I can't stop writing... I'm addicted to this story! Please review!
The meeting droned on and on as various ideas and suggestions were turned down by the tired boss. He had slept on the floor of Yugi's bedroom that night and was now completely distracted and grumpy. He hated working on Sundays, but he couldn't afford to put the meeting off another day.
But his mind was not on the subject at hand. He was thinking about Yugi sitting at home by himself. He hoped more than anything Joey or someone would come visit him. He was done denying that he cared. He could not bear to see Yugi in pain again for one reason or another. If he wasn't so busy, he might have at least stayed for breakfast.
The day went on with little progress as Kaiba continued pondering Yugi's situation. Thinking so unselfishly was still very new to him though, so his mood was down the tubes most of the afternoon as he wondered what had driven him to feel this way in the first place.
Yugi got his lunch and scanned the crowded cafeteria carefully before he spotted Seto Kaiba. He was sitting by himself at a corner table, not eating, but reading quietly in his own bubble. He seemed so focused on his book, Yugi was almost too intimidated to approach him. But he kept walking, mind already made up.
"Hey, Kaiba," he greeted cheerfully, taking a seat across from him.
Seto was surprised and looked up with a slight glare forming, "Yugi…" he wasn't sure they should be sitting together in public like this. People were already starting to stare.
"Hey, Yugi, why are ya sittin' over here?" Joey appeared out of nowhere with a tray, trying to ignore Kaiba. Tèa, Tristan, and Bakura stood behind the blonde, equally confused.
"Why not?" he answered, trying to avoid mentioning that he now saw Kaiba as a friend. He didn't want to ruin their new bond by using titles the guy wouldn't be comfortable with. He had to be vague for now.
"'Cause… You know… Kaiba's sittin' here…" he finally stated the obvious, acknowledging the annoyed student across from them.
"He doesn't mind…" At least, Yugi hoped he didn't.
"Well, Mutt, are you gonna sit down or just gawk at me like an idiot?" He flashed Yugi a subtle smirk to show he was okay with it.
"I don't have to listen to you!" warned Joey, getting mad.
"Joey, it's okay," Yugi pleaded.
His expression was soft when it fell on Yugi and he quietly sat down, throwing Kaiba an indifferent glare. The rest of the group sat too and all was quiet for a while.
Eventually a conversation started up among Yugi's friends, cancelling the awkwardness for a while. Yugi and Kaiba were withdrawn from the group, glancing at one another every now and then. Although he was still an outcast among these people, Kaiba knew Yugi had sat there to keep him from being alone. He didn't understand why he would do this for him. Was it just thanks for the other night, or did Yugi actually want to spend time with Kaiba? He realized for some reason he wanted the boy to like him. When had he grown so soft?
As class ended, Yugi joined his friends near the back of the classroom. Seto was still putting his books away and he overheard their conversation.
"Hey, do you guys want to stop by Burger World on the way home?"
"Aw, not today, Yug, I have a lot of chores to do," said Joey, annoyed with the unusually busy schedule set up by his father the night before.
"I have to work," Sighed Tèa.
"Me too," Tristan replied as well.
"Oh… Maybe another day…" Yugi smiled, but he was obviously disappointed.
"Yeah, definitely!" Joey assured with a bright smile.
Yugi returned the smile and packed up his books while the others walked away.
Without realizing Kaiba was still there, Yugi sighed and slumped back into his chair, putting his face in his hands. His back shook and faint sobs escaped him as Kaiba watched.
He got up and placed a hand on Yugi's shoulder. The boy jumped and looked up at him with the most pitiful expression of despair Kaiba had ever seen.
"Come with me," Kaiba said gently, guiding Yugi to the door, his hand still resting on the trembling kid's back.
They got in his limo and he whispered something to his driver before leaning back and watching Yugi carefully—Once again analyzing him with determined eyes.
"Where are we going?" he finally managed to speak.
"Just wait," was all he could say. They rode in silence.
To Yugi's surprise, they approached the empty dueling arena. Yugi had won so many battles here with Atem. Including one against Kiaba himself.
"Why-"
"Just wait," Kaiba interrupted him and got out of the limo.
He led Yugi to a dark room a few floors up. There were a few seats facing a screen normally used for viewing live duels. He motioned for Yugi to take a seat and walked over to the projector, fumbling with it a bit before starting it up. Yugi was hesitant, but sat down in the middle of the first row of chairs.
An image appeared on the screen before him that took his breath away. It was Atem standing before the arena, waiting for the announcer to let the duel begin with a strong air of confidence forming along his brow.
Kaiba sat down beside Yugi, watching his reactions to the duel onscreen.
"What… is this?"
"We keep all the recorded duels here. I've personally watched all the ones you've been in… Trying to beat your strategy…"
Yugi watched Atem call an attack and smirk knowingly. He had not felt such confidence since the pharaoh left. Memories flooded in and Yugi's eyes watered again.
Kaiba noticed right away and regretted bringing him here, "This is too much, isn't it?"
"No… That's not it… I just… Haven't seen him in so long…" he turned to Kaiba, who could just barely see the boy smiling in the dim light from the screen, "I was too scared to watch this kind of thing myself, but I'm glad you brought me here… Thank you, Kaiba…"
He turned his head back to the screen, growing nervous under Yugi's gaze, "You're welcome, I guess."
