happy un-birthday [closed]

[blue_ice]

who: The Kaiba (step) bros
when: October 26th, morning
where: A nondescript school hallway
what: Suspicions. Nonsense. Feels, maybe?



Kaiba had read a suspicious note in his stepbrother's handwriting on the bulletin board earlier in the month, leading him to expect the worst on his birthday. Thankfully, the date had come and gone and he'd allowed Yugi to whisk him away for a day of fun. He was just returning to the school now for a quiet weekend.

And then he noted the familiar shock of teal hair on the other end of the hall. He tensed for a moment...but maybe it had all been a misunderstanding. Maybe one of Noa's new friends had had a birthday? He decided to proceed as if nothing had happened, because...well, nothing did happen.

"Work or fun this morning?" he asked, greeting with his usual nod.

Comments

[noasark]

"Mmm?" Aha. Just the one that Noa was looking for.

See, that was the thing about Seto's birthday. He suspected- indeed, as soon as he bothered crowdsourcing ideas- that Seto would know it was him. That he would, from there, expect him to do something or ask about something on the 25th.

It's the 26th now. It's the perfect plan, obviously. "Ahh...a bit of both," Noa answers, adjusting the bag on his back. "Actually, I was planning to take a trip to a cafe."

Totally casual, not even looking Up at the other...

[blue_ice]

"...oh," Kaiba answered, clearly Confused about something. Noa was being suspiciously nonspecific.

"Are you going with your friends?"

[noasark]

"Mmmm, there wasn't much planned, no." Again with the vague. "I wouldn't mind the company though, if that's what you're asking."

[blue_ice]

"...I suppose I can spare the time."

Kaiba is still giving his stepbro the vague side-eye, but he falls into step beside him. "The school hasn't subjected you to any more nonsense lately, has it?"

[noasark]

"Excellent then~" He won't be giving a Single Dang Hint.

That's what will make it perfect. As such, time to settle into conversation until they reach the cafe he picked to begin with. "Mmmm...nothing other than what we talked about at the campfires... ...oh, and the halloween costumes," he huffs, idly hoping that they don't encounter the headmaster between there and the campus gates.

[blue_ice]

"Good point. Let's hurry up."

Kaiba looks left and then right, picking up the pace to avoid any wayward spells. Soon enough they were clear of school grounds, and he allows Noa to lead from that point.

"I don't usually head out this early in the morning. I'll take suggestions on breakfast here."

[noasark]

Perfect. They're well on their way, and everything's going smoothly. "I'll have to do the same," Noa admits with a shrug. "I've never had breakfast there..." Honestly he'd planned for being able to try at any point in the day- he didn't expect to be spotted so early.

It worked well, if he thought about it. "I know they have good coffee, though." And a good coffee would be a great birthday drink! Naturally.

[blue_ice]

"Perfect. I still need to wake up...heh. Can't imagine why."

Well, he knew perfectly well why. He'd spent an entire day unwinding with his boyfriend yesterday, and all their fun little outings had disrupted his usual routine. He'd actually...relaxed. And his brain was still in that mindset.

Finally, he spotted what must be the place. "Here?"

[noasark]

"Hmnn? Long night?"

Noa.....is genuinely unaware of the events of the day prior. He certainly didn't pay much attention, given the point was to actually avoid the other to some extent.

Whoops.

That said, Seto's guess is on the mark. "That's the one- it looks like they're not too busy today, either." Very! Very good for them.

[blue_ice]

'Great. I hate crowds.'

Seto sweeps through the doorway as he tends to do, then gestures for Noa to step ahead.

'you're the experienced one. What do you recommend?'

[noasark]

"Hmmm. Like I said, I'm not familiar with their breakfast foods...but personally, the basic coffee is good as it is- also," he adds with a small smirk, "It's bottomless~" Which would have been standard in any diner at home, really, but in this place that's a bit of a novelty even With magic. At least for good stuff anyway.

[blue_ice]

"...and that business model hasn't bankrupted them?"

Kaiba gave the place a quick look around as they entered. It wasn't bad. Quaint, he supposed. He put in a basic order for coffee, and maybe some toast, taking a seat near the window.

"...how much coffee do you drink when you're here?"

Should he be worried, Noa?

[noasark]

"Most people don't drain an entire pot," he remarks dryly, raising his eyebrow while he's at it. A coffee for him, and a croissant in his case, but the boy huffs. "Which I certainly don't do, for that matter..! I would wonder if I should worry for you instead!"

[blue_ice]

"...I'm not that addicted. Not here, when I don't have mountains of work that only I can do."

It's still strange, living a much less strenuous life, but he's accepted it by now. He orders a cup and pastry, drinking it black as usual...that should help him wake, at least.

"...huh. It's not bad," he admits with some surprise.

[noasark]

"Just making sure~" he teases, adding some milk- and after his usual taste and frown, sugar- to his own.

"Mmnh...that reminds me..." Alright. Time to search in his bag...

The cafe is relatively empty. No one is paying attention to this table. So!

"Happy belated birthday, hm~" Here- a package.

[blue_ice]

Kaiba's eyes widen in shock when he hears that. After yesterday's lack of events, he hadn't thought anything would happen...and here he was, staring at a box.

He hesitantly laid his hand over it, then lifted it to get an idea of the weight. When it didn't explode, he hesitantly ran his fingers over the folds and started to unwrap it.

"All right, but if there's a trap in here I still reserve the right to disown you," he (mostly) joked.

[noasark]

"Hmhmhm~" Heck yeah. Worked perfectly.

"No traps- you'll be pleasantly surprised I think, actually..." Thanks, mysterious arrival of Blue Eyes Merch!

It is probably cuter than expected though, being a stuffed one.