shawarma time

[finalmix]

[ some time after Atem's palace when everyone has had the time to get back from braphine's temple, and more importantly get that sand out of your everything (and enjoy NOT 40 degree Celsius weather)

everyone who was in Atem's palace will find themselves suddenly added to a group chat by joshua and he just sends a singular address

it's the address to a shawarma place that somehow magically has a big enough table to fit 14 people. amazing. we love fluid locations like this.

post palace dinner, y'all know the drill ]

Comments

[emptyself]

Mm, it wasn’t just me. Everyone helped together.

[ soujuurou’s gaze softens, a small, wistful smile on his face.

if he had been alone, he’s not sure he could have done much of anything. it was thanks to haruka and mafuyu that they helped him get back on his feet, and the others who acted as an anchor for him. ]

Friends, though… heheh, I’m glad you think of me that way. Until now, I wasn’t really sure. What a relief.

[metagame]

[Mafuyu worked her butt off in that palace! As for Haruka... well... Atem needs to apologize for the scarabs. And stealing his clothes??? Is Atem's subconscious to blame for that..?

Wait, why did they keep trying to strip in his palace anyway?!!

He clears his throat.]

I should leave you to enjoy your dinner, Soujuurou... See you at the dorm later.

[emptyself]

See you later, Atem.

[ soujuurou nods, about to return to his shawarma when-- ]

Oh, wait, I had one question. How come you changed what you call me?

[metagame]

[Stops in his tracks!]

Eh? It isn't obvious?

[He's not one to avoid speaking about his feelings. But this is kinda... ehhh... Ehhh... He rubs his wrist without much thought.]

I changed how I address you because...

[He just said they're friends!!]

You're someone special to me.

[AS A FRIEND!]

I want you to remember that every time I say your name.

1/2

[emptyself]

Oh. I wasn't aware you could do that.

[ he nods, as if it were a whole new fact for soujuurou. he's never really seen a reason to change how he refers to people, but it's good to know that can happen. ]

I really like you too, Atem. Thank you.

2/2

[emptyself]

[ a beat. oh, right, people tend to misinterpret the word 'like' don't they? ]

Oh, but please don't misunderstand. You're special to me, but I only like you as a friend.

[metagame]

[WHY WOULD SOUJUUROU THINK OTHERWISE??!?!]

Why would I misunderstand you... Do you think I... No! I only like you as a friend, too!

[He cannot handle this man--- he's too much for him. White flag, white flag!

DO PEOPLE REGULARLY CONFESS THEIR LOVE TO SOUJUUROU

no, he's not thinking about this. nope. he's walking away now. bye.]

[emptyself]

[ glad to see that was resolved! he goes back to mindlessly munching on his food. ]