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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.]

[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.

[Ryou swallows the mouthful of food, but his lips are pursed in a pout all the same, even as he speaks.]

N-no, it's...it's not that I think you'll tell people, I just didn't realize you were watching me...sleep. I guess. I mean, it's okay that you do, and I don't mind you thinking I look nice.

[He reaches up and scratches behind one of his ears.]

I guess I'm just tired...

[Way too sleepy to take a compliment. Or convey himself any better. Poor guy.]

Sorry, it's probably confusing. But I'm glad you like the food enough to keep eating it through all of...this.

[He gestures to himself. Yeah...yeah, that's about right.]

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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.