ow the edge (open)

[blue_ice]

Who: Kaiba (blue_ice) and you!
When: One early September morning
Where: All over campus!
What: DUELS. In any and every game. Or try to talk him down from this madness, idk.
Warnings: Excessive edgy shonen rival behavior. Possibly some dark themes, will be labeled in subject lines!


Kaiba's request, in hindsight, was a foolish one. Every interaction between their worlds and this one thus far had been a disaster with unintended consequences, why would this be any different? And why would he risk his most priceless possessions this way? He could kick himself, but that's not going to save his Blue Eyes White Dragons. His hand trembles as he holds them, watching their attack and defense values slowly tick toward zero.

You are not the worthy heir we chose, says the trio of voices in his ear. Your emotions have made you weak. We seal our power from you until you prove that the spirit of a champion lurks within. Crush your foes with precision! Or are you now a coward?

No. He's no coward. Kaiba sweeps through the hallways with an icy expression, searching for prey. Any instrument they might hold for a game draws him...a deck of Fantastic Foils cards. A basketball. A chess board. A wand. Any game, anywhere...he absolutely must win. He swivels to face his chosen opponent.

"You. Duel me. Now."

Are you game? Or more inclined to tell him he's out of his mind? It's your move.

Comments

[puzzlers]

As soon as Kaiba makes the bridge it's Gandora that steps out onto it first. He tests its strength and then moves cautiously, bringing his wings up to shield himself against any projectiles that are getting shot his way. Arrows, it seems, from across the way. It looks like some of the traps are still in working order, but better him than them. And his wings are thankfully able to keep him safe, so Yugi won't take any damage. The trip across isn't that long and soon they reach the center.

Gandora looks to Kaiba, waiting for him to step into the spiraling vortext to transport them out. As soon as they leave their wounds will all be healed and he'll vanish, leaving just the two of them back at the school.

[blue_ice]

Kaiba gives the dragon a grateful nod. It's been a rough trip, but they're nearly there. He reaches up to tighten his arms around Yugi one more time and steps through, immediately feeling a little better.

But this is no time to rest. Now that he has use of both arms, he shifts Yugi into a bridal carry and immediately begins the trek back to his dorm, without even checking to see if he stirs.

It's going to be a long night. And it's all his fault.

[puzzlers]

As soon as they step through the portal and Gandora disappears Yugi regains some of his lost strength. He stirs just a little bit in Kaiba's arms, though he's still in a bit of a daze. Turning into him, he keeps his eyes closed, letting him carry him back to his dorm, and it's only once they're there that he finally lifts his head and looks up at him.

"..." Though they had gotten out of the maze the look of disappointment on Kaiba's face. He wonders what had happened with the cards. He's almost afraid to ask.

[blue_ice]

"I'm sorry, Yugi."

He lays his boyfriend on the bed and sits beside him, taking his hand and closing his eyes.

"Neither of us got what we needed because I had to be an idiot. Look, I'll run it with you again when you're better so at least you'll have him."

[puzzlers]

"...so you lost you chance at your Blue-Eyes..." Yugi frowns, feeling an exobitant amount of guilt. And here he thought he could and would help Kaiba, but he only hurt him... and in more ways than one. "Kaiba, I'm so sorry." He ducks his head, hiding his face in his pillow.

[blue_ice]

"Yugi...Yugi, look at me."

Kaiba can't stand hurting him. He lays down beside him and nuzzles his hair.

"Your idea was a good one. We could have won if I'd thought it through. I'm the one who cost us too much time."

His eyes are dark and glinting...he's clearly still haunted, but he has to push through.

"I have no one to blame but myself. But don't think this gets you off the hook so easily...when we get home I'll build a new deck and a new strategy. I'm just...glad you're safe."

He doesn't know how he'll ever be strong enough now. But he has to try.

[puzzlers]

"Kaiba..." Muffled. "I wanted to help you. I wasn't really concerned about my own problem. It's not like I couldn't keep trying. You were the one with the problem running the clock. I had all the time in the world." He sighs, turning to finally look at him... and then he feels even worse, because Kaiba looks truly heartbroken.

"..." That's not true. Yugi feels partly responsible. If only he had challenged him to another game, something easier and more simple. "I don't know if it's going to be that simple, but... there's no harm in trying... and... and I'm glad you're safe too, Kaiba. That's what's most important here."

[blue_ice]

"No, I know it won't be. You put up a hell of a fight, always...and there aren't many decks in the world strong enough to stand a chance against yours. But I never bested you with my original strategy, so why not start again?"

If there's a way...he'll be the find it. He has to be the one to find it. He wants to harden his resolve...

"Someone told me I've spent my whole life leaning on the illusion of power as a crutch...and there's a chance they were right."

His eyes are closed tightly, still processing the day's events. He holds tight to Yugi.

[puzzlers]

"I know. But you have bested countless others, Kaiba, ..." But he's not going to harp on that, especially when it's clear Kaiba is hurting because of the entire ordeal. He does, however, make a face in response to what had been said to him. He doesn't think that's necessarily true. "I..." Yugi shakes his head, but just doesn't say anything and instead reaches for Kaiba and tugs him close, bringing him onto the bed as he scoots back. "Let's just rest. We can talk about this more in the morning... alright? I think we've been through enough tonight." He says quietly and squeezes Kaiba, giving his cheek a nuzzle as he turns his head and gives him a kiss.