the_campus | [Event] It couldn't last forever.

[A voice echoes in Henry's head suddenly. It sounds different than Bakura usually does, as if there's layers to it that weren't there before. But there's nothing but amusement in it.

Fine then... I'll trust you. Feel free to throw this Ring as far as you like. I'll come back later... when you two have stopped being sappy. If you ever do.

The Ring doesn't resist the pull, easily slipping from Ryou's neck.]

Eh...?

Remember, Ryou? The spirit and I have a deal... you're getting a little of your freedom now.

[Henry shifts his position, tossing the Ring as hard as he can into the forest. It's probably not too far with the current way he's laying, but it's far enough.

That done, he turns back around to Ryou, petting his hair again.]

I'm sorry that you had to suffer that. Even if I had never met Christopher, I would never have been that lonely...

You really are a strong boy.

[Without the Spirit to worry about, he feels a lot more comfortable talking. But this suggestion in his head...]

...Ryou. Please, don't take this as an insult or an obligation, because I don't mean it to be. But if we find a way to control our way of going home... I'd like to take you with me.

[The Ring hits the ground on its side and rolls out of sight to rest there. A curious fox sniffs at it hungrily and flees a second later as a feeling of danger comes from it. And then there is simply peace.]

Me...?

[Though Henry had joked about it before, he hadn't thought he was serious.]

I'm not insulted, but... It's something I've never even thought of before.

Yes, you. I understand why you wouldn't want to -- friends, your father, even just familiarity and comfort -- which is why I said to please not feel this is an obligation. It's simply an option, because... I would be happy to take you back with me as my son.

Jack is clever... there won't be any problem giving the proper look of it there. It's true that I'll always be busy as a king... possibly moreso than your father. But I will act mostly from the castle, the same place you'll live as well. I'll always be there if you need to come speak with me, and I will find a way to make time, somehow.

...If you do come... I can't promise to be so present to you as I am now. But I would be there, as much as I could manage.

[He rests his head on Ryou's again, closing his eyes. The feeling of this boy's warmth... it's soothing.]

...and even if you don't wish to... I'd like to be able to count you as my son here, if nothing else.

[The idea is dizzying.

Leave Domino City behind? Leave Yugi and the others? Father?

Truthfully, he doesn't have as many ties as Henry seems to think. Even Yugi and the others... would probably get along just fine without him. Though he doesn't doubt their friendship, he knows the truth of it.

Just like with his father... His disappearance would mean little in the end.

Closing his eyes, he relaxes against Henry as he thinks. It's a foolish thing to be considering after only know Henry and Jack for a couple of days. But even if they find a way out, it'll take some time. He knows that. Maybe...

He opens his mouth to speak, slowly. His words are almost halting]

I... can't promise. But that doesn't mean I'm rejecting the idea. The idea really appeals to me. More than it should. I'd like more time to decide on it. I... don't think rash decisions would serve either of us well.

If you're okay with it, I'd be willing to put in the effort to learn whatever I'd need to in - in order to get by in your time, in exchange for being able to think on it a little longer.

But... I wouldn't mind taking on the role of your son. Truthfully... you're already like family.

Rash decisions rarely end well, but you have a lot of time to think, Ryou. I sincerely doubt we're going to find a way out of here in enough time for whatever decision you make to be considered "rash."

[He laughs gently at it, both truthful and a playful tease. He does fall silent at that, shaking his head a little and gently ruffling Ryou's hair.]

You don't need to bargain with me for time to think. You never do. You can have as long as you want, but if you do want to learn what I can teach you, then I'll be happy to teach you everything I know. I can't promise it'll be the most interesting thing ever.

[The smile that the teen can feel is... definitely a wide one at that least part, Henry's grip tightening a little in glee.]

That's wonderful...

[...and then, something occurs to him. Those teachings... the spirit didn't seem to know about the test memories that he helped Ryou to hide. Is it possible that...]

...Ryou.

That could -- would -- include... how to War Duel.

[There's a sudden tenseness to his voice, a heavy tone.]

However... that's information that can't get to the Spirit. From what I can see, the trick I taught you is still working, but I'm not sure to what degree. So until you can both fully shield and hide the shield of certain memories... that part will have to be put off.

It's an important thing to learn... because through it, you can use your monsters to protect yourself. And monsters can do it in ways that, if you prefer, do very little damage to the ones hurting you.

Do you understand?

Ah-! I didn't mean it like that! I just meant that, if you wanted an answer right away, I wouldn't be able to give you one!

[Okay, okay. Calming down.]

I'm not afraid of hard work, or learning. Even if it's boring... I'd like to learn it.

[The other part... A way of defense that won't hurt others... He understands. That thought definitely appeals to him. He nods firmly.]

I think I get it. There are ways to fight without killing, or being killed... that's important. In your time, it'd be dangerous to be defenseless, right?

Then there's plenty we have to teach you. You just have to come ask. I warn you, though... I'm a firm teacher.

[He nods in reply to Ryou some, shifting to meet his eyes.]

Especially if I'm the one you want as your father. That makes you a prince, and even if you give up all designs on the throne to any blood child I have, there will be cruel people who don't want you around for whatever reason. You will have someone who tries to protect you, but you must be able to take care of yourself, just in case.

Edited 2013-09-22 12:49 (UTC)

[His expression softens into a smile.]

But at the same time... there are a lot of ways you can protect yourself without having to kill whoever it is attacking you. Even moreso when you have a properly charged deck. Your spells and traps will be just as useful as your monsters, and even good sword work can disable an enemy without hurting them.

[Ah, on that, too...]

We will, of course, have to wait until you heal before we do any physical training, but the royal training can start whenever you please.

['A prince'? The thought is honestly terrifying. Henry's talks with him so far have already made it quite clear just how hard Henry had it. And he's not exactly sure he's prince material. He stays silent for a moment or two, mulling it over rather than blurting out his thoughts. It really will be hard, what Henry's suggesting. There'll be a lot of things he has to learn, and it really won't all be pleasant.

But...]

Even from just what you've said in the past, it sounds like it'll be a lot to learn, and it'll be difficult. It's scary, but... I'm not going to back out just because it'll be hard. I promise! I'll work my hardest to learn anything you can or need to teach me!

Truthfully, I don't want the throne. I don't have it in me to take on the sort of pressure you have. But I know... just by existing in the role of 'family' to you would be difficult. While I don't know a lot about royalty, I know that it's hard. I know there's a lot of rules, and a lot of important things to consider, even if you never come near your level. That's why... I'm willing to learn it even if I don't end up going there. It's important to know what I'd be in for... Even if it's harder than anything I've ever done.

[He fidgets a little, the last bit harder than the rest despite the simplicity of it.]

Also... I have a question. What do you want me to call you?

To be honest, Ryou... I don't think you'd make a good king at all. You're too caring, too soft and gentle. You would make a very good prince, I think, especially a brother, but without a streak of ruthlessness and ice, there are too many who would try to take advantage of you.

[He gently pets Ryou's hair again, smiling. You really are something else, child... you really are.]

Thankfully, there are a few fun things to teach you, so it wouldn't be entirely difficult... but many of them can seem confusing, or even outright useless.

[...You know, that thought never occurred to him. Priorities, it seemed... Henry just chuckles.]

Whatever you feel comfortable with. If you do decide to come, unfortunately, there will be necessary formality at times... but until then, use whatever feels most comfortable on your tongue.

Then it's really good that I don't want to be King! Truthfully, the idea would terrify me.

[He's not even slightly offended by that statement. It's true... he doesn't have enough coldness in him to be a good king. The petting just makes him smile.]

Un! I understand.

Think about it as long as you need to as well. Right now... we're away from that darkness and we're warm here under the stars. It's certainly one of the most familiar nights since I've been here... but after days of this unnatural shade, it's a bit relaxing, isn't it?

[Feeling completely relaxed like this... It's like the night before, when they were curled up inside the building. It's a wonderful weight off him, even for a short time; a time when he doesn't have to worry about Bakura or Malik, about what might be happening back home or what other problems could crop up here...

He sighs a little, contently. He could get used to this, quite frankly.]

What? You guys are getting all comfortable without me?

[Jack's voice is surprisingly cheerful as he approaches, setting the blankets he brought with him beside the adorable duo. Ryou waves a little shyly to him, though not as shyly as he would have before. Being stuck beneath Henry for several hours led to one overcoming shyness before long.]

We thought we'd make things warm by the time you got here.

[Henry can't help but joke back, eying the blankets with relief and joy. The crackle of the fire reminds him and he cranes his head a little to look, then glances over to the knight.]

Grab some more firewood for us, will you? It wouldn't do to have it go out in the middle of the night.

[The blankets look to be both thick and comfortable, the perfect thing in this freezing cold. Jack bows his head politely with a chuckle, disappearing back into the darkness of the forest to gather wood. His voice calls back as he does.]

I brought food, too. There's a bag mixed in with the blankets if you don't want to wait for me.

[...it really was like camping out.]

[Only far more fun. Henry's never really "camped out" like this before, one of the many things that "wasn't proper" for a king to do, so it's about that much better.

He shifts away from Ryou for a moment to grab one of the blankets and arrange it over both of them, then pulls the bag over to rifle through it.]

Was there any trouble?

[He remembers that "the two are fighting" feeling he's gotten...]

[Jack having remembered Henry's love of modern sugary nonsense, the bag was filled with a mishmash of conflicting tastes. Fruits, bread, sugary treats, even some carefully wrapped meat for if they felt like roasting it over the fire. Jack grins a little to himself before he responds.]

Nothing severe. Harriet and I resolved our differences... so to speak. And all it cost me was her head hitting me in the face and a few verbal spars.

[Best knight ever, Jack. Henry gleefully pulls out a couple treats, offering one to Ryou and popping the other in his mouth. He's learned not to eat too many of these on an empty stomach the hard way, so he leaves the rest where it is to pull out a piece of the bread to share as well.

The meat definitely looks good... he came prepared!]

Well, if nothing else, that's better than what I feared would happened.

Heheh... She even gave me a present.

[His voice sounds almost disembodied before he returns with an armful of suitable brushwood, feeding the fire carefully to ensure it stays lit. He disappears once more to get a little more to make sure they can keep feeding it through the night without going too far.

Ryou gratefully accepts his treat and the bread with a polite murmur of gratitude. He hasn't really eaten today, as far as he can tell. His body doesn't seem to have, anyway, judging by how empty his stomach feels.]

A present? Please tell me it didn't involve a blade or blood.

[Henry cranes his neck a little to follow Jack when he comes back over, worry clearly written across his face. It doesn't look like it involved blood...]

Really, highness, what do you take me for?

[He teases affectionately as he finishes piling up wood and goes to sit beside them. Henry had asked them to get along, and he was trying.]

Actually... she gave me her Rose Cards.

Should I really answer that?

[He's teasing right back, relief a bit clear in his voice. It ended well, then, or at least civilly. Which is about all that he can ask for, though he'd like more.

He glances up when Jack comes over, lifting up the blanketcapemix for him to slide under he if so chose to.]

The Red Rose Cards? What for?

[It's a bit of surprise, though not badly so. It must have been quite a gesture for her to do that...]

[Mindful of Henry's comfort, he pauses to take off his armor before he does join him under the peculiar pile of warmth. It's a little comical, really. He shakes his head slightly, smiling a little.]

She wanted to make amends.

[He's not going to sour Henry's mood by pointing out why she'd want that. Nope, instead Henry's just getting a second long-haired beauty curled up at his side. This is starting to become a habit.

He hopes it isn't a vice.]

She was worried over how to 'make friends'. I guess she really does have her girlish side.

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