Title: Strawberries and Black Pepper
Author: Broken Music Box
Rating: PG
Summery: Ryou's thoughts as he is neglected by everyone.
A/N: Okay, I know this one is a little weird. Any reviews welcome.
To everyone who's reviewed, you all rock my world!
Dark Magician Girl / Hikaru, this chapter is for you.
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Cough. Cough and hack and splutter because you can't stop, even though you hate it. Cover your mouth so you're not being rude. You must not be rude. Don't look at Yugi as he get up and walks from the room. Don't look at Bakura, who is sharpening a knife. Don't look at Yami either, who is just staring at you. Didn't his parents ever teach him staring is rude? But you forgot- the Pharaoh's world is many years dead and so are his parents. Start to read your book again, and ignore Yugi walking back in and sitting next to you, holding something.
"Ryou? Drink this."
Shift slightly so Yugi knows you're not listening. Keep reading and smiling. Try and ignore Bakura as he starts to curse. Feel a little surprised Yami doesn't move, and it's his hikari you're ignoring. The knife slams point down and becomes stuck in the table as Bakura looses his temper. Don't flinch.
"Yadonushi, just drink the milk!"
Place the book down gently, bookmark in place. Now you know. It's a glass of milk that Yugi is holding, and he had mixed the cough syrup into it. Smile and shrug as Yugi gives you the milk, pushing it into your hand. Immediately put it on a small side table. Hunch your shoulders as your breathing hitches and you start to cough.
Jump slightly as a hand rubs gentle circles on your back. Look up and into crimson eyes, and look away, fear thrumming through your nerves. Why is he touching you? Don't move away. Notice that both Bakura and Yugi have left the room. Flinch. Breath quickly as Yami's arms snake around your waist and pull you against him gently. Freeze, and don't move. Stop breathing for a moment. Then burst out coughing, curling in a ball, feet on the couch, head on knees. Feel shaky and weak as the fit stops. Smile uncertainly. Perhaps you should be frowning and shouting at Yami for invading your space. Start to shake as one of Yami's hands runs through your hair tentatively, and he kisses the side of your head.
Close your eyes against the small tears that threaten. Open your eyes after a few seconds and discover that the Pharaoh is gone, and the milk is now balancing on your book. Pick up the glass and drink it quickly. It tastes awful. But you'd do anything to end the appearance that you need assistance from them, wouldn't you? Go back to being perfectly healthy, so they don't feel the need to watch constantly.