Camping

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Thank you to all who reviewed! (does improved version of happy dance) well I'm in the middle of a load of exams at the moment, but all the kind comments certainly spurred me on to write another chapter. Hope you enjoy...

With thanks to the people that help me along the way ;) ... J Chan, Kutsu, yaoirose, Ashray, Cody_Thomas (I do, haha!), Yami-Bakura-Itemri (devising pitch-fork shield right now...), Yami Kuro Ookami Hatake (x2 :P)

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Chapter 3 - Too Daring?

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Bakura woke to the weak morning light filtering thought the side of the tent canvas, and the feeling of perfect contentment and warmth. He glanced down at the fluffy white hair, the owner of which had his face nuzzled into Bakura’s neck, the hot breath playing pleasantly over pale skin. Bakura revelled in the feeling of the smaller body pressed up against his own for a few more lingering seconds, before removing his hand from the heat of the sleeping bag.

Raising said hand to his face, he yawned widely and rubbed his eyes free from sleep. His features settling into a soft smirk, he lowered his hand to tentatively run through the cottony hair that wasn’t his own.

The texture that met Bakura’s slim, pale fingers did not surprise him. He had always expected this beautiful creature to have hair that could be compared to spun silk, looking so similar to his own, yet so different altogether.

Bakura’s fingers indulged themselves for a few more blissful moments, before they were to quickly withdraw at the feeling of Ryou’s body tensing slightly as he regained consciousness. Ryou nuzzled his face into the crook of Bakura’s neck with a slight moaning sound, and his fingers unintentionally traced themselves up the strong arms, Bakura having to exercise great control at the feather-light touches.

Ryou suddenly seemed to realise where he was and what he was doing, for his eyes flew open at once and his head snapped back to gaze into the similar chocolate eyes of the one holding him. A moment passed in silence.

"Good morning.” Bakura said in a husky voice, smirking at Ryou

“Morning…” Ryou said quietly, he was obviously embarrassed at the position to which they found themselves in.

“I… Um… Better get things ready for breakfast… Then…” Ryou continued, not liking the predatory smile on the other’s face, but honestly reluctant to leave the warm.

Ryou made a move to get out of the sleeping bag, but forgetting that he wasn’t on the side with the zip. Bakura looked on, amused, at what Ryou would try and do. He wasn’t disappointed. Ryou attempted to get up slightly, but the tight material wouldn’t let him. Falling back into his original position with a soft flump, Bakura held in his laughter. Ryou frowned slightly, and then slipped a leg over Bakura, who shifted to accommodate him, immediately liking Ryou’s new position straddling his hips. Ryou then reached over to the side of Bakura’s head to grab the top of the zip that was somewhere beneath the tangled white hair.

Trying not to look into the handsome face, Ryou leant over and carefully started to shift the hair, tucking it next to the other’s neck and running his fingers over the milky skin. Bakura looked at Ryou’s concentrated face, enjoying the treatment he was receiving. Deciding to pay him back, Bakura reached out his hands in the sleeping bag until they hit Ryou’s knees. He felt the one on top of him start a little, but his eyes never left the task at hand. Very carefully, Bakura slid his hands up the thermal-clad legs until they rested on the other’s thighs, all the time keeping his eyes locked on Ryou’s face.

Ryou felt Bakura touching him, and had to stop his face giving him away. He looked down at the to of the zip he had revealed, his fingers poised to pull it down, but the delicious feeling of Bakura’s fingers tracing patterns over him making him want to stay here for longer.

Bakura’s sharp mind noted the pause in activity from the other, and registered the quickened breathing of the one who was not looking at him in determination. He decided to test the waters further – Ryou hadn’t pushed him off yet, so this was bound to be a good sign, right? He let his fingers wander further up the long legs, watching Ryou start to bite his lip. He carefully found the joining of the top and leggings, and slid his fingers gently into the gap, almost gasping out himself at the soft skin that met him.

This, it seemed, dragged Ryou back to reality with a bump. The precise fingers on his bare skin alerted him, and he finally met Bakura’s eyes, giving him a look of confusion and slight panic. Ryou swiftly dragged the zip down and leapt out of the sleeping bag, not looking round as he rummaged for his clothes and pulled them all on hastily, shoving on his boots and dragging the door zip open.

Bakura propped himself up on his elbows and ran a hand through his hair, mentally hitting himself over the head for being to forward with Ryou. All his hopes were now probably dashed and the other would be too scared that he was going to grope him to even take part in conversation. He let his hand drop to his side, shivering slightly as the cool air from the open tent played across his toned stomach where the object of his fantasies had been perched a few moments earlier.

When Bakura emerged from the tent, Ryou had already started cooking the pan-au-chocolat and was in the process of boiling water for them both. Bakura sighed and made his way over to Ryou, creating fresh footprints in the light snowfall that had happened over night. He sat down beside Ryou on the log after brushing away the snow and noticed how the other didn’t turn around or even acknowledge his arrival. After a few moments of awkward silence, Bakura flicked his hair over his shoulder and opened his mouth to speak.

“Look, Ryou-”

“Tea or hot chocolate?” he was interrupted, the question coming from the still-turned back. Bakura knew this wasn’t going to be easy.

“Tea. Please.” He answered

Ryou busied himself with the boiling water, pouring out tea for Bakura. He handed the finished cup to Bakura, still not looking at him.

Bakura sighed again and stared into the dark brown liquid. Typical. Ryou always remembered how he liked his tea best: no milk, no sugar, strong and black. As he took a sip from the mug and savoured the bitter taste, Ryou placed a pastry in front of him and turned off the trangia, leaning down to retrieve the map he had left on the floor. He spread it out and pored over it intently.

‘Ryou is beautiful and sexy’ Bakura saw, scrawled in Malik’s writing and defacing the side of the map that was next to him. You got that right, he agreed silently. Deciding it was best not to say anything more on the uncomfortable matter, Bakura settled for eating his pan au chocolat and drinking the rest of his tea. Surprisingly, Ryou was the one to speak up.

“There’s an alternate route back to the car, it has lots of great views.” He said quietly, his eyes fixed to the map

“Sounds good.” Bakura replied, gulping down the last of his tea and standing up. “I’ll go and put the tent down.”

Ryou nodded in acceptance and packed away the breakfast things before walking over to the equipment Bakura had removed from the tent prior to disassembling it. Ryou stole glances at the other, taking in the strong jaw and unique handsome pale features. Was Bakura really serious when he did what he had done, or had it just been a spur of the moment thing? Was it just because Bakura thought that he could get a feel in as Marik and Malik did it the whole time, or was it a authentic gesture?

Ryou was deeply confused. He was both shy and nervous about talking to Bakura in case he looked stupid. There was one fact that had surfaced in Ryou’s mind about the whole thing, which seemed very disconcerting to him. The reason he had ran away is because he had liked it immensely, he liked Bakura immensely – but he was scared of what would’ve happened if he had let the ministrations continue. He wanted to make sure Bakura liked him genuinely.

All these confusing thoughts whirring around his head, Ryou slipped on his heavy bag – with no help from Bakura – and, with his map at the ready, started off along a path through the forest, the white and green maze pressing in on them from both sides. There was complete silence broken only by the crunchy squeaks of their boots on the snow.

As they turned a corner, the path suddenly opened up and the two found themselves on the top of an icy cliff. The bright sun shone down and reflected off the snow, the icicles on the trees beside them sparkling and glittering in the light. The view was, as Ryou had predicted, amazing. The land stretched out for miles and the sky was blue, complimenting the frozen world.

“So that thick black line beside the path means it’s on a cliff.” Bakura stated, once again surprising the other by looking over his shoulder at the map.

“Mmm.” Ryou responded quietly, “It means a drop of 200 metres or over.”

“We better be careful then.” Bakura said surprisingly brightly for him, trying to lighten the mood.

All he got from Ryou was a soft smile before they were off again, treading along the bright snow. A smile is a progress, Bakura thought to himself, watching the slight breeze move Ryou’s long hair about.

The two stopped at lunch time for a brief snack, Ryou producing his favourite sweet: strawberry laces. After both taking off their thick gloves, they tucked in. Bakura tore off chunks of the sugary confection and put great effort into light conversation with Ryou.

This, however soon fizzled out, as Bakura gave up trying to coax the shy one into talking and instead settled for chewing on the laces absentmindedly. Soon they were trekking once more down the track, stepping over rocks as the path steered closer and closer to the cliff edge, the great chasm below seemingly getting larger. The trail was now right up against the edge, a few rocks being dislodged and tumbling down the great height as the two applied pressure.

Bakura was paying special attention to the backs of Ryou’s walking boots as they trod carefully in front of his own, this served a dual purpose – he knew where to walk and he could also keep an eye on Ryou.

Suddenly Ryou stopped, causing Bakura to almost walk into the back of him.

“What is it?” Bakura asked, leaning round him.

“It’s really narrow here.” Ryou said quietly, “We just better be cautious.”

With this, Ryou stepped out onto the narrow path and began to teeter along, his eyes fixed on the place where the track widened, some 50 metres ahead, trying his hardest not to look down to his right, and the massive drop.

Bakura followed behind him, knowing that Ryou would be way more afraid of this than he. The seconds, and Ryou’s careful steps, seemed to drag past, both their nerves on edge at the potential danger.

Finally they were less than a metre away from the widening, and Ryou stepped across confidently onto the flat rock that marked the edge of the danger.

Ice can be a very dangerous thing. Although it has its uses, it can also cause all sorts of problems. These problems can usually be avoided, but when one is not thinking completely straight, and there is no indication that the frozen water is in a potentially harmful position, accidents happen. As Ryou found out.

With a yelp that immediately caught Bakura’s attention, Ryou’s feet slipped sideways off the stone. His hands scrambling for purchase, gravity pulled his fallen legs over the side of the cliff, scattering stones, snow and debris into the still air. Bakura leapt over to him, fumbling for Ryou’s glove-clad hands, adrenaline coursing through him as he dived onto his front to save the other from a deadly fall. Ryou screamed as he slipped over the edge, Bakura grabbed onto Ryou’s hands just in time, looking into the terrified face below. His face screwed up in effort, Bakura made to drag Ryou back, the combined weight of the bag and the other’s body adding to the task. He then felt something that made his stomach flip over. Ryou’s gloves were slipping off his hands.

“B-Bakura!” he screamed, also sensing what Bakura was feeling

Bakura didn’t reply and swiftly made up his mind about what he was going to do. Quick as a flash, he tightened his grip on Ryou’s left hand and ripped off his right glove in an instant, grasping the flailing arm about the wrist securely. He immediately repeated this on the other side, watching the gloves tumble down the massive drop. Now with his hands wrapped securely about Ryou’s bare wrists, Bakura found some super-human strength and began to drag the other back to safety. Inch by tortuous inch, Ryou was hauled back over the edge of the cliff, Bakura immediately bundling the shaking other into his arms and hastily shifting away from the edge.

He stood up at once, still with Ryou in his arms, and stepped over the rock to find the path opened up immensely, revealing a small paddock-sized area of flat snow, filling the space between the trees and the deadly drop. Once they were safely well away from the cliff edge, Bakura fell to the ground, shaking off his rucksack and dragging Ryou’s off him as well, in a flurry of snow, Ryou leapt into Bakura’s arms, being welcomed wholeheartedly.

“Shh… It’s alright. You’re safe now… I’ve got you.”

Bakura cradled the shaking male in his arms, whispering words of comfort and, after pulling off his gloves, stroking the messed up white hair. Ryou’s breathing eventually retuned to normal and he cuddled into the strong arms about him in contentment. The two stayed in this position for many minutes until Ryou eventually broke the silence.

“…Bakura?” he said softly

“Mmm?” The other replied, his fingers sliding through the soft hair, causing shivers down Ryou’s spine

“Thank you.”

“Anytime.”

A small smile flitted over Ryou’s mouth at the simple reply. He liked Bakura’s fingers in his hair, in fact he liked Bakura full stop. He felt vast trust towards him, and he was sure that it wasn’t just because this handsome creature had just saved his life.

Soon the sun began to set casting golden light over the glittering snow. The two had cooled down considerably, but seemed to be keeping each other warm enough. Ryou suddenly had a thought.

“Well we’re not going to get back to the car today, are we now.”

Bakura chuckled, his stomach telling him it was supper time.

“Most certainly not.” He said, admiring the sunset of pink and orange, falling over the mountains in the distance. “You, my little dare devil, need some hot food and sleep. It’s a good job we packed for three days.” He noted as an after thought.

Ryou giggled slightly at the comment, shifting so that he was sitting up between Bakura’s legs, face to face. He looked around at the view and sighed. He loved sunsets. Bakura noticed the new attention on the other’s face.

“Amazing, isn’t it?” Bakura noted, feeling Ryou unconsciously moving in closer

“Yes,” Ryou turned back to the other, almost gasping at how godly Bakura looked with the dying sun’s colours lighting up his sharp features. “Yes. It really is.” He sighed

Bakura looked into Ryou’s dark eyes. It was now or never, he thought. Ryou caught his gaze and moved his hands to tentatively rest on Bakura’s strong shoulders. Bakura leant in slightly, watching Ryou’s eyes flick down to his lips and then up again. Ryou also moved in closer, until he could feel Bakura’s hot breath play over his cool lips. Bakura’s eyes slid shut and he took the plunge and brushed their mouths together.

Ryou took a swift intake of breath at the electric feeling, and immediately leant in for more, pressing their lips together in a needy, sweet kiss. Bakura tightened his grip on the other’s waist, his mind fogging up at the happiness of Ryou’s acceptance. Drawing back for a quick breath, Bakura kissed the softness once more, allowing his tongue to slide over Ryou’s lip. Ryou moaned briefly, and allowed Bakura entry, who carefully began to map out the hot, wet cavern, Ryou’s tongue complying and tracing over Bakura’s organ.

In the heat of the act, Ryou pushed Bakura back onto the soft snow, straddling his hips and continuing their kiss which was steadily getting more passionate. Ryou was different to anything he had come across before, Bakura thought. Malik was playful – skilled kisses but inevitably, like with Marik’s own rough touch, they left him wanting more. Gentle Ryou plucked at his very soul, his complying kiss having features of Malik’s, but nevertheless satisfying Bakura greatly. The two broke apart and looked into each other’s eyes with lust. Ryou looked down and realised their position. With a slightly embarrassed look, he straightened himself up and settled, unknowingly, over Bakura’s slight arousal.

“Sorry…” Ryou whispered, bowing his head and blushing. Bakura smirked at him, reaching out and entwining their fingers together.

“Don’t be sorry about giving me something I want,” Bakura said before he yanked Ryou’s hands along with his above his head, and so that Ryou’s ear was next to his lips, “Badly.” He whispered hotly.

Ryou visibly shivered with desire, and looked into the other’s eye where he only found truth. Ryou didn’t hesitate in pressing their lips together in want, asking for his own entry and being granted access to the sheer delight of Bakura. The kiss steadily roughened and Ryou let out a moan at the feeling.

Soon, the need for air became too great and they broke apart, Bakura sitting up and hugging Ryou to him. Ryou wrapped his arms around the other’s neck and buried his face into the hair whose scent reminded him of protection and comfort. Bakura sighed in contentment as the last of the sun slid behind the mountains.

The disappearance of the sun also brought a wave of cool over the land. This was noticed by both and Ryou drew away from the possessive hold to beam at the other.

“It’s cold.” He said softy, smiling shyly at Bakura.

“It sure is, how about you get the food and I’ll put up the tent?”

“Sounds good.”

Ryou gave Bakura a chaste kiss and got off him, missing the comfort and warmth immediately. Bakura also got up and stretched, brushing the snow off himself after being used as a human blanket for so long. He helped Ryou unpack the supplies, allowing their fingers to brush against each other, before taking and erecting their tent just within the forest cover to shield it from the cool winds. He grabbed the lantern and lit it, taking it with him.

Wandering over to Ryou, Bakura noticed the other rubbing his hands together and blowing on his fingers. Realising Ryou’s gloves now lay at the bottom of a chasm, Bakura was swift to realise the problem. He pulled off his own gloves and sat down next to Ryou by the side of the trangia.

“Here. You looked cold.” Bakura said as he passed his gloves to Ryou

“No, it’s fine,” Ryou said smiling and shaking his head, “You’re hands will get frozen.”

“I insist.” Bakura replied, taking up Ryou delicate hands and slipping them inside the gloves.

“Thank you.” Ryou whispered, leaning up to kiss Bakura’s lips.

“Well, if I get that kind of reaction, I’ll be giving you things more often.” Bakura smirked

“What kind of things?” Ryou responded huskily

Bakura almost grabbed and took Ryou there and then. He knew Ryou could be seductive – in his own way – but not like this. Damn he’s hot, Bakura thought. He fixed a smirk to his mouth and leant in so their lips were mere millimetres apart.

“You’ve been around Malik too long.” He breathed, kissing Ryou briefly, “And I like it.”

Ryou gasped at the strong kiss and responded enthusiastically. He was absolutely certain he really liked Bakura now, he was everything he wanted, and what’s more, he was already in their loveably messed up relationship with Malik and Marik. Ryou knew that if he ever wanted to truly be with someone they would have to understand the situation with the other three, and people like that, Ryou knew for a fact, were extremely thin on the ground.

He knew Marik and especially Malik would always have taken him in and loved him if he needed it, but they were always together from the beginning, and Ryou would hate to intrude – even if the others didn’t see it like that. So Bakura, Ryou now saw, was a relationship waiting to happen. He had always liked him, and these last couple of days had just given the two the push they needed to get them going. And his feeling must be genuine, as he knew Malik and Marik well enough to know that if Bakura messed him about they would have something to say about it.

Ryou knew now not to be annoyed at Malik and Marik for their mischief, but to thank them wholeheartedly instead. (1)

“Food’s done.” Ryou said from his place leaning against Bakura, with his arm wrapped securely around his shoulders.

“Allow me.” Bakura said, leaning forward to get the boil-in-the-bags. He gasped as the foil burnt his bare fingers.

With a hiss, he quickly dropped the bags with a splash and shook his hand vigorously to the laughter of Ryou. He turned and scowled at the other, and Ryou smirked back at knowing full well Bakura wouldn’t stay angry for long.

“Come here.” He said softly

Ryou pulled off Bakura’s gloves and picked up some snow in one hand while holding Bakura’s hand in the other. He carefully rubbed the cool substance over the small burn, Bakura appreciating snow greatly – two injuries in two days, snow coming to the rescue each time.

When Ryou was satisfied Bakura was no longer in any pain, he leant down and gently kissed the burn, smiling shyly up at the other.

“All better?” he asked

Bakura gave him his most attractive smirk that he knew would please Ryou.

“Yes. Thank you.” He replied, giving Ryou a lingering kiss

Bakura pretended not to see the huge blush spread across the other’s face as he picked up the tongs and got out their food, pulling off the top and handing Ryou his along with a spoon.

The two ate in comfortable silence for a while, Ryou pouring out the hot water for their hot chocolate before once again settling beside Bakura and eating.

“Hey, Ryou?” Bakura asked, after much mental deliberation

“Yeah?” Ryou replied, pulling pasta off his fork with his teeth

“You know this morning,” Bakura took a sidelong look at Ryou. As he had guessed, the other had frozen. His statement was met with silence, so he continued. “Why did you run away? I mean… Well… You do like me… Don’t you?” Bakura felt like a dim lovesick teenager, which, he reminded himself stupidly, he was. Still, the words didn’t feel right coming from him.

Ryou considered this, and decided to give the honest answer.

“Of course I like you, I have for ages.” A blush here got an encouraging smile from Bakura, “But then… It all felt really good, and I… Well I suppose I didn’t want it to stop. But I was afraid it wasn’t, well, wasn’t for real.” Ryou speared another piece of pasta and ate it, not meeting Bakura’s gaze.

Bakura thought about this for a bit and then the realisation hit him. Ryou had been scared he was just messing him about. He sighed and put his empty bag on the floor, placing his arm once again around Ryou’s waist.

“Listen, I do like you. For real, I like you more than anyone else.” He said sincerely

Ryou looked up at him wide eyed, was this actually happening?

“Well, I like you too, lots in fact,” Ryou blushed at his own words, “But… What about Malik and Marik?” he said as an afterthought.

“This is going to make it all the more fun.” Bakura smirked, then thought more carefully about what Ryou was getting at, “You know our situation, you don’t have a problem with me sleeping with them do you? I could stop and just-” he was silenced by Ryou’s finger to his lips.

“I have no problem with that at all. There might be four of us soon.” Ryou said tentatively

Bakura literally beamed at him.

“I can guarantee that the other two will be very happy about that.” Bakura said, planting a kiss on Ryou’s forehead. “But don’t let us push you into anything, only do what you want to do.”

Ryou smirked and rolled his eyes.

“Bakura, I have had both Malik and Marik trying to get me into bed for the last few years. Yet you still think I have no will power?” Ryou said, giggling and poking the other.

Bakura laughed too, poking Ryou back and kissing him hotly.

The two broke apart and Ryou picked up the hot chocolates and passed one to Bakura who nodded in thanks and took a sip. They drank the warming liquid and Ryou felt his eyes begin to droop; who knew near-death experiences could be this tiring?

Bakura felt the other’s head loll against his shoulder and glanced down at the sleepy-looking Ryou. He looked almost like a kitten. Smiling to himself, Bakura plucked the empty mug from his hands and picked him up bridal style, to a soft complaint. Ignoring this, Bakura walked over to their tent and placed Ryou inside it, giving his a kiss and appreciating the sweetness that still lingered on his lips, telling him to get ready for bed.

After putting away the trangia and everything else outside, Bakura stepped quietly into the tent and dimmed the lamp so he could get ready for bed without waking up Ryou. He pulled off his outer clothes and zipped up the door. After looking at the beautiful sleeping face for a few moments, Bakura slipped into the sleeping bag behind Ryou and leant back to zip it closed. Once again, he snuggled down into the welcoming warmth and slid his arms around the waist of the sleeping form in front of him. He felt Ryou’s hands settle over his own and Bakura pulled him flush against him, burying his head into the soft fluffy hair once more, and drifting off to sleep.

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(1) I'm sure many, many fangirls will agree with that thought :P

Well, there it is, another in the series... What will happen when the two white-haired darlings (can you call Bakura darling?) get home?! Only time will tell - although I hear time is used in a more constructive way when reveiws are involved. Any which way, thanks for reading.

P.S I don't know how popular pan-au-chocolats are anywhere else in the world (yes, apart from France :P) but for anyone who doesn't know, they're flaky sweet pastry with chocolate rolled up inside, and are truely delicious! And strawberry laces are just long strings of sweet red stuff, and are really good when they have sour sugar on them.