spandexisyouth | Eighth Lotus

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!

[Likely.]

I wouldn't dismiss anything in this place. [Sphere logic.]

How do you know I didn't? You were out of it... I could have if I wanted to. [A sigh.] And what do you call what you're trying to do? You're trying to wander off.

I would dismiss animals becoming speedy until they do! You cannot predict everything!

Because the unicorns came and went on their own! And there. You are saying you do not want to. [Secure in his knowledge, Youth nodded.] I am... I am trying to not be cooped up. I do not like being trapped or idle.

Yeah yeah. [He waved his hand.] Whatever.

Maybe. Or I'm saying I wanted to, and could have, but didn't. [He leaned in closer, raising an eyebrow that seemed to ask Youth to prove him wrong now, before adding, secured in his own knowledge...] You are trying to wander off.

And did you want to? [He studied Bell, leaning forward, looking into Bell's good eye. The moment has a certain strength, one Youth isn't familiar with.] I would not stay wandered off. I would return.

[Outside of their spar, he hasn't really lost his upper-hand against Youth. He feels it slipping slightly now as he meets Youth's gaze. His voice is slow, careful, and sly as replies, remaining intentionally vague] May-be.

Yes. But in what condition? I like my things returned to me just as I last saw them. And in your current state, I'm not sure that would be the case.

[He knows he's out of his depth here, and he can hear the teasing in the reply. There's geniuine curiosity on Youth's part; he has no idea what's going on behind the scarf. He really could be being teased. But Youth did still have one more area in which he excelled. Acting. Youth reached up, grabbing Bell's scarf, fisting his hand in the fabric and pulling Bell to where their noses were almost trusting.] Yes, or no?

[Though the 'my things' comment might be the answer to that.] I will not die. I do not have any intention of dying.

[Bell hadn't been expecting to push Youth to that point. But...He was sort of backed into a corner by the dark-haired man. Answering was not an option. Anything that definite was out of the question.]

Hey now. Calm down... [He pushed down Youth's hand, bringing his scarf to hang around his neck in the same gesture. The smile was thin, and disappeared as he leaned into the final space between them. A quick brush of the lips was all Youth received as answer; a kiss, nothing definite. No 'yes,' nor a 'no.'] Maybe.

...Your intentions don't change my intentions of tying you to the bed if you keep trying to train.

[He slid Turtle off his lap and then slid off the bed, standing, pulling the scarf back in place. The expression returned to his very neutral typical one, looking painfully cool and unaffected.]

So, can I trust you to behave while I make dinner? Or do I have to tie you up now?

[A no was what Youth had been ready for. A no, and an end to the teasing, tidy and simple. Then when things were asked or suggested on the journals, everything would be easy.

Instead Bell kissed him. That had not gone as planned. And even worse, now he was left wondering about how the brief contact had been pleasant, and... The maybe went unremarked upon. He didn't have an answer for the kiss, not yet.]

I cannot let my already weak skills become less due to not using them.

[Youth picked up the Turtle, gently holding him. It took a small bit of mental effort to not wonder at why Bell looked so bored. Not to wonder if he was that boring.]

I... I will stay in my room.

[It probably wasn't all that Bell wanted, but it was some. And he didn't want to add ropes or whatever to the confusion they already had. Or Youth already had.]

Eighth Lotus

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