Never Is A Promise: Pale September

By: GarnetAlexander

Diclaimer: These characters do not belong to me, and the rating should be higher than it is, but ah, well...I give it the highest rating possible that fanfiction offers.

Author's Notes: Okay, I had an idea for a Yu-Gi-Oh! story and so now I will write it in all its glorious three parts for everyone to see (but mostly for my best friend, Manda.) This will show something I usually do not write, namely Ryou/Bakura/Joey, because the yaoi is typical. Sorry Yami/Yugi/Seto fans, none of that this time around...yet...Now on with the angst....

Wicked embraces,

Evil faces,

Right time, right place,

Angel's fall, lost grace.

"You'll never see- the courage I know

Its colors' richness won't appear in your view

I'll never glow- the way that you glow

Your presence dominates the judgments made on you

But as the scenery grows, I see in different lights

The shades and shadows undulate in my perception

My feelings swell and stretch; I see from greater heights

I understand what I am still too proud to mention- to you"

"Pale September, I wore the time like a dress that year

The autumn days swung soft around me, like cotton on my skin

But as the embers of the summer lost their breath and disappeared

My heart went cold and only hollow rhythms resounded from within

But then he rose, brilliant as the moon in full

And sank in the burrows of my keep"

Part One: Wicked Embraces

                Sun shone in on the pale boy's face, and he opened his eyes, arching his back to stretch. He was shocked to find his counterpart watching him with an odd expression on his face. Ryou stretched and sat up, fixing an appraising stare on his yami's eyes.

                "Good morning!"

                Bakura flipped off the bed and walked out of the room, leaving Ryou shaking his head in wonder.

                What's gotten into him?

                Ryou sat up and got out of bed, tracing his yami's steps toward the kitchen for breakfast but stopped dead when he reached the living room. Joey was asleep on the couch, and he was snoring.

                /I let him in./

                //When?//

                /Last night. You were asleep./

                Ryou was shocked at Joey's presence but even more shocked at his yami's behavior. Bakura never had shown any amount of caring for any of his friends but lately...he had for Joey, and while Ryou suspected, he wasn't for sure why. He knelt next to the couch and put a hand on Joey's shoulder, shaking him lightly. Joey thrashed but continued snoring, and Bakura smiled at his Ryou.

                "He wasn't wake that easily," he called then walked over to the couch and pounced on Joey's chest.

                Joey's eyes opened, and he sat up blinking at the boy still crouched on his chest.

                "Hey, Bakura, nice way to wake someone up."

                The spirit simply nodded in response before pushing Joey back down and ravishing his mouth. Ryou watched in surprise and slight fascination at the two making out in front of him. He began to blush, and his yami felt it, breaking the kiss to stare at him for a moment before letting Joey go and walking upstairs. Joey sat up fully minus an angst-ridden spirit on his chest and smiled weakly at Ryou.

                "Morning."

                "Would you like some breakfast, Joey?"

                "Sure."

                Ryou walked into the kitchen and began opening cabinets and then the fridge.

                "We have some cereal, but no milk. There's bagels and...that's about it," Ryou said smiling sheepishly. "I could make pancakes or eggs...or sausage."

                "Nah, that's okay, Ryou. I'll be alright."

                "Are you sure?"

                Joey nodded, and Ryou removed a bagel from the package and put it in the toaster for himself. Once it was ready, he spread a bit of cream cheese on it and sat down on the couch next to Joey.

                "So, not that I mind, but why are you here?"

                "The old man and me got into fight. I left, and even though he probably wouldn't have noticed if I came back, I didn't want to. I didn't know where to go. I sat in the park for a while, but it started to rain. Your place was closest, and Bakura let me in."

                Ryou nodded and looked up as Bakura came back in the room, holding Joey's now dry clothes.

                "I gave him something of yours to wear. It was a little tight-."

                "And a little short," Joey added smiled.

                "Better than you catching your death in wet clothes. And I don't mind at all. Joey can borrow my clothes anytime or anything else he needs."

                Bakura smiled at Ryou's naivety and looked at Joey's raised eyebrow.

                "Hear that Joey? You can get into Ryou's clothes anytime...or anything else you want."

                The full impact of these words hit Ryou, and he blushed, looking from Bakura to Joey.

                "That's not...what I meant."

                But Bakura had already disappeared back upstairs, grinning devilishly, leaving Joey and Ryou alone together. They made conversation while Ryou finished his bagel then stood and headed upstairs.

                "I'll be just a minute, Joey. I have to go get ready," he called down to him.

                "Take ya time. I can wait," he replied, pulling off Ryou's shirt and pulling on his own.

                Ryou couldn't find his yami upstairs, but it wasn't much of a concern as he got ready. He brushed out his hair and pulled on his school uniform, buttoning up the buttons as he went. He pulled the ring out of his shirt and straightened it on the outside, satisfied with his efforts. When he walked back downstairs, he stopped, finding Joey pinned down on the cough without a shirt, and Bakura straddling his waist, kissing him furiously. Ryou cleared his throat, but the two didn't even look his way.

                /I know you're there. You don't need to do that./

                //We have to get to school!//

                /I'll be done with him in a minute./

                Ryou sighed, both mentally and actually as Bakura shut him off, returning his full attentions to Joey. After a minute though, Joey pushed Bakura off and stood up, smoothing out the wrinkles in his uniform. Ryou looked at Joey a moment longer then turned away, feeling the blush rising to his cheeks again.

                Why does Joey suddenly seem so desirable? He's my friend, I can't see him that way...and yet...

                Ryou looked back at the blonde youth, and his breath caught as Joey tried to brush his bangs out of his eyes, revealing the flash of deep coffee brown.

                "Ready to go?" Joey asked.

                Throat dry, Ryou nodded and picked up his bag. Bakura laughed inside his head, annoying him.

                /You like him./

                //...I do not...//

                /Don't lie to me, my light. I hear your thoughts./

                //...And?//

                /He likes you too...we've talked about it./

                //WHAT?!//

                /You can see him that way too...if you try. Talk to him./

                And with that, the conversation ended and Bakura ran up the stairs. A moment later, Ryou's ring glowed, and he felt the spirit settle into his soul room. Then he and Joey walked outside, Ryou still slightly flustered in his new views of Joey.

~Gone, is the way

We looked, at the place~

                The day drug on endlessly, and Ryou fought against his urges to sleep from boredom. Bakura wasn't talking, and Ryou wished he would to help him sort out his feelings for Joey. He had always looked at Joey a little differently than the others, but he never had any idea it would develop into this. He was always so reserved and had never had any feelings for another guy before his yami. That was different because it only seemed the natural thing to do.

                The bell startled him out of his thoughts, and he stood up, almost jumping out of his skin when Yugi put a hand on his arm.

                "Oh, hello, Yugi. What's up?"

                "A bunch of us are going to the park after school. Do you want to come with us?"

                After shutting off the cruel laughter of his yami in his head, he turned back to Yugi. "Who will be there?"

                "Well, Honda and Mai, Anzu, and of course Yami and me. Oh and Joey...and Seto said he may stop by later."

                "I shouldn't be the one to bail out, I suppose, so alright."

                "Good, we're meeting at the main entrance after next class. I better go before I'm late. See ya."

                "Bye, Yugi."

~@~

                After school, the gang met out front. Yugi was the last to arrive and he smiled apologetically.

                "Sorry, guys, but Seto caught me in the hall. He'll definitely be by after he goes into the office for a bit."

                "Just like Kaiba, what a workaholic."

                "Shut up, Joey," Yugi said fondly.

                They all walked to the park together, each caught up in their own thinking. Yami had joined them and carried Yugi on his shoulders; the little one was beaming from his position, and Yami bounced him playfully from time to time.

                Ryou was lost in his own thought, and his yami wasn't helping by taunting him and calling him a wuss. They reached the park, and Ryou found a shaded patch of grass to sit on and think. Yami sat Yugi off his shoulders, and after noticing Ryou's spaced out state, he whispered in Yugi's ear. Yugi ran off to play, and Yami walked over to Ryou, who barely even noticed him.

                "Ryou?" Yami said softly.

                Ryou shook his head and looked up. "Yami, hey."

                "Are you alright? You seem troubled."

                "Maybe, and I was having a conversation with Bakura."

                "Oh, did I interrupt?"

                "No, he was just finishing up by insulting me."

                "Sounds like him. Anything I can help you with?"

                The ring glowed suddenly, and the pharaoh was suddenly nose-to-nose with the former grave robber.

                "You can start by minding your own damn business, pharaoh."

                "I believe I was having a conversation with Ryou."

                "Your point? You should keep an eye on your own light. Something could happen to him while you're meddling."

                Yami stood up, and his sennen eye began to glow. "You wouldn't."

                "Try me."

                Ryou stood and started to reach for his yami, but Bakura gave him the 'sit-down-and-shut-up' look. Yugi, noticing trouble, ran over, joined by Joey, who had broken away from his duel with Mai.

                "Come on, Yami, don't provoke him."

                "Bakura," Joey called, before tackling him and knocking him to the ground.

                CRACK!!

                Joey fell back and held his jaw which had just been punched by the angry spirit. Bakura then stood and brushed off his clothing, eyes burning as he stared at Joey.

                "Joey Wheeler, just because you have some rights with me does not give you other rights. If you ever touch me again in such a manner, you may find your head disconnected from your body. Do you understand me?"

                "Yeah, I got ya."

                With that, the ring glowed again, and Bakura disappeared, leaving a very puzzled and disturbed gang behind. Ryou stood blushing and extended a hand to Joey.

                "I'm so very sorry, Joey. Are you alright?"

                "Yeah, it's okay, Ryou, it wasn't your fault."

                "He has a nasty temper."

                "Yeah, I know," Joey said before returning to his game with Mai.

                Once Yugi was assured Yami was calm, he ran off to watch the duel between Joey and Mai and to occasionally harass Honda. Yami sat back down on the grass and turned a concerned gaze on Ryou.

                "I am sorry, Ryou. I didn't intend on that confrontation."

                "No, it's okay, but it added to my problem. My problem is," he sighed before he said the next word. "Joey."

                "What has Joey done to you, Ryou?"

                "That's...I think I like him."

                "How is that bad?'

                "He has something going on with Bakura."

                "Are you sure?"

                "Positive. But Bakura said he likes me too."

                "So, what's the problem?" A new voice asked.

                Seto sat down next to Yami, who placed a kiss on his cheek, then Seto smiled at Ryou.

                "Is this a private conversation?"

                "No, You can listen, Seto, and even contribute if you wish."

                Seto nodded and decided to summarize what he understood.

                "So, you like Joey, and he obviously feels something for Bakura, who says Joey likes you too."

                "Precisely."

                "Ryou, I'm having problems finding any problems with that."

                "I don't know how to bring it to his attention."

                "Just use a hypothetical situation and explain to him the problem. Then go from there."

                "Geez, Mai, go easy on me, huh?!"

                Seto turned back around, shaking his head. "On second thought, you may just want to be direct and do your best not to confuse him."

                Ryou laughed and brightened up. "Thanks, guys, that helped alot."

                Yami smiled back replying, "well, I fail to see what exactly we did, but if it helped..."

                Bakura mumbled "idiot" from his soul room, annoyed that he had already given Ryou that advice earlier that morning.  Ryou excused himself from the couple and walked over to stand next to Joey, pretending to be interested in the duel, which Joey was losing...badly.

                Give me the strength, Ryou thought.

~We play, conquer lands

God's work, human hands~

                "Joey?"

                "Yeah, just a minute, Ryou."

                "Minute granted," Mai replied as she placed her final monster card down, wiping out the rest of Joey's life points.

                "That was a short minute," Joey said, gathering up his cards.

                He then stood and walked with Ryou into the woods where they could talk alone. Before Ryou could speak, Joey interrupted him.

                "Ryou, if this is about what's going on between me and Bakura-."

                "No, Joey, it's not that. I...I have a confession to make," he said and took a deep breath. Well, it's now or never. "I think...you're beautiful. And I think I like you...very much."

                Joey blinked then smiled at the little white-haired youth. "Yeah? Well, personally, Ryou, I think you are more beautiful than me, and I definitely like you."

                "So, Bakura didn't lie."

                The ring glowed and once again, Bakura stood next to Ryou, except this time he was indignant.

                "Would I lie to you? Took you long enough, by the way."

                "I'm shy, you know that."

                "Yes, I told Joey you were."

                Joey nodded, blonde hair hanging more so in his eyes now. Ryou laughed and reached out to brush them back; Joey had other ideas, however, and caught Ryou's hand, kissing the fingertips delicately. Ryou groaned a little as Joey pulled him into a hug and found his mouth with his own, kissing him fiercely. Then Joey's brown orbs locked on Ryou's lighter ones, and he smiled, touching Ryou's nose in a sensitive gesture.

                "You're precious, you know that," Joey said, amazed at how beautiful Ryou could actually be.

                "And you're not so loud when you're being sweet."

                "Pathetic," Bakura growled than returned to his soul room.

                "What's up with him?" Joey asked.

                Ryou shrugged and was only slightly surprised when Joey grabbed his hand, squeezing it tightly. Ryou beamed at him, and Joey kissed his hand softly.

                "Will you walk me back to my place?" Joey asked,

                "How about you come with me, and I'll make you some dinner?"

                "Sounds great!"

                Ryou chuckled as they began walking toward Ryou's house but didn't get far before a car pulled up next to them. Joey was shocked when Kaiba rolled down the window, but Ryou smiled at his aloof friend.

                "You two want a ride?"

                "No that's okay, Seto. I don't want you to go out of you way," Ryou replied.

                "Get in, Ryou, really, I insist."

                Bakura mentally sulked in his soul room about having to sit in the car with the pharaoh and his light and decided to close off the connection between Ryou and himself. Ryou sighed; sometimes he envied Yugi and his soft, caring yami, but he had become quite used to his own and his cruel mannerisms. Seto glanced in his rear view mirror and smiled at the two.

                "So, where are you going? Somewhere together?" Seto asked.

                "My house. Do you remember-?"

                "Yes, no problem, Ryou. Sit back and relax.'

                Yugi, who was sitting on Yami's lap, turned and winked at his friends in the backseat. Joey rolled his eyes, and Ryou smiled, humoring the little one. When they reached Ryou's house, Joey slid out of the car, thanking Seto with only a bit of sarcasm in his voice. Ryou tapped him on the head and leaned down, whispering something in Seto's ear. Seto smiled and nodded at Ryou, who looked over at Joey.

                "You guys can stop talking about all my good qualities now!" Joey called.

                Ryou stifled a laugh, but Seto roared, seeming to find Joey's good qualities a very funny joke. After Seto calmed down and Joey had stopped threatening to kill him, they said their goodbyes and walked into Ryou's house. When they walked inside and shut the door, Bakura appeared and scowled at both of them, not saying a word.

                /What have we done now?/

                He got no reply and sighed, shrugging his shoulders at Joey who also sighed. Joey flopped on the couch, and Ryou smiled at him, sitting next to Joey's head. Soon though, Joey's head was n Ryou's lap, and he was stroking Joey's silky blonde locks. Joey kept trying to kiss his fingertips, but Ryou pulled them away from Joey's lips. Bakura was in his soul room groaning, head in his hands. He couldn't take the sickeningly sweetness of Joey and Ryou together, and he intended to do something about it.

                Minutes later Joey was pinned down with Bakura straddling his chest, claiming Joey's lips for his own. Ryou sighed and started to get up, but a hand grabbed a collar, keeping him from moving. He looked over and found Bakura's eyes on his own, appraising him with a heated stare.

                "Where do you think you're going?"

                "I didn't think I was needed."

                Bakura shook his head and pulled Ryou closer to him, crushing his lips to his own. Joey watched, highly aroused, as the two went at it, Bakura still sitting on his chest. Joey reached his hands up and buried them in the white silk of Ryou's hair and traced designs on the soft, delicate skin of Ryou's neck. Bakura stopped kissing Ryou and looked at Joey, eyes smoldering with passion. He kissed him with a ferocious intensity, keeping a firm grip on Ryou's collar to keep him from leaving. After a minute, Joey found himself being dumped on the floor by Bakura who then pulled Ryou into his former position. Joey watched as Bakura removed Ryou's shirt and bit dark bruises on select areas of bared skin. When he captured a nipple in his heated mouth, Ryou moaned, arching his back up.

                Once he had given the treatment to both nipples, he scooped Ryou up and carried him to the bedroom, beckoning Joey to follow. The blonde did, and as Bakura captured Ryou's lips again, he daringly put his arms around the grave robber's waist, placing light kisses on his neck. He growled low in his throat but shifted slightly so Joey could get a better angle. His hands worked quickly on Ryou's pants and soon they lay on the floor, next to Bakura's own shirt. Ryou gasped and Bakura's mouth closed around him, manipulating him in that warm mouth. His tongue caressed Ryou gently and circled the tip many times. Joey meanwhile had unbuttoned Bakura's pants and had found his length, stroking it softly. Finally having enough, Bakura nudged Joey off, and he stood, grabbing the lotion and removing the rest of his clothes. Joey did the same and waited for Bakura to finish lotioning himself. Leaving some on his fingers, he returned to the bed and flipped Ryou over on his stomach. Ryou gasped as he felt one finger enter him, but it didn't hurt like it had done before. Bakura added another and was suddenly shocked to find Joey's hand on his waist. He turned, seeing Joey's expression and nodded, even as he continued to prepare Ryou.

                He hissed as the finger entered him, and he commanded Joey not to do it so hard. Joey murmured an apology and added his second finger. Bakura, sensing Ryou was ready, pulled him up on his hands and knees, positioning himself against Ryou's opening. Ryou almost screamed as Bakura pushed into him, but the pain had only lasted mere seconds. Joey took the moment as an opportune time and pushed into Bakura quickly, causing the spirit to curse and almost lose focus. He breathed in deep and grabbed Ryou's hips, thrusting deep inside his light. Ryou gasped and moaned, but his yami joined him thanks to Joey. Bakura did not say a word the whole time, just mumbled inside his lover's head, but Joey exclaimed, declaring Bakura's tightness to the world and calling to God.

                This amused Bakura as he not only had Ryou from behind but held him carefully from the front as well, pumping in rhythm with his hips. As Joey hit the spot deep inside him, Bakura faltered for a moment.

                "Ah, Joey, don't move!" Bakura whispered huskily, the only words he would speak the entire time.

                Joey complied and didn't budge, continuing to thrust into Bakura as his orgasm built. He thrust hard and fast, losing his rhythm, but it didn't matter; he was lost in Bakura, and he was drowning...and loving it. Ryou came first, hot seed spilling out onto Bakura's tensed fingers, and Bakura lost it, crying out as he came. Joey followed, unable to handle the spirit's muscles tightening around him, then he eased out, getting clumsily to his feet. Bakura pressed another kiss to Ryou's temple and left him, pulling him to his feet also.

                "Shower," Bakura mumbled.

                He held Ryou's hand as he pulled him into the bathroom, starting the shower. They showered quickly, exchanging few kisses, and as soon as they were toweled off and dressed, Bakura returned to the ring. Joey touched Ryou's face delicately and captured his coffee-colored eyes in his gaze.

                "Ryou, is he okay?"

                /Yami?/

                He received a low growl in response and decided to try once more.

                /Bakura? Are you alright?/

                //Go away, Ryou!!//

                Ryou shook his head at Joey but didn't explain. He felt that would suffice, and Joey would understand. He stood and pulled Joey to his feet, squeezing his hand as he pulled him into the kitchen.

                "Hey how about I make some dinner now?"

                "Alright!" Joey exclaimed.

                ~@~

                Bakura lay in his soul room on his back. He wanted to bury himself in his black silk sheets and sleep off everything. He was turning too soft, and he'd let Joey touch him...something he hadn't let anyone do since...

                "Malik," he whispered to himself.

                But he hadn't exactly let Malik do anything. Malik had always done what he wanted, or who he wanted. Bakura cursed and held his hands over his face groaning.

~Poor storm, rumbles in

His blood, wearing thin~

                I want to take a nice hot shower and wash Joey's touch off of me. Maybe it would be a good idea if Ryou or I didn't see him anymore...maybe I should avoid Ryou for a while, the last thing we need is for me to get soft like him. 

                He cursed again and stood, pacing across the room. His hair was still slightly damp, and he could smell both his lovers on him; Joey's deep, musky scent and Ryou's light, soapy smell, or sort of like herbal tea sometimes. He felt Ryou's soft touch in his hair, and Joey's strong one on his waist, holding him. He might as well give up getting it out of his head, but as he fell back on the bed, his thoughts turned to a darker person in his past.

                Malik...

~@~

                Ryou laughed at Joey as he looked up at him. Somehow he'd managed to get alfredo on his nose and cheeks, and Ryou laughed again as he grabbed a washcloth and wiped Joey face, giving him a small kiss on his cheek. This turned into a longer kiss when Joey turned his head and brushed Ryou's lips with his own. Then he kissed him fully, tongue seeking entrance which Ryou granted. Joey moved his tongue against Ryou's, causing him to moan and press against Joey. 

                "Joey, let me finish with this."

                Joey smiled and wiped off his hands, leaning against the wall in the kitchen. Ryou covered the pot of noodles with a lid and turned the heat on the alfredo sauce down to a low simmer.

                "Finished," he replied smiling.

                "Good," Joey replied, growling low and attacking Ryou's neck from behind.

                Ryou tilted his head to the side, allowing Joey to have a little more skin to torment. Joey grinned before nibbling and sucking gently on Ryou's neck, causing him to moan again. Joey pulled him over to the couch and down onto his lap, placing kisses on his lips, cheeks, and neck. Ryou only sighed and leaned against him, letting him to continue his onslaught. Joey's hand found the front of Ryou's shirt and began undoing the buttons slowly, revealing his soft, pale skin...

~@~

                Bakura was just adding his catch for the day to the room full of countless other jewels and gold when Malik stepped out of the shadows. Bakura didn't see him but felt his presence as he got closer. He turned and found his partner watching him, giving him an uneasiness he didn't care for.

                "Malik."

                "Was the day productive?"

                "Somewhat. We successfully raided a tomb, but it wasn't an extremely wealthy one."

                "We take it as comes, I suppose."

                "I think the pharaoh knows what we are doing."

                "He does not know yet, and he will only know when we are ready to deal with him. Trust me, Bakura."

                And suddenly Malik was in front of him, holding him by the front of his shirt kissing him. When Malik's tongue pressed for entry against Bakura's lips, the younger boy foolishly did not part his lips, and Malik sighed, biting down on Bakura's lower lip. He cried out, and Malik was happy, his tongue probing the inside of Bakura's mouth. He moved to his neck, biting dark bruises on pale skin and in some places bring blood. Bakura tried to push against him, but Malik punched him in the stomach, causing the other tomb robber to double over.

                "Give me my way, Bakura, we both know it will be easier that way."

                With that he pulled Bakura to his feet and held his wrists together with one hand, leading him to his chambers. When they entered Malik's room, he threw Bakura on the bed and smiled.

                "Do not make me kill you, my friend. I have done so to many others, and I would hate to do it to such a good friend and partner."

~@~

                Ryou giggled as Joey's bangs tickled his bare chest, and Joey looked up at him, question in his eyes.

                "Your hair tickles, Joey."

                Joey returned the smile then turned his attentions back to Ryou's bare chest, taking one nipple in his mouth. Ryou groaned as Joey's hand found the other, twisting it gently between to fingers. The white-haired boy arched up his hips, almost throwing Joey off of his focus. Joey forced his hips back down and got a wickedly good idea. He began to unfasten Ryou's pants, but Ryou reached out his hand, restraining Joey's.

                "Joey, that's moving fast. I-."

                "Don't worry, Ryou. I just want to touch you."

                Relief passed over Ryou's face, and he nodded, now with a playful gleam in his eyes.

                "Don't think I'm letting you have all the fun."

~@~

                Malik pressed Bakura down on the bed and kissed him while slowly removing his shirt. He growled, biting dark bruises into the tender flesh of Bakura's chest and stomach, and Bakura strained against the chains binding his wrists. He felt the metal cutting into his skin, and he gasped as he felt the blood trickle slowly down his arm. Malik saw and clicked his tongue, moving back up Bakura's body to lick the blood that trailed down his slender arm. Bakura winced, and Malik returned to his waist, ridding of his pants and bearing more flash to cover in bruises.

                Bakura felt tears rising, and he bit his lips, willing them back. It wouldn't do for the bastard to see him cry, and Bakura couldn't stand showing him weakness. Soon, Bakura was completely nude, and Malik held his length, squeezing it too hard and pumping him too roughly. Bakura fought the urge to cry out, but his defenses crumbled very soon. He was crying out Malik's name, and Malik's smile had returned.

~@~

                Joey's hand massaged Ryou's hardness slowly, and he groaned when Ryou's timid fingers found his own. Ryou found Joey's rhythm and settled into it, both pumping in time with each other. Ryou cried out again and again, pressing more into Joey's hand in an effort to get closer. Joey exclaimed when Ryou's thumb circled the tip several times then he thrust his hips up more into Ryou's hand.

                "Nnh...God, Ryou...don't stop...please don't stop."

                "I...I don't intend to, Joey," Ryou said breathlessly. 'You had...better n-not either."

                Joey chuckled before speeding up, his hand sliding over Ryou's sensitive skin, causing Ryou to close his eyes and almost lose his rhythm on Joey.

~@~

                Malik was wearing a long robe similar to the style the pharaoh wore, and he removed it quickly, dispensing with the pleasantries. He kissed Bakura on the mouth once more before thrusting inside of him roughly. Bakura screamed, feeling skin tear and blood trickling inside of him. Malik grunted at his tightness and pulled all the way out, slamming into him hard again. Bakura's whimpering was overshadowed by Malik's cries as he thrust deeper into Bakura's quivering form.

                "Ba...Bakura, I n-never knew you were so damn t-tight. Holy Isis!"

                Bakura only bit his lip as Malik continued, building his ecstasy higher and higher. All Bakura could see and feel was pain. It surrounded him, blinding and choking him, even as he prayed to Rah for it to stop. Malik shook, his arms beginning to tremble as he neared the breaking point, and his thrusts began to lose their former rhythm.

~@~

                "Ah, God, Joey, I think I'm going to-," Ryou cried out as he came, spilling into Joey's hand.

                This was too much for Joey, and he cried out Ryou's name before releasing then collapsing. It was a few more moments before Ryou spoke, breathing heavily.

                "You made a mess, Joey.'

                "I wouldn't talk if I were you."

                "It was your fault."

                Joey smiled and pulled Ryou to his feet, grinning before replying, "come on, let's get cleaned up."

~@~

                Malik cried out as he released into Bakura's quivering form, then collapsed on top of Bakura's still body. moments later he stood and picked up his robe and tied it back on, straightening it. then he looked at Bakura indifferently and frowned at him.

                "Go clean yourself up, you look terrible."

                Bakura managed to stand, and he exited Malik's chamber then began to cry as he walked to his own chamber.

                Malik, you are a bastard! I hate you!

                And yet Bakura could not leave. Malik would certainly somehow set him up and hand him over to the pharaoh. He was much more craftily then Bakura, although not quite as smart. No, he would just have to wait and bide his time while he thought of a plan. Until them he would arouse no suspicion, and he would continue on as normal. He walked into his chambers and wiped the tears from his cheeks, slightly smiling...

~@~

                Bakura sat up in his bed, looking around his room. Malik's face was slowly melting from his memory, but he was still sweating and shaking from the feel of his hands possessively claiming him. He shook off the feeling, trying to put away any remainder of thoughts of Malik out of his head before it poisoned him. He stood up and opened the link between he and his light, wanting to know what Ryou was doing.

                Eating...with Joey. Does that boy not need to go home?

                Apparently not, for they were in a deep conversation, and Joey was still stuffing his face.

                Great! He'll not be leaving anytime in the near future.

                Bakura decided to leave the ring anyway, and without a word, he slipped upstairs. Moments later the two boys heard the shower start, and Ryou turned his concentration back on Joey. It was then, however, that Joey saw the clock, and he stood up, exclaiming and dropping his fork.

                "What is it, Joey? What's wrong?"

                "I've gotta beat the old man home. If I don't, I'm dead."

                "Then, go, Joey...and call me later."

                "Sorry about the mess. I wanted to clean up since ya were so nice to make dinner."

                "Never mind, Joey, it's not a problem."

                "Thanks, Ryou. Talk to ya later," he said, planting a kiss on his cheek.

                "Bye, Joey."

~@~

                Upstairs, Bakura heard Joey leave, and he sighed, forehead against the mirror. His face somehow looked scared, and he especially could see it in his eyes.

                Ah, well, maybe Ryou will be too damn giddy to notice.

                He walked back downstairs and sighed, going to help Ryou clear the table.

~Looks the flame, in the face

Fresh hells, can't erase~

~@~

                End part one

Notes: Sorry for the scenes with Malik and Bakura, but it's my bet they had a relationship in ancient Egypt. However, I shall balance the madness and sorrow, with cute scenes of Joey and Ryou.

                There is, however , a bigger plot building but to discover it, you must read on...

Additional note: the two quotations/ song bits at the beginning of the story are Fiona Apple songs. The first is "Never Is A Promise" and the second is "Pale September". The title comes from these songs, and the songs will be used at the beginnings and/or ends of each part.