Prompt 16: Standing in Line
Rating: PG

Summary: Seto lost a bet... again... and now has to endure standing in line and do the unthinkable.

Socialize with other people.

NOTES: Set in my AU World but a glimpse into their teenager lives (17 years old here)

"Seriously, how did I let you talk me into this?"

Atem grinned. "I didn't talk you into it. You lost our duel so you had to come. That was part of the deal."

Seto rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, glaring ahead. The two rivals were currently standing in a really long line, waiting to enter Domino City Stadium. Thousands of people were here, chattering excitedly amongst themselves, friends laughing and jumping on each other, while others were belting out song lyrics and shrieking like banshees. Kaiba wished he had beaten Atem in their last duel; he almost had it! One more play and his rival would have been destroyed. The other teen would finally have to admit to everyone that he, Seto Kaiba, was the best!

Then, Atem pulled some strange trap, seemingly right out of his ass, and clinched the win! Dammit! He smirked from across the platform, eyes shimmering knowingly that his rival was now being forced to do something he didn't want to do.

Socialize with other teenagers their age.

Who the hell was Linkin Park anyway?

"I promise, Kaiba, you will like this band," Atem assured and patted his arm; Seto narrowed his eyes and yanked away with a huff. At least his rival looked pretty cool with his choice of clothing. Atem opted for a pair or just tight enough black jeans with strategic rips on the upper thighs and knees, a band t-shirt with the collar cut off so it hung off one shoulder, an actual dog collar, and thick combat boots. He also lined his eyes with way more eyeliner than usual yet… it suited the seventeen year old.

Not that Kaiba would admit it out loud. He himself dressed down for this - he didn't need people recognizing him out with his rival - so instead of his crazy trench coats and buckles, he opted for a pair of jeans, a baggy blue shirt and with a light bomber jacket; and although he loathed the thought, he wore a baseball cap with a blue eyes stitched on the front. Mokuba had insisted he buy it and wear it so why not now when he was trying to go incognito?

Someone ahead of them began shouting something into a megaphone and finally, the line began moving. Inch by inch, Atem standing in front of Seto, grinning and fiddling with the multitude of bracelets on his arms. Seto rolled his eyes and nudged him in the back. "Stop fidgeting, you're driving me nuts."

"What?" Atem looked over his shoulder, perfectly coiffed eyebrow raised. "I'm just excited to start moving. This band is really hard to get tickets for. It's a good thing you're Seto Kaiba and you can do anything."

"So that's why you wanted to duel me," Seto glared. "Because if I lost I had to buy you the tickets! Was I just a cash grab?"

Atem smirked and shook his head, holding back a snicker. "Kaiba, a bet is a bet," he said, turning around. "But no, it wasn't a cash grab. I knew that if I just asked you to come with me, you wouldn't. Buuuut, if I made it a bet, then you'd have to fulfill your end of the bargain because your pride won't let you say no."

"So it was all about the money." Seto said and Atem rolled his eyes, smacking his chest.

"No, you doof!" The shorter teen exclaimed. "I wanted you to come with me because you're my friend!"

Seto blinked and made a face. Wait… Atem thought he was a friend? Wait… "What?"

"Shall I say it slower?" Atem laughed; the look of confusion on his rival's face was quite endearing. "You. Are. My. Friend, Kaiba."

"Uh…" Seto's mouth snapped shut and he looked down at the smaller teen standing in front of him. How could someone so short have such an intense aura around them? Atem's red eyes were bright, confident, and above all, truthful. No matter what, his rival never lied to him, sometimes even confided in him when others weren't around.

Could it be possible to be friends and rivals at the same time? Not from Seto's experience. Rivals were meant to be crushed under foot and humiliated. At least that's what he had been taught by the bastard of an adopted father. It was how Kaiba dueled, making sure to leave an everlasting mark on the loser. Atem was so different. Of all the times they've dueled, never did the other teen taunt, demean, or belittle him. In fact, after every duel he would congratulate Kaiba on a well played game; Seto would then vow to beat him next time, returning to the field even harder and with more determination.

And each time, Atem would meet him on equal footing, bringing all he had to give not only Seto the game of his life, but their fans one hell of a show.

Two years this went on. Why was Seto only now realizing this?

The line took another turtle step forward and the young CEO realized he'd gone silent and Atem was waiting for some kind of response. Clenching his jaw, Seto bumped his arm against his rival to get him moving and said, "... if I don't like this band, then you have to pay for dinner afterward."

Atem grinned and nodded. "And if you do like it, then you have to pay for dinner, and come over to the game shop to play video games after work with me and Yuugi tomorrow."

"Fine, but it won't happen," Seto replied and they shook on it. The line finally started moving faster and they handed over their tickets to enter the stadium.

Three hours later, the two teens were at the merchandise table buying a bunch of t-shirts, hoodies, and other swag, and Seto had the limo take them to Atem's favorite Mediterranean restaurant for dinner. At six p.m. the next day, Seto's limo pulled up to the Kame game and Atem met Seto at the door with another knowing grin.

"Hurry up, we just ordered pizza," he said, letting the taller teen inside and closing the door. "Told you so."