Work Text:
Ryou looked at the expanse of the table before him, noting a few areas that still needed work - paint, an extra piece. He wondered how it was possible that the table seemed even bigger now than it had been - between the two of them, taking turns in control, the model pieces, paints, and craft materials had transformed into an ancient city.
Nicely done, Landlord, Bakura quipped in the back of Ryou’s mind. It was a genuine compliment, without a trace of rancor or sarcasm - so much so that it caught Ryou somewhat off guard.
“Thanks,” he whispered, though it was late at night and there was no one in the museum to hear him ostensibly speaking to himself.
That part up there near the corner, Bakura directed, leading Ryou to train his gaze that direction. That part is important. Make sure everything looks good.
Ryou stepped over to the far corner of the table, carefully lifting a section of the board that hid an underground chamber. “This part is Kul Elna, right?”
That’s right.
Ryou frowned as he checked the board for any missed paint or jagged edged before gingerly setting the piece in his hands back where it had been.
He hesitated as he considered whether or not to ask what had been on his mind - though he was sure Bakura had sensed it in some way, the thought felt too loud and had grown too much that it would not have been obvious to him.
Still, he drew a deep breath and spoke it aloud. “Hey, Bakura… I know we aren’t making this board just for a game. Nothing you’ve done has ever been just for that.”
And what about it?
“Well - it’s just - you don’t have to do this, yeah? We could just walk away from this. I know there’s things going on here that I don’t understand, because you haven’t told me about them, but… you don’t have to do… this.” Ryou sat down at the head of the table, looking out at the small world they’d crafted together. Bakura was often clumsy and careless with so many things, it surprised Ryou how much detail and precision he’d managed to craft the model city with.
“I could help you,” Ryou said suddenly, his voice loud enough that it echoed in the wide open room. “What ever it is you’re dealing with. We’re similar in a lot of ways, and - we could have been friends… No, we are friends, regardless of anything that’s happened. I know there’s more going on here. Won’t you let me help you?”
Bakura’s silence in response to his question was deafening. Ryou felt his heart sink, knowing what the eventual answer would be. Still... he had to ask.
Bakura was as high spirited as ever when he answered. You’ve done a lot to help already, Ryou, he said cheerily, again without a hint of his normal maliciousness. Now we should be getting home, and you should get to bed. Tomorrow is a big day.