Disclaimer: I don't own YuGiOh!
Two boys standing on the sidewalk watched as a red Jaguar pulled into the parking lot with tires squealing and the sound of screaming coming from inside the vehicle. The car parked diagonally in front of the arcade, and a very boisterous blond hopped out of the driver's side.
Shortly after, the passenger's door swung open and two frightened-looking boys stepped shakily out of the car. The taller of the two headed towards the blond as the smaller boy dropped to his knees to kiss the steady asphalt beneath him.
"KaibathatwassocoolthankyouforlettingmedrivecanIdrivehometoo – "
"Give me the keys, Joey."
"let'sgorightnowIthinkI'mgettingbetteralreadydidyounoticeIparkedyourcar
likeyoulikeitsowhencanIborrowyourcar – "
"Just give me the keys, Joey."
"justfortheweekendIpromicetobecarefulmaybeI'llgotakemydriver'steston
Monday –"
"Damn it, Wheeler, just give me my keys!!!"
Dropping the keys into Kaiba's waiting hand, Joey rolled his eyes. "Sheesh, Kaiba, you could've just asked."
Kaiba stared unbelievingly at the blond as he joined Tristan and Ryou on the sidewalk.
"Joey can be a little dense sometimes," a small voice said from behind him. Kaiba just nodded his head as Yugi passed him to catch up with the others inside. For a moment, he began to doubt this whole friendship thing, but quickly shook that feeling off. Kaiba wanted friends, these friends, and once he set out to get something he wouldn't just give up because of a near death experience. A Kaiba never quits, and this Kaiba wouldn't be the first to do so.
Following the others into the noisy arcade, Kaiba quickly became aware of why he normally avoided these types of places. Sure, Mokuba often dragged him into one obnoxious gathering place or another, but he would put up with anything for his little brother. But coming in here voluntarily was another matter.
Lights flashed everywhere and the pounding music invaded his eardrums, but that wasn't what was bothering him. Laughter filled every corner, and people were cheering each other on in one game or another. Everyone was so happy to be together with friends, and Kaiba the outcast just became further separated from the rest of the human race.
But he tried to convince himself that this time wouldn't be like the others. This time he had friends with him, too. He wouldn't just be the lonely guy in the corner waiting for Mokuba to have his fill of fun so they could return home. He would play games too, and cheer his friends on and be cheered in return. Yes, he decided. That was exactly what he was going to do.
Kaiba spotted Joey and Yugi standing next to a fighting game. He walked up to it and saw that although they had obviously just started, Yugi was going to cream Joey very quickly.
"Come on, Joey," Kaiba said, somewhat unsure of himself. "Kick his ass."
Yugi was so surprised to hear Kaiba's encouraging words directed towards Joey that he looked up from the game, allowing Joey the perfect opportunity to strike back, defeating Yugi's character in the second round. Only one more round to go, and with Joey's sudden confidence boost, it looked as if he might actually defeat Yugi for the first time in his life.
But those hopes were dashed quickly, as Yugi wasn't called the King of Games for nothing. As Joey lost, Yugi smiled up at Kaiba. "I'm going to go find Ryou and Tristan and see if we can't get an air hockey tournament started." With that, Yugi headed for the pool table area, leaving Joey and Kaiba alone.
Dropping some quarters in the slot, Joey spoke without looking at Kaiba. "Wanna play a round?"
"I guess I could find some time to kick your sorry ass," Kaiba said in that same old cold voice of his, causing Joey to look up at him with disappointment in his eyes. Kaiba felt bad, as he was only trying to get in the spirit of the game, and gave a small smile to show Joey that he was only jesting. Joey looked somewhat relieved and went on to pick his fighter on the game.
Kaiba did beat Joey rather quickly, and then they went off to the air hockey table where the others were gathered. The tournament was over in less time than Kaiba had hoped, with Yugi the victor and himself in second place. For once he didn't mind losing to Yugi, because he had had a great time doing so. Glancing at his watch, Kaiba saw that it was nearing six o'clock, and he had to be home soon for dinner with Mokuba.
"Well, I hate to do this, but I've got to get going," Kaiba said. "Does anyone need a ride home before I go?"
"Nah," Joey said. "I'm saying over at Yugi's tonight, and he lives real close to here." Yugi nodded in confirmation of this.
"Okay. Well, see you all in school on Monday." Kaiba began to head towards the door when he was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Joey there smiling.
"Let me see your cell phone real quick," he said, holding his hand out. Kaiba was wondering where this kid had learned his manners to ask to borrow a phone like that, but nevertheless reached into his pocket and handed the little silver phone to Joey.
Joey looked down at it, and scrunching his eyebrows in concentration, pressed more buttons than Kaiba was comfortable with. He hated when people touched his stuff, and it seemed as though Joey was touching more than necessary for a simple phone call.
Finally, Joey handed the phone back to him. "There," he said simply. "Now mine and Yugi's phone numbers are programmed in there. So if you get bored in that big old mansion of yours, you can call us and hang out or something."
Kaiba stared down at his phone, oddly touched by this simple gesture of friendship. He nodded and smiled up at the rest of the gang. "I'll do that." With that, he headed out of the arcade for real this time, careful not to turn back so that nobody would see the smile that was still plastered stupidly across his face.