Tying up loose ends [

[king_of_egypt]

I.

[There was no way that this wasn't going to be awkward, and honestly Atem had put this off for longer than he should have. Some of the things he'd done and said were a bit of a blur but one this was obvious- he'd lost control of his senses again and others might have been hurt by it. Sure, it was not as dramatic as the last time... But emotions were not to be toyed with. So he reached for his mirror and sought to address the populace in order to atone in some way.]

Heh... I suppose I owe you all an explanation for my behavior regarding last month. [For one day last month rather- it was a minor distinction so he didn't correct it. ] I don't fully understand it myself, since at that juncture many of us were affected in different ways. For those of you that weren't aware of it or who need a reminder... I was going around main street ...

[This is where Atem trailed off and swallowed hard, shifting uncomfortably in his chair. He folded his arms tightly against his chest and continued] Professing my love and undying affection for anyone I met. [Admitting is didn't make him feel any less idiotic] For that I apologize and I'm sorry if you found my insistence on that subject embarrassing or a nuisance. [Yes, good but it was missing something. Deciding better of putting Kaiba publicly on the spot he opted to go seek him out in person.] I do care for a good many of you.... Just not to that level. I was so sure of my feelings at the time... I wasn't really trying to deceive you. Just know that. [ Meaning the people who questioned it like Ciri, Crowley, and Mal had been right.] I'm sorry.

II.

[ With that display out of the way, he turned off the mirror and pocketed it before exiting his apartment and going to seek out Kaiba. He checked the other's room first but the brunette could be anywhere at this time if day. If need be he'd shoot Kaiba a private message to ask if they could meet up somewhere]

Kaiba. We need to talk. [If his haste Atem didn't consider how needlessly ominous that sounded. He just knew that what he had to say should be done in person.]

III.

[A good deal later, he addressed the network again]

I'm just curious, and I know this might seem trivial given our collective situation.... however I was wondering how many of you enjoy playing games? [Games were something Atem both greatly enjoyed and excelled at however he had a lack of opponents. Sure, he had played a game versus Crowley before, and there was always Kaiba but it wouldn't hurt to find some others. Besides they could use such activities to unwind when they needed to.]

I'm working on collecting a few.. [Mostly dice based so far, since it wasn't hard to locate dice and there were plenty of various ways to use them] .. but once I get something together..

Basically, I'm just trying to gauge the interest in having a gaming night, maybe more than one spaced out over time. So if you want in let me know, and I'll contact you at a later date.

Comments

[king_of_egypt]

[Perhaps he should have offered up more in his answer than he had but there would likely be time to expand on it as the game progressed. Kaiba seemed so controlled as he responded, and how Atem would delight in his efforts to break that composure. He would think of it as an added bonus to this curious little game of theirs. The brief but obvious flailing was proof that his initial efforts were successful.

Admittedly, Atem grew a little lightheaded when the kiss was reciprocated with such fervor. They could just throw the cards off the table and let this continue.................................. but that wouldn't be in keeping within the spirit of the game. It would be just as difficult to maintain his own self-control. So when the kiss broke he attempted to play it cool and shifted his focus back to his cards]

So it's going to be strip Poker now, is it? [One side of his lips curved upwards but he wasn't going to complain] I'll match that- I Just hope you don't find it too drafty in this apartment Kaiba. [A little competitive banter was certainly in order, but this time he wasn't idly bluffing. When their hands were revealed, he'd be able to show off 3 of a kind (sevens)]

[blue_ice]

Not entirely...unless you want to. Just keeping you on your toes.

[ He has...a single pair of fives. Defeated, but not for long. He slowly pulls his shirt over his head, tosses it aside, and folds his hand behind his head. ]

Hm...a different secret this time. On my last mission, I had to infiltrate a group of drunken pirates. Imitating them was...a challenge, but what's the fun in life if you can''t find your sea legs, aye?

[ Has he had a drink tonight? It's possible. He snorts and glances at Atem, face slightly flushed. ]

I'll pour ye a glass while ye think a minute about what else ye want this round.

[ And he'll go do just that. Plenty of time to look and think, pharaoh. ]

[king_of_egypt]

Don't sound so hesitant.

[Just leaving it at that to tease Kaiba a little, also perhaps trying to gauge if that prospect concerned him. Without even having to direct the proceedings the first article of clothing was cast aside. That also served to temporarily silence the would be pharaoh as he just took a moment to appreciate what he just witnessed]

Did you really? Somehow I can't envision you with an eyepatch and a pegl- [That was about the point where the brunette had started to engage in giving an audible sample. Oh. Oh Ra- it wasn't going to be able to keep a straight face with this one. He tried however not wishing to injure the other's pride.

I could use my favor to ensure that he ceases talking like that.. he mused to himself. Ah- but that would have been a waste]

I have a simple favor to ask of you- all you have to do is sit still for a solid minute. [There had to be a catch, didn't there? Of course there was. For that minute Atem was planning on giving that newly exposed skin a thorough inspection by taking the liberty of smoothing his hands over it. Kaiba had still lost this round so having to restrain himself and not engage was part of the punishment for that.]

[blue_ice]

[ Luckily for Atem, he'll get both his wishes! Kaiba kneels in front of his boyfriend, hands resting at his sides and back straight. His expression is defiant, challenging, and maybe just a little suspicious.

For good reason. His muscles start to tense almost immediately when he realizes what Atem is planning. He wills himself to stay calm, presses his mouth in a thin line...but there's a sharp exhale he can't entirely contain. His boyfriend's hands are like fire on his skin,, like they're branding his racing heart, and he wants to badly to stop the game right now and kiss him senseless.

But he's stronger than that. There's an involuntary low whine from his throat when Atem pulls away, but after a moment he makes eye contact again, confident but doing his best to keep his cool. ]

All right. You've had your fun. Should you win, you get my full cooperation for twice as long, and imagine what you could do with that.

[ Is he laying out bait? Yup. Especially with how he stretches to ease the tension from having locked his arms for that long, bending them behind his head and cocking his head to the side a little. ]

[king_of_egypt]

[Just watching Kaiba get into such a submissive position was tantalizing, his expression in sharp contrast- a firm reminder to Atem not to abuse his temporary power. At least not too much. There was a reason why the brunette preferred to cover himself nearly from head to toe in fabric on a day to day basis. As Atem placed his hands to the other's chest, he tested his limits paying close attention to Kaiba's reactions. They were subtle but favorable. There was a level of apprehension but not discomfort so Atem allowed his fingers to wander more tracing the lines of Kaiba's muscles before drawing in close enough to slip his hands around to the back. The action brought his face close enough that his breath could be felt against Kaiba's shoulder as he exhaled. It would have been an excellent time to leave the game forgotten...... but when his time was up he relented and relinquished his boyfriend's personal space.] [The sound Kaiba emits ensures that the eye contact occurs] Only twice as long? Why Kaiba- you're more of a tease than I ever imagined. When I win this game in it's entirety I hope you'll consent to more than that. [It might not have seemed like it from his commentary but the bait had done as intended. It was actually some source of distraction, for as the next hands were dealt well... no amount of bluffing could mitigate what a horrible hand he compiled. It was embarrassing really.]

[blue_ice]

[ Oh wow. His heart is still racing from that punishment, his cheeks and chest flushed pink. But the fire is still in his eyes. ]

If you do.

[ Kaiba is careful not to be too gleeful about his hand until the cards are down. He licks his lips, brings the cards up to hide a secret smile behind them...and flips his high flush onto the table. He grins, taking the time to drag out his boyfriend's name. ]

I'll ask you one more question, Atem, before you offer your penalty as I did: and I choose to accept or embellish it, as you did.

When you were feeling me up just now, did you determine whether I was strong enough to handle you?

[king_of_egypt]

[The pinkish hue was evident against that lighter complexion and in truth Atem didn't think he'd ever seen Kaiba blush quite so much.]

I didn't misspeak. [He insisted, the smirk not leaving his lips]

[Kaiba doesn't have to try all that hard to mask whether the cards he's receiving are fortuitous or not. In a quite unexpected turn of events Atem was finding it hard to keep his attention on his cards. The last penalty had been a double-edged sword, the memory of his fingertips gliding against that smooth skin....... and the fact that his boyfriend was still shirtless, wasn't helping.

When the hands are revealed he's noticeably taken aback. To lose a round was one thing but quite so catastrophically was another.]

A flush- really?! [Looking between the cards laying on the table, and those azure orbs didn't alter the outcome in any way. Trying not to pout, he sat back on his seat and folded his arms awaiting his punishments]

What is this one question? [Ha- so that's the sort of query that was being posed was it?] That depends entirely on what you precisely mean. [Even though he was the one on the spot, Atem gazed up at Kaiba as if he were the one in control here] What I determined was that the close contact didn't make you too uneasy to proceed. In that sense, the answer would be yes.

Come now Kaiba, what's my penalty to be? You must have had some idea for your revenge. [Also he was totally going to try and play it safe by removing the cape if there were no objections. He was instantly regretting not having more layers to play with...]

[blue_ice]

I was referring to physical strength. I'll let you contemplate that for a minute.

[ Kaiba takes his sweet time leaning over the table and sizing his boyfriend up, one eyebrow raised in amusement. He licks his lips with anticipation when Atem pulls the cape---oh, it's not enough. But he'll just have to play harder.

For now, though, he shifts around the table and after a moment of thought, lies beside his boyfriend's hip and grins. ]

I'll show you what I mean. But it's your turn to sit still.

[ And he'll just shamelessly grab Atem, swing him around...and bench-press him, bringing him close but never quite embracing or kissing him. He barely breaks a sweat, breathing just a little harder but grinning all the while. He'll finally set him back down, reaching to flick his own hair out of his eyes. ]

Think about what you want from me for this next round, and I'll do the same.

[ His next hand isn't nearly as strong, but he's going to push it anyway. ]