Chapter 4. Suggestion
Atem stopped in front of the door of the suite and hesitated.
Why is this so difficult? After all, he's no more famous than Kaiba.
But I go to school with Kaiba.
He knocked.
"Come in! Come in! It's unlocked!" The voice was the familiar, sing-song lilt that Atem knew from I-squared commercials.
He walked in and bowed. "I'm Motou Atem. I'm representing KaibaCorp and will be seeing to your needs while you're here."
"No need to be so formal, Atem! Just call me Pegasus! Let me look at you!" Pegasus stepped forward and actually took hold of Atem's shoulder, turning him around physically, his long, straight, platinum hair swaying as he moved. His cologne invaded the space around the two of them like a lilac fog. "I can tell already we're going to get along famously! You're so much better than the aides Kaiba-boy usually sends around!" he said.
Atem wasn't sure how to take this and said nothing. Could this man utter a sentence without placing an exclamation point at the end of it? Enthusiasm is nice and all, but there are limits.
"The first thing you can do for me is get me a nice, tall café latte. Oh, and by the way, take this and give it to Kaiba, will you?" Pegasus produced a tiny electronic item from his pocket. It looked like it had been crushed.
"What's that?"
"Just the bug that was hidden in this room. And you can leave your nameplate with Kaiba, too. I know your name and I can recognize you anywhere."
"Why?"
"Isn't it obvious?" he said, gesturing toward Atem's multi-colored hair and leaning in toward the nameplate. "Kaiba-boy," he said, addressing the nameplate, "do me a favor and don't embarrass either of us with any more shenanigans like this? It won't do you any good." He straightened and looked at Atem. "And tell them to put plenty of latte in that latte, or you're taking it back! Out with you, now."
Atem found himself standing on the other side of the closed door, his head spinning.
So that's Pegasus J Crawford?
He plodded toward the event center.
I hope that Kaiba's out somewhere organizing things.
No such luck. Kaiba was standing at the main desk talking with a group of what looked like security men. As Atem approached, his head swiveled around.
"Put them in the bin there," he said.
Atem placed the bug and his nameplate in the bin.
"What are you waiting for? Don't you have a latte to pick up?" asked Kaiba.
Atem hustled off as fast as he could without saying a word. It wasn't his fault that Pegasus spotted the bugs, after all.
And what was with that, anyway?
His mind was still gnawing on that when he returned to Pegasus' room with the latte.
"Not bad! I think you might work out after all," said Pegasus, leaning back on a couch. He motioned around the suite. "Go ahead and make yourself at home. Sit down. I'm really not the monster Kaiba-boy makes me out to be!"
Atem sat in one of the luxurious chairs, but felt on guard. There was something about Pegasus that naturally set him on edge.
"You are so not the ladder-climbing wonk that he usually sends out. I'm dying to know your story!"
"That's between me and Kaiba."
"All right, fine, be that way. Our first event of this shindig is in about twenty minutes anyway."
"Twenty—!" So soon?
Atem stood in the wings as the press conference went on. It was a large announcement of new products, primarily KaibaCorp's new line, out just in time for the big Christmas/New Year's rush, with all of his partners, especially I-squared. It was incredibly weird seeing Kaiba in a role so very different from the one he played at school. Everyone knew that he was now the president and CEO of KaibaCorp, of course, but it was hard to visualize. It was far easier to see him as the best student, most-likely-to-succeed guy, not the already-successful captain of industry.
Just seeing him in the spotlights out of his school uniform and in that amazing suit …
Yeah, weird. Seriously weird.
No wonder Kaiba didn't want that kiss. Even if he's gay, I'm just a high school dude, while he's … all this.
Atem found himself staring at his shoes and had to force his gaze back onto the event.
Wait, was that Pegasus looking his way? Whatever for?
But Pegasus was heading out onto the stage now, saying, "Thank you, Mr Kaiba! Thank you, members of the press! Please allow me to tell you all about the great things that Industrial Illusions has been working on!"
Atem trailed after Pegasus following the press conference, his heart filled with trepidation.
"Don't you think that went well, Atem?" Pegasus effused, fairly floating down the hallway. "I think that the press will say wonderful things about both Industrial Illusions' and KaibaCorp's products, don't you?"
"They did seem impressed," allowed Atem.
"For lunch, why don't you go out to the Homard Rouge and bring me …" Pegasus launched into a long and detailed order that sent Atem scrambling for a notepad to get it all down.
"Wait, wait … and sweet corn, you say?"
"Absolutely not mushy! And make sure that the order is hot and well-wrapped. I can't abide cold take-out."
Atem glanced at the microwave in the kitchenette, but said nothing. He was positive that Pegasus would have something bad to say about microwaved food.
After practically overseeing the kitchen staff at the restaurant personally, Atem was delivering it to Pegasus, extremely glad that the restaurant was literally steps away from the hotel.
"Here, Atem, have some of this," said Pegasus. "I ordered enough for three, and I want to talk to you anyway."
"But this is so expensive!" Atem said, looking over the five-star spread.
"Of course it is! As long as my company is paying for it, I might as well get the best! Besides, have you ever eaten lobster flown in live from Maine?"
"Well, no …"
"Dig in then, before it gets cold! It's an American delicacy!"
"I don't understand. The Homard Rouge isn't a French restaurant?"
"French Canadian. Do the French even like sweet corn?"
The two ate and discussed cuisine for the next little while. Then Pegasus leaned back examining his glass of wine and said, "So exactly how did you talk Kaiba-boy into—for lack of a better word—letting you run errands for me?"
"It's really none of your business, but—to make a long story short—I insulted him and I'm doing this by way of apology."
"You insulted him, eh?" Pegasus raised a platinum eyebrow and looked Atem up and down. "I can imagine. And you hoped this assignment would bring you in close proximity to Kaiba-boy, didn't you?"
"I—why would I think—want that?"
Pegasus chuckled. "It's obvious, Atem-boy! You're smitten!"
Atem opened his mouth, but Pegasus raised his hand. "Don't even try to deny it! The way you looked at him earlier, it was obvious! You've never really seen him up close as Mr KaibaCorp before, have you? Impressive, isn't he? If he weren't so damn young, I'd go for him myself!"
"But he—" Atem began, simultaneously suppressing a gag at the thought.
"You mean the way he watches me like a hawk?" Pegasus waved his hand at the thought. "A stupid misunderstanding. You know how Kaiba-boy is! He thinks I can't be trusted now just because we didn't see eye to eye on a tiny little issue that arose right after his adoptive father died."
"I don't suppose you'd care to explain?"
Pegasus shrugged. "You can look it up, so why not? He and Mokuba were left without parents and they were both underage, so I offered to take them both under my wing. After all, if they weren't up to the task of leading KaibaCorp, it would be bad for my business."
"You were going to adopt them?!"
"Why not?! It was a terrific business decision, and Kaiba-boy is brilliant! I'm sure we would have learned to get along famously! I see no reason why not!"
"I can certainly see why Kaiba objected."
"At the time I had no way of knowing that Kaiba-boy had an even better head for business than his father! We had barely signed our first agreement when his father died. What was I to do? A lot of my assets depended on his ability to carry the company. But I must say, the boy came through for me! He hasn't trusted me since, though!"
"So, he …"
"Oh, right! He became emancipated! His own man. He's his brother's guardian, you know." Pegasus smiled and gave Atem another hard look. "You're pretty impressive yourself, coming after him like this."
"I don't know what you mean."
"Please. Don't be coy. Why do you think I don't want Kaiba-boy listening in? I want you to feel comfortable chatting with me!"
How can I possibly feel comfortable chatting about this with Pegasus?!
Atem said nothing, so Pegasus started slicing up the dark chocolate torte that he'd ordered. "This is to die for, honestly! If you're suffering heartbreak, it's just the thing! If you're not, it's still wonderful! Have a piece!" He put a slice on Atem's plate and said in quiet, confidential tones, "You know, I think that you might have a much better chance with Kaiba-boy than you think."
"How would you know?! I've already ruined any chance that—" Shit! He hadn't meant to say anything about that.
Pegasus' smile changed a little. Was that smugness? "Oh, come on, you can tell me. You confessed, didn't you? You told him you liked him, didn't you? Wait, it was worse than that?! Oh, you did something! What did you do? Was it a kiss, or was it—"
"It was just a kiss! Shit, it was only a kiss, no more than that!" Atem didn't want to hear what more Pegasus might imagine could pass between them and he certainly didn't want to think about it—not in front of Pegasus. He was blushing enough as it was.
"I'm certain it wasn't just a kiss or you wouldn't be playing gofer," Pegasus said smugly. "That aside, Kaiba-boy didn't flat out refuse to let you pay penance, did he?"
"No …"
"Well, then! But Atem, you don't strike me as the type of guy who's usually dense. For example, the way you're looking at me."
"What do you mean?"
Pegasus chuckled. "You could throw me further than you trust me! That much is obvious. But this is about Kaiba-boy. You've got tremendous powers of observation and you're letting your feelings for him interfere with that!"
Atem's eyes opened wide. Could Pegasus be right? He thought back, trying to look at recent events dispassionately. It was almost impossible.
"Oh, let me help," said Pegasus. "You're so wound up right now that you can't think straight! But then you aren't exactly straight, are you?" He chuckled again at his own joke.
Atem groaned. "Not helping," he growled.
"Then how's this? Between KaibaCorp, looking after Mokuba, and school, Kaiba-boy's under a lot of pressure. He's like a time bomb! Just pull the pin and he'll go off—he won't be able to help himself! And, considering that Kaiba-boy is not exactly an ordinary guy, I'd say he's more nuclear than conventional!" Pegasus' eyes became dreamy. "Ah … If only he weren't so damn young …"
A tide of revulsion rising within, Atem barely restrained himself from slapping the half-smug, half-creepy expression off of Pegasus' face. Atem's emotions were roiling. Despite the disgust, his desire was inflamed by the possibilities that Pegasus suggested. Was it possible? Pegasus made it sound so plausible. Then Pegasus had to go and express his own interest, which appalled him so much that he was disgusted even with himself. Now he had to question whether he was just interested in Kaiba to gratify his own lust.
He didn't want to think so, but the desire was so strong.
"And your advice to me is just—"
"Oh, yes. All you have to do is light the fuse, give him a little push. Just make it private, not public, or he'll blow up the same way—I assume—he did last time! Don't give him a chance to escape and remember, always approach a bomb with utmost care!"
"Where—" Atem stopped himself. He was about to challenge Pegasus, demanding Where do you get off charging into private matters between two people like this? but thought better of it. How would he explain to Kaiba what happened when Pegasus summarily tossed him off his suite balcony? But his face was still burning. Worse, his mind kept chewing over what Pegasus had said. He took a deep breath and tried to gather himself. "What …" he said as slowly and calmly as he could manage, "exactly do you expect to get out of this?"
"Oh, you clever boy, you!" exclaimed Pegasus. "I half expected you to race out of the room and straight to Kaiba!" He raised an eyebrow. "You look like my suggestion has prodded you enough! Very well, I'll be frank. I'm hoping you'll do something about this right away. If you distract Kaiba-boy, our negotiations should go very well! He might even delegate negotiations, which I think would be even more in my favor!"
Damn, another smug grin.
"And if I care about Kaiba, why would I help you?"
"My dear boy, it looks to me like you're having trouble restraining yourself as it is!"
Damn Pegasus! He wanted to go see Kaiba right now and take a fresh look, if only to reassess his own feelings. He wanted to believe that he didn't just want to take advantage of Kaiba, for one thing.
But Atem couldn't easily set aside the picture of unleashing great passion in Kaiba that Pegasus had engendered in his imagination. He couldn't seem to stop thinking about it. That's just what he wants! Atem told himself, but it didn't remove the images from his mind. Still, he protested. "I'm not going to just do what you want!"
"Oh, but that's your job!"
"I'm not going to—"
"You refuse to take a copy of my new proposal to Kaiba-boy? That's such a simple request! I'm going to have to give him a call and—"
"Give me the proposal," Atem said shortly, holding out his hand.
"You're so helpful! I'll be sure to tell Kaiba-boy how much better you are than the previous aides he's sent around! Although … your attitude seems to have gotten a little grouchier. Are you sure you ate enough for lunch? Maybe you need a nap!" Pegasus' grin took on a devious cast. "Perhaps you should … go to bed …? Just for a little while? You can have a break."
Gritting his teeth, Atem walked out of the suite with the proposal in hand. Pegasus' advice was for Atem to light a fuse, but he wasn't so sure that it wasn't Pegasus who hadn't lit one. He swore at himself under his breath, trying to calm the heat that was raging throughout his body—especially in certain areas. Yeah, he thought, Kaiba's the one who's likely to explode. The worst part was that Pegasus was so smugly transparent about his strategy and yet he still expected it to work.
Atem wasn't so sure it wouldn't … but …
Kaiba was Kaiba. He was always cold, wasn't he?
After what Pegasus said, Atem was full of hope. Pegasus seemed to be counting on Kaiba's capacity for passion … and Atem's inability to resist the urge to tap into it. Certainly, Kaiba could feel emotion—he certainly got angry easily enough. Anger … bomb … yeah, there was plenty of danger to this challenge, too. Still … if there was hope …
… And there were those images again. How was he going to look Kaiba in the eye with those images dancing around in his head?
On the other hand, if he followed Pegasus' advice, wouldn't he be taking advantage of Kaiba, no matter what Kaiba's feelings might be?
As he walked on toward Kaiba's suite, his mind reeled with uncertainty.
Author's notes ...
Thanks once again to those who reviewed. Gee, I keep hoping for more, but maybe I'm just greedy. (Haha) I could always get zero, and that would be sad! I'm grateful for each review I get! :)
I am still unable to post a new story (getting a blank page) and hearing nothing back. I feel unrequited, and sort of unwanted, so (like a jilted lover) I've been forced to move on. See my profile if you want to find new stories (5D's story currently posting, DM in the offing somewhere after this). I'm really disappointed and will be hanging around, but if I can't post, I can't post. Please PM me if you want an invite to the new site.
I-squared: Didn't this used to be available in the editing bar? I'm going to try to fix the HTML; if it doesn't work, I'll have to go back and end up with "I-squared." Just know that I did my best to get the superscript in. (If you save after fixing HTML, it undoes any updates. Bummer.)
Homard Rouge: "Red Lobster." Not the same thing, though! I've seen a restaurant by this name; trust me, it's not part of the chain. ;)
A peek forward ...
"What is it? Was there something in Crawford's actions that you want to discuss?"
"I …" He couldn't talk about that. "No, I—" I'm alone with him! Atem realized. Do I really want to go through with this? "He is a very strange man," he allowed.
Does he stay or does he go?
