Love Hurts
By Jet Set Yoyo
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Yu-Gi-Oh; if I did I wouldn't be writing fics on the internet.
("Talking", Thinking, 'flashbacks', 'Mind link's')
Wow, I'm still getting reviews for this piece of junk. I really never thought it was that great since it was originally written in 8th grade and I'm now in college. Anywho, I suppose since I'm still actively getting support I should humor you all and finish the damn thing already. Enjoy and thanks so much for all the positive words of encouragement.
It had been barely a week since Ryou's rescue and yet things didn't seem to have changed. Bakura was still a temperamental grouch and Ryou was still depressed and insecure. The morning was a sunny one, Ryou was standing over the stove cooking up some eggs and bacon for himself and Bakura. Bakura on the other hand was lounging on the couch flipping through the television channels. To this day the strange object still fascinated him; not that he'd ever let anyone know about it.
"When are you gonna finish the damn food, I'm dying of starvation in here." Came an irritated call from the living room. Ryou sighed as he transferred the just done bacon and eggs from the pan to the plates.
"It's done Bakura…" he called timidly back. After a brief moment of silence there was a short growl.
"Are you going to bring it to me or what?"
"Yeah, I'm coming. I'm sorry." Ryou grabbed up the plate and hurried into the living room, delivering the plate onto the coffee table in front of the white haired demon. "I've got to go to a friends' house for a group project. It's due Monday so I want to get it done soon. I-is that ok?"
Bakura who had been stuffing his face full of scrambled eggs stopped for a moment and looked up at Ryou, the fork handle sticking out of his lips. The younger teen was practically squirming in discomfort under Bakura's gaze, despite how funny he looked with the fork sticking out of his mouth. Finally he diverted his gaze from Bakura's, unable to keep eye contact with him.
"It doesn't matter. Go ahead." Bakura shrugged, continuing to stuff the fluffy eggs into his mouth. Relieved Ryou hurried to finish his breakfast, went upstairs to grab his backpack and made his way towards Yugi's house. It was a good thing Bakura never bothered to ask who his group mates were or there would've been a huge problem.
The truth of the matter was, Ryou didn't have a project due for school that was just a lie to get out of the house for a good portion of the day. There was only so much he could avoid Bakura without repercussions. At least this way he could stay out all day and Bakura wouldn't care as much; he never really understood why Bakura was so obsessed with making sure he went to school and did his work. No matter, it gave him the excuses it did to get him out of the house more often.
Before long Ryou found himself walking down a busy road, cars littering the street because it was the weekend. His mind wandered as it usually did; dreaming of his life being better than what it was. Ryou was never a selfish person, he took what he was given without complaint but this time – just this one time he wasn't content with taking what he was dealt. He knew he deserved better but something kept him attached to Bakura, maybe it was fear, maybe it was affection; he couldn't quite pinpoint it but nonetheless it made him stay and endure.
He found himself at Yugi's doorstep. The shorter dueler's childish voice could be heard through the front door; he sounded as if he was enjoying himself. That's just like Yugi, he's always happy. Just once I wish that would happen. Ryou hated to interrupt that happiness but it was a bit chilly out so he let his fist fall lightly against the door almost hoping that Yugi wouldn't hear it and he could leave that happiness intact. Yugi, in fact, did hear Ryou's soft knock and bounded to the door opening it widely.
"Ryou! I'm so glad you're here, for a little while I thought you weren't going to show up." He chirped with that wide smile Ryou always liked. It was a genuine smile, unlike his own. He gave a small, shy smile just like he always did.
"I wouldn't ditch you Yugi, I promised I'd come visit you. Besides, I should get out of the house some time, you know?" he chuckled a bit.
"Of course, I didn't doubt you. Come on, come in its chilly out there." Yugi stepped aside and motioned for Ryou to enter. By then Yami had come over and seeing Ryou there he offered a smile to the shy teen as the white-haired teen stepped timidly inside the Turtle Game Shop. Yugi bounced around the room like an overexcited puppy. It was true Ryou hardly left the house, but he was over Yugi's at least once a week. "What do you want to do Ryou?"
"Anything is fine, I just like your company." To this Yugi frowned, not entirely happy with Ryou's response. Ryou took a step back, surprised by this and stuttered, "W-what?"
"You never have any opinion Ryou, you never seem happy either. You should do what you want for once, you'll be so much happier." Ryou nodded, giving his usual smile. "C'mon Ryou, let's go out today. It's really nice out."
Of course Ryou would never object to any of Yugi's decisions despite what the teen had just said to him. Do what I want, huh? I might just do that, just this once: Do what I want… The trio had set out down the road, only the shorter teen had any idea as to where they were going. Yami seemed uninterested, merely looking around at the surrounding area and enjoying his light's company. Ryou was lost in his own thoughts, so lost he hardly noticed Yugi staring at him until the shorter boy waved his hand in front of his face. Blinking several times, he looked around then down at the colorful-haired teen.
"You were in your own world." Ryou looked sheepish at that statement, "How do you feel about the amusement park? We could all use some fun today."
"That sounds wonderful."
"Yay!" Yugi shouted, running towards the amusement park. Why he'd bothered to ask since they were practically there already was beyond the Pharaoh or the albino teen but they shrugged it off casually and followed after the energetic teen.
Entering the amusement park, Yugi paid for their admission much to Ryou's displeasure. Yugi, however, had insisted since he was taking him out for the day and paid for his friend despite his protests. Rollercoaster's, a Ferris wheel and several smaller rides covered the huge area making Yugi's eyes light up and made a smile come to Ryou's lips.
The trio headed for a tea cup ride and waited in line. Ryou soon relaxed, ready to enjoy a day out without Bakura on his heels. He could have fun without making sure Bakura wasn't getting angry. He could do what he wanted without having to be pulled around like a dog on a leash. The thoughts made him grin happily. What the young teen didn't know, however, was that Bakura had followed him and was lurking around the corner watching him.
Bakura growled under his breath as he watched Ryou smile and laugh with Yugi and that blasted Pharaoh. He slammed his fist into the pillar he was hiding behind, sending a nearby mother and her child scrambling away in fear muttering something under their breath's like 'psycho.'
I'll teach him to lie to me. Homework my ass. He seethed. Then he got an idea. Out of curiosity he opened the mind link. 'How is your project coming, my little Ryou.'
He watched Ryou's face turn from cheerful to blank in a matter of seconds and he chuckled. Ryou started looking afraid before he sent a message back to him.
'I-it's going great. It's taking a while but I think we'll get a good grade on it.' The brat was lying to him and it made him even angrier.
'Now Ryou, don't lie to me. I know you're not doing a project, why pretend that I'm as stupid as you?'
He watched as Ryou further stiffened, worrying his companions as they all huddled around him. This is just too entertaining. Deciding enough was enough he left his spot behind the pillar and marched right up to the group and Ryou's eyes widened. Yami noticed the Thief King and stepped in front of the now trembling white-haired teen.
"Bakura, what's this all about?" he asked in a warning tone, holding his hand out in front of him.
"None of your business Pharaoh," Bakura spat back. "Give me my Ryou. We're going home. Now."
"Ryou is not a-" Yami began but was cut off midsentence.
"It's ok Yami. Thanks for taking me out Yugi, it was fun. I should go home now." Ryou muttered, looking at his feet to avoid the disappointed gazes of his friends and Bakura's angry one. No matter what he did he couldn't please anyone, he was such a failure of a person.
Yugi was about to stop the albino teen when Yami shook his head and Yugi's eyes fell. Ryou waved in a somewhat happy manner and offered a small smile before following Bakura out of the amusement park. Grabbing hold of Ryou wrist tightly, Bakura marched on angrily and Ryou winced at the pressure.
"Bakura I-"
"Can it. Lying to me, you worthless brat. After all I do for you and you lie to me! Who ever said you were allowed to be around that infernal Pharaoh and his brat? Huh, who? Tell me."
"I-I…"
"Shut up. I've had it with your childish stuttering." Bakura yanked Ryou forward, still seething as they approached their apartment and pushed the younger male inside violently. "Get out of my sight before I hurt you."
The tears had begun to fall, Ryou couldn't hold them back any longer. He scrambled from the entryway and up to his room. Falling against the door as he closed it behind him, he let his tears flow freely and sobbed quietly. It's not fair. It's NOT FAIR!
Bakura paced in the living room, still angry from earlier before going upstairs and into his own room. Slamming the door he took up the nearest object and threw it across the room. Why? Why won't he ever do any of that crap with me? Now he's upset again.
Minutes later he huffed, though his anger has calmed down considerably, and went downstairs to watch television. As he passed Ryou's room he could hear the teens' soft sobbing and a heavy feeling set in his chest, unlike anything he'd ever felt before. Whatever the feeling was, he didn't like it at all. Pushing the boy's door open he found the emotional teen curled up in a ball with his face in his hands on the floor. It was a pathetic sight but it still made that heavy feeling in his chest hurt. Ryou didn't seem to notice, or maybe just didn't care that Bakura was in the room staring at him. Neither of them moved; Ryou still sobbing and hiccupping, and Bakura staring at him unsure what to do for once.
It took a little mental coaxing, but Bakura convinced himself the brat couldn't stay sobbing like a baby on the floor. He'd seen situations like this on television. What did most people do? He frowned as he remembered and knelt down on the floor beside the boy, gathering him up in his arms and holding him close.
"Don't cry." He muttered in a stiff voice; he wasn't good at this emotional stuff. Ryou hiccupped in his arms, and curled his fingers into Bakura's shirt. Bakura tightened his grip and leaned his head down to rest on top of Ryou's. If this was what he was supposed to be doing in this sort of situation, it felt pretty good. He wouldn't admit it aloud but he enjoyed being close to Ryou, especially if Ryou was in direct contact with him. It felt much better than the contact he felt when he beat him.
Ryou calmed himself down, halting the tears and sobbing. Only an occasional hiccup remained as he sat in Bakura's lap with his head against the other. It felt good to be hugged, even if it was Bakura who'd upset him in the first place. He was too tired from crying to care why Bakura was being so kind again; he just snuggled closer to the older teen and drifted off to sleep.
Poor Ryou, he's so confused. I abuse him too much. Bakura's even more confused, unable to convey his feelings correctly. Tsk, tsk. He better figure it out soon or else he's going to regret it. Thanks for reading!