Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Business Hours ❯ Business hours-Chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )

Howdy! Here is chapter 3 to "Business Hours" ENJOY!!!

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Bakura grumbled when he awoke to Marik's foot in his face. Somehow, Marik had managed to roll himself upside down on the bed, head at the foot and feet at the top of the bed. Marik, who had been in the middle had managed to shove his feet into Bakura's face, of either him or Yami. "Damn it Marik...you need to sleep like a normal person..." He said, groggily throwing Marik's foot to the other half of the bed. Normally they wouldn't share a bed, but they hadn't had time to unpack and they were so tired when they finally managed to get everything to their room that they made one bed and practically passed out onto it.

Yami grumbled when Marik's foot hit him in the face. "Marik! Jeeze!" He grumbled throwing the foot back where it had come from, hitting Bakura just as he was rolling over, knocking him to the floor in a surprised heap.

Marik jumped from his feet being tossed about and rolled off the bed as well nearly landing square on Bakura but caught himself before doing so. He sighed relived as he scrambled slightly to get away from the groggy Bakura who was not a morning person at all...a main reason why he would share a bed with poison's snakes before he would Bakura although last night couldn't be helped.

Bakura glared at Marik. "Damnit! How in hell did you even MANAGE to do that?! Annoying as hell....fucking...." Bakura mumbled getting up and dusting himself off, shoving Marik over and crawling back into the bed. It was well past noon, but he was still tired even IF he'd had over 8 hours of sleep.

Yami snickered a bit, yawning and rolling over to face the wall. He wasn't going to get in on what might be another 'good morning' bicker-fest.

Marik groaned not wanting to lift himself of the ground at the moment but eventually doing so and stretching a little.

"did we get everything?" He asked letting out a yawn

Bakura nodded slightly. "Of course, I wouldn't let you two sleep if we hadn't. It's all in the living room..." He yawned closing his eyes again, trying to dose lightly. "You can go make friends with the neighbors if you want...I'm still tired." Yami yawned loudly and sighed. "It's well past noon...we need to get up before we throw our internal clocks off..."

"Fuck internal clocks...sleep now." Bakura mumbled.

Marik sighed shaking his head "Well I'm gonna set up my room and possibly sleep in my own bed, I suggest you do the same thing Yami." Marik said going into the living room to find the frame to his bed.

Ryou yawned stretching as he woke up looking around him and finding Malik not in bed next to him, who suddenly walked in with some tea for Ryou who smiled taking it thankfully.

"I'm surprised he let us sleep so late...Otogi usually calls us by at least eight." Ryou said sipping his tea but noticed Malik's wide smile at the mention of Otogi. "What?" Ryou asked noticing the happiness Malik seemed to possess at the moment.

"We have the day off!" He said smiling. "I'm not sure why, but I guess it's good, we could all use some together-time, and you could still use the break...bruise boy." Malik said hugging Ryou slightly. "So, how would you like to spend our group day off?"

Yugi poked his head in grinning just as brightly as usual. "Good morning!" He chirped. "Ryou gets another day off." He said, walking past, clad only in his boxers and dancing slightly, like the Joe boxer guy from the K-mart adds that Ryou was constantly amused with. Malik snickered slightly. "If only K-mart had found Yugi first..."

Ryou smiled warmly at both of them. "We could welcome our new neighbors to the complex...Oh Yugi you didn't wake up last night, we have new neighbors." Ryou said smiling at him.

Yugi peeked back in looking a bit puzzled. "We do? Wow, that's cool. Have you met them already?"

Malik laughed. "Ryou has, he says they look like us in a freaky 'oh my god it's worse than the Oleson twins' kind of way..."

Yugi blinked. "...really now...?" He said raising an eyebrow slightly. "That's freakish..." he said snickering a bit. "I suppose. I'd like to meet them then, because I've yet to see anyone who resembled me. Hair like this is hard to come by." Yugi said laughing and doing a vanish white to his bed head and laughing, causing the other two boys to laugh.

"Well, Ryou says twins, so the one who looks like you must be a walking palm tree too." Yugi wrinkled his nose. "I do NOT look like a palm tree!"

"We didn't say it was a bad thing..." Ryou said hoping out of bed grabbing some clean clothes, "I'm gonna run by the coffee shop and pick up some coffee for them, hopefully they'll drink it and accept it as a house warming gift although kind of lame." Ryou said slipping on his pants and then his shirt. "You two should bet dressed and go introduce yourselves." Ryou said grabbing his wallet and slipping on some shoes.

Yugi smiled softly. "Well, it's the best we can do you know. I'm sure they'll like it just fine. Especially if there's a Malik twin over there. Malik loves coffee, maybe that'll hit off good." he said rushing to his room to dress and get ready.

Malik offered a smile of encouragement. "Really, no one has ever NOT appreciated a house warming gift. It's rude." He said getting up and getting his own clothes. "We'll meet with them a little then, while you're away. Don't be too long you should get to know them better too."

"I wouldn't although they seem direct opposites of us...at least Bakura did he scared me a little when I first saw him...hope he didn't get the wrong idea." Ryou said grabbing his jacket. "I'll try not to be too long." Ryou said a she headed out the door.

Malik shuffled through the pile of boxes happy to finally having his bed set up but still rummaging for his sheets and any other item of his among the sea of belongings when the doorbell rang. He went to answer it slightly amused to see a miniature Yami and himself standing there.

"Hello..." He said staring at the two curiously wondering if the little Bakura was with them.

Yugi smiled a bit shyly. "Hi, Ryou said we should meet you guys and make you feel welcome. He's out getting you guys a housewarming gift. So we thought it'd be a good time to meet the people who 'looked like us'." He said after a minute.

Malik stared almost dumbly at Marik. The resemblance was uncanny. It really WAS a freakish Oleson twin's thing...

Yugi elbowed Malik slightly. "That's Malik, and my name is Yugi." He said smiling slightly, as Marik almost dumbly invited them in, staring back at Malik.

"Ryou..." Marik repeated to himself "I'm Marik, Bakura is being a late sleeper today and Yami is attacking his bed frame currently...I'll see who's winning and try to get him to meet you guys." Marik said smiling being his usual strange self. "Oh sorry about the apartment I know it's horrible, we haven't had much of a chance to unpack yet." Marik said heading upstairs to fetch Yami.

Yami grumbled, FINALLY managing to put his bed frame together and just as he went to put the mattress on Marik came in asking him to go downstairs. "I'll be down in a moment, I'm just putting the mattress on this thing." He said as Marik left to try to wake Bakura. It wasn't too long before he finished and headed downstairs.

Yami stared the MOMENT he caught sight of Yugi, who stared back even though he was trying not to. "Uh...Hi. I'm Yami. Nice to meet you....?" He mumbled slightly, before Yugi blinked a bit and shook his gaze from Yami's.

"Oh! I'm Yugi, and this is my friend Malik." He said smiling as Yami stared slightly at him too. "This really is strange...that we all look so much alike..." Yami said, slightly awed and amused.

Malik was about to open Bakura's door but used his better judgment and decided against it walking back into the living room sitting down on one of the chairs. "You can wake him up but I'm not seeing a need to do so." Marik said already succeeding in pissing Bakura off and not even being awake to do so.

Ryou paid for the coffee and decided to get a coffee pot while he was they're hoping that they liked coffee cause that's what they were getting. He sighed walking down the sidewalk back to his apartment complex but was stopped when he noticed Joey standing in front of their building. He approached him slowly.

"J-Joey?" He asked meekly

Joey smiled a bit. "Hi Ryou, I was just looking for you. Otogi mentioned you lived around here, and I just happened to be around. I was a bit worried about you actually." He said turning to Ryou and running a hand through his sandy hair. "How are you doing? Are you feeling better?" He asked, genuinely worried.

"...yeah..." Ryou said hesitating a bit he never liked it when clients knew where he lived it made him a bit paranoid and lord knows he didn't need any more of that. "Um...why are you so worried? I told you before I'd be fine...no need to make house calls really if you want me you need to talk to Otogi." Ryou said figuring that's why he was here.

Joey shook his head a bit. "I wasn't here to ask for that, I'm here because I was worried. Whether you want to believe it or not, that bruise is awful." Joey said smiling softly and giving Ryou a quick soft hug. "Look, It's only human to worry about someone who's hurt...besides you really need to take better care of yourself. You don't seem like someone who'd be content doing what you do for a living. It's easy to tell...so why do you still do it?"

Ryou pulled away from the hug letting his hair fall in his face, he wasn't used to such affection from someone other than Yugi and Malik. "Because...now it's a little late to turn back...Otogi is nice until you do something he doesn't want, and me quitting he would defiantly not want. Besides it's something I can do it may not be moral or healthy but it's what I can do." Ryou said softly. "I have to go..." Ryou said trying to move past Joey but Joey stood in his way making Ryou curious. "Um...was there something else you wanted? Maybe we could meet some other time." Ryou said sighing slightly completely not understanding his concern.

Joey sighed and looked into Ryou's eyes. "You're too beautiful a person to be doing this to yourself you know...and yes, I would like to meet you later today." Joey said handing Ryou a small piece of paper. "If you want, I'll even pay you for the mere company. I just want a chance to talk to you..." He said softly. He was growing rather fond of the pale teen, and even though he'd tried numerous times to talk himself out of it...he finally gave in and asked Otogi where Ryou lived. Joey really wanted Ryou to trust him...he was so innocent, even though he was doing what he was doing.

Ryou couldn't help but smile shyly, he was called beautiful before but it was usually out of lust...he sounded sincere actually. "I'll see what I can do today...and you don't have to pay me." Ryou said softly walking past him and walking into the complex getting into the elevator.

"That was kind of strange..." He said mainly to himself as he pushed for the third floor. He walked out of the elevator knocking softly upon the door of his neighbors hoping Yugi and Malik already came by.

Yami answered the door, the group minus Bakura who was upstairs in dreamland were happily conversing about all sorts of things. "Oh Hi! You must be Ryou, come on in...pardon the mess we just got all the stuff in here last night and haven't really had the chance to unpack." He said stepping to the side.

Yugi grinned and waved from the couch that he and Malik were sitting on. "These guys are really great Ryou! We have the coolest neighbors!" Malik laughed slightly.

Ryou smiled at them "Here...I hope you like coffee." He said handing him the new coffee pot and the Irish cream coffee he bought. "I'm glad you are all getting along..." Ryou looked around "Weren't they're three of you?" Ryou asked looking at Marik.

Yami laughed a bit. "He's not a morning person...if you want you can go see him, I'm sure he'd be more polite if you woke him up. Then wander around the rest of the day wondering how you got in." At that, there was a bit of noise from upstairs, signaling that the white haired beast had FINALLY risen. He walked down, topless and grumbling like a wild animal. "Stinking.........damn......." He mumbled incoherently, occasionally cursing loud enough for someone to make it out, before looking up and noticing that there were three people more than there should have been. "Huh? Oh...Hi." He said, the answer clicking. These must be their neighbors, because there was the little white haired one.

Ryou quietly took a seat next to Malik resting his head on his friends shoulder, he was always prone to go near those he felt protected by and Malik had unofficially taken up that role, not to mention he wasn't feeling to much warmth from his look alike of the other two at the moment.

"So...what brings you all to domino?" Ryou asked to mainly anyone who wanted to answer.

Bakura yawned a bit and took up the opportunity to answer. "Cheap yet big apartments. That and we were starting to piss our landlord off." Yami rolled his eyes slightly. "Well if you and Marik wouldn't have gotten so drunk when he came to check the house out, and had the worst fight in the history of man-kind...maybe he wouldn't have been so upset." Bakura snorted slightly. "Whatever, I hated him to start with...he was such a tight-ass. yak, yak, yak, blah, blah, blah. Anyhow, that's why we're here. How long have you guys been here?" He asked, sitting down in one of the stray recliners, which hadn't really been placed anywhere specific yet.

"A few weeks...same reason big yet cheap, we just got done moving in our belongings finally." Ryou said noticing the other two not speaking up and kept on glancing back and forth between everyone. Ryou laughed slightly at Yami's comment as well. "Do you two not get along?" Ryou asked Marik

"No...We get along quite well actually I just press his buttons at times when I should just keep my mouth shut." Marik said "Isn't that right Baku?" He asked smiling at his friend who glared.

"Call me that again...just try it...I'll kill you, regardless of how many witnesses I'd have against me."

Yami groaned. "Marik stop it! Don't piss him off in front of the neighbors...we don't need to scare them off. They're so friendly!"

Yugi giggled slightly, at the fighting between Marik and Bakura before whispering to Ryou. "You're right...they are opposites of us...you practically never fight with Malik...in-fact...sometimes you act like you have a crush on him..." He teased. Malik smirked. "Yeah, and Yami's taller than you." Yugi turned red. "I AM NOT SHORT! I'll have you know that five feet tall is a fine height!" Malik snickered, as Yugi whacked him with a couch pillow.

Ryou giggled slightly "I just feel comfortable around him is all...no offense." Ryou added smiling at Malik who gave him a tight squeeze.

Marik smiled at the two "Are you two together or something?" He asked not hearing what the three were discussing at the moment.

Malik shook his head. "Oh, no. Ryou and I are just good friends. Besides work kind of gets in the way." He said smirking at the white haired youth. "He's shy." He said being awarded with a slight glare from Ryou. Malik hugged him and ruffled his hair a bit. "I'm just kidding...don't get all upset. Why do you ask?" Malik said suddenly, slightly curious as to why Marik would ask something like that.

Marik shrugged not really sure himself "You two just seem so close is all...if I tried getting that close to Bakura I think he would devour my soul." Marik said smiling slightly to himself.

Ryou pulled away from Malik slightly. "Um...I sort of promised someone I'd meet them later...literally a friendly visit, so I'm going to go and meet him if you'll excuse me." He said standing but noticed the concerned glance Malik gave him. "Friendly visit I promise." Ryou said reassuring his friend.

"What was all that about? You looked really worried for a moment." Marik asked curiously.

Malik smiled a bit uneasily. "Ryou sometimes attracts bad company...and I have to stick up for him sometimes. He swears that he's fine...but I wish he'd just let me take care of him. He's so dead-set against it though, I didn't even know recently, that he'd been hurt but he has a massive bruise...it was really awful."

Yugi cringed. "Poor Ryou-kun..." He mumbled shaking his head.

Marik looked at Yami feeling bad for them slightly. "He probably just wants to be responsible for himself and not worry you...I respect that kind of attitude really, it's better to rely on yourself...sometimes that's all you really have." Marik said hoping to put things into perceptive for Malik who seemed to glare at him angry about what he said.

Malik shook his head. "Ryou has already had a rough time, and I'm not going to let things get rougher on him. No matter how self-reliant he is, No job should be worth injury. He'll never have just himself....ever. " Malik said, almost sadly.

Yugi bit his lip slightly. "Perhaps we should get going..." he said nudging Malik slightly. The last thing their neighbors needed to know was what they did for a living.

Marik wanted to ask exactly what they did but decided they probably didn't want to talk about it and kept his mouth shut letting them leave in peace. "Curious bunch aren't they?" Marik asked to particularly no one.

Bakura nodded a bit. "You seemed to upset them when you started talking about having only yourself..." Bakura said thoughtfully. "I wonder what they do..."

Yami shrugged lightly. "Seems like rough work, if Ryou got a bruise like they described. Maybe they work in construction...or something along those lines."

Bakura laughed. "Oh yes, I can see them lifting heavy building equipment. Right on top of my list of possible jobs."

"They seem to not want to talk about it so I'm guessing it's pretty private not to mention none of our business so I think it's best if we just leave the subject alone...they'll avoid us if we press on subjects they don't wish to talk about." Marik said "Besides I'd like to get to know them better, they seem nice enough." Marik said smiling slightly to himself.

Bakura smirked. "Spill, who's your new crush. You only use that corny line when you like someone." He said chuckling and remembering the last time, Marik said "I'd like to get to know them better, they seem nice enough.".

Yami laughed a bit. "It might be that Marik doesn't have a crush on any of them, although they were kind of cute." Yami said amused. Bakura shrugged a bit. "I suppose, but I think Marik's already crushing on one of them..." He said eying Marik suspiciously. "But, I could be wrong.."

"Even if I was would it matter? They all are cute, I'd love to see if his personality is anything like yours" Malik teased and went back to fixing his room ignoring the looks he got from both of them.

Ryou stood in front of Joey's apartment curious if he should knock or not, he could have hidden motives and was just really good at hiding them...but he did seem awfully nice. He sighed and knocked on the door softly.

Joey answered and was very happy to see Ryou there. "Hi! C'mon in. Sit anywhere you like and pardon my mess...I've been trying to clean...it just hasn't been working." He said moving aside so Ryou could come in. "Have a seat anywhere. Would you like some soda?" He said trying to hide the slight excitement, that Ryou had actually come, from Ryou himself...but Joey was pretty sure he was failing. Nevertheless, that's ok.

"You don't need to be so formal, and no thanks I'm fine." Ryou said sitting on the couch. He was a little uncomfortable but hoped to overcome it Joey seemed in such a good mood and even though he just meet him, it would be so horrible to ruin such a disposition.

Joey smiled and shook his head. "How can I hope to get you to have a good time if you wont open up a bit." He said sitting next to Ryou and smiling. "I want to give you a fun day, in apology for...well...you know. Besides you deserve it, my treat." He said taking Ryou's hand gently, so as not to upset Ryou. He could tell Ryou was a bit uneasy...but hopefully an outing would help Ryou calm down. "Anything you want...I just want to get to know you a little...you know like bonding time or something like that." He said hopefully.

"What exactly do you want to know?" Ryou asked curiously

"You." Joey said simply. "I just want to get to know you. Am I asking too much, to spend a little time with you, doing anything you could possibly want to do?" He asked, looking at Ryou sincerity very evident in his features. "You don't have to...but it'd really be worth the time if you did."

"I'm not really one for public places..." Ryou admitted softly "I'd much rather stay here, I like spending my free time usually just talking to my room-mates considering we don't get much free time." Ryou said and smiled "You're not asking much at all...but that's what makes me a little nervous...most want something in return." Ryou said shrugging slightly.

Joey shook his head. "I don't want anything but your happiness in return. I'm not one for doing stuff like that. If you don't want something just say no, we'll do something else." Joey said shrugging. He wasn't referring to sex, more along the lines of any activities Ryou might think up. "You're sure there's nothing I could get for you, or something? Like a book, you've been wanting to read...or a trip to eat out. Otogi told me you guys don't eat out much. If you want, we can do that."

"Like I said, I'm not one for public places...you said you wanted to get to know me better, ask away...I'll be an open book for you." Ryou said smiling slightly.

Joey smiled. "Ok, well do you have any dreams?" He said, figuring the cheesiest question should be the starter. It'd be an amusing icebreaker and an honest question.

Ryou frowned slightly, he hadn't really thought about his future in any way "I haven't really dwelled on that much, I like to paint...and play the piano, when I had one that is." Ryou said "You?" he asked

"Oh that's easy. I'm thinking of going into writing...or science. I'm a sucker for anatomy..." Joey said, trying to pull a laugh from Ryou. "When I finish up college, I'll be either a damn good writer, or a damn good scientist. How about you? You in college? Or maybe you're still in high school but close to college..."

"Neither...we all intend to graduated high school through night school but were not sure about college or anything yet." It's somewhat hard to work school around a schedule like ours.

Joey nodded. "I still think you should quit...you could make yourself something so much more with so little effort. You said you liked painting and piano. You could become an artist, or a pianist! It'd make you money, and you wouldn't have to subject yourself to doing this. It's not hard to tell you don't like what you do...it shows in your eyes." Joey said softly, brushing a few of Ryou's bangs aside. "It really makes you look so sad...even if you are wearing a mask of smiles for the rest of the world..."

Ryou shook his head at Joey "...Otogi..." He said softly, "You can't just quit it doesn't work that way and he wouldn't let me quit no matter how much I wanted it or anyone else...besides I'm accustomed to it by now, it's fine really." Ryou said hoping Joey would move to a different subject.

Joey sighed. "Are you content with this life?" He asked softly, shaking his head. "I talk about it anymore, if you don't want to...but I still want you to know that you could be so much more than this." He mumbled sadly. It would take him a moment to think of a new subject, and he could tell Ryou was more than a little ruffled at having to talk about his work. "How are things at your home? Going well?"

"which one?" Ryou asked looking at Joey to indicate he didn't want to discuss it anymore

Joey smiled a bit. "Ok, well I can see I shouldn't ask about home either then...Otogi mentioned you had room mates, do you like them?" he said hoping to recover from Ryou's discontent. Everyone liked to talk about their friends.

"Yes, their the one's I live with currently, I'm still virtually under my fathers care but he's never home so neither am I, But Yugi and Malik are my best friends although Malik is a bit overprotective of me, it's nice to know that somebody cares." Ryou said giving Joey a small smile

"I see. They seem like nice guys, so Malik's protective...how about Yugi? Is he nice too?" Joey said, relieved that Ryou was smiling again.

"Yes, their both nice...we all look out for each other and help with rent and living costs." Ryou explained

"Well then I imagine that you're doing ok then. Plus, I have an idea of what might be good...." He said smirking a bit, thinking of getting Ryou a keyboard so that he could play piano again. Sure, it wasn't a grand piano, but a keyboard is better than nothing, and those can get pretty expensive in their own ways. "But, that's for later. Have you eaten? It's nearly lunch time...if you don't mind, I'd like to treat you to lunch."

"I usually don't eat lunch...I realize your trying to show me a good time but I'm not an easy person to get along with really, I think you have gotten the wrong impression of who and what I am." Ryou said frowning slightly "When you look at me what do you see?" Ryou asked seriously.

Joey smiled a bit. "When I look at you, I see someone who WANTS to be something...but cant simply because he's trapped. I see someone who only wants some attention, but since he's been so used to the wrong sort of attention, when someone shows him true heartfelt sincere kindness...that person doesn't know what to think." Joey said softly. "I may be wrong...but I don't think so. I think you're only not easy to get along with, because you're afraid of getting hurt, and I don't mean physically."

Ryou wasn't expecting that kind of answer. "You're strange...You don't even see the surface of me, you look straight past it...literally why are you being so nice to me?" Ryou asked curiously

Joey shrugged slightly. "I dunno...something about you draws me to you I guess. Natural magnetism. I see the surface of you just fine by the way. You're a beautiful person I've told you that over and over. Nothing you do could change that..." Joey said sheepishly. He was pretty sure that mentioning what might be a crush on the smaller teen would surely scare him off, especially if he out and said it so early on. There was such a thing as winning a person over, with kindness and romance. That was always a good FIRST try.

"time changes everything...I was hoping I could get you to hate me, your being stubborn about it though." Ryou said hugging himself slightly looking at Joey "you seem very determined to befriend me." Ryou said softly.

"Is there some reason why you'd avoid being my friend? I don't intend to hurt you. If you never open up to anyone but your two friends at home...how can you ever hope to NOT be hurt anymore? You're making it too easy for others to hurt you Ryou...and I really don't want that for you at all." He said once more moving a few stray bangs from Ryou's eyes. "I want to be your friend, because I know that deep down, that's all you really want...is some friendship and caring. I'm offering myself to you, no strings or conditions. Just me, and I am asking, as one plain ordinary person to another. Will you be my friend Ryou?"

"Under the circumstances that we met it's different...your not an everyday person, not to me at least." Ryou paused "I'm still nervous around you, and your wrong about me getting hurt...I go to people with the assumption that they don't care I don't let them near my emotions, physical wounds heal but mental wounds don't...that's why I don't open up to anyone, and why I'm nervous to open up to you." Ryou said hoping the other would understand.

Joey nodded. "I know we met under...some more difficult circumstances. I wont hire you anymore, unless you WANT me to. I just want to get to know you, make life something you'd enjoy waking up to each day Ryou. I really do." He said softly. "I know that, opening up to me will be hard, but I promise that it will be worth it. I'm willing though, to accept it if you cant...but I'm hoping to at least convince you to try."

Ryou tilted his head to the side as if trying to understand the other boy, "I'd be happy to try...but I can't promise anything...I'm out of practice with people who try to help me and tend to be exceptionally hard on them...un-intentionally." Ryou added softly.

"I understand that one completely. However, there is one thing I want to make completely clear. Smile more, it suits you." Joey said laughing a bit, hoping that the pale teen would smile at the comment. "You've got too pretty a face to frown all the time. Now, since you don't want to go out for lunch...how about we settle for a couple of frozen pizzas and the workings of a master chef...in training?"

"That sounds nice...maybe one day you can try out one of Malik's experimental dinners." Ryou said laughing slightly at some of the concoctions, he had made before.

"Great, I'll just get them cooking, and we can chat about whatever strikes us. I always have the strangest conversations when I'm waiting for my food to cook." Joey said laughing and going into the kitchen to shove two frozen pizzas in and grab a couple of bottles of coke to take back. He handed Ryou the bottle, and opened his, offering Ryou the bottle opener as well. EVERYONE loves coke in glass bottles.

"Here, I don't know if coke is your favorite, but if you tell me I promise next time we hang out I'll have it for you." He said smiling and offering Ryou the bottle opener.

"Coke is fine, you are trying much to hard to be polite to me...just be yourself and if you're normally this way you need to ease up a little." Ryou said taking a sip of his drink.

"You can't blame a guy for trying to be nice to a friend." Joey laughed a bit. "Were you any good at playing the piano?" he asked as he took a drink of his own soda.

"I suppose, I mostly played classical...Mozart was my favorite." Ryou said

"Oh, that's good...how long were ya playing before you didn't have a piano anymore? Private lessons?" Joey asked after a moment. "You just seem like you would have come from a rich family...or maybe it's just because you're so polite yourself..."

"My father taught me when I was really young, I only stopped recently really...since I moved in with my friends...He used to work at home but the started going on expeditions and digs after mom died." Ryou explained "Not that I needed him to teach me anything else, I came almost naturally." Ryou added.

"I bet. Some people have all the luck with learning things." Joey said laughing a bit. "I sure wish I could play something without making someone's eardrums bleed." he added, rolling his eyes and laughing. "How about painting, what do you like to paint? Portraits? Landscapes?"

"...people...I can see colors others don't through the model, Malik used to pose for me a lot but I stopped painting as well...his colors aren't as vibrant as they once were...and its also very time consuming, I'm much rather have a hobby that doesn't take half a day to accomplish." Ryou said

"You shouldn't give up hobbies like that. You had to have been very good at them..." Joey thought for a moment. "I'd like to see one of your paintings sometime..." He asked sheepishly. "Do you think you could show me one sometime?"

"sure..." Ryou glanced at the clock and his eyes widened at the time "It's already ten?!" He said jumping up startling Joey slightly

Joey jumped a bit. "Is there something wrong?" He said calming down. "Do you need to be somewhere? I can give you a ride, if you need to go." he offered hoping that Ryou really didn't have to go anywhere.

"I should've been home by now. Malik and Yugi are probably worried sick about me...I have to go I'm sorry." Ryou said but Joey caught his arm gently.

"You don't have to walk, I'll give you a ride. This neighborhood isn't the safest place to be when it's dark out, especially if you're alone." Joey said shaking his head. "Please, let me give you a ride there...I'd feel much better if I was sure nothing bad would happen to you."

"Could we walk?" Ryou asked never willing to get into the car of practically anyone.

"I suppose if you aren't comfortable in a car." Joey said smiling and getting up and going into the kitchen taking the dishes from their meal and drinks with him. "Ok, lets go." He said smiling and opening the door for Ryou.

Ryou walked out but let Joey walk in front of him or beside him not behind him, he didn't mean to give Joey the impression he thought him as a dangerous person it was just a natural reaction around most people, a habit he couldn't rid himself of.

Joey was only glad to accompany Ryou back to the apartment complex, and the walk had been in mostly silence. He smiled though, taking Ryou's hand before he entered the complex. "I hope you'll hang out with me again sometime. It was fun, besides you still have to show me some of your paintings." He said smoothly.

"sure..." Ryou said walking inside and into the elevator-waving goodbye to Joey. He sighed slightly leaning against the elevator walls as he punched the third floor button and waited for it to open as he thought silently to himself.

Malik sighed, as he tried to cook the TV dinners that Yugi had requested earlier. Where was Ryou? "I'm so worried...I wish he would have called, or told us where he was going..." He mumbled as Yugi watched, hoping he wouldn't need to jump up and dial 911 for a fireman to come and hose down the stove. "I'm sure he's fine Malik, Ryou's always been good about taking care of himself when it really, really counts. He'll be back. Just calm down."

Ryou walked inside sighing deeply "I'm home!" He said as he walked in the kitchen giving them both a hug-hello, sorry it took so long I lost track of time and I hope you didn't get too worried.

Malik sighed in relief. "It's ok...I was just telling Yugi I wished you had told us where you had gone off to. You spent nearly ALL day where ever it was." Yugi grinned. "Have you made new friends to replace us?" He teased as Malik handed out the TV dinners, on plates so they wouldn't burn their hands.

"Not to replace you guys or anything...just a nice guy, his name is Joey." Ryou said softly

Yugi smiled. "Oh no, the world might be ending...Ryou IS making friends with someone." Yugi giggled, before shoving a fork full of potatoes into his mouth. "Eck! Hot!" He yelped.

Malik laughed. "I just took them out of the oven you dork, of COURSE they're hot." he said before turning to Ryou, remembering Ryou telling him about being hired by Joey not too long ago. "So...you think you'll be friends with him? It'd do you good to get out more. I'm sure you'll get sick of Yugi and I if we're the only two you spend most of your time with." He said smiling and taking his own potatoes, blowing on them and shoving them into his mouth.

Ryou shrugged "I know, it'd be better to get out more although I'm still unsure about his intentions..." Ryou said taking a bite of his peas.

Yugi blinked. "What do ya mean 'his intentions'?" He asked curiously, finally having cooled his mouth down.

"You know me, I worry about anyone's intentions." Ryou said biting into his turkey.

Malik smiled shaking his head a bit. "Maybe you should stop worrying for a bit. I know it sounds a bit hypocritical coming from me, but I really think this guy might be good for you Ryou. It'd be someone other than Yugi and I for you to bond with. You never know." Yugi perked up at that. "Yeah! That'd be so awesome, you could go over to his place when you don't like the food here!" Malik growled and flung a few peas at Yugi's head. "Watch it, or I'll quit buying the food you like." He said laughing a bit.

Ryou laughed slightly at them as he continued to eat although he wasn't that hungry. "I'm tired for some reason..." Ryou said trailing off slightly.

"It's ok if you want to turn in early, it's Yugi's turn to do dishes, since he decided to insult my cooking again." Malik said laughing while

Yugi groaned and whined a bit. "Aww man...dishes..." He mumbled.

"Anyway, go on to bed then Ryou, we'll take care of things down here." Malik said smiling and leaning over to kiss Ryou's forehead.

Ryou blushed, took a few more bites of his dinner, and went upstairs to go to sleep.

Huza! I hope you like the fic so far! I will update later and I will try to update more often!

PLEASE REVIEW!!!