Days later, Seto still saw the same expression on Croquet's face that he'd worn the morning after Pegasus found the scars. Croquet had been stunned when Pegasus and Seto left the hotel room Friday morning, hand in hand, and Seto spotted the expression again as they boarded the flight back to Domino. Like Seto, Croquet must have been waiting for the shoe to drop.
Pegasus had been so close to condemning Seto. Croquet knew what he had led Seto into, but not how Seto had gotten out of it.
"You could move in with me," Pegasus said. He sat in one of the leather seats across from Seto, and set his phone on the table between them. For this flight, Seto kept his laptop in his bag.
"It's been a decade," Seto said. "I can handle myself a while longer."
"I don't like letting you go back there."
"I'm staying with Mokuba."
Pegasus reached across the table for Seto's hand, and Seto offered it. Since finding the scars, Pegasus's grip had gotten tighter, whether they were holding hands or Pegasus had his arm around Seto's waist. The grip didn't hurt, but felt secure, if not a touch possessive.
After what happened, Seto shouldn't have felt safe with Pegasus.
"I won't let him keep hurting you. That isn't an option."
"He's been doing it a lot less with us dating."
"But even that hasn't stopped him."
"Crossing him would bring up a lot of hassle. That might take time."
"It helps when you have backup from someone in my position," Pegasus said. "I'm going to see to it that you're safe."
"Mokuba's safety is my priority."
"Then it's good you now have someone to put you first."
Seto squeezed Pegasus's hand. "I don't want to cause you any issues. You'd be bringing this into the public eye."
"I've had worse brought to light. Your safety is more important."
Pegasus's concern bordered on stifling. The abuse was commonplace for Seto at this point, and he hadn't given it this much attention since the beginning.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier. Everyone else who has seen them wanted to immediately go to the police."
"That is typically what people do when these cases arise."
"I'm more than just a case, and he's the governor."
"And now you have me on your side," Pegasus said. "It won't take me long to get all the pieces into place."
With a final squeeze, Seto let go of his hand. Holding them across the table wasn't comfortable, and they had an entire flight ahead of them. Seto needed to text Mokuba to let him know he was on his way back, and needed both hands for that.
"I'd rather be safe with this," Seto said, sending the message. "Getting him back from the US would take too long."
And put him at too much risk. Seto had never met Gozaburo's brother, but if they were anything alike, he couldn't send Mokuba there alone. Gozaburo must have told him the situation, and to keep Seto from getting close.
"You won't miss a day with him. I'll ensure it."
Seto had no choice but to believe him. After what all Pegasus agreed to for him, Seto had no reason not to. Pegasus knew the worst and instead of holding it against him, chose to pull Seto through it.
"How long will you be in Domino once we get back?"
"Two weeks, but longer if needed to get everything situated. There's a fundraising event Sunday after next I'll need to be in town for. I hope you can come with me."
"What is the fundraising for?"
"Local arts programs. There's never enough funding in the arts."
Seto opened the calendar on his phone to put in a reminder. "I'm free that day. What time is it?"
"Seven. Are you certain you want to go back to his home?"
"It's been my home for ten years. I'm not afraid of what he can do to me."
"That's why you need someone on your team," Pegasus said. "For as prideful as you can be, you're remarkably lacking in self preservation."
Seto smirked and looked out the window when they started taxiing toward their runway. He hadn't been able to enjoy the first flight through the nerves, and now wanted to watch the full take off process. He and Pegasus had been in the aisle seats, so he moved over to the window.
"I hardly remember the first time I flew. Like all good things, the novelty fades fast."
"The mechanics of flight are still fascinating," Seto said. "Just thinking of the man hours that went into creating the ability to get a plane in the air is impressive."
"The eternal engineer," Pegasus said, but let Seto focus on watching the takeoff.
Watching the ascent held Seto's attention, and he didn't look away. He felt certain Croquet was watching him from across the plane, but Croquet's shock wasn't worth a glance. The takeoff, gradual altitude increase, and pressure in his ears were much fonder subjects for his focus.
Once they reached altitude, Seto took in the landscape below. It was hard not to feel like all his issues were small when the earth was so far below. For a moment, he considered going for a pilot's license, so he could spend all the time he wanted in the air. The idea gripped him, although there was a pressing thought of Mokuba waiting on him, which he used it to tether himself back into the present.
"You're a romantic at heart, aren't you?" Pegasus asked.
"If you mean it in the classical sense, possibly."
"You've been kept so isolated."
Seto left the window. "A lot of that was self-inflicted. I don't feel like I've waited too long to start on these things."
"It must be difficult with the age gap between you and Mokuba."
"Being closer in age would have been easier, but I don't mind it. I played an active role in him growing up."
"You'll get to continue in that. I swear."
"I don't doubt you."
"I don't like letting you go back."
It wasn't the last time Pegasus mentioned it on the flight. Three more times before they landed, Pegasus led the conversation back to keeping Seto out of his house. Seto repeatedly assured him that nothing would happen, but his assurances didn't amount to consolation. Pegasus had it in his head that Gozaburo was constantly torturing Seto.
Seto guessed it just depended on a definition of constantly.
By the time they landed, Pegasus had spent nearly an hour on his phone, angled away from Seto. Seto told himself it was just work, but given the determination on Pegasus's face, doubted it.
Whatever Pegasus decided on, Seto could only hope it wasn't rash.
"I'll drive you home," Pegasus said as they walked down the stairs from the plane. "I have some men meeting us there."
"For what?" Seto asked.
"Nothing extreme, I assure you. But I intend to take your well-being seriously, even if you won't."
They walked down the tarmac toward the exit where three cars waited on them. Croquet walked in front, thankfully, so Seto didn't feel his gaze boring into his back with every step. Night was falling, and a frosty wind whipped around them. Seto put his hands in his pockets and kept pace beside Pegasus.
"He may realize and try to move Mokuba. Or kick me out of the house."
"He won't. I can be discreet when needed."
One of the guards opened the back door of the center car, and Seto climbed in first so Pegasus wouldn't need to slide across the seats. He tucked his laptop bag at his feet and watched to make sure the men loaded his suitcase into the trunk.
The tickets to Finland were safe inside it. Pegasus never found them, even if he knew about them.
"You look tired," Pegasus said.
"Thankfully Beijing is close. I don't think jet lag would be a good ending to my first trip out of Domino."
"I could always give you tips to combat it. It's common enough in my line of work."
"I don't know if I would want to travel so much," Seto said. "It feels like it would be harder to get things done when you can't sit still for long."
"Does that mean you wouldn't want to accompany me in the future?"
"Not on every trip. You can tell me which of them will be the most interesting, and I'll tag along then."
Pegasus laughed easily, and took Seto's hand. Their hands took up the middle seat.
"You're growing more and more willing to let me spoil you."
"A privilege of being in a position to pick and choose. It's good you're choosing to try to settle down for a while."
"What do you think about my house here?" Pegasus asked. He nodded to the driver as he spoke, signaling it was fine for them to leave. In twenty minutes, Seto would be home, and would be able to check in on Mokuba, hopefully without any interference.
"It's big, and that comes from someone currently living in what many consider a mansion. Do most members of your staff live there?"
"None other than Croquet. The rest commute in for their shifts."
"Do you have meetings there? I'm trying to imagine a use for all that space."
"It's all a grand show, Seto. Who would answer to a man living in a one bedroom bungalow?"
"It's almost funny then, how something as trivial as a living arrangement would determine whether anyone followed you."
"Mankind is fickle and tends to follow illusions of power as often as the actuality," Pegasus said. "The secret to success has always been playing to both audiences. Being able to back up your talk only answers to one group's ideology."
Seto watched the city as they passed it by, so much smaller than Beijing. Domino wasn't the capitol of anything, but it always felt big enough for Seto before. Now, he wasn't so sure. The lack of certainty would give him something to ponder while waiting on Pegasus's solution to the problem of Mokuba's custody.
"You clearly have a better handle on politics than most."
"Most aren't willing to compromise."
"Life would be much harder without it," Seto said.
"Indeed."
They held hands for the remainder of the drive, breaking apart only when they needed to exit the car. Seto thought he might have felt some relief coming home, but the trip left him with too much anxiety. Pegasus might still change his mind, knowing Seto had been planning to run. He might discover the scars weren't the real reason behind it. He might decide crossing a governor over a twelve-year-old wasn't a wise political decision.
Seto got his suitcase out of the trunk, and caught sight of a fourth car pulling up the drive.
"Are these the men you're expecting?" he asked Pegasus.
"They are. I'll explain once we're inside. Your father—Gozaburo and I need to have a chat."
"Nothing rash?"
"I'd never put you or Mokuba at risk," Pegasus assured him, giving his arm a gentle, assuring squeeze.
They went up the porch steps and Seto unlocked the front door. He didn't want to ring the bell and be greeted by Daimon before Mokuba. But he did leave his suitcase by the door, since part of Daimon's job was to take it upstairs for him. Seto wouldn't deny him any opportunity for manual labor.
"Mokuba?" Seto called out, assuming Fuguta would have seen them coming in and let Mokuba know. He was proved right when Mokuba ran down the staircase off to the side of the entryway.
"Niisama!"
He bolted into Seto's arms and held him tightly around the waist. This was the longest Seto had been away, and he hugged Mokuba back, promising himself he wouldn't leave for any extended time in the near future.
"What'd I miss?" Seto asked.
Mokuba shrugged, and pulled back only enough they could look at each other. "Ryou came by a couple times. He said you had his copy of that Shakespeare book, but we couldn't find it in your room."
"It's in my school bag," Seto said, but knew the book hadn't been the reason for Ryou to visit. He could have found any of the plays he needed accessible online. Seto hadn't needed to ask Ryou to check in.
"You and Ryou are good friends too, I take it?" Pegasus asked.
"Yes sir. I've known him forever."
"I'll need to meet him again. That once in the lab hardly counts."
"I can set up something," Seto said. "Just let me know when you're free."
Gozaburo came in through the sitting room as Seto finished speaking, hands gathered together behind his back, posture severe. Having an unexpected visit from Pegasus must have set him on edge, especially considering he knew why Seto had been invited to Beijing.
He must have realized Pegasus had seen the scars. Even if Seto had lied, no cover-up could have overridden Pegasus's suspicion.
"Master Crawford," he said, voice as stiff as his posture.
"Kaiba-san," Pegasus said back, without any trace of his anger. "I was hoping to catch you before I had to leave. I received intelligence while we were away."
"Nothing serious, I hope."
"Incredibly. There was a report of a serious threat against Seto's life."
"What?" Mokuba asked, and clutched more tightly to Seto. "Someone's trying to kill you?"
"Or hurt him," Pegasus said. "Use him to get to me. It's no secret he and I have become incredibly close."
At that, Pegasus made deliberate eye contact with Gozaburo. Even if he wasn't admitting what he knew, he was doing enough to keep Gozaburo on edge. Seto would have appreciated it, if not for the bruises Mokuba was bound to leave on him.
"I can have my men take every precaution," Gozaburo said.
"I'm glad to hear it. I'm also asking you to allow two of my personal security team to move in here until the threat can be neutralized. They won't be underfoot."
Gozaburo's eyebrow lifted slightly, but it was the only indication he knew something else was happening in the undercurrent of their conversation. Gozaburo must have assumed Seto lied about where the scars came from, but also that no lie would be sufficient.
"I can have the maid prepare two rooms for them," Gozaburo said.
"They'll want access to your security system as well."
"I'll have Satuwatari meet them once they've settled in."
Pegasus smiled politely. "I hope this isn't a bother, but I know Isono personally at this point. I'd appreciate if he was their point of contact."
Gozaburo worked his jaw for a moment. "When will they arrive?"
"They're here now, just waiting on your approval before coming inside."
Gozaburo gave the approval, and Pegasus stepped outside to let them know. He didn't close the door behind him, but Gozaburo still took the moment of relative privacy to glare at Seto. "You and I need to talk."
"I gathered."
Mokuba still hadn't loosened his grip. "Who is trying to hurt you?"
"Pegasus won't let anything happen. I promise."
When they had actual privacy, Seto would find a reasonable story to tell Mokuba, one that didn't involve owning up to what abuse he took under Gozaburo's hand. Mokuba would blame himself for it although it wasn't his fault.
Only Gozaburo bore any of the blame.
"Have you met these two guards?" Gozaburo asked, and Seto only had the time to shake his head before Pegasus came back inside, leading the two men. Unlike Croquet, they took off their sunglasses indoors.
"Kaiba-san, this is Youta and Haruhi."
The men bowed slightly, and took in the room around them. They checked the doors and windows, then the halls where they disappeared to the rest of the house. Seto didn't know why they were scanning for threats when the only threat in the house stood in front of them.
"There is a sitting room to your left," Gozaburo said. "I'll have to ask Misaki to have two rooms prepared."
"Why don't they meet with Isono while waiting?" Pegasus suggested. "Oh, and Seto, meet with them first thing to run them through your schedule."
"I will," Seto said. "We can start now on the way to Isono's office."
"I'll leave you to it," Pegasus said. He drew Seto close to kiss him, holding onto his arm with that familiar, possessive grip. Seto normally wouldn't have minded, but Mokuba was still at his side.
"I'll call tonight," Seto said when they separated.
"I expect a minimum of two daily reports," Pegasus told his men, and they bowed more deeply this time.
Gozaburo walked Pegasus out, and then closed the door when he came back inside. Seto spotted his anger in the flex of his left hand, but he knew what to look for. He had questions and Seto didn't intend on offering answers.
"Seto," Gozaburo said. "Could I see you in my office?"
Youta stepped forward. "Forgive me, sir, but Master Crawford asked Seto-sama to escort us to the security room."
It let Seto know Pegasus told them what to watch out for, and that they intended to take their assignment seriously. How many excuses could they come up with before Gozaburo realized they wouldn't allow Seto to be alone with him?
"Then later on," Gozaburo said. He turned on his heel and exited down the hallway he'd arrived through.
He hadn't gotten in touch with Misaki yet, and given his anger, Seto doubted he would think to. After gesturing to Youta and Haruhi, he called Misaki. While they walked the short trip to Isono's office, Seto let her know they needed two rooms, and she assured him they would be ready within a half hour.
Mokuba tagged along at Seto's side.
Days passed, and they were the quietest Seto had spent since his adoption. The guards easily fulfilled their assignment, and called Seto away for some reason or another any time Gozaburo expressed an interest in meeting with him alone. At dinner, Seto saw the anxiety building in the creases around his eyes, but without privacy, Gozaburo had no method to question Seto. They ate in silence with Youta and Haruhi as their guests, and they escorted Seto wherever he wanted to go afterwards.
Pegasus refused to let on any plans for getting custody of Mokuba to Seto. As much as Seto wanted Pegasus to handle the situation with care, his own anxiety built with every day that passed.
There was never a good time to ask.
On Sunday, Seto and Gozaburo dressed for the fundraiser. Mokuba would be staying home with Fuguta, but Seto and Gozaburo both received invitations. The most information Gozaburo had been able to work from Seto was whether he knew anything about it, and Seto offered what little information he knew. There was nothing out of the ordinary with a governor being invited to a local event benefiting his own city, and Gozaburo couldn't press anymore without suspicion.
Fuguta assured Seto he would stay right beside Mokuba all night, and Mokuba insisted it wasn't necessary without knowing all the circumstances surrounding them.
"We won't be gone too late," Seto said. "Not even long enough for Fuguta to best you in Mario Kart."
"He could never."
"Don't stay up past eleven."
Youta rode in the passenger's seat beside Isono, and Gozaburo sat with Seto in the back. Haruhi and Satuwatari followed close behind, which felt like overkill even to Seto. The ride was as quiet at the house had been, and Seto passed the minutes texting Pegasus, who was already at the venue.
I've worked out my schedule for this week. I'd like you to come over Thursday afternoon.
Seto checked his phone's calendar before sending back, Thursday is fine. Does your flight still leave Saturday?
The event was being held in the downtown event venue, and as they neared to it, traffic picked up. The building had multiple different event halls, and Seto assumed that on a Sunday, it stayed well booked.
I've actually moved that to next week. I'll explain why later on tonight.
Seto wanted to ask more about it now, but put his phone away. Whatever the reason, Pegasus must not have wanted to put it in writing. They were nearing the hall regardless, and Seto could wait to ask in person.
"I'll drop you off at the entrance and meet you inside," Isono said.
"That's fine," Gozaburo said, sounding bitter. He wasn't used to having Isono be his main security escort.
And as Seto expected, Gozaburo waited for Satuwatari to get out of Haruhi's car before walking up the steps to the entrance. Youta stayed beside Seto, hanging back a few steps.
"Once we're inside, I'll leave you," Youta said.
"You do your job well."
"Trusting anyone with you requires absolute certainty."
"I hate to think what you must have gone through to prove your loyalty."
"After the second bullet, there's little to doubt."
Seto thought back to that gala last year, when Pegasus's guards had jumped in front of the gunmen. None of them showed any hesitation, willing to die if it meant protecting Pegasus.
There must have been many people like that. Pegasus won over half the world in only a few years.
At the entrance, Seto presented his ticket. Youta only needed to flash a badge and the two of them were waved through. The event hall was down a ways, through a corridor that branched off toward theaters and meeting venues. The largest hall was at the end. Seto had come once a few years back for one of the robotics tournaments.
The room looked different now. Instead of having sections set up for the various arenas, there were large banners of printed artwork hanging. There were other paintings against the walls, but the majority of the room was empty, save a circle of tables with easels as centerpieces.
As usual, Pegasus stood in the middle of the room, surrounded by a large group, Croquet behind him.
"Seto," he called out, and waved him over. "We were just discussing the possibility of setting up Mokuba's event for the sea turtles."
Seto went to Pegasus's side and ignored half the introductions. He gave the necessary smiles, not wanting to discourage any support they may offer on Mokuba's account.
"Master Crawford mentioned Mokuba is your brother?"
"He is. He'll be thirteen this summer."
"And already preparing to be an activist."
"He's incredibly passionate about sea turtles. All turtles, really."
Across the room, Gozaburo spoke with another group, a stern expression Seto's only indication of what might have been discussed. Even networking, Gozaburo never offered anyone a smile. His expressions varied from neutral to severe. The current downturn to his lips usually signified the prelude to a lecture.
Seto ignored him too.
"We'll talk more about it later," Pegasus told them. "For now, I'm going to get Seto a drink."
Seto accepted the arm Pegasus offered to him, and stepped away from the group. After a few steps, Pegasus said, "They're all insufferable. I thought you'd never get here."
"Was I so late?"
"You'd never be late for anything if you agreed to move in."
"You say that like you've never been late."
Pegasus laughed. "Fair point. But I would feel better if you at least said you'd think about it."
"I intend to live with Mokuba."
"One thing at a time, Seto. Let's get the most expensive wine they keep."
"As much as I risk upsetting you," Seto said, "I'd rather have a champagne."
"Blasphemy."
"Everyone has their own tastes. Are you going to hold them against me?"
The music playing from a speaker overhead was quiet, unsuitable for dancing. That was one solace for tonight, and one more thing he didn't need to have pressing on his mind. Pegasus had wanted to say something to him, but Seto knew he couldn't ask through the maze of people weaving in and around them.
"I miss Beijing and the early mornings with you."
"We can recreate that anywhere."
"Even so, there was something special about it just being you and me there."
"You're feeling incredibly sentimental."
They reached the bar, and Pegasus ordered for them both. He made a show about having to hand Seto the champagne, but decided to take a sip of it first to compare.
"You have no taste, Kaiba Seto."
"Look at who you're saying that to."
When Pegasus laughed, he leaned his forehead against Seto's. It blocked out the rest of the room, giving them a moment of imagined privacy. Most of their relationship had faint scrapings of privacy, and Seto knew to take what he could get.
"I suppose I shouldn't say that to my partner, should I?"
"It's more of an insult to yourself."
"Are you sure we have to face the masses again?" Pegasus asked with a glance out toward a room that had too many gazes directed back their way.
"You're the one obligated to make these appearances."
"I'm going to start roping you into charity organizations so you're the one who needs to be here, and I'm the one being dragged along."
"Then I'll have to make sure we offer an extensive selection of wine."
Pegasus took a long drink, and turned toward the center of the room. The night had just started, and he was already reminiscing about being somewhere else, alone. Seto had thought Pegasus enjoyed this sort of event, given it centered around one of his hobbies.
Seto followed his gaze, and spotted a small stage on the other end of the room. "Are they giving out awards or going to give lengthy speeches?"
"I've got a speech scheduled in a bit," Pegasus said. "And aside from that, I haven't checked their agenda."
"Are you giving the speech thanking everyone?"
"I'd think someone associated with the charity would handle that. They'll want someone who knows all their statistics from heart."
Seto hadn't touched his champagne yet, and hadn't decided how much he wanted to drink. He'd attended several of these events with Pegasus already, but with Gozaburo here, it felt like he needed to keep up his guard. Pegasus never said why he ensured Gozaburo had a ticket.
"Who here is important?" Seto asked. "Whose hand should I shake?"
"That's the director, over there, with the Starry Night tie. A wild cliche, but I'd imagine it's identifiable to even the most novice art viewer here."
"That might be me."
"Don't even joke about that. You didn't have to take any art history classes?"
"Taking one class doesn't mean I know more than any person at random. You want me to assume people are only here for the show?"
"You have too much faith in people."
"You're the only person to have ever thought that."
"Let's mingle a while," Pegasus said, and had the bartender top off his drink. "I should meet with a few people here I recognize, and it never hurts to network."
Seto laughed. "At what point do you outgrow the need to network?"
"Never. It's an uphill climb filled with new and exciting people. Usually."
"How many names do you remember?"
"Mostly the ones that stand out. I never forgot yours."
"You've already got me, Crawford. No need for flattery."
Pegasus kissed Seto before leading him back into the thick of the conversation, and carrying on the introductions where they had left off. It made the time pass quickly, with names and small talk flying in every direction. Seto repeated the same remarks about the style of the hanging prints and evaded questions from people who nosed too deeply into his personal life. He checked on Gozaburo every so often, making sure they didn't drift too closely together, but on the third check-in, he saw a man in a suit approach him, and lead him out through a back room.
Whatever business Gozaburo had at an art charity, Seto didn't care to look into.
"Do you attend many of the local art shows?" a woman asked. Seto hadn't bothered committing her name to memory, assuming it wouldn't come up again.
"Not many. I went to one toward the end of last year, looking for inspiration for my current university project."
"The papers say you're an engineering major?"
"Currently working toward my graduate degree."
"How do you see yourself using it to help Master Crawford's efforts to achieve universal peace?"
Was it universal now? Seto wondered. Did she suspect people escaping to space to be free of Pegasus's control?
Thankfully, Pegasus stepped into answer, a supportive hand resting on Seto's lower back.
"Seto won't be obligated to work for me, at any point in the future. He has his own ambitions to conquer."
The woman smiled graciously, but not without a twinge of irritation. For anyone who supported Pegasus, they likely thought everyone should orbit around him. It must have taken some gall for Seto to choose to be a person independent of his romantic affiliation.
The conversations grew monotonous too quickly, and Seto held back on joining the discussions to let Pegasus lead. Pegasus was a natural at carrying on a conversation, pulling topics from seemingly nowhere that somehow always drew eager interest from whoever he addressed. The light nature to the conversation kept people at ease, and even brought more people around him who Seto thought would never dared to approach otherwise. Seto didn't mind taking a backseat to watch Pegasus work the room.
By the time Pegasus finished his wine, the first of the speakers came up to the stage and it prompted everyone to fill in at the tables. Pegasus's had an empty seat, with a small name card indicating it had been bought for Gozaburo. Seto set down his barely touched champagne, and listened to the woman on stage thank everyone for supporting their program, and adding an extra thanks for Pegasus for blessing them with his presence.
"When are you set to give your speech?" Seto asked quietly, leaning over to whisper.
"At the end. It's a mostly unrelated speech."
"It is?"
Pegasus only nodded, and halfway through a local art teacher's speech, Seto spotted cameras being set up, and reporters lining the back wall. It felt like Pegasus was setting up for a press conference, but at such a small event? He could have called in the press at any time.
Seto started to ask, but didn't get around to it. Pegasus caught him the moment before he spoke, and put a hand on his leg, giving him a light squeeze. Whatever it meant in addition to telling him to hold back the question, Seto didn't know. He considered the possible implications through the next speaker's time, and until one of them announced Pegasus.
The applause covered the sound of the camera equipment being lugged forward. Seto's gaze went from the cameras to the stage, where Pegasus took his place behind the microphone.
"Thank you all for humoring me tonight as I approach a more personal subject matter," he began. At the mention of his address being personal, a few people looked Seto's direction, but their attention was drawn back as Pegasus continued. "Last fall, I had the absolute pleasure of starting a relationship with Kaiba Seto, a relationship which began on a night much like this one. We were at the museum's art show, featuring local artists, many of whom are here tonight."
Pegasus recognized them, and gestured to them at their various tables.
"And so, it felt only fitting to announce our engagement here, in a place so much like where we began."
It took the room a moment to process what had been said, and then more applause rang out. Seto couldn't let any of his shock show, not when the room had once again turned to face him. He forced himself to give Pegasus the best smile he could muster, as if he had known, or even agreed to an engagement.
"Thank you all," Pegasus said, silencing the room. "Your support and the welcome Domino has always offered me can't be understated. Seto and I are full of nothing but gratitude for everyone who has played a part in bringing this moment to light."
Pegasus glanced down for a moment, and when he returned to addressing them, his expression had darkened slightly.
"Our celebration does come with an accompanying announcement regarding a matter recently brought to my attention," Pegasus said.
Seto knew in that moment and almost stood to beg him to stop. The reporters must have been broadcasting this live, and if Pegasus went on, the world would know. It was horrible enough that Pegasus forced Seto's hand into an engagement they never discussed. And now he was going to—
"A threat against Seto was made known to me, and that threat came from within Seto's own home. Kaiba Gozaburo was arrested earlier tonight on multiple accounts of assault against my fiancé. Any threats against me or my family are international crimes, which sentences Kaiba Gozaburo to execution."
Murmurs spread, and Seto stared at Pegasus. If he looked away, at anyone else, he didn't think he could keep his face set.
"His execution is scheduled for next weekend. I ask for your continued support, and your encouragement as Seto and I move forward from this, toward the future we have all been striving to build. Thank you."
The applause as he left the stage came quieter, almost echoing confusion. Pegasus returned to their table, but not to take his seat. He offered Seto a hand.
Pegasus led him out through the door Gozaburo had gone through, where half the security team had been stationed. It was as private a space as Seto could expect, and he couldn't delay the influx of emotions.
But Pegasus stopped him again.
"I know," he said, and pulled Seto into a hug. "But he's out of the way now, and I nearly have custody of Mokuba transferred to me. Men are stationed with him and Fuguta. He's fine and Gozaburo won't be able to do anything against either of you."
"You should have told me."
"If he'd gotten wind of it, he would have run, or hurt Mokuba out of spite."
Seto's heart drummed against his chest, but he didn't pull away from Pegasus. Too much had happened in the last five minutes, and Seto needed a moment to come to terms with each aspect.
Gozaburo was sentenced to death.
Pegasus was getting custody of Mokuba.
Seto was engaged to Pegasus Crawford.
The world knew he had been abused.
"I promised I'd handle it," Pegasus said. "I've got you, after all."
He held Seto back a bit to meet his gaze, and Seto nearly looked away. His jaw tightened while he repressed the anger rising underneath. But Pegasus must have seen it, because he traced Seto's jaw with his thumb.
"I'll take you home to Mokuba. You two will need to pack again."
Thanks for reading and reviewing!
You can expect an update the third weekend of January.
