-----------

AVL

Chapter 1

-----------

The hour was approaching midnight. The central city was alight with the sounds of the nightlife, people going clubbing, buying drinks and dancing, driving through crowded streets to get to the newest entertainment premieres, to shop for the latest in fashion, to other places amongst others. Long story short, the people around were those who just loved to party.

But, we do not begin here. We have to take ourselves away from the light and noise… far enough to where it is heard, but not wholly seen. Past business buildings where people still work long hours into the night, groaning and swearing and cursing out their bosses, past the hotels and apartment complexes. To a place where, in the city, a mall is scarce, but shopping centers reign supreme for more simplistic persons. At one of these, a corner store is ready to close its doors for the evening.

From it, a white-haired figure exited the side doors, grunting and muttering to himself in irritation. He walked all the way round to the back, almost dragging a garbage bag in each hand – a chore the workers there had been dreading, holding off for a few days... Russet eyes were narrowed, lips pursed in a frown at his plight.

Bakura approached the dumpster, giving a soft growl as he glared at the huge tin can, as if accusing it as he threw the bags into its open lid.

"Damnit! How in the hell did I get stuck with the graveyard shift?" he grumbled, sighing as he leaned back against the dumpster, shutting his eyes for a few moments, rubbing his temples.

He would truly rather be anywhere but here right now… his best friend, Mariku Ishtar, had left almost 45 minutes ago – didn't have much courtesy to help him close up - apologetically - abandoning him for a party whose directions he didn't catch… the idiot expected him to catch up later, tch…

His eyes blinked open, and glanced around at the humble surroundings. 'At least it's quiet… though, I sometimes do wish I could've gotten a more… exciting workplace…' Trying to relax himself a few more moments, he didn't feel that instinctual 'being watched' feeling.

And as he attempted to rise to his feet, cursing loudly as he stepped in something that had escaped one of the bags, frosty-green eyes looked on in amusement from the shadows.

-----------

Closing time took a while. He had to stock up some of the merchandise, clean what Mariku had missed on the floor in his rush, turn out the lights, and close down the register (after buying himself a few candy bars… and taking a few bucks extra, his own 'personal tip' for his trouble). After that, it was finally time to close doors.

He was jamming the key into the lock when he heard a soft hum close by, head shot up in startlement. "Who's there?" he demanded, making sure to lock the doors before wandering over to where he heard the voice – on the side of the building.

A figure leaned against the wall. In the dim lighting, Bakura could make out his features, and stared. A mane of white hair, pale skin… he could've almost been his own mirror image, if it weren't for the softer, younger features in the body, and strangely-intense green eyes.

After a moment of staring, the russet-eyed man cleared his throat, and set his gaze into a glare. "Who are you?" he asked again.

The other gave a soft smile, eyes not flinching away from his own. "My name is Ryou." He replied, voice as soft as his look.

Bakura's tenseness melted, just a little. This… boy didn't seem at all a threat… Taking his eyes off of the other, he realized his Mr. GoodBar's were beginning to melt. "Crap!" He exclaimed, and immediately started unwrapping one, shoveling half into his mouth with one bite. He barely noticed the other one watching him intently… well, barely is still noticing, in which he tried not to think about as too odd.

After a couple moments, the staring was getting annoying, so he glared back at Ryou. "Do you mind?" He growled, in which the other looked away quickly. He seemed embarrassed.

"I'm terribly sorry, it's just…" he glanced back, face flushed. "I… haven't had food in a while…" He seemed to be looking at his chocolate bar, and the boy did seem a little too pale…

Out of a rare kindness, he huffed, and handed the half-eaten GoodBar to the other. "Here, eat it. You really do show it, and be thankful I feel like giving handouts at the moment… I've had a shitty day."

Hesitation wasn't what Bakura had expected from his offer. He rose a brow, wondering if this kid was one of those 'stranger danger' types, although he just broke one of those rules by even speaking to him. The boy took it rather quickly before he had the chance to even say something else about it though. 'Good.'

Bakura watched in fascination as Ryou scarfed it down like a starving beast.

-----------

A while after the GoodBar's where devoured (they were shared willingly), they began to walk. Bakura, to his apartment complex a few streets down. Ryou… just followed. Did the kid have a place around here? Was he just another tourist, or a runaway? He wondered, but didn't ask aloud.

He was starting to get a little irritated though. Either this was just a convenience and they were going the same way, or the other wanted something from him. What exactly, he wasn't sure of…

As they reached the metal gate, Bakura turned around, and looked the boy in the eyes.

"Now look, I don't know why you're following me. It's annoying as hell, and I don't believe you live here. Sure, we shared my food, but that was a charity enough for me for a while. So, why do you get a move on?" It was more of a demand than a question.

Fuck. He'd said something wrong. The Look of Doom was being shoved at him. Big, pleading eyes. Pouty lips. A look of utter hopelessness. This kid pulled it off waaaaaaay better than when Mariku did… Ah, jeez… Sigh. He ran a hand through his spiky hair.

"FINE. Forget it. You can bunk with me tonight, I suppose…-!" …He just got glomped. And thanked. About a million times. In two seconds.

"Thankyouthankyouthankyou--!"

"Yeah, yeah, okay okay, I get it! Let's just… get inside…" He murmured, turning a little red. So unlike him…

He entered the code to open the doors, and led the other inside, passing about three buildings, and up a couple flights of stairs. It was the last door on his floor that they stopped at.

"We're here." He said, and turned to the other. "Now… what. Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Like what?"

"… Like you want to eat me or something. … Don't tell me you were just looking for a good time. If you would've said something before-"

Ryou frowned, his small glare having a ball with Bakura's weariness. "…You dare assume too much… dear Bakura." He murmured, before taking a step forward. It was then that the taller realized he was backed up against his door. 'Trapped… what the hell is going on here anyway…?'

He felt a body pressed up against his own, arms around his neck, coolcool breath on his ear. "But, if it makes you feel better to think that way… I suppose I could give you a little something before you feed me. It's only fair."

He started. "What the fu-… what are you talking about?! Feed you? I've already—" He paused, watching small fangs glint in the hallway light as Ryou smiled affectionately with teeth showing. The hair on the back of Bakura's neck rose.

'Shit… I've picked up a cult kid, haven't I?'

"Silly, silly Bakura… I don't want FOOD. I'm very, very thirsty... You'll just help me, won't you? Because I need you…"

And without warning, before he could react, Ryou kissed him with a bruising, passionate force. He coaxed their tongues into participating in a dance for a short moment. While he was dazed, he covered Bakura's mouth with one creamy hand before sinking his teeth into his neck.

Had his mouth not been covered, the man would've howled in pain. But it was only muffled, and even in the echoing concrete walls, Bakura knew no one would answer him if he called for help. People were out partying, sleeping, or doing something to drown out the outside world until they could actually rest.

His grip on the rounded shoulders was tight, so tight, yet it didn't seem to affect the other at all… and he got weaker. And weaker. He shook at the effort of holding on, until he couldn't anymore. Felt numb… the edges of his vision were darkening… until there was nothing but black.

The blood loss had been too much for his consciousness. As soon as the other stopped trying to thrash, and go limp, Ryou knew then that he had indulged too much. He sighed lightly, berating himself and closed up the wounds with his tongue before he picked up the slumping man, grabbed his keys, and took him inside his apartment.

-----TBC-----