the_campus | (no subject)

...eheh. It's not mine, but 'he' doesn't seem to mind if I borrow his clothes.

[Reluctantly, he reaches up to slip it off. His usual short-sleeved shirts don't really hide the bandage around his arm, and he sits down slowly on the couch. It's a shaky movement at best.]

Uhm. I know some kind of creatures apparently attacked the place, but I don't know any details. Apparently Vaughn-san and I were both attacked by some kind of shadow creatures. And Vaughn-san fought a dragon as well.

I just woke up after everything was over with. 'He' said you would probably be feeling pretty bad, but he didn't go into details. He was acting really weird anyway. Weirder than usual.

Well that's only fair, since he's borrowing you all the time. [Just ignore that flash of anger, Ryou, Kai's trying to. Eating the cookie helps. These are better than his, he's almost jealous.

Seeing the bandage and the way he moves leads to another cookie being munched on, because distractions are good. But he can't just stand there inhaling cookies all day, so after the second he goes to join Ryou on the couch.]

That- those were Heartless. It was my fault. I called them.

['Because I was sick of Bakura's crap and murder seemed like the best idea I've ever had' almost follows, but nope, not saying that. He cringes a little at the mention of the dragon, suddenly finding the wall across the room to be the most interesting thing he's ever seen.]

Huh. Was he.

[Stupid, stupid, stupid.]

Un, he was. Like he was more giggly and less lucid than usual. Colder too.

[Ryou rests his hands on his legs, sitting back. Kai really did seem angry at the spirit... was this his fault? He was the one that had gotten possessed, after all. And if he hadn't become Kai's friend, would Kai have gotten this angry? No, that was just crazy talk. He couldn't let himself think something like that.]

Heart...less... [Scary... Kai had called something like that? But for Kai to seclude himself afterwards... He must be feeling pretty guilty. He's not getting away without some scolding, but Ryou isn't going to dig the knife in any deeper. He knows from experience that guilt digs the knife in all by itself. He puts on a stern face, though his tone is as friendly as ever.]

Kai-kun, that was pretty reckless! Maybe I should take the cookies away!

[Note to self: Keep his little creepers away from the big one.] Giggly...? That's just wrong. Not that the whole thing wasn't...

[It's a good thing Kai's not a mind reader, because if he knew what was going through Ryou's head he'd have whapped him for it. He's still staring at the wall as Ryou speaks again, and he glances over when the tone doesn't match the words. What?]

...Scary face.

[He's expecting him to protest the cookie threat, right? Instead Kai just blinks at the other boy. How can he be trying to make light of this?]

I was going to kill him, you know. That was the whole point. Killing his stupid Creeper ass by taking his Heart, and then you would've been dead, and I didn't even think about that...and here you are threatening to take my cookies away. Shouldn't I be getting disowned or something? Family doesn't try and kill each other...usually, anyway.

I know. To do something like that... You... would have to be really out of control. So angry and hurt that you didn't think of anything or anyone else. Because Kai-kun isn't like that normally.

[Ryou's voice is serious and quiet. Lifting a hand, he covers the bandage on his arm. It's almost in the same place as back when the spirit stabbed him, back in Battle City. Hah... the irony.]

What you did was foolish. And it's not something that you should stop feeling bad for. At the very least, you should make sure it never happens again.

Even if I really want to live... I'm willing to die if it means my friends are safe from him. But dying here doesn't mean dying. Killing him wouldn't do anything. And other people got hurt too. It's just a pointless cycle.

[His fingers tense a little.]

But you're not a bad person. Even if you did something bad like that. And I'm sure that you're already hurting yourself more than anyone else can punish you. So what good will it do to get mad at you? It'll just make you hurt worse. And I don't want to make you hurt or make you go away.

I've already lost enough family without you disappearing on me too.

...I really do take after my mom.

[That comes out a bitter grumble, then he's quiet as he listens, trying not to sink into the couch as he watches Ryou touch the bandage. He definitely thinks he's going to regret this for the rest of his life; no worries there. As far as making sure it never happens again...

This conversation is certainly going to help with that.]

Ryou...

[That last part just rips right into him, and Kai shifts uncomfortably, turning away. He actually hasn't cried once since he realized what he did, but hearing that? He might just start now, if the sniffle is any indication. He shoves it down quickly, instead swinging back around to throw his arms around the other boy in a hug.]

-!

[Surprise flashes across his face at the unexpected hug, and he brings his arms up to wrap them around Kai's back. Kai sounded like he was going to burst into tears or something. Ryou has enough tact not to comment on that.

That doesn't mean he isn't going to mother a little.]

Now, now...

[He pats Kai on the back soothingly.]

I'm sure your mom's really nice too! She raised you, after all!

[He's not going to cry, damn it. He's not a little kid anymore. Usually. The mothering's kind of nice, though he almost snorts with laughter at that comment.]

She's weird. And she never wanted kids. But she did want me.

[That makes more sense than it sounds like. Kai lets himself be hugged just a bit longer before pulling away, his expression somewhere between grumpy and embarrassed.]

She was only around until just before I turned nine, then she disappeared. She did her best while she was there, though. She had a lot to make up for...she wouldn't have wanted this for me. She did some awful things with her Darkness too.

[Some of which Kai knows about because he asked his dad, but most of that knowledge came from listening at keyholes. At least he outgrew that habit.]

I see... [Disappeared, huh... That's sad. Ryou knows quite well how much that can mess someone up. But she sounds like she did her best as a parent until then. He can't fault her for that.]

She still sounds like a good person. It sounds like she wanted better things for you. Even if this Darkness power you two have is really kind of scary, and even if she's weird.

[He really wonders what sort of awful things Mrs Jaeger did though to make even Kai say that. And what was she like? And why did she disappear? But talking about it might make Kai feel worse.]

I still don't know why. I've been looking for her since my world fell. Couldn't before then, I didn't know I could use the Corridors. That was-

['Creepy as hell' works. Kai shrugs.] Disturbing. But they got me away, so.

[He smiles suddenly, but it's a little tired. Good was subjective, wasn't it.] 'Good' people don't watch their parents get taken by Heartless and do nothing about it. Not that she could have, back then. They deserved it anyway.

[Considering that Kai's stance has always been that no one deserves that, hearing him say it is probably on the high side of creepy.] But she made sure I had a dad to look up to, guess that falls under good.

[He wants another cookie suddenly. Does Ryou want one? He'll just assume the answer to the unasked question is 'yes' and fetch a couple.]

[Those words send a shiver down his spine, and he's grateful for the distraction of the cookie.]

Sorry. I didn't mean to dredge up bad memories.

[The fact that he's nibbling at it instead of just chomping it down shows that he does feel kind of bad.]

It's okay, it's not really upsetting. I mean, it makes me mad knowing what kind of people they were, that it could drive her to- but it was long before I was born. And from what I understand, it was actually one of her best memories.

[While Ryou's only nibbling, Kai's simply turning his cookie around in his fingers, studying it. He can tell Ryou feels kind of bad about this, but...shouldn't he try and talk about some of it? It's been hiding from it that partially lead to the earlier clusterfuck of doom.]

But-

[Naw. He doesn't need to dump any of this on him, Ryou deals with enough. Shaking his head with a faint smile, he stops wearing grooves in his cookie and just eats it.]

These are really good, you know.

Ah- Thank you. [Ryou brightens a little, smiling.] I meant what I said about making you more, earlier. Even if I don't need to, I'd like to. I really like cooking.

[He fidgets a little. There's something of an amused note in his voice.]

Considering how much I eat, it's probably a good thing. If I didn't care for cooking, I'd be eating fast food every day and then I probably couldn't afford rent.

[Like he'd ever be that irresponsible. But still.]

[Kai snickers a little, settling back on the couch.] 'Jem would like you a lot, you know. Maybe not the cookie part, but trying to look after me. She always tells me I eat too much junk. I mean, if we're somewhere that has poptarts or something, hey, breakfast! I'm fine, I don't need anything else...but geeze, the looks that kid gives me until I give up and just make some eggs. Never mind that they always come out either burned or underdone...wish I had your skill. Baking is about all I'm good at in the kitchen.

[He reaches out and tousles Ryou's hair, smirking.] Where does it all go, anyway? Shouldn't you be fat?

[Kai must be feeling at least a little better if he's teasing again.]

At least they're not making us pay rent here. ...Unless we're paying in frustration and angst, anyway.

Ahaha... I just have a really good metabolism, that's all. But you know, just eating poptarts for breakfast isn't all that good! You should eat a lot more healthier than that. I have all sorts for breakfast; fish, rice, soup, eggs...

[He wags his finger at Kai, laughing a little at the tousling and jerking his head away. It's not that he minds, so much as it is a token reflex.

But that comment about rent... brings back memories that give him pause.

Well then...
Since I'm feeling this good tonight, I'll go pay my rent again...

It makes him wonder. What do their kidnappers get out of having them here? What price are they paying for this? Is it even something they'll notice? He rests his hands neatly on his legs again.]

Maybe you should learn to cook properly! Then you can surprise 'Jem-san when you meet her again. I'll teach you, if you like.

[Lucky him. Kai's isn't bad, but being active helps a lot.]

Hey, I used to eat better! My aunt made me pancakes all the time! [And other things, obviously, but the pancakes always stuck out in his mind. Maybe because she'd gone to the trouble of shaping them into cute things for him when he was little.] Soup, huh? You know, I think my eating habits are another thing I inherited, mom was always big on canned soup and tv dinners.

[Mostly because his uncle would drop by and eat half the freezer.]

I could do without fish though, I've had enough of that in the last few years to hold me for a while.

[Ryou pulling out of his reach doesn't bother him; Kai just gives him a slightly maniacal grin before letting his hand drop. Another time, kid brother.]

...I think she'll be surprised enough if I turn up a few years older than when I left, but why not? I'll warn you though, something might catch on fire. Not intentionally! [Kai laughs, holding up his hands.] It's just that I've managed to burn hamburgers into charcoal before!

[Ryou sighs.]

Honestly... you're hopeless, Kai-kun! I'm going to have to teach you how to look after yourself!

[No fish, then... Well, he'll teach him other things.]

I'm sure you'll be fine with it, though. It's pretty hard to blow up the kitchen if you follow the instructions properly!

Hey, I'm offended by that! I get by in all the ways that really matter! [Wait, when did making sure he was eating well stop mattering... Still, he grins to show he's kidding, swiping at a strand of hair in his eyes.]

But where's the fun in that? [He's not trying to torment him, honest! Kai lets out a soft laugh and goes to just bring the whole plate of cookies back this time, before disappearing again to retrieve some sodas. There, all the sugar they could want. At the moment, anyway. He realizes something's digging into his hip and yanks the sketchbook off the couch, dropping it onto the coffee table. Whoops.]

I've been working on Hollow Bastion again. I've nearly got it this time. You just have to be in the right frame of mind for it, I think. [Which means his mom had been in the same state when she'd drawn it. That's comforting.]

'Hollow... Bastion.'

[It's such a strange name. He takes his soda with a polite nod and a soft murmur of thanks, opening it and taking a sip.]

Can I see it when it's done? All of this worlds stuff is really amazing.

[In a way, he owes this place a lot. Because of it, he met people like Kai and Karasu and Henry and Malik. And he's heard about a lot of amazing things through the first three. He sits forward to grab another cookie, giving Kai a curious look. He can't resist the joke...]

How on earth did you survive this long, Kai-kun? If you're that bad of a cook, I'm amazed you didn't destroy your house every time you needed a snack.

Yeah. It's this enormous castle...I've never gotten to see it myself, things kind of kept getting in the way. Eventually, though. I think it'll be different from the drawing, stuff's changed. [He plays with the tab on the can, nodding.] Of course! Half the fun of drawing is showing it off later. Well, if it doesn't look like a rabid squirrel drew it, anyway.

[He's gotten so much better, he's kind of amazed. Then again, aside from studying, goofing off, and annoying the hell out of people better left alone, what else has there been to do?

Hey.

Hey.]

I told you I can bake! And I know how to throw together a sandwich. [There's a pouting note to it, and Kai's trying really hard to match that with the expression on his face. He's hurt, Ryou!]

Besides, the microwave was practically self-destructing anyway before the egg incident.

Ah. Sorry.

[Ryou bows his head in faux-politeness. If Kai's going to act hurt, then he can act sorry. It's only fair. He bites into his cookie with more fervor this time.]

You... blew up the microwave?

[Definitely only fair. Kai pouts a little more, then cracks his soda open and takes a sip. That poor microwave.]

Blew up the eggs in it, but the microwave kind of broke right after. It was cheap and got tons of use, there's no way to prove it was me! [It was a total coincidence, he swears.]

I think it was actually my uncle's fault, he was the one that melted those dumb marshmallow chicks first, I had to show him up.

[Kai's playacting is beginning to slip, and he can't help the snicker that escapes at the memory. The mess that had made.] I should've cleaned up his mess before making mine, but it didn't exactly matter in the end.

...I feel really sorry for that microwave. It sounds like it got abused a lot.

Also... why would you make eggs in a microwave? Didn't you have any pans?

[He stares at Kai curiously as he sips his own soda slowly. The idea of microwaving everything was really weird. He still doesn't use the microwave if he can help it.]

Well, it was the cheapest thing mom could find, you know. It was just her and me, and afterwards...I wanted to bring it when I went to live with dad. Kind of stupid, having memories tied to a machine like that. Hell, most of the time when I was sick and she made me soup, she actually used a pot for it. Said it was better for me that way.

[He sighs, tapping the can lightly, before raising an eyebrow at Ryou. He'd never heard of just nuking eggs for fun? Okay, maybe not.]

We did, and they got used all the time! I don't think we ever actually used the microwave for eggs unless it was just reheating scrambled ones. But it's a rite of passage, blowing up raw eggs! ...Hey, I'll add that to our list of fun things to do.

[So let's see, he needs to find them cloaks, and he's got the wooden swords already...snow forts and pillow forts and what else?]

Ding dong ditch would just be a bad idea in this place, plus we don't have any doorbells... [Kai's not trying to turn him into a delinquent, never mind what it looks like.]

Uhm... I don't think doing something like that would be very much fun anyway. It'd just bother people.

[Ryou rubs the back of his head ruefully. He's really not one for doing things to annoy people. Well, beyond mild teasing.

He's never heard of nuking eggs for any reason, really.]

Why is blowing up raw eggs fun?

[Oh, that's right...]

...Ah, that's right! Kurokawa-nee-san wants to play with us too sometime.