Nothing Builds A Friendship Like A Crisis

Nothing Builds a Friendship Like a Crisis

Co-written with multifandoms27 Summary: You wanted to work in peace, but a certain CEO wanted you to take on a job for him. Dub canon plus a version of DSOD. Female Reader. Set maybe two years post DSOD. Fun fact: I always write my Reader character with personality and specific description. This means she may not be as generic as is customary for this type of story. Each reader character also has a specific place in the Yu-Gi-Oh world, and is basically an OC with set connections and feelings about the various canon characters and other reader characters. This is reader B, who is immune to the siren song of romance, cheap, eccentric, logical, and hands-on. Word count: 1,100 It felt lonely after Yugi and his friends’ graduation. Over the course of the three prior years, while you had worked at Kame Game, Yugi had slowly pulled you into his friend group. Always slow to form emotional connections, you found you were no match for Yugi’s bright smile and quiet nudging to join in the fun. And despite being four years older, you had been well integrated by the time Yugi graduated—although, truth be told, you were only marginally aware of how much you had come to delight in spending time with the group. At least, until it ended, then you became keenly aware. Téa left to study in New York. Tristan was working full time in his dad’s factory. And Joey spent his days working a collection of odd jobs and chasing down his dream of becoming a professional duelist. And then Joey started dating your younger sister, and it felt like losing two friends at once. Fortunately, you and Yugi grew closer, starting Pharaoh Games together, designing a few games which the two of you sold for a slight profit at a small scale. And Mokuba started to swing by; he latched onto you, quickly becoming close. It was Mokuba who hired you and Yugi to design the proof of concept game for his older brother’s new solid vision holograms. And that was how, amidst a whirlwind year and a half project, you met Seto Kaiba. He was the most interesting human you had ever met, he designed incredible things, and he loved his little brother—the three shortcuts to winning your favor, all in one person. You and Kaiba worked well together—which Mokuba encouraged—and to your surprise, by the end of the project, Kaiba was going out of his way to talk to you, tell you about his plans, and ask for your advice on specific elements of scenario design for his own Solid Vision projects.

You even tried to help Kaiba win a bet with Pegasus, and although the two of you eventually lost, it did help create a true bond between you, (especially when it came time to pay up.) Still, once the Solid Vision game was completed, Kaiba moved on to other projects, and you were left with nothing to return to but quiet work at the game shop. It was a good job, a good life, and Yugi was a good friend; but you missed spending time with someone smarter than you, someone who built imaginary worlds from light, someone with impressive dreams for the future. It felt like, after years of hearing about Yugi’s adventures, you had been swept up into the edges of something grand, only to be dropped again back into the mundane—and there were fewer friends to share it with now.

Still, the Kaiba brothers both kept in contact in their own way, and you had low social needs, so it all seemed like it would work out. 

While working alone at the game shop, you flipped the radio on. An old fashioned trumpet fanfare blasted out of the speakers as you scrambled to turn the volume down. You were all too familiar with the melody—the theme song for a rapidly ascending game company, Knightly Rook, which had been in an advertising blitz for almost a month now. From your admittedly biased perspective, the company seemed more hype than substance, but it was the company’s snide, barely concealed jabs at Kaiba Corp that irritated you. Still, there was a lot of talk from the company’s popular president that Knightly Rook would soon go public, so for the moment, even the news was covering their rise to prominence.

At your hip, your cell phone went off, playing the Kaiba Corp theme. Switching off the radio, you popped the phone out of its clip and answered it. “Kaiba?” 

“You’re taking Mokuba to Kaiba Land tomorrow.” Kaiba rarely bothered with the customary social dance that defined most people’s conversations.

Had you forgotten about a plan made months ago? You switched to your calendar app, “No, I’m not. I’m working tomorrow.” You liked jumping straight past the niceties too. “Besides, I don’t remember asking you to plan my schedule.”

“You should. You wouldn’t make yourself a long-term plan if I paid you to do it.” Kaiba gave a harsh little laugh. “Yugi can run the shop. I want to hire you to assist Mokuba for his park inspection tomorrow.”

“Don’t you usually do the monthly park inspection with Mokuba?” You switched your phone to speakerphone, setting it down and grabbing a box cutter. “Besides, Yugi’s out of town this week.” Cutting open a few boxes of supplies, you began to check the contents against the provided invoices.

After a moment’s silence, Kaiba gave a little growl, “Why is Yugi in New York?”

He must have checked Yugi’s duel disk location. “He’s visiting Téa.”

“Fine. I’ll pay Mr. Muto to give you the day off.”

“Honestly, just wait a couple of days and—“

“Do you think you’re not up to the task? Is that why you’re turning this opportunity down?” 

“Hey, we both know I’m capable of keeping up with Mokuba. I’ll be available in a few days. You don’t even have to pay me.”

“I’d rather you did it tomorrow. And I’ll pay you. The last time someone other than me did the inspection with Mokuba, he ended up covered in wet paint and quit.”

Not surprising. Mokuba could be something of a feral gremlin with anyone he didn’t like. You sighed. “What time will a car be picking me up?” You weren’t going to pay for parking at Kaiba Land if you could help it.

“Nine. I’ll have someone fax you your W-4. Fill it out and have it ready for tomorrow.”

“Okay.” You marked off the last of the supplies on the invoice. “Anything I need to read up on tonight?”

“I’ll send you the latest security protocols. But be sure to destroy the papers after you read them.”

“Security proto—Kaiba what’s going on?”

“I’m handling it. But I don’t have time to accompany Mokuba tomorrow. Just keep an eye out.”

You sighed again. Why did Kaiba have to be secretive? “Fine. But I’m not a bodyguard. I don’t have the right training.”

“Mokuba will have guards with him.”

You set down your pencil. “That’s good. Will we see you tomorrow?”

“I doubt it.”

“Well, I’ll keep Mokuba out of trouble.”

“Bye.” Kaiba hung up. Abrupt as always. Hopefully, you wouldn’t make any embarrassing mistakes tomorrow. If Kaiba trusted you, then you had no intention of letting him and Mokuba down. Part 2

All the people who think Seto Kaiba and Alexis Rhodes/Asuka Tenjoin look alike (and are potentially related) say aye

Hi there sorry for bothering you at night 😓 (since it’s like 8:36pm EST) would you possibly like to do a matchup exchange since requests are open ? it’s up to you! I’m ok with whatever answer you have ( : thx!!!

what's a matchup exchange? I've never done one of those before lol

I understand if the explanation is in the name, but I guess you never know the rules of some stuff lol

Chapter 3

Synopsis: A girl going through college wanting to make friends, but is faced with two problems in doing so - her hermit lifestyle and social anxiety. However, as she navigates through college she meets a boy and they become fast friends. But...is that everything?

Warnings: slight stalker-ish behavior

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When Redd picked up Sam the next morning, Sam presented her with a loaf of uncut bread. Redd was very confused.

“My um,” Sam stuttered. “My mom made this as a thank you.”

“A loaf of bread…?” Redd asked incredulously, her jaw practically hanging open.

“We recently got a bread making machine and she wanted to use it. It’s blueberry muffin bread.” Sam looked at her. “I hope you don’t have any allergies.”

“No, no. We can have some on campus, I’d love to try it.” Redd composed herself and gave him a smile.

Sam gave a small smile before nodding and buckling himself in. The car ride was silent before Sam offered to play some music. Redd thanked whatever God there was, because the air seemed still in her car with Sam there.

“I like rock, is that okay?” Sam asked, slowly turning up the radio as he connected his phone to the car.

“Yeah that’s fine, I like rock too. Heavy metal is another good one…” She trailed off as she continued to drive.

The two talked about their music tastes, finding some middle ground in bands they like. Sam also made notes about some bands Redd suggested he listen to. It was an enjoyable ride back to campus, and Redd thought she felt their bond growing stronger.

I’m doing it! She thought. I’m making a friend!

Both of them were happily talking as they waltzed into the cafeteria, settling down at a table. It was crowded again today, but Redd didn’t seem to mind for once. She was so happy she made a friend, she didn’t have a care in the world right now.

“Hey, when do you leave campus?” Sam asked.

“Around four, why?”

“You want to grab some dinner?” Sam asked, a wide smile on his face. “I don’t have too much money on me so I hope you’re okay with fast food.”

“Oh yeah, that’s fine! There should be a Roy Rogers somewhere off campus, I drive by it all the time.” Redd was very excited now, practically bouncing in her seat.

“That’s my favorite fast food joint, can you read minds or something?” Sam teased.

Redd paused for a second, thinking he was going to say something else, but laughed with him in the end. “No, no. I just like it there.”

“Well then it’s settled. I have to run, but uh,” Sam quickly took out a piece of paper and a pencil, then scribbled on it. “Here’s my number. Shoot me a text after your last class, yeah?”

Redd took the piece of paper and looked it over. A grin spread across her face. “Okay, yeah, I’ll text you after my last class. I’ll see you then okay?”

“Okay. Bye Redd.” Sam reached over and grabbed a slice of the bread he gave her.

When he turned his back to her, she did a little victory fist bump. Her first friend in college! She was finally getting out there! Taking out her phone she put the number in immediately as a new contact, then began texting her uncle.

Redd: New friend alert!

Lance: Another one?

Redd: Well no. Sam gave me his number!

Lance: He better watch himself.

Redd: Calm down Lance, I’ll be fine.

Lance: If he asks you to the upcoming fair then I’m calling it.

Redd: Calling what?

Lance: Don’t worry about it yet.

Redd: Why are you always so vague?

Lance: Not always. Anyway, what do you want for dinner?

Redd: Oh I’m getting dinner with Sam :)

Lance: Yeah I’m calling it.

Redd: Calling what?

Redd: Lance??

Confused, she exited the conversation after a few moments. Seeing the time, she realized she also had to leave. Stuffing the bread in her bag, she quickly ran from her spot and out of the building to her class. All the while, a pair of ice blue eyes were watching her.

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A little short again, hope you can forgive me! I hope you enjoyed just as much as I did writing this tho <3 more updates to come

Chapter 2

Synopsis: A girl going through college wanting to make friends, but is faced with two problems in doing so - her hermit lifestyle and social anxiety. However, as she navigates through college she meets a boy and they become fast friends. But...is that everything?

Warnings: none

previous chapter | next chapter | full masterlist

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The next time Redd was on campus, she looked for Sam. It was her first friend since high school, and she was excited. Seeing him sitting alone at the cafeteria, she moved over (at a normal pace) and sat at the same place she had before. “How’s your coding assignment coming along?”

Sam looked up, surprised, then recognized Redd. “Oh, it’s going okay. It’s due tonight and I can finally be done with it and move on to the next thing.”

“Well that’s good.” She smiled.

Sam didn’t speak for a moment and Redd realized she was staring. Clearing her throat she pulled out her own laptop and began to type. Sam finally spoke again. “How’s your own assignments coming along?”

“Oh, just fine. I finished an essay earlier today which I’m happy about, and I have some other stuff due tonight that I should be working on.” Redd shrugged.

Sam let out a small yawn. “Sorry, I didn't get much sleep last night. Glad you’re keeping up though.”

“Assignment kicking your ass?”

“Yeah. I really hate this class.” Sam chuckled.

“Well, midterms are around the corner, and then you don’t have much left to go.” She tried to comfort him.

Sam groaned and let his head slip from his hand, smacking against the table. The volume of the hit made people turn and look. Redd blinked a little before standing and reaching over the table. “Are you alright?”

Sam didn’t answer for a moment. Then snores. He had fallen asleep, or knocked himself out. Redd couldn’t quite tell. She wonders what she should do. Before she could answer her own question, Sam let out a snore so loud it woke him back up. He jolted and turned to Redd reaching over to him.

“What…?”

“You had uh,” Redd stuttered. “Slammed against the table and passed out. Just how much sleep did you get?”

“Twenty minutes.” Sam answered groggily.

“Maybe you should go home. Do you have a ride?” Redd looked around for anybody coming towards them that could be Sam’s friend.

“No, I drive here by myself.”

“How the hell did you drive here on twenty minutes of sleep?” Redd asked incredulously.

“I don’t know.” Sam shrugged. “It’s okay, I can drive myself.”

“I don’t think it’s safe for you to do that. I can drive you home.” Redd offered.

“But what about my car? It’ll stay here overnight.”

“We can either come get it later or I can drop you off here tomorrow.” Redd just wanted Sam to be safe.

Sam thought about it for a second. He’d only met this girl once before, did he really want her to know where he lived? But then again, it wasn’t like she had any malicious intent…she seemed kind enough. After a moment of thought, Sam nodded. “We can come here tomorrow.”

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Redd watched Sam stumble into his house from her car. She wanted to make sure he got in before she drove away. They gave each other one last wave goodbye before she began to pull out of his driveway. She was glad to know he was safe in his home rather than falling asleep behind the wheel.

It wasn’t long before her uncle called her. She saw his number pop up on her dashboard and she could guess he knew she wasn’t on campus right now. However, she answered, not wanting to be in more trouble for not answering.

“Hello?”

“Why are you not on campus?”

“How do you know I’m not-”

“I saw your car. I passed you a little while ago. What’s going on?”

“Sam wasn’t feeling well and kept falling asleep, so I drove him home.”

“You know where he lives?” Lance asked.

“Just learned today…why are you near here? What’re you doing?”

“Work. Hey, we’ll talk about this later. I gotta get going.”

“Okay, bye.”

“Bye kid.” Lance hung up.

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Lance turned to Maelstrom after hanging up, pocketing his phone. “Sorry about that.”

“It’s fine. She’s special.” Maelstrom had a certain look in her eye.

Lance recognized it and narrowed his own eyes. “You stay away from her. Matter of fact, tell your buddies to stay away from her too. I don’t need her getting caught up in this stuff.”

Maelstrom didn’t say anything, but turned and began to walk. Lance followed behind her, missing the conniving look on her face. Redd had intrigued Maelstrom, and with Lance forcing her away, it made her want to get ever closer.

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This one's a little shorter, but I hope you all enjoyed! I won't be posting every single day however, I'm a college student and I have another blog running. But I still hope you can enjoy this story even if updates are slow :3

I tend to never be satisfied with my potrayal of Jeff. I'm going to try to nail it down today though.

Content: Jeff the killer HC's

Warnings: Bullying behavior (cyberbullying), toxic behavior, psychotic episodes, impulsivity, aggression, obsessive behavior

Notes: Inspired by my Toby list and my EJ list, and the song Tear You Apart by She Wants Revenge. This one is probably my longest one.

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(Art by kawacy on DeviantArt)

❥General

Okay, we should all know the drill by now. Jeff is psychotic, often hurting and humiliating others for his own entertainment. He's the biggest bully in the mansion.

When you join, he will immediately target you. He'll make fun of your appearance, try to cut you or burn you so he can get a sick laugh (normally when he's in an episode)

Why would you ever want to be anything more than acquaintances with him? He doesn't seem trustworthy at all, and he'll likely spill you secrets to BEN, who will then tell everybody online.

He's constantly getting into fights to prove to the others that he's "top dog," and that he isn't scared of anybody. Ironically enough, the only one he doesn't really try is Eyeless Jack. Motherfucker could eat him in like, two bites, so I understand.

Honestly, as much as he bullies you, you will never be as much of a target as Jane is for him. Which is good, that's a good thing.

When he isn't in his psychotic episodes, he'll still be very snarky, but he won't be going around and getting into people's faces anymore. It's during his calmer moments when you'll be able to start befriending him.

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❥Romantic

Jeff won't really be receptive to you trying to befriend him for a while. He knows how he treated you, he knows who you are. He doesn't care about you, but he'll stick around while you talk to him about whatever. He's just kinda shocked that you've decided to try to get close to him of all creeps. But he'll come off as indifferent.

Don't trust him with your secrets right away. Even if he's not in an episode, he's still going to tell BEN everything.

Just making an effort to talk to him though, not really attempting to get to know him, will start to make him interested. You know who he is, yet you're not...interested in him? His past or why he looks like this? At all?

That was new for him, considering Jane, Liu, Nina, BEN and Slenderman. In fact, he thinks about it so much that he'll begin to obsess about you when he goes back into a violent episode. He'll rip you away from anyone you're with - if it's not a creep, he's killing them on the spot - and will try to force you into his room.

He'll want to talk to you for hours on end, about you. He wants to know you. Why aren't you interested in his past? What was your past? Why are you here?

He goes from not caring about you, to caring about you way too much. Anything negative he's told BEN, he'll go to him and threaten him to take it off the internet, completely scrub it. BEN is confused, but he does it.

Jeff will use that as evidence to him being good to you. He won't admit that he wants your approval, but its pretty obvious.

He begins to spend less time with BEN and more time with you. He wakes up before you? He's pounding on your bedroom door until you open it so you can be up with him. You want to play a game with another creep? He's either watching or forcing his way into the game.

This guy will eventually try to spend every waking moment with you

He goes from not wanting to be around you to becoming OBSESSED

He wants to know everything about you, but he wants you to tell him when you're alone with him. Others don't deserve to know things about you, especially BEN.

This would be around the time he begins to develop feelings. Now, he's still in an episode, so he'll be impulsive with it. It doesn't matter how long you guys have been friends, he wants you and he's going to have you.

He'll pound on your door and when you open it, he'll kiss you on the lips. No prior notice as to how he feels about you, no warning about the kiss, nothing.

You think he's messing with you and you shut the door in his face. He angrily pounds on your door again until someone else comes to take him away.

He thought that was you rejecting him and he went back to hating you. He told BEN a shit ton of things you told him in confidence and you sobbed as you saw gossip about yourself online, along with rumors that weren't true.

Jeff made you out to be the mansion whore, sleeping with anyone for anything - benefits, food, clothes, whatever. It didn't have to make sense for it to spread.

Your other creepypasta friends came to your aid, which irked Jeff even more. Especially your guy friends

It wasn't until he heard you tell Toby about your feelings for him that he realized how much damage he had caused

This whole time he thought you didn't like him...oh, he fucked up

He takes to the internet to debunk the rumors and fight anyone who kept up with them. He once again told BEN to scrub any evidence, leaving the boy confused.

Jeff will come to your aid, but his heart clenches when he realizes that you don't trust him anymore.

He begs and begs for forgiveness, and finally you give it to him so he'll shut up

He's back to following you around like a puppy, and his feelings resurface. He's not in an episode now, and he wants to handle this delicately

His way of doing it delicately is by...giving you one-liners. Yep.

He'll stalk you on your social medias and check out every account you follow, and get jealous if you follow another guy. He's not even in a relationship with you yet!

Finally, he asks you out while you two were playing a game. You had to pause it to look at him and see if he was even serious

So, the two of you start going out. He goes full blown crazy boyfriend

He forces you to move into his room pretty soon, and he keeps tabs on everything you do

He's super paranoid you'll cheat on him, so he's always hanging around in the mansion. You'll never be alone with your friends again now that you're with him.

You don't dare fight him on it, he's the most unstable one and can be super aggressive at the drop of a hat

Probably installs a tracker on your phone so he can monitor where you go and when you leave the mansion if he can't be there for whatever reason

Knife fights anyone who brings up his past behavior or the rumors from before about you, and always wins. He uses this to get praise from you

He wouldn't trade you for the world - you are his world, and he'll make sure everybody knows it. You will never know peace again, even if you manage to run away from him, leaving a breakup letter behind.

You're stuck with him.

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