ph33r my rod: So Malik and Ryou decide to go out to the lake, to canoe around for a while.
Omega19x: There are several canoes tied to a little dock, and life vests are there as well.
ph33r my rod: Malik stood by a canoe, strapping on life jacket. "I almost thought the lake would've been frozen over..."
Omega19x: "I guess it isn't cold enough on this side of the valley."
ph33r my rod: "Oh well. I'm not complaining~"
Omega19x: Ryou strapped on his life jacket too, and carefully climbed in the boat, so as not to rock it.
ph33r my rod: Malik climbed in shortly after, untying the canoe from the dock. "Okay, here we go."
Omega19x: Ryou took one paddle, and started stroking on the left.
ph33r my rod: Malik lightly pushed away from the dock to give it a boost, then started paddling on the right.
Omega19x: *paddle paddle paddle*
Omega19x: Until they are out in the middle of the lake!
Omega19x: "This... this is so serene..."
ph33r my rod: Malik nodded, looking at their surroundings. The sky was clear, save for a few birds flying. "Yeah... it's really nice. It doesn't get this quiet back in the city..."
Omega19x: Ryou carefully set his paddle in the boat, and leaned back into Malik's lap.
Omega19x: "It sure doesn't..."
Omega19x: "I... I can almost hear your heart beating."
ph33r my rod: Malik pulled his paddle in too, wrapping his arms around Ryou's waist. "I can almost feel yours."
Omega19x: Feel it shock, most likely.
ph33r my rod: Yep.
Omega19x: "It was a good idea to get away for a little while, Malik... I'm glad we did."
ph33r my rod: He rested his chin on top of Ryou's head. "I'm glad too. I think we really needed it, as it had been a while... especially after that shadow realm stuff."
Omega19x: "... yeah... the... the shadow realm stuff..." Ryou sighed. "I... I'm sorry about that..."
ph33r my rod: Malik's arms tightened around him. "Let's... try not to think about it, okay?"
Omega19x: Ryou trembled, thinking about Yami Malik. "I... I won't try to protect you again... if it'll help you not get hurt..."
ph33r my rod: "You don't have to not try to protect me... really, I'm glad you're trying to be more assertive."
Omega19x: "... You... you are?"
ph33r my rod: Malik nodded, gently kissing the top of his head. "I mean, yeah, we got sent to the shadow realm, but that's not your fault... it's his, 'cause he's a sadistic bastard."
Omega19x: "I... I think I should be able to... to say if... if I don't like things... I... I have a right to do that."
Omega19x: "I don't have to be hurt if I don't want to be."
ph33r my rod: "You have the right to speak your mind whenever you want to... you don't have to be scared to to it. And you... shouldn't have to be punished because of it."
Omega19x: "I... I used to always be scared... If... if I was quiet, then... then I wouldn't get hurt. Or maybe someone else wouldn't get hurt..."
Omega19x: "But... it seems to happen whether I'm quiet or not."
ph33r my rod: "Right... so it's no use just staying quiet, going by that logic."
Omega19x: "... yeah... I'd still get hurt... even if I say nothing."
ph33r my rod: "It's like how Rishid and Isis have said about me... I've been around danger my whole life, and I always will be, regardless of whether you're with me or not. It's just something we have to live with... it shouldn't be that way, but it is."
ph33r my rod: "So there's really no use in dwelling on it. It's in the past, and we both got out of it safely, so... let's just enjoy the quiet time while it lasts, okay?"
Omega19x: Ryou looked down. "... okay..."
ph33r my rod: Malik leaned down and kissed his head again. "Remember, we came here to clear our minds, not burden them more..."
Omega19x: "Right... Of course."
Omega19x: "And out here... the... the world's a lot more quiet than I am."
Omega19x: "And nothing's hurting it."
Omega19x: Ryou settled down, resting his head in Malik's lap.
ph33r my rod: "Mhm." Malik looked down, gently stroking Ryou's hair and face. "Is anything hurting you at the moment...?"
Omega19x: "... no."
ph33r my rod: "Good..." Malik smiled.
ph33r my rod: They stayed like that for a long time, watching the sky turn orange. "We should probably head back before long, before it gets too dark..."
Omega19x: And what a beautiful sight it was... "I guess we'd better."
Omega19x: "Don't want to accidently paddle in the wrong direction..."
ph33r my rod: "Okay." Malik carefully helped Ryou sit back up.
Omega19x: The canoe rocked a little, but that was all.
ph33r my rod: Malik picked up his paddle again, looking around for the dock. "It's back over that way." He pointed back behind him.
Omega19x: "Okay..." Ryou paddled on the right, turning the canoe around slowly.
Omega19x: "... Thank you for the lovely nap in your lap." Ryou smiled.
ph33r my rod: Malik smiled back, paddling on the left. "No problem... it was so nice and quiet that I didn't have the heart to move you, or anything."
Omega19x: "You make such a nice pillow."
Omega19x: They paddled back to the dock.
ph33r my rod: Once he could reach it, Malik tied the canoe back to the dock. He carefully stepped out of the boat and held his hand out for Ryou.
Omega19x: Ryou stood up carefully, reaching out for Malik's hands.
ph33r my rod: Malik took his hands, holding him steady so he could step out of the canoe.
Omega19x: And, in true Ryou style, he still slipped as he stepped out of the canoe.
ph33r my rod: *meep*
Omega19x: He grabbed onto Malik's hands, but fell from the dock.
ph33r my rod: Malik was pulled in with him. Thankfully, they were still wearing their life vests.
Omega19x: That prevented them from sinking. But it sure didn't prevent them from getting all wet!
Omega19x: "... sorry!"
ph33r my rod: Malik coughed. "Are you okay?"
Omega19x: "... y..yeah, I think so... I just slipped!"
Omega19x: He shivered like crazy. Yes, this water really WAS quite cold!
ph33r my rod: Thankfully, the shore wasn't that far away, so Malik swam toward it, tugging Ryou with him.
ph33r my rod: He shivered as they climbed out of the lake. "That was... cold..."
Omega19x: Ryou swam too, and they climbed back onto the shore. "... I'm... most certainly awake now..."
Omega19x: "If I was tired and napping before... I... I am most... most certainly awake now!"
ph33r my rod: "Yeaaah. Let's get back to the tent and warm up..."
Omega19x: "... and... and change clothes!"
ph33r my rod: *nodnod*
ph33r my rod: Malik untied his life jacket and dropped it down to the ground, shivering.
Omega19x: Ryou did the same.
ph33r my rod: They made their way back to the tent. It was almost dark when they got there. "Y-you can change first, I'm gonna get a fire started..."
Omega19x: "... Malik... if... if you don't get out of those wet clothes... y.. you'll get sick... and..." Ryou froze, when his hand hit his pocket. The matches.... They were in his pocket.
Omega19x: "... oh dear..."
ph33r my rod: "...well, so much for that idea."
Omega19x: Ryou just held up the book of wet matches.
Omega19x: "... sorry...."
Omega19x: (phone)
ph33r my rod: Malik sighed. "Oh well..."
Omega19x: Ryou shivered. "... come on... I have some extra towels... We can kind of dry off... and maybe borrow some matches from some of the others who went camping."
ph33r my rod: *nod* "Okay... if we can find anyone else."
Omega19x: He passed a towel, and ducked inside the tent to get out of the wet clothes!
ph33r my rod: Malik took the towel and wrapped it around himself, waiting patiently for Ryou to dress and come out.
Omega19x: Ryou dressed quickly, so Malik wouldn't have to be out there for very long.
Omega19x: "... you... you can come on in."
ph33r my rod: Malik nodded and hopped inside the tent, changing just as quickly.
Omega19x: Ryou wrapped his fluffy hair in a towel, and started drying it too.
ph33r my rod: As soon as he finished changing, Malik wrapped himself up in a blanket and sat there, shivering.
Omega19x: "... Here... Don't sit out in the cold... Climb into the sleeping bag with me."
Omega19x: Ryou motioned Malik over.
ph33r my rod: Malik nodded and crawled over to the sleeping back, climbing in next to Ryou. He took his blanket and draped it over the bag for added warmth.
Omega19x: Ryou wrapped his arms around Malik, hugging him tightly. "... I... I guess it's a good thing we practiced yesterday!"
ph33r my rod: Malik did the same, snuggling close. "Yeah. It sure came in handy..." He shivered.
Omega19x: Ryou shivered too, snuggling.
Omega19x: "very handy..."
ph33r my rod: "I think it's working already..." Malik nestled his head atop Ryou's.
Omega19x: *cuddle cuddle cuddle* "Me too."
Omega19x: "but my hands are still really cold..."
ph33r my rod: "Here... give them to me." Malik held his hands out for him.
Omega19x: Ryou put his hands inside Malik's.
ph33r my rod: Malik gave his hands a light squeeze. "They are cold..."
Omega19x: Ryou shivered a little. "Yours aren't as cold."
ph33r my rod: Malik pulled Ryou's hands up, gently kissing them. "Getting any warmer?"
Omega19x: Ryou blushed.
Omega19x: "... well... not my hands... but other things are warmer..."
Omega19x: "My cheeks sure are." he smiled cutely.
ph33r my rod: Malik smiled back, giving them another squeeze."Here..." He pulled Ryou's hands up, hooking them around his neck. "My hair's still a little wet, but my neck's warm, so that should help..."
Omega19x: Ryou leaned in close, wrapping his arms all the way around Malik's neck. "It is warm."
ph33r my rod: Malik tugged him close, resting his forehead against Ryou's. "See, it wasn't hard to warm up..."