Third Time Breathing
Rated: T
This story is a solo work by Pharaoh.
Chapter Two: Starting Phase
The crowd was in a frenzy today; Yami could feel the energy around him, even from people who watched from the city streets up at the large LED displays on buildings. The technology that Yami had dreamed about and that Kaiba had turned from fantasy to reality was finally going global. The King of Games knew, without a doubt, that his lover's brilliant mind and creation would continue to change the world.
Those thoughts had Yami staring towards Kaiba with what could be considered a dreamy expression. His eyes were soft, a small smile on his face as he watched his handsome beau adjust his blue tie, small glowing strips of electric blue scorching up the fabric. His white suit was immaculate... just like him.
Kaiba caught the look from out the corner of his eye. The CEO watched the other for a moment, fingers sliding away from fiddling with his collar.
"What's that dumbfounded look for?" Kaiba asked, but Yami's expression hardly changed. His smile only lifted higher, corners curling in that mischievous way of his.
"I was just admiring how amazing you are," Yami complimented smoothly, and Kaiba's cheeks seemed to heat up. The brunet's brows furrowed, and he looked away, Yami walking over to the handsome man. He was in his own suit, Yami's of a deep, deep burgundy, so dark it was almost black. The shirt he wore underneath gave the color away; a true black button up, sheer and filled with translucent frills at the collar and sleeve hems. The smaller gamer reached up, adjusting Kaiba's tie with slender, deeply tanned fingers. "You're going to make headlines. I won't be able to go anywhere without seeing your name for months."
"I wouldn't have anything less," Kaiba stated. Yami glanced up at him. He could hear the announcer wrapping up, reading to introduce them.
"Because you're Kaiba Seto?" Yami teased good-naturedly, a smirk lining his face.
"...Because I want you to have only the best," The CEO spoke. Yami's expression lit up into one of surprise, just as he heard their names being shouted into the air with fervor.
"AND NOW, WITHOUT FURTHER ADEU, WE BRING TO YOU THE INFAMOUS POWER-COUPLE, MUTOU YAMI, CREATOR OF DARK REBELLION, AND KAIBA CORP'S VERY OWN CEO, KAIBA SETO!"
"Lets go," Kaiba stated. He took a step back, holding a hand out to Yami. "...Put on your game face. We have work to do."
Yami nodded. He reached out, clasping hands with his lover, his partner, his greatest rival-
...His everything.
"Game start," Yami stated with a smirk. Kaiba nodded, and the two exited backstage, walking out onto the large, floating glass panel that hovered several stories in the air. A shimmering crystal podium waited at the center, a large LED screen that had to be hundreds of feet long arched along behind. Yami caught a glimpse of the camera shown onscreen zooming on he and Kaiba's clasped hands, faces, and then full-on view. A crowd sat across from them on the top of a building, screaming, cheers shooting into the air. Below, the cheers lifted into the air. Surrounding the stage were several hovering platforms for the VIPs; mainly celebrities or other powerful businessmen, Somewhere out there, Mokuba and Siamun were sitting in VIP seating, watching the event take place.
Yami lifted his hand, giving the crowd a wave and a smile as he and Kaiba made their way across the stage. Kaiba's own expression remained hard and neutral, but his hand did lazily lift into the air, waving to the camera for show. The host stood at the podium with a wide grin on his face, clapping and stepping back as soon as Yami and Kaiba met him in the center.
"Welcome, Mutou-san, Kaiba-san!" The announcer replied. "Its an honor to see you both—and Mutou-san, you seem to be as well as ever."
"Of course," Yami stated.
"It must be a hard job, keeping someone like Kaiba-san happy," The host stated idly. "...But I suppose that spicy kiss in Cancun would make anyone feel good!" And behind them, flashed a picture snapped in the tabloids. Yami glanced back to see a blown up image of he and Kaiba walking along the beach hand-in-hand, Kaiba in swim-trunks and a white beach shirt that was blowing in the gentle breeze; the CEO as being tugged down to reach Yami's much shorter height, the smaller man on his tiptoes, a rather attractive, tropical drink in the other hand. There were noises of "Ooooooh~" and laughter. Kaiba didn't look back. He lifted a hand, looking as if he was dusting off his jacket; he covered his microphone.
"I told you we shouldn't have gone to the beach," Kaiba muttered.
Yami looked to the crowd, the camera now back on he and Kaiba's faces. He smirked a little.
"He felt better later," Yami added, and a series of screams filled the audience. Kaiba shot him a glance. Yami touched his lover's arm, and the two looked each other over, the camera zooming in to capture their enamored glances.
"Kaiba-san," The host replied, and Kaiba moved his eyes away from his beau to acknowledge the announcer. "Its been a little over three years since you and Mutou-san have become an item. Much like your careers, your romance is the hot topic on everyone's lips, and steady to boot! Do you have any plans to tie the knot?"
Yami let out a short laugh. "That would require him getting on one knee. Kaiba Seto kneels down to no one."
The crowd responded with laughter. As the chattering died down, the CEO looked over towards his lover. He reached down, taking both of Yami's hands into his own, lifting them up just enough to be seen over the podium.
Kaiba's cobalt eyes ran over Yami's face.
"...Once I figure out what kind of ring a King would wear," The CEO stated, and Kaiba lifted one of Yami's hands up to his lips, pressing a kiss to his knuckles. The crowd erupted again. Yami's eyes lit up; genuinely surprised. He felt his heart give a flutter in his chest. The roar of the crowd dulled everything around him, and all he could see was his gorgeous lover, giving him the most intense stare he'd ever been on the receiving end of.
This kind of teasing wasn't the usual routine. Yami felt his face heat up, searching Kaiba's face for answers. The host let out a long whistle.
"Looks like we might be hearing wedding bells in the future," The man chirped, and he turned to the audience, clapping several times. "Give it up for the world's most dynamic duo, Kaiba Seto and Mutou Yami!"
Yami listened to the swell of the crowd again, Kaiba's hands releasing his own. The two waiting patiently for the laughter to die down, their faces settling. It was time.
Time for the reveal of the century.
"Everyday," Yami began, and the crowd began to die down. "Is a dream come true. I get to spend it with the most brilliant man on the planet. Kaiba Seto has been CEO of Kaiba Corporation since he was a mere teenager. Do you know what I was doing? Sleeping during English class."
There was a chuckle in the audience. Yami smiled, continuing.
"He toils away, and acts as if its nothing. Kaiba has the power to change the world. His inventions are second to none. His drive plows through the competition.
"When I told him about my idea for Dark Rebellion," Yami stated, "I remember his reaction clearly. He was sitting across from me, fingers halted over his computer. And with a straight-face, he stated:
"...'I have enough money to check you into an institute, since you're so inclined.'"
The audience burst into laughter. The camera zoomed in on Kaiba's face; the faintest of smirks had risen onto his features.
Yami shook his head. "But even so, without my knowledge, Kaiba went straight to work. And like all things he does while I remain by his side... he turned my dream into reality.
"Please, allow me to introduce with all the grace, the admiration, the love that I can muster... Kaiba Seto." Yami took a step to the side, clapping his hands in time with the rest of the fanfaring crowd. Kaiba moved a touch more into the center of the podium. He nodded to Yami, the CEO looking out towards the crowd as the cheers died down.
He waited a moment in silence, sure he had the crowd's (and the camera's) attention.
"...My technology speaks for itself," Kaiba stated, and behind him the large screen dimmed to black, a silver-and-electric blue Kaiba Corporation logo flashing in the center. He gestured an arm back, people already beginning to cheer as he moved away from the center, Yami following him off to the side as the video began to play.
Yami glanced to Kaiba as they escaped backstage, turning their mics off.
"Riveting speech there," Yami replied humorously. Kaiba glanced down at his tiny lover as Yami continued, "I hope your wedding vows aren't the same." Kaiba's admission on stage still had Yami feeling a little breathless. He wondered if what the CEO said was true, or just for show.
"Just watch the video," Kaiba answered back. Yami rolled his eyes, but he did glance to the screen.
He took Kaiba's hand as it started playing.
Kaiba gently squeezed Yami's fingers in return.
"Imagine a world of possibilities," The narrator on screen began. "We have only ever imagined. Virtual simulations trap us in one place, forcing our subconsciousness into realms which leave our bodies vulnerable." Several news clips and internet sites began flashing rapidly on the screen. "Countless people have been injured, pulled into a comatose, and outright have lost their lives to this method of entertainment. There is nothing entertaining about death."
The screen went black.
"...But what if you didn't have to imagine? What if it existed for you to see... with your own eyes?"
On the large screen, a teenage boy walked into what looked like an ordinary kitchen, wearing a backpack. The house was silent. The young blond looked towards the metal fridge; the LED screen on it blinked, over and over the same message. 'Be back at 10! - Mom'. The boy looked towards the Intelliglass clock: 5:34.
It zoomed into a smile on his face. He removed his backpack, dropping it to the ground in front of him. He pulled out a small black pouch with the KaibaCorp logo emblazoned on it, kicking his backpack behind him with a swift motion. A dramatic close up of his unzipping the bag, and out spun out what looked to he a small, glass disk, no larger than the size of a drink coaster. The boy snatched and held it in the air. It was made of Intelliglass, with KC in silver at the top, and twinkling, smooth touch-screen functions lighting up for show.
The boy made a wide arching movement—in slow-motion, he slammed the disk to the ground.
As soon as it hit the floor-
A huge, shimmering mist purged though the house, eating up the floor and walls. The plain kitchen scenery began to transform into the inside of a miraculous castle, turning the plain carpet into marble tile, transforming the table and chairs into decorative statues and other scenic pieces fit for a medieval adventure. The camera zipped back to the boy, who removed what looked to be a thick Intelliglass armlet. He snapped it on, holding his arm out in front of him. It seemed to link to the system, and instantly his clothing transformed into that of a knight. He picked up a wooden spoon—it instantly became a sword.
By this point, the audience was screaming in excitement as the boy took off into his house; instantly combating with strange monsters. "Transform your world with the touch of a button. Purge through dungeons. Explore rainforests. With the most power AI on the market at your side, and an advanced safety system, your imagination is the only limit."
"Get your Game DiSK and Gauntlet at participating retail stores. Kaiba Corporation: the Leader in Global Gaming."
The screen shut off. Yami felt deafened by the screams the filled the pavilion. He glanced to Kaiba, so seemed to be considering his marketing strategy. Of course. Not even the whole of Japan screeching in excitement was enough for Kaiba Seto. He smirked to him.
"Your ego is so big you put your initials in it?"
"What's done is done." Kaiba turned his microphone back on, Yami following suit as the two headed back out to the podium, the audience still shouting. The noise only seemed to swell at the appearance of the responsible party. Kaiba took his place at the center, Yami just off to the side as the screen faded in to Kaiba's face.
The CEO glanced around at the faceless audience.
"Kaiba Corporation's innovative technology takes gaming to the next level. Combat in your home, on the street, or at specially built Kaiba Corporation gaming arenas. Content for the Game DiSK can be downloaded on its wireless connection. The higher the DiSK grade, the larger the arena you can create.
"In the future, other game companies will make use of its functions, but for now, its capabilities have been created for the use of the world's number one MMORPG, Dark Rebellion, created by award-winning game designer, Mutou Yami." Kaiba gestured to his lover, and Yami moved over to him on stage. Clapping rang out, dying quickly as Yami took the place Kaiba had been occupying at the podium. Kaiba took a step to the side, standing imposingly behind the much smaller man.
"Thank you," Yami stated to Kaiba, before turning and smiling, the camera capturing his face on-screen. "Without Kaiba Corporation's technology, Dark Rebellion's newest installment would of never been possible... not quite like this. With new, innovative gameplay..."
Yami spoke passionately about his newest game world in Dark Rebellion, the screen behind him showing off massive landscapes of tall, black mountains, dead trees and stone castles. There was a large variety of downloadable content, from weapons to costumes, some which were free with the installment, others only obtainable via gameplay or by monetary purchase.
"The fact you can bring the adventure to your living room now makes Dark Rebellion not only a brilliant roleplaying game for large convention gatherings, but with the ability to link up to four Gauntlets to one Game DiSK, it can become an adventure for your friends and family to play. Imagine, making your very own party amongst your best friends... fighting side-by-side, right in your backyard or the park!" He had certainly had fun testing gameplay with Mokuba and Kaiba (the latter acting seemingly annoyed the entire time their "party" geared up for another adventure within the mansion). "Never before has adventure been right in your own home. All you have to do is open the doors."
And Yami pulled away from the stand. He smiled, pointing a finger right towards the audience. The camera zoomed up his arm, straight to his face.
"...Game Start!"
The lights on the stage all shut off; people exploded in cheers, the announcer taking over as Yami moved away from the center. He felt Kaiba grasp his shoulder, leading the smaller man off to the back. As soon as they were back, Kaiba's hand slid down to Yami's waist.
Yami turned around; Kaiba's lips captured his own, bending heavily over the smaller gamer, Yami's arms instantly flying up to wrap around Kaiba's neck. Their kiss was powerful, but ended too soon for Yami's liking. Soon, Kaiba's lips were off his, and he felt the parting as the CEO's chocolate locks slid off of his forehead. Yami glimpsed to him, disappointment written all over his face.
"...Later," Kaiba responded in turn. Yami studied his face, but for once didn't contest him or the promise. He nodded, turning to the stage, listening to the swell of the crowd. Kaiba glanced over with him.
"You did it," Yami spoke, tone thoughtful.
"You thought of it first," Kaiba admitted, though no bitterness laced his voice.
"You made it real."
"We had this conversation before," Kaiba cut him off, and Yami glanced over tot he man, Kaiba's hard blue eyes glaring out to the crowd. "...Remember? That's how it always works with us. Just accept it and quit running your mouth over stupid crap."
Yami let out a humored huff, for once stunned to silence by his lover's sharp tongue. It was rare, but it happened. The two were silent, listening to the noise of the crowd die down to chatter, waiting for Mokuba and Siamun to appear.
It didn't take long. Soon, Mokuba was bursting backstage, the sound of his feet thundering up the short staircase echoing off-stage, Siamun walking calmly behind The boy's wild black hair flew behind him, wearing a trendy black suit with a silver pearl shine. The suit was well fitting with a black tie and white shirt, but the pants were cropped just above the ankle, showing off white socks and a sliver of skin, and shiny onyx oxfords. The only color were the brightly colored, dangling bracelets on his arm. Kaiba's blue eyes instantly shot to the color on the boy's arm, but said nothing as his younger brother nearly bulldozed his lover over. Mokuba grasped Yami in a strong bear hug.
"You did it!" Mokuba cheered, squeezing Yami's body briefly. He turned to his brother, grinning widely to him, but there was no hug. "The promo video looked amazing, Seto! I bet everyone's tripping over themselves to get to the kiosks and buy the Game DiSK!"
"If they're not it'd be a failure in Kaiba's eyes," Yami replied in jest. Kaiba just glanced to Yami in response, before nodding to his brother. Siamun walked up, wearing a tan suit with a smile on his face.
"Well, well! What an impressive show! I forgot how much of a speaker you are, Yami," Siamun commented jovially. Yami nodded to his grandfather, Siamun continuing, "And so may surprises! Your kids and your technology and games..." He chuckled.
"The world's changing, Grandpa!" Mokuba chimed in, already addressing Siamun as if he were his own grandparent. "You can always play with me n' Yami!"
"Don't put him into a position to do something he doesn't want to, Mokuba," Kaiba stated sternly from beside Yami.
"Don't worry about it, Kaiba-kun," Siamun stated, looking towards the CEO. "After all, if you plan on making good on that comment you made during the expo, then I might as well get used to it."
Kaiba's expression didn't change, but his body shifted, signifying he had suddenly become uncomfortable. He'd been put on the spot. A sudden beat of silence passed, but Mokuba was quick to fill it.
"I'm hungry," The raven-haired youth stated. "We should go out and celebrate!"
"I agree," Yami seconded, but he was a little disappointed that Mokuba had been so quick to act and save his brother. There wasn't anything wrong with making Kaiba squirm a bit from time-to-time. His ego certainly needed it. Mokuba was first to lead, grasping Siamun's had and leading the old man off happily, chattering earnestly to fill any potential silence. Yami began walking off behind them, but when he noticed Kaiba's absence, he paused, glancing back at him, Mokuba and Siamun exiting the backstage.
The CEO stared back at him with intense blue eyes.
"Kaiba?" Yami inquired, tilting his head. The handsome executive didn't move for a moment, studying the other in front of him.
"...It's nothing." Kaiba walked towards Yami, a hand grasping the game designer's shoulder and turning him to face the right direction. "We're having steak."
"We had steak last night," Yami lamented, and the two bickered back and forth over their lunch choice, heading down the steps side-by-side. In the end, Mokuba made the decision.
That's just how it was between them... and as Yami stared across at Kaiba from the table, watching the candlelight flicker in the man's usually cold blue eyes...
He knew his life was nothing less than perfect.
The rest of the day had passed quickly. After a hearty lunch, the small family had retreated back to the Kaiba Mansion. Kaiba and Yami were practically glued to the TV in the living area, watching the news in regards to Kaiba Corp's tech reveal, and the frenzy people were in, product flying off the shelves. Kaiba had his computer in his lap, and Yami his small Intelliglass tablet, both of them checking reviews and stocks on their separate items, giving the other updates and remarks on anything interesting.
Siamun eventually retired to bed after reliving his trek through Egypt in the eyes of Mokuba, who kept pestering him with questions... not that the older Mutou minded. Yami had heard his stories countless times; it was nice to have another audience.
Mokuba was next to go, heading up to his room after hugging Kaiba and Yami both goodnight. The two powerhouse lovers went to bed last, talking softly through the halls about what happened that day and their potential plans to follow-up tomorrow.
Sticking to his word, Kaiba made good on his promise to Yami. As soon as the two were comfortable in bed, the CEO began his onslaught of lovemaking, headboard rocking hard against the wall, Yami's moans echoing up to the vaulted ceiling. If there was one thing Kaiba was better at than his job... this was it.
Buried in the comfort of luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets and smooth blankets, the two men fell asleep. Kaiba was on his back, arm wrapped around his lover as Yami used the man's shoulder as a pillow. The room was filled only with the quiet sounds of them breathing.
Yami's eyes opened at 2:46 am, having only been asleep for a good couple of hours. He frowned, looking to Kaiba's sleeping face. He admired him for a split second, reaching up and gently stroking the man's bangs out of his eyes. He remembered a time when just a shift in bed had his lover sky-rocketting awake. At some point, Kaiba had become unaware of Yami's tender touches while he slumbered.
He was thirsty. Yami managed to slip out of Kaiba's arms, sliding out of bed. His naked figure cast a silhouette against the curtains, the slender man creeping across the room. He rather enjoyed being in the nude after a good session with his lover. However, Mokuba and Siamun were currently in the house, and he didn't feel up to chancing one of the maid's being up. The red-eyed youth glimpsed to his favored white silk house robe. Pulling it on, Yami glanced back at Kaiba in the bed, making sure he didn't wake his beau up before slipping out the door, into the hall.
It was almost pitch black, but the multiple large windows in the Kaiba mansion helped, allowing starlight to pour in... there was no moon tonight. It was darker than usual because of it, but Yami, true to his name, was accustomed to the dark. He made his way fearlessly down the hall, glancing to the doors that led into Mokuba and Siamun's room on the way. The lights in both were out.
He glided down the staircase, hand sliding along the banister, touching down on the cold marble floor with his bare feet. The Kaiba mansion was so big; it felt as if it took forever just to get form one place to another. Yami had lived with Siamun all his life, the two holed up in a small little duplex beside a woman with more cats than sanity. Once Yami was old enough to take care of himself, the old man was gone for lengths at a time while Yami managed things at home.
Even when Yami finally made his big break as a game designer with Dark Rebellion, he continued to live at home, seeing no reason to move out (besides, who would manage things at home?). It was only about a year ago, that he finally broke away from the nest to move in with Kaiba at his lavish mansion. The maids, the butlers, the enormous room... the CEO's eccentric lifestyle had Yami's jaw comically dropping for months.
Even if some of the things were over-the-top... this was his home, now. Yami wouldn't change it for the world.
He finally made it to the kitchen, just as the Intelliglass clock on the wall flickered to 2:58 in neon blue. Yami moved through the kitchen, grasping a glass and getting himself some ice water. The youth leaned against marble countertops of the state-of-the-art kitchen, drinking, lost in thought.
He and Kaiba had been together three years now... what did that mean for them? The comment Kaiba had made during his tech reveal still had Yami reeling. Did the brunet mean what he said? Did Kaiba want to...
Even though it was three years, Yami knew that Kaiba was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his days with. The ma's heart rushed around in his chest. Perhaps it was the same for the CEO. They way they talked together, worked together, bickered together... made love together...
The clock ticked to 3:00am.
There was a dull noise; the sound of ceramic shattering off to the back entrance of the kitchen. Yami's head immediately snapped up, wondering if a maid had accidentally broken something while shuffling around in the dark. "Are you all right?"
There wasn't an answer. The clattering of ceramic chips lifted from the ground. Slowly, Yami set his glass on the kitchen counter.
"...Hello?" he called out.
His gaze lingered on the second entrance to the kitchen, shadowed by darkness. All had gone silent.
Blood gushed suddenly onto the tiles from the open doorway. Out stumbled a massive giant, a collection of fleshy red muscle and stark white bone. Arched horns scraped against the ceiling of the kitchen, floor shaking wildly as it stomped into the kitchen. Yami's eyes widened. The monster turned its head, just a hardened skull with a pinched face and glowing green eye sockets. It snarled at him; the sharp teeth rattled inside of its face as the lumbering monster turned to him. Leathery blue wings knocked utensils and other items off the shelves as it headed towards the man, Yami stumbling backwards on the tile.
"What-?" Yami's voice hardly sounded like his own, confused and bewildered. Blood oozed along the ground and in between his toes with each step the horror took in his direction. Yami's back crashed into the fridge, wine-red eyes wide.
What was that thing...?!
The skeleton-beast swung a massive clawed fist. Yami dove down, just as the beast slammed its claws into the steel refrigerator, puncturing massive holes into its frame. The tanned youth took off like a shot, running out of the kitchen and into the main hall. Red patches of blood followed him.
"Kaib-!" Yami was cut off as underneath him, the marble cracked and spat out from the mansion's foundation, several old bones clattering and spilling out onto the floor, raising the ground up. Yami waved his arms wildly in an attempt to gain his balance as he was risen into the air on a bed of marble and rapidly piling bones, ten feet up. He spun around on the mini-platform in a flutter of white silk, only to see the oozing skull beast clamoring into the foyer of the mansion just feet below. His wine-red eyes lit up.
"Dear Ra," he let out, and the neon-green eyes of the skull-creature turned up to him. It let out a piercing shriek that shook the entire mansion. Yami shielded his face, debris flying up from the ground. It was like a monster from one of his games—no...
Even more terrifying... as if it had come from Hell itself!
Its shrieking soundwaves continued to blast debris into him; metal, marble, bones—it cut into Yami's flesh, ripped at his robe... red blood splattered and dribbled across him, the cuts only going deeper and deeper, searing his skin to the point where he wanted to scream in pain.
Kaiba... where was Kaiba...?!
"KAIBA!" Yami finally screeched out, and he threw his hands to the side—one smacked into Kaiba's chest, who instantly grasped hold of his lover, yanking Yami into his body. Wine-red eyes shot upwards; deep cobalt gazed back.
Yami's heavy panting filled the air. Kaiba's grip on him tightened, steadying the youth who sat up in bed with a wide expression, looking back and forth through the darkness.
"Yami." Kaiba's voice cut through the air like a blade, severing his fear. Yami slid his gaze up to his lover's face as the handsome CEO turned the man's chin with a free hand, forcing his eyes to his own. "Look at me. You're fine."
A nightmare. Yami swallowed thickly, nodding his hand as his slender fingers came to touch the hand that held tight his chin. Kaiba's fingers crept along Yami's smooth jawline and into the designer's wild hair. Yami spared a glance at the clock by the bed.
3:06am.
It was if his dream had began and stopped just as time flowed. Yami's head was racing, imagining the terrifying beast that had stalked him through Kaiba's mansion. It had felt so real. Kaiba was laying him back down in bed, murmuring sweet-nothings into his ear in an attempt to get Yami to relax. The two laid together in bed, Kaiba's arms wrapped tightly around him, protective and steadfast.
The CEO's comforts were almost enough to lull him to sleep. He could feel Kaiba dropping off beside him, and Yami's own lashes lowered, nearly following suit, until he realized-
...He was wearing his bed robe.
Yami's eyes snapped open, stricken in horror.
...He didn't sleep for the rest of the night.
Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed our second chapter.
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Love, Pharaoh