A/N: It's been a little while since I've written anything. I'm a tad rusty but hopefully it's still an enjoyable read.


December settled in quickly, bringing the first of winter's chill to Domino. Undeterred by the cold, the city grew even more vibrant. Strings of festive lights encircled the trees and hung from the windows of even the smallest shops. People weaved in and out of the crowd to get where they needed to go in preparation for the year's end, buying sweets and gifts for their loved ones. Among them, Kaiba had tucked himself into the corner of a small boutique, watching his younger brother rifle through a pile of scarves trying to find the perfect one.

Their morning had been more eventful than Kaiba would have liked, with Mokuba practically tripping down the stairs with excitement and whisking them out the door to hit the stores. December was the one time when he was able to take some time out for himself as stocks generally took care of themselves with all that gift-giving and group-gathering nonsense everyone except him seemed to like so much. He also worked himself raw October through November to ensure that his commitments were light and he could afford to have the time off. Due to that, shopping wasn't his preferred leisure activity, but Mokuba was almost 18 and Kaiba had realized that the possibility of Mokuba running off to some foreign college, and disappearing on him for three years, was becoming quite possible now that acceptance letters were being mailed out.

"What about this one?"

Mokuba held a dark red scarf in one hand. The material was thick and warm, with strands of green running through it here and there, and the ends were cut to look frayed. Kaiba let his head dip slightly in approval and Mokuba signalled to the store clerk that his mind was made up. He shoved it in his bag, along with the other things he'd bought throughout the day, and grabbed his brother's hand, dragging him out of the store.

Grateful at least to be out of the corner, Kaiba let himself be dragged out onto the sidewalk. The dry, cool wind, hit his face and he let himself enjoy it for a moment or two before he turned to Mokuba who was hurriedly tapping away at his phone's onscreen keyboard. Kaiba figured he was either messaging a girl or messaging Yuugi, one or the other. He tried to look but Mokuba pulled the phone back skillfully without even looking up from what he was typing.

Kaiba clucked his tongue and shoved his hand into his pocket. He told himself he should enjoy this while it lasted... After all, he still felt like one day he woke up and Mokuba was a teenager. He'd cut his hair shorter recently, giving him a teen idol sort of look that Kaiba was still getting used to, but his clothing taste developed, running more towards business casual, which Kaiba was quietly thankful for. Mokuba was definitely handsome, a thought that was echoed by all the teenage girls in Domino City, and he was having his own successes hosting a lot of KaibaCorp fundraisers and expos, which suited his exuberant personality much better than Kaiba's, which still remained icy and indifferent.

But, he conceded, this is nice.

"Oh, everyone's finally here now, Seto."

Kaiba's eyes narrowed. "And here I thought I was just starting to have fun."

Mokuba grinned at him devilishly and held up the bag he'd been shoving the numerous purchases into.

"Gifts, big brother," he said pointedly. "That you helped me pick out."

"You showed me, I nodded, you bought," Kaiba replied lazily.

"Close enough," Mokuba chimed and slid his phone back into his pocket. "So," he continued, unphased, "I was thinking we could get coffee and scones."

Kaiba nodded. Coffee sounded good.

As they walked, he let himself quietly observe the scenery around him once more, all the while idly agreeing or disagreeing with his younger brother on the myriad of topics that were on his mind. Blah, blah, blah, KaibaCorp, christmas parties, different kinds of cake, blah, blah, blah, KaibaCorp having a christmas party with five different kinds of cake. By the time they arrived at the cafe and settled into a booth next to each other, Mokuba had already planned a whole party down to the napkins.

"You're good at this," Kaiba noted.

Mokuba gave him a side-glance from from over the rim of his hot chocolate.

"You could always run for Chief Creative Officer next year."

"Or you just don't want me accepting the offer to go to Switzerland," Mokuba snorted when he put his cup down.

"Or I just want to let you know you have other options to consider," he corrected him before lifting the cup of coffee to his mouth. "What time are you meeting the others tomorrow?" he asked, before he took a sip.

"Well nothing's set in stone, yet, but since everyone's back today, we'll probably coordinate the time soon. Are you sure you won't come?"

"Certain."

Mokuba stroked the handle of the cup with his thumb, still holding it up to his mouth. "The one time that everyone is actually here, and we actually have free time, you won't come. How did I know this was going to happen?"

Kaiba sighed, choosing to bite back his snide comment, and started to take advantage of the view his window seat offered him. They'd been over this a few times before; Mokuba had chosen to keep in touch with the others, mostly Yuugi from what he gathered, but the others, too, here and there. Kaiba wanted no part in the periodic updates, although he did entertain some talk while pretending not to listen. Mokuba would scold him for his attitude towards the people who 'saved the both of us repeatedly, if you happened to forget', and Kaiba would answer with the usual, 'I saved myself and I owe them nothing'. The year that just went past, Mokuba had given up on it and Kaiba figured hormones, girls, and university offers had finally become more important than the near impossible task of convincing Kaiba to care, let alone admit that he did.

"That's why we're meeting them now," Mokuba said bitterly.

The rush of noise that approached them, coupled with Mokuba's words, made his stomach drop. His eyes darted to face front and he saw Yuugi first, Anzu and Honda behind him, heading towards the booth. His jaw clenched immediately realizing what Mokuba had done and suddenly he understood Mokuba's urgency to head out the door and finish the shopping first thing in the morning.

"Hey, Kaiba," Yuugi greeted as he slid into the booth opposite, taking the window seat.

Honda slid into the seat next to him, and Anzu sat down next to Mokuba.

"Yuugi," he managed with a slight nod of his head, avoiding the inquisitive violet gaze by turning his own back towards the window.

Rather quickly, the booth was consumed by chatter, and the scent of chocolate and cinnamon; but the erratic clinking of cups and forks hitting plates, and random raised voices kept Kaiba on-edge. Mokuba's cheery demeanour only added to his ire, going so far as to make him feel disrespected.

Tricked, sour, and still festering, Kaiba turned his glare to Yuugi who was still burning holes into the side of his head. Unfortunately, this gave Yuugi the impression that he was ready for conversation.

"How have you been, Kaiba?"

Kaiba deflected the question: "Fine."

"I saw your VR reveal on the TV last month. It'll be a big success, I think."

"Of course it will," Kaiba responded flatly.

Yuugi pressed on, seemingly grasping for straws. "Mokuba's speech was really good. The crowd accepted it easily."

"Yeah, maybe he should be the new face of KaibaCorp," Honda interjected teasingly, gaining the harsh glare of Kaiba's pent-up frustration.

"Actually," Mokuba piped up, before Kaiba could get any slandering words in edgewise, "Seto was just suggesting that I become Chief Creative Officer next year."

There was a murmur of approval and congratulations throughout the table and then Anzu: "You're not considering the school in Switzerland, anymore?"

Kaiba looked towards his brother, glare still locked-and-loaded, his mood and eyebrows knitting even tighter. Since when did they all get this close? But Mokuba just smiled-a business man's smile-and said it was 'still being considered'. Kaiba looked back out of the window again, trying to unball the fists that had formed under the table, nails starting to dig painfully into the flesh of his palms.

Down the street, a young boy and girl argued, and Kaiba let his attention focus on their scuffle. He quickly realized that it was over a candybar of some sort, the brightly coloured wrapper being waved around above the young boy's head, far out of the smaller girl's reach. Just as the girl gave another futile jump, her face red with frustration and cold, the candybar was snatched away by a stranger who had just walked up. The young children turned to face their assailant, and Kaiba observed the stranger, dressed all in black with the hood up, put the candybar behind his back and crouch to their level. Kaiba arched an eyebrow, his frown still deeply rooted on his face, and watched intently as they started to talk before, finally, the little boy pointed. The stranger took a hand out from behind his back, and gave the candy bar to the young boy. A second later, the other hand came into view and he gave the girl a matching pack, as well.

How sweet, Kaiba snarked to himself, picking up his coffee and bringing it to his lips.

As the children scampered off, the man continued on down the block heading closer, his head lowered enough that Kaiba could not make it out. Upon taking in the man's outfit, and realizing that it was much more than just a black ensemble, he bit the inside of his cheek feeling annoyed but appreciative. Taking a sip of his coffee, he watched the stranger reach up to take off his hood. Promptly, upon seeing that stranger's face and a head of blonde hair, he choked on the coffee going down his throat.

Kaiba tried to smother the cough that came along with the bitter taste that was coating his throat but failed, letting out a quick cough. The red-hot flame of embarrassment boiled up inside of him, along with the realization that he had somehow managed to find Jounouchi attractive for even a split second after all this time.

"Are you okay?" Yuugi asked, genuine concern displayed on his face, his question echoed by the others at the table.

The concern of the others was quickly diverted as the door to the store chimed, and while Kaiba continued to suffer with the liquid stuck in his throat, Jounouchi sidled up to the table.

"Kaiba, are you dyin'?" Jounouchi asked, his voice filled with laughter and curiosity at the same time.

"Not likely," Kaiba managed as the dark liquid finally quit its assault on his throat and found its way down the right way.

"Good," he replied, pulling off his coat and taking a seat next to Honda.

Kaiba felt Mokuba pat his leg underneath the table.

"Sorry, I'm late," Jounouchi apologized, "The meeting ran a little bit late."

"Wouldn't be like you to be on time," Honda jeered.

Jounouchi snorted. "I'll have you know I was busy jumping a little kid for their chocolate bar."

"But how did the interview go?" Honda asked, clearly unamused.

"The meeting went fine, Honda, thanks for askin'."

"So?" Mokuba asked excitedly.

"What's the verdict?" Anzu joined in.

"Uh, well, I'm still waiting for the call but I'm pretty sure it's a go. The head engineer didn't seem to have any reservations about showing me the project and introducing me to some of the mechanics."

From his spot in the corner, Kaiba dealt with his stomach as it started to twist. He'd never felt like it had been in his best interest to listen to Mokuba's Dweeb Patrol updates, nor had he ever wished more than he did right now, that Mokuba had just chosen to sever ties all those years ago when everyone went their seperate ways.

"So then the gang's back together!" Anzu cheered from behind Mokuba.

"Hear hear," Honda grumbled.

Kaiba watched a small smile creep up on Jounouchi's lips, and even as the chatter resumed between them, Jounouchi stayed silent. Kaiba kept his gaze focused on the other, trying to project his new, and his mounting, frustrations onto the other. Yet, somehow, even though he had been forced into this situation-blocked into the booth by Mokuba and Anzu, stuck being analyzed by Yuugi from across the booth, even assaulted by Jounouchi's fine show through the window-he could not, and despite Mokuba being right next to him, he had never felt further removed from a situation.

"I've gotta head out now," Anzu said suddenly, sounding satisfied, "I have recitals in a few hours. Yuugi?"

"Coming," he answered complacently.

"I'll come with you," Honda echoed, "Gotta head back to the station."

Mokuba suddenly perked up. "Can I stand in the line-up?"

Kaiba cut his eyes at his brother but he was just met with another of those dazzling businessman smiles. It left him feeling breathless.

"I'm not bailing you out if someone recognizes you," he snarked, trying to block out the rising emotion.

Finally, he triumphed internally as the group stood up and started to file out. He let himself look out of the window again, thinking he would try to gather his thoughts now, but he heard someone sit back down at the booth. Reluctantly, he turned his eyes back to the table, expecting Yuugi and another weak attempt at a conversation that had ended five years ago, but instead, he only saw Jounouchi, looking back at him.

The late afternoon sun was caught in the other's dark brown eyes, revealing an amber depth that made Kaiba bristle.

"You're not going to take your leave?" he ground out, gesturing towards the door.

The silence that followed was eerie. Kaiba felt a tug of nostalgia, briefly brought back to a time that seemed very far away; a time when Jounouchi would purposely put himself in Kaiba's line of sight, always trying and never really making the statement he wanted to make.

Finally, the unreadable expression cracked and a crooked smile appeared on Jounouchi's face instead.

"I figured I'd stick around and make ya miserable instead," was the astute answer Kaiba recieved, and the tightly wound strings within him released all at once. He almost groaned out loud.

"Mokuba force you to be here?" Jounouchi asked, stirring his hot chocolate with a long, thin, dessert spoon that clanged off the side of the cup awkwardly.

Kaiba turned his attention back towards the window for what felt like the thousandth time, and hoped Jounouchi would be put off by his silence. Yet, the other continued, unphased.

"He always was a brat. Pretty good at it, too, if he he managed to get you in here with all of us."

Jounouchi laughed awkwardly.

"Still, not much of a talker, I see," Jounouchi continued, "That's fine, though. I like you better when you're acting all cool and apathetic."

Kaiba let his eyes roll back to Jounouchi and raised an eyebrow at him but Jounouchi wasn't looking at him anymore, his dark eyes were focused on what, if anything, was left in his mug. Kaiba settled for looking at the eyelashes that were casting shadows down Jounouchi's cheeks. He raised his coffee and took a sip, watching the slow progression of Jounouchi's emotions, always readily available on his face.

"I know we've never been close," Jounouchi started finally, his voice sounding terse, "And that's not gonna change, but it's still irrating you pretend not to hear what I'm saying."

"Some things are better left unspoken," Kaiba offered, and met Jounouchi's wide eyes when he looked back up at him.

"No shit," Jounouchi mumbled before breaking eye contact and swallowing the last of what was in his mug. "It was nice seeing you, Kaiba."

Kaiba watched as he pulled up a scarf from beside him on the booth and wrapped it around his neck. He recognized the scarf as the one that Mokuba had picked up from the boutique, an unfamiliar feeling ran through his chest.

Gifts, big brother. That you helped me pick out.

Kaiba's voice left his lips before he could stop it. "Hey," he called out as the other stood.

Jounouchi looked at him, his eyebrows drawn together.

"You, too."

He watched Jounouchi's face tighten a little bit more, a line forming between his eyebrows, and then there was only Jounouchi's laughter. Kaiba was sure he hadn't meant to be funny and he regretted saying it even more now that Jounouchi was laughing like he'd been told a very grand joke.

"Even you trying to be nice is mean," Jounouchi said, his voice still ringing with laughter.

The blonde dropped a few bills on the table next to his empty mug, and Kaiba could only watch as he walked away, feeling quite thrown, still wondering what it was that Jounouchi had been trying to say.