dragonlady222-You believe correct, but as for your hopes...

BakurasGodess-Its okay to enjoy winter break. I have exams (my other three, I don't really know why I had to take three before break and three after) and I'm planing on taking a little break when they're done. I'll miss seing your stories in the Yu-Gi-Oh section

jouney maker-He wont have to tell Ryou.

Pharaoh Felicia-CAN you shoot a chapter with a bebe gun? I don't think it's possible. I mean, you could shoot your computer but the chapter would sill be there, right?

Anonymous- :D

ahilty-It is creepy.

Chapter 19

"Come on in" Ryou smiled and entered the house. He was certainly a lot bigger than I'd expected him to be, given how far along he said he was. He told me he thought he was having twins, but the doctor was telling him there was only one baby in there. Go figure.

Just as I closed the door the doorbell rang again. When I opened it it was Malik-in his wheelchair-with Ishizu. "Hey, Yugi"

"Hi. Glad you could make it" Malik was positively beaming. Like Ryou, he was also in and out of the doctor's office non-stop and was apparently recovering faster than expected. We'd been told only a week ago that he wasn't well enough to leave the house yet, but there he was

"It's nice to have you and Ryou here together at the same time again" I said, taking the wheelchair handles from his older sister. I nodded to her "Thanks for bringing him" She nodded back and I wheeled Malik into the living room with everyone else.

"Malik! I haven't seen you in weeks! How ya doin'"

"You're still in a wheelcha-OW!" that sounded like Anzu stepping on Tristan's foot

"It's great that you're recovering so quickly. You'll be allowed to walk on your own soon, wont you?"

Just shower him with attention guys…

Though it was great how he was recovering, yet… suspicious. I think Marik might be working a little healing magic with that rod, but that's just me.

When I came back with snacks and the first movie most of the excitement over Malik had dimmed down. Now the hot topic was the fact that Ryou had finally admitted to everyone that Malik was the father, while Malik quickly explained that it was their yamis' fault.

Joey and Anzu were doing some 'I knew it' thing while Duke was clenching and unclenching his fist as Malik said he'd finally agreed to be there for Ryou and the kid, but he felt guilty about leaving for the first half of Ryou's pregnancy.

I turned the movie on and brought the subject back to Malik "So when do you get to walk on your own again?"

Malik grinned "The doctor said at the rate I'm recovering I should be back on my feet again in about a month. Not walking a lot, and definitely not running, but I'll be allowed out of my wheelchair at least" he laughed a little "So I might actually get to go to school for the last week and take exams. That way I won't be stuck in summer courses!"

"You already made up for all the classes you missed in the hospital?"

"Almost" Malik admitted "The tutor Ishizu got for me is really serious. I think he's an old cram school teacher. He only leaves me alone when we have visitors"

"Bummer" was all Joey could say "If I were you I would have taken that accident as my chance to play stupid and get out of school"

"You wouldn't have to play" Ryou said dryly, surprising all of us. Hadn't he been cheerful a second ago? Must be mood swings.

Ryou turned to me "Can I… talk to you alone, Yugi?"

I nodded and led him to my room. Just outside, he took the ring off and set it down in the hall before coming in and locking the door behind him. A split second later he turned to me with tears in his eyes "I'm sorry! I know that was really rude of me back there, but I can't help it!"

"Uh… its okay" Yami appeared next to me "I understand. Mood swings, right?"

Ryou shook his head "Its Bakura. He's been acting really weird lately" Ryou sat down on my bed. He looked like he was pouting. I could see why Duke had a thing for him. If I were into guys seeing him right then would have turned me on "I don't know why. But the past few weeks he's just been so rude. Rude or clingy. And he called me clingy a while back! How could I be clingy compared to how he's acting now?"

"I'm sure it's just a faze" Yami said

"No it isn't!" Ryou whined "He'll never stop it! I think… I think he likes me… I mean, like likes me! Because… because he's been like this ever since Malik and I kissed!"

"Wait… rewind a sec. When did you kiss?"

Ryou sniffed and wiped a few tears away "Two weeks ago. I went to see him… and while we were all in his room I asked Bakura to get us some snacks, but while Bakura was gone Malik suddenly kissed me… and… and I… I kissed him back. I was planning on telling Bakura about it when we got home. I didn't want to seem like a dork while we were visiting Malik. But he must have seen it. As soon as we got back he stormed of and wouldn't talk to me. Then a few days later he wouldn't leave me alone. And on top of that he's really down on Malik. He used to tell me that he thought Malik was wrong to not even talk to me anymore and that he'd better stop acting that way, but now he's telling me I'm stupid for being friends with Malik, and that he'll just leave me again"

"Ryou I'm…" oh my god "So sorry ohmygodohmygodohmygod

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SnowCreek: I'm stopping there because I can. It's about 66 percent of my preferred chapter length but who cares. All of you readers, maybe, but not me.

AGH! 19 chapters in and Ryou's only nearing his 25th week! How could I be going so slowly?