Okay this is literally as far as I've written so far so I'm not sure when the next bit will be out? Hopefully in a few days? But yee! This particular chapter is dedicated to sitabethel (AO3) because of the cancer joke. My mum died from it when I was 18 and cancer/dead mom jokes have become my humour, so I've been DYING to put the same joke in one of my fics, and now it finally is.

CW: Cancer joke (obviously), drinking, making out in public space, rough sex (bondage, choking, biting, mild general masochism/sadism, oral), AFAB terms used for Ryou's genitalia.

NOTE: Please be safe when trying kink. Asking someone to tie you up and choke you on the first date really isn't safe outside of fanfiction.

-----

Malik groaned and dragged a hand through his hair. He'd given up on translating the Mesopotamian tome for the day at the break, but reviewing his accounts for Rishid wasn't drawing his attention any more than the thick book had. He glanced at the clock. Only eleven forty. He was half tempted to skip the end of the day. After a night of tossing in bed, his fingers itched at the thought of spending the day in the sun on his balcony with a nice book and a glass of wine instead, but he knew he wouldn't.

He turned back to his computer, doing his best not to skip lines as he read through his expenses. He wasn't entirely sure why Rishid wanted him to double-check it - his numbers were never wrong - but at least it meant Malik had an excuse not to be in the brightly lit but windowless archive. That was a lie. He knew exactly why Rishid was having him look over the expense account - to keep Malik busy, so he didn't spiral.

A knock at the door had him rushing to start typing again. "I'm almost done, Rishid!"

The door opened, only when Malik looked up, it wasn't his brother, but Ryou with a sheepish smile and two coffees. "Morning."

Malik blinked. "What are you doing? We finished up yesterday."

"We did," Ryou confirmed, "but I felt like I owed you a coffee after last night." He walked closer to Malik's desk and carefully placed one of the cups down. "Vanilla dark roast with almond milk."

Malik huffed out a chuckle and took a sip. "I still think you must have asked Rishid about my coffee orders," he mumbled.

Ryou's smile relaxed a little. "I really didn't."

"I know," Malik whispered. He chose to stare at the lid on his cup instead of Ryou. It was easier.

After a moment, Ryou cleared his throat. "I know it's early, but... d'you want to go for lunch? My treat."

Malik considered it, glancing at his screen. "Sure. As long as it's nearby." Malik closed the account and sent it back to Rishid with a 'looks good' before grabbing his jacket and standing. "Where do you want to go?"

"Maybe the ramen place down the street?" Ryou suggested. "They have good vegetarian options."

"I'll take your word for it," Malik said.

He and Ryou took the elevator and walked to the restaurant in silence. They dumped their empty coffee cups outside and went up to the counter to order. It was only when they were sitting, fiddling with their fingers and cups of water, that Ryou finally spoke.

"I'm... sorry about last night."

Malik's gaze flickered up to him. "What do you mean?"

Ryou shook his head, staring at the table instead of Malik. "For snapping at you and leaving. I know you were just trying to help." He let out a slow breath and fell silent for a moment, but Malik didn't cut in. "I... have some friends, more Yugi's friends really, and they baby me. Relentlessly. They know I was bullied back home, and they saw the same thing start to happen here, and they got very protective. They always insisted they were trying to help, but it felt like they didn't think I could look after myself, you know?"

Malik nodded. "I do." He cracked a small smile. "Although I don't know how I could think that after you nearly broke that prick's finger last night."

Ryou snorted, a proper grin finally cracking his face. "That's good to know. Yugi's friends are all... very lawful good, so almost breaking fingers was a no-go."

"And that led to you feeling you couldn't properly protect yourself, which led to them babying you even more." Malik dragged a hand through his hair. He had braided it the night before and pulled them out that morning, so his natural curls were accentuated. "And I acted like them last night."

Ryou pursed his lips and shook his head. "I... yeah. But that wasn't your fault. You were looking out for me, and I appreciate it. I just... I have enough friends who treat me like a child, and even though you don't do that, it maybe triggered me a little."

Malik nodded and chewed his lip. He couldn't even stop the next words out of his mouth long enough to think about them properly. "Well, what if I didn't want to be friends?"

That forced Ryou to look up, eyes wide. "What? But I- I thought-"

"Not like that," Malik rushed in, cheeks hot. "I- I mean-" Fuck this gay panic; he hadn't had it this bad since he was a teenager.

"Oh." Ryou's eyes widened again. "Oh." A smile spread across his face, soft this time. "Malik Ishtar, are you asking me out?"

Malik resisted the urge to play it off. "Yes." He met Ryou's gaze. "If you'd like to."

Ryou's cheeks flushed a delicate pink, but that smile never left his lips. "I'd love to."

Malik thanked Ra that his own skin was too dark for his blush to show. "Great. That's... great."

Ryou giggled, and though he stopped when their food arrived, he was still smiling. Once the waiter was gone, he turned back to Malik. "So what do you have in mind?"

"I was thinking we could go to the club again?" Malik suggested. "Properly this time. Without me shoving my foot in my mouth and you storming off."

Ryou's smile grew and he nodded. "Okay. That sounds fun."

-----

The way Ryou writhed under the strobe lights should have been a sin, Malik decided, eyes lidded as he watched. He had dressed up again, in bright garish colours - a silk shirt with day-glow green leather pants that should have looked like a thrift-store Riddler cosplay, but somehow didn't because it was Ryou.

Malik knocked back his whiskey like it was a shot and dropped the plastic cup into the bin so he could join Ryou again on the dance floor. Ryou caught Malik's hand as he returned, spinning him, and Malik laughed as he spun on the ball of his foot into Ryou's chest.

Ryou held his hips, and Malik leaned back, reaching behind him to hook his arms around Ryou's neck. He twisted his hips as he danced up against Ryou, and heard his partner suck in a sharp breath. Malik's black skater skirt dragged up his thighs and dropped again as Ryou twisted and dipped him. Malik grinned up at him. "Having fun?"

"Yes," Ryou breathed, returning the grin. "You?"

"Of course." Malik righted himself and pulled Ryou closer to spin him. His green converse squeaked on the floor. "I'm with you. How could I not?"

Ryou's cheeks turned pink, even under the neon lights, and he leaned in to murmur, "You are far too smooth for your own good."

"I think I'm exactly smooth enough." Malik flicked his hair over his shoulder. He had selected a rich blue, shapely cropped waistcoat over a simple black tank, and, along with Ryou's glimmering undereye makeup, his waistcoat glowed under the lights.

Ryou laughed at that and wrapped his arms around Malik's neck. They continued dancing until the club was spinning from the alcohol and their giddiness, and they stumbled out into the fresh, dark night.

"That was so much fun." Ryou hung off Malik's shoulder. Malik's vision swam, but he wrapped his arm around Ryou's waist to steady him. "Thank you for this."

"My pleasure." Malik smiled. "Where do you live? I'll walk you home."

"Um, three streets over that way." Ryou pointed vaguely to the left, and Malik began walking with him. Ryou lifted off Malik's shoulder as they walked, though he didn't protest when Malik's arm stayed around him. When they reached Ryou's apartment building, he turned to Malik. "Thanks again for tonight. I really enjoyed it."

"Me too," Malik admitted, giving him a small smile.

Ryou hesitated before leaning up, and Malik ducked, pressing their lips together. Ryou hummed, soft lips quirking up, eagerly returning it. Malik's arms looped around Ryou's waist, and Ryou cupped his face, nibbling Malik's lip. Malik groaned and Ryou's tongue slipped into his mouth, and all he wanted was more, more, more.

When they both pulled back, breathing heavily, Ryou grinned at Malik. "Would you... like to come up for a coffee?"

"Are we actually having coffee?" Malik asked.

"Nope." Ryou popped p.

"Sounds amazing." Malik followed Ryou into the building, and in the elevator, pulled Ryou close to kiss him again. Ryou whimpered into the kiss, leaning into it, arms wrapping around Malik's waist. Malik's shoulders tensed a little, on instinct, but instead of up, Ryou's hands ran down to squeeze Malik's ass through his skirt.

"You looked fantastic tonight," Ryou breathed against his lips.

Malik chuckled, pressing their foreheads together. "Ryou Bakura, are you flirting with me?"

"Absolutely." Ryou slid his leg between Malik's, pressing him back a tiny bit. Malik leaned against the bar attached to the wall, so he wasn't pressed flush against his scars, but Ryou seemed to plan for this, holding him there as he kissed Malik's jaw.

Malik hummed, tilting his head back to give Ryou more room. Unfortunately, the elevator dinged, and the two sprung apart as the door opened. A middle-aged woman gave them a dirty look as they walked out, and the two started laughing the second the doors closed.

"Holy shit!" Ryou snickered, dragging both hands up through his hair.

Malik shook his head, trying not to grin. "Sorry. I should have waited."

"No, that was hot." Ryou grabbed Malik's hand and led him over to one of the doors. It was, unlike the others, freshly painted and housed a sturdy lock that Ryou opened without effort. Once they were past the door, Malik threw his waistcoat away and pressed Ryou against the wood, shutting it. Ryou fumbled for the lock, moaning as Malik kissed him again, teeth teasing Ryou's lips.

"Mm." Ryou pulled back, a dazed look in his eyes. "How do you like to do this?" He rolled his hips up into Malik's.

Malik pressed into Ryou's touch. "Preferably on top, but otherwise, I'm happy with whatever you want." Ryou chewed his lip, and Malik trailed a hand up Ryou's side. "Tell me what you want." Ryou paused. "Worst I can do is say no."

"Um-" Ryou hesitated. "Probably shouldn't ask this on the first date, but I'm drunk and excited and you're hot," he rambled, "but... would you tie me up?"

Malik's eyes flashed. "Oh, fuck yes. Didn't realise you were a rope bunny."

Ryou giggled at that, nose scrunching. "When would I have brought that up? At the café?"

"Fair point." Malik rubbed his thumb along Ryou's hip. "I've done some rigging before so sure. Anything else?"

Ryou hesitated, reaching up to press his palms against his forehead. "Um, more of a note? Sex is... overwhelming for me sometimes, so I get... distracted or find it hard to come up with things to say?" He admitted. "Could you... suggest a thing if you want to do it, and I can say yes or no?"

"Of course." Malik pulled Ryou's hands away and pressed his forehead to Ryou's. "If you scratch, just not my back. You can touch, but lightly." Ryou nodded in understanding. Malik leaned in to kiss Ryou's neck again, to regain some of the slight loss of mood. "How about... biting?"

Ryou gripped Malik's hips. "Yes," he whispered. "I like that a lot."

"Good." Malik sank his teeth into Ryou's neck, and Ryou arched, mouth hanging open in a low moan as Malik sucked the sensitive skin.

"M-Mal-" Ryou pressed up against Malik's crotch.

"Someone's eager," Malik teased, running his tongue over the already-forming bruise at the top of Ryou's neck.

Ryou whined as Malik bit him again, a touch further down. "Been- fuck, Malik! I've been l-looking forward to this. You looked so good all night."

"You're one to talk." Malik hooked his fingers into Ryou's leather pants and tugged. "Your ass in these is stunning."

Ryou grinned, confirming Malik's suspicions that he'd worn them for that exact reason. "How about we go to my room, and you can see what's under them?"

Fuck, Ryou should put more faith in his own ability as a wordsmith, Malik decided as Ryou led him down the small hall. He flicked on the light as they entered and tugged the curtains closed. His bedroom, much like his desk at the office, was small, unassuming, and messy, though the bed was neatly made and everything seemed clean if disorganised. Ryou pulled Malik on top of him, leaning up to kiss him, and Malik dipped his tongue into Ryou's mouth.

When he pulled back, he hooked his fingers into Ryou's pants again, dragging them down. Ryou awkwardly kicked off his shoes, and Malik sucked in a sharp breath as the black, lacy underwear and thigh-high stockings, digging into the meat of Ryou's legs, came into view. "Fuck, Ry-"

"I take it this was a good decision?" Ryou giggled, a delectable pink dusting his cheeks.

Malik discarded the pants and tossed his own shirt to the side in lieu of a verbal response, but paused when he was about to pull Ryou's shirt away too. "Can I?"

Ryou nodded, arching off the bed to help Malik. Well-hidden tattoos spiralled up his arms and chest. A naga curled up at the centre of his ribs, white and silver, covering two faint, matching scars around his nipples.

Malik traced his fingers along them, pinching one before leaning down to lash his tongue against the other. Ryou whined, arching his chest up.

Malik trailed his free hand down to Ryou's socks, snapping the rubber band at the top against his skin. Ryou hitched away on instinct, but the sharp cry that escaped him was definitely one of pleasure. "I think... these can stay on, hm?"

Ryou nodded in agreement, catching Malik's gaze. His pupils were blown wide, turning his eyes almost black. Ethereal. Malik couldn't remember when the word first hit him as a descriptor for Ryou, but it was perfect.

Malik shimmied out of his skirt and unremarkable underwear. He kissed Ryou again before murmuring, "Anywhere you don't want me to touch?" Ryou shook his head. "How do you want to do this?"

Ryou wrapped his legs around Malik's waist. The soft, cheap cotton was cool against his burning skin. "I want you," he said, "to tie me up and fuck me until I'm screaming."

Malik's lips quirked up. "I gathered," he said, "but I meant more..." He tilted his head, trying to think of a way to say it that wouldn't sound crude or overly clinical.

Ryou arched an eyebrow. "Either is good but..." He chewed his lip, apparently hitting the same dilemma. "My... ugh, my vagina is more sensitive, if you're comfortable with that. I have condoms, and the coil."

Malik relaxed again and nodded. "Sounds good." He grabbed Ryou's shirt from the bed beside them. "Now, you wanted me to tie you up?"

Ryou giggled. "Malik, sweetheart, not with my shirt. Check the drawer."

Malik huffed, but it was playful, mind still buzzed from the alcohol and Ryou. He leaned over to the side to check the drawer Ryou pointed to and- "Holy shit, Ry." Malik grinned. This he could work with.

Ryou squirmed beneath him. "Sorry, I should have tidied them away but-"

"Sh." Malik came back with a few things in his hands, placing them out of Ryou's sight, and peppered kisses across his face. "No need to apologise."

Ryou relaxed under the affection, and Malik carefully caught both his wrists, moving them above his head. "Do you want to be fully restrained or just your hands?"

Ryou bit his lip. "Hands," he decided.

Malik nodded and pinned Ryou's wrists down with one hand, not missing the hitch in Ryou's breath, and grabbed the rope. He made quick and inelegant, but practical, work of the knot, tying the long leftover to the bars at the top of Ryou's bed. He tucked two fingers beneath the rope and gave it a tug. "This okay?"

Ryou tested the rope and nodded. "Perfect." His voice was breathy, and he hitched his hips up.

"You're so impatient," Malik teased, running his hands down Ryou's arms and back to his chest. He rolled his hips down against Ryou's, pressing the length of his growing dick against Ryou's already slick folds. Ryou whined, rubbing up against Malik. "Gods, I could draw this out for so long, but..."

"Please don't." Ryou chewed his lip, breathing hard. "Maybe- maybe next time, but-"

Malik hummed and rolled his hips again. "Yeah, I was thinking the same thing." As much as he teased Ryou's impatience, his dick ached to be inside the other man right that fucking second.

Malik leaned down and bit Ryou's nipple as he slid two fingers straight into him.

"Fuck!" Ryou strained against the ropes and tried to fuck down onto Malik's fingers, but Malik held his hips steady.

"That's it." Malik kissed down Ryou's rounded tummy. "You can take it." He spread his fingers and dragged his tongue over Ryou's clit. Ryou arched, toes digging into the sheets. "Just long enough to get you stretched." Malik ducked his head, flicking his tongue over Ryou's clit again, repeatedly and faster than before, as he hooked his fingers up. Ryou whined, bucking his hips up, but unable to make Malik move any faster.

Still, Malik was also impatient and added a third finger as soon as he thought Ryou was ready. Ryou only moaned louder.

"Malik, please! I- I'm ready, just fuck me!"

Malik hummed but pulled back and grabbed a condom, tearing the packaging and rolling it over his dick. He added some extra lube, just in case, and grabbed a tissue to wipe his hand, before gripping Ryou's hips tightly and pulling him closer to the edge of the bed. The action caused the rope tied to the headboard to go taught, Ryou's arms held secure above his head.

"Comfortable?"

"Very," Ryou assured him.

"Good." Malik grinned and eased into Ryou in one, slow movement.

Ryou's eyes widened, and his head fell back onto the mattress. "Oh, fuck-" He breathed.

Malik waited a moment, pressing kisses to Ryou's chest, to allow him to adjust before easing back and thrusting into him.

Ryou groaned, wrapping his legs around Malik's waist again. "Y-" He took a shaky breath. "You can go."

"I don't want to hurt you-"

"You won't." Ryou lifted his head. "Fuck. Me."

With that, Malik's self-control snapped, and he thrust into Ryou properly. Ryou moaned, head falling back again, and arched into Malik's thrusts. With limited mobility, he used his legs, fucking himself back onto Malik's cock every time the other man slammed into him.

"That's it," Malik encouraged. He gripped Ryou's hips tighter. "Fuck, you're so tight, Ry."

The statement made Ryou flush and clench tighter around Malik, and the latter moaned.

"Fuck, hang on-"

"No," Ryou whined, but relaxed his legs a little. Malik didn't quite pull out but shifted, so he knelt on the bed rather than standing. He pressed a hand down on Ryou's stomach and slammed into him. The breath was pounded out of Ryou's chest, and he gasped, eyes wide.

"There it is." Malik grinned, moving faster.

"F-F-F-" Ryou groaned, head falling back. With Malik's sharp, fast thrusts down and the pressure from Malik's grip, he was thrusting straight into Ryou's g-spot. "N-N-Need-"

"What was that?" Malik cooed as though he weren't fucking Ryou right to the edge. "What do you need?"

"M-More!" Ryou gasped, gripping the ropes in lieu of the sheets. "Fuck!"

Malik rubbed Ryou's thigh with his free hand, leaning forward on Ryou's stomach. Ryou nearly sobbed in pleasure. "Want me to make you cum?"

"Please!" Ryou bucked his hips up.

Malik grabbed the last item he'd hidden from Ryou and pressed it to Ryou's clit. Ryou winced a little at the cold but didn't seem to quite register what it was until Malik flicked it on.

"Oh fuck!" Ryou's eyes snapped shut as the vibrator in Malik's hand buzzed on his clit. "Fuck, fuck, Malik, fuck, shit!" He bucked again, legs tightening around Malik's waist.

Malik only sped up, circling the vibrator around Ryou's clit. He had to lift off Ryou's stomach to avoid putting too much pressure there, relying on one hand for balance, but it didn't seem to matter with the way Ryou squirmed and moaned beneath him.

"Fuck, I-" Ryou bit his lip hard and whined.

Malik reached his free hand up to grip Ryou's chin. "What happened to screaming?" His eyes glittered under the fluorescent light.

"I-" Ryou met his gaze, completely lost. "Can- can you-" He swallowed.

"Take your time," Malik murmured. "What do you want?"

"Can you choke me?" The words rushed out, and Malik dropped his hand down to Ryou's throat. "A- A little tighter?"

"Kick me if it gets too much," Malik warned him, and when Ryou nodded, he obliged, squeezing the sides of Ryou's already bruised neck. The squeeze would affect the blood flow to Ryou's brain without inhibiting his airflow too much.

Ryou gasped, and Malik turned the vibrator up without warning. "Malik!"

There was the scream.

Ryou choked back another scream, but Malik wrenched it from him as he sped up, turning the vibrator up to full power. "Mal- Ma- Malik- I- I'm- M'close-" Ryou forced out. "M-more!"

Malik tightened his grip a little more and sped up, circling the vibrator faster, and Ryou cried his name as he tensed up, shaking under Malik's ministrations. Malik quickly released Ryou's throat, and after a few seconds, the other man went slack, chest heaving as he caught his breath.

"Are you okay?" Malik asked. "You're not hurt?" He reached up and untied Ryou's wrists, checking them for bruising as he massaged them with his thumbs.

Ryou managed a hum and shook his head, forcing his eyes open to smile at Malik. "Not at all. That was amazing." He wrapped his legs around Malik again, though he was sure they probably felt like jelly. "Now, it's your turn."

"I can-"

"Don't," Ryou cut in, "pretend to be nice again."

Malik snorted and released Ryou's hands thrust into him, and Ryou moaned as Malik set up a fast, uneven pace, rushing towards his own climax.

"Fuck yes," Ryou breathed. He reached up and ran his fingers through Malik's hair. "Are you close?" Malik groaned, dropping his head to Ryou's shoulder. "Aw, so soon after I've cum too."

Malik's face burned, but tight heat was already coiling in his stomach, and fuck Ryou was just so fucking hot, whether he was squirming beneath Malik or whispering blaspheme in his ear.

"Ryou," he groaned. "Fuck, I'm-"

"That's it," Ryou encouraged, clenching around Malik. "Cum for me."

Malik bit Ryou's shoulder as he came, muffling the sharp cry, and Ryou moaned, wrapping his arms around Malik's back. It wasn't until a minute later, when he'd caught his breath, that Malik realised Ryou was actually touching his back, not his scars.

Ryou gently traced his fingers along the valleys of undamaged skin, where Malik could still feel most of what was happening. "You okay?"

"More than okay." Malik pressed his lips to Ryou's as he slowly pulled out. Ryou kept his hips up to avoid making a mess of the bed. "Hang on, let me get you a towel."

"Oh, don't worry about that." Ryou shook his head and grabbed a few tissues from the packet Malik had used to clean his hands earlier. "Just dump the condom and get back here. I demand cuddles."

Malik giggled. "You demand cuddles?" He repeated, even as he followed Ryou's direction. He tied off the condom and dropped it into the bin before moving the small wicker basket closer to the bed for Ryou.

Ryou dropped the tissues into the bin once he was finished with them and crawled up to the top of the bed. "Absolutely!"

"And if I don't give into these demands?" Malik asked, even as he climbed into the bed with Ryou.

"Mm." Ryou tapped his lips with his forefinger. "I think I might forget how you take your coffee in the morning."

Malik smiled at the subtle invitation to stay and wrapped his arms around Ryou, pulling him closer. "Well, I certainly want to avoid that."

"I thought as much." Ryou kissed his forehead. "I know you prefer being on top, but are you okay being the little spoon? I usually wake up very confused when there's someone behind me for some reason."

Normally, Malik wouldn't even consider it. "Sure." He leaned up and kissed Ryou's nose before turning over and settling into Ryou's chest. A soft, content sigh escaped him as Ryou's arms wrapped around him. Malik brought up a hand to rub the arm Ryou draped over him. "I... wasn't too rough, was I?"

"No," Ryou replied without hesitation, nuzzling the back of Malik's neck. "You were perfect. None of my requests made you uncomfortable?"

"Definitely not." Malik relaxed. Ryou could look after himself, Malik reminded himself. He knew that. Ryou could absolutely have told him if he didn't want anything. If Malik had ignored him, he wouldn't be in Ryou's bed, with all of his bones still intact. The reminder helped him let his eyes slip closed. Ryou didn't ask to turn off the lights, and Malik didn't have to ask to leave them on.

Just before he dosed off, he heard himself mumble, "Are you serious about coffee in the morning?"

"Serious as cancer," Ryou chuckled, half-asleep.

"That's-" Malik yawned. "-a terrible way to say yes." He dropped to sleep before he could hear if Ryou had replied.