Goodbye For Now

Summary: Ryou is trying his best to help Yugi after Atem passes away, but can he do it without breaking Bakura's heart? Sorta AU-ish, I guess.

Everyone's OOC and I can't seem to fix it. Argh, there be sap ahead. Sorry. : J


Goodbye for Now

Yugi answered the door on the third knock. Ryou was a bit surprised; he had expected his friend to still be asleep. Yugi was still dressed in his bedclothes, however, and was drinking already.

Ryou sighed. It was only four in the evening.

"Hey there. You're up early." he said sarcastically. The sky suddenly roared, causing both of them to jump. Ryou cast a critical eye to the sky, glaring at the dark clouds that had been gathering there all afternoon. A cold breeze stirred in Ryou's hair. The combination made him shiver. "Looks like rain, huh?" He asked as he pushed passed Yugi, keeping a grin hidden when Yugi grabbed one of the bags he carried as he went by.

"Thanks, Ryou. I haven't felt like going out today at all."

Or any other day. Ryou thought bitterly. He didn't mind being his friends outside connection...okay, he did. It had been almost six months since Atem passed away. No one was expecting Yugi to just forget about him, but it wasn't right for him to just stop living either.

"No problem." Ryou sat the groceries on the table and turned to face his best friend. Aside from looking horrible, and giving off an air of depression, he seemed better than usual. "But you know, Yugi, you should get out more often. It would be good for you."

Yugi, blushing a little, kicked a bottle across the floor sullenly. "I know. I'm sorry." Ryou stopped, looking at the living room of his friend's house. It was a wreck. It literally looked like Yugi had taken the trash can and strewn the contents throughout the house. Ryou glanced at Yugi. "Will it ever stop hurting?"

"This is killing you. We all know that. It's supposed to hurt Yugi, but, as hard as it is, you can't let it cripple you." Ryou said, brushing some of Yugi's hair back in an almost motherly fashion. "It's time you start putting things back together. I'm here to help. Your other friends are willing to help." Yugi smiled a little and Ryou smiled back. "Come on. Let's get this place cleaned up, okay? That will make you feel better ."

"Alright."

--

Several hours later, rain still beat down on the roof. Ryou was sitting in the now clean living room on the couch, talking to Bakura on the phone.

"I'm staying here tonight, Bakura."

"What? Why? You've been over there all day."

"No I haven't. I think it would be good for Yugi to have some company. Besides, he asked me to stay."

"Alright. Be careful. He seems very fragile."

"Yeah. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Love you."

"Love you too."

Ryou hung up the phone and glanced up when Yugi walked into the room. He came to sit next to Ryou and reached over to turn on the light. They sat there in silence for awhile, Ryou staring at Yugi, Yugi staring at the wall.

"Thanks for helping me today."

"No problem."

"I owe you more than you know."

His eyes were sad when he met Ryou's gaze.

"Oh, Yugi." Ryou felt so sorry for his friend. He had just come through so much sorrow all a once. Ryou tried to imagine what it would e like to lose Bakura and couldn't. He hoped he would never have to find out. Yugi flushed suddenly and looked away.

"Ryou, would you be very uncomfortable if I asked you…"

"What is it?" Yugi sighed. He looked very tired.

"Can you hold me? I just need to be touched."

"Uh, sure."

Yugi surprised Ryou by standing and sitting in his lap, one knee on either side of his hips. He leaned forward and placed his head on Ryou's shoulder. Surprised at Yugi's sudden intimacy, Ryou sat still and tense.

"Are you okay?" Yugi whispered against Ryou's neck. A shiver passed through him involuntarily.

"Yes. I'm fine." Ryou wrapped his arms around Yugi's waist. "What about you?"

Yugi looked up at his best friend. Ryou recognized the look in his eyes. Then Yugi did what Ryou feared. He pressed his lips to Ryou's mouth.

His first instinct was to push him away roughly, but he didn't want to upset Yugi any more than he knew he already was. So he put his hands on Yugi's shoulders and pushed him away gently.

"I'm sorry." Yugi said. "I don't know why I did that." Yugi stated to stand, but Ryou tightened his grip. Yugi sat there for a few minutes and they stared at each other.

"I can't stay here without doing that again."

"Then do it again." Ryou blushed as the words came out. What was he doing?

"I don't want to…"

Ryou shook his head. "Don't…"

Yugi kissed him again, more passionately this time. Ryou moaned as Yugi moved his mouth against his. He gasped and pushed him away suddenly.

"I'm sorry, Yugi. It's just not right."

To Ryou's relief, Yugi giggled. Ryou smiled back. "You're confusing. I'm going to bed."

--

Ryou came through the door quietly.

"How is he?" Ryou jumped at Bakura's voice. He turned to see him at the bottom of the stairs.

"He's better. I got him to laugh."

"You look tired. Are you okay?"

Ryou didn't answer. He slowly stumbled towards Bakura. Falling against him he burst into tears.


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