[Somewhat Open Log?]

[note_atem]

Who: Jounouchi, Atem, and THE DUEL WATCHING CREW idk if you want to come come but don't interrupt the duel IT ARE IMPORTANT
What: Jounouchi and Atem are going to duel and it will last a very long time I am sure
When: Tuesday afternoon
Where: Some place outside I don't know, in the park probably
Warnings: The most awesome move in Duel Monsters

Comments

[shutupandduelme]

Maybe if you look a little ways off, away from both duelists and spectators, you'll see a flash of white. There's Kaiba, separating himself as always, even less willing to talk than usual.

In fact, the only sound that came from where he was standing was the occasional cough. There was no cheer or visible reaction when Atem struck the first time or even when he won, though if you knew him well you might notice his eyes widening slightly in surprise.

He had known Atem was good. As his rival, Atem had to be. No one was allowed to beat him but Kaiba himself. But defeating (an admittedly poor) opponent with one turn? If Kaiba Seto could ever be described so...he was stunned.

[note_atem]

It was only after he was done talking to the others that he turned to look for Kaiba. He knew the other would be there. And perhaps he did remember hearing a cough, though it was hard to tell. Everything had been so odd.

He was tugging his jacket tighter around his shoulders, but it wasn't for warmth. He wasn't aware of that himself, feeling a few jitters from misplaced adrenaline and passing it off as being cold. Dueling always affected him so, but this one-turn thing just a little more so.

"A move like that would have made me infamous in Domino." He smirked lightly, looking up at the brunet, trying to take in his appearance. Atem was still worried about the other, after all.

[shutupandduelme]

"Perhaps, but now you've wasted it on a mediocrity," Kaiba said, smirking as Atem approached. There was no hint that the events of last night had affected him at all (save for that occasional cough), nor that the duel had. It was a lot of work to keep the other from suspecting that Kaiba might actually be impressed.

"It will never work on any of the people who saw it today. That knocks out anyone who matters."

[note_atem]

"Jounouchi matters." He said with a confident nod of his head, though his eyes were still watching the brunet. Another pull of his jacket from a flyaway feeling of static in his spine. He needed to run or something, go home and drink some hot chocolate. He wasn't sure.

He did manage a shrug. "But that's alright. I think a move like that should probably only work once. Though it'll be a challenge to think of something better for our next duel." A small smile in Seto's direction, a shift in his posture, hand going to his hip.

[shutupandduelme]

"Planning already?" Kaiba said. "I expect only the best from you. Knowing that you have likely wasted the best possible move on a useless mutt isn't exactly encouraging."

Blue eyes shifted to those hip when they moved, only to dart back to meet Atem's eyes. Kaiba was suddenly struck with the very strong urge to leave. There was no way he would be able to pick that strategy apart in public.

He snorted and took a step back, intending to turn around and leave. "But it ended as was expected," he said with a shrug. "Just a little bit faster than I expected. You're likely better off. Now I have a coward to hunt."

[note_atem]

"I played what my deck gave me. Had you been my opponent just now I would have done the same thing." He didn't hold back. That wasn't right. You didn't do that during duels. You gave your opponent your all (except perhaps when they were about to commit suicide).

It was an automatic tug almost, when Kaiba moved he stepped forward. Leaving already. It was probably better that way. Seto's last sentence struck him deeply. In the midst of his bloodrush over the duel he'd forgotten completely about anything else around him.

"I'm coming with you."

[shutupandduelme]

The brunet snorted and turned on his heel.

"No," he said firmly. As if there was any other answer he could give. "It was my work that was destroyed. The coward is mine to deal with. You have a victory to celebrate and a mutt to console."

And what a victory it was. It still left Kaiba's spine tingling, not that he would ever admit such a thing. How would it feel to have all the cards fall into place so perfectly?

[note_atem]

Atem was quick, already by Kaiba's side as if he hadn't heard what the brunet had said. No? No, he wasn't taking no for an answer right now. He needed to place his adrenaline and surge somewhere. It wouldn't be in celebrating victory again.

"I talked to them already. And Jounouchi is fine, I'm sure." He'd already gotten their praise and their shock. It didn't dissipate what he was feeling and he needed something to.

But he at least did agree with something. "He is yours to deal with. I only said I was coming with you, not killing him." And he wouldn't. Unless his services were needed, anyway. He certainly wouldn't mind.

[shutupandduelme]

Kaiba lengthened his stride on purpose, keeping his head up and facing back towards town. The man was practically a rat in mannerisms. The brunet would bet he would be more likely to hole up somewhere warm than brave the forest, just like any other rat. It would also, coincidentally, be easier to lose Atem there. He didn't need any distractions, and the other duelist...well.

"That sounds like a dismissal to me. Since when did you just blatantly ignore your friends?" the brunet said coolly, eying the alleyways and paths they walked past. "I am not so desperate for your presence."

[note_atem]

"I'm not." It was almost two and a half steps to every one of Kaiba's now but as usual, he had no problem keeping up. His energy was very high right now, so it was actually easier than usual to do so. "I spoke with them already. They were shocked and happy." Shocked more so but that was a given.

Still, he kept on smiling, reaching just once to pull his jacket closer as they walked through the wind, his hair ruffling slightly. "I'm not saying you are. I'm just coming with you, that's all." And that was pretty much the end of it as far as he was concerned.

[shutupandduelme]

As they got closer to town, Kaiba's scowl grew. He didn't need Atem there. It was a complete distraction, and an insult to his own ability. He could handle his problems on his own, and that was that.

But as Atem kept up with every step, the brunet's temper continued to grow shorter. Abruptly, he seized the shorter man by the collar and yanked him into the nearest alleyway.

"You are not coming," he growled in the shorter man's face.

[note_atem]

He wasn't sure what he had been expecting, but it probably wasn't where he'd ended himself up. His hands immediately went to Seto's wrist, trying to free himself. His eyes glared upwards, determination set into his features.

"I am and there's not a damn thing you can do about it." He growled back, eyes narrowing.

[shutupandduelme]

"I can do plenty of things," Kaiba said, a mocking smirk curving over his lips, "and none of them are pleasant."

He pressed closer, trying to pressure the other into backing off. There were better things he could be doing. Easier things. Safer things.

"This isn't a duel you can march into and end with one turn," he said.

[note_atem]

Atem wasn't having any of it, standing his ground, his hands gripping Seto's tighter. This was a lot easier to deal with when all that extra adrenaline. In fact he stepped closer, almost daring to push back himself.

"No one said it was. But I'm coming with you whether your like it or not. Get over it."

[shutupandduelme]

It was simple enough to match Atem's push with his own. It was what they always did, after all. Kaiba Seto was not going to be forced back.

"Words," he said with a sneer, "don't mean much to me. You're not going because I will not allow it. That's the end of it."

[note_atem]

Another push, another step forward, one hand moving to Kaiba's shoulder to push harder. His other hand was still on Seto's wrist, digging in as much as he could get it. There was a slight jitter in his being, though maybe it was a shiver from the cold air.

"I don't follow your orders and most often times not even your wishes. I'm coming with you. Arguing with me only delays you." His own words were sharp and clear.