Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Tales of Crimson Nights ❯ Chapter 13 ( Chapter 13 )

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The sun had set, and my eyes snapped open, glancing down at the figure in my arms. I smiled softly, and just admired the way he slept in my arms. He looked so peaceful, so innocent…

I turned my head around to look across the room at Marik, who still held a sleeping Malik in his arms as well.

"They've been sleeping this whole time." He whispered softly, running his fingers through Malik's pale blond locks. I smiled sadly.

"Is Malik okay?"

"I don't know. His father," Marik grimaced, and shook his head. "He was preparing to carve up Malik's back again, when I managed to burst in and interrupt everything." My eyes widened and I cursed, imagining the way Malik must have felt.

A small groan was heard, and Marik and I looked at Malik who was just waking up. He blinked his eyes open, staring up at Marik confusedly before realization dawned in his eyes.

"He's dead, isn't he." It didn't sound like a question coming from Malik's mouth, more of a monotonous statement. I knew he meant his father, and I watched Marik's reaction carefully when he stiffened.

"He is." Marik confirmed. And we both waited apprehensively for the boy to go hysterical. Surprisingly enough, Malik just nodded his head in seemingly defeat, before wrapping his arms around my lover's neck and burying his face into his chest.

I blinked, astonished, and almost laughed when I saw the reflection of my feelings on my lover's face. I was, however, relieved that Malik didn't seem too unhappy at the news. In fact, he was rather excepting. I could only hope Ryou would be okay as well. I stared down at him once again, realizing he was about to wake up. I brushed my fingers across his cheek and Ryou's eyes fluttered open, staring up at me with a lost expression before they filled with tears.

"It was a dream, right?" He pleaded softly, and I was filled with sorrow at the look in the other's eyes. "Please tell me it was just a dream…" I shook my head unhappily, and felt myself want to weep once more when tears began trailing softly down his face. I reached my hand up to brush them away, but paused when he began to shy away. Ashamed, I started to pull back but was startled when he seemed to lean into the palm of my hand, nuzzling against it almost apologetically.

"Did he," I hesitated for a second, unsure if I really wanted to know the answer. "Did he do anything to you before I got there." Relief flooded through me when he shook his head and I wanted to squeeze him to death in my happiness.

"You've had a rough few nights." Marik spoke up from the other bed, causing Ryou and I to turn our attention towards him. "Why don't you two rest here while Bakura and I fix you something to eat?" He attempted to unwind himself from Malik's arms, but the younger boy only tightened his grip and whimpered.

"Hold me."

I froze at the soft plea coming out of Malik's mouth and blinked when Ryou wrapped his arms around me as well. He hid his face in my neck and I could feel his tears as he cried silently.

"Please, just hold us for now." Ryou whispered. "That's all we want." My eyes softened, and I wound my own arms around him tightly, holding him firmly to my chest.

"We'll stay, won't we Marik?" I glanced over to him to see that he too was grasping on to Malik closely, inhaling the teen's scent.

"I suppose we could stay for a bit longer." He smiled, winking at me before turning his attention back to the child in his arms. I sighed happily and closed my eyes, loving the feel of Ryou pressing against me so willingly.

We sat like that for hours, until Marik and I insisted we all take a bath together.

I helped Ryou up, and he looked down at the tattered remains of the robe he had worn before looking up at Marik apologetically.

"I'm so sorry, about your robe." He whimpered, gesturing in despair at the torn up clothing that was covering him. "And you're jewels…"

"Don't worry about them." Marik bent down to kiss Ryou's forehead. "I don't care about some silly robes. It was you and Malik I was worried about." Ryou blushed shyly before looking behind Marik at his friend. He ran over to him and threw his arms around the elder boy, squeezing him tightly.

"I'm happy you're safe." Ryou said softly, his voice cracking with emotion. "When he took you, I…I just…"

"Shh, it's okay Ryou." Malik soothed, rubbing circles on the teen's back. "I'm fine. I was more worried about you." Ryou smiled and pulled away from Malik, giving me a brilliant smile.

"Bakura rescued me before he could do anything." I smiled and held out my hand to the two.

"Marik and I both promised that we wouldn't let anyone touch you. And we meant it." I felt Marik standing by my side as he too held out his hand.

"Come now, I'm sure a bath will make us all feel much better." When the two teens reached up to grab our hands, we surprised them by sweeping them up into our arms and carrying them down the halls.

"You've been through a lot, we don't want you to over exert yourself." I explained to the questioning gaze in Ryou's eyes. I was lying, of course. The only reason Marik and I wanted to carry them was because we loved the feeling of holding them in our arms.

"And here we are!" Marik announced, pushing open the doors to the room and marching inside with Malik curled in his arms. He set the boy down on the side of the tub before beginning to undress, telling Malik to do the same. I deposited Ryou next to Malik and followed my lover's example, pulling my jewels and robe off.

I watched out of the corner of my eye as Ryou sorrowfully slipped out of the remains of the clothing he had on, before waiting shyly for his next instructions. Malik had already taken off his garments and slipped inside the tub without anyone's permission, making me chuckle in amusement.

"Bakura?"

"Yes?" I turned my attention towards Marik who was holding different bottles in his hands.

"Which one?" He asked.

"I don't care. Whichever one you want." I shrugged, and slid into the bath as well, sighing in bliss. I motioned for Ryou to come in as well. He blushed, and obeyed, lowering himself in next to me, with Malik on his other side.

I couldn't help but notice how much more relaxed they were with us than before. When we first took a bath together, the two were nervous wrecks, and stayed on the other side of the tub. And now, even though they still were a bit nervous, they were sitting right next to us.

SPLASH!

"Marik!" I sputtered, spitting out water and glaring at him as he surfaced, laughing his head off.

"You look like a drowned kitten." He pointed at Ryou, who was blinking cutely at him with his now wet hair hanging in his face before he blushed. I snickered and patted him on the head.

"Don't worry, you're a cute drowned kitten." I said, before I was dragged away by Marik, and over to Malik.

"…"

"What are you doing?" I asked exasperatedly, crossing my arms and looking at my lover who was now situated right in front of Malik's face and was staring at him intently. I watched as the teen tried to keep his cool, but I could tell he was getting nervous.

"You," Marik pointed at Malik, poking his nose. "Are like a kitten too!" Malik blinked at him before scowling. "Ooh, a very angry kitten…" Marik chuckled.

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't keep the smile off my face as I realized what Marik was trying to do. He wanted to make everyone more comfortable, and forget the festival incident. At Ryou's giggles and Malik's smile, I could tell it was working. Deciding to stir up a little trouble of my own, I cupped my hands and splashed against the water, aiming for my lover. Hearing a sputtering shriek and coughing afterwards, I knew I hit my target.

"Now, you look like a drowned cat too." I giggled once I received a scathing glare from my lover. "Maybe a lion, or a tiger…"

"Ha ha. Funny." Marik pouted, and before I knew it, his hand had fisted in my hair and pushed me down underwater.

"Marik!" I griped, coming to the surface. "Alright, enough silliness."

"Aw, okay…spoilsport." The last part was muttered under his breath, but I could hear it loud and clear, and he knew it. Throwing him another annoyed look, I picked up the shampoo and waded over to Ryou.

"This time, I get to wash Ryou's hair." I announced happily, applying the concoction to my look-alike's head. I tossed the bottle to Marik who did the same to Malik's hair. "You don't mind, do you?" I asked Ryou quietly, even though I was already massaging his scalp.

"No, I don't mind at all." Ryou smiled cutely and leaned back into my touch. I grinned, and began working harder on his thick mane. Soon enough, I began to hear light purring sounds and couldn't keep the huge grin off my face. Reluctantly, I rinsed his hair off and turned him around so I was looking at him in the eyes.

"You really are beautiful." I said softly, enjoying the way his face lit up in a blush. I leaned down to kiss his cheek, but to my surprise and enjoyment, he turned his head and caught my lips instead. It wasn't a long, passionate kiss, but it was enough to leave me breathless when he pulled away, breathing deeply. His eyes fluttered open and stared at me dazedly before they became scared. He glanced next to him and I followed his gaze as it led to Malik and Marik who were both gawking openmouthed. Marik in astonishment, and Malik in worry.

Malik must have been afraid that Marik would be upset with Ryou because the next thing I knew, he pulled my lover into a fierce kiss. It was my turn to gawk, as I watched Marik moan and pull Malik even closer, their tongues intertwining erotically. It was one of the most mind-blowing things I had ever seen. Finally, they stopped and pulled away from each other, gasping for breath.

"Mmm. That was wonderful." Marik moaned, and began to rub his face in Malik's hair.

"Y-You're not angry?" Ryou stuttered, glancing back and forth between Marik and I.

"Of course not. Why would we be?" I inquired. "Did you kiss me because you liked me?"

"Well, um, I-" Ryou blushed bright red and I couldn't help but chuckle at his embarrassment.

"I like you too." I smiled, planting a chaste kiss on his lips.

"But, what about Marik?" Ryou asked, confused. I shrugged, pretending not to care.

"Marik? Who's that?" I joked, wincing when Marik smacked the back of my head.

"Play nice." He warned. I saw that Malik was being oddly silent in Marik's lap, and it was beginning to worry me.

"Hmm. Well, pretend that we are mad." Marik said thoughtfully, looking straight at Ryou. "What would you do?"

"Anything to not make you mad anymore?" Ryou squeaked out, intimidated by Marik's look. I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. It seemed my lover was up to something.

"Good! So, to not make Bakura and I 'mad' anymore, I want a kiss from you, and Bakura wants a kiss from Malik!" He said happily, and thrust Malik into my arms. I barely managed to catch him in time before Ryou was swept off my lap and into Marik's. I blinked, and sighed before looking down at the platinum blond haired teen in my arms.

"You don't mind, do you?"

"It's not like I have much of a choice." He mumbled sourly, making me frown.

"Of course you have a choice. If you don't want to, I'd understand." I hugged him tightly. "I don't want to do anything against your will."

At first, Malik stiffened, then gradually began to relax before prying my arms off him. He looked up at me, scrutinizing my face before he gently brushed his lips with mine, pulling away momentarily. I let out a tiny moan and caught his lips once again, enjoying the feeling before he turned his head to the side, cutting it off.

"Thank you." I whispered softly, squeezing him against me and glancing over at Marik and Ryou, my eyes widening when I saw how flushed and dazed Ryou looked. "Marik!"

"Hmm?" My lover glanced up from kissing the child's collarbone, his own eyes fogged with pleasure.

"That's enough. The deal was a kiss."

"Okay." Marik pouted, and pulled back, sticking his tongue out at me childishly. "But I want one more thing!"

"Marik…" I growled warningly. Honestly, he didn't know when to stop sometimes.

"Oh hush." Marik frowned, glaring at me before turning his attention back towards the two teens. "I want you to kiss each other!" Ryou's face turned bright red, and he looked over at Malik shyly. Malik smiled and held his arms out to Ryou.

"I don't mind, it's not like we've never kissed before." Malik touched Ryou's face lovingly, giving him a small smile before pressing his lips against him gently, encouraged when Ryou linked his arms around Malik's back.

The sight was one I will never forget. My jaw dropped and I openly drooled as the two innocent looking teens continued to kiss heatedly. I glanced off to the side and noticed that Marik was having almost the same reaction, a thin trail of saliva dripping down his chin, which made me chuckle under my breath. Malik then pulled back slowly, and stared at Ryou, who's eyes were still shut. I wanted to know what they were feeling, so, guiltily, I probed their minds, and was shocked at the love they felt for one another. But why weren't they together then? The two teens separated a bit further now that Ryou had opened his eyes and was aware of his surroundings, and both looked at us patiently.

"You love each other." I almost fell over in shock at my lover's blunt statement. It seemed that he had taken a peek in their minds as well, and wasn't being as subtle as me. The two flushed embarrassedly and looked away.

"What do you mean?" Malik asked, crossing his arms.

"Exactly what I said. You love each other." Marik cocked his head to the side curiously. "So, why are you hiding it? It's clear as day. You love Ryou, and Ryou loves you."

"H-How do you know?" Ryou inquired softly, his face flushing when Malik's head turned sharply to look at him.

"I felt your emotions." Marik shrugged, then pointed at me. "He did too." I blinked, then smiled sheepishly.

"You really love me, Malik?" Ryou whimpered, turning to look at the other teen. Marik and I both started in surprise. We thought that they knew their feelings for one another already, but were too shy to be open in front of others. Malik, arms still crossed, nodded without even looking at the younger boy.

"I do."

Suddenly Ryou leapt off of Marik's lap and wound his arms around Malik's shoulders, burying his face in the other's back.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He cried.

"I thought you'd hate me if I did tell you." Malik explained softly, and turned Ryou around to look at him. Ryou wiped away his tears hastily, and sniffled.

"I could never hate you, Malik…"

"Awww! How CUTE!" Marik squealed, and I slapped my hand against his mouth to shut him up, smiling at the two flushed teens apologetically.

"Ouch! Damnit, Marik!" I scowled, ripping my hand away from his mouth when he bit me. He smirked, licking his lips seductively. I sighed, and glanced back at Ryou and Malik. Well, it seemed as if the two were going to be together now. No chance of either of them falling for Marik and I. I sighed wistfully. If only dreams really did come true…

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