Disclaimer: I do not own Ryou, Yugi, Gramps or Yami.
Warnings: None
Author note: Written to the song Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls. See end for further notes.
"Ryou! Ryou, come on already!" A joyous laugh filled the air as a hand slipped into his, pulling him towards the lawn. "You promised, you promised! Remember?"
"Of course." He smiled. Of course, he remembered. The white-haired teen let the shorter pull him down his steps and into the snow. It was magnificent out. The sky was grey but the flakes in the air were a perfect white fluff. The trees were bear with ice coating them, snow on top, giving an almost unrealistic beauty.
The younger looked at him, his smile bright, flakes in his golden bangs. Ryou watched as he laughed further, bending down to make a ball. "Make a snowman with me, Ryou! Like old times!"
The older nodded. Just like old times. Back when they were young. When they were carefree. When they had each other.
He remembered those days perfectly, as if they were yesterday. The water gun fights, building sand castles at the beach, tanning on the lawn with regrettable consequences and a gallon of Aloe.
He remembered the long nights where they watched movies, snuggled under the same blanket, played games and laughed, keeping his grandfather awake for far too long. The study sessions that never had any studying, playing checkers and computer games instead.
And the tears. He remembered the tears. How the other's eyes reddened, his nose following. He remembered how it felt to have them soak through his shirt as he held the other tight and ran a hand through his hair, whispering sweet nothings.
But most of all, he remembered when he realized. He remembered the exact moment he fell in love.
It was snowing that day too. The younger was making a snow angel and Ryou helped him stand so he wouldn't disfigure it. He remembered how surprisingly warm the other's hands were in his, how his amethyst eyes sparkled with laughter.
Then he met him. The tall, mysterious young man who stole him with a single glance.
He remembered that too. How Yugi looked up at the other, how his eyes sparkled with love and adoration, how he shed his tears on the other's chest instead of Ryou's.
He often wondered where he went wrong. Wondered why the other wanted him. Anger. He had been angry then. But now?
He looked at the younger longingly, the base of their snowman done. Now he just missed him.
Yugi never had time. Ryou understood that. But it still hurt all the same.
They no longer watched movies all night long, cuddled under the same blanket. Now that honor was with Yami. They no longer build sand castles at the beach. Instead Ryou watched as he played in the water with the older of the three.
"Ryou?" He looked down at the other surprised. "Are you… are you crying?" Yugi walked over to the other, reaching the unnaturally warm hand out, wiping a tear in shock. "Ryou-"
The other stopped, eyes wide and confused as Ryou stepped closer. He pressed a hand to the other's reddened cheek, leaning down and letting their lips brush.
Laughter was heard nearby and he pulled back, stepping away from the younger.
"R-Ryou-"
"Yugi?" said teen spun, his eyes locking with Yami. He looked back to the white-haired teen.
"R-Ryou-"
"I know." His voice was gentle. "Go." He nudged the younger. Yugi stumbled slightly, eyes still locked with brown before turning and walking towards the mysterious man, leaving their half-finished snowman behind.
Ryou watched as Yugi linked his fingers with Yami, the taller bending to share a sweet kiss before tossing an arm around slim shoulders, walking away.
Yugi glanced back one last time over his shoulders, his emotional eyes locking with Ryou.
Ryou smiled to himself, his heart a flutter. A part of him knew it would end this way. That Yugi would leave him behind. But that didn't change the facts. It didn't change the fact that his lips pushed back.
Author's Note: Written by DanoR1392.
As mentioned above, I wrote this drabble to the song Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls.
I Always wanted to do a unrequited love story and this just seemed to fit. I know it's short, but I feel it gets the job done just fine. This is indeed a drabble and not meant to be a full sized one shot or a separate story. It also does not come from a previous story. This stands alone. Much like Ryou…. Low blow, sorry :D