Something Like
Chapter 11: Rambling Uncertainties
Ryou was impressed by the bedroom he would be living in for the time being. "It is massive!" He exclaimed to no one in particular as he surveyed the large bed and the even larger walk-in closet. He stepped over to the balcony doors and opened them up to reveal a stunning outlook over the city of Domino. "Wow..." Ryou's eyes widened in awe at the sight before his eyes. "Even during the day, it looks beautiful!"
"You seem to like your room." The white haired teen spun on his heel with a warm smile and nod." Oh yes it's more than I could have hoped for. Thank you Kaiba. I-" Ryou blinked a few times before noting the brunet was standing up. Kaiba joined him on the balcony, he leaned his arms on the railing not aware of the other's surprised gawking. "W-wait a minute. Where is your wheelchair?" His hands flew to his hips in a disapproving nature.
Kaiba snorted, "Downstairs by the front door." He responded but kept his eyes out onto the city.
"Didn't the doctor say to use it until your leg strength comes back? D-did you walk up the stairs by yourself?" He questioned in disbelief. "Kaiba you didn't, did you?"
The brunet chuckled and finally faced the other. "Of course I did. I'm not that weak Ryou. I was walking up and down them just fine yesterday." He didn't like the way the other was giving him a displeased scowl. "I don't plan on running laps any time soon so calm down. I don't need a lecture from you too. I won't overdo it."
The shorter huffed but didn't say anything for a while. 'From me too, huh? Mokuba must have gotten onto him as well.' He surmised with a slight smirk on his lips. "Well I guess you're stubbornness is something we all know can't be challenged. But please, take it easy." He chided minutes later. "You could really hurt yourself."
Kaiba relented to his defeated look with a tired sigh. "I already said I would be careful." It was quiet and the two took in the silence with a relative peace, the wind was gentle and the noises of the city faint. "Well I need to speak with my secretary and catch up on everything at the company. It's at these times when acquaintances and business partners want to 'help' out the most." He shook his head already dreading the messages his secretary commented on earlier. "Mokuba will probably be up in a bit to kidnap you. His demeanor has definitely relaxed a lot. He truly is a strong kid. And responsible. I'm relieved and surprised he continued to attend school while I was out. He even checked in at work in my place." He smirked loosely. "I was worried he would skip all those days tending to me and oversee your recovery but he only missed a couple."
The other smiled. "He's dependable just like his big brother. I'm not surprised. You two are amazing and so strong."
The brunet looked away, an unreadable expression on his face. "..Well he certainly is much more responsible than I gave him credit for. You know I tried very hard to not let him turn out like me - I wanted him to be a child and just maintain that innocence and naivety as long as possible... But I wonder if in my attempts to take it all upon myself, I did exactly the same thing as Gozaburo." Kaiba unconciously fingered over the duel monsters locket around his neck. "When I see him act so mature and grown up, it makes me wonder."
"Kaiba you-"
The CEO chuckled lightly. "Ah, what am I saying at a time like this?" He turned to the other and smirked but it was very soft. He pushed away from the railing and made his way back into the bedroom, Ryou followed. "It doesn't matter in the end. Mokuba is a wonderful kid, a brother I am more than proud of. As I was saying before, he will want to show you around and most likely force you to play games, watch movies with him and all that. I apologize if its too much but try to humor him a bit."
Ryou laughed and gently tugged on the taller's arm causing him to look him in the eyes, "He is a child. Don't think of yourself the same as that Gozaburo. Mokuba has the same sense of responsibility you do but I honestly think that is a trait you both have. When I look at him I see a jubilant kid who loves his big brother very dearly. He's good at dealing in stressful situations because of what you two have been through together. As for school and work, I wouldn't be surprised if he went to school simply because he knew you'd scold him if he didn't and did his best to maintain stability at Kaiba Corp because He didn't want you waking to a train wreck."
"It sounds like he worries about me too much." He chided himself for putting his brother through so much. He really was selfish wasn't he?
"Only as much as you worry about him. But I think siblings are supposed to be this way. And he wants you to see not how mature he can be when you're out, but rather how helpful he really is. He doesn't like the way you worry about him to the point you ignore your own well-being. Mokuba just wants to prove that he can protect you too." He smiled warmly as he remembered the conversations with the young boy over the past week. 'Maybe one day I'll be able to do the same.'
"You seem to know a lot. How do you know all of this?" He questioned deeply curious.
"Eheheehe. Ah a little bird told me..." He averted his gaze sheepishly.
Kaiba sighed and nodded. "I see." Hearing all of his brother's thoughts gave him a lot to mull over. He always figured everything he did was to benefit himself but it was curious that his brother believed the opposite when it concerned him. 'I don't think I am that kind. But then there isn't anything I wouldn't do to protect and guarantee his safety...' Before Kaiba could dwell any further into mental perplexity, the door swung open and the subject in debate came storming in with a broad grin on his face.
"Ryou, oh Seto there you are!" He sighed heavily. "I told you wait for me to walk with you up the stairs." He shook his head and muttered under his breath how the older didn't listen. "You could have hurt yourself!" He pouted but sighed heavily as the older waved off his scold lightly. "Man Seto you really don't listen to me. You gotta take better care of yourself, I mean it. Well, anyways, lunch is ready. I told them to bring it to the game room since its on this floor."
"Ah right. It is about that time isn't it? Alright let's go. I can call work afterwards I suppose." The brunet replied, the last part more to himself.
"Seto, I heard you had spoken with your office this morning. Sheesh, you shouldn't be jumping in so suddenly. You'll only wear yourself out." He chided still pouting. Ryou watched as the two went back and forth in a light-hearted banter. A small smile found his lips. 'They are so much alike despite being so different. I hope Kaiba understands and tries to take things slowly. Mokuba won't be the only one fed up with him.'
Kaiba did his best not to speak, though it was difficult when you had Jounouchi Katsuya and Honda Hiroto infesting your house. He watched as Mokuba greeted the group at the front door. A wildfire of chatter commenced but he refrained from rolling his eyes. Yugi waved over at the lurking CEO leaning against the doorframe of a hallway leading to the first floor entertainment room.
Ryou approached from the mentioned hallway and smiled brightly over at the guests. "I'm glad you guys came over." He grinned happily, his gaze met Kaiba's expressionless blues, "Is everything alright?"
Yugi was beside the two within a few seconds, "You seem in high spirits Ryou. I'm glad. While Kaiba was unconscious it was obvious how worried you were. I'm relieved the both of you are ok. You guys are good for one another and I'm not just saying that because of what happened yesterday. It's been a rough couple of weeks and we're just happy to see the two of you up and about - so please don't mind Honda and Jounouchi's teasing too much." He added in a quieter tone. "All of us support whatever happens between you two." Sincere and kind... as Yugi always was.
The white haired teen went red instantly but didn't understand why. 'Wh-what exactly is he insinuating?' His mind went a mile a minute. What was Yugi referencing to and what was that bit at the end about? He mentioned wanting to be friends with Kaiba but he hadn't delved any further than friendship. Of course he planned on growing closer to the handsome CEO but he doubted the other would ever desire him the same. 'Am I that obvious? No I don't think so. I...' His eyes warily met Kaiba's who seemed to still be doing an amazing job of looking indifferent and he quickly averted his gaze to his feet. Ryou mumbled and stuttered hesitantly.
Kaiba unfazed despite the fact Yugi and the others were irritating him not even five minutes of entering the mansion, did his best to keep his voice in a civil calm manner. "Yugi for the last time, it isn't like that. I would prefer that crazy fantasy you lot have blossoming in your overly active minds simply be forgotten altogether. Now then, I had the staff prepare some drinks and snacks.. Mokuba and Ryou set everything up in the room down this hall. You and your friends go have an 'I love friendship' party. I will be upstairs catching up on some reports." He said changing the subject and getting back to why these tiring people were in his home.
By this time everyone was standing behind Yugi. Mokuba pouted, "Aw Seto you should join us. You can start working again on Monday. I mean you already spoke with your secretary for like two hours. Come have some fun with us."
The brunet should win an award. Going so long without slinging an insult at the group, oh but responding to that statement made by his puppy-dog eyed brother took everything in him. Instead he made his way to Mokuba and let his eyes fall closed momentarily as he relayed his words carefully. "No. I need to make sure there weren't any shady business deals made or acquaintances sticking their noses where they didn't belong. The next few days I will be playing catch up Mokuba. So unfortunately I don't have time to play around."
"But Seto..." The younger knew his brother was correct. He had been out way too long and there were still people wanting to take the Kaiba name down - even though the cause of the hatred Gozaburo was long since dead. Still, he had hated seeing his brother in a coma unable to talk with him and now here is is awake but still unable to spend time with him.
Sensing the boy's disappointment and rarely able to resist those sad bright eyes, he relented with a heavy sigh. "I will work quickly and if I finish for the day in time, will join you after. Sound fair?" He didn't much care for the idea, in fact he really felt quite nauseous. Spending another night with Yugi, Anzu and the knuckleheads would be torture, sheer torture.
But the spark of happiness that lit his brother's face strengthened his resolve. "Okay, Seto! Please try to spend time with us." He pleaded earnestly. Kaiba nodded assuredly. There was another burst of chatter and the group filed down the hallway and the entrance went quiet once more.
The CEO ran a hand through his brunet locks and he stared up at the stairs. He moved his legs and felt them tense as he ascended the first step. "Ah my legs, sorry. This is the fourth time having to climb today." He smirked as he continued his ascent. 'Great I'm talking to myself... And apologizing at that.' He really was out of his norm.
The laughter in the room was quite infectious. Still, it had been three hours and Seto Kaiba still hadn't entered the party. Mokuba was happy to be spending time with the others, it had been hard without his brother and he wouldn't have made it through without them. But he wanted to spend time with his brother. He tried to keep up a smile but it was obvious to even Jounouchi and Honda what was going through the younger's mind.
"Hey Mokuba, listen, it's been a few hours and I think we both know your brother ain't comin' down to join us." Jounouchi started, sitting next to the boy on the sofa. They had taken a break and let Yugi and Honda battle it out at a yet to be released title from Kaiba Corp.
Anzu hit him over the head. "Jounouchi, how can you say that to Mokuba?" She shook her head in disbelief. "I swear you were born with half a brain. You need to learn some tact and how not to be an insensitive jerk." She turned to Mokuba with her hands clasped together in front of her, "Don't listen to him ok. He doesn't know what he is talking about." She glared at him again. Mokuba frowned, as he had started to come to the same conclusion the blond had so rashly stated.
The big mouthed teen rubbed his sore head and straightened up, "Ya didn't let me finish geez. What I was gonna say, before I was rudely interrupted was that we both know Kaiba ain't exactly keen on us and heck, he just doesn't like crowds of people. On top of that your brother is a workaholic that has been away from his company for a good amount of time." The others seemed to be sweat-dropping big time. Not confident at all that the blond was going anywhere at all with his rant of the CEO. "But I know that even someone like Seto Kaiba can't jump back into work so soon after something traumatic - it isn't healthy. If let alone he will no doubt do just that though."
Honda sighed heavily as him and Yugi had paused the game and turned their attention to the teen. "Dude, what is your point?" He questioned oblivious. Though, the others weren't completely understanding either.
Ryou whom sat beside Yugi put his hand to his chin. "S-so..." Everyone's gaze turned to the white haired teen, whom seemed to get what the other was saying, somehow. Perhaps because deep down he'd been thinking something similar. "What you're saying is, someone needs to go and stop Kaiba and bring him down here to relax and have a good time. Otherwise he will just overwork himself."
Mokuba's eyes went wide, "Right. I don't think he would break a promise to me purposely, but it is like him to get too wrapped into his work and forget. I was thinking just that myself honestly. Seto doesn't understand how often he neglects his own health."
Anzu put her index finger to chin. "Yeah I guess that makes sense. I'm surprised you thought of that Jounouchi. It's kind of scary."
Everyone laughed lightly. "Well, I don't think it's so shocking. I am his rival after all. Wouldn't be much of one if I didn't know how his crazy obsessed mind worked. In any case, who's gonna go up there and round up Moneybags? I'd love to go but I don't think that'd end so well." He admiitted with a cheeky grin.
Honda smirked in wry agreement. "Yeah seriously. You'd probably get all of us kicked out of here, effectively making the situation worse. I guess Mokuba, you should go." An idea suddenly crept into his brain, "Oooor maybe Ryou should go and talk to his close friend. I'm sure you could persuade him to come downstairs."
Jounouchi snickered as well as Mokuba. The shorter didn't necessarily believe there was anything more than an awkward friendship between his brother and Ryou but it was fun to tease him. And... if anything were to develop he hadn't thought much of it but he somehow knew he wouldn't mind. The soft-spoken teen had been jabbed at with more than a few jokes and embarrassing remarks since they first settled into the fun room full of all sorts of games, music, movies, refreshments and whatever you could think of snack wise.
"You guys are being mean. Leave Ryou alone." Anzu shook her head as Yugi spoke up. He knew the others were just having fun but he didn't want to ruin a still developing friendship by making Ryou feel awkward and uncomfortable.
"Uhm... Why do you guys keep saying things about Kaiba and me being c-close?" Ryou finally questioned sheepishly. "I don't understand, your tone relays you are insinuating something but I..." His face was beyond red and he couldn't audibly finish his sentence, it came out as a stammering drift as he twiddled his thumbs nervously.
Mokuba chuckled lightly. "They're talking about how the two of you were so peacefully asleep together at the hospital. We had gone out to get something to eat and I guess Seto had come in. When we got back you were sleeping in his arms all nice and snuggled." He answered honest and innocently. Jounouchi and Honda couldn't help bursting out in laughter, hearing how the younger said it aloud. "These two were teasing Seto when he woke up later."
Yugi and Anzu tried to motion for the immature teens to quiet while Ryou kind of went pale and in shock. 'So- so we... I did fall asleep. A-and Kaiba held me, and went to sleep holding me in his arms?' He recalled upon waking up, that he was startled because he thought he had fallen asleep but by that time he supposed the brunet had just laid him down and found another place to rest. 'I can't believe I put him in such an embarrassing position. Why didn't he move me away or wake me up?' His heart pounded heavy. 'So that's what Yugi meant earlier. Wait... Does that mean everyone here thinks we're..?' Ryou thought he was about to faint.
"O-Oh... Well you guys have the-the wrong idea. Kaiba and I aren't - I mean we're just friends. I was just tired and o-overwhelmed by everything and passed out. Th-that's all. I uh, uhm, well listen I'll go and get him though. I uh..." Flustered and just wanting to get out of the room for a few minutes he made his way to the door, "I uh will be back." He rushed out and shut the door behind him.
Anzu facepalmed. "You two are complete idiots. No delicacy and absolutely insensitive." He muttered exasperate. Honda and Jounouchi both looked at her confused.