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]

"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!"

[dead_black_eyes]

"I could send a picture," L decided after some thought, "but I need you to give me an indication that you actually understand what you agreed to. You wouldn't be able to casually come over and see a new pet."

[shiromadoushi]

Bakura's shoulders slumped, fingers curling in the fabric of his jeans. Already, he was hating this idea. "It has to look like I cut you out of my life completely...?"

[dead_black_eyes]

"What did you think 'doing it properly' meant?" L asked, though he didn't really seem surprised. "We'd still be friends. We just couldn't really communicate or be seen together. Furthermore, if something did happen to me, you couldn't react like a friend would. Aside from doing one thing I'm authorizing you to do right now."

He reached into his pocket, setting a little silver key in front of him on the coffee table.

[shiromadoushi]

Bakura stared at it, heart rising in his throat. "...What's that to...?" he asked, voice hitching just a little.

He never liked it when L talked about anything happening to him. Something like this.... it had the air of preparing for the inevitable.

[dead_black_eyes]

"It's my safety deposit box in Death City's bank. I will never ask you to open it, but if the time feels right, I want you to."

[shiromadoushi]

"If no one can find you or you've been sent back home, you mean...?" Bakura asked, voice soft as he tried to hide his upset.

[dead_black_eyes]

L seemed to consider those possibilities.

"Yes, exactly. You can do that much for me, I'm sure."

[shiromadoushi]

Bakura nodded, reaching out to slowly pick up the key, fingers tightening around it. "Don't let yourself get in a situation where I have to, okay....?"

[dead_black_eyes]

"Of course not. It's just a precaution," L said briskly. "Now... there are new arrivals, or there will be soon, yes? I suggest you volunteer, start looking for a new partner, and start going out at night to meet people in social settings."

[shiromadoushi]

Bakura was unhappily quiet, till holding tight to the key. "I haven't had any luck with the before..."

[dead_black_eyes]

"Friends aren't made instantly. Get your name out there, introduce yourself on the network, advertise your game and Takuto's drama club. There are so many ways to go about this."

[shiromadoushi]

"I know all that..." Bakura returned softly.

[dead_black_eyes]

"So apply that knowledge, if you know what's good for you. And you must, since you agreed to this."

Which, honestly, L had not expected to happen so easily.

[shiromadoushi]

Bakura nodded, fidgeting with the edge of his shirt unhappily. "...You really think this will work...?"

[dead_black_eyes]

"If you commit to it fully, there's no reason it doesn't have a good chance of working. At least 55%. But be prepared for some people to doubt your conviction, and for me to say some potentially hurtful things about the situation if I'm approached. Sometimes it won't feel like pretending."