Dark Samurai: oO; Sorry! ducks behind bullet-proof glass I know, I haven't updated in a ridiculously long time. tries to think up a good excuse Uh...I was busy existing...yes. That. OO looks back at the terribleness of the cell phone idea and wonders what insanity possessed her to write that also notices the irony of her last comment of chapter four Heh heh...cough well...on with the fic!

Disclaimer: I don't own it, though it would be shiny if I did.

FOREVER DARK chapter 5: Acceptance

Seto shut the door quietly and moved back to sit next to Ryou. They passed a moment in silence as Ryou gathered his thoughts. He looked at Seto, but when it became clear that he would not be the one to start this conversation, he began.

"When Bakura came over, he said...that there were still some things he hadn't done to me, and that he wouldn't do. He also told me," Ryou blushed, "that you and I would fall in love," he fell silent.

"That...well...," Seto stuttered, then smiled, "what will be will be."

Ryou looked up in shock. What was he talking about?

"However, I wouldn't expect your Yami to know anything about love. There's more to this, Ryou. Continue."

Ryou nodded. "He said he'd let me fall in love. And even if we were to get married, he wouldn't stop me. But when we were happy, and everything was set up for us...he'd come back and shatter it." Ryou was crying silently now, "he always does. He'll never let me stay happy. Why does he always do this to me?" He drew his knees up to his chin and wrapped his arms around them.

Silently, Seto moved closer to Ryou and tentatively wrapped his arms around him. "Bakura...never grew up with love. He lived in an era when hurting others was just what people did. This isn't an excuse for him, he needs to realize that he isn't in the past anymore. He shouldn't be doing this to you. Regardless of his reasons, however," Seto's eyes became determined, "I'll be damned before I let him hurt you again."

Ryou turned to face Seto and hugged him tightly. "I don't want to lose you."

"Then don't," was the simple reply.

Ryou looked into his rescuer's eyes and saw that he meant every word. He wasn't alone anymore. For the first time in months, Ryou smiled genuinely.

"Ryou, it's okay to ask for help once in a while. No one expects you to be able to do everything flawlessly. You need help right now, Ryou, and your voice is too weak to call out. I can see you're trying, though. The fact that you came back this morning proves that. Just let me help you, okay?"

Ryou found himself at a loss for words. Here was someone who cared for him. Him, whom nobody loved. Him, the quiet boy in the corner who never spoke to anyone. Someone who cared for Ryou and was worried about him.

He tried to say something brave, something that would make Seto respect him. He'd be fine on his own, maybe, or that he'd been alone until now, he could continue to be. All these sentences came to mind but when he tried to say them, they wouldn't come out. It their place, was a tired "Okay."

Seto was temporarily stunned, but quickly recovered.

"You'll have to listen to me and Mokuba."

"Okay."

"And you'll be staying here for a while."

"I know."

"You'll also accept any money, materials or gifts that we give you."

Ryou faltered, but then answered, "Alright."

"And you'll have to listen to Mokuba sing horrible Christmas songs in December."

Ryou laughed. "I understand."

Seto turned more serious. "Are you willing to try? Do you accept these terms?"

Ryou looked up at him and saw the hopeful look he was being given. How could he refuse? "Yes."

Seto heart lifted with that word. He hadn't been sure if his message was getting through. He'd been almost positive that Ryou would refuse his help. That he would turn away from the welcoming home and face the harsh cold of the outside. He was glad to have been proven wrong. That conversation being over, it was time for something less serious.

"Now," Seto began, "you seem to believe that your original, tattered clothes are better than my new ones. Get changed so I can burn those, okay?"

Ryou smiled lightly and nodded. He would do his best to live despite his Yami, and burning this outfit would prove that he wouldn't take abuse anymore.

As Seto turned to leave, he told Ryou that he would wait outside and that they could go down to the kitchens later to find something to eat.

Closing the door quietly behind him, Ryou turned back to the room...his room. He belonged there. He would not let Bakura take this away from him. He changed into some jeans and a forest green T-shirt and smiled. He would become someone else, someone stronger. And when his Yami did come to try and take it away, Ryou would be ready for him. This was his home, and he would protect it.

Dark Samurai: Huzzah! It's sad: I had to re-read my past chapters in order to continue this because I had forgotten what I'd written. ; I promise the next one will come much sooner than this one did. Honestly. Really. Besides, I have a bunch of ped days coming up due to teacher's strikes, so I'll have lots of free time on my hands. Also, A BILLION THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED! I was shocked out of my chair when two people reviewed this fic that I hadn't updated in a ridiculously long time. If not for you, this fic would have been left to gather dust. THANK YOU! I'm going to continue this even though I haven't seen the show since the end of the first season, so don't blame me if I get all the facts wrong, ne? Until soon!