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knifemonopoly) wrote2021-02-05 06:28 pm
knifemonopoly) wrote2021-02-05 06:28 pm
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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. | ||||
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He glances up at Atem with an uncertain look on his face.]
A possibility...? What do you mean?
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...if you find someone else you wanted to date, alongside me...I would be all right with that. You don't have to...but, if there's someone it would make you happy to start seeing, then, I'll be happy for you.
[He wasn't always able to do this. For most of the last year, the idea made him uneasy...he felt possessive, he didn't want to share, didn't want anyone else touching Ryou like he did.
But, now...now, he's able to back off a little, and he feels it might be good for Ryou to be able to go to more than one person for what he needs. At the very least, Ryou should have permission, should know that it's an option for him, even if nothing ever comes of it. He's free, if he wants: but only if he wants. It won't hurt Atem, to do it.]
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Ryou stiffens where he's at, and even his snakes look flabbergasted. What? Whaaaat?!?!
Why is Atem saying that? Does he think Ryou's too much to handle, so he wants to split the difference? No, no. He didn't say that. Ryou should think of it that way.
But he still feels weird though. Now the uncertainty is a full-blown worried expression. He wants to ask if Atem wants him to find someone else, but instead...what he actually asks is:]
What about you? Do you...have you been, um. Thinking about...doing the same?
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No. There's no one else I want to be seeing right now. And, as long as you're not comfortable with it, I won't...
...but I've realized that I'd be comfortable with it, if that became something you wanted. I wanted to let you know that you could...and let you know early, before it became something uncomfortable between us, or something you felt like you couldn't tell me about.
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Ryou slowly pulls his body back, holding himself upright and awkwardly toying with one of his snakes, since the hair he usually plays with when he's nervous has been replaced with such.]
I think it's more complicated than that. Atem, I...I wouldn't want to stand in your way if you wanted to be with someone else either. But...I don't think I could really say that I'm interested in anyone.
That is...uhm, I appreciate you letting me know that I could pursue another person if I wanted.
But I don't...think...I could date more than one person. M-maybe at some other point, but definitely not now. And there's not really...anyone?
Sorry, this was just pretty sudden to touch upon. I thought maybe, if you wanted to let me know that it was okay for me, that maybe you had someone in mind for you! L-like...I don't know. Beat?
[Oh.
Oh fuck. Shit. He hadn't meant to meander himself into that kind of assumption. No no nononono--]
But if I'm wrong, that's also very fair, you did have time to spend with lots of other people! I! I...
...I'm going to stop talking now.
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Really, I don't think of Beat that way! I'm happy for him, that he's getting the affection he deserves, and he's in a situation where he's happy. You don't have to worry about him!
And, even if I did date someone like him...it wouldn't mean I loved you any less. It'd mean I had something different with them -- like how I trust it would be, for you. I wouldn't be competing...because what you had with them would be different from what you had with me, and both would be important to you.
But it's all right...like I said, it doesn't have to happen now, or at all! I can date only one person, and be happy...and, I'm happy with you. We can stay like this as long as you want.
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But he's a naga, and there's nearly thirty feet of him to contend with. So...instead, he awkwardly thps a few times, his snakes shyly hiding in his hair.]
I'm happy with you too. I...I want to stay this way. I don't know if anything might change in the future, and you're welcome to tell me if that's the case, but. You're enough for me to be happy.
I was scared enough thinking you might've gone for good. Let's, um. Let's keep things simplified.
That is, I...c-can't really see myself involving another person, when I still have work to do with just the two of us.
[His words are clumsy and awkward, but he hopes he gets his point across. One potential catastrophe at a time, please...]
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[No, really, he does...he's felt the same way. He's wanted his feet under him, not wanted to worry about having to manage two or more relationships when he was still getting used to one.
He'll lean in, if he's allowed, and press his bat-nose to Ryou's forehead in a fuzzy, bristly kiss.]
I think that's wise. We do need to work on us...
...so, let's give us plenty of attention, okay?
[Can he pull Ryou close again? He's gonna try!]
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Sometimes the don't see eye to eye...but they're working on it. It's...heartening to think of things that way. So, naturally, Ryou allows himself to be pulled in again, smiling with genuine happiness as he's tugged in. One arm loops around Atem's back, between the sofa cushions and his wings, but gently so.]
H-haha. I'm alright with that.
[This time, it's him pressing a kiss to the underside of Atem's chin, while his snakes thpthpthp at Atem's cheeks. All of the boys are happy!
Though...come to think of it...]
...You still smell like cherries.
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You usually smell sweet! The only difference is that it's candy, not pastry...
[Scuse him while he sticks his bat snout right into Ryou's hair and sniffs around! It's silly, affectionate, and driven by a relief that they talked, that they're going to try to be all right, to go back to supporting each other instead of clinging to what they want but need to not have for the other's sake.]
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[Ryou is definitely blushing now, but his snakes seem perfectly charmed, flicking their little tongues out in interest against Atem's bat face. Compliment accepted, even if under duress.
Not enough duress to push Atem away though. The sniffing is allowed!]
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[The sniffs and snuffs turn into rubbing his cheeks against the side of Ryou's head.]
It's good! It means you're getting to have what you like...
[Always a good thing, when Ryou is eating what he likes, when he's able to enjoy himself...it's better than the alternative.]
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Alas...]
Of course I can! I can go out and buy whatever I like to eat!
[He knows that's not what Atem means but all the same.]
Still, um. I'm glad I don't...smell bad? If that doesn't sound weird.