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]

[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.

[wantsnudes]

[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.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

"Beauty of imperfection," huh...

[he bites back the instant, easy, mean-spirited quip--interacting with people is a lot harder when you actually care about what they think of you--then starts over, quiet]

...My stepfather wasn't much for imperfections. Or emotions, or really positive connections of any sort. I'm not really...accustomed to dealing with them. I'm not saying that as any sort of excuse or bid for sympathy, just...you don't have anything to apologize for.

[wantsnudes]

[Yusuke's expression softens in understanding.] This is probably a strange question, but... If that was how he related to others, why did he take in you and your brother?

I'm curious, because that was something that puzzled me about my own Sensei, for the longest time.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

To save face, initially. I made a wager with him to adopt us. When he attempted to renege, I reminded him that it would be an awful story to break a promise to an orphan. But otherwise he wanted an heir...maybe your mentor was the same?

[wantsnudes]

A wager... That's very bold. Even as a child, it seems you were capable of impressive things.

[To the question, Yusuke shakes his head.] It's true that he wanted pupils, but when he took me in, I was very young. There was no way of knowing at that stage whether I had artistic talent.

I now think his reasons were contradictory... part of him genuinely took pity upon me after the death of my mother and cared for me. Another part of him was the monster that allowed my mother to die, all so he could plagiarise her work.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

It's possible. It's rare to find someone who is completely evil. But whether he took you in out of guilt or just a lucky gamble doesn't make his actions less despicable.

Did you know he'd done it at the time?

[wantsnudes]

...No. For much of my life, I adored him, both as a beloved father, and a respected teacher. Even when the abuse began, and the plagiarism became an everyday affair... I simply endured it, because I had nowhere else to go.

That's when the Phantom Thieves helped me. I refused them at first, even threatening to turn them in to the police. But when I confronted Madarame, and learned about his true nature as a man who only cared for money and fame... that anger awakened in me the very powers you saw earlier.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[his frown deepens further, and his grip on Yusuke tightens protectively, even if he doesn't realize it]

I see why you were so passionate about the greedy earlier. ...That must have taken incredible strength, to break away after so long.

[wantsnudes]

[As if sensing Kaiba's discomfort, Yusuke squeezes his hand to reassure him.] Yes... I'm all right now. As soon as I forged a contract with my Persona, Goemon, my mind became clear, and I had the strength to fight him without any regrets.

But it's for that reason I know what it is, to have a father who has an influence on you in terrible ways. So if it's as you say -- that it's hard for you to express yourself, or for you to be open with others -- I understand. Overcoming an upbringing like that isn't easy.

[And so he won't take Kaiba's behaviour personally, if that's the case.]

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[he goes stiffer, if possible; empathy burns just as hot as pity]

We manage. ...Mokuba was spared the worst of it, and that's what matters.

And you too, now.

[wantsnudes]

You matter, too. I'm sure Mokuba would agree.

[He lapses into a thoughtful silence, then, as something occurs to him.] It's a cliche thing to say, but -- opposites are often drawn together. One benefit of my art is that I've always been encouraged to express myself without reserve.

If I could also help you embrace how you truly feel, even in a small way, I would be very happy. Even just being together as we are now... You're casting off your stepfather's expectations, one by one.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

...Hm. Perhaps.

[he lets out a long breath and doesn't look quite so pinched afterwards, though]

My stepfather didn't think of art as anything other than a status symbol, so I don't think I've ever really done anything that could be considered artistic since elementary school collages. ...Maybe you could help me get reacquainted sometime.

[he trips a little over the h-word but he's trying, at least?]

[wantsnudes]

The fact you enjoyed my painting shows you're already well on your way to reacquainting yourself with art's true value. [Yusuke even sounds a bit proud of that, in light of what Kaiba just said.] But if you wish to go beyond mere appreciation of art, I would be happy to assist you.

At the very least, it would be good to have a goal to work towards, wouldn't it?

[A positive one, and not just one focused on revenge, he means.]

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[he's so good at revenge, though (or bad, depending on how you think of it)]

I can pencil it in after working out a proper visit. I've got a few ideas already, I'm almost looking forward to getting back so I can start testing them out.

[almost! since the problem isn't the situation back home (anymore, anyway), it's more the company, or lack thereof... he sighs and squeezes yusuke's hand again]

[wantsnudes]

[Yusuke catches that almost, and he knows the feeling. If he stays here, he can stave off the heavy weight on his heart, at least a little longer. The weight of telling his friends, of telling Ann's parents, everyone...

He leans forward to press a chaste kiss to Kaiba's cheek, and reluctantly, gets to his feet. He doesn't let go of his hand.]

You needn't be sad that we're forced to part ways here. Instead... we should be glad we found each other at all.

[Something good came out of something terrible, just like his association with the Phantom Thieves. That's cause enough to be happy, he thinks.]

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

I am.

[This, at least, is said without hesitation. Stunted as his emotional growth may be, he still treasures the chance to have met someone he legit wants to know; it's not like it happens every day (or any day).

[He reaches for Yusuke's other hand as well, not pulling him back down, but tugging him in close enough that Kaiba can rest his head against Yusuke, memorize the beat of his pulse, the movement as he breathes; twice, thrice. Kaiba lets out a shuddery breath.]

...Okay. I'm ready.

[His tone isn't as decisive as it could be, but if he said it, it has to be true]

[wantsnudes]

[Yusuke steadies himself as Kaiba tugs him close, becoming very still as he rests his head against him, enjoying this moment for what it is. He holds his hands tight, when Kaiba says he's ready.]

All right. [His voice is little hoarse with emotion, but otherwise, Yusuke is doing a good job of staying composed. Still, he feels like there's something he should say before he leaves. In case of that chance that he doesn't see Kaiba again, for whatever circumstances that may come to divide them. He begins, haltingly.] Um, I... I think...

[Would this make it harder for Kaiba? Or would it ensure Yusuke has said everything he wants to say, so he won't regret anything? He wants to leave this moment without any regrets, so he musters up his courage.]

...I love you.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[stares, hard, for a long moment]

[then frees one of his hands to feel Yusuke's forehead]

[wantsnudes]

[Yusuke's temperature is normal, although he's definitely starting to burn up from how furiously he's blushing. Most of the time he doesn't really care about his lack of brain to mouth filter, but this was maybe one of those times he should have thought about the situation a little more. Probably.]

I-- I'm fine. [He gently removes Kaiba's hand, now just looking embarrassed.] That's truly how I feel. But you needn't feel obliged to, um...

[Respond? Reciprocate? Even acknowledge he said it??? He doesn't want to force him into saying anything at all.]

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[He ridges his eyebrows, staring into Yusuke's eyes for the truth. Not that he thinks he's lying, but...maybe he got a concussion during the fighting or drank some spiked punch or something? Or maybe none of this was real and the whole thing was some extra-savvy Facebook illusion???

[...Or maybe it wasn't anything of the sort, and Kaiba's glad he's still sitting down since he's not sure how steady he'd be if he wasn't.

[He weighs this silently for another long while before creaking out a response]

...Five years.

[wantsnudes]

[Yusuke meets his gaze, though despite his best efforts, he's unable to mask the creeping fear and uncertainty in his eyes. He's not concussed, but maybe not thinking straight thanks to a mixture of grief and teenage hormones, on top of everything else that's happened. Still, he wouldn't have said it if he didn't think it was true.]

Five years...? [He just parrots the phrase back at him, looking slightly helpless. If Kaiba was going to reject his feelings for being too much, when he'd already chided him for being too intense, he just hoped he'd get it over with quickly.]

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

Tell me again in five years, and then I can belie--then I can accept it without argument.

[he can't tell if his face is red or pale and drawn, but his ears feel very hot either way. He's probably saying this all wrong, but not saying anything at all sounds frighteningly awful, and he clutches at where his locket falls over his heart]

Please don't think I don't appreciate--it. I just think-- I just want the time to earn it.

[wantsnudes]

[There's still a lingering fear in Yusuke's mind that he might not even see Kaiba in five years' time. Or one years' time, or ever again. But he respects Kaiba and his need to do things at his own pace -- especially after all he's said about his upbringing. Yusuke acting on impulses isn't helpful in that regard.]

A-all right. I'm sorry for speaking out of line.

[He ducks his head politely, and lets go of Kaiba's hand. It's probably best if he puts a little distance between them, literally and otherwise.]

... I should go.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[Kaiba stands before he can stop himself, but doesn't close the distance. He's probably messed things up enough as it is]

It's not-- You didn't do anything wrong.

[And he stops himself there; what can he say that will change anything, at least for the better? Instead, he wraps his arms tightly around his middle and nods slowly. He feels kinda nauseous, but he still has his pride, if nothing else.]

...