Life had so quickly gone from peace, and happiness, to fear and silence. Snow turned to rain, and the holiday season was washed away, the New Year had started off so well, surrounded by friends and dreams, but here he was now.
Ryou had learned quickly how to appease the demons he lived with. Malik was the one to watch out for the most. He liked flirting with him, touching and giving him all the wrong attention. He pinched him in places he didn't want to be pinched, causing him to squeak or glare at him. Only when Bakura wasn't looking. It seemed like both Bakura and Malik had a mutual respect, and fear for each other. Especially since that fight a couple of days ago. They couldn't decide on how to do a certain part of their plan, and got into an argument. Punches were thrown and by the end of it both were bruised...and other things that caused Ryou to blush and turn away. But at least they were both calm again, well until the next thing that set them off.
Akefia had kept quiet most of the time he had been around. Giving him an extra apple here and there or helping him reach objects without saying a word. He definitely seemed nicer than Bakura, far more...careful though, making sure not to cause any problems with anyone. Especially not Malik, who he avoided like the plague.
Bakura was...Bakura. He hadn't changed in the slightest. Scaring him in the hallway, forcing him to do whatever he wanted. Now that he had a body of his own that usually meant massages or making him food. He had taken up cleaning and doing other chores. It seemed to keep Bakura from harassing him too much anyway, something that was a huge relief.
He dared not to say anything unless he was spoken to, and even then it was rarely questions, just being asked to do things. Marik and him had a good friendship going on, and tried to speak to each other as much as possible to keep each other sane. Which was usually when they were on their own, which ended up being quite often. They had a lot of talking to catch up on, Marik told him about Malik, and he told him as much about Bakura as he could.
He woke up most mornings to a yell from Bakura. He had found sanctuary in a small laundry room in the back of the apartment that was being unused. He managed to smuggle some blankets in the last time he was left alone, and made quite a comfy bed for himself.
Though he had promised Bakura, he had tried to escape many times when left alone. There seemed to be a barrier of shadow-magic surrounding the apartment, so there was no chance of escaping even if he wanted to.
It was one of these mornings, quiet and rainy, that he opened his eyes lazily. There was no yell of his name, no sound was heard in the rest of the apartment, which caused his curiosity to rise.
Softly, he pushed himself up from the mound of blankets, sliding his clothes on carefully, before looking out of the room. Usually Malik was resting in his chair, or Bakura was perched on one of the wardrobes, but today the room was bare. No one made a sound.
A glance at the clock told him he had slept in rather late, something he had not done for time actually. Even since he had been living with the others, he always stuck to a strict time schedule for himself.
He turned to go into the kitchen, and gave a soft squeak as he saw Akefia standing there, causing the other to look up. They studied each other quietly for a few minutes, they had never been fully alone together before. This was Ryou's past self. Someone he would have never met if it wasn't for Bakura.
Akefia stepped forward, and he flinched, moving back two steps rather quickly.
"It is alright, I do not plan to hurt you" Akefia said suddenly, raising both hands. His voice was deeper than Bakura's, and heavily accented. A very similar accent to Atemu actually, now that he thought about it.
"Ok" Was all Ryou said, still scared of the other. But he did seem...nicer, than Bakura. He had already made that observation, but there was something about Akefia he...trusted. Which sounded odd, considering this was the King of Thieves he was staring at.
Akefia again moved closer, before bending down to Ryou's level. There was a large height difference between himself and Akefia, the Egyptian was much taller, and muscular for that matter.
"Bakura has a fondness for you. You are his treasure, he likes to say. I imagine we have similar relationships to him. You and I. After all, we are both mortals being controlled by a Spirit, is that not right?"
Ryou gave a soft nod, letting Akefia lift some of his hair.
"You have a very similar appearance to him. He probably prefers your softer features to mine. Though whenever I saw him, haunting my dreams, stalking my nightmares, he had much darker skin. Though of course I only remember seeing glances of him, from the corner of my eye. But I knew that demon was there."
Ryou sighed, nodding once more.
"There was a time before Bakura, where I would see him in my dreams. I thought he was a friend at first, come to keep me company, and make me brave when I was a child. But that quickly disappeared. He is a nightmare, that stalks your life, causing pain and destruction. The ring is an unlucky charm that the wearer is bound by." He looked up to Akefia, who nodded carefully. It was hard to find someone who understood, but Akefia wore the ring before him.
Yuugi didn't understand, Yami had always been kind. Marik didn't either. Malik had been born of his own hatred, the darkness in Bakura was different...in some way.
Akefia gave a soft sigh, turning to Ryou.
"The ring is definitely what caused his torment, and his power to grow. He is a parasite, feeding off the living. Well now he is a demon haunting our waking lives" He rubbed his arm carefully, and Ryou saw the tip of a bruise when the sleeve moved.
"You are hurt?" He frowned, and Akefia shrugged.
"Nothing I cannot handle. Beaten and bruised are the least of my worries. However, trying to work your devices is another problem. I do not trust these objects. Bakura says it is easy, but I do not understand them."
Ryou looks at the package in Akefia's hands, popcorn? Of course, Akefia wouldn't understand technology, but Atemu seemed to pick it up rather quickly. Then again, he had everyone else teaching him. He couldn't imagine Bakura having much patience to teach Akefia.
"How about I make us something to eat? Besides, I don't think popcorn is rather filling" He smiled softly at Akefia, sliding past to find something to make. Akefia watched him for a few minutes, before smiling back.
This young man, with the face of the demon, was nothing like the others. The blonde haired one was quiet, the manic was just...scary, and Bakura was dangerous. This...light-half of Bakura was the complete opposite, he liked it, being around him was relaxing. Bakura always made him feel on edge, and he dared not speak to the other two.
When the food was ready Ryou laid a bowl for himself down, before offering another to Akefia.
They both ate in silence, Ryou enjoyed this. He enjoyed the company of someone who wasn't always trying to scare him, and Akefia enjoyed the company of a beautiful young man. He could say the same about Bakura, he was stunning after all. But far more dangerous, and unexpected. Always lingering in shadows...and always willing to beat him some more if he did anything wrong.
When the pair were done, Ryou took the bowls.
"Do you mind if I take a look at that bruise? Or any other injuries you might have? I know Bakura makes you do a lot of dangerous work. Maybe I have something that can help you?"
Akefia blinked a few times, before nodding obediently. Not much he could say against that. If this light-half could heal him faster, then he could get out working for Bakura again, and not have to face another beating for being 'weak and useless'
He slipped his shirt off, and when Ryou turned back around he blushed softly, before giving a quiet gasp. The man was covered in bruises and scars.
"What does Bakura make you do?" He frowned softly. Bakura had gotten him...well stolen him some first aid medicine. He was basically a glorified housekeeper and medic, having had to fix Marik up a few times from the beatings Malik gave him.
"Oh, most of these are just from Bakura, he is rather quick to anger. He does not like me slacking around, apparently he would rather have me steal certain things for him. At least it gets me away from him."
Ryou lifted some pain relief cream, and some ointment to clean the wounds.
"Have you ever thought of running away? I mean you are allowed to step outside, you could be free without much hassle."
Akefia gave a soft chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck.
"How I wish I could, but he has this...ability or something. I tried once, he found me within the hour. He has this sense, he is amazing at finding...well me anyway. He could not find you. It is like we are attached though. I can hear his thoughts sometime, know what he is feeling. Like the ring still binds us together. He tells me what to do, gives me orders, and if I do not do them to his specifications, then he beats me. I have tried to fight back, but he has so much power, and magical ability. It is just...impossible for me to win, and now you are here too. I wish I could help you, Bakura is not someone you wish to mess with."
Ryou nodded softly.
"Yes, I know that too well. I accidentally dropped one of his plates and broke it, he gave me this." He pointed to the faint scar on his arm.
"It was not too sore, but I've been trying to be careful ever since. After all, he is easier to deal with when he is happy"
Akefia grabbed his arm carefully, examining the mark.
"If he hurts you again, come straight to me. Or if you do anything to get into trouble, tell me. I am sure I will be able to stop him hurting you. I...I do not wish to see you hurt"
Ryou smiled softly, putting some cream on the bruises.
"It's fine really, he didn't hurt me too bad, I've had a lot worse when having to deal with him."
"Y...yes I understand that, but please. I do not wish for him to harm you any more, just...please" Akefia blushed softly, and Ryou gave another soft smile, finishing with the cream.
"Ok then, if that is what you want. Just be careful yourself, and come to me if you have any more scrapes, I'm no doctor, but scrapes and cuts are rather easy to clean up, and stop infection. I'll promise if you do"
The thief looked up to the younger, and gave a soft smile and a nod.
"If you insist, then I am sure I can manage to tell you. Is that all right?" The other chuckled, and nodded happily. Well he was right, at least Akefia was nice.
He stood up to put the medicines away, when the door was forced open, Malik came in rather abruptly, dragging Marik behind him carelessly.
"I don't care what you tried, you messed up the job rather awfully. I've told you Marik, if you simply obey we wouldn't go through all this shit!" He shoved Marik into the bedroom he claimed for himself, and slammed the door shut. Ryou heard a clattering of some furniture, and knew Marik had landed badly.
"Oh, hey sweetheart, look at you playing nurse. Care to look after my wounds?" He grinned dangerously, and Akefia pushed himself up.
"Hey hey thief, wait a minute. Bakura wanted me to give you a message. We have a big job going on by the docks right now, and he wants you to keep an eye out, make sure things go smoothly. He'll meet you there in a couple of hours."
Akefia nodded quietly, moving to lean over Ryou.
"Thank you for your assistance" He muttered, and Ryou couldn't help but give a soft blush.
"U...hhh no problem?" He muttered, and Akefia smirked, sliding his shirt back on. Giving him a wink he moved to the door, grabbing his coat, before disappearing out of the door.
Ryou hummed softly, a blush still across his cheeks, Akefia was...delightful~. Wait did he just think that?
"Well sweetheart? How about you come fix me up? Since you're playing nurse" The purr in Malik's voice caused him to shiver with disgust, as he fell into his usual seat.
"Yes of course, what seems to be the problem?" He turned to him, smiling softly, being as polite as possible. This man, who just shoved poor Marik into a room. He was going to have to check on him later. He always felt so sorry for him. Malik treated him awfully, even worse than Bakura treated him.
"How about a massage as well beautiful? C'mere, give me a kiss wont you?" Ryou kept a smile on his face, but deep down he was gagging, no, he didn't want to do that at all. But he had no idea what this man was capable of, and he'd rather not be hurt by him.
With a soft sigh, he moved to him, and gave him a soft peck on the lips.
"Which injuries would you like seen to?" He lifted the creams up to the table beside Malik's chair. Malik slid his own shirt off, and Ryou saw scar after scar, as well as the same tattoo Marik had.
"This body is not as sturdy as when my spirit inhabited Marik. I scar and bruise far more easily as a mortal. However, I'm still excellent at fighting. Fix these up"
He did as he was told, rubbing the cream over the wounds, making sure to carefully wrap any open wounds up.
"You really should see a doctor, some of these are really bad" He muttered more to himself, but Malik chuckled.
"Who needs a doctor? I have you, beautiful. Plus, with the work you do, my Shadow-magic should be able to heal the rest quite easily." Ryou just rolled his eyes, and kept rubbing the cream in his back.
When all the wounds were completely covered over, he packed the things away once more.
"You're finished, they should heal in their own time, but if you want to use shadow-magic to speed things up, then they shouldn't take long at all. You really should be more careful, a mortal body isn't something to fool around with, you only have one"
Malik purred, grabbing Ryou by the chin, looking at him.
"Now now, such wisdom from such a young man. Care to share more?" He licked Ryou's lips, and he flinched, but said nothing, quietly hoping he would let go. Why did he have to focus on him so much?
"Well, I could really do with that massage now, so how about it? Come on~" Ryou turned to the door he heard Marik fall behind.
"Let...me check on him first, please. And then I will give you your massage. Alright? Please" Malik frowned, before rolling his eyes.
"I don't see why you care, but sure, go ahead. See if your precious friend is fine. But just check, he is being punished for being a failure"
Ryou turned to him angrily. "I don't care if he is being punished, he will have no use to you if you have broken a bone. I've told you, a mortal body is not to be messed with. Now, I will go treat him, and make sure he is alright. Then you will get your massage. You have to be more careful Malik. None of us are of use to you if we are injured, or worse." With that he turned on his heel, and walked into the bedroom. Marik was curled up against the wall, causing Ryou to give another soft sigh.
"Marik, it's me. I'm here to help you. Malik let me" Marik glanced up, relaxing visibly.
"Ryou, of course. I'm okay, sturdier than I look. My ankle is just sprained to be honest." Ryou nodded, pulling out the creams once more. After checking his friend over carefully, he nodded.
"What did you do to anger him?" He frowned, and Marik shrugged.
"He told me to do one thing, then do another. He keeps mixing up what he wants me to do, then I get in his way and he punishes me for it. Of course he never blames himself, it is always my fault. Not that I have the upper body strength to argue with him."
Ryou nodded softly, putting the creams away.
"Well you should be more careful, he is rather violent isn't he? I don't like seeing you hurt Marik, especially when there is nothing I can do to help. You're my friend" Marik smiled up at him, nodding.
"I'll try, but I can't promise anything, he is unpredictable, and awful. But I'll try, for you"
Walking back through into the main room, he saw Malik still relaxing in his chair.
"I made some food earlier, would you like some?" He acted like he didn't yell at him earlier, which he just realized he did...yelled...at Malik, he was dead. Oh no, oh no, oh no...he shouldn't have done that. Why did he do that?
"No, I am alright." He said nothing else and Ryou nodded, putting the creams away, before getting the cream he used to massage Bakura.
"You should lie on the sofa, I will massage your back for you. Would you like your feet done as well?" Malik nodded, doing as he was told. He was just as muscular, well they all did so much work, that it wasn't a surprise that they would all be athletic. But he couldn't shake the image of Akefia's chest...of Akefia...he shook himself out of that image, and moved to Malik.
"Now just relax, it makes it easier for me to give you a massage, alright?"