*** "I believe I am probably the only developer to get all three possible romantic characters to have sex with me in one night at the camp: Leliana, Alistair, and Zevran. Of course, as soon as they were all done, Leliana forced me to break up with her, and Alastair made me choose between him and Zevran. But still, it was a good night. I even had a friend visiting me at work that night as a witness. (I had been telling her how fantastic Zevran was, and she needed to see for herself.) I'm also the designer famed for yelling at the screen, "Why won't you have sex with me!' on one or more occasions. Alistair can be such a coy bitch sometimes. (Okay, okay, it was a bug and I fixed it.)" ~ Cori May, Designer from Dragon Age Origins.

I added this quote in because there's a homage to it in this chapter where Seto screams "why won't you have sex with me!" at one of the characters in Ryou's video game.***

They were never as adventurous Wednesdays. Ryou took Seto from behind on the ivory chase and then they swapped positions. Afterward, they cocooned themselves in a blanket on the floor and watched movies on Ryou's laptop - he'd brought it for movies, since most the bugs were fixed in the game.

Thursday Ryou came home to a box of creampuffs waiting on his doorstep but no note. He ate them in lieu of dinner while chatting to Seto online about work gossip.

He didn't even to try to sleep more than a few hours that night, knowing the futility of his efforts. Instead, Ryou tried to think of something special to do with Seto that weekend. They hadn't planned anything specific, other than seeing how many of Seto's toys they could go through in one weekend, but Ryou wanted to do something fun between rounds of, well fun.

Then he got an idea.

Friday evening Ryou texted Seto to tell him that he'd be arriving in a cab soon. They never specifically said if they'd meet Friday or Saturday, so Ryou wanted to make sure he didn't get harassed by security. Seto waited at the door, a hint of curiosity showed through the endless blue of his eyes - since Ryou had never had a cab pull up to the door before.

"It's alright, right?" Ryou asked, nervous once he saw Seto standing and waiting. "That I came on Friday again instead of Saturday?"

Seto shrugged, the personification of nonchalance. "You never interfere when I work, so if you wanted to start coming every Friday instead of Saturday it won't hinder my schedule."

Ryou would have kissed Seto, had there not been a taxi driver and security guard near by. Instead, Ryou started gathering his stuff out of the trunk while Seto paid the cab driver (before Ryou had a chance to yell at him for it).

"Why did you bring your desktop?" Seto asked, grabbing the monitor and a messenger bag so he could carry them for Ryou.

Ryou grinned, lifting the tower up in one arm and slinging his night bag over the other arm. "I may have kinda sorta signed us up as betas for Scylla and Charybdis."

Seto raised an eyebrow as they walked inside. "So, basically you're going to work all weekend."

They set up Ryou's computer in the parlor instead of the study - the parlor was more comfortable. "When's the last time you found yourself so swept up in a game that you lost sleep? That you thought of nothing else? That your pulse quickened and you almost felt orgasmic every time you played?"

Seto smirked, and Ryou knew the answer to his question without Seto having to say a word.

Ryou held up a disk that held a working copy of Scylla and Charybdis. "If this doesn't have the same effect on us this weekend, then I and my entire team have failed . . . but I have faith in us."

Seto gave Ryou a calculated look. "Is this just an excuse to play videogames all weekend?"

"I have energy drinks and cups of ramen and three pairs of pajamas."

"I am not eating cupped ramen."

Ryou worked on connecting his computer, keeping it on the floor so he could sprawl out as he played. "You don't have to. Go get your computer and bring it in here."

Seto sighed, standing to his feet. "I really don't know how I let you talk me into these things."

"Forced against your logical will into a weekend of sex and videogames, you poor dear."

While Seto set up his computer, Ryou ransacked the bed for pillows and blankets. He made a sort of nest on the floor. Ryou took down his hair, shaking it out, removed his tie, and unbuttoned his work shirt. "Sometimes it's hard to feel human when I'm trapped in a suit."

He gave Seto a sly look, crawling towards him and undoing the red, silk tie. "Don't you think?"

"I think you're just trying to get me out of my clothes."

As soon as Seto's neck was free from tie and collar, Ryou began sucking on his throat, only breaking to answer. "It's working, right?"

"The staff is still here - you should have let me know you were coming sooner. I would have gotten rid of them."

"There's two doors in here. You lock one and I'll lock the other."

Seto gasped as Ryou bit. "Okay."

They stood up, each locking a door, and then finished removing and folding their clothes, setting the stack on the sofa and settling back down into Ryou's nest. Seto twined his legs around Ryou's body and combed through his hair. Ryou sighed. He loved how long Seto's legs were, how they tangled up with Ryou's legs in an infinite knot.

They trailed their tongues along each other's shoulders, chests, stomachs, slow and soft, like a dream. No, better than a dream. His dreams with Seto were always sultry, but unresolved, never getting enough and always having to wake up to a lonely bed, but now there was Seto's lips against Ryou's skin and Seto's legs entwined around Ryou's body, and he was content.

Ryou reached for his messenger bag, digging through boxes of pocky and yam-yam and looking for a smaller toiletry bag. He found it and grabbed the lube he'd brought, working one-handed as his other hand caressed Seto's chest and his lips sucked at Seto's neck.

He'd just popped the cap off when the phone rang.

"Dammit. I forgot again. I have to take this." Seto jumped to his feet and grabbed his jacket, fishing out a cellphone.

Seto answered the phone, speaking right away. "I know, Mokuba, I know. I was just about to call you but some business came up and delayed me."

Ryou smiled, laying on the floor and staring up at Seto while he paced the parlor floor.

"Hm . . . mmm-hmmm . . . no . . . yes, yes. How are your classes? You better not get a B. I don't care if the teacher hates you - get an A to spite him."

Ryou covered his hand over his mouth to mute a chuckle. Seto would be the type to use perfection as a sort of vengeance.

"What? Working, what else would I do all weekend? No - no - no - Mokuba, we're not having this conversation again." Seto walked away to the furthest end of the room, which only piqued Ryou's interest. Seto's voice lowered just a touch. "I told you a thousands times already - I don't want to date, I don't need to date, I'm fine as I am. No . . . no. I'm perfectly content . . . that's what I just said. There isn't a difference. Whatever - don't get a B in history. I'm not changing the topic, your grades were the topic, and you're the one that deviated from that when you decided to try and meddle with my personal life."

Ryou rolled over and buried his face into a pillow because he was laughing too hard.

"I'm not alone. I'm surrounded by people all the time. What do you mean it's not the same? That's ridiculous. Mokuba don't you dare. If you call Yugi to check me like some babysitter I'll have him arrested for trespassing. That wasn't a threat. Mokuba I'm really busy this weekend. Uh . . . business meetings. I-I'm working on a project with an associate - no, I didn't stutter the connection must be bad - no it's not a hot chick. Can we please talk about anything else?"

Ryou peeked up from his pillow. Seto's conversation drifted into mundane topics not as fun to eavesdrop on. Ryou imagined what it would be like, if Amane were alive and harassing Ryou to go on dates, or worse, settle down. It'd be annoying, but Ryou wished he could have the chance to be frustrated with her.

Seto hung up the phone, groaning.

"That was entertaining to listen to."

Seto crashed on the couch rubbing his temples. "When we started this . . . I thought it'd be more sporadic. I never considered what would happen when he comes home for summer break."

Ryou drew circles on his pillow. "I can stay away when he visits."

A stomach-curdling silence hung in the air. Ryou was afraid to look at Seto, but he eventually did when Seto didn't say anything.

When Seto noticed Ryou's gaze, he answered. "I wouldn't like that."

Ryou forced a smile in an attempt to lighten the mood. "It's a big mansion. I could sneak in the back door for a booty call once a week and then slip out like a ninja."

"I wouldn't like that either."

"But Seto - ninjas."

"You said this was a romance now."

Ryou sat up, feeling the shift of tone in the air. He knelt on the blanket, the pillow covering his crotch as if that'd diminish his vulnerability. "Honestly? I've grown very attached to you, Seto. I . . . would miss you."

"Would you meet him?" Seto blurted out the question as if it tasted bad in his mouth. "I mean . . . you know him already, but . . ."

"W-would it be okay?" Ryou asked. "I know this is sort of a DL thing."

"I can trust Mokuba," Seto said.

Ryou's heart sped up. Being introduced to family was on a level that Ryou hadn't prepared for. "H-how w-would you introduce me? A business associate, or . . . or . . ."

"I called you my associate over the phone because I didn't want to explain anything to him yet. When he comes home for the summer I'd . . . I'd probably say you were my friend."

Ryou couldn't help but laugh. "Have you ever earnestly used that term to address anyone?"

Seto stared at the carpet. "No."

Ryou dragged a shuddering breath into his lungs. He felt like he'd vomit butterflies at any moment.

Seto took Ryou's silence as doubt and continued speaking. "Nor have I ever eaten in bed, or sat in my kitchen, or slept on a couch, or even seen my laundry room, or ran through a hedge maze, or locked the door to keep the servants out. Ryou I -"

Ryou jerked his head up and his brown eyes locked onto Seto's blue stare. For a moment, Ryou thought Seto was going to say something amazing, something even less probable than you're my friend, but Ryou's eyes broke Seto's resolve, and he sat on the sofa with parted, silent lips.

Ryou crawled to the sofa and sat beside Seto, holding Seto's cheeks and pressing their foreheads together for a moment before brushing his nose against Seto's temple. "Just tell me when, and I'll be here."

Their lips caught together, almost by accident, almost, and their kisses began slow and deep. They somehow ended up on the floor, back in their nest. Ryou reached out his hand, searching folds of blanket for quite some time before his fingers brushed against the plastic lube container. He showed the bottle to Seto, raising an eyebrow as if to ask who should top. Seto didn't respond, but he did blush, and it was answer enough for Ryou. He warmed the gel in his hand before slipping a finger inside Seto's body, and a moment later adding a second.

They were a mess of breath and of beads of sweat, of blush-hued cheeks and of full, aroused lips. Ryou turned them on their sides so he could face Seto, lifting up Seto's top leg and shifting lower so he could angel himself appropriately. They left crimson furrows on each other's shoulders even as they called out each other's names.

Seto rolled Ryou on his back and climbed on top of him, riding him until they both sank into the blankets to catch their breath. Ryou fell asleep before he could think of anything, the sleepless nights always catching up to him when he lay in Seto's arms.

When they woke up, they dressed in order to sneak into Seto's room and use his shower to clean up before dinner. Since the staff was still present, they ate their usual five course meal and then they walled themselves back into the parlor to begin their gaming session. Ryou held his breath as they installed the game on their computers. He'd worked so damn hard on perfecting it, and he knew it wouldn't be perfect - that's why they had betas - but he wanted it to be playable. He wanted it to be the kind of game that stole your soul and never truly gave it back even long after you stopped playing it and went on to other games.

When the title screen came up, Ryou griped Seto's hand and squeezed it. He couldn't help it; he was too excited. His eyes kept darting to Seto's face, trying to gage Seto's reactions hidden behind a swirl of colors from the computer monitor. They watched the intro, made characters, and began playing on multiplayer. The name Scylla and Charybdis came from Greek mythology. Odysseus had to sail between two different sea monsters, choosing which danger to face. The team named it so because of all the choices hidden in the game. From major branches in the storyline, to small behaviors towards NPC's, there wasn't much in the game that didn't affect it in some way, and throughout everything the player had to walk a tightrope between both challenges and gray-scaled morality - something Ryou identified with a little too much.

Things went smoothly, they played for several hours with only minor glitches. Ryou kept a clipboard nearby to jot down notes as he played. Midnight came and went, as did 3 am and 5 am. They swore one more quest and then a break, but the quest Seto picked lead easily into another and then another, and by the time they found a good place to save it was almost 10 am and there was a fairy's ring of energy drink cans surrounding them.

"Well?" Ryou asked, his eyes burning as his head swimming in of sludge of sleep deprivation and endorphins.

Seto grabbed Ryou's shoulders, leaning in close. "What do you mean well?"

"Do you like it?"

A smirk twitch against the corner of his mouth. "I don't know. We should play some more to find out."

Ryou grinned. "One more quest won't hurt."

It did hurt. They couldn't beat the boss - too tired to think straight - and they both ended up screaming and cursing at the game as if the gods themselves had forsaken them. After that they gave up and took a nap. Ryou dropped into sleep like a stone down a well. More screaming woke him up, Seto's lovely, commanding voice shouting, "why won't you have sex with me!"

Ryou rubbed his eyes, checking his phone and noticing it was 4:30 and he'd only gotten four hours of sleep. He blinked, trying to focus and noticing Seto at his computer.

"Who won't have sex with you?"

"Eistla."

"Why are you even trying to have sex with a half-giant?" Ryou laughed, crawling over to his computer and loading his own game.

"Because she could pick me up with one hand. Don't you judge me, Ryou Bakura."

Ryou buried his face in his hands, laughing. "How many personal quests have you done?"

"Three."

"uh-oh," Ryou sighed, laughter gone because he knew he was about to have to add to his list of things to fix. "Did you give her-"

"The doll? Yes. And she gave me a dagger after a few random encounters."

"Uh-oh."

"Don't you uh-oh me."

Ryou scooted to Seto's screen, checking the character's approval rating of Seto's character. It was high enough for a relationship, high enough for the love branch, actually. Ryou sighed again, making a note of the glitch on his clipboard.

"No. No, don't you dare write on your clipboard. This is bullshit, Ryou."

"I'm sorry."

"Goddammit."

"You can have sex with me instead," Ryou teased.

"I already got that achievement."

"Bitch, I will run a magnet over your hard drive."

Seto laughed at Ryou's threat. "I've never been with anyone smart enough to do that before."

"Yeah, well now you are, so you better watch your cute, little ass."

"Fine. I'll sleep with the elf instead."

"Which one?"

"The girl - can I have sex with both of them?"

Ryou grinned. "We thought about giving the characters set sexualities, but I kinda sorta intentionally convinced everyone that it'd be a pain to program so all the characters are polyamorous bisexuals out of sheer laziness on our part."

Seto gave a single, curt nod of his head. "Then it's on."

Ryou tossed Seto a box of pocky, grabbing one for himself at the same time. "First one to bed everyone beside Eistla tops tonight."

Ryou say at his desk and drank coffee as he worked out the bugs from his clipboard list. He felt like a programmer's version of Schrodinger's cat - wanting to fix the game, but at the same time wanting to ignore his responsibilities to play the game. At least, he thought, the game was as good as he wanted it to be. They'd slept about ten hours the entire weekend - even forgoing sex on Sunday just to play a little longer before they both had to go back to work.

Ryou paid for it with headaches and comments from everyone that saw him that he looked dead. He was on his third cup of coffee, realized it wasn't helping, realized he had most of the day left, realized he'd have to take a nap before he even tried connecting online with Seto to play some more. If the situation had a silver lining, Ryou supposed that it'd be the fact that he couldn't stay up restless and lovesick all night long if he was passed out from playing video games too late into the evening.

He was wrong, though. Even staying up until 1 am and quitting out of sheer exhaustion, Ryou still tossed and turned in bed for over an hour before finally nodding off.

It rained the next day. Ryou walked home from work beneath a large umbrella. He liked the rain most of the time, but in his current, tired, lonely, I-don't-get-to-see-Seto-until-tomorrow mindset, Ryou hated the gray sky and the puddles that splashed up past his shoes and soaked his wool socks. When he got home Tuesday night, Ryou slung his wet clothes to the floor near the door and dropped to the couch, wrapping himself in a blanket he'd used the night before while playing videogames on his laptop.

Before nodding off, he managed to text Seto that he was taking a nap, so that Seto didn't wonder why Ryou wasn't online to play. Then, instead of sleeping, he somehow found himself in a text conversation with Seto instead. He'd close his eyes and dose between each beep, but always jerked awake to reply to whatever Seto said.

He almost asked, asked if he could just visit a night early. He felt like a third grader trying to manipulate a sleepover with a friend. He also felt like an idiot for being a grown man that didn't like to sleep alone. How had he done it for the rest of his life? Ryou thought about it behind closed eyelids. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that he never really had slept all that well. He was always finding excuses to stay awake; horror movies, Monster World campaigns, his job. It wasn't until the last month that he really felt at ease enough to sleep well, and those were on the nights he was with Seto.

Ryou realized he hadn't checked his phone in a while. He looked, but there was no new messages from Seto. Sighing, Ryou knew that he needed to sleep, but a part of him wished Seto would text him something, anything at all, so he had an excuse to keep their conversation going.

He fell asleep anyway, too exhausted to fight it. The couch helped, too small and narrow to feel as lonely as an entire bed. A knock ripped Ryou from heavy sleep. He wiped his mouth, drool tickling the corner of his lips, and pulled the blanket around his waist. "Who is it?" Ryou called.

He hadn't gotten a visitor in a long time. Not since the last time Yugi came by.

"It's me."

Ryou's breath caught in his throat when he heard the soft, muffled voice on the other side of the door. The blanket dropped, leaving Ryou naked in his own living room. He checked the peephole, as if he couldn't trust his ears, and saw Seto standing in the hallway.

Ryou opened the door. "Seto? You're soaked! Are you okay?"

A tired smile graced Seto's lips. He had bags under his eyes much like Ryou did although they blended with his complexion a little better than Ryou's did.

"I couldn't . . . wait."

Ryou beckoned for Seto to come into his living room, shutting the door before someone noticed Ryou standing naked in front of another man. "Are you okay?"

"I don't know," Seto answered. "I was texting you, and then I was looking at the hedge garden - and I started running. I didn't tell anyone. I didn't know where I was going. I just started running, and then I was knocking on the door."

Ryou was smiling, panting for breath between upturned lips. He stepped closer, combing bone-white fingers through soaked, chestnut hair. "J-just to see me? You ran all that way in the rain?"

Seto answered with a kiss. His lips were cold. His hands were frozen. Ryou started peeling layers of wet, heavy fabric from Seto's body. Seto shivered, and once his clothes were in a damp heap next to Ryou's, Ryou wrapped both their bodies in his blanket, trying to warm Seto with covers, with his fingertips, and with his lips.

"I can't stand the off nights," Ryou whispered.

"I know." Seto traced Ryou's bottom lip with his tongue.

"I don't sleep without you." Ryou sucked on Seto's top lip.

Seto pulled away to press his lips against Ryou's ear. "Then sleep with me every night."

They started grinding against one another, no longer cold, hot needs gliding together. Ryou realized they weren't making it to the bedroom or to the lube, so he grabbed them both, spreading precum across their tips with his thumb as his fingers flourished up and down their shafts.

"We'll get caught," Ryou still whispered, as if speaking the words any louder would send them straight to the media. "If I move in with you, someone will find out."

Seto's hand joined Ryou's beneath the blanket. He caged their fingers together, helping Ryou stroke until they were both writhing against each other. A moment before climax, as everything seemed to expand and swell with the oncoming, blissful inevitability of orgasm, Seto's fervent blue eyes bore into Ryou's. "Let's risk it."

***And that's it! I hope it was worth spamming everyone's emails with updates.***