AN: Explicit material ahead


"Trouble certainly has a way of finding you, doesn't it love?" Mai teased, seeing Ryou to the door.

Ryou smiled, unable to deny the accusation. "I will admit this case has certainly been more than I had bargained for."

Mai chuckled. "I don't doubt it. Though I never would have guessed you'd end up a brunette by the end."

Ryou raised an eyebrow, glancing down at the wig he now held. While he could attempt drag in his natural hair color, that wouldn't be wise. Pegasus would certainly recognize his white hair in a moment and Ryou didn't want to dye his hair some terrible shade of dirt brown.

Mai didn't seem to have an issue finding him the wig, though he didn't want the story as to why the poor woman shaved her head. So long as it didn't involve lice, he could live with it.

"You'll let me know when it's all said and done, right? I can't keep my girls from their work you know," Mai remarked, a note of irritation slipping through.

Ryou nodded. "It's only for a few weeks. I know that's problematic, but the fewer people wandering that area at night, the less likely we'll see a corpse the next day. As soon as we catch him, you can go back to business as usual."

"How gracious of you. Well, if it means no more headlines glamorizing the deaths of my fellow co-workers, I suppose it'll be time well spent." Mai pulled her hair loose of her ponytail, giving it a shake. Blonde curls fell past her shoulders..

"You don't know how much I appreciate this, Mai." Ryou stopped and turned, facing her as she relaxed against the door frame.

She just snorted, pulling out a cigar to light. "You can thank me by catching this son of a bitch, got it?"

Ryou chuckled. "Of course. On my to do list."

Mai sighed, taking a few long drags. Her violet eyes fluttered open, a small smile on her face. "Well, I'm going to relax until tonight. Stay safe, Ryou."

"You as well, Mai. I'll see you around."

Ryou left the brothel, his mind aflutter with all that needed to be done. Kaiba had done good on his part and had a constant police watch near Pegasus's manor. They had done a careful job spreading the word to other sex workers in the area to avoid the perimeter laid out. Though they couldn't prevent people from travelling through, the fewer people there at night, the easier their work would be.

Now it was up to Ryou to play his part. The idea that he had to dress in drag was rather unappealing, but even he would concede. Perhaps everybody hadn't been off for mistaking him as female all these years. As much as he loathed the description, if it caught him London's most infamous killer, it would be worth it.

Still, that didn't mean Ryou had to be happy about the whole scenario.

In the suitcase, Ryou stored the dress, petticoats and wig. Mai had gotten him the attire needed to convince any onlooker that he was a lady of the night at first glance. While grateful for the aid, Ryou doubted whether he would even use all the make-up and jewelry provided. He would have to decide on that once he was fully dressed.

Ryou kept at his swift pace in the early morning, thoughts flying, when a movement caught his eye. He would normally have dismissed it except a flash of white demanded his attention. Ryou swore, staring at the retreating figure down the alleyway. He frowned, annoyed at himself and the gentleman's escape. He ran down the alleyway, turning the corner after the stranger.

Ryou felt someone grab his shoulder, slamming him into the brick wall. He dropped his suitcase in shock, stunned only for a moment before shoving the hand off of him. "Piss off!"

"What the fuck do you want, Ryou?"

Ryou sighed, crossing his arms as he glared at his doppelganger. "I should be asking you that question. Why the fuck did you break out of detention? You nearly got me fired!"

Bakura snorted, his hand resting at his hip. "Why? I'm the one who broke out, not you."

"Kaiba thought I helped you."

"Then Kaiba's a fucking moron."

"Yeah, well, he's my boss, so thanks for that." Ryou rolled his eyes. Bakura had a habit of always causing more trouble for him than it was worth.

"If I stayed there, I'd be hanging from a noose by now. And you still have your job, so all's well that ends well." Bakura shrugged, a smirk growing onto his face. Ryou wanted to slap the look off, Bakura pissed him off so much.

"What are you even doing around Whitechapel so early?" Ryou asked, unsure why he chased down the conman originally. Most likely to vent off some frustration he had felt.

"Scoping out my next job. Interested in joining?"

Ryou let out a dry laugh. "Sorry. I gotta leave my life of crime behind me. So sorry to disappoint."

"You never got into a life of crime before, macushla." Bakura grinned, chuckling to himself. "The only criminal thing you did was fall for a stud like me."

"Yes and I learned my lesson." Ryou refused to stroke Bakura's ego. How he had been drawn to this problematic, arrogant bastard in the first place was a mystery to him still. One he might never solve.

"So I noticed. You seemed to have moved on to beautiful, foreign blonds." Bakura raised an eyebrow, watching Ryou with astute interest.

Ryou paused, the words clogging in his throat. He knew what Bakura implied, but any attempt to deny such affections seemed to catch, unable to pass through his lips. Maybe because he knew it would be a poor lie at best. And it seemed he had waited too long, because Bakura's smile only widened in his silence.

Still, Ryou didn't want to stand there like some side show for Bakura's amusement. He tore his gaze away, his voice bitter. "It doesn't matter. It's strictly business between us."

"But you want it to be more?"

Ryou sighed, a rueful look on his face. "Of course I do. But I'm not selfish enough to take advantage of him or risk his job. I'm not a thief like you – I don't just take what I want."

Bakura nodded, not denying the accusation. The smile dropped from his face as he glanced away. "You should try it sometime. You might be happier if you did."

Ryou snorted, reaching down to pick up his suitcase. "I'm happy enough for now. That's good enough for me. Anyway, I've wasted too much time talking to you. I need to get back to work."

"Hey, you're the one who chased me down," Bakura snapped back, refusing to be blamed for Ryou's impulsive decisions.

Ryou just smiled, walking away before he remembered something. "Avoid Osborn Street all the way out to Dorset Street for the next few weeks. We're trying to catch a killer and I don't need you mucking up my investigation."

"God, you're so demanding. Have fun pissing off a serial killer then. I have better things to do." Bakura complained to the sky, even as he walked away from Ryou. This made the detective grin. Perhaps he shouldn't have given that information to a potential suspect in the case, but Ryou was certain of Bakura's innocence and Pegasus's guilt. This was a trap designed around the killer's behavior and knowledge.

Ryou shook his head, not wanting to think too deeply on their conversation. He had done his good deed and warned Bakura off. If he got himself in trouble after this, it would be on him and not Ryou. And what Bakura said about Malik… Ryou closed his eyes. This was work. He wouldn't let his thoughts stray from his job. Kaiba already suspected that he was distracted and Ryou refused to confirm those suspicions.

He stepped away from the darkness, letting the morning sun greet him. He had a lot of work to get ready for tonight.


Ryou frowned at the collection sitting atop his bureau. He had done some reading and eaten lunch before finally heading back to his bedroom. He knew the dress would fit for tonight but he faced a new issue altogether as he stared at the mess of brown hair in front of him.

The wig didn't fit over his hair.

Ryou hadn't even thought of this being a problem. He had been confused when Mai asked if she wanted her to help him dye his hair. She had given him a strange look at his refusal but accepted it nonetheless. Now he understood where she had been coming from, anticipating that his long hair would be problematic in trying to fit a wig over it.

Ryou stared into the mirror in front of him, pulling and twisting his hair up in every which way imaginable. He attempted to braid it and pinned it at tightly to his scalp as possible, but the wig still looked lumpy and uneven. It was quite clear that it wasn't his hair he was wearing.

So Ryou scowled, frustrated at his options. There was no point in doing this unless it was convincing. He wasn't going to act like those officers who didn't bother shaving out on their nightly mission. Ryou intended to capture the serial killer, with no room for error. The wig didn't fit and he sure as hell wasn't going to dye his hair. Hair dye would make his hair look horrendous. He would rather cut it short than stain his beautiful hair.

Ryou sighed, a bitter note in his voice as he walked to his bathroom, grabbing a pair of scissors.

It was only as he had the metal shears in his hands that Ryou realized how much he liked his hair. Sure, people mistook his long locks and soft features as female, but he never felt that way. He always felt like himself in how he presented himself. It may only be hair, but his hand still trembled as he pulled his hair back into a ponytail. He raised the scissors up, his eyes locked with his reflection cast from the mirror atop his bureau.

He felt his hair pull free, the deed happening much quicker than he registered it. He pulled the thicket of hair in front of him, staring down at the ponytail now freed from the rest of his hairs. It was much easier to look at his hair than to look up the stranger in the mirror.

His eyes fluttered up, a strange sensation hitting him in his chest. His face looked so familiar and alien at the moment. He looked like himself, but he saw both his parents in his features. His father's nose. His mother's cheekbones. His father's eyes. His mother's lips.

Ryou didn't like to think about his past. He looked back down, his hair brushing his jawline. A smile grew on his face. He avoided being nostalgic whenever possible. It was easy to look back at his past fondly or bitterly. He had to remind himself that it was neither of those things - it just was.

Ryou was so lost in his own thoughts, he didn't hear Malik come in to his flat until he heard a knock. He snapped his head up, Malik standing in the doorframe. He had an odd look on his face. "Your hair..."

Ryou glanced down at the bound ponytail in his hand. He shrugged, not wanting to let on how insecure he felt about cutting his hair. He felt pathetic for being this sentimental. "It wouldn't fit under my wig. It'll grow back."

Malik nodded, walking over to stand by him. Ryou placed the ponytail on the bureau, not looking up. His breath caught when he felt Malik's fingers run through his short hair.

"Hand me the scissors. I'll help even it all out," Malik ordered, his eyes flicking up to catch Ryou's in the mirror before glancing away.

Ryou barely registered the words, distracted by the gentle fingers in his hair. It took him a moment before he grabbed by the scissors, offering them to Malik. He kept his face down, knowing that if he made eye contact with Malik right now, he would not be able to control the blush that threatened to burn across his cheeks.

The two stood there silently, small locks and chucks of white hair falling to the ground. Ryou struggled to keep his breathing normal, trying to relax under Malik's care. His earlier conversation with Bakura rang in his head and he refused to act rashly. As far as he knew, Malik didn't even see him that way.

"This is going to take some getting use to." Ryou blinked when he heard Malik speak, his words seemingly loud following the deafening silence. He blinked, watching as Malik turned him so that he could fix his sides. "The thought of you with short hair is so bizarre to me."

Ryou chuckled, trying to focus on the conversation and not how close Malik's fingers came to brushing at his jaw. "Well on the bright side, I likely won't be mistaken for a woman anymore. Not by my long hair at least."

"Don't worry. You were plenty masculine before." Malik winked, pulling the lengths of hair straight to make sure they were even.

Ryou licked his lips, Malik far too close for this to be safe. "I'm glad to hear that. I was wondering why you mistook me for a woman the first time we met."

Malik snorted, though Ryou could tell that he was blushing. Malik put the scissors down on the bureau behind Ryou, his hand still brushing through his white hair. "If it makes you feel better, I like you much better as a man than I would as a woman."

Ryou was about to make some remark, something flirty that likely would have gone over Malik's head. Everything was too warm, too close for the moment. He could feel Malik's eyes on him, the gap between them closing. Ryou's heart leapt in his throat, those beautiful, lilac eyes swimming before him. They were hypnotic and Ryou was under his spell.

"I like you as well," Ryou murmured, unable to tear his eyes away. They were only inches apart, Malik seemingly under the same spell as Ryou. Before he could register what he was doing, Ryou leaned forward, lips grazing against Malik's. It was only a second, but the moment they pulled away, Ryou's eyes snapped open. The dreamy sensation lost, alarm evident in Malik's eyes.

Ryou's stomach twisted.

He jerked back, away from Malik. He shouldn't have done that. He had crossed a line. He was… That was… stupid! "I-I'm so sorry. I shouldn't- I didn't mean-" Ryou felt his eyes burn, a sudden desire to cry wallowing up in him. What the hell had he been thinking? Ryou stepped back, closer to the dresser.

Before he could finish his apology, Malik rushed him. Ryou's yelp of surprise was lost as he was pushed against the dresser. Malik's lips smashed against his, desperate and needy. His hands twisted into Ryou's short hair, his kisses forceful. Ryou melted into the touch, his hand winding up to trace along Malik's jawline while the other rose up his chest.

Their lips burned and meshed together, their kisses sloppy. Ryou only pulled back long enough to breathe before lunging again, desperate to taste Malik. His hand slipped around to the back of Malik's neck, Ryou's eyes fluttering shut while his lips fought against Malik's.

They had been kissing for a few minutes before Ryou finally pulled back, his face burning. His eyes were locked with Malik's, hazy and lost. He could tell Malik felt just as flustered and overwhelmed as he did. "Uh…" Ryou whispered, feeling stupid for attempting some semblance of conversation.

Malik let out a breathy laugh, an almost giggly sound. Ryou raised an eyebrow, smiling when he saw a blush breaking through Malik's composed visage. "I.. uh, yeah… about that-"

Ryou chuckled, a bubbly sensation catching in his chest. He leaned forward, giving Malik a lingering kiss. He smiled and pulled back, enjoying the flustered look on Malik's face. "You're cute when you're bashful."

Malik blinked, snapping his head away. "That's not- I mean, how was I supposed to know-" He sighed, his irritation slipping away. He gave a tentative smile, still not meeting Ryou's eyes. "I've felt drawn to you, comfortable around you, but I didn't understand why. I wanted your attention and time and I didn't realize what it all meant until you-"

Malik cut himself off, as if admitting what just happened was taboo. In all fairness, it was probably all very new to him. He just confessed that much. Ryou felt embolden, reckless even. Perhaps it was all this pent-up sexual frustration. Perhaps it was walking on eggshells, afraid of the implications that might be drawn. Perhaps it was the constant thought that lingered that this could never be.

Ryou grinned, lunging for Malik. Their lips crashed together, Ryou pushing Malik back until the two of the tumbled down against his bed. Ryou pulled away, breathless as he looked down at Malik. The desperate look on his face, the clear lust in his eyes, went straight to Ryou's core. He lowered his head down, his nose brushing against Malik's.

"Do you want me?" he whispered softly, his lips brushing against Malik's.

Malik's eyes shifted from Ryou's eyes to his lips, breathing heavily. He raised a hand, gently brushing through his short white hair. Ryou leaned into the warm touch, a smile growing on his face. Perhaps he was pushing his luck, yes. He had pushed it the moment he accidentally leaned in for a kiss. It should have ended there.

But Malik had kept going.

Malik leaned up, his lips brushing against his jawbone. "I do." The words were whispered right into Ryou's ear, forcing him to bite back a groan. Ryou's free hand worked its way to Malik's shirt, undoing each button slowly, trailing downward to where Malik wanted him. Malik leaned in to kiss him again, his breath hitching. "I want you."

Ryou's eyes fluttered shut, the words sending a pleasant shiver down his spine. He smiled, sitting up and straddling Malik's waist. "Good. Because that first kiss, while not planned, is the best thing I've ever done." He finished the last button, pulling Malik's shirt open to graze his fingers up his torso and admired his bronze-sculpted body. Artists couldn't even imagine something as beautiful was Malik.

Malik sat up, looking less uncertain and more eager as he started to help Ryou out of his clothes. Ryou chuckled, running his hands through his golden hair. Malik's hands felt warm against his chest, the sensation tingling through his body. Ryou couldn't get enough – it had been far too long since he had been intimate, and his body seemed to suddenly remember the pleasure of physical connection, suddenly ravenous for Malik.

Ryou didn't think through his actions, impulse dictating his every action. He dragged the shirt away from Malik's torso, wanting to drag his fingers over every inch of his body. His hand only wandered down his golden hair to the base of his neck when he felt the edge of the scars. He pulled away from the kisses, his breathing ragged. He managed to rein himself in, suddenly nervous.

"… Is it alright if I- if you don't want me to-" Ryou asked in a rush, fumbling over his words. This was the problem with being aroused – it made cognition impossibly difficult.

Malik pressed his forehead against Ryou's, his eyes squeezed shut. He didn't speak, instead grabbing Ryou's hand to bring it towards his back. Ryou paused, his fingers resting against ragged skin. After a moment, he let his hand wander, exploring the new terrain with the same loving attention he had the chest before him.

Malik's reaction fascinated him. Ryou leaned back, watching Malik moan and squirm against the delicate touch. He noticed how he seemed to react more where undamaged skin would be found, Ryou lingering there as he traced along where the nerve endings would pick up his touch.

After a moment, Malik reached up, finally tearing off Ryou's shirt so that they both sat shirtless on the bed. Ryou straddled Malik's lap, their chests pressing against each other, both enjoying the shared warmth. Their lips were only a breath apart, occasionally plucking at each other in soft, slow brushes. Their eyes grew lost and hazy in each other's gaze. Despite their pent-up sexual frustration, Ryou was amazed how even now, they seemed to hesitate, drawing out the moment.

Malik whined softly, his tongue diving into Ryou's mouth. He pulled away, a desperate note slipped into his voice; "Ryou, touch me."

The command sent his stomach fluttering with excitement, Ryou slipping his hands down Malik's chest. He could see his partner's erection pressed against his trousers, desperate for attention. Ryou didn't want to rush it though, taking his time tease at Malik's nipples, rubbing just below and circling them before finally pinching. He chuckled at the way they perked up, Malik arching into the touch. Little whines and gasps escaped, the red deepening in Malik's cheeks.

Ryou followed the golden happy trail down to the hem of his pants, eyes glancing up for permission. Malik seemed frustrated, reaching down to free himself of his pants. Ryou bit back a grin, amused how Malik seemed less aroused and more fed up at the gentle teasing. Despite any annoyance, he gasped when Ryou took hold of his throbbing cock.

Ryou began to slowly pump him, kneading the warm flesh. Malik leaned against him, whispering something in a language that Ryou didn't know, probably Arabic. Ryou leaned in, placing wet kisses along his jawline as he steadily picked up the pace. One hand continued to tease at his nipples while he pumped him with the other.

Ryou wanted to do so much more, his own erection straining as he touched Malik. Still, Ryou held back, enjoying the effect he could have on his partner by mere touch. He knew that this was likely Malik's first time with a male partner and figured he would break him in slowly. Besides, Ryou didn't have any form of lubrication on hand at the moment and Malik's cock felt too good in his hand to let go.

"Fuck- Ryou…" Malik finally sputtered out in English, his name a low moan. He leaned his head back as Ryou continued to kiss along his jawline. Ryou leaned into him, sucking and nibbling where his jaw met his neck.

"Shit!" Malik swore, his breathing becoming erratic. Ryou twisted his hand slightly as he pumped Malik, enjoying the strangled delighted cry that escaped. He could tell Malik was close, the sight of him unraveling causing Ryou to grow harder. He swirled his thumb along the head, smearing pre-cum as he teased him further.

Ryou let his other hand dip down, cupping Malik's balls. This became his undoing, Malik growing louder, unrestrained, until he arched under Ryou. He glanced down, watching as Malik's cock twitched and spurts of semen splattered on his stomach. Malik fell back down on the bed, Ryou straddling his partner as he admired his handiwork. He lifted his hand, licking off dollops of cum that remained.

He felt Malik's lavender eyes burning on him as he struggled to catch his breath. Ryou smiled, thinking how he could get used to this sight. Malik smiled, still a little breathless. "Fucking hell, Ryou. I didn't expect to be seduced today."

Ryou chuckled. He tried to ignore his erection in his pants, which throbbed from Malik's orgasmic moans a few moments earlier. "All in a day's work for a detective."

Malik snorted, a smirk growing on his face. Ryou didn't have time to think as Malik rolled them over so that he hovered over him. Ryou knew that his cheeks burned with lust, but there was something about Malik smiling down at him, a wicked gleam in his eyes, that made him feel rather coy. He whined, arching into Malik's warm hands as they wandered slowly around his pale chest.

"I believe I should return the favor. That seems the polite thing to do." Malik remarked calmly, as if commenting on the weather. Ryou tried to think of some witty or snarky retort, but choked on his words when fingers pinched at his nipples.

Ryou swallowed, turning his face away to press against the sheets, his face burning. "How thoughtful of you. I never knew you were so generous and well-mannered."

"There's a lot you don't know about me," Malik murmured. Ryou glanced down to watch Malik kiss his chest. His expression was so soft and affectionate that Ryou tore away, unable to bear the look in those lavender eyes. Before he could linger on those thoughts, he felt Malik tug his pants away, a hiss escaping his lips when his erection hit the cold air.

Despite his own bashfulness, Ryou looked up, craning his head to watch Malik. The one nice thing about being attracted to guys was that they knew what guys liked. So Ryou expected Malik to return the hand job, eager to feel his warm hands on his throbbing need. He didn't expect the warm, wet tongue swirling against the head of his cock.

Ryou tilted his head back, a scream slipping through. He slapped a hand over his mouth, a rush of embarrassment flooding him. Before he could apologize, Malik lowered his mouth over the head of Ryou's erections, slowly bobbing down as he got used to the gesture. The warm, soft suction around his member was exquisite, Ryou struggling to keep his voice down and failing miserably.

"Aaah! Ahh, fuck! Mali- ahh!" Ryou moaned, voice trembling before his volume grew again. Malik hummed lightly, almost thoughtfully. The vibrations down his erection left Ryou struggling to remember how to speak. Over time, Malik continued to bob a little faster and a little lower, taking a bit more of his length into his mouth. Ryou could feel him brush against the back of his throat, his heart racing at the glorious heat and suction that blinded him otherwise.

Ryou twisted his fingers into the blonde, gossamer locks between his legs, his hips having a mind of their own. Malik sped up, his golden hair flashing in the sunlight while his hand pumped wherever his mouth couldn't reach. His hips jerked, fast and shallow, Ryou's eyes squeezed shut. He knew he wouldn't last longer and yet he didn't want it to end.

He looked back down, noticing Malik's eyes gazing on him as he took his cock. The stare hypnotized him, drawing him in. Ryou couldn't think of anyone or anything more beautiful than the sight of Malik between his legs.

He felt his breath catch in his throat, everything coiling down to his core. "Malik! Ah-ahh- I'm going to- ahh!-" Ryou wailed wordlessly, his orgasm approaching too quickly. Ryou tried to warn him before he came, some part of him still remembering that he probably shouldn't choke his partner, but his mind too far gone to think of the details on how to relay that.

Malik seemed to have sensed Ryou reaching his peak, pulling back enough as Ryou poured into his mouth. Ryou blinked, constellations dancing across his sight as he came back down, his body relaxing and sinking into the bed. He felt boneless, breathless, and elated, watching Malik silently sit up, wiping his chin. Seeing Malik swallow sent another shiver down his spine.

Ryou, in his post-orgasmic bliss, sat up, pulling Malik in for a close hug. He wasn't sure how Malik would respond, but Malik submitted himself to the embrace, the two falling down onto the bed. Ryou pulled him to his chest, both of them laying on their side facing each other. His eyes flitted down, one arm wrapped around Malik's waist while the other drew mindlessly across the bronze chest before him.

Malik started to shift away, as if to make to leave. Ryou suddenly pulled him in tighter, scowling. "Stay."

Malik paused, giving Ryou an odd look. "But… don't you have to get ready for tonight?"

"We've a got few more hours. Let's take a nap."

Strange how Ryou felt more bashful about asking Malik to stay and cuddle with him than he was about engaging with him sexually. Perhaps because intimacy was deeper, more connective, than fucking. And he didn't know how Malik saw all of this. But Ryou knew what he wanted and he just hoped that Malik was on the same page.

A smile grew on his face when Malik tightened his grip, pulling Ryou to his chest. Ryou nuzzled into him, enjoying the scent of his skin and sweat. At the last minute, Ryou snagged a blanket to throw over them to ward off the chilly air. He didn't know if this would last – these sort of things rarely did. But Ryou didn't have time to worry about it, sinking into a comfortable sleep in Malik's arms.