Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ You Don't Know What You Have Until It's Gone ❯ Chapter 4

Disclaimer: Don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!

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It was black outside, only the hazy orangish glow of the streetlights below filtered into the hospital room. All of the others decided not to enter the room since Bakura had yet to leave. They went to grab something to eat in the cafeteria for a while.

Mostly, they forced themselves to eat as their thoughts hovered about Ryou. Even Joey had little appetite.

Soft, milk chocolate eyes began to flutter softly before the boy's lids finally cracked open in groggy slits. He did not recognize where he was or how he had gotten there. Panic began to rise when he saw it was dark outside.

His first thought raced though his fearful mind, 'What is Bakura going to do since I haven't come home?!'

The pale teen grew even paler as he began trembling, still not noticing the figure beside him fast asleep. His breath grew shallow and quick, eyes darting around in the darkness.

He practically had an early aged stroke once his gaze fell upon his sleeping yami. Ryou made a shrill yelp, jerking himself into a sitting position. The movement jostled the ancient tomb robber awake. Bakura began to growl as his sleep was disturbed, but the sound of choked whimpers of terror grabbed his attention.

The smaller had tears in his eyes and a small bit of blood running from his lip from biting himself harshly. Those doe eyes only widened once he saw his other half was awake and staring at him. He had tried so desperately to quiet himself, even as he had pulled wires that were connected to him and cause sharp pains.

Ryou clenched his eyes shut and brought his arms up in defense. He was still too weak to find his voice, but began to sob for mercy through their mental bond.

//Please, Bakura! Forgive me! I do not know how I arrived here! I apologize for not being home to make dinner for you! Please do not hurt me too badly. I-I'm afraid I'm already bleeding and I think I may have fainted.. I did not mean to fall asleep!//

The little one babbled on like a scared rabbit and waited for the first blow to strike upon his tender flesh.

Bakura remained silent as he watched. Too late did he realize that he had broken the young hikari mentally and emotionally. He reached out, grasping a thin wrist gently.

There was a frightened gasp then the teen grew rigid as he braced himself.

//Ryou.. I'm not going to hit you..//

Wary of the dark spirit, a single eye opened to see if everything was safe. He tried to relax himself some, but was afraid of letting his guard down only a bit.

//You're in the hospital, Ryou, because you collapsed at school. You've been unconscious ever since//

//I apologize I did not awaken earlier so that I could have come home. Please do not be terribly angry with me for dinner being late//

Fresh tears rolled down his ivory cheeks all while he pleaded for forgiveness. Bakura turned away, giving a disgusted sigh that was meant for himself and walked to the other side of the room. Ryou wiped at his eyes, willing his tears away.

//.. I promise to be home as soon as possible, Bakura.. I.. I'll even give you what's left in my wallet so you can have a nice meal tonight//

The thief visibly flinched as he listened, but remained silent.

//.. I'll tell the doctor that I'm feeling better. Maybe they will even let me leave tonight..// His mental voice dropped somberly, //.. I know tonight is the night for me to help you with your ceremony. I may need some assistance to set myself properly, though. Everything seems to spin a bit if I move too fast//

Bakura clenched his fists at his sides, a growl building in his throat before he turned back. His rage with himself was boiling over.

"DON'T YOU EVEN FUCKING THINK ABOUT COMING BACK!! I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU SET FOOT IN THAT HOUSE AGAIN!"

Ryou was startled by the outburst, but when the words sank in, he began shivering.

//.. But.... where will I go?...//

"I don't know, but I never want to set eyes on you. Got it?!"

Watery eyes gazed with confusion until the fragile teen lowered his head to stare at his lap.

//.... I understand...//

Bakura let out a long breath through his nose as he turned towards the door.

".. Good.." was all he gave in reply before walking and leaving the hikari to his broken heart.

The others were returning from the cafeteria when they caught sight of the tomb robber's retreating back. They peered into the room to find Ryou awake and filed in.

"Ryou! We were so worried about you!"

"Ya gave us a real scare dere!"

"How're ya feeling, man?"

"You want me to go get the nurse or anything, Ryou?"

He remained impassive, a vacant gaze fixed upon the bed. Yami stepped inside, having paused to watch Bakura disappear down the hallway.

Yugi spoke softly, trying to get his white-haired friend's attention, ".. Ryou?"

Several moments passed before Ryou lifted his head and looked at the others. His eyes were swollen and red from crying, but even then, he forced a feeble smile. His lower lip trembled furiously while he urged himself to speak. It was only a hoarse whisper, but everyone still heard the pain in his voice.

".. I'm afraid I no longer have a home.... Could.. could I possibly trouble one of you for a place to stay for a while?...."

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The doctors kept Ryou in the hospital for a few more days in order for him to rest and fully recuperate. Once he was released, Yami and Yugi took him into their home. The boy apologized for inconveniencing them, but they insisted that he had nothing to be sorry for. Even though Solomon was away on business, he would have strongly encouraged that Ryou stay with them as well.

Yami was very displeased with these turn of events from Bakura, but could make himself come to an understanding of the other's thoughts. As much as it pained him to see Ryou so crushed, he knew it had to be the ancient spirit to be the one to fix things. All Yami and Yugi could do was help the mild mannered light try and heal emotionally.

Yugi found it hard to find comfort as well, even through intimacy. The first few times he and Yami had had some 'comfort sex' only left the smaller feeling guilty. He did not feel it fair that they were able to have such a perfect bond while Ryou was rejected by the other half of his soul.

"Aibou.. you do know that we can always bring Ryou into our coupling and show him the love that he deserves. He needs to know what it's like to be cared about by someone that loves him."

"You mean.. you want us to sleep with Ryou?" the little light blushed from the thought.

"Purely consensual, of course. But it could prove to be very healing," Yami replied.

Yugi gave a thoughtful nod, but knew Ryou would not simply leap at the idea. If they were to convince him they were only trying to help and not take advantage of his present vulnerability, they would have to take things slowly.

Yugi volunteered to be the one to talk to him. He found his friend in the kitchen, as usual, busy cooking.

"That smells good. What are you making, Ryou?"

Ryou smiled warmly, "Why, thank you, Yugi. I'm making beef stroganoff for dinner. The recipe calls for steak, but I thought ground beef could be just as good. And I only added a quarter pound of sliced mushrooms instead of the full pound since Yami said he didn't care for them that much."

Yugi chuckled softly and sat at the table, "Ryou? When you have a minute,.. would you mind talking?"

The pale teen looked over his shoulder curiously then turned the stove down to a simmer. Wiping his hands absently with the apron he was wearing, Ryou took a seat.

"What did you want to talk about, Yugi? Is something the matter?"

Yugi waved his hand quickly, "Oh, nothing's the matter! Yami and I were just talking is all and I wanted to ask you a question."

"All right then. What did you want to ask me?"

A faint hue of pink tinted Yugi's face as he sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck, "Well.. I know this is going to sound a little strange, but, Yami and I were wondering if you'd like to start sleeping in our bed with us? I don't like thinking about you being all alone and there's enough room since we have a queen-sized bed and all.."

It was Ryou's turn to blush now. He gave a soft, chuckle nervously, "That's a very nice offer, Yugi, but I wouldn't want to intrude.. After all, wouldn't you and Yami enjoy having some privacy so you can.. well... continue having an active love life?.."

The dwarfish duelist turned scarlet. Yami, who had been unintentionally eavesdropping, gave a satisfied smirk before appearing.

"I suppose there is no reason to deny it then. Perhaps Yugi should have warned you that we can get a bit carried away."

Ryou giggled quietly at Yugi's expression as Yami continued.

"I want to be clear, Ryou. Yugi and I would enjoy it very much if you would join us. Nothing intimate unless you agreed to it. Don't think we're forcing you into anything. We simply want to extend our love to include you as well."

"We love you and care about you, Ryou. We want to see you happy."

He lowered his head to hide his lovely eyes in snowy bangs, ".. I don't know what to say, really.. It means a great deal to know how much you care... It's a bit embarrassing to admit, but, I must confess that I have never been intimate with anyone before.."

The former pharaoh blinked in surprise, "You are still a virgin?"

Ryou looked away with some shame, "Well.. in the conventional sense at least.."

"So.. you and Bakura never....?" Yugi asked, then frowned, "I'm sorry, Ryou, I didn't mean to upset you or anything."

"That's quite alright, Yugi. But, to answer your question, no, we never did."

The conversation stopped until Ryou excused himself to finish preparing dinner. The three of them ate in thoughtful silence, but made sure to thank the delicate youth and compliment on the meal.

When it grew late, Yami and Yugi went upstairs to their bedroom. Ryou went into the guestroom, but could not sleep. Timidly, he climbed the stairs towards his friends' room and gave a gentle knock upon the door. Yugi answered with a stifled yawn.

"Yugi?.. May I join you and Yami tonight?" he whispered.

Yugi broke into a bright smile and hugged his fellow hikari tight. That night, Ryou slept cradled between the tri-colored haired look-alikes.

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A/N: Last of the updates for today