The California skyline was beautiful. Mokuba often enjoyed the view when they held the company meetings on the top floor.
Mokuba and Seto had landed a month ago to work on various tasks for KaibaCorp such as Kaiba Land and other projects. America was a getaway from home without really being gone. The identical American KaibaCorp building stood proudly amongst the rest-shining defiantly at the sun.
Mokuba really liked this building design- after all, he and his brother worked on it together after he came back. Mokuba sighed and set down his Starbucks coffee. Violet eyes were electric following a cloud passing by.
His mind drifted back.
Those probably had to be the worst three years of his life. Three years without his brother, all alone, running KaibaCorp like that's all he knew how to do. He was the world's youngest successful CEO at thirteen- surpassing Seto's age even though he never wanted to.
Yugi would visit him sometimes even though he made it known that he didn't need him or his friends- didn't want their friendship.
He just wanted one person.
His whole life.
His hair grew back, long, and settled around the base of his neck and shoulders, framing a pale face. Guess his haircut didn't make his hair perfectly coiffed like someone else's.
"You know he cares about you." Yugi's voice was empathetic but Mokuba's heart was too cold to feel anything.
"Then why did he leave me?!" He remembers screaming back at the man.
For him? Why...was I not...am I not...worthy? Enough?
Those days his mind raced until his head was a barren graveyard of broken memories. Everything was just black. His clothes. His coffee. His world. His eyes. His heart. Until certain blue eyes came home and looked at him in disbelief.
He was sixteen when Seto returned. The flashbacks replayed quickly- the soft voice whispering, "Mokuba?" as he turned around in his office chair and got up to his full height, matching shocked blue orbs a little below eye level.
Anger came, screaming induced, but the hurt remained throughout it all, even after everything was broken in the office and his brother spent weeks chasing him when Mokuba finally broke down hugging him and cried. More promises came that Mokuba didn't want to hear but Seto told him it would be different this time. And that he never meant to be gone for so long, that he never meant to leave Mokuba, even back then.
But things weren't the same, even though everything had gone back to normal. At least, Mokuba was confused about certain things.
Like why Yugi lingered after some projects to talk with his brother over some blueprints but shyly stared at him. At seventeen he was enjoying resuming his duties as Vice President. Jonouchi also came around more with Yugi regarding the Pro Leagues- and although he always had a few things to say to his brother, he would give Mokuba a goofy grin but then also have a serious look with brown eyes glancing back every so often at striking violet ones. Mokuba thought it was odd, but then lately everyone was odd around Seto.
And he couldn't say he liked it when all the girls or anyone for that matter were gushing all over his brother. Mokuba didn't want to share. They were brothers, and they only mattered to each other.
And Seto just came back.
No, he didn't want to share. His selfishness was justified, he told himself when he was seventeen. But the year after that they spent almost every moment together. Just like how it should be. And that should have been enough. But why wasn't it?
Eighteen led to uncertainty, what was more? He knew the answer to that...but he shook his head, that couldn't happen. He was just imagining things...but a small part of his heart settled into the warmth of the forbidden thought. No, that's just-that's just wrong. But was it really?
And as he grew older, wiser, he realized there was so much more to the world, so many endless possibilities...could it be possible? It definitely wasn't common, but it wasn't completely unheard of, right?
Mokuba had his first kiss, his first time making love, to a girl his age. She was beautiful, with gorgeous chocolate-colored hair and ocean eyes he liked to stare into and get lost in. She was an uprising powerful duelist in the pro leagues, admired for her intelligence and elegance.
He was her first love, but she knew, even when he assured her she was, that she wasn't his first. She won all her battles, each challenge, but she lost to Seto Kaiba in the final round. A humiliating defeat, but it wasn't the duel match that hurt her.
It would've been their first Valentine's together had they made it.
"If I didn't know any better I'd say you're in love with-!" Mokuba didn't let her finish that sentence.
He knew he couldn't give her the love she deserved. He let her go. And she accepted defeat. And every blue-eyed brunette after her he didn't keep either. Seto also never kept anyone.
They both came home to each other.
At nineteen Mokuba finally admitted what this was. Forbidden.
Sleep didn't come easily and dreams were just that- dreams. Sleep came when he watched TV with Seto on the sofa. It came on the long car rides; the plane and the train where there was always a broad shoulder he nestled into.
He felt sensations of someone carrying him, sometimes there would be fingers stroking his hair or a hand resting on his head but when he woke up he couldn't differentiate it from a dream. Still, he lacked recollection of how he got into bed in the first place.
Seto always brought Mokuba coffee and Mokuba loved how his brother always got his order right. The younger doesn't even feel any remorse getting the elder addicted to coffee, instead, he smirks over getting the busy CEO to take a break by just mentioning grabbing some coffee together.
"Oh my god! He's such a pretty face!" a young woman loudly whispered to her friend as the brothers walked by. Her wide-eyed gaze and blushing face were entranced when Mokuba glanced over.
"Shush he'll hear you!" her friend quickly whispered back.
He should have been used to this as it happens all the time. He tried not to roll his eyes but then he peered briefly over at the other. She was right. His Nii-sama was very handsome.
When a certain pair of eyes met him, Mokuba looked away, despondent he wasn't as good-looking as his brother.
The wind blew past the silky black locks that contrasted against pearly white skin. Soft pouty lips sipped on warm coffee and mesmerizing vibrant violet eyes stared ahead. Seto had to agree with the girls, momentarily hypnotized by each delicate feature Mokuba possessed.
Even when he was younger, the brunette could never guess what the boy would look like when he was older but the person with him was too surreal. However, as quickly as the admiration came into the CEO's head did it flee. Because his mind wasn't sure if it should've been there in the first place.
Monopoly was a fun game to play. Especially, because Mokuba mostly won at it. Well not the board game per se, no his brother mostly won that. But with it-Mokuba monopolized mostly Seto's time with things only they did.
So why did the irritable friendship-hating prideful duelist agree to talk to the King of Games over coffee on his new idea? What was wrong with the office? And why did a certain golden retriever mutt keep following inside headquarters ' doors without barking? Why was there still a copy of the old virtual hologram of a duelist that should have been wiped from KaibaCorp's hard drives? Let alone be on his brother's private devices.
There were some days Seto didn't come home on time. Mokuba waited by the door and let the dinner get cold. When the door would open, in a dash he would wrap his arms around him. His brother apologized for the tardiness and Mokuba couldn't bring himself to ask the question- Not where? Or what? But the worst one- Who?
It wasn't serious. Mokuba told himself every time. If it was, Seto would have told him. They told each other everything. Seto ran background checks on all his ex-girlfriends, never commenting on the obvious comparisons they all shared.
When the mind cannot admit the truth, it fills the gaps with appropriately justified rationales. Of course, Mokuba would try and find the same traits he looked up to, Seto believed. Of course, Mokuba knew he couldn't find anyone that would come close to the real thing. No matter how hard he tried.
The roaring 20s came. Legal.
At twenty years old, the Vice President of KaibaCorp was officially a legal adult in Japan now. Twenty came with a ravishing hunger, a gnawing feeling that could no longer be suppressed or ignored. This feeling too strong, too powerful, and thoughts that swarmed and haunted his nights could not go unannounced.
Teenage Mokuba was shy, reluctant, and guilty. But adult Mokuba knew exactly what he wanted and he would make it known that he was not sorry. He was in love. Has been in love. For a very long time now. There was no denying it.
And each Valentine's Day that passed him by with no Valentine would not happen this year.
"All the preparations were set sir and everything is going smoothly so far. Tonight will be no exception." One of their employees stated.
The Kaiba Land in California was celebrating Valentine's Day with festivity. In celebration of this holiday, hearts were adorned all over the theme park along with many other romantic decorations. Balloons, heart-shaped gifts, chocolates, and flowers, were littered all over as couples smiled and happily enjoyed themselves.
His brother got many boxes of heart-shaped chocolate, even Mokuba too, but they never indulged themselves. But this year was going to be different.
Mokuba knew Seto never had much of a sweet tooth, but he still hoped he would accept these. Mokuba spent all evening the day before pouring his heart into a small heart-shaped box, making them just perfect.
"Nii-sama, now that the meetings are all over, why don't we head down to Kaiba Land?" Mokuba asked, hope evident in his voice.
"Hmm? Why would you want to do that?" The pessimist had no taste for festivities.
"So we can go see everything in person! I bet Kaiba Land looks amazing! Please come with me?"
Seto sighed, he couldn't say no when his brother's eyes were literally twinkling like stars. He checked the clock. It was early and they had finished everything for the day. It would be nice to spend the rest of the day at Kaiba Land and seeing the fruits of their labor.
"Alright. Let's go."
He got up and grabbed his coat, missing the beaming smile that formed behind him.
When they arrived, the atmosphere was filled with laughter, running children but mostly happy couples.
"No better way to ask, "Will you be my Valentine?" than with a lovely rose! Come get these fresh roses for your one true Valentine!"
Big huge teddy bear characters pranced around with dozens of roses in hand. They were real single roses with a beautiful delicate silk pink ribbon bow tied around each one with a small tag that said 'Be Mine'.
"These are for serious lovers only! Let that special someone know you truly love them!" Another big red Teddy bear came around trying to sell these to passing couples. Girls blushed and peeped at the guys while the guys looked away but some bravely made their way over to the bears.
"How stupid," Seto commented walking past them but Mokuba stopped to stare. Noticing his brother falling behind, he called over his shoulder. Mokuba gave one last glance then turned to catch up.
"It's not stupid! I think it's really sweet Nii-sama…"
"It's just a gimmick to sell and increase profits, Mokuba. Nothing more." He kept walking.
"But Nii-sama! Well, then how would you tell someone you're in love with them?"
"Usually words help."
"That's not funny Nii-sama." But he still couldn't help curl a smile and curb a laugh at his brother's attempt at humor. The fluttering feeling in his stomach lessened than when they first arrived. Words huh?
"So exactly what did you bring me here to do?"
Mokuba grinned.
"We're going on all the rides!"
Mokuba grinned even harder at the perplexed incredulous look he received. Grabbing his brother's arm he pulled him along and laughed. There were definitely perks to being the owners of the park, like no waiting in line. Kaiba knew he should have resisted, but seeing the look the other had kept him from protesting.
They went on all the rides. There was a difference in creating a ride and experiencing it. The rush of the wind, the exhilarating first dive before you catch a glimpse of the view from the top, going down the twists and turns, then the uprising to the sky, basking in the heat only to be dropped swiftly down the motions.
It all seemed familiar somehow because Kaiba felt like his life was a roller coaster. Particularly because of the person seated beside him. The gust of wind whipped black hair in a frenzy but gleaming eyes and the irresistible smile sent his way made it harder to breathe.
It felt like they were flying, on the dragon's back, and if he had to choose anyone, he wanted the same person that was always ready to strap in for the ride with him.
After the ride, Mokuba wanted ice cream to which the brunette obliged. Returning with one vanilla swirled cone covered in rainbow sprinkles he found the twenty-year-old trying to detangle his hair. Without thinking, Kaiba reached out and ran his fingers absentmindedly through the soft strands, smoothing them out. Mokuba froze at the touch, but relaxed when he saw it was his brother.
Kaiba paused then pulled back as if brought back to reality and all the bustling noise of the theme park.
"Here."
Lips coiled upward as Mokuba took the cone in hand, licking away at the rainbows like he was a child again before taking a small bite. Seto shook his head, bringing a thumb up to wipe excess vanilla from the other's mouth.
"Have some Nii-sama!" Mokuba pushed the ice cream cone toward him, and although he paused and contemplated, he took a bite from the offer. Dings and loud game noises chimed near them which caught the raven-haired youth's attention.
People were playing bow and arrow to win prizes and right at the center was a giant stuffed Blue-Eyes White Dragon holding a red heart that was stitched neatly in script with a single word, "Love".
Seto followed his gaze and his interest was piqued at the various men's attempts that resulted in failure. While some were able to hit at least once and gain one win- the prize was a mini stuffed duel monster, a small gesture compared to the grander rewards available.
He turned back his gaze as he caught the mischievous thought formulating on Mokuba's face. Before he could attest, Mokuba was already baiting him to score the grand prize that no one could seem to win.
"Win it for me? Please Nii-sama! I know you won't lose!" Now how could he deny the request when the voice held such confidence in him? Even if it weren't for that- if his baby brother wanted it, he would get it.
"Alright step right up! Can anyone win the grand prize? Any lovebirds want to try? C'mon players!" the man running the booth exclaimed in his obnoxiously bright red and white suit and hat.
The carnival game was brightly lit up fitting the theme of Valentine's Day. The targets were these big hearts that got smaller the higher up one went. This was a game of pure skill. A true archery master would not have an issue. Kaiba smirked. He was a crack shot with a gun, and this wasn't all that different, for him anyway.
"Well, well, well! Looks like we have the one and only Kaiba Brothers here with us! Can they beat their own game? Let's find out!" announced the man stretching out his arm then twirling his hat.
Kaiba didn't hide his annoyance from the flamboyant show despite knowing full well it was all part of the job. He shot him a glare as the man nervously handed him the equipment. He lined up and raised his arms, holding the bow in one hand and the arrows in the other.
"You have three bows and three chances to hit the-" before the man could finish, Kaiba shot all three arrows that landed perfectly in the middle of all three big hearts across the booth.
Mokuba could be heard cheering while the man muttered, "You only needed to hit one big heart…"
The man sighed then said, "You can get a smaller prize now or keep going for a chance to win the grand prize."
Immediately Mokube shouted, "I want the big Blue-Eyes Nii-sama! Go for it!" Kaiba smirked at his brother then turned around.
"You heard him."
He was given more arrows for the other hearts, four total on one row then five smaller ones in the next row. Kaiba took aim and hit all the smaller targets the same way and went higher up. Carnival games weren't meant to be so easy so there was always a catch, at least for a novice player. Kaiba was very skilled in various weapons and their practices, archery was no exception.
The last target in order to win the grand prize was a small cute Blue-Eyes White Dragon that carried the smallest red heart out of all the hearts in the booth in its mouth with an even smaller pink heart in the middle acting as the target. The only difference this time was the target was moving.
He just needed to concentrate and focus on hitting the small pink heart. The small Blue-Eyes moved around the rows, swiftly back and forth then up and down.
He stretched the arrow back, then let it fly.
Bull's Eye!
The arrow's head sharply hit the target and broke a hole through the small pink heart, and landed on the wall with a loud THUD.
"Thanks for winning me this giant Blue-Eyes Nii-sama! That was amazing! I knew you would win!" Mokuba beamed carrying his oversized soft stuffed dragon as his brother walked next to him basking in the praise.
"Of course I won." He stated matter of factly. He would win anything his brother desired.
Mokuba still didn't give his brother the chocolates. He carried them around in his pocket like a grenade.
The last ride left was the Ferris wheel. The sun lowered into the earth when they got on together, Seto grasping Mokuba's hand as he pulled him in. The Ferris wheel started moving and then came to a halt once they reached the top. Spread out in front of them was the entire Kaiba Land theme park.
Red shiny heart balloons were everywhere. A few escaped into the sky and the air never felt so warm despite the cool breeze. Mokuba could see his oversized stuffed Blue-Eyes White Dragon standing upright at the bottom where they got on. The view was breath-taking with the sunset, the fiery red and burnt orange hues blended into rosy pink and alluring purple.
"Nii-sama do you know why I asked you to come with me today?" Mokuba questioned.
"Hmm?"
"I really want to see the fireworks tonight...on top of a rooftop, that's the best view! They're going to be spectacular! But mostly, I wanted to see it with you…Show you what you made possible."
Mokuba's eyes were shining.
Unconsciously, like a slow-motion frame, his mind captured the moment like a picture that should be painted. A lost memory of what should have been…
When the ride reaches its highest point, it shouldn't be forgotten how quickly it can hit the bottom.
They weren't on a roller coaster but Seto felt the rush of wind slap him; the adrenaline pumping while time ran painfully slow in black and white screen cinematic records. The colors faded and the ride came to a stop.
Silence screamed and deafened his ears while all he sees is Mokuba running away. Seto felt himself calling out his name and it wasn't raining but it should have.
Black and white lines faded to a thunderstorm grey.
On the ground, crushed from Mokuba's foot and covered in dirt were the chocolates that had fallen from his pocket.
Seto reached down and picked them up. Read the tag with his name written in script in Mokuba's handwriting with additional words.
His words still kept echoing throughout his head. His voice when he spoke, the tone loud with truth while being barely above a whisper.
"Nii-sama, I don't like Atem. I don't like Yugi. I don't like Jonouchi."
"But I do like you." More than I should…
"Nii-sama I-I…"
He needed to find Mokuba.
The fireworks began. Shooting up the sky, they exploded into the dark night. Another loud crack and big red and pink hearts captured the sky above Kaiba Land's castle. Colors bloomed and spread out before everyone.
Mokuba's eyes were glued to bright lights dancing before him.
If you don't want to feel the weight of the consequences of your crime, you don't confess.
Except he did.
What was worse than loving his brother?
Losing him because of it.
Nii-sama was every shade in every color that brought light into his eyes. Nii-sama was a fresh waterfall and a fearsome storm that soaked his skin while damping his eyes.
Unforgiving tears would drench his skin and boil the blood underneath that reminded him it wasn't just his alone.
Nii-sama would always be everywhere.
In his blood. In his tears. In his head.
Hard-wired DNA, coded of blue into his pounding heart.
But Nii-sama wasn't here.
And if Mokuba ran far and left it all behind, Nii-sama would still be a part of him. No matter where he went in the world, the fact still remained, traces of Nii-sama lingered in his being.
That thought alone was comforting and aching.
Footsteps crept behind him. Mokuba missed his brother moving closer next to him on the rooftop until he heard his name whispered.
The oversized stuffed blue eyes white dragon sat, hidden in a corner by the edge watching them.
He turns and meets sincere eyes with a shade of blue he's never seen before.
How did you find me…? Why? Aren't you-
He just wants the best for Mokuba- but no one will ever be good enough. The same goes for him.
From behind his back, he brings his hand around and presents it to him.
It's the rose from before, with the pink ribbon neatly tied around it along with the tag. Violet eyes widened.
"You're my Valentine," Seto whispered. Why don't you know...how much I love you…? No matter what. Always.
Gentle fingers caress against each other as they meet holding the stem of the rose.
Heads leaned in and foreheads touched.
The other's breath was close.
Lips moved until they brushed.
Mokuba closed the space between him and Seto as they shared their first kiss together on Valentine's Day.