Seto listens to both of their words. Siebren's words remind him of Mokuba's from long ago...he needs to learn to smile again. He should play nice with Yugi. He doesn't have to keep his walls up all the time.

"I don't mean to disturb you with any emotion. I'm working on handling it," he offers to Xander. He should really leave, then...but though this Alex character isn't exactly like him? He's similar enough that maybe Xander does know something about helping. And he likes Siebren well enough. Maybe he can discuss this...in clinical terms, at least. Uncertainty swirls, but he presses on.

"I'm only explaining this so you don't jump to incorrect conclusions," he begins. "My brother and I were orphaned and had difficulty getting adopted, so I...negotiated with one of the top businessmen in the country when he visited for a photo op. I knew going into it that sentimentality had no part in our deal, it was purely transactional...but I underestimated how thoroughly he would shape me."

A dark expression crosses his face, and a swell of guilt accompanies it. He really doesn't need to elaborate for them to draw the correct conclusions.

"I was taught to trust no one. To see the world as a series of business transactions, not connections. I've been dragged back down and into something resembling standard friendships since, but I still feel like I'm faking it."

Did he actually say all that? His cheeks warm a little, and he folds his arms over his chest self-consciously.