Duel 002: Peaceful Days! The Fluffiest Training Montage Commences

[fluffydeathdealer]

[It's a bit of a pain, being in a school with no teachers.

Ryou Bakura isn't the type of kid who really likes being too active; he's about on the level of most ordinary teenagers. But after being laid up for so long with the burns to his arms and leg, not only is he extremely restless, but he's sure even his metabolism won't hold up much longer, with the amount he eats. That's why, after checking to see that Henry isn't home to take him up on that training offer, he's decided to try treating this like school and taking an hour or so to do his very own gym class, all by himself. It'd be easier with teachers, but... he doesn't have a choice right now.

Most kids probably would just take the break and be lazy, but right now, Ryou's working hard. Apart from the occasional break, he can be found pretty easily in the east wing, dressed in gym clothes and doing everything from running laps on the track field to climbing ropes.

...though that last one is more like 'falling off ropes'. Stupid mats... they don't cushion that fall at all. Hopefully nobody's dumb enough to stand below him.]

Ow...

[Time for a banana and some water, he thinks.]

Ah, I'm so tired...

Comments

[helpusduelist]

Mmm, I suppose so.

[He doesn't really have much of an opinion on the rarity, but he does reach over to comfortingly pat Ryou's hand with a smile.]

Perhaps I should see if I can remember any little tales or stories from my childhood.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Ryou seems soothed, at least.]

Eh, really? That'd be kind of interesting.

[helpusduelist]

[Good. His smile widens some and he sits back, still watching the organization.]

I'll see what I can find, or see if Jack knows any. There might be some books with them too.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Yeah! That sounds really fascinating, Father. I want to know all I can about your time.

[He has the cards he definitely isn't using set up in neat piles to avoid mixing with the rest.]

[helpusduelist]

[He'll clear those definitely nots out of the way still, particularly for that avoiding thing.]

I'm happy to share it. It's a bit... comforting to be able to talk about home like this.

[fluffydeathdealer]

If I go back, I'd like to know a lot more about it than I do. Even if I don't, it's interesting, you know? I like learning about it.

Do you remember the night I fell asleep on the couch with you and woke up with Jack?

[helpusduelist]

Understandable. But I'm glad you find it interesting regardless.

[Hm?]

I remember some of it... why?

[fluffydeathdealer]

I dreamt about it, that night. I... get nightmares a lot. But I didn't get them at all that night.

[One more card selected.]

I don't know if it was your presence, or the things you filled my head with... but either way, there was no room for them.

[helpusduelist]

[Oh, Ryou... Henry gently reaches over, placing his hand on the boy's shoulder comfortingly.]

I'm glad. Perhaps, if I can fill your mind with more of those stories, there won't ever be room.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[He draws in a slow breath, closing his eyes and relaxing a little.]

I hope so. I don't ever want those images in my head again.

[helpusduelist]

I'll find everything I can for it. At worst, I can ask Dharc or Lyna to try to stay by your side as you sleep. I don't know if it would help... but seeing as I can't be the one to do so, it would be something, I think.

[fluffydeathdealer]

I don't think Malik-kun would be too happy with that, since he gets nightmares too. [Awkwarrrd.] I usually comfort him in his sleep, so...

[He fidgets a little.]

One of my friends offered to let me sleep over sometimes, but I feel guilty. It's such a simple thing to be bothered by after all these weeks.

[helpusduelist]

[Nightmares... Hm. Henry won't comment on that, but he shakes his head some.]

Your own health is important too. A night every so often in your friend's dorm won't hurt Malik and will certainly help you, I'm sure.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Truthfully... I think he caused them. So I don't even know why I feel so guilty about leaving him to it sometimes.

[helpusduelist]

Because you're you. You're kind to those who certainly don't deserve it and you worry about them the same. That's simply how you are. But if for no one else but me... worry about yourself sometimes, all right?

[fluffydeathdealer]

Un. I'll do my best. [He leans on Henry with a soft smile.] I think once I'm done making those figures for him, I won't have to worry about the nightmares too much. So that's something!

[helpusduelist]

That's always a good thing.

[He smiles at the lean, moving over to peck Ryou on the forehead.]

And if nothing else... I can always spend a night with you in a spare dorm.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Un! I'd like that. I feel comfortable with you around, somehow.

[helpusduelist]

Because I'm your father. It's as simple as that, isn't it?

[fluffydeathdealer]

Of course! How could I have ever questioned it?

[helpusduelist]

[Henry laughs again, ruffling Ryou's hair affectionately.]

Because you're not used to it, I bet.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Hee.]

Un. I never really got close to people before. Even my dearest friends have other people they like more, so I always felt like an intruder.

[helpusduelist]

I doubt they want you to feel like that, Ryou. Though I equally doubt you've talked to them about it, with how you are. [He smiles again, gently.] But you don't ever have to worry about that around us. You're my family and Jack's as well, so you're never an intruder.

[fluffydeathdealer]

I don't think they do either. It's just a flaw in how my mind works. I've been working through it bit by bit.

[He returns that smile, feeling a flutter of happiness inside of him. Family...]

I'm grateful.

[helpusduelist]

I'm glad. If there's anything I can do to help with that, let me know.

[Henry peers a bit through what's left, placing out some new ones. Looks like they're starting to get through it.]