Headcanon: The Kaiba Brothers have a posh, open concept, single story apartment a block from the KC building. It's spacious enough for the two of them, not really a home for entertaining parties. Not that Kaiba would have a party, anyway.
They have three rescue dogs.
Walter is a multi-colored, one-eyed Jack Russell with lots of energy. He has a bad back but that won't stop him from having a good time. There is a three-legged orange corgi named Cyan who loves playing fetch and nipping at ankles. The only female is a light brown, Maltese mix named Annalise. She's much slower and gentler than the others but always appears warmly happy. She has a few scars on her belly and is a mute.
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Over the past few years, Kaiba had been learning to balance his work and personal life. So, when Mokuba asked to watch a Christmas special that was airing, he didn't refuse him. He did, however, bring his laptop with him. While the holiday jingles began to sound on the oversized mounted TV, Kaiba was quietly tapping away at the keys. It worked for them both; he kept an ear open to his brother while able to tap out code and reports at the same time.
Even if his brother was growing up, Kaiba was still warmly amused when he would lean against him on occasion. Soon, he'd be too old for such displays of affection, but they had a special relationship not many siblings held. While Annalise was always at his side, with the addition of Mokuba he had Cyan nudged between he and his brother (he was not quite sure how he fit), and Walter would occasionally step over his lap when he crossed from one side of the couch to the other for no apparent reason it was a rather cramped affair.
But, Kaiba did not complain. He was content to finally spend some time with his brother since he spent the German Christmas Festival with his friends, even if his mind was engrossed in his work.
When the Santa on the screen was deep into his jingling, Atem had entered the apartment. After he riled the dogs, said his hellos, and made spiced seasonal tea for everyone (since Kaiba was never a good host) he took up his spot on Kaiba's other side, flipped open a book and began to read. The whole thing could have been rather comfortable; his two favorite people and their little family of pets cuddled together while Santa's elves played out their antics on the television. Except, Kaiba really wanted to get his work done and he was feeling suddenly claustrophobic with so many bodies against him. They were all suddenly too close!
He could hardly move his hands to type when Annalise wiggled her way half onto his lap and half onto Atem's when Kaiba finally growled. "Is this really necessary?"
Both boys glanced up with matching curious expressions. The dogs, too, appeared to be paying attention at the young CEO's break in the comfortable lull of the night.
"What's wrong?" Mokuba asked.
Kaiba lift his hands from his keyboard, barely, as now Cyan rest his chin on his arm. "What are you, a bunch of leeches?"
Atem grinned and forced his way under Kaiba's arm to lay his head against his chest. Mokuba caught on, matched his smile, and did the same to his brother's other side.
"Really, guys? I'm trying to work here."
"We're spending quality time together," Mokuba teased.
"You're not even paying attention to the movie. You've been texting your friend the whole time."
"I don't think he likes Santa Clause," Atem teased, and Kaiba could feel something was going to happen. Even the dogs were looking up at him, he could feel Cyan wagging his butt in anticipation.
"Pests, all of you!" Kaiba bellowed but it was too late. Leave it to the energetic Jack Russell to break the tension. He hopped onto Kaiba's laptop, barked once with happy vigor, then leapt right at the young man to lavish enthusiastic licks across his chin and neck. "Pests!" he yelled again, but even as he protest the dog pile of love, inside he was laughing with the rest of them.
