The Thief and his Willow

The Thief and his Willow

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Chapter Sixteen: Reunited

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Ryou held on tight, never unwrapping himself from Bakura’s waist as the two rode out of Kumal. They now were in a galloping stride, the horse tiring from the swiftness it had to encounter. They were in the cool desert, Bakura dressed in his kilt, his red robe wrapped over Ryou’s body. They had had no time to run to Bakura’s room to pack or redress. They immediately departed after watching Zorc devour Jalal whole.

He was weary, but Ryou forced himself to stay awake. He was interested in where Bakura was taking him. At the same time, he was just happy to be with Bakura again. He had missed the man so much. He missed Bakura’s strong, tight muscles. He had missed Bakura’s wonderful, natural rich scent. But most of all, which Ryou fully admits, is that he had missed Bakura’s attitude.

After many minutes of silence, the chestnut mare finally comes to a stop. Ryou took a look around, noticing nothing but desert. The sky was just growing into nighttime, and there were few stars. There were some large, sedimentary rocks they had shaded behind.

As Ryou stays waiting on the horse, Bakura steps off. Turning around, Bakura takes Ryou around the waist, and he helps his willow to slide off. When all four feet are firmly placed on the ground, both men could only stare at the other, both trying to find something to say to the other. Ryou, feeling most vital, began to cry, pulling Bakura into a hug. The thief hugs him, making soothing sounds as he feels moist tears slide onto his chest.

“I--I was so scared,” Ryou cries.

“It’s alright, Ryou,” Bakura coos. “It’s over now. Jalal is gone.”

Pulling from Bakura’s chest, Ryou stares deeply up at the one he loves. Bakura, gentle as ever, brushes away his willow’s tears. “What have I told you about crying?”

And Ryou found himself giggling. He hugs Bakura tighter, trying to hold back his sniffles. “I missed you.”

Bakura frowns. He pushes Ryou off, and he sees confusion in Ryou’s eyes. Smirking, Bakura takes Ryou’s hand, and he leads him through the desert on foot. “Follow me.”

Curious, Ryou follows, allowing Bakura to lead him through the cool sands. They walked for about five minutes, taking a short hike up a small, rocky dune. “Bakura, where…?” He looks on the other side, noticing a lit tent in the middle of nowhere. He turns to Bakura, full of puzzlement. “Bakura?”

“Just follow,” Bakura orders. He continues to drag Ryou, making sure that he got down the other side of the dune safely. Once they’ve reached bottom, Bakura calls out, “Hey! I’ve brought someone to see you!” He saw the confusion in his willow’s eyes, and he smiles, watching as the tent opens, and a man exits.

The man stood, smiling. Ryou stared in shock. His lips began to quiver, his knees shake. He stood there, staring at someone he has not seen in such a long time. Tears free themselves from his eyes, and Ryou, with such happiness in his heart, takes a step forward. “F--father?”

Fumio stood there, smiling at his dear son. He begins to walk forward, watching as his son begins to run towards him.

“Father!” Ryou shouts, breaking free from Bakura’s grasp. He stumbles, but picks himself right back up as he runs into his father’s awaiting arms. “Father! Father!” He cries, happily accepting his father’s warm, wonderful arms.

Bakura stood behind, allowing the father and son to reunite. He was happy for them, watching as Fumio and Ryou enter the tent to catch up. Smiling, Bakura turns to fetch the horse.

--

After given new clothes to wear, Ryou sat talking with his father all evening. Fumio had fruits to feed Ryou and Bakura. It was mainly courtesy of Bakura, whom had given Fumio coins. Bakura, with his robe back on, sat in silence as the other two talk, laugh, and cry. Bakura takes a sip of water, eyeing Ryou that whole evening. He has never seen Ryou so happy.

Never.

It made Bakura feel happy, but it also made the thief sad.

By that time tomorrow, he’d be long gone, and his willow would be leaving with his father.

Bakura knew, though. He knew --

‘It’s for the best.’

--

Later that night, close to dawn, Ryou awoke in his sleep. He turns, hearing his father snoring. Ryou looked around for Bakura’s sleeping form, but not seeing it, Ryou grew worried. He stands, and makes his way outside. As the cool, desert air touches his skin, Ryou looks around for the thief. He sees Bakura’s horse, it standing next to another his father had purchased. So, the thief still must be around. And finally, Ryou spotted Bakura sitting atop the sand dune, facing the other direction.

Bakura sat, watching the sunset rising in the distance. His face seemed motionless, almost sad. He did not hear Ryou coming up the dune from behind. And he got startled at Ryou’s touch when those adorable fingertips touched at his shoulder. “Bakura?”

“Ryou,” Bakura shivers. “You startled me.”

“I startled you?” Ryou snickers, and he takes a seat next to Bakura. “That surprises me.”

Not speaking back, Bakura takes a sip of water from the leather canteen he held in his hand. Ryou, taking notice of Bakura’s quietness, decides to do the speaking. “Father told me about you said to him. He told me that you were right, and that he should not of treated me the way he did. He has accepted me as Ryou, and not as Rye.”

“That’s great,” Bakura answers.

“And I have you to thank,” Ryou said. Bakura turns to him. Ryou was smiling. The smile was angelic, satisfying. “Thank you, Bakura. Thank you for finding, and bringing my father back to me.”

Bakura nods, and he takes another sip of his drink. He lowers his head. Many thoughts traveled through his mind. Many of which he knew he had to speak with Ryou about, though he wished he could not. It’d be difficult, but he knew he had to, and he had to now. “Ryou, I want you to promise me something.”

“Hmm…?” Ryou turns to Bakura. He had been watching the sunset, its lovely oranges and pinks even widening his happiness.

“Ryou. Promise me that if your father gives you any more trouble, that you’ll stand up for yourself, and be a man.” Bakura asks this with a stern voice. He keeps his eyes fixed on Ryou, watching for any signs of befuddlement.

“Of course,” Ryou said. “You’ve taught me to be strong, Bakura. I promise I will be. For you, and for father.” Ryou turns his attention back on the sunset. “I can’t wait until we travel. I want to take you to my old home, and show you where I once lived. It should be safe with you by mine and father’s side. And we can find a house of our home, and grow old together…”

“Ryou…” Bakura sighs. His willow did not understand. “Ryou…”

“And maybe we could get a pet of some sort,” Ryou giggles. “We could name her after one of my friend’s from the kitchens.”

“Ryou!” Bakura whispers sharply, grabbing Ryou by the wrist. His willow was startled by the grab, and he gives Bakura his full attention. “Ryou, listen to me. Y--you -- you’re not my slave anymore. I--I’m letting you go. You’re free.” Bakura lets Ryou’s wrist go, watching Ryou eye him suspiciously. “Don’t you understand, Ryou? You and your father are to go without me.”

With those words said, Ryou already felt his heart beginning to break. He shakes his head, going into a lovesick frenzy. “N--no. No, you can’t mean it, Bakura! Of course you’re coming with!”

“Ryou,” Bakura sighs. “I cannot.”

“Why!” Ryou shouts. He gets on his knees, turning to face the thief. He dares the thief using sadness, making sure that the thief could see all. “No! No! I won’t go without you!”

“Ryou…”

“No!” Ryou pushes forward, wrapping his arms protectively around Bakura. “No-no-no!”

“Ryou, stop it!” Bakura tries pulling the willow off, but Ryou stuck to him like glue. “I must return to Lord Zorc. Do you understand? I am destined to lead a life as his attendant! If I do not, Ryou, he’ll -- he’ll haunt me forever, and I don’t want you living with that.” Ryou does not answer, and Bakura sighs at hearing sniffling. “I must go back.”

“Then I’m going with you!” Ryou cries, hugging Bakura tighter.

“No, you’re not,” Bakura frowns. “Ryou, you are, at last, reunited with your father. You have to go with him. You’ll be stuck in hell forever if you come with me.”

“I don’t care,” Ryou weeps. “I am happy that my father is well, and alive. I am happy to have seen him. But if I must say goodbye to him in order to be with you, then so be it! Because -- because…” Ryou let’s his heart spill. He allows all of his emotions to come tumbling out from the clutches of his stomach. “Because I love you!”

Bakura had known, yet he still was bedazzled by those memorable words.

Ryou loves him.

The only other time Bakura has found love was from his parents. Though ruthless thieves, he and his family still found love. And Bakura has lost that love long since. But, when he met Ryou, he had found him to be so attractive, so beautiful -- so fucking wonderful. And he had made Ryou his. Yet, Bakura regretted forcing Ryou into bed after learning of Ryou’s true sex. He regretted ever making Ryou work in those disgusting kitchens, even if Ryou had made friends. He regretted ever not allowing Ryou to cry. The feelings, they were strong, new, and exciting. And deep in his heart, Bakura knew that -- yes, he loved Ryou.

The thief loves his willow.

He listens, listens as Ryou repeats, “I love you,” over and over. Gently, Bakura wraps his arms around Ryou.

“Ryou,” Bakura whispers. “Ryou, I love you, too.”

Not sure if he had heard right, Ryou lifts his eyes, meeting Bakura’s. “You do?”

Smiling, Bakura rubs at Ryou’s hair. He nods his head. “Yes.”

Even happier, Ryou moves his face closer to the thief’s, gently speaking the thief’s name before enlightening Bakura with a kiss.

The kiss, starting slow, began increasing. Ryou, with lips parted, allowed Bakura’s tongue entry. Both tongues danced together in romantic ecstasy, enjoying the other’s presence quite lovingly. Mixes of fruit scents filled the other as the two kissed. Bakura’s strong arm pressed firmly against Ryou’s back, his other hand resting against the cold sand as Ryou’s arms found their way around Bakura’s neck. The two would only pause to catch a breath, and only for a second before pushing back together, taking in sweet, short pecks before forcing in long, everlasting kisses.

As the kissing ends, as Ryou places his forehead against Bakura’s own, as both rest, catching their breath, Ryou could only think one thought. “I won’t let you -- go…”

Slowly, he stands to his feet. Bakura eyed him, watching Ryou stand before him. Bending down, Ryou takes Bakura’s hands, forcing the thief to rise to his own feet. And ever softly, Ryou whispers, “Come.” as he leads Bakura down the opposite side of the dune, down towards the awaiting rocks on the other side.

-End of Chapter Sixteen-

Short chapter, I know. There is one more to follow. So do stay tuned.