First--Thanks from the author: I sincerely appreciate the reviews I got last chapter. If you didn't review my last chapter, it's not too late. (Or, you could also just review this one and I might not be too violent with you ~_^) I like to know that people enjoy my work. Aw, look how mushy I'm being here. I just want to come across my computer and hug you all until your insides squeeze out and fall all over the floor. See? I've gone soft.
I lose interest if I don't think people give a crap. I did get 11 reviews between chapter 5 and 6, which made me chuckle in random silly laughter. So thanks, so far. And again, I'm very sorry it took me two weeks to update. I've hardly been feeling my best lately, in fact, not too long ago I was downright sick. Bad headaches, y'know. But obviously I survived, didn't I? Or I'm a posting corpse drinking Mountain Dew. That could also be the case...but although my "alive"ness is fairly in debate for the nonce, I am definitely drinking Mountain Dew.
Now the THANK-YOUs:
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SweetCandie, my dear fellow Pegasus-lover, who was so kind that she reviewed not one but *ALL* six chapters of this fic! Wow! That is really, really amazing. Good gosh, I wish everyone was that loyal. Wow, again. Thank you!
Squidman, who was actually inspired enough over this insane ficcie to draw an image based on the ending to chapter five. OUTSTANDING ARTWORK! I am not just saying this either, I don't give false flattery. It really looked like an intricate piece, nice details on the hair, nice colours, everything! WOW! Such talent! And so cute, too! ^-^ By the way, I was looking over your "favourites" list, and I noticed some of my own favourites. Malachite from Sailor Moon was my first bishie obsession! (I have a total thing for guys with silver/white straight hair, mmm) Incidentally, I was looking at some of your original artwork and happened to notice that one of your original characters seems to bear a strong resemblance to Malachite-sama. Coincidence, or conspiracy? ^_~
Eos, for all her sweetness and coolness and support. To Vitani, also a fellow Pegasus fan with a really great website full of awesome Pegasus pictures and good Pegsu artwork! To CKthePhantomess, no problem, it was a pleasure to read anything Pegasus-based ^-^ To Jantra, who gave a really awesome comment. The best Pegasus x ANYONE? Wow, that's an outstanding compliment. Thanks! I don't know what to say, but comments like those seriously make me blush. I'm really proud that people enjoy, that's what it's all about! To Kabuki, another great Pegasus author. (We need like a Pegasus fic webring or something?) You know I love your work, I've told you as much a billion times! And by the way, I'm wanting to see more of the continuation of Harping on History, so do please continue soon! ^-^
~Amber
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~Pegasus' POV~
Ah. The most sacred, most cherished honeymoon night.........
Not exactly as I had anticipated mind you...whips rather than silk and whip cream rather than perfume.....but to quote a favoured adage: "Change is good". Very good, comrades. As I lay here, lulled to the edge of sleep in my lover's arms, satin beneath and around me, I cannot help but recall earlier times.
How many years ago was it now since my first wedding night? Ah, how different that had been... I did love Cecilia. But I no longer yearn for her. Such tuggings in the night are naught by my own selfish desires, not what is best for her. Cecilia is gone from this plane.
After so many lifetimes, I still wonder sometimes. About fate. Destiny. What awaits beyond the very last age.....
I do not know whether or not I believe in the heavens of so many cultures, or their respective gods, despite so many different teachings I've endured. I do however know that my once beloved is out of pain, perhaps she remembers nothing, but she out of pain. If she no longer hurts for herself, then what right do I have to hurt on her behalf? I still have a store of good memories to cleave to, of the happiness that we shared for a momentary span in the least. That time is behind me now.
I look at my dear Blue Eyes, Seto, Kaiba~boi, how many pseudonyms shall I make for him..? My Dragon, my Restless Dreamer, my Love...
He would scoff at me, were he awake. "You're so damned melodramatic.." As he likes to say, "Always...saying all that fancy shit. Are we going to do it or not?"
Sigh. He's so sweet and lovely! I hope my little surprise didn't upset you too much, dear Blue Eyes..
*snck* Surprise, surprise! What, you didn't think I was always a romantically-inclined sap without the faintest hint of a wild side, didja? It's a popular belief that the people who lead highly reserved public lives tend to have raging latent tendencies. Well, of course! My slew of idiosyncrasies should say as much about me.
Don't you know that guys who adore cartoons are always the most fun in..."private"? I may appear to be calculated, sophisticated, and refined.......but I'm a child at heart. I still watch Funny Bunny reruns fifteen times per week...much as it seems to drive poor Kaiba~boi near the brink of insanity.
He wanted to watch Dueling Championships, the Science channel, and professional baseball. Well, tough! Relationships are all about compromise, aren't they? Besides, it's not as though I'm not keeping up my end of the bargain. I always give my dear cuddly-wuddly bun bun all the attention and kindness that is due. I can be a very doting person in affairs of the heart.
He doesn't always play fair, though.
A few days ago, I was watching Funny Bunny episode number 1142, which by the way, is one of my one-thousand all-time-favourites-thank-you-very-much, and as usual, I was laughing merrily over the wild adventures of my animated pink friend, and also as usual, Kaiba was sitting beside me on the bed (I watch TV in my bed. Joy) huffing. If I didn't know better, I'd think he was being a tad jealous...hmm.....nah. But very much to my delight and surprise, I soon found that Seto was actually wrapping his arms around my waist, gently tugging me down in a loving embrace. When I succumbed, we started kissing, which I found to be very romantic.
I was thoroughly entranced and enjoying this welcome role reversal, thinking my dear Kaiba~boi had finally developed a plushie heart, when suddenly....my ears were assaulted by the sound of a bland voice announcing Life Points of competitors in a tournament.
That sneaky culprit had gotten my guard down and then changed the channel. Did he truly hope to get away with such a blatant affront against me? Ha. Well, I showed him. I proceeded to smother him with kisses and hugs until he yelled at me for being clingy, begged for mercy, and eventually wrestled against me so hard that he ended up falling off of the bed. I do believe I still have my villainous edge about me, fwaha!
One of the things I love most about Seto is his unpredictable nature. Oh sure, nine out of ten times I can predict that he won't hold me when I ask him to. But there's always that tenth time, that one special instant when he does something out-of-character and against his general nature, and that, friends, is what I'm holding out for. I love surprises. And I love tough guys who can melt a little. I'm a sucker for every sort of idealistic notion one could imagine. Perhaps I got this set of beliefs and desires instilled into me from my dear Mumsey. As an aristocratic Lady, she upheld very strict expectations out of life. She wanted the best for herself, and her family.
I often wonder how she would view my life now...
It's true that I haven't necessarily been....at the zenith of my moral scope for these past few years...to say the least. I suppose I cannot make excuses for the things I've done. They were evil, and I was desperate, my soul lost within the dregs of depression. Nevertheless, I know that no rationale can account for some of my behaviour, and I will not attempt to write off past wrongs, though I am currently doing all within my power to make them right once more.
For the first time in very long while, I truly am happy. I feel fulfilled. My life finally has a selfless purpose, I finally feel as though it's worth it to keep trying to make my life progress in this wide world of sorrows and regrets....
..and by the way, I think cabins are a huge turn-on, don't you agree? Oh, forgive me. Random musing. Alas!
But about my little "surprise":
As soon as I had looked at the wedding gift Mai had given me some exceptionally inappropriate ideas began to spring into my mind. The note that came with the unusual assortment of equipment said simply,
'Make Kaiba beg.'
Well now, I got to thinking...were I to not make use of this gift, then I would most certainly be doing that dear kind Valentine woman a disservice. After all, she had been kind enough to go out of her way to purchase something on my behalf, so why not make full use of it?
I think I shall write her a thank-you note.
"Dear Miss Valentine,
Normally I'm very reserved about these matters, but we're both consenting adults here so............
.........any time you want free uncensored Funny Bunny episodes, where the "BLAM!" and "KABOOM!" bubbles were not edited from the gun shots, well...drop me a discreet e-mail and we'll see about it. It's not something I'm necessarily proud of, but over the years I have collected quite a stash of such risque material. I even have various alternate endings! Yes, my dear, I do believe a handsome reward to you is called for...
Owing you a favour,
~~Maximillion (Kaiba) Pegasus J Crawford~~
P.S It is in your best interest to avoid squirrels. Trust me on this, my dear. There are dangerous things lurking among us..."
...Yes, I think that shall do most nicely.
As the time to depart for our honey moon drew nearer by the minute I could sense Kaiba's anticipation rising. I reconsidered my indecent musings. Well why not? He might even enjoy it, and Ra knows I've had to put up with enough of his grumbling lately that I deserve a little begging.
Besides, it wasn't as though Seto had never dropped a little surprise on ~me~ before.
He persuaded me to come to a company meeting once. Well, in light of how I more or less tried to usurp power from his company in the not-too-distant past, it was a fairly awkward situation. The Big Five were gone, of course, but a new Big Five had resumed their positions. (and, I should mention, they were no less creepy)
I didn't belong here, and I couldn't understand why my spouse-to-be had brought me. To the best of my knowledge, we were not planning to merge our comapnies...or did he have such a notion in mind? Ideas flitted through my head at random. And as for Kaiba~boi, well, he wasn't really doing much to make the matter clearer for me. In fact...he wasn't really talking, or changing facial expressions, or any of the things that I'm accustomed to seeing fellow human beings doing. He just sat at my side, glaring across the long table at the business executives. I thought perhaps there could be something of a communication flaw arising in this little scenario, but...I also decided it was best to stay silent over the matter.
And although I kept looking for some faint indication otherwise, Seto showed no sign of wanting me to vocalize my opinions of his current stock transactions. At length, I concluded that he simply wished for me to listen to the proceedings and perhaps derive some constructive ideas for the future of his business.
Ra, it was dreadfully boring. I could actually hear every loud obnoxious tick and tock of that damnable clock on the far wall. Ceiling tile count: 748, leaves on potted plant: 37+1/2 (accounting for the half I plucked in boredom). I felt out-of-place and useless, but at the selfsame instant, I realized that Seto must have surely brought me here to be a shoulder of support. I prided myself on thinking that he had brought me along as a pillar of strength to lean on, that he was growing to respect me as an equal.
So I sat there with my hands in my lap, waiting for him to proudly make the declaration, "We'll see whether that's a good idea or not. Let me ask my fiancee.." I knew the moment was coming. He truly was concerned with my input, he was no longer the self-centered soul I had once fashioned him to be. I think I may actually have blushed once or twice. I tried to give him reassuring smiles whenever a moment arose in which I could be sly enough to sneak them in. I hoped he would notice me out of his periphereal vision.....well, if by chance he did, he gave no indication of it. I assumed that he wanted to maintain his cold business composure for this particular gathering, and my affectionate attempts were probably deemed as unwelcome and embarrassing.
I did not read his mind, in this instance. No, that would be encroaching too much. Breaking a sacred vow of trust. Not that I'd normally mind scanning his thoughts, but this occasion was special. Seto had thought to bring me to his workplace, surely with the idea of eventually skimming me for suggestions. I saw this as a show of respect towards my leadership skills, and that he viewed me as a capable individual, which was a highly honoured position, especially when awarded from someone as allegedly self-sufficient and domineering as dear Kaiba~boi.
But my dearly awaited moment never came. Seto sat beside me like a stone statue, hardly even speaking. His demeanor was as cold as ever, but he never once requested anything from my behalf. Before long, a 20-minute lunch break was called for amidst the members of the ongoing meeting. Kaiba grunted, barely taking well to the idea, but hardly opposing it either. When he has something on his mind, he sets to doing it and won't stop come hell or high water until that project is entirely finished. I find myself having both admiration and frustration over this personality trait...if such is possible.
As he didn't resist the idea heavily, a break was called for. I certainly didn't mind the opportunity to stretch my legs.....sitting in one place for several hours had been a truly uncomfortable little experience. I mean, I didn't even have any of my beloved Funny Bunny comics handy for easy reading! What is a poor chap to do?
I was a little perplexed over why Seto hadn't looked or spoken to me, or presented me with that big moment that I'd envisioned. But I didn't worry too much over it, figuring he was just biding his time, waiting for just the right moment. As something of a showman myself, I can certainly appreciate the need for perfect timing. I was wonderfully flattered.
Well, being a billionaire, I generally keep a good bit of spare change around lest I should need it, and since I had brought no lunch today and didn't particularly feel like heading off to a restaurant, I soon found myself making a little stop in front of the nearest vending machine.
I wanted a Snickers.
Slipping a dollar in was the most casual, most thoughtless action one could possibly perform. I hit B5, which was obviously the key for Snickers. It should've just fallen out, you know? But alas, as I stood there twiddling my thumbs (perfecting my Funny Bunny shadow puppet demonstration, mind you), I soon noticed that nothing seemed to be transpiring insofar as the candy machine went. None too pleased over this contrary contraption, I peered forward. Then, deciding to ease things along a bit, I gave it a little nudge.
Okay...by nudge, I mean I glanced to make sure no one was looking and then proceeded to kick and shake the damnable box until it very nearly fell over entirely. To no avail. My very best efforts seemed to have no effect on this demon-spawn device, and I quickly grew weary of the pursuit altogether.
I groaned. By this point, I was about ready to either give up entirely, or blast the stupid abomination straight into the Shadow Realm.
However, just at this critical juncture of decision-making, I happened to notice a minute reaction from the mechanical monster.
As I watched in a sort of numb hopeful daze, a pack of M&Ms (code: A3) jiggled before my weary eye and stubbornly dropped from it's designated location.
Oh, I see, the evil Vending Machine Gods are offering me a sacrifice because of their prior insolence..
Well....I do love M&Ms. They're quite nice little things to pop about, even though I dare say their company needs a more honest slogan. Oh, and lest I forget, they make for lovely toppings on a smooth cold scoop of ice cream...ahhhh.
But I wanted a Snickers! Truly, brethren, is that honestly such a big request from life..or this machine? No, I think not.
However, much as my desires may have leaned into other directions, life has forever taught me that there are some finalities that simply must be accepted. Somewhat begrudgingly, I began to work at the task or prying the M&M bag open... (but I still wanted a SNICKERS, Ra be damned!)
Did I mention I've been watching X-Files lately? Oh, well I have. And that show is startlingly accurate about conspiracy theories. You see, my current conspiracy theory is that the government is trying to make the quality of vending machines to be as low as possible. Nothing works properly, or quickly, and more often than not the money is eaten. This is because vending machines are the alien relay information source. (Obviously!)
After fiddling with this bag of M&Ms, I also have the theory that the government is trying to cover up their large M&M conspiracy by making the candies inaccessible. Why else would they make these foolish bags so difficult to rip open? Perhaps they store alien embryos in M&Ms....wait *gasp*, M&Ms *ARE* alien embryos!!
Now that I had stumbled across such a stunning revelation, I was at once wondering what the best manner of spreading this horrifying news was. Not that I had to wonder long, for Kaiba suddenly appeared before me in the hallway...
Whoa. Forget alien embryos. The look on that young man's face was scarier by far!
I'm sure you have sometimes seen an animal, perhaps a wolf, when it has killed or is about to kill something? The beast has a certain wild, terrifying look in it's eyes. Now imagine that look in a human's eye, and you will have a decent idea of what I now saw staring me down.
I absolutely could not figure out what mistake I had made this time, or what I had said wrong, but I was quickly sure that I had indeed committed a grave misdeed somewhere along the way, and was more than likely about to pay severely for doing so.
A quick, half-gasp half-shriek sound escaped my lips. In my immediate shock, I yanked the bag too hard and summarily flung M&Ms all over the hallway. Various "ping!"s ensued, the ground now littered with hard chocolate snacks. (Hard chocolate alien embryos, actually)
Before I could pay proper attention to the mess I had just made, Seto rushed forward and grabbed me by the arm.
I gave my best pity pout. I swear, I think the man's sanity was seriously in question at that moment. (And that's coming from ~me~ no less!)
Undaunted in his sheer determination, Seto dragged me back into the now-empty meeting room, flung me crudely onto the table and...
...well, let's just say he really must not have been ~that~ mad at me after all.
Turns out, as I learned sometime considerably later, that Seto had actually been paying some degree of attention when I had been making a not-so-greatly-subtle speech about the wonders of romance, spontaneity, and surprises. Well, guess what? Surprise! Now, I continue to maintain that unfortunately, my poor Seto has somewhat of a ....misguided sense of "romance" which I think he has most likely developed from watching the wrong kind of "romance" films. (He says, of course, that he doesn't watch "that sort of thing" of which I speak, but c'mon! Even my somewhat-naive childish self won't believe such! As long as my Funny Bunny doesn't get taped over..)
See? This is my Seto. Springing something onto me (other than himself) at the very moment I least expected it! I give an A+ for the shock value, and an A- for the romance factor, and a good solid A for the effort behind it all. That's an A average, right? Kudos, dear Kaiba~boi!
I love it when he tries. Even when he doesn't quite get it right. It's the ~trying~ that really counts.
In this particular instance....I really didn't know what to think. That is to say, I had originally thought that Seto was inviting me along to his company because he thought I was so skilled..........and in a manner of speaking, perhaps "skills" did have something to do with it. Well, imagine this! I thought my little protege had come to me in awe of my innate genius, and here ~I~ end up being the lunch-break snack! (At least I can now safely make an assumption as to how the M&Ms feel...)
Loooooooonnnggg borrrrrrriinggg story short, no, I did not resist Seto's very passionate advance. Yes, stuff happened. I cannot give any details beyond that because you would find them very uninteresting, I'm sure. [A/N: And because the author is evil incarnate. Mwahaha!] However, I will tell you that tables aren't the softest of surfaces. Not dreadful, but...well, I better stop there.
20 minutes later: Interestingly enough, the meeting did ~not~ ever resume. And that's probably a good thing too, because my suit was torn and my hair looked horrid, and I didn't want to have to explain the circumstances of my dishevelment to a sweat-dropping Big Five.
(However, had the need for such a fabricated story arisen, I was prepared to say that a fight betwixt myself and the potted plant had resulted from a certain verbal misunderstanding. The plant's fault, mind you......)
Turns out, believe this or not, a secretary in one of the next door rooms called the cops. No, seriously, no joke. She heard...yeah..and assumed there was fighting to be found nearby (thank Ra she knew better than to attempt an investigation herself..talk about a new level of mortification..).
About ten minutes following this misunderstanding, a number of police officers arrive at the Kaiba Corp building, entirely befuddled, and wondering what moron made the ill-thought-out prank call. Soon therafter, the Big Five were detained outside of the building upon their return from the local Wendy's....unfortunately, this led to massive complaining on their behalf due to melted Frosties. It just so happens I can totally empathize with that woe. But Frosty failures aside, everyone was by now very curious as to what was happening within.
....did I mention the ceiling sprinklers went off? Ra, what a mess.
And this, friends, is why love and business are best kept very, very seperate. It's also yet another instance where Shadow Portals are proven to be an infinitely necessary resource in saving one from very imminent embarrassment.
Oh yes, and as for the actual tryst...well, heh...ahem.....fun, much, yes.
So what was the point of my little story?
1) Seto has surprised me before, so I owed him one, and I've now made my pay.
2) A "wild" location does not make for instant betterment, (and they need to make softer office tables, those inconsiderate brutes..)
3) M&Ms, vending machines, and squirrels are all part of the Conspiracy...watch out for them!
So now we're even, Kaiba~boi!
And I think my little plan held a fine degree of ingenuity, don't you agree?
For several minutes I actually debated whether my spur of the moment plan was too evil as I was sneaking the disk with the virus into my new husbands lap top. It really was not a real computer virus after all, I had designed it to download his precious files into my own private data base via an uplink to my own personal stealth satellite. I may remember what it was like to live in ancient Egypt, but I am by no means behind the times in my technological aptitude. However, unlike my dear love bunny, I do not build my life around computers.
I did momentarily regret fooling him with a fake virus that he would never be able to kill because it only looked like a virus. I told myself I have to keep up my image as a villain somehow! And it was going to be so over the top how could I resist!
I had originally planned the usual candle light set up with the soft music and scented oils and silk sheets and all the romantic stuff I could possibly cram into a single shadow pocket. But then seeing Mai's generous provisions gave me a better idea. It was time to get creative. The jet was to be my dungeon and Kaiba~boi was to be my love slave! I could barely contain my giddy little giggles as I followed him down the runway.
It was nearly impossible to fake having a headache to get to the back alone so I could set things up. I am however a consummate actor and a little subtlety goes a very long way with Kaiba who is always on guard and scrutinizing every detail of his surroundings.
Several times I was sorely tempted to give in and go sit with him and make him feel better. I hate checking his thoughts to find he's worrying about me. He worries a lot more than I originally expected. His biggest fear in life is most certainly losing someone he cares about, and right now that would be either Mokuba or myself.
My biggest fear in life right now is most certainly squirrels. Yes, those evil little bastards with their beady soul less eyes and their bushy tails! They'll take over the world some day, I can tell, they're planning it right now as I speak! Just what are they hiding in those bulging little cheeks anyways? And don't tell me it's nuts! They're tricky little devils, it could be anything from lost buttons to engine parts.
I also happen to hold great distaste and fear for those creepy little caterpillars. You know the kind of which I speak, the spiny, prickly, scary, sticky, icky, nasty, sharp and probably poisonous kind. There are monstrosities amongst us...crawling around beneath the seemingly placid surfaces of our lawns...lurking and biding their time for that fateful day when they shall rise and attempt a final takeover of humanity....
...see how good I am at sounding like a melodramatic actor? And here to think that Seto claims I'd have no luck at being a thespian!
Anyway, it just so happens that a few weeks back in early Spring, I chanced an encounter with a caterpillar belonging to one of the barbed varieties of which I speak. I didn't even notice the slinking horror until I had very nearly stepped upon the most foul, wretched, accursed creature of damnation. Some people I think there are who would have gotten quite terrified over such a situation. But I myself am not such a person. No, no, in the very spirit of masculinity (which I obviously have much of), I didn't scream ~very~ loudly, nor did I run into the house ~very~ quickly. So fah to any who would dare attempt to label me as a coward, fah, indeed!
After my initial fright, I didn't think much of the instance. It was Springtime, after all. Frightening situations with caterpillars would soon come to be all-too-common nightmares, and I would just have to learn to develop a strong enough belly to tolerate and ignore these demons around me.
Well now, Seto apparently didn't.....exactly...see it that way....
He was standing in the main downstairs corridor when I came inside after my unfortunate incident. And if you ask me, I dare say that my soon-to-be spouse greatly overreacted in his handling of the matter. Alright......so perhaps I did accidentally bump him....and perhaps in so doing I may have accidentally knocked him to the ground and carelessly more or less trod over his newly-fallen person.....but really! He obviously should not have been standing in the hallway. I mean, that is just asking for a disaster, do you not agree?
Besides, I think I only stepped on him once or twice. That's a minor issue, eh? But nooooooo, Mr Melodrama follows my trail of destruction, stomps upstairs, throws my bedroom door open, drags me out from under the bed---a very uncalled for action, I do believe--announces that he's "had enough of this shit!" (whatever does he mean by that?) and drags me back downstairs and right back out the door. All the while, I was whimpering and offering my best pleas for mercy, but none seemed sufficient.
While Croquet and I watched in stark horror, my dear Kaiba~boi grabbed the caterpillar which had earlier terrorized me so, threw it into the road, and then proceeded to run over it with the limousine....five times.
Oh yes, Kaiba~boi, mighty display of virility there! It takes some rare breed of man to be capable of thwarting such a massive and intimidating foe!
Soon enough, even Mokuba had joined us in watching the grisly display. We all three stood there sweatdropping when Seto returned with this "Well, I showed that bastard!" look on his face.
Ah, Mokuba. About him...
As most are likely aware, I ....wasn't exactly "kind" to this youngster in the past. Although certain past injustices cannot be overwritten, I was bound and determined to extend any amenity necessary to help ease myself into good terms with this boy. My success so far could only be guessed at, even mind reading didn't offer much help on the matter.
While Mokuba did not seem to be harboring a significant grudge against me, he didn't seem especially eager to be warm and friendly towards me either. But I don't think was caused by lingering resentment.....I think the source of his slight distrust was actually a product of the changes he was going through, the unique personality he was developing. You see, at twelve years old, Mokuba is one scant year away from undergoing a metamorphosis which will effectively turn him into the most evil of living species, yes, friends, you guessed it---a teenager. A being far worse than even squirrels!
So one minute, the kid had a pleasant enough demeanor, laughing and playing like a wanton child. The next, he was moping around bitter and withdrawn, the next he was complaining a bit about some trivial thing. These would be awkward years, I was sure of it. Ah, puberty. Sometimes he watches "Babe" and sometimes it's "babes". But that is just teenager-dom for you. A rough transition from childhood to adulthood.
I really wanted to help the boy out as much as possible, but really, what could I do?
Fortunately, fate and coincidence threw me a few meager opportunities to appear nurturing, and I jumped at them like a rabid animal jumps at meat.
One day, perhaps a month or so ago, Mokuba had a minor biking accident. He was trying to go uphill in a fairly rocky terrain and had the misfortune of slamming into one jarring boulder and being thrown clear off the bike.
Luckily, he was not seriously wounded, but he had managed to acquire a bleeding, dirty wound and a skinned knee. Seto was away that day--Annual Duel Monsters Convention or something. But when I saw Mokuba come limping in, assuring me repeatedly that he was "fine" and telling me not to hover, I immediately set to bandaging the rough scrape and applying generous ointment so as to prevent infection. He looked at me peculiarly all the while, too. I suppose he didn't expect me to lend a hand for him.
...by the way...I just realized that the little Munchkin never said "Thank you"! Darn kids!
A later situation was handled in similar fashion.
After not-so-wisely spending a day playing outside in the snow with hardly enough shielding clothing, small wonder that Mokuba developed a rather nasty cold.
So, naturally, I implored that he be sent to bed immediately, despite his very vocal complaints against it. I offered to turn Funny Bunny on for him, but he declined. I really must wonder about any youngster who isn't interested in Funny Bunny...but alas...
At any rate, I appeared at his door shortly thereafter with a tray of food, the usual cold remedy--hot soup, and even a glass of chocolate milk lest he get to feeling better. (Not NesQuik though--I am still mad at that fellow for copying my favourite cartoon hero..)
I suppose I could have had Croquet bring these items to the youth, but I felt like it would be better received if I did so myself. Besides, I wanted to try and form a bond on any level possible.
He was too tired and sniffly to say much, but I daresay that he seemed to be regarding me with a slightly suspicious squint. I'm not sure if he was distrustful of my motives, or if he simply didn't like being "babied"---probably both.
"I've heard you have 'magic'. Why don't you just use some of it and make me feel better?" He asked me between slurps.
The answer of course is that magic is very taxing, exhausting, and potentially dangerous. One would be ill-advised to use such forces except in the direst of extreme situations..
...however, I did not feel like articulating all of this explanation at that very moment, nor did I suspect that Mokuba would be satisfied with the answer at any rate, so I said simply....
"Because."
After I spoke this, he turned away from me and continued eating. I did not think he would say anything else, but lo and behold, he did. He surprised me greatly in fact, by saying something that I never expected to hear. A declaration that made me truly overjoyed...
"You know.....I never had a mother. She died giving birth to me, so I guess I don't really know what a mom would be like. I'm thinking sort of like you, though."
I went numb. Somewhere along the line, I had obviously achieved a breakthrough.
"Why?" I asked enthusiastically. "Was it my doting for you? Tending your wound? Taking care of you when you were in need..?"
He paused, as if to consider this fully.
"....No. No, not really. But I asked you something and you said "Because" to answer me. My friend's mom does that to him, and he can't stand it. No one else but mothers use "Because" as a full sentence."
......okay, so perhaps his sentiment wasn't ~exactly~ a compliment in the purest sense of the word, but by this point, I'll gladly take what I can get.
I was under the impression that Seto would be thrilled over me showing his younger sibling such attentive care. As is so often the case, I entirely mistook his view of everything...
You see, he was of course used to tending to his younger brother in every way. He could get jealous if anyone else did something that might Mokuba develop "hero worship" towards them. Yugi winning the tournament and saving them--for instance. Well, it was ridiculous to think that Mokuba had even developed much fondness for me, let alone hero worship! But although Seto didn't say much to me, or seem very upset over it, he did once more or less tell me not to worry about things and that he could take care of Mokuba himself.
I picked his mind. As stubborn as I think Seto was being, I can understand where he's coming from. Mokuba is his charge. He has seen it as his job to rear that child up from the moment that he vowed to do so for his dying mother.
But...be that as it may....and as much as I can empathize....Seto will simply have to learn to share responsibilities. We're married, and isn't that what marriage is about? Sharing? Working together? What if we someday decide to have children...? How would that work out?
....us...having children...? I've never thought about it much before....but I always did secretly desire to have a child someday. A daughter. Someone small to love and shower affection on. I would have such a good time spoiling her!
Perhaps I should speak to Seto about the future possibility of children.
Sometime....sometime I will bring up the conversation with him.
Sometime...but not now. It's too early now.....the discussion would only cause unnecessary turbulence to our new union...
.....Turbulence.......Oh Ra! Where's my paper bag! I'm going to start hyperventilating! The air is too thin up here! I hate planes! Why can't we just take a shadow portal?? Why does Kaiba have to be so blasted normal?? I had to fall for an average guy with no magical abilities or psychic gifts. He even has the right number of fingers and toes!
If he weren't so bloody beautiful and interesting despite being normal, with such a lovely energy to his soul, I never would have stuck around here so long. Ah, it's wonderful to be in love again. Especially with my Seth. Back in the old days he used to let me play with his millennium rod all the time [Amber: *gasp* -_- SW!!], but I could never wrench a commitment out of him then. He's certainly changed for the better over the ages, that's for certain. I wonder if I can say the same?
I am glad my Kaiba Kitten found that virus so soon or else I would have to have gone out there and hunted down Croquet. I can't stand to be alone in one of these flying coffins! There's no safer feeling in the world for me than holding Croquet's hand. And if you tell anyone that I will most definitely send you to the Shadow realm!
I look over at my husband now...sleeping so soundly against me, in my arms, and I in his.
You know, as beautiful as his blue eyes may be, sometimes I like to see them closed so tightly as they are now. He looks so...so gentle and sombre, so innocent. One could never guess that in twenty minutes, he will surely be yelling at me over something.
I'm surprised that he's resting so close to me. I can even feel the steady warmth of his breathing...
Normally, he doesn't like to be held or to hold afterwards. He says that he's sticky, and hot, and tired, and would rather simply roll over and fall asleep as hastily as possible. He says that post-coital cuddling is a generally pointless display, and that he's already shown me his affection for the night and would like nothing better than to rest.
Not tonight, though. Perhaps because this is the honeymoon night, after all, and if he won't be loving now, then by Ra, when will he be loving? That aside, I think he's too exhausted now to even protest against a little snuggle....
I take in the sight of him.
He really is such a lovely thing. Young and slim, a smooth nice face that could be called...dare I say...delicate? Those heavenly oceanic blue eyes, closed together now, his lashes tight and knit. That wonderfully contrasting chestnut mop atop his head..wet bangs flopping relentlessly into his face like a copper curtain. His hair is messy now, he's sweaty, hot, but cooled by the sweet sea of satin below and above.
I watch him breathe, slow and steady pumping as he sleeps against me. I am somehow fixated by the sight of the lean glistening flesh..the slight rays of light peeking in through the doorway and shimmering like a ballet procession in the darkness.
He grunts a little in his sleep. I smile to myself. I wonder what he's dreaming...?
I could look, if I truly desired. I could see his Dreams. But.....I cannot bring myself to do so. Prying the minds of the waking is one thing, but slipping gossamer fingers into the solace of the sleeping is another matter entirely. The visions of the night are a man's last sanctuary from the world. I...I don't have the right to invade such a refuge.
I am so drawn in; I can't resist dipping my head and brushing our lips together.
The kiss is no more than a faint whisper, an echo of earlier passion, like kitten whiskers brushing roses.
I feel him stir, much to my astonishment. His eyes flicker open, caught in a haze of light they become luminous against the shadow of his visage. He pushes his bangs aside with a casual flick of the wrist, peering at me with that same stern expression that I have grown so accustomed to seeing.
But then....as I watch...I think I seem to see his eyes soften just slightly.
Did I see something more in him at that moment? Or was it just an illusion cast by the shadows, by the falling waves of light and dark? Am I deceived, am I looking too hard for a thing that does not exist, but that I so desperately want to see?
"...Peg..Pegasus?" He sounds remote as he mutters to me. I think part of his brain may still be slumbering...
I reach a hand out to caress the back of his neck. Tense. Always so tense.
His gaze bores into me. There's something more. He wants to tell me something, but he's not sure how. I don't have to read his mind to know as much....
"I.....I....." I feel his muscles strain against my coaxing touch. "I......lo.....lo......loooooo....veeeee.......vee.....egh."
He stops, unable to continue. He can't finish. He doesn't need to.
I take advantage of the final hesitation, closing my mouth on his and working them together smoothly. I feel him murmur and sigh against me, the refreshing vibration that trembles through him, in his chest, and into the cavity of my throat.
I relax the grip, but don't release him entirely....not yet. I want to savour this kiss before I find my rest again, before the satin takes me...
I love you too, Seto Kaiba.
Life is good.....for now....
Sometimes I wonder, though, if things shall always be so calm. Oh yes, I know, I am being paranoid. But I can't help it. Ponderings arise in me, the "What ifs?" of life call to my soul.
Have you ever felt...that perhaps you're not in control of your own destiny? That is to say, what if there are larger forces at work in the universe? Sometimes I suppose I feel as though I am merely a puppet, a character in some large and fantastic play of sorts. Are my decisions really my own, or is someone else up there in charge...?
I mean, it's unsettling really. I could just be a character in some strange cosmic story. Perhaps being controlled by the gods....or spirits..or fate and destiny..........
......or by a very obsessive 16-year-old girl with a twisted sense of humour, and a frightening fondness for Mountain Dew and lemons......
.........nah....
(Death to all squirrels!!)
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[ Review. ^-^ ]
PS SW gets credit for writing part of this scene. The squirrel stuff was her idea
PPS But all that X-Files stuff was me peeking through. Yes, Pegasus is not my only obsession ;)