Ch.2-Love

Well, I'm finally updating! Go me! And congrats to Yami Evelyn, for being the first to guess the title meaning! This chapter is therefore dedicated to her. Also, except for Ryou and Bakura, I'm using all dub names. In most cases, they're shorter, and I'm lazy as hell.

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Marik took several large steps back before answering. "We ran into each other at the movie theatre. After the show, I took him home, because he didn't want to get caught in the rain."

Bakura glared at him. "…very well, then. Now go, before I change my mind about killing you."

Marik took off so fast he left a smoke trail, yelling, "See ya, Ryou!" over his shoulder.

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Once they were inside, Ryou demanded, "Bakura, why did you do that!"

"I don't trust him. It's his fault you went to the hospital during Battle City."

"Oh, is that how you remember it? Because the way I remember it, you stabbed me in the arm! Besides, he's repented now. He won't hurt me."

"He still can't be trusted!"

"Bakura, nothing happened!"

"Did you notice the way he looked at you?"

This argument went on for a long time, and contained much yelling of things I can't put here if I want to keep my rating. Finally, Bakura gave up and went to bed, muttering something about "perverted tombkeepers…lovestruck fool of a hikari" under his breath.

Two days later

Ryou sighed. His yami usually slept until noon, so he had the whole morning and probably most of the afternoon to himself. Gazing at the phone, he mused, I gave Marik my phone number…wonder if he'll call me?

As if on cue, the phone rang. Ryou dove and picked it up on the second ring.

"Hello, Bakura residence, Ryou speaking."

"Morning, Ryou. It's me, Marik. Are you feeling better since Thursday?"

"Yeah, I feel great; thanks for asking."

On the other end, Marik took a deep breath. "Well…if you're not doing anything special today…doyouwanttogooutwithme?"

Silence reigned throughout the apartment. Finally, Ryou managed to squeak, "Sure. Where do you want to go?" I can't believe he asked me out!

On the other end, in the Ishtar house, Marik almost fainted with joy. He said yes! Ryou Bakura wants to go out with me!

"Ummm….I really have no idea. I've only been back in Domino for about a week…How about you decide where we go?"

"Sure, that sounds good."

"Okay, so…call me when you want me to pick you up." And then he hung up.

Ryou, sitting on his couch, stared at the ceiling in shock. Marik Ishtar asked me out. I HAVE A DATE WITH MARIK! Yaaaaaay!

And then it hit him.

Oh, my God. What am I going to wear?

Two hours later

Marik pulled up in front of Ryou's apartment. His date was waiting on the stoop, looking nervous and wearing his outfit from Battle City. Marik was momentarily speechless.

"Hi, Ryou. You look…"

Climbing on the back of Marik's motorcycle, Ryou asked, "What? What do I look like?"

Turning and wrapping his arms around him, Marik smiled. "You look gorgeous, Ry. Where do you want to go? Are you hungry?" Blushing, Ryou replied, "I'm not hungry-I had a few donuts, so I'm okay. You want to go check out the park? It's really nice this time of year."

"Let's go."

Several minutes later

Marik and Ryou were walking through the park, holding hands. Ryou smiled at him, and Marik felt his heart skip a beat. Damn, can he get any more adorable? He hoped he wasn't blushing.

He was. Ryou sighed happily. Marik is so cute! Especially when he's embarrassed. What Bakura doesn't know won't hurt my relationship...

Spotting a bench, they sat down, still holding hands. Ryou snuggled into Marik's chest, and Marik put his arms around him gently. They held each other for several minutes, each lost in their own thoughts.

Finally, Marik sighed, "Hey, Ryou?"

He mumbled, 'Yeah, Marik?"

Marik put a hand on Ryou's cheek, tilting his head to face him. Bending down slightly, he kissed him.

Ryou was pretty sure this was the best moment of his entire life.

Finally, they broke apart, desperately needing air, and Marik, blushing, confessed.

"I love you, Ryou."

Ryou turned the color of a ripe tomato. He knew Marik liked him, but he had been afraid to hope for love. It just hadn't seemed possible that Marik could return his feelings.

"I—I love you too, Marik."

Marik was a little surprised. What? After all that I did…after my yami and Battle City, he loves me? I…Oh, dear Ra. I just can't believe it. He smiled, chuckling slightly.

"What? What's so funny?"

"Nothing, Ryou. It's just…during Battle City, I fell in love with you. It was almost too much to hope for that you felt the same about me."

"Oh, really?" With a wicked and decidedly Bakura-ish grin, Ryou pulled him down into another kiss. They were just getting into it when an annoyingly familiar voice cried out.

"Ryou—and Marik!"

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Yes, another cliffie! Ryou's starting to pick up on some of Bakura's personality, isn't he? Once again, bonus points to those who guess the voice at the end. (not Bakura…)

Leave a nice review--signed if possible.