Notes: This is what I like to call the sequel-but-not-quite to "Day One." Technically, it can be considered as such, although it's not really a proper full story so much as a series of short vignettes. I'm also writing this somewhere between gen and slash. I'm predominantly going for a snarky, wary, friendship-but-not-really vibe, although if you want to see the subtext, you should be able to find it. They are my OTP after all (or, one of several OTPs I have... er, yea...)
Things get worse before they get better.
Not thing things get any better.
Edo barely sleeps at all, his eyes sunken and shadowed, attempting to pretend that when he does sleep he doesn't constantly wake with a strangled gasp (or, more often than not, a scream) of shear, panicked, terror.
Ryo can sleep, but he can't ignore the way his heart stutters and lurches in his chest. It seeming like a constant, crushing, wave of pain at times and Ryo is more than half convinced that the only thing keeping him going is his own stubborn tenacity. The constant mantra of: "I can't die. Not yet."
They make one hell of a pair. Two professional duelists, each highly regarded and viewed as invincible, stripped down to bare weaknesses that neither want to admit exist. A frightened child, forever trapped in nightmares of the past. A fallen idol, forced to face the consequences of his actions.
A hero and a king, each damaged beyond repair, each just barely able to tolerate the other.
The lack of sleep wears on Edo after a while and soon enough he is making stupid mistakes. Misplaying cards. Missing opportunities that he just shouldn't be and from the sidelines Ryo finds himself making little noises of disgust under his breath. Not out of any amount of worry, mind. Ryo knows that on some level, Edo Phoenix is just like him. Too damn stubborn to die before what he needs to do gets done.
Although, when Edo wins a match (three hundred and fifty life points left) and then crumples to the ground immediately after (not moving for a good minute) Ryo feels a sudden (traitorous) stab of fear. A cold hollow settling in the pit of his stomach as he snaps, "Get the hell up, Phoenix," attempting to allow his annoyance to banish the worry.
There's a low groan, indicating that Edo is at the very least still alive, if not conscious, and Ryo finally allows anger to burn away that sinking pit of worry in his stomach. Stalking over to Edo's side and snapping, "I mean it, Phoenix. Get up."
Edo stirs, blinks up at him, and moans, "Go away," so mournfully that Ryo is almost tempted to listen. Almost. Except he can't. Helping Edo heave himself to a sitting position (despite all protests) and then to his feet. All the while his mind worries at the reasoning behind it like a wound.
It's not because he gives a damn. It's not because he likes Edo Phoenix by any stretch of the imagination. It's just….
Convenient.
Convenient to have someone watching his back. To have someone around, even if they rarely say more than two words to one another at any given time.
(To have someone ask if he's okay after one of his attacks, even if the question is ended with a grumbled, "Not that I care or anything.")
They walk for a while like that. With Ryo holding Edo up, all but dragging him along, and Edo slowly pulling himself together enough to start complaining that he doesn't need any help and that if he's slowing Ryo down then Ryo may as well just leave him behind.
Ryo tells him to shut up.