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[knifemonopoly]

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.

Main handle: < Player1 > Anon: < turtleluck >, < actuallydied >, < burner >

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[knifemonopoly]

[Round red eyes, that don't look a thing like the hardened mask that had sized Ryou up across a table with manacles, meet Ryou's, before the kiss. They're worried, hoping, open, honest. They betray just how far from invincible Atem really is, no matter what he wants his enemies to think.

He kisses Ryou back, hopinghopinghoping Ryou is right, and tendrils made of solid shadow slip out to wrap around Ryou's torso and waist. Two hands aren't enough to hold Ryou with, but luckily, he has these...they don't restrict movement, not like the manacles did, they just hold, a little like the tail did, a moment ago.

When the kiss breaks, he murmurs:]

Together.

[Atem hasn't forgotten why they went this far. He hasn't forgotten that Ryou is someone he can rely on, to stand by his side no matter what. Ryou has followed him to the other side of the chess board, and their pawns' powers have been replaced by those of a more powerful piece...

It's just that getting there came at a cost.]

[softspokenlandlord]

[Ryou feels the tendrils curl around him, holding him close. He's not scared of Atem. He regrets hurting monsters in service of his own goals, but what they'd done...he'd never take it back. Even if it hurts, even if he has to find a way to satisfy that cold, unyielding monster inside...their powers were obtained for a reason.

So he kisses Atem until he can't kiss him anymore, until his tail's curled right back around the vampire's waist like a silly little fur-tipped belt, and by the time they part...Ryou's breathless and relaxed.]

...It goes without saying, I think...that we should have a few days in, right?

If you're not busy...[Ha ha.]...we could play poker and drink wine and forget that I'm an idiot for a little while.

[It's just a suggestion, and he's being (partly) facetious about the "idiot" thing. He just wants to find something that Atem wants to do, and so gives several suggestions wrapped in one.]

Or we could stay here in bed. Anything you like.

[knifemonopoly]

[He nods, in agreement. They should lay low for a while, and...spending some low-key time together sounds nice.

But, right now...]

...I want to stay in bed.

[He brushes his cheek against Ryou's, again. Scent-marking, soothing. Mine.]

I want to take care of you for a while.

[To reassure Ryou. To reassure himself. To drive away the cruel things he made Ryou see and feel, because that was the only way the darkness could be fought...at least, with the tools Atem has available to him. That wasn't something Atem had wanted to do...but, this is. He has a sense for his own wants, now, more than before, and he doesn't want to unwind his tendrils yet.]

[softspokenlandlord]

Y...yes, that's good. It's fine.

[Ryou almost argues that Atem needs to be taken care of. But...he loses the words to do so, because up until this point, being apologetic towards Atem had kept his mind off of what had happened.

He hadn't...forgotten. But he had tried.

Atem will feel Ryou tense in his grip...before he murmurs something so quiet it'd be surprising if it was heard at all.]

Is...it okay, to want to be taken care of? I made you do something terrible...

[knifemonopoly]

[The tendrils tighten, just a little -- just enough to hold Ryou snugly, instead of the looser grip they'd had a moment ago.]

You didn't make me do anything. I made an offer, and I made a choice.

[His arms wrap around Ryou, too, thicker than the tendrils, more substantial, more human.]

It would only not be okay if you didn't want me to take care of you.

[If Ryou wanted nothing to do with him; if what had happened would be a scar on Ryou's psyche, one Atem could never take back.]

[softspokenlandlord]

[Again...Ryou wants to disagree. He had forced Atem's hand, by foolishly attempting to take matters into his own hands, and make himself pay in a way that would hurt more than just himself.

...And again, he doesn't argue. He instead tightens his own grip around Atem, holding him like a coveted treasure.]

I can only trust you to take care of me.

[It's unfair to think that, when he has friends...but Ryou's heart is in pain, he still remembers what it feels like to have his arms bound against his will, to writhe under blows that feel as if they might never end...

Atem, his Atem, the one who cares and not the one who brought him pain to quell the terrible feelings inside him, is the one who he wants to be held by.]

[knifemonopoly]

[He murmurs his reassurance into the soft skin near Ryou's ear.]

I won't hurt you any more. I promise.

[It's not being asked for. It's not something Ryou feels he needs. So, only good feelings, now -- only tendrils trailing up the sides of Ryou's legs, and a third running through his hair, as Atem's arms stay around Ryou's shoulders.]

[softspokenlandlord]

I know. I know you won't.

[Ryou exhales softly. It takes a few seconds longer than normal, but he does eventually start to relax, letting out a quiet, wordless murmur as Atem holds him, as his tendrils map pathways along Ryou's legs.

He's glad...he's happy he won't be hurt again.]

Mmnh...I...want you to hold me...forever.

[He says it quietly, the emotion still thick in his voice. But it's not tears and anguish anymore, it's a familiar needy tone, the one he takes when he craves Atem's full attention. He'll make it up to him...he'll do what he needs to, but afterwards. Now he selfishly takes Atem's attentions, tilts his head back into the tendril working through his hair.]