Ok, I know this is a one-shot, but this is really an alternate ending, so that's OK. Looking back, I noticed that Bakura was acting rather OOC and some people don't like that. So, I'm adding in an alternate ending. I'm starting at the school scene again. Malik's POV.

Malik's POV

"Ryou. Something wrong?" I asked, afraid that he still felt woozy or something. Oh please, gods, let him be OK…

He didn't answer me. I began to get worried. This was Ryou here, not some random person. He didn't just zone out like that anymore…not since Bakura figured out how to separate from the Ring.

I went over to him, put my hand on his shoulder. He was trembling. "Ryou…you sure you're OK? Do you need to go home?"

He suddenly leaned back against me, collapsing into me. I supported him, waiting for an answer.

"Malik?" His voice was quiet, but far from calm.

"Yeah?"

"What--what exactly did you hear last night?"

That's an odd question. But how do I answer? What if...he didn't mean it? If he thought he was talking to Bakura? But…he said my name…I'm not sure…

I'll just tell the truth. A revolutionary idea for me.

"You said my name…then…snuggled into me…and then…you--said--"

He knew right then what I had heard. He melted backwards, right onto my chest.

"You meant it?" I had to ask, had to let him tell me the truth, even if I didn't like it. He had to get the chance to tell me if…it was a…mistake…please, gods, don't make it be a mistake…

He didn't say anything, but I could feel a slight nod as he leaned back against me.

"Oh, Ryou…"I said, wrapping my arms around him. He seemed surprised, but…not in a bad way. I kissed the top of his head, buried my nose in his silky, pure snowy hair. He smelled…good. Indescribably. Just--like Ryou. He pushed back into me, molding into my body like clay.

Suddenly he pulled away. "What's wrong?" I asked, not wanting to lose this.

"Bakura…"

Oh. That. Great…just great. Bakura wouldn't like this idea. And when he was angry, he took it out on Ryou, no matter whose fault it was. He would blame this on Ryou though. He would hurt my tenshi. I couldn't let that happen. Oh, Ryou…I don't want to lose you…but I don't want you to get hurt either…what should I do? Help me, Ra…

I don't want to lose him.

After School (Ryou's POV again)

Malik wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close to him. With Bakura, this felt strange, unwanted, but with Malik, it was just--right. I felt like I was melting, and I leaned back against him. But still---what to tell Bakura? He'll be mad--I don't want to get hurt again, o kami-sama, tasukete kure, help me….maybe I should just put it off, relax while I can. Then, if this doesn't last, I can at least have memories.

Malik and I walked to the park. I wasn't ready to go home yet, to face Bakura, so I convinced him to go there with me. We walked around for a while, just chatting, talking about whatever came to mind. Then we passed by the lake.

It was beautiful. The sun sets early in December, so it was going down in a fiery red ball. The reflection over the water was beautiful, almost as beautiful as the face of the boy standing next to me. He pulled me closer, until we were facing each other with me in his arms. I stared into his eyes, the pale violet orbs hypnotizing me. He moved closer, bringing his lips to mine.

This was different. Bakura was always forceful and demanding in his kisses, like he wanted more than just the kiss. Always so full of lust. Malik was gentle, patient, kind, loving. He didn't push me, didn't try to force me in any way.

He deepened the kiss, and I found myself enjoying it in a way that I never had before. When he licked my bottom lip, I opened my mouth without any hesitation. His tongue was warm and moist, not slobbery or excessively dry. I moaned into his mouth as he began to explore my mouth. It felt so good, so…right. Was this what true love was?

I melted even farther into his arms, relaxing completely. I never wanted to move…I would stay like this forever. My eyes were closed, and I had stopped worrying about breathing long ago. In fact, I'm not sure that my brain was still working at that point. I was living for the moment.

Suddenly there was a gasp behind me. I whirled around.

Oh no. Bakura.

"Yami?"

"What the--Ryou, come here." He said. That was my yami, always commanding. I had no illusions about what he would do to me later if I did, though. I clung closer to Malik, trying to disappear behind him. He sheltered me, stepped in front of me to shield me.

"Ryou. Do as I say. Before I have to come over there and make you." Bakura was getting angry now. Oh, this was bad…

When Malik spoke, his voice was different than I had ever heard it before. It was low, deadly. If I were the one he'd been talking to, I would have been terrified. "Leave him alone, Bakura. He can make his own decisions." Oh, Malik. Arigato…

But Bakura wouldn't listen. He knew that as well as I did. When Bakura wanted something, he didn't wait for permission--he took it. And he wanted…me.

"Malik…" I whispered. "Onegai…Don't get yourself killed…" I knew all to well what Bakura was capable of. I'd put up with it for years.

They squared off, both drawing out knives that I didn't know they had. Well, I knew Bakura had them, but that's only because he always has them. That's no surprise.

I couldn't watch the rest. Thoughts kept running through my head. They could get hurt, would get hurt, one of them may die…much as my yami's done to me, he's still the other half of my soul. And I don't want to see Malik die…for god's sake…I love him…

Eventually, the dust settled. It was…a tie? Thank goodness. Things would have been all right if Malik had won, but Bakura…I don't want to think about that. No, a tie was best. But neither of them had escaped without a few bruises. And a few small cuts. Nothing too major, thank god.

I ran over, kneeling down next to Malik. Bakura may be my yami, but he'll live. He's a spirit, after all. He can't die. Thank goodness Malik wasn't too badly hurt though…I'm not sure what I would have done without him. Or what Bakura would have done to me…

He was conscious. That's a good sign. He recognized me, too, pulling me down close to his chest.

"It's OK, Malik, It's all right now." I reassured him. "Can you walk?"

"I think so," he said, grunting in pain as he stood. "And he did this to you regularly? I'm surprised you're alive." He hugged me tightly. I leaned into him, until I felt him waver. We went over to a bench, as he was unwilling to let go of me for even a second.

I was snuggled up against his chest, with his face buried in my hair. It was very comfortable. He kissed the top of my head repeatedly, I just sat there and leaned of him. He smelled of lilacs, the flower matched the color of his eyes. I think I may just stay here for the rest of my life.

He whispered into my ear, "My tenshi…I love you."