Nah. It kinda came with me after that zombie bullshit ended.
[Again, in the business of not being dishonest or cagey when he's asked a direct question, Ryuji just flat out tells him. He wasn't particularly proud of it, but there also wasn't something he could really do about it. It's a part of him now, just like the memories of the weeks leading up to it.]
It doesn't hurt or nothin'. [He adds, almost like establishing a permission set for Dave to touch him when Ryuji notices that he intentionally cut his advance short on it. He had almost expected it to happen intrinsically, since he'd do the same if he had seen a dark outline of his spine and ribcage sprawled out all over his back like a member of the Yakuza.]
And I definitely ain't smart enough to know why it's there, but I'm guessin' it's 'cause of how I was slouched up against the wall when my skin started to patch itself back up.
[He's still somewhat self-conscious about it, though. He knows he shouldn't be, but maybe the world doesn't need to be reminded of how everyone almost died in such an obvious sort of way.]
S'it botherin' you? I can put my shirt back on. [Slow down, Ryuji, give Dave a chance to talk. Even as he uses an arm to push his body upward from the ridge of the pool and grab back onto his tee from his position.]
no subject
[Again, in the business of not being dishonest or cagey when he's asked a direct question, Ryuji just flat out tells him. He wasn't particularly proud of it, but there also wasn't something he could really do about it. It's a part of him now, just like the memories of the weeks leading up to it.]
It doesn't hurt or nothin'. [He adds, almost like establishing a permission set for Dave to touch him when Ryuji notices that he intentionally cut his advance short on it. He had almost expected it to happen intrinsically, since he'd do the same if he had seen a dark outline of his spine and ribcage sprawled out all over his back like a member of the Yakuza.]
And I definitely ain't smart enough to know why it's there, but I'm guessin' it's 'cause of how I was slouched up against the wall when my skin started to patch itself back up.
[He's still somewhat self-conscious about it, though. He knows he shouldn't be, but maybe the world doesn't need to be reminded of how everyone almost died in such an obvious sort of way.]
S'it botherin' you? I can put my shirt back on. [Slow down, Ryuji, give Dave a chance to talk. Even as he uses an arm to push his body upward from the ridge of the pool and grab back onto his tee from his position.]