[When he's let go, Ryou slumps to the ground, trying not to whimper. His face hurts, his head hurts, but he can't let this be what undoes him. Not this quickly. No, he has to take more, to make it even, and to protect everyone.
He feels Atem doing something, but he's too lost in his mind to look. So it's surprising to him whenever his arms fall to his sides. He didn't realize until they were freed how much painful tension was on his shoulders, how the metal was digging into his wrists terribly. Now, free to move them, he can't help but try and raise one hand to his face.
It never makes it there, not before the chains clatter and pull, and he cries out again, as his hands are pulled above his head. He tries to get a foot under him, to ease the pressure, and manages. He's standing by the time Atem retakes his position, and it feels very much like Ryou's still under him, despite being taller.
His heartbeat starts to race, because he knows all it'll take is a sharp tug on those chains and he'll be on his toes, or worse. But it doesn't change the answer.]
no subject
He feels Atem doing something, but he's too lost in his mind to look. So it's surprising to him whenever his arms fall to his sides. He didn't realize until they were freed how much painful tension was on his shoulders, how the metal was digging into his wrists terribly. Now, free to move them, he can't help but try and raise one hand to his face.
It never makes it there, not before the chains clatter and pull, and he cries out again, as his hands are pulled above his head. He tries to get a foot under him, to ease the pressure, and manages. He's standing by the time Atem retakes his position, and it feels very much like Ryou's still under him, despite being taller.
His heartbeat starts to race, because he knows all it'll take is a sharp tug on those chains and he'll be on his toes, or worse. But it doesn't change the answer.]
I don't want to discuss that.