Chapter ten; Midnight Clear

                I walked out of the room and out into my own. I wondered how much more he could take before he would learn. Before he would fight back and learn his place. The ‘B’ I left on his back was a beautiful piece of work; One of my own creation. So decadent as it traced across his back, Like a silhouette of my remembrance. I chuckled to myself as I looked out the window. The snow fell so gently. My smile faded as I stared now. I couldn’t pull my gaze away. I needed to go out and think. I picked up and went outside, Climbing on the roof to stare out some more. I wondered if Ryous innocence still believed in Santa Claus, Like the children did. He was still so sweet and pure. Why he wouldn’t grow up or anything, I would never understand.

 

                I stared, Waiting for the sun to rise up. Waiting for Ryou to awaken and for Christmas to come. My nose started to run and my arms started to freeze. I was starting to catch something. More than likely a cold. I wouldn’t doubt if he’d start catch something soon as well. He was a partial anemic and he always had some flesh wide open. I snickered.  He needed to grow and toughen up. After I started seeing the sun come up, I jumped off of the roof and took a walk down the street. People stared at me as I walked down. Why some of them were up was beyond me. I think some of them noticed me from last night at the store. My eyes narrowed. I wasn’t about to let them stop me from what I was doing. I needed to walk. No interruptions.

 

                By the time I started heading home, Dawn had broken over the horizon and was swinging up fast. I shoved my hands in my pockets and hurried home. I wanted to be there before he woke up. I heard a snowplow shove past beside me and down the same way I was going. I let out a breath and watched the fog lift from my mouth, Kicked some snow. When I walked in the house, Ryou had already woken up and was getting ready for the day. He had a ham in the oven, Rolls waiting to go in, Sweet potatoes, Mashed potatoes, Corn and gravy on the stove, Pumpkin pie mix on the counter along with things for stuffing and deviled eggs out on counter as well, Waiting to be prepared. He had also started my coffee and placed a fresh, Hot brewed cup in my normal place at the table along with the paper that I didn’t read yesterday. Placed to the right of my cup and paper was a warm toasted bagel with cream cheese and a knife on the side; Just the way I like it.

 

                I pulled off my jacket and boots and put them away.

“I’m home.” I announced, Walking into the dining room.

“Hey.” He barely let out and went from the stove to the counter to work on the rest of the food. It was only eight o’ five and he had already gotten a lot done.

“What time did you wake up?” I sat and sipped my coffee.

“Around seven. The ham needs to sit in there for a few hours and the pumpkin pie will take an hour, The stuffing will take an hour and after the sides are done, They’ll go in the cooker until we’re ready to eat.” He said, Spreading the already made pumpkin pie onto the crust.

“Oh wow. You’ve been at it for a while.” I said, Looking over at him.

“Yeah.” He ignored me. I sighed and ate my bagel while reading the newspaper.

 

                He shook slightly, That I could see. I wondered if it was because of his back from the night before. I straightened the paper out, Making it crack. He jumped, Almost dropping whatever was in his hands.

“Careful.” I didn’t look up. He just kept going with what he was doing while I ate my breakfast, Just like every other morning. These politics were driving me crazy. The president was insane. So were the environmentalists. They needed to keep their hippie tendencies to themselves. That or locked up. Why President Huxley didn’t understand that, I had no idea. Good thing he’s out of office now. I looked over more dull and destructive headlines that tended to bore me. I sighed and set it down and started on my bagel again. I don’t understand why I didn’t drop the habit, But it’s something I kept on for years. I looked over at Ryou again as he rushed across the kitchen cleaning this, Preparing that. I shook my head and walked into the living room to watch tv. I sniffled and sat down, Searching for the controller. I let out a cough and sniffled again. Ryou set down his things and walked in, Looking me over.

“You sound sick.” He said, Searching the drawer for the thermometer.

“I’m fine.” I replied.

“No you’re not.” He said as he shut the drawer.

“Yes, I a-“ I got cut off due to a thermometer in the mouth.

“Keep it there for three minutes.” He stood back straight. He crossed his arms and then decided to feel my forehead, Pushing my bangs out of the way.

 

I growled slightly and then sighed knowing nothing would change his mind. He was too caring to give up. He still loved me. I could see it in his eyes when he bent over to look at me. The sadness that filled his eyes told me more than he ever thought it could. It told me the story behind the lies. No matter how hard he tried to hide it, It still shown through. He stood up and walked into the kitchen and put something in the microwave. After it had beeped he walked back in to me and set a mug down on the table and took the thermometer and looked at it; Shook it.

“Ninety nine point three.” He blatantly stated. “You need rest and fluids.”

“I’m fine, Ro.”

“No you’re not. You need rest.”
“I’m fine, Ryou.” I hissed. “And I’ll still kick your a*s if I have to.” He flinched when I flinched towards him and almost dropped the device. He fumbled with it and placed it back in its pouch and back in the drawer. I watched him as he hid his shakes and walked back into the kitchen. I coughed again and looked at the clock.

‘Eight forty two.’ I thought. ‘Hmmm…’ I heard clinks of glass and silverware as he put dishes into the dishwasher and cleared the table, Setting it to perfection. I heard him humming to himself. Something he said his mother used to sing to him once upon a time. I yawned and closed my eyes, Waiting for early afternoon to roll around.

 

                The next thing I knew, I was waking up to a knock on the door and Ryou flying through the living room, Tugging on his sweater and fixing his hair. I looked at the clock. It was already twelve fifty eight. I stood and ran to the bathroom. I felt worse than earlier. Maybe he was right. I just shook it off and washed my face, Then rinsed my mouth out with Listerine before going back downstairs. Malik and Marik were sitting in the living room chit chatting with each other. Ryou walked out after he saw me and started setting the table with the ham and dishes to eat off of. He made it look so elegant. The ham was a perfect golden brown, Glazed with brown sugar and the vegetables were cooked to pure perfection and set in little glass bowls. There was a whole bottle of wine and glasses set for the occasion in each spot. It was beautiful.

“Nice job.” I stated and sat with the others to eat.

 

                After gorging ourselves to the brim with food and chugging almost the entire bottle of wine, We went into the living room and sat down to talk.

“How’s work been?” Malik asked, Dragging me from my thoughts.

“It was delicious.” I heard Marik whisper to Ryou. He smiled slightly and politely returned a thank you.

“It’s been pretty good. Hectic with all of those stupid… Mortals…” I bit my tongue. “But you know how it goes.”

“What about the other thing?” he tilted his head toward Ryou. He was sitting on the floor at the end of the couch. Marik was sitting to the right of him and I was on his far left; Malik was in his chair. He was in depth with writing his essay for school.

“Eh. It could be better. It just doesn’t give up. Really. Aggravating is what it is.” He stifled a laugh and nodded.

“I know how that is. Same with me.” His smiled widened. “Have you… You know?”

“Just recently.”

“Good job. Isn’t it exhilarating?”
“Isn’t it always?” I countered his question and snickered.

 

“You know, We’re right here… We can hear you.” I heard Ryous gentle voice speak out. I looked down and slapped his head above his right ear.

“Are you apart of this? You wanna keep your teeth?!” I growled. He went back to his essay, Staring at it. He was getting bold. More and more as days filtered on. He cringed as I clenched my teeth to keep any more from coming out. He didn’t say anymore after that. Malik looked at me and smiled a bit, Almost laughed. I knew what he meant by it. It was time to go to the bar so we could talk in private.

“I’m done with my essay now, Bakura sama.” Ryou said, Adjusting himself to look at me; Hand me the paper. I wouldn’t take it at first. He didn’t interrupt anything, It just came out of nowhere. Malik looked at him and held out his hand, Favouring him with a smile. It was sweet and sincere. More than I could give, That’s for sure.

“May I have it, Ryou chan? I would very much like to read it.” He smiled again, Extending his hand out further.

“I-It’s nothing, Really.” He said, Blushing. I hardly ever used the term of endearment chan when I addressed Ryou; And I knew it. He didn’t deserve it in my opinion. It wasn’t needed.  He was being flattered, That’s all. I shrugged and stood up. I was relieved as if he as well was saved by the statement.

“Yes, Give it to Malik. I’m going upstairs to get ready.” I motioned to Malik. Marik looked around at all of us with a look of worriedness on his face. I looked at Ryou and made a face of boredom. And with that, I left the room.