but didn't meet Yami Yuugi's eyes. "It is for me..." he said in a voice that was so soft, it was almost inaudible.
"Why is that?" The shorter boy asked, looking at Bakura with slight confusion on his face.
The pale haired boy gave another soft sad smile. "It's just my lot in life to be the unlucky one."
"Your luck may change. Don't decide right now that you'll never find someone who loves you," Yami Yuugi said kindly. "You can't let anyone else love you if you don't love yourself. You're a wonderful person, Bakura. Someone loves you."
Bakura blinked, looking up, eyes slightly confused. "Who...?"
Yami Yuugi was silent for a second. "Bakura, someone would have to be crazy not to love you. Everyone you've met so far in life that has shunned you... they must have lost their minds..."
The paler boy smiled sadly. "Or were afraid they were going to... It's funny, really... so many people want me, but only for what they want." He gave small depressed laugh. "Even Tousan..."
"Some people are not as kind as you," Yami Yuugi pointed out. "And it's hard for them to see past their petty desires. They can't understand true love because all they know is a false, tawdry imitation."
Bakura smiled softly with a slight nod.
"Some people... are blind." The shorter boy paused a moment before continuing. "I'd like to think that I'm not one of them."
"You're not," Bakura smiled softly. "I can tell..."
Yami Yuugi stepped forward, leaning over the other boy. "Some people... never get the chance to see true beauty. Some people die without knowing what it is. And still others, come back to life, only to be blessed with the chance of seeing it again"
Bakura looked up, eyes slightly wide with curiosity, breath slightly accelerated at the closeness. "Yu--Yuugi-san..?"
The boy leaned over further, so their faces were only inches apart, his crimson eyes locking with Bakura's brown ones. "That beauty that I see..." He closed his eyes, brushing his lips gently against the other boy's.
Bakura's eyes went wide in surprise and he froze briefly before slowly melting against the kiss, eyes closing against tears.
Gauging the other's response and noticing he wasn't pulling away, Yami Yuugi pushed forward a bit, cupping the Bakura's chin in his hand and tilting his head upwards. The paler boy let himself be guided, tears slowly leaking out from behind closed eyes. Yami Yuugi reached up with his other hand, gently wiping the tears away, his stance comforting and Bakura almost hesitantly reached out to loosely take hold of the shorter boy's shirt, fingers curling in the black fabric.
Yami Yuugi leaned forward more, encouraging the contact between them to deepen, while still allowing Bakura space to decide the situation. The paler boy's fingers curled tighter to be almost clinging before he reluctantly broke the kiss, taking in a deep breath. He didn't open his eyes, almost seeming afraid to, still clinging to the smaller boy's shirt.
"Bakura?" Yami Yuugi blinked.
The other boy very hesitantly opened his eyes, blinking away stray tears, and looked up at Yami Yuugi , almost trembling. "You're still here...." he said softly, voice full of wonder.
Yami Yuugi nodded, wiping away one of his tears. "Yes, I am. Why wouldn't I be?"
Bakura gave a small, embarrassed laugh, tears almost evident in his voice. "I-- I always wake up this part." He laughed again, hands tightening in Yami Yuugi's shirt. "This-- this isn't a dream...?" he asked, voice hopeful.
Yami Yuugi blinked. "This is no dream, Bakura." He leaned over and kissed the paler boy gently again. "It's no dream."
"But it has to be-- nothing-- nothing this good could ever... " Bakura's eyes started to water again.
Yami Yuugi pulled Bakura into his arms, whispering comfortingly. "It could. And it did." He rocked back and forth slightly. "It is happening even now."
Bakura's eyes went wide once more and he buried his head in Yami Yuugi's chest, sobbing with relief, hugging the former monarch tightly. Yami Yuugi whispered gently in his ear, rubbing comforting circles in the crying boy's back, holding him closer.
"It's okay, Bakura," he said softly, still rocking back and forth against Bakura.
Bakura's crying seemed to die down a little, until he was sniffling lightly. "Gomen, I -- I just -- I haven't... no one's..." Yami Yuugi shh'ed Bakura once more, sighing wistfully.
"It's all right. Another point where we're similar. I haven't... touched anyone... in a very long time." He looked down at Bakura, a loving look in his eyes. At this Bakura gave a soft smile.
"I -- I haven't been held, or touched kindly, not since... since Kaasan and Amane died. Just bullied." He said sadly.
Yami Yuugi looked resolute. "Then, then I'm here to remedy that, Bakura." He brushed a tender hand through Bakura's pale locks. "You deserve so much more than that... than this." He responded, his face somewhat remorseful. Bakura smiled at this, giving a small residual sniffle and shifting slightly to rub his nose, then moving once again to snuggle against Yami Yuugi's chest.
Yami Yuugi loosened his arms around Bakura, clasping his hands together around the thin boy's back. "I want to give you whatever I can." He whispered, watching Bakura's expression. The timid boy looked up, eyes full of wonder and worship.
"Honto...?" He asked shyly.
"Yes, really." Yami Yuugi said, smiling adoringly at the look Bakura was giving him. Bakura gave a large smile of wonder, hugging Yami Yuugi tightly, muttering his thanks, voice trembling as he was on the verge of tears once more.
"You're welcome." Yami Yuugi said, returning Bakura's hug. "No more tears, you don't have to cry." He said, reaching up slightly to kiss the top of Bakura's head.
Bakura gave a small laugh. "Gomen, I just--" He smiled again, his face soft. "I can't help it... I'm so happy..."
Yami Yuugi tilted his head to one side. "Then smile. Your smile is beautiful. You don't have to cry." He smiled himself, glad that the younger boy was happy. At this, Bakura gave a shaky smile before embracing the spirit once more. Yami Yuugi looked down at Bakura, responding to the hug, holding him gently. "See?" He said, squeezing Bakura's shoulders. "Smiling is much better than crying."
Bakura gave a small laugh. "I don't normally cry. I'm always hiding... behind my smile. It -- it feels good to do both..."
"I think we should try to find reasons for you to smile - for real. You should only smile when you want to and when you're happy." Yami Yuugi said.
Bakura smiled contentedly, nodding slightly, wiping the remains of a tear from under one eye. Yami Yuugi watched him wipe away a single tear, looking contemplative.
"I can't remember the last time I cried..." He paused. "I can remember the last time Yuugi cried."
Bakura gave a small smile, thinking of Yuugi. "Last time I cried was at Kaasan and Amane's funeral" He said softly. He gave a small laugh. "I decided I was going to be strong for Tousan. Afterwards, I just never stopped..."
Yami Yuugi tightened his grip on Bakura, clutching at him. "I'm sorry... I'm very sorry..."
Bakura melted into the embrace. "It's-- it's alright if I-- I haven't been able to talk to anyone about these things." He gave a small laugh. "I've never been good at talking to people about anything besides games."
"Go ahead and talk, I'll listen. Whatever you need to say..." Yami Yuugi smiled.
Bakura-kun smiled. "Arigatou..." He snuggled closer and gave a contented sigh. "I just feel like I could tell you anything..."
"And you can. As I said, I'll listen to whatever you want to say." Yami Yuugi nuzzled in the other's hair a little, inhaling slightly. Bakura gave a small smile at the action as Yami Yuugi smiled against the white curtain of hair. The pale slowly traced the lines of Yami Yuugi's shirt, smiling contentedly. Yami Yuugi shivered imperceptibly, whispering Bakura's name as he continues to nuzzle against the other. Bakura's eyes closed halfway and he gave a small contented sound almost like a purr as he's nuzzled, continuing to lightly run his fingers over the black cloth covering Yami Yuugi's chest.
Yami Yuugi listened to Bakura's soft purring noises, falling himself into a sort of haze as Bakura continued his soft exploration over Yami Yuugi's tight shirt, eyes closing fully. Yami Yuugi bit his lip to keep silent, sliding forward and continuing his nuzzling against the bare skin of Bakura's neck.
Bakura gave a small gasp, hand going still as his breath speed up slightly. He tilted his head slightly to expose more of his neck to the other boy, lips parting slightly.
Yami Yuugi trailed his lips over the previously untouched skin, watching Bakura's reactions carefully.
The paler boy gasped again, almost inaudibly, hand tensing against Yami Yuugi's chest, face flushing slightly. He tilted his head even more, almost leaning against the other boy.
Yami Yuugi allowed Bakura to lean against him, now kissing the pale skin gently, his hands still clasped tightly around Bakura's waist.
Bakura gave a small sound that was half a moan, half a whimper, utterly lost in the sensation of Yami Yuugi's lips against his increasingly more sensitive skin.
Yami Yuugi heated up at the sound of Bakura's whimpers, trailing upwards, touching his jaw line before claiming his lips once more. As Bakura responded almost hungrily, his lips warm, Yami Yuugi ran his tongue over the paler boy's bottom lip, lost now in a plethora of feelings and sensations.
Bakura gave a small whimper, tensing and breaking the kiss. He rested his forehead on Yami Yuugi's shoulder, trying to recover his quickened breath.
Yami Yuugi pulled back slowly, allowing Bakura to lean on his shoulder. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I shouldn't have..."
The other boy shook his head slightly. "Un, Daijoubu. I just-- I've never-- It's just a bit fast, gomen." His hands tightened in Yami Yuugi's shirt as if unconsciously trying to pull him closer again. "Don't go..."
Yami Yuugi shook his head. "No, I won't go. Unless you wanted me to, I wouldn't leave. But it is my fault. You get a little desperate sometimes... if you know what I mean..."
Bakura looked up with a small shaky smile. "Daijoubu," he tried to assure. He gave a small laugh, still slightly breathless. "I-- I just... I panicked, it's my fault, I--"
"Bakura, don't worry about it." Yami Yuugi nuzzled against the other affectionately. "It's over and done now. It's okay."
The paler boy gave a contented smile at the nuzzling, melting against the other boy again. "It-- it felt good..." He blushed slightly, smile growing more affectionate.
"I'm glad," Yami Yuugi smiled, holding Bakura close to him. "It was nice..." he trailed off slightly.
"Un," Bakura nodded slightly in agreement, eyes closing once more. "I'm sorry I panicked and ruined it," he apologized softly.
"No, you don't have to apologize. And you didn't ruin it by any means."
Bakura gave a small smile, his fingers almost hesitantly starting to move over Yami Yuugi's chest again. "Have-- have you ever... ever done anything like this before...?" he asked meekly.
Yami Yuugi shook his head slowly. "No, not to my knowledge."
"Oh," Bakura said softly. "I-- I thought since you were so good at..." He broke off with a blush. "Gomen."
Yami Yuugi's cheeks grew slightly warm. "No, no, I've never done this."
"Oh..." The paler boy gave a small laugh. "I guess you're just naturally good at everything," he blushed slightly.
Yami Yuugi blinked rapidly. "I don't know about that... I mean..." He trailed off, slightly embarrassed himself.
Bakura smiled softly, then gave a small laugh.
Yami Yuugi looked mildly confused. "What's funny?"
"Just thinking," the paler boy smiled. "My knight in shining armor's a pharaoh in a shining pendent," he laughed softly.
Yami Yuugi paused before chuckling richly. "And my damsel in distress... is very beautiful," he said as he brushed hair from Bakura's face.
Bakura blushed again, eyes lowering slightly with a small laugh. "And isn't a damsel at all," he smiled.
"It doesn't matter. You are still beautiful."
Bakura blushed more, looking embarrassed. "No I'm not," he protested softly.
"Yes, you are," the shorter boy said in an insistent tone. "Very much so."
The pale haired boy blushed more, almost fidgeting as he smiles.
Yami Yuugi placed one finger on Bakura's nose. "Very cute."
Bakura gave a small laugh, blushing once more. "Mou," he said, trying to sound reproaching but failing.
"It's true," Yami Yuugi said with a smile, tapping his nose. "When you blush like that... you are very cute."
The paler boy ducked head, trying to control his blush, but failing, tried to hide his face against Yami Yuugi's shirt.
"And you don't have to hide it all the time," Yami Yuugi smiled, slightly amused.
"Being cute gets you chased after by girls and beaten up by bullies." Bakura's voice was muffled slightly in Yami Yuugi's shirt.
"But it doesn't stop you from being that way," Yami Yuugi pointed out. "I'm sorry you have had to deal with that because of your looks."
Bakura gave a small smile. "It's kind of funny, all the jokes about me being a girl, if you think about it," he smiled.
Yami Yuugi smiled slightly. "You are very pretty. But you are no girl. You possess a strength..." He trailed off.
Bakura shook his head slightly.
"You do. It's not an obvious one, not a particular skill or physical difference." Yami Yuugi rested one hand on Bakura's chest. "As cliche as it sounds, it's an inner strength."
The paler boy smiled softly at the touch. "If I had that strength, I would have found a way to overcome the Ring long ago, instead of hiding from reality until it was too late..."
Yami Yuugi shook his head. "The Ring found you by fate. It's not hiding from reality. And I'm sure others would have fallen prey to it long before, while you remain here. And if anything, it is that object which you so loathe that gives you that strength."
"It's hiding when you don't let yourself realize the reason you're so alone," Bakura said softly. "If I were truly strong, I'd have killed myself long ago so it wouldn't have a host."
"But that would have been the weakness. To give up then, to quit. If you had... someone else surely would have found it. There would be another. Your strength causes you to take the harder of two roads, to hold onto it and keep another from suffering your fate. I think somewhere inside you know that."
The paler boy looked down.
"It's true," Yami Yuugi continued. "That would take strength. Living sometimes... sometimes is the hardest thing of all to do."
Bakura nodded slightly. "But the Ring won't let me die," he said, voice so soft it was almost inaudible. "There used to be weeks where I wouldn't eat... but I'd black out and not be hungry after... I never realized what it was then... I thought it was Amane yelling at me... It hurt so much when I realized...." he trails off.
"And you're stronger now for that. Hardships..." Yami Yuugi paused, his voice catching. "Hardships give us strength. Once we get past them, they are strength for us. You have had so many hardships... so many troubles, and you are still here. That makes you strong." He sighed.
Bakura looked up. "Yuugi-san...?" he asked, voice concerned.
Yami Yuugi looked over at Bakura, his eyes wide, an explanation dying on his lips. "It's... nothing. I don't want to sound repetitive."
"It's all right, I don't mind, you've been listing to my self pity," Bakura said with a small embarrassed smile.
"No, it really is nothing. And I don't mind listening to you, besides that, I don't think you're self-pitying."
Bakura gave another small laugh. "It's because I didn't take my meds this morning, I only 'woke up' in the afternoon."
"You don't have to apologize or explain anything. It's all right," Yami Yuugi assured, clasping his hands around Bakura's waist.
Bakura melted against the touch. "I'll be better in tomorrow," he promised softly.
Yami Yuugi nodded slowly. "It's okay," he assured again, letting Bakura lean against him. "Don't worry about it now."
Bakura relaxed against the smaller boy, eye troubled. "He's getting bored of this..." he near whimpered.
"He isn't you," Yami Yuugi said firmly. "He doesn't decide who you are, not ultimately."
"He's trying to get me to sleep..." Bakura whimpered again, burying his face in Yami Yuugi's chest. "He's getting angry," he said, tensing.
Yami Yuugi held onto Bakura tightly. "If worse comes to worse, I'm here," he said reassuringly, anger prickling at the back of his mind.
"Make him stop...? I don't want to sl--slip away when..." The paler boy shuddered a moment, giving another whimper. "No... no please," he begged, trembling slightly.
Yami Yuugi clutched at the other boy, his expression growing a little desperate. "Bakura, don't give in to him. You have to hold on," he insisted, shaking Bakura slightly, trying to get the boy to look at him.
"I'm trying..." Bakura whimpered softly, curling up against Yami Yuugi's chest. He tensed further as his hair began to grow more wild, giving a small pained sound.
Yami Yuugi looked pained, his eyes growing wide. "Bakura, listen to me, please. Don't give in to him," he pleaded soothingly, but firmly, pressing Bakura against himself.
"I... can't... hol---" The boy's voice sounded strangled. The Ring began to glow strongly from under his shirt and he slowly went still.
Yami Yuugi pushed Bakura out to arm's length, watching him carefully, taking no action until he was sure of what's happened. "Bakura?" he asked softly.
The boy chuckled darkly as the glow of the Ring faded.
"You!" Yami Yuugi exclaimed, his tone harsh as his arms fell away from Bakura's body, his expression hard.
Yami Bakura chuckled again, tone almost mocking. "I should have guessed you were the type to go after young boys," he smirked. "But I won't have you touching my host that way." He brushed off arms as if removing the traces of Yami Yuugi's touch from them.
Yami Yuugi's expression changed from hard to furious. "You have no right..." he trailed off, standing up and pushing away from the spirit. "It is not up to you to decide what he does," he said, words seeming to fail him.
Yami Bakura chuckled again. "Oh, but it is," he smirked, leaning back against the wall, crossing his arms nonchalantly. "He is mine to control. He is my host."
"It was his body before it was yours," Yami Yuugi pointed out, reason and logic taking precedence in his analytical mind. "He should be the one to control you, not the other way around. You were given a second chance at life, though you didn't deserve it, by him. And you should respect that."
Yami Bakura gave an amused snort. "So says the former pharaoh who ruled over all in the past. You are just as much a parasite as I."
"Yes, but I ask before I take things," the shorter spirit near-snarled. "I, unlike you, have a certain sense of dignity and honor. Those words are ghosts to your ears."
"Don't you speak of honor to me," Yami Bakura near snapped, tone harsh. "Especially when you're trying to seduce my host."
Yami Yuugi glared spectacularly at the other boy, his upper lip curling. "I did nothing of the sort. He's hurting." He turns away from the spirit in front of him, standing to the side. "You hurt him. How can you not care that you've hurt him?" he asked, tone disbelieving, his voice rising.
"Yes, by granting his wishes, I've hurt him," Yami Bakura said, tone mocking.
Yami Yuugi looked taken aback. "What is that supposed to mean?"
Yami Bakura smirked. "You're so quick to assume that everything is my fault, Yuugi," he commented, tone amused.
Yami Yuugi eyed the pale spirit, his expression guarded. "What's so funny?" He asked, angry at not knowing what was going on.
"I shouldn't have to tell you, you know everything already," Yami Bakura said with a dismissive wave, pushing away from the wall and turning to leave.
Yami Yuugi growled lowly. "That's not true," he said, not realizing that even this statement sounds self righteous.
Yami Bakura chuckled again. "Yet you're so insistent that I cause all of his pain. Why would I try and destroy my host?"
"Notice I never said 'destroy.' I only said that you hurt him. You don't have to touch someone to hurt them. And you know that better than anyone, I'm sure," Yami Yuugi said, confidence returning.
"Tell me, something, Yuugi. Do you know that his father is still alive?" Yami Bakura asked, tone smug.
Yami Yuugi looked confused for a mere second, before turning around once more to face Bakura again. "No, I didn't know that," he said with deliberate slowness
"Neither does he," the paler spirit smirked. "He believes that the figure in his game is where his father's soul lies because he can't handle the fact that the man abandoned him for his work. How greater the hurt would be if I shattered his illusions instead of giving him something to blame for the misfortune in his life."
Yami Yuugi again looked taken aback, but again regained an air of dignity. "Have you ever considered that there might be a better way to help him, if indeed you did want such a thing? Or does it ultimately come down to this - you don't want to help him, you just want an excuse."
Yami Bakura chuckled. "I make no excuses. I don't care. As long as he stays intact, what does it matter to me what he feels? He clings to me, you see, else he would have tried to get rid of the Ring long ago. He knows that I will never leave him because I need his body and he needs that security. I protect him from himself and others so that he continues to be useful. If he welcomes the oblivion my possession offers, who am I to change that fact?" he smirked, crossing his arms over his chest again.
"It's not a matter of what you can do, more a matter of what you should do," Yami Yuugi said pointedly. "He is a human being, not a lifeless shell, not a husk. You should want to take care of him. As for seducing him, if you aren't willing to take care of your own host, someone else will." He mimicked Yami Bakura's action, crossing his own arms over his chest.
The harsher boy chuckled again. "I take care of his needs," he said dismissive. "And I'd hardly call wanting to fuck him taking care of him, Yuugi," he said pointedly.
Yami Yuugi shrugged offhandedly. "Did I say that? No, you did. Seduction is another matter entirely," he said, waving it off.
"I will not allow you to use him, Yuugi..." Yami Bakura warned. "That is my job."
"And again, who said anything about that? I used your words. That is all," Yami Yuugi said, defensive of his position. "When did you become so concerned about that anyway?"
"I share this body and I will not have you taint it," the harsher boy replied.
"I see," Yami Yuugi nodded slowly. "I still hold to this - I never said anything about doing that to him. Honor would not allow it."
"Your touch taints," Yami Bakura glared slightly.
Yami Yuugi smirked. "Does it? That's interesting to hear." He took a step towards the other boy. "So all I have to do is touch you?" He lifted a finger and placed it in front of Bakura's face.
The paler boy rolled his eyes. "Yes and you'll give me cooties," he deadpanned, slapping finger away.
Yami Yuugi continued to smirk. "That's what I thought."
"Sarcasm, Yuugi," Yami Bakura rolled eyes again.
"The same to you, Bakura," Yami Yuugi said the name as a sneer, the same name that rolled off of his lips like a caress moments before.
"Just remember, every time you touch him, I will take over and push you way," Yami Bakura warned before closing his eyes.
Yami Yuugi snarled once more, fighting the urge to strike back. "Well, I won't be thinking of you if I do touch him."
The pale haired boy's eyes opened to look at Yami Yuugi in utter confusion. "Yuugi-san...?"
Yami Yuugi blinked, walking over to Bakura. "Are you all right?"
"I-- I think so..." Bakura said slowly. "What happened? I-- I don't remember...."
Yami Yuugi moved forward to take his hand, stopping when he remembered the spirit's words, quelling another growl so as not to worry Bakura. "It's nothing, don't worry about it. I'm just glad you're all right."
Bakura sat slowly, rubbing forehead. "I must not be eating enough," he laughed softly in embarrassment. "I haven't been rambling on like and idiot, have I?"
"No, no!" Yami Yuugi assured, genuinely. "And you aren't an idiot at all," he added pointedly.
Bakura gave a small smile. "Arigatou."
"You're welcome," Yami Yuugi smiled.
The paler boy rubbed back of neck, looking embarrassed. "You're always so nice to me." He blushed slightly. "No one else besides you and Yuugi-kun seem to have the patience to deal with someone like me," he said, giving small self depreciating laugh.
Yami Yuugi smiled again. "You aren't a bother. And you don't require a lot of patience. Why would you think that?"
"Because I'm always zoning out and forgetting things." He smiled embarrassedly. "Like how I know I was talking to you before, but I can't remember at all what it was about." He rubbed the back of his neck again. "Gomen."
"No, that's all right." Yami Yuugi said kindly. "No need to apologize."
"Was-- was it something important? What we were talking about...?" Bakura's voice sounded unsure.
Yami Yuugi smiled sadly. "No, it was nothing." He brushed it off with a wave of his hand. "Like I said, don't worry about it." He moved to take Bakura's hand, again stopping.
Bakura blinked at the gesture. "Yuugi-san...?" He looked up with unsure eyes. "Did-- Did I do something wrong...?" He asked meekly.
"No, it wasn't you. It was more my fault then anything," the shorter boy said, clenching his fist at his side.
Bakura looked down, hands folded in his shirt. "Go-- gomen..." He was quiet a moment. "I-- I should go...."
"You don't have to leave on my account, you know," Yami Yuugi stated, watching Bakura's movements, slightly concerned.
"I can read body language, Yuugi-san," the paler boy said softly. "I watch people because I can't be with them..." He walked to the doorway, but hesitated, seeming torn.
Yami Yuugi seemed to come to a conclusion, walking over resolutely and taking Bakura's hand. "That's not it. I'm sorry if I seemed cold," he explained slowly, carefully. "I didn't mean to. I... don't want to see you hurt."
Bakura tensed slightly as if pained by the touch and squeezed Yami Yuugi's hand desperately a moment, free hand on his forehead as if he was trying to steady himself.
Yami Yuugi fought with himself, unsure whether or not to let go of Bakura's hand, not wanting to hurt him, but not wanting to hurt his feelings either. Finally he decided that the latter was safer and lets go of Bakura's hand a little. "Bakura?"
The boy gave a small shaky smile, "I-- I think I need to sit... feel so dizzy all of the sudden..." He slid down to sit on the floor, leaning his head back against the wall, eyes closing.
Yami Yuugi again fought with himself, wanting to explain his actions. "Go ahead, sit down," he said, dropping to the ground beside Bakura.
Bakura gave another small smile, looking up slightly. "Gomen, I guess I should have eaten something today," he laughed softly.
"You should eat more. It sounds like you have these spells pretty often, am I right?" Yami Yuugi asked, tone concerned.
"Not normally this bad," the paler boy smiled slightly. "I normally just space out for a while." He gave a small self deprecating laugh. "I can't even remember if I have eaten today, all of the day's such a blur..."
"The whole day?" *Yami Yuugi asked, questing for an answer.
"Un, "Bakura nodded. "I have a horrible memory, it's amazing I do well in school at all," he laughed at himself sadly, looking down.
"I am sorry, Bakura," Yami Yuugi said, fist clenching even more as he swore under his breath.
Bakura blinked. "Yuugi-san no sei janai yo," he smiled. [It's not Yuugi-san's fault]
Yami Yuugi smiles wryly. "More than you may know," he said briefly, tracing the floor tiles systematically.
The paler boy blinked, looking confused. "Yuugi-san...?"
Yami Yuugi laughed, waving it off. "I'm sorry to sound so cryptic. It's probably best that I don't tell you... and that I stop talking about it... I'm not helping anything."
Bakura blinked again, then looked down. "It's-- it's because of..." he trailed off, putting a hand over were the Ring was under his shirt. "Isn't it, Yuugi-san..."
Yami Yuugi nodded slowly. "But you shouldn't worry. Really."
Bakura continued to look down. "Gomen... boku no sei..." he said softly before pushing himself up again. "I should go..." he said unhappily, voice depressed.
"You really don't have to go. It's all right," Yami Yuugi stood, following Bakura.
The paler boy shook his head slightly. "If the Ring's active, I'm only putting you in danger by being here..."
Yami Yuugi sighed. "That may be true, but I still worry for you. I don't want you to be hurt."
Bakura smiled sadly. "Knowing that is enough..." he said very softly.
Yami Yuugi nodded. "Knowing you are safe would be enough for me, and if I have to stay to keep you safe that's what I'll do."
Bakura was still a moment, still smiling sadly. "You're too kind to someone who's just a pawn of someone who wants to destroy you..."
"I wish you weren't though, I wish I could keep you from having to be a 'pawn,'"
Bakura smiled softly. "Shikattanai ne... [it can't be helped.]"
"Maybe not now, but there may come a time when something will change. In you."
"I've tried so many times... all I can do is hope to find a way to save my friends from whatever harm I bring them."
"And I will try to keep that harm from happening, to rid you of its reason," Yami Yuugi said firmly.
Bakura smiled softly. Reaching into his pocket a moment, he pulled out a card and looked at it a moment before placing it down on the table near the door and exiting.
Yami Yuugi walked over to the desk, looking at the card curiously. Seeing what it was, he picked it up, smiling. It was Bakura's Change of Heart card, looking slightly worn and faded, with small folds and rips around the edges.
Authors: Mayhem and Fran
Rating: R
Category: Drama, Angst, Romance, ect.
Pairings: Any combinations of Y's and B's you can mange. [execpt YB/Y Give it time. *laughs*]
Summary: Yami Yuugi and Bakura talk, leading to fluffiness and Yami Bakura is not entertained. Intrestingness insues.
Warnings: Attempted suicide, somewhat non-con molestation [no rape] Rampant plot devices.
Notes: Mayhem and I were bored, see...
This started as random YY/B fluff, and just kinda... got out of hand after that. :) First sections are kinda.. choppy cause we were using chatroomformat for a while andthen went back and edited into story form. We're not being overly serious here so there's probally a few places where you'll beable to tell one of us went 'Oo! Oo! Let's do THIS!' and suddenly the action changed. *Grins*
And the mini bit of chat format is left in the top sorta like a 'and this is how it all started...'
Enjoy. :)
Oh yeah, and lemme know if ya want the random OC outtakes that go with some parts. They amuse :)
Mayhem: Poor Bakura. *pats his fluffy head* Everyone wants you, is that it? ^^;;
Bakura: ^^;; *hides*
Mayhem: And you don't know why they want you or what they'll do if they get you... *sympathetic smile*
Yami Yuugi : As if it's everyone else's fault. *tsks lightly*
Mayhem: Yeah, everyone wants to blame someone else. But really... I mean, it's all his fault. *points at Bakura*
Bakura blinked. "Boku no sei?" [My fault?]
Yami Yuugi nodded. "Yes, however unintentional it may be... I mean, it isn't as if you could control it," he smirked.
Bakura looked down, seeming shamed though not sure why.
"See? You don't even have to try and you've reduced..." Yami Yuugi paused to think. "Well, everyone, to piddling piles of mush."
Bakura blinked again "I have...?"
Yami Yuugi pretended to think again. "Well, let's see..." He began ticking off names on his fingers, silently. "Yes. Everyone."
"I don't understand... what am I even doing?" Bakura asked, voice confused.
Yami Yuugi gulped "Well, that's part of it. You don't know and I suppose that's attractive."
Bakura blinked again. "Attractive...? How is not knowing what's going on attractive? I just-- don't understand why everything's so complicated... " He gave a long sigh.
Yami Yuugi bit his lip. "It's called being naive," he spoke as if he were talking to a small child, smiling reassuringly. "Some people think that's attractive."
"I'm not naive," Bakura scowled slightly. "I'm just..." He fidgeted slightly. "Not that experienced..."
"Ah-huh." Yami Yuugi crossed his arms over his chest and quirked an elegant eyebrow. "Is that so?"
Bakura blushed slightly and nodded.
"See? That's what I'm talking about," the shorter boy grinned exasperatedly. "And you don't even know how attractive that makes you."
"Gomen..." Bakura didn't look up.
Yami Yuugi rubbed his forehead. "No, don't be sorry. There's no reason to be sorry. Really." He looked at the other boy through his fingers. "Is there something extremely fascinating about the ground, Bakura?" He grinned in amusement.
"Not really," the paler boy said, looking embarrassed as he rubbed back of neck with a small laugh.
"Then why are you staring at it?" Yami Yuugi reached out and put one finger on Bakura's chin, lifting his head so he could look the white-haired boy in the eye. "There."
Bakura looked up with slightly unsure eyes and tried to smile, unsure what Yami Yuugi wanted from him.
"Always looking at the ground, all that hair hiding your face... no one would ever know how nice looking you are," the boy with tricolored hair tsked softly. "No more staring contests with the dirt, okay?"
Bakura gave a small smile. "Gomen, I just.. I get nervous," he admitted with embarrassment.
"There is no reason to be nervous. I'm not threatening, am I?" Yami Yuugi paused. "I try not to be."
"N--no... not really," the paler boy faltered slightly.
"Not really? Does that mean, 'I'm being nice, you scare me to death.' or does that mean, 'You aren't really threatening.'?"
Bakura hesitated. "A bit of both...?"
Yami Yuugi chuckled warmly. "That's understandable. It comes with the territory. You know, the whole 'Pharaoh' deal."
Bakura put a hand over his chest where the Ring was hidden under his shirt, eyes lowering as he nodded slightly.
Yami Yuugi caught Bakura's chin again. "Hey, none of that. Remember? And you don't have to treat me like I'm a Pharaoh. I'm just... another person. As much as I can be..."
"You're the king of games... and..." the paler boy hesitated. "I always just feel awkward around you," he confessed. "It's like you look at me and all you see is the Ring..."
Yami Yuugi hesitated. "No, that's not true. It may seem like it, but I promise you, it's not. I have a fear for you because of its presence, yes, but I most certainly see the person behind the Ring. And you don't have to feel awkward around me."
Bakura nodded slightly. "I'm sorry I can't keep him from trying to hurt everyone. I don't like having to have everyone be afraid of me or wary of me, but it's can't really be helped." He gave a depressed sigh.
"It's all right, Bakura," Yami Yuugi said in a comforting tone. "I'm sorry you have to live like this in the first place. I promise to do my best to help you in whatever way I can."
Bakura gave a small smile. "It's okay, I'm used to it... At least everyone's still here..."
Yami Yuugi returned his smile, a sad light behind his eyes. "You shouldn't have to be 'used' to anything. But you're right. Everyone is still here."
Bakura smiled sadly. "I never did thank you properly for fighting him," he said softly.
"It was the right thing to do. You don't have to thank me."
"I'm almost surprised he's letting me talk to you." The paler boy gave a small embarrassed laugh.
"It isn't fair of him to dictate who you speak with and who you don't," Yami Yuugi said with a slight edge in his voice. "That should be your choice - and yours alone."
"He doesn't really... he just... gets twitchy when you're around," Bakura smiled.
Yami Yuugi chuckled lightly. "Twitchy? Well, I suppose I do give him just a little bit of a reason to be that way..."
Bakura was quiet a long moment. "Yuugi-kun aware of things when you're in control..?" he asked, voice curious.
Yami Yuugi paused, looking at the pale-haired boy. "Why do you ask?"
Bakura looked vaguely nervous. "Just-- just curious," he smiled.
"Oh. Well, it depends. Most of the time, yes. There are times when he isn't, but not often," Yami Yuugi commented, watching the other boy's reactions.
"Sou..." Bakura nodded slightly to himself with a small sigh.
"Why is it that you ask, Bakura?" Yami Yuugi pressed, watching the other boy closely, taking note of every movement he made.
"Just wondering," Bakura smiled as if nothing's wrong. "So what other games do you play besides Duel Monsters?"
Yami Yuugi looked torn, not knowing whether to press the subject further or not. Finally, he decided to leave it alone for now. "I play any game I'm challenged to play. That's sort of the expectation."
"So you don't really have a favorite? You just play because you're expected to?"
"I don't really have a favorite, no. And as for playing because I'm expected to - I do that, but I also enjoy playing. Games are a mental exercise for me. My mind has been rather dormant over the past few millennia," the shorter boy grinned wryly.
Bakura gave a small smile.
"Games happen to be the way I choose to 'reenergize' my mind." Yami Yuugi shrugged softly. "But I am expected to play."
"I've always loved games. The characters in Monster World were always my best friends even before I got the Ring," Bakura smiled sadly.
"Games do often provide an escape from reality. When reality is harsh," Yami Yuugi lowered his voice. "When reality is difficult."
Bakura nodded in agreement. "When Amane and Kaasan..." he trailed off, looking embarrassed. "Gomen."
"Amane?"
Bakura hesitated a moment, looking down. "Boku no imouto [my younger sister]"
"Your... sister?" Yami Yuugi paused, seeming unsure of what to say, of how to comfort the younger one. "And your mother as well?"
The paler boy nodded slightly, eyes sad. "After the crash, games were all I had," he said softly.
Yami Yuugi nodded, wishing for some way to comfort the other boy and fidgeted helplessly. "I'm sorry. I can't remember my family," he sighed.
Bakura grimaced. "Aa, gomen. I didn't mean to..." he trailed off. "I always say the wrong things," he lamented.
"No, no. It's not the wrong thing to say. That's an example of me, running my mouth," Yami Yuugi said loosely, making an attempt to lighten the situation, giving a gesture that seemed to say 'It's okay.'
Bakura gave a small smile. "It's not your fault."
"Eh, it is my fault. I shouldn't have said that," Yami Yuugi paused, looking at the other boy. "You have a very nice smile. You should smile more."
Bakura blushed slightly, smiling looking embarrassed.
"And you don't have to look so embarrassed about it," the shorter boy pointed out, putting his weight on one side and eyeing Bakura appraisingly.
"Gomen, I just--" the paler boy gave a small embarrassed laugh. "You'd think I'd be used to compliments because of my 'fan club' but..." he smiled softly.
"AND," Yami Yuugi added, using a mock-condescending tone. " You don't have to apologize so often. There's no reason to be sorry for looking nice."
Bakura blushed. "Gome--" he caught himself and gave another small embarrassed laugh.
"See? Very nice..." Yami Yuugi trailed off for a second, catching himself before he finished whatever he was about to say.
The paler boy blushed more, looking shy.
Yami Yuugi nodded in confirmation of his own thoughts, taking a step closer causing the other boy to blink slightly and look up at him through his bangs.
The shorter boy took a deep breath, fighting with himself as he watched Bakura carefully. "Bakura... " He started to say something but stopped, shaking his head. "Never mind," he finished awkwardly.
The paler boy blinked in confusion and looked at Yami Yuugi in question.
The other boy mimicked Bakura and began blinking rapidly, almost as if he was looking for something to say, or looking for an escape. "It's nothing, really... I was just..." the confidence in his posture was decreasing as he became more and more nervous, acting incredibly out of character.
"Just what...?" Bakura asked, voice concerned and curious.
Yami Yuugi vaguely waved it off. "Just a slightly senile old guy being an idiot," he said, his language mimicking his stance. "You should be careful around me. Whenever I'm not dueling or in some sort of life-threatening situation I tend to ramble senselessly."
"You're not senile, old or an idiot," Bakura smiled. "And I don't mind if you ramble. It's nice just listening." He hesitated a moment. "You... you have a nice voice. Like Yuugi-kun, but more..." he hesitated again, searching for the words before blushing slightly. "It's different," he finished lamely.
Yami Yuugi chuckled warmly. "You are too kind. But I am slightly senile. And I am old. Much older than you."
"You're not senile because you don't have memories. It isn't your fault," Bakura insisted.
"Oh really?" The former pharaoh looked amused, both at the statement and at Bakura's adamant reaction.
The paler boy blushed slightly and nodded. "You're... you're just amnesiac!" he insisted.
Yami Yuugi laughed out loud at the statement. "That's true. I'm just insanely forgetful, right?"
"If you were that forgetful you'd never be any good at Duel Monsters," Bakura pointed out.
"Ah. That's true. Maybe I just have a one track mind," Yami Yuugi grinned.
Bakura smiled. "Two track. Dueling and Yuugi-kun."
Yami Yuugi made blank face. "See? I am forgetful." He gave a smile to show he was kidding. "Yes, two-track. Currently. There's room in my head for more."
Bakura smiled again. "Room for more games?" he teased lightly.
"Yuugi is not a game," Yami Yuugi pointed out. "But yes, I suppose. Maybe other things. I don't exactly get out much, per se."
"Mm," Bakura nodded. "I only see you whenever there's a dueling tournament," he smiled, then paused, looking up as if just realizing something. "That's right! You shouldn't be out now at all, there's no duel!" he exclaimed with an innocent smile.
"You are correct. You don't miss anything, do you?" Yami Yuugi asked in a coy tone. "If any challenge is presented me, I will accept it," he said, tone turning mysterious.
Bakura laughed lightly. "I couldn't duel you." His smile turned briefly sad before brightening again. "You'd beat me easy, and besides, my deck's in all disarray from the last time I got new cards."
Yami Yuugi smiled kindly. "Eh, being the near-creator of a game will automatically increase your odds of winning, with the added bonus of being 'King of Games'... I understand. As for you specifically, I know you are a good duelist."
Bakura shook his head. "I'm not really. I don't get to duel very often and I haven't had any practice."
"Then you should chalk your skill up to natural ability, shouldn't you?"
Bakura gave a sad smile. "You've never see me dueling, Yuugi-san..."
"Then we'll chalk that up to my astounding intuition," the other boy winked.
Bakura gave a small tentative smile. "Besides, it's better that I play single player games anyway. It's safer for everyone."
"I wish that you had no reason to say that. I understand why you say it, but I still wish you didn't have to."
The paler boy smiled sadly. "It's okay. I don't mind it. I never was any good at duel monsters anyway," he said with a small self-depreciating laugh.
"But you seclude yourself. You shouldn't do that. It's lonely," Yami Yuugi's smile echoed Bakura's sadness, a note of understanding in his voice. "And you have too kind a heart, to sincere a soul to hide all the time."
Bakura blushed slightly, eyes and smile still sad. "If it keeps everyone safe, I don't mind," he said softly. "I'm used to being alone."
"That's not fair to you though, no matter how used to it you are. You shouldn't have to be alone. And besides, don't you trust us? Certainly myself, at the very least, to protect those I care about from whatever 'threat' the presence within you provides?"
Bakura hesitated a moment. "I trust you and everyone, but..." He placed a hand over where the Ring rested under his shirt, looking down slightly.
Yami Yuugi sighed. "I understand. Forgive my outburst, I just can't stand to see you being upset... for whatever reason."
The pale haired boy gave a small smile. "That's because you have a good heart."
"Some people might disagree with that statement, and quite vehemently I'm sure," Yami Yuugi smiled back.
Bakura gave a small laugh, nodding.
"Being in my position, you make a lot of enemies," Yami Yuugi shrugs, waving it off.
"But you also make a lot of allies and friends," the paler boy said with a small sad smile. "I sometimes envy Yuugi-kun for having you," he admitted softly.
"Bakura... " Yami Yuugi trailed off, almost reaching for the other boy, but stopping. "I'm sorry," he said softly.
Bakura smiled sadly. "It's not your fault."
"Ultimately, it is my fault. Or at least, I blame myself."
The paler boy shook his head slightly. "You shouldn't."
"We do a lot of things we shouldn't, Bakura," Yami Yuugi said pointedly. "We all make mistakes and we regret them, bitterly at times. My mistakes were unfortunate enough to follow me for these many thousands of years to the present."
"How do you know they were mistakes?" Bakura pointed out with a smile.
"I view them as such. Some of them brought about consequences for the better, but most of them I see in a harsh light now, their repercussions more vast than I can imagine."
"But you don't know. Maybe whatever caused you to do what you did saved the world or at least those who were important to you? How do you even know you did them? You don't have your memories..."
"I see it in those around me. Others, who are not so unfortunate as to have forgotten. At least not entirely. I often wonder what I would do if I had all of my memories. I might go insane." Yami Yuugi chuckled softly. "All the time that's passed..."
"It has to be hard... knowing everyone you once knew passed away long ago," Bakura said, eyes sympathetic.
"But if I can't remember them... how can it hurt so much? Like a void..." The spirit stopped almost abruptly. "I'm babbling again."
Bakura was quiet a long moment. "It's like how I don't remember my mother much... I can't recall how she looked, I can't remember the sound of her voice... but it still hurts that she's gone. Amane too..."
"I'm sorry... I suppose we're in the same boat in that respect. It's nice to think of having something in common."
The paler boy smiled softly and nodded.
"Two such unlikely people as ourselves, it is rather amazing." Yami Yuugi shifted his weight again.
Bakura smiled once more, nodding again. "We are unique," he laughed softly.
Yami Yuugi smiled back, encouraged to see the other boy looking happier.
"And we do have a lot in common," Bakura mused with a smile.
"A love for games, a similar situation regarding our families... I would have never guessed, Bakura," Yami Yuugi said with a reassuring grin.
The paler boy smile shyly. "I-- I've been watching you a lot," he admitted with embarrassment. "And not just your dueling..."
Yami Yuugi blinked, slightly surprised. "You have?"
Bakura blushed slightly. "Un," he nodded, looking embarrassed.
"There's no reason to be embarrassed," Yami Yuugi said, fidgeting slightly. "It's a nice compliment. I wasn't expecting it, that's all."
"I-- I've just always admired you," the paler boy blushed again, looking down at his hands. "You-- You and Yuugi-kun were the first to really..." He hesitated a moment, voice unsure. "Even after everything, you were willing to give me a chance," he smiled softly, eyes wistful.
"Hey, chin up, okay?" Yami Yuugi said in a warning tone. "I'm flattered that you'd say that, Bakura. But what Yuugi and I did for you was nothing to praise us for, it was the right thing, and therefore, something that I should have done. Besides, everyone, always, deserves a second chance," he smiled comfortingly.
The paler boy's smile grew slightly sad.
Yami Yuugi near grimaced, mentally berating himself. "But, it wasn't as if I didn't want to..." he trailed off meaningfully.
Bakura looked up slightly. "Gomen, it's just... the silly little hopeless romantic part of me," he laughed, embarrassed. "Dreaming of the day when someone will come and make everything different and hoping that maybe..." he trailed off, as if realizing what he was about to say and blushed, looking down again.
Yami Yuugi took the other boy's chin in his hand, lifting it so he can look Bakura's eyes. "Dreaming for a better life, for things to change? There's nothing hopeless about that."
Bakura smiled softly at the touch, but didn't meet Yami Yuugi's eyes. "It is for me..." he said in a voice that was so soft, it was almost inaudible.
"Why is that?" The shorter boy asked, looking at Bakura with slight confusion on his face.
The pale haired boy gave another soft sad smile. "It's just my lot in life to be the unlucky one."
"Your luck may change. Don't decide right now that you'll never find someone who loves you," Yami Yuugi said kindly. "You can't let anyone else love you if you don't love yourself. You're a wonderful person, Bakura. Someone loves you."
Bakura blinked, looking up, eyes slightly confused. "Who...?"
Yami Yuugi was silent for a second. "Bakura, someone would have to be crazy not to love you. Everyone you've met so far in life that has shunned you... they must have lost their minds..."
The paler boy smiled sadly. "Or were afraid they were going to... It's funny, really... so many people want me, but only for what they want." He gave small depressed laugh. "Even Tousan..."
"Some people are not as kind as you," Yami Yuugi pointed out. "And it's hard for them to see past their petty desires. They can't understand true love because all they know is a false, tawdry imitation."
Bakura smiled softly with a slight nod.
"Some people... are blind." The shorter boy paused a moment before continuing. "I'd like to think that I'm not one of them."
"You're not," Bakura smiled softly. "I can tell..."
Yami Yuugi stepped forward, leaning over the other boy. "Some people... never get the chance to see true beauty. Some people die without knowing what it is. And still others, come back to life, only to be blessed with the chance of seeing it again"
Bakura looked up, eyes slightly wide with curiosity, breath slightly accelerated at the closeness. "Yu--Yuugi-san..?"
The boy leaned over further, so their faces were only inches apart, his crimson eyes locking with Bakura's brown ones. "That beauty that I see..." He closed his eyes, brushing his lips gently against the other boy's.
Bakura's eyes went wide in surprise and he froze briefly before slowly melting against the kiss, eyes closing against tears.
Gauging the other's response and noticing he wasn't pulling away, Yami Yuugi pushed forward a bit, cupping the Bakura's chin in his hand and tilting his head upwards. The paler boy let himself be guided, tears slowly leaking out from behind closed eyes. Yami Yuugi reached up with his other hand, gently wiping the tears away, his stance comforting and Bakura almost hesitantly reached out to loosely take hold of the shorter boy's shirt, fingers curling in the black fabric.
Yami Yuugi leaned forward more, encouraging the contact between them to deepen, while still allowing Bakura space to decide the situation. The paler boy's fingers curled tighter to be almost clinging before he reluctantly broke the kiss, taking in a deep breath. He didn't open his eyes, almost seeming afraid to, still clinging to the smaller boy's shirt.
"Bakura?" Yami Yuugi blinked.
The other boy very hesitantly opened his eyes, blinking away stray tears, and looked up at Yami Yuugi , almost trembling. "You're still here...." he said softly, voice full of wonder.
Yami Yuugi nodded, wiping away one of his tears. "Yes, I am. Why wouldn't I be?"
Bakura gave a small, embarrassed laugh, tears almost evident in his voice. "I-- I always wake up this part." He laughed again, hands tightening in Yami Yuugi's shirt. "This-- this isn't a dream...?" he asked, voice hopeful.
Yami Yuugi blinked. "This is no dream, Bakura." He leaned over and kissed the paler boy gently again. "It's no dream."
"But it has to be-- nothing-- nothing this good could ever... " Bakura's eyes started to water again.
Yami Yuugi pulled Bakura into his arms, whispering comfortingly. "It could. And it did." He rocked back and forth slightly. "It is happening even now."
Bakura's eyes went wide once more and he buried his head in Yami Yuugi's chest, sobbing with relief, hugging the former monarch tightly. Yami Yuugi whispered gently in his ear, rubbing comforting circles in the crying boy's back, holding him closer.
"It's okay, Bakura," he said softly, still rocking back and forth against Bakura.
Bakura's crying seemed to die down a little, until he was sniffling lightly. "Gomen, I -- I just -- I haven't... no one's..." Yami Yuugi shh'ed Bakura once more, sighing wistfully.
"It's all right. Another point where we're similar. I haven't... touched anyone... in a very long time." He looked down at Bakura, a loving look in his eyes. At this Bakura gave a soft smile.
"I -- I haven't been held, or touched kindly, not since... since Kaasan and Amane died. Just bullied." He said sadly.
Yami Yuugi looked resolute. "Then, then I'm here to remedy that, Bakura." He brushed a tender hand through Bakura's pale locks. "You deserve so much more than that... than this." He responded, his face somewhat remorseful. Bakura smiled at this, giving a small residual sniffle and shifting slightly to rub his nose, then moving once again to snuggle against Yami Yuugi's chest.
Yami Yuugi loosened his arms around Bakura, clasping his hands together around the thin boy's back. "I want to give you whatever I can." He whispered, watching Bakura's expression. The timid boy looked up, eyes full of wonder and worship.
"Honto...?" He asked shyly.
"Yes, really." Yami Yuugi said, smiling adoringly at the look Bakura was giving him. Bakura gave a large smile of wonder, hugging Yami Yuugi tightly, muttering his thanks, voice trembling as he was on the verge of tears once more.
"You're welcome." Yami Yuugi said, returning Bakura's hug. "No more tears, you don't have to cry." He said, reaching up slightly to kiss the top of Bakura's head.
Bakura gave a small laugh. "Gomen, I just--" He smiled again, his face soft. "I can't help it... I'm so happy..."
Yami Yuugi tilted his head to one side. "Then smile. Your smile is beautiful. You don't have to cry." He smiled himself, glad that the younger boy was happy. At this, Bakura gave a shaky smile before embracing the spirit once more. Yami Yuugi looked down at Bakura, responding to the hug, holding him gently. "See?" He said, squeezing Bakura's shoulders. "Smiling is much better than crying."
Bakura gave a small laugh. "I don't normally cry. I'm always hiding... behind my smile. It -- it feels good to do both..."
"I think we should try to find reasons for you to smile - for real. You should only smile when you want to and when you're happy." Yami Yuugi said.
Bakura smiled contentedly, nodding slightly, wiping the remains of a tear from under one eye. Yami Yuugi watched him wipe away a single tear, looking contemplative.
"I can't remember the last time I cried..." He paused. "I can remember the last time Yuugi cried."
Bakura gave a small smile, thinking of Yuugi. "Last time I cried was at Kaasan and Amane's funeral" He said softly. He gave a small laugh. "I decided I was going to be strong for Tousan. Afterwards, I just never stopped..."
Yami Yuugi tightened his grip on Bakura, clutching at him. "I'm sorry... I'm very sorry..."
Bakura melted into the embrace. "It's-- it's alright if I-- I haven't been able to talk to anyone about these things." He gave a small laugh. "I've never been good at talking to people about anything besides games."
"Go ahead and talk, I'll listen. Whatever you need to say..." Yami Yuugi smiled.
Bakura-kun smiled. "Arigatou..." He snuggled closer and gave a contented sigh. "I just feel like I could tell you anything..."
"And you can. As I said, I'll listen to whatever you want to say." Yami Yuugi nuzzled in the other's hair a little, inhaling slightly. Bakura gave a small smile at the action as Yami Yuugi smiled against the white curtain of hair. The pale slowly traced the lines of Yami Yuugi's shirt, smiling contentedly. Yami Yuugi shivered imperceptibly, whispering Bakura's name as he continues to nuzzle against the other. Bakura's eyes closed halfway and he gave a small contented sound almost like a purr as he's nuzzled, continuing to lightly run his fingers over the black cloth covering Yami Yuugi's chest.
Yami Yuugi listened to Bakura's soft purring noises, falling himself into a sort of haze as Bakura continued his soft exploration over Yami Yuugi's tight shirt, eyes closing fully. Yami Yuugi bit his lip to keep silent, sliding forward and continuing his nuzzling against the bare skin of Bakura's neck.
Bakura gave a small gasp, hand going still as his breath speed up slightly. He tilted his head slightly to expose more of his neck to the other boy, lips parting slightly.
Yami Yuugi trailed his lips over the previously untouched skin, watching Bakura's reactions carefully.
The paler boy gasped again, almost inaudibly, hand tensing against Yami Yuugi's chest, face flushing slightly. He tilted his head even more, almost leaning against the other boy.
Yami Yuugi allowed Bakura to lean against him, now kissing the pale skin gently, his hands still clasped tightly around Bakura's waist.
Bakura gave a small sound that was half a moan, half a whimper, utterly lost in the sensation of Yami Yuugi's lips against his increasingly more sensitive skin.
Yami Yuugi heated up at the sound of Bakura's whimpers, trailing upwards, touching his jaw line before claiming his lips once more. As Bakura responded almost hungrily, his lips warm, Yami Yuugi ran his tongue over the paler boy's bottom lip, lost now in a plethora of feelings and sensations.
Bakura gave a small whimper, tensing and breaking the kiss. He rested his forehead on Yami Yuugi's shoulder, trying to recover his quickened breath.
Yami Yuugi pulled back slowly, allowing Bakura to lean on his shoulder. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I shouldn't have..."
The other boy shook his head slightly. "Un, Daijoubu. I just-- I've never-- It's just a bit fast, gomen." His hands tightened in Yami Yuugi's shirt as if unconsciously trying to pull him closer again. "Don't go..."
Yami Yuugi shook his head. "No, I won't go. Unless you wanted me to, I wouldn't leave. But it is my fault. You get a little desperate sometimes... if you know what I mean..."
Bakura looked up with a small shaky smile. "Daijoubu," he tried to assure. He gave a small laugh, still slightly breathless. "I-- I just... I panicked, it's my fault, I--"
"Bakura, don't worry about it." Yami Yuugi nuzzled against the other affectionately. "It's over and done now. It's okay."
The paler boy gave a contented smile at the nuzzling, melting against the other boy again. "It-- it felt good..." He blushed slightly, smile growing more affectionate.
"I'm glad," Yami Yuugi smiled, holding Bakura close to him. "It was nice..." he trailed off slightly.
"Un," Bakura nodded slightly in agreement, eyes closing once more. "I'm sorry I panicked and ruined it," he apologized softly.
"No, you don't have to apologize. And you didn't ruin it by any means."
Bakura gave a small smile, his fingers almost hesitantly starting to move over Yami Yuugi's chest again. "Have-- have you ever... ever done anything like this before...?" he asked meekly.
Yami Yuugi shook his head slowly. "No, not to my knowledge."
"Oh," Bakura said softly. "I-- I thought since you were so good at..." He broke off with a blush. "Gomen."
Yami Yuugi's cheeks grew slightly warm. "No, no, I've never done this."
"Oh..." The paler boy gave a small laugh. "I guess you're just naturally good at everything," he blushed slightly.
Yami Yuugi blinked rapidly. "I don't know about that... I mean..." He trailed off, slightly embarrassed himself.
Bakura smiled softly, then gave a small laugh.
Yami Yuugi looked mildly confused. "What's funny?"
"Just thinking," the paler boy smiled. "My knight in shining armor's a pharaoh in a shining pendent," he laughed softly.
Yami Yuugi paused before chuckling richly. "And my damsel in distress... is very beautiful," he said as he brushed hair from Bakura's face.
Bakura blushed again, eyes lowering slightly with a small laugh. "And isn't a damsel at all," he smiled.
"It doesn't matter. You are still beautiful."
Bakura blushed more, looking embarrassed. "No I'm not," he protested softly.
"Yes, you are," the shorter boy said in an insistent tone. "Very much so."
The pale haired boy blushed more, almost fidgeting as he smiles.
Yami Yuugi placed one finger on Bakura's nose. "Very cute."
Bakura gave a small laugh, blushing once more. "Mou," he said, trying to sound reproaching but failing.
"It's true," Yami Yuugi said with a smile, tapping his nose. "When you blush like that... you are very cute."
The paler boy ducked head, trying to control his blush, but failing, tried to hide his face against Yami Yuugi's shirt.
"And you don't have to hide it all the time," Yami Yuugi smiled, slightly amused.
"Being cute gets you chased after by girls and beaten up by bullies." Bakura's voice was muffled slightly in Yami Yuugi's shirt.
"But it doesn't stop you from being that way," Yami Yuugi pointed out. "I'm sorry you have had to deal with that because of your looks."
Bakura gave a small smile. "It's kind of funny, all the jokes about me being a girl, if you think about it," he smiled.
Yami Yuugi smiled slightly. "You are very pretty. But you are no girl. You possess a strength..." He trailed off.
Bakura shook his head slightly.
"You do. It's not an obvious one, not a particular skill or physical difference." Yami Yuugi rested one hand on Bakura's chest. "As cliche as it sounds, it's an inner strength."
The paler boy smiled softly at the touch. "If I had that strength, I would have found a way to overcome the Ring long ago, instead of hiding from reality until it was too late..."
Yami Yuugi shook his head. "The Ring found you by fate. It's not hiding from reality. And I'm sure others would have fallen prey to it long before, while you remain here. And if anything, it is that object which you so loathe that gives you that strength."
"It's hiding when you don't let yourself realize the reason you're so alone," Bakura said softly. "If I were truly strong, I'd have killed myself long ago so it wouldn't have a host."
"But that would have been the weakness. To give up then, to quit. If you had... someone else surely would have found it. There would be another. Your strength causes you to take the harder of two roads, to hold onto it and keep another from suffering your fate. I think somewhere inside you know that."
The paler boy looked down.
"It's true," Yami Yuugi continued. "That would take strength. Living sometimes... sometimes is the hardest thing of all to do."
Bakura nodded slightly. "But the Ring won't let me die," he said, voice so soft it was almost inaudible. "There used to be weeks where I wouldn't eat... but I'd black out and not be hungry after... I never realized what it was then... I thought it was Amane yelling at me... It hurt so much when I realized...." he trails off.
"And you're stronger now for that. Hardships..." Yami Yuugi paused, his voice catching. "Hardships give us strength. Once we get past them, they are strength for us. You have had so many hardships... so many troubles, and you are still here. That makes you strong." He sighed.
Bakura looked up. "Yuugi-san...?" he asked, voice concerned.
Yami Yuugi looked over at Bakura, his eyes wide, an explanation dying on his lips. "It's... nothing. I don't want to sound repetitive."
"It's all right, I don't mind, you've been listing to my self pity," Bakura said with a small embarrassed smile.
"No, it really is nothing. And I don't mind listening to you, besides that, I don't think you're self-pitying."
Bakura gave another small laugh. "It's because I didn't take my meds this morning, I only 'woke up' in the afternoon."
"You don't have to apologize or explain anything. It's all right," Yami Yuugi assured, clasping his hands around Bakura's waist.
Bakura melted against the touch. "I'll be better in tomorrow," he promised softly.
Yami Yuugi nodded slowly. "It's okay," he assured again, letting Bakura lean against him. "Don't worry about it now."
Bakura relaxed against the smaller boy, eye troubled. "He's getting bored of this..." he near whimpered.
"He isn't you," Yami Yuugi said firmly. "He doesn't decide who you are, not ultimately."
"He's trying to get me to sleep..." Bakura whimpered again, burying his face in Yami Yuugi's chest. "He's getting angry," he said, tensing.
Yami Yuugi held onto Bakura tightly. "If worse comes to worse, I'm here," he said reassuringly, anger prickling at the back of his mind.
"Make him stop...? I don't want to sl--slip away when..." The paler boy shuddered a moment, giving another whimper. "No... no please," he begged, trembling slightly.
Yami Yuugi clutched at the other boy, his expression growing a little desperate. "Bakura, don't give in to him. You have to hold on," he insisted, shaking Bakura slightly, trying to get the boy to look at him.
"I'm trying..." Bakura whimpered softly, curling up against Yami Yuugi's chest. He tensed further as his hair began to grow more wild, giving a small pained sound.
Yami Yuugi looked pained, his eyes growing wide. "Bakura, listen to me, please. Don't give in to him," he pleaded soothingly, but firmly, pressing Bakura against himself.
"I... can't... hol---" The boy's voice sounded strangled. The Ring began to glow strongly from under his shirt and he slowly went still.
Yami Yuugi pushed Bakura out to arm's length, watching him carefully, taking no action until he was sure of what's happened. "Bakura?" he asked softly.
The boy chuckled darkly as the glow of the Ring faded.
"You!" Yami Yuugi exclaimed, his tone harsh as his arms fell away from Bakura's body, his expression hard.
Yami Bakura chuckled again, tone almost mocking. "I should have guessed you were the type to go after young boys," he smirked. "But I won't have you touching my host that way." He brushed off arms as if removing the traces of Yami Yuugi's touch from them.
Yami Yuugi's expression changed from hard to furious. "You have no right..." he trailed off, standing up and pushing away from the spirit. "It is not up to you to decide what he does," he said, words seeming to fail him.
Yami Bakura chuckled again. "Oh, but it is," he smirked, leaning back against the wall, crossing his arms nonchalantly. "He is mine to control. He is my host."
"It was his body before it was yours," Yami Yuugi pointed out, reason and logic taking precedence in his analytical mind. "He should be the one to control you, not the other way around. You were given a second chance at life, though you didn't deserve it, by him. And you should respect that."
Yami Bakura gave an amused snort. "So says the former pharaoh who ruled over all in the past. You are just as much a parasite as I."
"Yes, but I ask before I take things," the shorter spirit near-snarled. "I, unlike you, have a certain sense of dignity and honor. Those words are ghosts to your ears."
"Don't you speak of honor to me," Yami Bakura near snapped, tone harsh. "Especially when you're trying to seduce my host."
Yami Yuugi glared spectacularly at the other boy, his upper lip curling. "I did nothing of the sort. He's hurting." He turns away from the spirit in front of him, standing to the side. "You hurt him. How can you not care that you've hurt him?" he asked, tone disbelieving, his voice rising.
"Yes, by granting his wishes, I've hurt him," Yami Bakura said, tone mocking.
Yami Yuugi looked taken aback. "What is that supposed to mean?"
Yami Bakura smirked. "You're so quick to assume that everything is my fault, Yuugi," he commented, tone amused.
Yami Yuugi eyed the pale spirit, his expression guarded. "What's so funny?" He asked, angry at not knowing what was going on.
"I shouldn't have to tell you, you know everything already," Yami Bakura said with a dismissive wave, pushing away from the wall and turning to leave.
Yami Yuugi growled lowly. "That's not true," he said, not realizing that even this statement sounds self righteous.
Yami Bakura chuckled again. "Yet you're so insistent that I cause all of his pain. Why would I try and destroy my host?"
"Notice I never said 'destroy.' I only said that you hurt him. You don't have to touch someone to hurt them. And you know that better than anyone, I'm sure," Yami Yuugi said, confidence returning.
"Tell me, something, Yuugi. Do you know that his father is still alive?" Yami Bakura asked, tone smug.
Yami Yuugi looked confused for a mere second, before turning around once more to face Bakura again. "No, I didn't know that," he said with deliberate slowness
"Neither does he," the paler spirit smirked. "He believes that the figure in his game is where his father's soul lies because he can't handle the fact that the man abandoned him for his work. How greater the hurt would be if I shattered his illusions instead of giving him something to blame for the misfortune in his life."
Yami Yuugi again looked taken aback, but again regained an air of dignity. "Have you ever considered that there might be a better way to help him, if indeed you did want such a thing? Or does it ultimately come down to this - you don't want to help him, you just want an excuse."
Yami Bakura chuckled. "I make no excuses. I don't care. As long as he stays intact, what does it matter to me what he feels? He clings to me, you see, else he would have tried to get rid of the Ring long ago. He knows that I will never leave him because I need his body and he needs that security. I protect him from himself and others so that he continues to be useful. If he welcomes the oblivion my possession offers, who am I to change that fact?" he smirked, crossing his arms over his chest again.
"It's not a matter of what you can do, more a matter of what you should do," Yami Yuugi said pointedly. "He is a human being, not a lifeless shell, not a husk. You should want to take care of him. As for seducing him, if you aren't willing to take care of your own host, someone else will." He mimicked Yami Bakura's action, crossing his own arms over his chest.
The harsher boy chuckled again. "I take care of his needs," he said dismissive. "And I'd hardly call wanting to fuck him taking care of him, Yuugi," he said pointedly.
Yami Yuugi shrugged offhandedly. "Did I say that? No, you did. Seduction is another matter entirely," he said, waving it off.
"I will not allow you to use him, Yuugi..." Yami Bakura warned. "That is my job."
"And again, who said anything about that? I used your words. That is all," Yami Yuugi said, defensive of his position. "When did you become so concerned about that anyway?"
"I share this body and I will not have you taint it," the harsher boy replied.
"I see," Yami Yuugi nodded slowly. "I still hold to this - I never said anything about doing that to him. Honor would not allow it."
"Your touch taints," Yami Bakura glared slightly.
Yami Yuugi smirked. "Does it? That's interesting to hear." He took a step towards the other boy. "So all I have to do is touch you?" He lifted a finger and placed it in front of Bakura's face.
The paler boy rolled his eyes. "Yes and you'll give me cooties," he deadpanned, slapping finger away.
Yami Yuugi continued to smirk. "That's what I thought."
"Sarcasm, Yuugi," Yami Bakura rolled eyes again.
"The same to you, Bakura," Yami Yuugi said the name as a sneer, the same name that rolled off of his lips like a caress moments before.
"Just remember, every time you touch him, I will take over and push you way," Yami Bakura warned before closing his eyes.
Yami Yuugi snarled once more, fighting the urge to strike back. "Well, I won't be thinking of you if I do touch him."
The pale haired boy's eyes opened to look at Yami Yuugi in utter confusion. "Yuugi-san...?"
Yami Yuugi blinked, walking over to Bakura. "Are you all right?"
"I-- I think so..." Bakura said slowly. "What happened? I-- I don't remember...."
Yami Yuugi moved forward to take his hand, stopping when he remembered the spirit's words, quelling another growl so as not to worry Bakura. "It's nothing, don't worry about it. I'm just glad you're all right."
Bakura sat slowly, rubbing forehead. "I must not be eating enough," he laughed softly in embarrassment. "I haven't been rambling on like and idiot, have I?"
"No, no!" Yami Yuugi assured, genuinely. "And you aren't an idiot at all," he added pointedly.
Bakura gave a small smile. "Arigatou."
"You're welcome," Yami Yuugi smiled.
The paler boy rubbed back of neck, looking embarrassed. "You're always so nice to me." He blushed slightly. "No one else besides you and Yuugi-kun seem to have the patience to deal with someone like me," he said, giving small self depreciating laugh.
Yami Yuugi smiled again. "You aren't a bother. And you don't require a lot of patience. Why would you think that?"
"Because I'm always zoning out and forgetting things." He smiled embarrassedly. "Like how I know I was talking to you before, but I can't remember at all what it was about." He rubbed the back of his neck again. "Gomen."
"No, that's all right." Yami Yuugi said kindly. "No need to apologize."
"Was-- was it something important? What we were talking about...?" Bakura's voice sounded unsure.
Yami Yuugi smiled sadly. "No, it was nothing." He brushed it off with a wave of his hand. "Like I said, don't worry about it." He moved to take Bakura's hand, again stopping.
Bakura blinked at the gesture. "Yuugi-san...?" He looked up with unsure eyes. "Did-- Did I do something wrong...?" He asked meekly.
"No, it wasn't you. It was more my fault then anything," the shorter boy said, clenching his fist at his side.
Bakura looked down, hands folded in his shirt. "Go-- gomen..." He was quiet a moment. "I-- I should go...."
"You don't have to leave on my account, you know," Yami Yuugi stated, watching Bakura's movements, slightly concerned.
"I can read body language, Yuugi-san," the paler boy said softly. "I watch people because I can't be with them..." He walked to the doorway, but hesitated, seeming torn.
Yami Yuugi seemed to come to a conclusion, walking over resolutely and taking Bakura's hand. "That's not it. I'm sorry if I seemed cold," he explained slowly, carefully. "I didn't mean to. I... don't want to see you hurt."
Bakura tensed slightly as if pained by the touch and squeezed Yami Yuugi's hand desperately a moment, free hand on his forehead as if he was trying to steady himself.
Yami Yuugi fought with himself, unsure whether or not to let go of Bakura's hand, not wanting to hurt him, but not wanting to hurt his feelings either. Finally he decided that the latter was safer and lets go of Bakura's hand a little. "Bakura?"
The boy gave a small shaky smile, "I-- I think I need to sit... feel so dizzy all of the sudden..." He slid down to sit on the floor, leaning his head back against the wall, eyes closing.
Yami Yuugi again fought with himself, wanting to explain his actions. "Go ahead, sit down," he said, dropping to the ground beside Bakura.
Bakura gave another small smile, looking up slightly. "Gomen, I guess I should have eaten something today," he laughed softly.
"You should eat more. It sounds like you have these spells pretty often, am I right?" Yami Yuugi asked, tone concerned.
"Not normally this bad," the paler boy smiled slightly. "I normally just space out for a while." He gave a small self deprecating laugh. "I can't even remember if I have eaten today, all of the day's such a blur..."
"The whole day?" *Yami Yuugi asked, questing for an answer.
"Un, "Bakura nodded. "I have a horrible memory, it's amazing I do well in school at all," he laughed at himself sadly, looking down.
"I am sorry, Bakura," Yami Yuugi said, fist clenching even more as he swore under his breath.
Bakura blinked. "Yuugi-san no sei janai yo," he smiled. [It's not Yuugi-san's fault]
Yami Yuugi smiles wryly. "More than you may know," he said briefly, tracing the floor tiles systematically.
The paler boy blinked, looking confused. "Yuugi-san...?"
Yami Yuugi laughed, waving it off. "I'm sorry to sound so cryptic. It's probably best that I don't tell you... and that I stop talking about it... I'm not helping anything."
Bakura blinked again, then looked down. "It's-- it's because of..." he trailed off, putting a hand over were the Ring was under his shirt. "Isn't it, Yuugi-san..."
Yami Yuugi nodded slowly. "But you shouldn't worry. Really."
Bakura continued to look down. "Gomen... boku no sei..." he said softly before pushing himself up again. "I should go..." he said unhappily, voice depressed.
"You really don't have to go. It's all right," Yami Yuugi stood, following Bakura.
The paler boy shook his head slightly. "If the Ring's active, I'm only putting you in danger by being here..."
Yami Yuugi sighed. "That may be true, but I still worry for you. I don't want you to be hurt."
Bakura smiled sadly. "Knowing that is enough..." he said very softly.
Yami Yuugi nodded. "Knowing you are safe would be enough for me, and if I have to stay to keep you safe that's what I'll do."
Bakura was still a moment, still smiling sadly. "You're too kind to someone who's just a pawn of someone who wants to destroy you..."
"I wish you weren't though, I wish I could keep you from having to be a 'pawn,'"
Bakura smiled softly. "Shikattanai ne... [it can't be helped.]"
"Maybe not now, but there may come a time when something will change. In you."
"I've tried so many times... all I can do is hope to find a way to save my friends from whatever harm I bring them."
"And I will try to keep that harm from happening, to rid you of its reason," Yami Yuugi said firmly.
Bakura smiled softly. Reaching into his pocket a moment, he pulled out a card and looked at it a moment before placing it down on the table near the door and exiting.
Yami Yuugi walked over to the desk, looking at the card curiously. Seeing what it was, he picked it up, smiling. It was Bakura's Change of Heart card, looking slightly worn and faded, with small folds and rips around the edges.