Title: Canvas
Summary: A post-Duelist Kingdom story centered around Pegasus and his search for a way to bring Cecelia back… And the man he wants help from is the most unlikely of all. Shounen-ai of a very uncommon pairing that someone requested.
Warnings: Some foul language.
Chapter 2: Brush
"You bastard! Have you no shame, to be calling me?" The chuckle at the other end of the line was just as confident as he remembered it. "Whatever you want, you can just forget it." He wanted to just hang up, but something about Pegasus was different, something about his voice made him want to stay and find out just what this was about. That would probably be safer, anyways, he rationalized.
Uneasily, Kaiba walked towards Mokuba's room and peered quietly in. Reassured that Mokuba was indeed in bed, his voice dropped to a whisper so as not to wake his brother. "We aren't going to discuss anything, because my guards will be instructed to have you shot if you step foot within my property." He couldn't walk away from the room for fear that a golden beam will descend from the stars and whisk Mokuba's soul far, far away into the depths of the night sky.
"Ah, but Kaiba-kun, we need not discuss it at your place. The phone is such a wonderful invention, don't you think?"
"I'd prefer to see you in person so I can decide whether you're plotting to kill me in my sleep or steal my company. And don't call me Kaiba-kun!"
"Yes, Kaiba-kun, of course. I don't see why you can't come to my castle so we can work things out."
"Yeah right. And while I'm gone, you'll bribe my guards to steal Mokuba, is that it?"
"Send Mokuba-kun off to a safe place while you're here. I can't possibly know who all of Mokuba's friends are, can I?"
"…No, but you'll just… Look, I don't know what you did back at Duelist Kingdom, but you'll just do it again."
"I'm a man of my word, Kaiba-kun. I promised already that no harm would befall you, your brother, or your company. What more do you want from me?"
"I want you to leave me alone!"
Chuckle. "Ooh, that's a clever one. But if you can help me, I will give you… Well, that is to be discussed later, is it not? But you won't be disappointed, I guarantee."
"Oh?" Kaiba shook his head vigorously. What was wrong with him? He wasn't actually agreeing to going to Pegasus's castle, was he? "But no," he added hastily. "That would be idiotic of me. Why would I willingly put myself in your favor?"
Pegasus didn't miss a beat. "Because, Kaiba-kun, you want to see what it is that I have to offer that you might be even remotely interested. You need to know everything, and if you refuse, weeks from now, when you're alone, you'll wonder what it was that you passed up on, and whether you should have come after all."
The elder Kaiba shook his head, closing the door, fighting for something to disprove Pegasus's words. He needed to argue. There was no way he could let Pegasus win this game. What could he say to show Pegasus how complete false his words were?
"…Don't call me Kaiba-kun," was all that came out.
~~
"He's coming!" Pegasus crowed delightedly to his computer, the closest object that remotely resembled a sentient being, sounding for all the world like a teenage girl waiting expectantly for her date. "What should I wear, computer-kun?"
The computer didn't say anything.
"Good idea! Sunglasses! We can't have Kaiba-kun see the… Well, sunglasses are a good idea, yes. CROQUET!"
Croquet hurried into the room, looking flustered. "Croquet, I need a pair of sunglasses. Oh, and we're having a very distinguished guest over. He is coming at eight, tomorrow morning. Could you please prepare a room for us, so we can discuss business?"
"Of course, Pegasus-sama."
"Wait."
"Pegasus-sama?" Croquet paused at the doorway. "Is there something else you'll need?"
After this, Pegasus would probably never see Croquet again. After tomorrow, that is. The company would go to Kaiba-kun. And Pegasus would be left with enough money to "live comfortably". Which won't involve servants of any sort. 'This is goodbye then. Thanks for everything.' But he couldn't say it out loud. "No, sorry. It's nothing."
With a nod, Croquet left.
~~
Seto had that crazed look in his eyes again. Though Mokuba knew that his brother would never do anything to harm him, he had to pity whoever it was that Seto would attack this time.
This was their sixth taxi.
Each one had gone to a different one of Mokuba's friends' houses. When they'd gotten out of the taxi, they went in the house, stayed for tea, left, walked three blocks, and got into another taxi. Seto was so paranoid it wasn't even funny.
Their taxi pulled up at the Kame Game Shop, and Seto paid the taxi driver and got his address, promising to mail money if Mokuba's location wasn't exposed to anybody. The poor driver was nearly crushed into his seat as Seto made it very, very clear that this wasn't only a bribe.
Finally, Seto let him go, and the driver zoomed off, shaking. Seto grinned at Mokuba, and they went in.
~~
The TV was an ingenious invention. Pegasus could sit in front of it for hours, watching cartoons, soaps, commercials, static… Channel 2, the one that listed what was currently airing, was one of his favorites, and though he really had no interest in which show would come on now, he loved the music that played in the background.
On this particular morning, Pegasus was watching Saturday morning cartoons. The hero of this particular show, Jackie, had just pulled off some stunning acrobatics, and was now facing off several members of the evil team in martial arts. He let out a delighted chuckle as Jackie defeated an opponent about three times his size, and the others just hopped around near him, waiting for their turn.
"Pegasus-sama, your… guest is here."
Oh, so Croquet was still here. That's right, Croquet would be here until Kaiba-kun received the deeds to Industrial Illusions. "Thank you, please invite him in."
"Um, Pegasus-sama? Did you want your sunglasses?"
"Oh! Oh, right, thank you so much, Croquet. I'll go get them. Please have Kaiba-kun meet me in the… which room did you prepare again?"
"Your secondary office. I brought the paperwork for your company, as you requested."
"Ah, thank you, Croquet. What would I ever do without you?" Pegasus stood, turned off the TV, and put the remote on the coffee table. Out of the corner of his eye, he thought he could see Croquet smiling, ever so slightly.
To Be Continued…