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]

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...

[wantsnudes]

[Yusuke is so captivated that it seems to take him a few seconds to realise he's being spoken to. He draws back at least a little bit to give him some space.]

Would you be willing to? [Admittedly, even without an answer, he was already composing a painting in his mind's eye. He can't help but think that way, when something gains his attention.]

...I think anything I paint now will fail to do you justice, however. Such a painting would take time and care to create.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

Should've known...

[He'd been half-joking, honestly, and he shifts rather self-consciously at Yusuke being so serious]

I never wanted one of those giant stodgy old rich guy portraits, but... If you wanted to paint me, I wouldn't be opposed. I'm sure anything you were to come up with would be lovely. ...If I can say that about something where I'd be the subject.

People don't have to sit for hours to get painted anymore, do they?

[wantsnudes]

It depends on the scope of the painting. Some are completed within hours, some choose to pose initially and have models take over while the clothes are painted. Others will patiently sit in for an artist for days on end, until the work is complete.

[Yusuke would admittedly enjoy the latter option, but he's not sure Kaiba would have the patience for that sort of thing... He's surely a busy person.]

Actually, the painting that inspired me to become an artist to begin with is a portrait. For years, I have searched for the perfect subject for my own work... Now, I think you will serve as my inspiration.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[s-stares, expression finally settling somewhere between incredulous and flattered]

...Has anyone ever told you you can be kind of intense?

[should kaiba even talk]

[wantsnudes]

Well... "Eccentric" is the word most people use.

[Which he isn't too happy about, but he's also not interested in changing his habits to suit others, so there it is.]

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

And what's the word you would use?

[wantsnudes]

I'm simply dedicated to my work.

Even still... My attitude tends to deter others, more often than not. Someone like you is a rare exception.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

"Eccentric" is probably one of the kindest ways I've ever been described. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it; I think your drive is admirable. It's just...

[he shrugs, cheeks going warm again]

I've never been called an inspiration by someone who wasn't asking me for money before. It's...different.

[wantsnudes]

As you know, I'm not interested in money, or anything of the sort. You needn't worry about that.

And I will-- try to curb my intensity. It has been a long day, for you more than most.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

If I was worried about you like that I wouldn't enter into this relationship.

[Hesitates--was that too harsh?]

...You're right that today has been trying. But you don't have to change for me.

[wantsnudes]

[He appreciates the honesty, even if it sounds harsh.]

It isn't about changing. I simply want to be considerate of you... because I care about you.

[With that admission, he cups Kaiba's cheek in his hand -- this time to simply look at him as a person, not an object of art to be admired.]

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[His breath catches and his face burns, though whether it's at the sentiment or at the action, he's not entirely sure. Still, he stares back at Yusuke as if physical examination could reveal what makes the sort of man who just openly cares about people. It...it doesn't make sense and he doesn't get it, and he leans in to attempt a kiss because why is he wasting their limited time worrying about these things]

[wantsnudes]

[Yusuke's expression is bright, even curious, as Kaiba meets his gaze, and he can feel his heart quicken again. Then Kaiba leans in, and Yusuke closes his eyes to accept the kiss. His hand moves from his cheek to his neck as he gently returns the kiss, his touches feather-light.]

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[He can't say he expected it feeling like this--gentle, and fluttery, and a number of words he'd always associated more with frivolous teenaged classmates than himself--and yet here he is, shakily lifting a hand to card through Yusuke's hair as if he'll shatter or disappear at the slightest misstep.

[Eventually Kaiba pulls back for breath, a part of him horrified at how soft and hesitant his expression must be]

...Was that okay?

[wantsnudes]

[Yusuke honestly had no idea what to expect, because as it turns out, kisses are almost entirely touches and feelings, and have nothing to do with any visual appeal they might hold for an onlooker. He leans in to Kaiba's touch as he cards through his hair, and by the time they pull apart, it's with a quiet, contented sigh.

To the question, he has to stop to think; he was momentarily silenced by how, for once, Kaiba has allowed himself to look vulnerable.]

Yes. That was... beautiful.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[That gets a laugh; it's a little heady with relief but also genuinely happy, achievement unlocked: don't get dumped before the first kiss]

You expected anything less? Just because we don't know what we're doing doesn't mean we don't look good doing it.

[wantsnudes]

[Yusuke grins, taking Kaiba's uninjured hand back in his, squeezing affectionately. Kaiba's actually kind of cute when he laughs like that... and "cute" and "Kaiba" were two concepts he never expected to string together.]

True. I suppose that's the most important part, isn't it?

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

I'd say that probably the, ah, sensory input part is slightly more important. But the aesthetics don't hurt.

[squeezes back, lacing their fingers even while attempting to ignore the connection to any jittery flutter in his chest, which is surely just too much sugar over the past few days]

[wantsnudes]

Yes... You're right.

[He's still blushing, yet somehow he feels elated, allowing himself to lean against Kaiba a bit.]

If I could stay here with you all evening, I would.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

It would probably get cold, sitting out here all night.

[Not that he seems in any particular hurry to move. The shoulders of his trenchcoat are surprisingly soft, like they're filled with stuffing and not shoulder, but at least it should be comfy enough?]