Disclaimer: I own nothing! NOTHING!
Warning: Sweet, sweet yaoi ahoy!
Chapter 4
Filled with a bone-tired exhaustion, Pegasus made his way off of the main dueling stage. With the adrenaline rush from a truly challenging duel gone, Pegasus felt as weak as a newborn kitten, but so long as there were cameras around, he forced himself to keep his back straight and his head high. As he reached the last of the steps, he began to totter, and strong arms grabbed him about the waist. "Easy there," Kaiba's voice murmured next to Pegasus's ear.
With Kaiba's help, Pegasus made it to a chair. He leaned back and shut his eye, just wanting to rest until the crowd dispersed. "That was quite an upset, Cecilia," Kaiba smirked. "Everyone was expecting Mai to make it to the finals. You're better than I thought, but you still won't be good enough." Pegasus knew that was the closest thing to a compliment that he would ever get out of Kaiba, and it brought a smile to his lips.
"Just you wait, Kaiba," Pegasus countered, stopping himself just short of "Kaiba-boy." "I'm going to win this thing yet."
"In your dreams," came Kaiba's reply, filled with a note of light banter. Defeating Mai, Pegasus realized, had been a sort of initiation, and now that he'd proven he could play with the big boys, Kaiba deemed him worthy to socialize with.
"Do you think I could bum a ride to my hotel?" Pegasus murmured, adding a genuine tired tremor to his voice. He neither wanted to wait for the bus or call Croquet. Maybe Kaiba would take pity on a damsel in distress. Right And maybe a swarm of pigs would go flying by.
Still, miracles happened everyday, and today was no exception. "Come on." Kaiba easily pulled Pegasus up out of the chair. "We'll stop for supper first. I haven't had a thing to eat all day, and I bet you haven't either." Pegasus smiled as he smoothed a few imaginary wrinkles out of his dress. Apparently the Ice Prince's warm side showed up for helpless maidens as well as little brothers.
Turning on his heel, Kaiba began to walk away, leaving Pegasus to follow, which he did. "Talk about Mr. Manners," Pegasus grumbled as he followed, heels clicking on the tiled floor. Kaiba's limo was waiting right out front, motor idling. Holding the door open, Kaiba motioned Pegasus in first, followed by Mokuba, before having a seat himself. "I appreciate the ride," Pegasus murmured in an attempt to initiate small talk.
The older Kaiba brother answered with a noncommittal grunt as he pulled a laptop out from under the seat. "He's trying to work out strategies for tomorrow's duels," Mokuba explained, brushing his shaggy hair out of his eyes. "The duels you guys are in for tomorrow won't be easy. You may want to work on your strategy too - especially if you end up facing my brother."
"That's right," Seto broke in. "You are really the only unknown in the semi-finals. I've battled against everyone else before."
"And so you're hoping I'll open my bag of tricks, so you can take a peek and know what to expect," Pegasus finished. "Typical man. You can't just do something nice for the sake of doing something nice, can you?" Seto's flustered silence proved answer enough. "Really, Kaiba, my dear, you're about as subtle as a battle axe. I'll need every last trick I've got to stay in this thing - especially if I end up against paired against you or Yugi tomorrow."
The three rode in silence - Seto typing away on his computer, Mokuba dozing off against his brother, and Pegasus staring out the window. Not a word was spoken until the limo pulled up at Nippon Sushi. The restaurant was one of those new places trying to masquerade as someplace that had been there for years. The walls were decorated with the usual supposedly antique gewgaws that seemed mandatory in an oriental restaurant - tapestries of koi fish, stringed instruments no one really knew how to play anymore, a few katana blades.
The hostess was slim and short, dressed very simply in what appeared to be the standard uniform - black slacks topped off with a white shirt. She greeted the three warmly and led them to a table. Once seated, she went off to seat the next group, leaving the trio to look over the menus. When the waitress came, waters were ordered all around. Pegasus and Seto went for the house special, which was an assortment platter, while Mokuba ordered chicken fingers.
The awkward silence from the car continued as the three sat around the table waiting on their food. Finally, propping his chin up on his hands, Pegasus broke the silence. "You're not much of a people person, are you, Kaiba."
Seto started a bit at Pegasus's words, violet eyes widening slightly. "I prefer to rely on my own strengths. All that friendship stuff preached by Yugi and his little group of cheerleaders is overblown."
"I've heard their little speeches, and I won't argue that point," Pegasus agreed. "But when you isolate yourself, you end up driving yourself a little crazy. You would not believe the things I've done to stave off loneliness, Kaiba. I rely only on myself during duels, but outside of them, I've learned to enjoy being around people. I don't think you've learned that yet."
Seto's hands clenched at the edge of the table in a death grip, knuckles going white. Pegasus pretended not to notice. "You try so hard to be badass, but underneath it all, I think you really are a decent guy. You just need to learn how to let down the mask." In a last, daring move, Pegasus leaned over and brushed his lips against Seto's cheek. "Promise me you'll stay in touch when the tournament is over. I want to get to know the guy behind the mask - the guy that's sweet to his kid brother."
"I Maybe I'll do that, Cecilia," Seto stammered. Seto was saved from any further response by the arrival of their meals. Silence of a more companionable nature filled the air as all three tucked into the food. The silence followed them out to the car, but this time it was the silence that came with being happy, full, and tired. Seto took the middle seat this time, his hand resting on top of Pegasus's hand the whole way back to the hotel.
When Pegasus climbed out of the limo, he made certain to leave his cell phone number with Seto. And just before he could close the car door, Mokuba finally piped up again, his voice cheerful and happy in its sing-song rhythm. "Seto's got a girlfriend!" All in all, Pegasus decided he was pleased with the way the night ended.
