he does not respond verbally to the other’s greeting , not because his focus had drowned in his work — he had lost all will and energy to even speak . his throat , dry and bitter / legs numb , he dares not to move it as the pins and needles were a bother . he gives a quick glance and a weakened , forcibly juvenile smile to return the other’s kind one . he wishes to hide his exhaustion but he knew that it would be a waste of his energy , there’s no point in hiding it . he listens , a frown evident 'pon his often gentle features — brows crease as lips turn downwards . he was upset that isono had defied his order to explicitly not let ‘ anyone ’ in when he was obviously busy working . he gives a subtle shrug , ❛ i 'unnmo …. ❜ words trail off , a few syllables mixing together , his tongue having the difficulty to roll simple words .
there was probably a second of silence , before the closing of his laptop sends a shock wave throughout his whole system . he didn’t know what to feel ? rage , relief ? this was something he begged himself to do but he dare not to . a flash of anger in his eyes as he eyes the other , ❛ what do you think you’re ——— ! ❜ , it hurt to speak even when he had been controlled by his outburst of emotions . but plum hues soften its gaze when the other sets the paper bag on his laptop . eyes widen in surprise , he does not know how to react — digits trembling , post - fatigue relaxing , the warmth resurging & his heart beating again . his stomach churns , acidity rising in , almost reaching back up in his esophagus . his stomach begs to ingest food but his whole other systems shut down , denying any sort of nourishment . ❛ …….. t - thank you .. ❜ he tries to say , but the softness of his voice makes him wonder if the other had heard it clearly ( not just some bunched up murmurs ) . he reaches out to the bag , opening it with hesitation , the scent of potatoes , meat , vegetables and other delicacies had filled his senses . it makes him both overjoyed and sick . ❛ p - please …. take a - a seat … ❜ he says , awkwardly , as he gestures to the couch chair in front of his desk .
❛ i - i’m …. s - soorry , jounoushi - kun … ❜ his words muffled as he places a nugget in his mouth , not even biting the half first . without even noticing , the stress overwhelming his tired , tired body —— eyes begin to well up , tears seemingly found their way out . the food somewhat foreign ( he hadn’t eaten for almost a day and a half , he lied when he said he ate breakfast today and dinner yesterday . ) ❛ i’m ss - sorry … i didn'f mean tho both …. er y - you …. ❜ , it hurts to eat —— he felt as if all that he’s chewing and swallowing would block his throat , refraining from any more food going in .
walnut hues sharpen, stormy - eyed as he presses more against the laptop. he is unmovable, obstinate in rectifying ( and yes, he fucking knows what ' rectifying ' means, hopes kaiba's shitty ass ears hear him in the afterlife ) mokuba’s health decline ------ enough to crush the device if he must. the rigidity doesn’t leave his shoulders until the other reaches for the bag, jounouchi withdrawing slowly. mokuba’s a tricky kid ; he can’t put a sneak attack past him given recent behavior. by the time he’s left the desk, taking the chair opposite, his eyes are soft, a tad worn - down. ❛ forget ‘bout it, kiddo. it’s fine. you ain’t bothering me. it does bother me when ya don’t eat, though. ❜ he knows starvation -- hunger pains, weak limbs, the world a blur -- can’t imagine doing it when food is readily available. leaning forward, elbows rest on the desk, a chin snuggling into folded arms after. ❛ make sure you chew good, ‘kay ? don’t force it. it’s not the gentlest stuff, but it’s on the way here. ❜
the torrent in his chest soothes, muscles sinking into cushions. jounouchi can worry about rushing out of his ( one of many ) jobs later. old man yamamoto’s an understanding guy, one with two little girls ; he’ll get the dashing off when jounouchi tells him the full story. ❛ don’t hold it against isono. he’s concerned. we all are. ❜ it’s a familiar conversation, the same held with their entire circle of friends following mokuba’s promotion to ceo. kaiba worked day and night running his company and, despite lingering resentments, jounouchi can admit he did a lot of good with it. he won’t pretend they were buds, like he worried whenever kaiba came to class with sunken eyes, but kaiba wasn’t a complete jerk. ( he can’t admit that, after everything they’d been through, he might pity kaiba a bit. ) this isn’t how mokuba should run kaibacorp, though. ❛ don’t think kaiba’d wanna see ya this way either. ❜ a fist clenches, pull turning his lips downward. that’s why he shouldn’t have left. ❛ i get you’re gonna take care of the company, but ignoring meals and sleep isn’t doin’ you any favors. that’s biology talkin’. isono’s got me on speed dial. ❜
don’t make him use it. left unspoken, his attention turning to the office. he didn’t visit beforehand, but the room is kaiba - esque. ❛ an’ think ‘about redecorating, huh ? you’d never know this place’s a game company based on anythin’ after the first floor lobby. ❜ aside from the blue eyes theme prevalent in all of kaiba’s work. ❛ you should’ve seen me walkin’ up here in my casual clothes. security probably would’ve tossed me if isono hadn’t led me up. actually, bet that’s why he did. jeez ------------ ❜ nothing new there, but he’s to blame too. the old days left him with a reputation. ❛ your job’s entertainin’ people, so i figure you have to have fun to do that. even kaiba took time for dueling an’ . . . i think he thought it was fun ? whatever his version of fun was. ❜
