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

[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..."

[dead_black_eyes]

"I'd be OK. I'd still have Light, and I'd still have you... just not publicly."

[shiromadoushi]

"And if he thinks he's the only person you have left? What then...?"

[dead_black_eyes]

"Do you take me for a fortuneteller? He probably wouldn't kill me, if that's what you're asking. It would be OK."

[shiromadoushi]

"I worry about more than just that..."

[dead_black_eyes]

"Don't you trust me, when I say it would be OK?"

[shiromadoushi]

"...Not really."

[dead_black_eyes]

Well, at least he was honest.

"Fine. Fair enough. Would you trust me if I said that if things weren't OK, it would not be your fault?"

[shiromadoushi]

The teen was quiet a moment. "It's not about fault... What goes on between you two... I know it's nothing I can do anything about, as much as I wish I could..."

[dead_black_eyes]

"This isn't about Light and me. This is about your other relationships in Death City. Not to alarm you, or sound ominous, but... there is no way I'll be around forever. You need to make other friends... or earn back some of your estranged ones."

[shiromadoushi]

"Just promise me this isn't just an excuse for you to get more lost in him... and that if something does happen, you'll let me help."

[dead_black_eyes]

"Then you agree?"