Heyo! Sorry this took so long to get out. Ngl, I've had this entire chapter written for a month, but I wanted to include an NSFW scene but hit bad writer's block on it, which is why it just... isn't in this one. The next chapter will be extra long and have a spicy scene to make up for it. Sorry about that!

Hope you all enjoy anyway!

Content Warnings: Discussions of ableism, discussing the following in some detail, but not graphic, all relating to Malik's past; scarification, cults, murder, familial ableism, screaming so hard it permanently damages your vocal chords, abuse.

Subtlety was not one of Yugi's strong qualities, but he tried. He even managed to stay quiet as Ryou gently probed Malik for information on past partners on their next game night, only for Malik to admit he'd only had one serious partner before. But it had been nearly two weeks of awkward flirting and beating around the bush. Malik had gotten touchier, though had early on specified not to touch his back, and they never asked for an explanation.

So, when Malik came over for a spooky movie night, during a boring part of the movie, Yugi decided fuck it. They were all on the couch, due to Ryou's excuse that they could see the screen better from there. Yugi was in the middle, so it was easy to get Malik's attention by nudging his leg. "Hey, random question, are you polyamorous?"

Malik blinked. Why?

Ryou paused the movie and buried his head in his hands. "Subtle," he muttered. "Very subtle."

Yugi chewed his tongue. "To be honest, Ryou and I are, and we both kinda like you? If not, no pressure. And no pressure, even if you are. Just wanted to… get it out there."

Ryou peeked out at Malik from between his fingers. Malik's eyes widened and his hands almost stuttered as he raised them. You… do? He gestured between them. Both of you?

Yugi reached up and gently took Ryou's hands, pulling them away from his face. For a moment, Ryou resisted, but then went slack with a heavy sigh. His entire face was flushed. "Yes," he managed. "We both do."

Malik paused again. So… you both want to date me?

"If that's okay with you?" Yugi rubbed the back of his neck. "I mean, yes, but… yeah. No pressure."

Malik's lips quirked up. You said that already.

"Right." Yugi ducked his head as Ryou chuckled.

But then, Malik's fingers were beneath his chin, tilting it up and- when did he get that close? Yugi's breath hitched and, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ryou's eyes widen.

Malik slowly pulled back, heat lingering on Yugi's skin even after Malik withdrew his hand. Malik smiled. I'd like that. Or, to try at least. He hesitated, smile wavering a touch, but he nodded, as though steeling himself. I like you both too.

Yugi pursed his lips.

"Don't," Ryou groaned.

Malik looked over at him with a confused frown.

Yugi tried not to laugh.

"I will walk out," Ryou insisted.

Malik looked back at Yugi.

"That's pretty…" Yugi's own giggles cut him off. "That's pretty gay."

Malik snorted.

"Divorce," Ryou decided.

"We're not married!"

"Divorce."

Yugi's laughter only increased when Ryou stood up and walked over to the other side of the couch.

Ryou gave Malik a sweet smile. "Would you mind being in the middle?"

Of such a messy divorce? Malik snorted but nudged Yugi until they had all switched places, Malik now in the centre.

Ryou sat back down and leaned into Malik a little. Yugi did the same, his giggles easing.

Malik hesitated. So… I feel like I need to tell you about my back.

Yugi's eyes widened and he wrapped his arm around Malik's, so he wouldn't limit his signs. "You don't need to."

"Especially not unless you're ready," Ryou affirmed, shifting to rest his head against Malik's shoulder. He signed it after a moment, realising Malik couldn't see his lips.

Malik paused. You really don't mind?

Ryou shook his head. You never have to tell us if you don't want.

"We would like to know, when you're ready," Yugi added, "so we can support you the best we can, however you need. But if the best way to support you is to accept that you can't tell us, then that's exactly what we'll do."

Malik took a slow breath, shaky, but tension seemed to melt from his shoulders. I want to. He shook his head. But not tonight.

Yugi smiled and gave his arm a squeeze. "Of course."

Ryou nodded in agreement and leaned up to kiss Malik's cheek. "Whatever makes you most comfortable."

Malik's cheeks flushed. Not very noticeably, especially in the dim light of the screen and a handful of small lamps dotted around, but they had definitely gone a touch darker. Yugi bit his lip. He hadn't even realised Malik could blush hard enough for it to show.

"Not fair!" He whined. "I want to make him blush like that too!"

Ryou snorted and Malik's eyes darted between them, having clearly missed what Yugi had said.

It was just so cute that Yugi started giggling again, even as he leaned up to kiss Malik's other cheek. Malik turned to him, still looking confused, but his cheeks still delectably flushed.

"I was just being gay," Yugi assured him, still grinning uncontrollably. "I said it wasn't fair that Ryou made you blush, and I wanted to too."

Ryou nodded and touched Malik's shoulder to draw his attention before speaking. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it. Most of Yugi's out-of-pocket comments are just gay."

"Excuse you," Yugi huffed. Malik's head snapped back to him. "They're not 'just gay'. They're amazingly gay."

Malik gave them a sheepish smile. I might need to move back to the side. It's a bit awkward trying to keep track of the conversation like this.

"Oh, of course." Ryou hit his forehead with his palm. "I'm so sorry, I didn't think of that."

Malik waved the comment off as Ryou switched places with him, so Ryou was in the middle this time. Once they settled, Malik turned back to them. Don't worry about it. Honestly, I rarely even mention it when that happens.

"Really?" Yugi frowned.

Malik nodded. Not with you two. You… actually always made me feel comfortable to mention when I need something. You both clearly put in effort to make sure I could see you speak, or you signed as well, or repeated things without any issues.

"That should be standard." Ryou brushed his knee against Malik's.

But it isn't. Most of the time, people just tell me not to worry if it's a joke or I miss something inconsequential or that the conversation moved past, he explained, or they don't put in effort and keep making the same mistakes with making sure I know what's going on. It's tiring to correct people or tell them, so I just don't. But I never felt like I had to do that with you. He lowered his hands to take Ryou and Yugi's, and mouthed, 'Thank you.'

Yugi squeezed his hand. "We'll never do that."

"And if we ever do, please call us out," Ryou said. "Because that's unacceptable."

Malik's smile grew and he nodded.

Yugi returned the smile, rubbing his thumb over Malik's knuckles. "Want to keep watching the movie?"

Malik nodded and Ryou grinned. "Thank God. I've been trying to figure out how Bruce Campbell's severed hand keeps coming back and I'm hoping it's explained.

"Don't worry," Yugi assured him, "it's not."

Mid-October hit, and the campaign had only gotten better. Well, for some.

"I can't believe Seto made us go all the way back to the dragon just so he could seduce it," Yugi groaned as he dumped the last of the beer bottles.

"I can't believe it worked," Ryou admitted.

Oh, come on, Malik protested. Kek clearly made up the character mid-game when he realised what Seto was about to do.

"Oh, absolutely," Yugi agreed, "but turning her into an out-of-control shapeshifter was pretty cool."

"Mm, I wonder how he'll work her into the main quest," Ryou pondered. "I mean, she did already warn us the dragon will come out randomly or if she's threatened, so I assume we'll need to go on a side quest to fix that."

Bold of you to assume Seto would let us, Malik snorted. I wouldn't put it past him to let Kek take his character and make him a villain just so he can keep the dragon too if we try to 'cure' her.

"No, you're dead right though," Yugi cackled. "Seto's been a villain plant before too, and for much pettier reasons."

Malik grinned and leaned back against the wall. I didn't need a spirit to tell me man's ego is bigger than Scrooge McDuck's money bin.

Was that a Duck Tales reference? Was Yugi in love?

"Duck Tales," was all he could say.

Malik's grin grew. Of course Duck Tales is one of your special interests.

"It's not-" Yugi paused, and turned to Ryou. "Shit, is Duck Tales one of my special interests?"

Ryou blinked at him. "Darling. Sweetheart. Love of my life. You have the entire Duck Tales vintage comic collection and you watched all three seasons of the remake in five days."

Yugi started laughing. "Oh shit."

"You didn't know?" Ryou covered his mouth to hide a giggle but lowered it before he spoke. "I honestly thought you knew."

Yugi threw his hands in the air. "I never know anything!"

Except for Duck Tales references apparently. Malik was doubled over with laughter. Yugi's hands dropped, his smile softening. Gods, he'd never tire of hearing Malik's laughter.

Ryou hummed, wearing a gentle smile of his own. "You're both adorable."

Malik's laughter eased and he shook his head. Adorable? I think you mean yourself.

"No, you," Yugi giggled.

"Compromise." Ryou kissed Malik's cheek and laced his fingers with Yugi's. "We're all adorable."

Yugi tilted his head, as though contemplating. "I can agree to that."

Malik paused. I don't think anyone's ever called me adorable before.

Yugi leaned up, close enough that Malik's breath ghosted Yugi's lips. Malik's gaze dropped to Yugi's lips, his cheeks flushing that gorgeous shade of slightly darker than normal.

"We'll fix that," Yugi murmured, "because you absolutely are adorable."

Malik's breath hitched and he met Yugi's gaze again for a second before closing the distance and pressing their lips together. They had kissed before, and done some more, but not like this, with gentle but desperate passes of their lips.

Yugi's teeth grazed Malik's lip, and Malik growled in the back of his throat, pulling him closer. Yugi slipped his tongue into Malik's mouth as Ryou moved behind Malik to pepper the other's neck with kisses.

Then, just as suddenly, Malik pulled back, and grabbed both of their arms, squeezing. Yugi stopped, looking up at Malik, breath heavy. He could see Ryou had paused too. "Are you okay?"

Malik nodded and slowly released their arms. He started and stopped a few signs before Yugi could process them, then took a steadying breath. I'm ready, he finally signed. I want you to know.

Yugi's eyes widened and Ryou shifted so Malik could see him speak. "Are you sure?"

Malik nodded, a determined expression on his face. Can we… go to your room?

"Of course," Yugi agreed. Malik stayed silent as they led him upstairs to their bedroom. Malik had been inside before, of course, since they'd begun dating, but mostly for sleeping or heavy petting. Nothing had really happened beyond that, Yugi and Ryou nervous of overstepping.

Yugi closed the door behind him and Ryou sat on the edge of the bed. Malik fidgeted, wringing his hands for a moment, until Yugi gently touched his arm.

Malik took a slow breath and nodded before turning his back to them. He pulled off his shirt.

Ryou gasped, hands flying up to cover his mouth. Yugi's eyes burned and he ground his teeth.

Multitudes of ancient text scarred Malik's back, decorative and ritualistic, raised in knotted patterns. The scarring was old, far too old, and the lines cut with such practiced precision that even at a glance, Yugi knew whoever had done this to Malik had cut others, too many others. Malik's shoulders shook slightly, his back muscles rippling beneath the wynorrific tapestry.

In a single movement, both Ryou and Yugi's arms were wrapped tightly around Malik. He started at the sudden touch, but melted into their arms. A half-sob escaped him, but he shook his head. I'm okay.

Ryou squeezed him tighter and shook his head. Yugi swallowed the fury burning in his stomach. This wasn't about whatever fucking abomination had done this. This was about Malik.

"Do they hurt?" Yugi murmured. He used one hand to finger spell the question when he realised Malik hadn't caught what he'd said.

Malik swallowed. They itch, he replied. That's the worst of it. They hurt if I do something too strenuous or pull it or even with the cold, but… He shook his head.

Ryou's arms tightened around him. "Why?" His voice shook with the same anger Yugi was fighting back. "They're so old- gods, you must have been-"

Ten. Malik closed his eyes.

Ryou shook his head.

Yugi looked up at Malik, waiting until he met his gaze to ask. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Malik slowly nodded. I want you to know.

Still, he hesitated, and Yugi gave him a gentle squeeze. "Do you want to sit on the bed?"

Malik nodded again, and they shuffled to the bed. No one wanted to let go, so they sat with Malik in the middle, slightly behind Yugi and Ryou, all turned into one another like a prayer circle.

I was raised in a cult, Malik began. My siblings and I escaped, but… He shook his head. Our father was the head of the clan. We were raised in a tomb, never allowed to see the outside world. No windows, no electricity, no light but torches. This was the initiation ritual for all first born sons of the clan. His hands shook as he continued. We followed an ancient Kemetian religion. My father believed he was bringing the Fields to us, or us to the Fields, by keeping us sparse and with only the technology available in Ancient and Middle Egypt.

Malik's jaw ticked, and Yugi gently rubbed Malik's leg in soothing motions.

We were disciples, Earth's last truly holy few in a world of sinners, and even the light was seen as corrupting. The only time we were meant to see the light was when we died, and finally got to the Fields, for an afterlife filled with light as a reward for going without. But I was born deaf. His hands began to shake. My mother died in childbirth, and my father treated me being deaf like it was a curse, the sign of the end times. Preparations for the end began, initiations were forced earlier and earlier. My brother tried to help me, he tried to take my place, but- but he was adopted. Our mother found him abandoned at the edge of the tomb, when he was a baby. Our father used to abuse him for not being grateful enough that he was saved from the sins of the world. So I was the firstborn son. Malik ground his teeth. I was ten. They tied me down and cut me with a hot knife.

Ryou's eyes shone with tears, and Yugi clenched his free hand into a fist to force himself to calm down. His nails dug into his palm.

It was supposed to guard against an ancient, corrosive evil that ate a person's soul, Malik explained. We were all connected to the afterlife as mediums, except my brother. But that meant we were more susceptible to it. My father believed that was what made me deaf, and that I'd hear after the initiation. He snorted weakly and touched his throat. It had the opposite effect. I screamed so hard that I permanently damaged my vocal chords. I couldn't even speak above a whisper anymore.

Ryou squeezed Malik's leg. "What happened to him?"

My father? Malik raised an eyebrow, and Ryou nodded. Malik paused again. I… I killed him. My siblings and I were trying to escape, and he found out. He was going to kill my brother, so I- He shook his head. We barely escaped.

Yugi wrapped his arms tight around Malik, burying his head in Malik's chest.

I'm sorry, he felt more than saw Malik sign.

"Don't you dare apologise." Ryou's voice was firm. When Yugi looked up, he could see Ryou's eyes were fully black, his skin whiter than before.

"Ryou," Yugi murmured. "Ryou, you're turning."

Ryou closed his eyes and took a few, steadying breaths, his skin regaining a little colour. When he opened his eyes, they were dark brown again. "None of this was your fault," he insisted. "And that bastard got what he deserved."

Yugi nodded in agreement.

Malik paused. His body began to shake, and Yugi held him closer, but it was laughter that spilled from Malik's lips. Loud, relieved laughter, even as tears spilled down his cheeks.

Ryou leaned in, kissing his tears away while Yugi rubbed circles into Malik's lower back, careful not to touch his scars.

I'm okay, Malik signed, though he didn't pull away. Really. His laughter began to ease. I just… never thought I'd find anyone who reacted like that.

"Well it's true," Yugi murmured. He reached up to cup Malik's cheek, brushing away the tear track on his skin. "Thank you for telling us."

Malik smiled and leaned into Yugi's touch. I trust you, he replied, gaze flickering between them as though he couldn't decide who to look at. This is the first time in my life I wanted to tell anybody, and I'm glad it was you.

Ryou smiled and leaned in to brush a soft kiss against Malik's lips. "I'm glad you felt safe enough to tell us." He gently squeezed Malik's leg again. "Is there anything we can do to help reduce pain? Or the itching?"

Malik pursed his lips. I've tried a few healers, but there's too much magic sewn into the ritual to get rid of them.

"Yes," Ryou agreed, "I can sense that, but what about non-magical forms of relief?" Malik tilted his head. "Like oils or creams."

Malik paused, and if Yugi didn't know any better, he'd say Malik was blushing. I've… tried a few. Lavender oil works well.

Yugi smiled and nuzzled into Malik gently before pulling back enough to say, "Well, back massages are always free here. All you need to do is ask."

Malik's cheeks darkened and he glanced away.

Yugi blinked. Holy shit, he was blushing. He tapped Malik's hand to draw his gaze back. "Are back massages a turn-on for you?"

"Yugi," Ryou hissed. "Not the time."

Malik shook his head. It's okay. I- Back massages are- Well- You see-

A small grin tugged at Yugi's lips as Malik fumbled for an answer. "Is that a yes?"

Finally, Malik dropped his hands and managed a nod. Ryou's gaze sharpened.

Yugi leaned in to brush his lips against Malik's. "Would you like one now?"

Hope you enjoyed, please review if you liked it! I'll do my best to actually get the next chapter done soon.