Heyo! Guess what! There's only going to be one chapter left after this one. This is the penultimate chapter. (I used a fancy word! XD) Yesh. I'm excited. Muahaha

Disclaimer: I own nothing

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"And so I told that jerk 'You better- Hey, Bakura, you all right?"

"Hm?" Ryou blinked, raising slightly clueless brown eyes up to the blonde he walked home with. Jou raised an eyebrow. "O-Oh. I'm fine, Jou. Really. My mind is just wandering a lot recently."

"It is." Jounouchi agreed. "Hey." The blonde took a more serious tone. "Anything ya wanna tell be about, Bakura?" Ryou paused for a second, and blushed, the rose tint spreading across his cheeks as he lowered his gaze to the pavement. "Bakura?"

"Well, you already think I'm creepy…" Ryou bit his lip. Jou opened his mouth to retort. "I know, Jounouchi, and you can't deny it." The blonde teen sighed. "It's Ba- The spirit of the ring. Ever since he got back from the hospital, things have been… different." Jou frowned in confusion.

"Well, what do you mean, different?" He asked cautiously. Ryou blushed again, nibbling on his lower lip. "Bakura, is he hurting you?" The light shook his head.

"Oh, no Jounouchi!" He assured the older boy. "Nothing like that, I promise. It's… um, quite different… We're um, in a… We're together." Ryou finally managed to stammer. Jou pulled up short in his walk, brown eyes wide in shock. The whitenette winced, and turned around, tilting his head slightly to one side.

"Y-You and him?" Jou's mouth dropped open. "But he… But you… I didn't know you liked guys…" Ryou frowned.

"I-I thought I told you." The brown-eyed teen murmured. "Why do you think I broke it off with Miho months ago and never went out again?" Jou shrugged.

"I dunno, I though ya were just being all antisocial and stuff. I never thought you ah, swung that way…" Ryou nibbled on his lower lip, and let out a long sigh. "It's… well, if you're happy…"

"I am." Ryou grinned. "I really am. I know it's sounds weird, because it's with him, and everything, but it's going really well, Jounouchi. I love it. And I don't know if I love him, but I do know that I don't want anything to change. Please, Jou, you can't tell anyone. Especially Yugi and his yami. Please." Jou sighed, his shoulders sagging. Inside, however, his organs were twisting in disgust at the teen.

"I wont." Jounouchi promised. "If you don't want me to that badly, I won't." Ryou sighed in relief.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Bakura?" The teen closed the door to his apartment, struggling to focus in the dim afternoon light. The curtains were still closed, so Ryou wrenched them open, blinking at the bright sunlight. It was then when he noticed the square of white paper on the table. The whitenette picked up the paper with his slim bony fingers, squinting as he struggled to decipher the demon's spiky, barely legible scrawl.

-Ryou

Went to have some coffee with Sanami (My counselor). Why, I have no idea, but she wanted to talk to me in a 'relaxed environment.' Whatever. I'll be home about five.

-Bakura­

Ryou smiled. That was how Bakura always wrote his notes. Short, and to the point. Placing the note back down on the counter, Ryou bent down to pick up his school bag, heading to his lounge with the intention of doing his homework.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ryou blinked, shaken out of his homework by the slamming of the door. Bakura stomped angrily into the lounge, crossing his arms. The whitenette looked up from his essay, wide brown eyes staring at the demon in confusion.

"Bakura… Are you okay?" The demon growled, the bridge of his nose crinkling into a frown. Ryou's breath hitched in his throat as he recognized the demons body language. Oh no, this isn't good...

"Yes! I am fucking fine!" Bakura yelled, turning around and stalking into the kitchen. "The last thing I need is another nagging bitch on my case! For Godssake Ryou, just leave me alone!" Ryou winced, hearing loud bangs and crashes emitting from the kitchen.

"Yami?" Ryou whispered, setting his homework to the side and standing up. He headed into the kitchen, a bundle of nerves in his stomach. Bakura was standing beside the kitchen counter, his hands on the light green tiles. His head was bowed, and every inch of his body was shaking. Ryou ignored the broken crockery spread about the floor, and stepped over the spilled pots and pans, standing beside the spirit.

"Piss off, Ryou." Bakura snarled, not lifting his head. Ryou bit his lip, but didn't move. "Just leave me alone."

"Yami-"

"Goddamn it just leave!" The demon yelled. Ryou squeaked, his limbs shaking, but stood his ground. Bakura growled.

"B-Bakura-"

"Fuck off!" The yami lifted his head and turned to Ryou. His face was contorted in anger, eyes red and his jaw set. Before Ryou bad a chance to react, Bakura hit him hard across the face. The whitenette cried out as the force of the blow sent him stumbling, collapsing to his knees. The spirit merely stared on coldly as Ryou started to cry, tears trickling down his face.

"Y-Y-You…" Ryou gasped for breath, his chest heaving for breath as he sobbed. "Y-You… P-Promised…" His hair fell over his face, the lights' left cheek bruised and flushed, throbbing painfully. Bakura blinked, staring around the kitchen that Ryou worked so hard to keep clean, scattered about with broken crockery and pots and pans, the whitenette sobbing on his knees.

"Oh shit. Ryou… Oh shit, oh shit." Bakura sank to his knees, ignoring a shard of a china plate digging into his knees. "Oh Ryou…" The whitenette sobbed into his hands. "Ohh…" Bakura's heart felt like it was being ripped into two, sinking heavily with guilt. "Shit, I am so so sorry." The yami didn't know what to do as he faced Ryou, his mouth slightly open. "I just…"

"Wh-why?" Ryou sobbed, lifting his head to stare at the demon. He was almost hyperventilating, and his eyes were puffy and red-rimmed, tears staining his ivory cheeks. Bakura let out a long breath, extending shaking arms to take Ryou's hands.

"I-I'm sorry Ryou." Bakura was almost in tears again. "I just lost control. I-I don't know what came over me. I-It was when I was with Sanami. She made… She made me talk about… About my parents. And I just broke down in front of her. I-I had to explain everything, and I'm just so pissed off and angry at myself. This isn't how anger management is supposed to work! I-I… Shit Ryou…" He tightened his hold on Ryou's hands. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to lash out, I…" Ryou's breathing was finally steady and regular. The light lifted his head, his chin trembling.

"Y-You c-cried?" Ryou sniffed. "R-Really?" Bakura nodded, weaving his fingers with Ryou's long skinny digits. "O-Oh yami…"

"Don't feel sorry, Ryou." Bakura tried to make his voice as gruff as possible. "I was the one that hit you. I promised I wouldn't hurt you, and…" He swallowed. "I'm sorry. I just got angry and I didn't want to talk about it- and- and…" To Bakura's eternal shame, tears began stinging his eyes. "Oh God…" The demon bowed his head, struggling to suppress his tears. Ryou sighed, still crying himself. He gently slid his fingers free -despite a small gasp from Bakura- and wrapped his arms around the spirit's shoulders, Bakura leaning into his chest.

"Shhh…" Ryou sighed, resting his chin against the yami. "It's okay. You were really upset, and I was pestering you… I should have left you alone."

"Don't." Bakura muttered, his voice muffled by the whitenette's shirt. "Don't say that. You always apologize." Ryou was aware of his shirt slowly growing damp with saline water. "I hate this. I just… I just want to love you, Ryou. I just want to be with you, but all of this anger and hurt… I can't be the lover you want without all of this therapy, and I'm so scared I'm going to mess up like I just did…"

"Hey…" Ryou sighed, tightening his hold around the yami's waist. "I don't care that you're so gruff and angry. I don't care that you would rather sit home and have a drink than go out on a date. I don't care that you're still able to make me scared, make me cry. I don't care that you're my complete opposite. I love you. I love you Bakura." It was the first time Ryou had actually said those words in a very long time, and they made Bakura feel gooey inside.

"Y-You do?" Bakura lifted his head. "You love me?" Ryou nodded his head, a small, shaky smile working its' way across his face. He was the sort of boy that tearstains suited.

"Yes… Of course I do. I know it's stupid of me to think like this after everything you did, but… I don't know. Maybe it's because I just want to be with you so much, I-I…" Ryou swallowed. "Maybe it's clouding my judgment… I don't know." He smiled shakily. "Look, you don't have to do and see Sanami again if you don't want to, Bakura. You know that." The demon bit his lip.

"I-I…I think I'll keep going." Bakura looked thoughtful. "I-I mean, I'm pissed off and embarrassed that I broke down like that in front of her –and in a public place, too- But it was kinda… relieving, to talk about it, you know?" Ryou smiled, and nodded, lifting a hand to wipe away the teardrops that still lingered on the demons' face. Bakura closed his eyes, and turned his face, a wild curtain of snowy hair hiding his face. Ryou let out a small noise of sympathy, his hand still on Bakura's cheek. The whitenette leaned in slightly, placing a soft kiss on the yami's lips. Bakura closed his eyes, and his hands that had been twisted into his lap, rose up to gently cup the light's face. He tilted Ryou's head slightly to allow better access to his sweet lips, but didn't push the kiss any further. The pair broke apart a few seconds later, Bakura holding the back of the whitenette's head, Ryou breathing harsh and irregularly.

"C-Come on." Ryou sniffed slightly as he stood up, taking Bakura's hand. The demon smiled softly, standing up with the aid of Ryou's weight. "It's okay, Bakura. I didn't realize you were upset, I thought you were angry."

"I still shouldn't have hit you." Bakura muttered as he slumped into the couch. Ryou gently shifted his English homework so he could sit down beside the yami. "I mean, technically, you should kick me out. That was the deal…"

"Yami." Ryou stared his other half straight in the eye. "No. Never. I just didn't want to get hurt badly. Do you think I'm going to kick you out because you hit me once?" Bakura shrugged, his eyes still red. Ryou sighed, swamping the yami in a warm embrace. "Silly."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I'm really glad you could come, Ryou." Malik smiled as he closed the door behind him. "Isis and Rishid are out until late tonight, something about dinner with this couple who collects Egyptian crap and they want to make a deal." The blonde shrugged. "I wasn't listening." Ryou giggled, setting his backpack down in Malik's room.

"I can't believe they're going away for five months." Ryou murmured as he headed back into the lounge. "How are you going to survive, staying by yourself for so long?" The Egyptian shrugged, rummaging through the fridge in search of some food.

"How am I going to survive starvation, considering the fact I can't cook and nearly every take-out joint in this town serves nothing but big slabs of gross meat? I don't know." Ryou grinned, leaning against the kitchen counter as Malik continued to hunt for food. "They'll probably come back and find me all half-dead and emaciated." The whitenette chuckled.

"I can always come over and cook for you, Malik." Ryou offered, tilting his head to one side. Malik turned around, a small smile forming across his face. "A few times a week or something. I don't mind."

"You're too much, Ryou." Malik smiled in relief. "Really." He shut the fridge door, which unfortunately contained to food the blonde considered edible, and peered into the pantry. "Really." The light blushed, and smiled.

"Not." Ryou argued, pouting. "I just wouldn't want you to starve to death, that's all." Malik shrugged and grinned, letting out a cry of triumph and extracted a bag of corn chips.

"Sweet salvation!" Malik grinned, holding the bag high. Ryou giggled, his laughter soon turning into a cry of shock as the Egyptian tightly grasped his hand, leading Ryou into the lounge. "C'mon Ryou, there's bound to be something good on a Friday night." The younger teen smiled as he sprawled on the couch. Everything at Maliks' house seemed to be so big. His oven, his couch, his bed, his bathroom…. The Egyptian sat down next to Ryou, and the light smiled, leaning absentmindedly on his shoulder. Malik blushed, looking down at the little white head resting on his shoulder and smiled, one arm going snaking around Ryou's slender waist. The whitenette let out a long, happy sigh, gently closing his eyes.

"Tired?" Malik inquired, his arms still around the teen's waist. Ryou nodded sleepily, yawning against his friends' shoulder. "Bakura keep you up last night?" The Egyptian teased, poking one of his fingers into the whitenette's ribs. Ryou giggled.

"Yeah." Ryou yawned. "We were talking for hours and hours." The teen smiled. "It was lovely, too. We were talking for ages about everything." Malik raised an eyebrow, and snorted.

"When I asked if Bakura was keeping you up, I didn't mean it like that, you realize." Ryou looked up at the Egyptian, who was grinning suggestively. He blushed deeply, his mouth falling open.

"U-Um… N-No…" The whitenette stammered. "We're not… Not quite at that stage yet." Ryou shook his head. Malik giggled, his shoulders shaking.

"Poor Ryou." The Egyptian grinned, leaning back into the sofa. "Not even getting any off his lover."

"At least I have a lover."

"Oooh, cheap shot."

"I know, I'm sorry."

"You little weirdo." Malik chuckled, giving Ryou a quick noogie on the head. The whitenette cried out and giggled, pouting cutely at the Egyptian. "Why are you always apologizing?"

"I'm sorry." Ryou lowered his eyes. Malik slapped a palm to his forehead.

"Ryou!" The whitenette blushed.

"Argh! I'm so-" Ryou managed to cut himself off. "I need help." Malik grinned.

"Oh, you're so cute, Ryou." The Egyptian sighed. Ryou blushed, the corners of his mouth turning up into a smile. "Really, you are. Cute can't even begin to describe you." The whitenette's blush deepened. "Oh come on, don't tell me no one has never said that before." Ryou looked away.

"Well…" The whitenette bit his lip. "Yeah. I get it a lot, but it just feels a bit different to hear it from you. Not uncomfortable!" Ryou reassured the Egyptian. "Just a bit different. But hey, it's not like you can talk, Malik."

"What are you talking about?" The blonde cocked his head to one side. Ryou giggled, and rolled his eyes.

"Oh, come on! Look at yourself, Malik! You're… Well, you're really good looking yourself, you know." Ryou was now the colour of a tomato, his eyes downcast. The pair sat very close, Ryou and Malik both facing each other. "Don't tell me no one has ever told you that before. I-I mean, look at yourself." Malik flushed, staring at Ryou. The whitenette smiled, inching even closer to the Egyptian. "I used to have a bit of a crush on you, you know, Malik." Ryou breathed, his heart racing. Even he, with his young, naïve mind knew they were too close. Malik's hands were shaking, his face more flushed than ever. "I-I…"

"Y-You what?" Malik whispered, his eyes half-lidded. Ryou swallowed, leaning forward even further, so their noses were almost touching. The whitenette wasn't thinking clearly. His mind was addled with sleep, and he was terribly confused. It was the first time that Ryou had thought that maybe the reason Malik was so close was because he had feelings for him. The whitenette hadn't forgotten what happened that night he stayed at Malik's while Bakura was in the hospital. Because both of the teens leaned in at the same time to kiss, it was impossible to tell who made the first move. Malik tilted his head slightly to the side to prevent their noses crushing together, gently closing his eyes. He was kissing Ryou! Kissing him! The Egyptian gently cupped Ryou's smooth, rounded jawbone with his hands, and the younger boy's arms wound around Maliks' neck. A slow soft moan emitted from Ryou's lips, which were soothingly being massaged by the blonde. This kiss was completely different from anything Bakura had ever given him- soft, chaste, and at the same time, overflowing with love and passion. Malik continued to run his tongue along Ryou's lower lip, moving his hands up to curl in silky tendrils of stunning silver. This was amazing. Malik had never kissed anyone before who was so submissive, who tasted so sweet…

Ryou gasped as he broke apart from the Egyptian, dark mocha eyes wide in shock. Malik's mouth dropped open as he stared at Ryou, temporarily stunned. Ryou's chin trembled, and Malik blinked, his face flushing as he wrenched his hands out of Malik's hair.

Both of them started to cry.

Ryou burst into heart wrenching sobs, burying his face in his hands as his shoulders shook with his tears. He cheated on Bakura! He kissed Malik, he betrayed his yami…Oh no. Oh no, Oh no, I cheated on Bakura. I kissed Malik, I kissed my best friend… Malik was biting his lip, blinking desperately so Ryou wouldn't see the tears. His heart were heavy with guilt, his stomach was in knots. He kissed Ryou. He kissed the sweet, innocent, naïve, clueless Ryou! What the hell is wrong with you? He screamed at himself as he watched the whitenette cry, his frail form shaking. Malik let out a choked sob, and made to give Ryou a hug, but thought the better off it, bowing his head.

"I-I'm sorry." Malik whispered. "Oh, Ryou, I'm so sorry, I-I'm so sorry, I-I…" The brown-eyed boy sobbed harder, his tears trickling through his fingers. "Oh Ryou…" The Egyptian couldn't take it anymore. He stood up and left the room, not bothering to wipe the tears from his face as he ran into his bedroom, slamming the door behind him. He left Ryou crying alone in the room.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Malik growled to himself, slamming a fist into the wall. What the hell is wrong with you? Ryou's in love with Bakura, you idiot! They're together! And you kissed Ryou! Not only is it wrong, not only does Ryou not feel that way about you, this is going to kill him inside! He betrayed Bakura thanks to you! If Bakura throws him away, this is going to be your fault... Although...

No! No no no! Don't even contemplate it Malik! You're going to tell Bakura what happened tomorrow and you are going to make it clear that it was NOT Ryou's fault. Sobbing, Malik sank to his knees, his head in his hands. This is not happening. Oh God, this is not happening. This isn't true. Oh no, oh no…

Malik swallowed hard, leaning against the wall, feeling as though his insides were being ripped apart with guilt and betrayal. I kissed Ryou. How can something so wrong feel so good?

"M-Malik?" The Egyptian looked up in shock. There was Ryou in his doorway, leaning against the wooden, white-painted frame. He was still crying quietly as he crossed the messy room, and sank to his knees beside the blonde. "M-Malik… Please don't cry…" Malik closed his eyes as Ryou wrapped an arm around his shoulders. The Egyptian leaned into the younger boys' chest, still sobbing.

"I-I'm so sorry, Ryou." Malik moaned, burying his head in Ryou's shirt. "I-I never meant to hurt you Ryou, I-I never…."

"Shh…" Ryou leaned his chin on the top of Maliks' head. "I-It's okay, Malik, It's okay. Wh-Why didn't you tell me that you felt that say?" He breathed. Malik shrugged and shook his head.

"I-I was embarrassed." The blonde admitted, sniffing. "I-I liked how you were acting. You were so close, and I loved it so much. I never wanted to ruin it… B-Bakura k-knows, and he- Oh God, Bakura…" Ryou closed his eyes.

"I-I know. I-I'm scared too. What are we going to tell him? Do we tell him? I-I-"

"No." Malik lifted his head to stare at Ryou. "No. We can't tell Bakura, we can't…" The light swallowed, eyes wide in fear.

"We have to, Malik." His face was streaked with tears. "We have to tell him. I-I can't, I wont lie to him like that." Ryou sniffed. Malik closed his eyes.

"This is all my fault. Goddamn… Look, Ryou. Bakura knows how much I'm in love with you, okay? I'll tell him I kissed you, which I did. I didn't mean to… Oh Ryou…"

"Shh." Ryou sighed, leaning against the wall. "It's okay. Things are going to be okay. Th-they have to be."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

R&R? Second to last chapter... -sniffles-