Ryou gripped the small velveteen box and walked back to the bench. He'd picked a golden band with two diamonds and a sapphire embedded in it. He still mourned the loss of his wristbands. Maybe when Marik got a 'job' they could go to the sea like he promised. Ryou smiled, finishing his lemonade just as he sat back down. "When Marik takes me back to the sea, I'll make a necklace of coral or something else to remind me of home."

Marik trudged out of the building downtrodden. Another institute who didn't want to sully their name with science's new fraud. He sighed heavily. Sure he'd oversold his things to care for Ryou, but it was certainly not an indefinite thing. If he didn't find a job soon they wouldn't be so well fed or tended to. He sighed, rubbing his temples. "Ryou needs me..." he mumbled sadly, shaking his head. If he didn't get a job soon how could he ever give Ryou the life he deserved? He chose to stay with him...even though things had started the way they did.

He smiled a bit, noticing Ryou was safe and sitting quietly on the same bench. His appearance had greatly improved since he'd rested in the shade...but he appeared to be transfixed by something in his hands. "Ryou?" Marik questioned, jolting the youth from his musings. "Marik!" Ryou said quickly closing the small box and standing, hiding it from view. "I um...I got you something." Ryou said, blushing darkly. "I...think I am able to...um...do it right." He added sitting down on the ground, and offering up the small box for Marik. Ryou grinned proudly. "Will you um..." Ryou paused and wrinkled his nose. "What was that word? Oh yes! Marry me." He giggled and blushed, as Marik took the small box and opened it. "Ryou..." he whispered, kneeling down and hugging the youth. "How did you get this?"

Ryou blinked a bit. "I...traded my bracelets for it. I wanted to get you something, and I saw a pair of humans do it, they looked very happy. Did I do something wrong?" He asked confused at the different reaction. Marik smiled softly, knowing immediately Ryou had been cheated, but not wanting to upset the pale youth he gently slid the ring onto his finger and hugged Ryou. "No, you did it perfectly Ryou." He whispered, finding himself suddenly in tears. He wasn't sobbing but somehow the tears still flowed from his eyes. "Ryou...you're mine forever. Promise you'll never leave me." He said scooping Ryou up and sitting back in the bench, just content to snuggle his lover.

Ryou sighed happily, content with the emotions he could sense emanating from Marik. He sniffled softly as he felt himself starting to share in the tears Marik shed. He smiled and nuzzled into Marik's hair, letting his tears fall softly onto the ground as shimmering pink pearls.

Xoxoxoxoxo

Marik sighed contently; they must have sat there in teary silence for an hour. "Ryou?" He whispered, wondering if the pale teen had fallen asleep. Ryou nuzzled into Marik's neck and yawned softly. "I was comfortable..." he whispered back giggling softly. Marik shook his head and gave Ryou a swift, yet playful, smack on the back end, causing the mer-boy to yelp. "Hey! What was that for!" he squawked at Marik, rubbing his behind. Marik shrugged and smiled. "I felt like it." He chuckled. "Ryou, would you like to know about how humans mate?" He asked calmly. Ryou smiled and nodded. "Yes." Marik patted his head softly. "I thought you would, when you offer someone you love a ring, and they say yes, then humans go through a ritual called a marriage." Marik explained, as Ryou listened intently. "A marriage is...like a party. You wear beautiful clothes, and vow your love to your chosen." Ryou nodded and smiled. "That sounds very fun!"

Marik chuckled. "After the love is professed, there is dancing and eating, then the honeymoon." He added. Ryou grinned. "Honeymoon?" Marik nodded. "I'll show you...how about that?" He asked taking Ryou's hand. "We can have our own little wedding today, how does that strike you?" Ryou nodded quickly. "I want to! Let's do that! I've never seen one and it sounds so fun!"

Xoxoxoxox

Ryou looked at his reflection in the mirror. Marik had taken them to a store in the mall. "Marik...is this how it's supposed to look?" He asked wrinkling his nose at the outfit Marik had instructed him to wear. It was a tight fitting Black tank top, with a loose white shirt hanging over it. The pants were soft and black. Ryou felt a bit dull and under colored. Black and white were colors of older merfolk, or newborns. He wrinkled his nose slightly. "Well come out and I'll see if it's right ok?" Marik said calmly, already having stepped out of his changing room.

He wore a loose blue satin shirt, black pants and black shoes. He looked in the mirror a bit while Ryou fidgeted with the lock. "Hmm..." Marik mumbled a bit, examining himself closely. Everything seemed perfect...except...

Ryou finally stepped out of the changing room and gasped. There stood his mate, gazing at him looking like a dream, a very hot sticky sweaty ecstasy filled dream. He was staring straight at him, with those stunning indigo eyes, unhidden by the normal glasses...Ryou felt so lost, staring dumbly at his mate, feeling himself close the distance between them in dumbed steps. "M-Marik..." he said softly as Marik scooped him into his arms suddenly. "I guess you really do love my eyes..." Marik whispered seductively against Ryou's cheek, the breath tickling the merboy's ear.

Ryou nodded blushing and breathless. Marik smirked. The power he had over Ryou...suddenly he felt like a god, the center of the universe, just because of his little lover. He'd never felt so important, even during his greatest discoveries in science. He looked up a bit, his vision just barely blurry, searching the ceiling of the store before smirking at the soft mop of Ryou's hair. No cameras...it was their wedding day...but who said they couldn't have a little...pre-celebration?

He slid his hands down Ryou's back gently, one hand roaming back up to cup Ryou's cheek as the youth began to blush. "B-but Mari-" Marik shushed him gently herding him into the changing booth and locking the door. "we both have such nice clothes on…" He whispered gently pushing the white fabric from Ryou's shoulders. "I'll have to make sure...that we don't ruin them before our wedding..." he finished.

Xoxoxoxo

Ryou stumbled out of the changing room looking rumpled and moderately confused. That had been amazing...He looked back dumbly at Marik, who was licking his lips in feral amusement. "I'll finish with you tonight..." he said seductively, sending shivers down Ryou's spine, making him fall slightly. Marik quickly caught his off balance lover. "I didn't know I was that good." He chuckled as Ryou nuzzled into his arms and sighed.

Xoxoxo

Yugi sighed softly walking along the sidewalk. Ootogi...Ootogi, it was all Ootogi's fault, why did he have to always treat him like he was inferior! "Stupid Ootogi..." he mumbled under his breath, as he passed a nightclub. "Ooh..." he said softly, noticing all the instruments he'd come to know from the 'TV'. "Hey, what's going on?" He asked softly, watching a man check off items on a list. "We're preparing for our show tonight."

"Oh...wow." He said watching quietly as each musical wonder was carried by him. "There you are!" A pale man with spiked black hair and goggles said, dressed in clothes similar to Yugi's. Yugi smiled. 'Ha! I knew I picked good clothes!' He thought, turning to face the man. "Y-yes?" He replied softly, moderately confused why this human had business with him. "You're just what we've been looking for!"

Xoxoxo

Yugi looked at the members of the band with slight amusement. "Your... lead singer looks like me?" They nodded in unison. "Yes, and she's got laryngitis, we need you to sing her parts!" They said, each looking at Yugi pathetically. "We'll pay you for your time, you just have to!" Yugi blinked, before it hit him. "Your lead singer is a girl!"

Xoxoxo

Yugi sighed softly, as he listened to the instrumental demo tape, singing softly to match his words to the timing. 'This is ridiculous...I don't look like a girl!' He mentally grumbled, though he was able to sound the part of a female with little trouble. He had to thank Neptune that his vocal chords were so adaptable to any sort of pitch, or he'd be in trouble. He really found he sounded quite similar to this woman, without much in the way of trying...which upset him a great deal.

Yugi sighed, turning off the music and looking around the dressing room he'd been given. What he wouldn't have given for a nice cool dip in some ocean water to calm his nerves.

AN: It's been a while, and I finally got some mojo back for writing. I've moved, and I know certain people who I still owe money to! (aiee I know I'm a pain!) Once I get all things worked, out poor artist ye be paid. Post your name in the reviews so I won't forget (for…possibly the millionth time. GOMEN!)

I'll be attending college in the fall as well, which may or may not affect the frequency of my posting. Also, someone else said they'd give me some art, and mentiond deviant art, but never posted a url. Talk about torture of the worst kind

As you can see below, here is a re-enactment.

Mallychan: staring at review left with gleeful tears ART! YAY! stares more ...wait a second...there's...no...url...NOOOOOOOO!

Ha ha ha well anyway I will be getting to things that need done ASAP, No one lose patience or faith in me. Oh yes, and my birthday is coming up! All wish me a happy one if you can, it makes me smile

July 21. lol ja ne until the next chapter.