kittensinboxes | Way up in the Air, You're Finally Free [Rivalship]

Way up in the Air, You're Finally Free [Rivalship]

Two weeks.

It had been two weeks since then, when they became...something.

What, exactly, Yuugi still wasn't sure: to be honest, he wasn't even sure that it wasn't some kind of hallucination. Could he really be allowed to stare up into the night sky that was Seto Kaiba's eyes and be allowed to stay there? To not be forced to look away or turn his gaze in fear that he might see the bare adoration that shimmered in them?

It was almost impossible to think about.

Doubly so was standing in front of his apartment, hopping from foot to foot as he dressed in, as Kaiba insisted, "something presentable".

Excuse you, Kaiba, but he always dressed presentably!

Look, no leather in sight! Just a simple collar around his neck with nothing 'unseemly' and he didn't even wear his shoes with the giant belt buckle on them!

Yes, sir, these are normal shoes. And a normal black button-down shirt, because he liked black, thank you very much!

...Was it really two weeks? It couldn't be, right?

Two weeks and...shit, this was the right call, wasn't it? He didn't need to run back inside and change clothes again, did he? He looked fine, right? Kaiba would be there any minute and he knew that he only had time to change once more before he turned around the bend and--

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If Yuugi's confused as to what they've "become," then Kaiba's absolutely stupefied. The shift between respect to affection had been subtle, but he wasn't exactly the most affectionate person around. He still twitched away from general contact if he wasn't the one who had initiated it. Initiating was difficult, unless it was approached carefully.

It was probably far less than what Yuugi deserved, but Kaiba can't just shift his entire life around about it. He has responsibilities! People to care for! And also...himself to consider, at least inasmuch as his reactions would ruin most of their attempts to be normal.

That happened a lot.

But today was going to be different. He had chosen to allow Yuugi to accompany him on one of his "PR outings", even if it was at the request of his...clients. He'd probably put Kaiba to shame with his handling, since he was the more personable of the two.

He pulls up to the apartments where Yuugi insists on living, and parks in one of the visitor spots before pushing his sleeve back and tapping a message out on his bracer.

Here.

Down the sleeve goes again, only for Kaiba to step out of the vehicle himself, arms crossed as he leans against it and waits with the same amount of patience as always: very little.

When Yuugi finds him, he'll see that Kaiba is dressed in a pressed suit, white with a light blue button up and a darker blue tie. The bracers are well-hidden by long sleeves, but there's no way in hell he was going to leave them behind. They were tied to his cell phone and most of his technology in general, so no thanks.

Welp, so much for that.

Yuugi swallowed, girding himself as he trotted to the visitor spots on the kind of unsteady legs that were expected on a fawn, rather than a grown ass man. He could walk, and he was fine, okay?

He was fine!

His...associate was dressed in one of his perfect suits and impeccably dressed again, and it was hard to keep himself from--

"Hi, sorry for the wait!"

-- smiling like the sun and bounding over like this man was a light, and he was a moth.

"You're wearing my favorite suit! I love how you look in that."

...

Seriously? Of course he looked good! He was Seto Kaiba!

Edited 2025-06-25 01:57 (UTC)

Compliments. Hm.

Kaiba generally scoffs and gives a smarmy response, but ever since their dynamic had shifted, he wasn't quite sure what to do with any of Yuugi's kind words. Should he say thank you? Should he agree?

Should he...pay Yuugi a compliment as well?

"I don't wear suits often enough to give you a point of reference, don't be ridiculous."

...Somehow, he feels like that's not the right way to have handled that. Hmmmm, what can he say to fix this?!

"...You've chosen acceptable attire for the outing. Congratulations."

Strike two. Ugh ugh ugh!

"...Come on, let's just go."

Safe. Noncommittal. Not a mistake. It's fine. He's just going to...get back in the car now.

See, but Yuugi spoke fluent Kaiba! He knew that 'acceptable' was as close to a compliment as he'd get.

Honestly, his stomach fluttered as he followed Kaiba into the car.

"Thank you! I...I'm glad you like it!"

That sunshine smile that could blind a man? That is aimed at you, sir.

Being fluent in Kaiba would also help in understanding that his lack of argument on whether he liked the outfit or not did in fact mean that he liked the outfit. You know, in a noncommittal, aloof way.

His eyes flick over to Yuugi for a moment, then away again, focusing on getting them on the road. But the corner of his lip twitches slightly, imperceptibly. Yuugi's smile is truly infectious, isn't it?

"I haven't explained what we're doing yet."

It's less a question, more a statement. He wants to see what Yuugi's response will be.

"You haven't, but if you insist that hard on being presentable, it has to be something important," Yuugi chirped. "And I'm excited to see what it is."

Even if it was a boring business dinner.

Because being Kaiba's date to anything and seeing him quirk his lips up like that?

Worth.

"It is important, and I need you to respect that fact, at all times. Just because it's a PR thing doesn't mean you shouldn't treat it as work."

Sometimes, he had to do public relations. And most of the time, he hated doing it. But this...this is a little different. He doesn't mind doing it quite as much as he might for other situations.

"Anyway, we're going to Kaiba Land."

Which is probably strange to Yuugi, since Kaiba Land is currently set to shortened late-year hours, and wouldn't be open at this time.

Right...?

"I know," he smiled, "I'm just glad I get to do it with you. I won't let you down!"

Though...wait.

Hold on.

Yuugi tilted his head and blinked.

"Kaiba Land?"

Wasn't Kaiba Land using late-year hours right now...? It wouldn't be open right now, would it? Why would Kaiba want to do a PR thing there of all places?

Maybe it was a special event unveiling something to the press...?

"Yes, Kaiba Land."

He doesn't offer much more than that, and probably would have ended the conversation there, only...that's not what he should do. They're more of an item now than before, and Yuugi is obviously feeling particularly soft about that, so then...Kaiba has to reciprocate. Moves and countermoves, that's all it really is, right?

"So. How is your day going?"

Nailed it. Congrats, Yuugi. You're stuck in a car with all of this for the next five minutes or so.

Oh, was this what they were doing? Small talk?

Gods, that move was so awkward that it could shatter glass. Yuugi had to counter with something at least less awkward than that to offset Kaiba's natural nervousness--

"I dunno, I think it's pretty good," Yuugi winked. "I'm in a car with a handsome man, so I think I'm doing all right for myself."

...

That wasn't cringe, right?

Right? That was, as Mokuba would say, 'rizz'?

Kaiba glances at Yuugi sidelong just in time to see that wink, which definitely accentuates his ridiculous words in a way that makes the taller man frown.

...Is this flirting?

No. It couldn't possibly be, right?

Hm.

He reaches for the window buttons, then lowers both his and Yuugi's. Sure, he has to pay the price as the wind ruffles his hair slightly, but then so does Yuugi, right?

And if Yuugi asks:

"You look like you had something in your eye. Surely the wind will help."

IS THIS SPITE? IS THIS A JOKE?

That's for Yuugi to ponder.

It was for Yuugi to ponder maybe, but the response?

Laughter. Fingers curling into his bangs as he laughed, open and free and happy as he considered that this was Kaiba's attempt at being funny.

"The wind just makes you look better," he giggled, "It's almost unfair how good you look like that."

"Oh, please. Enough," Kaiba scoffs, rolling the windows (and his eyes) up. But if Yuugi looked closely, very very closely, he'd catch the barest hint of color on his face. "There's no time for this kind of nonsense, we have to be presentable and objective."

He is DRIVING and OBJECTIVE and NOTHING YUUGI SAYS WIL GET UNDER HIS SKIN TODAY!

Thank goodness it's a short trip. Ughhhh, he cannot, under any circumstances, let Yuugi see he's gotten any kind of reaction!

(yuugi probably already knows doesn't he)

It was hard not to notice when you had to keep track of every one of Kaiba's expressions to read him well.

This was 'embarrassed' Kaiba, one of his favorites: the tiny blush was so cute. It was barely there, but to a man with this kind of poise, it might as well have been neon, bright enough for everyone to see.

"Right, right," Yuugi said, "I'll be good."

"Good."

A hand comes up, and Kaiba flattens his bangs back into their usual styling as best he can, then stays silent unless addressed through the rest of the car ride. It's not that he particularly despises Yuugi's company. If he did, Yuugi wouldn't be here! He still struggles with normal interactions between them though, now that they're closer.

Part of it is his personality.

Some of it is being convinced that any wrong move will equate to flipping the chessboard and ruining the game, which he doesn't want to do.

Either way...they soon arrive to Kaiba Land, and he parks in the employee spots near the back. The place does still look closed, but...huh, it also looks as if someone else preceded them here. That's Isono's car, isn't it? And aren't some of the rides going, despite the gates being firmly shut?

Kaiba, as usual, explains very little, instead exiting his car and expecting Yuugi to do the same. And quickly.

The silence was something Yuugi was used to, though; Kaiba was a quiet sort in private, different from the bombastic man who faced him in duels and made speeches in public as the CEO of KaibaCorp.

Perhaps with anyone else, he would have found the silence to be a bit unnerving, or that he did something wrong--

But with Kaiba, who he knew was quieter and simply not as chatty as Yuugi, it was nice.

Comfortable.

Definitely not offputting or strange; not like seeing the KaibaLand rides active when the park should be closed. Were they testing them out or something? Doing regular maintenance...?

He hopped out of the car, closing the door behind him and falling in step beside Kaiba.

He knew better than to ask; all would be revealed soon enough, right?

Edited 2025-06-29 14:39 (UTC)

Indeed, all would be revealed in short order. Kaiba leads the way in through the employee access, holding the door open for Yuugi. Once they're both in, he's back at the lead, fiddling with his cufflinks momentarily. A single odd choice despite the sureness of his steps.

What could be on his mind?

It takes a while, but eventually, they emerge from the staff halls and into the park itself, somewhere near the duel stadium. There.

Children. There's children here, at least a couple dozen, if not a little bit more. Isono is amongst them, looking a bit harried as he tries to keep them mostly corralled to the general area when there's really no means by which to do so. Kaiba Land isn't about tying anyone down, after all, and is specifically made for the enjoyment of children. Why would they want to stay put forever?

"Oi!"

The vocalization cuts loudly across the crowd, making the sea of small faces turn their attention to Kaiba.

"Ahh! It's him!"

"It's Seto Kaiba!"

"Kaiba-sama!! Why did you take so long?"

"Kaiba-sama, who is that?!"

"Dummy, that's Yuugi Mutou! That's the King of Games!! But why would Kaiba-sama bring him here?"

"Ohh! What if they duel?! Exciting, exciting!!!!"

It's like an onslaught of young voices, layering all over one another, chattering excitedly as they tried to get to the bottom of everything. Kaiba, however, is having none of their shenanigans. He crosses his arms, stance demanding their attention.

"Enough! I brought you here for more than just some 'fun and games'! Isono, file them into the stadium, front row seats!! We have much to discuss!" he barks loudly. The children seem a little more serious, but not as disappointed as perhaps they might have been.

"Yes, Master Seto," is Isono's response, before he raises a hand to catch the attention of the children. Good luck to him, they're not much more than eleven at the oldest. "Come, let's have a seat, children."

First, Isono. Then the children. Then Kaiba takes up the rear, giving Yuugi a sidelong glance that beckons him in. So it is a meeting after all, but not a press meeting, or a talk with the shareholders.

This is different. And once they're somewhat less inundated with the crowd, Yuugi might catch something in Kaiba's eye. A questioning gaze, as if he's expecting Yuugi to be carrying something.

His deck, perhaps?

Well it was a good thing that Yuugi was carrying his deck, but...

Honestly, the entire scene was...cute. It was like Kaiba was meeting up with the true shareholders of Kaiba Land, the children who enjoyed it far more than those with deep pockets and greed in their eyes could ever dream.

It was made for them, after all.

With every questioning stare, Yuugi responded with a bright smile but a shy little wave.

"Hi."

"Hello there."

"Hi!"

As they filed out, Yuugi followed close behind, making sure to fall in step with Kaiba and look as confident as he could. Not just so he could be proud to stand behind him, but...

...

To make the children feel more at ease. He was the King of Games to these kids; he needed to look and feel the part.

At Kaiba's gaze, he met his in turn, warm and steadfast...

...And patting his hip pouch.

Yep. He definitely did bring his deck.

Kaiba catches the motion, nods, then turns his attention elsewhere. Yuugi is obviously meant to follow him up onto the stage, while Isono guides the children to their seats. They fill about two of the rows, a respectable number. At the center of the stage, some distance back, there's a table, but no playmats, and certainly no Duel Disks for either he or Yuugi to put on.

So then it begs the question: Why does he care if Yuugi has his deck with him?

Once the kids are seated, Kaiba walks to the front of the stage, arms crossed. Unlike most adults, he doesn't have to demand for a hush--they're all very attuned to his presence.

"Welcome!" he says, but it's barked out in such a way that it's hard to tell that it was meant in a positive manner. "You know who I am, and you know I do very little without a reason!! But why are you here? The answer is simple!"

Then there's the gesticulating. An arm thrown out in a sweeping gesture, the other falling to his side.

"This day, you will spend on the premises doing as you please, and you will be fed and provided with entertainment and amenities for the next five hours. You should appreciate such bounty--a bounty that those such as yourselves have been disallowed for some time, am I right?"

He pauses then, lets the children mutter amongst themselves, come to any conclusion at all. He waits until the first one finally speaks their mind--

"What would you know about it?!" a young boy asks sharply, and the others gasp and stare, some even scooting away from him as if somehow, Seto Kaiba will incinerate the dissenter with his gaze. "You're rich! You have everything you want, and if you didn't, then you could buy it!"

And at that, Kaiba laughs, loud and derisive, enough to make the kid flush in frustration.

"IS THAT SO?" he shouts, before effortlessly hopping off the stage and moving in closer. "You must think that all of this was handed to me, then. Then you'd be WRONG! I, too, was once left nearly alone, with no one but my brother in the world!! We stayed at an orphanage for years, because there were people who refused to adopt us both!

The system is shoddy at best, harmful in truth, with the way that it treats orphans like pets to be chosen and adopted based on such arbitrary criteria as age, or aesthetic!

I am rich, with everything that I want, because I refused what fate had in store for me! I challenged a man to a game, and with my resourcefulness, I was able to strike a deal hinging on my victory! But it was a deal with the devil, for my 'father' was barely anything of the sort. What I have, I took, by hook or by crook. No one will hand you your happy ending, do you understand?"

Now he's standing in front of that kid, glaring down at him, but the usual ice is barely noticeable. He's just...chastising, not humiliating.

"To lose stability. To lose those who loved you, and who you loved in turn, it's a deep cut. But collapsing in on yourself isn't an option. Giving up is a coward's path!

Like I said," he begins, now addressing the crowd again as he leans against the stage. It's a more relaxed position, something open. "No one will hand you your happy ending. Not even I can do that. But what I can offer is this."

His arms open wide, gesturing to the entirety of the area. Not just the stadium, but what's beyond it.

"No child should go without games, or entertainment. Not as I have. Never again. Hope lies in these walls. Strength and fortitude against the ills of the world, and so I tell you now--if your custodians will not allow you in these doors for the pitiful excuse of not being able to pay their way in, know that you may join me again, just as you have now, and you WILL be allowed your simple joys! This I will promise you.

The only thing I ask for is your time, and...mheh heh heh...I also ask for your participation."

So saying, he smirks and glances out across the rows.

"Check under your seat. There should be a clipboard with two items: A worksheet, and a set of personal questions. Fill your name in on the first sheet, then complete it as far as you like. If you don't want to participate, then I don't really care, but the name is required.

I'd rather know who has the courage to seize their own glory in this room. You have five minutes to work, so GET STARTED! If you need assistance, then ask my associates, or myself."

...

He loved this man.

Was that a normal thing to think? Seto was perfect with the children, all sound and thunder but with no barbs on his gloves. A persona without cruelty.

A gentle lion who roared to show his strength.

That was...

That was Kaiba.

Yuugi watched as the children grabbed the clipboards and scribbled with shaky and clumsy fingers; Isono even helped one child with cerebral palsy with some of the tougher parts of writing, even as his determined little eyes stared at the task at hand.

Everyone was so energized; Yuugi was, too.

...

Enough to move to grab a clipboard under his own seat--

Eheh.

Nobody saw that, right?

The children all seemed to be of the same opinion as Yuugi. They didn't really seem intimidated by Kaiba, not even the one who'd spoken out against him. It was honestly impressive.

As for Kaiba himself, he takes a seat at the edge of the stage, legs crossed, and he reaches into the inner pocket of his coat, plucking his deck out and casually beginning to shuffle. He has time.

He has, for once, all the time in the world that he wants while the children, and apparently Yuugi, look over the worksheet he's made.

It's a mix of aptitude and psychological questions, along with personal preferences and opinions, but at the end of the day, it's all busywork. He'll have Isono collect the worksheets, and there's a reason for that. But...the reason isn't as important now as it will be later.

Kaiba exhales silently, then splits his deck between both hands. Slender thumbs slide across the printed surfaces, spreading the cards into a circle that flows as cleanly as a stream. The flourish is terminated skillfully, the cards reunited only for a moment before he pulls them up in another, more complex flourish that slides the cards upwards, his hands parted a good three feet. Despite this, they seem connected, like a serpent.

Did you know, Yuugi? Your boyfriend enjoys cardistry.

And did you know, Yuugi? He had a feeling you'd find a clipboard and start filling it out. Because of course he did. Kaiba's a good read of people. Which is why Yuugi's worksheet has individualized questions sprinkled in, such as:

Would you go to an upscale restaurant? If so, state your culinary preferences.

What is something you'd give anything to see if you had the opportunity?

and of course, the most bald-faced question of all:

Should we your friends over for dinner sometime?

Yeah...yeah, Kaiba was maybe using this to his advantage. Would Yuugi expect different?

Wait.

Hold on...

These questions, they were...

Yuugi glanced up towards Kaiba's face, opened his mouth, and...

Stopped.

Look at those fingers, delicately handling those cards as they danced in the air. Look at the way he confidently performed tricks that made cards flow and splash from between his fingertips.

Beautiful.

It was Beautiful.

For a moment, Yuugi stared at Kaiba, mouth slack as his wide eyes would not leave him.

But...he squeaked and stared down at his paper and began to write:

I would love to go with you sometime! I have never been anywhere fancy, but anywhere that serves meat is fine by me!

I've always wanted to go and visit MonsterCon in New York! It's a game and hobbyist convention where you can buy figures and play all kinds of games. It's like WonFest, but for tabletop games, and not just figures!

Once we've dated a while. I'd absolutely love that.

Kaiba wouldn't see the answers until later, but that was fine. He seems quite distracted, although when he notices Yuugi's staring, he does momentarily take his attention from the cards and catch his eye with a grin.

"Close your mouth," he says quietly. "Flies might get in."

And as he says that, he thumbs a card up and over in a controlled arc, catching it deftly in between two fingers, where it can be seen. Yep. Blue-Eyes. Of course.

That stupid sexy man.

That stupid, proud, amazing, infuriating man.

Was it possible to want to kiss someone because they were being a shit?

...

Yes.

Yes it was.

Yuugi swiftly closed his mouth and continued to write his answers, but not before glancing up...

And flashing a fond, almost besotted little smile.

Kaiba rolls his eyes, but the smirk doesn't leave his lips. He keeps playing with his cards, the flourishes becoming complex enough that even the kids start to watch once they're done--presumably--with their work. One of them awkwardly approaches for a better look, silently observing until finally:

"Do you want to learn one?"

They jump back, as if expecting to be pounced on. Admittedly, Kaiba has an intense personality, and resting bitch face at that. But the kid isn't entirely deterred.

"Um. Maybe just one."

"Fine."

Kaiba holds his hand out, thumb at the center of his deck...then the cards begin to spread evenly in a smooth circle.

"I'll show you this one."

And after he says that, he reaches into his pocket again, and hands the child a deck of playing cards. Surely they didn't expect to hold his deck, right? He's tolerant, but even he has limits.

While everyone works, he instructs the child on how to hold the cards, how to move their fingers and emulate his movement. It takes a minute or two, and their moves are incredibly shaky, but eventually the kid manages to do 70% of the spread without dropping their cards.

None but two would be able to read the placid expression on his face as any sort of satisfied. He really does look serious, but there's something softer in his gaze this time.

How could one explain the soft, marshmallow-gooey sort of warmth one got in their heart when they saw the one they loved being kind to children? How could you put the way your heart bubbled over and your body heated up from the inside out?

How could you describe it in a way that did justice to this feeling?

Yuugi was no wordsmith. He was no poet.

All he could do was bask in it as he rested his hands over his finished paper and watched Seto Kaiba in his element. In his--

"Um."

-- nothing, because a wide-eyed little girl blocked his view.

"Hi there," he said. "Everything okay?"

"Um."

She really was a cute kid; she couldn't have been any older than six, dressed in a gown of white and blue. Her black curls bounced on her shoulders.

"Are you and Mister Kaiba friends?" She asked.

"Sort of," he chuckled, "I'm not sure that Mr. Kaiba would use that term, though."

She smiled.

"You look like friends," she said, "You smile at him a lot."

"That's because he's amazing."

"You think so, too?! I think Blue Eyes is the prettiest dragon ever."

"You like dragons?"

"Uh-huh! They're the best! They're so big and pretty and they are so powerful, too! Mr. Kaiba is like a dragon, too!"

"He is, isn't he?" Seriously Yuugi, don't sound so enthused about that, "The most powerful dragon in the world."

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Way up in the Air, You're Finally Free [Rivalship]

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