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[Aaaah, it's backwards against their belly scales, aaaaah -- they react like a cat being pet backwards, and like Atem being slobbered on, which is to say, everybody's eyes go wide and twitch, and the snakes coil up protectively. They'll be good!! They'll be good!

#snegrets

Once Atem has a second to recover--]

Misbehaving snakes aside...I like being this monster type. You should give it a try, if you're curious...just be careful to do it in a rest period. You'll have to re-learn how to walk!

[He pushes himself up into the air, his body slithering around Ryou in a big, loose loop on the floor. Atem makes a full circle around the werewolf, not holding him yet, just threatening him with a cuddle.]

I'm not in any hurry to change back. I missed holding you with a snake tail, too!

[His hair-snakes uncoil themselves and lean forward with interest, tasting the air in Ryou's direction. Hugs? Hugs??]

Oh, yes. I usually try to time it out just so...doing a change mid-month is no good, and the only time that happened was when the other me called Mana to make me a vampire.

[Even as he makes conversation, Ryou can't help smiling as he watches Atem encircle him. His tail starts to wag again. If he's being asked for something, then the answer is clear: he steps closer to Atem's upper half, planes a hand down his chest softly, very nearly to where the scales begin.]

Just in case that this has a time limit...perhaps we ought to get in a good cuddle now. If you think you can deal with this body, the way it is.

[After all, Ryou's a little broader, definitely much furrier. Challenge accepted?]

[Unless Ryou pulls back, Atem's going to slither over Ryou's hand. As in, he's going to let Ryou start to take his weight, and wrap around Ryou a second time. His tail's midsection will wind up supported in Ryou's hands, if he has anything to say about it, and he'll end up behind Ryou's back, resting arms over Ryou's shoulders, around his back.]

You're right. We should see if this is the sort of ability that wears off after an hour!

[Playfully, his snakes wiggling their way into Ryou's hair, as Atem rests an arm and his chin on one of Ryou's shoulders:]

I don't have any objections to your current form. We shold wait it out together.

[How much of Atem's weight is Ryou supporting right now? As much as Atem can get away with putting on him, honestly. Ryou is warm like this, with his fur...]

[There are two things that are advantageous in this situation at present. One, Atem is not a terribly massive naga, compared to the usual. Two, of course, is that Ryou is much stronger as a werewolf than he'd usually be. All he has to do to make sure Atem doesn't knock him down at first is turn his arm, add the other for support, and let Atem do as he likes. His shoulders tense as Atem settles comfortably, though that's mostly because he's enjoying this.

He's...enjoying it a lot, and the snakes weaving into his hair, between his ears...that's hardly helping.]

Mmm...yes. I can do that...we can just...stay close.

[He's not struggling, but Atem would do well not to lift himself completely up off the ground and onto Ryou at this point. Not without some adjustment, anyway.

Ryou does the adjusting this time though, wrapping an arm around a coil of lower snake-body to support it, as if he's carrying a piece of very thick rope or something, and not a section of his impish boyfriend.]

I'm sure you could use the contact anyway. You're back to being cold-blooded, after all. Take what you like.

[It's said softly, unassumingly, but Ryou doesn't have to lower his tone and half-lid his eyes to be flirting. Atem should know better by now. It's a little funny though, since the last time Atem was a naga, Ryou really was quite shy.]

Y̵e̷s̴.̴.̴.̵

[From the sounds of it, Ryou's body heat is already having an effect: Atem's tone is relaxed, lazy, a little sleepy, and the loosening of self control has the whispers creeping back into his voice. The snakes are settling down, too, finding comfortable configurations. There's still the occasional curious tonguesniff, but mostly, they're quieting down.

Ryou is still a little furry and wolf-faced for Atem to feel like making a proper move, but it's nice, warm, wrapped around someone he loves.]

[Ohhh, Ryou's starting to kind of like that voice. The way Atem answers at that moment, it makes Ryou's fur prickle, and it makes him cant his head to the side and give a quick nuzzle, a slow, affectionate one that precedes the familiar rumble deep in his chest that comes out as a half-sigh, half-groan of contentment. Happy wolf. Very happy wolf.

Then, very carefully, Ryou starts to make his way to the couch. His steps are a little uneven, but he does alright supporting a whole naga for a quick trip. If Atem's tail is dragging, he might want to pull it up for a moment, at least until Ryou can finally sit. And if he's not impeded, after sitting, he lets out a slow exhale.]

I'm happy that you're here. I'm proud that you're strong. And...maybe it's a little selfish of me, but I'm also glad I can hold you better since the last time we were together like this.

[Waking up earlier than usual is always a struggle when a werewolf, but...right at the moment, it's a little more difficult given the moon phase. Ryou would have been perfectly content with staying curled against Atem's chest.

But up he gets, earlier than usual. In order to accommodate the trip to the beach, they'd gone to sleep a bit earlier than usual, which meant Ryou has to transition from night form to day form before he starts doing anything. It is very inconvenient, but he softens the blow with a bit of coffee before setting about the task of making breakfast.

It takes a little while, but Atem will likely be able to smell cooking meat at a point, amongst other flavor profiles.

And if he's lured out by that scent, he'll come to find a nicely set table, one of the chairs sporting a balloon. And the balloon is black because this is the goth apartment. It's not terribly overt, but there's clearly some decorum here.]

Edited (no cannot have same face.) 2022-06-07 15:43 (UTC)

[Atem wakes up very slowly. He's a naga right now, not a werewolf, but it seems like he's doomed to experience the werewolf moon-fatigue no matter what shape he's taken. He yawns -- enormously -- and would be very, very tempted to go right back to sleep if it weren't for that smell.

It's difficult. Is he more tired, or more hungry? He has to decide...

...

He'll have to get up to go to the beach anyway.

It's beach day.

...it's his birthday?

All his snakes stand up at once as he pushes himself upright.

It's his birthday...and Ryou's up to something. Atem slithers out of bed, the Fog cloak unhanging itself from the bedpost where he left it, beside the Millennium Puzzle, and stretching itself out to wrap itself in wisps around his neck and shoulders. It's pretty small right now, only a scarf with foggy wisps trailing after it, and he pulls a loose robe on around his shoulders for warmth. (Naga problems. Cold easy, even in summer.) He slithers out the bedroom door, and sees the table, and...

And a tiny black balloon.]

Ryou, what's this...?

[He has an idea, but he's going to ask for the explanation, rather than assume he knows everything going on here.]

[Ryou is putting the finishing touches on breakfast when he hears the sound of shuffling some distance away. His ears rotate back, towards the rooms. Yeah...that's scales on the floor, shifting--a very specific sound.

When Atem finally slithers his way out, he'll catch Ryou with two plates in hand. One has a nicely folded omelette with some slices of homemade sausage

(the sausage is people)

and the opposite plate contains a...reasonably well-wrapped crepe with strawberries and glaze. The edges are a little torn, but he'd rushed it near the end, just to make sure he finished in time.]

It's breakfast, of course! You'll need your energy for the trip, right?

[His tail wags--he's pretty proud of himself--as he moves to set the two plates on the side of the table decorated with the balloon on the chair. Seeing as Atem was still a naga though, he moves the seat back far enough to not be in the way, if he doesn't want to switch forms.]

Plus...it's your birthday. I wanted to make it special for you.

[And at that point, Ryou smiles, genuinely.]

Ah...

[A little color rises in Atem's cheeks. The snakes hide under each other's bellies, shyly. However, they're sniffing with their tongues at the same time -- this smells very good.]

Yes, it is. But we're traveling today, so I wasn't expecting anything...

[It's very thoughtful of Ryou to do this. Atem's own blue tongue slips out of his mouth, flicking in the direction of breakfast.]

You must have gotten up very early to do this.

[Which means a lot. He knows how fatigued they both are right now. Atem crosses the room to coil up beside the table, then decides to swap forms. He wants a really good sniff of this, and that takes a werewolf's nose -- with a quick wipe of fog, his form changes back to a day-wolf.

Yep. It smells amazing.]

Ryou...Thank you!

[The way the snakes curl up, the blush on Atem's cheeks...it's endearing. That's all Ryou really wanted, was to make him feel appreciated. As appreciated, or at least a fraction of such, as how he'd made Ryou feel on his birthday, especially since Ryou had done a shit job of keeping track last year.

He hadn't been a good friend then...not good enough for someone who was clearly in crush with someone.

He wants to be better now. He will be.]

I did get up early, but it's alright. I can rest on the trip!

[After Atem transitions, and thanks him...Ryou steps forward, gently bumps hips with Atem, then nuzzles his cheek before kissing it.]

And there's nothing to thank me for. I'd do anything to make you happy.

[Tail wagging as evidence.]

I have to get something from my room really quick, but please. Enjoy your meal, okay?

[Atem sits down, but his eyes and ears track Ryou as he leaves for his room.]

You're going to make something for yourself, right? [he calls.] Let's eat breakfast together!

[Werewolf. Pack leader. No one goes hungry, even if this food smells so good that his tail can't seem to quit swishing against the floor behind him.]

Of course! I have a plate in the kitchen too, it's just--I made mine first, since I knew you'd be up later, you didn't have any reason to wake up as early as I did! I wanted yours to be freshest, but mine's still warm.

[He's speaking up as he disappears into his room, but given their ears, he doesn't have to shout as much. So he doesn't. Atem will probably catch the sound of crinkling as Ryou picks up a bag to bring out with him.

He thinks this'll go over well, no matter which form Atem takes. Or at least...he hopes so. Finding an appropriate thing to give to Atem that meets Ryou's standards for gift-giving is a lot to ask for, after all.

Ryou pads quietly back over to the table, then sets the bag down gently in front of Atem.]

You can open it whenever you like, of course. Before or after breakfast.

[Because of course Atem's in charge, Atem says breakfast together? They have breakfast together. So saying, Ryou nips off to the kitchen to get his food, then sits across from Atem. The table's already been set with some coffee to drink. Because...sheesh, it's really early. Coffee is so important right now.

As for the bag, whenever Atem decides to open it, he'll find two pieces of jewelry to add to his collection.]

Sometime at the start of the month, after the Beach Party, Beat will drop a small package off at Atem and Ryou's place. It contains two outfits, one for Ryou and one for Atem. They're made to match but each is also tailored to the two individuals with personalized touches. They even come with matching boots. The outfits have enough zippers and buckles on them, but they're functional! So should sizes change, they can be tugged tighter or let out a little.

A note is tucked into the pocket of one of them, labeled to Atem & Ryou:

"Booyaka bros! Told ya I was gonna do it Atem. The tailors here are pretty awesome and didnt even bat an eye. Sorry it took so long but you know how this place be with everything gettin up in your grill all the time. Enjoy!"

[He doesn't open it yet. It's morning, and the food smells really, really, really good...

Atem starts on the omelette instead, his hands mostly human, except for the sharp nails instead of claws.]

I didn't even smell that you'd brought it in. You were pretty sneaky...!

[In goes the first bite of food, and Atem seems to forget what he was talking about. He stops what he's doing, and a small blush rises back onto his face.]

Oh.

[Give him a second. The humanelette is really good.]

I suppose you could say I brought everything in downwind of you. Really though, I've got a little practice.

[It's true, at least. Ryou had gone through a fair bit to make sure everything was secretive. This was all meant to be a surprise! And Atem being a snake might have made it a bit easier...but he was still taking no chances.

Ryou reaches for his coffee first, taking a sip as Atem takes his first bite, but even still, the reaction...he sees it. It makes his ears twitch upward, his tail wag behind him, and the corners of his mouth curl upward.]

H-heh. Looks like you approve...yes?

[Quietly:]

It's good....

[Behind him, his tail starts to swish, back and forth, back and forth.]

I'm glad. Really.

[He sets his coffee down, then starts to pick at his own food. He can tell Atem means it, not just by his words, but by the way his tail is wagging. Very, very cute, and immensely telling.

After a bite or two, he speaks again.]

It's nice...that we're taking a bit of a break starting today. You deserve it, after everything you've achieved.

I'm looking forward to it.

[He closes his eyes, and despite how tired he is, Atem looks remarkably at peace.]

You deserve a rest, too. To be in a safe place, among friends...to not worry about what might happen, for a while.

As long as I'm with you, and people I know...then it's not so bad.

[Though even as he says that, Ryou knows he's being a little dishonest. The truth is, he prefers to be around Atem above anyone else, and sometimes getting out of his comfort zone, even with friends, makes him feel vulnerable. It's only because he's a werewolf now that he feels a bit safer stepping out of his comfort zone.

But if he goes back to shade...if that's something that will indeed happen, and he's not just a werewolf forever, then it'll still be a bit complicated. He...just has to remind himself that his tier three powers mean he can deflect any pain to its source, rather than take it onto himself permanently. He'd already tested that with Atem's eyes, after all.

He knows it works. He knows he can be safe. Right?]

It is pretty early for us to be traveling though, I admit. If I fall asleep on the way up, you won't mind, will you?

[He's not going to yawn. He's not. Nope, never--

Aaaand, there he goes. Ryou can't help it, and he draws in a breath, open mouthed, tongue curling, ears flicking back for a brief moment before he finally lets out a sleepy yawn. Once he's done, he reaches up to rub at one eye.]

Ah...s-sorry about that. That's rude of me.

Not at all! You got up early to make this for me, and this isn't a natural time to be awake for either of us.

[He reaches out across the table to bump Ryou's nose with his. Even though they're more human-looking right now.]

Once we're on our way...sleep as much as you want.

[Nose bumps, in all forms, are vastly appreciated. It's nice, and gets Ryou's danger-tail wagging pretty frenetically.]

H-heh. I will. Nothing wrong with a nap, though I promise it won't be as bad as when I was a manticore.

[Because being a cat monster...it means you want to be lazy. Absolutely chill, as long as you're in your safe space.]

You too, though. Like you say, this is a weird time to be awake.

I didn't mind that.

[He swallows another delicious mouthful, then starts on the sweet crepe.]

You make a cute face when you're asleep. And, it was nice to pet your fur...

Hmm...

[Ryou might have kept a little more conversational if he wasn't told his sleeping face was cute. Instead, he awkwardly huffs, then busies himself with stuffing his maw, just to avoid answering that.

Atem shouldn't just say those kinds of things, especially not while Ryou's face is mostly furless, and thereby making it easier to see the rush of color rising to his cheeks. He only murmurs a response to be polite, but clearly he's too tired to accept a compliment so easily.]

...Ilikewhenyoupetmebutthatsembarrassing...

[And then there's more eggs in his mouth. It's fine. He's fine.

(He's pouting)]

[Atem shuts his eyes and grins, gesturing with a forkful of crepe. This food is fantastic, it's setting off all the reward-lights in his brain, this is what is good to eat, and he can't be in anything but a good mood while he's eating it.]

I don't see what there is to be embarrassed about! But, I won't tell anyone, if that's what you prefer...it's fine, to keep it our secret.

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6/2, pre-beach

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WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, PLAYER1. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 10.11.0.0.01 * PLAYER1 has joined 10.11.0.0.01 <PLAYER1>** If you're looking for someone you knew as Yugi before June, you've found him! It's Atem, leave a message.