Got dead stuck on the lime scene. I had to do that over three times. XD That's how bad my lime writer's block was. They should make a "Writing Yaoi Guide for Dummies" or something. Just like "Life for Dummies" and "Romance for Dummies". Hey, I just got a new idea for a fic! (hurries off to write 'Yaoi for Dummies')
Soory this took so long. If you guys review a lot, I promise I'll get another chapter up quickie. I'm hoping for lots of reviews this time! Please?
Yeah, this fic is almost done. We still have...(counts) possibly three to five more chatpers, considering how long each chapter is. I could break it down and do five, or cram it all and do three. i perfer to break it down and do five.
Anways, READ AND REVIEW!
Chapter Fourteen: Promise
There was nothing beside him.
Ryou awoke, bolting upright, as he noticed gentle rays of pale yellow sunlight filtering in through his window. The bed was warm and comforting, a little too warm, though, but what worried Ryou was that there was no other occupant.
Swallowing, Ryou got up, dressing his quite revealed form in a random robe, heading towards the bathroom. Distinctly, he heard the noise of water pitter-patting down quite fast in the lavatory, but thought nothing of it, as a migraine had developed.
He moaned softly, gripping his head. It was not a nice idea to think about: Bakura coming back. How was he supposed to convince Marik not to kill Ryou's darker half, without also risking his own life in the process?
"Marik loves me. He won't kill me."
Nodding surely at that thought, and wishing desperately for someone to relieve his aching muscles, Ryou opened the door, and clambered around the room, heading towards the sink.
He looked into the mirror, but was distinctly surprised that his reflection was fogged. Squinting, he attempted to wipe away the condensation, before he heard the rustle of curtains, and a mischievous snicker.
He barely had enough time to whip around before someone had grabbed him from behind, sufficiently tearing him out of his loose robe, before dunking him into the (now-realized) running shower.
"What the!"
When Ryou opened his eyes, his soft, sympathetic brown orbs met rich, deep amethyst. He blinked a few times, barely aware of the running shower that was pattering needle raindrops uptop his head, soaking his hair and soothing him slightly.
"Good morning, Ryou," Marik smirked.
Ryou swallowed, utterly captured by Marik's eyes for the time being. "G-Good morning…Marik. Umn…" He blinked again, avoiding Marik's gaze, before he realized that Marik was quite…bare.
"My, don't you look absolutely delectable?" Marik teased, leaning into Ryou, trapping him against the smooth walls. Ryou giggled, shrinking a bit to avoid Marik making his move a little too early.
"No, I don't," the Light giggled. He felt his soaking (and messy) hair. "My hair's a mess and I'm wet and" he seemed to realize what he said, and hastily looked down, noticing that he himself was also…"naked!"
"So?" Marik smirked, something akin to fake confusion in his eyes. "Why are you so uptight? You've seen me naked before."
"I-I know," Ryou stuttered, smiling as his cheeks pinked. "But…I'm more used to seeing you …naked…under the covers…"
Marik laughed, his mane of sandy hair flecking Ryou with smooth droplets of water.
"Oh? So you don't mind me bare as long as you're distracted?"
Ryou paused for a moment, thinking. "Maybe…"
Marik smirked. "Well then, let me distract you, then."
With that, the Egyptian quickly claimed the Light's lips, plunging this tongue through the smaller boy's mouth. Ryou could barely even gasp at the surprise attack, but slowly, began to grip Marik around his neck, tightening the grasp as the intensity of the kiss increased. Neither of them was aware of the splattering drops from the shower, rather simply taking in each other's warmth, their bodies crushed against one another's as mouths massaged open, and tongues began to duel.
Slowly, they broke apart, Marik looking smugly triumphant and Ryou absolutely dazed.
"Whatwhat" Ryou stuttered, his head not clearing quite yet from the passion within. He heard Marik snicker, before the Egyptian's lips passed briefly, feather-light, over Ryou's own. Ryou gave a small moan at the touch, having a very foggy idea of where Marik's face was. His mind was still not clear yet!
"You know what I love about you, Ryou?" Marik said slyly, pressing his body against Ryou's, trapping the dazed boy. Smiling, Marik ran his hands up Ryou's frame, causing the paler one to shudder. Lust easing slightly from his eyes, Marik gently ran a finger through Ryou's hair, grinning when the Light smiled dizzily up.
"What?" Ryou asked, blinking cutely.
Marik smirked, his lips lingering just above Ryou's, as he smoothed his lover's wet hair away from his face. "How innocent you are…how cute you are when flustered, how happy you look when you're cheerful, and how damn sexy you are when you beam. How your eyes sparkle with beauty and lust, how your lips softly brush against mine." Raising an eyebrow, the Egyptian leaned closer, a rather sensitive bulge rubbing slightly against Ryou's suggestively. Ryou bit back a sharp gasp, as spike of pleasure surged through his body, concentrating instead on the beauty of Marik's own eyes. Marik smirked.
"In other words, everything about you."
Ryou giggled, as Marik smirked and pressed their lips together once again, his tongue curling caressingly over Ryou's own. They broke apart when Ryou felt Marik's adventurous hands explore southwards, brushing past sensitive areas and arousing pleasurable places.
"Marik…" Ryou smiled exasperatedly.
"Plus," Marik continued, smirking as he indeed, stop. He leaned in closer to Ryou's face. "You seem to possess the power to make me want to pounce on you every second."
"Is that…bad?" Ryou asked.
Marik smirked. "No." He looked down, noting how wet Ryou was now. "…Your muscles are tense."
Ryou blinked. "How did you know that?"
A shrug. "Instincts, I suppose." Ryou blinked again, but accepted the answer when he noticed Marik's own attractive but firm biceps. No wonder.
However, Ryou didn't have too much time to theorize when Marik suddenly spun him around. Ryou yelped, worried about slipping on the tub, but warm arms circled around his chest, holding him still. Slippery hands began to firmly cleanse him, starting with his shoulders, kneading them vigorously; causing Ryou to slip his eyes shut and arch his back in bliss.
"You're so beautiful," Ryou heard Marik whisper, as the hands increased their pressure. Ryou arched again, biting back a moan as he felt Marik's lathered hands start downwards, slipping around his torso and caressing his hips.
Marik purred as he explored his lover's body, his tongue tempted to be dragged across that of Ryou's skin. Moistening his lips, Marik eyed the soft junction between Ryou's neck and shoulder, before he promptly trapped the skin with his lips and dragged his tongue across it.
When he heard Ryou gasp and arch, Marik smirked, and decided to continue with his ministrations. Playfully growling, he increased the pressure on Ryou's hips, caressing them with growing firmness, as he gently nipped against the skin, sucking deeply as Ryou squeaked, then moaned and writhed in pleasure.
Throughout the growing ardor and unrightful zest, Ryou couldn't help but fall lax to Marik's skilled and siren hands, his heart-warming heat, his luscious scent. Poor Ryou's mind was an utter blur of passion as Marik continued his pleasurable actions. Sparks lit between them, sending such an arousing steam of heating passion between them, made the foggy mirrors cloud white.
"Marik," Ryou breathed, unintentionally huskily when Marik began to nuzzle Ryou's tender throat.
"Clean now, Ryou?" Marik whispered back, his voice low and rich with desire. "Or…" At this Marik smirked, his voice filled with playful naughtiness as he ran his fingers down Ryou's length. "…not yet so?"
"Oh, Marik," Ryou sighed exasperatedly. He whirled around, wrapping his arms around Marik's neck, looking deep into the Egyptian's lavender eyes, rich with mauve and sparkling amethyst.
"Yes, Ryou?"
Sighing, Ryou cuddled close to the Egyptian, drawing them closer together into a tight and lovable hug.
"Can we not do this now?" Ryou asked, looking up innocently. "I'm so tired. We already did this last night. Must we do it again so soon?"
Marik feigned an exaggerated look of disappointment because he was disappointed.
Ryou countered the Egyptian's sexy pout with a cute one of his own.
Well, that was one battle Ryou won.
Blowing his hair out of his eyes, Marik stepped out of the shower, shutting it as he reached for a towel. He wrapped Ryou up in one, before pushing the smaller teen up the wall, growling naughtily.
"Alright. I'll stop just this once," Marik coincided, smiling exasperatedly, "just for you. But you owe me."
Beaming, Ryou placed a small kiss on Marik's lips. The Egyptian smirked right back, before intertwining his fingers around the back of Ryou's head and through his hair, crushing their lips together in a forceful, chaste kiss.
After they had gotten dressed, Marik waiting at the door, ready to explore the blimp's island with Ryou. The Light did seem rather tired, but at least he wasn't hurting as much.
"I'm ready," Ryou spoke from the bathroom. "Can we stop by for some breakfast first, though?"
Marik turned around, his eyebrows mildly raised at Ryou's suggestion, before they disappeared into his bangs.
Ryou, smiling pleasantly, holding a book in one hand, and a small basket in another, was wearing neat, clean denim jeans, and a soft, beige v-neck sweater. Though hardly revealing or suggestive, Marik couldn't help but notice how it accented Ryou's figure and personality to its highest extent. Soft, delectable, and delicate, like cotton clouds or silken ribbons.
"Marik?" Ryou asked, blinking.
Marik also blinked right back, though repeatedly as he couldn't help but notice how wonderfully the sweater had pronounced Ryou's eyes. Deep, large and luscious, twinkling and dark, mysterious and beautiful.
"Marik?" Ryou repeated again, stepping a little bit closer, his doe chocolate eyes enlarging with concern every step.
"Nothing," Marik assured, still trying to force himself to stop trailing his eyes over Ryou's form. Shaking his head, Marik eyed the basket, forcing naughty thoughts towards the back of his head. "What's in there?"
"Oh," Ryou smiled, lifting the basket up. "I thought we could go for a picnic, if that's alright with you. We've hardly ever been out and I would absolutely love to see the sunrise!"
"The sunrise?" Marik repeated. "I've seen it, and it's no big deal."
Ryou's shoulders shrugged, but Marik could see Ryou was a little disappointed that Marik wasn't interested.
"If you don't want to, that's okay," Ryou assured, beaming as he opened the door. "If we stop by the cafeteria, we can get a lot of food. I've hadn't had a decent meal since Bakura's duel with Yami Yugi."
"Why?" Marik asked, curious, as he followed Ryou towards the cafeteria. Ryou's smile turned wryly a bit, before he shrugged carelessly.
"I don't usually like my meat raw," Ryou explained, as they reached the lunchroom. "But Bakura does. I didn't quite get to enjoy that steak that night."
Eagerly, with the excitement of a small child, Ryou opened the doors, hurrying over towards the counters, inspecting the food.
"I do hope nothing's rotten," he muttered worriedly as he passed by each food.
"I think Seto would be smart enough keep them cold," said a bitter voice. "The good food's in the fridge in the back."
Ryou jumped back, dropping the basket and the book, and in an instant Marik was in front of him, dagger out in hand at the predator. Tentatively, Ryou peeked out from Marik's shoulder, eyes wide in fear.
"Mokuba!"
"What the hell…?" Marik muttered, raising an eyebrow.
Indeed, it was the younger Kaiba brother, however, despite the same long raven hair and large blue eyes, there was something different about Mokuba's stance. His eyes held not innocence and purity, but dark bitterness and childish hatred.
"Wrong," smiled 'Mokuba', cocking his head arrogantly. "Noah."
"No…ah?" Ryou repeated nervously. "And…who are you?"
"It's not any of your concern," Noah said spitefully, eyeing them. "So. I knew Seto wasn't more of a piece of filth than I thought. Look at who he hangs out with. A paranoid albino and a psychopath murderer."
In an instant, poor Noah (or…'Mokuba'…) was hanging by his collar in Marik's fist. The Egyptian barely seem to be fazed at all, rather almost casual and amused to have such a struggling captive in his grasp.
"Say sorry to Ryou," Marik instructed, eyes boring dangerously into Noah's eyes. "Any acquaintance with Kaiba is an enemy of mine."
The struggling child glared rebelliously, kicking furiously. "Do you know who I am? I'm Noah Kaiba! The REAL son of Gozaboro Kaiba!"
"Your…point?" Marik stated calmly, shaking the child up a bit. Ryou nervously tugged at Marik's tank-top sleeve.
"Marik…let him go," Ryou said quietly.
"Must I?" Marik asked, giving Ryou a sardonic look as Noah continued to thrash around in Mokuba's body. Satisfied to hear no answer from Ryou, Marik swiftly turned around, and placed his dagger upon the boy's throat.
"Marik!" Ryou cried. "Don't!"
"So," Marik said casually, ignoring Ryou completely. "Do tell me. If you tell me your story, why you're here, where is everyone else, I'll reconsider to let you free. Deal?"
The child growled, attempting to kick Marik, but it was futile. Tentatively, Ryou slipped out from behind Marik, holding the child's swinging legs gently.
"It's okay," Ryou said soothingly. "If you just do what he tells you to, you won't get hurt."
"Oh, so you're on his side?" Noah spat. Ryou reddened, but held the boy's legs firmly as Marik increased his piercing gaze.
"If you're the true Kaiba son, you'll no doubt know when's the right time to make a deal," Marik said, smirking. "So tell all, or lose your life in consequence."
The boy glared, before he scowled. "Fine."
Marik waited, giving the boy an inquiring look.
"And no, kid, I'm not going to let you go to explain. You can do that right here."
Noah's ugly face deepened, before he snapped. "Fine. If you truly must know, I am the true son of Gozabora Kaiba. You are all on my island right now."
"And you are in the Kaiba's brat's body why?" Marik asked.
"Because I'm a spirit!" Noah snapped. "I died before Seto took over everything I should've inherited. So now I've captured all of them into my virtual reality world, to make them suffer!" Noah laughed bitterly. "You see, this is my technological island. It has the highest virtual reality program, and poor Seto and Yugi's consciousness are all there, trapped, floating around in my virtual reality world." Noah gave Ryou a glare, before it turned cunning and deceptive. "So you're Ryou."
"Yes," Ryou said, frowning a little at Noah's contemplative smirk. What an odd…and scary…little boy.
Noah nodded, laughing. "Yeah. I know. I've downloaded all of Seto's Battle City dueling files from his mind. So you're the one who's supposedly in the Shadow Realm or something? What is that?"
"Nothing of your concern," Marik said coldly. He eyed the boy in his grip as Noah continued thinking.
"Sad," Noah smirked, trying to hit where it hurt the most. He gave Ryou a deceptively innocent look. "You're they're friend, right? Because they're always talking about friendship and crap."
"Yes…" Ryou said, slightly suspicious.
Noah beamed, the same way little three-year-old-brats did, when they tick parents off for no reason. "That's sad. They never mentioned you. They must think you're absolutely worthless, if they're not even worried about you in the virtual reality world."
Ryou's shoulders sank a little, before he regained composure. This was a child, for goodness sakes! He was not going to get upset over a child!
"I'm sure they're just glad that I'm not there with them," he said delicately.
"Oh I'm sure they are!" Noah agreed vigorously. "They must hate you to worry that much over Seto more than you." At this, Noah imitated Yugi's voice in a high falsetto. "'Oh, Yami, we have to save Kaiba, he's done so much for us! I know that he's cold and all that, but he really is just misunderstood!'" Noah's bratty smile came back. "They never mentioned you at all!"
"I'm sure…they're just relieved I'm not suffering with them," Ryou said, delicately soft. "After all, I don't want to worry them."
"Oh no," Noah said, shaking his head. "They hate you. They think you're dangerous. Tell me. Do you really have a darker side, or is it really just you and a schizophrenic issue? Because since you're hanging out with people like him…" Noah made a face at Marik. "…I mean, then no wonder they loathe you…they think you're going to kill them…"
Almost instantly, Noah's body was thrown violently into the wall, slipping out of Ryou's grasp as the raven-haired vessel crumbled against the wall. Marik stood, veins appearing from the corners of his face, as he gritted his teeth dangerously at the boy.
"Don't. You. Dare," Marik hissed. "Talk to Ryou like that again."
"Marik!" Ryou cried. "Don't hurt him! He's just a kid!"
"He's dead already, Ryou," Marik said uncaringly, frowning coldly at the boy. He took Ryou's hand. "Come on. You were saying something about a picnic?"
But Ryou slipped away from Marik's grip, and hurried over to the fallen boy's side. Worriedly, Ryou checked for any injuries, and when he found none, quickly helped the boy up. Noah looked back up, angry tears in his eyes.
"What was that for!" Noah yelled angrily. Ryou, patient as he was, ignored Noah's childish outburst and said,
"Are you hurt?"
"No!" Noah spat, shaking free from Ryou. Ryou looked unfazed.
"Well then, that's good." Nodding, Ryou began to frown worriedly. "What's going to happen to Yugi?"
Noah's bratty leer came back. "Wouldn't you like to know."
"I would," Ryou said.
"Yes, well, I'm not telling you."
Suddenly golden ripples traveled over Noah's form, immobilizing him as Marik approached, dagger in hand.
"I'm not very patient, Noah," Marik said coldly. "I kill for fun. Now. Answer or suffer consequences." He gave Noah a whap in the head with the Rod for understanding. The golden ripples disappeared, leaving Noah sitting on the floor, glaring.
"You DO not boss me around!" Noah yelled.
"No, I kill," Marik said, an evil smirk forming on his lips.
"Marik," Ryou pleaded. "Come on."
Noah glared at Ryou. "Why are you helping me?"
Ryou sighed, standing up. "I believe everyone deserves a second chance. Whatever you've done to make Seto hate you and you hate Seto, I hope everything will go out alright." He gave Noah a smile. "Why are you here, anyways?"
Noah pouted, seemingly somewhat forced into guilt by Ryou's compassion. "I was just seeing whether Seto really was successful as I thought."
"Well," Ryou shrugged. "Are you done?" He asked this in a sort of manner as one would ask a child if they were finished playing with the playground in McDonald's.
Noah scowled. "Yes."
"That's good," Ryou said, nodding. He looked uncertainly from Marik to Noah. Noah got the gist, and hurriedly stood up, taking hesitant and wary steps towards the door.
"If you go back where you came from and let Yugi go," Ryou said kindly, "I don't think Marik will hurt you."
"No, I won't," Marik smirked. "The Pharaoh's mine for the killing, not yours. Imagine how pitiful it will be to have the great Pharaoh die in the hands of a child!"
"Why are you so kind to me?" Noah said suspiciously to Ryou. Ryou shrugged.
"Everyone deserves a second chance," Ryou said gently. He gave Noah another smile. "Noah, can you do me a favor?"
Begrudgingly, Noah nodded. "I suppose I owe you."
Ryou smiled, looking uncertainly towards Marik. "Could you not…tell anyone I'm okay? Can you forget this entire thing with me and Marik?"
Noah nodded. "Fine."
The child took one more step, then hurried down the hall.
There was a flash of golden light, signaling that Marik had erased Noah's memory, and immediately, Ryou turned around and latched hard onto Marik. Marik blinked, a little confused.
"Ryou…?"
"That…was unnerving," Ryou admitted. "You weren't really going to kill him, were you?"
Marik didn't reply, only returning the embrace tightly. "Come on. Are we still going for a picnic?" he asked, smiling.
Ryou smiled weakly back, nodding. "I'll go get the food. I hope no one else is around to see us."
"If they do…" Marik twirled his Rod slyly. He gave Ryou a fast, sweet kiss. "Don't worry yourself, Ryou. Nothing's going to tear me away from you and you know it. Not even the Gods themselves."
"I know," Ryou nodded, hugging Marik tightly before hurrying off towards the kitchen in the back. Marik waited, before Ryou came back, dragging what seemed to be the rather heavy basket.
"Need help?" Marik smirked, taking the basket easily from Ryou's grasp. Ryou smiled, before he slipped his arm around Marik's waist.
"Maybe."
Marik snickered, weaving his arm around Ryou's shoulders, before both of them set off towards the blimp entrance.
When they stepped out, cool, comforting air greeted them. The island was large, humongous, with mental archipelagoes branching off at the sides. Water surrounded them around the edges, swooshing gently in a soothing rhythm against the metal barriers. The sun was already high up in the sky, warm and comforting. Marik sighed silently, eyeing his surroundings with mild interest. Ryou however, took one deep breath and exhaled deeply, a smile on his face as wind ruffled through his hair. Marik eyed him curiously.
"You act like as if you've never gone out before," he said, leading Ryou towards the open island.
"I…guess I rarely get the chance to appreciate it," Ryou admitted. "Bakura's always using my body to steal at night, and that just leaves me too physically drained in the day to do anything else but study."
"Oh," was all Marik could say, before he followed Ryou as the Light looked around for a spot.
"This is perfect," Ryou said, beaming as he sat down, ruffling through the basket, and revealing a large blanket. He laid it on the ground, spreading it out, and gesturing Marik to sit next to him.
Marik was still eying him curiously, before he directed his gaze towards the ocean. He remember the sea the first time Malik had entirely left the Keepers, sailing on a yatch across the waves, towards Domino. In truth, Marik did rather appreciate the sea. It could be still and cold one morning, and violent and murderous one night. Just like him.
"I know you'd rather be doing it with me," Ryou said sheepishly, scooting closer to Marik. "I'm sorry if this is so boring to you."
Marik blinked, shaking his head as he stared out into the sea. "I suppose I would rather be doing you," Marik admitted, a mischievous grin on his face, "but this is not too bad either. I did promise you to leave it today, didn't I?"
Ryou nodded, cuddling closer as he laid his head against Marik's shoulder. It felt so wonderful, having someone else to fit perfectly to, to conjoin with as though made for one another. Still, Ryou couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed that Marik wasn't enjoying this as much as he would be in bed.
As though he could sense Ryou's uneasiness, Marik wrapped his arm protectively around Ryou's waist, drawing them closer together.
"I don't mind," Marik said, trying to persuade the other boy to enjoy the peaceful scenario. "I can't be doing you everyday."
"Hmn," Ryou nodded, nuzzling a little into Marik's throat. "If you really don't want to be here…it's okay…we can go back if you want…"
"No, it's fine," Marik assured. "You're too tired, anyways."
Ryou nodded again, but he couldn't help but feel that was the only reason why Marik wasn't doing him.
They sat in silence, drinking in one another's presence, before Ryou suddenly exclaimed in disappointment.
"We missed the sunrise!"
Marik blinked, before he began to chuckle. "You didn't notice?"
"Well…" Ryou blushed, snuggling closer towards Marik, "I thought…I thought we were up early…and…I was really hoping to see the sunrise…"
Still chuckling, Marik shook his head, and reached towards the basket. He fumbled around for a bit, before he found two sandwiches, and handed one for Ryou and one for himself. He wolfed it down, despite the fact he hadn't known he was hungry, but froze momentarily from his own ravage of hunger when he noticed Ryou was chewing quite animatedly on his.
Ryou was eating quite neatly, but rather noticeably fast. He had tucked a small napkin into his collar, seemingly unaware how cute he was looking with it. As he chewed, Marik couldn't help but notice that Ryou would make very adorable happy eating noises occasionally. Within minutes Ryou was done his sandwich and was poking around eagerly for something else to eat.
"You must be starving," Marik chuckled, unable to stop himself from tightening his grip on Ryou. He just had to cuddle that sweet little boy.
"Maybe," Ryou admitted, beaming. "But I usually eat a lot anyways." He found a small bowl of fried eggs and fried tomatoes, and promptly began eating that too. Marik snorted, finishing his own sandwich and fumbling around for another delicious morsel. He found a large, flat biscuit, about as big as his entire hand, fried and rather delicious looking. He unwrapped the plastic around it, and bit into it.
"Those are good," Ryou said, after he had swallowed and was beaming up at Marik. Marik raised an eyebrow, noticing just how cute Ryou was wearing that napkin in his collar, as though he were a child. Marik snorted to himself. Despite how fast and eagerly Ryou ate, the napkin wasn't even blemished at all.
"Yes, they are," Marik said, around a mouthful of the fried biscuit, before swallowing. He had never tasted such a thing in Egypt. "What is it?"
"It's kiinda hard to explain," Ryou said, tilting his head. "I used to make them a lot when I was home."
"You cooked?" Marik asked, raising another eyebrow as he finished the biscuit.
"Yeah," Ryou said lightly, nodding. Marik narrowed his gaze curiously.
"Why?"
Ryou shrugged, opening the basket for the third time and finding some cans of sodas for himself and Marik. "It's what you do when you live alone."
"You live alone?" Marik asked. For a moment, Marik felt rather chastised, even though Ryou made no hint or sign that he was offended. But, for some odd reason, it made Marik felt rather guilty and upset about his lack of knowledge about Ryou.
"Yeah," Ryou said again, avoiding Marik's gaze. Marik knew this was a sign that Ryou wasn't ready to talk about his isolation, but the Shadow master was too intrigued, he had to press on. But before he opened his mouth, Ryou had stuffed a shrimp in his own, obviously hinting that he was far too polite to talk with his mouth full. Hence, not answering questions from Marik just yet.
Still very curious (and guilty) about Ryou's past, Marik sat back, taking off his cloak as he tried to figure out the best way to approach the topic. That's when he noticed that Ryou had opened the book, but was not reading. Instead, his eyes looked a bit teary.
"You know…" Marik started, leaning forward against his knees. "You shouldn't listen to that bastard of a kid. Noah."
"I know," was Ryou's soft reply.
"He didn't know what he was talking about," Marik tried again. He gave Ryou a small smile, hoping to cheer the hikari up. "How did you deal with him like that, anyways? I could've easily banished him."
Ryou was silent for a moment, before he replied, his eyes still avoiding Marik's.
"I…I used to have a sister," Ryou said delicately. Marik blinked.
"A sister? Really?"
"Yes," Ryou nodded, staring at the ground, straining a weak smile. "She was younger than me, and when mother and father used to go out, I would take care of her." Ryou laughed a bit, smiling at the memory. But to Marik, the laugh seemed sad and forced.
"…You said 'used to'," Marik said, frowning slightly. "What do you mean by 'used to'?"
Ryou sighed wearily, and it was then did Marik suddenly notice a far more mature side of Ryou he had never truly seen before. The sweater accented his personal profession; soft, kind and caring, loving and brotherly, shy and studious. Though Marik had always thought Ryou as rather strong to be keeping Bakura a secret, he had never seen Ryou act so mature, so much older.
"She died," Ryou said simply, shrugging a little. "She and mother died in a car accident when I was young. After that, my father and I moved from Britain to Japan." He gave Marik a small smile. "Dad loved mother a lot. She was Japanese, so he decided to come here, to her hometown after she died."
"You lived in Britain?" Marik blinked, mentally slapping himself for his lack of knowledge. So that was where Ryou's accent came from. Marik knew he had heard it somewhere. English archeologists always came to Egypt. Always.
"Yes," Ryou nodded, closing his eyes, and leaning forward on his knees, like Marik was. The Light rested his forehead against his forearm, looking quite stressed and quite tired.
Marik hardly noticed Ryou's internal suffering at the memories of his family. The Egyptian was still trying to accommodate such new information about his lover, and was struggling to find something to say about Ryou's sister's death.
"…That's…too bad," Marik said simply. Death to him was nothing. Death to Ryou was something else.
"Yes, I know," Ryou said distantly, not looking up. There was an awkward silence as both of them sat there, in identical positions, seemingly stupefied and not knowing what to say.
"And…then?" Marik asked.
"Then…" Ryou sighed. "Father left, I suppose. He really loved mother and Amane. I suppose he was just afraid to lose me too, so he began to go on excavations, leaving me alone at home." Ryou shrugged. "And then I got the Ring."
There was another awkward silence, with both of them knowing full well what happened after that. Marik made a face, feeling his heart clench at Ryou's quite tired form. So this was why Ryou was always exhausted, always physically weak. No mother, no sister, and with practically no father, Ryou had to live alone with Bakura, struggling to do well in school and be a good friend, when he had no one else to rebound upon.
Marik scratched the back of his head thoughtfully, opening his mouth to say something, when Ryou beat him to it.
"I don't know why I'm telling you this," Ryou said, straining a smile, finally looking up. "I know you probably wouldn't understand how I feel about my family leaving me…after all, I guess you never really did get along with your family, right?"
"I killed my father the first time I met him," Marik said simply, shrugging carelessly. "I was only formed when Malik was ten, so I never really got to know him very well. The first time I met him face to face, I killed him. And, judging by a mother's lack of presence, I'm naturally guessing she died during childbirth."
"I see," Ryou said softly, nodding understandingly. Marik looked at him, unsure of how to respond.
"Do you… miss them a lot?" Marik asked stupidly. He mentally slapped himself again.
"A…bit," Ryou admitted. "I try to forget about them, but…" Ryou swallowed, sighing. He tugged at his shirt, giving Marik what was definitely a sad smile. "My mother made this shirt for me. I remember watching her do it. She got all the measurements mixed up, because she forgot that she was making it for me and not for Dad. So she gave it to me, telling me that when I finally grew up to be strong and like an adult, I would fit it."
Marik blinked at this tale, unsure, once again, how to respond. However, Ryou answered him anyways, speaking more to himself that to Marik.
"I've worn it since I was thirteen."
Marik blinked again, understanding fully the metaphor that Ryou had used. The Egyptian frowned darkly, before his attention turned back to Ryou, who was laughing uncertainly.
"I don't know why I'm telling you this," Ryou said weakly. "I mean, even Yugi-tachi doesn't know. And…you probably won't understand anyways…I mean…you're a yami, you're dark, you probably wouldn't understand."
"That's okay," Marik said, surprised at his own answer. "If you want to talk more, you can."
Ryou blinked a bit, but it wasn't out of surprise or confusion. As Marik looked closely, he noticed tears in Ryou's eyes, but the Light was determined not to let them fall. Gently, Marik patted him on the back, unsure of exactly how to comfort someone with family grief.
"My family and I used to watch the sunset together," Ryou whispered softly. "We used to live near a lake, and we'd go row-boating in the mornings, with Dad catching fish and Amane swimming around. And then, when the sun was about to set, all four of us would sit on the rocks on the edge, watching the sun sink behind the forest, eating Mother's homemade preserves. Amane and I would sit in the middle, with Dad on her side, and Mother on my side." Ryou smiled sadly at the memory, and when he spoke again, his voice was soft, barely above a whisper. "Amane had always been Dad's favourite, and I was always Mother's."
Ryou swallowed a little, leaning forward into his arms, looking out into the sea.
"Mother and I used to watch the sunrise too," Ryou whispered. "When Dad went on his excavations, Mother would bring Amane and I up to the balcony, and read us stories and sing to us while we waited for the sun to rise. Amane always had a sketchbook in her hands, and she had these pages and pages of different sunrises that she had seen. And when we were done, I'd help Mother with breakfast, and then I would take care of Amane." Ryou smiled again, before immediately a darkened, melancholic look fell before his face.
"…Amane knew about Bakura."
Marik blinked, his eyes wide. Ryou swallowed again, and hugged himself tight, squeezing his eyes shut, his voice bitter when he spoke again.
"Dad had already found the Ring long before I possessed it," Ryou explained. "He thought it was the secret to the Pharaoh's tomb, so he hid it in his desk for safekeeping. Amane and I used to play in his study, and I remember…" Ryou swallowed again. "…I remember that day she opened it, and she found it. I told her not to touch it, that it was Dad's, but she ignored me. When she picked it up, she suddenly began to cry, and she ran into my arms. I asked her what was wrong, but then she told me that she had seen a ghost, that it was scaring her and she was afraid of it."
Ryou looked away, his fists clenching and shaking a bit.
"I told her it was nothing," Ryou whispered. "I told her that it was probably her imagination, that I would always protect her when she needed it. And yet, she still insisted that there was a ghost, a terrible ghost who haunted that Ring and scared her. And then she told me that one day it would haunt me." Ryou closed his eyes, looking away. "I didn't believe her. And do you know what happened after that, Marik? A day after that happened?"
"What?" Marik asked, his voice somewhat monotone.
"She died," Ryou said bitterly. "She died the day after she told me about Bakura. I went to school, kissing her on the cheek when I left her at her elementary. When I came home, Dad was in tears and I found out…that she and Mother had died."
Marik's eyes widened remarkably, before they fell back into their narrow, dangerous slits. Ryou didn't see Marik's sudden change in mood, for he was still in his pensive trance.
"And I guess…I've always been alone after that," Ryou sighed. "I guess I finally got used to the loneliness. I wasn't used to being lonely, with the family I grew up with. But I guess I got used to it after a few years. It's not too bad living alone. And while Bakura may sometimes be a nuisance" at this, Ryou sighed, and looked towards Marik again, though those haunting brown eyes were staring into the sea, "I guess, he kept me company. That's why I put up with him. I was afraid for anyone else to leave me, so I guess I was so desperate I welcomed Bakura as if with open arms. And sometimes I may hate him for being so evil and destructive, there are times when I have to remember that he must've lived in loneliness too, if he became like this." Ryou sighed again, giving Marik a strained, weak smile. "It feels…really bad to be alone…"
Ryou drifted off into silence, while Marik sat there, stupefied at how dark Ryou's own past was. Marik had always assumed Ryou's stress and misery came from Bakura, but it now seemed that Bakura merely emphasized it afterwards, for Ryou already had a rather depressing past before the sadistic Ring spirit came to his life.
When Marik saw a lone tear drip down Ryou's cheek, the Egyptian sighed softly, and engulfed Ryou in his arms without a word.
Ryou blinked, his eyes wide in confusion as he wriggled a bit to get comfortable.
"You're not alone anymore," Marik said firmly. "I promise you that, Ryou."
Ryou blinked again, looking up and staring into Marik's eyes.
"What?"
"You're never going to be alone again, Ryou," Marik said softly. "I'll always be here for you. Do you understand?"
Ryou merely blinked again, his eyes wide, before they welled with tears.
"You…you promise?"
"I do," Marik whispered, kissing Ryou on his forehead. "You will never be alone again. I promise I will always be there for you."
"You will?" Ryou whispered, curling a bit against Marik's hold defensively. Marik gave Ryou a reassuring smile, kissing him once again on the forehead.
"I will."
Ryou's face slowly began to form into a happy smile; tears of happiness leaked his eyes as he reached forward to hug Marik tightly, never wishing to let go.
"Marik…?" Ryou whispered softly.
"Yes?" Marik whispered back.
"Can we…. can we see the sunset?" Ryou asked timidly, almost child-like and tentative.
Marik looked down on the beautiful Light in his arms, smelling the sweet vanilla scent that was drifting from the forest of Ryou's hair. He leaned his cheek against Ryou's forehead, rubbing soothing circles upon the other's back.
"Of course."
For some reason, this single moment seemed to surpass the magic of even that of their incident in the shower. This wasn't sparkling, spitting fiery ardor and zeal, but blissful and heartwarming, peaceful and content.
Before long, Marik noticed Ryou struggling to stay awake, leaning away to rub his eyes. Marik smiled, running his fingers through Ryou's hair as the Darkness began to take of his shirt; the noon heat was quite overwhelming on the little island.
"Go to sleep Ryou," Marik instructed assuringly. Ryou shook his head.
"I want to see the sunset with you."
Grinning, Marik wrapped his arms around the smaller boy, steering both of them downwards, so they were soon lying flat on their backs. Ryou opened his eyes, staring in blank awe at Marik's bronze chest, before Marik directed Ryou's face towards his collarbone. Soon, Ryou was resting his head against Marik's chest, in quite a comfortable position.
"Go to sleep," Marik said again. "You're far too tired from last night."
"But…I want to see the sunset…" Ryou said quietly, his voice drifting off as he began to fall into slumber.
"I'll wake you when the time comes," Marik promised, kissing Ryou's head. "I'll be awake."
"O…kay…" Ryou breathed, his eyelids already closing, as he snuggled closer towards the Darkness, delighted when the yami drew his own arms tighter around the boy.
Soon, Ryou was entirely lax against Marik's hold, his breathing even as he slumbered peacefully. Marik smiled, kissing the Light on the cheek.
Marik wasn't sure why, but now that he knew most of Ryou's past, now that he knew more about his lover than possibly anyone else, he felt far more inclined to protect him, to care for him. Ryou could not live any longer the life he did, once with a happy family and now with nothing but darkness and despair. And because of this, Marik felt that it was more his duty than anyone else's, that Ryou was kept safe and secure, loved and cared for. Everything that Ryou's life lacked, that he had once, and more than anything, deserved.
As Marik watched the mid-afternoon sun burn high above him, he solemnly swore to himself that he would keep the promise he had made to Ryou: to keep him safe, to keep him company, to be there forever by his side. To love him.
But Marik had no idea how far his loyalty would soon be tested.
Yeah, I added Noah on instinct, simply because I needed an excuse to show off Ryou's more brotherly nature to hint that he had a darker past with Amane's death and all...and plus I needed Noah to show Ryou were the good food was. XD I hope that didn't sound too choppy or quick, because I did it rather fast.
Next chapter: the Darkness returns...AGAIN! Which yami do we know is more persistant than a cockroach? After being sent to the graveyard, "destroyed", banished, banished, banished, and banished again (oh yeah...and "killed" three thousand years ago), Yami Bakura comes back, with a far more ruthless plan to destroy Marik and Ryou...so that he and Malik can be together in peace. The ultimate shadow game is near. And who will lose? Marik? Bakura? Or will one of them lose more than life points, and actually lose their life, in attempts to save another? Read on! Read on!
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