Sorry this has taken forever to write but I've been preoccupied with other things. But it's here now - the last chapter of this great fic. I've enjoyed writing it and I hope you've enjoyed reading it. Your reviews have been a great inspiration and you have my thanks. But now it's time to read on and move on so on with the fic!
Epilogue
It was a warm and peaceful day. The waves lapped lazily against the sandy shore as the sun bore down from a clear blue sky. It was a beautiful day and even the most reclusive of characters were drawn out into the fresh air. Bakura sat in the shade of a beach umbrella picking up handfuls of sand and watching as they tumbled from his grasp to the ground. He had never imagined he would visit a place like this. Akefia's private beach was truly magnificent.
Bakura looked up as a smiling Ryou sat down next to him. The boy was wearing a thin white shirt and trousers that had been rolled up to his knees. He appeared to be soaked but thoroughly enjoying himself. "Come on Bakura; the water's great!"
"I'd rather not," Bakura muttered as he picked up another handful of sand.
Ryou sighed as he watched the grains blow away in the wind. It had been a few months now since they had left the theatre and come to live in Akefia's seaside home. At first Bakura had been nothing but reclusive, refusing to come out of his room for meals or even talk to anyone beside Ryou. Upon seeing that this was upsetting Ryou, Akefia had stormed into Bakura's room and they had had a good row about Bakura's behaviour. The argument seemed to clear the air of most of the hostile feelings the two felt for each other and Bakura started to be slightly more sociable. The fact that Akefia had given Bakura a mask to wear if he wanted to also helped the situation.
Ryou reached over and took Bakura's hand, effectively gaining his attention. "Bakura don't exclude yourself like this. Akefia and I want you to enjoy yourself and be happy. I can tell you're not happy sitting here like this so why don't you come play with us?" When Bakura didn't answer Ryou gently stroked the scarred side of his face. Bakura flinched and Ryou smiled softly. "We're not afraid of you and we don't hate you. Will you join us?"
Slowly Bakura nodded. Ryou beamed and dragged the other male to his feet before hurrying him towards the sea. Sometimes Bakura just needed a little reminder that he wasn't alone to get him to be himself.
They reached the water and met Akefia who was wading in water that reached his waist. "About time you two decided to join me."
Ryou smiled and ploughed through the water towards him. Bakura made his way over slowly, taking time to adjust to the slightly chilled water. He continuously glanced at his companions as the water level passed his ankles. Bakura was both relieved and put off by the fact that the two other males were watching him closely.
Bakura stopped when the water was at his knees. Akefia leaned down to whisper conspiringly in Ryou's ear when it became apparent that Bakura wasn't going to be moving from that spot. Ryou giggled at Akefia's suggestion, making Akefia grin in return. It made Bakura feel uneasy. He then became even more wary when Ryou approached him with a far too innocent smile on his face. Bakura watched as Ryou's hand rested lightly on his shoulder before gliding down to his elbow. The hand returned to its original position and the cycle began again.
The seductive nature of the action slowly made Bakura relax. Ryou kept glancing up in that shy way of his that made Bakura feel predatory. It was therefore a surprise to Bakura when Ryou put both his hands on Bakura's shoulders and pushed him backwards into the water. Bakura quickly sat up, coughing up any water that had managed to sneak into his mouth.
The red eyed ex-phantom glared from the innocently smiling Ryou to the chortling Akefia. "Bastard," Bakura spat along with the rest of the salt water.
"It was just a bit of fun – lighten up!" Akefia shouted back, knowing he was too far away for Bakura to dish out any immediate revenge.
Bakura's snarl slowly turned into a grin. He grabbed hold of Ryou's leg and jerked him down into the sea. The teen sat up spluttering, quickly devising a way to get his revenge. A handful of wet sand was a good way to get back at someone. It was, however, easy to return the favour.
Akefia watched the two throw sand at each other and began to feel left out of the fun. He quickly rectified this by throwing handfuls of sand at them then running to shore to avoid the wet sand that was chucked at his back. Ryou and Bakura were both on their feet in seconds, chasing him back to the dryness of the beach where they tackled him. They rolled about in the sand trying to gain control of the situation. In the end they collapsed laughing, too exhausted to continue their game.
"You've got sand on your face," Akefia muttered.
Ryou giggled. "So have you."
There was a peaceful silence as the two regarded each other. Once again Bakura felt left out. Ryou and Akefia were paying attention to each other but not to him. It was always like this; they didn't mean to exclude him but it always happened. Akefia was the one Ryou loved, not him.
Akefia turned to face Bakura. "You've got sand on your face." He tried to wipe the sand off Bakura's cheek but the sand on his hand foiled Akefia's plan.
"You're making it worse," Ryou commented unhelpfully.
"Look's like Bakura's going to have to remain a sandman."
Ryou chuckled. "Do you want to go and get cleaned up? It's nearly lunchtime so we might as well unless you like sand in your sandwiches."
"Good idea Ryou," said Akefia as he got to his feet. The tallest male then held out his hand to help Bakura up. Slightly surprised that the hand was being offered to him and not Ryou first, Bakura accepted the offered assistance without incident.
The three made their way back to where they had left the towels and picnic basket. They dusted off the sand before using the towels as blankets to sit on. Ryou passed out the sandwiches and the three were able to enjoy the food without any fighting or arguing. Once they were finished they lay down on the towels, allowing the food to settle before they returned to the sea.
Ryou sighed in contentment. "It's been a lovely day hasn't it?"
His two companions grunted in agreement. Then, deciding that the atmosphere had been quiet for long enough, Akefia moved so that his feet lay across Bakura's stomach. Bakura aimed a glare at him but the viscount was unaffected by the threat. Bakura was willing to overlook the intrusion of personal space but then Akefia started to bob his foot up and down to a rhythm only he heard, a rhythm that thoroughly annoyed the ex-phantom.
"Stop it," Bakura ground out through clenched teeth.
Akefia stopped the movement but just as Bakura let out a sigh of relief it began again. "I don't think I will."
With a growl Bakura knocked Akefia's feet aside and jumped on him. Ryou sat up to see the two wrestling in the sand. He sighed, disappointed that peace couldn't be maintained for more than five minutes. He let them be though, happy to see that at least a small part of Bakura was having fun. Akefia was also having a good time but there wasn't anything new in that. They were having fun together though and that was new. Ryou just hoped this newfound friendship wouldn't end as he knew this glorious day must.
Eventually Bakura was able to pin Akefia. He smirked triumphantly down at the other man as they both tried to regain their lost breath. "I win."
To Bakura's surprise Akefia replied to his taunting statement by kissing him. Akefia used the other's surprise to turn the tables and pin Bakura to the ground. "I think you'll find that I won," Akefia taunted, a smirk etched onto his face. "After all, everything is fair in love and war."
"And which was that?"
Akefia answered him by kissing Bakura a second time. Once again Bakura was shocked to feel those soft lips pressed insistently against his own. He was even more shocked when he felt himself responding. It wasn't the viscount he loved – it was Ryou! So then why did the kiss feel so good and the flame of passion ignite within him?
They broke apart and stared silently at each other. Akefia then turned to gage Ryou's reaction. The teen's face was neutral for a minute before he smiled. Akefia relaxed. He then turned a teasing tone on Bakura. "So, am I a good kisser?"
"I've had better," Bakura muttered quietly.
"From who, the mirror?"
Bakura snarled and they were once again wrestling in the sand. Ryou laughed softly at their antics. Those two just couldn't admit to each other that they cared. Akefia had confided in Ryou earlier that he didn't mind having Bakura around anymore, that he'd come to like the ex-phantom. Ryou had thought that Akefia meant he liked him as a friend but apparently not. Ryou didn't mind either way – he was just glad that they'd all found happiness here, together.
Ryou loved Bakura and Akefia so much and was unable to choose between them. Akefia loved him and now loved Bakura. Bakura had loved Ryou from the beginning and even though he tried to deny it, it was obvious that he loved Akefia as well.
Akefia had once said in jest that they should just start a threesome. It seemed what started as a joke, a ridiculous idea, was about to become reality. Ryou smiled at the thought. Happiness really did come in many strange and different. He wouldn't trade this one for the world.
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