Title: Question and Answer
Fandom: Yu-Gi-Oh!
Characters: Yami no Malik, Ryou Bakura
Prompt: #77 What?
Word Count: 1,060
Chapter: 7/100
Rating: PG
Summary: Mariku has questions. He wants some answers. Maybe Ryou can help him?
Author's Notes: Warnings: questions of life, HP quote, hints of Shonen-Ai if you squint, Yami no Malik will be referred to as "Mariku" here.

A series of short ones are about to be posted, until I'm finished with the two big ones and the gigantic one. You may anticipate those ^^

He didn't know how he got in. He didn't know what he was doing there. He didn't know what he wanted. Ryou tilted his head questioningly and stared at the sight before him. On his living room couch a dark spirit was lounging, relaxed. As Ryou approached, the other lazily opened a lavender eye. Silence descended upon them, until the dark spirit decided to break it with a question.

"What is life?"

Ryou was taken aback. Whatever reason Mariku had for being there, in his appartement, in his living room, on his couch, he couldn't figure out. The question added to his confusion. What did the other want? The pale light decided to humour him for now. After all, he had heard the stories. They said Mariku was dangerous. Heck, even Malik had warned him to watch out for the dark. He had to tread carefully.

"Life is being. Existing."

Mariku snorted. "What is existing worth for? Some existence is pitiful. Pathetic. Miserable."

Ryou frowned, crossing his arms across his chest. "Existence can be. Life can be more."

"What do you mean?" Now Mariku looked confused. Still defensive, but also intrigued.

"Life is worth living, if you live your life."

How cryptic. Another snort as Mariku rolled his eyes. "That's bullshit." A pause, a thoughtful frown marring the tanned face. "What does 'living your life' mean?"

Ryou took a deep breath. Wherever this was leading, it seemed important to the other. He took a moment to gather himself, thinking about what life meant to him. "Life can be so much. If you live it, it's emotions, memories, moments. Relations, friends, family. How you live your life defines you and to some extent the people close to you."

The frown deepened. "But what do you need friends for? Or family? It is nothing but dependence on others."

"It's more than that." A soft smile lighted Ryou's face. "Friends and family... they're support, security, understanding. They love you, support you when you're life is rough and protect you from harm to the best of their abilities. They heal your wounds, physical or mental, they shelter you, they love you. They're just there for you."

Mariku seemed to ponder this. For a while, they stayed quiet, Ryou eying the other cautiously. Something was different about him, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He hadn't seen him since the darks all gained their own bodies. That had been the first time they had met, actually, and they hadn't really talked to each other then. Ryou realized he barely knew anything about the Egyptian at all. He didn't even know who gave him the name 'Mariku'...

"Then what is death? What is there to be afraid of?" the dark spirit interrupted Ryou's musing, who had to shake his head clean.

"Death is but the next great adventure," he answered in a grave voice, before chuckling. "Basically, death is an unknown. It's the fear of loosing what defines your life that makes people afraid of death. No one truly knows what's on the other side. There are different religious beliefs of course, but nothing can be proven."

The dark shot the light a look, as if wondering about his sincerity. Ryou sighed, shaking his head. They locked eyes for a moment quietly, before Mariku turned to look away. The pale youth quirked an eyebrow. He didn't know what to think of it. But he had a feeling it had something to do with what was wrong with Mariku. Ryou sighed and looked away, too, reaching up to put a strand of hair behind his left ear.

"These are just my answers. Everyone probably would answer differently to those questions. Many have tried to find the ultimate answer, but in the end, it's up to each individual to find their own, an answer that satisfies them." Ryou paused, glancing at the other thoughtfully. "Why are you asking me this, Mariku?"

The other shivered at the use of his name, sitting up from his reclined position and staring at the youth. He seemed to ponder his options, before lowering his gaze. Ryou blinked and tilted his head again. When the dark spoke, it was so low that the light had to strain to hear the words.

"What am I?" And finally, Ryou understood. Like puzzle pieces falling together, he realized what the other was after. Realized what was wrong. He shortly wondered if the dark had asked Malik already, before turning to more important matters with an understanding smile.

"You're asking the wrong question." At this, Mariku looked up again, slightly confused. He stared at Ryou expectantly. "The question you need to ask is 'Who am I?' It's a question everyone asks themselves at one point of their lives."

Mariku nodded slowly in dawning realisation. He didn't quite seem to grasp the difference between the two questions yet, but it was a start. Ryou thought quickly. He was intrigued by what was presented to him. And he wanted to help. He knew that sometimes, he was too nice for his own good. But somehow, that moment didn't seem to be one of those. With that, it was decided.

"How about you stay here until you figure that out? You could move into the guest room," Ryou kindly offered, getting a disbelieving look from the other. He just smiled sincerely in return, after all, he meant the dark no harm. "It wouldn't be any trouble at all. The appartement is too big for one person anyway. You could move out whenever you wanted, too." Ryou paused, giving the other a reassuring look. "You don't have to decide immediately. Think about it."

With that, he turned around to head into the kitchen. He was quite hungry, and the grocery had to be put away still. He had visited the grocery store right after school, and then he had left all things in the entrance at his surprise to find the other there. After that, he had homework that needed to be done yet... Before he had reached the living room door though, a low voice stopped him in his step.

"Ryou." He turned slightly, glancing back at the other over his shoulder. A short pause, followed by an accepting nod. Ryou smiled brilliantly. Little did he know that this one decision was about to change his whole life.

R&R!