Disclaimer: I don't own Yuugiou DM.

Ryu: /sigh/ Still only one review. I don't get it. It says I've had 70 hits but I only get two reviews. Please, if you read my story please review, even if you hate it and want to flame on me, I don't care. At least I know you're reading. Well, I did get A review so that shows someone's reading. Therefore, I shall go on. But first are the shout-outs:

EK: Well, glad you weren't flaming. But here's the thing, this story through chapter 11 in my notebook so I won't be taking requests for a while if ever. As far as Seto, I know he's out of character I did it on purpose. I wanted to show that he could be nice and if you read his description it'll clearly say he's usually cold. And as for hooking him up with Isis, she's like 5 years older than him. Plus, both are VERY minor characters in this story so there's really not too much point in going into that. Besides, I think it's fun to pair up the sweet Miho with the cold Seto. I hope you'll still like my story. BTW, your name is the same as my school, wiggy.

Ryu: Once again, that was easy. I hope that part gets harder. /looks around/ Did I say that? I need a drink. Anyway, let's get on with things.

Chapter 3: Truth Be Told

Ryou walked quietly down the sidewalk, staring at the ground, with Malik next to him. School had finally let out for the weekend and they were going to Malik's for the night. The only problem, they had to go to Ryou's first to get some things.

Ryou had argued that he could survive without anything at all but Malik threatened to send Rishid if they didn't go together; and Ryou didn't want someone as scary-looking as Rishid, though kind as he was, showing up with Bakura the way he was.

"Oh come on Ryou-kun," Malik said. "Cheer up. I've never been to your place, I want to meet your family."

'There's a reason you haven't' Ryou thought inwardly.

"Ryou-kun?" Malik asked when he got no reply.

"Hm?" Ryou asked, looking up. "My family? Well, it's just me and my dad living together." He let out a sigh. "My parents are divorced and mom's back in Kyoto with my little sister."

"Oh, I didn't know," Malik said, looking solemnly down at the ground.

"It's okay," Ryou assured his friend. "I haven't really told anyone since I moved here. Didn't tell my friends back then either. Then again, Esper, Haga, and Ryuzaki were always obsessing over some card game, so they wouldn't have cared. Nice friends, huh?"

"People like that aren't really your friends Ryou-kun."

"I guess not."

"Come to think of it, you haven't really told anyone anything about yourself," Malik realized, looking at the albino Brit. "You've lived here three months yet sometimes I feel like I barely know you."

"Well…" Ryou started before trailing off. He didn't know what he could say. Fortunately they'd arrived at their destination so he didn't have to say anything. "We're here," he said, smiling with relief, leading Malik up the walk. He took the mail from the mailbox and unlocked the door.

They entered into the foyer, took off their shoes, and headed to the living room.

"Otou-san mustn't be home," Ryou said thankfully. "Go ahead and sit down if you like."

"No way, I wanna see your room," the excited Egyptian burst out, pulling Ryou by the arm down the hall and into the room that he'd assumed belonged to the white-haired boy. "This is pretty cool," he said, impressed by the room.

The walls were a pale blue and covered with posters of classical paintings, castles, wizards, dragons, and other various medieval/gothic things. Shelves were around the room, all also covered with statues and figurines that matched the posters. Ryou's bed was covered with black sheets and a gray comforter, though it was made up very messily, something Malik thought was kind of cute.

"I did what I could in three months," Ryou said with a shrug, pulling off his blue jacket and white undershirt.

Malik glanced over at the boy and blushed darkly at seeing Ryou's bear back being exposed. He started to look away when something caught his eye.

"Ryou-kun?" he asked timidly.

Ryou turned around to face the boy, not at all embarrassed by his revealed, pale skin.

"Where'd you get that scar on your shoulder?" the Egyptian asked.

Ryou glanced to his left and shrugged as he started to undo his pants.

"Well… you know how clumsy I am," he lied cheerfully, letting his blue school pants fall to the floor so that he could step out of them. He looked over at Malik, who'd stopped moving at all, as he picked up his pants and folded them, leaving him in only his white socks and boxers. "Are you okay?" he asked.

Malik only pointed at the boy, his blush visible even on his dark skin.

Ryou looked down at himself, puzzled, and pieced together what the boy meant. Then realization hit him.

"Gomen, Malik-kun," he said. "I should've thought you might be uncomfortable. I figured since we were both guys it wouldn't matter." A small blush crept onto his face as he started looking for something to put on.

"It's okay Ryou-kun," Malik told him. "I was just… surprised is all." He turned away from the dressing boy, his heart racing. 'That was close,' he thought to himself, trying not to think about his hardening member in his pants. 'I don't think watching Ryou change is a good way to come out, much less tell him I like him.'

"You sure you're okay?"

Malik jumped at the hand on his shoulder and turned to see a fully clothed Ryou, clad in jeans and a cream sweater, smiling at him.

"Hai," Malik nodded, causing Ryou's smile to brighten. He couldn't get over how cute the white-haired boy was.

"Good," Ryou said. "Well, I'll grab some stuff and we can get going." He went over to his closet and started rummaging through things, rather quickly Malik noted.

"What's your hurry?"

"No hurry," Ryou grunted, pulling a small overnight bag from under a pile of things. "Just… well… um…" he tried but just couldn't think of a good lie.

"Ryou-kun, when's your father coming home?" Malik wondered aloud.

Ryou stopped dead, his mind racing. "He's… um…" he still couldn't come up with a lie. Finally, he managed to get out that: "I'm not sure when he's coming home. He might be at the store or something."

"He's home from work already?" Malik asked.

"He works the late shift," Ryou lied; glad he could get one out at last. He couldn't tell Malik that Bakura didn't work and that he had no idea where their money came from.

"Oh, I see," Malik said, letting it drop. He glanced around again, taking in the finer details of the room, when a light blue object on the bed caught his eye. He picked it up and turned it over to find a keypad and screen on the other side. "Why didn't you tell me you had a cell phone Ryou-kun?"

Ryou looked up from putting stuff into his bag. "Oh yeah, otou-san got them for the family before we moved so we could stay in touch. It's a lot better than a ground phone, we never get bothered by telemarketers," he explained, going back to packing.

"This is the same kind I have," Malik noticed happily. He rummaged through his pocket a moment and pulled out a phone identical to Ryou's, only this one lavender. He examined them both closely, confirming what he'd said. "Yup, they're the same kind. Hey, that means we can talk anytime for free."

The excited Egyptian pocketed his own phone and stared typing on the keypad of Ryou's.

"What are you doing?" Ryou asked.

"I'm putting everyone's number into your phone," Malik said, typing quickly. "We all got them together so we could all talk whenever. They're all on one plan that Seto pays for, he's got enough money for it."

Ryou just nodded, not looking up from wrestling things into the small bag.

A few moments more and Malik took a deep breath, smiling in satisfaction.

"Done," he said happily.

"That was fast," Ryou said, taking the phone.

"You get the hang of it after a while."

Ryou smiled his thanks and looked through the phone book:

Kaiba Seto: 267-9410
Mutou Yami: 267-9411
Mutou Yugi: 267-9412
Kujaku Mai: 267-9413
Ishtar Malik: 267-9414 (There was a small heart graphic next to the name for some reason)
Jounouchi Katsuya: 267-9415
Jounouchi Shizuka: 267-9416

Ryou's eyes widened at the last number. "S…Shi…Shizuka-chan's number?"

"Yup," Malik smiled. "She went along with us so Seto-kun got her one too. That reminds me, we all need to get one for Ribbon-chan."

Ryou nodded and pocketed the phone, stuffing the charge for it into his bag as well, trying unsuccessfully to hide the flush creeping onto his face.

Malik saw the flush and suspected something. He decided that if he wanted Ryou to know how he really felt it had better be now.

"Ryou-kun," he said nervously. "What exactly do you think of Shizuka-chan?"

Ryou froze, his blush deepening. "Why do you ask?"

"Well… Ryou-kun…" Malik had developed a blush of his own, not expecting Ryou to ask that.

When Ryou didn't hear anything for a while he zipped his now packed bag shut and turned to face the blushing Egyptian.

"Malik-kun?" he asked curiously.

"You see… Ryou-kun…" he said slowly, wanting to make sure Ryou understood his feelings perfectly. "Truth be told, Ryou-kun, I… I lo-"

"Hello? Ryou-kun, are you here?" called a voice from the foyer, cutting off Malik.

"I'm in my room otou-san," Ryou called back, thankful Bakura had remembered he had a son. Now they just had to get out before his father's memory slipped.

The room door opened and there stood Barak Bakura, smiling brightly like he used to. Ryou had to clench at his heart, a small pain rising at that forgotten smile.

"Hey Ryou-kun," he said happily. "How's it going? Who's this?" he wondered, eyeing the blushing boys oddly.

"This is Malik-kun," Ryou said. "He's one of my friends from school."

"Nice to meet you," Bakura said, bowing his head a little.

"And you too, Bakura-san," Malik replied, bowing.

"Are you going somewhere Ryou-kun?" Bakura asked, seeing the overnight bag Ryou was pulling up onto his shoulder.

"I'm going to Malik-kun's for the night."

"Well enjoy yourself," Bakura said with a smile. "It was nice to meet you Malik-kun."

"And you too Bakura-san," Malik replied. "But we weren't leaving just yet."

"That's right," Ryou cut in. "I needed to talk to you first. Malik-kun, could you go wait in the den?" Of course Ryou was pushing Malik out of the room as he asked.

"Ja ne, Malik-kun," Bakura said, smiling somewhat dumbly and waving to Malik.

"Ja," Malik got out before Ryou pushed him from the room, locking the door behind him. He heaved a sigh and leaned against the door; glad he'd gotten his friend out.

"Who was that?" came Bakura's confused voice. "What's going on?"

'Here we go,' Ryou thought tiredly. He turned around and confirmed that his father was completely confused.

"That was Malik Ishtar, a friend of mine," Ryou explained. "It's the first time you've met him and he's the only one of my friends you've met since we moved here. I'm going to his house for the night."

Bakura took a second to piece everything together before what he'd forgotten came back to him.

"Oh yeah, I remember now," he said.

"Will you be all right by yourself?" Ryou asked, moving to his father and placing a hand on the taller man's shoulder. "I could just stay home if you want."

"No," Bakura shook his head. "You need to spend more time out of this house, with your friends."

"Are you sure?" Ryou pressed, worrying about his father despite how cold the man had become.

"Hai," Bakura assured him with a slight nod.

"Okay, I'll be going then," Ryou said, taking his hand from his father's shoulder.

He picked up his overnight bag and started toward the door when Bakura stopped him.

"Ryou-kun…"

Ryou turned from unlocking the door and looked at his father.

"I love you son. I know I don't show it or say it too much anymore, but I really do love you. Your mom and sister too."

"We love you too otou-san," Ryou relied with a smile.

He gave his father one final nod before opening the door and leaving the room to get Malik.

/WALKING TO MALIK'S/

"Ryou-kun, what's it really like for you at home?" Malik wondered aloud.

"Just fine," Ryou lied. 'It's a fucking pain in my bloody ass,' he thought. "Why do you ask?"

"It just seems like there's a weird vibe around your house," Malik said flatly. "Like being there is uncomfortable for you."

"Well… I… Hey, weren't you trying to tell me something before dad came home?" Ryou asked, glad to change the subject.

Malik's flush came back instantly. "Well… I wanted to tell you… um… dai… daisu-"

The sound of a bellowing car horn and someone calling to the Egyptian cut short Malik's words.

"Malik-sama."

Both boys turned to see a black car heading toward them. It was vaguely familiar to Ryou but Malik recognized it instantly.

"Aniki," he called, waving happily to his brother.

The car pulled up beside them and the driver rolled his window down further, revealing a dark-skinned man in a black suit and sunglasses; the left side of his face completely tattooed.

"Malik-sama, what are you doing here?" the older Egyptian asked.

"I went to Ryou-kun's," Malik said. "He's going to be crashing at our place tonight. Oh that's right," he realized, "you two don't actually know each other."

"It's nice to meet you Rishid-san," Ryou said politely.

"And you, Ryou-kun. But frankly, Malik-sama talks about you so much I feel like already know you."

Ryou flushed a bit at the remark.

"Are you heading home aniki?" Malik asked, not wanting his secret to get out. Rishid was the only other person that knew how the youngest Ishtar felt about the pale Brit.

"Hai," he replied. "Hop in, I'll drive you."

Malik smiled and opened the backseat door of the car. He let Ryou climb in with his bag before following, shutting the door behind him.

"Oh that's right, you've never met nee-san either," Malik realized as Rishid began to drive.

"Don't plan on it tonight either," Rishid cut in, glancing at the two in the reflection of his rearview mirror. "She'll be working late tonight."

"That's too bad," Ryou sighed. He'd always been fascinated by Egyptology and would've enjoyed meeting Isis. But the thought of Malik's sister brought another thought to Ryou's mind.

"Malik-kun, will Mariku-kun be home?" he asked.

Malik's face morphed to a nervous look, having totally forgotten about his other brother.

"Don't worry about Mariku-kun," Rishid said from the front seat. "I'll make sure he doesn't bother you."

"Mariku-kun is scared of aniki," Malik said with a giggle. "When Mariku and me were little, aniki told Mariku that he had his face tattooed because he was a bad boy and that the same thing would happen to him if he didn't stay in line."

"And it worked?" Ryou asked, surprised that Mariku was scared of anything.

"Surprisingly it did. He was ten then but he still bought it," Malik went on. "Even after the two of us got our matching ones a few months ago he was still scared."

"I didn't know you had a tattoo Malik-kun," Ryou said, surprised again.

"Really?" Malik asked, almost just as shocked; he thought all his friends knew about it. "I got it about five months ago when I turned sixteen. Mariku and me got along then, before Otogi came around."

"Oh, so what's it of?" Ryou asked, not wanting to press the subject of his friend's older brother.

"It's of some ancient Egyptian tablet called 'The Pharaoh's Memory'. It's supposedly connected to my family somehow," Malik explained. "If you want I can show it to you later."

"Hai," Ryou agreed.

They spent the rest of the trip talking, getting to know each other a little better now that they had the chance, laughing merrily. It wasn't long before they pulled into the driveway of a cream-colored, two-story house a little outside of Domino, where the richer residents lived.

"Sugoi," Ryou gasped, getting out of the car and staring at the house in awe. "It's so beautiful Malik-kun."

"It's smaller than it looks," Malik shrugged off. But he couldn't shrug off how cute Ryou was when he got excited.

Happily, he led the amazed Ryou into the house.

They walked through the door and into the living room. It was rather small on the inside, but cozy as well. The walls and carpet were both a spotless white that looked vaguely pink in the setting sunlight. A staircase on the right led to the upper floor's hallway, three bedrooms and a bathroom branching out from it. Directly across from him, on the other side of the living room, was another staircase leading down to the kitchen.

"It's so pretty Malik-kun," Ryou gasped.

"I guess it's okay," Malik said, slipping his shoes off. "Come on, let's go down to my room."

"Down?" Ryou asked as he slipped his shoes off, not sure he'd heard right.

"Hai," Malik said, leading him across the living room and down to the kitchen. "Mariku and I used to share a room but when Otogi came around and Mariku got all jackass-like aniki helped me move down to the basement."

They turned the corner at the bottom of the stairs a descended a second, shorter, staircase that ended at a door. Malik opened it and let it friend into the room.

Ryou couldn't hide his envy of the room. It was large and a tan color. Shelves around the room held statues of Egyptian gods and artifacts. Malik's bed consisted of nothing more than a stack in the corner of about twenty or thirty pillows and comforters.

"The real shocker's over here," Malik told his amazed friend, walking to a large purple curtain that was covering one wall. He pulled the golden rope next to it which drew the curtains away to reveal a full home entertainment system, complete with 50" TV, DVD, CD, MP3, surround sound, and video games.

Ryou's legs gave out and he fell to his knees before the glory and majesty of the TV, his bag completely forgotten. Malik just smiled smugly.

"I…it's gorgeous," Ryou sighed. "I doubt many people around here have a setup like this, let alone in their bedroom."

"We didn't have anywhere to put it when I moved down here so it had to stay," Malik explained. "Mariku was pissed."

Ryou hesitated to reach out a hand a push the magnificent power button, a hesitation that caused him to miss his chance. For at that moment a sound resembling 'Overlap' by Kimeru began to play.

Malik reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone, looking at the screen a moment. "It's Yami-kun," he said happily, pressing the talk button and beginning to speak while Ryou listened to the Egyptian's half of the conversation.

"Moshi moshi…"

"Cool…"

"Hai…"

"Ryou-kun's with me too…"

"Hai…"

"See you in just a bit…"

"Ja…" He hung up and looked to Ryou.

"What'd Yami-san want?" Ryou asked, forgetting the TV for a moment.

"We're all going to hang out at Seto-kun's," Malik said. "We're gonna set Ribbon-chan up with a phone and hang out. Come on."

The two started up the stairs when a sudden thought struck Ryou. "Hey Malik-kun?"

"Hai?" Malik responded from the stairs.

"How come you guys never offered to set me up with a phone?" the Brit asked.

Malik looked away from Ryou guiltily. "Gomen, Ryou-kun. We all wanted to but since you never wanted to hang out we thought you wouldn't be interested. Gomen… gomen nasai."

"I see," Ryou said solemnly. He shook his head and looked at Malik with a smile. "Forget about it, it's understandable. Come on, let's get going."

Malik smiled and nodded, though he still felt guilty. They walked up into the kitchen where Rishid was cooking at the stove. Ryou had to stifle a giggle at the sight of the large man wearing a light blue apron over his black suit.

"We're going out aniki," Malik called to him.

The large man turned to them, revealing a happy green frog on the front of the apron that caused Ryou to have to stifle another laugh.

"Where are you going?" the apron-wearing Egyptian asked.

"Kaiba-kun's."

"Do you need a ride?" Rishid offered, already starting to undo his apron.

"No, it's okay," Malik said with a wave. "Yami-kun's coming to pick us up."

Rishid looked fearful for the two. He'd seen Yami's driving and it'd scared him. But he shook it off and instead asked: "Are you going out like that Malik-sama? Wouldn't you rather change first?"

Malik looked down at himself and realized he was still in his school uniform. "Hai," he said, rubbing the back of his head. "I'll just be a second Ryou-kun."

He went back down to his room and shut the door, leaving the white-haired boy alone in the kitchen with the tattoo-faced Egyptian.

Rishid smiled at the boy before turning back to the stove. Ryou shifted from one foot to the other, uncomfortable in the awkward silence.

"So," Rishid said, startling Ryou. "Did Malik-sama finally get it out to you."

"Get what out?" Ryou wondered.

Rishid dropped the spoon he'd been using to stir. "He hasn't told you?"

"That depends," Ryou said. "What are you thinking of?"

Rishid turned and gave Ryou a weak smile. "Forget I said anything," he advised before turning back to the stove again.

Ryou was about to say something else when the basement door opened and Malik came back up the stairs, now wearing black leather pants and a sleeveless, hooded shirt that zipped up the front. It was a lavender color that matched his eyes and left his midriff exposed. He wore golden bands around his wrists and upper arms, a golden collar around his neck, and his trademark earrings. He'd reapplied his eyeliner and added a bit that ran under his eyes.

"Ready to go?" he asked.

"Hai," Ryou replied.

Not even a second after he did a horn sounded from out front.

"That's Yami-kun," Malik said. "I have my phone with me aniki," he said, waving the lavender device. "Ja ne."

He turned and ascended the stairs to the living room, Ryou following after giving Rishid a slight bow.

"Malik-kun," the pale boy asked as they crossed the living room to put on their shoes.

"Hai?"

"Is there something you want to tell me?" he asked. He just couldn't let this go.

"Like what?" Malik asked, reaching for the door.

"Well, Rishid-san asked if you'd finally gotten something out to me."

Malik froze in his tracks.

"He thought you'd told me something," Ryou went on, tying his second shoe. He looked up and was met with a view of cornflower hair. "Malik-kun?"

"Well… Ryou-kun…"

'I can't say it now,' Malik thought, 'Now's not right.'

"Malik-kun?"

Malik opened his mouth to talk but was cut off by another loud blare from the horn in the driveway.

He turned and smiled at Ryou. "Everyone's waiting, I'll have to tell you later."

Ryou was going to protest but decided it would only cause trouble. Instead he nodded and gave a quick, "Hai," before following Malik out the door.

Ryu: Finally, this took forever to write. Sorry I didn't update sooner, I was out of town visiting my fiancé for a week (details of the week are confidential). Anyway, I'll try to get the next one up soon, but I have to go back to my daddy's so I don't know how fast it'll actually be. Nonetheless, R&R please. Ja ne