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

[blue_ice]

[Kaiba was indeed in his room, sitting down for a cup of tea after the day's work. He appeared at the door, his frown instantly deepening. Even a relationship-challenged person like him knows what those words usually mean.

His fist clenches, his expression pained. ]

It's time, isn't it.

[king_of_egypt]

Past time, really.

[His initial response not dispelling the initial misgivings. Picking up on the tension Atem tries to internally determine the meaning behind it. Kaiba had nothing to feel guilty about- at least not in the pharaoh's mind so was this? Disappointment? Revulsion? Either would have been warranted. The idea of your boyfriend running around trying to ... fraternize with every one in town would have been insulting to someone as proud as Kaiba. Maybe this apology would be more difficult than he had anticipated.

Was he beyond forgiveness?]

Is your roommate out? This should be .... private.

[blue_ice]

He is. Come in.

[ Kaiba's expression is carefully guarded. He takes a seat on the nearest couch, perched at the end. He should've been prepared for this, he's cursing himself for ever getting involved...]

Who is it, then? Or did you find more than one?

[king_of_egypt]

[Without saying another word he stepped inside the apartment, and fastened the door behind him. Following Kaiba over to the seating area he was just about to pull over a chair, when what he heard next stunned him. Forgetting the task, he turned to face the other a light hint of color darkening his features.] I deserved that... [He allowed] Is that what you think this is about? [An incredulous tone slipping into his voice] That I'm here to give you the brush off? [With a shake of his head he decided there was no more time to waste. He needed to voice this apology before Kaiba could imagine any other scenarios. Balling one of his hands into a fist he held it over his chest.] I came here to apologize for how I was acting, and for everything that I did. It wasn't fair to you or anyone involved. It's not that my feelings for you have altered. [Trying to drive that home he added] Those confessions I doled out on the 1st were in error. There was no real feeling behind them. I can't explain it, but I know I was compelled to go through with it. Please believe me- there is no one else. There never could be. [Surprising himself with his own desperate insistence]

[blue_ice]

[ Despite himself, he looks up. He wants to keep his walls up, to push away...deep down he knew their behavior had been altered. But they'd been apart for so long that he'd feared the worst. ]

I didn't want to cuddle the entire block either...but it'd been so long. I wasn't sure what to say. Maybe we both weren't. But.

[ Wary, but trying to be logical. He cautiously lifts his head, shaking it slightly to get the hair out of his eyes. ]

Pharaoh...Atem...

[ He swallows hard. ]

I was so deeply corrupted that at one time I doubted I had a heart at all...but you brought that part of me back to life. Well before this, and now that I've given it to you...

[ He scoots closer and takes one of Atem's hands, turning it over and brushing a kiss there. ]

Tell me this is real. Please.

Video

[serpentinthegarden]

It's fine, no need to mention it. I know how you humans are... you can't resist the occult.

[ Nevermind that he had been an angel at the time, that was the embarrassing part! ]

What sort of stakes are you playing for in your gaming night?

[king_of_egypt]

[Normally Atem would have teased Kaiba over that bit about cuddling the whole block but this time he refrained. There was a time and a place for levity and it wasn't now]

This .... is all my fault.

[He quietly accepted. Either one of them could have reached out earlier but he considered his offenses to be greater, therefore the guilt was his to bear]

There's no excuse for it.

[Atem had kept a low profile the last month after that embarrassing episode, only going out on missions and to work. That being said both of those tasks had put him in a position where he had to interact with those he had.. propositioned. Had the isolation been some form of self-inflicted punishment? It was likely but had he known how it was making others suffer...]

Kaiba... [He voiced softly, surprised when he suddenly felt the warmth of the other's hand and the feathering of a kiss against his skin. Once again he didn't know how to prove to Kaiba that this was real. If he was so easily swayed months prior, and even more recently then it was plausible that he might never be fully in control.]

All I have to give you is my word. [Which isn't worth much these days....] ... but I know that I've my feelings for you extend beyond this world and incarnation. [That reminder went a long way towards reaffirming things in his own mind. It would be different had he only started to care for Kaiba in this dimension] What we have.. is real. [Smiling on that last part and exuding more confidence than he had during the course of most of this conversation]

Video

[king_of_egypt]

Yes.. I'm sure.. that was it. [A note of sarcasm in his voice]

[Could he really argue with that occult statement given his own involvement with the millennium items?]

Actually, I hadn't considered including any stakes.... [Not that he had never played with anything on the line before, but somehow he thought most people wouldn't want to take that risk]

[blue_ice]

[ Good choice of words, Atem. Some of the tension in Kaiba's expression loosens, and he breathes deeply. He dips forward, to rest his head on his pharaoh's shoulder. ]

I waited so long for you...I know now that you're what I want. And I'll fight any other curse that dares to pull me astray.

[ He pulls the man into a crushing embrace. ]

You mentioned new games. How about one of those...and a special prize for the winner? I have a new idea...

Video

[serpentinthegarden]

No need to be shy about it.

[ He knew he was awesome. ]

Whats the point of a gaming night if there aren't stakes? You just end up sitting around, staring at each other...

Video

[king_of_egypt]

[Crowley certainly wasn't lacking for ego. Still, Atem let the first matter drop. It was obvious that nothing more needed to be said on the subject, at least.. not between them.]

There weren't any stakes when we played Senet.

Video

[serpentinthegarden]

We didn't have any debens.

[ Can't place bets on Senet without some ancient Egyptian coins. ]

[king_of_egypt]

[The atmosphere between them seemed to change, and the weight that had centered itself over his chest lightened. The additional contact reassured him that he'd said something that his partner needed to hear] I wonder- given the nature of the previous curses, if we aren't being tested. [Atem had that inclination to think that everything happened by design and for a reason. Had they passed? He fell easily into the other's arms finally allowing himself to reciprocate by snuggling up against the brunette.] I'm not opposed to that.... if you're not afraid of losing. [He gently teased as he angled himself to place a kiss to Kaiba's jawline.] What sort of a prize did you have in mind?

Video

[king_of_egypt]

[He smirked at that]

Still don't. [Not that money in itself was the most thrilling thing to put on the line...] ... but perhaps there's something a little more interesting we could wager.

[blue_ice]

Oh, I think...win or lose, we'll both be happy this time.

[ He lingers there a little while longer, humming with contentment. Finally he reluctantly pulls away, walks to his sock drawer to retrieve a few things, then places a sock on the outer doorknob before closing the door. The next thing he draws is a simple deck of playing cards. ]

Do you know what the sock means, Atem?

Video

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Crowley couldn't imagine what. Neither of them made all that much money. ]

I work at a candy shop... We could play for jawbreakers?

Video

[king_of_egypt]

Jawbreakers? [Raising an eyebrow to that, he then shook his head and chuckled] That's not exactly what I had in mind. [He paused briefly before explaining] For example, you have a wedding coming up don't you? Weddings generally take a considerable amount of time to prepare for. Well if I lost- you could assign me a task to complete, under your supervision of course. It would be one less thing for you to have to worry about. [Instead of pledging things, they could pledge services]

[king_of_egypt]

[Atem was unable to suppress a smile at that claim]

Don't think that I'll go easy on you, just because of that.

[Although the desire to conclude the game might be heightened. It was pleasant being able to share in each other's company like this again. He regretted having denied them this earlier. When Kaiba moved away, he repositioned himself on the couch and looked questioningly when the sock was retrieved. Was it going to be used in the game? Apparently not. Never having had the college experience he was oblivious to it's meaning]

Laundry day? [He hazarded though he honestly didn't think that was the real answer]

[blue_ice]

It means 'do not disturb'. It's also locked, but that will let my roommate know that he shouldn't knock.

[ If you get what he means. He shuffles the deck, then offers it to Atem for him to do the same. ]

Does that excite you? Do you wonder what I'm offering you? A chance...to get to know each other better, to make up for lost time.

Has someone taught you the rules of poker? We won't be wagering with chips...but secrets. And small favors, if you like.

[king_of_egypt]

[That turned his smile more into an intrigued smirk. It was impossible not to have his imagination run away with an opportunity like this. He quietly wondered whether Kaiba really knew what he was setting himself up for. Maybe he did- as he'd stated earlier this wouldn't be unpleasant for either of them.] [He crossed his legs and leaned forward, taking the cards when they were offered and mirroring the shuffling] Heh- I should have known, you won't be pulling any punches either. [Asking a question like that.] I am curious, and you have my full attention. [Or to put it more plainly, "yes, he was feeling excited"] 7-Card Stud, Follow the Queen, High/Low... [He trailed off rather than listing more since Atem figured he had already made his point. He assumed they would be playing the standard version, but if he was in error it would soon be apparent] I like the sound of that.

[Video] III

[beancounter]

A game night sounds like it'd be fun! That's a great idea. Count me in! What sort of games are we talking about? Board games? Card games?

[blue_ice]

Standard will do.

[ The hand is dealt. He looks at his lineup---a weak hand, but he'll push anyway. ]

For the first round, something simple: and a freebie.

I owe you an apology as well. I shouldn't have allowed my old doubts about myself to keep us apart. I still struggle to trust, but you've earned it... and should you win this round, I'll seal my promise to you any way you like.

[Video] III

[king_of_egypt]

[The enthusiasm brought a smile to his tanned features. That and the sight of one of his friends. It would be good to get to spend sometime with Fenton on a leisurely scale]

Yes.. and yes. [Or in other words both] Currently I have Senet available. [He'd taken the liberty of drawing the board for the Ancient Egyptian game, and acquiring the sticks that were used in lieu of dice and objects that could be used as tokens wasn't difficult.] .. and I'm working on a couple of dice games some of which require boards.. I know I can find some cards.

What sort of games are most appealing to you?

[king_of_egypt]

[Nodding to that he agreed to the terms.

The first hand only contained a pair, but he would bluff it as though it was a straight flush, if it would weaken Kaiba's confidence in his own.]

You must not have received anything interesting.

[What was proposed however was quite the opposite. Yes that last line was very interesting indeed]

It's alright, Kaiba. I knew that something like that was well outside of your nature. I never questioned it for a moment. I only regret having missed witnessing the aftermath. [Now a little teasing was appropriate. Just imagining the looks on people's faces as Kaiba tried to reestablish his image- it was priceless.] Since we aren't using chips, is it just going to be one truth, or favor per round? [Wondering if he should start the proceedings by discarding some of his cards]

[blue_ice]

[ He concedes with a snort. ]

I don't think Mal's planning to forgive me any time soon...but we may need more than one per round if we start to push our luck.

[ He draws again. The next round...mm, possibilities. He smiles over his cards. ]

And I think I will. You'll get one of each should you win this hand. Feeling lucky?