Author's Note: Inspired by splendari's art piece of the two from July 16th, 2022.
A surprise hug from behind. Once the only surprises they'd treated one another to were misguided remarks and frustrating barbs. In the face of his little brother and their future, Kaiba learned to let joy back in his life, and found pleasant surprises all around. Jounouchi was full of them, hidden from Kaiba in plain sight until he'd softened his defenses enough. On the fateful day Kaiba let Jounouchi in a sliver, he couldn't help but allow him in further for Jounouchi was a force fire that overwhelmed. But to Kaiba's surprise, this blaze didn't burn and leave him scorched. Instead, it enveloped him in warmth. A warmth Kaiba found he could trust to be there for him in times of joy and trouble.