occult duelist

nothing lasts forever.

oh my god, what happened to you?

you’re braver than you think.

please don’t be mad, [name].

it’s been so long!

this isn’t happening - this isn’t real.

your ten minutes are up.

i lived my whole life afraid.

how do i look?

i shouldn’t impose, i’m just gonna…

i got, like, sick and i threw up. 

if you find someone worth holding on to, never ever let them go.

i feel very relieved to be here with you guys. 

just so you know, if i get hurt, you are liable.

i know i’m a loser, and no matter what, i always fucking will be.

fuck, [name], you lied to us again?

i know what you are; that’s why i’m not afraid.

are you really being this way right now?

i know your secret! 

thanks for showing up, [name].

you haven’t changed anything yet. 

what the fuck are you laughing at?

you’re a sloppy bitch! 

[name], you look good.

you haven’t saved any of them. 

honey, he’s dead.

are you gonna be like this the entire time we’re home?

you wouldn’t want anyone to know what you’re hiding.

i’m fucking leaving - fuck this!

i’m fine; everything’s fine.

holy fuck, i feel kinda funky - hot. am i sweating?

splitting up would be dumb, man.

come on, you don’t have to be so sad.

wait, [name], you got married? 

it’s still blurry, but i think the longer we’re here, the more i can see it.

i know your moves, you little bitch.

you’re like, uh, you’re hot.

no one who dies here ever really dies.

it’s your fault what happened, isn’t it?

i just gotta grab my toiletry bag, and then we can go.

no way am i falling for this shit again.

i just fucking killed a guy!

It’s out of character.

When Bakura first met Ryou, he attempted to use the scare tactic to get Ryou to go along with him. But he soon found out that doesn’t work, as Ryou retaliates and ends up sacrificing them both to save his friends. It’s in that moment that Bakura realizes that trying to control Ryou won’t work.

So, instead he switches gears and aims to placate Ryou. To persuade him, and in some ways almost seduce him into letting Bakura do what he may. So even though their relationship might have started out with Bakura trying a more forward approach that was quelled almost immediately.

Also, interestingly enough, Bakura bestows Ryou with titles that suggest that Ryou has control over Bakura - such as Landlord and Master. And while Bakura is someone to be feared, it doesn’t change the fact that Ryou does have the capability to defeat Bakura and that Ryou is literally the only person who is capable of even bearing the ring and as a result, Bakura.

So there strikes a give-and-take relationship. Bakura is no fool and knows what he needs to do. He is a master of pretty words, of lies woven to get where he needs to go. At the same time he’s not exactly lying to Ryou, as Ryou knows what Bakura is capable of and is always on guard.

So no, it’s not one overpowering the other. It’s not even Ryou being suppressed. It’s a trade-off, a game of seduction. It’s a power struggle between two very strong forces who know exactly what the other is capable of. Bakura has to placate Ryou or Ryou will destroy them both.