It’s common knowledge that I abhor the “Bakura beats/intimidates Ryou into submission” fanon that has been prevalent for so long. But today is the day that I’m finally going to tell you all why.
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.
Which shows who the stronger of the two actually is.
I think this sums up what we were talking about before
I am Terra 