Work Text:
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The loud clanking of the keyboard filled the silent hotel room. The CEO tapped his fingers on the desk of his hotel room trying to focus. He gave his shoulder a quick glance - a reflex that formed just recently, before turning his attention back to his laptop. It was silly. When you entered his life you had the habit of leaning either your back or your head onto his shoulder as he worked. You were always there giving him time to finish what he was working on while observing or tending to your own devices. You gave the occasional dialogue here and there while he grunted and hummed in reply. Now it seemed he expected to see you lean onto him as if it were a normal weight on his shoulders.
It was normal for him now. It only took him a while to realize that. Now he suddenly missed that feeling.
He suddenly missed you.
Being away on this business trip frustrated him for no reason. This wasn't even the first trip for him since you first got together as a couple. You always sent him off with a smile and reassurance that you'll be fine. Nonetheless, this irritation was nagging him a great deal this time making it hard to focus on securing this business deal.
It was only couple days into the trip which irritated him more. He couldn't stop thinking about you, and he hated it. He had to focus. He was Kaiba Seto, one of the most successful businessmen in Japan if not the world. There was a time and place for everything yet his mind rolled over to you.
The trip was supposed to be for two weeks. Simple as that. You were a text or a call away. It was that simple.
It was not.
After glancing at his shoulder for a third time, he clicked his tongue and saved his progress. There was no point in continuing his research for tonight if he was this distracted.
He tapped his fingers onto the desk contemplating on how to remedy this frustration before opening up his data log of Domino City. Opening the quick access area, he had icons that logged onto the locations of his brother Mokuba, Yuugi, and most recently your very own.
Clicking on Mokuba's icon first, he saw that still pic of him grinning. He was having a game night with Yuugi and the rest of the squad. Despite their past grievances, he felt he could trust them a little bit more now. Though god forbid he would ever admit to that to their faces. Since Yuugi was present with Mokuba he didn't feel the need to tap his icon which left yours.
He hovered a finger over your icon, debating on pressing it. Normally it was a no brainer. It eased him to see pictures of you as you were in present time. He expected that you were also in attendance in this game night. Mokuba was, why not you?
The reality however was not what he expected.
You were huddled in a couch in your favorite cat pajamas holding onto a cat plushie. He recognized it as the one he won for you on your first trip to Kaiba Land with him. Your expression was a somber one, though he could see you trying to smile as you watched some kind of video.
A certain feeling came over him. Seeing you alone and holding that plush, he clenched his teeth. His thoughts went to wishing he could be that very plush instead of being here in this lonely hotel room. What ridiculous thoughts to have, but nonetheless it stuck.
Your beaming smile appeared in his mind when you sent him off. Was it just a mask? Were you really okay?
He growled recognizing your intentions. You didn't want to be alone. You wanted him to stay. You probably told Yuugi and the others you were busy tending to other matters but instead you just wanted to be alone in your thoughts. He knew you and he cursed at his mind.
The chestnut haired man realized just how serious this was. It only took being away from you enough times to fully settle his haphazard feelings.
He loved you.
To make a man such as him feel this way, he wanted to take hold of these feelings and claim you. He knew he already had you - you've told him countless times you loved him, yet he realized now how foolish he was. You've already become so deeply entwined with him he never wanted to let you go. You were his. He wanted to make sure to drown you in more gifts and smother you with his affection. No one could lay a hand on you and get away with it. He wanted to make sure people knew that you were his.
He ran a hand through his hair sighing loudly. These newly formed thoughts of his were loud and the realization hit him hard. He took a swig from the water bottle on the desk to help clear his mind.
His eyes turned back to the screen and closed the data log, opening up his initial progress once more.
Screw it all.
Kaiba Seto was determined to finish what he started.
Dating Kaiba Seto wasn't easy, but you made the best of it. At first you didn't know what to make of him accepting your confession. You were his annoying friend that would always spare time for him and give him space. To think he was willing to give this relationship a chance made you happy. You wanted to spread your love however you could but restrained yourself because this was Kaiba after all. You didn't want him to steer away from you.
The two of you barely went out publicly and you were okay with that. Dealing with the attention was overbearing and you wondered just how the brothers survived that. It made you want to give them both the loving affection they didn't have when they were younger. The times you did eat with Kaiba were even more intimate considering it was mostly the two of you. Mokuba usually went out with his school mates.
The CEO gave you gifts but was still reluctant to show much affection to you aside from a few small kisses here and there. You didn't mind. Being next to him was enough and you were a patient person. He didn't reject your hugs after a certain point and you loved that progress.
However things started to build up inside you without noticing. It was getting harder to not feel disappointment when he would lean in and brush your hair. You knew you didn't want to feel that way. Brushing your hair was a form of endearment you knew. This was fine. You still wanted to smile for him.
Your friends outside of the gang were starting to doubt you two were even dating. A part of you was also starting to feel that way. It scared you.
When you first started telling him that you loved him, you really started to feel insecure. His responses were usually a nod or a grunt in acknowledgement before patting your head or shoulder maybe even small kisses on the cheek. You did notice how he quickly froze every time you asked although he was quick to mask that.
You loved him so much, but it hurt seeing him react this way. You were starting to feel like you weren't good enough. That you couldn't make him happy like you wanted.
Kaiba leaving for this latest business trip hit you the most. You sent him off with the best smile you could muster despite the ache in your heart growing.
Yuugi and Mokuba both invited you for game night but you declined. You just wanted to hug the plushie that reminded you of Kaiba and watch funny videos. You wanted to recharge. Being around other people especially with a group so vocal would overwhelm you and you didn't want to make people worry.
You still made people worry.
Your friends decided to take you out to Round 1 for a little stress reliever but also because it was way overdue. Arcades were the best places to be after all. Despite the fact that you could access any Kaiba Land with your permanent access card, you still made time to visit Round 1 with your friends. Wallowing in anxiety wasn't the most healthy coping mechanism and you acknowledged that. You also wanted to be with good people.
The noises were a bit overwhelming at first but nothing compared to the pachinko parlors. You shudder to think what it would be like to walk inside when it was noisy from even the outside.
Your friends scoured the place searching for the latest crane machines. There was a ton of new additions and that ignited your competitive spirit. Screw feeling anxiety you were ready to grab new additions to your overflowing plushie collection.
With each attempt you felt yourself finally relax. It was a long time coming. Cranes were always liberating but also vexing if you didn't get what you wanted. You wondered if Kaiba would go to Kaiba Land with you again. It would be fun to win more prizes once he was back from his trip.
You bit your lip once your anxiety reared its ugly head again. What a time.
You casted the thought aside and turned your eyes to a certain cat plushie. It seemed to be a new version of the cat that Kaiba had given you. Your eyes were drawn to it and your mind instantly decided you would win it for him.
Your coins were almost depleted so you replenished your ammo and returned to the crane machine ready. Your friends gathered around you knowing that you planned on going ham on this machine.
Once you placed the coin in the slot it was no going back. You were determined to get that cat even if it was the last thing you did. It was difficult. The cat proved to be a menace always avoiding your grabs or being flung back. It was a miracle for when you finally managed to secure a hold on its paw and surprisingly latched tightly onto it towards the end. At last you saw the cat fall down the chute. Finally you had it in your hands. Your friends took the prize out of the slot and cheered at your successful grab.
Maybe this plushie would get the CEO's attention.
A familiar voice barking your name made you freeze in your tracks. You found your feet rooted to the ground, afraid to turn around. Your mind was playing tricks on you. There was no way he was back already. There was still another week or so into the trip.
Your friends noticed your frozen state and nudged you back into reality. Once more you heard his voice calling out to you, this time it was closer. He had marched over to you and your friends could tell he meant business. You noticed them backing off as he neared.
This was real.
"Turn around."
You swallowed the lump in your throat. He was there. Your mind wasn't playing tricks on you after all. A sigh left your lips as you readied yourself to face him. Your feet had other plans though and stayed completely still.
"Seto, you're back early." You tried to steady your voice. Emphasis on tried. "I thought you still had your business trip to attend to." You chuckled. "Don't tell me you got worried about me, I told you I'm fine."
"Turn around." He once more insisted with a small growl. It was clear you were nervous with the way your body slightly shook.
"I... I'm fine." You repeated trying to convince yourself.
A hand came and spun you around to face him. Your eyes widened at the sight in front of you. The wrinkles on his business suit and his unkempt hair was certainly a surprise. You knew he kept his appearance tidy especially in public. So him being at this public place in this state made your heart stop.
"Seto..." You uttered softly.
"I secured the business deal." He grunted, gritting his teeth as he stared into your eyes. You found yourself slowly getting lost in them, you could sense his fiery determination despite how exhausted he looked. "However, it made me realize something very important."
"Important...?" You blinked.
Suddenly his arms pulled you close. Your friends gasped from behind unable to contain their silence. It was unlike him to initiate this in public. His grip on you was tight unlike the hugs you've given him previously. It screamed that he had no intentions of backing down.
"I love you."
Your eyes couldn't help but widen once more as your breath hitched at those words as he called your name. It was the first time Kaiba Seto had ever told you that he loved you. You knew. You could tell from the tone he used that he meant it.
Kaiba Seto loved you.
Before you knew it, you felt tears falls from your eyes. Your feelings overwhelming you. This was happening. You tried opening your mouth to respond only for croaks to come out. Not the ideal way to respond but no one could blame you. Your body was trying to process his public confession.
You felt his hand stroke your cheek as he went to wipe the tears from your eyes with the other. "My apologies for taking this long to respond." He sighed before gazing back into your eyes with intensity. "I'm making this clear right now. You're mine. I'm not letting you go."
Hearing those words made you flush, you couldn't believe how bold this Kaiba was especially at an arcade of all places. There was definitely a crowd forming but Kaiba did not care. They could gawk all they want, all that mattered was you. His very intention right now was to convince you that he wanted you to continue being by his side.
"S... Seto..." You finally managed out with a stutter. "I'm... not leaving anywhere... I... still love you very much. Thank you." A smile graced your lips.
He leaned forward and captured your lips in a kiss. You found your love for him reignite once more. This time you felt your feelings being reassured by him. He broke the kiss with a small triumphant grin.
PR was going to have a field day with this.