digitaidummy

[digitaidummy]

“Hey …” Mokuba places a hand on Mokie’s shoulder, his attempt to try and mimic what he thinks Seto would do in an attempt at comfort. “It’s gonna be okay. I know my friends and I will do whatever we can to help you get back to your world, Isono and my big bro too! And I’m sure your brother will be there waiting for you when you get back. If mine came back, then yours should too, right?”

"..."

This situation was a whole mess. If only Mokuba could make sense of it, he would, but he just can't.

Did Seto even know such a thing was possible? Had he known different timelines could clash this way?

...well, even if he didn't, he probably wouldn't have expected Mokuba to try and use his machine. He would have expected his little brother to stay and deal with KC in his absence without interfering with his plans.

He was wrong. Erm, very wrong.

Instead, Mokuba got himself thrown into another world- not the past, not the future, but a completely parallel universe to his own. A universe where Seto hasn't left him, apparently.

Now, he's Mokie. Because there needs to be a way to differenciate them, right? Mokuba doesn't feel like they behave much of the same, though. At least Mokuba's got Seto to help him. And friends.

"...maybe you're right. I hope so, at least."

Mokuba had that terrible feeling in his stomach when Seto told him he'd go, without even asking for his opinion first. That feeling that just said, Am I ever seeing him again?

"He's going to get so mad at me when he finds out what I've done..."

[digitaidummy]

"Oh, you know how it is! Being a Kaiba is hard work!"

He may be taking the situation a little too lightly.

"D-Don't tell nii-sama, pretty please?"

@digitaidummy asked:

"Yuugi! Just came back from my vacation in New York! How have things been?!"

"I may or may have not gotten kidnapped during the whole thing, but I'm all good now!"

⁂

"Welcome back, Mokuba!" Yugi smiled. "Hope your vacation was fun! I've been good, I--"

"Did you just say you got kidnapped?! Are you okay?"

[digitaidummy]

Show concern for my muse.

Because they are hurt, sick, self destructive, or anything in between. There are all sorts of things that they do that they shouldn’t, so how about you chew them out for a bit?

[digitaidummy]

...wow. This guy is really going through it.

It makes bullying him seriously awkward, because he already looks sort of pathetic. Mokuba actually does feel pretty bad about having gotten the men to knock him out first. Maybe he should apologize to him, all things considered.

...as if!

"Snap out of it, old man. We need to have a serious talk."

Almost a year has passed since that day.

The day Bandit Keith and Mokuba Kaiba faced off against each other in quest of the newest September limited edition Capsule Monster. Mokuba recalls that day like it was just yesterday, like the haunting memory of it never truly left him.

The bitterness, anguish, anger of it all. The fighting, gaslighting, manipulating. And for what? A crushed, useless box. A worthless Capsule Monster.

(It has never been that deep, really.)

Now, every mention of the man leaves Mokuba feeling restless, as though something's missing. Like he isn't quite finished with that man just yet.

...like he seeks revenge.

And so, Mokuba finally stands before Bandit Keith once more, having gotten the KC security to retrieve him. As long as this bitter memory remains part of Mokuba, he'll never be able to truly be at peace. As ordered by the child, the man is tied to a chair, blindfolded. When he seems to regain consciousness, Mokuba removes the blindfold.

This ends here, once and for all. Bandit Keith will never mess with a Kaiba again.

"You must know why you're here."

There he was, just minding his own business, walking down the street without a care and none the wiser to the suits trailing behind him. The day was actually pretty nice- that should have been his first tip that something was off.

He'd attribute it to being caught off guard, but it didn't take much or long to knock him out, get him in the back of the limo, cart him off to god knows where for this fateful confrontation...

When he finally started to stir, the blindfold was thankfully removed, leaving Keith blinking the blurriness out of his eyes and trying to focus on just what, or who, was in front of him now, and trying to parse the speech directed at him through his ringing, aching head. Finally, after a minute, he mustered out in response:

"Whghdgh- guh?"

[digitaidummy]

"Mokuba. Listen to me. Next time you make cereal in front of Kaiba. Pour the milk in first and then the cereal. And look him in the eyes while you do it."

"T-That's so evil and cruel..."

"...I look forward to tomorrow morning."

[digitaidummy]

'' Oh, god, i thought you had like left this place and the ceo life had taken over. ''

"The CEO life? That's Seto's problem, not mine!"

"I was just on vacation in New York!"

"Vacation, you hear me?! Nothing else happened during those few months!"

[digitaidummy]

"You shouldn't be worrying about me, Seto."

"I just happened to overhear something- but it's not like I'm particularly upset or anything!"

"If you like someone, I say go for it! No matter who they are! (although, maybe not everyone...)"

Kaiba had shown Mokuba his feelings just then. Without the act of lying since no one else was here to judge him. There was no Jou to add onto this. When he said it was peaceful, it was different than before. He hopes this stays as it was. Nothing more needed to be said right? "Mokuba..It's not okay. It's the same thing before. I should just stop. Sorry if i worried you or made this awkward for you that wasn't my intention." He stepped away back already turned. "But that is a good idea. I need time."

[digitaidummy]

[Text]: ok dont say a word im gonna play ur not me over the sound system just DONT COMMENT ON IT lmao

When the song starts echoing in the room, catching Kaiba's attention first, Mokuba struggles to hold in his laughter. Clearly, the older Kaiba seems confused as to what prompted the music to start, but Mokuba can't stop laughing at the thought of Atem being petty enough to bully him this way.

Honestly, though? It's deserved. Whatever Seto was thinking when he agreed to the record deal, the ghost of it never stopped following him. Maybe he agreed for the sake of a significant investor, maybe he agreed because he thought it could bring about a new age of duelist idols, but mostly it only resulted in his general entourage's utter confusion and delirious laughter. He hadn't written the lyrics, of course not, but it was definitely his choice to sing them- what was the thought process behind that?

Oh, well. Despite the less than ideal lyrics, the music still goes hard, so Mokuba hums along to it as Kaiba tries to get someone to stop the music from playing.

[digitaidummy]

As much as Mokuba feels awkward about this whole situation, it pains him to see his brother so obviously conflicted about his own feelings. Relenting, he decides to try and offer some help.

"It's okay, nii-sama."

He rests a hand on his brother's back and pets it affectionately.

"You should take some time to just think about things, okay? I'll have Isono take over things at KC, how about that?"

Seto not sure what is worse. Being teased and asked constantly about who he finds attractive or crushing on too Mokuba awkward silence about what he might have heard. "N-nothing?" And like before Kaiba would close up start ignoring any different feelings to someone. That's right if he starts opening up about this he'll look stupid. "It's okay Mokuba please..Don't think about whatever you heard. I don't know what i'm saying." a rare time he even mutters please he as confused as before. And it was causing him grief to feel anything other than anger.

[digitaidummy]

At least it isn't a enemy right Mokuba? And Mokuba you are okay with what you heard??

"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. If you'd like to inquire further I suggest you take it up with my lawyer instead."

[digitaidummy]

"I-I'm gonna get Victory Royale!!! I'm gonna get Victory Royale! I'm gonna-"

These feelings can't just be rivalry...

"!!!!!!"

The words, like transported by the wind, send chills down Mokuba's spine. His hands freeze on his mouse and keyboard, rendering him powerless. The enemy team manages to get his HP down to 0, stealing the victory from Mokuba's poor, shaky hands. When he comes back to himself, it's already too late.

"N-Noo!! My Victory Royale!!! That's so unfair!!!!"

[digitaidummy]

Thankfully, Atem doesn't appear to hate Mokuba's company. Plus, he wasn't asking only for Atem's sake- he was also itching to win back some of his favorite games' high scores, for real!

"Sorry, but I won't go easy on Anzu either! I've gotten massively better at dancing ever since I bought a DDR machine for my spare game room, so that high score's mine!"

Classic Kaiba things.

"Fried bread?! Oh, for sure!"

It was pretty clear Mokuba's mind had already moved on to less productive things. Hopefully Atem could take a little after him as well!

@digitaidummy

...oh, dear. He expected something like this might happen. Atem clearly wasn't the only one to have been shaken by the sudden announcement, but he was definitely the one least equipped to deal with the resulting feelings.

"Wanna go to the arcade and beat some high scores?" If he could just get Atem to think about something else for a little while, it would probably be very benefic to both of them.

Bless this child for obviously trying to help him out. He was clearly just as confused as Atem was, and also clearly trying to do his best to figure things out while Kaiba shut down and ran away.

He nodded after a moment, and took a deep breath, before affixing his usual, calm smile back on his face--even if it looked a bit more forced and fake than usual (and it was usually fake to begin with.)

"Sure..." His voice cracked, so he tried again. "Sure. But I can't do Dance Dance Revolution...that one is going to stay Anzu's high score."

He laughed at his own joke, voice a little strained.

"Ahem...do you like fried bread?"

[digitaidummy]

"S-Saw and heard you?...."

"Saw and heard what, Seto?"

This miiiight just be the most awkward talk Mokuba's ever had with his brother.

"I know you saw and heard me Mokuba--" He stops speaking. Actually re thinking this whole talk. A faint blush of his own was spreading after a year of asking who Kaiba crush was this just had to be what Mokuba came back too! The familar flustered nervousness was returning the same one Mokuba had caused the first time this topic was mentioned loudly. "....Uh."

[digitaidummy]

If Mokuba knows one thing about Atem, it's that he isn't the type to open up about himself. Much like Seto, in a way, Atem bottles up his feelings and chooses to leave them behind in order to keep himself stable. So when Atem reveals the thoughts he's had throughout their whole adventure with Yuugi, Mokuba's stunned speechless.

He looks up to Atem, looks up to him a lot. He's so similar to his older brother, and yet so different. While Kaiba's silent and straightforward nature make Mokuba think of the moon, Atem's earnest and kind nature make him think of the sun. His genuine passion for games and his devotion to friendship have always made Mokuba wish he could grow up at least a little like him.

In short, his words mean a lot to Mokuba. A lot.

"I never knew you felt that way back then. You always seemed so goal-oriented, I could have never guessed you were going through such difficult times."

"I... I'll try not to think that way anymore."

"I'm so, so glad we became friends, you know?! Me and Seto, we'd have never been able to change if it weren't for you guys!"

The painful part, of course, was that he was a clueless child. All of them had been. All of them had been children when everything went down, even back in his first lifetime. They'd all been children, and Mokuba was still no exception, even if he was in a hurry to grow up.

He didn't want to go into what happened--there had been a reason he didn't talk about it, even with Yuugi. They'd only seen the very end of things, and didn't know the history behind it all. They'd been there at the end of the world, but they didn't see what led up to it.

Still, Mokuba had told him a little about his own history--just a little. And that had made Atem understand things. He hoped this would do the same.

"I felt the same way with Yuugi." He finally said, leaning down a little so he could properly look the other in the face. "The fact that I was around got us in trouble, over and over again. The fact that I was around caused so much trouble for everyone. I inspired Solid Vision and that drew Pegasus's attention. The fact that I was around drew the Ishtars to Battle City. It made the Other Bakura awaken. I felt the exact same way. I promised to protect my best friend, but I couldn't, and it felt worse and worse each time. I thought that I had to do everything myself because it was my fault we got into that position."

He shook his head.

"It's a terrible thing to feel that way...none of us look at you that way. You're the reason Kaiba woke up, so he could come find you. He said so in Duelist Kingdom. You're the reason he was able to leave Alcatraz behind, after I saw the darkness in his heart. You do so much more than you think. I wish I could remove every doubt you've ever had. That's how I see you. I wish you saw it in yourself."

[digitaidummy]

...oh, dear. He expected something like this might happen. Atem clearly wasn't the only one to have been shaken by the sudden announcement, but he was definitely the one least equipped to deal with the resulting feelings.

"Wanna go to the arcade and beat some high scores?"

If he could just get Atem to think about something else for a little while, it would probably be very benefic to both of them.

"D-Did I hear that right?!!!? What's going on??!"

He honestly looks.....dazed. Completely out of it.

"I'm...not sure. I'm sorry, I don't think I can give you the answer you need."

[digitaidummy]

"I know I'm right!!!"

"So leave it to me! I'll cause a bunch of trouble on purpose and get everyone super riled up!! Let's gooo!!!"

"Expect me to be late for dinner!!!"

Kaiba first real emotion since facing Mokuba about this was clear shock that turned into a brierf soft expression. Yeah he agreed to some point. After all, even how annoying Jou was about that topic and how Otogi had added on and everything else. He could never actually hate them for it. It was better than feeling alone. "You see the good in people and situations Mokuba." He sounded so soft now. "Maybe you are right.." How could he lie to him? After everything both wanted and needed friends. Friends that don't let either of them go.

[digitaidummy]

While Mokuba knows, to some extent, that Atem's telling the truth, it's still hard for him to come to terms with it. He's always felt like a burden Seto was forced to bear; a younger brother that made everything harder on him when he was better off taking care of things alone. And sure, with time, that way of thinking's faded away a little, but every time something of the sort happens to Mokuba, the dark thoughts come back full force in his head.

If he simply didn't exist, maybe Kaiba wouldn't have to waste time and money on making sure he was safe. Maybe he wouldn't have to worry and worry and worry about his whereabouts and his well-being, maybe he would be happier.

He was a burden when they were in the orphanage and Seto had to face Gozaburo, for the sole purpose of giving them a better life. He was a burden when they first met the other Yuugi and Mokuba tried to "help" by cleverly putting himself in mortal danger first. He was a burden when he failed to win against the other Yuugi, again and again, causing Seto to almost lose everything.

He even ended up being a burden on the other Yuugi, when time came to ask for his help in Duelist Kingdom.

These kidnappings may be a common occurence, and may impact Mokuba more or less, but they always have the consequence of making everyone around him worry a little more about him. Being young is no excuse for negligence- he should be more aware of his surroundings, more aware of who he is and how he parades that fact around.

In the end, even if it isn't true, it really does feel like it's always his fault.

"...b-but nii-sama never lets anyone hurt him in the first place."

"Me, though? I always manage to get into trouble somehow. And every time I'm sure it won't happen again, it always does!"

"I'm not a clueless child anymore! I'm not completely blameless! I'm just not!"

It was...always a little heartbreaking, the way that Mokuba blamed himself whenever things went wrong.

He was a kid, after all. Even younger than Atem had been at the time of his death. He didn't need this sort of responsibility pushed on him. None of them did, of course. Seto Kaiba didn't need that sort of responsibility pushed onto him, either--he should also just have lived like a kid.

But still...he himself knew how the pain of being forced to grow up too soon ran deep. And he knew what happened when the world was on his shoulders--when people depended on someone who should have depended on adults.

His hand dropped to Mokuba's shoulder, and he gave a little, reassuring squeeze, before he crossed his arms again.

"Honestly, it shouldn't have been something you had to request in the first place. Everyone deserves privacy." He sighed, and his tone dropped--from its usual, hushed whisper to the lower voice he used in a duel, with the same frown he held in one.

"It's not your fault, though. Please, don't think that. People hurting you is never your fault. Otherwise, it would be Kaiba's fault when people hurt him, and that isn't true, right?"