Heyooo, hope you all enjoy this!

Content Warnings: Discussion of discrimination (magic and ableism), absolutely dragging Evil Dead.

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Yugi gritted his teeth, fists clenched. Sweat beaded on his forehead. He could do this. Damn it, he could do this.

"Please," Ryou whispered. "You don't need to. It's not worth the risk."

Seto glared at Yugi. "Don't you fucking dare, Mutou."

Yugi locked eyes with Malik. Malik swallowed hard and nodded. You can do it.

Yugi took a slow breath and closed his eyes. He rolled.

The table erupted with cheers and Ryou grabbed Yugi's arm. Yugi peeked and laughed when he saw the nat 0 staring up at him.

Kek groaned from behind the DM screen and typed in the results. "You successfully seduced the dragon."

"I told you!" Yugi pointed across the table at Seto. "I told you I'd get there first!"

Seto gritted his teeth and slammed his fist on the table. "I roll to seduce the dragon too!"

"Too late for that," Kek snickered. "Gods, I can't believe I'm about to say this, but the dragon is enthusiastically responding to Yugi's advances. Yugi, flip."

Yugi frowned but grabbed a coin and flipped. "Heads."

Kek hissed through his teeth, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "I'm going to need you to roll damage."

"Why?" Yugi frowned.

"You're the bottom."

"Damn it!" Yugi dropped his head onto the table as everyone erupted with laughter. Malik tutted and shook his head disapprovingly when Yugi looked up at him. "Hey, don't you start. You encouraged me."

I stand by that. Malik winked. This is so much better than I was hoping for.

Ryou giggled. "The game or Yugi winning and failing at the same time?"

Malik smirked. Yes.

"You're such an ass." Yugi rolled his damage and quickly updated his character sheet. "But you know what, you can all suck it, because I got us out of a major boss fight with my amazing seduction skills."

"Absolutely not," Seto insisted. "I had the matter under control."

"But I got there first," Yugi taunted.

"Okay, well, I'm not about to narrate a full sex scene with a dragon," Kek said, "so the dragon picks you up and you hear her growl as she looks you up and down. Seemingly satisfied, she carries you into the next room. She gives the rest of the party a look, warning them not to follow, and locks the door behind her. So, Yugi's out of commission for a while. What does everyone else want to do?"

"I want to find that stupid mirror we've been looking for," Mai decided.

I want to look for treasure. Malik grinned.

Kek hummed. "Bakura has the highest perception check. If you roll well enough, you could find both in one turn."

Bakura grabbed the dice and rolled a thirty-seven. Decent, but not good enough to find both. "Sorry, sugar tits. I'm with the new guy. I check for treasure."

"Bakura, we need to find that mirror!" Ryou protested as Malik pumped a fist in the air to celebrate his victory.

"Hey, this is perfectly in character for Cain," Bakura insisted, picking up his miniature figure and pointing at it. "You think this diva cares about a sightseeing mirror? No. He wants some gods damned gold."

Mai pressed her knuckles to her forehead. "I hate you. I hate you so much."

"Hey now, I never said he wouldn't share." Bakura grinned. Mai glared at him until the grin dropped. "Okay, so he wouldn't, but my point stands. Show me my treasure, Kek."

Kek ducked his head. "You check the room for hidden compartments, traps, sliding doors, the works, and find..." He rolled. "Nothing."

"What?" Bakura stood up, knocking his chair back.

"Watch the furniture!" Ryou huffed.

"How did I find nothing?" Bakura glared at Kek as he righted the chair again.

Kek was very clearly trying not to grin and failing miserably. "You check the entire room and find nothing."

"Great, thanks for wasting your roll, Bakura," Mai huffed. "I roll to find the mirror, like we're supposed to."

As the party began searching the room, Yugi watched as Malik examined the map. He was frowning, mouthing words to himself, until he looked up to catch Kek's attention. Can I pick the lock on the door the dragon went through?

Kek tried to hide another grin. "You can try." Malik rolled a seven. "You manage to pick the lock with the kit in your bag. The rest of the party are already engaged. Do you want to let them know what you're doing?"

Malik considered it and shook his head. I sneak in without telling them.

"Dude!" Mai elbowed him. "Dick move."

Yugi didn't miss the way Malik's shoulders tensed at the touch, but Malik quickly forced himself to relax. Not my fault you all wasted your turns.

"Okay, okay, cool it," Kek called. "Malik, you sneak into the next room and the door swings shut behind you, locking automatically. Thankfully, it was silent, so the dragon didn't hear, but neither did your party."

Yugi's phone buzzed and he checked it under the table to find that Kek had created a group chat with him and Malik for this section of the campaign. While the others scrambled when their characters noticed Malik's was missing and tried to find other rooms with treasure or the mirror, Yugi and Malik met up after Yugi's romp with the dragon. By the time the rest of the party found them, Yugi and Malik had uncovered the small, magical hand mirror from behind a sliding brick above a fireplace. Bakura almost flipped the table.

They managed to collect enough XP to level up by returning the mirror to its owner in the local village, completing the quest, even without fighting the dragon.

By the time they called it quits for the night, Seto was still fuming about not having been able to bed the dragon before Yugi, but most of them had work the next day.

Malik, however, offered to stay and help clean up, despite the drizzle that saw everyone out.

"Thank you for your help," Ryou sighed as he sank into one of the armchairs, a glass of whiskey mixed with Fanta lemon in hand.

Malik shrugged, leaning against the door. He swirled his straight whiskey in his glass like he was a main character in an action movie, but Yugi had a feeling it was Malik's way of fidgeting.

Yugi himself dropped onto the couch with a bottle of beer. "Seriously, you made it so much easier. Usually everyone leaves it to us."

Malik frowned and finger-spelled W-H-Y as he took a sip of his drink.

Ryou hummed, combing his hair over his shoulder with his fingers. "Partially because game nights usually run a little longer than we expect them to, so everyone has to get home to kids or for work. Jou wasn't here tonight; he's got two little ones. Sick with the flu today."

And the rest of the time? Malik raised an eyebrow.

Yugi hesitated, and Ryou took a larger drink than normal. "It's not really a problem," Ryou replied. "But we appreciate the help."

Malik's gaze flickered to Yugi. Yugi let out a breath. "Everyone expects Ryou to do all the clean up because of his magic."

"Yugi," Ryou hissed.

"He asked," Yugi defended.

Ryou huffed and took drank another large mouthful. Yugi reached out and brushed his hand against Ryou's leg, and Ryou slowly relaxed.

Malik hesitated but joined Yugi on the couch. That's bullshit.

"I-" Ryou shut his eyes. "Yeah. Kind of."

"It is," Yugi murmured. He turned so Malik could see his lips. "I've told them, several times, that they can't expect Ryou to do everything when it comes to hosting, and they insist they don't, but..." He shook his head. "I don't even know."

"They don't know they're doing it." Ryou opened his eyes but tilted his head back to stare at the ceiling instead of them. Yugi gently laced his fingers through Ryou's free hand. Ryou offered a small smile, but it was weary and seemed to drag his eyes down instead of making them crinkle. "I know they don't. I'm not... angry about it."

You should be. Malik drained the end of his whiskey and set the glass down on the table, hard. Yugi winced, and Malik's gaze softened a touch. He sat back a touch more carefully.

"Well, I'm not." Ryou shook his head. "Or... I am, but not at them. At... Society, I suppose? For having such a weird view on house magic." He released Yugi's hand and stood, pacing in front of the coffee table. "It's so... particular, but no one thinks of it as anything beyond cleaning and cooking and-" He gestured at Malik. "-useless things like finding people's favourite flavours."

Malik pursed his lips. I'm sorry- He began to sign, but the second Ryou saw, he waved him off.

"I don't want an apology. I want-" He stopped walking, shoulders sagging.

Yugi set his own glass aside and stood, wrapping his arms around Ryou. Ryou sank into him with a shaky breath.

"It's okay to be frustrated." Yugi ran his fingers through Ryou's hair. Ryou hummed, resting his forehead against Yugi's shoulder. "I am too."

"I know," Ryou sighed, "but it's different."

"I know." Yugi's arms tightened around him. "I know it is."

Out of the corner of his eye, Yugi saw Malik move towards them. Ryou lifted his head a touch, and Malik hesitated, stilling just beside them.

I get it, he signed. People expect certain things of you without even knowing what you actually do. They have this... idea of your magic, of you, in their head, and no matter what you do, that idea isn't going to change. He pursed his lips tightly, and a shaky hand rose to brush his throat.

"Oh, Malik..." Ryou bit his lip.

Yugi reached up to hold the hand resting at Malik's throat. Malik's breath hitched, and his hand shook all the more for the gentle touch.

'It's shit,' he mouthed, even as he lowered his hand. Yugi didn't pull his away, instead threading his fingers through Malik's. His palm was warm against Yugi's.

"It really is." Yugi shook his head. He parted his lips, apologies or assurances - he wasn't sure which - at the ready, but nothing came out. It all seemed pointless. They would brush off his apologies, but no reassurances would convince them, or even Yugi, that anything would change. Instead, he said, "But at least we have each other, right?"

Malik's jaw went slack, and he drew a sharp breath. Ryou shifted to take Malik's free hand, closing the circle. Malik's gaze flickered between them, but a tiny smile graced his face. He squeezed their hands.

Yugi's heart pounded in his chest and heat clawed up his cheeks. When he looked over at Ryou, his partner was smiling, but his cheeks were dusted with pink too. "I-"

A flash of lightning made them all jump, and thunder rolled through the house. They all turned to the window as the earlier drizzle began to quickly descend into a downpour. Ryou grimaced. "Wonderful. A freak storm."

Malik sighed and pulled his hands free. Yugi resisted the urge to grab them back. I'd better go, before it gets any worse. He paused and reached into the pocket of his red dress for his keys.

"Didn't you come on a motorbike?" Yugi asked. "That would be hell to drive in this."

Malik cocked his head. I've done it before. He rubbed the back of his head. But I should get a cab. Probably shouldn't drive after that drink. I'll just pick it up tomorrow. Is it okay to leave in your garage overnight?

"Nonsense." Ryou shook his head. "Leave the bike, but you're not going out in that. I can set up the spare room."

It's not a problem- Malik began.

"Ryou, you go rest," Yugi insisted. "I'll set up the spare room."

Really, I can just call an Uber-

"Are you sure?"

"Of course."

Malik waved a hand between them to get their attention. I can just go home. It's not that bad.

"It'll take ages to get a cab in this," Yugi insisted. "You stayed late to help us, or you'd have gotten home fine, so it's only fair."

Malik turned to Ryou, as though the unseelie would be of any help to him. Ryou smiled. "Like I said before, you're welcome." Malik's eyes widened a fraction. "Now, if you're sure you don't need help-"

"I literally need to pull a blanket and pillows from the hot press," Yugi said. "Go to bed, we'll be fine."

Ryou's smile grew a touch and he kissed Yugi's cheek. "Thank you. I'll see you both in the morning."

When he left, Yugi turned to Malik. "Come on." He led Malik upstairs to a small landing with four doors. "Ryou and I are in there." He pointed over to the door at the left of the stairs and then to the one at the right. "You're in there." He pulled open the hot press and grabbed two blankets, just in case it got chilly, and pillows before leading Malik into the spare room.

It wasn't impressive - a simple double bed with two bedside tables, lamps, and a wardrobe. Of course, the wardrobe was fashioned after the antique Victorian style and, last Yugi checked, filled with Ryou's crafting equipment, but it served its function. The blankets were fluffy and covered in Goombas and snakes, respectively. Malik smiled softly as Yugi laid them out on the bed.

You know, he signed when Yugi looked back up, you really didn't need to do this.

"I know," Yugi replied, "but you're our friend. Friends do stuff like this, even when they don't need to."

Malik watched him. The piercing quality of his gaze didn't seem to be fading, although it no longer instilled abject fear in Yugi. Ryou said I'm... welcome.

"He did." Yugi fluffed up the pillows and propped them up against the headboard. He glanced back at Malik. "Is that... alright with you?"

Yes. Of course. Malik's signing was rushed, but he forced himself to slow down. I just... know what that means for fae.

Yugi chuckled. "Careful not to call Ryou that. It's apparently the equivalent of calling him a 'dirty fucker' in Ireland, or something along those lines."

Noted. Malik nodded. But my point still stands.

Yugi's grin softened. "He meant it," he murmured. Yugi hesitated, but only for a second, before reaching out and taking Malik's hands in his. "And so do I." He met Malik's gaze and held it. "You're welcome."

Malik took a shaky breath and squeezed Yugi's hands. He nodded.

Yugi's smile grew and he slowly released Malik's hands. "Um..." He swallowed. "Bathroom is at the end of the landing. And you know where we are if you need us. You're welcome to stay for breakfast, if you want."

Thank you. Malik's signing had slowed to a more natural pace again.

Yugi swallowed again. "Sleep well."

He walked to his room as fast as he could without worrying Malik. Once inside, he kicked off his clothes, save his boxers, and crawled into bed.

Ryou rolled onto his side to face Yugi. Yugi opened his arms, and Ryou eagerly curled into him, head resting on Yugi's chest.

"Your heart is pounding," Ryou whispered.

"I know." Yugi kissed the top of his head. "Is that... okay?"

Ryou nodded. "Mine is too."

-----

Subtlety was not one of Yugi's strong qualities, but he tried to let Ryou take the lead on figuring out where Malik stood with regard to them. He even managed to stay quiet as Ryou gently probed Malik for information on past partners on their next game night, only for Malik to admit he'd only had one serious partner before. But it had been nearly two weeks of awkward flirting and beating around the bush. Malik had gotten touchier, though had early on specified not to touch his back, and they never asked for an explanation.

Ryou had been trying to get Yugi into the Evil Dead series for a while, but Yugi hadn't wanted to get thrown into the most recent movie without context, so they'd planned to watch all of them for Halloween. The fact that Malik was also a fan was an added benefit, and so, they decided to invite him too.

So, when Malik came over for a spooky movie night, during a boring part of the second movie, Yugi decided this was going to slowly. They were all on the couch, due to Ryou's excuse that they could see the screen better from there. Yugi was in the middle, so it was easy to get Malik's attention by nudging his leg. "Hey, random question, are you polyamorous?"

Malik blinked. Why?

Ryou paused the movie and buried his head in his hands. "Subtle," he muttered. "Very subtle."

Yugi chewed his tongue. "To be honest, Ryou and I are, and we both kinda like you? If not, no pressure. And no pressure, even if you are. Just wanted to... get it out there."

Ryou peeked out at Malik from between his fingers. Malik's eyes widened and his hands almost stuttered as he raised them. You... do? He gestured between them. Both of you?

Yugi reached up and gently took Ryou's hands, pulling them away from his face. For a moment, Ryou resisted, but then went slack with a heavy sigh. His entire face was flushed. "Yes," he managed. "We both do."

Malik paused again. So... you both want to date me?

"If that's okay with you?" Yugi rubbed the back of his neck. "I mean, yes, but... yeah. No pressure."

Malik's lips quirked up. You said that already.

"Right." Yugi ducked his head as Ryou chuckled.

But then, Malik's fingers were beneath his chin, tilting it up and- when did he get that close? Yugi's breath hitched and, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ryou's eyes widen.

Malik slowly pulled back, heat lingering on Yugi's skin even after Malik withdrew his hand. Malik smiled. I'd like that. Or, to try at least. He hesitated, smile wavering a touch, but he nodded, as though steeling himself. I like you both too.

Yugi pursed his lips.

"Don't," Ryou groaned.

Malik looked over at him with a confused frown.

Yugi tried not to laugh.

"I will walk out," Ryou insisted.

Malik looked back at Yugi.

"That's pretty..." Yugi's own giggles cut him off. "That's pretty gay."

Malik snorted.

"Divorce," Ryou decided.

"We're not married!"

"Divorce."

Yugi's laughter only increased when Ryou stood up and walked over to the other side of the couch.

Ryou gave Malik a sweet smile. "Would you mind being in the middle?"

Of such a messy divorce? Malik snorted. I don't know... Still, he nudged Yugi until they had all switched places, Malik now in the centre.

Ryou sat back down and leaned into Malik a little. Yugi did the same, his giggles easing.

Malik hesitated. So... I feel like I need to tell you about my back.

Yugi's eyes widened and he wrapped his arm around Malik's, so he wouldn't limit his signs. "You don't need to."

"Especially not unless you're ready," Ryou affirmed, shifting to rest his head against Malik's shoulder. He repeated it by signing after a moment, realising Malik couldn't see his lips.

Malik paused. You really don't mind?

Ryou shook his head. You never have to tell us if you don't want.

"We would like to know, when you're ready," Yugi added, "so we can support you the best we can, however you need. But if the best way to support you is to accept that you can't tell us, then that's exactly what we'll do."

Malik took a slow breath, shaky, but tension seemed to melt from his shoulders. I want to. He shook his head. But not tonight.

Yugi smiled and gave his arm a squeeze. "Of course."

Ryou nodded in agreement and leaned up to kiss Malik's cheek. "Whatever makes you most comfortable."

Malik's cheeks flushed. Not very noticeably, especially in the dim light of the screen and a handful of small lamps dotted around, but they had definitely gone a touch darker. Yugi bit his lip. He hadn't even realised Malik could blush hard enough for it to show.

"Not fair!" He whined. "I want to make him blush like that too!"

Ryou snorted and Malik's eyes darted between them, having clearly missed what Yugi had said.

It was just so cute that Yugi started giggling again, even as he leaned up to kiss Malik's other cheek. Malik turned to him, still looking confused, but his cheeks still delectably flushed.

"I was just being gay," Yugi assured him, still grinning uncontrollably. "I said it wasn't fair that Ryou made you blush, and I wanted to too."

Ryou nodded and touched Malik's shoulder to draw his attention before speaking. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it. Most of Yugi's out-of-pocket comments are just gay."

"Excuse you," Yugi huffed. Malik's head snapped back to him. "They're not 'just gay'. They're amazingly gay."

Malik gave them a sheepish smile. I might need to move back to the side. It's a bit awkward trying to keep track of the conversation like this.

"Oh, of course." Ryou hit his forehead with his palm. "I'm so sorry, I didn't think of that."

Malik waved the comment off as Ryou switched places with him, so Ryou was in the middle this time. Once they settled, Malik turned back to them. Don't worry about it. Honestly, I rarely even mention it when that happens.

"Really?" Yugi frowned.

Malik nodded. Not with you two. You... always made me feel comfortable to mention when I need something. You both clearly put in effort to make sure I could see you speak, or you signed as well, or repeated things without any issues.

"That should be standard." Ryou brushed his knee against Malik's.

But it isn't. Most of the time, people just tell me not to worry if it's a joke or I miss something inconsequential or that the conversation moved past, he explained, or they don't put in effort and keep making the same mistakes. It's tiring to correct people or tell them I missed something all the time, so I just rely on context. But I never felt like I had to do that with you. He lowered his hands to take Ryou and Yugi's, and mouthed, 'Thank you.'

Yugi squeezed his hand. "We'll never do that."

"And if we ever do, please call us on it," Ryou said. "Because that's unacceptable."

Malik's smile grew and he nodded.

Yugi returned the smile, rubbing his thumb over Malik's knuckles. "Want to keep watching the movie?" Malik nodded and Yugi grinned. "Thank God. I've been trying to figure out how Bruce Campbell's severed hand keeps coming back and I'm hoping it's explained.

"Don't worry," Ryou assured him, "it's not."

Yugi groaned and shifted to lean his head against Ryou's arm again, cuddling into his side. He signed as he spoke again. "I just want some explanation. Even if it's silly explanations."

Malik shook his head. It's Evil Dead. There's never explanation.

"Except in the most recent one," Ryou mused. "But that one kind of sucked. They spent the whole movie trying to explain how the main character ended up covered in blood with a chainsaw, but like... It's an Evil Dead movie. We know the drill, just show us the blood and chainsaw."

Malik hummed. I see your point, but I liked the new one.

"Did that dude just fucking destroy the one thing that might have saved them?" Yugi groaned.

Ryou nodded. "Americans are famously stupid in horror movies."

Yugi buried his head in his hands as Ryou wrapped an arm him. "I hate that I love this," he decided.

Malik chuckled. That's Evil Dead for you. He hesitated before shifting to lean his head on Ryou's shoulder.

Ryou smiled and rested his head atop Malik's, rubbing absent-minded circles into Yugi's back. "Exactly."

Yugi smiled until his cheeks hurt, and it had nothing to do with the gods-awful acting.

-----

As a note, I've only seen the first two and the most recent Evil Dead movies, so any references are based on my own experiences and my partners being really into horror movie critique.

Also appearing is my hc that Ryou is Irish rather than English, because *Irish national anthem plays*, so the comment about calling Irish mythological creatures 'fae' is true!

I can't find the tiktok I originally saw (with sources on it), and I only researched it briefly because tism went brrr, but it's essentially too non-specific and I can't remember how exactly but does roughly equate to calling a member of the Aos Sí a 'dirty fucker'. It's better to call them the Aos Sí, Tuatha dé Danann, or their specific names (note: Unseelie is another non-specific name for dark creatures, but this is a specific grouping so not insulting). I use fae myself frequently but I giggled to myself when I thought of it, and my target audience for this fic is exactly: Me and no one else.

Hope you enjoyed! Next chapter will absolutely be spicy, in the tism, trauma, and sexy ways, so we've hit spicy bingo. Please vote and review and I'll see you next time!