I do not own the rights to Yu-Gi-Oh. Someday, maybe, when I am very very rich… Only who in their right mind would sell the rights to someone who could write something like this?
This is based upon my own inner suspicion that there is a real sick relationship, between Pegasus and his ever-faithful bodyguard, and upon the following definition of an unconscienceable contract: It is one where one party has no meaningful choice but to accept whatever terms the other offers (Now, see what a person gets from studying Law?).
"You want to what?" Pegasus licked his lips nervously.
"I want to reenact Duelist' Kingdom, Master Pegasus."
"What -- You want Cook to put eyeballs in our soup tonight?" Pegasus gave him his cutest smile. "No -- Wait -- I know --" He laughed. "You want me to invite lots and lots of kids back here to take star chips from each other --" Smiling up at Croquet from the chaise, he invited him to share the joke.
Croquet's expression did not change. Pegasus looked at him for a moment. "You're kidding, right?" he said at last. "I mean --" His smile faltered. "You know -- um -- Duelist' Kingdom…" He scanned Croquet's face, but his eyes were hidden behind his dark glasses. "You must know I don't want to do that." His voice rose a little.
"We've gone this far, Master Pegasus." Croquet spoke softly. "Was it so difficult?"
Pegasus put on his adorable smile again. He tilted his head a little, the way Croquet always liked. "But this is Duelist' Kingdom we're talking about --" His voice was cajoling. "I don't even like to think about that -- You can't mean…" He glanced again at Croquet's impassive face. His voice trailed off.
"Master Pegasus," Croquet was beside him. "You have to trust me." Pegasus looked up at him, his hair falling away from his face. "We'll try this tonight -- In the dungeons." He put out one hand and touched his cheek -- Ever so lightly -- with just the tip of one finger. "I'll be Kaiba."
"No." Pegasus' voice was petulant. "I don't want to --" His glance flicked back to that masklike face. "You can't make me --"
"Why is this so hard?" Croquet's voice was hypnotic. "You know I love you." He stroked his face again. "I stayed, didn't I?" Silently, Pegasus nodded, his gaze fixed on Croquet's face. "Even after all you did -- After all you did to me --" He bent and kissed him.
"Don't leave me." Pegasus looked downward. His voice was almost inaudible. "Too many people have left…"
"I'll never leave you, Master Pegasus." Croquet put his arms around him, while Pegasus rested his head against his shoulder. Gently, he ran his hand over his long hair. "I love you," he said. He kissed the top of his head.
Pegasus pulled away a little. When he turned to look back at Croquet, his smile had returned -- The same old, mad, playful grin -- "That was a good joke." He sounded genuinely amused. "You almost had me believing you." He gave Croquet a quick kiss. "What do you really want to do? Say, I have an idea," he said brightly, "Shall I get that black harness you wanted? The one with the studs?"
Croquet said nothing. His face was turned toward Pegasus. He might have been looking at him. How could you know? He was still wearing his dark glasses. "I've got a trenchcoat," he said, "and an apron."
"No --"
"People do things for someone who loves them -- Sometimes -- Things they don't think they want to do." He cupped Pegasus' face in both hands and looked into it.
"Not like this -- This isn't love."
"Tonight, Master Pegasus." He kissed him again. "In the dungeons -- Wear the white shirt with your dueling costume." His voice was tender, caressing. "Because I love you."
"You do love me?" Pegasus' voice was thin, almost sad.
Croquet drew him closer and kissed him. "Tonight, Master Pegasus." They sat together like that, locked in each others' arms, for a long time, while the dungeons waited silently for them below.