A/N: I'm back! And I apologise about the delay, there's been a lot on, but I'm going to try and get back into the swing of things for what remains of the holidays!
Review Responses:
Gothic-Ember: Wheeeee! New Reviewer! (Thanks for reviewing AfI to, btw.) I don't know how you managed to find my despondant little stories, but I'm glad you like them! AndI want a Blusiealso!I used to make loads of ragdolls when I was little... they were all small and ugly, though.Well, you can have an imaginary Blusie, if you want...(Passes Imaginary Blusie)
Willowwind: I isn't mad at you... I'm sorry I yelled... (Sniffle) Here! You can have an imaginary Blu- (Realises she is out of Imaginary Blusies by now) Hmm, I should start selling those things... Oh well!Here! Have an imaginary Cornish Pasty instead:-) I have Cheese and Bacon or Tradional...
Dragonlady222: I'm glad you are enjoying/ you enjoyed your holiday! I just hadto wonder what Seto would think about having to walk like everyone else... I didn't think he'd be too happy... And I think that maybe I'm a bitmean to Az- you're right, everything does go wrong... Oh well, there'll be some relief next chapter for her, promise! The Kaiba brothers, however...I make no comment.
Disclaimer: Nope. Nothing. All I own is the very old The War of the Worlds soundtrack- not the new remix either. Oh, wait, that's my brothers. Well, I own a copy of the book, at least… Oh, and Az is mine. Wai!
And now, continuing almost directly from last chapter, let's round up Seto's birthday!
Eleven: Birthdays are Funny Things
Seto sat in the small plastic chair, uncomfortable, but outwardly, he showed no signs of it. In fact, as he rested his head against the wall, looking up at the ceiling, he just looked like he was deep in thought. Which he was.
What a way to spend his birthday. Sitting outside a hospital room. He hadn't been sure at first whether he should wait or go. On the one hand, he didn't want to intrude. On the other hand, he didn't want Azreal to think he'd abandoned her.
So here he was. Outside a hospital room. On his birthday.
They were funny things, birthdays. There was no reason why sitting outside a hospital room on his birthday was any worse then sitting outside one on any other day. But, somehow, he still felt a little, however selfishly, disappointed.
Seto remembered how excited he had once got over his birthdays. When he was small and Mokuba was no more then a baby, when their parents were still alive. He just to count down in days and weeks, constantly reminding everyone how far away it was. Now he could hardly remember when it was, and would probably ignore it completely had it not been for Mokuba. They only really had one, two, perhaps three traditions, and Seto's birthday was one of them. They always went out, usually for a meal, together, as their small, but select, family. But this time, Mokuba had told him to bring Azreal. Not that he was complaining, but he wondered just how his brother saw his girlfriend. Did he just like her because Seto did? Or was she 'family' now to…?
Seto sat deep in incomprehensible thoughts and hazy memories for who knew how long. Finally, Azreal emerged from the room, closing the door behind her and slumping onto it.
Seto stood up, and she turned towards him. She was as pale as ever, but gave a weak smile.
"You waited all this time?" She asked.
"Evidently." Seto replied. They stood for a second in silence.
"He's going to be alright." Azreal sighed eventually. "I mean, we'd noticed he'd been off his food for a while, but we thought it was just a stomach bug…" She shook her head slightly, getting back onto the point. "Turns out, it was appendicitis. But… the doctors say that… that they'll get him into Surgery tonight or tomorrow… and take it out and… and he'll be… okay…"
Seto watched in surprise as she broke down into tears even whilst talking. He couldn't understand why- she had just said herself that James was going to be, more then likely, fine. It was also surprising to see her crying. She always seemed so cheerful. Except that one time, when he'd found her sitting on the side of the road…
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-Flashback-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
"Azreal!"
"Seto! What are you doing here? I thought you had a meeting!"
"I did."
"Then why…?"
"I came looking for you. You cease to exist without me, remember?"
"Oh, thanks…"
"So, what's the matter?"
"No…Nothing."
"You're crying."
"No I'm not. Really."
"Don't give me that. Look, Az, I don't expect sympathy and I don't give it. But I'm asking what's wrong, and don't give me that 'nothing' lie. I'm not stupid. So, what's wrong?"
"…"
"Why are you crying, Az? Why are you solid? Can't you control yourself anymore? Give me a straight answer Azreal- What is wrong with you?"
"Seto…"
"Tell me! I just screwed up the most important meeting of my career for you! So tell me, already!"
"I can't! Quit asking me!"
"…"
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-End Flashback-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
That time, he had just stood by, useless, and he had not been too pleased with her either. But he couldn't just stand by and watch this time. He didn't think he'd be able to forgive himself if he did. Problem was, he didn't know what to do, what to say… he wasn't good with tears. Mokuba hadn't cried for years. Seto just wasn't much of a comforter.
"Um… Don't cry?" He offered lamely, moving towards her slightly. Azreal took the opportunity to move closer to him, wrapping her arms around him as though there was comfort therein. She was still crying slightly- he could feel the damp on his shirt. But he didn't push her away. He wrapped his arms around her stiffly, and just held her.
Problem solved.
"Azreal…" Seto said eventually. "Why are you crying? You said yourself that he'd be fine…"
He loved to be hugging her, to be close to her, but he really was getting rather unpleasantly squashed now. And wet.
"Sorry." Azreal said sheepishly, pulling away. "You're right. I know he'll be alright, but… he just seems so little to be going under the knife, and I can't help but worry…" She looked him up and down, and gasped. "Oh, Seto! I got you all wet! I'm so sorry!"
Seto almost laughed. She seemed so disgusted with herself, so embarrassed…
"Don't worry about it." He replied. "Although, if anyone else tried it, I may have had to hurt them."
Azreal giggled for a second. "But still… I was being silly. He will be alright, and Dad and Ruby are going to stay with him, so he won't be all alone… I was being overly-emotional. You shouldn't have to put up with that."
"You put up with me." Seto responded harshly. "Even when my….brother…"
"What's up?" Azreal asked, blinking at his expression. Then she twigged. "Oh, crumbs. No, Oh great zonking loaves of Hovis…"
Seto said nothing, just setting off at a brisk rate out of the hospital, knowing that Azreal would be beside him as he went.
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Mokuba's school had a strict policy about not letting the children, as they were mostly from rich or important families, walk home alone.
So when they had not been able to contact Seto, or Anna, or even Susan, they had had a problem.
Mokuba was very hungry, very bored, very frustrated and just a little worried. School had let out hours ago. Yet he was still there. And so was the poor teacher who had been forced to stay and 'supervise' him.
"Look," Mokuba tried again, desperately. "I only live twenty minutes away. I can go alone."
"Sorry, Mokuba. I can't let you do that." The teacher replied, barely sparing him a glance.
"I have a key and everything!" Mokuba protested in frustration.
"That's not the problem. I can't let you go home alone, so we'll both just have to put up with it."
"Okay, okay, here's an idea- why don't you walk me home, then we can both get home!"
"Mokuba! Just give it up! We're stuck here until we can contact someone or someone turns up!"
Mokuba sighed in frustration, blowing one of his bangs out of his face.
Seto had better have a really good excuse this time.
Right on que, his older brother's car spun in, at long last. Mokuba folded his arms and waited as Seto climbed out the back.
Mokuba glared at him.
"I can explain everything…" Seto said hastily.
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The explanation was ample enough to make Mokuba feel a little guilty about being so frustrated, and the three of them headed back to the Mansion. Having completely missed their reservation at the restaurant, it was up to them to get their own meal. Azreal had not experienced Seto's attempted cooking, but Mokuba had.
So he offered to make something.
Azreal immediately offered to help.
Seto didn't want to be the only one left, so he said he'd help to.
Which completely defeated the object.
Seeing his face, and guessing the fate that awaited them, Azreal quickly suggested just ordering in and maybe watching a movie, thusly saving them all from the dreaded pain that was Seto's cooking.
And so it came to pass that rather then eating a beautifully presented meal in a secluded restaurant, the three ended up eating Cornish Pasties from a paper bag in front of the television set in Seto's living room.
And, for some reason, they ended up watching the original The War of The Worlds musical. It was, however, rather good.
Especially to take your mind off things.
Afterwards, it was really getting quite late.
"Man…" Azreal half-yawned, the stress and frustration that she had felt had been gradually ebbing away, leaving her weary and sleepy. "It's late. I'll have to go home soon, I guess… Not that anyone's home…"
"No, hang around." Mokuba said, sounding equally tired. "I still haven't given Seto his present…I'll just go get it!" He hauled himself up and went in what was presumably the direction of his room.
"What do you think he's got you?" Azreal asked Seto, smiling. He shrugged.
"Usually it's something that appeals to his sense of humour, just to see how I'll react." Seto said. "So no doubt it'll be something utterly useless."
Azreal laughed.
Seto scrutinised her.
"What?" She asked.
"You're still panicking." Seto said, matter-of-factly.
"Mmm."
"That's alright. It just shows that you love him. But don't torture yourself about it. It's a waste of time."
"Mmm…" She muttered, smiling. "You really do understand, don't you?"
Just then, Mokuba bounced back into the room, holding a small, but brightly wrapped parcel.
"Here you go!" He said brightly, shoving it into Seto's hands. "And I think you might actually use it this time!"
Seto raised an eyebrow, as though not thinking it likely. But Mokuba was right, it was something he could use. An organiser.
"Well," Mokuba laughed. "I figured anything would be better then the one you made…"
Seto laughed, conceding to the point. "Okay, fine, I can't make an organiser. Thanks, kid."
"Annnd…" Mokuba grinned, pulling something from behind his back. "I got you a Sunshine Buddy!"
Seto stared at the… thing… In Mokuba's hands. It was small and white, with 3 brown spots on it's stomach and a smiley face on it's overly large head. It's overly large, moving head. Mokuba forced it into his unresisting hands as Seto watched the head move relentlessly from Right to Left.
"I thought you could have it on your desk." Mokuba continued cheerily. "Plus it's solar powered, so you don't have to charge it!"
Azreal began to giggle as Seto stared intently at the 'Sunshine Buddy', and Mokuba joined in.
Seto placed it down on the table. "I don't know what to say." He said dryly, which made them laugh harder.
"Well, I'm going to bed." Mokuba decided, standing. "Night, Seto, Night Anna!"
"N-Night."
"Goodnight."
"I'd better get going soon to." Azreal said reluctantly, after he had left.
"Do you want a drink first?" Seto asked, equally reluctant to see her go.
"Yes!" She said, a little too quickly. "I'll come and help."
The two made their way into the kitchen where they almost silently made a cup of tea, only Azreal's quiet humming of 'Forever Autumn' to break the silence.
But they didn't need to talk. They didn't need to do anything.
"Why don't you go back to the living room?" Seto suggested, as Azreal gave yet another yawn, picking the tune up again instantly. "I'll bring it through in a moment."
The water boiled slowly, and by the time Seto had finished the drinks- which was about the extent of his cooking aptness, although he was more of a coffee person- and had taken the drinks in, she was not awake to drink them, sleeping where she sat.
Seto smiled, setting the drinks down next to the Sunshine Buddy. He knew he should wake her up, because she had been wanting to get home. But he didn't want to disturb her. Maybe he'd just let her sleep while he had his drink, and then wake her up. Yes. That would be a nice compromise. But he wasn't the sort of person who could just sit without getting bored, and the musical had given him the urge to read The War of the Worlds novel again. So, he went over to the bookcase and retrieved it. He hadn't read it in a very long time…
The cylinder was just about to open when Seto realised he had been reading the same sentence over and over. By now, he was certain 'everyone expected to see a man emerge'. More to the point, his mug was empty. So it was time to wake Azreal up… in a minute…
Of course, no-one could wake anyone up if they were asleep themselves.
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A/N: Oh dear. What's going to happen when they wake up… Join me next time for that, Mokuba's advice, and Az's birthday! Yay! And, yes, I like The War of the Worlds. Sue me...
