A/N: A cute chapter, full of fluffy romance for everyone! Ah, I love editing these chapters now that they're together, makes me smile because who doesn't like romance? This update was a bit slower because I've been super distracted with my own life...but hopefully this is worth at least half the wait!
Disclaimer: Not Mine!
"Are you going to invite him?" Miho hissed to Ryou who was eyeing Marik nervously who in turn pretended not to notice. It was one of the wonderful things about Marik that Anzu liked; he never got into your business and he didn't make you uncomfortable if he didn't think it was his problem.
Of course the second it was his problem it was a completely different story but still...
"You're chickening out aren't you?" Anzu stated more than questioned with a marked sigh as Ryou looked miserable again. This was exactly the way he was before she 'convinced' them to talk about their feelings. He simply had zero self confidence.
"What if he says no? We really haven't been dating that long and he's kept it so quiet, how do I know" –Anzu pressed a hand to his mouth, cutting him off.
"Shush, Bakura, you know he'll say yes. Just because you guys haven't actually been dating that long, he liked you for longer. But if you want me to do it, I will," She repeated her offer from earlier, squaring her shoulders boldly.
He hesitated, biting his lip as he looked down, then nodded slowly. Miho scoffed slightly at his fear which didn't help the situation at all but Anzu felt badly for him. Really he looked like a poor lost puppy...moving across the room she approached Marik.
She wasn't actually so certain he would say yes to her after all he wasn't the most sociable person.
"Hey Marik," She greeted and he turned, giving her a suspicious look as his eyes flickered to look at Ryou and Miho who were watching her. It was impossible for her to tell how much he had listened in on or cared enough to pick up.
"I just wanted to" –
"I have a question!" A voice behind her blurted and she shut her mouth, stepping back as Ryou stumbled forward, face blanched with nervousness. Sometimes she couldn't believe he was a dancer with how much he shook over his nerves but there was also enough jealousy on his features right now to combat it.
Clearly someone didn't like the idea of anyone else asking out his boyfriend.
"Yes, Ryou?" Marik questioned in a mock serious voice, folding his arms impassively though a rueful smile danced around his lips despite his best efforts. She noticed that he simply couldn't hold up a front against 'Ryou' as he called him though he was offering him no easy way out in this scenario.
"Um...you probably already heard about this...but Yuugi's inviting a bunch of friends up to the beach for the weekend a-and I wondered if maybe..." He trailed off, swallowing hard as that lavender gaze bore into him, one blond eyebrow raising against tan skin.
"If maybe...?" He prompted and Ryou shuddered once, taking a deep breath as Marik seemed to draw all the confidence and effort out of him, milk chocolate eyes slightly lidded.
It was a very personal exchange to watch, Anzu felt almost a little disturbed, like she was intruding, but she couldn't tear her eyes away and a quick side glance confirmed that Miho couldn't either, both watching the couple with wide hopeful eyes.
Marik was the ring leader and Ryou was his timid kitten of a lion, tripping over his feet with eagerness as he followed his pleased master.
"Would you want to come...with me...?" He finally managed to squeak out as though his throat was constricting and Anzu knew the feeling well. She wasn't sure if she should ask after school or the next day or wait for Yuugi to invite him first when it came to Yami, they'd never even been on a real date and she was a bundle of nerves.
The difference between her and Ryou was that Marik was much harder to read then Yami though not more imposing and Ryou was far cuter then she could ever pull off. Such a sweetheart could break a heart of stone; perhaps the very reason Marik clearly coveted his romantic attention so much.
It made you want to laugh like you would at a little kid but at the same time he seemed so proud of his effort that you couldn't.
"You want me to come with you?" Marik asked in conformation, almost teasingly as Ryou flushed before nodding quickly. At least he wasn't near as awkward as he had been at first. Their first date had been painful, the second surprisingly smoother, the third thoroughly enjoyable.
He lost track after that, just enjoying the other boy's presence in many ways that he couldn't quite explain.
"Are you talking like...as a boyfriend or just as a friend?" He questioned casually, leaning against the high ballet bar, drumming his fingers in a suspiciously flirtatious manner as he propped up his chin with the other thoughtfully. Now Anzu really felt really awkward being there.
Marik? Flirty? With Bakura? This situation was just...strange to behold, in more ways than one.
"B-boyfriend, you know you're more than a friend to me," Ryou replied with more confidence, knowing his own feelings on the matter like the inside of his eyelids.
"Good," Marik suddenly agreed.
"You'll come?" He replied, slightly astonished.
"You really thought I'd turn you down?" Marik questioned a strange look on his face and Ryou just shrugged sheepishly.
"A little, yah," He admitted and the blond scoffed, rolling his eyes.
"Come on pretty boy," He said, grabbing his hand to pull him closer and press a kiss to his cheek sweetly before walking towards the change room casually, the less take-charge of the couple bobbing along behind him happily.
Now all that remained was for her to follow his lead and ask Yami...if he could do it why couldn't she?
Right, no pressure.
...
"Did you figure out how you're going to ask him yet?" Miho pestered and groaned aloud, pressing the heels of her palms to her forehead.
"No," She grumbled, messing up her own hair with frustration. "I almost did it yesterday after tutoring but the words just get stuck in my throat...I mean what if he says no? He should say no, he's still my teacher, it would be inappropriate, but I want him to say yes!" Miho gave her 'a look'.
"Anzu-chan," She said in her sharpest tone, slightly negated by the way she put on hand on her hip in a motherly pose. "We went through this yesterday. You have to ask him; if he says no Yuugi will invite him to make sure he didn't say no just because it was you, but you have to ask before he does or we'll never know! Aren't you the one who kept saying you wanted him to be more like a boyfriend?" She demanded and Anzu sighed, gritting her teeth.
"You're right Miho," She said with renewed determination. "I'm sick of this situation, I'll just walk up and ask him and that'll be that!"
"Go for it, everyone's leaving anyways!" Her friend encouraged excitedly, quickly grabbing her bag and hurrying out the door, ushering several surprised lingerers along with her. Glancing at the clock, her fear returning, Anzu knew she only had about five minutes privacy to ask him.
Walking over to the desk where he was working, obviously assuming everyone was gone as he packed up his stuff for the next class to come in she interrupted him, putting one hand on his. His head jerked up in surprise, crimson eyes wary until he saw who it was.
Glancing around once as though to make sure the cost was clear he leaned closer across the teacher's high desk, fingers snaking around her wrist possessively as he murmured flirtatiously, "What're you still doing here?"
"I-I know I should be going to class," She stammered nervously, feelings jumbled up inside. What if he said yes? What if he said no? She wasn't sure she could handle that. But she had to ask, or she'd never know and she'd always wonder.
"I wanted to ask if...well Yuugi's cottage thing...do you want to come?" She blurted and groaned internally. Not only was she certain she was blushing she was also sure her voice squeaked just like Bakura's had. Unfortunately it wasn't nearly as cute when she did it.
"With you?" He asked, sounding curious and she nodded quickly though she kept her mouth shut. Chuckling quietly he lifted her chin in his usual way that told her he was seriously considering kissing her.
She drew a quick breath as he pulled her hair back behind her ear, conveniently brushing his hand against her face slowly.
"Of course," He said softly, a romantic glow to his smile as he observed her. Leaning across the desk on one elbow he made to kiss her but she pulled back, a shocked look on her face.
"R-really? No, 'I'm your teacher' argument? You'll really come? With me?" He pulled back, an adorable pout on his face, now leaning on both elbows as he faced her. Stretched out like that they were nearly the same height.
"I can't believe you have so little faith in me," He said in a disgruntled tone, a small frown on his face in addition to the pout of his lips. "I'm sick of just being your teacher, a weekend away sounds nice to me. Besides, I haven't had a chance to take you on a date yet," He said with a mischievous smirk that made her smile obviously as relief flooded her.
"I just started looking forward to it a whole lot more," She replied coyly and he laughed quietly in a way that made her shiver slightly.
"Now, I think you owe me a kiss to make up for your lack of faith," He growled in an undertone, leaning closer again as he held out both palms face up for her to grab playfully, his elbows still planted firmly on the desk.
"Yami, this isn't really the time or place," She whispered back with a giggle as he pushed forward anyways.
"I don't care," He mumbled impatiently and she rolled her eyes which were flashing happily at him before giving a small nod.
"Fine, just one," She agreed, and held up a finger to his lips before he could make good of his plans. "Just one," She reminded him and now it was his turn to roll his eyes. Grabbing her hand away he looked at her in a teasingly hungry way.
"You think I would do otherwise?" He asked innocently, not allowing her to respond as he kissed her quickly, liking the way she giggled against his lips before pulling back again. For all her griping about wanting a 'real boyfriend' she didn't want him to get caught and fall into Masahashi-sensei's bad books either.
"One more," He begged, ruby eyes wide as he followed her around to the corner of the desk, shrinking the distance between them as he refused to release her hand despite her futile attempts to get away.
"Yami" –she started but cut herself off as he gave her his best pleading face.
"Just one more?" He asked pathetically and she hesitated long enough for his expression to turn wicked again, leaning in to steal another kiss and this time not releasing her right away and he sucked gingerly at the skin of her lips, drawing out the tender kiss.
He was incredibly tempted to deepen it but knew as he had to remind himself every time he kissed her, how inappropriate making out in a school with your student was. He gave a contented sigh against her lips, warm air swirling about her face with the scent of cinnamon before pressing his lips to hers again.
"Hey, you said just one," She complained teasingly as she forced herself to stop even as his lips recaptured hers.
"I think it's pretty clear that I lied," He said playfully between kisses before finally allowing her to escape from his needy embrace. She liked that he was needy though. It was those kisses that convinced her that he really did like her.
"See you after school?" He said with a sad sigh, fingers loosening a little from their grip on her hand.
"Always," She replied cheerfully, cheeks flushed the softest of pinks and a helpless smile on her beautiful face. Pulling her hand away she couldn't take the injured look on his face anymore so she cupped her hand against his smooth cheek, drawing herself closer.
"Just one," She whispered then kissed the pout of his lips, mouth parted slightly against his so that when she pulled back it was with a slight romantic noise. He smirked at her intentions.
"Right," Was all he said though, before giving her a small push towards the door. "Go on, get out of here, I'll see you later," He told her and she giggled, shooting him one last smile before all but skipping out of the room.
He was a jumble of warmth and happiness when he saw her like that because of something he had done for her. How could one person feel such things and not be in love? He couldn't help questioning his own feelings.
She had been important to him for so long, even when they were apart. Could it be love? He didn't want to jump to conclusions but it sure was tempting.
At the sound of the door swinging open he stood up straighter, running a hand through his hair wearily. Their relationship was far too fragile for love confessions right now. Looking over as he quickly grabbed his papers he was surprised to see Masahashi-sensei.
"Was that Mazaki-san?" He asked in a deep voice, stopping at the other end of the desk where he picked up the lap top he had left behind. Yami stiffened but knew that lying wouldn't help the situation.
"Yes," He said quietly, avoiding his sensei's gaze carefully. He had no doubt that if Anzu's friends were questioning their relationship that his sensei must have some doubts as well, none of which he wanted to feed. He also wasn't willing to lie to cover his own ass though.
As for her...he knew he would take any blame that came her way.
"You two are good friends then?" The more senior teacher probed casually and a cold shiver of fear went down his spine. Placing his papers gently back down on the desk he turned to his sensei, one fist clenched unconsciously over his work. So much work...
"What are you trying to ask, sensei?" He asked coldly, staring straight into the dark brown irises across from him. Masahashi-sensei sighed, dropping his arms to his side, lap top still in hand.
"Are you and Mazaki-san in a relationship?" He asked straight out and Yami's stomach dropped to his toes, a very unsettling sensation. There was no avoiding it now. Some of him didn't want to. Some of him wondered if there was anything he could have done to avoid it.
"I wouldn't call it a relationship," He murmured as respectfully as he could while still being truthful. They had never been on a date and they had never officially announced their relationship status to anyone. He had yet to lie.
The other man's glasses flashed in the light as he sighed with disappointment in his assistant.
"I guess I lose the bet," He said with another mournful sound leaving Yami to nearly lose his balance in shock.
"Nani? A bet?" He demanded, thoroughly confused as his sensei grinned.
"You didn't really think I was going to rat you out, did you Mutou-san? No TA is perfect and you're no exception. You have done very well this year, Mazaki-san's grades have risen considerably and she seems much more comfortable after working with you. I thought perhaps there was something romantic there to make you two so compatible but Jenrya-sensei insisted there wasn't. Guess I was wrong," Masahashi mused with annoyance.
"I never said there was nothing romantic," Yami quickly corrected, feeling slightly guilty though he struggled to keep his poker face. At the questioningly hopeful look he received he added, "We're not in an official relationship but there may be...some mutual romantic interest." The gleeful smile on his sensei's face said he did right.
"Today is my lucky day! I knew there was no way you could spend that much time together and not fall into the love trap. Happens to at least one TA every year, I tell you, you have made me fifty dollars richer!" He was practically dancing with happiness as Yami pressed a hand to his face in disbelief.
They bet fifty dollars?
Maybe they weren't as subtle as he thought...
A/N: Ah, poor Yami...hehe, I had too much fun writing that! ;)
Here's a preview for the next chapter:
"B-Becky, can you let go?" He asked gently, tapping her arm that was wrapped around his stomach and she pouted.
"But Yuugi she'll try and take advantage of you," She insisted, slowly retracting her arms as she glared first at Miho then at Anzu.
"Quite the protective fourteen year old, isn't she?" Anzu commented dryly.
Ah, Rebecca...so young, so annoying...so much fun to write since nobody likes her! Well, almost no one ;)