Kaibros fic that’s not all trauma, angst, and codependency leading to painful internal disagreements and violence isn’t expressly my thing(tm). But I did my best to think of a cute fic idea for them, and now I won’t write it so I’m sharing it with all of you.
Imagine Mokuba’s birthday is coming up, and Seto is a big, gloomy no-fun-zone as usual, who never acknowledges anyone’s birthday, his own least of all. But ISONO is there to save the day. He suggests that they put on a big surprise birthday bash, and invite all of Mokuba’s friends (who may or may not actually exist). And Seto might be a big, gloomy no-fun-zone. But he at least recognises that this is an objectively good idea. He runs theme parks. he’s vaguely aware that fun is a thing that exists. A thing that people are willing to pay money for, and thus has value. A thing that Mokuba experiences and likes. How can he say no? He can’t. But he’s very busy with Seto things, so he puts Isono in charge of planning Mokuba’s birthday bash.
But, thing is, Isono is very good at planning birthday bashes. He’s buying great presents. He’s sending out invitations and charming all the other kiddos’ parents. He’s decorating. He knows all of Mokuba’s interests and favourite everythings, and is tailoring the party to them. And Seto’s inferiority complex is rearing it’s ugly head at this point. Seto doesn’t know Mokuba’s favourite cartoon character. Is it not Blue Eyes??? Seto doesn’t know what Mokuba wants as a present, but Isono has assured him that Mokuba will love this thing he bought and put Seto’s name on. And Seto is so anger and bitter and full of self-loathing, and taking it out on everyone else. Extra snappy and dour. Fine! Isono’s better than him at this, but does he have a Blue Eyes Jet?! Whatever! Isono can have this. Seto will just show up at this party like a complete useless bystander, and watch everyone else have a good time due to no merit of his own, and it’ll be shitty. Fuck you, Isono.
And Seto’s standing there in a dark room with party hat with his arms crossed looking like he wants to murder someone, but then Mokuba walks in and turns on the light. Surprise!
And, man, Mokuba is so happy. And he’s so happy that nii-sama is there for it. Pure bliss. Even Seto can see it.
And so Seto just - deflates entirely. Y’know what? This is fine. Mokuba is happy. And happy Seto’s here. The rest of the whys and hows don’t matter all that much.
And then Seto sits in a folding chair and eats cake with a blank look on his face, completely calm. And Isono’s good at choosing tasty birthday cake too, and maybe that’s not a bad thing. so, yanno, Seto will forgive him for being a vile upstager over this past month after all.
