softspokenlandlord | IC Inbox

...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...)]

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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.