[While Atem's showering, Ryou keeps himself busy doing exactly what he said and lion-proofing his work area. Paint and brushes are put out of reach of Tybolt, or at least somewhere that he has no inclination of expending effort to get to. Papers and other important odds and ends are stored away. Keeping busy has been his only lifeline in all of this, which was why he'd been able to manage a quick turnaround for the gift he gave Mukuro. He's happy to do whatever it takes, honestly. It keeps his mind from wandering to places it shouldn't...even if it does happen anyway.
However, keeping busy while Atem is showering serves a different purpose this time--it gets Ryou's mind off of the fact that he's wearing one of his boyfriend's articles of clothing, and that his boyfriend was also eying him prior to taking a shower. The implications are certainly not lost on him.
Or...maybe that's just how he feels. Maybe he's just projecting, because ever since he'd revived and healed, he's wanted nothing more than to curl around Atem and not think about anything. When Atem's out and about...Ryou either works on his Monster World board, or lays in bed doing nothing. Nothing sucks, but...he's still having problems processing anything besides "nothing." It reminds him of when he felt no emotions after taking Atem's death, actually. Every emotion he put on now was like a veneer over what he was really feeling. Slightly noticeable, but mostly covered up.
But with Atem...the veneer was opaque. Thin as gossamer, and it wasn't just because Atem could read him. No, it was because Ryou genuinely felt happy around him. Even regarding Atem though...there was something hidden far past the surface, down into the core of his being. Guilt. Sadness. Hurt. Those were not emotions he touched or lent credence to until he was alone.
Like now. Because after making up Atem's bed...Ryou doesn't know what to do with himself. So while Atem's getting dressed, cleaning the Millennium Cat-Puzzle and loving on Tybolt...Ryou was in his own room, staring at everything and thinking. A terrible pastime, thinking. He shouldn't...because the thoughts hurt. The feelings hurt. The memories...are agony.
Once he's certain that Atem's wound down, Ryou finally shuffles from one room to the other. He doesn't poke his head in yet though, instead trying to lead with a little levity.]
Are you decent?
[Said as if he actually believes Atem would wander the apartment indecent.]
cw depression...?
However, keeping busy while Atem is showering serves a different purpose this time--it gets Ryou's mind off of the fact that he's wearing one of his boyfriend's articles of clothing, and that his boyfriend was also eying him prior to taking a shower. The implications are certainly not lost on him.
Or...maybe that's just how he feels. Maybe he's just projecting, because ever since he'd revived and healed, he's wanted nothing more than to curl around Atem and not think about anything. When Atem's out and about...Ryou either works on his Monster World board, or lays in bed doing nothing. Nothing sucks, but...he's still having problems processing anything besides "nothing." It reminds him of when he felt no emotions after taking Atem's death, actually. Every emotion he put on now was like a veneer over what he was really feeling. Slightly noticeable, but mostly covered up.
But with Atem...the veneer was opaque. Thin as gossamer, and it wasn't just because Atem could read him. No, it was because Ryou genuinely felt happy around him. Even regarding Atem though...there was something hidden far past the surface, down into the core of his being. Guilt. Sadness. Hurt. Those were not emotions he touched or lent credence to until he was alone.
Like now. Because after making up Atem's bed...Ryou doesn't know what to do with himself. So while Atem's getting dressed, cleaning the Millennium Cat-Puzzle and loving on Tybolt...Ryou was in his own room, staring at everything and thinking. A terrible pastime, thinking. He shouldn't...because the thoughts hurt. The feelings hurt. The memories...are agony.
Once he's certain that Atem's wound down, Ryou finally shuffles from one room to the other. He doesn't poke his head in yet though, instead trying to lead with a little levity.]
Are you decent?
[Said as if he actually believes Atem would wander the apartment indecent.]