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By: Amphitrite (papervanity@gmail.com) Rated: PG-13 Pairing: Ryou/Yuugi, mention of Bakura/Yami, Anzu/Shizuka, Mariku/Malik,
past Malik/Ryou Song: Drop in the Ocean by
Michelle Branch Summary: “Who does he love, though? Kami,
I need to know. If Ryou’s going to find a new love,
I want that person to take good care of him because he’s the best thing
someone can deserve.”
Yuugi walked down the stairs, rubbing his eyes.
He yawned and stumbled into the kitchen, where some voices were laughing. He
paused when he realized it was Yami and Bakura, and then quietly took out some cereal and poured
it into a bowl, quickly adding the milk in. He set the bowl on the dinner
table and proceeded to eat with his special spoon. He tried his best to not
make any noise. These days, he hadn't felt like being
around Yami and his new lover. They were always
happy, lovey-dovey, and intimate. It made himself feel lonely and
unimportant. He was happy that Yami had found
someone he loved, but he couldn't help but think that Bakura
had taken Yami away from him. But
I don't hate Bakura or anything. I just...I'm just
lonely, he thought,
sighing. When he finished the cereal, he set the bowl and spoon in the sink
and tiptoed upstairs to his room. He changed into his usual outfit and
looked in the mirror at his reflection. He let out a small sigh. He tried his
best to get a date…but nobody wanted to date a freshman that was a feet
shorter than them. Sure, the girls all cooed when they saw him, but he didn’t
like girls! Demo… no guy would go out with him. His yami…yes.
Him, Mutoh Yuugi…no. Maybe
it’s just a sign that I should give up completely… He continued to stare at his reflection
with hollow eyes. He had thought that Anzu had
liked him for a while…but she was with Shizuka now.
There was nobody for him… Nobody to love him. There was one that he loved, however. No…I
can’t think about him. He’s already with…with…Malik. He brushed a golden bang out of his eyes.
He stood up and quickly went out of the house. He needed to do some thinking… Love
took me by the hand Love
took me by surprise He wandered around the streets for a few
minutes and suddenly found himself on Ryou’s
doorstep. He stared at the white door with blank eyes for a few moments, then
decided to ring the bell. Ryou had told him that he
would be home this weekend. When there was no reply, he rang it again. After
five minutes of ringing the bell, he walked to the back door and luckily, it
was unlocked. He carefully stepped in. “Ryou-kun?” He
sighed inwardly. He would’ve loved to call Ryou ‘Ryou-chan’, but his silver haired friend would probably
freak. There was no answer. “Ryou?” He wandered to Ryou’s room, curious as to why there was no reply to his
calls. He knew that if Ryou was busy with Malik, the two would’ve locked the back door. So what was
going on? He found the door to Ryou’s
room closed. He knocked softly. “Ryou-kun?” There was a sniffle and then, “Yuugi? Is that you?” “Hai. May I come
in?” “Iie,” came the
muffled reply. Yuugi stopped. There was a sigh from
inside the room. “Hai…” He walked into the room,
gasping when he saw Ryou sitting on his small bed,
eyes red from crying. He still gave occasional sniffles. “Ryou-kun?
What’s wrong?!?” Yuugi exclaimed, shocked. He ran
to the bed, hurriedly sitting by Ryou. “…” “Ryou, tell me
what’s wrong!” “Yuugi…Ma-Malik b-b-broke u-up w-w-with m-m-me…” he let out a dry
sob and reached for the box of tissue on his desk. He wiped his eyes. Malik broke up with him! He’s free! I have a
chance…but it’s not for me to decide whether he loves me or not. Baka, Yuugi. Comfort him! He’s
heartbroken. Love
led me to you And
love opened my eyes Yuugi shyly wrapped his arms around Ryou. He patted his taller friend on the back. “It’s
okay, Ryou…calm down…” Ryou
wrapped his arms around Yuugi and buried his head
in Yuugi’s neck. Yuugi turned
bright pink at the contact they were making. Fortunately, Ryou
couldn’t see his red face. “What happened, Ryou?
I thought the two of you were so happy together,” he asked kindly. Ryou took a breath and Yuugi
froze when he felt the soft, calm breath on his flesh. It was too good to be
true… “He knew that we had to part our ways
because we weren’t meant to be. He said that we both loved another and we
wouldn’t be being true to ourselves if we just pretended to love each other.
He said… ‘It isn’t right, Ryou.
Love isn’t something that should be faked. We should be with the ones that we
secretly love…not together. Gomenasai, Ryou. But I hope you understand. I want anything but to
hurt you, and I hope that you will forgive me and that we can still be friends.’ Then I asked him who he loved. He said…Mariku.” Ryou’s voice weakened.
Yuugi widened his eyes at the revelation. Ryou found his strength again. “And I could tell, even
when he said ‘My yami’ that there was much more
love in his eyes, his voice…than when he was with me. I knew he was right, Yuugi. But…I don’t want to believe it. I mean, I don’t
even know who I secretly love. How am I supposed to find true love…if I don’t
even know where to start?” He
doesn’t know how close true love is…Demo, that’s from my point of view. Who
does he love, though? Kami, I need to know. If Ryou’s going to find a new love, I want that person to
take good care of Ryou because he’s the best thing
someone can deserve. “I will help you, Ryou-kun…”
he whispered softly. Ryou let go of his friend and
looked into those beautiful violet eyes. “Would you really do that for me, Yuugi?” “Hai…” “Arigatou. Do
you want to stay over for dinner? I can cook,” he offered. Yuugi smiled and as he nodded, his blonde bangs shaking and
making him look more adorable than he already did. Seeing that vision made Ryou feel a wave of emotions flood into him. He almost
shivered. He
looks so cute right now…
the pale haired hikari thought. His eyes widened. W-What did I just think? He slapped
himself mentally. *Don’t think about Yuugi like
that, Ryou. He probably already loves someone else
anyway. Don’t think about the impossible!* And
I was drifting away Like
a drop in the ocean Yuugi cocked his head to the side. “Ryou? Uhh, Ryou?”
he asked curiously. Ryou snapped out of his trance
and managed to smile at his friend. “Hai, Yuugi? Would you like to help me cook? Sometimes, I get
quite lonely in the house… My yami is always with
yours now.” “Of course, Ryou!
I’d love to.” And with that, the short freshman grabbed Ryou’s
hand and pulled him to the kitchen. The two stood in the middle of it. Yuugi blinked up at Ryou. “So,
what are we going to cook?” * Ryou and Yuugi were
seated at the small dinner table, enjoying each other and the meal they had
made together. They were laughing about something Yuugi
had told the other about Jounouchi. Yuugi was having fun. He rarely had time alone
with his secret crush…just the two of them. Ryou
was acting cheerful again, and that made Yuugi
glad. He loved the way Ryou smiled and how his eyes
sparkled when he laughed. And
now I realize that Nothing
has been as beautiful “So, Ryou. Did
you hear about how Anzu and Shizuka-chan
got together?” Yuugi asked. Ryou
shook his head. “No, I didn’t. How did they?” Yuugi grinned. “Mariku
tripped Anzu and she almost fell, but was caught by
Shizuka-chan. The two kissed, but on accident. Then
they stared at each other for a few seconds and started making out. I think
that most of our minds were scarred that day. Especially Jounouchi’s.”
They both broke into laughter. Yuugi took a breath. “Ryou,
have you ever loved anyone? Other than Malik, I
mean?” he asked. “Iie…Never. Now
that I think about it, I don’t think that ever I loved Malik.
I mean, I did love him, but not as
much as one should love his koi. Yuugi…I don’t think I’ve ever loved anyone truly before.”
He looked into the other’s amethyst eyes. “Do you know what I mean?” Yuugi slowly nodded. “Hai,
Ryou. I do.” He’s
never loved anyone…that’s a good sign! Maybe he can love me after all…Maybe
his breakup with Malik was supposed to happen.
Maybe…maybe we were meant to be. Maybe…maybe I should stop saying maybe… Yuugi thought
to himself, not aware of how Ryou was looking at
him. He excused himself for a second. “I’ll be right back, Ryou,”
he said. Ryou nodded and his eyes seemed to follow Yuugi as the smaller boy walked out of the kitchen and to
the bathroom. It wasn’t until much later that he
realized that he was staring. As
when I saw Heaven’s skies In
your eyes In
your eyes When Yuugi
entered the kitchen once more, he found the table cleaned and the room empty.
Puzzled, he walked around the seemingly empty house until he went back to the
kitchen and found a note on the dinner table that wasn’t there before. It was written with blood red ink and in a
curvy script. He read it aloud. “Dearest Yuugi.
I’ve got you. You’ve fallen for my trap. I have taken your beloved Ryou…his whereabouts are unknown to anyone besides me at
the moment. You bring yourself to the park and stand by the third tree from
the seesaw and maybe I’ll return him…Of course, you might find yourself in
some trouble. Have fun!” His eyes widened in horror. “Ryou! Oh, Ryou…what have I done?
And there’s no signature…I have no idea where he is…But there’s no doubt in
what I have to do next. I have to go rescue him…Onegai,
Ryou-chan! Please be okay!” He grabbed the note and
quickly ran out the door and to the park. * He counted the trees and stood next to the
third one, following the instructions exactly. He shivered nervously, having
forgotten to grab his jacket. The note was clenched in his right fist and his
eyes were clouded with worry. And that was when the rain started to
fall. The bloody ink slowly began to drip off
and the paper became soggy. Yuugi began to shake
violently as the raindrops fell heavily. But he wouldn’t give up. He had to get his crush back. There was
no way he was going to lose his only love…especially before he confessed! A cry came from the distance. A cry for
help. Yuugi’s head whipped around and without
another thought, he ran in the direction of the noise. It led him to a dark
alley in the middle of town. But it was what he saw that made him gasp. There was a tall, scary looking man
standing before the right wall and choking a poor boy against it. The boy
writhed and tried to breathe, but the man’s grip was too tight. Then the man
took out a sharp dagger. But another boy tackling him over with
amazing strength stopped him. The man stood up, looking just about ready to
strangle Yuugi. And
every time I drift away I
lose myself in you / Yami!! / Yuugi called desperately, backing up in fear. Yami was quick to respond. // Hikari? Is
something wrong? // / Help! / // …? Aibou? // But Yuugi had
cut off the connection, startled by being tackled to the ground with brutal
strength. “Aha! It worked. I got the “Get away from him, mortal.” Both Yuugi and
the man turned to the speaker. It was Yami, with Bakura right next to him. Yuugi
collapsed to the ground, but the man now started to walk toward the pharaoh
with a scowl on his face. “Don’t you dare go near him without my permission!” Bakura
yelled. He took out a knife and the thief’s Sennen
Ring glowed as he released his Shadow Powers. Yuugi blinked as wind blew into the alley. A
lone knife fell to the floor. Bakura frowned.
“Waste of a damn knife.” He kicked it to the corner. / Yami? What
happened to that man? / Yami sighed. // Bakura
banished him into that knife. // Yuugi’s eyes
widened as he realized what the former pharaoh had just said. The victim of almost-suffocation on the
floor moaned softly. Three pairs of eyes turned to him. Long silver hair,
pale skin… Ryou. Yuugi ran to him, picking his crush up into his
arms and cradling him gently. “Ryou?” he whispered
fearfully. “Ryou-kun? Ryou,
please wake up. Onegai…” And
now I see I can be me In
everything I do Yami made a move toward the pair but was
stopped by his lover. Bakura shook his head. “Leave
them alone,” he instructed softly. “Ryou’s okay.
His mind link is still intact. Yuugi will take good
care of him.” Yami looked hesitant, but Bakura nodded assuringly.
“Those two deserve to have some time together. Alone.” At that, Yami
smiled. He knew how much his light loved his lover’s hikari.
He took one last look at the two, nodding too. The former ruler leaned into Bakura’s arms and the two vanished. Yuugi looked down at his secret love, the worry
in his eyes growing by the second. A tear slipped out of his large violet
eyes. Is he ever going to wake up? Oh, Ryou… Yuugi sniffed. Then
for no reason he could place, he leaned down at pressed his lips softly to
the other’s. Ryou stiffened, but relaxed and began to
respond, slipping his tongue into Yuugi’s mouth. Yuugi’s eyes widened in surprise, but he didn’t let go. Ryou’s brown eyes opened slowly and Yuugi
quickly let go, blushing light pink. He began to apologize rapidly. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry! Gomen nasai! I didn’t mean—I
don’t know what got into me—just…Don’t hate me, Ryou!
I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” The corners of Ryou’s
mouth turned into a slight smile. He wrapped his arms around Yuugi’s neck gently and pulled himself up. He shook his
head. “It’s all right, Yuugi. I don’t mind…In fact,
I liked it.” “Y-you did?” Ryou grinned and kissed Yuugi,
this time the kiss actually meaning something. Something special. It meant love. ‘Cause I was feeling as small As
a drop in the ocean And
now I realize that The two let go, gasping for their breaths.
“Ryou…” Yuugi said softly
and with awe. He twirled a strand of silvery hair idly. “I love you.” Ryou’s smile, if it was possible, widened even more. “I know, Yuugi.
And I think…no, I know. You are the one I secretly love. You’re the one that Malik was talking about.” His almond eyes glimmered with
happiness. “I love you, Yuugi. And thank you for
being patient with me…It must have been so hurtful to see me with Malik all the time. I’m sorry.” Yuugi held the other hikari
closer to him. He shook his head. “No. Don’t be. It’s not your fault. It’s
not Malik’s fault either. It’s just the way that
love works.” I
have found my true love…And this afternoon, I was so upset. How is it like
this? Love, I mean. It all happens so fast. Malik
breaking up with Ryou…me comforting Ryou…and now… It’s
like we’ve always loved each other. Not that I’m complaining. It’s a good
feeling. The other, other half of me is filled. The part that isn’t me,
wasn’t Yami…it was Ryou.
The crush I’ve had ever since…well, I’ve always liked him. Even more than
Miho did. And she liked him a lot. “Let’s go home, Yuugi.”
Ryou said softly. Yuugi
nodded. “Let’s.” Nothing
has been as beautiful As
when I saw Heaven’s skies In
your eyes In
your eyes * Ryou traveled along the path to the park, lost
in thought. His hands were in the pockets of his jeans and he looked at the
ground dazedly. Malik had called and told him that
he wanted to talk. Yuugi had understood and told
him that he would be at the Kame Game Corner. Ryou smiled. That was one of the things that
he loved about Yuugi. He was so understanding.
Another guy may have been suspicious and not let him go. But not Yuugi. Somehow…he just understood what Ryou needed. And that was a rare quality in a lover. From a few yards away, Malik
watched as his ex-lover came nearer, lost in thought. He smiled and gripped
his Sennen Rod protectively. The phantasm of Mariku appeared beside him, but only Malik
saw him. // Ryou? // the
psychotic yami questioned curiously. Malik nodded. / Hai. I want to
know if he’s okay…I think I really hurt him this morning. He was crying when
he told me to leave him alone… / // The kid looks kind of depressed. // Malik looked down in shame. / Yeah… / He saw Ryou only a few feet away from him, but the pale hikari didn’t see him. “Ryou!” Malik called. Ryou looked up,
blinking twice. Mariku quickly disappeared. “Hi, Malik…-kun.” Love
took me by the hand Love
took me by surprise Malik nodded, patting the seat on the park
bench beside him. Ryou sat down, smiling slightly.
“You wanted to talk?” he asked, though the answer was obvious. The Egyptian
boy nodded, suddenly looking solemn. “I just wanted to ask…Are you okay, Ryou?” he questioned softly. Ryou
stared at Malik for a few seconds in confusion. He
tilted his head to the side. “Huh?” “I feel really bad for leaving you…” Malik said guiltily, looking down in sadness. Ryou put his pale hand on the other’s tanned on. He shook
his head. “Don’t. I’m okay.” He smiled. “And I found
the one that you were talking about.” Malik’s lavender eyes lit up in happiness for his
friend. “You did?” Ryou nodded. “Yuugi.” Malik grinned. / Yami,
you owe me! / Mariku grumbled. // Fine, fine. // “I’m happy for you, Ryou,”
he said, now reassured that the other was okay. Ryou
nodded happily. “Thanks, Malik.” And
I was drifting away Like
a drop in the ocean And
now I’ve realized that Nothing
has been as beautiful * Yuugi rested peacefully in his soul room. He
stared at the room around him. It had…changed. Toys still littered the floor
and there was still the bed and desk. But the walls. They had changed. Or at
least one of them had. His walls illustrated the important people
in his life right now. The north wall, the one that the desk and bed were
propped up against, had a painting of Jounouchi, Anzu, and Honda painted right on the wall. The west wall
had one of Sugoroku and his mother. The east wall
featured Yami, his dark half. The south wall used to be white, just waiting
to be filled up. But now… It had a picture of Ryou
on it. He looked beautiful with snow-white hair, pale skin, shimmering almond
eyes—and his usual turquoise jacket, striped shirt, and light colored jeans.
And of course, his gold Sennen Ring that glowed
lightly. There was a small smile on his face. Yuugi
smiled at the picture. He loved it. That portrait of his love would be on that
wall of his soul room forever. Because Yuugi would
always love Ryou and Ryou
would always be important to him. As
when I saw Heaven’s skies In
your eyes In
your eyes Nothing would ever break their eternal
love. |