Hierarchy

Curtain Closure

The night of the performance had arrived, the actors had furiously memorised their dialogue. Kaiba had been present for most of the rehearsals: but had avoided rehearsing the kissing scene at all costs. Ryo was probably far calmer on the outside than the inside. He wasn't nervous about the people watching them; he had performed in front of crowds before. He wasn't afraid of making a mistake; he knew the script inside and out. What he was afraid of was Kaiba. Specifically kissing him. Their first kiss, even if it had been for the story, was the most terrifying and simultaneously wonderful thing that had ever happened to the aspiring actor. And now he had to kiss Kaiba again. Except this time he had to pretend it was fake in front of thousands of people! He couldn't do this. He just...

"Stage fright?" Asked a smiling Mokuba from the door. On the surface the child was just as cold and unforgiving as his older brother Seto, but underneath Ryo knew there was a deprived child just aching to show affection to others yet willing to sacrifice that affection for the approval of his brother. It was rather sad that the child was so closeted, but Ryo was happy that Mokuba had at least come out of his shell enough to smile at the actors every now and again. Ryo nodded.
"I get it. But you'll be fine!"

"Kaiba-kun?" Ryo asked softly, regretting his words the moment he said them. But no turning back now, he supposed. "Does Kaiba-sama like anyone?"

"Like?" Mokuba asked incredulously. "Oh! You mean like-like...he does but...I can't tell you that Bakura-kun!"

Ryo sighed in disappointment and a little shame as he understood that Mokuba was right. He was an employee. Mokuba was...he assumed the child's role in the theatre was Kaiba's PA. But still, Ryo figured that if Kaiba did like him then he had a right to know.

"But..." Mokuba contradicted. "You'll find out by the end of the show tonight. And if you don't then you're just as big a dummy as my big brother!" He giggled, and ran out the door before Ryo had a chance to defend himself. That was...odd. But Ryo didn't have time to dwell or analyse the statement because Kaiba's barking voice on a speaker told all the actors to hurry up, and Ryo did just that. He was glad for the distraction.

"Ryo!" He heard his name being called, and saw Mariku hanging out by the door. He had given Mariku a backstage pass, so Mariku was allowed.

"Mariku," Ryo ran up and hugged his friend.

"Hey where's my hug?" Came a more nasally, laughing voice from behind Mariku. Jounouchi poked his blonde head out and gave a huge grin, waving a little at Ryo.
"Come on, haven't forgot me already have ya'?"

"Jou!" Ryo squeaked, hugging the lanky man tightly. "When did you get here?!"

"Just today. Mariku said it was a big night and I wouldn't miss it for the world!"

"You're both amazing!" Ryo appraised, thankful for his good friends. "But you should get to your seats. I gotta move!"

He makeup artist Kaiba hired was a genius: she made Ryo look older, dangerous and generally more like Bakura. They styled his hair like Bakura's, contoured his muscles to make them more defined and gave him eyeliner. He might have been jealous that they wanted him to look like the stupid stunt-double, but he had to admit that Bakura looked more like a thief than he did. They even put purple coloured contacts in his eyes so that he'd have the same eyes as Bakura! Talk about professionalism! So Ryo was feeling confident about his stage appearance. Until that is, he laid his eyes on Kaiba.

His skin was dusted with a light tan, his blue eyes sharp and intense. His gold and blue tunic shone under the stage lights as people applauded. He looked so regal and refined, like a statue in a museum to represent some ancient king. Ryo didn't look at Kaiba throughout the entire first scene. He kept his voice as gruff as could be, his warrior-stance looked strong, but even those in the back of the theatre could tell that he was refusing to look Kaiba in the eyes. After each character said their piece, Thief Ryo jumped back behind a curtain, just as the Thief version of Bakura jumped out with his wooden sword brandished at his waist. Ryo settled down to watch the fight from the side of the stage, behind the curtain.

The sword fight was perfectly choreographed, in contrast to the first blundering battle they rehearsed. Bakura and Kaiba had practiced, and now moved like ballet dancers in a succession of passionate and playful jabs. Ryo noticed that this seemed to be the first example of chemistry in the play, as the sword fight moulded into a sort of tango-reminiscent foreplay. He wouldn't admit that he was a little jealous of Bakura right there.

As Bakura drew in close to Kaiba, pretending to hold the sword to the priest's neck, he snarled at the younger man. "Stop being such a wet blanket and do it already!" He whispered.

"Do what?" Kaiba asked, but he didn't get an answer as Bakura twirled away from him, their swords clashing until Bakura drew his back fluidly up against Kaiba's front.

"Ask Ryo out already,"

There were shouts that were supposed to be the palace guard coming as backup, so the scene ended and Bakura ran offstage.

^

The play went on as planned. The actors were professional and the action was riveting. Then there was the kissing scene. The last scene. Thief Ryo walked out, battered and bleeding from his battle with the palace guards. It was suppose to be night, and Thief Ryo stumbled onto the stage, mesmerised by Kaiba who was standing a few yards away.

"Priest, why hast thou
Brought me out
On such a cold night?"
Thief Ryo asked. He was supposed to be smirking, but he just looked annoyed.

"Thief, I have something to
Do to you. Come closer,"
Kaiba urged, and hoped nobody heard the quiver in his voice. What Bakura had said during the fight...that meant that not only did he like Ryo, but that Ryo liked him back. Kaiba had been so afraid that Ryo didn't like him back and he hadn't wanted to be rejected. Bakura was his most trusted...he didn't know what Bakura was, not just an employee but not a friend either...so he knew Bakura wouldn't lie about this.

Ryo stepped close just like the script outlined, and Kaiba grasped his chin, softly but sternly, and pulled their faces together. Ryo felt his eyes close and his knees become weak, his body weightless as if floating on a cloud. He merged with Kaiba, running his hands along the taller man's sides. Kaiba wasn't doing any less. Ha tongue was exploding Ryo's hot mouth with a craving passion. His body was grinding against Ryo's harshly. The kiss had been going on for far longer than necessary, and both men knew why. It was like a silent conversation. A silent covenant between them. They were now together.

Bakura smirked at the side of the stage, holding out his palm smugly as Mokuba passed him five-hundred yen.

"You called it," Mokuba laughed.

"The audience is getting suspicious," Kaiba whispered, reluctantly pulling away from Ryo. His next line was supposed to be 'Thief, let us run away together' But instead it ended up being
'Thief, I'm so glad we're together now,'

"As am I," Ryo let out a small giggle and smiled cutely. "My priest,"

And the curtains closed as the audience roared in applause.