Making food and friends!

[onethirdthesoul]

[Over in the home economics room Ryou was cooking up a small feast. After the bitterness of the snow-in had left them, he was feeling more energetic than usual, and what better way to put that energy to use than making a meal for as many of the denizens as he could?

It was all Japanese dishes of course, lots of rice and vegetables adorned with traditional Japanese seasonings, slices of fish, chicken, and beef. There was nothing particularly fancy about any of it, but it all tasted good!

He makes sure the doors are open to let the aroma waft out into the halls, and just to be extra safe he tapes some arrows on the walls to lead the way.

...And yet, despite his outgoing attempts to be social, Ryou's still feeling increasingly shy for every person that enters.]

Comments

[fluffydeathdealer]

Heh. I guess that's true enough. Hair like this is pretty rare! ...And I'm not lending you any of ours.

[Even if it is getting pretty long. They're going to have to cut it at least a little soon.]

[onethirdthesoul]

That's...quite alright. Thank you. [He laughs nervously, rubbing the back of his head.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Hehehehehahahahahahahah! It was a joke, Shoutei-kun!

You should learn to relax more. You're tense as hell.

[onethirdthesoul]

Ah, sorry.

[He lowers his hand, letting it fiddle at his side.] We don't usually talk, so...I'm never sure when you're joking.

[fluffydeathdealer]

The obvious answer is to talk to me more, asshole.

[Bakura's voice is as deadpan as it can be.]

But it's probably best to assume I'm joking unless I'm glaring at you. I joke a lot.

[onethirdthesoul]

...Good to know!

[He pipes up belatedly, having been in a slight shock from being called an "asshole" for not apparent reason.]

I'll try.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[...noticing that shock, he remembers vaguely that Ryou is more used to hanging out with the dumb polite kids rather than... his type. Not that he's going to change his manner of speech for the kid.]

You really can't stand me, can you?

[onethirdthesoul]

Ah--?! Oh no, that's not what I meant!

[Although... He wouldn't say he liked him either.

Calmly, and even with a hint of guilt, he goes on.] I meant I'll try to talk to you more, Bakemono-kun.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[He picks up on that guilt easily and has to hide a smile. It looks like Ryou'll be more easy to manipulate than he thought.]

I appreciate it! I've been trying to be a better person while I'm here, you know.

[...it's more a coincidence than anything else that he hasn't bothered to hurt most of the people here. Messing with Yugi is pointless; he needs the damn kid alive, and if the Pharaoh hasn't woken up... then he's useless right now anyway.]

Ask my host if you don't believe me! I've even left Yugi entirely alone.

[onethirdthesoul]

It's okay, I believe you. [He'll ask Aniki later.]

I know you've become good friends with Malik-kun...that's not something you would have done if you weren't really trying.

[...Except the whole part about him using Aniki's body to do inappropriate things.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

...

[Don't mind him, Ryou, just going to feel up your chest to see if you're still wearing the Ring.]

[onethirdthesoul]

[He's definitely still wearing the Ring. He's also definitely jumping away from that touch.]

Hey--!

[fluffydeathdealer]

Don't worry. I just wondered if 'he' was listening in.

[Caution when it applies to Malik. He can't let any fondness slip into his voice... not if the other him is there. If he isn't a better actor when he leaves this place, it won't be for lack of practice.]

Malik was Ryou's friend first. He just sort of grew on me. It happens when you're sharing living space.

...Don't think too much of it.

[onethirdthesoul]

I think 'he's' asleep right now. [Ryou quietly mumbles the words, looking down at where the Ring was hidden before focusing his gaze back on Bakura.]

...But I thought you two were closer than that?

--! [He quickly corrects himself.] I don't mean to pry, of course.

[fluffydeathdealer]

O-oi! Shut up-! Bastard, don't put me on the spot like this! You- when the hell did you come to that conclusion-?!

[The spirit better be sleeping, because being put on the spot like that about his feelings for Malik is enough to throw him off entirely. His face feels like it's flaming...

Was it really that obvious?!]

I- it's not like I'm in love or anything as pathetic as that! I'd never be so dependent on someone else for my own happiness! And if I was, so what?! It doesn't mean I've gotten soft or anything!

[onethirdthesoul]

[Ryou hadn't expected such a strong reaction, and he tries to get an apology in before Bakura can go on, but he's too slow.]

I didn't-- [ --know it was a secret.

Aniki had told him about their relationship, so it wasn't a conclusion he ever had to come to; he was simply told. Plus there was that time in Aniki's apartment where Malik-kun was clinging all over him. It wasn't that hard to figure out!

Still, Bakura's reaction surprises him. The way he was turning red and flustering was as good as confession even if he denied it. Ryou almost backpedals to apologize, but...

His curiosity gets the better of him.]

Eh? I never said anything about you loving him! [Suddenly, a smile threatens to erupt, but he tries his best to keep a straight face.] ...Do you?

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Oh fuck everything, he's made it obvious and he knows it, but he can't grab enough control of himself to reel back into control of the situation. He just hopes the spirit can't - or won't bother - to read his host's memories because he's acting like a flustered schoolgirl.]

Of course I do! And so what?! It's not that big a deal! Even if it's never happened before, it's not that big of a deal!

Don't tell anyone!

[onethirdthesoul]

...Wow. [Ryou blinks a few times in awe.] I didn't expect you to be serious.

[fluffydeathdealer]

...tch. [He looks away, a little flushed with embarrassment still.] Neither did I, at first. It just sort of happened. I don't think even my host knows. Malik's the only person who knew it was that serious between us.

[onethirdthesoul]

[Ryou prods at his cheek and smiles sheepishly as he averts his eyes.]

I see...I'm sure it's nice! Having somebody like that... I'm sorry for making you tell me. I was just trying to tease you.

[Maybe he shouldn't try to tease people about stuff like that, but it was the spirit! It just seemed so absurd.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

If it was that easy to piss me off, there'd be a whole lot less peace in this damn place.

[Well, tit for tat...]

What about you? Any of the girls here fallen for you yet?

[onethirdthesoul]

[...It's a good thing the spirit isn't easy to piss off then, although he won't be pushing his luck in the future.

Ryou groans a bit at the question.]

Luckily none yet.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Hoh? Not a single one? That's a surprise! I'd have thought they'd be all over you! Especially that Sibyll chick.

[onethirdthesoul]

...Sibyll? [He blinks a little dubiously, the name not ringing and bells.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Hoh, you haven't met her yet? She's a really annoying woman... she keeps trying to push her tits in my face. And she's all over my host.