Joint Post! Like an Old Married Couple

[fluffydeathdealer]

[From just outside the jungle's trees, near the mountainside, some bickering can be heard:]

Here. It's probably fresher than you'd like, but it's all we have.
...I can't eat that, Bakura.
You don't have the option to be picky, Malik!
No...I really can't, you fool!
Tch... I can cook it a bit more, but we have to be careful, or the smoke from the fire will give us away!
Ughh...can't you find some fruit? Just look up.
Do you want to die? If someone finds you while I'm out looking for fruit, you'll have worse problems than having to eat meat.
But Bakura... [Malik sounds a bit like he might be ill.] My stomach...
O-oy! Hold on a little longer, okay? I'll see if I can find something close by. I'll stay within earshot, so if someone approaches, scream.
Just get a couple...I don't need that much.
Be quiet, you idiot. You need to eat something. [He chomps down on the meat Malik refused to eat.]
Well? I can't eat anything if you don't go get something!

((ooc: So! Tags will come from both Bakura and Malik. If we're going to tag you with both on a turn we'll put a "1/2" in the subject line, otherwise it's just one at a time. Also since the two of them are injured, we just ask that nobody with magic healing powers comes along to heal them up and stuff. Thanks!

Warnings for adult content in some threads.))

Comments

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Bakura listens in silence.

Truthfully, he had never cared about them. It was entertaining, even if it had poor consequences, but he had never borne them hatred. Even at the start... the hatred had all been on Malik's side.

He had borne it with his usual careless opportunism, relishing in the entertainment of it all. And now it had ended like this.

It was one of them that had killed Malik... wasn't that worthy of hatred? But it was an act of fear and anger... and he had expected Malik to die from the start of this, from the moment the other Malik first appeared. No, the only one he bears anger togethers in this is himself.

In the end, it worked out better for him, didn't it?]

...the Rod too. Malik promised it to me. If you can agree to that... Then I'll agree to your terms.

[He can't hold back the tiredness in his own voice.]

[helpusduelist]

The Rod is on his person, or outside if it was dropped. I did not take it, nor would I want to keep it. These things have only brought suffering to us, and good riddance to them.

[He places Ra and the Eye on the table, holding his arms out for Bakura to see. There's no possible place he could hide it.]

Consider it done, then. This war is over... though I mourn the cost it took to bring it that way.

[And without a further word he strides out, pushing open the door to disappear into the hallway.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[And just like that, everyone was gone. He reaches out to take the Items, feeling their familiarity. The Eye... and then the Rod, from Malik's person.

...He had what he wanted.

The Eye's weight rested comfortably in his pocket. The Rod's heaviness was held in his aching hand. Even Ra resided in his pocket once more, though it was a pocket that was barely intact thanks to the same creature.

Three of seven Items were on his person. One of three God Cards. He was alive, despite the pain.

So why didn't it feel good?

After three thousand years, he was well on the way to the victory he'd been searching for.

So why did it hurt?

He didn't understand it at all. What was this odd pain in his chest? There was only questions now. Questions and should-haves and self-loathing.

And endless, endless time.]

[dontknowjack]

[Jack knew enough not to interfere. He simply followed his King to the dorm, keeping up with his pace as best he could. His arm was there if he needed it. If not... he was still there too. Though he was quiet, his mind was racing over the events of the day.

Once they were inside the dorm safely, only then did he turn to Henry and speak.]

...You should rest.

[helpusduelist]

I want to bathe, first. I'm going to have enough trouble without the stink of blood and smoke.

[Even now, Henry's strides are much less certain, almost to the point of swaying, but he stubbornly goes for the bathroom, leaving a trail of bloody handprints along the wall as he occasionally holds his hand out to steady himself.]

[dontknowjack]

[Henry's temper rarely snapped out like that, but Jack understood it better than others would. Henry was exhausted, drained physically and emotionally, trapped in another world, had his sleep cut short and finally had to cremate his... well. Not friend.

Still, the trail of handprints makes him frown, as does Henry's condition. Without a word about Henry's mood, he strides over to gather Henry in his arms, picking him up and carrying him towards the bathroom to spare both Henry and the walls.]

Forgive my rudeness, Majesty.

[helpusduelist]

[Henry gives a surprised grunt as he's suddenly hauled off his feet, but he seems too tired to argue, just dropping his hand onto his chest and half-closing his eyes.

Though it certainly has been a while since Jack's done this, Henry's weight has increased somewhat, though not significantly. With how lanky the king tends to be, that may not entirely be a bad thing.]

Thank you...

[dontknowjack]

[He notes that increase, but doesn't mind it. It's healthy, at least. Perhaps it's the effect of this modern food he likes? At any rate, he's not as heavy as Bakura was, leather armor or no. Setting him down in the bathroom, he looks him over thoughtfully.]

Do you need help?

[helpusduelist]

No. I will... be all right, I think.

[He rubs his eyes, exhaling. He's not so muddled that he can't recognize the truth behind the question: all of them felt helpless after that, but at least Henry was able to manage last rites and the real truce.

Jack had always cared about his health, so it must be frustrating, like this...]

Just... find something for us to sleep in, for now.

[It's the first order he can think of, because for a moment he just wants silence. It will likely be the last thing on his mind soon enough, but right now as he fumbles with the knobs, it's all he wants. Just a moment of silence and hot water.]

[dontknowjack]

[He bows his head obediently, leaving Henry to his thoughts. It's odd, seeing Henry like this. It leaves a dull ache inside of him, like a bruise that kept being pressed on by armor.

Taking off his armor, he checks through the dresser and closet for something suitable and clean. Still, the thoughts of today won't leave his mind. Rosenkreuz. Henry. The girls, looking so wrecked that they might even snap.

There was nothing he could do but act as support for Henry. It made him feel pretty helpless.

Ah, here they were. Comfortable sleepwear.]

[helpusduelist]

[By the time Jack returns, Henry has washed everything off, leaving just the smell of soap and the towel around his waist. He rubs the other along his hair, dropping his hands and turning to look at the other man.]

...Did I do what was right, Jack? [He rubs his eyes, then softer.] Did I?

[dontknowjack]

If you mean Rosenkreuz... If you had interfered, you would have been caught up in the attack too.

But, if you mean the agreement... It was well done. The kindness you showed to your enemy, also. I can see little fault in it, save that it may be foolish to trust that creature to hold to that.

[He moves to Henry, reaching out to put a hand on his shoulder and grasp it firmly.]

But... that's what I'm here for. I failed you today, but... I won't let such cruelties happen to anyone else within our group again.

[helpusduelist]

[Henry manages a weak smile at that, nodding softly before almost falling forward onto him, one hand going to Jack's shoulder while his head rests on the other.]

I'm tired.

[It's soft and weak, more in line with a sick child than a strong king, but nothing about the past few hours have made Henry feel like he could be strong.]

Please... sleep beside me tonight, Jack. I don't know if I can rest otherwise.

[He's gotten too used to it, really... having someone resting in the same room to protect him. He can feel it at the back of the mind, the knawing nightmares just waiting to come, and right now, he wants more than anything to not be alone when they do.]

[dontknowjack]

[Jack's hands come up to hold him, surprisingly gentle despite their strength. Henry sounds almost like a broken child. Poor soul... this must have weighed heavier on him than he was willing to admit. One hand gently rubs Henry's back, trying to ease the tension he feels there. He forgoes the formalities, since nobody else is around, and Henry needs it. Right now...

Henry isn't his king.

He's his friend.

That's all he can be right now, right?]

I will, Henry. If that is your wish... I will be glad to sleep by your side.

[helpusduelist]

Thank you...

[He shifts his grip on Jack a little, but it almost seems like he's about to fall asleep right here.]

I'm... more than anything, glad that you're back...

[dontknowjack]

[...this is going to be a little strange, highness, but he's just going to scoop you up in his arms like a child (or a bride) and carry you through to set you on the bed. ...it looks a little small for both of them.]

Here. You wanted something comfortable, I assume?

[If Henry's too tired, he'll dress him in his nightclothes himself.]