Typical Problem

Chapter 3: You Are My Steak

Flopping down heavily against his pillow, Bakura curled his arms back behind his head, a look of annoyance plastered across his face. If it was one thing he couldn't stand, it was when his best friend acted completely clueless. Covering his face with both hands, they slowly slipped away, mahogany eyes tensed and closed. Slim fingers curled gently, distorting his features momentarily as he pulled in frustration. He really didn't understand how someone could be that thick.

Six years.

He had known Ryou forever. They had play dates together, scraped their knees together, and grown up together. He was the only one who had been there for him when his parents had passed away, the only one who had seemed to care. He was a shoulder to cry on, a bearer of secrets, and a partner in crime. He was like the little brother he never had. But as they grew older, it was then that Bakura had realized that he felt something more towards his best friend. Something deeper, and he knew he could never, ever let the other find out about it. And now it was six years later; six years after his realization, and Ryou was just as clueless as ever.

Sitting up, Bakura tied back his hair, becoming even more annoyed. A small, sarcastic smirk crossed his lips. Everything seemed to be irritating him now. Laying back down, he folded his arms behind his head again. Well if anyone ever needed a secret kept from Ryou, he was either the best person to tell, or his best friend was just an idiot.

Maybe a little of both.

Opening his eyes, his faint reflection in his black television screen was the only thing to greet his stare. The soft pelting of rain floated through the air, the beginning of a storm starting outside. Shifting his gaze to his bedside table, the green lights bared the numbers 9:34pm back at him. It had been a little over an hour since their 'spat', and Bakura considered getting up to get a glass of water. Or at least that's what he tried to reason to himself that he needed. He really wasn't going to exit his room to see what his roommate was doing.

Really.

Swinging a leg over, he let it hang haphazardly off the side of his bed. Toes resting against the cool wood of his floor, the rest of Bakura's body had yet to follow, as if his mind was refusing to cooperate. Instead, he merely stared at his reflection across the room, his eyes clouded over in thought.

How. How could he not know by now..

He really wishedhis best friend was a mind reader sometimes.. emotions were just too complicated for him.

Two soft knocks floated through the air, crimson orbs snapping over to his closed door. Not bothering to answer, he only stared, watching as it slowly cracked open. A pair of emerald eyes carefully peeked around and met his, before disappearing. The younger boy inched his way through the small path he had made, as if he were afraid to open the door the entire way. Leaning back against the thin wood, Ryou let it close with a soft click, before meeting the others gaze again.

"Er, hey.." A cautious smile crossed his face, but didn't quite reach his eyes, "Sorry to bug you. I know it's getting late, but, uhm.." He rubbed the back of his neck slowly, carefully taking a step forward, "..Think we could talk?"

Bakura merely stared at his roommate, a single eyebrow rising in answer.

Taking his silence as a yes, Ryou crossed the rest of the way to the bed, sitting down in the space left empty by the leg hanging off the side. Folding his hands in his lap, the younger boy was silent, his eyes roving over the semi-clean room. He could hear the rain pelting against the window harder. Tapping his fingers together, green eyes finally found their way over to a silent Bakura, a dull stare still boring into him.

Clearing his throat, Ryou lifted a hand to run back into his hair, scratching idly.

"Can you just tell me what's going on?"

Bakura's shoulders twitched and his biceps squeezed lightly against his ears in a shrug, "Not sure what you're talking about. I'm just laying here, minding my own business."

Frowning, Ryou leaned sideways on his arm, "Bakura, I'm serious!"

"I'm serious too! I'm really just laying here. No lie."

Dropping his head with a deep sigh, Ryou contemplated his strategy. He wasn't sure this was actually worth all the trouble in the end. Raising his gaze, his eyebrows knitted together delicately, eyes giving a pleading look.

"Bakura.. you are my best friend. You have been since I can remember. I know you. Something is bothering you, and I don't understand why you refuse to tell me what it is. You know you can tell me anything!"

Finally sitting up, crimson eyes flashed briefly before narrowing slightly, "Know me? You know me?" A sharp bark of a laugh rang through the stiff air, "You obviouslyare missing some pieces then, my friend, since you're still as daft now as you've been all these years."

Becoming frustrated with the continuous references to him being 'clueless' through the night, Ryou bore his eyes into the others, his voice rising in anger, "What could I possibly be so "clueless" about! You keep saying that, but you're not explaining anything to me! You just expect me to read your mind and automatically know what's happening Well let me tell you something Bakura, it doesn't work like that! You actually have to talk to me, tell me things, explain what's going through that thick head of yours!"

Pursing his lips, Ryou stared at the other man, waiting for an answer.. any answer. He just wanted, no needed, to know what was going on with his best friend. He watched as the others face twitched, as if he was fighting with himself to keep his mouth closed. Finally responding, he took a breath, refusing to let his temper get the best of him again.

"I don't think you understand what you're asking." His voice was steady, but there was an undertone of impatience, "I'm telling you what you need to know, and you need to know that she is not good for you."

Shaking his head in disbelief, Ryou uttered, "How is she not good for me? She-"

"You don't even know her," His voice was shaking lightly now, "You've never spoken to her before today and you think.. you just.." He shook his head, unable to finish his sentence, "We have been together forever, I already know everything that there is to know about you. No one could.." He swallowed, leaning back against both his arms and shaking his head again, "..No one could give you what I can.. I am good for you."

Blinking, Ryou looked away briefly, taking in what the other was saying. He could feel his heart beginning to thump as he took in what the other had said. If he was hearing this correctly, it definitely sounded like Bakura was jealous. Very jealous. But it also sounded as if he was trying to propose something.. Why would he say that? Everything that the other said sounded depressed, as if.. no, he just couldn't see Bakura ever feeling that way towards him. But what if.. what if? Ryou had kept his own feelings a secret for the longest time and had finally given up, deciding to try and find another object of affection.

And he did.. and now look what was happening.

Pulling his legs up onto the mattress, Ryou maneuvered himself to sit on his knees so he could stare down at the older man. His features had changed and all emotion had been hidden away, as if he had silently shut down. Bakura now stared back at him with bored eyes. Uncurling his arms, the elder rolled over on his side with a low huff, nearly kicking Ryou as he brought his leg up and over the side of his bed. Frowning, Ryou reached down, placing his hand against the dip in the others side. His skin was warm and he felt a small tingle run down his spine.

"Bakura, what are you doing?"

A grunt answered him, before replying, "Sleeping."

Ryou sighed lightly with a small smile at his friends dumb antics. Crawling forward, he hesitantly draped himself over the side of the others mans warm body. If Bakura could harass him on a daily basis with moves like these, then so could he. Gaining confidence when the other didn't move, Ryou laid his head down on Bakura's shoulder, inhaling the smell that only his best friend could emit.

A sigh floated through the air, before the body below him shifted, the younger finding himself laying across the others bare chest. Feeling his lungs expand with an intake of breath, Ryou vibrated softly as Bakura spoke dully, "What are you doing."

With a cheeky smile spreading across his lips, Ryou ignored the heat beginning to spread across his face, as he replied innocently, "Nothing!"

Receiving a roll of the eyes before he closed them, Bakura folded his arms behind his head once more. Pushing forward, Ryou swallowed tightly, leaning on his forearms. He could feel the others heartbeat above his wrist, his fingers twitching as he realized how quickly it was thumping.

"Am I making you uncomfortable?"

With a half smile and a small 'tch', Bakura cracked one ruby eye open, "Yeah, you wish."

Moving his arms as Ryou laughed, the elder listened as the air was briefly knocked from the others lungs. Bakura pulled the other over his body and down onto the bed next to him with a small 'fwump'. Letting out a surprised sound, Ryou's upper body bounced slightly on his shoulder, his legs still curved up and over Bakura's hips. Silver hair dropped into his face and Ryou let out a quiet laugh. He could feel his cheeks burning as slim fingers brushed the soft strands from his view, mahogany eyes staring deeply into his. Falling silent, Ryou let the digits trail down the side of his face, the light touches stopping at his jaw. He could feel his breathing quicken, and his heart nearly stopped as he felt the tip of a nose press against his own.

"Am I making you uncomfortable?"

The question was just above a whisper and his warm breath tickled Ryou's face. Swallowing hard, green eyes were half-hooded, his lips parted to reply almost silently, "No.."

The two only stared at each other, and it seemed like an eternity to Ryou. This had to be it. This had to be the moment. Hoping he wasn't about to ruin everything, the smaller male closed his eyes firmly, hesitantly pushing his nose past the others. Pressing their lips together for a split second, Ryou suddenly jerked away, all of his courage dissipating. Oh this was embarrassing.. What had he done? Done, done, done, everything was done. Everything was ruined, he had to go, everything was over..

Struggling to sit up and push himself back over the body next to him, a strong arm was automatically wrapped around his chest, pulling him roughly down onto the bed. Gasping, a flat palm pressed against his ribcage, firmly locking him to the mattress.

Bakura was half sitting up, leaning against his free arm, as he stared down at the younger boy. His own chest rose and fell with deep breaths through his nose, and his eyes searched the others face. Thin lips parting, he finally spoke, words low and cautious, "Don't.. toy with me."

Removing his hand from the others chest, Bakura lifted one of Ryou's own hands and pressed his palm against his own warm flesh. Ryou's eyes widened as he felt the heartbeat underneath, pounding steadily away under his fingers. Opening his mouth in a wordless answer, the younger took the others hand in shaking fingers and pressed it against his own chest. A matching heartbeat sung through Bakura's hand, and he felt his body beginning to go numb with realization.

Six years.

Six years and it was finally happening..

Buckling his elbow, Bakura dipped his head low, brushing their noses together again. Breaths mingled together as he hesitated for only a few moments, before he closed the distance between them. Ryou's chin tilted up slightly to meet him, a heavy breath escaping from his nose. Keeping one hand atop Bakura's, Ryou cautiously lifted his other, placing it against the side of his friends face.

He couldn't believe this was happening. Ryou's thoughts raced. This, this.. he had had a dream of this happening, or something like it, only hours before, and now.. now.. he was kissing those same lips that he had always been teased with since they were children. They were rough, but gentle at the same time, demanding and reassuring, hot and moist, loving and securing..

Bakura pulled away slowly, his crimson eyes half hooded, taking in the flushed face and parted lips of his best friend. Ryou's breathing was slightly labored and the elder could feel his hand on the others chest rising and falling quickly. Inhaling the sweet smell of the smaller boy, Bakura felt his body tingle, a carnal urge rising up within him. Dipping his head again, the elder wrapped his arms around the slight frame and pressed his lips heavily against a slim throat, nipping and kissing his way down and back up again. Pausing briefly, Bakura's words were low and husky as he spoke into his neck: "You're so stupid.." A small kiss. "I've waited for years.." Another kiss. "And now I've got you.."

Teeth gently found tender flesh and Ryou gasped, his eyes closed. He was limp in the others grasp, his body shivering softly. Both hands had found their way into Bakura's messy locks, fingers locked tight. This had to be a dream, it had to, but oh please don't wake up yet..

As feverish lips made their way back to meet the younger boys mouth, hungry for more, Ryou's upper body suddenly scrambled to sit up, his forehead connecting with another in the process. Cries of pain rang out, one more in aggravation than the other, two sets of hands reaching up to cradling their stinging injuries.

"Augh, Ryou, what the hell!"

"Shh, shh, shh!" Long fingers covered the elders mouth, mahogany eyes widening in shock and annoyance, "Did you hear that?"

Raising an eyebrow in irritated confusion, Bakura gave a mock shake of his head in a 'What?' motion, before tenderly rubbed at his forehead. He knew he would have a nice bruise tomorrow.

Two soft knocks floated through the air, just barely reaching behind the closed bedroom door.

"That!" Ryou carefully made his way around the others body and off the mattress, "Who could it possibly be at this hour.."

Letting his body fall lifelessly to the bed, Bakura let out a low groan, smashing his face down into his sheets. Slowly peeling himself backwards, feet touching the floor again, he pushed himself up, a dramatically disappointed look crossing his face.

'You have to be fucking kidding me..'

Shuffling after the other boy, Bakura adjusted the waistband of his sleeping pants, not paying too much attention as he made his way into the living room. The sound of a soft voice catching his attention, his eyes narrowed, stopping next to the abandoned pizza box still on the coffee table.

"..On my way home, and I was wondering if we could talk for a minute.."

What the..

Was this girl serious!

He could only see half of Ryou, his white hair glowing in the lamplight he must have turned on. Bakura only caught the end of her sentence and the open door blocked his view of the girl he could just about strangle right now.

In fact, that didn't seem like too bad of an idea. This needed to end now, whether she ended up leaving on her own or he had to personally escort her into a ditch.

A smirk settling across his mouth at the thought, he strode forward quickly, hand wrapping around the side of the door before swinging it open further. He barely noticed Ryou's look of surprise before he pulled the younger boy back behind him. Advancing, he towered over the blue haired girl. Red eyes flashing, Bakura could feel his muscles tensing in anticipation as he glared down.

"What do you want."

Ice blue eyes stared cautiously up at him, a look of confusion crossing her face.

"..I'm here to speak with Ryou about something.. Is that alright with you?"

"No." The answer was short and dead, his entire body taking up the entryway by holding his other arm against the door frame. "Ryou is busy at the moment and his answering machine is full."

Blinking, a strange look coming over her face, Touya furrowed her slim brows, "But.. he's right there.."

"No he's not."

"Yes.. yes he is. I can see him."

"No you can't."

Sighing, Touya crossed her arms, shifting her weight to her other foot with a tilt of her hips, "Ryou, what's going on? Get your guard dog on a leash. It's late and I just want to talk for a minute."

Feeling his best friend move behind him, Bakura adjusted his body, but the younger gave a good prod to his side, effectively causing him to flinch out of the way. Stepping up in front of his roommate, the look on Ryou's face had changed, his lips pursed in a thin line.

"You know what, Touya.. it is late. I don't think I have any time to talk." He took on a similar stance in the doorway that Bakura had previously been in, tapping his fingers lightly against the open wood, "I think my 'guard dog' was right all along. You're no good for me"

"No good!" Bakura's voice made itself known, a mocking smile plastered on his face as he stared down at the intruder at his door, "I knew it, man, I am good! I should be a psychiatrist or something.."

Ryou waved a hand back at him, a mildly annoyed look following, "Really, Bakura.. please. Not a good option for you."

Returning his gaze back to the girl in front of him, a sudden slap across his face made his head tilt, a surprised look in his eyes. He could feel the presence behind him tense, the heat of the others sudden anger burning against his bare back. A body automatically lunged past him, a fist swinging and missing Touya by centimeters as she tripped backwards.

"How dare you touch what is mine, you insignificant little bitch!" Red eyes flashed and he moved to attack again, before arms encircled his waist, holding him back. "I am not afraid to hit a woman!"

"Bakura, that's enough!"

"You're psycho!" She cried, "What is wrong with you!"

Taking a step away as Bakura shot a glare at her, Touya gave one last dirty look, before turning and disappearing down towards the elevator.

"Don't show your face around here again, or you won't have to worry about wearing it anymore!"

Teeth ground together as he was pulled back inside, Bakura's words echoing down the hallway. Letting go of his roommate, Ryou closed the door, trying to shush him, "Bakura, be quiet! Your neighbors are going to hate you."

Hands cupped his face as he turned around, fingers soothingly rubbing over the tender spot on his cheek. "My neighbors already hate me," He murmured, "That's nothing new."

Green eyes met concerned mahogany, a small smile crossing Ryou's lips. Shaking his head, he laughed softly, "You're ridiculous, do you know that?"

Shrugging, Bakura straightened, his arms crossing, "But I was right."

Nodding his head, Ryou sighed lightly, pushing himself away from the door, "For once. I wish you would tell me these things sooner." He glanced up at his roommate, an inquiring look on his face, "How long have you kept this from me?"

Shrugging halfheartedly, Bakura followed the other to the couch before replying, "Probably too long."

Green eyes studied the man lounged next to him. He was so complex.. even after all this time of knowing each other, of living together, they still had secrets..

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Bakura closed his eyes, scratching at his head, "I really didn't think you would take everything this well."

Ryou laughed slightly, "Best friends tell each other everything."

Shrugging, Bakura smirked, "Now you know everything."

Scooting himself over, Ryou squeaked as arms wrapped around him, pulling him the rest of the way across the couch. Smiling, the younger boy laid his cheek against Bakura's collar. As a hand came to rest against his hair, Ryou yawned widely, a small sound of amusement replying from Bakura's throat.

"It's late."

Ryou huffed softly, closing his eyes, "I know.." Both of his hands found the others fingers at his side, "But I want to stay."

Feeling a weight drop down onto him, Ryou could feel the fabric of a blanket being stretched out across him. He smiled against Bakura's skin, a chin coming to rest against the top of his head.

"Go to sleep, Ryou."

Squeezing the others fingers, Ryou sighed softly, his voice quiet, "Promise you won't pretend to forget all of this by tomorrow.."

A low laugh vibrated against the other, "How could I forget to hate that stupid girl."

Shaking his head with a slight smile, "You can't kill her."

"Nah.. but I can make her miserable."

"Or.. you could not."

"We'll see."

Sighing, Ryou sat up slightly, his green eyes bright in the lamplight.

"Promise me that you'll still be here in the morning."

Letting out a small 'tch', he responded, "After waiting six years for this to happen, do you really think that I would just vanish?"

"Promise me!"

Bakura stared down at his best friend. The others look was so serious, it knocked all joking mannerisms out of his voice. Pressing his lips against Ryou's forehead, crimson eyes closed, before knocking their foreheads together gently.

"Promise."

Smiling wide, Ryou laid back down against his collar. He could hear Bakura's heartbeat thumping away steadily below him, the rhythm relaxing his body. Stretching backwards, Bakura reached out, grabbing a hold of the lamps tab and giving it a twist. Plunging the room into darkness, he settled back down, holding the other as close as he could.

Tomorrow, things would be different.

Tomorrow, things would be the same.

Tomorrow..

Things would be so much better.

Owari

Not sure I liked how this turned out.. I had a hard time flowing into an ending ._. Please review? Maybe one day I'll go back and make changes.