Walk Out Before You Make it Worse on Yourself [June 23, Closed]

[dead_black_eyes]

Characters: L Lawliet and Bakura Ryou
Location: Bakura's apartment
Rating: PG?
Time: June 23th
Description: L owns up to his selfishness and goes about finding a solution for Bakura's resulting loneliness. He should stick to what he's good at.



It had been three days since Light had brought home a dog without the permission of his partner, and after L's initial tantrum, he had cooled down marginally. Light's reasoning was sound and surprisingly free of malice, but while it diverted L's fury, it didn't make him OK with sharing his luxury condo with an animal that fundamentally disagreed with his delicate senses. Compounding the problem was the fact that Achilles actually seemed fond of L, moreso than he was of Light, even, constantly seeking out the blinded detective in his shuffling daily routine and only leaving him in peace when he was behind a closed door or outside of the apartment.

Naturally, this led to more time in his study and more excursions into the hall and beyond. These excursions often led him to Bakura's door, which he could locate easily even without the help of his glasses, but he'd be lying if he claimed that he hadn't noticed a change in the teen lately... both in attitude and in the company he kept. He was more subdued, and certainly more isolated.

L knew it was likely he was sucking a fair amount out of Bakura's social life as well as any joy he might have been taking in life in general. The unfortunate young man had chosen an unrewarding and barren place to sew the seeds of friendship; simply put, L had no happy ending, and anyone who tried to subdue his self-destructive tendencies or significant sociopathy was bound for bitter disappointment. His happiness was, by all appearances, absolutely tangled up in his pain and ruin, which made him a difficult and potentially heartbreaking person to be friends with.

He knocked on the door wearing a black blazer with a torn shoulder that had gone completely unnoticed by its owner, a white button-up shirt sans tie, and faded jeans that looked much like one of his baggy original pairs. As usual, when he upgraded his wardrobe to something less cheap and simple, the clothes were wrinkled and ill-kept, making him look shabby regardless.

Comments

[shiromadoushi]

Bakura blinked, closing the door behind his friend and trailing after him. "...Fake up...?" he repeated, utterly puzzled.

[dead_black_eyes]

"You know... I think we should pretend not to be friends anymore. It would probably be best for everyone," he said bluntly.

[shiromadoushi]

The teen stilled, look of utter shock on his face as for one irrational moment, Ryuzaki's words processed as a rejection. Being ditched and left behind yet again by the other person he had hoped to share the apartment with. The stupidly large, empty feeling apartment that was occupied by cats and the ghosts of those who should be there.

"Wh-- what would-- why would you say something like that?!"

[dead_black_eyes]

"Because I've been selfish. I was thinking about it this morning... your friendship with me has cost you other friendships, so logically if it appeared as though you had ended our friendship, you might have a chance at regaining some of those relationships. You should be thanking me for so carefully considering your happiness."

[shiromadoushi]

There was a moment where Bakura could only stare. "You-- you--- you think that I would even pretend to do something like that?!" he exclaimed, entire body tensing. "To just-- just toss you aside like nothing after everything that's gone on?! What sort of person would even--"

His voice cracked slightly and he cut himself off before it could get worse.

[dead_black_eyes]

"I could pretend to dump you, then, if you're concerned about your image. It might earn you some extra sympathy points, even if I think that you'd do better by making people think you have a spine. Generally, a congratulatory attitude is in order when someone willfully leaves a bad situation..."

[shiromadoushi]

"I don't want you to do anything like that either, you idiot!" Bakura near shouted, causing Pelor to start awake and dart out of the room.

[dead_black_eyes]

"Hey... don't call me an idiot."

[shiromadoushi]

"Then stop acting like one!" Bakura returned, upset showing in his voice. "Do you think so little of yourself and everyone else that somehow removing yourself from the picture would solve anything?! That if you just vanish up into your room somehow that'll fix everything I'm messed up and set everything right again?! There's no way that could happen!"

[dead_black_eyes]

"Yes, actually I do. Otherwise, I wouldn't have proposed it. Maybe you need a break from making all my troubles your own, and since you would never dare to say it so plainly, I have. Because I care, though you're hardly reacting appropriately."

[shiromadoushi]

Slowly, Bakura deflated. "You're asking me to deny you... I can't do something like that, even if it would solve anything...!"

[dead_black_eyes]

"That is a logically invalid argument. By saying no to my proposal, you would also be denying me."

[shiromadoushi]

"Damnit, Ryuzaki! I'm not going to act like being friends with you is something I need to hide!"

[dead_black_eyes]

"Don't swear at me, either. Look at how much you've deteriorated without your friends."

[shiromadoushi]

The white haired teen nearly flinched, looking away.

[dead_black_eyes]

"I don't think it bothers you that I am suggesting this. I think it bothers you that there's a high likelihood I'm right. But I want you to know that it doesn't matter to me. If your happiness would improve as a result of your apparent lack of involvement with me, it's a change I'd welcome."

[shiromadoushi]

Bakura moved over the the couch to sit heavily, face in his hands. "You're my best friend, Ryuzaki... I don't want to have to act like you're not so other people will stay near..." His voice was miserable and slightly muffled.

[dead_black_eyes]

"You should sound happier that I'm willing to do this. More validated. It means I'm a real friend."

[shiromadoushi]

Bakura reached out to cover L's hand with his own. "You shouldn't have to...."

[dead_black_eyes]

"Isn't that what makes it mean something?"

[shiromadoushi]

"Maybe..." Bakura allowed before falling quiet a moment.

"Do you really think it would help...?"

[dead_black_eyes]

"Yes. If you're lonely because people dislike me, it would serve you better to disassociate from me. I wouldn't offer if I wasn't prepared for this to be effective immediately."

[shiromadoushi]

Bakura's fingers tightened around L's. "I don't want to..."

[dead_black_eyes]

"Believe me, this is probably the most painless way I could think of to propose the idea. Don't you want to be everyone's friend? Or have you changed your mind about that?"

[shiromadoushi]

Bakura was quiet a long moment. "...not if it comes at the expense of someone I care about..."