Love is in the air. I hope everyone had a MERRY Christmas even if you aren't Christian. This fic is going to end pretty soon, i think, because it's only a few days until Christmas and I'm going to end it there. So enjoy it while it lasts!

Chapter 7

After lunch was finished the three of them sat down in the living room to watch a film that Malik had brought. Ryou and Bakura were sitting next to each other on the couch while Malik took the armchair.

Malik wouldn't tell the others what the film was called but after the first few minutes it was apparent that it fell into the horror category. Ryou wasn't entirely pleased about this. It wasn't the fact that Bakura might start thinking that chopping people up was legal or giving him new torture methods that bothered him. No – Bakura knew that it was fictional and that he'd be kicked out if he did try anything. It was the fact that Malik had most likely picked up a film he shouldn't be watching, meaning an 18.

Ryou could stand most 15 rated horror films with minimal screaming and covering of his eyes. But an 18…

Malik and Bakura, on the other hand, had no problem with watching an 18. Bakura in particular was getting absorbed in the film. The way this guy went round killing people – and back in Egypt they'd called him a psychopath!

It was about halfway through the film when Ryou finally broke down. The killer appeared on the screen out of nowhere, making Ryou scream and dive into Bakura's arms. At first Bakura was stunned and didn't move. Then, slowly, he put his arms around the boy clinging to him. "It's alright," he whispered in Ryou's ear. "He didn't kill anyone; you can look now."

Wearily, Ryou turned to look at the screen. It was alright – nothing scary was happening at the moment – he was safe, safe in Bakura's arms. It was at that moment (once the adrenaline had stopped pumping through his veins) that Ryou noticed what position he was in. Ryou's cheeks began to burn and he tried to inconspicuously move back to his seat.

Bakura noticed that Ryou was trying to escape and frowned. He refused to let Ryou slip from his grasp so easily. He roughly jerked Ryou into a more comfortable position, the boy sitting sideways on his lap.

"You know, pretty one, if you wanted me to protect you all you had to do was ask," Bakura whispered in a teasing tone.

Ryou pouted. He didn't need protecting. Insane laughter echoed around the room as the mass murderer chased another victim. Ryou quickly clung to Bakura and buried his head in the man's shoulder. On second thoughts, maybe he did need a little protection.

Bakura smirked in satisfaction and out his arms securely around the boy. He then looked up and noticed that Malik was watching him. The blond smirked and winked at him. Bakura gave him a quick glare before turning back to the gore.

When the film had ended Ryou stayed in the position he was already in. Malik had something else for them to watch and he wasn't going to take the chance that it wouldn't be another horror movie. Also, he found that being close to Bakura like this was quite enjoyable. The way the thief held him, Ryou felt like no harm would ever come to him if he stayed in Bakura's arms.

The next film was of the action genre and contained lots of explosions. Ryou noticed that whenever something blew up or burst into flames Bakura would lean forward slightly to get a better view. It made Ryou smile, the childlike excitement at watching reckless destruction. It was no different, though, when Ryou looked towards Malik. The Egyptian was also captivated by the explosions.

By the time that film finished everyone was ready to eat. Ryou couldn't be bothered to cook so he ordered Chinese for everyone. Bakura once again ruled that the food was good and once again fought Malik for the last cracker.

When they had finished Malik said that he needed to head home or face his sister's wrath. Bakura laughed at this but quickly stopped when both Ryou and Malik glared at him. Malik gave the two the last film he had brought to watch, quickly reassuring Ryou that it wasn't a horror film. He then waved goodbye and left them alone.

A while after Malik had left (having to clean up the dinner things first) Bakura and Ryou sat down to watch the film that had been left for them. Bakura wanted to be back in the position he was in before with Ryou, but he wasn't exactly sure how he could make it happen.

Ryou was wondering the same thing as Bakura. It had felt so nice and warm and safe being so close to Bakura and Ryou wanted to feel that way again. The only problem was that he wasn't sure how Bakura would take his request. He was afraid, not of being told no (well, that wasn't his main fear, he told himself) but of having Bakura think that he was allowed to do things to him. He didn't want to be sexually harassed, he just wanted to be close to Bakura in a friendly way.

The film turned out to be a romantic comedy. Bakura thought this kind of ironic and knew that Malik was probably sniggering at his unintended meddling. It seemed the gods were laughing at him by having Malik give them the 'boy tries to get girl but everything always goes wrong' movie.

After about ten minutes of watching, but not taking in what was happening, Bakura had worked up the courage to make his move. He coughed to clear his throat and gain Ryou's attention. "It's err…getting rather cold don't you think?" he said, not meeting Ryou's eyes.

At first Ryou didn't understand what Bakura was trying to say. But then he saw the small blush on the bridge of the thief's nose, and Ryou smiled. He crawled over onto the thief's lap, in much the same position that he was in before, and let his head fall onto Bakura's shoulder.

Bakura was surprised at first – he hadn't actually expected that to work. But then he smiled too and wrapped his arms around the beautiful boy, finally able to relax and enjoy the film that was still playing.

The movie ended and Bakura waited, expecting Ryou to make some comment about it. When the boy didn't speak Bakura looked down at him and was quite surprised to find that he had fallen asleep. Bakura was a bit miffed that Ryou thought of him as a pillow but at the same time was glad that Ryou trusted him that much.

Bakura didn't want to wake the little angel but he refused to sleep in the position he was in, namely sitting up. Bakura stood up and carefully made his way to the bathroom, Ryou in his arms.

When he got there he flicked on the light with his shoulder and set Ryou down on the toilet. "Wake up pretty one," Bakura said softly, gently shaking Ryou's shoulder.

Slowly, Ryou began to return to the land of the living. He opened his eyes a fraction and groaned at the brightness of the light.

"Listen to me little one," Bakura said in a kind, gentle tone. "You're in the bathroom. Do your business while I get you a change of clothes. After that you can go back to sleep OK?"

Ryou nodded and slowly stood up. Bakura gave him some privacy and went to fetch the boy's clothes like he said he would. When he returned Ryou was just standing there with his eyes closed and his head hanging. His boxers were up but his pants were around his ankles.

Bakura helped the sleepy boy into his pyjamas and the led him into his room. After tucking the boy in Bakura quickly changed into his own nightclothes and climbed into bed next to Ryou. Ryou had already drifted back off to sleep so Bakura had no fears about wrapping his arms around the boy and pulling him to his chest.

AS he lay there waiting for sleep to come a thought popped into Bakura's head. A few moments ago he'd not been embarrassed about helping Ryou change or tried to sneak a peak at him without his clothes on! That wasn't like him at all! His love for the boy was affecting him badly if the thought of secretly eyeing him up had never crossed his mind.

Bakura sighed. Why did love have to be so strange and complicated?

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