Disclaimer: See first chapter.
(Ryou's POV)
I was slowly beginning to resign myself to the situation. Knowing that Malik had the same problems helped too and I listened closely to the rules as he detailed them to me. These sounded like the kind of thing I would expect to read in a really farfetched novel like the ones I'd seen some of the boys reading during lunch breaks.
"...Marik insists on being called 'master' but Bakura doesn't seem to mind if you use his name." Malik had just finished saying when Bakura poked his head in through the door.
"If it weren't for Marik's insistence I wouldn't let you call me anything else." His voice sounded cocky, although maybe it was just my imagination, "You're doing fine though, carry on."
"Thank you Bakura-sama," Malik said softly. "I'm glad that you approve."
"How could I not with you being so good and all. 'Sides it's not as if I could do any better. I don't like reciting lists. You've got about a half hour before dinner by the way; I suggest you use it wisely." He left again and I stared at the spot where he'd been resentfully.
Then I realized something, "He doesn't seem too bad at the moment. I mean, the way he's acting now you wouldn't think he'd actually agree with the rules you've been listing would you?"
"Na," Malik replied, "It's just the way he is. He may be better than Marik but that doesn't mean he's soft. He just acts that way. That changes if you've done something wrong though. Get on his bad side and you're in major trouble."
"Oh. I think I'm starting to see what's going on. But why'd you say that Bakura's better than Marik? He doesn't really seem any different to me."
"That's because you don't know Marik." Malik said grimly, "Bakura is much better to be around. Not that he isn't just as good, or better, at causing pain. He just doesn't use his skills as much. Come on; let's talk about something different. Who are you? You never got around to telling me."
"That's 'cause there isn't really much to tell. My name's Ryou and my mother died when I was really little..."
Dinner that night was much the same as the last meal I had had except that this time Malik was on the ground at the other end of the table eating from a bowl he had balanced on his knees. I don't mind being fed anymore but I'd still be embarrassed if it weren't for the fact that Malik seems to think this is all perfectly normal. It's good food too. Thin strips of beef cooked to perfection and fried potato slices; the perfect food for feeding piece by piece to a helpless child.
Comparing myself to a helpless child isn't far off actually. In normal situations I'm self-sufficient but here not only am I severely handicapped I'm also unfamiliar with the protocol etc, despite Malik's lecture on what to and not to do.
It doesn't matter though, I'm sure Bakura will take care of everything. After what he's done and all Malik's warnings I don't know why I trust him but it seems to be almost a reflex now.
After dinner Bakura puts me to bed. Once more I'm embarrassed as he undresses me and tucks me into bed but I do realize I couldn't do it on my own. "Good night little one," he says gently before switching off the lights and stepping out of the room.
"Good night," I call after him but I don't think he hears me.
(Ryou's POV)
I was slowly beginning to resign myself to the situation. Knowing that Malik had the same problems helped too and I listened closely to the rules as he detailed them to me. These sounded like the kind of thing I would expect to read in a really farfetched novel like the ones I'd seen some of the boys reading during lunch breaks.
"...Marik insists on being called 'master' but Bakura doesn't seem to mind if you use his name." Malik had just finished saying when Bakura poked his head in through the door.
"If it weren't for Marik's insistence I wouldn't let you call me anything else." His voice sounded cocky, although maybe it was just my imagination, "You're doing fine though, carry on."
"Thank you Bakura-sama," Malik said softly. "I'm glad that you approve."
"How could I not with you being so good and all. 'Sides it's not as if I could do any better. I don't like reciting lists. You've got about a half hour before dinner by the way; I suggest you use it wisely." He left again and I stared at the spot where he'd been resentfully.
Then I realized something, "He doesn't seem too bad at the moment. I mean, the way he's acting now you wouldn't think he'd actually agree with the rules you've been listing would you?"
"Na," Malik replied, "It's just the way he is. He may be better than Marik but that doesn't mean he's soft. He just acts that way. That changes if you've done something wrong though. Get on his bad side and you're in major trouble."
"Oh. I think I'm starting to see what's going on. But why'd you say that Bakura's better than Marik? He doesn't really seem any different to me."
"That's because you don't know Marik." Malik said grimly, "Bakura is much better to be around. Not that he isn't just as good, or better, at causing pain. He just doesn't use his skills as much. Come on; let's talk about something different. Who are you? You never got around to telling me."
"That's 'cause there isn't really much to tell. My name's Ryou and my mother died when I was really little..."
Dinner that night was much the same as the last meal I had had except that this time Malik was on the ground at the other end of the table eating from a bowl he had balanced on his knees. I don't mind being fed anymore but I'd still be embarrassed if it weren't for the fact that Malik seems to think this is all perfectly normal. It's good food too. Thin strips of beef cooked to perfection and fried potato slices; the perfect food for feeding piece by piece to a helpless child.
Comparing myself to a helpless child isn't far off actually. In normal situations I'm self-sufficient but here not only am I severely handicapped I'm also unfamiliar with the protocol etc, despite Malik's lecture on what to and not to do.
It doesn't matter though, I'm sure Bakura will take care of everything. After what he's done and all Malik's warnings I don't know why I trust him but it seems to be almost a reflex now.
After dinner Bakura puts me to bed. Once more I'm embarrassed as he undresses me and tucks me into bed but I do realize I couldn't do it on my own. "Good night little one," he says gently before switching off the lights and stepping out of the room.
"Good night," I call after him but I don't think he hears me.