Epilogue

One year later…

"Miss Ito, here are those papers for you to sign."

Aria looked up from her work desk as her assistant, Sara, brought over a pile of paperwork. She sighed as she sifted through the papers, initialing as she went. After her stepfather was indicted for theft and attempted murder, Fenrir Inc and all of its holdings fell to her. However, instead of liquidizing the company, Aria decided to continue on as its CEO. Fortunately she had a strong board of directors who were able to carry the load for her while she was away at school.

"This better be the last ones for the day, I have somewhere I need to be tonight," Aria said with a hint of annoyance.

Her assistant lifted her eyebrows. "Oh? A special date perhaps?"

Aria inwardly rolled her eyes. Sara was a notorious gossip and was always on the prowl for juicy tidbits. And of course Aria was a prime target, what with dating one of the richest men in all of Domino City. If Sara wasn't so good at her job, Aria probably would've transferred her to a different department.

"Actually I'm meeting up with friends," Aria said casually. Which was partly true. Kaiba was planning on joining them later, but that hardly made it a "special" date.

Aria quickly signed through the documents, only grazing through the text. Usually she was a little more thorough, but with summer ending she wanted to spend as much time with the gang and Seto as she could.

"Done!" Aria said as she initialed the last page. "Could you make sure these get filed?" Aria asked as she handed the paperwork off to Sara, "I gotta get going."

"Yes ma'am, but I need you to-"

But Aria didn't hear Sara finish her sentence, she was already running out the door. Work was important, but not as important as spending time with her friends who were the same as family, for they were literally the only family she had left. Work could wait.

Quickly stopping at her new highrise to change, Aria slipped on a new outfit that she was sure Kaiba would like. He had mentioned a few times in the past how much he enjoyed her in green.

Quickly putting on the last touches to her makeup, Aria locked up and jogged to the elevator, hoping she would be able to catch a cab quickly.

Walking out the front doors and onto the street, Aria suddenly stopped at the sight that greeted her. Kaiba stood leaning against the back door of his limo, his usual smirk in place. Aria raised a skeptical eyebrow at him in greeting. "I thought you were meeting me later at the pub."

Kaiba's smirk grew. "I thought you would be happy to see me a little early."

Aria's eyes narrowed. "I know you Seto and we were supposed to meet everyone downtown. Don't think you can get out of it by kidnapping me early."

"You have so little faith in me," Kaiba said, crossing his arms.

Aria laughed. "Only because I know you so well. Now can you promise me that you'll take me to see our friends?"

"Get in the limo and find out."

Aria crossed her arms, mirroring Kaiba. "No."

Now Kaiba's eyes narrowed. "Don't make me come over there and get you."

Aria smirked, a defiant glint in her eye. "I'd like to see you try."

Kaiba huffed and rolled his eyes. "This is childish. Will you please just trust me Aria and get in the limo?"

Aria stared hard into Kaiba's eyes, reading the unspoken words in his plea. After an intermittent span of time, her body relaxed and she uncrossed her arms, letting them fall to her side. "Okay, Seto."

Seto's countenance also relaxed as Aria approached the limo. He moved aside, opening the door for her.

Before getting in, Aria paused beside him. Shooting him a smile, she reached up and planted a kiss right beside his mouth. "I missed you too by the way," she said huskily.

Winking at him Aria turned to climb through the door. A hand stopped her however, and pulled her back so that she was in Kaiba's arms where he kissed her firmly on the mouth.

It was a good thing that Kaiba's arms were holding her, as Aria's knees had gone weak. She kissed him back thoroughly, not even caring that they were in the middle of a public street.

Kaiba broke the kiss but did not relinquish his hold on her. "I cannot fathom how you can make me feel both infuriated and enamoured when you say 'no' to me."

Aria grinned. "I guess that means I'll just have to say it more often then."

Kaiba growled in response. "Don't push your luck."

Aria giggled and quickly jumped into the limo before Kaiba could get his hands on her again. Otherwise they would never leave on time.

Just as she poked her head in, Aria noticed five pairs of eyes staring back at her. "You guys are here!" she exclaimed, beaming at everyone sitting around the limo. Yugi, Tristan, Téa, and Mokuba all beamed back. Joey however looked like he had just eaten a sour grape.

"Geez Ari," Joey said with disgust, "If I had to watch you and Kaiba for one more minute out that window, I swear I was going to puke."

Aria's face suddenly reddened realizing that her friends were completely in view of her and Kaiba's passionate exchange. And knowing that her boyfriend's little brother was part of it didn't help matters either.

"Jealous much Wheeler?" Kaiba said as he climbed in beside Aria.

"Hmph," Joey grunted, turning up his nose, "Just be glad you scored a girl like Aria at all rich boy."

"Don't I know it," Kaiba said, turning to Aria, devotion clearly set in his eyes. Aria could feel herself beginning to blush again.

"Okay lovebirds," Téa interjected, "Before we get all mushy again, do we finally get to find out where we're going?"

"Yes, I'm a little curious of that myself," Aria added.

"Driver," Kaiba said as he knocked on the roof of the limo. Soon it was pulling away from the curb and into the flow of traffic.

"I love surprises!" Téa said, clapping her hands excitedly.

"He's probably taking us to a board meeting," Joey mumbled under his breath.

"Don't worry Wheeler, mutts are allowed where we're going." Kaiba sneered. "Umph!" Kaiba looked over to see Aria glaring at him. He rubbed his ribs where her elbow had connected.

"This is one of our last outings together, be nice," she whispered.

Kaiba glared back but without any zeal. He knew this was probably one of the last times Aria would see her friends for the summer. And although it didn't bother him much, he wanted this day to be special for her. For it marked their one year anniversary since their private date at the pizza parlour.

And what a crazy year it had been. What with Aria at school and both of them the CEO of a company, to say they were both busy was an understatement. But they somehow always made time for one another and Kaiba believed that their relationship was stronger than it had ever been before.

Subtlety, Kaiba patted his coat pocket, making sure the present he planned on giving Aria was still there.

Soon the limo was driving along the shorefront.

"What are we doing down by the boardwalk?" Téa asked.

Aria swiveled to Kaiba wide eyed. "Oh no, we're not going where I think we are, are we?"

Kaiba grinned. "You'll just have to wait and see."

They didn't have to wait long. Soon enough, bright and colourful lights could be seen in the distance.

"We're going to a carnival?" Tristan asked skeptically. "I was expecting some fancy gala."

"Wow Seto!" Mokuba exclaimed loudly. "I didn't think in a million years you would ever bring Aria and I back here!"

"Wait, you guys came here before?" Téa asked, looking at Aria. "When was this?"

Kaiba watched Aria flush. "Er...earlier last summer. It was kind of an impromptu outing."

Mokuba chimed in, "It was the first night Seto realized he liked Aria," he said with a big grin.

Kaiba glowered at Mokuba to get the message that he was talking too much. Mokuba's smile faltered when he saw the look Kaiba was giving him and immediately turned contrite. At least he got the meaning.

"Now I get it," Joey said with a smirk, "You're tryin' to be all romantic taking her back. Didn't think you had it in ya loverboy."

"Maybe if you keep watching Wheeler, you'll pick up a few tips."

"Nah, I got all the moves I need," Joey replied leaning against the seat, a smug expression on his face.

"Yes, which is evident by all the ladies clamoring after you," Tristan said sarcastically.

"If you nerds are done discussing Wheelers love life, or lack thereof," Kaiba chided, "We're here."

Kaiba opened the door, stepping out. He held the door for Aria, offering his hand to assist her out.

"Always the gentleman," she murmured with a smile.

Kaiba smiled back. Still holding her hand, he led her to the entrance of the carnival.

"That's weird," Aria said, "For a friday night the place looks totally deserted."

"Just the way I like it," Kaiba said with a smirk.

Aria rolled her eyes. "I should have known," she mumbled. "I'm guessing all the rides are free too?"

Instead of answering, Kaiba simply winked at her. That earned him another eye roll, but at least with a smile.

The rest of the group soon joined them at the front gates.

"You mean we get the whole place to ourselves?" Joey said, gaping at the fairgrounds.

"You might want to close your mouth Wheeler," Kaiba jeered, "You're drooling."

Aria leaned over to Téa. "You'd think after being in each other's company more often, the belittling would have let up."

Téa whispered back, "I think it actually may have gotten worse."

Kaiba bit back a retort. It's true the backtalk had escalated over the year, but Kaiba just could not see himself getting along with the mutt. But since it was Aria's special night, he was willing to tone it down...just a bit.

"An empty carnival and free rides?" Tristan exclaimed. "I'll admit I'm drooling, let's go have some fun!"

And with a cheer everyone walked through the gates to head to the various carnival games and rides.

Aria went to follow them but Kaiba quickly grabbed her hand. "Before you go off to join the nerdfest, there's something I wanted to do with you first."

Aria gave him a curious look but didn't complain as he led her in another direction. As they started to walk closer and closer towards the ferris wheel, Aria's eyes became wider.

"You cannot expect me to go on that thing again," she said gruffly.

Kaiba squeezed her hand in reassurance. "You know, you weren't the only one to overcome a fear that night."

Aria's head quickly swung to him in surprise. "Don't tell me you're afraid of heights too."

Kaiba shook his head. "No, the fear of becoming close to someone." He swallowed, finding it hard to say the words that were weighing so heavily on his heart. "Besides Mokuba, I didn't think I would ever be able to let someone else become close to me. Until you that is."

Kaiba watched as a few tears began to pool in Aria's eyes. Great, he hadn't meant to make her cry.

Aria sniveled and wiped at her eyes. "Well after a speech like that, how can I say no?"

Kaiba smiled down at her and gripping her hand, walked up to the awaiting seat on the ferris wheel. As they sat down together, Kaiba could already see Aria's breathing becoming more laboured. He began to have his doubts. Was this asking too much of her?

"Promise you won't let go?" she asked between breaths.

Kaiba squeezed her hand harder. "I promise."

Soon enough, the ferris wheel lurched forward and they began the ascent to the top. Kaiba held on to Aria's hand, keeping a close eye on her in case she panicked and they needed to get down quickly. But despite the heavy breathing, she appeared to be handling the rising height reasonably well.

"I forgot to tell you how beautiful you look tonight," Kaiba said, trying to capture her attention.

A small smile played on Aria's lips. "I know what you're trying to do."

"Oh?" Kaiba said, feigning ignorance.

"Mhm," she said. "If I remember correctly, I believe you used a similar tactic last time."

"And if I remember correctly," Kaiba smirked, "It worked."

Aria laughed and Kaiba felt relief at seeing some of her anxiety disappear. And then he suddenly felt some of his own anxiousness as he remembered why he asked her to join him up here. But before he could begin to say the words he had been rehearsing in his head the chair came to a stop at the peak of the wheel.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Aria asked breathlessly, looking out onto the fair grounds where every colourful and twinkling light could be seen.

"Yes," Kaiba said, not even glancing at the lights. "It is." He swallowed. "Aria, there was a reason I brought you up here."

"Yeah?" she said, turning her attention away from the view.

"I wanted to give you something," he said reaching into his pocket, "To celebrate one year together."

Aria's eyes suddenly went wide. "Seto...That better not be what I think it is."

Kaiba blinked at her for a moment and then he smirked. "Would that be so bad?"

"Yes," she said without pause. "I'm not even nineteen yet, and you're proposing?"

Kaiba chuckled. "You're always getting ahead of yourself." Pulling his hand out of his pocket, Kaiba flattened out his hand to reveal a thin rectangular case, no bigger than a playing card.

Aria's face fell in confusion. "That's not a ring box."

"No, it's not," Kaiba said with a grin.

"Then what is it?"

Kaiba chuckled again. "Why don't you open it and find out."

Aria tentatively picked up the case. Holding it in both of her hands, she carefully flipped the case open and gasped when she saw what was inside.

"Seto," she breathed, "It's beautiful." Picking up the object inside, Aria beheld a Duel Monsters playing card. "The Heart of Kaiba," she read out loud. The picture depicted a glowing red human heart. But the stunning imagery was that of a Blue Eyes White Dragon curled around as if protecting it. It's maw open wide in a ferocious roar. "Did you make this?" she asked.

"No," he answered, "That is an official Duel Monsters card which means you can actually use it in a duel."

"But that would mean-"

"Yes, Pegasus made it for me."

Aria looked at him incredulously. "Why would he do that? Especially after everything he attempted against Kaiba Corp."

"I may have twisted his arm a little bit," Kaiba admitted with a devilish grin. Then he shrugged. "All I had to do was tell him that all would be forgiven if he did this for me."

"More like you pinned him to the ground till he gave in," she said with a chuckle. "So what does it do in a duel then?"

"If you play this card when a Blue Eyes White Dragon is on the field, it immediately switches to your side and nothing can take it back."

Aria paused for a long moment, cradling the card in her hands. "Seto, I don't know what to say." Then she smiled. "It's very fitting as you own the only playable cards in existence."

Kaiba reached over and tucked away a piece of her hair that was blowing in the summer breeze. "Everything I have is yours Aria. Even my most prized card."

Aria's eyes now brimmed over with tears, but at least Kaiba knew that this time they were tears of happiness. "I love you Aria," he said huskily.

"I love you too Seto."

"Come here," he whispered as he brought her into his arms. Kissing her temple, Kaiba moved his lips to cheek then down to her jawline. He paused as he reached her lips.

"Seto…" Aria growled in protest.

Kaiba smiled to himself then captured her mouth with his.