knifemonopoly: (tripping out)
̷A̷t̷e̷m̷ ([personal profile] knifemonopoly) wrote2021-02-05 06:28 pm
Entry tags:

IC inbox


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 >
luckless: (pic#16347949)

[personal profile] luckless 2023-03-31 05:21 am (UTC)(link)
[Much like the laughter, light and airy and believing, the reciprocation comes as a punch that stuns him. More than before, Komaeda stands there, completely motionless—as if moving would break this moment, and cause the universe to collapse on itself.

Sure, the feeling of love has been there for longer than either of them likely realized, mutual but never talked about openly. But the last thing Komaeda ever expected was to hear it so blatantly... How many times had he told Atem he's loved him and never gotten a response? (Three times, that's how many.)

He feels, in that moment, like he did when they were flying. When their souls entwined and their hearts drew in close to one another, and the world around them didn't matter, because it was all about the person there with them. It feels like the quest to become a werewolf is forgotten, like the mouth to the deadly lager woods is nothing more than a fairy tale forest, and all that matters, singularly, is that they love each other.

Sea glass shards roll down Komaeda's cheeks faster than he can realize he's even crying, and when he does, he's quick to touch at his cheeks and catch a few.]


O-Oh, [he finally finds his voice, and then exhales a laugh,] sorry, Atem-kun... I'm not upset, I promise...!

[Maybe a part of him is, because loving each other isn't the same as being able to be together... Not when Ryou has only ever talked to him about it in hypotheticals, and the situation is more complicated than what simple love can conquer.]

I'm just happy to finally hear it... I never thought I would...
luckless: (pic#16170909)

[personal profile] luckless 2023-03-31 05:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[Though his cheeks aren't wet, Komaeda's too distracted with wiping at them to notice Atem's approach until he feels the weight of a hand on his shoulder. He startles, just for a moment, just long enough to realize it's Atem who's touching him, before he tucks his hand to his middle and grips at the front of his own shirt with worry.]

It's not... not okay.

[Atem is right. Being honest about feelings isn't wrong, per se, but it's probably irresponsible. Despite both of their partner(s) knowing the care they have for each other, anything that edges too close to the line should still be something they shy away from, he thinks.

It had been completely impulsive, the way those words slipped out of his mouth—and different from the cowardly way he had last confessed his feelings. When it was through Atem's spell, it felt like it was over the phone or something... There was a sense of distance that made it feel safe. But now, with the warmth of Atem's touch and the tenderness of his tone, it feels like Komaeda's being tested.]


We should still be careful, though... I don't want to get too hopeful or impulsive, and end up doing something you hate.

[His words are said with the hint of a frustrated whine. Atem is touching him but he's doing his best to keep his arms completely to himself. As happy as hearing those words from Atem makes him, the distraction is needed now more than ever.]

Let's get going, alright...? We have to bury our bags.
luckless: (pic#14627903)

[personal profile] luckless 2023-04-03 03:19 am (UTC)(link)
[The moment Atem's hand-paw is removed, it's as if Komaeda can breathe again. There's a loneliness to it, too—he's cold blooded enough that the gentle heat of that hand is something to be desired, the absence of it that much more stark. But they have to be responsible now more than ever.

As Atem turns his back, Komaeda's mind is pulled back to his conversation with Ryou. A part of him still remains skeptical that things will resolve so simply, but... The part of him that still holds onto hope, that desperately yearns for the things he's always been unable to have in his life, is holding on.

The thoughts now swirling in his head have him hesitate, but only for a moment. Then he's following after Atem again, letting him lead the way.]


This is my first time in the lager woods, actually. [He says, as he fiddles with the zipper on his duffel bag idly.] I thought a place like this would have less of a chance of other monsters interrupting us... So, I'm going to defer to your judgement in choosing the spot, Atem-kun.

Maybe near a tree? That would be easier to carve a marking into.
luckless: (pic#14766168)

[personal profile] luckless 2023-04-03 04:32 am (UTC)(link)
[Oh... Atem's tail... Komaeda can't help staring at it as he's led through the woods, the eager sway of it somewhat calming on his nerves. He doesn't notice it himself, but as they venture deeper into the woods and ambient light around them dims, the blue scales across Komaeda's body begins to glow a faint blue that grows stronger the darker it gets.]

It'll be fun, huh...? [Komaeda can't help but chuckle at that,] you're so excited, Atem-kun!

[He's glad that Atem already has some plans in mind, considering that he sort of invited the guy here blind. Komaeda is sort of left to wonder what sort of spot he's being led towards.]

I hope that your other trips out here haven't been too bad.
luckless: (pic#14766461)

[personal profile] luckless 2023-04-04 05:07 am (UTC)(link)
[Komaeda can't help watching that tail, even as he listens to Atem speak of his previous times within the forest. There's no exact details given, but Komaeda's learned by now how to read the other's body language—something that's especially easier given that he's currently a werewolf.]

Right... Something like a big forest like this is pretty unfamiliar to you, right? Where you grew up didn't have anything like this.

[Trees taller than you could imagine, ancient and all-knowing of the land they stand upon... For as much respect as Komaeda has for the preservation of this particular nature, he still looks up at them with a slight tension to his frame. He's never been much of a camper... And without the animal instinct that might make it more fun, he feels as much like a fish out of water as can be.]

I grew up in the city, and my parents never took me on outdoorsy trips... So I've never really been camping in the traditional sense. I have to admit, I'll be relying on you a lot tonight for our hopeful survival until morning!
Edited 2023-04-04 05:07 (UTC)
luckless: (pic#14766180)

[personal profile] luckless 2023-04-05 05:54 am (UTC)(link)
[Komaeda laughs in turn, the tension he'd felt a moment before easing out of his frame with the soft sound.]

Then it's a good thing I brought this gunpowder, huh...? Maybe they should call me the Ultimate Clairvoyant?

[It's a bit of a lame joke, one that Atem likely won't get, but it tickles Komaeda all the same. A past version of himself might not have been able to make such a joke, deigning the idea of Ultimates too sacred to blaspheme against by insinuating he could ever be as great as them, but now... It feels good to make fun of his past, a bit.

Though, his attention is certainly pulled away from his thoughts as he senses the growing humidity in the air more than the sound of rushing water. It's as if his parched scales are desperately trying to soak in as much moisture from the air as possible.]


Are we setting up camp near water...?
luckless: (pic#14627844)

[personal profile] luckless 2023-04-06 04:12 am (UTC)(link)
[Komaeda isn't so much bothered by the eeriness of the scene. If anything, he sort of finds it charming in its own way. Something like camping and swapping ghost stories during, are things he never got to experience. So a part of him is especially excited to finally get the chance to do something so... Normal and mundane.]

It won't be a problem if I get my tail? [He asks, sounding less bothered by it than he does apprehensive. He doesn't want to stall their fun by becoming immobile on land, after all.] I mean, I trust your judgement Atem-kun... But if I go too deep in the water, we'll have to wait for my legs to come back.

[He says this while still following after the other, his gaze flitting between the broader line of Atem's shoulders and the scenery around them.]
luckless: (pic#16155025)

[personal profile] luckless 2023-04-10 12:33 am (UTC)(link)
[Well, that's a good point... Komaeda can't argue with it.

He settles in next to Atem, where he gets down on his hand and knees. He doesn't quite have the digging strength of a werewolf, but even as a merperson, he can willingly extend his claws into something a bit bigger and stronger to tear through the softer dirt with. He'll start to scrape away at it, though not nearly as efficiently as Atem can.]


You know... I wanted to thank you for agreeing to this, [he mentions quietly, as they work at that digging spot together,] not just helping me fly... But also helping me with this. Especially on such short notice...

[He always knows how reliable Atem can be, but a small part of him is still a little worried.]

I hope you'll tell me if I'm ever asking too much or bothering you...
luckless: (pic#14627903)

[personal profile] luckless 2023-05-12 03:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[Komaeda continues to dig one-handedly, and albeit, quite a lot slower than Atem does. He's too preoccupied with his thoughts, and the feelings Atem fills the space of his skull and ribs with. It shouldn't be surprising to hear, at this point, that the other enjoys spending time with him, but... It still feels like it's sometimes asking for too much.

His head bows slightly, obscuring the bluish tint that rises to his cheeks with the long tendrils of his anemone-like hair.]


I think I'd have liked that, honestly... Maybe if I hadn't disappeared, or if we hadn't fought...

[—or if Komaeda hadn't made things worse by telling Atem that he was in love with him—]

...Then we could have become comfortable with each other, like you are with others.
luckless: (pic#14627837)

[personal profile] luckless 2023-06-20 10:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[Komaeda looks between the hole they've dug up and Atem, taking a moment of quiet before he suddenly bursts out with a short, awkward laugh. He feels the tension and sadness melt from his shoulders at once.]

I'm glad you did, [he smiles as he says it, trying not to stare at the way Atem's tail cutely whips the dirt and leaves up into a little cloud.] Being with you like this... It makes my heart feel like it's healing.

[He pulls his bag around his side and shuffles forward in the dirt on his knees, setting it into the hole.]

I think with you as my help, we'll definitely have fun fulfilling Mana's quest.
luckless: (pic#14766488)

[personal profile] luckless 2023-07-03 07:24 am (UTC)(link)
[Komaeda is wearing sandals... and also has a big and bulky mertail! But still, if Atem is insisting he should kick the dirt back over the hole, he's going to do his best.

His best is rather pathetic looking, but after taking off his shoes, he does manage to scoot a bit of dirt over their bags and not be a complete freeloader. Luckily, his claws and webbing help a bit with it, even if it's not as effective as a werewolf's hindpaws.]


This is so... physical!

[He huffs as he sets back down onto his haunches and pulls over the water bottle he brought with him. With a few chugs, he'll be back to normal, but he's still catching his breath a bit.]

I'd imagine that a werewolf's muscles are much more handy for this sort of thing... A merperson doesn't need to have strong legs when it's their tail doing all the work...

(no subject)

[personal profile] luckless - 2023-07-29 23:12 (UTC) - Expand
luckless: (pic#14766483)

[personal profile] luckless 2023-06-20 10:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[Komaeda doesn't have the same stamina a werewolf'd Atem does. All the running, playing, digging and eating they've done has finally caught up to him. For now, they've settled on resting near the campfire, which is very much welcomed, but is sort of making the exhaustion catch up to him. He has to fight to keep his eyes open, amidst the calming sounds of crackling fire and wind in the trees.

He has his knees tucked comfortably to his chest, when Atem speaks up. With his head leaning on his forearms, his cheek squished, when Komaeda replies there's a little slur to his words.]


Hmm...? Yeah, I do.

[He gives a tired little laugh, recalling the memory of an Atem that feels nothing like the guy he knows now... Except in a few of the important ways.]

You still have that same sense of righteousness, you know. But... I'm glad you've grown beyond being just the ghost that possessed Yugi-kun. I like you more, like this.
luckless: (pic#16107041)

[personal profile] luckless 2023-07-03 07:24 am (UTC)(link)
[Komaeda nods along. Yes, he's well aware of how much wiser Atem has become, and calm too. His journey to becoming a priest has really given him a chance to learn when it's time to stick his neck into things and when not to.

Meanwhile, the Atem that he remembers meeting was much like the one he first met—always the first one sprinting into action.

But this conversation, the tone of it doesn't feel very reminiscing. As Komaeda listens, a pit forms in his stomach, with its weight nauseating. He knows what to expect from a shadow game, and in mere moments, his eyes have blown wide with the litany of scenarios he can imagine.

Nanami didn't say anything about this. Did she not want to worry him? Was she hiding it from him? Maybe she didn't trust him enough to tell him about fighting with Atem... Or maybe she felt like she couldn't, because of their relationship.]


What did you do...?

[The question feels more like an accusation than a needling for information. Its intention is clear—did you hurt her?]

(no subject)

[personal profile] luckless - 2023-07-29 23:12 (UTC) - Expand