This story is Yaoi, Jack x Yusei.
Warnings: Rated M for mature themes and profanity. No graphic descriptions! Farce/possibly OOC (hopefully not by too much!). You have been warned!
The usual disclaimers apply
1. Plans
"You're getting … married?"
"You sound surprised."
"Honestly, I am. I wasn't expecting this at all. You've always been so … independent, Jack." Yusei quickly looked down, glad that he needed to put away his tools and wipe off his hands, glad to have an excuse to take his eyes away from Jack's face for just a couple of seconds. Just long enough to compose himself. "You've always seemed to be so insistent on going your own way. No, I'm happy for you, Jack." Straightening his jacket, he stood and held out his hand. "Congratulations."
Jack took it, shaking it. "Thanks, Yusei. Would you stand up for me? I mean, you're really the closest thing I have to a best friend, and—"
"Say no more. Of course I will, Jack."
"Thanks. You're the best. I'll call with all the details as soon as they're ironed out."
Jack turned to leave Yusei's lab, but Yusei said, "Wait—"
Jack stopped, looking back.
"Won't you have lunch? It's almost noon. Unless you have plans."
Jack smiled. "You actually eat lunch now?"
"Well, when old friends drop by."
"I think I can make time."
Yusei took him to a college hang-out not far away from the research center, basically a bar and grill.
"I suppose I should arrange some sort of stag party," Yusei said uncertainly. "Is there anyone in particular you want to come along? … And do you want girls?"
Jack stretched back in his side of the booth, his long, lean body uncoiling like a spring. "Nah … you know I've never really been into that kind of thing."
Yusei wanted to ask, What kind of thing are you really into? Jack had always been so guarded about that. Even his closest friends, even Yusei didn't know.
"So … Carly? I thought … You never really paid attention to her after …"
Jack smiled. "Why don't you come out and ask? We've known each other long enough, haven't we? You thought I dropped her after the Dark Signer thing. You thought I couldn't face that stuff. Too emotional, right?"
"Uh, yeah. That's basically it."
Jack gave his head a shake, closing his eyes, then opened them and said, "Yeah, I guess I don't like to dwell on that stuff, but … Eh, it's in the past now. And Carly … she's always there for me and doesn't … push, you know?"
Push, Yusei thought. I wonder, does he think I push him? "Jack, that sounds a little blasé for someone getting married, don't you think? What about love?"
Jack practically rolled his eyes. "Of course there's that, but do we need to talk about it? I notice you're awfully quick to chat about that sort of stuff with anyone, anywhere, but when it comes to you, it's a whole different story. Do you want to discuss why you and Aki are still casually dating? You are still casually dating, right?"
"Yeah, we see each other every now and then, but it's not serious."
"Does she know that?"
"By now she should. It's been long enough."
"And she's serious enough about you to string along for a long time. You really ought to do the merciful thing and shoot that relationship between the eyes."
"I would have said the same thing about you and Carly a week ago, Jack."
"And what's your point, that Aki has a prayer?"
"I really don't know, Jack," said Yusei. What had actually gone through his mind was more along the lines of, Look who's talking, Mr She-doesn't-push-me. But he couldn't just come out and say that to a man who just told him he was getting married, could he? "Anyway, we should focus on your wedding. Isn't it the best man's duty to plan a bachelor party?"
"I don't need that sort of thing."
"What are you saying? You don't want a party in your honor? You don't want anyone fussing over you?"
"No, I don't want to get falling down drunk with a bunch of guys that I don't see much anymore and talk over times that I don't want to think about anymore."
"Aw, come on, Jack, it's not like that."
"How would you know? You haven't seen that much of me since I've been on the circuit."
"And that's too bad. I've missed hanging out with you."
"Surely Crow's relieved."
"You know Crow loves having you around if only to keep him on his toes. Come on, Jack, I'll keep it small. Only Team Satisfaction plus a couple of your closer friends. Is there anyone from Duel Ace that you want to invite? Your agent or anyone?"
"He's having some sort of cocktail party at his place for that sort of thing. Do you want to come?"
"Nah, I really want to have a party that's just for us. You know, the folks who knew you when."
"All right, Yusei, if you're really set on it."
"How about girls?"
"Yusei! Don't I have enough of those following me around as it is?"
"All right, no girls."
"Thanks for that at least."
"You know, Jack, you don't have to get wasted."
"Whatever."
"Why did I do it?"
"Do what?" asked Crow.
"Suggest organizing a bachelor party for Jack?" said Yusei. "I'm regretting it already."
"It's traditional," shrugged Crow.
"Just what I want. To go out, get drunk—with Jack, of all people—and talk about the old days!" Yusei groused. Days that were never coming back. Closeness that would never be recaptured because …
… because Jack was getting married.
Satellite … Dark Signers … the WRGP …
Or, worse—
How Jack walked out on Team Satisfaction, betrayed Yusei and left for Neo Domino. How he ran off to become King …
How he ran off to get married …
Get married?
Yusei frowned and sat down.
"Come on, Yusei, it'll be fun," said Crow. "I know Jack can be a downer, but Kiryu and I will be there. We can keep the evening fun. And we can steer the conversation away from topics that are thorny."
He looked up. Oh yeah. He'd almost forgotten he was talking to Crow.
"Oh, yeah, because you never start an argument with Jack."
"Please, Jack's the one who starts those things up."
"Now wait a minute. Who always used to go out of his way to confront Jack and start yelling?"
"Because of a situation that was all Jack?" Crow started in on a long tirade, which allowed Yusei the opportunity to pursue the line of thought that had disturbed him earlier.
Getting married wasn't a betrayal. Following your dream wasn't a betrayal. It wasn't … was it? Why did he …?
Crap.
Did he …? No.
He wasn't. He wasn't going to re-examine what happened when Jack left Satellite. Not again. They'd resolved that already and it had been painful enough and …
"Yusei! I said, 'Don't you think so?'"
"Uh, sorry Crow, I'm trying to think who I should invite to this thing."
Crow rolled his eyes. "I don't know why we have to do this, anyway."
Yusei scowled. "Only because he's our best childhood friend, that's all. I guess you forgot all the times he fought off the bigger kids for us."
"Or all the times he attracted the bigger kids for a good fight."
"Crow …"
He sighed. "You know I can't do this without grumbling."
"Fine."
"Kiryu's on the list for sure. He'd never forgive us if we forgot him."
"I already have him down."
"Team Ragnarok? I know Dragan would want to come."
"If I invite them, I have to invite Bommer and a lot of other guys. I'm certain that Jack wants to keep this small."
"Then it's Kiryu, you, me … anyone else?"
"I think he'd like that officer along. What's his name? Kazama? He duels him every time he's in town."
"Does he? He doesn't even do that for me."
This. This was going to be more than painful enough. He didn't want to begin to ask himself why, be he just knew it. And he was afraid to know the answer.
Get drunk.
With Jack.
He sighed.
Author's notes:
A little piece of fluff that I've decided to start posting ahead of schedule because 1) it's all but finished and 2) I'm in a holiday mood. ;) I approach this with great affection for these characters and I hope to treat them with respect despite the awkward situations that I've placed them in. I hope you agree! But if you think I cross a line, please don't hesitate to call me on it!
This one will only be a few chapters long.
Preview of chapter 2 ...
Jack stood. "This isn't going anywhere and I'm not having a good time anymore."
"Jack—" Kaz said pleadingly. "C'mon, man, we want you to stay."
"No, I'm tired." He walked out, angry and frustrated.
It's his party and he'll walk out if he wants to. Things don't go quite as Yusei plans.