Yami's koi: Hiya gies! What's cooking?
Neutral Man: er… food? Or maybe Ryou's body?
Yami's koi: you'd like to see Ryou covered in sweat and oil, then?
Bakura: NO ONE GETS TO SEE MY RYOU NAKED AND COVERED IN SWEAT, APART FROM ME!
Yami's koi: this fic was off for some time due to the small mention of a person who exists in real life. Who I can't name. Um… still OOC-Ness!
/Yugi to YamiYami to YugiRyou to Bakura Bakura to Ryou
Song words to Simple Plan's 'I'd do Anything'
Another day is going by…
Yami smirked at the sight before him. Bakura was… stripping back into his hanky, all the while still beckoning for Ryou to dance with him.
Ryou was aware that he was blushing, but what else could he do? He could barely move. Bakura's wild, untameable beauty shrouded the teen in a warm blanket of deep dreams, with his naked chest only enhancing those ideas. Ryou sighed, blocking out all the noise for just one moment. In this time he absorbed once more the sight of Bakura's body.
The face, usually cold and terrifying for others, yet warm and compassionate to him, and only him, was more beautiful than the moonlight's purest of rays. Then, the upper body… the arms that were strong enough to keep him held tightly against his body for what would be predicted as an age, the chest that was also muscular and… hot. Then, Ryou's eyes travelled to the lower regions… and allowed his mind to run riot.
Ryou did not know what to do again. He took a deep breath, got off his seat… and ran out of the door, and into the night.
I'm thinking about you all the time…
Bakura stopped singing. He finally acknowledged what an idiot he was making of himself, and stepped off the table. The Tomb Robber then walked to the door and wrenched it open, highly embarrassed.
"Ryou? I've stopped dancing now! You can come back in!"
Yami smirked and joined him at the door. "Don't worry, I'll restrain him with my almighty strength, he won't bite you!" He called after Ryou, into the semi-darkness of the night.
'I wish.' Bakura thought, smiling ever so slightly. He even managed to forget about Yami's near insult.
Ryou? Bakura asked uncertainly, boldly striding to the small fence that surrounded the cabin. He stepped over the bricks and found his footing on a large rock nearby. "RYYYOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUU?" He bellowed, his voice echoing off the nearby walls, before spreading out into the open space to his left, to the road. RYOU!
But you're out there, and I'm here waiting…
The King of Thieves was beginning to get slightly scared now. If Ryou got hurt because of him, a now ridiculous song and piece of clothing… well… he would literally die.
"RYOU!" Yugi yelled now, stepping out into the reasonably warm night, forgetting about his lack of clothing. "Come on, this isn't funny anymore!"
Yami's small grin faded. Ryou often obeyed whatever Bakura asked of him because he knew that his darkness would worry… and that was something the Tomb Robber did not appreciate being. He may have confided in someone – his enemy, oddly – yet this didn't mean that he was about to parade about it.
/Yami… Ryou could get hurt/
Yami's eyes slipped to a close. He visualised them both in his own, maze-like Soulroom, and they both materialised there. He opened his ruby-like orbs to absorb the frightened features of his hikari.
I know. But Ryou's responsible, he knows that there are… possible dangers outside, especially at night
Yugi shot him an uncharacteristically dark look, before sinking down onto a nearby step, a mere one of many that still led to traps and forbidden memories, still remaining unlocked until the right time was nigh.
/That wasn't exactly what I needed to hear Yami, but thanks. It's only seemed to feed my concerns/
And I wrote this letter, in my head…
Yami smiled faintly and sat on a step above his aibou, pulling him onto his lap, embracing him from behind. Yugi didn't protest, and leaned into the Pharaoh's chest with a small sigh. For a moment of bliss, Ryou's disappearance meant nothing. In fact, the worry had already fled his mind… until it came soaring back, like a boomerang being faithful to its function.
"What are we going to do…?" Yugi asked, leaning his head on his darkness' shoulder to look into his eyes, upside-down. Yami shrugged slightly.
"I don't know," Yami whispered, regret filling his body at what he had to say next, "But we can't stay here for too long… the bakamono might notice."
Yugi's small smile faded into a look of anxiety, and the Pharaoh groaned… just what he had warned himself not to say… or mention… and he had. Before Yugi could even begin to voice some of his concerns, they were back in the present time, and, with a jolt of shock, realised that Bakura was almost turning a corner on the rocky pathway, screaming out Ryou's name.
"BAKURA!" Yami screamed, loud and commanding enough to make the Tomb Robber turn. Before Bakura shot out of sight, Yugi could have sworn that those glittering things running down his cheeks were tears.
"BAAAAAKKUUUUURRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Yami yelled, "COME BACK!"
Cause so many things were left unsaid…
He was saying what he would never have imagined him saying. Yami glanced back once at his hikari, and smiled slightly.
"I'll come back after I've talked some sense into him, aibou," Yami promised, before speeding off into the night. Yugi watched him go, and, as he did so, felt a small feeling of foreboding and a sudden urge to bolt the door.
Yet, at the same time, he could still feel the heavenly warm touch on his mind, the reassurance that Yami would never allow any harm to come to him.
Another small part of his mind argued, however, that Bakura might have allowed something to hurt Ryou. Although it had not been intentional, Bakura had wasted several moments in what could be a truly crucial time for his hikari friend. Yugi shook his head and closed the door.
/Yami? Can you see him/ Yugi asked quietly, after several moments of deep thought. Why the hell would Ryou have run out like that?
Distantly…Swiftly came Yami's answer, and Yugi sighed with relief, and made sure that his coequal could feel it through their link.
/Are you speaking with him now/ The innocent one queried, this time with some more hope.
But now you're gone, and I can't think straight…/
Yugi was shocked when Yami sighed heavily, and seemed to stop running. I was…Yami answered slowly, unsure of taking the more frontal approach with this, … but he just threw me off, and said I was wasting my time. All he wanted was to have Ryou safe, with him
Yugi closed his eyes and made a half-laugh, half-sob sound. /Just come back then, Yami. You've done all you can/
Then the link fell quiet, and Yugi could sense his Pharaoh steadily approaching. After several moments of a quiet wait, Yami burst in through the door, panting heavily. He collapsed on the couch and tried to get his breath back before answering any questions.
"Bakura… did he say where he was going to look?"
Yami shook his head in a no. "He wouldn't say… which probably means that he doesn't know himself." He pounded the sofa beneath him with his clenched fists. "Why did Ryou have to bolt out like that?"
Yugi said nothing but a slight look of nervousness hinted that he knew a little bit more than what Yami did about Ryou.
"Well…" Yugi said after a while, sitting down beside the Game King with a sigh, "Ryou never really copes well when under pressure, so… maybe… he ran because we were being slightly…"
Yami raised his eyebrows. "Ordering him to dance?" Yugi nodded, and sank back into the comfy, squishy sofa, his face feigning calm. Inside, he was practically a wreck over worry for his best friend.
This could be the one last chance to make you understand…
"Still… he wouldn't have run far. And that's why I think… he's… injured…" Yugi trailed off, not looking into the Pharaoh's eyes. At that moment, Yugi could not have faced the gentle yet authoritative eyes that stared back at him.
Immediately Yami defied him.
"No. Even if he looks weak, he knows how to defend himself. Perhaps he and Bakura have found a bush somewhere? Yeah. That's it. They PLANNED this, left us here so that we wouldn't hear them moaning… in pleasure."
Yugi sighed and shook his head, standing. /Must everything you yami's do be somehow hentai/
Yami arched an eyebrow. Oh, so you're comparing me to the Tomb Robber now, are ya? Well, we'll just see about that then, hmmm?Yami smirked, pulling Yugi back down to tickle his sides until his hikari submitted to being tortured… and at that moment, Yami would pause, the fun having gone from the activity…
I'd do anything, just to hold you in my arms…
"YAMI!" Yugi squealed, squirming to try and evade the fingers he could hate and love. "STOP IT!"
In spite of himself, Yami found himself laughing, laughing the loudest and most sincerely that he had ever done, even in his previous life. He tricked Yugi, and made his light lie on his back, right along the width of the sofa. Yugi stared up at the Pharaoh, panting slightly.
/Yami! Let me go, now/
Yami leered over his hikari, trapping Yugi by pinning his hands above his head. Yugi couldn't decide whether it was desire he was feeling, or the urge to pout cutely. Well… which one would you choose? The one that gave away the feelings that you had sought to conceal for so very long… or pout so that you could get whatever you wanted?
"I think, aibou," Yami whispered, inching closer to his light's face, "That you need a lesson in discipline…"
Yami's face was getting closer to his… and Yugi didn't know what to do. A part of him screamed that he should kiss the Game King of everyone's fantasies, yet the sensible mind of his reasoned calmly that this was a distraction. That the yami would continue to torture his hikari, by tickling his sides and feet.
To try to make you laugh, cause sometimes I can't you in the past…
But it didn't seem that way. Yami's eyes were warm, and full of nostalgia for his little hikari. He paused for one moment before their lips were less than an inch apart, staring down into the expectant, yet bemused amethyst orbs of his beloved Yugi before slowly closing his eyes and tilting his head slightly to one side… their lips were almost touching… Yugi's eyes fell to a close, and awaited the touch of Yami's lips on his…
BANG!
Yami immediately jumped off Yugi, and proceeded to scratch his head, as if in an endless pit of deep thought. Yugi sat up straight, almost unnaturally so, trying but failing to hide his blush.
Bakura charged in, and flung himself into a chair, covering his eyes with his hands. Although not one word, whether through the link or verbally, was exchanged, both Yami and Yugi knew very well that the Tomb Robber was weeping.
Slowly Yugi edged towards Bakura's chair, and sat on its arm. He then hesitantly patted the yami on the arm. Without warning, Bakura seized him and held him close to his body, in a highly uncomfortable, backbreaking embrace.
Ryou! I'm so sorry, I never meant for you to get hurt! Bakura sobbed into Ryou's defences, the ones that no amount of force would be able to break. Consequently, no matter how hard Bakura could try, Ryou would not even be able to hear him, or respond, until those obstacles of his were lowered.
I'd do anything, Just to fall asleep with you…
"Bakura… y-you're… hurt- hurting me…." Yugi choked, trying to pry Bakura's deathlike grip from around him, in vain.
Yami had barely moved, and sighed deeply. Yugi was avoiding eye contact with him: something that the Pharaoh did not appreciate. Was Yugi angry at him, or just turned on?
Just at that moment, Bakura began to scream out several words, words that, it seemed, only Yami could interpret into fully understandable English.
"I- I just… I just don't know Wh- where he could b-be!" Bakura sobbed, in a loud, piercing voice, "I can- can't… live without him… I'll die to be with him…"
Yugi felt his resolve weaken, and stopped his attempts to save himself from the hug. He returned the gesture, patting the Tomb Robber on the back. Bakura looked so out of character, but neither did he care or realise how odd he looked. All that mattered to him… was having Ryou: Something that he did not have.
Will you remember me? Cause I know I won't forget you…
"What can I-I do?" Bakura choked, breaking the embrace and staring up at both flustered Mutou's, his chestnut eyes glistening with fresh tears. "I don't know Wh-where he's g-gone… s-so where… and why… would he run out like that?"
Yugi shuffled slightly, and slid off the chair.
"Bakura, you've checked everywhere nearby, right?" Bakura nodded. "Right. So I take it you did check the caves on the beach, then?"
Bakura's mouth twitched. "No…" He said dreamily, as if in a trance, "I haven't…" Then his eyes regained focus. "I'm gonna search them, then. I don't care how long I am, but you can't come looking for me. I don't trust these parts, and…" Bakura eyed Yugi's obvious lack of muscles, and the defensive stance of the Pharaoh. "Well… I'll let you two carry on, then…" He faded out, grabbing his jacket before jogging outside and heading out, to the left of the road this time.
Silence. Urgh, Yami was banging his head continuously against a wall in his Soul Room, completely uncomfortable. If Yugi did not feel… attracted… to the Pharaoh, and the dominant male had almost made a move on him… then how would it affect their relationship as hikari and yami?
Together we broke all the rules, Dreaming of dropping outta school…
Yugi cleared his throat nervously in Yami's Soul Room, and the Game King ceased his head banging.
"Aibou?" He asked calmly, straightening and shaking small pieces of rubble from his hair. Yugi shrugged.
"Just wondered why you've retreated, that's all. I don't wanna lose another person tonight…" Yugi whispered, ending with a small sigh.
And leave this place, to never come back…
Yami's anxiety softened. If Yugi didn't want to scream at him for trying to kiss him, then that definitely was a plus, right? However… what if this was a sign that Yugi was so uncomfortable that he couldn't bring himself to scream at Yami? What if… Yami's desires had leaked out through the usually tight defences that the Pharaoh once took great pride in keeping up? And what if… Yugi felt like deserting his own yami due to what had happened?
Yet Yugi was distressed. What kind of a yami, despite having to control those feelings that had just been so close to being uncovered, would Yami be to not comfort his own hikari?
"Come here," Yami said gently, opening his arms in a welcoming gesture. Yugi couldn't find any reason why he should not, and gladly fell into the arms of the man who he loved so much.
Yami slowly stroked the silken tresses of his aibou, revelling in its tender softness beneath his suddenly scratchy and rough palms. Yugi was crying: he could sense it, and so embraced him tightly with one arm whilst his other continued to caress the locks so like his own.
So now maybe after all these years, If you miss me have no fear…
Yugi sniffled slightly, trying to keep his emotions under check, yet found that he couldn't. His tears fled down his cheeks: his eyes becoming sore and his cheeks red: his fingers grasping the leather of his darkness' shirt. He was dimly aware of a hand stroking his hair, and was appreciating the touch when he began to fear once more for Ryou's safety.
"Shh," Yami whispered, the hand that had been touching Yugi's hair dipping lower to lift his light's chin up slightly, so that they had to keep eye contact.
"Please calm down, Yugi. I can't stand it when you're like this," He almost pleaded; those crimson eyes of his staring down into the amethyst pools that were Yugi's. Visibly he could see a small difference, but the emotions that seeped from underneath the younger one's mind defences still concerned the Egyptian spirit.
Yami eventually could not stand the look in Yugi's eyes anymore. They looked so hopeless, so full of anxiety and sadness.
"What you need is rest," Yami said softly but insistently. In a flash of light, they were standing in the main room of the cabin, and Yami began to guide his aibou upstairs.
"But how can I sleep, Yami? I mean, I'll be worried about Ryou, worried that Bakura could get hurt, and-"
I'll be here: I'll be waiting…
"Bakura can't get hurt," Yami interrupted, smiling at the thought, "Because he still carries the knives and other weapons he used in Ancient Egypt. And, of course, he still practises."
Yugi seemed less anxious, but his darkness could still feel a nagging thought in his aibou's mind. When he tried to figure it out, however, Yugi broke his concentration.
"But you wanna know what else is worrying me?" Yugi whispered, turning around at the top of the stairs, making Yami stop dead in his tracks.
What is it, Yugi?
Yugi blushed slightly. "Well… if this is how easy it is to lose our friends, then… what about you?"
Yami almost melted. That was so sweet… Yugi cared enough for him to worry about his safety. So… did that mean he had forgotten about the attempted kiss? Or that Yugi could not voice how resentful he was, or how to express rejection, for fear of losing his darkness?
This could be the one last chance to make you understand…
No. Yugi was very open minded, and would never be able to conceal emotions of that extent from the sharp-witted yami. Nevertheless, Yami couldn't help but feel slightly disheartened at his thoughts, and he managed a frown.
However… more pressing matters were taking place. Yugi's eyes were still gazing down into his expectantly, and Yami knew that his aibou needed the comfort, and the truth.
"I'll always be here for you, Yugi," He answered softly, smiling in a reassuring manner at his partner, "Unless you tell me not to, then I will never leave."
Yugi smiled too, and turned his back so that Yami wouldn't see the tears of happiness leak through his eyes. /Arigato/
They finally entered their now strangely silent and eerie sleeping area. Flicking on some lights, Yami blinked and stared over at Bakura's bed, hearing Yugi sneak out into the bathroom to get changed. Upon it lay a photograph. The Pharaoh strode over to the bed and took to examining it.
Judging by the background of a clear cerulean coloured sky, this must have been taken when aboard the blimp at Battle City, on the way to Kaiba Island. In this photo was Ryou, Bakura, Jou and Yugi… all grinning or just looking casual, just looking relaxed. Yami then turned the frozen memory over, and smiled slightly as he read Bakura's hieroglyphs:
'One day, my Ryou, you will need protection. And I swear to the Gods that I will do whatever it takes to make sure that you aren't hurt.'
…And I just can't let you leave me once again… yeah… I'd do anything, just to hold you in my arms…
Poor Bakura. He must be going through hell, Yami thought, before allowing the photo to fall through the air and land on the sheets. Idly he stared around the room, and reflected on what he and Bakura had discussed during their duel last night… fuck, it seemed as if that was just a distant memory, what with all of the shit that had happened…
Flashback
"You really should tell your hikari the truth, Pharaoh," Bakura said calmly, drawing a card and slamming it down on the table. "I am sure his reaction will be the on you desire."
Yami froze and stared at the Tomb Robber silently, unwilling to accept that he had somehow concluded that he, the almighty Pharaoh, was in love. What was with that? Why is it that, when in a doubtful moment concerning love, it is either a friend who points out that you love him/her, or a friend who makes you feel uneasy by saying it as if they had known for an age? Why?
Yami sighed heavily, and decided that he must answer. He could, after all, not respond. This was Bakura who he was dealing with. Most probably, the Thief would strike a deal that he could never decline. Yami's money was on that if he lost the Duel, Bakura would tell Yugi how the Pharaoh felt about him.
"How did you find out?"
To try to make you laugh, cause sometimes I can't put you in the past… I'd do anything… Just to fall asleep with you.
End flashback
"Wrong bastard memory," Yami found himself mumbling, shaking his head. The thoughts of last night were so confused and mixed with the near kiss he had just given his hikari. He could still not translate what he had seen in Yugi's eyes… but all he could interpret from the incoherent fog within his mind was that it had been beautiful.
His eyes – always alluringly innocent, if not adorable – always had that affect on Yami. The first time the Game King had seen them… right after he had materialised from the confines of the Shadows… he had been entranced.
Flashback
The final piece of the Millennium Puzzle had been clicked into place… and Yugi stared happily at the artefact that he had restored to its natural shape. It looked so pretty, in his eyes… the glittering golden Eye gleamed at him, staring blankly back into the soulful eyes for a moment, before it shined so brightly that Yugi could not longer see. Yugi shielded his eyes, praying that the burning glow would cease…
And then it did. Blinking slightly, his eyes adjusting in a most painful way to the changes of light, Yugi gasped.
Will you remember me? Cause I know, I won't forget you…
Before him stood one of the most handsome boys that he had ever seen. Even if he did look like Yugi, he was still so sexy. Golden bangs fluttered around his slightly tanned face, also shifting slightly in his hair. Crimson eyes – warm and yet mysteriously dark – opened slowly, and took in the features of his light.
Yami had learnt never to give away his emotions – a trait from being Pharaoh that he had never been able to give up. His insides were shaking, shaking at the beautiful innocence of the boy before him. Wide eyes of amethyst stared at him, so pure and an obvious relief to him. A slight blush was perfect in the Pharaoh's eyes, and he treasured the moment.
"What is your name?" He asked, causing the little one to jump slightly at being addressed.
"Yugi…"
Yami smiled and made his way to the boy and embraced him, inhaling the sweet scent of him. Stroking the teen's velvety hair, he whispered into Yugi's ear:
"I am Yami of Ancient Egypt."
I close my eyes, and all I see is you. I close my eyes. I try to sleep, I can't forget you, Nanana…
End Flashback
Without thinking, the Pharaoh began to strip down into some loose fitting pants and climbed into his bed, suddenly very weary. His mind did not want to accept that one of his friends were gone, and that this was causing Yugi pain, and this was the reason for his tiredness. He heard Yugi return from the bathroom and silently get into the bed next to his darkness', and Yami could hear him shifting restlessly.
Aibou? What is wrong?
Yugi's shuffling ceased for a moment. /Can't sleep./
A pause then, and Yami could feel a hint of embarrassment sneak down along their link as his light hesitated for a moment.
And I'd do anything for you, Nanana, Nanana… I'd do anything to fall asleep with you…
/Yami? Could you please…/
Yami was startled by the wave of emotions that kept pouring into his head from his other's side of the link, yet found that he could not question them. After all, such emotional confusion was natural for most males at such a prominent and important age, right? And who was Yami to go poking in business that Yugi clearly did not know what to do about himself?
Aibou…?
Another wave, mainly of shame, met Yami's end of the link.
/Can you please… stay with me tonight? I can't sleep alone… it makes me feel so small and…/
Yami chuckled in the darkness, making Yugi's heart skip a beat. What added to the knot of anticipation lurking in his stomach was when he heard soft footsteps approaching his bed, before a comforting body settled beside his own.
I'd do anything… To fall asleep with you… I'd do anything… There's nothing I won't do…
"Thank you, Yami," Yugi whispered, snuggling into Yami's warm, muscular chest again. Yami smiled and embraced his young counterpart, the added heat coaxing him to a realm of dreams… and of nightmares.
As Yugi fell of into a partially blissful slumber, Yami felt a sudden frown reach his lips, at a memory that had haunted his mind for many months. Every morning it had been the same for him… well, ever since he started feeling sexually attracted to his light.
Obviously this was a… delicate situation. Yami was torn between waking Yugi up and – he blushed at the thought – making love to him, or to stay awake, and have no sleep for that evening.
'But what of tomorrow?' Yami's mind asked. 'What when Yugi needs comforting again, and you are too sluggish to either protect or reassure him?'
I'd do anything… To fall asleep with you… I'd do anything… Cause I know I won't forget you!
Tomorrow… it is a different day.
Yami's koi: wow. I am Soooo sorry about the wait. I didn't mean to keep ya all so…
Neutral Man: happy?
Bakura: where is my Ryou? I won't scream at you… or get mad…
Yami's koi: I can't tell you. Partially because I can't know for sure myself, LMAO! XD
Bakura: THAT'S IT! NEUTRAL MAN!
Yami's koi: dodges fleeing Neutral Man Yes, well. I ask nicely for reviews, hai? Please R/R dudes. And you'll get a plushie, I may remind you. And… another plushie is for those people who send me fan art. I'm gonna do a new fic on Shaman King in commemoration of my hatred for Valentines Day. Yes, I love Shaman King. I also feel that Yoh and Amidamaru love each other, too.
Amidamaru: blinks, sweatdrops why do you fan girls always write yaoi stories? Why not anything about Lady Anna? Smirks behind silvery locks
Yoh: Trust me, she ain't no lady. Huggles Amidamaru Love ya, Midi.
Yami's koi: see what I mean? Adorable! Um… Luvvies, people!