---Oh, so many great reviews I don't know what to comment on first.

Everyone seems to be waiting to see what Marik is up too... (Evil grin)

Toothy One, I haven't been able to add you to my list yet... MSN seems to be hating me. (kicks it) try adding me (kuroi (underscore) yasha (a) hot mail . com ). If anyone else wants to talk to me and has MSN messenger you can add me, I love to talk to people and I'm on most all the time.

'Yadonushi' means Landlord. 'Omote' means Surface. 'Hikari' means Light. 'Baka' means Stupid/Fool/Idiot (not sure if I have or will use this).

Warnings: Shonen-ai, some fluffiness (I'm so going soft (curse you John))

Disclaimer: Takahashi stole my ideas so I'm going to steal his!

Chapter Five

Place for My Head

"Omote."

The name filtered though the darkness. Malik looked up to see Marik standing on the other side of his Soul Room, leaning against the wall. Malik huddled further into the corner as Marik walked over to him.

"Are we being a good little light?" Marik asked, kneeling in front of the other.

"I want to be pushed aside," Malik said quietly, barely above a whisper. "So let me go."

"But I'm having oh-so-much fun controlling you," Marik smirked, "Aren't you having fun? Sitting back, watching your days pass before. Though, you're not actually watching, considering all you have is these four walls."

"Let me take back my life," said Malik in a daze, "I'd rather be all alone."

Malik closed his eyes tightly as Marik laughed.

"Anywhere on my own, because I can see," Malik continued, "The very worst part of you is-"

"Wake up, omote," Marik whispered, "You have a visitor."

"Me..."

Ryou knocked on Malik's front door. He waited a minute or so and then wondered that maybe the Egyptian wasn't home. Ryou frowned at the thought. He didn't have anywhere else to go and there was no way he could back home. He knocked on the door again softly, not wanting to seem rude or impatient. The door opened to reveal a dazed looking Malik.

"Ryou!" said Malik alarmed after getting a good look at the other teen. Ryou had two cuts under his eyes, which were red from crying, and his cheek was bruised. Malik also noticed a few blood stains on his shirt.

"H-hey Malik." Ryou said in a quiet tone despite how shocked the other teen looked.

"What happened!?" Malik asked as Ryou stepped in out of the cold. Malik shut the door behind him.

"B-Ba..." was all Ryou could get out before bursting into tears. Malik pulled his friend into his arms to comfort him. Malik ran his fingers through Ryou's hair as he cooed softly in his ear, trying to calm him. Ryou pulled back and looked up to Malik with his tearful doe eyes.

"Come inside." offered Malik. Ryou nodded.

"B-Bakura was really m-mad." Ryou said slowly, taking off his coat and shoes, following Malik to the living room, "Be-because I came here."

The living room had no lights on; it was lit only by the morning sun shining through the windows. Malik sat down on the couch and Ryou sat down with him.

"He was mad that I disobeyed him..." Ryou trailed off. "He-he-he..."

"Shh." Malik could see the tears welling up again. "You don't have to tell me."

But Ryou did; he wanted to get it off his chest. The images still taunted him in the back of his mind. Ryou turned his head away so Malik couldn't see the tears fall.

"He cut me... and he s-showed..."

Malik moved so he could see Ryou's face. He wiped the tears away as they fell.

"He showed me Kuru Eruna..." Ryou closed his eyes tightly. Malik looked shocked. "It was so vivid... and... and I can still see it."

"Ryou, open your eyes." Malik said quietly. "Look at me."

Ryou opened his eyes, gazing into Malik's lavender eyes.

"They'll only get to you if you let them." Malik said, caressing Ryou's bruised cheek.

"I-I ran away, Malik," Ryou trembled, "I'm so afraid of what will happen if I go back."

"Then don't go back," Malik said. Ryou looked at him shocked. "Stay here with me. I care for you. I'll keep you safe."

Malik leaned over, kissing the cuts under Ryou's eyes softly, licking away the salty tears.

"Malik I-"Ryou began but was interrupted when Malik covered his mouth, kissing him softly. He was startled at first and then felt something spark inside. He closed his eyes and kissed back timidly, every coherent thought leaving his mind. After a bit, Malik broke the kiss. Ryou gave a small smile.

"Ryou, I think I love you," Malik whispered, his tan cheeks tinged with pink.

"Me too," Ryou whispered back. Malik smiled and gave Ryou another kiss. Soft, but more intensive.

In the darkness in the back of Malik's mind, Marik smirked. All his pieces were falling right into place.

---Yeah yeah, short.---