spandexisyouth | Eighth Lotus

Why do you guess? You do not remember?

[Youth folded his arms and raised an eyebrow.]

On Justice's request I have been visiting Sky! And I have to be somewhat careful because I want to be useful again soon! And this would be moderate! Under supervision! I think I already said that.

[Eying his shoes, he wondered if he could turn it into some sort of challenge to get to them first. Bell was in better shape than him, that was certain. And it could be difficult. A small-for-him smile came to his face but then faded. Bell was concerned. And Youth should respect that. Except it was boring. And it would be a workout to keep from being tied up, too. He looked up at Bell to try to figure out how serious his roommate was.]

I am not unconscious this time. Or out of it.

Remember what?

...Ah, well, while I'm here, you have to catch up on your rest. If you want to be useful again, you have to have some downtime, too.

[He followed Youth's gaze to the shoes, sitting up slightly more. There was no way Youth would get to them first, but Bell had to keep an eye on Youth anyway, and prevent him from doing more harm to himself by being hasty.]

I can still tie you up. And I will if I have to.

The scent of the soup that you did not like? Are you scented this time? I cannot tell. There is too much apple.

I have had some downtime! Four days of it! And then when you have been home!

[The problem was that there wasn't any sort of dare in the way Bell was saying it, no challenge. It was simple and dutiful, and Youth was pretty sure Bell would be upset if he went for the shoes. With a sigh, feeling almost trapped in his own room, Youth flopped back from sitting on his bed to laying, and winced when his ribs reminded him yet again of why he wasn't supposed to move very quickly. He tried to cover up for it and keep the tightness out of his voice.]

You think that you can. But I beat you in our spar!

It's not a scent, it's a taste. Or did you forget the sign already, hm?
So if you want to know so badly, lick me yourself.

[A sigh.] And you'll continue to have some downtime while I'm here, until you get complete medical clearance.

[It was duty. One took care of teammates, even when teammates were stupid about their own health. Especially when that was the case. You protected a teammate. He noticed the wince. Youth was just not going to learn... Bell rolled to the side, legs falling to the side of the bed, dropping his feet to the floor.]

You're weakened this time. [He placed his journal onto the side of the bed and stood.] I am not above taking advantage of you in a weakened state. If you try anything, I will force you to behave.

I was trying to forget the sign. You could simply tell me! It would be easy!

...Complete? What all goes into complete?

[That could take a lot of time. He wondered if Truth was bribeable. That was who Justice said was checking, after all. Then again, if something happened and he wasn't up for it when he'd gotten it said that he was, he would be letting down others. So that wouldn't work.

Youth looked over at Bell and didn't deny his state, but raised an eyebrow at the rest. And at Bell standing up.] That is like cheating! [Though part of him actually agreed - you took advantages where you found them, doing what needed to be done.] I am not even trying anything. Now. I am laying here. You are the one telling me to get up and lick you.

You were the one who blamed me for it. The least you could do is remember it.

Ask Justice sometime.

[Bell met the raised brow with a stern expression. If Youth presented him with an opportunity, an opening, he was not above taking it. Youth was fast, even injured, and very determined. Bell was not certain that without playing dishonorably he could in fact stop him.] I'm not playing by rules, so I can't be cheating.

I didn't say 'get up.' I just said that if you wanted to know, you could lick me.

I apologized for that. It seemed like something that you would do.

He is very busy. I do not want to bother him.

[Youth couldn't figure out for sure if Bell standing up was an attempt to dissuade him, or Bell's way of saying 'bring it.' Chances were it was the former. No rules? Interesting. Now there was a challenge for you - how do you know when you won something if there were no rules? Now he really couldn't get to his shoes, though.] There are rules to most situations!

I thought you did not want to be licked. [Or maybe he could still get them if he tossed his pillow one way and went the other. Though it probably wouldn't get him enough time.] And I would have to get up and walk as you are over there. And you might take it as an escape attempt! [Now there was an idea. Faking out, somehow.]

[He shrugged.]

Then I guess you won't know.

[He eyed Youth skeptically. His roommate was considering something, wasn't he? Like another escape attempt. And as silly as Bell felt Youth could be in any given moment, Youth was not dumb, and an escape attempt might actually be trouble. Youth's mind was a tad...unpredictable. He could be persuaded by challenges, but sometimes his thought was neither linear, nor logical by Bell's standards.] Most, not all. All's fair in some cases.

[Bell paused.] I don't. [He took a few steps closer to Youth's bed and then leaned down, extending his arm in front of Youth.] But you want to know what I taste like? You could find out for yourself. [The man liked challenges...that was predictable. Would his mind be diverted from planning escape attempts if issued a challenge about something else? Bell smiled.] Unless you're too scared to try and taste someone?

I do not want to be uselss for long. I am more sure now that the Watch is a Very Good Thing and it is needed.

[At the moment, Youth was fairly certain that he couldn't pass a medical exam. So he would at least wait for now. Bell was studying him, almost as if getting ready for something. Perhaps he was going to try to tie Youth up anyway. Youth readied himself, as much as he could while laying down... and stared at the arm in confusion.]

But if you do not want to be tasted then it would not be polite to taste you. [Scared? Like Youth would be scared by something like that. But just... tasting someone seemed weird. Then again, if people hadn't been so clearly upset by others tasting them, Youth would have been tempted to obey the signs the first time flavor showed up.] I do not get scared.

[Unless his arm tasted like some sort of sleeping drug. Could you get knocked out by taste alone? Probably not. And if he backed down now, he'd be teased mercilessly by Bell, he was certain. The signs said to taste. What could it hurt? And it could also serve to distract his roommate, somehow. He reached up and took the arm, bringing Bell's wrist to his mouth. It was a very quick taste, a flick of the tongue.]

You taste like the rain. I do not see why it was so hard to tell me.

Then rest, and make yourself useful sooner, rather than prolonging your recovering and keeping Watch a member short longer than necessary.

I offered. [So far so good...though Bell wasn't counting the win yet. He was fairly sure Youth wasn't as distracted as he'd hoped. That was a tad disappointing.]

...The rain? Oh, yeah, the hot chocolate rain.

[It felt incredibly awkward to have been licked, however short the lick was. Bell was certain somewhere in his sexual past, yeah, probably someone had licked him somewhere. But just being licked to be tasted...? He didn't expect to think it was that odd when he had offered, really, just a little break in his personal space. He hadn't been licked for any of these taste days, nor had he licked. It was a weird feeling. He wiped his wrist off on his pants.]

I just ...didn't see the point. If you wanted to know, you could find out for yourself, rather than waiting on me to say, right?

I have rested as much as I can for now. I am not tired.

[Youth nodded.] Which meant that it was not rude, then. But you did not want to be licked and then you offered. I do not think that makes sense.

I would enjoy a rain like that again.

[He watched Bell wipe his wrist off and wondered if there was actually a challenge coming or if that had been just another odd moment courtesy of his roommate.]

I do not see anything wrong with licking. But so many did not want to be licked, which means that it is a problem for them, and I do not want to upset them. If you are a flavor then you are a flavor.

[Of course, now Bell looked sidetracked. How sidetracked, Youth couldn't say. Not enough for the shoes and the door, not yet. And it would be very stupid to go outside in the snow without shoes. If there was still snow. Youth hadn't managed to peek yet.]

You're still staying in that bed.

And I don't have to make sense. You rarely do.

[Bell ignored those words about the rain and the other meaning they could have, because that was his own twisting to it, not Youth's meaning.

He sat down on the edge of the bed, cautiously, still a little worried that Youth would do something foolish.]

Mm. True. Then I take it you wouldn't mind being licked yourself? [He picked up Youth's hand, pulled up his own scarf from the bottom (so it revealed at most, his chin and lower lip), and ran his tongue over the knuckles of Youth's hand. The scarf went right back in place as soon as he was done.]

Green apple. Huh. That's appropriate.

[He smiled.] ...And now we're tied for this challenge.

Edited 2009-12-22 16:11 (UTC)

[Clearly Bell was not sidetracked enough.] There are things around the house that I can do that would not be overly strenuous. I am sure of it.

That is not true! I take care to make sense! It is not my fault if people are easily confused. [Pot calling kettle. But oh well. Youth held himself very still as Bell sat down, aware that he might wind up being jostled. But Bell had been careful. He was thankful for that, even if it meant that Bell might have a better idea of how much pain Youth had been dealing with than Youth wanted.

He'd been about to give permission when Bell took his hand anyway and licked it. Youth shook his head.] It is still apples. And they are not good, here!

Hm. [Now there was a predicament. Remaining tied was no fun.] How do we break the tie? I will beat you!

Sure. Eat, sleep, take a shower.

Half of your 'not making sense' stems from your own confusion.

[Bell was trying to be careful with him. Youth wasn't making that easy, though, not when he seemed hell-bent of getting out of bed every chance he got.

He shrugged, slightly amused.] Your apples tasted fine.

But, if you're not happy with a tie, then...well...you could invite someone over via the journal--your friend Seren, or Fred, or Genius--and ask to lick them. And, since I doubt they'd let me lick them, you'd have the necessary one-up to win.

Cook, one lap, just one! And if it hurts to much I will stop and do pushups instead!

I think you are confused.

[He was rather determined. There was nothing remotely familiar about staying still, but sneaking out of Medical had given him that feeling. Therefore, he wasn't supposed to stay idle. He was meant to be up and about.]

You know what I mean. I did not mean flavor. I have not tasted myself. [He looks down at his hand, resisting the urge to do so.] I am speaking about the dangers and wondering if that means something else is going to happen.

[Youth blinked.] That is a bad idea. Genius would demote me back to frienemy, and I saw the responses that were being made! They would not want to be licked. [He rubbed his chin, thinking.] We could set my turtle on the ground and see which one of us he went toward! That reminds me. I should walk my turtle. You do not mind, do you?

[Not for a second did he think Bell would fall for it, but it was worth trying anyway. Youth pushed himself back up to a seated position.]

I'll do the cooking. And no laps. The only 'laps' you need to worry about right now is your own if I have to invite Fred over here to sit on yours and make you stay.

I think not.

[Sigh] Tasting like apples is not a sign. Just because some apples are bad, does not mean all apples are bad here.

[Youth was getting awfully close to being tied up again.] You're not walking your turtle. If he needs to do any more walking, he can walk around on your bed. [He didn't want to turn his back on Youth, as he was still afraid the other might bolt, or, hell, might be crazy enough to hit him on the head to make an escape, but...] I'll get you your turtle for the challenge, and to keep you company, but you both stay on this bed, okay?

What if I quick-walked instead of ran? It would still be a lap!

Perhaps you have a point. But many of the apples here are dangerous. And then I got the one with the... I am not sure I am supposed to stay.

[Yeah. It had been worth a hope, but he really wasn't surprised. Still...] He needs fresh air! Being walked outside is best for him.

[If Bell was getting up to get the turtle, then he would have to walk away from the doorway, away from Youth's shoes. All Youth had to do was bolt, grab, and shut the door, or even just skip the door part. Except, if Bell was holding his turtle, the turtle could get hurt. And he didn't want his turtle hurt. Trying to look innocent, Youth used a Bell-like response.] Hm? You are getting my turtle?

No. [There was a finality to his tone.]

[He shook his head.] If you're not sure, don't say it. And many does not mean all. You're not a dangerous apple--even if you are endangering your own health.

[Tying up would be good right now... He slowed down his words, sharpening his tone.] You are not taking him for a walk. That is final.

Yeah... [He was skeptical. That was a very un-Youthful response. Damn his belts for being out of reach. But Bell stood, and walked to where the turtle was kept, pulling the little thing out of its box. It slid back into the shell partway as Bell lifted it, but did not snap, so he carried it back to the bed and set it in his own lap, his fingers stroking the shell idly, almost like one pet a dog.]

Is his name turtle, or... have you just not come up with something decent to call him?

[It wasn't often that Bell gave a complete answer. Youth didn't like the answer, but there was something slightly satisfying about knowing he couldn't push more on that topic.]

I am not an apple! I taste like an apple, but I am not one. [That was an important note to make, Youth felt.]

[For an unusually silent minute, Youth stared at Bell. It did actually sound final. For the first time in the conversation, Youth settled against the wall, though gingerly. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to rest for an hour. Or a half hour. He watched Bell with his turtle before reaching out to gently pet one of his turtle's legs.]

It is not turtle. But it feels like it is almost right. I do not know what to put with it to make his name correct.

Fine, fine. [He sighed and waved the argument off.] You're not an apple.

[It was a victory for now, and Bell would take it. He couldn't control Youth, and tying him down really didn't work, but...at least Youth would stay put for a while more. Bell looked down at the turtle and at Youth's hand on its leg, which was practically on Bell's leg.]

Hm... [What did you name a turtle anyway? They all looked alike...unlike a dog or cat which you could name after an attribute, like "Spot" or "Fluffy" or "Stripe". Finally, Bell shrugged and looked back up at his housemate.] Turtle's fine.

Maybe get him a collar or something, so people know who he belongs with? Who to return him to?

[A sigh.] Maybe we need to get you one, for the next time you wander off. [He could have meant either now, misbehaving and going to exercise, or before, and what got Youth bedridden in the first place.]

Edited 2010-01-02 15:38 (UTC)

I am glad that you have noted that.

[Carefully, breathing through his nose, Youth scooted to the edge of the bed to sit next to Bell. He rested for a moment before resuming playing with his turtle.]

It is almost fine. [He smiled faintly at the thought of a collar on his turtle.] I do not think that will work well. It could mean he could not get his head back in his shell when he needed to. And it is not like he can go far.

[Now the smile was gone.] You do not put collars on people!

Mmhm.

[Though he pretended to not notice, Bell could see it seemed to take a lot out of Youth to do basic things. He was going to have to arrange for someone to watch Youth, before he could get himself killed out there, injured and unable to fully defend himself...]

Good enough. [Around his middle, maybe? It was a silly idea, but Bell did have to admit the idea of putting your name or tag or symbol on your animal-companion made sense. Maybe even more than just tags for a dog did...he just couldn't put a finger on why.] He could when you're better and you take him for a walk, he might wander...

[Bell smiled behind his scarf.] Sure you do. If someone's a bad boy and you need to keep a leash on him...then he also needs a collar.

[The cracked rib took a lot out of Youth. If he was upright it was easier, but when his weight was on his arms, that used muscles he didn't want to right now.]

Almost good enough. But not. [Youth shook his head.] He cannot move that fast. Even if I was to look away it is not likely that he would leave.

[His knuckles rested on Bell's leg while he rubbed his turtle's chin. Then he looked up from the turtle at Bell. That statement, he could read.] I am not a 'bad boy' and I do not need a leash.

[If he so much as tried to move, Bell would strap him down again; it didn't matter what muscles said movement was going or not going to strain.]

He could develop super speed when you're not looking. [Argument for argument's sake.]

[The movement was subtle, barely event there, but he could faintly feel the almost twitch-like movement against the fabric of his pants over his thigh as Youth's finger moved to stroke under Turtle's chin. He took notice of the gesture. That was the hand, the knuckles, Bell licked.]

Mmm, you sure? [Bell leaned back, and though his mouth was hidden, there was no doubt he was smirking.] You're the defiant one we had to tie to his bed so that we could have our way. Maybe I do need to get you a leash and a collar, since you will wander off if I were to look away.

[He was likely to be strapped down by the end of the conversation, then. Youth didn't do well sitting still for very long.]

Turtles do not suddenly develop super speed. They are turtles. [Perfect logic.]

[Youth watched Bell lean back, seeing how it lengthened his torso. He didn't want to risk leaning back right at the moment.] I was ti-- have your way? You did not! I! And I am not just wandering off! i do not just wander off!

Eighth Lotus

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