Affectionate Thoughts In A Disturbed Mind

Disclaimer - If you've been reading this, than you know I don't own them by now.

Author's Notes - Wow, I'm on a roll here. Here's another look into Bakura's demented mind . . . and what happens when he decides to try to do something nice, in his own way. Don't forget to review . . .


Chapter 6 –


Why, oh why, do the gods hate me so damn much? Oh wait, scratch that thought, I know the answer there. This is what I get for desecrating their temples three thousand years ago. That’s got to be it.

Dark arcade . . . that I can deal with. Tons of milling kids . . . okay, not exactly my favorite surroundings, but I’ll survive. Yugi and company . . . can I kill something please? Preferably a something that has tri-colored hair and is as old as I am?

I don’t think he’s taken his eyes off me once since we got here . . . and I’m pretty sure he’s remembering my rather irritated visit of the night before. Wait . . . was it really only last night? Holy Isis, it was.

It’s been less than twenty four hours since I showed Ryou something I would have sworn I would never show anyone. I think I need to sit down now . . . this is all changing way too fast for my already overworked mind to handle. Twenty four hours ago, I was heading out to get drunk and trying to avoid thinking about Ryou in any way, shape, or form. Now . . . oh hell. Now I’ve experienced the heights of heaven and the depths of hell, and been introduced to Ryou’s father. And convinced to spend ‘quality time’ with people I abhor. Isn’t life grand?

Okay, there has GOT to be something to do around here other than hang around with the cheerleading squad and the captain of the dueling team. Hmm, let’s see . . . lots of people . . . no, no pick-pocketing. Too easy. Game locks are too easy . . . oh wait, is that a door I see back there? Ah yes, the managers office. Perfect.

Slipping away from the group is easy enough . . . they’re all involved in some stupid debate on whether or not to try that annoying dance game. Of course Tea wants to challenge Yami . . . sweet Isis, she’s like a bitch in heat whenever she’s around him. Oh . . . now there’s a thought. I wonder what would happen if she found out he’s not interested in women like that. That could be fun. I could deal with watching her burst into tears. And the look on the Pharaoh’s face would be something to burn into my memories for millennia to come.

Okay, enough of that. Back to the matter at hand . . . manager’s office. Lock seems simple enough, and I don’t see any security. Figures . . . people are so overconfident in this day and age.

A simple, near silent click, and I’m in. So, what’s in here worth liberating? No, I’m not stealing, I’m liberating . . . gee, that logic might even get me past my hikari. Yeah, right.

A safe? Oh, how fun. That should be a challenge . . . I haven’t had to work much with these. Safe cracking was easy to pick up though . . . all it requires is good hearing and a gentle touch, just like the traps in the old tombs. This should be a cinch.

Yep, I was right . . . door open and . . . hey! Okay, this I can deal with . . . that paper stuff they call money! Stacks of it too . . . hmm, maybe I can buy Ryou a present with this shit? I won’t take too much . . . just enough for fun, but not enough for them to really miss it. Wouldn’t want them to tighten security around here. This was so easy I could make it a steady income.

Close the safe, slip out the door and relock it, stand up and casually walk away, with my pockets a little heavier for the effort. Not bad, all in all. Amusing . . . but now I have to return to the friendship squad. I can already feel Ryou looking for me . . . it’s like an itch between my shoulder blades. An irritating one that I can’t scratch, at that.

They’re standing at some stupid machine stuffed with fuzzy little animals. What in the world . . . oh. I get it . . . you try to use the claw to grab one of the toys and drop it into that slot over there. Hmmm . . .looks boring. I wonder why the Pharaoh’s wasting his time on something so simple.

Well, that explains that. The look on Yugi’s face when his dark hands him a Dark Magician Girl plushie is astonishing. Oh, now that’s priceless . . . I didn’t know the Pharaoh could turn that interesting shade of red, and from a simple chaste kiss to his cheek too. Yeah, he’s got it bad for his hikari. Hey . . . now here’s a chance for some mayhem. Time to make the Pharaoh squirm.

Hehe, if looks could kill . . . what? I simply asked if he’d ever shown Yugi how to really kiss? That wasn’t as bad as I could have done, trust me. Hmmm . . . Ryou looks slightly down. Distracted from my fun, I want to know what’s wrong with Ryou. Things change . . . he’s my world, my light, and I don’t want to see him unhappy. I find I actually like that soft, innocent smile of his, now that I’ve gotten to see it.

Those soft brown eyes are lingering on the machine, and the present the Pharaoh got for his aibou. Could it . . . could he want one of those? What’s the big deal here? I could buy him something of much better quality. Now I’m confused. And, oh shit . . . the Pharaoh’s got payback on his mind. I didn’t think he would be so devious. I really should have known better.

At least I could win something for my hikari . . . is that a challenge, Pharaoh? Game looks easy enough, and I’ve got money to spend . . . and I see the perfect one. Ryou’s favorite card in plushy form . . . not a bad job done on it either. Certainly of better quality than most of the junk in there. And it’s right near the top, too.

Two dollars later, and I’m successful. Yeah, so what, Yami did it in one . . . bully for him. He’s the Game King, not me. I’m the King of Thieves, thank you very much. Okay, now I get what the big deal is . . . the way Ryou’s face lit up when I handed it to him just made me want to melt. GAH! I’m spouting sap again!

Oh, but this is definitely worth it. Soft lips against mine, gentle arms around me, that lithe body pressing against me. Now that’s a thank you . . . I’ll have to get him gifts more often if that’s the response I get.

Why the blush, little one? Oh yeah, we have an audience . . . one that is currently gawking at us as if the world is ending. Well, I do suppose it’s fitting . . . how often do you see a completely beautiful angel in an intimate embrace with a demon? What are you looking at, you morons? Holding him to me tightly, his head buried in my chest as I glare at our audience. They’re making him uncomfortable, and if they don’t stop, I’m going to rip every single one of their hearts out.

The only one that doesn’t look completely shocked is Yami, of all things. Actually, he looks . . . happy? Yeah, I would term that look as a happy one . . . what’s he got to be happy for?

He’s . . . happy for us? What? I would have thought . . . okay, so he had pretty much given me a go ahead with that conversation of ours, not like I needed it, but still. And now he’s actually thwapped the others into sense . . . wow. Whoever thought I would feel grateful to him? Hmm . . . there’s a flicker of sadness in those crimson eyes too. He’s easy to read when he’s not paying attention. Things must not be going well with his own hikari.

It’s not easy, being in love with someone you think deserves better. And I can see it now . . . no matter how confident the Pharaoh is, he still doesn’t feel like he’s worthy of Yugi. That’s interesting . . . I wouldn’t have thought it possible. For everything he’s done, all the shit they’ve gone through together . . . I know he’s more intelligent than this. I may dislike him, but even I know he’s one of the good guys.

I suppose losing his memories would make him wary of himself. Understandable . . . he has no idea of the person he was in the past, and eventually he will regain those memories. I could actually help him with this . . .

Oh shit. I am NOT actually considering helping the Pharaoh! Damn it, Ryou, this is all your fault! I’m actually thinking about HELPING my arch-nemesis! But then again . . . just think of how much he would owe me for it? And the shock of it . . . that really would be priceless.

Decision made . . . I’m going to have my fun, but I’m going to help the Pharaoh with his little dilemma. Torture and favor in one blow . . . gods, I’m getting good at this backhanded stuff.

Now, how to go about this? Body on autopilot, following the friendship squad around the arcade while I think this through. How best to help the Pharaoh with his relationship issues, while making it as painfully embarrassing as possible? I’m not going to be the only one in an emotional hell, at least. That’s a definite bonus. Yami’s is no fool, however. I have to be subtle, or he’ll stop me in my tracks.

Well, I suppose first would be to see if his hikari cares about him in THAT way. How do we do that? Tea, of course. She’s got the major hots for him . . . let’s see if Yugi gets jealous. Oh good . . . just the game. That annoying dancing game . . . let’s see here. A little manipulation, some choice words . . . and the girl takes the bait. Bingo.

Wow. That girl can be brazen, I’ll give her that. If she pressed herself any closer to Yami, she’d be in his skin. And is that what I think it is? Oh yes, Yami is uncomfortable as hell . . . and Yugi looks like he could murder someone. That answers that question . . . Yugi’s got it bad for his yami. I think I’ll sit back and watch this play out for a moment . . . and definitely enjoy the utter mortification on Yami’s face as he tries to pry Tea loose.

Uhoh. Ryou’s giving me THAT look again . . . that ‘you’re up to something and I know it’ look. What? I’m merely helping the Pharaoh with his love life problems! You’re always the one complaining that I need to be nicer . . . this is as nice as I get. Well, to anyone but you.

Ah damn. Yami’s managed to remove Tea. But Yugi’s finally accomplished what I thought would be impossible for him . . . the look that should kill. And he’s directing it at Tea’s back. Wonderful. Now, if Yami will only notice . . .

Idiot Pharaoh. He needs to be hit over the head with something. He completely missed it, and Yugi is back to himself. Fuck. Now I need to think of something else. Of course, I should have known this wasn’t going to be simple. This is, after all, the Pharaoh I’m thinking about here. Nothing’s every simple or easy where he’s concerned.

Hmmm . . . maybe it’s time to let the proverbial cat out of the bag about his sexual preference. But who to drag into it beside his highness? Ahha. The mutt. Prime target, and oh so amusing to torture. Especially since it’s about as obvious as the sun that he’s got a thing for the stick up his ass CEO. Come on, you don’t fight like that without there being something deeper than hatred there. That’s obvious even to me.

Do I dare? Oh yes, I do. Let it never be said that I haven’t tried to do something nice, in my own twisted way. And they’ve given me the perfect opening . . . or rather, Tea has. She’s asked Yami about kissing. Absolutely perfect.

Why don’t you demonstrate your skills, Pharaoh? Three thousand years old, you must have picked up something. I’m sure Joey would be a willing target, considering your preferences.

Oh holy Ra, this is fun, but I might want to get ready to run. Or disappear into the Ring. Tea looks like she’s going to faint, Joey is staring at me like I’ve cracked . . . like they didn’t think that already . . . and the Pharaoh looks about set to send me on a one way trip to visit Ma’at and Amut. Of course, Ryou is giving me a death glare as well, but I’ll explain it to him later. If there is a later.

Bingo . . . Yugi has jumped on that little bit of info I’ve just let out. Yes, your yami is sexually attracted to guys. Oh, I can just see the gears working in that innocent little mind.

What am I up to? Why would I be up to anything? You don’t remember your past . . . I do, to a point. I just thought you might have forgotten that part. You looked so confused with Tea hanging on your arm, I thought I would explain to you why you felt uncomfortable.

Like he doesn’t know that’s a load of camel dung. And the look he’s giving me is conveying that exact message. Trust me, Pharaoh, you’ll end up thanking me for this in the end. Especially if I’m reading the look your hikari is giving you at the moment right. Who would have ever thought Yugi could look like he’s eyeing a very delicious piece of meat while staring at someone? I foresee some interesting things happening when they get home . . . oh yes, do I ever.

Think I’ll drift away now and see what other mayhem I can cause while the friendship squad ponders this little turn of events. Ryou’s following me, which is good, because something tells me he’s going to want an explanation of what I just did.

Yep, there’s the angry question. Hush, little hikari, and let me explain, would you? Trust me, you’ll actually like me for this in a moment.

Okay, so maybe I didn’t exactly go about it in a nice way . . . I’m trying, right? You said you didn’t want me to change . . . this is as nice as I get for anyone but you. I had to have my fun somehow, and I’m helping the Pharaoh while I’m at it. Yes, I know it’s strange, and yes, I did have other motives beside helping him, but I’d rather not get into that. Suffice to say that hopefully Yami and Yugi will be joining us in the couple category soon.

Hmm . . . maybe I should do nice things more often. I’m being hugged to death in an arcade. So he’s not exactly happy with how I went about it, but the fact that I did attempt to do something nice for a man I hate has taken the edge off of his annoyance with me. And this wouldn’t be a bad way to die again, all told.

You know, I’m noticing a very bad turn around in my thought processes here lately. Ryou’s brought out the sap in me. Hell, I didn’t think I had any of that shit in my system. Must work on getting rid of it. At least it’s only in my head now . . . I’ve stopped spouting it, thank the gods. I was beginning to worry that I might have to become a mute.

Oops . . . the hug has had a bad side effect. He’s noticed the money. Well, shit . . . there goes any hope of my libido getting assuaged tonight. Of course he knows I must have stolen it from somewhere. Smart of him not to try to make me put it back. What? Tigers can’t change their stripes, hikari mine, and I am definitely a tiger when it comes to thievery. Is it any consolation that I only took a little? Honest, they really won’t even notice it missing. I’m not that stupid.

Hey! I’ve hit on the right thing to say . . . now I’m getting an apology kiss. Okay, note to self . . . guilt and Ryou mix very well. Maybe I can get around the eye thing after all. He’s not the only one good at manipulation.

It’s getting late, and we have a long way to walk. Time to go . . . and by the looks of things, Yugi has really put two and two together. Oh, the Pharaoh’s in for it when they get home. Goody.

Now, if only I can say the same for when I get home with Ryou. Nice thought . . . not likely, but a nice thought none the less. One can always hope, I suppose. Oh fuck, that’s right, Ryou’s father is home. Well, shit. There goes my night.

I hate mortality sometimes, I really do.