TNDG 4 - ENDGAME

[the_macdonald]

[So you're at the Halloween dance, and maybe you're fighting robots or each other, or maybe you were just hanging out and eating pizza? Either way, there's a new door in the building... or maybe one you simply didn't notice before? It opens, and inside there is a well-lit TV stage, upon which there are several freestanding doors with names of all the surviving participants. A monitor in the corner displays the face of Ronald McDonald.]

All right, kids! Game's over! Thanks to all your tomfoolery, our sponsors pulled out, and we can't even afford prizes. Get on out of here, you little shits!

((Here's your endgame post! The doors will drop off each person where they were kidnapped (or will drop someone else where the person whose name is listed was kidnapped). Say goodbye, yell at the hosts, go back and bob for apples?))

Comments

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

I can't imagine you wouldn't have plenty of people to count on, being the man that you are. But...in this case I don't mind being one of many.

[wantsnudes]

Even still, every ally of the Phantom Thieves is crucial. And to have the support of a dear friend... That would mean the world to me.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[looks away, toying with his locket]

...Well, it's yours.

[wantsnudes]

Then, I'll ensure my teammates and I do all that we can, to live up to the faith you're placing in us.

[Talking about angry revenge plots seems like a little bit of a sour note to leave off on, though, so...]

...I'd like to go for a walk outside to clear my head, before I leave. Do you wish to join me?

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

Alright. I'm not in that much of a hurry to leave. Some fresh air--or as close as this place comes--wouldn't be unwelcome.

[wantsnudes]

[Yusuke leads him outside, and unlike their previous outing, he's not about to get distracted and wander off this time. He does, however, come across an old stone bench, where he takes a seat, expression quietly contemplative.]

It's become so peaceful out here...

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[settles beside him]

It's hard to believe, after the earlier craziness. I guess it doesn't take long for some changes to happen.

[wantsnudes]

Even the most furious of storms passes back into calmness in the end, I suppose.

...This is going to sound absurd, but... part of me wishes I could have experienced the original purpose of this game, without anyone being hurt or forced to be here.

[You know, dating people??? That thing.]

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

I am fairly certain that at least someone being hurt or forced to be here was the original purpose of the game...

[then, not cruelly]

You're that keen on meeting a potential mate?

[wantsnudes]

It's not something I've thought about before this game, at least not for myself. Until recently I've lived a very sheltered life, and have always seen matters of the heart as distant objects of study... If I could represent concepts like pure love in a beautiful way, that was enough for me.

But superficial imitations aren't enough. Paintings like those will never capture any true essence of what it seeks to depict. If I could experience such feelings for myself... and if another person experienced such profound emotions for me in return... I'm sure I could finally capture that in my art.

[Gaze downcast, he finally looks up at Kaiba.] In other words, to improve my art, I must also grow as a person. Does that make sense?

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[considers, nodding]

It makes sense. If the purpose of your art is to put part of yourself on the page, you'd want to have as many experiences as possible to draw on, correct? Though...I wonder that a bunch of frivolous games would really be what you're looking for. If you just wanted to experience some ridiculous things, we've already started down that path.

[wantsnudes]

No, I suppose these games aren't what I'm looking for at all. Just the experience of being with someone who is dear to me, in a way that goes beyond friendship... That's what "dating" is really about, isn't it?

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[frowns, but is actually giving the idea consideration]

I suppose? I've never really put much thought into it. ...Growing up, I wasn't really encouraged to trust others, and that's important in that sort of relationship, isn't it?

[wantsnudes]

But there are people you trust, aren't there? People like myself.

[Then he realises how that sounds, and his cheeks tinge pink.]

Ah-- but I-- I don't mean to assume anything about your feelings. What I mean to say is, your upbringing doesn't have to decide how you relate to others now.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

...You have a point.

[he doesn't specify which statement he's agreeing with, though his ears grow warm. slowly he continues]

I guess some personal growth could be useful for us both.

[wantsnudes]

Seto...?

[Is he implying anything by that statement, or just speaking in general terms? Yusuke's almost afraid to ask, though he does blush a shade deeper than before.]

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

Yusuke.

[Then he hesitates; looks to Yusuke's mouth, then his eyes, then down and away. He starts over, tone soft and careful]

...I don't usually deal with the subtleties of an artist, I deal with the black and white of code. If there's something you'd ask of me, you should probably spit it out.

[wantsnudes]

[Yusuke likewise looks away, nervous, his hands balled into fists in his lap. Somehow, he manages to muster the courage to speak.]

If... If you would help me understand the mysteries of the human heart... I would be honoured. [Is that still too vague and arty? He's not sure, so he adds--] I like you, Seto.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

I--

Oh.

[And even he realises that's a terrible response, but he finds himself dumbstruck--despite having forced the question, he apparently hadn't expected that response. He's pretty sure he's blushing for real, or possibly looking like like a rather flattered deer in headlights. He smooths down his slacks to keep from fiddling with his locket]

Okay.

[real cyrano de bergerac here]

[wantsnudes]

--"Okay"?

[He stares at Kaiba, evidently perturbed. Here he is, baring his soul, and that's all he gets in response. Is he agreeing? Or just acknowledging what Yusuke said without giving an answer? help???]

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

Ah-- Yes. I mean, no one's ever-- I--

[He casts about for any word at all much less an ending to any of the false starts but comes up short. He grabs Yusuke's hand instead, quick and tight like he's afraid of Yusuke fleeing before he can express a coherent thought, and perhaps that fear's what helps him finally stutter something out.]

--I can't guarantee that I can help unlock any mysteries. I probably know even less about this sort of thing than you do. But if that's not a deal-breaker... If you'd want to try anyway, then...okay.

[wantsnudes]

[Yusuke starts to look more and more panicked the longer Kaiba takes to explain himself, and he becomes so worried he's said the wrong thing -- that mentioning any of this at all was a bad idea, even -- that he almost jumps out of his skin when Kaiba takes his hand. Then he finally receives an answer.]

Y-you're... really all right with it? [His heart is still hammering in his chest, but he finally lets out a relieved breath he didn't know he'd been holding.] ...Thank goodness.

[He clasps Kaiba's hand in both of his own, still looking a bit shellshocked. That was a scarier experience than it really had any right to be.]

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

Save your thanks until you've had to actually deal with me for more than a few days.

[But he flushes further and puts his hand on the hands on his hand like some terribly awkward and uncool secret handshake. It's a little clammy, but warm, and Kaiba looks back up, attempting a wry little smile]

...These things never seemed so nerve-wracking as a third party.

[wantsnudes]

[Yusuke relaxes enough to return the smile.] Nerve-wracking, yes... But it was worth it.

[This wasn't how he was expecting this to go at all, a clumsy, inelegant confession and acceptance, but for once, Yusuke doesn't really mind. He shifts on the bench until he's sitting close enough that their bodies are touching.

Also, their faces are a lot closer? How interesting. Time to study Kaiba, maybe reach up to brush a few stray hairs out of his eyes so his face is framed more appealingly.]

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[Sometimes the ends justify the means, and not even for villainy!]

[He reflexively leans into the wisp of a touch before wrinkling his nose and flushing.]

Don't tell me you're having me pose for a portrait or something...