Sweet in Disguise
Written by OtakuChild
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, blah...fweeeeeeeeee!! flings leftover Easter candy

Hmm...
My computer screen has obtained a nice, obnoxious pink tint to it. I can't stare at it for long periods of time, or my eyes burn. Yahoo.

Okay! Review Responses...

Kira-Kura: hugs Yay! Thanks for sticking it out! I missed not being able to write. I'll be okay with the credits. I finally worked out a schoolwork system...now that I graduate in two months. '' I can't stop in the middle of writing a fic. I HAVE to finish it. I hate leaving things hanging. Must be the Aries in me. Bakura/Malik rocks! They're my absolute fav couple.

I'm throwing in some Marik/Ryou fluff in here. I love the couple, they're kawaii!

WARNING: Shonen Ai, eventual Yaoi. Don't like, Don't read. Spoken.

Chapter Four: Euphoria

He was running.
Running through dark forests, looking, searching for something. Someone.
Searching for him.
He was in trouble.
Horrible, dangerous trouble.
He had to find him before it was to late.
Malik...
Bakura kept running. He didn't tire, didn't think about it at all, just kept running and searching.
He heard a scream.
Malik!
"Don't worry, I've got you," he said, praying that Malik would hear. It became clear in his head where Malik was, and he raced to the area to find Malik falling, crying, scared.
He held up his arms, and caught Malik. Miraculously, he wasn't knocked to the ground, but this was the last of his thoughts as he held Malik, crooning softly to him to calm him down, soothing him, stroking his hair, and assuring him that everything would be okay, and that he'd protect him.
Bakura jerked awake, and flew upright. His breathing was shaky and uneven, and he was sweating.
"Malik..."
He lay back down and stared at the ceiling, and within minutes he was back into the depths of dark, dreamless sleep.
He awoke the next morning to loud crashing noises outside his door. A little ticked at being woken up, he burrowed under the covers and stuffed his head under the pillow to shut out the noise, but it was in vain. The crashings continued, and then his bedroom door opened.
"Yamiii!!!!" Ryou squeaked.
"Wha...whathefuck?" Bakura poked his head out from under the fluffy comforter. "Go away, pipsqueaky. Why are you being so noisy?"
"To show you what it's like to be me, three nights a week," Ryou snapped. "Anywho...how was your date?"
"None of your business, squeeb. Lemme sleep!" He threw a pillow at Ryou.
"Bakura! It's noon!"
"Exactly why I need to sleep. Go away."
"No."
Bakura sat up and glared at Ryou through squinty, sleepy eyes. His hair was a wild, tangled mess, with spikes pointing every-which way. It was like his normal hair, times twenty.
"What's gotten into you? You always say you don't want to know, and now you're prying into my love life."
"Well, that's because you finally have a love life," Ryou said. "But I say I don't want to know because I really don't need to know other personal details about you, like when you have to take a leak, or a dump, or something."
Bakura grinned. "I always love to share, except for now. I'm not telling you about the date."
Ryou's eyes narrowed. "Oh my god, Bakura. WHAT DID YOU DO? You copped a feel, didn't you? Or you made a lewd comment, or something!"
"I DID NOT! The date was wonderful, and he was sweet, and we played video games and ate pizza and talked about squirrels and music and he laughed and smiled and even tripped on a crack in the cement but I caught him and he blushed and he even let me kiss him. Twice. And he didn't want to go home, but I promised Marik I'd have him home before midnight, and I did. I didn't hit on him, or feel him up, or get drunk. NYAH!" Bakura dove back under the covers.
Ryou started giggling. "Thank you, that's what I wanted to know. I knew I'd find a way to get details out of you somehow." He jumped off the bed and skipped rather effeminatley out of the room.
"Wha...?" Bakura pieced together what had just happened, and he snapped awake. "RYOU! I'LL GET YOU!"
Ryou's laughter echoed through the house.

Meanwhile, at the Ishtar Residence...

"Say it."
"No."
"Say it."
"No."
"Say it."
"NO! Leave me alone!"
Marik tackled his hikari to the floor. "Say it! You have to say it, or wear the tiara."
"No! Anything but the tiara!" Malik wiggled and squirmed, but his yami was far stronger than himself.
"Then SAY it, I know you want to, and we both know I'm right." Marik sat on Malik, grinning maliciously.
"Fine," Malik spat. "Bakura is not a crazed, drunken sexual pervert."
"And?" Marik raised a pierced eyebrow.
"And he's nice, and he's charming, and he's kind, and caring..." Malik started to blush. "And sweet, and smart, and funny, and a perfect gentleman, oh Marik, he even held the door for me! And he plays the guitar! And listens to the same music I do! He's sharp, and clever, and witty..." He closed his eyes, remembering the kiss.
"...and?"
"...and...oh DAMMIT!" Malik pushed his way out from underneath Marik. "And I'm not supposed to be feeling like this!" He flopped down onto the living room couch. And the dream! What the fuck was up with that dream? The dream had been haunting his thoughts for most of the day. He tried to shake it off, but to no avail.
"And why not? You said so yourself, Malik, he's a gentleman, and charming, and smart, and funny, and I heard you babbling on last night about him."
"Shut up!" Malik screeched. "You don't understand! It's too soon! It's so sudden, I mean, it's ONE date, that's all it was, and now all this feely-stuff is whirling around in my stomach less than twenty-four hours after the date! It's not right...I...I don't like it!" And I had that dream...it felt so real. What does it mean?
"You don't like it, because you can't control it."
"That's not true!"
"Yes it is. Malik, you're a control freak. You have to have everything perfectly organized and if one fiber on the carpet gets out of place, you throw a fit. You have to control everything you get your hands on, the way you feel, the way the day goes, etc. You can't control how you feel about Bakura, and you don't like it."
Malik didn't respond.

Bakura was sitting idly by the phone, fingers tapping impatiently, letting out the occasional sigh. The dream he had occasionally flitted through his head. He wondered what it meant. Ryou came down the stairs, and to the refridgerator, looking for food.
"I take it he still hasn't called?" Ryou asked.
"Oh Ryou! I'm worried!" Bakura said. "I mean, something could be wrong! What if he's hurt, and can't get to the phone, or he stopped breathing?" He let out a horrified gasp. "Oh Ra, what if he's dead?"
Ryou sauntered across the room, and slapped Bakura across the face. "SNAP OUT OF IT!" Ryou yelled. "Good god, he's just fine! He probably hasn't called because he's running errands! Or busy! Or..."
Bakura held his cheek. "Or what?"
"Or maybe, just maybe, Bakura, he's scared. I'd be scared too, If I knew they creepy drunk guy who hit on me was sitting by the phone, waiting for me to call." Ryou smirked.
"I am NOT a creepy drunk guy! I got drunk once! I didn't mean for that to happen! But...last night was so wonderful...we clicked, I thought. He had fun...I think..."
"Oh, bah! You need to get off that stool you've been sitting on for hours, and get away from the phone, and stop obsessing!" Ryou said, exsaperated.
"Yeah...I gues you're right. I have some things I need to do anyway." Bakura slid off the stool, and got a popsicle out of the freezer. He strode out of the kitchen and into the den, pondering the dream yet again. He reasoned that unless the dream actually became reality, he had nothing to worry about, and so he proceeded to the abovementioned destination.
Ryou smiled, glad he wasn't obsessing over the phone anymore. He went back upstairs, but stopped abruptly when he saw Bakura sitting by the den phone, his cheek rested on his palm, staring at the phone lovingly.
"BAKURAAA!!!"
Slap!
"OW!"

"I'm right, ne?"
Malik still hadn't responded. He couldn't stop thinking about the dream. What does it mean? I don't...understand...
"Deep down inside, we both know I'm right. So I'm going to say this: Don't fight it. Don't even try, because if you do, you'll end up getting hurt, and you'll hurt Bakura as well. Yes, the feelings are moving fast, but that doesn't mean the relationship has to. Take the time to really know him, take it slow. It'll be more fun that way. Bakura won't hurt you, I promise. He's not like that."
"What makes you think there will be a relationship?" Malik asked warily.
"Malik, the two of you hit it off. There's no denying that. The sparks flew, and when all was said and done, you kissed him twice. I only got one kiss on my first date."
"Marik, he kissed me. And when have you gone on a date?"
"You kissed him back, and you kissed him again after that. And I go on dates! I have a love life too! I just never tell you."
Malik saw a golden opportunity to change the subject, and get some revenge at the same time.
"Say...I've told you heaps about my love life, how 'bout you tell me about yours? You never bring anybody home...you never call anybody...when did you go on a date?"
Marik's eyes widened. Oops. I spilled the beans. How am I going to clean them up?
"Well, I don't bring boys home. I haven't found the right one yet. But there has been one, yes. Let's just leave it at that." Marik crossed his arms proudly.
"Oh, no, you're not getting off that easy," Malik said. It was his turn to show a malicious grin. "Who is he? Come on, you can tell me."
Marik was panicking, though his face didn't show it. "Let's just say he's closer than you might think." he pretended to think. "You know, come to think of it, there's a few things I need to get at the store that I forgot about before. I best be going. Bye!" He grabbed his jacket and took off out the door.
Malik grinned. "I'll find out sooner or later!" he yelled.
He sat back down on the couch, trying to decipher the dream.
Forest...peaceful forest...yet it's decieving, because the bridge gave way when I walked on it...
Falling...falling through inky darkness...I felt so hopeless...
Bakura's voice. Where did it come from? Why was it there? It felt...protecting...and then...
...I fell into his arms. He was so comforting, soothing, I felt so much better...
I feel like I'm forgetting something.
He realized he'd forgotten to call Bakura. Bakura would find him if he didn't call, he knew, so he picked up the phone. He felt sick inside, and found he couldn't dial the number. He took a deep breath. "Remember what Marik said," he murmured to himself. His fear was ungrounded. He was just nervous, because...
...because he couldn't stop thinking about Bakura.
...because he felt safe and content when he was around him.
...because he was wildly attracted to Bakura.
There was no way to get around it. Not anymore. Malik let out a defeated sigh.
"Guess Marik's right. If I fight, I'll get hurt...I guess...I guess I'll just take this, and see where it goes."
With shaking fingers, he dialed Bakura's number.

Bakura had finally settled down on the couch, and was reading an issue of Johnny the Homicidal Maniac(1). Ryou was cooking dinner.
The phone rang.
In a flash Bakura darted across the living room, comic book flying out of his hands, and into the kitchen, grabbing the cordless phone and knocking down a stack of bills and various objects in the process.
"Hello?" He asked, a little too eagerly.
"Um...hey. Bakura?" Malik asked. He could hear Ryou laughing in the background.
"Yeah...yeah...hey pretty." He said, his heart beating wildly in his chest. He could hear it pounding in his ears, and he was almost sure Malik heard it too. But he called! He was alive! And he'd CALLED! He felt his cheeks grow hot.
"Hey," Malik said, still nervous. "So...um..." he couldn't think of anything to say. He had no real reason to call, he was calling because, well, Bakura had wanted him to call. "Why is Ryou laughing?" He asked, trying to find something to talk about.
Bakura sighed. "Hikari-Squeeb is laughing at me, because I knocked a bunch of stuff over trying to get to the phone," he said sheepishly.
"Oh." Malik giggled, to think of Bakura lunging for a phone. "So um...what did you do today?"
"Not much. I slept, and...stuff."
"What kind of stuff?" Malik was curious now.
"He sat by the phone ALL DAY and waited for you to call," Ryou's voice butted in.
"HEY! GIVE THAT BACK YOU LITTLE RAT!" Bakura yelled in the background. Malik burst out laughing, dream finally forgotten. "Oh my gosh!" He giggled.
"Yeeeaaaah," Ryou said. He waited by the phone ALL DAY, and you didn't call, and he thought you were dead!" Ryou giggled. "So I made him go do something else, and he sat in the den instead, by that phone, waiting for you to call."
Malik heard Bakura in the background again.
"Oh! I have to go! I have errands to run. Bye Malik!" Ryou said quickly.
Malik's laughter echoed through the house. He heard a muffled struggle on the other line, and a yelp, and then Bakura's voice again.
"Ryou is a liar! I swear!" Bakura said happily. "Anywho, I'm glad you called."
"Yeah.." Malik said. "Me too."
"So...what did you do today?" Bakura asked.
"I cleaned, and then I organized my stuff, and then I checked my email." Malik said.
"Oh. That sounds..."
"Boring as hell."
They both started laughing again, and Malik felt more comfortable, and not quite so nervous. They talked about random stuff, then settled into a more centered converstaion. Malik lounged on the couch, comfortable and happy. Bakura did the same.

Marik wasn't on his way to the store.
On the contrary, he was on his way to the park, the last place anybody would find him. He headed to the same spot he always did, a secluded, lush, soft grassy area, with a small pond and pretty ferns and flowers. It opened up the the moonlit, starry sky above. He crawled through the small opening, then covered his tracks. He sat against a soft tree trunk, waiting. He waited for a long time, and started to worry when the person he was waiting for didn't arrive. He closed his eyes, but opened them again when he heard a rustling in the bush. He opened the branches to help the person through. Once settled in, the branches were pushed closed again. Marik greeted his visitor with a tight embrace and a passionate kiss.
"Hello Ryou-love," Marik said, his voice soft. "I missed you."
"I missed you too." Ryou snuggled into Marik.
"You...haven't been around lately."
"It's hard being around you and not being able to show anything," Ryou said quietly. "I'm afraid I would accidently slip up."
"I understand." Marik pulled Ryou closer. "I fear the same."
"It...gets frustrating, having to stay so secret." Ryou felt a pang of shame at saying those words.
"I know. I feel the same." Marik moved to sit up, and Ryou followed. Marik crawled around to face Ryou, cupped his pale face with a tanned, elegant hand. "Ryou...I know that this isn't easy, sneaking off like this, but please remember that I love you deeply, and someday we'll be able to love each other openly, with no fear. I promise." He leaned in and kissed Ryou softly.
"I know. I love you too. I've never felt such a fierce devotion to anyone."
They both smiled.
"I know. Now, let's enjoy this beautiful night."
They lay back down, Ryou snuggling into Marik, and they spent the night gazing up at the stars.

"Wow. Do you realize we've been talking for almost three hours?" Malik asked.
"Are you serious?" Bakura chuckled. "Time flies when you're having a blast."
"Yeah, it does."
Silence.
"Malik, I want to see you again, soon. There's a coffee house in downtown Domino that's having at art exhibit tomorrow night. How about I pick you up at six?"
"That sounds great!"
"Good." Bakura smiled, and stretched out on the small couch, long legs hanging over the edge(2). "I'll pick you up then. So...it's getting pretty late, I should let you go."
"Okay," Malik said. He didn't really want to hang up, Bakura's smooth voice was intoxicating, and he couldn't get enough of it.
"So...good night, Pretty." Bakura said softly. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah, see you tomorrow," said Malik. "Good night Bakura."
They both hung up.
Bakura couldn't stop smiling. He got to see Malik again! He jumped up, and started jumping around the living room.
"I got another date with Maaaaalik! I got another date with Maaaaalik!" He cheered, to nobody in particular. Then he realized it was almost one in the morning, and Ryou still wasn't home. Bakura started to worry, Ryou hadn't taken his cell phone. He stayed up to wait for his hikari, but eventually fell asleep on the couch.

Malik was also worried. It had been hours since Marik had left, and there was no sign of him either. He figured that Marik could take care of himself, though, and so he went up to bed, hoping he didn't have that dream again. Within minutes he was asleep.

Ryou jerked awake, realized he'd been sleeping, and let out a gasp.
"Marik! Oh my god, what time is it?" He rubbed his eyes. If Bakura found out he'd been sneaking around...
"It's 2:45 AM, love."
"Oh no! I'm in so much trouble! And I didn't take my cell phone, because I didn't want to get caught...oh no! I have to go, I love you Marik!" He placed a chaste kiss on Marik's lips, and crawled forward to exit their spot, but felt a hand on his shoulder.
"No, It's late, Ryou. It's not safe for someone alone. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you. I love you more than that, and I care about your welfare more than what others may think. Please...let me walk you home."
Ryou thought for a minute. "Okay."
They crawled through the bushes, and out of the park. They walked to Ryou's house, hand in hand. Once they reached the door Marik pulled Ryou to a dark corner, out of sight, and gave Ryou a deep kiss, which Ryou happily returned.
"Good night, my love," Marik said. "Sweet dreams."
"Sweet dreams," Ryou replied. "'Night Marik. I love you!" Ryou blew him a kiss. Marik walked home, using the dark alleys and cover of night.
Ryou stole around to the back of the house, completley silent. He crept up the small ladder he'd put in place, that was easily hidden by creeping ivy. Once he reached his bedroom window, he took a small piece of metal out of his pocket, and used it to pop the window latch. He opened the window and crawled inside. Bakura was none the wiser. He changed into pajamas and stole to Bakura's room and opened the door. When he didn't find him there he went downstairs, to the living room. Bakura was still fast alseep on the couch. Ryou gently shook him awake. "Bakura!" he hissed.
"Mmmm...nnn...wha? Ryou?" Bakura looked up at his hikari. "When did you get home?"
"Oh, at one-thirty," Ryou lied. I didn't see you in the living room, and I thought you had gone to bed, but then I woke up again, and had to get up, and looked in your room, and I didn't see you. I found you down here."
"Oh...what time is it?"
"3:15 AM."
"I should get to bed. I have a date tomorrow with Malik."
"OoooOOOoh! Where are you going?"
"Art exhibit."
"Sounds like fun," Ryou said. "Well, I'll let you get to bed. Goodnight!" He turned to go back up the stairs.
"Hold on," Bakura said. "Where were you?"
"Me? Oh, I was watching movies at Yugi's house. It ran later than we thought."
"Oh, okay." Bakura knew Ryou was safe at Yugi's house, and didn't give it another thought. He changed, and went to bed, quickly falling asleep again.

Oooargh...that really didn't go the way I wanted it too at all. But it just kind of formed itself. It did for a good base for future chapters though.
(1) Johnny the Homicidal Maniac is such a Bakura comic. I highly reccomend reading it, and other works of Jhonen Vasqez as well. They can be found online, or at your local Hot Topic. They seem to get copies of them on a regular basis, at least where I live.
(2) Heehee...I just got a cute mental picture with this one.
(3) I say their dad because Bakura is part of Ryou, in a way. Ryou's dad really doesn't care in this plotline, and Bakura has major issues with his their dad. It may come out in later chapters and stories.

So why is Ryou hiding his relationship with Marik? dun dun dun
Next chapter will have the second date, as well as more fluffy goodness.

So, hopefully this chapter didn't suck too much. Read and review. Ja ne!
-OtakuChild