So guys, chances are there will be a few inconsistencies from here on out because its turning into a huge plot filled multi-chapter fic! Woohoo! I originally just planned for a oneshot so some of the details will be altered from in the first chapter, so please, no one complain about them? I've got piles and piles of HW and I can't fact check, spell check, and grammar check without trying to shoot myself in the foot. :P Thanks to everyone who reviewed! Reviews are the only reason I update anything so thanks bunches! Love you guys! *hands out virtual cookies an yaoi.

Ryou's POV

"Do you really think that's any of your business Bakura?" Melvin demanded, his voice still possessing all the qualities of the growl, deep and rumbling, frustrated and rough, with perhaps an edge of… was it? Could that be protectiveness that Ryou heard? Even if it was only a slight, indeed a miniscule chance that it was, it caused a rush of blood to Ryou's cheeks.

Ryou might possibly a tiny little bit have a microscopic, infinitesimal, teensy weensy soft spot for the tall, strong, tanned, downright sexy Egyptian man, not that he'd ever admit it. "I mean really. That was downright underhanded." Melvin ground out the words, he moved to stand, was it- yes, it was! He was standing protectively in front of Ryou, making his heart skip and gave his knees the consistency of warm custard. Okay. It was a bit more than 'a microscopic, infinitesimal, teensy weensy soft spot' for him. Perhaps it was a full blown massive crush on the poor man and perchance he had been resisting on acting on it for approximately two years four days and- Ryou checked his watch- twenty-six minutes. But he wasn't keeping track or anything. Really. He just… Liked things organized. Yes.

"Melvin. You're being outrageous again. He was just teasing Ryou! You do that to me all the time!" Marik defended, growing angry and patronising. "You need to lighten up. You're a massive black hole that just sucks happiness." Marik said pointedly, like he knew it was a weak spot and I felt my small temper flare.

"You can't talk to him like that!" I said, striding around Melvin and glaring at Marik. "You have no right! Melvin can be loads of fun! Not like you would know, you just spend all your time drooling over Bakura and following him around like a lost puppy! Why don't you just grow a pair and be yourself, huh?" I was nearly screaming by the end of my speech. And I wasn't finished yet. "Both of you- You both look down on us, like your better or something! Well you bloody well aren't! We every bit as good and as human as you two, and maybe if you just swallowed your pride and stopped being such pretentious assholes you would know that!" I whipped around, ready to run away, tears stinging in the corners of my eyes when I collided with a warm body. I instinctively curled into it, starting to sob, clutching his shirt tightly.

I felt him stiffen and I sensed his eyes on me. He seemed desperate to help, judging by the fluttering hands above my shoulder blades, but was at a loss of how to. I clung to him, burying my face in his warm chest, just needing him close, anyone close. Someone to tell me I wasn't a horrible person; that they deserved the verbal lashing, but I knew I had been too harsh, too biting, too mean.

I looked up at him, tears clouding my eyesight and I shook my head. "Ryou. Stop crying… You look weird when you cry… your eyes get all red puffy, and your lip gets all wobbly. And there's stuff spilling out of your nose…" This should have hurt my feelings, but it just made me laugh and smile at him, blushing. I wiped my tears away. "Good. But you're still puffy."

"I know. I can't see too well…" My voice cracked at the end. I wiped my nose and cleared my throat. "Okay… I'm much better now." I declared, beaming up at him. Melvin smirked down at me.

"Good. You look stupid and weak when you cry." I nodded, and then grinned at him.

"Yeah, well you-"

"Not a good idea to insult me Ryou." His voice was hard again, his arms back at his sides instead of ghosting my shoulder blades and I felt a bit colder but I nodded slowly.

"Right. Nearly forgot." I said, taking a step back and turning to look at the damage I had done to the other two. Bakura was grinning and Marik looked angry as hell.

"When did you grow a backbone?" Bakura asked, his tone making him sound slightly impressed. Marik glared at him and slowly stood.

"You know Ryou; you're a bit of an ass." He said, standing tall and proud. "I bet that innocent thing you have going on is just an act! I bet you expect Melvin to fall head over heels for you as soon as you whip out some biting words! 'Ooh! Ryou's all tough and sexy now, I think I'll go fall in love with him and do him senseless!' That's not how it works Ryou!"

Melvin was in Marik's face before the words sank in. "You bet that's not how it works Binky Boy. I don't fall in love. I don't feel emotions other than hatred and anger! I would sooner murder everyone here then feel a glimmer of affection for anyone!" his words ended in a ferocious growl, eyes flaming with the aforementioned emotions of hatred and loathing.

My heart shrank and convulsed. It cried out in pain. Just as we were making progress… -" Marik, why do you ruin everything?" Ryou hadn't realised he had spoken aloud until he saw Marik's face crumpled slightly. "Wait Marik… I didn't mean…"

"Oh we all know you meant it. I think I know whose sock drawer I'm rearranging next." Marik said, his pain coming through his words more than the fierceness of his attempted threat as he stood, turned and marched out of the room.

I winced. "I didn't mean… I'm sorry. I-" The slamming of Marik's door cut him off.

Bakura sighed, an expert on dealing with Marik Rage (similar to that of the Brooklyn verity just with fewer flames and creepy chins). "Let him cool off. Then give him something that he wants." Not really particularly interested in my plight, I could tell. He likely didn't wanting Marik in a mood for the next month or so.

I nod slowly, it made sense for Marik. He liked to be listened to. "Do you know anything he wants right now?"

"No." He stood. "I'm going to go, talk to him. "

I smiled. "Thanks Bakura! You know how much I hate people being mad at me…" I rubbed the back of my head.

"I'm not going to talk to him for your benefit." He assured, turning around and heading to the no doubt newly broken door, knocking on it and pleading quietly with Marik.

Melvin was still sulking on the edge of the couch where he had sat down when Marik left. He stared at his laced fingers like he was trying to memorize their every wrinkle.

"You okay?" I asked him cautiously, worried he would flip out.

Luckily he just ignored me. Maybe that wasn't actually the best thing. In fact, it was probably a really bad thing. I walked over to him slowly. "Melvin..?" I reached for his shoulder hesitantly. He smacked it from the air, not even looking at it.

"Stay away from me." His voice held no trace of emotion and that hurt ten times more than the actual words did.

I had to try and get back to where we were. He was one of my better friends and I definitely didn't want to lose him like this. I wouldnt loose him like this.

So its a bit longer than the last one... *looks guitly* It took a lot longer than the last one... I love you guys? *wince*

Thanks for all the amazing reviews! You guys rock! 3