Kaiba arrived home early from work only to be greeted by a few irritating changes.
One: Mokuba whining about bullies at school and wanting to drop out so he could attend a 'cool vampire academy', like he was the angsty protagonist of his own school life anime.
Did such an academy even exist? He'd ask Yami.
Verdict pending.
Two: Isono's random spending spree from this afternoon also resulted in him suddenly looking like a high-rolling pimp.
He'd darkened his hair and intentionally dyed a strip of it silver on the side, making him look incredibly villainous, and he'd shaved the mustache Kaiba was so used to seeing.
Kaiba had grown up with Mustache Isono since he was a kid.
Now, he had…Patterned Shirt and Gelled-back Hair Isono.
Wild.
He was still divided on how to feel about the new visual.
Isono had frantically changed back into his usual suit when he got home, but it was the absence of facial hair that was disturbing Seto more than the random purchases of new shirts.
Three: Yami had gone out and didn't leave a note or a message with Mahad. He'd mysteriously disappeared. That wasn't cool.
Four: an annoying email from his finance lawyer was saying an urgent item needed his signature, because Maximillion Pegasus wanted to send him 2 million USD as a cash gift for whatever reason.
That required his attention first, so Kaiba shut himself in his office and took a deep breath, then let it out.
The 2 million better be an apology for crashing my plane, Kaiba growled as he dreaded opening his email. He sat down behind his desk to pry open his laptop and felt his phone buzz in his blazer pocket, so he dug it out, annoyed to see an unknown number.
UNKNOWN (add as contact): had Isono grab me two of your phones. I'm on my way home, but before I set out, I want to know if you got Pegasus's wire?
It's Yami! Kaiba blinked and hastily opened his email, then replied, texting with one hand.
"Way to give me a scare! Why didn't you tell me where you went?
Yes I got it. Accepting it now.
It'll take 7 days to clear."
Kaiba weighed his phone in his palm when it vibrated with a reply, and he tore his eyes away from his laptop to see what Yami had said.
UNKNOWN (add as contact): didn't want to get your hopes up if I wasn't successful. Is that amount enough? Perhaps it needs to be in mokuba's name to help him feel better
No, Kaiba growled as he replied with swift taps of his fingers. Giving that kid more money wasn't going to make his middle school angst vanish.
"Nope. the kid needs therapy," Kaiba typed furiously, "not zeros in his savings account. See you at home. Don't freak out when you see isono's new look."
He shoved his phone aside and silenced it completely, pinching his brow and feeling like a nap.
Deciding to do just that, he signed the document from his lawyer with a touch to the screen, then he slapped the laptop shut and moved to fall into bed. Sleep…
Weeks passed.
The Kaiba Mansion fell into a steady rhythm of activity.
Mahad welcomed Atem back into the house with a bow and a pair of slippers.
He'd learned the rituals of hospitality in the house from Isono bit by bit, and Atem thanked him with a kind smile and a touch to the arm.
"How was lunch?" Yami asked pointedly, glancing over Mahad's broad shoulders to check the grand staircase behind him. "Any obstacles or concerns?"
"Yes, Mai Valentine," Mahad replied as he shut the door behind the king and tensed anxiously. "It appears she has claimed the love hotel district. She threatened me from afar and said it was fine that I take 'all the gay men' but leave immediately afterwards."
Yami bit back a smile and had to ask, "you went into the love hotel district for a meal?"
"I merely followed to watch over Kaiba's servant," Mahad muttered, his cheeks dark red, and Yami's smile widened mischievously as he ribbed his manservant with a playful nudge.
"And how was it?" Yami prompted, knowing that in their past, Mahad had shown trepidation and even disdain towards men who liked other men, but perhaps thousands of years of watching times change might've changed his mind. "Anything good?"
"Yes, a hummus dip," Mahad spilled his guts in an instant, his face heating up as he averted his gaze from Atem's deep, angular eyes. "But he was Isono's meal. I hope to taste it some time. Perhaps on our next outing."
"Yes, do these meals with him for a few more months if you must, and bring that hummus here," Yami said with an encouraging nod. "Let's start our strategic takeover, beginning with that area. Let's invite Mai over for a meal. Tell her it's free dining on the five in the basement anytime she wants in exchange for her loyalty again. I'll take Mokuba out for dinner tonight. Text me when you're successful and clear her entry with Isono, but don't leave her alone for a second."
Mahad blinked and nodded, bowing and watching Atem's slender, spiky-haired form ascend the stairs, and only then did he let his breath out in a careful sigh.
Looked like he was headed out to convert hearts again. The Pharaoh was back.
He turned to pull the front door open and felt Isono come gliding up behind him, making his heart stick into the back of his throat. A-Ah…. He was now back on high alert.
"You received an order?" Isono asked as he eyed the missing pair of slippers by the door, having seen Yami come in through the front camera, he'd waited strategically from afar, eavesdropping on their conversation to see if Mahad would say anything about their sexual romp at the love hotel.
Instead, he'd learned some useful information about the female vampire who had tried to target him. Her name was Mai Valentine.
"Yes, and I'll be back with a guest or two," Mahad replied deeply, unable to meet Isono's gaze even though his eyes were hidden by dark glasses. "It'll be two female vampires who used to live in our clan but separated from us when food was plentiful elsewhere. They should be peaceful and will want to return to our side. Please prepare at least two of the five humans down below."
"I'll wait for your signal," Isono said loyally and he bowed the taller man out of the doorway, aware of a presence watching them from above in the stairwell behind them. "Have a safe trip."
Good to know that woman named Mai Valentine wasn't their enemy.
She seemed to act more in her own interests instead.
Isono straightened up out of his bow just in time to see Mahad swinging one muscular leg over a motorbike that had appeared by the fountain, and Isono's mouth watered for a moment before he wondered where the bike came from. Ah, Yami….
The rumble when the engine started rattled his bones, and after watching Mahad ride out the front gates, Isono gently closed the doors, turning around to see Yami leaning against the glass banister overhead, with a coffee cup in hand and a lollipop pouched in his cheek.
"You two got close," Yami commented, and he thought he saw Isono flush dark pink. Aww….
"I have much to learn from everyone," Isono replied mechanically, choosing to keep his mind and emotions blank. Mahad had insinuated in the shower that the king 'at full power' could read souls and he wasn't going to take any chances. Damn.
Now he was thinking about Mahad in the shower.
Yami frowned and instantly saw a wisps of a dark aura wafting up around Isono's shoulders, and he frowned in concern.
There was a lie there…
Better he bring it up with Seto and have him deal with his servant personally.
"Carry on. Thank you for your eternal loyalty," Yami said cattily and he turned on his heel to find Kaiba. Trouble in paradise.
Their servants might be competing or fighting with each other.
But Mahad didn't show any signs of hesitation or irritation, so the dark feelings were only on Isono's side.
Maybe sending them out for a meal together every day for weeks was a bad idea, Yami mused as he knocked on the door of the study and received no answer.
He rested his palm on the door and flooded his power into the material to see through it, eyeing the rolled-up lump on the bed where the rise and fall of slender shoulders were outlined by the fluffy pillows. Seto's head was buried somewhere underneath.
I'll join him, Yami pushed the door open gently and glided across the room to slink into bed beside Kaiba's long legs, lifting the covers and snuggling beside his body, closing his eyes contentedly and hearing Isono's footsteps come tapping up to shut their door.
This was…heavenly…
Kaiba woke up with a light groan, feeling a heavy lump beside him in the covers. He turned over to see a mass of spiky hair, and his heart leapt with joy.
He snuck his arms around Yami's waist and gave him a squeeze, nuzzling his nose into the crook of a tanned ear and inhaling deeply, his lungs expanding gratefully with a musky scent.
Yami shifted in his sleep and rested his hand atop his fingers to give him a warm squeeze, talking with his eyes still shut, "please have a private talk with Isono when you have the chance…"
Kaiba frowned and chinned Yami's shoulder, letting a spiky bang tickle his nose. "Why?" He dreaded to know why.
"When I asked how he enjoyed his training with Mahad, he had an aura of a lie," Yami replied, his voice muffled in the sheets, and Kaiba propped his head up on one hand to stare incredulously at his spiky-haired boyfriend.
R-Really?! What he fuck did that mean?
"And what wouldan aura of a lie look like?" Kaiba prompted, resisting the urge to roll his eyes.
"Just a …dark…aura," Yami mumbled sleepily as he pulled the covers up higher around his shoulders. "When you have a moment alone with him, ask how he's doing. I thought he and Mahad would get along really well. I'd hate to be wrong…"
Kaiba huffed and nodded, leaning forward to press a soft kiss to Yami's cheek before lifting the covers to climb out of bed, his mind filled with schemes and calculations on how to reappear in public on cameras without exposing himself as a member of the undead.
He was on the brink of an epiphany. He could feel it.
The fact that he didn't show up on cameras was a bigger problem than whatever Isono was feeling about the power transition they were going through.
Picking his phone up from his desk, Kaiba sent one quick text to his manservant and left it at that.
If Isono was really loyal, he'd understand.
Isono was sitting quietly in his room with all the blinds drawn when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He'd finished his day's work lightning fast, so he had a rare moment to himself.
He glanced down at his phone and read Master Kaiba's text with a swirl of dread in his stomach.
"Hey,
Yami tells me you had an 'aura of a lie' when speaking to him, and I'd like to formally express now that you should begin to accept that he will also be second master of the house.
Since he gave us this life, we are stronger together. If you're struggling to come to terms with any power shift or personal feelings about him, come tell me directly.
We will work through it."
Isono read the message again and again, his heart clenching.
Master Kaiba sounded so caring…
And he'd never received such an emotional text from the young master before.
What disturbed him more was the 'aura of a lie' Yami had felt.
The king can indeed read souls, Isono screencapped the message and hesitated sending it to Mahad.
His heart thundered in his ears.
He wouldn't send it over a channel where the messages could be recovered and then read by Master Kaiba.
He needed to talk about this with Mahad in person.
Swallowing thinly and pocketing his phone, Isono felt odd pangs creeping up across his chest as he turned to face his desk, staring blankly at the wall which had no decorations.
He ought to put something here, like pictures…
Maybe some photos of Master Mokuba and Master Kaiba together, smiling.
That might be cute.
The next two months breezed by for Kaiba in a whirlwind of late nights in the lab developing hologram technology, early mornings developing an AI.
Time would blur because he no longer felt sleepy. In fact, all he had to do was feed, and he was good as new. Yami warned him he would need to sleep for two weeks if he kept putting off sleep, but as long as he got in a few hours here and there, fed consistently, and stretched, he felt good as new.
He didn't feel fatigue when he worked long hours.
He'd become a machine, and he loved that.
It made over-working so much easier.
He knew he was on a time limit. If he wanted to make enough patents that he could coast off of for the rest of his very long, long life, he had to invent something spectacular and slap his name on it.
That held precedence over being a good vampire.
He needed to be the family breadwinner first.
Yami was spending more time with Mokuba in his place, and just as well too.
The kid was learning more useful life tactics that would make him a more powerful vampire.
One thing did concern Kaiba though, and it was the lack of variety in his meals now that he rarely left the house and his office.
He'd managed to snag one or two passing humans in the parking garage of his skyscraper, but that was it. All there was to eat at home was corn soup, smoked salmon, potato chips, cafe au lait, blueberry pancakes, and miso soup if he felt like biting the chef.
The home pantry was fucking thin.
He was bored of it all.
I'm craving…grilled mackerel and a strong black coffee, Kaiba sighed and lowered the lid of his laptop, wondering what Yami was doing this afternoon.
Probably out flying and strength-training with Mokuba.
His kid brother was still unable to change into anything other than a baby pigeon.
It was kind of sad…
Sighing and picking up his phone to text Yami, Kaiba sent a few texts and thunked his head down onto his desk.
"Hey. wyd this afternoon. I want something new to eat."
"I could just head out into the city by myself hhhh answer answer answer msis u"
There was a type but whatever. Already sent.
Done.
Bored….
Now that he got a better grip on his urges, he was no longer wildly horny, or wildly hungry and only had cravings for specific tastes sometimes. Like now.
He hadn't tasted his favorite meal in a while.
Wonder what Yugi was doing?
His phone vibrated in his hand and he peeked over his forearm at it.
YAMI: we were trying to do wolf forms today. In heartland city, away from b*kura's territory
YAMI: on our way home actually, Mokuba is tired. He tried hard today
YAMI: hey, idea. Take isono. Have you had that talk with him? Because I spoke to him yesterday
YAMI: and his aura got darker. Please address this today or sometime soon.
YAMI: the emotional wellbeing of the most loyal man you take for granted is an alarm you need to take seriously.
YAMI: speaking from experience as you know
Ugh, Kaiba wrinkled his nose and slowly rose to his feet to find Isono somewhere in the house.
He dreaded this.
He hadn't emotionally checked-in with Isono in a while.
Good thing Yami was here to remind him how to be human.
Isono was airing out futons in the garden, in a great mood, enjoying the mild sun warming his cold skin.
The last few months had been a dreamy blur, he wasn't sure this was really his life as he adjusted to his new state of being.
Due to his enhanced strength, speed, and endurance, he was able to complete more household duties twice as fast, keep everything organized, and have extra time to himself.
Mahad's helping hands around the house made it so they could afford to dismiss a whole set of maids. They now only had one pair of humans coming through the house to do general spot cleaning, once a week, Sunday afternoons when everyone was generally asleep.
The entire mansion had become a vampire haven.
He met Mai Valentine and her girlfriend, Isis.
They treated him with cold indifference before they realized he was a vampire too, and then they slowly began to warm up to him, sometimes bringing him gifts. Little items like jewelry and petty cash they'd stolen from their human meals began to accumulate in his room.
His favorite were flavored cigars or herbal cigarettes.
Those still had a taste, and as old vampires, Mai and Isis hoarded the 'good' flavors, like rose and mint.
Mahad disapproved of his new smoking habit until they went to hookah lounge together to find a meal, and Mahad had been converted in an instant.
The sex afterwards is always good, Isono smirked to himself as he sat down to rest in the shade of the hanging futons, his body tingling with the happy memory of their increased sex romps.
As per King Atem's instructions, they were taking back the territory of the love hotel district, so they dined there and the four streets around it. It was working.
He spotted a familiar seagull stalking him, resting atop a vending machine while glaring beadily at him, but he ignored the shapeshifted vampire and bought a room with Mahad for two hours–business as usual.
He was learning a lot of new things about himself as a result of this secretive romance with Mahad. He liked muscles on his men, so he aimed to work harder himself to build up, so he could match Mahad.
Mahad enjoyed his muscles too, and they kept each other fit.
We're…perfect for each other… Isono shielded his eyes to gaze up at the cloudless blue sky, his itching for a dark creme cigarette.
Well, he had finished all his tasks for today.
Mahad was late coming back for some reason.
He dug his phone out and tensed when he felt Master Kaiba's presence come approaching him from behind, so he left his phone in his pocket and stayed sitting in the grass, gazing up at the sky.
"Hey," Kaiba eyed the back of Isono's slick black hair, his stomach twisting at how the sharp, silver dyed streak along the side shone ominously. "What are you having for lunch, or dinner?"
Isono didn't turn around as he replied to the sky above, "...out hunting with Mahad. It's become a ritual for us." And the hot sex he expected afterwards would be slightly ruined if Master Kaiba wanted to tag along too much.
Kaiba blinked and stared at how Isono chose to style his hair with a tight fade cut and the silver streak fell stylishly over the top of his ear.
Was he being edged out by Mahad?
So what was Yami worried about?
Because Isono sounded really close with Mahad.
"So I guess I'm not invited," Kaiba said aggressively, his heart sinking at the idea of heading out of the house for a meal alone. "Fine. I see how it is."
Isono bit back a smile and slowly got to his feet to bow to Master Kaiba, pressing a hand to his tie to keep it from swinging forward, "Master Kaiba, I will hunt with you if you need company. Seems Mahad is late getting back anyway–" His phone buzzed in his blazer pocket and he cursed silently to himself.
Nope.
Mahad was right on time.
Kaiba narrowed his eyes and noticed Isono's sudden quiet, and understood what Yami meant.
"What is it?" Kaiba asked testily as he folded his arms across his chest, and his annoyance rose when Isono dodged him with another bow.
"Doorbell notification. One moment," his manservant said coldly and walked right past him without another glance.
Kaiba caught an odd whiff of a flowery scent that stuck in the back of his lungs, and his heart twisted. What was that odd smell?
Isono dashed to open the door, eager to whisper to Mahad about Master Kaiba tagging along.
His heart dropped to his stomach when he saw Yami stepping out of the limousine with a sleeping Mokuba in his arms, while Mahad stood by to hold the car door open.
C-Crap, Isono broke out into a cold sweat and stood by the door, bowing and grabbing slippers for Yami.
Crap? Yami wondered why Isono was having that thought as he gently carried Mokuba up the white marble steps, slipped his feet into the slippers and spared a glance for the top of Isono's bowed head.
First, he'd tuck Mokuba in. Then he'd figure out what was going on with Kaiba's manservant.
Mahad caught a meaningful look from Isono over the rim of his dark glasses and was instantly on alert. W-What…was going on? Why was Master Kaiba standing so stoically there?
Had they been discovered? Impossible.
He'd taken every precaution and even made sure to silence Mai Valentine.
Kaiba noticed the odd tension between Mahad and Isono the moment the doors of the mansion swung shut.
Mahad was visibly tense, while Isono had his hands folded defensively in front of his body–on guard.
"Did you guys fight?" Kaiba asked knowingly, and to his surprise, Mahad relaxed, and so did Isono, who huffed with laughter and answered him with a lie, because he could tell Isono was lying from the way he kept clenching one hand over the other.
"We have never fought," Isono replied confidently, and Mahad nodded.
"We get along very well. I enjoy our nightly–daily…hunts," Mahad almost bit the tip of his tongue speaking. H-He had been sneaking into Isono's room some nights.
That wasn't a crime, was it?!
"Daily or nightly? Make up your mind," Kaiba scowled, now hating how this might be more of a problem than he thought. "Walk me through it."
God, he was dumb.
He and Yami both insist their manservants head out together to eat, essentially forcing them to compete.
"It's only four streets," Isono said humbly, now itching to leave, and he could feel Mahad brimming with anxiety beside him too.
"A seedy district, Master, not one you want to be seen in," Mahad added, hoping to deter Kaiba from joining. "Do you have a craving? We can work together to find you a meal."
Isono kept sweating through his suit and gave Mahad a minute headshake. No…
"What he means is…" Isono raised a hand to hover it across Mahad's chest to cut him off from talking anymore. "We will find you a meal and bring them here. What do you desire, Master Kaiba?"
Mahad clenched his fists at his sides and let Isono take the lead.
What is wrong with them?! Kaiba blinked rapidly and wondered if he should yell 'boo' out of the blue just to break the tension.
"I just want to know what the fuck is up," Kaiba said with a cross of his arms as he eyed Mahad and Isono standing shoulder-to-shoulder, acting guilty about something. "I haven't been out in a while so fill me in."
Isono bit the inside of his cheek and privately lamented the sex he wouldn't have today.
Mahad froze when he felt Atem coming down the steps behind him and spoke in his deep, commanding voice, "what a good idea. Let's all go out and see what's been going on. Mahad, show me around the four streets you say we've taken over."
Damn, Mahad gave Isono an apologetic nod, and Isono did his best not to react.
Master Kaiba could see this!
Mahad was being too obvious!
Kaiba eyed Mahad's odd movements and glanced up at Yami who was standing in the middle of the staircase with a grave look on his face.
"Mahad, come," Yami said simply as he walked through the foyer and pulled the front doors open himself, ignoring Isono's scrambling behind him.
Isono crossed his arms nervously as he watched Mahad open the car door for Yami, then walk around the nose of the car to get into the front seat.
Damn it, damn it… Isono was filled with disappointment as the car drove around the fountain and disappeared out the front gates.
It was fine. One afternoon without Mahad's 'hunting guidance' wouldn't hurt him.
This meant he'd insist Mahad come visit his room tonight, if they both hadn't lost their nerve to sneak around. Mahad was different from him in that sense.
Mahad's heart was more pure, whereas years under Gozaburos violence and Seto's harsh treatment along with having to help raise Mokuba had hardened him as a servant.
Author's note:
Kaiba hasn't tasted yugi in a while! Dont worry, that arc will come back soon!
We need some kaiba-isono bonding time first