The Caged Rose

Disclaimer: [Yawns and rubs eyes, stretching] Good morning to you, Mr. Lawyer-Man who knows I do not own YGO!

Pairings: Malik/Ryou, Bakura/Marik, Seto/Joey, Mai/Tea (appears... some time soon.)

Warnings/Other: Yaoi, Yuri, angst, school-fic, maybe some OOC, completely disreguards story line.

Summary: Ryou is a depressed yet caring loner who just wants some love. Malik is a popular, 'egotistical' honours student. Malik has a secret crush on Ryou, whose trust is literally impossible to gain. The rest is up to fate when they bump into eachother in the halls. YAOI, YURI.

!!!PLEASE READ THE NOTE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS CHAPTER!!!

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Malik walked the cold evening streets of Domino City alone as he made his way over to Ryou's house. He was walking slowly in purpose, hoping that by the time he got to Ryou's house, he would have himself prepared for whatever was to come his way. So far, he had thought about rejection the most, and he still hadn't gotten past stage one of preparing himself for that. With a sigh, he avoided a large puddle of oil left over from an 18-wheeler, knowing full-well that he could walk through the oily mess and no one would even notice, what with his shoes being black and all.

He frowned at the small house in which Ryou lived; he hadn't wanted to get to Ryou's house before he had finished coming up with responses for almost everything. How would he react if Ryou were to 'break up' with him for real? Malik sighed and sat down against the white-picket fence. What was Ryou going to say to him? Was he going to yell at him for leading him on? Or was the soft British youth going to bid him a final farewell? He sighed again; he wished he knew what Ryou was thinking.

Slowly, he stood and jumped over the fence, landing quietly on the other side. Gathering up what dismal courage he had, he carefully approached the door and knocked one, two, three times, and waited. A small shudder of worry passed over his lithe figure.

He began to fidget with the sleeve of his shirt as he continued staring into the blank carvings in the wooden door infront of him. 'Isn't he ever going to open the door?' Seconds passed by, like individual eternities, as Malik peeked inside the house, taking advantage of the slightly parted curtains that obstructed his view. Malik bit his lip and tentatively reached out and, when his fist had almost reached the door to knock, the door pulled open to reveal a pair of warm brown eyes.

.

He faltered slightly and put on a shaky smile. "Ryou?"

The shorter boy nodded sadly, as he stepped aside to allow Malik entrance into his house. Once both of them were inside, Ryou sat down beside Malik on the couch and sank into the soft fabric. His eyes were shining with tears, but he blinked them back and looked at the beautiful blonde Egyptian who had stolen his heart.

"I'm so sorry... Oh God, Malik, I'm so sorry!" Ryou lost control of his tears at this point and suddenly latched on to Malik, burying his face in the other's chest. For a few minutes he cried into Malik's shirt, clinging tightly to him. He sniffled a bit as Malik patted his back gently, then reluctantly let go.

Malik shook his head and caressed Ryou's cheek. "Don't worry about it."

"You really love me?" Ryou asked cautiously, watching Malik's eyes for any sign of insecurity or dishonesty. He waited with restrained breath for the answer, readying himself for the initial pain of rejection and the sorrows sure to follow. He almost dropped his gaze, but the fear of being afraid kept his eyes locked with the orbs of lavender infront of him.

Slowly Malik nodded and reached out to grasp Ryou's hand in his own, and, while checking Ryou's face for a reaction; he laced his fingers in with Ryou's. "I'll swear on anything or anyone you want to, Ry, I will love you far beyond the end of time. I'll tell the apocalypse to go fuck off, because nothing will stop me from loving you." He almost hesitantly leaned forward and pressed his lips against Ryou's. "I love you... I really do."

Ryou froze as Malik's lips brushed against his, and when he opened his eyes, tears were shimmering in the depths of his dark brown eyes. He looked to Malik, almost entirely ready to believe him and put his trust in him. There was just one more thing he had to be sure of before he did. He leaned forward so that his and Malik's noses were touching, as he looked sharply into slightly fearful purple eyes.

For what seemed like ages, Ryou just stared into Malik's eyes, hoping with all his heart that he would find the honesty and love he desired and needed so much. He remained in this position for a few moments longer until he pulled back and smiled, tilting his head cutely. "Well Malik... I think I want you to love me too."

The other looked up, shocked in a good way. "You mean it?" Ryou nodded slightly, a blush forming in his cheeks. Malik's face erupted into a huge grin, as he quickly gathered the British boy into his arms and held him tightly. "I love you Ryou... I love you so much."

Ryou pulled back just enough to smile into Malik's eyes. He folded his body to fit into Malik's arms and sighed contently. This was there he was most happy, this was where he felt safest and most comfortable. Snuggling into the other's chest, he allowed his eyes to slowly close, as he fell into the first comfortable sleep he had had in nine years.

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Meh, usually I would not make a chapter this short but I'm WAY overdue on updating and D said I should end in there so I did so please don't kill/maim/injure/stalk/attack/spork/hit/kick/bite/scratch/lash or otherwise injure me. [Hides]

Meh, next chapter... dunno when it will be out.

Oh, yes, please take a look at my bio in the "Upcoming Fics" section or whatever I dubbed it, and vote, so I know which fic you guys want me to start next. So far, Always Never This is in the lead.

Inspire me, ye good reviewers!