softspokenlandlord | IC Inbox

[Ryou backs away. His left hand grasps at the opposite forearm, at the scars that AM had left him with. He can feel them, he can feel the ones on his feet, his leg, and it shouldn't hurt, but it does.

AM made him suffer. Atem just wanted to pay it back. Ryou had done this. Ryou had let him, by giving Atem a choice for how to act on the matter, hadn't he? He's complicit...

But the way his ears are slicked back, the way his hackles are raised and his tail is tucked firmly between his legs...it's every bad tell in the book and he can't stop them, he can't make his body stop reacting anymore than he could turn the phantom pain off, the agony of his burns, the reminder that AM had liked it, hadn't he? He'd struck first, when Ryou had been immobilized--

No. No!]

NO! Do you think I wanted you to be hurt in turn?! My pain is over! [It's not.] He could have hurt you, he could have...he could have done worse things to you than what I'm sure he already did, Atem. He could have...

[Ryou looks down. He can't finish that sentence because then he'd be lying to himself. If Atem thought he could do it but couldn't, if he came back unscathed the first day of the fog, smelling of the sea...then Ryou's just lying to himself.]

...Do you suppose I wanted you to walk into your death on my account?

[He says it so quietly, so fearfully. He can't look Atem in the eye, he's still grasping at his own arm, looking terrified at this reality. The one where he knows Atem died and came back, but he's not talking about it or taking it as seriously as Ryou is.

Ryou will never understand how Atem couldn't be terrified of dying. Of suffering like that. He'd had his own head bitten off and now he had nightmares over it, on bad nights where even knowing he had friends here, and someone he loved dearly, could not erase that fear or pain.]

I'm...I'm sorry, I'm sorry I don't want to sound ungrateful Atem...b-but I was scared all night that something bad happened, and it did...and I couldn't do anything about it...

[His brows -- all of them -- draw up, in worry.]

Ryou.

[No -- he doesn't want Ryou to pull back from him like this, to pull away with his ears down and his tail tucked. It breaks Atem's heart to see it. A hand reaches out, though Ryou can't see it; the wings at Atem's ears press tightly to the sides of his head. His lion tail's tip twitches in agitation, uncertainty -- in wanting to approach, but also thinking he shouldn't.]

I know you didn't want me to get hurt. Of course I do! I'm really sorry to have worried you -- I know it must have been frightening. I should have stopped to tell you that I might be gone until the next day. I'm sorry, that I didn't.

[But he'd been so sure he could do it, and so, so angry...]

It's true. I took a death. But it was quick. Over in a moment. It was my own choice -- when it was certain that he'd caught me, and I couldn't fight my way out...I know what he's capable of, and I wasn't going to let it happen.

But...

I also wasn't going to let him hurt my friends and get away with it. The monsters here...they should know that any pain they inflict on the people I love will be v̶̫̈i̷͍̕s̶̫͒ǐ̶̲t̸̮̚e̷̮̿d̶̩̈́ ̴̰̚ư̷̩p̸̖̄o̶͚̕ṉ̶͋ ̶̣̐t̵͍̑ḩ̸͑e̴̺͠m̸̦͂ i̷̧͕͋̍ṅ̶͓͂ ̷̲̩̕ĕ̵̟̻͋q̸͕̹̾̓u̵̠̿̾a̷̫͑͜l̶̞̀ ̵̹͎̈̅ṁ̸̰̮̕ë̴̻͖́̀a̷͙͆s̵͚̆u̴̻̓r̴̨͕̅e̴̟̺̕.

[His voice doesn't get any louder, but. Uh. Hey Atem, are you okay, that's a weird way to talk, you don't talk like that. He doesn't seem to notice the shift in tone, the sudden and terrible clarity of his voice, or the flare of the sun in his hair and flash of the eye on his head. He just goes on, like nothing happened.]

They should know that before they hurt you...so that they'll think twice. To do that, I have to punish the ones who did. So that, next time, it won't happen.

[This is his logic. He is going to be the deterrent -- to reduce the pain his friends and loved ones have to feel.

And, to be that, he has to fight monsters. That's how it works, Ryou!! He can't be a terrifying force of justice if no one knows what he can do!! This is helping, this is protecting, this is setting him up to save everyone he loves from the kind of pain Ryou is feeling right now!]

Edited 2021-11-10 14:29 (UTC)

[Ryou wants to forgive Atem, and hearing him speak is moving him along the pathway of graciousness there, of forgiving Atem because he's just grateful that he's back. After all, he's apologizing for worrying Ryou at all, which means he knows what he did, right?

But no. He doesn't. Because here he stands, telling Ryou that he took a death to protect himself from a worse fate, and maybe it says something about Ryou that he accepts that as a tactical move, and isn't bothered by Atem making a Hail Mary to get out of AM's hands.

And maybe Ryou would have immediately clarified that he's angry about Atem needing to make the choice at all, but when Atem speaks of revenge, the words...there's something that's far more than unsettling in them. That gets Ryou to look up, and now Atem can see how very, very scared he is.

What is Ryou scared of?]

I didn't make this easy, did I? H-hahahaha. If I was just stronger, then...

[He laughs again, a hollow sound, and his arms fall to his sides. It's just like when he'd spoken to the Fog. She told him he needed to be better, right? To rise to challenges. But he can't. He's criminally incapable of rising to the challenge, which is exactly why Atem had picked a fight with AM, possibly the most powerful demon on the peninsula.]

I thought if I said the right thing, I might convince you not to pay it back. But I'm wrong. I...miscalculated. Atem...you've done what you need to, right? You've done enough. You don't have to punish anyone for me. Do you hear me?

[He's speaking and looking at Atem, but for some reason, his eyes aren't focused on the other monster. Not really. He's looking past him, running the subroutine in his head that might lead him to the right string of dialogue, unlock a choice that would stop Atem from attacking others as a preventative measure...and he shouldn't be steeping himself into it but right now, he's not sure where to be, or whether he wants to admit to himself who he is, under the limitations that weigh him down.

He's just Ryou Bakura. Not a White Wizard who can carry the weight of his party. Just Ryou, with no strength of heart, no power to influence anything around him.]

....

[Ryou was...trying to find the right thing to say...to keep Atem from doing what he does...?

And...why does Ryou look so scared?]

Ryou...you knew this would happen. You know what I am. What I do. You specifically didn't make me promise not to, because -- I thought you understood.

[That he isn't the sort of person who will let things like this slide, that he'd avenge Ryou just the same as any other friend, or even any human being hurt unfairly--why would Ryou's pain matter less to him? Does Ryou understand him at all...?]

....but you were actually...trying to influence me away from going?

[Were you trying to manipulate him? Control him? Ryou Bakura. He expected better.]

It was for you, but not only for you. There were others. And there are others, who I want to protect. I can't save them from what comes in with the fog...but I can do something to keep other monsters away.

[Why does he look so scared?]

Edited 2021-11-10 16:51 (UTC)

I wanted you to stay away from AM for as long as possible. I thought maybe if I didn't talk about it anymore you'd never have to fight him, at least not for me. I don't know anything about him...I just know...h-he looked like a monster. A real one. A beast.

[For a moment, there's a strike of clarity in Ryou's eyes. He comes back to himself, and it's not because he's found the right answer. There is no right answer. He's just panicked. Scared, because dying could mean you never come back. Annie had put the fear of it in his heart.]

You can't do this. You can't keep protecting everyone. Not just me, you're right. There are others. Our friends. I would protect you or Yugi with all my might if I had to but...what you're talking about is...

[He moves in closer, even though he's not sure that Atem wants him closer anymore.]

What you're talking about is carrying all of us on your shoulders! U-until what? Until you break? Until you reach some kind of win-condition?! How many times do you plan to die or kill yourself just for an edge? How many fights do you intend to pick on behalf of people who don't even realize you're doing it?

How many times are you going to protect people who should be protecting themselves?

[Like him. Like Ryou. Ryou can't protect himself. And now...he's going to have to do something terrible and he's scared because he's not strong, but he can't let this pass. How could he ever let this pass?

...One hand reaches out, and even though they're arguing and Ryou's not telling Atem everything, he puts a hand squarely on the smaller monster's chest. He wants to feel him, if Atem even wants to be felt.]

...I'm sorry for expecting anything from you that should not be expected. You are who you are.

[Even if it's unfair. Even if he wants to rip and tear at something because everyone expects Ryou Bakura to be someone he is not as well, but he? He's wrong. Always. Stupid, stupid Ryou, and his foolish pain-taking power purchase, just a whole eighty coins that did nothing to help, gave him a power he can never, ever use, because they don't trust him.]

Edited 2021-11-10 17:12 (UTC)

....

[He allows the touch. There's a lot about this that Atem's not sure about. But he knows he does want to have this conversation while both his hands are wrapped around Ryou's big paw-hand, so that's precisely what he does.]

What are you expecting from me, Ryou? That I'll just let people hurt my friends, and not get angry? Sit on the sidelines and do nothing, when there's something I could have done to help? You're all far too precious to me for me not to fight for you! It's fine if they don't realize I'm doing it -- that's how it's always been!

[That's his job, as spirit of the puzzle. As pharaoh. It's up to him to fight the battles other people can't, against unbelievably strong opponents -- high schoolers built like mountains, chaos-gods, scary A-level monsters....it's always been this way, always been up to him. He knows that now.]

I'm trying to start fewer fights. I want this to be a deterrent, so I don't have to avenge trespasses against the souls of my friends. Everyone suffers so much already, and other monsters are difficult opponents...

I know...that I can't achieve anyone else's win condition for them. I know I can't take their problems from them and make them mine.

But I can make being here easier. I don't intend to break! And, if it's hard...then, it's not so bad, because you're here. We help put each other back together, remember? I'm relying on you -- you've helped me so much, maybe more than you know.

[He looks up at Ryou with all three forward-facing eyes, holding his hand.]

I need you. You're...my favorite person in the world.

[Maybe not most important -- Yugi will always hold that spot, the lion's share of being a part of Atem's heart. They're in different categories, a completely different kind of bond. Partner and beloved are different.]

[Ryou hates this. Atem's holding his hand and he wants to be upset that Atem doesn't get it, because he used his death as a tactical advantage.

...Ryou knows about using one's death as a tactical advantage, but to him, that was different, and he hasn't done anything as severe as what he'd done during that campaign again...but that's all people see now. Him destroying his soul to win an unwinnable game.]

I need you too...don't you see that's why I'm upset? People come and go all the time. Friends, enemies...people we care about. W-what if the last time I ever saw you was yesterday, and then when you died, you never came back?

[His other hand reaches out, curling around one of Atem's. The pads soften his grip, but it's still quite firm. ]

I-I don't know what I expect from you but...your lack of care for yourself frightens me, Atem. You say you don't intend to break, and I understand you're strong--stronger than most people I know, but that's not...you can't keep going forever.

[He remembers Atem's behavior in early October, and he's not stupid. He can see the stress. Atem's not doing enough to mend his piece, because he's trying to reinforce everyone else's.]

Your friends--no. No, I can't speak for anyone else. I want to protect you too. Not by taking your physical pain without your permission.

[Because no one wants that. No one even wants to give him permission.]

I just want to be strong enough, me personally...so I can take that burden off of you.

[He can't. He can't...]

[All five eyes on his face widen -- the golden one on his forehead, the two regular ones, and the two narrow little slits on the ridge of his cheekbones.]

Then, what you're afraid of...is losing me?

[Atem, Ryou literally just said that. He spelled it out for you, dumbass.]

Not...being so hurt by this place that you despair?

...Nothing could make me despair as much as losing you, Atem.

[If this is the only thing that he can get through Atem's thick, royal skull, then Ryou will take it. Everything else is pushed to the side for now as Ryou focuses on that one thing, and he only disentangles his hands from Atem's in order to pull him in by the waist with one, then cup his cheek with the other. He's careful to avoid the extra eyes, because the last thing he needs to do when he's trying to be comforting is poke Atem in the eye.]

I'm afraid of losing you more than anyone. I want to do something about anything that hurts you. Even if that means protecting you from...you.

[He wants to say "and even if I'm not strong enough to do anything" but he doesn't. He keeps that inside.]

[--the first thing Atem notices, is, his heart is racing.

His heart is racing. He's got a heartbeat, and it's going ba-bump ba-bump over this.

His lion-tail plucks up in a little upturned curl. His halo glows, flickers, shines a few shades brighter. There is a little wing-flutter, not much more than a twitch, but because his wings are big, it's hard to miss.

Whew. Be still his heart; hold him and tell him you miss him -- that he's wanted here, instead of leaving conveniently when his job's over. Atem needs a second to recover, before he can respond coherently, because that first part lances right through his heart.

Because he does have to.]

You won't lose me. I'm not going to let myself get hurt foolishly. I don't do anything without a reason, you know that. I really am all right!

Edited 2021-11-11 04:08 (UTC)

[Hey so...Ryou can hear that. He can hear Atem's heart beating faster in his chest, and it has one ear rotating forward because...does this mean he's getting through?

Honestly all of Atem's behavior is...he's acting like Ryou does when he's been complimented. But even with the tail curling, the glowing, the fluttering...he can't be sure until Atem finally speaks.]

Mm...

[Ryou's ear flicks a little, a tell of his own--he doesn't think Atem is trying to lie, but he does think that he's avoiding the truth of the matter. But...Ryou is tired in a way that has nothing to do with sleep, he doesn't want to fight. He just wants to hold Atem close, and so he does, leaning in to nuzzle firmly into the other monster's hair. He snuffs a little when he brushes against a horn, but no harm done.]

Alright.

[He noses affectionately at Atem's bangs, resisting the urge to lick.]

You've rooted yourself so deeply into my heart, Atem. You can't blame me for being concerned, can you?

[Can he...?]

[He closes his eyes, lets out a breath, leans in, wraps his arms around Ryou's back. His poor nose, bumping into a horn.......cute.

He, too, feels like there's something unresolved, some piece that doesn't fit, something he's missed...but, Atem, too, is tired. He just came back from a death. Just because Atem doesn't sleep doesn't mean he doesn't need to rest.]

No, I suppose I can't.

Ryou...we're going to have to trust each other! I trust you, to use the power you chose in a way that won't leave you too hurt to be here for me.

[It took work to find that trust in himself, but nothing bad has happened yet, so...he's extending that.]

And...you'll have to trust me, to know what I can take. I know my capabilities aren't limitless...but I do learn from my mistakes, you know!

[Eventually. He's just got blind spots, and habits, and an extremely weird set of childhood influences.]

[...Ryou's tail begins to gently sway back and forth when Atem says the first part. Maybe Atem doesn't realize, but Ryou being told he's trusted like that is helpful. It's helping resolve something he didn't expect to be addressed, at least in part.]

Your trust means a lot to me...and I do trust you as well, Atem. I just...don't want you to have to choose death again.

[As he says that, he once again nuzzles the spot between Atem's horns, then pulls back a little, because the halo is pretty bright up there. He's...trying to accept and understand Atem's choices here, but the death is still hard for Ryou to accept. It makes his heart ache, like someone's squeezing it, tighter and tighter.

(Atem should not have died. He should not have played so fast and loose with his final life.)

He ignores it.]

Your memories are a precious commodity. I will do whatever it takes to protect them.

[Even if it means...facing his own fears and confronting AM. Because he sees no other solution there. He's not ready to talk about that yet though. He's ready to go do it, because he's angry enough about AM and the threat he poses just by existing.

...Ryou considers vaguely if he's lying about trusting Atem. He doesn't think he is. He just thinks he's going to have to keep a closer eye on the other monster, especially during this time, in order to ensure he's making good decisions...and to make sure that he's taking time to recuperate.

Nephilim may not sleep, but there's more to the idea of recovery than sleeping.]

[For Atem, offering this trust and asking for trust in return is what is right and fair. If he expects Ryou to trust him to be careful with his own life, then Atem has to do the same for Ryou. Even if he doesn't like it -- even if the idea of Ryou carrying someone else's wounds hurts, even if he's afraid that if Ryou takes enough physical injuries, Ryou won't be able to be there to talk to Atem, which is what he wants from Ryou, not horrible horror-game healing--

...he's got to respect Ryou's choice to play the way he thinks is best.

Atem strokes the side of Ryou's face, a touch that's more human-to-human than human-to-dog, but which does involve fingers lacing through fur.]

I know. Each memory I lose...that's a part of my heart that I'll never get back. It's really serious, now...I'll have to be more careful. I won't choose death again!

[He means it. Even though showing AM he's a threat was worth it to him, Atem doesn't want to lose any of his memories. They're incredibly important to him, and besides...he only has so many. The ones from when he was alive, and the ones from Domino -- both of them are precious, and both of them are few.

He takes hold of Ryou's dog-face in both hands as he goes on, looking him right in the eyes.]

But...you already protect my heart. By listening, when things are hard, and understanding things no one else really does...don't you see? You were good at taking my pain away from the beginning -- monster-ability or not!

[How does he express to Ryou how precious that is to him? How much it matters, that Ryou does that for him, in a way no one else he knows can? How Ryou doesn't have to suffer to provide invaluable support?]

[Ryou leans into the touch, trying to relax. His own hands fall lower, settling at Atem's waist for lack of anywhere better. This is comfortable. This is where he wants to be.

They were arguing before...he knows he should still be upset, and he is. But more than anything, he just wants to hold Atem close, to remind himself that Atem is here, safe, his.

The instincts that come with this temporary change are strong--Ryou only wants to protect the ones closest to him, to rail against those who would harm them. But right now, it's the proximity he wants.]

I'll always be here, you know. For you. I wouldn't ever want to leave if it meant leaving you.

[It's a dangerous sentiment, isn't it? To not want to leave. But he doesn't care. Not right now, anyway.

When they lock eyes, Ryou's wearing a determined look, his golden irises practically glowing.]

I'm going to do better. I know...listening is its own help. But I can still do better. I will, for you. You won't die again. I don't need to take your physical hurt to make sure of that, I just need to be stronger.

[--something clicks, finally, in Atem's mind. Maybe it's just that he was too upset before to really get it, when Ryou said it a moment ago, but this time, it lands.

Ryou wants to be stronger. He wants to stand on his own two feet, with pride, able to protect himself and what matters to him. It's not enough for him, not anymore, to just listen, to allow this place to happen to him, and to rush to put himself back together in time to cower in the face of the next blow. Ryou wants to take the reins of his life, own his powers, instead of letting himself be led around, instead of lashing out when it all becomes too much.

Protecting what's important to him...being able to have that, to hold the people he loves close by...Ryou's willing to face what Ryslig throws at him, if that's what it takes. He's going to fight, too.

Atem recognizes that.

He nods! His eyes are lit up, looking at Ryou proudly, with respect.]

Okay.

Ultimately, you'll have to be the one to find your strength...but you won't have to do it alone. I'll support you, along whatever path to power you take!

[Oh, Atem's all about this. Self-actualize, Ryou, fuckin do it, he knows you can.]

[Ryou's taken aback by that. He expected Atem to coddle him, maybe pat him on the head (metaphorically speaking) over his wishes. But...it doesn't feel condescending?

It's genuine. He wants Ryou to do good. He knows Ryou will do good.

It makes the patch of fur between his shoulders bristle up again, but not because he's aggravated. If that were the case, then his tail wouldn't be wagging, would it?

This...is this what it feels like to be believed in? Ryou would never say it out loud, because it's his self-esteem that's the issue, but he never really feels believed in to that degree. October took a harsh toll on his confidence, because he'd clearly not been trusted. But here Atem was, encouraging him, saying he'd trust him to make the right choices and find his own strength.

...His tail is wagging more rapidly now. When Ryou finally gets hold of his senses, he leans in close to nuzzle Atem's cheek before quietly pulling him into a tight hug. It's warm, loving...and ultimately very emotional, though that's not quite as clear until Ryou speaks, his voice wavering.]

You don't h-have to do things alone either...o-okay? I'm still...I'm not okay with what you did, Atem. But if you can believe in me, then who am I to do any different?

[He's not going to say "I forgive you" unless Atem wants to hear it, because it would sound disingenuous even if he didn't mean it to. But he...does forgive him. He can't do anything else, he loves the bastard.]

[Atem holds him back. If he has less wing, he might be in danger of disappearing into the wolf-fur and arms. But he's got an enviable amount of presence, even without big Ra-wings, so even though he's gained no height at all as a nephilim, Atem is unmistakably here.

That's only fair, Ryou. Ryou doesn't have to be okay with every decision Atem makes. Atem wants Ryou to be happy, and to be happy with him and what he does, and he'll listen to Ryou, always. But very, very few people can get Atem to act in a way he disagrees with. Only one, actually, and he also has wings.

Sometimes, Atem will decide things against his own best interest, because they're worth it. Like attacking AM. Like prioritizing Yugi.

But, where he and Ryou are...this is good. Atem is satisfied with this. He pulls back just enough to hold Ryou's jaw in one hand.]

You must be exhausted. Go on, step into the light. I'll get cleaned up, and I'll stay with you.

[He misses falling asleep with Ryou sometimes. It's warm and comfortable, and waking up together is nice. Being awake all the time...resting, but not sleeping...he'd probably be more okay with it if it didn't involve so much having to leave a bed with Ryou in it.]

Mmnh, you just got here...now you want me to sleep?

[It's not said as an accusation. Rather, there's a petulant note to it. Despite his feelings, Ryou's concern had dialed up his loneliness rather much, and the relief of having Atem back here, safe, made him want to wrap his entire self around the nephilim.

...Though it also has something to do with the fact that they can't sleep together, and Ryou misses it. He knows as soon as he steps into the light, the painful (but not intolerable) regression back into his day form was going to take whatever energy he'd stubbornly clung to. But Atem's right, he is exhausted.

So reluctantly, he pulls away, but not before pressing his nose to the bridge of Atem's briefly in an odd show of affection--he feels bad that it's a little cold and wet, but in this form...he doesn't think Atem would want to kiss him anyway, and as much as the instinct is to lick, he tries not to do it so much. He's just doing the best he can!]

I suppose you're right though. I can't smell you like usual with all the sea mixed in.

[And he does love smelling Atem like this. Sorry not sorry.]

[Sorry, the full dog snout's a little much for mouth smooching. We can't all be Lila Zacharov, fearless furry.

Cold nose presses are okay, though.]

If you stay up, I'll stay up with you! But I miss your other face. This one's cool, but the other one is cute!

[He heads for the bathroom, thanking Clint, wherever he is in the Sea of Souls, for making the showers bigger than usual.]

And I'll be sure to get all the salt off, so it doesn't get in your way anymore.

[He winks. One of the cheekbone-eyes winks along with it.]

[Ryou's tail sways placidly from side to side. He's...happy Atem likes both faces. Ryou's facial structure in day form is still not a 1 to 1 human look--he has a pink animal nose and it pokes out a little as if the fog decided he should look a little like a wolf, but not nearly as much.

...At least it's better than his shade face.]

H-haha...well alright. I'll wait for you in my room then.

[He smiles softly after Atem, charmed by the double wink.

...Ryou does appreciate that Atem is washing up while he changes, because it does hurt, and he hates to do it in front of Atem and causing him worry. So it's only once Ryou can hear the shower running that he finally steps into the light of the sun, triggering his reversion back into day form. To stifle his pained groans, he pushes his face into the couch cushions, curling into himself as bones shift and shrink, and his snout pushes back into his face. That part has to be about the worst thing, because it feels like someone's punched his nose in.

Every. Single. Time. Ugh.

The transformation finishes up in about a minute or so, but Ryou's left dizzy and exhausted by it, so he doesn't move for a couple minutes longer. In the time it takes Atem to shower, he manages to stumble off to his room, though

Sometimes...Ryou prefers to sleep in his night form, just to avoid this transformation. Changing back to night form hurts less and brings energy rather than taking it. Now, as he curls up in his bed...all he can think about is how aggravating it is that he won't be able to stay awake with Atem for long.

Hell...he's kind of dozing now...]

[Not a word about Ryou's shade face! That's nice, too! That's Atem's second favorite Ryou face, after human!

A few minutes after Ryou's in bed, a nice smell floats into the room. If Ryou's eyes aren't open to see Atem drift in, then he won't have any warning before a warm arm slips around his waist. The air might feel slightly damp; his hair and feathers are as dry as he can get them in a reasonable amount of time, but they'll just have to air the rest of the way out like this.

(The wings are very, very fluffed up. Maximum volume. Including the ear wings.)

He's also got a weird golden cloth loop floating around his shoulders. He can't do a thing about that, but at least it's some kind of weird ultra-light half-tangible fabric, so it dries quick.]

[Ryou's pink nose starts to work almost as soon as Atem enters the room, and he opens one eye lazily--when had he even closed them? Ugh--just in time to acknowledge the arm around him. One ear twitches a little, and he smiles, glancing up tiredly at Atem.]

Mmm, you smell better. You smell like you.

[Well, him as a nephilim, anyway. Ryou likes it a lot. Atem smells like spices and honey, comforting things. Not that he smells awful as a vampire, it's just different. Nephilim are made to smell extra nice...]

...H-heh. Your wings...they're very fluffy.

[He hesitates, as if he wants to ask something very personal. In a sense, he is. But there's something deep down inside of him that really, really wants to comb through the feathers. Not to feel. It's...hard to describe it. He's not sure what he wants.]

May I touch them? The ones on your head?

[What's Ryou going to ask, it looks serious, but Ryou'd just called his wings fluffy, what's comi--

Oh. Oh, what a sweet request.

They flap a little, shifting and repositioning, as Atem's attention turns to his head-wings. He glances to the side, at one of them, then smiles and closes his eyes.]

Yes, you can.

[And, by way of explanation:]

They're not quite dry! So, it doesn't feel right, if the feathers lie flat.

[The big back ones fluff and flutter, making a thpthp noise.]

[Ryou reaches a hand out, passing his fingers gently along the feathers of the closest head-wing, noting that they were fairly damp, yes. He could only hope that it wouldn't give Atem a chill to have the feathers even a little wet like this.

As he strokes the longer feathers, Ryou can feel something nagging at the back of his mind, pushing him to focus on something else, very very important. VERY--

He wants to groom Atem's feathers. He wants to do something abut the moisture, about the fluffed out texture--but no, it's fine. It's fine!]

Oh, is that what it is? I could dry them for you...if you want.

[Groom?

No they're fine. Atem doesn't need to be groomed, or...preened? He's okay. They look fine.

They could look better! You could make it better!!]

They're...cute like this though.

[Dry? Groom?! Groom!!! Atem is pack!!

The argument going on in Ryou's head is comical, and it kind of...shows on his face a bit, a subtle draw in his brows, as if he's thinking particularly hard about something.]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, WhiteWizard. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 007.80.751.19 * WhiteWizard has joined 007.80.751.19 <WhiteWizard> Hello, this is Ryou Bakura! <WhiteWizard> Feel free to reach out to me if you need anything. :) <WhiteWizard>** I will get back to you as soon as possible.

IC Inbox | ryslig

cw; burns, death, bit of ptsd

no subject

no subject

no subject

cw; suicide/death discussion

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

intrusive wolf thought in this house