Disclaimer: Plot is all I own. Everyone else is merely my device. Please don't sue, I have nothing.

This chapter is dedicated to Johann Faust, a good friend who always seems to be under-valued. He's a great guy, even though he can be a little...weird. This is for you, my buddy!

Chapter Four: Duality

Seto awoke late in the morning, snuggled far under his blankets. Still fully dressed from last night, he looked around at the mayhem he had caused in his rage. The few vases of flowers placed around to brighten the room had been shattered, now lying in a million pieces upon the floor. The curtains had been torn from their railings, and clothes that had been neatly folded within the drawers had been thrown about like a boat in a storm, and discarded where they fell.

Why had he done that? Then he remembered Mokuba and Pegasus, inside their happy little world, a world from which he was excluded. It made him sad that he'd been left out, but it disgusted him that he'd destroyed this room. He was spoiling things, just after life had started to perk up for him.

"Good morning, I presume you're awake, my little storm?" he looked up; Pegasus had opened the door, a try held in his one hand. "Its alright, I come in peace. And please don not throw anything at me." He made his way over the glass shards, crushing them beneath his shoes and seated himself on the edge of the bed. "Hungry? The maid was afraid something would be thrown at her, and so it was left to me. "Seto gratefully picked up a slice of the toast piled high, and taking the bread knife, continued to remove the crust carefully. "Now, we really must discuss last night, young man, as I cannot be dealing with both you and Mokuba being upset. He's heartbroken that you were horrible to him."

"I'm sorry. Please don't send me back to the orphanage, me or Mokuba. I just-"Seto looked up quickly, suddenly aware of the implications of last night's outburst. He couldn't deny Mokuba this happy life, no more than he could deny himself the joy of being with his younger brother.

"Don't be silly, Seto. I would never send you or Mokuba back to that place." He reached out, and placed a hand on Seto's shoulder. "I want to set down my only rule; and that is we do not compete for Mokuba's affection. I want to love you both in a healthy, fatherly way, and I do not understand what you have against me doing that."

Seto remained silent, misery overclouding his mind as Pegasus's word hit a chord. So his vicious little outburst had only embarrassed him, and not the intended one? Maybe he wasn't as clever as he thought he was.

"Do you think I love Mokuba more than you? Seto, I care so much for you both, or I want to, But you're making it so hard for me...I don't know what you want, and I don't understand your behaviour. But I do have a gift for you. Something I believe will prove my good intentions to you."

He put his hand into his jacket, and with a flourish, pulled out three cards, of a similar size to an American Express. He handed them to Seto, who wiped his hand on the napkin before accepting.

"You see, these are three rare cards from the new Duel Monsters game, my game, and they are some of the three most powerful monsters within it. And I want you to have them, and I want you to be the champion of my game. You're the one person shrewd and smart enough to be worthy of going all the way to the top without my influence."

Seto looked at the three blue dragons in his hands, all identical, all supremely beautiful and majestic, and yet deadly as arsenic. And they were all his.

"Oh, and something else...Mokuba's requested a great many things, and they've been readily given to him, but you...you don't need toys or clothes or anything a child of his age needs. This is to help you when you go to your new school, because I'm well aware of your abilities."

Seto took the case offered to him and opened it up, running a hand over the edge of the smooth edge, admiring the keys and the screen. He looked at the brand and the model number, startled to see it was in fact impressive.

"Seto, would I buy you anything but top of the range?" Pegasus chuckled. "I understand it's an impressive gift for someone so young, but I think you need it. So do take care of it. And while you're at it, could you please consider speaking with Mokuba, he's still very shook up about last night."

Seto looked up at Pegasus. How had he ever thought that there could be malicious intend within this man? Sure, he was a bit odd, he didn't want to know what people with too much money and too much time did, but there was honesty in that expression.

"I'm sorry, father." He leant upwards, and kissed Pegasus on the cheek. As he did, he was vaguely aware of a glimmer of gold beneath his hair. Keeping quiet, he sat back down, wondering if he would be punished for trashing the room.

"Seto, I don't want to smother you with love; I do it to Mokuba because he's young, he's been denied it by all but you...I know you dislike my attention, so I won't give it. But." His lips split into a wide grin. "If you ever need a hug or anything, you know where I am."

Pegasus stood up and left, with a final glance, he stopped. "Oh, and don't worry about this room. It was always my intention to redecorate, anyway."

Mokuba was sitting in his room, holding on tightly to a teddy bear that had, until last night, been brand new and clean, now it was slightly chewed on its ear, the rest of its fur covered in snot as he continually wiped his nose upon it.

"Mokie, are you in here?" He didn't answer, just continued to look out the window. The gardens were immaculate, as one would expect. A butterfly flew across the window outside, settling on a geranium and pausing. "Mokie, I'm really sorry about last night. I'm just...not used to sharing you."

Mokuba turned his mournful eyes upon Seto, still holding the teddy close.

"You're never willing to share anything, onii-sama, but there's no need to take it out on Pegasus or me. I love you, and he wants to love you. Why must you ruin it for us all?" Mokuba's eyes widened, tears beginning to form as he held Seto's gaze.

"Mokie, I made up with him. I apologised, and he accepted. But now, I need to make up with you. I don't feel right, knowing you could hate me for even a second." Mokuba looked distressed, and then threw his arms around his older brother.

"I don't hate you, silly. I was just annoyed. Now are you coming out to play, or not?" Smiling, the two brothers held hands, got off the bed and ran outside, determined to put this whole mess behind them.

And that's that! Phew, Peggy/Seto bridges being built! And okay, no yaoi. Thank you all again for such lovely reviews, I feel so wubbed!

Flowering Wolfsbane