Wooht! Look! An update! Hehe. Pretty darn fast, as well. I've been thinking it over, and what with other fic ideas (Particularily one.. Hehehe) This fic isn't going to be too long. Five, six chapters, Maybe? I dunno. Just have to see how it goes. XD
Disclaimer: I own nothing. -wails- I WANT RYOU IN HIS SMEXEH UNIFORM!
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"You have got to be kidding me."
Ryou winced, closing his eyes. Bakura slammed the bedroom door shut behind him, and glared at the whitenette, who had been staring at himself in the mirror. The spirit snarled, and stomped over to Ryou, who flinched, and shrank away. Bakura stared at Ryou's slim form in his new 'uniform.' I can't permit the boy to wear this. Ryou looked down at his own form, ashamed.
"I-It's not so bad." He breathed, raising his eyes to stare at himself in the mirror. Just his luck to get lumbered with a female uniform. He wore a black sleeveless shirt, low cut that ended just above his bellybutton. The spaghetti straps fell off his rounded shoulders, slipping down smooth arms. Ryou scowled and pulled the sleeves up, only to have them fall down again. Bakura growled. The teenager blushed, and lowered his eyes, staring at his lower half. The shorts were made of a stretchy black denim, barely longer than underwear. Ryou winced as Bakura stared at his rear, the way the shorts accentuated his curves and exposed so much pale skin. Stupid shorts. They were made for women, and because of that, Ryou couldn't help but stare at the way the shorts were kind of… Tight around the crotch. Ryou looked further down, crossing his legs to hide one of his boots, black fake leather that reached above his knees with three inch platform heels.
"Not so bad my ass!" Bakura raged, kicking the dresser. Ryou whimpered, and backed away. "You're going to be in a bar full of horny men wanting to touch you. And no one can touch you." The whitenette whimpered as cruel nails dug into his arm. "I am not happy with this." Ryou bit his lip.
"B-But I have to." The younger pleaded. "I need the money…" Bakura snorted, and turned around, staring at the wall.
"I'm not asking you to quit." The yami rolled his eyes. "You need to learn this lesson." Ryou frowned, turning around to look at Bakura.
"Lesson?" Ryou inquired, tilting his head to one side. "What do you mean?" Bakura rolled his eyes, and turned away.
"What do you think?" He demanded, heading into the lounge. "Men at that bar are going to stare at you. They're going to hit on you, they're going to try and get you out back, they're going to try and touch you and want to sleep with you." I know how you're head works, Ryou. You're a stubborn little shit. I'm not going to stop you, because that is only going to encourage you. So I'm going to let you do whatever the hell you want, and let you learn about this. Simple psychology. Ryou froze, staring openmouthed at the yami.
"Not." Ryou said weakly. "I can do this." Bakura snorted, slumping into the faded red couch. "I need to do this. I can't work at Burger World, not on that pay. Please, Bakura, don't hassle me about it." The spirit merely stared at the T.V.
"Your whining is annoying me." He snarled. "Just go to your stupid job. I'll see you in four hours." Ryou sighed, and lowered his eyes. He grabbed his thick woolen coat from the rack, and buttoned it carefully to his neck. I'm scared.
Bakura groaned as Ryou carefully shut the door behind him. Guilt rushed through his veins, but he pushed the sensation down, and buried his head into a cushion. Maybe he was being too rough on the kid. Maybe? He treated Ryou like a slave! Bakura moaned. Why do I do this to Ryou? I drove him to this. If I helped out a little more, things wouldn't be so bad...
What the hell am I saying? I don't care about the brat. I don't give a fuck. Bakura moaned, digging his head deeper into the cushion. I don't. I can't. I don't feel. Emotions are pointless. Revenge is all I live for. Revenge, lust, and greed. Compassion and love do not mix. I don't care about Ryou. He feeds me and cleans up my mess. He gives me a bed to sleep in, and T.V to watch. Everything I need to be comfortable. Live out the rest of my miserable life in this mortal body... Bakura wrinkled his nose. No more angsting over his misery and defeat. He rolled over, staring blearily at the television. I hate this.
Bakura sighed as he sat up, leaning against the back of the couch. He glared at the T.V for a long moment, staring boredly at the flickering screen. Television on a Friday night sucked.
"Maybe I should go out on a Friday night." Bakura murmured, resigning himself to the warm, comfortable couch, and television. It's all I'm ever good for.
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"Okay, look. If you like, you can spend all of your time behind the counter, and I can take people their orders." Kiyoshi offered, tilting his head and narrowing his hazel eyes. Ryou swallowed, raising his eyes to look at the elder male.
"Th-That would be great." Ryou said gratefully, his shoulders slumping in a long sigh. He gently traced a finger along the wooden counter, looking sad, thoughtful. "I wish Makoto would let me wear an apron though, I feel so… Ugh." Kiyoshi grinned despite himself, and placed a hand on Ryou's shoulder. The whitenette flinched, but didn't pull away. Please don't touch me…
"Kiyoshi!" Both of the males jumped, and Ryou inwardly shrank away as a middle-aged man, reeking of alcohol slumped over on one of the red leatherette barstools. "My man! Gimme a- Oooooh." The man leered at Ryou, noticing him for the first time. The young whitenette bit his lip, and looked down, his porcelain cheeks lighting up in a blush. "You didn't tell me you got another boy! Put 'im up on the stage." Ryou's eyes widened, but Kiyoshi only chuckled, rolling his eyes.
"Ignore him, Ryou." He said kindly. "He's only hammered on the vodka. Just give him what he wants and keep talking to him, and he'll give ya a nice tip." The teenager gulped as Kiyoshi walked away with a tray of drinks. He couldn't help but be envious as the brunette casually moved from table to table, joking and laughing with the customers, shaking off various comments to 'go out back'. Ryou raised an eyebrow at the one dollar bills that was slipped into his palm. How did he make it look so easy?
"Hey kid." Ryou blinked, turning his attention back to the male in front of him. "I'm thirsty." The whitenette sighed and nodded, his stomach a bundle of tight nerves. He felt sick. I shouldn't be here, I really shouldn't be here. I should be at home, doing some homework or chores. Bakura was right…
"Um, right." Ryou snapped his mind back to the task at hand. "What would you like, sir?" He asked politely, trying not to blush at the bleary eyes focused on his exposed midriff. The drunken man snorted, rubbing at thinning black hair.
"Vodka. With coke. No ice." Ryou nodded at the request, crouching down behind the counter. He grasped one of the many vodka bottles with shaking fingers. Stop this. The teenager commanded himself sternly, forcing himself to take a long breath. Calm down. You're safe here. Hardly anyone is up at the bar, they're all in front of the stage. You're only here to make drinks. The fact that you are almost naked has nothing to do with it. Ryou poured the liquid into a glass, quarter-filling it. Calm down. It's okay. No one is going to touch you, no one is going to try and get you in the sack. You can't stop their looking, but that doesn't matter... Damnit, why did I have to be born so good-looking?
"Here you go, sir." Ryou said politely, setting the glass down in front of the drunken man. "U-Um, three dollars, please." The man snorted, pulling a fiver from his pocket and slapping it down on the table with a wink.
"Keep the change for yourself, sweet-cheeks." He leered, leaning over to look at Ryou's behind as he placed the money inside the cash register, blushing furiously.
"Th-Thankyou sir." Ryou almost whispered, keeping his eyes downcast. The man chuckled before taking a deep gulp of the alcoholic drink.
"Yanno," He slurred, looking at Ryou with bleary, clouded blue eyes. "I 'aint seen someone like you in a place like this before." Ryou flushed, and busied himself by wiping up a spill on the table. "I mean," He continued, leaning forward. "You're a real pretty kid." Ryou bit his lip.
"Th-Thankyou." He said graciously, continuing to wipe up the now non-existent liquid. Ryou could almost smell the alcohol on the mans' breath as he leered close to Ryou's face.
"Really, really hot." He slurred. "The kind ya dream out. Yanno?" Ryou's eyes widened, and he bit down on his lip harder, feeling his breathing quicken. Please stop this. Please don't go any further, please… Ryou gasped as he felt sweaty, salami-like fingers clamp down on his skinny wrist, and looked up in shock. "Like a dream come true."
"P-Please let go of me." Ryou whimpered, struggling to subtly release his wrist from the mans hold. His grin only widened however, and he leaned forward even closer. Ryou closed his eyes from the alcoholic reek.
"You wouldn't wanna wreck my dreams now, would ya?" He whispered in Ryou's ear. The light's heart was pounding in his throat, and he was fighting back the urge to scream. "Come on, I can make it worth your while, kid. I pay good money." Ryou shook his head anxiously, and finally managed to wrench his arm free from the mans' drunken grasp.
"N-No, I-I'm sorry, but I'm just not interested, thank you." Ryou tried to be as polite as possible, rubbing at his wrist. "I-I'm happy with my situation here, thank you very much." He continued, remembering Kiyoshi's rule to never piss a customer off.
"Tease." The man scowled, draining his glass. Ryou shivered.
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"So how was it, then?" Bakura raised an eyebrow, sneering as the whitenette stumbled through the front door to their small apartment as twelve-twenty. Ryou ignored his darker counterpart as he hung up his coat, before bending down and unzipping his boots. "Ryou?"
"Leave me alone." Ryou mumbled tearfully as he fled past Bakura in the lounge, slamming the door to their shared bedroom behind himself. The yami growled, and stormed into the room, his hands on his hips as he slammed the door, the walls almost shaking.
"Well?" Bakura leaned back against the door with a cocky smirk on his face. He stared down at Ryou, who sat on his mattress, leaning against the wall. His long white legs, smooth and creamy looking were spread out before him, bare feet crossed at the ankles. Ryou bit his lip, and closed his eyes. He looked down, tracing a pattern on the pretty sky blue eiderdown.
"Could have been worse." Ryou breathed. "Kiyoshi said I can stay behind the bar all of the time, thank God, and just make up the drinks. Most people only want a beer or some kind of vodka anyway, and it's not hard. I did quite well on the tips." He pulled out two crumpled fifties and a handful of ones and fives from his pocket. "My pay for the evening." Ryou explained, placing it on the mattress and counting up the collected tips. "Seventeen dollars." He concluded, giving a shaky smile. "Not bad."
"Did anyone touch you?" Bakura demanded, acting as though he hadn't heard Ryou. The whitenette bit his lip, and after a long moment, nodded. Bakura snarled, stalked across the room, and crouched beside the light.
"Who?" He spat, his eyes narrow and livid. "Where?" Ryou's eyes widened, and he forced himself to look the spirit in the eye. Blinking, and emitting a scared gulp, Ryou's chin trembled.
"It was Kiyoshi." Ryou said softly, barely above a whisper. "Just on the shoulder Bakura, he was being friendly. It was nothing. He's got a boyfriend, and he's not interested in me like that." Bakura glared angrily at the light, who whimpered and shrank away. "I'm sorry."
"You damn better be!" The yami raged. Ryou let out a soft cry, and hid his face in his hands. Bakura growled, and grabbed both of Ryou's shoulders. "You're not going tomorrow. I don't care if we need the money, I'm not having you go there and be touched by such sleazeballs." Ryou bit his lip, keeping his face hidden. Tears stung at his eyes, but he pushed them away, sniffing. "Pathetic."
"Bakura." Ryou whispered, lifting his head. "I have to. I need this money. Look, I can hold my own. Kiyoshi is gonna help me out a bit more, and of it goes too far, there's always the bouncer, he's the one that gives me a ride home. Please. I don't like it, but what other choice do I have?" He tried to be brave. Bakura snarled, but let Ryou go, the young teenager bowing his head.
"Whatever." Bakura snarled. "You're mine, Ryou. Just remember that." With that, he stood up, and turned around, stalking out of the room. Ryou sighed, and leaned against the wall. He was so tired…
"I better go to bed." Ryou murmured aloud to himself. He rolled over, resting his head on the pillow. The whitenette simply scooted underneath the nicely-made covers, not bothering to change his clothes. I have to have a shower first thing tomorrow. He could still feel the mans' touch on his wrist, and the memory of his alcoholic breath made him inwardly shudder. I hate this... But I need the money so badly. It's going to get better. Ryou struggled to convince himself, burying his head in the pillow.
It has to get better.
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"You can always come with me." Bakura blinked, and looked up from the television screen to the teenager, who was in the process of shrugging his heavy black coat over his shoulders, hiding his scanty uniform. "You say you need to keep and eye on me." Ryou continued. "And it… Well, it seems like you kind of place." He finished, biting his lip. Bakura snorted, and rolled his eyes.
"My kind of place?" He inquired. "And what exactly is my kind of place? Desperate anorexics dancing in next to nothing for money and middle-aged drunks eyeing then up and trying to get lucky?" Bakura lazily changed the channel. "No thanks."
"I really think you need to get out of the house, Bakura." Ryou said gently, sweeping his long hair –another attractive feature- under a woolen hat. "I don't like it hoe you only sit around moping. I know you're still sore from losing against Yami-"
"Don't you dare talk about that!" Bakura stood up, eyes narrowed and bloody. "You don't know Ryou! You don't know what it was like, losing everything! He took everything Ryou, everything! That pompous ass… I don't know who the hell he thinks he is, doing this to me. I wish he'd let me die!" Ryou only blinked, and looked down, hearing this rant at least once a week. "I would rather be dead than living as a stupid mortal with you." The whitenette closed his eyes. "I hate this, I hate you."
"I suppose that's a no?" Ryou finally asked. "I wish you wouldn't fly off the handle. I understand that you're upset. So am I. He should never have done this to." Bakura growled, and turned away, looking out of the window.
"Just piss off." Bakura muttered, digging his nails into his palms. "Don't walk around, pretending that you understand Ryou, because you don't. You don't know jack shit. Just go away and leave me alone." Ryou sighed, and turned away, admitting defeat. The door closed behind him almost silently, but seemed magnified in Bakura's ears.
Why do I push him away? Bakura sighed, sitting down on the couch, his head in his hands. Ryou's trying to understand, and he cares. But I don't want his compassion. I don't want his pity. I just want to be left alone. I just want... I don't know what I want. Caring is weak. Love is pathetic. I hate how I feel. I hate all of this confusion and loneliness. I'll never tell Ryou this though. I know how he feels. I know he has hidden desires. But what can I do? All I ever do is snap and yell at him, and yet...
Yet he feels so strongly about me. I don't understand why he feels this way, why he likes me so much. I've only ever been angry towards him. Hell, I don't think I've ever acted civilly towards him. I just wish I knew what I was doing to make Ryou like this, so I can stop.
Because I think I'm starting to like him back.
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"Hey Ryou, do ya think you could pour me two beers? For the couple over there." Kiyoshi pointed a pair of males close to the stage, hooting and bellowing loudly. "I have to um, go out back for fifteen minutes." Ryou nodded, not looking at the drunken male with his arm linked around the brunette's slim waist.
"O-Okay." The sixteen-year-old said softly, and looked down. He poured two glasses of the amber liquid, and placed them on a round metal tray. Ryou swallowed, and bit his lip. His hands were shaking as he walked across the room, ignoring the other various customers, and the occasional wolf-whistles, and cries of 'hey, beautiful!' Ryou was by far the best-looking boy in the club, and many of the males were upset that he was hidden behind the bar.
"Oooh." Ryou blushed, and looked away as he approached the table. The whitenette winced as he bent down and placed the tray on the wooden surface, feeling several pairs of eyes in his rear, which was even more exposed. "You're a pretty one, 'aint ya?"
"Thankyou." Ryou mumbled, keeping his eyes downcast. He gently took the tray once the men had taken their drinks, holding it to his chest. The men chuckled drunkenly.
"No, thank you." The elder one said. "You should be up there, kid." Ryou bit his lip, feeling his face flush further. He felt then all look at him, take in his body, and it made him more nervous than ever.
"I-I have to go." Ryou scooped up the money on the table -noticing the large tip- and almost fled back to the bar suppressing a whimper. He sighed as he hid behind the wooden counter, staring at the long row of males. Ryou bit his lip, noticing how the number had grown. Kiyoshi told me there would hardly be anyone at the bar... Am I... attracting them? This is not good. This is really not good.
I have to calm down. Kiyoshi is right. I have to get more confident. Take pride in myself. Be a tease like him. I have to be lighthearted and humorous, not shy and scared, or else I wont be... entertaining, I suppose. I just have to swallow my pride and do this. It's Bakura I'm scared of. Of what he will say. It's just... It's very scary. He's going to hurt me in the end, I know it. Ryou blinked, and shook his head. He had to keep his mind on the job, or else he'd get in trouble. Gotta stay concentrated.
Ryou sighed.
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The whitenette cried out and blinked as the bright sunlight burned closed eyelids, roughly dragged from his deep slumber. He groaned, and opened his eyes to find Bakura standing above him with a scowl on his face. Oh dear... He doesn't look happy…
"Get up." Bakura hissed, kicking Ryou's mattress before turning around. "I'm hungry." The whitenette sighed, and propped himself up on his elbows. He looked over at the alarm clock on Bakura's bedside table, and wrinkled his nose. 10:50. Ryou had gotten home at about one-thirty, but hadn't managed to fall asleep until the first few pale fingers of dawn began to streak the sky. In his opinion, it was still far too early.
"'M up." Ryou mumbled, pulling his blankets off of himself and crawling out of bed. "'Kay…" He sleepily stood up, rubbing at his eyes. Bakura hid a smile as he looked quickly at Ryou- he couldn't resist. Although Ryou looked tasty in his new uniform, with the knee-high boots and mini shorts, The spirit thought Ryou looked far more attractive right then, in pale cotton boxers, and an overly-large tee-shirt, his hair mussed and tangles from his fitful sleep. Must be his innocence.
"Be quick." Bakura snarled, stomping into the lounge and flopping down on the couch. "I'm starving." Ryou nodded sleepily –He was asleep five minutes ago- and shuffled into the kitchenette. "And none of that toast shit either. Gimme something good." Ryou nodded, opening the fridge.
"Bacon and eggs?" The teenager inquired, blinking sleepily. Bakura gave a grunt of approval from the lounge. "'Kay." Ryou yawned, and got out the pots and pans. Bakura sighed, and sprawled out on the couch, feeling his back stick to the maroon leather. He's such a woman. The yami thought. I mean, he cooks and cleans for me so much, and never complains. It's so strange. Why does he bother with me? Why do I bother with him? We both live such a meager pathetic life. He keeps his head in his books and keeps the place clean while I lay around all day moping and mess the place up. He needs a life. Hell, I need a life. We both need to get out of the apartment. Maybe I should go to work with him or something. I should. I'm sure he's lying. That little whore probably has guys all over him and he's too scared to tell me. But that's good too, it means I still have control. Heh. I'll always have control over the kid. He submits so readily to my demands. The kid needs a backbone. Maybe he'll get one now that he's working at this place. He'd need to say no to those sick freaks.
"Finally." Bakura sat up as Ryou entered the lounge with a plate of bacon and eggs. "What the hell took you so long?" He snarled as the light set the food on the coffee table.
"I'm sorry, Bakura." Ryou murmured, sitting beside Bakura and watching him eat. "But you see, I can't cook the bacon any faster, or it would get burnt-"
"Oh shut up." Bakura snarled, and began to pick at the bacon with his fingers, tearing it into strips and shoving it in his mouth. "Jesus Ryou, What the hell is wrong with you?" The light bit his lip, and looked down. "Don't do that."
"Okay." Ryou sat up, and forced a smile on his face. "I won't." Bakura snorted, and began attacking his eggs with the fork. Ryou watched the yami eat with a sigh, his eyes half-closed. "You know…" He murmured, lowering his gaze. "I'm actually… Well, I'm glad that Yami chose to give you a mortal body instead of killing you." Bakura froze, and looked up at the light in shock. "I know it seems weird, but." Ryou shrugged. "It's kinda… nice to not be lonely anymore." Bakura swallowed his mouthful.
"You're just clingy." He muttered, turning back to his food. Ryou deflated. "Oh, and by the way, I changed my mind. I'll go with you next Friday if you want me to." Ryou's mouth fell open, and a grin spread across his face.
"You're kidding me." Ryou whispered happily. "You… You want to come? Really?" Bakura nodded, trying his best to be nonchalant. "Oh, Bakura." His chin trembled. "You really want to come?" Bakura rolled his eyes, and nodded.
"Yes, you idiot." He muttered, setting his finished plate down on the table. "Now come on. I heard something about you getting cable T.V. Is it going to magically appear by itself, or are you going to have to get your arse down to the store and buy it?" Ryou's grin grew wider. Good ol' Bakura. Maybe he did care about Ryou… Just a little bit. Maybe he did see the younger teen as something more than a free meal and bed. The whitenette was just so happy that after four months, Bakura was finally starting to drag himself out of his funk, created by his depression and humiliation. Maybe Bakura would become a bit more talkative. Maybe they would become friends, have a relationship even.
Woa. Back up there Ryou, you're going a bit far there. He doesn't like you like that. The whitenette mentally reprimanded himself. Just give it time. He's still very sore. Hell, if he continues to stay around the house brooding all day, then he'll never get out of it. I should buy him a Nintendo or Playstation or something to help occupy him. He'd be good at those sorts of games.
Especially when it's not against Yami. Ryou couldn't help but smile.
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Meh. Not very pleased with it, but I just have high standards for myself. -.- I need to lower them.
R&R?