Ryouga hates costume parties. Yuma may be older, but he still thinks he's young enough to still want them for a birthday, and it's not like it's really something he can just say no to; Yuma knows he's not that great when it comes to socializing with other people because have you seen people his age? But Yuma's so nice about even when he's much too tactless and tells him that he doesn't have to come if he doesn't want and he doesn't have to wear a costume if he doesn't want but he'd really love it if he would come, and how can Ryouga say no?

So he tries his best to convince Rio that he needs a costume for some reason that he doesn't want to say, and it takes much more time than he wants but eventually he's made his way into an outfit that resembles some sort of… king? Rio giggles at the outfit as she holds him at arm's length and he frowns at her.

"Don't you think this is a bit…? I don't know, tactless?" he questions, tugging on the edge of the makeshift skirt he'd been placed in.

"Excellent, it suits you then." Rio grins, and he wants to bite back but he won't because it's a war he can't win, so he just pouts unhappily.

"Where did you even get all this gear anyway?"

Rio shrugs. "Just found pieces in costume stores. Finding a costume is not as hard as you seem to make it, you must know that right?"

He sneers at her but it's the best he can do and as he eyes his reflection in Yuma's front mirror, it's not that bad, it's actually pretty good - almost good enough that he takes a step back in shock as he's reminded of that awful day. He can find humour in it now, as can Rio it seems, but it's still a somewhat touchy subject for him for anyone that is entirely aware of the situation.Especially Yuma.

He's got no other choice though, and a small part of him is glad that Rio's decided to come herself, though he can't say he approves of the costume she's chosen. Rio, sensing his displeasure, sticks her tongue out and pulls the corset up and drags the skirt further down her hips.

"Happy now?" she mutters as the door is opened in front of them but Ryouga ignores it because oh my god what is Yuma wearing. He's decked out in what looks like a cowboy outfit from western shows, complete with cape and a cowboy hat. Ryouga brings a hand to his mouth, coughing to hide his laughter as Yuma does the same.

"Hi Rio, Ryouga!" Akari calls from around the corner, pushing her thick rimmed, fake glasses further up her nose. "Come on in! You make an adorable Sayaka, Rio."

"Thank you, Akari." She grins, walking inside and leaving the two standing in the hallway alone.

"Nice costume." Yuma snickers through his hand, scratching his nose as Ryouga pulls at his skirt again.

Leaning against the door frame, he scowls. "I wouldn't talk. Who made your costume for you? Don't think you're a little old for cowboys?"

"I made my costume." Yuma murmurs, pouting to himself as he played with the lasso in his hands. "I was supposed to be Gagaga Cowboy, but Akari wouldn't let me have guns." He pouts further, causing Ryouga to chuckle quietly.

"It's not like we can really blame her." He laughs, crossing his arms and rolling his eyes. Yuma mimics Ryouga in the most mocking way he can manage, before giving a small smirk as a plan formed in his head.

Ryouga frowns because he's lost again and it's not something he likes because Yuma's capable of anything and sure they've been dating for a while but it's not long enough for him to guess everything he's going to do; that's something people he's known his whole life are still unable to do. So only a part of him is surprised when the lasso slinks its way around his shoulders and chest, constricting his arms and pinning him to the spot.

He turns to face Yuma, raising an eyebrow at him in confusion. "What are you doing?"

Yuma smirks and it's a sight that makes Ryouga want to laugh but he can't in the situation he's placed himself in, but he starts to panic as Yuma pulls his scarf from his chin, dropping it to his neck as he came within breathing distance of Ryouga's face.

He stares straight into Ryouga's eyes and whispers "Can't you see Ryouga? I'm Shark Wranglin'!" and Ryouga scowls because he's even managed to get the Western accent down pact perfectly and it's so embarrassing because he's dead serious but it's his birthday, so he decides to play along.

Ryouga stutters, unable to say anything in sheer shock of everything, and Yuma cups at his chin, thumbing his lower lip with a smile. "So…" Yuma continues with a grin, wiggling his eyebrows in a pathetic attempt at seduction. "Do you want to overlay now, or later?"