the_newlydead_game | TNDG 4

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game 04

TNDG 4 - ENDGAME

[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?))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I wouldn't be able to do anything lavish with you like you're used to, but I could show you the main sights. As for my own favourite places... There's a very nice coffee shop in Yongen, and some of my favourite galleries are in Roppongi and Ikebukuro. There's also the planetarium, and the used bookshops... Along with the various historical landmarks, and beautiful parks...

[Would the head of a giant corporation even be interested in any of those places? He has no idea, come to think of it.]

What kind of places would you like to visit?

I wouldn't mind checking out some game shops or arcades. As I understand it, Tokyo still has the best selection in the world, and I'm curious how we stack up back home. Other than that, what you've mentioned sounds fine. I get enough overpriced fancy things as it is. I'm curious to see what you'd come up with.

Then Akihabara would be the best place for you, though I cannot say I've spent much time there myself. But if I introduced you to my friend Futaba, she would likely be able to recommend the best places to visit there.

[...They'd talk about games and hacking and other nerd stuff and Yusuke would never see him again ever, probably.]

[he could tail along and criticize the art direction in all the games and anime goods?]

You've a gamer friend as well, do you? How did you come to know people with such diverse interests?

[If he did that, he'd just get into an argument with Futaba, who would point out gamer culture isn't supposed to be fine art. The two of them are nothing if not good at arguing.]

All of my friends are Phantom Thieves. Having a cause to fight for, or a person to rebel against, has a way of uniting very different people.

...Just how large is this organization? You should tell me if association with you comes with a yakuza escort.

It doesn't, although one of our targets was a yakuza boss in Shibuya...

[And their weapons dealer is ex-yakuza.]

We're just a small group of high school students. To most of the public, we're completely anonymous, save for the identity of our leader.

[fffrowns]

Pissing off the mob doesn't always end well, is the thing. I'm not one to get high-and-mighty over the "right" side of the law, but I hope your ringleader knows what they're doing.

[aka don't die via majima]

Yes, things very nearly went awry when he attempted to blackmail us, but we were able to change his heart before he could act on his threats. Beyond that we've made enemies even in the corrupt heights of our government and in the legal system, but each time, we were able to prevail.

[He shrugs dismissively.]

As I said, the Phantom Thieves' activities have ceased since then, and my identity remains unknown. So, there's no longer a need to worry.

[looks away, pursing his lips]

I didn't say I was worried. I've just learned from experience not to underestimate what a corrupt man can do, especially if he feels desperate. Everyone has enemies, whether he knows it or not.

It's fine. He confessed his crimes, destroyed the material he used to blackmail us, and was immediately arrested. If anything, his own life was more at risk by that time, because he exposed his entire operation in Shibuya and those associated with him by confessing.

I'm simply happy to have brought him to justice. He was convincing high school students into drug running, and when they tried to escape, he would blackmail them... Even force young girls into selling their bodies to repay debts he saddled them with... People in Shibuya were nothing more than a source of revenue for him, at any cost.

[Yusuke shakes his head.] Against evil like that, I would rather risk making a dangerous enemy than stand by and do nothing.

[looks back to him, then sighs]

I know. Even if you weren't that type of person anyway, faced with drugs and sex trafficking to children? That's utterly despicable... You've done the world a huge favor getting someone like that locked away. Just...on the off chance that something does go poorly...

[he trails off, shakes his head]

I thought you weren't worried.

[Or at least, that's what Kaiba had been insisting only moments ago. He smiles a little, reaching up to touch Kaiba's hair.]

If my group's next target becomes the despicable people behind this game, you said you'd help, right? If anything did go awry, I'd count on you.

It's...difficult when I can't be hands-on in situations where I have a...personal interest. So yes, if there's something I can do to assist, i'm happy to do it.

Very well. Even if you become involved, you needn't worry. I won't let them hurt you again.

[He puts an arm around Kaiba's waist, and now he's going to use one of those conveniently squishy shoulder pads to rest his head on. The contact has the benefit of both staving off the evening chill, and -- well, he wants to know what it feels like, to be close while he has the time.]

...Is this all right? [He looks up at Kaiba, seeking permission.]

I don't--

[but before he can finish working up some righteous indignance over the presumption that he! Seto Kaiba! Could possibly need saving, especially while trying to offer the same to Yusuke, gosh--Yusuke is snuggled against him and his irritation fizzles to a decidedly different sort of feeling in his chest]

It, yes. It...wait.

[he awkwardly extricates his arm, gingerly wrapping it around Yusuke instead]

There?

[Yusuke shifts to give him room when he extricates his arm, then when he feels Kaiba's arm around him, he settles back into place with a contented expression. Yusuke could probably count on one hand the times he remembers ever being held by someone, or even just hugged. That had never really felt important to him in the past, but now he realises just how much he appreciates the gesture.]

I'm going to miss you... [He says it wistfully, closing his eyes.]

I'll contact you as soon as I can. It shouldn't take long.

[He concentrates on that part; that's a concrete goal he can strive towards, and he's good at that. The other part--the feelings and the trust he absolutely should not be giving, Gozaburo must be spinning in his grave and the humbling knowledge that someone in the world actually cares enough to be with him like this--he can't even begin to unpack that, not now. The warm weight of another living being-part, that's okay too, even if being so close, it must be obvious how his heart is racing. He holds Yusuke more securely anyway, because it's nice and he wants to, and also to make up for when he can't, later--and he really must be losing it, to entertain such a soppy notion.]

...It won't take long. So you shouldn't leave your friends waiting.

[he says, making absolutely no move to release him]

All right. I promised Akechi I would leave with him, so...

[Yusuke's still not making any move either, though. He knows Akechi isn't desperate to return back to Tokyo in a hurry either, so he feels a little less guilt about taking his time. The fact he can feel Kaiba's warmth, and the racing of his heart like this, makes him even less inclined to move.]

I'll wait for you. [He rests a hand on Kaiba's chest, looking up at him.] Even if it takes some time for you to reach me again, I don't mind.

[He means it; as an artist, he's far more patient than most. And for something like this, it's more than worth the wait.]

[(poor Akechi, just having to sadly hang out alone at the snack table. At least he got a lightsaber out of it, I guess)]

Ah...

[Kaiba wants to say something along the lines of "don't make promises you can't keep," except he's already pretty sure that Yusuke wouldn't, which is kind of overwhelming if he thinks about it. So instead he dips in for another kiss, since actions are easier than word for the moment. He is probably blushing again, if he'd ever stopped]

...I'm not great at being patient, so I'll make sure we don't have to wait too long.

[The lightsaber is pretty great, all things considered.]

Mm... [There's a small noise in his throat as Kaiba kisses him, eyes fluttering closed. He returns the kiss, this one more needy than the last, until they pull away.]

...You would really go to such lengths, simply to see me? [Even after everything Kaiba said about his company, his responsibility for his brother, he's still impatient to drop everything and hurry to see Yusuke. He's surprised and touched in equal measure.] Seto--

[He sits up a bit straighter in Kaiba's arms, pressing himself closer as he kisses him again.]

Yusuke...

[he laces their hands together, shifting a bit so they fit together that much more comfortably. At length he pulls away, voice a little breathless and gravelly]

...There are very few people alive who have shown me the consideration you have. Only a fool would just let that go.

Even so, I was repaying the kindness you've shown me. You deserve it.

[He blinks and lowers his gaze; he can feel his eyes getting a little damp, but there's no real discreet way to hide it, when they're as close as this.]

S-sorry... I'm just very happy.

[Kaiba quirks a half-smile]

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

[gently brushes a thumb to catch any potential wetness that may be present--the last time someone had cried to see him (happy tears, anyway) he'd been awarding someone a new house or something, his head is spinning]

You should have higher standards. ...Though I suppose I'd be in trouble if you did. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything.

[Yusuke allows him to brush his tears away, and he does have the good grace to look apologetic. Aside from those initial tears he's not openly crying, at least.]

M-my apologies. So much has happened, it's become difficult to keep my composure...

[And for an artist with A Lot of Feelings, it's a wonder he's kept it together this long. Having someone declare their devotion to him like this is almost too much. He shakes his head, and frowns.]

It's-- not the case that my standards aren't high, so please don't think that way. Beyond that... whatever you think your shortcomings are, it's true that in art as in life, one must learn to love the beauty of imperfection.

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