A/N: I haven't died! I return to you bearing gifts of a one-shot! …er, at least I think it's a one-shot. There aren't any plans for it to go any farther than my musings, so yes, a one-shot it is.

It's not long…it's not good, but it's here, and it's written, and at the moment that is all that matters! celebrates

And, without further distraction and delay…

Enjoy!

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Dawn barely broke through the curtains, covering the room in a soft gray light. He lay in bed, his eyes fixed on that foggy dim sky, not looking around him. If he didn't move then neither would time. The clock would stop, the sun would halt its progress and he would be left in peace.

Unfortunately that was not the way of the world, so as the sun rudely invaded his morning he slipped out of bed and walked slowly over to the mirror. Its gilded edges caught the light from the intrusive sun and glittered on the wall. He stared into the glass, watching his own reflection. The pale lips, the dark eyes, he reached out and touched them. They were still there, they were still his, and they would be frozen in eternity like this, so there was no need to worry.

He could stay here, he could watch life pass by, and he would remain here, encased in an icy frame. He relaxed as time slowed, the sun stopped rising and the clock's hands finally stopped their awkward process. Eternity frozen his tension drained away. He was safe here, there was no need to plan, and no way to look back. He had but to remain here, and nothing would change. He would be preserved, safe forever.

He didn't hear the door open, and barely registered the face in the mirror behind him. Bakura sighed, knowing very well the blank stare Ryou was giving the mirror. He walked over to his little Aibou and gently wrapped his arms around his shoulders.

"You're going to be late if you don't get ready for school now," he said gently, his voice soft. Ryou slowly looked away from the mirror and into his lover's eyes, nodding.

"Alright," he said softly. Those warm eyes, so closely matching his own slowly thawed the icy protection from around him, but the gentle arms kept him grounded, they kept him tethered to reality.

Bakura was the only one who could persuade him to come out of the mirror, to take his place in the real world with very little fear, knowing that he would always have a strong hold to go to, a place to run.

Reality was unkind sometimes, but in its cruelty it gave its own blessings.

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A/N: stares at it where in heaven's name did that come from? I started out with an entirely different plot in mind…and this wasn't it. shrugs Ah well, my thought processes don't have to make sense to anyone, and that includes me. 

Well, there it is, take it or leave it, but please leave it a review! Somehow I think I could continue this…don't ask me how, but if anyone has a driving interest for it to develop more, let me know and I'll see if the inspiration sticks with me. I can assure you that if there is more to be written there'll be some form of a plot.

Leave me a review…it would make me so happy.

TTFN

Katia-chan