softspokenlandlord | IC Inbox

[A surprised blink!

Wow, that's direct...Atem doesn't think Ryou's coming on to him or anything, it's just bold enough to catch him by surprise!

Then, his expression relaxes into a smile. At least it's a wish he can grant.]

Heh! It's a good thing I was planning to stay, then. Unless you just mean you want my help lying down again!

[He knows perfectly well it's not that.]

I'm not entirely invalid, come now.

[He says this playfully, but it does take some doing to wriggle himself back down onto the bed in a more comfortable position. This time though, the bandages offer some cushioning, so he doesn't wince except for once, when he stretches his leg out.

He reaches out to brush bandaged fingers against Atem's arm. Unfortunately, he comes short and swings too far inward and his claws tap the Puzzle unwittingly. It makes a metallic ting noise, and he lets out a amused noise. Not altogether an unpleasant sound, but not his intention.]

S-sorry. Just...wanted to feel you.

[That is a very normal thing to say. Coming from a normal person who is absolutely not half-asleep.]

[Ryou does seem to be doing better than before...medicine is good actually...

...and then Ryou takes a swipe at him that's definitely the work of someone medicated. Ryou, please. Atem shakes his head, fondly.]

Hold on just a minute, then.

[--and slithers into bed for...he's lost track of how many times he's ended up here. This bed's warm and familiar, and he's gotten much smoother about getting into it than he was the first time. The puzzle gets hung up on the bedpost like it usually does, and earrings get pulled out and set aside, too. It all takes a very short time, and then, almost immediately, an arm's sliding around Ryou's shoulders, behind his neck and near the pillow. He's made himself terribly at home here over the last couple of weeks, whoops, he's shameless -- but the contact and warmth pulls a contented exhale out of Atem.

His other arm drapes loosely over Ryou's stomach. This kind of position isn't unfamiliar, but...it's a little different, now, isn't it? His heart's going faster than it usually does. Ryou's got medicine in his system to keep him calm, but Atem's going to have to settle down on his own. His snakes are acting particularly friendly, too, reaching out across the pillow with their noses and tongues to express curiosity and interest and affection.]

There. I'm here!

[This is such a familiar occurrence that Ryou automatically accommodates Atem at every turn, at least whenever he needs to. They're both pretty used to it, which is...oddly amusing given how they'd spent most of the month trying not to "make it weird".

Ryou's bandaged fingers navigate their way up. Now that Atem's closer, he can comfortably settle his own hand over the smaller teen's fingers. No grip needed. Just...simple contact. He wishes his fingers weren't wrapped, but with the blisters and the roughness from the burns, it's probably a mercy.

Once they're properly settled--Ryou doesn't do much but lay on his back, because it's easier--Ryou turns to look at Atem with a sleepy, serene look on his face that has a very small percentage to do with the painkillers. The snakes aren't bothering him enough to divert his attention of course. They'd have to thpthp in a nostril or ear or eye to be a problem. Right now their explorations are just...cute.]

Thank you...for everything. For calling a doctor, for being here...for l-liking me...

[He'll never be able to say thank you enough. Ever.]

You make everything better.

[He's going to. Just watch him. He's going to carve a place for himself out, in blood and shattered bones, a place that's, if not safe, at least hard to threaten. (sss, sss.) Atem needs to be bolder...he's always known that the way to stop people from stopping you is to act like they won't...

But that can wait.

The backs of the clawed fingers of Atem's right hand gently trace Ryou's cheek. Then, entirely unable to stop himself, he leans up so he can press a kiss to Ryou's temple. Good. Ryou is good.

The snakes don't go up his nose, thankfully. They just want to sniff him, make sure he's okay, and slither some of their bodies next to him. Some go in his hair. One tucks itself underneath a pointy ear, but it doesn't flick its tongue, just behaves like it's asleep.]

Actually...there's something I wanted to ask.

...

Marik was extremely insistent that I talk to you about this. Do you have any idea why? It struck me as strange, how fixated he was...

[The snakes don't make upset noises over this. Atem isn't upset, just confused -- and a little suspicious.]

Edited 2021-08-26 16:00 (UTC)

[Ryou sighs comfortably as Atem's fingers tickle down his cheek. That's a really nice feeling, and if he wasn't so worn out then he'd probably be more affectionate with Atem. Alas...the kiss to the temple is still nice and welcome and more than he feels he deserves.

Man. He's...still kind of boggled that this turned out in his favor. Nothing turns out in Ryou Bakura's favor. And yet...he has Atem here, kissing him gently, touching his face--

--Asking him reasonable questions.

Oof. Ryou was lightly blushing before just from the attention, but now it darkens, and he looks a little self-conscious.]

Ugh...Marik. Uhm...he was being pushy about it the day I went out on my own...I couldn't escape him since I couldn't float. We were sitting on a street bench and he kept insisting that...it would be good for both of us, because I guess you looked at me in some way when I left that whole possession fiasco at the rift? A-Anyway. He wanted to make a bet. He bet he could get you to confess to me in two weeks and if you didn't, he'd quit scheming for a day.

...So to shut him up I told him fine.

But make it three days because him and his plans exhaust me, he wants to defeat the Fog God and he just got here and now he's doing a cult thing with the Ring-Spirit and ughhhhhh...

[Ryou groans in utter annoyance. Yes, he's warming up to Marik very slowly, nooooo he doesn't care for all these machinations.]

So anyway...I'm sorry. I should have just let him keep talking and not fed into it. I'm sure it bothered you. But it was getting embarrassing...

[A beat.]

Shall I write you another coupon? 1 free favor for your roommate being a jerk.

[...

A bet?

A bet about his feelings?

???

That sits wrong with him on principle...even though it's true that Marik talking to him helped him see that not talking to Ryou about it was giving Ryou some mistaken impressions about his own worthiness, and that he really did need to be told that it was hurting Ryou to think Atem didn't like him, and this might have gone much worse if there weren't interference....]

It's not what he said that bothered me. He told me some things that I really needed to hear! I just didn't understand why he was being so underhanded about it, or what made him keep bringing it up...

[How does he feel about this? Atem is....is really, really tired, actually. He's already at full emotional capacity. His heart is overworked and already holding a lot of love and a lot of fear and a lot of murderous anger, and there's just...not room to squeeze anything else in right now. Maybe when he wakes up, he'll be able to figure it out, but it's beyond him tonight.]

You don't need to write me a favor coupon! But I do want you to be honest with me. All right? I'll ask the same thing from him.

[Marik. God. He's like three and a half people's worth of plans and drive and trouble and pain crammed into one jewelry-bedecked teenager.

(Says the pot to the kettle.)]

...so, did he lose the bet?

[Ryou nods tiredly, which looks silly since he's in bed like this.]

I will...I'll be honest with you from now on. And no more bets. That was a terrible thing to do.

[He'll be honest and not bet on Atem's feelings again. He'd only done it to shut Marik up but clearly there were ramifications he hadn't considered. Actually...he probably shouldn't have made any bets, deals, accords, or what have you while he was under the influence of painkillers, but that's the worst part then, isn't it?

Ha ha ha.

Oh, but wait. Wait a second...]

...I'm not sure if he lost the bet. When did you confess to me? Do you remember the day? Because we made the deal on the...s-sixth? Something like that. I'm pretty sure he won the bet. But there wasn't any further win condition for his victory so...I don't think he was worried about making me do anything besides...um.

Mutually...confess my feelings...

[Ah. It was one of those bets, one meant to achieve something very specific, and one you're positive you'll win.

Hm.

Is Marik getting something out of this, that Atem doesn't know about...? That's something to think over, about why Marik cares so much about this.

But not now. He'll figure out what to say to Marik about that later. Now, he's satisfied with Ryou's insistence he won't do it again, and Atem settles back down on the pillow with a resigned sigh, his snakes curling up with him.]

Our friends are going to have to find something else to talk about....

...We could only hope. But you know better than that.

They're going to tease us.

[Ryou sighs, but it's less aggravated and more...accepting of his fate.]

Horatio will never let me live it down. Neither will Annie. Certainly not Marik, either.

[His fingers curl in a little, gripping Atem's from the outside.]

On the whole, if I have to be embarrassed over something, there are worse things. At least we can lean on each other through it. That said...do you think we should let them know as soon as possible or...should we let them figure it out on their own?

[Ryou attempts to stifle a yawn, fails spectacularly...then says something very sassy, perhaps to draw attention from it.]

We could just hold hands...and tell them it's as friends. See if it frustrates them.

[Is Ryou Bakura lowkey suggesting a game of modified Gay Chicken as revenge?]

Celeste will be smug, too.

[--he adds, to Ryou's list of names, but doesn't otherwise interrupt.

Until Ryou suggests pretending to be just friends, to drive their meddling mutual acquaintances up a wall. Atem's shoulders start to shake, first, like the tremors before an earthquake. Then--]

Heh. Heh heh. Ha ha ha--!

[That would be funny! That would be so funny! Imagining their faces, watching the disbelief, the frustration...! He's going to need a second to recover, pressing his face into Ryou's hair in mirth.]

Ah, ha ha, ha...hm! I'm not sure we can pull it off! Celeste at least will know we're lying, she knows our tells. And we'll have to be careful...someone might get the idea one of us is completely unattached, and then we'll have to admit we lied...

[Some monsters might be okay with it. Atem might be okay with it. When in Rome, do as the monsters do...Ryou doesn't belong to him, and should have people around him who make him happy. But Atem sort of wants to navigate the early waters alone...get an idea of what a relationship with Ryou is like at level one, get his feet under him in any relationship at all, before he worries about sharing Ryou's attention with other people.

A little more seriously:]

...You don't have anyone lined up, do you?

[So hey, it's absolutely subjective and Ryou's just a weirdo but...Atem laughing may be about the most wonderful thing he's heard. It's not even about the sound, it's about the fact that he's laughing honestly! It makes Ryou unbelievable happy, and although he doesn't laugh, he gives a happy little grin, teeth and all. Atem probably doesn't even see it, because he's too busy burrowing into Ryou's hair which is...also very okay!]

Oh, I have tells now? And you? I thought you had a good poker face for gaming, you have tells too?

[He'd be happy to stay like this, laughing, cuddling, honestly just recovering from bad things. No more dollhouse. Let's not think about the burns.

Only laughing and warmth and sleepy cuddling.

AND THEN...Atem asks him that question.]

...L-lined up? What do you--you don't think--

[What.

What?!

Okay now the mood's gone screwy, Ryou's mind is racing with all the grace of a drunk driver, trying to figure out why Atem would think that he had any prospects at all?]

Atem...y-you can't think that I have that kind of...charisma?? That kind of reach? I've never done this before, you're the first person I've ever felt attracted to and...a-and--!!

[Stop him please. Stop him before he keeps putting his foot in his mouth, he only has one foot left.]

....what?

[He doesn't sit up, he's not taking his arms away from around Ryou yet, but he does straighten up to look at him directly.]

But...you're...are you serious? You're a catch! I can't be the only one who's noticed...that's impossible!

[Absolutely ridiculous. Unthinkable.]

[Uhhh. UHHHHHH!!

Ryou can't stop himself from blushing any more than he can stop his ears from flicking down, or stop from wriggling a little under Atem's gaze.]

W-well I'm flattered [more like absolutely compromised] that you feel that way, but...I-I mean...I never thought about it. I don't know if people feel that way about me, and I think Annie's the only one who's rated me but she's dating Altair a-and I'm not...well maybe I could be, but I'm not, I promise!

[This had been going so well too.]

[Ahhh, so that's how it is. He's not entirely sure which way to parse the last bit!

But it's important to know when to show mercy, and Atem excercises it here. He dips down with a brief kiss to Ryou's mouth, a sssh!, before he goes on.]

I'm asking because I know what monsters are like here! Even ones who are committed to people they love see other people sometimes. It's really common...

[The hand that was across Ryou's chest comes up to trace fingertips over the hollow of his throat, light and gentle.]

But, we're both new to this. If things change, and you do want to date Annie, or Altair, later on, we can talk about it, but...if it's all right, I'd really like to keep you to myself, for now.

[Until he figures out how to relationship. Until he has an idea of what this is like, when it's just them. He doesn't want to rush this, he wants to figure out this level first. He doesn't want to feel as lonely as he felt when Komaeda agreed to talk to Lila. The situation isn't exactly the same, but...asking for time before they become swingers like the rest of Ryslig's adult monsters doesn't feel unreasonable to him.

He's, uh, internalized some ideas about social norms, from Lust and Black Hat and AM.]

[Any further words that Ryou might have had on his mind, waiting to spill from his confused mouth are silenced completely by that kiss and he lets out a soft, quiet little murmur in the back of his throat.

Okay. He's shutting up. Atem has the floor and honestly...what he says is comforting. Ryou's not exactly sure what he's doing, but what he does know is that this? Right here? Is all he wants.]

Mmh, I can't really imagine being with anyone but you. H-heh, we haven't even dated yet and we're already talking about this...?

[He's calmed by their proximity, though a little thrilled at the fingers gently tracing at his throat. This is no time to fall into that trap though!

...But Ryou does move his hand up, slipping bandaged fingers up to the back of Atem's neck, just below the snairline, pulling him closer for another kiss. This one's not a shush. This one's an emotional one, because Ryou's heart is so full right now that there's no loneliness to ruin this moment for him. None whatsoever.

Nonetheless, it's a brief kiss, and his fingers slip away just as quickly as they crept to Atem's neck. They're still close when he speaks though.]

My plans are not as extensive as yours, Atem. I can't do even a one-month plan for what I expect. But...I think that, ah. I want you to keep me. As long as you want. That's what I want...and if it's what you want, then that's perfect.

[He probably said "want" way too many times, but...come on, he's tired, don't call him out like this.]

[Atem's mind is always going. It doesn't stop noticing things, doesn't stop putting pieces together, doesn't stop making plans and drawing conclusions and thinking about eventualities -- even if he's not actively chasing an outcome he wants, the game analysis wheels are turning. Any missed detail might be what lets a parasite into his mind again, or something worse. Things change so fast...they go badly so fast...

But he's not thinking about that when Ryou pulls him into a kiss. It's actually the quietest his brain's been in a minute, because the input he's getting is all emotional, all Ryou, filling up his senses and sending calming chemicals through his brain. Even a murderghost has cortisol and oxytocin when he's a murder snake, and Ryou's changing the ratio of one to the other very effectively. Ryou might physically feel Atem relax. The snakes do, too, drifting over Ryou's cheeks and forehead, slower and less tense. He's reassured, too.

When they break apart, he keeps his face close.]

That's what I want.

...

...

But, I also like the idea of not just letting our friends tease us...I don't think we should tell them! I think it'd be very funny to insist we were just friends...

[A blink-and-you'll-miss-it kiss on Ryou's mouth.]

That there's nothing going on at all!

[Another kiss!]

Heh heh heh! Even if they don't believe us, or figure it out right away...it's what they get...

[Kiss #3!]

...for meddling.

Edited 2021-08-27 01:52 (UTC)

[Ryou is wearing such a smitten look on his face just from Atem agreeing about wanting the same. He's fairly certain he's never felt so happy before in his life, and to think they could have sorted this out sooner...their friends were right, they were being dumb.

Ryou's not sure he could ever go back to not liking Atem this much. Day one and he's already in it for the long haul. Yep.

As a result, the quick barrage of kisses has him giggle against Atem's lips. It's not laughing, or chuckling, it's a silly little giggle and he should be embarrassed but he's not. He's happy, woozy, and the pain is so easy to forget when they're like this.

...Oh right! Atem had said something, hadn't he? Get it together, come on!]

H..heheh...let's do it. It'll drive them mad, won't it?

There's so many dubiously platonic things we can do. Hand-holding's a given. Then there's...

[He leans up a little, brushing his cheek against Atem's.]

Close contact. Leaning on one another, perhaps.

[Perhaps a bit bold for him, but he kisses Atem's cheek, lingering.]

This is pretty open-ended, right? There's plenty we can do.

[Look there's plenty on his mind right now, and Ryou's not a dirty thinker, but...you know, this kissing stuff. It's pretty great. He'd fight sleep for it.]

[Atem would be mischievous here if he were feeling more energetic, but between the body heat and the way he's being looked at and the good good feelings that come from having his face nuzzled and kissed, it settles into a more lazy, smug satisfaction. He rests his chin on his arm and rests his arm on Ryou's chest, tucking his wrist under his chin, as he considers it all.]

Oh, we can get away with all that easily!

[Man, between some of the girls he's seen who live around here who "aren't dating," there's a lot of room.]

I'll be sure to put an arm around your waist and pretend it's nothing. I bet I could touch your hair, too...

[The snakes lean forward. Atem's still a few inches away, but Ryou is in range, and his cheeks and jaw and neck get slithered past and curled up against.]

It really does look good like that. I know you like it longer, but there's something about it when it's this length...

[He has been entirely unable to stop himself from noticing it for a month now. Also, a heavy loop of snake tail drapes itself slowly and contentedly over Ryou's uninjured leg, avoiding the bandages on the foot. It's not meant to be flirty, just sleepy, but he sure picks right now to do it.]

[Ah, so they're going the relaxing route. That's honestly okay as well. Ryou enjoys it when he has a weighted snanket in bed, and now he can actually admit it. This is...really weird. But good-weird. He's still pretty sure he's riding the euphoria way too hard here.

He'll let himself have it for tonight.]

Mmh, you probably could do all that just to make it extra frustrating. I don't know if I could look neutral through all of it though. My poker face is pretty bad, and if you're touching my hair, well...

[He hums a little as the snakes settle in. They feel like soft little fingers, slightly cooler to the touch than his own body temperature. He's going to miss them when Atem changes back...they're very cuddly and adorable, like puppies.

Oh...wait. Atem's complimenting him again...on his hair. Ryou blinks a few times, then angles his head to glance at Atem a little better.]

...You think it's okay like this? I still want to grow it out, but...I didn't know you felt that way.

[He smiles, of course. Because he's happy. He's comfortable His arm settles loosely around Atem. The weight of his tail doesn't disturb Ryou. In fact...he's starting to feel heavy again anyway. Like he's sunk into the bed, but wrapped in something comfortable. Down his head goes again, turning to the side so that he can nuzzle into his pillow. He's mindful not to squish any of the snakes currently in his space, though.]

It'll take a while to grow back out...I'm sure.

[Are his eyes closing? His eyes...are definitely closing.]

Thank you...for thinking it looks nice. Saying nice things...I'll tell you nice things too, I promise. I'll do all the nice things for you too...when everything feels better.

[When he can walk. When the burns heal. It'll be better. He believes that now.]

[Oh? Oh, Ryou likes to have his hair touched?

Light, lazy fingers reach out and stroke the hair at Ryou's temple. He remembers Ryou liked his mane being petted, too, in his fog form. Guess those things are the same....Atem will keep it in mind, for when they're flirting obnoxiously in public.]

It will! It's been hard lately...but it won't be like this forever.

[Kind of like Ryou's hair. Pet, pet pet. Atem's anger tries to get through his own haze of sleepiness, but doesn't quite make it. It won't be like this forever, Atem will do everything he can to make sure of that...]

[Ryou sleepily leans into the touch, letting out a pleased sound as Atem strokes his hair. It's nice...and definitely not just a fog form thing. Something about the tug on the strands is quite pleasant, and since he doesn't usually have people petting or stroking fingers through his hair, this is a treat.]

I know...it'll be okay. I'll help...soon...

[What's he even talking about anymore? Only Ryou knows!

The combination of Atem's proximity, his own exhaustion, and the soft touches has Ryou finally slipping into what may well be a long, restful sleep. He might even be able to avoid a nightmare, which would be a great blessing at this point.]

[He slowly leaves off the touches when he sees Ryou has fallen asleep. Atem places his own hand back under his chin and lets his own eyes close. The summer sun beats on the outside of the blackout curtains; through his heat pits, Atem can see the heat they're absorbing as the sun climbs and the morning gets later. It's like a little radiator...he's so comfortable....

All dark thoughts slip out of him. He's just a sleeping snake now, very still and very peaceful, his heart full.

(He feels a little bit unwell. Nothing serious, just a little sense that something's not right. It's easy to ignore. He just hopes he isn't coming down with something. A summer cold right now would be terrible...)]

IC Inbox | ryslig

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1/2 what have you done

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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.