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]

"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?"

[shiromadoushi]

There was a very long pause. "If you think it'll help... and we'll still be friends..."

[dead_black_eyes]

"We'll still be friends. You just need to tell people we aren't, and you obviously can't bake for me anymore or visit regularly. I don't care what reason you give, or even if you give any at all. It has to look genuine."

[shiromadoushi]

Bakura's fingers tightened around L's once more.

[dead_black_eyes]

"I'm doing you a favor. Please start acting like it."

[shiromadoushi]

"It's a favor where I can't act like you're my friend..." Bakura pointed out. "Where I have to stop doing things I've always done. It's terrifying..."

[dead_black_eyes]

"If I can do it, there's no reason you can't, Ryou."

[shiromadoushi]

"But if it doesn't work..."

If it didn't work, he'd be even more alone than before.

[dead_black_eyes]

"You'll be more or less back where you started, right? From where I'm standing, you don't have all that much to lose."

[shiromadoushi]

Bakura was quiet a moment. "I guess..." he admitted, voice soft. "Does that mean you'll be moving out, then...?"

[dead_black_eyes]

"I set up a third party account. You'll still get payments for the apartment, and it will look like the money is coming in from that game you developed. No one should ask any questions about the source of your rent."

[shiromadoushi]

"That's not the part I was asking about... Is it still going to be your room...?"

[dead_black_eyes]

"It would probably be better if it wasn't. Your old and new friends might need it, and it would be a nice thing to offer them for overnights or parties. If you're going to agree to this, I'm afraid you have to agree to doing it properly."

[shiromadoushi]

A small, unhappy nod. "I guess that means Ccoa as well...?"

[dead_black_eyes]

"Yes. I should take the cat back to the apartment. I have to one-up Light for the monster he brought home, after all."

[shiromadoushi]

"...that poor dog..."

Honestly, Bakura couldn't even picture a dog that would match up to the crotchety old hellcat. It had taken quite a lot of patience for Bakura to get it to warm up even the small amount it had...

[dead_black_eyes]

"It isn't 'poor', it's terrible. It is a terrible boxer."

[shiromadoushi]

"Anything that has to deal with Ccoa without any understanding of how to deal with him deserves pity," Bakura countered.

[dead_black_eyes]

"All the same, I need to take the cat back. Otherwise, if you want, you can say that I abandoned it and you rescued it, and I'll just get a new pet."

[shiromadoushi]

"If you want to take him with you, you can... if you don't, I'll keep taking care of him. He's gotten used to me, it might be better for him if he stays...."

[dead_black_eyes]

"That is completely up to you," L sighed. "I was thinking of getting a large spider. Light dislikes them. I have a name in mind, too... Hector, in response to the dog named Achilles."

[shiromadoushi]

"You might do better, taking care of a spider..." Bakura pointed out.

[dead_black_eyes]

"Chilean Rose tarantulas are frightening, but gentle. I have one of those in mind."

[shiromadoushi]

The teen perked up. "Heeeeeh, I haven't heard of that type of one before! You'll have to show it to me when you get it!"