So this is a sequel to Like Forces.
We left the last story with the threat from Zigfried and his mother being neutralized and Lara agreed to move in with Kaiba. This pretty much picks up where the other left off.
NB: Please note that I do not own YuGiOh or the characters therein except for my own plot and characters. Any similarities to anyone alive or dead is purely coincidental.
Lara opened her eyes. The warmth of the duvet hugged her as she woke taking in the brightness of her surroundings that she now called home. Kaiba had her possessions moved to the manor as soon as she had agreed to move in and she could not have been happier. Lara turned over onto her side facing the magnificent specimen of a man that she called hers, who was still asleep. It was their first day back in Domino and the last day of their little break before they had to return to work the next morning. Kaiba looked so utterly peaceful that she chose to admire him instead of waking him. His pink lips were slightly parted as he breathed deeply, his long lashes fanned out on his cheek and his soft chestnut hair was tousled. Whenever she saw him like this, it was difficult to believe that he could wake into the fire breathing dragon that had most people quaking in their boots. The thought always made her chuckle. She propped her head on her elbow and gently ran her fingers through his silky locks. He stirred, knitting his brows together. He slowly opened his piercing blue eyes.
"Hey," she greeted with a smile. He replied with his signature smirk. She would fight wars for that smirk. He reached out with his arms, pulling her to his body, wrapping her in a close embrace. Kaiba placed a chaste kiss on her head. It was not like him to sleep in but after a twelve hour return flight and an eight hour time difference, she thought they had earned it.
Kaiba had decided that they should spend some time as a family away from Domino and the three of them flew to Switzerland for their little break. They stayed at a beautiful wooden, castle-like resort in the snow covered mountains of the Alps. It was quiet, discreet and breathtaking. Their suites were warm with their cabin style walls and stone fireplace. Lara's favourite thing though, was the balcony that afforded them and amazing view of the slopes, dotted with tall pine trees, each needle dusted with white snow. It was like being in a fairytale. The only word she could use to describe it was splendorous.
Lara and Mokuba spent much of their time skiing and to their great surprise, Kaiba had joined them a few times. He was a fast learner and became rather good in a short amount of time but he prefered to watch rather than participate. Lara took great pleasure in teaching Mokuba. He was definitely not as graceful as Kaiba but he listened carefully to the instructions and made great progress during their week. Sometimes he would wipe out spectacularly, taking Lara with him. Getting back up was always difficult afterwards because they would both be laughing so hard.
It was a lovely little getaway to spend time together and try to move past all the events that had transpired the year before. Every now and then Lara would think about Leon and how lonely his life had become, it always saddened her. Mokuba was always quick to pick up on her moods and divert her attention; Kaiba, however, simply let her be. He knew that sometimes all it would take for things to get better, was time.
Held snugly in Kaiba's embrace, Lara thought to the previous morning when they had to leave the picturesque Swiss resort. He had held her the same way he was now. It was nice seeing him relaxed and in a perpetually good mood.
"We have to get ready to go," she had said quietly.
"It's our plane, it goes when we say so," he replied making Lara roll her eyes. "I know when you do that," he said. She could hear the amusement in his voice.
Lara let out a content sigh. Things finally seemed to be looking up for her. She was a bit disappointed that the week had passed so quickly. She knew there was much work to be done but she selfishly wanted to hold on to a little more time spent with Kaiba. Alas, she knew that was not possible so she slipped out of his embrace and made her way to the bathroom where she quickly brushed up, put on a robe and then head down to the kitchen.
The best thing about moving into the Kaiba mansion was the kitchen staff. They always had a fresh pot of coffee going and every morning started off with a divine breakfast. It definitely beat the mornings at her apartment. She poured two mugs of the steaming aromatic witches brew and took them up to the bedroom. Kaiba had just emerged from the bathroom as she shut the door behind her.
"Here's your coffee," she said as she handed him the hot mug.
"Thanks," he replied. She took a long sip before placing the mug down on her bedside table. Lara sat cross legged at the end of the bed, watching Kaiba dress for the day.
"Enjoying the show?" he asked with a smirk.
She grinned back. "Always." He shook his head at her but he still moved towards the bed with his shirt open, revealing his bare chest. He caged her using his body and pressed his lips to hers, kissing her passionately. He broke away too soon for her liking.
"Get dressed, or we'll never make it out of this room," he teased seductively.
"That doesn't sound bad to me," she said playfully. By this point Kaiba had already buttoned up his shirt. He picked up his coffee mug and made to leave the room. "Get dressed." He instructed before closing the door behind him. She dressed quickly in jeans and a turtleneck then joined the brothers at the breakfast table.
"Morning Lara," Mokuba greeted, still in his pyjamas.
"Hey Mokes. I'm surprised you're awake," she said as she took her usual seat opposite him.
"You shouldn't be; you woke up late," Mokuba teased.
"That was a pretty late flight last night," she replied.
"Yeah, we should definitely go back there," Mokuba said through a mouthful of pancake.
"Absolutely. Maybe we could see a bit more of Switzerland. I think you guys would like it," Lara said. She helped herself to fruit and yoghurt while Kaiba busied himself on his tablet. A silence fell upon the table. It felt calm and relaxed. Lara brought a spoonful of fruit and yoghurt to her lips, making her way through her breakfast bowl quietly. Mokuba was the one to break the silence.
"What are you getting up to today Lara?" he asked.
"Not sure, you?" she replied.
"I want to see the guys for a bit. I messaged Yugi before breakfast."
"Probably a good idea. We haven't seen him in a couple weeks," she added.
"Yeah, and you bro?" Mokuba turned his attention to Kaiba.
"I have a bit of work to do. Everything goes back to normal tomorrow," he said in his gravelly voice.
"Yeah, I have some stuff I want to catch up on as well," Lara agreed.
"Guys, it's our last day of leave. Okay I know I won't win this with Seto but Lara, you can come out for a bit. I promise we'll be back at a decent hour so you can finish your homework," he teased.
"You should go. You know he isn't going to give up," Kaiba said, amused.
"He's right," Mokuba grinned.
"Fine. What time do we have to leave?" she asked.
"Yugi said he'd call me once the other's let him know."
"In that case let me know when we have to head out. I'll do a bit of catch up in the meantime," Lara said as she poured herself another mug of coffee from the silver coffee pot on the table.
She fetched her laptop and some files then set it all up on the white wrought iron garden furniture on the glass enclosed patio overlooking the gardens. She was trying to finalise the marketing team that she would be putting together to assist Yugi. She had worked on it whenever she could leading up to the trip and all that was left now was to decide on the final three candidates, she would then hand everything over to Yugi as they would be in his employ. She had suggested that the Kaiba Corp. team that was temporarily helping out would work synchronously with the new team when the Game of the Year edition was released, that way the transition would be as smooth as possible. Everyone on this team had come from previously shortlisted candidates for jobs at Kaiba Corp. but were ultimately unsuccessful.
Lara stretched, her gaze wandering over the snow covered lawn, the trees that all had little mounds of white covering the branches. It was peaceful and beautiful. The next day would not be. Lara knew full well that since Kaiba Corp. never really closed for any holiday that work would have continued as normal. She now also faced the challenge of a new year, but so far, it had started pretty darn well.